JP5716475B2 - Axis adjustment method and axis adjustment system for array antenna - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an axis adjustment method and an axis adjustment system for an array antenna for an FMCW radar in which a transmission antenna and a plurality of reception antennas are arranged on a straight line.

  Conventionally, when a radar having an array antenna in which a transmission antenna and a plurality of reception antennas are arranged on a straight line in a horizontal direction is attached to a vehicle or the like, a radar is attached using a radar attachment direction adjustment device for adjusting the transmission / reception direction of the radar. The transmission / reception direction was adjusted accurately.

  In the adjustment of the radar transmission / reception direction by this radar mounting direction adjustment device, a radio wave reflection target that reflects the transmission radio wave from the radar is installed at a reference position that is a reference of the radar transmission / reception direction. The relative angle detection means for detecting the relative angle of, that is, the relative angle of the transmission radio wave from the radar and the means of detecting the relative angle of the reception radio wave reflected from the radio wave reflection target and received by the radar, It has been necessary to adjust the transmission / reception direction of the radar using the detected relative angle (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-243837

  However, in an array antenna in which a transmitting antenna and a plurality of receiving antennas are arranged on a horizontal straight line, the horizontal direction (relative angle) is detected based on the interval between the receiving antennas and the phase angle of the received radio wave. Can detect the phase angle of the received radio wave in the vertical direction. Therefore, the relative angle in the elevation direction cannot be detected.

  Therefore, to adjust the axis in the elevation direction, rotate the entire array antenna in the elevation direction while radiating radio waves from the transmitting antenna, and detect the peak value of the received power that is the central axis of the array antenna. Further, since it is necessary to adjust the elevation angle of the radar so that the peak value becomes 0 ° of the elevation angle, there is a problem that it takes time to adjust the mounting direction of the radar.

  In addition, in order to detect the peak value of the received power, a plurality of radio wave reflecting targets are arranged in the vertical direction, or one reflecting target is automatically moved in the vertical direction, and the peak value of the received power is determined. However, in this case, there is a problem that the radar mounting direction adjusting device is large and expensive.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an axis adjusting method and apparatus that can easily and inexpensively adjust the mounting axis of an array antenna for FMCW radar.

  In this column, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the reference numerals used in the “Mode for Carrying Out the Invention” column are attached as necessary, which means that the scope of claims is limited by this reference numeral. is not.

  The invention made in order to solve the problem described in “Problem to be Solved by the Invention” is that the radiation direction of the output radio wave with respect to the central axis of the radiation direction of the mounting member (15) changes depending on the modulation frequency. The transmission antenna (12) or the transmission antenna (12) whose output value on the central axis in the radial direction of the output radio wave varies depending on the modulation frequency and the plurality of reception antennas (14) are arranged on a straight line in the horizontal direction. In the array antenna (10) for the FMCW radar, the array antenna (10) for adjusting the deviation of the central axis of the array antenna (10) in the elevation direction by changing the angle of the mounting member (15) in the elevation angle direction. The axis adjustment method of the array antenna (10) is performed by the following steps.

A radio wave supply step of sequentially supplying FMCW transmission signals having two or more modulation frequencies from the oscillation means (20) to the transmission antenna (12).
In the radio wave supplying step, measurement is performed by measuring radio wave intensity of radio waves having two or more modulation frequencies output from the transmitting antenna (12) by radio wave intensity measuring means (30) installed so that the central axis is in the horizontal direction. Process.

  An elevation angle calculation step of calculating an elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna (10) with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measurement means (30) based on the difference in radio wave intensity of radio waves having two or more modulation frequencies measured in the measurement step.

  By changing the angle of the mounting member (15) in the elevation angle direction, the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna (10) with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measurement means (30) calculated by the elevation angle calculation means is set to zero. An axis adjustment step for adjusting the axis of the array antenna (10) in the elevation direction.

  According to the method for adjusting the axis of the array antenna (10), the adjustment of the mounting axis of the array antenna (10) for FMCW radar can be easily and inexpensively performed in a short time. This will be described below.

The transmitting antenna (12) constituting the FMCW radar array antenna (10) in the axis adjusting method according to claim 1 changes the radiation direction with respect to the central axis of the radiation direction of the output radio wave depending on the modulation frequency . The transmission antennas constituting an array antenna (10) for FMCW radar in the axial adjustment method of claim 2 (12), the output value on the central axis of the radiation direction of the output wave by a difference in the modulation frequency varies .

  Therefore, FMCW transmission signals having two or more modulation frequencies are sequentially supplied to the transmission antenna (12), and the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the transmission antenna (12) is measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means (30). Then, a difference arises in the radio field intensity measured by the radio field intensity measuring means (30) (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

  At this time, when the modulation frequency of the FMCW transmission signal changes, the beam direction of the radio wave output from the transmission antenna (12) is either in the plus or minus direction of the elevation angle with respect to the central axis of the transmission antenna (12). Whether it changes or not is known in advance as a characteristic of the transmission antenna (12).

Here, the “center axis of the transmission antenna (12)” means an axis from the mechanical center position of the transmission antenna (12) in the radio wave radiation direction.
Further, it is known in advance as a characteristic of the transmission antenna (12) whether the peak of the radio wave intensity on the central axis of the transmission antenna (12) increases or decreases when the modulation frequency of the FMCW transmission signal changes.

  Therefore, depending on the difference measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means (30) and its sign (plus or minus), the elevation angle of the central axis of the transmitting antenna (12) is different from the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means (30). You can see if it is off.

  Therefore, if the elevation angle of the transmitting antenna (12), that is, the elevation angle of the array antenna (10) is adjusted so as to minimize the difference measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means (30), the elevation angle direction of the array antenna (10) Can be adjusted.

  The “center axis of the array antenna (10)” means an axis in the radio wave transmission / reception direction at the mechanical center position of the arrangement of the transmission antenna (12) and the plurality of reception antennas (14).

  The array antenna (10) has at least one transmitting antenna (12) and a plurality of receiving antennas (14) arranged on a straight line in the horizontal direction, so that the transmitting antenna (12) and the array antenna (10) are arranged. The central axes in the elevation direction of the same.

The “elevation angle of the transmission antenna (12)” means an angle formed by the horizontal direction and the central axis of the transmission antenna (12), and coincides with the elevation angle of the array antenna (10).
Thus, according to the axis adjustment method of the array antenna (10) of the present invention , the elevation angle can be detected only by changing the modulation frequency of the radio wave output from the array antenna (10). Adjustment of the mounting direction can be easily performed.

  In other words, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to rotate the entire array antenna (10) in the elevation angle direction to adjust the axis in the elevation angle direction, so that it is possible to shorten the time for adjusting the mounting direction of the radar.

  In addition, in order to detect the elevation angle, it is no longer necessary to detect a peak value of received power by arranging a plurality of radio wave reflection targets or moving one reflection target in the elevation angle direction. There is no need for a large directional adjusting device to be expensive.

That is, the mounting shaft of the FMCW radar array antenna (10) can be adjusted easily and inexpensively in a short time.
In particular, as described in claim 3 , the transmission antenna (12) includes a plurality of antenna elements (13) arranged on a straight line, and an FMCW transmission signal is transmitted from an arrangement end of the antenna elements (13) arranged on the straight line. In the case of an antenna that radiates radio waves in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of antenna elements (13) by supplying the transmission antenna (12) The beam angle change in the elevation angle direction of the radio wave output from) becomes relatively large.

  Therefore, if the central axis of the transmission antenna (10) is deviated from the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means (30), that is, the horizontal direction, the difference in radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means (30) increases. Therefore, more accurate axis adjustment becomes possible.

Further, as described in claim 4 , the transmitting antenna (12) includes a plurality of antenna elements (13) arranged on a straight line, and an FMCW transmission signal from an array central portion of the antenna elements (13) arranged on the straight line. By changing the modulation frequency of the FMCW transmission signal supplied to the transmission antenna (12) in the case of an antenna that emits radio waves in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of antenna elements (13), the transmission antenna ( 12) The change of the peak value of the radio field intensity on the central axis of the radio wave output from 12) becomes relatively large.

  Therefore, if the central axis of the transmission antenna (10) is deviated from the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means (30), that is, the horizontal direction, the difference in radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means (30) increases. Therefore, more accurate axis adjustment becomes possible.

Further, the modulation frequency of the FMCW transmission signal supplied from the oscillation means (20) to the transmission antenna (12) may be any value, but as described in claim 5 , one of the two or more modulation frequencies may be used. The frequency may be a modulation frequency used when the array antenna (10) for FMCW radar is operated.

  In this way, since the oscillator equipped in the radar can be used as the oscillating means (20), it is possible to generate a radio wave having at least one modulation frequency of two or more modulation frequencies. Therefore, the oscillating means (20) Can be simplified.

Further, as described in claims 1 and 2 , the storage step (60) stores the beam pattern for the elevation angle of the array antenna (10) measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means (30). The beam pattern for each of the two or more modulation frequencies when the central axis of 10) and the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means (30) are matched is stored in the storage means (60) in advance.

Then, as described in claim 1, in the elevation angle calculating step, the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means (30) and the beam pattern stored in the storage means (60) at two or more modulation frequencies. Based on the difference, the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna (10) with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means (30) may be calculated. Alternatively, as described in claim 2, in the elevation angle calculating step, the difference between the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means at two or more modulation frequencies and the beam pattern stored in the storage means at two or more modulation frequencies. Based on the difference, the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means may be calculated.

In this way, the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the transmitting antenna (12) is measured with respect to the radio wave having two or more modulation frequencies.
Therefore, for example, when the elevation angle direction of the central axis of the transmission antenna (12) (that is, the central axis of the array antenna (10)) coincides with the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means (30) (in other words, transmission When the elevation angle of the antenna (12) is in the horizontal direction), the radio field intensity measured for radio waves of all modulation frequencies matches the beam pattern value stored in the storage means (60).

  On the contrary, if the axis is deviated, the radio wave intensity deviates from the beam pattern. That is, if the elevation angle is deviated from the horizontal direction, there is a difference between the measured radio wave intensity and the beam pattern stored in the storage means (60). This difference becomes a deviation of the elevation angle from the horizontal direction, and it can be seen which direction (the difference is the plus side or the minus side).

Therefore, it is not necessary to calculate the deviation of the elevation angle every time the radio wave intensity of the radio wave of each modulation frequency is measured, so that the axis can be adjusted easily.
According to the sixth and seventh aspects of the present invention, in the mounting member (15), the transmission antenna (12) in which the radiation direction with respect to the central axis of the radiation direction of the output radio wave changes due to the difference in the modulation frequency or the output radio wave depending on the difference in the modulation frequency Mounting array antenna (10) for FMCW radar in which a transmission antenna (12) whose output value on the central axis in the radiation direction of the antenna and a plurality of reception antennas (14) are arranged on a straight line in the horizontal direction An axis adjustment system for an array antenna (10) for adjusting a deviation in the elevation direction of the central axis of the array antenna (10) by changing the angle of the member (15) in the elevation direction, the oscillation means (20 ), Radio wave intensity measuring means (30), elevation angle changing means (40), elevation angle calculating means (50), and control means (50).

  The oscillating means (20) is for sequentially supplying FMCW transmission signals of two or more modulation frequencies to the transmitting antenna (12). The radio wave intensity measuring means (30) is arranged so that the central axis is in the horizontal direction. This is for measuring the radio field intensity of radio waves having two or more modulation frequencies that are installed and output from the transmission antenna (12).

The elevation angle changing means (40) is for changing the elevation angle of the array antenna (10) by changing the angle of the attachment member (15) in the elevation angle direction.
The elevation angle calculation means (50) is measured by the radio field intensity measurement means (30) when the oscillation means (20) sequentially supplies FMCW transmission signals of two or more modulation frequencies to the transmission antenna (12). Based on the radio field intensity of radio waves having two or more modulation frequencies, the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna (10) with respect to the central axis of the radio field intensity measuring means (30) is calculated.

  The control means (50) has an elevation angle changing means (40) so that the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna (10) relative to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measurement means (30) calculated by the elevation angle calculation means (50) is zero. To control.

In such an axis adjustment system (1) of the array antenna (10), in the elevation angle calculation means (50), the array with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measurement means (30) by the elevation angle calculation method according to claim 1 or 2. The elevation angle of the central axis of the antenna (10) is calculated.

  Therefore, if the elevation angle changing means (40) is controlled by the control means (50) so that the calculated elevation angle becomes 0, the axis adjustment of the central axis of the array antenna (10), that is, the array antenna (10) can be easily performed. Can be leveled.

Further, as described in claim 8 , the transmitting antenna (12) includes a plurality of antenna elements (13) arranged on a straight line, and an FMCW transmission signal is transmitted from an arrangement end of the antenna elements (13) arranged on the straight line. When an antenna that emits radio waves in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of antenna elements (13) is supplied, the change in the modulation frequency of the FMCW transmission signal supplied to the transmission antenna (12) is the same as in claim 3. Accordingly, the change in the beam angle in the elevation direction of the radio wave output from the transmission antenna (12) becomes relatively large.

Therefore, the difference in the radio field intensity measured by the radio field intensity measuring means (30) becomes large, so that more accurate axis adjustment can be performed.
In addition, as described in claim 9 , the transmission antenna (12) includes a plurality of antenna elements (13) arranged on a straight line, and an FMCW transmission signal from an array central portion of the antenna elements (13) arranged on the straight line. If the antenna emits radio waves in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of antenna elements (13), the modulation frequency of the FMCW transmission signal supplied to the transmission antenna (12) is the same as in claim 4 . Along with the change, the change in the peak value of the radio field intensity on the central axis of the radio wave output from the transmission antenna (12) increases.

Therefore, the difference in the radio field intensity measured by the radio field intensity measuring means (30) becomes large, so that more accurate axis adjustment can be performed.
In addition, as described in claim 10 , the oscillating means (20) includes an FMCW radar array antenna as one modulation frequency of two or more modulation frequencies of the FMCW transmission signal supplied to the transmission antenna (12). When to use a modulation frequency used in operation (10), as claimed in claim 5, as an oscillating means (20), using the oscillator is equipped to the radar, the two modulation frequencies Since the radio wave of at least one modulation frequency can be generated, the oscillation means (20) can be simplified.

Further, as described in claims 6 and 7 , 2 with respect to the elevation angle of the array antenna (10) when the central axis of the array antenna (10) and the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means (30) are matched. It is preferable to provide storage means (60) in which the beam pattern for each modulation frequency is stored in advance . As described in claim 6, when the elevation calculating means (50) causes the oscillating means (20) to supply an FMCW transmission signal having two or more modulation frequencies to the transmitting antenna (12), two or more Based on the difference between the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means (30) and the beam pattern stored in the storage means (60) at the modulation frequency of the array antenna (with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means (30)) The elevation angle of the central axis in 10) may be calculated. Alternatively, as described in claim 7, when the oscillation means (20) sequentially supplies FMCW transmission signals having two or more modulation frequencies to the transmission antenna, the radio field intensity measurement means (30 at two or more modulation frequencies). ) And the difference between the beam patterns stored in the storage means (60) at two or more modulation frequencies and the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measurement means (30) Is calculated.

In this way, similar to the axis adjustment method according to claims 1 and 2 , the elevation angle calculation means (50) does not need to calculate the elevation angle deviation each time the radio wave intensity of each modulation frequency is measured. Therefore, the processing in the elevation angle calculating means (50) is facilitated.

Furthermore, as described in claim 11 , the elevation angle changing means (40) mounts the array antenna (10) on the vehicle body and changes the elevation angle of the array antenna (10) by moving the bolt (48) in the axial direction. A bracket (42) configured to be able to be configured, and a bolt (which is attached to the bracket (42), operates the motor (46) by a signal from the control means (50), and is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor (46) ( A power tool (44) for changing the elevation angle of the array antenna (10) by rotating the shaft 48 and moving it in the axial direction.

  Further, the control means (50) generates a signal for making the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna (10) with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measurement means (30) calculated by the elevation angle calculation means (50) zero. By outputting to (44), the center axis of the array antenna (10) may be made to coincide with the center axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means (30).

  In this way, the array antenna (10) can be mounted on the vehicle body by the bracket (42), and the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna (10) relative to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means (30) when mounted is shifted. A signal for setting 0 to 0 is input from the control means (50) to the motor (46) attached to the bracket (42).

  Then, the bolt (48) is rotated and moved in the axial direction by the motor (46), the elevation angle of the array antenna (10) is changed, and the central axis of the array antenna (10) is set to the center of the radio wave intensity measuring means (30). Can match the axis. That is, the axis adjustment in the elevation direction of the array antenna (10) can be automatically performed.

Furthermore, as described in claim 12 , the bracket (42) includes tool detection means (70) for detecting that the electric tool (44) is mounted, and the control means (50) is provided with the tool detection means (70). ), When it is detected that the electric tool (44) is attached to the bracket (42), the axis of the array antenna (10) may be adjusted in the elevation direction.

  In this way, since the axis adjustment of the array antenna (10) is performed only after the electric tool (44) is attached to the bracket (42), the safety of the operation during the axis adjustment can be improved.

Furthermore, as described in claim 13 , the power tool (44) includes an operation start detection means (80) for detecting that the user has performed an operation for starting the operation, and the control means (50) includes The tool detection means (70) detects that the electric tool (44) is mounted on the bracket (42), and the operation start detection means (80) allows the user to start the operation of the electric tool (44). It is preferable to adjust the axis of the array antenna (10) in the elevation angle direction.

  In this way, after the electric tool (44) is mounted on the bracket (42), the axis adjustment of the array antenna (10) is performed only when the user performs an operation start operation. The safety of work at the time can be further increased.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the outline of the axis | shaft adjustment system of the array antenna for FMCW radars. It is a figure which shows the general | schematic structure of a transmission antenna. It is an external view which shows the schematic structure of a vehicle-mounted array antenna and an elevation angle change part. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of each component at the time of use of an axis adjustment system. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control processing. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the calculation method of an elevation angle in case a transmitting antenna is a series feeding type antenna. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the calculation method of an elevation angle in case a transmission antenna is a center feeding type antenna. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the control processing performed by the control processing part of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the axis adjustment system of the array antenna for FMCW radars in 4th Embodiment.

Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and can take various forms as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an axis adjustment system 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as axis adjustment system 1) of an in-vehicle array antenna 7 for FMCW radar to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic structure of the antenna 12, and FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating a schematic configuration of the vehicle-mounted array antenna 7 and the elevation angle changing unit 40.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the axis adjustment system 1 includes a vehicle-mounted array antenna 7, an oscillation device 20, a radio wave intensity measurement device 30, an elevation angle changing unit 40, and a control processing unit 50. As will be described later, since the in-vehicle array antenna 7 is configured by arranging a plurality of array antennas 10, only one of the plurality of array antennas 10 is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the in-vehicle array antenna 7 is an antenna in which a plurality of array antennas 10 are arranged in a case 15 in the vertical direction. A radome 18 formed of a radio wave transmitting material is attached to the front surface of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 as a cover for protecting the in-vehicle array antenna 7.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the array antenna 10 includes a transmitting antenna 12 and a plurality of receiving antennas 14 arranged in a straight line in a horizontal direction in a case 15.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the transmission antenna 12 has a plurality of antenna elements 13 arranged on a straight line, and supplies an FMCW transmission signal from a feeding point at the arrangement end of the antenna elements 13 arranged on the straight line. This is a so-called series feed antenna that radiates radio waves in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. Each antenna of the plurality of receiving antennas 14 is also the same series feed type antenna as the transmitting antenna 12.

  The amplifier 16 is a so-called high-frequency amplifier, and is a device for amplifying the FMCW transmission signal output from the oscillation device 20 and supplied to the transmission antenna 12 to ensure necessary power. As shown in FIG. It is arranged between the oscillation device 20 and the transmission antenna 12.

  The oscillating device 20 is a device for sequentially supplying FMCW transmission signals having two or more modulation frequencies to the transmitting antenna 12, and an automatic frequency control circuit that converts a high frequency signal oscillated by a klystron, traveling wave tube, magnetron, Gunn diode or the like. Is output as an FMCW transmission signal having a stable frequency of several GHz to several tens GHz suitable for radar.

  One modulation frequency among the two or more modulation frequencies of the FMCW transmission signal supplied from the oscillation device 20 to the transmission antenna 12 is a modulation frequency used when the on-vehicle array antenna 7 for FMCW radar is operated.

  The radio wave intensity measuring device 30 is a device for measuring the radio wave intensity of radio waves having two or more modulation frequencies output from the transmission antenna 12, and includes a measurement receiving antenna 32 and a receiver 34.

  In addition, the radio field intensity measuring device 30 outputs the measured radio field intensity to the control processing unit 50 via a data transmission line such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) cable.

  The measurement receiving antenna 32 is an antenna that receives the radio wave output from the transmission antenna 12, and the receiver 34 detects the radio wave intensity of the radio wave received by the measurement receiving antenna 32 and sends it to the control processing unit 50 as data. It is a device that outputs.

The elevation angle changing unit 40 is a device for changing the elevation angle of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 and includes a bracket 42 and an electric tool 44.
As shown in FIG. 3, the bracket 42 is attached by fixing the upper left corner and the lower left corner diagonally when the case 15 of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 is viewed from the front, and the bracket 42 with the in-vehicle array antenna 7 attached to the vehicle body. The in-vehicle array antenna 7 is attached to the vehicle body by being fixed.

  The elevation angle of the “vehicle array antenna 7” means an angle formed by the horizontal direction and the center axis of the vehicle array antenna 7. When the elevation angle is 0, the center axis of the vehicle array antenna 7 is the horizontal direction. It means that there is.

  Further, since the in-vehicle array antenna 7 is an antenna in which a plurality of array antennas 10 are arranged in the vertical direction in the case 15 as described above, the center axis in the elevation direction of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 and the array antenna 10 is Match.

Therefore, if the elevation angle of the array antenna 10 is adjusted, the elevation angle of the vehicle-mounted array antenna 7 can be adjusted.
The bracket 42 is configured to change the elevation angle of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 by changing the elevation angle direction of the case 15 by rotating the bolt 48 and moving in the axial direction. Mounted on the power tool mounting portion 49 of the bracket 42 so that the motor shaft of the power tool 44 with a gear (not shown) attached to the tip is substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 as shown in FIG. Is done.

  The “center axis of the array antenna 10” means an axis in the radio wave transmission / reception direction at the mechanical center position of the arrangement of the transmission antenna 12 and the plurality of reception antennas 14. The transmitting antenna 12 and the plurality of receiving antennas 14 are arranged on a horizontal straight line. Therefore, the central axes of the transmitting antenna 12 and the array antenna 10 in the elevation angle direction coincide with each other.

Therefore, if the elevation angle of the transmission antenna 12 is adjusted, the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna 10 can be adjusted.
A gear 43 concentric with the center of the shaft of the bolt 48 is attached to the rear end of the bolt 48, and the gear 43 and the gear at the tip of the motor shaft of the electric tool 44 are engaged to rotate the motor shaft of the electric tool 44. Then, the bolt 48 rotates. Therefore, the bolt 48 moves in the axial direction.

  In addition, a tool detection switch 70 (not shown) that detects that the electric tool 44 is mounted is provided in the electric tool mounting portion 49 of the bracket 42. The tool detection switch 70 is a push button type momentary switch type switch, and when the electric tool 44 is inserted into the electric tool mounting portion 49, the button portion is pressed at the front end of the body of the electric tool 44 and is turned on. Conversely, when the electric tool 44 is removed, the power tool 44 is turned off.

  In this way, the electric tool 44 attached to the bracket 42 operates the motor 46 by the signal from the control processing unit 50 and rotates the bolt 48 to change the angle of the case 15 in the elevation direction. The elevation angle of the vehicle-mounted array antenna 7, that is, the elevation angle of the array antenna 10 is changed.

  In addition, the power tool 44 is provided with an operation start switch 80 that detects that the user has performed an operation for starting the operation. The operation start switch 80 is a push button type momentary switch, and is turned on only when the user presses the button, and is turned off when the user does not press the button.

The control processing unit 50 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O (not shown), and executes a later-described control process using a control process program stored in the ROM.
Further, at the time of axis adjustment of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 for FMCW radar, each component of the axis adjustment system 1 is arranged as shown in FIG. That is, the in-vehicle array antenna 7 is attached to the elevation angle changing unit 40, and the elevation angle changing unit 40 is attached to the lower front of the vehicle body of the vehicle 5. Further, the elevation angle changing unit 40 and the control processing unit 50 are connected by a CAN cable.

Further, the central axis of the receiving antenna 32 for measurement of the radio wave intensity measuring device 30 and the central axis of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 (array antenna 10) are arranged as closely as possible.
(Contents of control processing)
Next, the control processing executed by the control processing unit 50 will be described based on FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing. This control process is started when the CPU reads the program from the ROM and executes it when the axis adjustment system 1 is powered on.

  In the control process, first, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU acquires the state of the tool detection switch 70 in S100. That is, when the electric tool 44 is attached to the bracket 42, a state where the tool detection switch 70 is on is acquired, and when it is not attached, an off state is acquired.

  In continuing S105, CPU determines the mounting state of the electric tool 44 acquired in S100. If it is determined that the electric tool 44 is mounted (tool detection switch 70 is on) (S105: Yes), the process proceeds to S110, and it is determined that the power tool 44 is not mounted (tool detection switch 70 is off). In the case (S105: No), the process is returned to S100, and the standby state is set until the electric tool 44 is mounted on the bracket 42 (the tool detection switch 70 is turned on).

  In S110, the CPU acquires the state of the operation start switch 80 (whether the operation start switch 80 is on or off), that is, whether or not the user is pressing the operation start switch 80.

  In subsequent S115, the CPU determines the mounting state of the operation start switch 80 acquired in S105. If it is determined that the operation start switch 80 is pressed (the operation start switch 80 is on) (S115: Yes), the process proceeds to S120, and it is determined that the operation start switch 80 is not pressed (the operation start switch 80 is off). If it has been (S115: No), the process returns to S110, and a standby state is entered until the operation start switch 80 is pressed.

  In S120, the CPU causes the oscillation device 20 to output an FMCW transmission signal having a modulation frequency used as a radar. In subsequent S125, the CPU acquires the radio wave intensity from the radio wave intensity measurement device 30, and the acquired radio wave intensity value. Is stored in the RAM.

  In subsequent S130, the CPU determines whether or not the processes of S120 and S125 have been executed at all the modulation frequencies. In the present embodiment, since three modulation frequencies are used as the radio wave modulation frequencies, it is determined whether or not the radio field intensity of the radio waves having the three modulation frequencies has been measured.

  If it is determined that the process has been executed for all modulation frequencies (S130: Yes), the process proceeds to S140. If it is determined that the process has not been performed for all modulation frequencies (S130: No), the process proceeds to S135. Let

  In S135, the CPU changes the modulation frequency, returns the process to S120, supplies the FMCW transmission signal from the oscillation device 20 to the transmission antenna 12, measures the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the transmission antenna 12, and stores it in the RAM. Remember.

As described above, in S120 to S135, the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the transmission antenna 12 is measured and stored in the RAM at all modulation frequencies.
In S140, the CPU calculates the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna 10 with respect to the central axis of the measurement receiving antenna 32 of the radio field intensity measuring device 30 (hereinafter also simply referred to as an elevation angle).

  Here, a method of calculating the elevation angle will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of calculating an elevation angle when the transmission antenna 12 is a series-feed type antenna. For easy understanding, only the main lobe of the beam pattern of the transmission antenna 12 is displayed in FIG.

  When the transmitting antenna 12 constituting the array antenna 10 is a series-feed type antenna, when FMCW transmission signals having different modulation frequencies are supplied to the transmitting antenna 12, the beam direction in the elevation angle direction of the output radio wave is the central axis of the transmitting antenna 12. Greatly changes.

Here, the “center axis of the transmission antenna 12” means an axis from the mechanical center position of the transmission antenna 12 to the radio wave radiation direction.
An example of the difference in the beam direction in the elevation direction due to the difference in the modulation frequency is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6A, a modulation frequency (“B” in the figure) having the same difference (0.5 GHz) between plus and minus centering on one modulation frequency (76.5 GHz indicated by “A” in the figure). 76 GHz and 77 GHz indicated by “C”) are obtained.

  Here, if the central axis (horizontal direction) of the radio wave intensity measuring device 30 and the central axis direction of the transmitting antenna 12 coincide with each other, as shown in FIG. A beam pattern indicated by “A”, a beam pattern indicated by “B” having a peak at a negative elevation angle, and a beam pattern indicated by “C” having a peak at a positive elevation angle are obtained.

  Therefore, the difference between the radio wave intensity with respect to the modulation frequency (76.5 GHz) and the radio wave intensity of radio waves with 0.5 GHz plus and minus modulation frequencies (76 GHz and 77 GHz) at a position where the elevation angle is 0 ° is reduced.

  On the other hand, when the angle in the elevation direction between the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring device 30 and the central axis of the transmitting antenna 12 is shifted to the plus side, that is, when the elevation angle is plus, as shown in FIG. Further, the beam pattern of each modulation frequency is shifted in the plus direction from the beam pattern shown in FIG.

  Then, the difference of the radio wave intensity of the 76 GHz radio wave with respect to the radio wave of the modulation frequency (76.5 GHz) is smaller than the difference of the radio wave intensity of the 77 GHz radio wave with respect to the radio wave of the modulation frequency (76.5 GHz) frequency.

  Further, if the angle in the elevation direction between the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring device 30 and the central axis of the transmitting antenna 12 is shifted to the minus side, that is, if the elevation angle is minus, as shown in FIG. In addition, the beam pattern of each modulation frequency is shifted in the negative direction from the beam pattern shown in FIG.

  Then, the difference of the radio wave intensity of the 76 GHz radio wave with respect to the radio wave of the modulation frequency (76.5 GHz) is larger than the difference of the radio wave intensity of the 77 GHz radio wave with respect to the radio wave of the modulation frequency (76.5 GHz) frequency.

  Therefore, if the difference in the radio wave intensity of the frequency is calculated so that the difference between the radio wave intensity of 76 GHz and 77 GHz is the same as the value shown in FIG. 6A with respect to the radio wave intensity of the radio wave of the modulation frequency (76.5 GHz). The value becomes a value corresponding to the elevation angle.

  In subsequent S145, the CPU determines whether or not the elevation angle calculated in S140 is 0 °. If it is determined that the elevation angle is 0 ° (S145: Yes), the process is terminated. If it is determined that the elevation angle is not 0 ° (S145: No), the process proceeds to S150.

In S150, after the CPU outputs a signal for setting the elevation angle calculated in S140 to 0 ° to the motor of the electric tool 44, the process returns to S120, and the elevation angle after changing the elevation angle by executing S120 to S150. The deviation is calculated, and if there is a deviation, the deviation is set to 0 °.
(Features of axis adjustment system 1)
According to the axis adjustment system 1 of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 described above, since it is not necessary to rotate the in-vehicle array antenna 7 in the elevation direction in order to adjust the axis in the elevation angle as in the prior art, the mounting of the radar The time for adjusting the direction can be shortened.

  Further, since it is not necessary to detect a peak value of received power by arranging a plurality of reflectors or moving one reflector in the elevation angle direction in order to detect the elevation angle, the radar adjustment device is large and expensive. It will not be.

That is, the adjustment of the mounting axis of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 for FMCW radar can be performed easily and inexpensively in a short time.
Further, since the transmission antenna 12 is a series supply type antenna, when the modulation frequency of the FMCW transmission signal is changed, the change in the beam angle in the elevation direction of the radio wave output from the transmission antenna 12 becomes relatively large. Therefore, the difference in the radio field intensity measured by the radio field intensity measuring device 30 is increased, so that more accurate axis adjustment is possible.

  Moreover, since the modulation frequency used at the time of the operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted array antenna 7 for FMCW radar is used as one modulation frequency among two or more modulation frequencies, the oscillation apparatus 20 with which the radar is equipped is used. Since the FMCW transmission signal having at least one modulation frequency among the plurality of modulation frequencies can be generated, the oscillation device 20 can be simplified.

  Furthermore, the vehicle-mounted array antenna 7 can be mounted on the vehicle body by the bracket 42, and a signal for setting the elevation angle deviation of the central axis of the vehicle-mounted array antenna 7 with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring device 30 to be controlled when mounted is controlled. The signal is input from the processing unit 50 to the motor 46 attached to the bracket 42.

  Therefore, the bolt 48 is rotated by the motor 46, the elevation angle of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 is changed, and the central axis of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 can be matched with the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring device 30. That is, the axis adjustment of the vehicle-mounted array antenna 7 in the elevation angle direction can be automatically performed.

  In addition, the power tool 44 is configured to be attachable to the power tool 44 so that the axis of the motor 46 of the power tool 44 is substantially perpendicular to the central axis and the elevation angle direction of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 (array antenna 10).

  Therefore, when the axis adjustment of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 in the elevation angle direction is performed, the electric tool 44 does not shield the radio wave output from the transmission antenna 12 of the array antenna 10, so that accurate axis adjustment is possible. Moreover, it becomes easy to attach the electric tool 44 to the bracket 42, which is convenient.

  Further, when the tool detection switch 70 detects that the electric tool 44 is mounted on the bracket 42 and the operation start switch 80 detects the operation of starting the operation of the electric tool 44, the on-vehicle array antenna 7 The axis in the elevation direction is adjusted.

Therefore, after the electric tool 44 is mounted on the bracket 42, the axis adjustment of the in-vehicle array antenna 7 is performed only when the user performs an operation start operation, so that the work safety during the axis adjustment is further improved. Can be increased.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, in the axis adjustment system 1 of the first embodiment, a second embodiment in which the transmission antenna 12 is a central feeding type will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 7, and 8. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of calculating an elevation angle when the transmission antenna is a center-fed antenna. FIG. 8 is a flow of control processing executed by the control processing unit 50 of the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows.
For easy understanding, only the main lobe of the beam pattern of the transmission antenna 12 is displayed in FIG.
Moreover, in the axis adjustment system 1 in 2nd Embodiment, since it is the same structure as the axis adjustment system 1 in 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and the description is abbreviate | omitted. Also, in the control process, the same process is given the same step number and its description is omitted.

  In the axis adjustment system 1 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), as the transmission antenna 12, a plurality of antenna elements 13 are arranged on a straight line, and the center of the arrangement of the antenna elements 13 arranged on the straight line is arranged. By supplying an FMCW transmission signal from a feeding point, a so-called center feeding type antenna that radiates radio waves in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction is used.

In the case of a center-fed antenna, the peak intensity of the beam pattern changes symmetrically about the central axis of the transmission antenna 12 depending on the modulation frequency, as shown in FIG.
In the case of the second embodiment, the peak intensity is the highest at the modulation frequency of 76.5 GHz (shown as “A” in the figure), and the peak intensity is smaller at 76 GHz and 77 GHz than at 76.5 GHz (see FIG. Middle "B, C"). Further, when the axis is shifted to minus, the result is as shown in FIG.

  Here, the beam pattern of the transmitting antenna 12 is positive or negative with the central axis as the axis of symmetry, but the rate of change is non-linear. That is, the difference between the radio wave intensity of 76.5 GHz and the radio wave intensity of 76 GHz (77 GHz) becomes different as it shifts to the plus side or the minus side (the difference becomes larger as it is closer to the central axis).

  Therefore, in S140 of the control process executed by the control processing unit 50, if the difference between the radio wave intensity at 76.5 GHz and the radio wave intensity at 76 GHz (or 77 GHz) is the maximum, the point is the elevation angle. If the angle is 0 ° and the maximum is not the maximum, the central axis of the transmission antenna 12 (that is, the central axis of the array antenna 10) is shifted to the plus side or the minus side.

  Further, when the transmission antenna 12 is a center feeding type, even if the modulation frequency is different, the beam pattern has a shape close to an axial symmetry, so it may not be possible to accurately determine which side is shifted to the plus side or the minus side. is there. Therefore, the axis deviation is corrected by adding the processes of S146 and S147.

  That is, in S146, it is determined whether or not the difference has increased. If it is determined that the difference is increasing (S146: Yes), the process proceeds to S150. If it is determined that the difference is decreasing (S146: No), the process proceeds to S147.

  In S147, the moving direction of the elevation angle output to the power tool 44 in S150 is reversed. That is, if the elevation angle is on the plus side, it is on the minus side, and if it is on the minus side, it is on the plus side. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S150.

If it does in this way, the same effect as axis adjustment system 1 of a 1st embodiment will be acquired.
[Third Embodiment]
Next, the shaft adjustment system 1 according to the third embodiment including the storage device 60 will be described with respect to the shaft adjustment system 1 according to the above embodiment. The configuration of the axis adjustment system 1 according to the third embodiment is only that the storage device 60 is connected to the control processing unit 50 of the axis adjustment system 1 according to the first embodiment, and other configurations are the same. Are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

The storage device 60 is a storage device such as a hard disk device, a DVD device, a CD-ROM device, or a USB memory.
Further, the central axis of the array antenna 10 and the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring device 30 are made to coincide with each other, and the beam pattern for each of the three modulation frequencies of 76 GHz, 76.5 GHz, and 77 GHz is measured in advance by the radio wave intensity measuring device 30 and stored. It is stored in the device 60.

  That is, if the transmission antenna 12 is a series feed type, the beam pattern shown in FIG. 6A is stored in the storage device 60, and if it is a center feed type, the beam pattern shown in FIG. 7A is stored. become.

  Then, in S140 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the CPU measures the radio wave intensity at the modulation frequencies of 76 GHz, 76.5 GHz, and 77 GHz measured by the radio wave intensity measuring device 30, and the beam pattern stored in the storage device 60. And the difference is calculated.

That is, the difference between the value of the elevation angle of 0 ° in FIGS. 6A and 7A and the measured value of the radio wave intensity at 76 GHz, 76.5 GHz, and 77 GHz is calculated.
Here, when the transmission antenna 12 is a series feed type, as shown in FIG. 6A, if the central axes coincide with each other, the difference in radio wave intensity at 76 GHz and 77 GHz becomes zero. Therefore, the calculated difference from the measured values at 76 GHz and 77 GHz is the deviation of the elevation angle.

  Further, when the transmission antenna 12 is a center feeding type, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), if the central axes coincide with each other, the difference in radio wave intensity between 76.5 GHz and 76 GHz or 76.5 GHz and 77 GHz is obtained. Maximum.

  Therefore, the calculated angle corresponding to the difference between the difference between the radio wave intensity at 76.5 GHz and 76 GHz or 76.5 GHz and 77 GHz and the maximum difference between the radio wave intensities is the elevation angle deviation. In this way, the elevation angle can be calculated.

Therefore, it is not necessary for the control processing unit 50 to calculate the elevation angle deviation each time the radio field intensity of each modulation frequency is measured, and thus the axis can be adjusted easily.
[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, based on FIG. 9, the axis adjustment system 3 in which the elevation angle is adjusted using the reflector 36 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the axis adjustment system 3 in the fourth embodiment uses a reflector 36 that reflects radio waves, instead of the radio wave intensity measurement device 30 configured by the reception antenna 32 for measurement and the receiver 34.

The reflector 36 is installed at the position of the radio wave intensity measuring device 30 so that its central axis (mechanical central axis in the direction of reflection of the radio wave of the reflector 36) is horizontal.
As in the first embodiment, radio waves are radiated from the transmission antenna 12 and the radio waves (reflected waves) reflected by the reflector 36 are received by the plurality of reception antennas 14.

  Then, the reflected wave is received by the plurality of receiving antennas 14 as a combined wave of each receiving antenna 14. Therefore, if the peak value of the synthesized wave is the beam center, the elevation angle can be calculated from the FMCW signal of each modulation frequency as in the first and second embodiments, and based on the calculated elevation angle, The elevation angle of the array antenna 10 (that is, the vehicle-mounted array antenna 7) can be adjusted to be horizontal.

In this way, since the radio wave intensity measuring device 30 can be the reflector 36 only, the configuration of the radio wave intensity measuring device 30 can be simplified.
[Other Embodiments]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, A various aspect can be taken.

  (1) Although the axis adjustment is automatically performed in the above embodiment, a display device that displays the elevation angle deviation is provided, and the elevation angle deviation calculated by the control processing unit 50 is displayed on the display device. Further, an input device is provided for the user to adjust the elevation angle, and the control processing unit 50 is configured to output an elevation angle change signal for the elevation angle change unit 40 in response to an input from the input device.

Then, the user may input an elevation angle change value so that the deviation becomes zero while observing the elevation angle deviation displayed on the display device.
(2) In the fourth embodiment, the reflected waves from the reflector 36 are received by the plurality of receiving antennas 14, but the reflected waves are received by the measuring receiving antenna 32, and the radio wave intensity of the received reflected waves is received. You may make it measure with the machine 34. FIG.

In this case, it is necessary to attach to the in-vehicle array antenna 7 so that the central axis of the receiving antenna 32 for measurement and the central axis of the receiving antenna 14 of the array antenna 10 coincide with each other. Therefore, the configuration of the radio wave intensity measuring device 30 can be simplified.
(3) Although the case of one transmission antenna 12 has been described in the above embodiment, a plurality of transmission antennas 12 may be provided. In this case, only the shape of the beam pattern formed by the plurality of transmission antennas 12 is different from the patterns shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the axis adjustment method is the same as that in the above embodiment.
(4) In the above embodiment, the motor shaft of the electric tool 44 is mounted on the electric tool mounting portion 49 of the bracket 42 so that the motor axis is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the array antenna 10. The bracket 42 may be configured to be mountable on the power tool mounting portion 49 so that the motor shaft of the power tool 44 is substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the array antenna 10 and substantially perpendicular to the elevation angle direction. Good.

In this way, the power tool 44 does not shield the radio wave output from the transmission antenna 12 of the array antenna 10 when adjusting the axis of the vehicle-mounted array antenna 7 in the elevation angle direction. Therefore, accurate axis adjustment is possible. Moreover, it becomes easy to attach the electric tool 44 to the bracket 42, which is convenient.
(5) The motor shaft of the electric power tool 44 may be configured to directly rotate the bolt 48 from the front surface of the in-vehicle array antenna 7. In this case, the electric tool 44 is manually operated by an operator or the like and the bolt 48 is directly rotated by the electric tool 44 every time the elevation angle is adjusted. .

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,3 ... Axis adjustment system, 5 ... Vehicle, 7 ... Car-mounted array antenna, 10 ... Array antenna, 12 ... Transmitting antenna, 13 ... Antenna element, 14 ... Receiving antenna, 15 ... Case, 16 ... Amplifier, 18 ... Radome, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Oscillator, 30 ... Radio wave intensity measuring device, 32 ... Receiving antenna for measurement, 34 ... Receiver, 36 ... Reflector, 40 ... Elevation angle changing part, 42 ... Bracket, 43 ... Gear, 44 ... Electric tool, 46 ... Motor , 48 ... bolts, 49 ... electric tool mounting part, 50 ... control processing part, 60 ... storage device, 70 ... tool detection switch, 80 ... operation start switch.

Claims (13)

In the FMCW radar array antenna in which the mounting member has a transmitting antenna whose radiation direction changes with respect to the central axis of the radiation direction of the output radio wave due to a difference in modulation frequency, and a plurality of receiving antennas arranged on a straight line in the horizontal direction. A method of adjusting an axis of an array antenna for adjusting a deviation in an elevation direction of a central axis of the array antenna by changing an angle in an elevation direction of the mounting member,
A radio wave supplying step of sequentially supplying FMCW transmission signals having two or more modulation frequencies from the oscillation means to the transmission antenna;
In the radio wave supplying step, a measurement step of measuring the radio wave intensity of the radio waves of the two or more modulation frequencies output from the transmitting antenna by radio wave intensity measuring means installed so that a central axis is in a horizontal direction;
An elevation angle calculating step of calculating an elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means based on the radio wave intensity of the radio waves of the two or more modulation frequencies measured in the measurement step;
By changing the angle of the mounting member in the elevation angle direction, the elevation angle of the array antenna is set so that the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio field intensity measuring means calculated in the elevation angle calculation step is zero. An axis adjustment process for adjusting the direction of the axis;
A storage step of storing in the storage means a beam pattern for the elevation angle of the array antenna;
With
In the storing step, the beam pattern for each of the two or more modulation frequencies with respect to the elevation angle of the array antenna when the center axis of the array antenna and the center axis of the radio wave intensity measuring unit are matched is stored in advance in the storing unit. To remember,
In the elevation angle calculating step, based on the difference between the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means and the beam pattern stored in the storage means at the two or more modulation frequencies, the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means Calculating the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to
A method of adjusting the axis of an array antenna characterized by the above. In an array antenna for FMCW radar in which a transmission antenna whose output value on the central axis in the radial direction of the output radio wave changes due to a difference in modulation frequency and a plurality of reception antennas are arranged on a horizontal straight line on the mounting member A method of adjusting the axis of the array antenna for adjusting a deviation in the elevation direction of the central axis of the array antenna by changing the angle of the mounting member in the elevation direction,
A radio wave supplying step of sequentially supplying FMCW transmission signals having two or more modulation frequencies from the oscillation means to the transmission antenna;
In the radio wave supplying step, a measurement step of measuring the radio wave intensity of the radio waves of the two or more modulation frequencies output from the transmitting antenna by radio wave intensity measuring means installed so that a central axis is in a horizontal direction;
An elevation angle calculating step of calculating an elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means based on the radio wave intensity of the radio waves of the two or more modulation frequencies measured in the measurement step;
By changing the angle of the mounting member in the elevation angle direction, the elevation angle of the array antenna is set so that the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio field intensity measuring means calculated in the elevation angle calculation step is zero. An axis adjustment process for adjusting the direction of the axis;
A storage step of storing in the storage means a beam pattern for the elevation angle of the array antenna;
With
In the storing step, the beam pattern for each of the two or more modulation frequencies with respect to the elevation angle of the array antenna when the center axis of the array antenna and the center axis of the radio wave intensity measuring unit are matched is stored in advance in the storing unit. To remember,
In the elevation angle calculating step, based on the difference in radio field intensity measured by the radio field intensity measuring means at the two or more modulation frequencies and the difference in beam pattern stored in the storage means at the two or more modulation frequencies, Calculating the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio field intensity measuring means;
A method of adjusting the axis of an array antenna characterized by the above. The method of adjusting an axis of an array antenna according to claim 1,
The transmitting antenna arranges a plurality of antenna elements on a straight line, and supplies an FMCW transmission signal from an arrangement end of the antenna elements arranged on the straight line, thereby causing radio waves in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of antenna elements. A method for adjusting the axis of an array antenna, characterized in that In the array antenna axial adjustment method according to claim 2 ,
The transmission antenna has a plurality of antenna elements arranged in a straight line, and an FMCW transmission signal is supplied from an array central portion of the antenna elements arranged on the straight line, so that the transmitting antenna is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of antenna elements. A method of adjusting an axis of an array antenna, characterized by emitting radio waves . In the array antenna axial adjustment method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
One modulation frequency of the two or more modulation frequencies of the FMCW transmission signal supplied from the oscillation means to the transmission antenna is a modulation frequency used when the FMCW radar array antenna is operated. To adjust the axis of the array antenna. In the FMCW radar array antenna in which the mounting member has a transmitting antenna whose radiation direction changes with respect to the central axis of the radiation direction of the output radio wave due to a difference in modulation frequency, and a plurality of receiving antennas arranged on a straight line in the horizontal direction. An array antenna axis adjustment system for adjusting an elevation angle direction shift of a central axis of the array antenna by changing an angle of the mounting member in an elevation angle direction,
Oscillating means for supplying an FMCW transmission signal having a modulation frequency of 2 or more to the transmitting antenna;
A radio field intensity measuring means for measuring the radio field intensity of the radio waves of the two or more modulation frequencies output from the transmitting antenna, the central axis being installed in a horizontal direction;
An elevation angle changing means for changing an elevation angle of the array antenna by changing an angle of the mounting member in an elevation angle direction;
Based on the radio wave intensity of the radio waves having the two or more modulation frequencies measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means when the oscillation means sequentially supplies the FMCW transmission signals having the two or more modulation frequencies to the transmitting antenna. An elevation angle calculating means for calculating an elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio field intensity measuring means;
Control means for controlling the elevation angle changing means so that the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means, calculated by the elevation angle calculating means, is zero;
Storage means for storing in advance beam patterns for each of the two or more modulation frequencies with respect to the elevation angle of the array antenna when the central axis of the array antenna and the central axis of the radio field intensity measuring means are matched.
With
The elevation angle calculating means includes
When the FMCW transmission signal having the two or more modulation frequencies is sequentially supplied to the transmitting antenna by the oscillating unit, the radio field intensity measured by the radio field intensity measuring unit and the storage unit at the two or more modulation frequencies. Calculating an elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio field intensity measuring means based on the difference with the stored beam pattern;
A system for adjusting the axis of an array antenna. In an array antenna for FMCW radar in which a transmission antenna whose output value on the central axis in the radial direction of the output radio wave changes due to a difference in modulation frequency and a plurality of reception antennas are arranged on a horizontal straight line on the mounting member An axis adjustment system for the array antenna for adjusting a deviation in the elevation direction of the central axis of the array antenna by changing an angle in the elevation direction of the mounting member,
Oscillating means for supplying an FMCW transmission signal having a modulation frequency of 2 or more to the transmitting antenna;
A radio field intensity measuring means for measuring the radio field intensity of the radio waves of the two or more modulation frequencies output from the transmitting antenna, the central axis being installed in a horizontal direction;
An elevation angle changing means for changing an elevation angle of the array antenna by changing an angle of the mounting member in an elevation angle direction;
Based on the radio wave intensity of the radio waves having the two or more modulation frequencies measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means when the oscillation means sequentially supplies the FMCW transmission signals having the two or more modulation frequencies to the transmitting antenna. An elevation angle calculating means for calculating an elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio field intensity measuring means;
Control means for controlling the elevation angle changing means so that the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means, calculated by the elevation angle calculating means, is zero;
Storage means for storing in advance beam patterns for each of the two or more modulation frequencies with respect to the elevation angle of the array antenna when the central axis of the array antenna and the central axis of the radio field intensity measuring means are matched.
With
The elevation angle calculating means includes
When the oscillation means sequentially supplies the FMCW transmission signals having the two or more modulation frequencies to the transmission antenna, the difference between the radio field intensities measured by the radio field intensity measurement means at the two or more modulation frequencies and the 2 Calculating the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio field intensity measuring means based on the difference between the beam patterns stored in the storage means at the above modulation frequency;
A system for adjusting the axis of an array antenna. The axis adjustment system for an array antenna according to claim 6 ,
The transmitting antenna arranges a plurality of antenna elements on a straight line, and supplies an FMCW transmission signal from an arrangement end of the antenna elements arranged on the straight line, thereby causing radio waves in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of antenna elements. axis adjustment system of the array antenna, characterized in that to emit. The axis adjustment system for an array antenna according to claim 7 ,
The transmission antenna has a plurality of antenna elements arranged in a straight line, and an FMCW transmission signal is supplied from an array central portion of the antenna elements arranged on the straight line, so that the transmitting antenna is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of antenna elements. An array antenna axis adjustment system that radiates radio waves . The axis adjustment system of the array antenna according to any one of claims 6 to 9 ,
The oscillation means is
A modulation frequency used when the FMCW radar array antenna is operated is used as one of the two or more modulation frequencies of the FMCW transmission signal supplied to the transmission antenna. Axis adjustment system. The axis adjustment system of the array antenna according to any one of claims 6 to 10 ,
The elevation angle changing means is
While mounting the array antenna on the vehicle body, a bracket configured to be able to change the elevation angle of the array antenna by moving the bolt in the axial direction,
The elevation angle of the array antenna is changed by operating the motor in response to a signal from the control means and rotating the bolt connected to the rotation shaft of the motor to move in the axial direction. An electric tool,
With
The control means includes
A signal for making the elevation angle of the central axis of the array antenna with respect to the central axis of the radio wave intensity measuring means calculated by the elevation angle calculating means to be 0 is output to the electric power tool, whereby the central axis of the array antenna is set to the radio wave. A system for adjusting the axis of an array antenna, wherein the axis is aligned with the central axis of the intensity measuring means . The axis adjustment system for an array antenna according to claim 11,
The bracket is
Comprising tool detection means for detecting that the electric tool is mounted;
The control means includes
An axis adjustment system for an array antenna, wherein the axis adjustment in the elevation angle direction of the array antenna is performed when the tool detection means detects that the electric tool is attached to the bracket. The axis adjustment system for an array antenna according to claim 12,
The electric tool is
An operation start detecting means for detecting that the user has performed an operation for starting the operation;
The control means includes
The elevation angle of the array antenna when the tool detection means detects that the electric tool is mounted on the bracket, and the operation start detection means detects the operation start operation of the electric tool by the user. A system for adjusting the axis of an array antenna, characterized in that the axis of the direction is adjusted.