JP3366283B2 - NRD guide mode converter, radiator and antenna device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mode converter and a radiator used when feeding an antenna from a NRD guide circuit in a millimeter wave / microwave circuit using an NRD guide (non-radiative dielectric line). The present invention provides a mode converter with a particularly simple structure and low loss.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a millimeter wave / microwave circuit, an NRD guide (Nonradiative Dielectric Wave Guide:
Non-radiative dielectric line) is used.

When feeding the antenna from the NRD guide circuit, it is necessary to convert from the LSM mode to the TE mode in a parallel plate. The transmission loss of this LSM-TE mode converter is an antenna feed loss, and therefore it is desired to be as small as possible. Also, in order to downsize the circuit, downsizing of the mode converter itself is required.

FIG. 11 shows the LSM mode and T of the NRD guide.
The electric field component of E mode is shown. FIG. 11A shows the LSM mode, and FIG. 11B shows the TE mode. In FIG. 11, 4 is a dielectric line, and 5 and 6 are conductor plates. The dielectric line 4 is made of, for example, Teflon (relative permittivity εr = 2.04), and the conductor plates 5 and 6 are made of, for example, aluminum plates.

The case where the operating frequency is set to 60 GHz will be described below. Set the height a of the dielectric line 4 to 2.
When 25 mm and the width b are set to 2.5 mm, the dielectric line 4 operates as a low loss NRD guide.

In the LSM mode shown in FIG. 11 (a), the electric field component becomes parallel to the conductor plates 5 and 6 as shown by the arrow and is non-radiative. On the other hand, the electric field component of the TE mode shown in FIG. 11 (b) is perpendicular to the conductor plates 5 and 6 as shown by the arrow and becomes radiative. The TE mode is a mode necessary for feeding the antenna.

LSM mode and LSE of NRD guide circuit
As an LSM-LSE mode converter for converting between modes, for example, the ones disclosed in JP-A-9-83216 and JP-A-10-173412 have been proposed. This kind of LSM
The -LSE mode converter has a configuration in which a mode conversion element is inserted in the NRD guide and a mode suppression element (mode suppressor) is arranged before and after the mode conversion element.

On the other hand, as a means for converting the polarization of millimeter wave radio waves, the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, CI, Vol.J82-CI, N
The polarization conversion plates shown in o.1 and pp.26-27 were known. This polarization conversion plate consists of multiple strip arrays arranged in parallel at regular intervals and the angle of the strip array is set to 45 degrees, 45 degree or 90 degree polarization conversion, linear polarization and circular polarization. The polarization can be converted.

[0009]

However, the conventional LSM-LSE mode converter described above has a problem in that it is not possible to convert the LSM to the TE mode, which is necessary for feeding the antenna.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems and is used for feeding an NRD guide circuit to an antenna, and has a simple structure and low loss.
It is an object to provide a D-guide mode converter and a radiator.

[0011]

Therefore, the NRD of the present invention
In the guide mode converter, the principle of the conventional polarization conversion plate described above is applied to the NRD guide, and the first, second and third strip arrays in which metal strips are arranged in parallel at regular intervals are used as the dielectric of the NRD guide. insert in parallel at predetermined intervals in the line, the distance between the first strip array and second strip array is set to one wavelength of approximately a quarter of TE mode, a second strip array the 3 of the distance between the strip array is set to one wavelength of approximately a quarter of LSM mode,
By setting the angle formed by the strips of the first strip array and the second strip array to 45 degrees and the angle formed by the strips of the first strip array and the third strip array to 90 degrees, the electric field in the LSM mode is set. 9 ingredients
It is configured to convert 0 degree and convert to TE mode.

Further, in the NRD guide mode converter of the present invention, the conductor wall is arranged in the vicinity of the above-mentioned first, second and third strip arrays to reduce the TE mode radiation. .

In the radiator of the present invention, the mode converter is connected to the tip of the dielectric line of the NRD guide.

Further, in the radiator of the present invention, a dielectric chip is connected to the tip of the radiator.

Further, in the radiator of the present invention, a tapered dielectric is connected to the tip of the radiator.

Further, in the antenna device of the present invention, by feeding power from the NRD guide circuit using the radiator,
A highly efficient antenna is constructed by reducing the loss due to power supply.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a first, a second and a third strip array in which metal strips are arranged in parallel at regular intervals, and an NRD guide dielectric line. The first, second, and third strip arrays are inserted in parallel at a predetermined distance, and the distance between the first strip array and the second strip array is set to about 4 minutes in the TE mode. 1 wavelength, the distance between the second strip array and the third strip array is set to approximately a quarter wavelength of the LSM mode, and the first strip array and the second strip array are The angle formed by the strips is set to 45 degrees, and the angle formed between the strips of the first strip array and the third strip array is set to 90 degrees.
It is a guide mode converter, and has an effect that a low-loss LSM-TE mode converter can be provided with a simple configuration.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the NRD guide mode converter according to the first aspect is characterized in that a conductor wall is arranged in the vicinity of the first, second and third strip arrays. Therefore, there is an effect that a low-loss LSM-TE mode converter can be provided with a simple configuration.

The invention according to claim 3 of the present invention is a radiator characterized in that the mode converter according to claim 1 is connected to the tip of the dielectric line of the NRD guide, and has a wide half-value angle and a low width. This has the effect that a lossy NRD guide radiator can be provided with a simple configuration.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present invention is a radiator characterized in that a dielectric chip is connected to the tip of the radiator according to claim 3, and the half value angle is relatively narrow and the loss is low. The radiator for NRD guide can be provided with a simple structure.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention is a radiator characterized by connecting a tapered dielectric to the tip of the radiator according to claim 3, wherein the NR has a narrow half-value angle and low loss.
This has the effect that the D guide radiator can be provided with a simple configuration.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present invention is an antenna device characterized in that power is fed from the NRD guide circuit by the radiator according to claims 3 to 5,
This has the effect that a high-efficiency antenna with an optimized radiation pattern can be provided with a simple configuration. Less than,
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

(First Embodiment) N of the First Embodiment
The basic structure of the RD guide mode converter is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 1 to 3 are strip arrays, 4 is a dielectric line, and 5 and 6 are conductor plates. Figure 1
Shows a perspective view with conductor plates 5 and 6 removed, and FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view as seen from the lateral direction.

A case where the operating frequency is set to 60 GHz will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The strip arrays 1 to 3 are, for example, Teflon (relative dielectric constant εr
= 2.04) Composed of a copper foil pattern printed or vapor-deposited on a sheet. The dielectric line 4 is made of, for example, Teflon (relative permittivity εr = 2.04), and the conductor plates 5 and 6 are made of, for example, aluminum plates. The dielectric line 4 is sandwiched between the upper and lower sides by the conductor plates 5 and 6, and when the height a of the dielectric line 4 is set to 2.25 mm and the width b is set to 2.5 mm, the dielectric line 4 serves as a low-loss NRD guide. Operate.

The strip arrays 1 to 3 have the same sectional dimensions as the dielectric line 4 and are inserted perpendicularly to the transmission direction of the dielectric line 4. Further, the strip arrays 1 and 2 are arranged such that the distance between them is g1 and the strip arrays 2 and 3 are separated from each other by g2.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed structure of the strip arrays 1 to 3. FIG. 3A shows the strip array 1, in which the strips are arranged in the vertical direction. Figure 3 (b)
Indicates a strip array 2, and the strips are arranged at a 45-degree inclination. FIG. 3 (c) shows a strip array 3 in which the strips are arranged laterally.

Here, the strip width w and the strip interval s of the strip arrays 1 to 3 are set to 0.15 mm,
Strip array spacings g1 and g2 are 0.8m each
m (1/4 wavelength of TE mode) and 2.4 mm (LSM
(1/4 wavelength of mode). With this setting, the LSM mode wave transmitted through the dielectric line 4 and incident on the strip array 1 is transmitted from the strip array 3 side to the T
Emit as E mode. At 60 GHz, the transmission loss associated with this conversion is about 0.7 dB. In this way, it is possible to realize a small-sized mode converter with a total length of 3.2 mm and low loss.

In the above description, the conversion from the LSM mode to the TE mode is explained, but the TE mode is incident from the strip array 3 side and the strip array 1 is introduced.
It is also possible to emit the LSM mode from the side.

As described above, the feature of the present invention is that the principle of the polarization conversion plate is applied to the NRD guide mode converter, and two 45-degree polarization conversion elements composed of strip arrays in the dielectric line are formed. By overlapping and arranging 90 degree polarization conversion,
The point is to realize the LSM-TE mode conversion function.

As described above, the NRD guide mode converter of the first embodiment can provide a low-loss LSM-TE mode converter with a simple structure.

The dimensions and intervals of the strip array are not limited to the values shown in this embodiment, and similar effects can be obtained as long as the required conversion performance can be obtained.

Further, although the strip array is formed of a copper foil pattern, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same effect can be obtained as long as it is formed of a grid-like conductor and has similar dimensions.

(Second Embodiment) N of the second embodiment
The basic structure of the RD guide mode converter is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, those denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 perform the same operation, and 7 and 8 denote conductor walls. Figure 4 (a)
Shows a view from above with the conductor plate 5 removed, and FIG.
(B) shows the figure seen from the lateral direction.

In FIG. 4, for example, the operating frequency is 60GH.
The case of setting to z will be described. Conductor walls 7 and 8
Is made of, for example, an aluminum plate and has a height a of 2.25 mm,
The length L is set to 20 mm. The conductor walls 7 and 8 are NR
It is arranged in the vicinity of the strip arrays 1 to 3 forming the D guide mode converter so that the distance g3 from the dielectric line 4 is 1 mm.

With this structure, it is possible to suppress the TE mode radiation radiated from the vicinity of the strip arrays 1 to 3. In this case, the transmission loss at 60 GHz is about 0.5 dB.

As described above, the feature of the present invention is that NR
By arranging the conductor wall near the D guide mode converter,
This is to suppress the TE mode radiation and further reduce the transmission loss due to mode conversion.

As described above, the NRD guide mode converter of the second embodiment can provide an extremely low loss LSM-TE mode converter with a simple structure.

The dimensions and intervals of the conductor walls are not limited to the values shown in this embodiment, and similar effects can be obtained as long as the required conversion performance is obtained.

(Third Embodiment) The basic structure of the radiator of the third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5 to 7
In the figure, 9 indicates a dielectric chip, and 10 indicates a taper type dielectric. 5 to 7 are perspective views showing a state in which the conductor plates 5 and 6 are removed, and those having the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 have the same configuration and perform the same operation.

A case where the operating frequency is set to 60 GHz will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows a radiator configured to radiate a TE mode from the strip array 3. The H-plane radiation characteristic in this case is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, a radiation characteristic having a half value angle of about 55 degrees can be obtained.

FIG. 6 shows a radiator in which a dielectric chip 9 is arranged in front of the strip array 3, and the TE mode is radiated from the dielectric chip 9. The dielectric chip 9 is made of Teflon (relative permittivity εr = 2.04) and its length c is 1.5 m.
set to m. The H-plane radiation characteristic in this case is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, a radiation characteristic having a half value angle of about 38 degrees can be obtained.

FIG. 7 shows a radiator in which a tapered dielectric 10 is arranged at the tip of the strip array 3, and the tapered dielectric 10 is shown in FIG.
The TE mode is emitted from. Teflon (relative permittivity εr = 2.04) is used for the taper type dielectric 10 and its length d is 10
set to mm. The H-plane radiation characteristic in this case is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, a radiation characteristic having a half value angle of about 27 degrees can be obtained.

Further, the loss due to the mode conversion of the above radiator is also very small.

By using such a low-loss radiator having various radiation characteristics as a power feeding section from the NRD guide circuit to the antenna, the radiation pattern of the antenna is optimized,
The loss of the power feeding system can be reduced.

As described above, one of the features of the present invention is to radiate the TE mode directly from the mode converter or to connect a dielectric chip or a tapered dielectric to the radiation side of the mode converter. , To realize radiators with various half-value angles.

Another feature of the present invention is that a high-efficiency antenna having a proper radiation pattern is realized by using the radiator described above in a feeding portion of the antenna.

As described above, in the radiator of the third embodiment, it is possible to provide the NRD guide radiator having various radiation characteristics with a simple structure.

The dimensions of the dielectric chip and the tapered dielectric are not limited to the values shown in this embodiment, and similar effects can be obtained as long as the required radiation performance can be obtained.

[0049]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a low-loss LSM-TE mode converter with a simple structure.

Further, NR having various radiation characteristics and low loss
The radiator for D guide can be provided with a simple structure.

Further, it is possible to construct a high efficiency antenna having a proper radiation pattern.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an NRD guide mode converter according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the NRD guide mode converter according to the first embodiment,

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a strip array of the NRD guide mode converter according to the first embodiment,

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an NRD guide mode converter according to a second embodiment,

FIG. 5 is a first perspective view of the radiator according to the third embodiment,

FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the radiator according to the third embodiment,

FIG. 7 is a third perspective view of the radiator according to the third embodiment,

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first radiation characteristic of a radiator according to a third embodiment,

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second radiation characteristic of the radiator according to the third embodiment,

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third radiation characteristic of the radiator according to the third embodiment,

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the electric field components of the LSM and TE modes of the NRD guide.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 3 strip array 4 Dielectric line 5, 6 conductor plate 7, 8 Conductor wall 9 Dielectric chip 10 Tapered dielectric

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Uno 2-145, Hikosancho, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture Matsushita Communication Kanazawa Research Institute (72) Inventor Takeshi Okada Tsunashima-higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Matsushita Communication Industry Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-9-83216 (JP, A) JP-A-8-265007 (JP, A) JP-A-7-7320 (JP, A) JP-A-6-244630 (JP, A) JP-A-8-65004 (JP, A) JP-A-61-216502 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01P 1/16 H01P 3/16 H01P 5/08 H01Q 13/24

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first, a second and a third strip array in which metal strips are arranged in parallel at regular intervals.
The first, second, and third strip arrays are inserted in parallel in the dielectric line of the RD guide at a predetermined interval.
The interval between the first strip array and the second strip array is set to about a quarter wavelength of the TE mode,
The interval between the second strip array and the third strip array is set to about a quarter wavelength of the LSM mode, and the angle formed by the strips of the first strip array and the second strip array is 45. Each time, the first
2. The NRD guide mode converter, wherein the angle formed by the strip array and the strip of the third strip array is set to 90 degrees. 2. The NRD guide mode converter according to claim 1, wherein conductor walls are arranged in the vicinity of the first, second and third strip arrays. 3. A radiator comprising the mode converter according to claim 1 connected to a tip of a dielectric line of an NRD guide. 4. A radiator characterized in that a dielectric chip is connected to the tip of the radiator according to claim 3. 5. A radiator characterized in that a tapered dielectric is connected to the tip of the radiator according to claim 3. 6. An antenna device characterized in that power is fed from an NRD guide circuit by the radiator according to any one of claims 3 to 5.