JP2010147525A - Array antenna apparatus and array antenna control method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an array antenna device that prevents deterioration of antenna characteristics due to environmental changes and is easy to downsize.
A plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n and a plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n are provided. , 22-n each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,..., 22-n based on the detected environment information. , A database 41 that selects and outputs correction values for the antenna, and an antenna that calculates the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n based on the output correction values. Based on the coordinates of the element coordinate calculation circuit 51 and the calculated plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,..., 22-n, a plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2. Positions for each of 22-3, ..., 22-n And an antenna controller 61 which calculates and outputs the phase code for controlling the amount.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an on-board array antenna apparatus and an array antenna control method that can cope with changes in the operating environment.

  A conventional array antenna device for mounting includes an antenna unit composed of a plurality of antenna elements, and an antenna controller that controls the formation of an antenna wavefront by changing the phase of a control signal input to each antenna element. Specifically, the antenna controller calculates and outputs phase code information for changing the phase of the control signal input to each antenna element. The antenna unit also includes an antenna control module that reads the phase amount (angle) of each antenna element based on the phase code information calculated by the antenna controller and changes the phase of the control signal with respect to each antenna element. The plurality of antenna elements emit radio waves based on the phase amount of the input control signal and irradiate the spatially synthesized radio waves in a predetermined direction.

  The antenna controller has an antenna element coordinate storage circuit inside, and stores antenna element coordinate information in advance before starting operation. As a result, the antenna controller calculates the phase code for controlling the antenna element using the information on the desired radio wave irradiation direction and the pre-stored antenna element coordinate information during operation, and displays the calculation result. Based on the phase code information can be output.

  Patent Document 1 describes a phased array antenna in which antenna performance does not deteriorate due to deformation of the antenna itself. The phased array antenna includes a plurality of element antennas, a phase shifter connected to the element antennas, a power feeding circuit that supplies power to the plurality of phase shifters, and a shift set to form a desired beam in the phase shifter. A phase calculator that calculates the phase amount, a signal output element that is arranged on the antenna surface and outputs a signal according to the amount of distortion on the antenna surface, a distortion detection device that detects the distortion amount based on a signal from the signal output element, An element coordinate error detector that obtains the deviation amount of the element antenna coordinates from the distortion amount and an element coordinate correction circuit that corrects the element antenna coordinate deviation amount obtained by the element coordinate error detector are provided.

  In the phased array antenna, when the antenna is deformed, a signal corresponding to the deformation amount is output to the distortion detection device by the piezoelectric element built in the antenna, and the distortion detection device detects the deformation amount of the antenna. The antenna deformation amount is obtained by interpolating data based on the relative positional relationship between the piezoelectric element and each element antenna by the element coordinate error detection device and obtaining the element coordinate error at each element antenna coordinate. This element coordinate error is input to the phase calculator, added by the element coordinate data and the element coordinate correction circuit, input to the phase shift amount calculation circuit set in each phase shifter, and based on the corrected element coordinate data. Calculate the amount of phase shift to be set for each phase shifter.

Therefore, according to this phased array antenna, desired antenna performance can be obtained even when the antenna is deformed.
JP 2002-124817 A

  An array antenna composed of a plurality of antenna elements may be deformed by changes in the surrounding environment, and the coordinates of each antenna element may change. For example, when an array antenna device in which a plurality of antenna elements are installed on a board is mounted on an aircraft or the like, the board is deformed due to changes in the environment such as temperature and pressure around the antenna elements, and the coordinates of each antenna element are , It will deviate from the original coordinate position.

  As described above, the antenna controller included in the array antenna apparatus calculates a phase code for controlling the antenna element based on information on a desired radio wave irradiation direction and antenna element coordinate information stored in advance. If the coordinates of the antenna element change due to changes in the operating environment (temperature, atmospheric pressure, etc.), a deviation occurs between the antenna element coordinate information stored in advance and the actual antenna element coordinates, resulting in an error in the calculation result of the phase code. Will be included.

  Therefore, the conventional array antenna apparatus has a problem that the antenna wavefront of the radio wave to be irradiated is shifted from the conventionally assumed antenna wavefront due to a change in the operating environment, and as a result, the antenna characteristics are deteriorated. In addition, the phased array antenna described in Patent Document 1 needs to be mounted directly on the antenna surface or inside the antenna in order to detect the distortion of the antenna shape, which is realized when space is limited. There is a problem that is difficult. In particular, in order to detect in detail the influence of each antenna element due to distortion of the antenna shape, many piezoelectric elements for strain detection and accompanying wiring are required, which takes up space and hinders downsizing of the apparatus. End up.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide an array antenna device that can easily be miniaturized while preventing deterioration of antenna characteristics due to environmental changes.

  In order to solve the above problems, an array antenna apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of antenna elements, a sensor that detects environmental information in a place where the plurality of antenna elements are provided, and environmental information detected by the sensors. And a correction unit that selects and outputs a correction value for each coordinate of the plurality of antenna elements, and a coordinate that calculates the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements based on the correction value output by the correction unit A calculation unit; and a control unit that calculates and outputs a phase code for controlling a phase amount for each of the plurality of antenna elements based on the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements calculated by the coordinate calculation unit; It is characterized by providing.

  In order to solve the above problems, an array antenna control method according to the present invention is based on a detection step of detecting environmental information in a place where a plurality of antenna elements are provided, and based on the environmental information detected by the detection step, A correction step of selecting and outputting a correction value for each of the coordinates of the plurality of antenna elements; a coordinate calculation step of calculating the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements based on the correction value output by the correction step; A control step of calculating and outputting a phase code for controlling a phase amount for each of the plurality of antenna elements based on the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements calculated by the coordinate calculation step. Features.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent antenna characteristics from being deteriorated due to environmental changes, and to easily realize downsizing.

  Embodiments of an array antenna apparatus and an array antenna control method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the array antenna apparatus 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an array antenna device 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the array antenna apparatus 11 of the present invention includes an antenna unit 21, an environment change detection sensor 31, a database 41, an antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51, and an antenna controller 61. .

  The antenna unit 21 includes a plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n. That is, the antenna unit 21 in FIG. 1 is configured to have n antenna elements, but n may be any number. Each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,..., 22-n is installed on, for example, one substrate and connected to an antenna controller 61 described later. The array antenna device 11 transmits and receives radio waves using the antenna unit 21.

  The environmental change detection sensor 31 corresponds to the sensor of the present invention, and detects environmental information in a place where a plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n are provided. Specifically, the environment change detection sensor 31 uses, as environment information, the temperature or the atmospheric pressure at the place where the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,. Both are detected. In addition, when there are other environmental factors that affect the shape of the antenna unit 21, the environmental change detection sensor 31 may detect the environmental factors.

  In addition, since the environment change detection sensor 31 only needs to be able to detect environmental information at the place where the antenna unit 21 is installed, it is not always necessary to install an element or the like used for detection / measurement close to the antenna unit 21. It is possible to install them as far apart as possible.

  The database 41 holds information on changes in antenna shape when the operating environment changes. Here, the database 41 corresponds to the correction unit of the present invention, and a plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,..., 22 based on the environment information detected by the environment change detection sensor 31. Select and output a correction value for each coordinate of -n. Specifically, the database 41 stores a correction value corresponding to the environment information in advance, and reads and outputs a correction value corresponding to the environment information detected by the environment change detection sensor 31. This correction value is stored in the database 41 after investigating how much the coordinates of each antenna element change due to changes in the shape of the antenna unit 21 according to environmental changes such as temperature and atmospheric pressure. Store in advance. The coordinates of each antenna element may be represented by two dimensions of X, Y coordinates, or may be represented by three dimensions of X, Y, Z coordinates.

The database 41 may have various modes as the correspondence relationship between the environment information stored in advance and the correction value. For example, the environment information is related to temperature, and the coordinates of each antenna element are represented by two dimensions of X and Y coordinates. First, the temperature T measured this time is used as the environmental information, and the correction value corresponding to the current temperature T is used as the correction value. The second uses the change ΔT (= T ₂ −T ₁ ) between the temperature T ₁ measured last time and the temperature T ₂ measured this time as environmental information, and corresponds to the temperature change ΔT as a correction value. This is a case of using the corrected value. Third, the temperature T measured this time may be used as the environmental information, and the antenna element coordinates calculated with the correction value corresponding to the temperature T measured this time may be used as the correction value.

  In the case of using the third method, the database 41 strictly stores the corrected antenna element coordinates instead of the correction values, but the antenna element coordinates are previously stored using the correction values. Can be said to be a modified version of the first method.

  The antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 corresponds to the coordinate calculation unit of the present invention, and based on the correction value output from the database 41, a plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,. Each coordinate of n is calculated. Specifically, the antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 reads the antenna element coordinates stored as the current value from the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 described later, and uses the correction value output from the database 41 as the antenna element coordinates. By adding, the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n are calculated. Thereafter, the antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 transmits the calculation result to the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 and overwrites the antenna element coordinates stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62.

  The exact operation of the antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 varies depending on the three storage modes of the database 41 described above, but the exact operation will be described later.

  The antenna controller 61 corresponds to the control unit of the present invention, and the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n calculated by the antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51. , 22 -n, the phase code for controlling the phase amount for each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n is calculated and output. Specifically, the antenna controller 61 stores the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n calculated by the antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51. Antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62, and each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,..., 22 -n stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62. Based on this, a phase code for controlling the phase amount for each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n is calculated and output.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a coordinate system of the antenna substrate 70 used in the antenna unit 21 of the array antenna device 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n is assumed to be disposed on the antenna substrate 70.

  If each antenna element coordinate is represented by two dimensions of X and Y coordinates when the antenna substrate 70 of FIG. 2 is an XY plane, the phase code is represented by the following equation, for example.

φ (i) = 2πf / C × (cos (θEL) × sin (θAZ) × X (i) + sin (θEL) × Y (i)) (1)
If each antenna element coordinate is represented by three dimensions of X, Y, and Z coordinates, the phase code is represented by the following equation, for example.

φ (i) = 2πf / C × (X (i) × cos (θEL) × sin (θAZ) + Y (i) × sin (θEL) + Z (i) × cos (θEL) × cos (θAZ)) ( 2)
Here, φ (i) is a phase code of the antenna element i. f is the frequency. C is the speed of light. θEL is an EL direction radio wave irradiation angle. θAZ is an AZ direction radio wave irradiation angle. X (i) is the X coordinate of the antenna element i. Y (i) is the Y coordinate of the antenna element i. Z (i) is the Z coordinate of the antenna element i.

  The antenna controller 61 outputs the calculated phase code to the antenna unit 21 as phase code information (bit information). An antenna control module (not shown) inside the antenna unit 21 reads the phase amount (angle) of each antenna element with respect to the radio wave irradiation direction based on the input phase code information, and sets the phase amount for each antenna element. Each antenna element emits a radio wave based on the set phase amount, and irradiates the spatially synthesized radio wave in a predetermined direction (radio wave irradiation direction).

  The antenna controller 61 is connected to, for example, an external device (not shown), and the radio wave irradiation direction is determined based on an external operation by a worker, an arbitrary program, or the like.

  Further, the new configuration in the array antenna apparatus 11 of the present embodiment is the environment change detection sensor 31, the database 41, and the antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51, which are the points of the present invention. The antenna unit 21 and the antenna controller 61 are existing configurations and are not new configurations.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the environment change detection sensor 31 detects the environment information in a place where the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n are provided at predetermined time intervals. This corresponds to the detection step of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that the environment change detection sensor 31 detects the temperature at the place where the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,..., 22-n are provided as environment information.

  The database 41 is based on the environmental information (temperature) detected by the environmental change detection sensor 31, and correction values for the coordinates of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n. Select to output. This corresponds to the correction step of the present invention. Here, since the correspondence relationship between the environmental information (temperature) stored in advance in the database 41 and the correction value may be various modes as described above, the operation in each case of the three modes given as examples is described. explain.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between the environment information stored in advance in the database 41 of the array antenna device 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the correction value. In the first case, as shown in FIG. 3A, the database 41 stores a temperature T as environment information and correction values for the X and Y axes corresponding to the temperature T. And Note that the temperature around the first antenna element is 20 ° C., and the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 in the antenna controller 61 stores (X ₁₁ (i), Y ₁₁ (i)) is stored.

Assume that the temperature of the surroundings of the aircraft equipped with the array antenna device 11 decreases as the altitude increases, and the temperature T as environmental information detected by the environmental change detection sensor 31 is 0 ° C. In this case, the database 41 outputs (ΔX ₂ (i), ΔY ₂ (i)) as correction values.

The antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 calculates the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n based on the correction value output from the database 41. This corresponds to the coordinate calculation step of the present invention. Specifically, the antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 reads the antenna element coordinates (X ₁₁ (i), Y ₁₁ (i)) stored as the current value from the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62, and uses the database 41. The output correction values (ΔX ₂ (i), ΔY ₂ (i)) are added to the antenna element coordinates. The antenna coordinate calculation circuit 51 has coordinates (X ₁₁ (i) + ΔX ₂ (i), each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n calculated in this way. Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₂ (i)) is transmitted to the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 to overwrite the antenna element coordinates stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62. Therefore, the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 stores (X ₁₁ (i) + ΔX ₂ (i), Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₂ (i)) as the coordinates of the current antenna element i.

The antenna controller 61 is based on the coordinates of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,..., 22-n calculated by the antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51. A phase code for controlling the phase amount for each of 1, 22-2, 22-3,..., 22-n is calculated and output. This corresponds to the control step of the present invention. Specifically, the antenna controller 61 includes coordinates (X ₁₁ (X ₁₁ ()) of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62. i) Based on + ΔX ₂ (i), Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₂ (i)), the phase amount for each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,. The phase code for performing is calculated and output. The calculation of the phase code is as described above.

  The antenna controller 61 outputs the calculated phase code to the antenna unit 21 as phase code information (bit information). An antenna control module (not shown) inside the antenna unit 21 reads the phase amount (angle) of each antenna element with respect to the radio wave irradiation direction based on the input phase code information, and sets the phase amount for each antenna element. Each antenna element emits a radio wave based on the set phase amount, and irradiates the spatially synthesized radio wave in a predetermined direction (radio wave irradiation direction).

Further, it is assumed that the aircraft equipped with the array antenna device 11 is raised in altitude, and the temperature T as environmental information detected by the environmental change detection sensor 31 is −20 ° C. In this case, the database 41 outputs (−ΔX ₂ (i) + ΔX ₄ (i), −ΔY ₂ (i) + ΔY ₄ (i)) as correction values. That is, the database 41 subtracts the correction value corresponding to the temperature at the previous measurement and adds the correction value corresponding to the temperature at the current measurement, and uses the antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 as a final correction value. Output to.

The antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 uses the antenna element coordinates (X ₁₁ (i) + ΔX ₂ (i), Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₂ (i)) stored as the current values from the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62. The correction values (−ΔX ₂ (i) + ΔX ₄ (i), −ΔY ₂ (i) + ΔY ₄ (i)) read out and output from the database 41 are added to the antenna element coordinates. The antenna coordinate calculation circuit 51 receives the coordinates (X ₁₁ (i) + ΔX ₄ (i), 22-n) of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,. Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₄ (i)) is transmitted to the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 to overwrite the antenna element coordinates stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62. Therefore, the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 stores (X ₁₁ (i) + ΔX ₄ (i), Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₄ (i)) as the coordinates of the current antenna element i.

The antenna controller 61 receives the coordinates (X ₁₁ (i) + ΔX ₄ () of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,..., 22-n stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62. i), Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₄ (i)) based on the phase code for controlling the phase amount for each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,. Is calculated and output. Hereinafter, the array antenna apparatus 11 of the present invention repeats the same operation.

  Note that the database 41 selects a value that is considered optimal when selecting a correction value. Therefore, for example, when the temperature detected by the environmental change detection sensor 31 is 3 ° C., the database 41 selects a correction value corresponding to 0 ° C. which is the value closest to 3 ° C.

Next, as the second case, as shown in FIG. 3B, the database 41 corrects the temperature change ΔT as environmental information and the correction for each of the X and Y axes corresponding to the temperature change ΔT. It is assumed that a value is stored. The antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 in the antenna controller 61 stores (X ₁₁ (i), Y ₁₁ (i)) as the coordinates of the antenna element i at 20 ° C. as in the previous case. It shall be.

Assume that the temperature of the surroundings of the aircraft equipped with the array antenna device 11 decreases as the altitude increases, and the temperature T as environmental information detected by the environmental change detection sensor 31 is 0 ° C. In this case, since the change in temperature is −20 ° C., the database 41 outputs (ΔX ₉ (i), ΔY ₉ (i)) as correction values. In calculating the temperature change, the previous temperature needs to be stored. However, the environment change detection sensor 31 may store it, or the database 41 may store it.

The antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 calculates the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n based on the correction value output from the database 41. Specifically, the antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 reads the antenna element coordinates (X ₁₁ (i), Y ₁₁ (i)) stored as the current value from the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62, and uses the database 41. The output correction values (ΔX ₉ (i), ΔY ₉ (i)) are added to the antenna element coordinates. Antenna coordinate calculation circuit 51, a plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2 and 22-3 were thus calculated, ..., each of the coordinates of the _{22-n (X 11 (i} ) + ΔX 9 (i), Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₉ (i)) is transmitted to the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 to overwrite the antenna element coordinates stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62. Therefore, the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 stores (X ₁₁ (i) + ΔX ₉ (i), Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₉ (i)) as the coordinates of the current antenna element i.

The antenna controller 61 receives the coordinates (X ₁₁ (i) + ΔX ₉ () of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62. i), Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₉ (i)) based on the phase code for controlling the phase amount for each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,. Is calculated and output.

Further, it is assumed that the aircraft equipped with the array antenna device 11 is raised in altitude, and the temperature T as environmental information detected by the environmental change detection sensor 31 is −20 ° C. In this case, since the change in temperature is −20 ° C., the database 41 outputs (ΔX ₉ (i), ΔY ₉ (i)) as correction values.

The antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 uses the antenna element coordinates (X ₁₁ (i) + ΔX ₉ (i), Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₉ (i)) stored as the current values from the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62. The correction values (ΔX ₉ (i), ΔY ₉ (i)) read out and output from the database 41 are added to the antenna element coordinates. The antenna coordinate calculation circuit 51 calculates the coordinates (X ₁₁ (i) + ΔX ₉ (i) + ΔX) of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,. ₉ (i), Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₉ (i) + ΔY ₉ (i)) is transmitted to the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 and the antenna element coordinates stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 are overwritten. Therefore, the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 calculates (X ₁₁ (i) + ΔX ₉ (i) + ΔX ₉ (i), Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₉ (i) + ΔY ₉ (i)) of the current antenna element i. Store as coordinates.

The antenna controller 61 receives the coordinates (X ₁₁ (i) + ΔX ₉ () of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62. i) Based on + ΔX ₉ (i), Y ₁₁ (i) + ΔY ₉ (i) + ΔY ₉ (i)), each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n The phase code for controlling the phase amount with respect to is calculated and output. Hereinafter, the array antenna apparatus 11 of the present invention repeats the same operation.

Next, as the third case, as shown in FIG. 3C, the database 41 shows the temperature T as the environment information and the corrected coordinates for the X and Y axes corresponding to the temperature T. It shall be remembered. The antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 in the antenna controller 61 stores (X ₁₁ (i), Y ₁₁ (i)) as the coordinates of the antenna element i at 20 ° C. as in the previous case. It shall be.

Assume that the temperature of the surroundings of the aircraft equipped with the array antenna device 11 decreases as the altitude increases, and the temperature T as environmental information detected by the environmental change detection sensor 31 is 0 ° C. In this case, the database 41 outputs (X ₁₃ (i), Y ₁₃ (i)) as corrected coordinates.

The antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 calculates the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n based on the correction value output from the database 41. Specifically, the antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 outputs the corrected coordinates (X ₁₃ (i), Y ₁₃ (i)) output from the database 41. That is, the antenna coordinate calculation circuit 51 does not need to read the current value from the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62, and the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,. The coordinates (X ₁₃ (i), Y ₁₃ (i)) of −n are transmitted to the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62, and the antenna element coordinates stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 are overwritten. Therefore, the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 stores (X ₁₃ (i), Y ₁₃ (i)) as the coordinates of the current antenna element i.

The antenna controller 61 includes coordinates (X ₁₃ (i), Y ₁₃ ) of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62. Based on (i)), a phase code for controlling the phase amount for each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n is calculated and output.

Further, it is assumed that the aircraft equipped with the array antenna device 11 is raised in altitude, and the temperature T as environmental information detected by the environmental change detection sensor 31 is −20 ° C. In this case, the database 41 outputs (ΔX ₁₅ (i), ΔY ₁₅ (i)) as corrected coordinates.

The antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 outputs the corrected coordinates (ΔX ₁₅ (i), ΔY ₁₅ (i)) output from the database 41. The antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 51 calculates the coordinates (ΔX ₁₅ (i), ΔY ₁₅ (i) of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,. )) Is transmitted to the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 to overwrite the antenna element coordinates stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62. Therefore, the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 stores (ΔX ₁₅ (i), ΔY ₁₅ (i)) as the coordinates of the current antenna element i.

The antenna controller 61 includes coordinates (ΔX ₁₅ (i), ΔY ₁₅ ) of each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3,..., 22-n stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62. Based on (i)), a phase code for controlling the phase amount for each of the plurality of antenna elements 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n is calculated and output. Hereinafter, the array antenna apparatus 11 of the present invention repeats the same operation.

  As described above, according to the array antenna device 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to realize the array antenna device 11 that can prevent the antenna characteristics from being deteriorated due to environmental changes and can be easily downsized.

  That is, the conventional array antenna apparatus has a problem that the antenna wavefront of the radio wave to be irradiated is shifted from the conventionally assumed antenna wavefront due to a change in the operating environment, resulting in deterioration of the antenna characteristics. However, the array antenna device 11 according to the present invention, when the operating environment changes, based on the information about the environmental change in its own device, the antenna element coordinate information stored in the antenna element coordinate storage circuit 62 before starting the operation. Since it can be rewritten to the latest one, the antenna controller 61 recalculates the phase code for controlling the antenna element using the latest antenna element coordinate information. As a result, the error of the calculation result of the phase code is reduced, and the deviation of the antenna wavefront is reduced. Therefore, the array antenna apparatus 11 of the present invention can maintain the characteristics as an antenna without being affected by the installation environment of the apparatus. it can.

  Moreover, since the array antenna apparatus 11 of the present invention only has to install the environment change detection sensor 31 within a distance necessary for examining the environment around the antenna unit 21, the phased array antenna described in Patent Document 1 is used. Thus, in order to detect the distortion of the antenna shape, it is not necessary to directly attach a piezoelectric element for detection on the surface or inside of the antenna, and a large number of wirings associated therewith are not required. Therefore, the array antenna device 11 of the present invention can be easily downsized.

  The array antenna apparatus according to the present invention can be used for an array antenna apparatus mounted on an aircraft or the like in which a change in environment is predicted.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the array antenna apparatus of the form of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the coordinate system of the antenna board | substrate used for the antenna part of the array antenna apparatus of the form of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of the environmental information previously stored in the database of the array antenna apparatus of the form of Example 1 of this invention, and a correction value.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Array antenna apparatus 21 Antenna part 22 Antenna element 31 Environmental change detection sensor 41 Database 51 Antenna element coordinate calculation circuit 61 Antenna controller 62 Antenna element coordinate storage circuit 70 Antenna substrate

Claims (4)

A plurality of antenna elements;
A sensor for detecting environmental information in a place where the plurality of antenna elements are provided;
A correction unit that selects and outputs a correction value for each coordinate of the plurality of antenna elements based on environmental information detected by the sensor;
A coordinate calculation unit that calculates the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements based on the correction value output by the correction unit;
A control unit that calculates and outputs a phase code for controlling a phase amount for each of the plurality of antenna elements based on the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements calculated by the coordinate calculation unit;
An array antenna apparatus comprising:   The array antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor detects a temperature at a place where the plurality of antenna elements are provided as environmental information.   The array antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor detects atmospheric pressure at a place where the plurality of antenna elements are provided as environmental information. A detection step of detecting environmental information in a place where a plurality of antenna elements are provided;
A correction step of selecting and outputting a correction value for each coordinate of the plurality of antenna elements based on the environmental information detected by the detection step;
A coordinate calculation step for calculating coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements based on the correction value output by the correction step;
A control step of calculating and outputting a phase code for controlling a phase amount for each of the plurality of antenna elements based on the coordinates of each of the plurality of antenna elements calculated by the coordinate calculation step;
An array antenna control method comprising:

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