JP2015089054A - Antenna, communication device, and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an antenna for circular polarization that is small in size and wide in directivity, and that can suppress multipath, and to provide a communication device and an electronic apparatus using the same.SOLUTION: An antenna 101 comprises an open annular-shaped electrode 200 having a first end part E11 and a second end part E12 opposed to each other at both sides of a gap part 400. A width W of the electrode 200 has such a length that a part of the electrode 200 functions as a dipole antenna. A circumferential length of the electrode 200 is shorter than a wavelength of a transmitted or received wave, and is set to such a length that an angle difference between directivity of the dipole antenna and directivity of a loop antenna is not 90 degrees when a part of the electrode 200 functions as the loop antenna. In at least one of the first end part E11 and the second end part E12, positions of one end EL11 or EL12 and the other end ER11 or ER12 in a width W direction of the electrode 200 are different in a circumferential direction of the electrode 200.

Description

  The present invention relates to an antenna for transmitting or receiving circularly polarized waves, a communication apparatus using the antenna, and an electronic apparatus.

  For example, in a navigation device using a satellite mobile phone or a GPS (Global Positioning System), wireless communication using circular polarization is performed. Although circularly polarized waves can be transmitted and received with linearly polarized antennas, it is desirable to use circularly polarized antennas because the gain is halved. For example, a circularly polarized patch antenna having a substantially square radiation electrode and a ground electrode facing each other across a dielectric substrate can transmit (or receive) right-handed circularly polarized light on the surface side where the radiation electrode is provided. Then, only the left-handed circularly polarized wave can be transmitted (or received) on the surface side where the ground electrode is provided. As described above, in the circularly polarized patch antenna, transmission and reception of a desired circularly polarized wave are limited to one of the surface side provided with the radiation electrode and the surface side provided with the ground electrode.

  For this reason, for example, when a circularly polarized patch antenna is installed in a car as a GPS antenna for a car navigation device, the surface provided with the radiation electrode (or ground electrode) always has the zenith direction (the direction in which the artificial satellite exists). Therefore, the reception performance of circularly polarized waves does not fluctuate greatly. However, when a circularly polarized patch antenna is mounted on a mobile device or wearable device as a GPS antenna, the orientation of these devices varies depending on the usage conditions and the surface provided with a radiation electrode (or ground electrode) is always present. Since it does not always face the zenith direction, the reception performance of circularly polarized waves greatly fluctuates. For this reason, there has been a demand for a small circularly polarized antenna having a wide directivity as a circularly polarized antenna to be mounted on mobile devices and wearable devices.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes a circularly polarized antenna that includes a loop antenna 10 having a circumference of approximately one wavelength and a reflector 2 and is small in size and capable of obtaining a good axial ratio over a wide angle. (Claim 1, paragraph 0009, paragraph 0012, paragraph 0015, etc.).

Japanese Patent No. 3739721

  However, since the circularly polarized antenna described in Patent Document 1 requires the reflector 2 and the circumference of the loop antenna 10 requires approximately one wavelength, the size of the antenna is small. It gets bigger.

  In addition, when the circularly polarized wave hits an obstacle and is reflected, the turning direction is reversed. For example, a right-handed circularly polarized wave transmitted from an artificial satellite becomes a left-handed circularly polarized wave when reflected by hitting the ground or a building wall. For this reason, for example, in a circularly polarized patch antenna for GPS, when a right-handed circularly polarized wave is received on the surface side where the radiation electrode is provided, on the surface side where the ground electrode is provided, the ground, the wall of the building, etc. The left-handed circularly polarized wave that is reflected by hitting and reflected and the turning direction is reversed is selectively received. Therefore, in the case of the circularly polarized patch antenna, there is a problem that not only the directivity is narrow, but also multipath occurs and the communication quality is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides a circularly polarized antenna that is small in size, has a wide directivity, and can suppress multipath, and a communication device and electronic apparatus using the antenna. This is the solution issue.

  In order to solve the above problems, an antenna according to a first aspect of the present invention is an antenna for transmitting or receiving circularly polarized waves, and includes a first end portion and a second end facing each other across a gap portion. An open ring electrode having an end, the width of the electrode has a length such that a part of the electrode functions as a dipole antenna, and the circumference of the electrode is determined by the wavelength of a radio wave to be transmitted or received When the first electrode is small and functions as a loop antenna, the angle difference between the directivity of the dipole antenna and the directivity of the loop antenna is not 90 degrees. In one or more of the end portion and the second end portion, one end and the other end in the width direction of the electrode have different positions in the circumferential direction of the electrode.

  According to the above configuration, the antenna includes the open ring electrode, and the width of the electrode has such a length that a part of the electrode functions as a dipole antenna. Further, the circumference of the electrode is smaller than the wavelength of the radio wave to be transmitted or received, and when a part of the electrode functions as a loop antenna, the difference in angle between the directivity of the dipole antenna and the directivity of the loop antenna is 90. It has an indefinite length.

  In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, first, the present invention will be described by taking as an example the case where the circumference of the electrode is sufficiently smaller than the wavelength of a radio wave to be transmitted or received, and a part of the electrode functions as a minute loop antenna. The operational effects of will be described. In this case, when the open ring electrode is divided into a loop component that circulates around the axis (the center axis of the open ring electrode) and a linear component that extends in the axial direction, the loop component is the current source It becomes a minute loop antenna, and the linear component becomes a dipole antenna of a current source. The minute loop antenna has a loop surface orthogonal to the axis.

  Here, the minute loop antenna of the current source radiates linearly polarized waves. In addition, the directivity of the minute loop antenna is a so-called figure eight shape, which is a donut shape parallel to the loop surface. On the other hand, the dipole antenna of the current source also radiates linearly polarized waves, and its directivity is an 8-shaped, but the directivity of the dipole antenna is a donut shape with the antenna as the central axis. Therefore, the directivity of the minute loop antenna and the directivity of the dipole antenna are the same and have substantially the same shape. In addition, when viewed from the far field, the directivity of both can be regarded as the same at the center. Moreover, it is possible to make the magnitude | size of directivity of both the same by adjusting the dimension of each part of an electrode.

  In addition, the directivity of the minute loop antenna and the directivity of the dipole antenna are such that the electric field and the magnetic field of each other are interchanged (however, the direction of the electric field radiated from the minute loop antenna and the radiated from the dipole antenna) The direction of the magnetic field is reversed). Therefore, by adjusting the dimensions of each part of the electrode, etc. to make the directivity of both the same, the directivity of the micro loop antenna and the directivity of the dipole antenna are the same except that the electric field and magnetic field are interchanged. Are almost the same.

Further, the E plane and the H plane are orthogonal to each other in the directivity of the minute loop antenna or the dipole antenna. Therefore, the electric field radiated from the minute loop antenna is different from the electric field radiated from the dipole antenna by 90 degrees. Further, when the current flowing through the electrode is I, the expression representing the electric field E _L radiated from the minute loop antenna is simply expressed as E _L = jKI (where K is distance, wavelength, minute loop, and so on) Value determined based on antenna diameter). Meanwhile, expression for the electric field E _D radiated from the dipole antenna is composed expressed simplified to E _{D =} kI (where, k is the distance, wavelength, the value determined on the basis of the length or the like of the dipole antenna). Thus, whereas _{E L} is imaginary, because _{E D} is a real number, the _{E L} and _{E D} there is a phase difference of π / 2 (90 degrees). And the electric field E _L emitted Thus the small loop antenna, the electric field E _D radiated from the dipole antenna, because the angle is also 90 degrees phase difference differs by 90 degrees, when synthesizing such two linearly polarized It becomes circular polarization.

  Further, according to the present invention, at one or more of the first end portion and the second end portion, one end in the width direction of the electrode and the other end are different in the position in the circumferential direction of the electrode. As a result of intensive studies by the inventor, it has been found that with such a configuration, circularly polarized waves (right-handed circularly polarized waves or left-handed circularly polarized waves) are radiated from the antenna. Further, as is clear from the reciprocity theorem of the antenna, the transmitting antenna can also be used as a receiving antenna. Therefore, the antenna according to the present invention can transmit or receive circularly polarized waves.

  The above explanation is a case where the perimeter of the electrode is sufficiently smaller than the wavelength of the radio wave to be transmitted or received, and a part of the electrode (loop component) functions as a minute loop antenna. It is not limited to the case where a part of (loop component) functions as a minute loop antenna.

  As a result of intensive studies by the inventor, when the wavelength of the radio wave transmitted or received by the antenna is 1λ, if the electrode circumference is gradually increased, for example, if the electrode circumference is 1 / 5λ or less, the electrode This loop component functions as a micro loop antenna, and its donut-shaped directivity is maintained parallel to the loop surface. Also, when the electrode circumference exceeds 1 / 5λ, the donut-shaped directivity begins to gradually tilt, and when the electrode circumference exceeds 4 / 5λ, the electrode loop component functions as a one-wavelength loop antenna. The donut-shaped directivity was found to be perpendicular to the loop surface.

  In general, there are two definitions (conditions) for a micro loop antenna: the circumference of the electrode is sufficiently smaller than 1λ, and the donut-shaped directivity is parallel to the loop surface. As described above, when the circumference of the electrode exceeds 1 / 5λ, the donut-shaped directivity is not parallel to the loop surface. Therefore, in the range where the electrode circumference is greater than 1 / 5λ and less than 4 / 5λ, the electrode loop component functions as a loop antenna, but does not function as a minute loop antenna.

  In addition, when the circumference of the electrode is within the above-described range, the difference in the angle (direction) between the directivity of the loop antenna and the directivity of the dipole antenna increases as the circumference of the electrode increases. When the difference in the directivity angle between the two becomes large in this way, for example, the value of the axial ratio of circularly polarized waves deteriorates, or the proportion of unnecessary components such as linearly polarized waves increases (= circularly polarized waves). ) Will decrease. Therefore, when the electrode circumference is within the above-described range, the transmission performance and reception performance of the antenna decrease as the electrode circumference increases. However, unless the difference in angle between the directivity of the loop antenna and the directivity of the dipole antenna is 90 degrees, the E plane in the directivity of the loop antenna and the E plane in the directivity of the dipole antenna intersect. Circularly polarized light is emitted from

  Therefore, the antenna according to the present invention is not limited to the case where the perimeter of the electrode is sufficiently smaller than 1λ, and a part of the electrode (loop component) functions as a minute loop antenna, and the circumference of the electrode is smaller than 1λ. In addition, if the difference in angle between the directivity of the dipole antenna and the directivity of the loop antenna is not 90 degrees, it is possible to transmit or receive circularly polarized waves.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the circumference of the electrode can be made sufficiently smaller than 1λ, and no reflector is required. Therefore, the antenna size can be reduced compared to the circularly polarized antenna described in Patent Document 1. It can be downsized. In addition, the directivity of the antenna according to the present invention is a portion where the directivity of the loop antenna and the directivity of the dipole antenna overlap. (Or left-handed circular polarization) has a wide directivity. Moreover, since the directivity of the desired circularly polarized wave is wide, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of multipath and suppress the deterioration of communication quality.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a circularly polarized antenna that is small in size and has a wide directivity and can suppress multipath.

  The antenna according to the second aspect of the present invention is an antenna for transmitting or receiving circularly polarized waves, and includes an open ring electrode having two end portions facing each other with a band-shaped gap portion interposed therebetween, The width of the electrode has such a length that a part of the electrode functions as a dipole antenna, the circumference of the electrode is smaller than the wavelength of a radio wave to be transmitted or received, and a part of the electrode is a loop antenna. And the end of the electrode in the width direction of the electrode in the band-shaped gap portion has a length in which the difference in angle between the directivity of the dipole antenna and the directivity of the loop antenna is not 90 degrees. The other end is characterized in that the position of the electrode in the circumferential direction is different.

  Even in the above configuration, the antenna includes an open ring electrode, and the width of the electrode has such a length that a part of the electrode functions as a dipole antenna. Further, the circumference of the electrode is smaller than the wavelength of the radio wave to be transmitted or received, and when a part of the electrode functions as a loop antenna, the difference in angle between the directivity of the dipole antenna and the directivity of the loop antenna is 90. It has an indefinite length. Further, in the band-shaped gap portion, one end in the width direction of the electrode and the other end have different positions in the circumferential direction of the electrode. This is because the first end of the antenna according to the first aspect of the present invention is different. This corresponds to the fact that the positions of one end and the other end in the width direction of the electrode are different in the circumferential direction of the electrode in both the portion and the second end portion. Therefore, the antenna according to the second aspect of the present invention has the same effect as the antenna according to the first aspect of the present invention.

In the antenna according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the circumference of the electrode may be 3/4 or less of the wavelength of a radio wave to be transmitted or received.
As described above, the circumference of the electrode may be a length that is smaller than 1λ and the angle difference between the directivity of the dipole antenna and the directivity of the loop antenna does not become 90 degrees. Taking into account the deterioration of the ratio and the increase in the proportion of components that are not required, such as linearly polarized waves, it is desirable to set it to 3 / 4λ or less.

  Moreover, the antenna which concerns on the 1st or 2nd aspect of this invention WHEREIN: You may make it the circumference length of the said electrode have a length in which a part of said electrode functions as a micro loop antenna. Or the antenna which concerns on the 1st or 2nd aspect of this invention WHEREIN: You may make it the circumference length of the said electrode be 1/5 or less of the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave transmitted or received.

  As a result of intensive studies by the inventor, it has been found that when the electrode circumference is 1 / 5λ or less, a loop component that circulates around the axis of the electrode functions as a minute loop antenna. Therefore, according to the above configuration, part of the electrode (loop component) functions as a minute loop antenna, and the difference in angle between the directivity of the dipole antenna and the directivity of the minute loop antenna becomes zero. For this reason, for example, when the circumference of the electrode is within the above-mentioned range (greater than 1 / 5λ and less than 4 / 5λ), a part of the electrode (loop component) functions as a loop antenna instead of a micro loop antenna. In comparison with the above, it is possible to improve the axial ratio of circularly polarized waves and to reduce the ratio of components that do not require linearly polarized waves or the like. Therefore, the transmission performance and reception performance of the antenna can be improved.

  An antenna according to a third aspect of the present invention is an antenna for transmitting or receiving circularly polarized waves, and includes an open annular electrode having a predetermined width, and the electrode sandwiches a gap. The electrode has a first end and a second end facing each other, and the circumference of the electrode has a length such that a part of the electrode functions as a micro loop antenna, and the first end and the In one or more of the second end portions, one end and the other end in the width direction of the electrode are different from each other in the circumferential direction of the electrode.

Even with the above configuration, when an open ring electrode is divided into a loop component that circulates around the axis and a linear component that extends in the axial direction, the loop component becomes a micro loop antenna of a current source. The linear component becomes a dipole antenna as a current source. Further, the electric field E _L emitted from the small loop antenna as described above, the electric field E _D radiated from the dipole antenna, the angle is also 90 degrees phase difference differs by 90 degrees. Further, at one or more of the first end and the second end, the position in the circumferential direction of the electrode differs between one end and the other end in the width direction of the electrode.

  Therefore, the antenna according to the third aspect of the present invention has the same effect as the antenna according to the first aspect of the present invention. In addition, since a part of the electrode (loop component) functions as a minute loop antenna, the difference in angle between the directivity of the dipole antenna and the directivity of the minute loop antenna becomes zero. Therefore, when compared with the first aspect and the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the axial ratio of circularly polarized waves and reduce the ratio of components that do not require linearly polarized waves or the like. Therefore, the transmission performance and reception performance of the antenna can be improved.

An antenna according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an antenna for transmitting or receiving circularly polarized waves, and includes an open ring electrode having a predetermined width, and the electrode includes a band-shaped gap portion. The electrode has two ends facing each other, and the circumferential length of the electrode is such that a part of the electrode functions as a micro loop antenna, and one of the electrodes in the width direction of the electrode in the band-shaped gap portion. The end and the other end are different in the position of the electrode in the circumferential direction.
Even if it is the above structure, there exists an effect similar to the antenna which concerns on the 3rd aspect of this invention.

In the antenna according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the electrode is provided with two feeding points, and the two feeding points have the same position in the axial direction of the electrode. You may do it.
According to this configuration, power can be supplied with a simple configuration so that the direction of the current flowing through the electrode is in the direction of rotation of the electrode.

In the antenna according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the electrode includes two feeding points and a first opening that divides a gap between the two feeding points in the axial direction of the electrode. And two second openings that are connected to the first opening, extend in the circumferential direction of the electrode, and face each other across the two feeding points. Also good.
According to this structure, the direction of the electric current which flows into an electrode is prescribed | regulated by the surrounding direction of an electrode by the 1st opening part and the 2nd opening part. Therefore, as described above, the positions of the two feeding points in the axial direction of the electrodes need not be the same. In addition, although it is necessary to provide the first opening and the second opening, the distance between the two feeding points is larger than that in the case where feeding is performed so that the direction of the current is in the circumferential direction of the electrode without providing these. Since it can be made small, it becomes possible to supply power in a smaller space.

The antenna according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention may further include a columnar dielectric substrate, and the electrode may be provided on a surface of the dielectric substrate. .
According to this configuration, since the dielectric base is used, the antenna can be further downsized due to the wavelength shortening effect.

In the antenna according to the second or fourth aspect of the present invention, the electrode has a plurality of surfaces, and one end and the other end in the width direction of the electrode in the band-shaped gap portion are The structure located in a different surface among several surfaces may be sufficient.
As a result of intensive studies by the inventors, the value of the axial ratio of the circularly polarized wave approaches 1 as the distance between the one end and the other end in the width direction of the electrode in the belt-shaped gap portion increases in the circumferential direction of the electrode. I understood. Therefore, when both ends of the band-shaped gap portion are located on different surfaces, the distance in the circumferential direction of the electrode can be increased as compared with the case where they are located on the same surface. A ratio can be obtained.

  The communication apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the antennas described above. For example, a satellite mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a notebook computer, etc. can be exemplified as the communication device. The communication device also includes, for example, a circularly polarized wave communication module including an antenna and a communication circuit (a transmission circuit or a reception circuit). The communication device may be a transmitting device that transmits circularly polarized waves or a receiving device that receives circularly polarized waves.

  An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the antennas described above. For example, the electronic device includes a navigation device using GPS, a portable running device capable of calculating a position and speed by receiving radio waves from a GPS satellite, and measuring a moving distance, a moving speed, and the like, a GPS satellite A wristwatch or the like having a function of correcting the time by receiving a radio wave from is included. As in the case of the communication apparatus, the electronic device may be a device that transmits circularly polarized waves or a device that receives circularly polarized waves.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the antenna 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 1 is a perspective view showing a structure of an antenna 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a development view of the antenna 1. It is a figure when it considers that the slit 40 is decomposed | disassembled into the loop component orthogonal to an X-axis, and the linear component orthogonal to a Y-axis. It is a figure when the electrode 20 is decomposed | disassembled and considered into the loop component which circulates around the axis line AL, and the linear component extended in the direction of the axis line AL. It is a figure which shows the directivity of the antenna 1, a micro loop antenna, and a micro dipole antenna in three dimensions. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a direction of a current I flowing through an electrode 20 and a straight line L2 connecting a start point SP1 and an end point EP1 of the slit 40. It is a graph (ZX cross section) which shows the directivity of the antenna 1 obtained by the electromagnetic field simulator. It is a graph (ZX section) which shows the directivity of a circular polarization patch antenna. It is a graph (XY cross section / actual measurement value) which shows the directivity of the antenna 1 made as an experiment. It is a graph (YZ cross section / actual measurement value) which shows the directivity of the antenna 1 made as an experiment. It is a graph (ZX section / actual measurement value) which shows the directivity of antenna 1 made as an experiment. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the antenna 2 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure of an antenna 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is a development view of the antenna 2. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the antenna 3 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure of an antenna 3. FIG. FIG. 3 is a development view of the antenna 3. 6 is a perspective view showing a structure of an antenna 4 according to Modification 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the antenna 5 which concerns on the modification 2. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a structure of an antenna 6 according to Modification 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a structure of an antenna 7 according to Modification 4. 10 is a perspective view showing a structure of an antenna 8 according to Modification 5. FIG. It is a top view of the antenna 8 when it sees from a Y-axis direction. 10 is a perspective view showing a structure of an antenna 9 according to Modification 6. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a structure of an antenna 100 according to Modification Example 7. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a structure of an antenna 101 according to Modification 8. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of another antenna 1 'concerning the modification 8. It is a figure which concerns on the modification 9 and shows the directivity of a 1 wavelength loop antenna and a dipole antenna in three dimensions.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the ratio of dimensions of each part is appropriately different from the actual one.
<A. First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an antenna 1 according to the present embodiment.
In the figure, the X axis is an axis extending in a direction parallel to the upper surface 10A of the dielectric substrate 10, the Z axis is an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface 10A, and the Y axis is the X axis and This is an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the Z axis. The antenna 1 includes a rectangular parallelepiped dielectric base 10 and an electrode 20 provided on the surface of the dielectric base 10. The dielectric substrate 10 is made of a dielectric material such as plastic or ceramic. For example, the main material of the dielectric substrate 10 is BaO—TiO ₂ and the dielectric constant of the dielectric substrate 10 is 93. The size of the dielectric substrate 10 is, for example, 9.0 mm (X-axis direction) × 9.0 mm (Y-axis direction) × 4.4 mm (Z-axis direction). The electrode 20 is formed of a conductor such as Cu or Ag. The electrode 20 is formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate 10 by, for example, plating or screen printing. In addition to Cu and Ag, a metal having a conductivity smaller than 1.67 × 10 ⁻⁶ Ω / cm can be used as the material of the electrode 20. Further, it is desirable that the electrode 20 is closely adhered to the dielectric substrate 10 without any adhesive or the like.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the antenna 1.
The surface of the dielectric substrate 10 includes an upper surface 10A, a lower surface 10B, and four side surfaces 10C to 10F. The upper surface 10A and the lower surface 10B, the side surface 10C and the side surface 10D, and the side surface 10E and the side surface 10F face each other. The electrode 20 is formed over four surfaces of the surface of the dielectric substrate 10, that is, the side surface 10D, the upper surface 10A, the side surface 10C, and the lower surface 10B, and the electrode 20 is not formed on the side surface 10E and the side surface 10F. In addition, a square-shaped portion formed on the lower surface 10B of the electrode 20 is provided with an H-shaped power feeding opening 30 and two power feeding points FD1 and FD2. The feeding points FD1 and FD2 are feeding positions for the electrode 20, and a ground potential and a high-frequency potential are fed through a feeding line (not shown). As a result, a current (high-frequency current) flows through the electrode 20. Moreover, although mentioned later for details, the opening part 30 for electric power feeding prescribes | regulates the direction of the electric current which flows into the electrode 20. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a development view of the antenna 1.
The electrode 20 is formed on four surfaces (side surface 10D, upper surface 10A, side surface 10C, and lower surface 10B) of the surface of the dielectric substrate 10. In addition to the power supply opening 30, slits 40 are provided on the four surfaces on which the electrodes 20 are formed. The slit 40 is, for example, a band-shaped gap having a width of 2.0 mm, and divides the electrode 20 from the left end to the right end in the drawing. Moreover, the slit 40 is formed over the three surfaces of the side surface 10D, the upper surface 10A, and the side surface 10C, and is bent at a right angle at one location in the side surface 10D and one location in the side surface 10C. As described above, since the size of the dielectric substrate 10 in the X-axis direction is 9.0 mm, the four surfaces on which the electrodes 20 are formed form a rectangular ring (closed ring) having a width of 9.0 mm. doing. Since a part of the ring is divided by the slit 40, the electrode 20 becomes an open ring having a width of 9.0 mm. The electrode 20 has a first end E1 and a second end E2 that are opposed to each other with the slit 40 interposed therebetween.

  In addition, the size of the dielectric substrate 10 is 9.0 mm (X-axis direction) × 9.0 mm (Y-axis direction) × 4.4 mm (Z-axis direction), and the width of the slit 40 is 2.0 mm. The circumferential length PL1 of the electrode 20 is 24.8 mm. On the other hand, the resonance frequency of the antenna 1 is 1617 MHz, and its wavelength is about 186 mm. Accordingly, the circumferential length PL1 (24.8 mm) of the electrode 20 is sufficiently smaller than the wavelength (about 186 mm) of the radio wave transmitted or received by the antenna 1. In this way, by setting the circumference PL1 of the electrode 20 to a sufficiently small value with respect to the wavelength, a part of the electrode 20 can function as a minute loop antenna.

  Further, in FIG. 3, a straight line L1 connecting the two feeding points FD1 and FD2 coincides with the circumferential direction (vertical direction in the drawing) of the electrode 20. Further, the direction of the current flowing through the electrode 20 is also in the vertical direction in the figure, and coincides with the direction of the electrode 20. Although the direction of the main current flowing through the electrode 20 is in the vertical direction in the figure, the local current direction in the electrode 20 may differ from the vertical direction in the figure depending on the location.

  The power supply opening 30 includes a linear first opening extending in the X-axis direction and two linear first openings connected to both ends of the first opening and extending in the Y-axis direction. It consists of two openings. The two feeding points FD1, FD2 are arranged on both sides of the first opening. In addition, on both sides of the two feeding points FD1 and FD2, there are two second openings extending in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the direction of the current flowing through the electrode 20 is defined by the opening 30 in the circumferential direction of the electrode 20. For this reason, it is not always necessary to arrange the two feeding points FD1 and FD2 on the straight line L1 as shown in FIG.

  Even if the opening 30 is not provided, for example, if the two feeding points FD1 and FD2 are arranged on a line that coincides with the circumferential direction of the electrode 20, such as on the straight line L1, the direction of the current flowing through the electrode 20 can be changed. Can be in the direction of rotation. However, in this case, the distance between the two feeding points FD1 and FD2 needs to be relatively large. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, although it is necessary to provide the opening 30, the distance between the two feeding points FD <b> 1 and FD <b> 2 can be reduced as compared with the case where the opening 30 is not provided, and thus the smaller. Power can be supplied in space.

4 to 6 are diagrams for explaining the operation principle of the antenna 1.
FIG. 4 is a diagram when the antenna 1 is regarded as a slot antenna, and the slot (slit 40) is considered to be decomposed into a loop component orthogonal to the X axis and a linear component orthogonal to the Y axis. . On the other hand, in FIG. 5, the antenna 1 is regarded as an antenna in which a conductor is wound, and the winding (electrode 20) extends in the direction of the axis AL and a loop component that circulates around the axis AL. It is a figure when it considers decomposed | disassembled into a linear component. FIG. 6 shows three-dimensionally the directivity of the antenna 1 (right-handed circularly polarized wave), the directivity of the minute loop antenna (linearly polarized wave), and the directivity of the minute dipole antenna (linearly polarized wave). FIG. 4 and 5 are in a dual relationship that the same antenna 1 is regarded as a magnetic current antenna or a current antenna. Hereinafter, the operation principle of the antenna 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, when attention is paid to the electrode 20, the electrode 20 can be divided into a loop component that circulates around the axis AL and a linear component that extends in the direction of the axis AL. The axis AL is the central axis of the open annular electrode 20 and extends in the X-axis direction. The loop component of the electrode 20 has a loop structure in which a strip-shaped conductor is wound for about 1.5 turns. Further, as described above, the loop length PL1 of the electrode 20 is sufficiently smaller than the wavelength of the radio wave transmitted or received by the antenna 1. Therefore, the loop component of the electrode 20 can be considered as a minute loop antenna of a current source. This micro loop antenna has a loop length of 26.8 mm and a loop surface orthogonal to the X axis. On the other hand, since the width of the electrode 20 in the X-axis direction is 9.0 mm and this value is also sufficiently smaller than one wavelength, the linear component of the electrode 20 can be considered as a minute dipole antenna of a current source.

  Here, the minute loop antenna of the current source radiates linearly polarized waves. In addition, the directivity of the minute loop antenna is a so-called figure eight shape, which is a donut shape parallel to the loop surface. On the other hand, the minute dipole antenna of the current source also radiates linearly polarized waves, and its directivity is an 8-shaped shape, but the directivity of the minute dipole antenna is a donut shape with the antenna as the central axis. Therefore, the directivity of the minute loop antenna and the directivity of the minute dipole antenna are the same and have substantially the same shape. In addition, when viewed from the far field, the directivity of both can be regarded as the same at the center. In the antenna 1 according to the present embodiment, the size of each part of the electrode 20 is adjusted, for example, so that the directivity of both is the same. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the directivity of the minute loop antenna and the directivity of the minute dipole antenna are both donuts with the X axis as the central axis, and the direction, shape, and size are substantially the same.

As is clear from FIG. 6, the directivity of the minute loop antenna and the directivity of the minute dipole antenna are in a mode in which the electric field and the magnetic field of each other are interchanged (however, emitted from the minute loop antenna). and direction of the electric field E _L, the direction of the magnetic field H _D radiated from the small dipole antenna is reversed). Therefore, the directivity of the minute loop antenna and the directivity of the minute dipole antenna are substantially the same except that the electric field and the magnetic field are interchanged.

By the way, the circularly polarized wave is a combination of two linearly polarized waves whose angles are different by 90 degrees, such as a vertical polarized wave and a horizontal polarized wave, but it is necessary to shift the phases of the two linearly polarized waves by 90 degrees. Also, whether the phase difference is 90 degrees or -90 degrees determines whether it is right-handed circular polarization or left-handed circular polarization. As described above, the directivity of the minute loop antenna and the directivity of the minute dipole antenna are interchanged between an electric field and a magnetic field. Further, the E plane and the H plane are orthogonal to each other in the directivity of the minute loop antenna or minute dipole antenna. Therefore, the electric field E _L emitted from the small loop antenna, the electric field E _D radiated from the small dipole antenna, different angles 90 degrees.

In addition, since the minute loop antenna and the minute dipole antenna are considered by dividing the same electrode 20, there is no phase difference between the current flowing through the minute loop antenna and the current flowing through the minute dipole antenna. However, when the current flowing through the electrode 20 is I, the expression representing the electric field E _L radiated from the minute loop antenna is simplified to E _L = jKI (where K is the distance, wavelength, minute Value determined based on loop antenna diameter). On the other hand, a simplified expression of the electric field E _D radiated from the minute dipole antenna is E _D = kI (where k is a value determined based on distance, wavelength, total length of the minute dipole antenna, etc.). . Therefore, when comparing the both expression, whereas E _L is imaginary, because E _D is a real number, the E _L and E _D there is a phase difference of [pi / 2. That is, the electric field E _L emitted from the small loop antenna, the electric field E _D radiated from the small dipole antenna, there is a phase difference of 90 degrees.

  Thus, when two linearly polarized waves having an angle of 90 degrees and a phase difference of 90 degrees are combined, a circularly polarized wave is obtained. Further, as is clear from the reciprocity theorem of the antenna, the transmitting antenna can also be used as a receiving antenna. Therefore, the antenna 1 according to the present embodiment can transmit or receive circularly polarized waves. The directivity of the antenna 1 is a portion obtained by ANDing the directivity of the minute loop antenna and the directivity of the minute dipole antenna, that is, the portion where the directivity of both overlaps. As described above, the directivity of the minute loop antenna and the directivity of the minute dipole antenna are substantially the same except that the electric field and the magnetic field are interchanged. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the directivity of the antenna 1 is substantially the same as the directivity, direction, shape, and size of the minute loop antenna or minute dipole antenna.

  Further, as a result of intensive studies by the inventor, as shown in FIG. 7, when the middle point at the left end in the drawing is the start point SP1 and the middle point at the right end in the drawing is the end point EP1, as shown in FIG. As long as the straight line L2 connecting the two lines is not orthogonal to the direction of the current I flowing through the electrode 20 (= the direction of rotation of the electrode 20), circularly polarized waves (right-handed circularly polarized waves or left-handed circularly polarized waves) may be radiated from the antenna 1. all right. When the straight line L2 is orthogonal to the direction of the current I, linearly polarized waves (vertically polarized waves) are radiated instead of circularly polarized waves. As shown in the figure, when the end point EP1 of the slit 40 is below the start point SP1, the right-handed circularly polarized wave is emitted, and the end point EP1 is above the start point SP1 in the drawing. It was also found that when the slit 40 is provided, a left-handed circularly polarized wave is radiated. Therefore, it can be understood that the antenna 1 according to the present embodiment is a right-handed circularly polarized antenna.

  Further, as a result of intensive studies by the inventors, as the distance between the starting point SP1 of the slit 40 and the ending point EP1 in the vertical direction (= circular direction of the electrode 20) in the drawing increases, the value of the axial ratio of circular polarization approaches 1. I understand. Therefore, it can be understood that in order to obtain a good axial ratio for the circularly polarized wave to be transmitted or received, the distance between the start point SP1 and the end point EP1 in the vertical direction in the drawing should be as large as possible.

In FIG. 7, the straight line L2 connecting the start point SP1 and the end point EP1 of the slit 40 is not orthogonal to the direction of the current I flowing through the electrode 20 (= the circumferential direction of the electrode 20). This means that the positions in the vertical direction (circular direction of the electrode 20) in FIG. Further, in FIG. 7, the positions of the start point SP1 and the end point EP1 of the slit 40 in the circumferential direction of the electrode 20 are different. For example, the coordinate value of the start point SP1 is (X _S , Y _S , Z _S ), and the end point EP1. When the coordinate value of (X _E , Y _E , Z _E ) is taken, the values of Y _S and Y _E are different.

The electrode 20 has a first end E1 and a second end E2 that are opposed to each other with the slit 40 interposed therebetween. As described above, the straight line L2 connecting the start point SP1 and the end point EP1 of the slit 40 is formed on the electrode 20. The fact that the direction of the flowing current I is not orthogonal means that the positions of the one end point EL1, EL2 and the other end point ER1, ER2 in the vertical direction in the figure at both the first end E1 and the second end E2. Means different. Further, in FIG. 7, the positions of the end point EL1 and the end point ER1 are different in the circumferential direction of the electrode 20, for example, the coordinate value of the end point EL1 is (X _L , Y _L , Z _L ) and the coordinate value of the end point ER1 Is (X _R , Y _R , Z _R ), the values of Y _L and Y _R are different.

FIG. 8 is a graph (ZX cross section) showing the directivity of the antenna 1 obtained by the electromagnetic field simulator. FIG. 9 is a comparative example and is a graph (ZX cross section) showing the directivity of the circularly polarized patch antenna.
As shown in FIG. 8, in the directivity (ZX cross section) of the antenna 1 according to the present embodiment, the right-handed circularly polarized wave is more dominant than the left-handed circularly polarized wave in all directions. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, in the case of a circularly polarized patch antenna, right-handed circularly polarized waves are more dominant in the upper half range in the figure, but left-handed circularly polarized waves in the lower half range in the figure. Is more dominant. As described above, the antenna 1 according to the present embodiment has a dominant right-handed circularly polarized wave in all directions, and therefore has a wider directivity of a desired circularly polarized wave than a circularly polarized patch antenna. Further, since the desired circularly polarized wave is dominant over all directions, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of multipath.

10 to 12 are graphs (XY cross-section, YZ cross-section, and ZX cross-section) obtained by actually prototyping the antenna 1 and measuring the directivity of the right-handed circularly polarized wave and the left-handed circularly polarized wave for the prototyped antenna 1. Cross section).
The directivity of the prototype antenna 1 is, for example, the right-handed circular deviation in all directions as shown in the directivity obtained by the electromagnetic field simulator (FIG. 8) due to the influence of the feeder line, the communication circuit connected to the antenna 1, and the like. The waves will not dominate. However, as is apparent from FIGS. 10 to 12, the [1] XY cross section directivity (FIG. 10) ranges from about −150 degrees to −180 degrees and [2] ZX cross section directivity ( In the part other than the range from about 100 degrees to about 160 degrees in FIG. 12), the right-handed circularly polarized wave is more dominant than the left-handed circularly polarized wave. Therefore, it can be seen that the directivity of the desired circularly polarized wave is wider than that of the circularly polarized patch antenna.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the electrode 20 is considered divided into a loop component that circulates around the axis AL and a linear component that extends in the direction of the axis AL, the loop component is a current source. And the linear component becomes a minute dipole antenna of a current source. Further, the electric field E _L emitted from the small loop antenna, the electric field E _D radiated from the small dipole antenna angle is also 90 degrees phase difference differs by 90 degrees. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the positions of the start point SP1 and the end point EP1 of the slit 40 in the vertical direction (circular direction of the electrode 20) in the drawing are different. Therefore, the antenna 1 can transmit or receive circularly polarized waves.

  Further, the circumferential length PL1 of the electrode 20 only needs to be long enough for a part (loop component) of the electrode 20 to function as a minute loop antenna, and is sufficiently smaller than the wavelength of a radio wave to be transmitted or received. In addition, no reflector is required. Therefore, the size of the antenna 1 can be reduced as compared with the circularly polarized antenna described in Patent Document 1. As is clear from FIGS. 8 to 12, the antenna 1 has a wider directivity of right-handed circularly polarized wave (desired circularly polarized wave) than the circularly polarized patch antenna. Moreover, since the directivity of the desired circularly polarized wave is wide, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of multipath and suppress the deterioration of communication quality.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a circularly polarized antenna 1 that is small in size and has a wide directivity and can suppress multipath.

  Further, since the antenna 1 according to the present embodiment uses the dielectric substrate 10, the antenna 1 can be further downsized due to the wavelength shortening effect. Further, by providing the feeding opening 30, the two feeding points FD 1 and FD 2 do not have to be arranged on a line that coincides with the circumferential direction of the electrode 20, and compared with the case where the opening 30 is not provided. Thus, it is possible to supply power in a smaller space. Further, since the start point SP1 and the end point EP1 of the slit 40 are located on different planes (start point SP1: side face 10D, end point EP1: side face 10C), the circumference of the electrode 20 is larger than when both are located on the same face. Since it is possible to increase the distance between the two in the direction, a good axial ratio can be obtained for the circularly polarized wave to be transmitted or received.

<B. Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is common in the antenna 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the antenna 2 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the structure of the antenna 2, and FIG. 15 is a development view of the antenna 2.
The antenna 2 according to this embodiment is different from the antenna 1 according to the first embodiment in the formation surface of the slit 41 and the width of the slit 41. More specifically, in the first embodiment, the slit 40 is formed on the three surfaces of the side surface 10D, the upper surface 10A, and the side surface 10C, whereas in the present embodiment, the slit 41 is formed only on the upper surface 10A. ing. As can be seen from a comparison between FIG. 7 and FIG. 15, the slit width is slightly narrower in the second embodiment. Moreover, since the formation surface and width of the slit 41 are different, the shape of the electrode 21 is also different from that of the first embodiment. The size of the dielectric substrate 10, the opening 30 for feeding, the positions of the two feeding points FD1, FD2, and the like are the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the antenna 2 includes an open ring-shaped electrode 21 having a width of 9.0 mm, and the electrode 21 has a first end E3 and a second end E4 that are opposed to each other with the slit 41 interposed therebetween. .

  Here, also in the present embodiment, the electrode 21 is divided into a loop component that circulates around the axis AL (the central axis of the open ring electrode 21) and a linear component that extends in the direction of the axis AL. be able to. Further, the circumferential length PL2 of the electrode 21 and the width of the electrode 21 in the X-axis direction are set to be sufficiently smaller than the wavelength of the radio wave transmitted or received by the antenna 2. Therefore, the loop component of the electrode 21 can be considered as a minute loop antenna of a current source, and the linear component of the electrode 21 can be considered as a minute dipole antenna of a current source.

Further, as described in the first embodiment, the electric field E _L emitted from the small loop antenna, the electric field E _D radiated from the small dipole antenna, the angle is also 90 degrees phase difference differs by 90 degrees. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the straight line L3 connecting the start point SP2 and the end point EP2 of the slit 41 is not orthogonal to the direction of the current I flowing through the electrode 21 (= the circumferential direction of the electrode 21). The position of EP2 in the vertical direction in the figure is different. Further, in FIG. 15, the end point EP2 of the slit 41 is below the start point SP2 in the figure. Therefore, the antenna 2 according to the present embodiment can also transmit or receive the right-handed circularly polarized wave, and has the same effect as the antenna 1 according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 15, the start point SP2 and the end point EP2 of the slit 41 are located on the same plane (upper surface 10A), and the distance between the start point SP2 and the end point EP2 in the vertical direction in the figure is the start point SP1 and the end point shown in FIG. It is smaller than the distance in the vertical direction in the drawing of EP1. Therefore, the antenna 1 according to the first embodiment can obtain a better axial ratio for circular polarization than the antenna 2 according to this embodiment.

<C. Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described. Note that in this embodiment as well, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to the antenna 1 according to the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the antenna 3 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the structure of the antenna 3, and FIG. 18 is a development view of the antenna 3.
The antenna 3 according to this embodiment differs from the antenna 1 according to the first embodiment in the shape and width of the slit 42. More specifically, in the first embodiment, the slit 40 is bent at two right angles in the middle as shown in FIG. 7, whereas in the present embodiment, the slit 43 is formed as shown in FIG. It is straight. Further, as can be seen from a comparison between FIG. 7 and FIG. 18, the width of the slit is slightly narrower in the third embodiment. The shape of the electrode 22 is also different from that of the first embodiment. The size of the dielectric substrate 10, the opening 30 for feeding, the positions of the two feeding points FD1, FD2, and the like are the same as in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the antenna 3 includes an open ring-shaped electrode 22 having a width of 9.0 mm, and the electrode 22 has a first end E5 and a second end E6 that are opposed to each other with the slit 42 interposed therebetween. .

  Also in this embodiment, the electrode 22 can be divided into a loop component that circulates around the axis AL and a linear component that extends in the direction of the axis AL. Further, the circumferential length PL3 of the electrode 22 and the width of the electrode 22 in the X-axis direction are set to be sufficiently smaller than the wavelength of the radio wave transmitted or received by the antenna 3. Therefore, the loop component of the electrode 22 becomes a minute loop antenna of the current source, and the linear component of the electrode 22 becomes a minute dipole antenna of the current source.

Further, as described in the first embodiment, the electric field E _L emitted from the small loop antenna, the electric field E _D radiated from the small dipole antenna, the angle is also 90 degrees phase difference differs by 90 degrees. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the straight line L4 connecting the start point SP3 and the end point EP3 of the slit 42 is not orthogonal to the direction of the current I flowing in the electrode 22 (circular direction of the electrode 20), and the start point SP3 and the end point EP3. The positions in the vertical direction in FIG. Further, in FIG. 18, the end point EP3 of the slit 42 is lower than the start point SP3 in the drawing. Therefore, the antenna 3 according to the present embodiment can also transmit or receive the right-handed circularly polarized wave, and has the same effect as the antenna 1 according to the first embodiment.

<D. Application example>
In order to transmit or receive a circularly polarized wave having a desired frequency using the antenna according to each of the embodiments described above, it is necessary to adjust the dimensions of the antenna. When the dimensions are adjusted, the dimensions of each part of the antenna may be multiplied by a constant according to the target frequency. For example, when the antenna 1 according to the first embodiment (resonance frequency: 1617 MHz) is used as a GPS antenna that receives a GPS L1 signal, the transmission frequency of the L1 signal is 1575.42 MHz. What is necessary is just to multiply the dimension of each part of 1617 / 1575.42. It should be noted that due to various factors, the actual value does not work as expected, and further dimensional adjustment is necessary with respect to the theoretical value.

  By performing the above dimension adjustment, the antenna according to each embodiment described above can be mounted on a mobile device or wearable device (for example, a notebook computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a wristwatch, or the like) as a GPS antenna, for example. . Further, the antenna according to each embodiment described above may be mounted on a car navigation device or a satellite mobile phone, and is not limited to satellite communication, for example, a reader that receives radio waves (circularly polarized waves) for wireless tags. Etc. may be mounted. As described above, the antenna according to the present invention can be mounted on various communication devices and electronic devices having a function of transmitting or receiving circularly polarized waves. The communication device also includes a GPS communication module including the antenna according to each embodiment described above.

<E. Modification>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and for example, the following modifications are possible. Also, two or more of the following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[Modification 1]
The antenna according to the present invention may be a left-handed circularly polarized antenna. As described in the first embodiment, when the end point EP1 of the slit 40 is located below the start point SP1 in FIG. 7, right-handed circularly polarized light is radiated, but conversely, the end point EP1 is the start point SP1. If the slit 40 is provided so as to be on the upper side in the drawing, a left-handed circularly polarized wave is radiated. Therefore, for example, when the slit 43 is provided as shown in FIG. 19, the antenna 4 is a left-handed circularly polarized antenna.

[Modification 2]
As described in the first embodiment, power may be supplied without providing the power supply opening 30 on the surface of the electrode 20. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, two feeding points FD3 and FD4 may be arranged on a line L5 coinciding with the rotating direction of the electrode 24, and the ground potential and the high-frequency potential may be fed. Note that the fact that the two feeding points FD3, FD4 are located on the line L5 that coincides with the rotating direction of the electrode 24 means that the positions of the two feeding points FD3, FD4 in the direction of the axis AL are the same. . Further, in FIG. 20, the fact that the positions of the two feeding points FD3, FD4 in the direction of the axis AL are the same, for example, the coordinate value of the feeding point FD3 is (X ₃ , Y ₃ , Z ₃ ) When the coordinate value of FD4 is (X ₄ , Y ₄ , Z ₄ ), the values of X ₃ and X ₄ are the same.

[Modification 3]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the width of the electrode in the X-axis direction is constant. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the width of the electrode 25 in the X-axis direction may be varied depending on the location. In the figure, the electrode 25 is formed over four surfaces of the surface of the dielectric substrate 10 including the side surface 10D, the upper surface 10A, the side surface 10C, and the lower surface 10B. Of these, the side surface 10C, the lower surface 10B, and the side surface 10D are three. The width in the X-axis direction of the portion formed over the surface is narrower than the width in the X-axis direction of the portion formed on the upper surface 10A. Thus, the width | variety (predetermined width | variety) of an open ring electrode contains the aspect which is not constant other than the aspect which is constant.

[Modification 4]
For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the slit 44 may be bent at three or more locations. In the case of the antenna 7 shown in the figure, the slits 44 are bent at a right angle at a total of six locations, but the refraction angle is not limited to a right angle. In each embodiment described above, the width of the slit is constant, but the width of the slit may be varied depending on the location. Further, the slit may be curved.

[Modification 5]
FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the structure of the antenna 8 according to this modification. FIG. 24 is a plan view of the antenna 8 when viewed from the Y-axis direction.
As shown in FIG. 23, in the antenna 8 according to this modification, of the six surfaces constituting the surface of the dielectric substrate 11, the side surface 11E and the side surface 11F where the electrode 27 is not provided are inclined in the X-axis direction. ing. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24, the direction of the current I flowing through the portion of the side surface 11C of the surface of the electrode 27 is oblique as shown by the arrow in the figure. As described above, the circularly polarized wave can be transmitted or received as long as the straight line L6 connecting the start point SP4 and the end point EP4 of the slit 45 is not orthogonal to the direction of the current I flowing through the electrode 27 (= the rotating direction of the electrode 27). Is possible. Therefore, in the case of the antenna 8 according to this modification, circularly polarized waves can be transmitted or received even if the linear slit 45 is provided horizontally (parallel to the X axis) on the side surface 11C as shown in FIG. It is.

[Modification 6]
FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the structure of the antenna 9 according to this modification.
The electrode 28 is formed over four surfaces of the surface of the dielectric substrate 10, that is, the side surface 10D, the upper surface 10A, the side surface 10C, and the lower surface 10B. The electrode 28 has a first end E7 and a second end E8 that face each other with the gap 46 interposed therebetween. The gap 46 is provided only on the upper surface 10 </ b> A of the surface of the dielectric substrate 10. Moreover, although the gap | interval part 46 is extended in the X-axis direction, the width | variety differs by the side surface 10E side and the side surface 10F side. The direction of the current I flowing through the electrode 28 is as indicated by an arrow in the figure, and this direction is also the circumferential direction of the electrode 28.

The first end E <b> 7 is linear, and is orthogonal to the direction of the current I flowing through the electrode 28 (= circulation direction of the electrode 28). Accordingly, at the first end portion E7, one end point EL7 and the other end point ER7 have the same position in the circumferential direction of the electrode 28. On the other hand, at the second end portion E8, one end point EL8 and the other end point ER8 are different in the position of the electrode 28 in the circumferential direction. That is, when the coordinate value of the end point EL7 is (X _L7 , Y _L7 , Z _L7 ) and the coordinate value of the end point ER7 is (X _R7 , Y _R7 , Z _R7 ), the values of Y _L7 and Y _R7 are the same. Become. When the coordinate value of the end point EL8 is (X _L8 , Y _L8 , Z _L8 ) and the coordinate value of the end point ER8 is (X _R8 , Y _R8 , Z _R8 ), the values of Y _L8 and Y _R8 are different.

  As described above, in any one of the first end E7 and the second end E8, the positions of the one end point EL7, EL8 and the other end point ER7, ER8 in the circumferential direction of the electrode 28 are different. It is possible to transmit or receive polarization. The gap 46 shown in the figure can be regarded as a slit having a different width depending on the location, but the gap in the present invention is not limited to the slit (elongated strip-like gap). Further, in the figure, the second end E8 may be deformed into a straight line connecting the end point EL8 and the end point ER8.

[Modification 7]
The shape of the dielectric substrate is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 26, the structure provided with the column-shaped dielectric base 12 may be sufficient. The antenna 100 shown in the figure is provided with electrodes 29 and slits 47 on the circumferential surface of the surface of the dielectric substrate 12 excluding two side surfaces (circular) located on the left and right sides in the drawing. In addition, a power supply opening 31 and two power supply points FD5 and FD6 are provided on the back surface of the electrode 29 in the drawing. Thus, the shape of the dielectric substrate is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be a cylindrical shape or a polygonal column shape.

[Modification 8]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the dielectric base is used. However, for example, the dielectric base may be omitted as in the antenna 101 shown in FIG. The antenna 101 shown in the figure includes an open ring-shaped electrode 200 having a predetermined width W, and the electrode 200 has a first end E11 and a second end E12 facing each other with the slit 400 interposed therebetween. The circumference of the electrode 200 has such a length that a part of the electrode 200 (loop component) functions as a minute loop antenna, and the width W of the electrode 200 is such that a part of the electrode 200 (linear component) becomes a minute dipole antenna. It has a functioning length. Further, at one or more of the first end E11 and the second end E12, one end point EL11, EL12 and the other end point ER11, ER12 in the width W direction of the electrode 200 are positioned in the circumferential direction of the electrode 200. Different. If there is no dielectric substrate, the wavelength shortening effect of the dielectric substrate cannot be obtained, and the size of the antenna 101 (electrode 200) increases accordingly. It is possible to send and receive. When there is no dielectric substrate, the electrode 200 may be formed by bending a plate-like metal (conductor). Further, for example, an aspect in the case where the antenna base 1 is not provided in the antenna 1 according to the first embodiment is as shown in FIG.

[Modification 9]
In the antennas according to the above-described embodiments and modifications, it is desirable that the directivity of the minute loop antenna and the directivity of the minute dipole antenna are as much as possible in the direction, shape, and size. It doesn't have to be the same. If the difference in direction, shape, or size of the directivity between the two becomes large, for example, the value of the axial ratio of circularly polarized waves deteriorates, or an increase in unnecessary components such as linearly polarized waves is caused. Although performance and reception performance are degraded, it is possible to transmit and receive circularly polarized waves even if the directivity of both is not the same.

  In addition, for example, when comparing the directivity of a minute dipole antenna and the directivity of a half-wave dipole antenna, there is no significant difference between the two (both are in the shape of 8 and have the same orientation, but only the shape is a half-wave dipole) The antenna is slightly sharper than the small dipole antenna). Therefore, the width of the electrode in the X-axis direction is not limited to the length that functions as a minute dipole antenna, but may be, for example, the length that functions as a half-wave dipole antenna. Thus, the width of the electrode in the X-axis direction is such that a part of the electrode (linear component) has such a length that it can function as a dipole antenna (micro dipole antenna, half-wave dipole antenna, one-wave dipole antenna, etc.). Well, it can be of any length.

Also, comparing the directivity of the micro-loop antenna and the directivity of the single-wavelength loop antenna, the two are greatly different (both are 8-shaped and substantially the same shape, but the directivity of the micro-loop antenna is The directivity of the one-wavelength loop antenna is perpendicular to the loop plane). That is, in the case of the one-wavelength loop antenna, as shown in FIG. 29, the difference in angle (direction) between the directivity of the one-wavelength loop antenna and the directivity of the dipole antenna is 90 degrees. In this case, the E-plane of the directivity of the one-wavelength loop antenna, not cross the E plane in the directivity of the dipole antenna, 1 and the electric field E ₁ that is emitted from the wavelength loop antenna, an electric field E radiated from the dipole antenna The difference in angle from ₂ is 0 degrees (180 degrees). For this reason, even if the linearly polarized wave radiated from the one-wavelength loop antenna and the linearly polarized wave radiated from the dipole antenna are combined, no circularly polarized wave can be obtained. Therefore, the circumference of the electrode should not be such a length that a part of the electrode (loop component) functions as a one-wavelength loop antenna.

  As a result of intensive studies by the inventor, when the wavelength of the radio wave transmitted or received by the antenna is 1λ, if the electrode circumference is gradually increased, for example, if the electrode circumference is 1 / 5λ or less, the electrode This loop component functions as a micro loop antenna, and its donut-shaped directivity is maintained parallel to the loop surface. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the difference in angle between the directivity of the minute loop antenna and the directivity of the minute dipole antenna (dipole antenna) is zero, and the directivity directions of both are the same. Therefore, it is possible to improve the axial ratio of circularly polarized waves and to reduce the ratio of components that do not require linearly polarized waves, etc., compared to the case where both directivity directions are different. Transmission performance and reception performance can be improved.

  Also, when the electrode circumference exceeds 1 / 5λ, the donut-shaped directivity begins to gradually tilt, and when the electrode circumference exceeds 4 / 5λ, the electrode loop component functions as a one-wavelength loop antenna. The donut-shaped directivity is perpendicular to the loop plane (FIG. 29). In general, there are two definitions (conditions) for a micro loop antenna: the circumference of the electrode is sufficiently smaller than 1λ, and the donut-shaped directivity is parallel to the loop surface. As described above, when the circumference of the electrode exceeds 1 / 5λ, the donut-shaped directivity is not parallel to the loop surface. Therefore, in the range where the electrode circumference is greater than 1 / 5λ and less than 4 / 5λ, the electrode loop component functions as a loop antenna, but does not function as a minute loop antenna.

  Further, when the electrode circumference is in the above-described range, the angle difference between the directivity of the loop antenna and the directivity of the dipole antenna increases as the electrode circumference increases. When the difference in the angle of directivity between the two becomes large in this way, for example, the axial ratio of circularly polarized waves deteriorates, or the proportion of the unnecessary components such as linearly polarized waves increases (= occupation of circularly polarized waves) The rate drops). Therefore, when the electrode circumference is within the above-described range, the transmission performance and reception performance of the antenna decrease as the electrode circumference increases. However, unless the difference in angle between the directivity of the loop antenna and the directivity of the dipole antenna is 90 degrees, the E plane in the directivity of the loop antenna and the E plane in the directivity of the dipole antenna intersect. Circularly polarized light is radiated from. For this reason, even when the circumference of the electrode is within the above-described range (greater than 1 / 5λ and less than 4 / 5λ), circular polarization can be transmitted or received by the antenna.

  Therefore, the circumference of the electrode is not limited to a length (1 / 5λ) that functions as a minute loop antenna, but is smaller than 1λ, and a length at which a part of the electrode (loop component) does not function as a one-wavelength loop antenna. I just need it. That is, the circumference of the electrode may be smaller than 1λ, and the length of the angle difference between the directivity of the dipole antenna and the directivity of the loop antenna does not become 90 degrees. However, considering the deterioration of the axial ratio of circularly polarized waves and the increase in the proportion of components that are not required, such as linearly polarized waves, it is desirable that the circumference of the electrode be 3 / 4λ or less.

[Modification 10]
In each embodiment described above, for convenience, the surface in the Z-axis direction is the upper surface 10A, the surface in the opposite direction is the lower surface 10B, and the remaining surfaces are the side surfaces 10C to 10F. The surface in the X-axis direction may be the upper surface. That is, the Y-axis direction or the X-axis direction may be on the upper side. Thus, the upper surface 10A, the lower surface 10B, and the side surfaces 10C to 10F do not define the absolute positional relationship between them.

1-9, 1 ', 100, 101 ... antenna, 10-12 ... dielectric substrate, 10A, 11A ... upper surface, 10B, 11B ... lower surface, 10C-10F, 11C-11F ... side surface, 20-29, 20', 200 ... Electrode, 30, 30 ', 31 ... Power supply opening, 40-45, 40', 47, 400 ... Slit, 46 ... Gap, FD1-FD6, FD1 ', FD2' ... Feed point, PL1- PL3 ... circumferential length of the electrodes, L1, L5 ... 2 two straight lines connecting the feeding point, the axis of the AL ... _{electrode, E L, E D, E} 1, E 2 ... _{field, H L, H D, H} 1, H 2 ... Magnetic field, I ... Current, SP1 to SP4 ... Slit start point, EP1 to EP4 ... Slit end point, L2 to L4, L6 ... Straight line connecting the slit start point and end point, E1, E3, E5, E7, E11 ... First End, E2, E4, E6, E8, E12 ... No. 2 end portions, EL1 to EL8, EL11, EL12, ER1 to ER8, ER11, ER12... End points, W.

Claims (13)

An antenna for transmitting or receiving circularly polarized waves,
An open annular electrode having a first end and a second end facing each other across the gap,
The width of the electrode has a length such that a part of the electrode functions as a dipole antenna,
The circumference of the electrode is smaller than the wavelength of a radio wave to be transmitted or received, and when a part of the electrode functions as a loop antenna, the angle difference between the directivity of the dipole antenna and the directivity of the loop antenna Has a length that is not 90 degrees,
In one or more of the first end and the second end, one end and the other end in the width direction of the electrode are different in position in the circumferential direction of the electrode.
An antenna characterized by that. An antenna for transmitting or receiving circularly polarized waves,
An open ring electrode having two ends facing each other across a band-shaped gap,
The width of the electrode has a length such that a part of the electrode functions as a dipole antenna,
The circumference of the electrode is smaller than the wavelength of a radio wave to be transmitted or received, and when a part of the electrode functions as a loop antenna, the angle difference between the directivity of the dipole antenna and the directivity of the loop antenna Has a length that is not 90 degrees,
In the band-shaped gap portion, one end in the width direction of the electrode and the other end have different positions in the circumferential direction of the electrode.
An antenna characterized by that. The circumference of the electrode is 3/4 or less of the wavelength of the radio wave to be transmitted or received.
The antenna according to claim 1 or 2. The circumference of the electrode has a length such that a part of the electrode functions as a micro loop antenna.
The antenna according to claim 1 or 2. The circumference of the electrode is 1/5 or less of the wavelength of the radio wave to be transmitted or received.
The antenna according to claim 4. An antenna for transmitting or receiving circularly polarized waves,
Comprising an open annular electrode having a predetermined width;
The electrode has a first end and a second end facing each other across the gap,
The circumference of the electrode has a length such that a part of the electrode functions as a micro loop antenna,
In one or more of the first end and the second end, one end and the other end in the width direction of the electrode are different in position in the circumferential direction of the electrode.
An antenna characterized by that. An antenna for transmitting or receiving circularly polarized waves,
Comprising an open annular electrode having a predetermined width;
The electrode has two ends facing each other across a band-shaped gap,
The circumference of the electrode has a length such that a part of the electrode functions as a micro loop antenna,
In the band-shaped gap portion, one end in the width direction of the electrode and the other end have different positions in the circumferential direction of the electrode.
An antenna characterized by that. The electrode is provided with two feeding points,
The two feeding points have the same position in the axial direction of the electrode,
The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The electrode includes
Two feeding points,
A first opening for dividing the two feeding points in the axial direction of the electrode;
Two second openings connected to the first opening and extending in the circumferential direction of the electrode and facing each other across the two feeding points are provided.
The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that A columnar dielectric substrate;
The electrode is provided on the surface of the dielectric substrate.
The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is any one of claims 1 to 9. The electrode has a plurality of surfaces;
One end and the other end in the width direction of the electrode in the band-shaped gap are located on different surfaces of the plurality of surfaces,
The antenna according to claim 2 or 7, wherein   A communication apparatus comprising the antenna according to claim 1. An electronic apparatus comprising the antenna according to claim 1.