JP3471162B2 - Communication component and network device using the same - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the frequency of wireless communication has been increasing and the frequency resources have been exhausted.
The demand for communication using frequencies in the ~ 300 GHz band is increasing. Especially, the frequency around 60 GHz is
Since it is largely attenuated by air, it is not suitable for long-distance transmission, and it is considered to be applied to a system with a short transmission distance such as a wireless LAN system on a premises, and research is actively conducted.

Such a wireless LAN system is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-304526. The wireless LAN system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-304526 has the following configuration. A plurality of parent transmission / reception devices (hereinafter referred to as parent devices) equipped with antennas having a wide radiation angle are mounted on a ceiling, and a radio wave absorption plate is provided on the ceiling. In addition, a plurality of slave transceivers (hereinafter called slaves) equipped with antennas with narrow radiation angles are installed on the desk.

A wireless LAN is formed by these master unit and slave unit.
Is configured. The parent devices are mutually connected by a communication line having a frequency band different from that of the wireless LAN such as an optical fiber line or a baseband transmission line, and these communication lines form a parent system.

With such a configuration, both the base unit and the handset can receive only the direct wave of the signal through their respective antennas. Therefore, an unnecessary antenna and a selection circuit for selecting only one wave from a plurality of reflected waves and a control circuit therefor are unnecessary, and the line configuration can be simplified.

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
Although the conventional wireless LAN system as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6 has the advantage that the circuit configuration can be simplified, it still has the following problems.

In the conventional wireless LAN system, the wireless LA
N is configured between the master unit and the slave unit, and the master units use communication lines such as an optical fiber and a baseband transmission line. Therefore, the installation location of the slave unit has a high degree of freedom, but the installation location of the master unit is restricted by the communication line.
If you try to move the installation location of the base unit, you also need to move the communication line, which takes a lot of work.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a novel communication component having a high degree of freedom in the place of installation of a wireless device and a network device using the same.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises, as the invention of claim 1, an insertable dielectric layer and a first antenna inserted in the dielectric layer. Provided is a communication component including a wireless device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an insertable dielectric layer, an insertable metal film laminated via the dielectric layer, and a first insertable film inserted into the metal film and the dielectric layer.
There is provided a communication component including a wireless device equipped with the antenna.

Further, as the invention of claim 3, when the frequency of the signal in the dielectric is λ and the dielectric constant of the dielectric is εr,
The thickness t of the dielectric layer is λ / (2εr ^1/2 ) ≦ t <λ /
In addition to these, which provides the communication component according to claims 1 and 2, which satisfies the relationship of (εr ^1/2 ), the invention of claim 4 is:
A network device using the communication component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication component is mounted at a high position such as a ceiling, and a signal exchange is performed between a plurality of the wireless devices. .

Further, as the invention of claim 5, claim 1
~ 3 is a network device using the communication component, wherein the communication component is mounted at a high position such as a ceiling,
Further, the wireless device includes a second antenna protruding below the metal film, and a plurality of the wireless devices are used as parent transmission / reception devices to exchange signals between the parent transmission / reception devices by the first antenna. Provided is a network device in which a slave transmitter / receiver having a third antenna for exchanging signals with a second antenna of the master transmitter / receiver is installed at a low position such as a desk.

The insertability in the present invention refers to the property that an antenna made of metal or the like can be inserted or removed. Specifically, for the dielectric layer, εr = 2.04
Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), εr =
Benzocyclobutene (BCB) of 2.7, εr = 1.0
3 polyfoam or the like can be used. An antenna can be inserted in these materials, and the signal transmission loss is small, so that these materials are particularly preferable when used in a high frequency band such as the 60 GHz band.

If the metal film is as thin as several hundred μm or less, the antenna can be inserted. Considering transmitting signals, copper, aluminum, gold or the like, which has low resistance, is preferable as the material.

In the communication component and network device of the present invention, the antenna can be inserted into and removed from the dielectric layer, and therefore, compared with conventional communication lines such as optical fibers and baseband transmission lines, A wireless device such as a parent transmitter / receiver can be provided anywhere on the dielectric layer, which increases the degree of freedom of installation location.

Further, the dielectric layer may leak from its surface when transmitting a signal, and the signal may be attenuated. Therefore, it is preferable to provide metal films on the upper and lower sides of the dielectric layer so as to sandwich the dielectric layer, since this leakage can be prevented and attenuation is reduced.

Further, considering the avoidance of multipath in signal transmission, the thickness t of the dielectric layer is λ / (2εr).
^1/2 ) ≦ t <λ / (εr ^1/2 ) is preferable. In this way, only one path for transmitting the signal is determined.

Although it has been described above that the metal film may have a thickness of about several hundreds of μm or less, if it is too thin, leakage cannot be prevented, which is not preferable. Specifically, the skin depth of metal is δ
Then, the thickness d of the metal film is preferably d ≧ 2δ. The dielectric layer and the metal film may be one-dimensional or may be two-dimensionally spread.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a communication component according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 12 is a dielectric layer using Teflon which can be regarded as a substantially one-dimensional waveguide. Again 21
The transmitting / receiving antenna 21a made of metal is the dielectric layer 12
Is a wireless device that is inserted into the device and has a transmitting / receiving unit 21b protruding below the dielectric layer. In addition, the transmitting antenna 22 is inserted into the side surface of the dielectric layer 12 so that a part thereof projects, and the receiving antenna 23 is provided on the surface opposite to the transmitting antenna 22.
It is inserted in the same manner as the transmitting antenna 22. The communication component 24 is configured by these.

It should be noted that instead of the transmitting / receiving unit 21b, a transmitting unit or a receiving unit, that is, a configuration of only transmitting or receiving may be used depending on the intended use. When a high-frequency electromagnetic wave signal reaches one communication component 24, the receiving antenna 2
3 receives the signal. This signal propagates through the dielectric layer 12 and first reaches the transmission / reception antenna 21a of the wireless device 21 closest to the reception antenna 23. Then, from this transmitting / receiving antenna 21a to the next transmitting / receiving antenna 21a
The signal is transmitted to the next communication component 24 separated from the transmitting antenna 22 by a predetermined distance.

At this time, when only one propagation mode exists for the wavelength λ of the signal to be transmitted, the signal path is determined to be one, and the multipath problem does not occur. Therefore, there is a preferable range for the thickness of the dielectric layer 12, specifically, λ / (2εr ^1/2 ) ≦ t <λ / (εr ^1/2 ).

According to this embodiment, since Teflon into which the antenna can be inserted is used as the material of the dielectric layer 12, the installation place of the wireless device 21 can be freely set in the dielectric layer 12. Also, multipath can be avoided.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a communication component according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and the same applies hereinafter.

This communication component is different from the communication component of FIG. 1 in that metal films 11a and 11b made of copper are formed on the upper and lower sides so as to sandwich the dielectric layer 12, respectively. The antenna can be inserted in the metal film 11 if the thickness is several μm or less, but it is provided to reduce the leakage of signals from the dielectric layer 12, and the thickness is required to reduce the leakage. It is desirable that d is d ≧ 2δ.

When the metal film 11 is copper, d ≧ 0.25 μ
m. The material of the metal film may be silver, gold, or the like. For example, in the case of silver, d ≧ 0.6 μm. Since the metal film 11 is provided, signal attenuation is reduced as compared with the case of FIG.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a schematic view of a network device in a premises using the communication component of FIG. 2 as an embodiment of FIG. 3A is a sectional view and FIG. 3B is a top view.

In the figure, the communication component 24 is shown as a ceiling 30.
Is attached to. By mounting a plurality of such communication parts 24 on the ceiling, it becomes possible to transmit signals of the wireless device 21 within the communication parts 24 and between the communication parts 24.

By bending the communication component 24 as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the degree of freedom of the installation location can be further increased. In addition, the transmitting / receiving antenna 21a is the dielectric layer 1
By being inserted in 2, the wireless device 24 can be prevented from falling.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

This network device is different from the network device of FIG. 3 in that an antenna is provided on the surface of the transmitting / receiving unit 21b of the wireless device 21, the wireless device 21 is used as the parent transmitting / receiving device 21, and signals are exchanged with the parent transmitting / receiving device. This is that the desk is provided with a slave transmission / reception device 31 having a transmission / reception antenna 31a for performing. With this configuration,
The signal transmission between the parent transmission / reception device 21 and the signal transmission between the parent transmission / reception device 21 and the child transmission / reception device 31 can be easily separated.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a partial schematic view of a network device in a premises according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

This network device is different from the network device of FIG. 4 in that a radio wave absorber 41 made of ITO or the like is provided at both ends of the communication component 24. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the influence of the signal reflected and returned by the end surface of the communication component 24.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 6 shows a partial schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a perspective sectional view, and FIG. 6B is a top view.

This network device differs from the network device of FIG. 4 in that the communication component 24 is a rectangle having a two-dimensional spread. When configured in this way, a plurality of parent transmission / reception devices 21 may receive the same signal. At this time, the specific parent transmission / reception device 21
In order to receive the signal only, the following may be done. That is, like the current Ethernet, all the parent transmitter / receivers 21 receive the signal once, and when it does not hit the signal corresponding to the parent transmitter / receiver 21, the signal is discarded without being selected, By receiving signals only in the corresponding cases, the signal can be surely received.

Since the communication component 24 has a two-dimensional spread in this network device, the one-dimensional communication component 2 is used.
4, the degree of freedom of the installation location of the parent transmission / reception device 21 becomes higher.

(Seventh Embodiment) FIG. 7 shows a partial schematic top view of a network device in a premises according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

This network device differs from the network device shown in FIG. 6 in that a radio wave absorber 41 is provided on one side of the communication component 24. With this configuration, FIG.
In addition to the effect obtained in step 1, the effect shown in FIG. 5 is also obtained.

(Eighth Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows a partial schematic top view of a network device in a premises according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

This network device differs from the network device of FIG. 7 in that the electromagnetic wave absorber 41 is provided on all four sides instead of one side. With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent the influence of the signal reflected and returned from the end face, as compared with the case of FIG.

(Ninth Embodiment) FIG. 9 shows a partial schematic sectional view of a network device in a premises according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

This network device is an example of the structure in which the ceiling part 30 has a protrusion 33 in the network device as shown in FIG. By covering the protruding portion 33 with a gentle curve, the signal can be passed without any problem.

(Tenth Embodiment) FIG. 10 shows a partial schematic sectional view of a network device in a premises according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

This network device is one means for exchanging signals between rooms in the network device as shown in FIG. That is, since the method of attaching the communication component 24 to the lower portion of the ceiling as shown in FIG. 4 cannot be used between the rooms separated by the wall 34, the communication component 24 is provided on the ceiling 30a to transmit signals between the rooms. Is possible. This makes it possible to exchange signals between rooms.

(Eleventh Embodiment) FIG. 11 shows a partial schematic sectional view of a network device in a premises according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

This network device differs from the network device of FIG. 10 in that a gap 36 is provided above the door 35 for exchanging signals between rooms, and the communication component 24
Is curved from the ceiling 30a toward the gap 36, and the signal is transmitted through the gap 36. Even in this case, signals can be exchanged between rooms as in the case of FIG.

(Twelfth Embodiment) FIG. 12 shows a partial schematic sectional view of a network device in a premises according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows one means for supplying power to the parent transmission / reception device 21 in the network device as shown in FIG. 4, in which the metal film 11a side is positive and the 11b side is negative, and power is supplied to the parent transmission / reception device 21. The conductor 42 connected to the transmitter / receiver 21b of the device 21 is brought into contact with the metal film 11a to supply power to the transmitter / receiver 21b.

In this way, power can be supplied to the parent transmitting / receiving device 21 with a simple structure. Further, the conductor 42 can prevent the parent transmission / reception device 24 from falling more reliably than when the parent transmission / reception device 24 is supported only by the transmission / reception antenna 21.

(Thirteenth Embodiment) FIG. 13 shows a partial schematic sectional view of a network device in a premises according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 13, a plurality of attachment jigs 43 are attached to the transmission / reception unit 21b in the network device as shown in FIG. 4 to more reliably prevent the parent transmission / reception device 21 from falling, as in FIG.

(Fourteenth Embodiment) FIG. 14 shows a partial schematic sectional view of a network device in a premises according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Similarly to FIG. 13, FIG. 14 also shows the parent transmission / reception device 21 which is prevented from falling, and is prevented from falling by a nail-shaped mounting jig 44. The attachment jig 44 is preferably not made of a conductive material in order to prevent electrical short circuit between the metal films 11a and 11b.

(Fifteenth Embodiment) FIG. 15 shows a partial schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows the structure of the parent transmission / reception device 21, which is covered with a protective device 45 so as to cover the pole-shaped transmission / reception antenna 21a. As a result, an electrical short circuit due to contact between the transmitting / receiving antenna 21a and the metal film 11b can be reliably prevented. FIG. 16 shows an example in which the parent transmission / reception device 21 configured as described above is inserted and attached to the metal film 11b and the dielectric layer 12.

(Sixteenth Embodiment) FIG. 17 shows a partial schematic sectional view of a network device in a premises according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.

The difference between FIG. 17 and FIG. 16 is that the transmitting / receiving antenna 21a is not a pole shape but a plane shape. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the shape of the transmitting / receiving antenna 21a can be variously modified.

(Seventeenth Embodiment) FIG. 18 shows a partial schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 18, the end faces where the dielectric layers 12a and 12b are in contact with each other are formed so that the dielectric layer 12a has a convex shape and the electroconductive layer 12b has a concave shape, and the concave and convex portions are fitted. By doing so, the arrangement of the communication components 24 can be freely designed.

(Eighteenth Embodiment) FIG. 19 shows a partial schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 19, the metal films 11a and 11b are made shorter than the end faces of the dielectric layers 12a and 12b, respectively, and the end faces of the dielectric layers 12a and 12b are protruded.
By pressing 12b together, the same effect as in FIG. 18 is obtained.

(Nineteenth Embodiment) FIG. 20 shows a partial schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows the dielectric layers 12a and 12 shown in FIG.
Similarly to the case where the end face of b is made uneven, the metal film 11
The end faces of the substrates 46a and 46b provided above and below a and 11b are made uneven, and the same effect as in the case of FIG. 18 is obtained.

(Twentieth Embodiment) FIG. 21 is a partial schematic view of a network device in a premises according to a twentieth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 shows the structure shown in FIG. 18 in which the electromagnetic wave absorber 41 is provided at the terminal end of the communication component 24. By doing so, in addition to the effect obtained in FIG. 18, the effect shown in FIG. 5 can be obtained.

(Twenty-first Embodiment) FIG. 22 is a partial schematic view of a network device in a premises according to a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 shows a columnar convex portion 47 provided on each side surface of the dielectric layer 12, and a columnar concave portion provided on the side surface of the dielectric layer 12 of another communication component 24. By combining the above, the two-dimensional development of the communication component 24 can be easily performed. Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a novel communication component having a high degree of freedom in the installation location of a wireless device and a network device using the same.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication component according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication component according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a network device in a premises according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial schematic top view of a network device in a premises according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial schematic top view of a network device in a premises according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a network device in a premises according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a network device in a premises according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a network device in a premises according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a network device in a premises according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a network device in a premises according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a network device in a premises according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a partial schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a network device in a premises according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the network device in the premises according to the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a partial schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a partial schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a partial schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a partial schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to a twentieth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a partial schematic diagram of a network device in a premises according to a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Metal film; 12 ... Dielectric layer; 21 ... Wireless device (master transceiver); 21a, 31a ... Transmitting / receiving antenna; 21b
... Transceiver; 30 ... Ceiling; 31 ... Child transceiver; 32 ...
desk

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Kunio Yoshihara, Komukai-shi Toshiba-cho, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 1 Komukai Toshiba-cho 1 (56) Reference JP-A-7-273511 (JP, A) Kaihei 5-304526 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01P 5/08 H01P 5/103 H01P 3/00 H01P 3/16 H04B 7/14

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A communication component including an insertable dielectric layer and a wireless device including a first antenna inserted in the dielectric layer. 2. A radio having an insertable dielectric layer, an insertable metal film laminated via the dielectric layer, and a first antenna inserted in the metal film and the dielectric layer. A communication part equipped with a device. 3. When the frequency of the signal in the dielectric is λ and the dielectric constant of the dielectric is εr, the thickness t of the dielectric layer is λ /
The communication component according to claim 1, wherein the relationship (2εr ^1/2 ) ≦ t <λ / (εr ^1/2 ) is satisfied. 4. A network device using the communication component according to claim 1, wherein the communication component is mounted at a high position such as a ceiling, and signals are exchanged between a plurality of the wireless devices. Network equipment. 5. A network device using the communication component according to claim 1, wherein the communication component is mounted at a high position such as a ceiling, and the wireless device projects below the metal film. A second antenna is provided, and a plurality of the wireless devices are used as a parent transceiver device, signals are exchanged between the parent transceiver devices by the first antenna, and signals are exchanged with the second antenna of the parent transceiver device. A network device in which a slave transmitter / receiver having a third antenna for performing is installed in a low position such as a desk.