JP7041580B2 - Antennas, module boards and modules - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to antennas, module boards and modules.

As an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, a dipole antenna or a similar antenna is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The dipole antenna has a pair of antenna conductors extending in opposite directions from positions adjacent to each other.

Regarding the array antenna, the antenna of Patent Document 1 changes the element length of each dipole antenna and intentionally causes impedance mismatch, thereby suppressing the mutual coupling between each antenna element of the array antenna to be small and radiating the desired antenna. Obtaining a pattern is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-032428

It is desired that an antenna capable of improving the gain is provided.

The antenna according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first main conductor, a second main conductor, a plate-shaped conductor, a line conductor, and a connecting line. The first main conductor has a first end and a second end located on one side of the first direction with respect to the first end. The second main conductor has a third end portion adjacent to the first end portion and a fourth end portion located on the other side of the first direction with respect to the third end portion. The line conductor is connected to the first main conductor, faces the plate-shaped conductor, and extends along the plate-shaped conductor. The connecting wire electrically connects the plate-shaped conductor and the second main conductor. The first and second main conductors have a shape in which the first direction is the longitudinal direction. Further, in the first direction, the first distance, which is the distance from the other end of the plate-shaped conductor to the connecting line, is the distance from one end of the plate-shaped conductor to the connecting line. It is smaller than the second distance.

The antenna according to one aspect of the present disclosure is connected to each of a plurality of antenna conductors including a first main conductor and a second main conductor, a plate-shaped conductor, and the first main conductor, and the plate-shaped conductor. Includes a line conductor that faces and extends along the plate-shaped conductor, and a connecting line that electrically connects the plate-shaped conductor and the second main conductor. The first main conductor has a first end portion and a second end portion located on one side of the first direction with respect to the first end portion, and is longitudinal in the first direction. It is a shape with a direction. The second main conductor has a third end adjacent to the first end and a fourth end located on the other side of the first direction with respect to the third end. , The shape is such that the first direction is the longitudinal direction. The plurality of antenna conductors are arranged along the first direction. Further, in the first direction, of the plurality of antenna conductors, the line conductor connected to the antenna conductor located on the other side most and the end portion of the plate-shaped conductor on the other side. The first distance, which is a distance, is the distance between the line conductor connected to the antenna conductor located on the onemost side of the plurality of antenna conductors and the end portion of the plate-shaped conductor on the one side. It is smaller than the second distance, which is the distance.

The module substrate according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned antenna, an insulating substrate containing the dielectric, and a land located on the surface of the insulating substrate.

The module according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the module board described above and electronic components mounted on the land.

According to the above configuration, the gain can be improved.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the antenna which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 2A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIb-IIb of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIc-IIc of FIG. FIG. 3 is a top view showing a configuration of a main part of the antenna according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of the antenna according to the third embodiment. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are top views showing a configuration of a main part of the antenna according to the fourth embodiment. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are perspective views showing an assembly as an example of using the antenna, and FIG. 6 (c) is a VI-VI line of FIG. 6 (a) of the module board included in the assembly. It is a cross-sectional view in. It is a diagram which shows the relationship between the gain of the antenna which concerns on Example, and the 1st distance Dt1. It is a diagram which shows the relationship between the gain of the antenna which concerns on Example, and the 1st distance Dt1. It is a diagram which shows the relationship between the gain of the antenna which concerns on Example, and the 1st distance Dt1.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The figures used in the following description are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like on the drawings do not always match the actual ones.

Further, for convenience, an orthogonal coordinate system xyz may be attached to the drawing and referred to. The antenna may be upward or downward in any direction, but for convenience, the term "upper surface" or "lower surface" may be used with the positive side in the z direction as the upper side.

In the second and subsequent embodiments, the same or similar configurations as those of the above-described embodiment are designated by the reference numerals to the above-described configurations of the embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted. Sometimes. In addition, even when a code different from the code attached to the configuration of the above-described embodiment is assigned to the configuration corresponding to (similar to) the configuration of the embodiment described above, matters not particularly mentioned are not particularly mentioned. Is similar to the embodiment described above.

For configurations similar to each other, different numbers (“first”, “second”) and different capital letters for the same name, such as “first main conductor 13A” and “second main conductor 13B”. An additional code (“A”, “B”) consisting of the alphabet of the above may be added. Further, in this case, it is simply referred to as "main conductor 13" and may not distinguish between the two.

<First Embodiment>
(Overall configuration of antenna)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the antenna 1. In this figure, a symbol (2) indicating a power source is shown in order to simply indicate the potential of the antenna 1. In reality, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) 3 (FIG. 6 (b)) is connected to the antenna 1.

The antenna 1 is a dipole antenna having a length corresponding to a wavelength in the x direction. Therefore, the antenna 1 is provided for radiation and / or reception of linearly polarized radio waves whose x direction is the direction of vibration of the electric field. However, the antenna 1 can also handle circularly polarized waves (a linear component thereof). The frequency band in which the antenna 1 is used is arbitrary.

The size of the antenna 1 may be appropriately set according to the wavelength of the frequency band in which the antenna 1 is used. In the following description, the case where the antenna 1 is a relatively small antenna used in a relatively high frequency band will be taken as an example. For example, the length of one side of the rectangle (antenna substrate 5) shown by thin lines in a plan view is 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and the thickness is 0.1 mm or more and 1 mm or less.

The antenna 1 is, for example, an antenna substrate 5 (an example of a dielectric) made of a dielectric (insulator), an antenna conductor 7 made of a conductor provided on the antenna substrate 5, a line conductor 9 (transmission line), and a plate shape. It is provided with a conductor 11.

A reference potential is applied to the plate-shaped conductor 11. In this example, the plate-shaped conductor 11 has a role of ground (grounding). When radiating radio waves, the IC 3 transmits a signal having a potential difference with respect to the potential applied to the plate-shaped conductor 11 to the line conductor 9 (power is supplied to the line conductor 9). The antenna conductor 7 converts a signal (current) from the line conductor 9 into a radio wave and radiates it. Further, when receiving a radio wave, the antenna conductor 7 converts the radio wave into an electric current. This current is input to the IC 3 via the line conductor 9 as a signal having a potential difference from the reference potential applied to the plate-shaped conductor 11.

The antenna substrate 5 is, for example, a substantially plate-shaped member. The planar shape may be an appropriate shape. The antenna substrate 5 may be made of a single material or may be made of a plurality of materials. When composed of a plurality of materials, for example, the antenna substrate 5 may include a portion in which dielectric layers made of different materials are laminated in the thickness direction, and / or may be a base material made of glass cloth or the like. It may include a portion impregnated with a dielectric. The dielectric of the antenna substrate 5 is, for example, ceramic and / or resin. The antenna substrate 5 contributes to holding, for example, the antenna conductor 7, the line conductor 9, and the plate-shaped conductor 11, and at least the portion in contact with the antenna conductor 7 is made of a dielectric, thereby contributing to shortening the wavelength of radio waves. is doing.

The material of the antenna conductor 7, the line conductor 9, and the plate-shaped conductor 11 is, for example, metal. The metal may be an appropriate metal such as Cu or Al. The antenna conductor 7, the line conductor 9, and the plate-shaped conductor 11 may be made of the same material as each other, or may be made of different materials from each other. Each of the antenna conductor 7, the line conductor 9, and the plate-shaped conductor 11 may be composed of a single material or may be composed of a plurality of materials. When composed of a plurality of materials, for example, each part may be configured by laminating conductor layers made of different metals in the thickness direction (z direction) of the antenna substrate 5.

A part of the antenna conductor 7 and the line conductor 9 are embedded in, for example, the antenna substrate 5. The other part of the antenna conductor 7 and the plate-shaped conductor 11 are located, for example, on the lower surface of the antenna substrate 5. The line conductor 9 and the plate-shaped conductor 11 are separated from the antenna conductor 7 in the plane direction (y direction) of the antenna substrate 5, for example. The line conductor 9 and the plate-shaped conductor 11 face each other, for example, in the thickness direction (z direction) of the antenna substrate 5.

A so-called microstrip line is formed by facing the line conductor 9 and the plate-shaped conductor 11. The distance between the line conductor 9 and the plate-shaped conductor 11 is, for example, constant. The shape of the track conductor 9 may be appropriately set. In the example of FIG. 1, the line conductor 9 is composed of a layered pattern parallel to the antenna substrate 5, and extends linearly with a constant width. The shape of the plate-shaped conductor 11 may also be appropriately set. In the example of FIG. 1, the plate-shaped conductor 11 is formed of a layered pattern parallel to the antenna substrate 5, and has a plate-like shape having a larger area than the antenna conductor 7 and the line conductor 9. The dimensions of each of the line conductor 9 and the plate-shaped conductor 11 and the distance between them may be appropriately set according to the frequency band in which the antenna 1 is used and the like.

In the above description, the antenna 1 is defined by including the line conductor 9 and the plate-shaped conductor 11.

(Overall configuration of antenna conductor)
FIG. 2A is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the antenna 1 including the antenna conductor 7. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIb-IIb of FIG. FIG. 2 (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIc-IIc of FIG. Note that in FIG. 2A, the illustration of the antenna substrate 5 is omitted.

The antenna conductor 7 has, for example, a pair of main conductors 13 (13A and 13B). A pair of connecting lines 19 (19A and 19B) for connecting the antenna conductor 7 and the line conductor 9 and the plate-shaped conductor 11 are provided. The connecting line 19A can also be regarded as a part of the line conductor 9.

The antenna conductor 7 has, for example, a shape that is rotationally symmetric by 180 ° with respect to an axis of symmetry (not shown) that is generally parallel to the y direction. That is, the first main conductor 13A and the second main conductor 13B are generally 180 ° rotationally symmetric positions and shapes. The pair of connecting lines 19 also has, for example, a shape that is rotationally symmetric by 180 ° with respect to an axis of symmetry (not shown) that is generally parallel in the y direction.

The pair of main conductors 13 is a basic configuration in which the antenna conductor 7 functions as a dipole antenna. The end portion 11a of the plate-shaped conductor 11 in the direction in which the second main conductor 13B extends when viewed in the x direction is located inside the outer circumference of the antenna substrate 5. With such a configuration, the gain of the antenna 1 is improved. These specific configurations are, for example, as follows.

(Main conductor)
The pair of main conductors 13 have a length L1 (FIG. 2 (c)) opposite to each other in the x direction from positions adjacent to each other. In other words, as indicated by the reference numerals in FIG. 2A, the first main conductor 13A has an end portion 13d and an end portion 13e located on the positive side in the x direction with respect to the end portion 13d. The second main conductor 13B is located on the negative side in the x direction with respect to the end portion 13d adjacent to the end portion 13d of the first main conductor 13A and the end portion 13d of the second main conductor 13B. It has an end portion 13e.

Here, the end portion 13d and the end portion 13e of the first main conductor 13A correspond to the first end portion and the second end portion located on one side of the first direction with respect to the first end portion. do. The end 13d and the end 13e of the second main conductor 13B are a third end adjacent to the first end and a fourth end located on the other side of the first direction with respect to the third end. Corresponds to the department.

Each of the pair of main conductors 13 is connected to the pair of connecting lines 19 at, for example, the end portion 13d which is the end portion on the side adjacent to each other. The length L1 is approximately 1/4 of the wavelength of the radio wave to be transmitted and / or received. As a result, the length (L1 + L1) of the pair of main conductors 13 in the x direction as a whole is set to be approximately half a wavelength. With such a configuration, the pair of main conductors 13 has a configuration similar to that of a half-wavelength dipole antenna.

The length of a pair of conductors (here, a pair of main conductors 13) of a half-wavelength dipole antenna is 1/4 wavelength in principle, but in reality, 1 / in consideration of impedance matching and the like. It may be shorter than 4 wavelengths. The shortening rate is, for example, a few percent or less of the 1/4 wavelength. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the adjustment amount in such an actual antenna is ignored.

In the present embodiment, the antenna conductor 7 is basically in contact with the antenna substrate 5, and can radiate and / or receive radio waves via the antenna substrate 5. Therefore, the wavelength referred to with respect to the length of the antenna 1 is not in the free space but in the antenna substrate 5. For example, in general, the wavelength λ _g in the antenna substrate 5 is expressed by the following equation.

λ _g = 1 / √ε _r × λ ₀ = c / (√ε _r × f)
Here, ε _r is the relative permittivity of the antenna substrate 5 (dielectric), λ ₀ is the wavelength in free space, c is the light velocity (in vacuum) in free space, and f is the frequency.

The main conductor 13 is composed of, for example, layered conductors parallel to each other in the direction (x direction) in which the pair of main conductors 13 have lengths on opposite sides. The planar shape is, for example, a shape having the x direction as the longitudinal direction, and more specifically, for example, a rectangle having the x direction as the longitudinal direction. However, at the end portion connected to the connecting portion 19, the corner portion on the outer peripheral side of the bend may be chamfered. The length of the long side is basically set according to the target wavelength. The length of the short side and the thickness of the main conductor 13 may be appropriately set. At this time, the influence of these dimensions on the gain may be taken into consideration.

Since the main conductor 13 and the connecting line 19 have a width, the boundary between them is not always clear. When it is necessary to design the length L1 of the main conductor 13 or specify the length L1 in an actual product, for example, the end portion of the length L1 on the connecting line 19 side is connected to the main conductor 13. It may be the edge portion of the conductor constituting the wire 19 on the connecting wire 19 side, or it may be the center line (not shown) of the connecting wire 19. In addition, in FIG. 2C, the length L1 is shown by considering the center line of the connecting line 19 as the end portion of the main conductor 13 on the connecting line 19 side.

The first main conductor 13A is embedded in, for example, the antenna substrate 5. Specifically, for example, the first main conductor 13A is provided in the same plane as the line conductor 9. The second main conductor 13B, for example, overlaps the lower surface (front surface) of the antenna substrate 5. As a result, the antenna substrate 5 is provided in the same plane as the plate-shaped conductor 11. From another viewpoint, the positions of the first main conductor 13A and the second main conductor 13B in the direction orthogonal to the plane (z direction, the thickness direction of the antenna substrate 5) are different from each other.

In a typical dipole antenna, the two conductors are located on the same straight line, so that the two conductors are separated from each other so as not to short-circuit. In the present embodiment, since the positions of the pair of main conductors 13 are different from each other in the z direction, they may be separated from each other in the x direction (when viewed in the z direction) or may be adjacent to each other without a gap. However, they may overlap with each other. In the illustrated example, although it depends on the definition of the boundary between the main conductor 13 and the connecting line 19, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the boundary is formed by the center line (not shown) of the connecting line 19. Considering the above, a pair of main conductors 13 are adjacent to each other without a gap in the x direction.

The first main conductor 13A is connected to the line conductor 9, and the second main conductor 13B is connected to the plate-shaped conductor 11. Therefore, the main conductor 13 (13A) corresponding to the signal is embedded in the antenna substrate 5, and the main conductor 13 (13B) corresponding to the reference potential is located on the surface of the antenna substrate 5. From another point of view, the main conductor 13 (13A) corresponding to the signal is closer to the center in the thickness direction of the antenna substrate 5 than the main conductor 13 (13B) corresponding to the reference potential.

(Connecting line)
The first connecting line 19A is located, for example, in the same plane as the first main conductor 13A and the line conductor 9, and connects them. The second connecting line 19B is located, for example, in the same plane as the second main conductor 13B and the plate-shaped conductor 11, and connects them. The connecting line 19 is composed of, for example, a layered pattern extending linearly with a constant width, and is orthogonal to a direction (x direction) in which a pair of main conductors 13 have lengths on opposite sides to each other (x direction). It extends in the y direction). The pair of connecting lines 19 face each other in the facing direction (z direction) of the pair of main conductors 13, for example, and have the same shape as each other, for example.

In other words, the connecting wire 19 is located between the plate-shaped conductor 11 and the main conductor 13 when the top surface is seen through.

The length of the connecting wire 19 (distance of the antenna conductor 7 from the plate-shaped conductor 11) may be appropriately set. For example, when the wavelength (inside the antenna substrate 5) at the frequency at which the antenna 1 is used is λ _g , the length of the connecting line 19 may be 1 / 4λ _g . In this case, for example, the connecting line 19 can also function like an antenna, and as a result, the gain is improved. Further, for example, the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) can be reduced at the frequency at which the antenna 1 is used. The width of the connecting line 19 may be appropriately set. In the illustrated example, the width of the connecting line 19 is the same as the width of the line conductor 9, but may be different from the width of the line conductor 9.

(Relative positional relationship between plate-shaped conductor and connecting wire)
Returning to FIG. 1, the relative positions of the end portions 11a and 11b of the plate-shaped conductor 11 and the connecting line 19 in the x direction will be described. Here, the position of the connecting line 19 means the position of the connecting line 19 at the portion closest to the main conductor 13. The end portion 11a is located on the negative side in the x direction (the side on which the second main conductor 13B is located with respect to the first main conductor 13A). The end portion 11b is located on the positive side in the x direction (the side on which the first main conductor 13A is located with respect to the second main conductor 13B). Then, in the x direction, the distance Dt1 between the end portion 11a and the connecting line 19 is smaller than the distance Dt2 between the end portion 11b and the connecting line 19. In this example, on the positive side in the x direction, the end portion 11b is at the same position as the end surface 5a of the antenna substrate, whereas on the negative side in the x direction, the end portion 11a of the plate-shaped conductor 11 is the end surface 5a of the antenna substrate 5. It is located inside.

By shortening the distance Dt1 between the end portion 11a and the connecting line 19 in this way, it is not possible to exit in the + x direction (on the side of the first main conductor 13A to which power is supplied with respect to the second main conductor 13B). It is possible to suppress the plane wave traveling in the −x direction from wrapping around to the end portion 11a and the end surface 5a side. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of signal that travels in the −x direction without radiating in the −y direction, passes through the corner portion of the plate-shaped conductor 11, wraps around to the end portion 11a side, and travels in the + y direction, so that the gain of the antenna 1 can be reduced. Can be improved. It can be said that it can be done by increasing the directivity.

The distance Dt1 from the end portion 11a of the plate-shaped conductor 11 to the connecting line 19 (more strictly, the distance to the center of the connecting line 19) is, for example, the length L1 of the main conductor 13 (from another viewpoint, λ _g / 4). ) May be the degree. That is, Dt1 is adjusted according to L1. Details will be described later.

The distance between the end portion 11b of the plate-shaped conductor 11 and the connecting line 19 is larger for Dt2 than for Dt1. That is, the distance from the connecting wire 9 to the end portion 11b of the plate-shaped conductor 11 may be longer than the length L1 of the main conductor 13 (λ _g / 4 from another viewpoint). More preferably, it may be 1λ or more. Further, for example, the end portion 11b of the plate-shaped conductor 11 and the end surface 5b of the antenna substrate 5 may coincide with each other in a plan view. In the direction in which the main conductor 13A on the side to be fed is extended in this way, the gain of the antenna 1 can be improved by increasing the number of plate-shaped conductors 11.

(Multilayer board including antenna)
As shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 2 (c), the above-mentioned configuration of the antenna 1 may be realized by, for example, a structure similar to that of a multilayer board. Specifically, for example, the antenna substrate 5 is configured by laminating a plurality of dielectric layers 21 (21A and 21B; an example of a dielectric). The main conductor 13, the line conductor 9, the plate-shaped conductor 11, and the connecting wire 19 overlap with each other, for example, the second conductor layer 23B located on the lower surface of the lowermost dielectric layer 21 (first dielectric layer 21A). It is composed of a first conductor layer 23A located between the dielectric layers 21 (21A and 21B).

In the illustrated example, the second dielectric layer 21B is thicker than the first dielectric layer 21A. However, the second dielectric layer 21B may be configured by laminating a plurality of dielectric layers having the same thickness as the first dielectric layer 21A. The first dielectric layer 21A may also be configured by laminating a plurality of dielectric layers. The thickness of the second dielectric layer 21B may be less than or equal to the thickness of the first dielectric layer 21A.

The plurality of dielectric layers 21 (21A and 21B) may be made of the same material as each other, or may be made of different materials from each other. When they are made of the same material, the boundaries of the dielectric layers 21 that overlap each other may be indistinguishable due to integration. As already mentioned, the material of the dielectric layer 21 is, for example, ceramic and / or resin. One dielectric layer 21 may be composed of a single material or may be composed of a plurality of materials. When composed of a plurality of materials, for example, one dielectric layer 21 may be a stack of a resin layer and an inorganic insulating layer. Further, the plurality of dielectric layers 21 may have the same thickness or different thicknesses from each other.

The plurality of conductor layers 23 (23A and 23B) may be made of the same material as each other, or may be made of different materials from each other. Further, the plurality of conductor layers 23 may have the same thickness or different thicknesses from each other. The single conductor layer 23 may be composed of a single metal material, or may be composed of laminated metal layers made of different materials. The single conductor layer 23 is, for example, of the same material and thickness, not limited to the site. However, the single conductor layer 23 may have different materials and / or thicknesses depending on the site.

The first dielectric layer 21A has a substantially constant thickness over the entire plane direction thereof. Therefore, the first conductor layer 23A and the second conductor layer 23B facing each other with the first dielectric layer 21A interposed therebetween are substantially parallel to each other. As a result, the pair of main conductors 13 are substantially parallel to each other.

Although not shown in particular, the antenna 1 may have an insulating film (not shown) that covers the first conductor layer 23A. The insulating film is thinner than, for example, the first dielectric layer 21A. Further, the insulating film is made of, for example, a solder resist.

Similarly, in the above example, the second conductor layer 23B is located inside the second dielectric layer 21B in the thickness direction, but may be located on the second dielectric layer 21B and exposed.

(Manufacturing method of antenna 1)
The manufacturing method of the antenna 1 may be the same as the manufacturing method of the multilayer board except for a specific shape and the like. Further, there are various methods for manufacturing a multilayer substrate, and any of them may be used.

For example, the antenna 1 may be manufactured by a so-called build-up method. In the build-up method, a plurality of dielectric layers 21 are laminated in order by repeating the steps of forming one dielectric layer 21 and forming a conductor layer 23 with respect to the one dielectric layer 21 as needed. And fixed. A through conductor may be formed together with the conductor layer 23 with respect to one dielectric layer 21.

Further, for example, the antenna 1 may be manufactured by a batch laminating method in which a ceramic green sheet to be a dielectric layer 21 is laminated with a through conductor and a conductive paste to be a conductor layer 23 and fired.

In the above-mentioned various methods, the method for forming the dielectric layer 21 and the method for forming the conductor layer 23 may also be various known methods.

For example, the dielectric layer 21 may be formed by arranging an uncured (liquid or film-like) thermosetting resin on a base material or a previously formed dielectric layer 21 and curing it. The green sheet may be formed by firing.

Further, for example, the conductor layer 23 may be formed by an electroless plating method and / or an electrolytic plating method, or may be formed by printing a conductive paste. Further, the conductor layer 23 may be formed on the entire surface of the dielectric layer 21 and then etched and patterned via a mask, or may be formed on the dielectric layer 21 via a mask and on the mask together with the mask. The portion may be removed and patterned.

As described above, the antenna 1 according to the present embodiment has a pair of main conductors 13 having lengths on opposite sides in the x direction from positions adjacent to each other and a main conductor on the side to which the reference potential is applied. The distance Dt1 between the end 11a of the plate-shaped conductor 11 in the direction in which 13 extends and the connecting line 19 is the distance between the end 11b of the plate-shaped conductor 11 in the direction in which the main conductor 13 to be fed is extended and the connecting line 19. It is smaller than Dt2.

Therefore, for example, the total gain is improved as compared with the case where the distance Dt1 and the distance Dt2 are equal to each other, that is, in this example, the end portion 11a of the plate-shaped conductor 11 coincides with the outer circumference of the antenna substrate 5. This is confirmed by the simulation calculation performed by the inventor of the present application. The reason for the improvement of the total gain due to the shape of the plate-shaped conductor 11 is, for example, to suppress the wraparound of the plane wave to the end portion 11a side.

In the present embodiment, in particular, the end portion 11a of the plate-shaped conductor 11 is located at the same position as the end portion of the main conductor 13B in the x direction. Further, in the x direction, the end portion 11a is located at a position approximately λg / 4 from the outer periphery of the antenna substrate 5. With such a configuration, the gain of the antenna 1 can be further improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the end portion 11b of the plate-shaped conductor 11 in the + x direction (opposite side) extends outward from the main conductor 13. More specifically, it coincides with the outer circumference of the antenna substrate 5.

Therefore, for example, the peak gain is improved as compared with the embodiment in which the end portion 11b of the plate-shaped conductor 11 is located inside the outer circumference of the antenna substrate 5 as in the end portion 11a. This is confirmed by the simulation calculation performed by the inventor of the present application.

Further, in the present embodiment, the positions of the pair of main conductors 13 in the z direction (opposite directions of the main conductor 13 and the opposing conductor 15) are different from each other.

Therefore, for example, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a short circuit between the pair of main conductors 13 and bring the pair of main conductors 13 closer to each other in the x direction (the direction in which the pair of main conductors 13 have lengths on opposite sides to each other). can. As a result, for example, a half-wavelength length is realized without a gap in the entire pair of main conductors 13.

Further, in the present embodiment, the antenna 1 further includes a dielectric (antenna substrate 5) in which a pair of main conductors 13 are located inside or on the surface.

Therefore, the wavelength around the antenna conductor 7 is shortened, and the antenna 1 can be miniaturized. Further, the antenna 1 can be configured by using a multilayer board.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 3 is a top view showing a configuration of a main part of the antenna 51 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 3, a part of the structure of the plate-shaped conductor 11 and the like is shown by a broken line.

The antenna 51 differs from the antenna 1 of the first embodiment only in that it is an array antenna in which a plurality of antenna conductors 57 exist.

There are a plurality of antenna conductors 57 (three in this example) of the antenna 51, and they are arranged along the x direction. Specifically, the first antenna conductor 57A, the second antenna conductor 57B, and the third antenna conductor 57C are arranged in this order from the + x direction to the −x direction. The arrangement interval (pitch) of each antenna conductor 57 may be approximately 1λ _g . In this case, the gain can be improved as compared with the case where the amount is less than 1λ _g . The first antenna 57A to the third antenna 57C are arranged so as to be aligned in the y direction.

In this example, the configuration of each antenna conductor 57 is the same. That is, the shapes and arrangements of the first main conductor 13A and the second main conductor 13B are the same, and in each of the antenna conductors 57, the second main conductor 13B is located in the −x direction with respect to the first main conductor 13A. .. The shapes and sizes of the first main conductor 13A and the second main conductor 13B do not necessarily have to be the same, and may be different for each antenna conductor 57.

Then, in the antenna 51, the distance Dt1 is connected to the end portion 11a of the plate-shaped conductor 11 in the −x direction and the antenna conductor (third antenna conductor 57C) located in the most −x direction among the antenna conductors 57. It is a distance from the connecting line 19 to be formed. Similarly, the distance Dt2 is a connection line 19 connected to the end portion 11b of the plate-shaped conductor 11 in the + x direction and the antenna conductor (first antenna conductor 57A) located in the most + x direction among the antenna conductors 57. Is the distance to. Since the distance Dt1 is smaller than the distance Dt2, the directivity can be improved and the gain can be improved even in the case of the array antenna. If the distance Dt1 is approximately λ _g / 4, the gain can be further improved.

For the purpose of reducing the plane wave traveling toward the second main conductor 13B when the array antenna is used, only the third antenna conductor 57C located on the most −x direction side is used as the first main conductor 13A. On the other hand, even if the second main antenna 13B was positioned in the + x direction, the gain did not improve. The gain also deteriorated when the distance Dt2 was approximately λ _g / 4. Further, even if the arrangement interval (pitch) between the third antenna conductor 57C, which is located most on the −x direction side, and the second antenna conductor 57C is narrowed in order to suppress the output, the gain is deteriorated. From the above, it is possible to improve the gain as an array antenna only by aligning the directions of the first main conductor 17A and the second main conductor 17B for all the antenna conductors 57 and shortening only the distance Dt1. It can be said that this embodiment is epoch-making.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to the IV-IV line of FIG. 3, showing a configuration of a main part of the antenna 101 according to the third embodiment, and is the same as FIG. 2 (c).

The antenna 101 is a plurality of antenna conductors 107 (three antenna conductors 107A to 107C in this example), and the distance between the pair of main conductors 113 (113A and 113B) in the z direction is the antenna located on the most −x direction side. The conductor 107C is different from the antenna 51 of the second embodiment only in that the conductor 107C is larger than the other antenna conductors 107A and 107B. Specifically, it is as follows.

The antenna substrate 105 constituting the antenna 101 is laminated with the dielectric layers 121A to 121C, and the second main conductor 113B is located on the lower surface of the lowermost dielectric layer 121 (first dielectric layer 121A). On the other hand, the first main conductor 113A is located between the first dielectric layer 121A and the second dielectric layer 121B and between the second dielectric layer 121B and the third dielectric layer 121C. There is something to do.

The antenna conductor 107 (third antenna conductor 107C) that positions the first main conductor 113A between the second dielectric layer 121B and the third dielectric layer 121C is the first of the plurality of antenna conductors 107 in the x direction. It is located on the side of the second main conductor 113B with respect to the main conductor 113A.

With such a configuration, in the pair of main conductors 113 of the antenna conductor 107, the second main conductor 113B to which the reference potential is applied is at the same position in the z direction, but the first main conductor 113A The position of can be different. That is, among the plurality of antenna conductors 107, the distance in the z direction of the main conductor 113 of the antenna conductor 107 located on the second main conductor 113B side with respect to the first main conductor 113A is made larger than that of the other antenna conductor 107. ing.

With such a configuration, the gain as an array antenna can be improved. Of the plurality of antenna conductors 107, the distance between the main conductors 107 of the antenna conductors 107 located on the side opposite to the second main conductor 113B side (+ x direction side, center side) with respect to the first main conductor 113A may be widened. The most contributing to the gain improvement is when applied to the antenna conductor located on the −x direction side.

Here, the distance Dz1 of the main conductor 113 of the third antenna conductor 107C in the z direction may be about 1.5 to 5 times that of the distance Dz2 of the main conductor 113 of the other antenna conductor 107. In particular, when the value is doubled or more, the effect of improving the gain can be enhanced. When it is set to 4 times or less, it can contribute to lowering the height of the antenna 101.

In the above example, only the antenna conductor 107 located in the most −x direction has a large spacing in the z direction of the main conductor 113, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, among the plurality of antenna conductors 107, the distance between the main conductors 113 in the z-direction may be widened in the plurality of antenna conductors 107 located in the −x direction with respect to the antenna conductor 107 located in the center. Further, it suffices if there is an antenna conductor 107 located in the −x direction with respect to one antenna conductor 107 in which the distance between the main conductors 113 in the z direction is widened.

Further, in the above example, the line widths of the connecting lines 119A to 119C are the same, but the line widths of the antenna conductor 107C and the connecting lines 119C connected to the antenna conductor 107C may be increased. The antenna conductor 107C has a high impedance because the distance between the main conductors 113 is large. On the other hand, by increasing the edge width of the conductor, the impedance can be lowered to reduce the reflection, and as a result, the gain can be improved. Specifically, when the interval Dz1 becomes about 1.8 to 2.2 times the interval Dz2, the line width of the antenna conductor 107C and the connecting line 119C connected to the antenna conductor 107C is transferred to the other antenna conductor 107. The thickness may be about 2.3 to 2.7 times as thick as that.

In the above example, the impedance is adjusted by increasing the line width of the connecting line 119C, but it can be similarly adjusted by increasing the thickness of the connecting line 119C.

The second dielectric layer 121B may be made of a material having a smaller dielectric constant than the first dielectric layer 121A. In that case, the impedance can be increased as compared with the case where the same material as the first dielectric layer 121A is used, so that the thickness of the second dielectric layer 121B required to obtain the same characteristics can be reduced. can.

<Fourth Embodiment>
In the above example, an antenna that emits in one direction in the −y direction has been described as an example, but as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), an antenna that emits in two or more directions may be used. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are top views of a partially fluoroscopic state.

The antenna 201 shown in FIG. 5A is different from the antenna 51 shown in FIG. 3 only in that the antenna conductor 57 is also provided at the end of the antenna substrate 5 in the + y direction. Specifically, the antenna conductors 57D to 57F arranged in the x direction are provided on the end side in the + y direction. According to such an antenna 201, a high frequency signal can be emitted not only in the −y direction but also in the + y direction.

The antenna conductors 57D to 57F are set so that the direction in which the second main conductor 13B is located with respect to the first main conductor 13A is the same as that of the antenna conductors 57A to 57C. That is, in the antenna conductors 57D to 57F and the antenna conductors 57A to 57C, the directions in which the main conductor 13 extends are opposite to each other.

With such a configuration, in both the antenna conductors 57A to 57C and the antenna conductors 57D to 57F, the direction in which the second main conductor 13B is located with respect to the first main conductor 13A is the −x direction, and one end of the plate-shaped conductor 11 The plane wave wrapping around in the y direction can be suppressed by 11a.

The antenna 301 shown in FIG. 5B differs from the antenna 51 shown in FIG. 3 only in that the antenna conductor 57 is also provided at the end portion of the antenna substrate 5 in the −x direction. Specifically, the antenna conductors 57G to 57I arranged in the y direction are provided on the end side in the −x direction. According to such an antenna 301, a high frequency signal can be emitted not only in the −y direction but also in the −x direction.

The antenna conductors 57G to 57I are located in the direction in which the second main conductor 13B is located with respect to the first main conductor 13A in the opposite direction to the antenna conductors 57A to 57C, that is, in the −y direction.

Here, among the antenna conductors 57G to 57I, the distance between the antenna conductor 57G located in the most −y direction and one end 11c of the plate-shaped conductor 11 in the −y direction can be adjusted. As a result, it is possible to suppress the plane wave generated in the antenna conductors 57G to 57I and propagating in the −y direction from traveling in the + x direction along one end 11c, and the gain of the antenna 301 can be improved.

In addition, each of the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined with each other.

<Antenna usage example>
(assembly)
FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing the assembly 501 including the antenna 1. FIG. 6B is a side view of the assembly 501. In the following description, the reference numeral of the antenna 1 of the first embodiment is used, but an antenna according to another embodiment may be provided instead of the antenna 1.

The assembly 501 is included in an electronic device such as a mobile terminal, and communicates via radio waves. The assembly 501 includes, for example, a main board 503, an antenna 1, a module 505 mounted on the main board 503, and other electronic components 507 mounted on the main board 503.

The main board 503 is, for example, a rigid type printed wiring board or FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits), and although not shown in particular, the insulating board is provided with wiring, pads, and the like. The electronic component 507 is, for example, an IC, a resistance element, a capacitor, an inductor, a switch, a connector or a sensor. Any of these electronic components 507 may be electrically connected to the module 505 via the main board 503.

(module)
The module 505 includes, for example, a module board 509 including an antenna 1 and an IC 3 mounted on the module board 509. In addition to the IC3, the module 505 may include an electronic component 507 mounted on the module board 509. Unlike the figure, the IC 3 may be connected to the antenna 1 by being mounted on a board other than the module board 509 (for example, the main board 503).

The module board 509 is mounted on the main board 503 via bumps 511, for example, with its main surface (the widest surface of the plate shape; hereinafter, the same applies to other boards) facing the main surface of the main board 503. Has been done. The module board 509 may be connected to the main board 503 by a method different from that shown in FIG. 6, such as being inserted into a connector provided on the main board 503.

The IC 3 is mounted, for example, on the main surface of the module board 509 facing the main board 503 via the bump 513. The bump 513 is interposed between, for example, a pad (not shown) formed on the surface of the IC 3 and a pad 515 (a kind of land in a broad sense; FIG. 6 (c)) of the module substrate 509 to join them. The IC 3 may be mounted on the main surface of the module board 509 opposite to the main board 503. Further, the IC 3 has a lead formed so as to project instead of a pad provided in a layer on the surface thereof, and the lead is mounted by a through-hole mounting in which the lead is inserted into the module substrate 509, or the lead and the pad are mounted. It may be mounted by being joined to 515.

(Module board)
FIG. 6 (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the module substrate 509, and corresponds to the VIc-VIc line of FIG. 6 (a).

The module board 509 is composed of, for example, a rigid type printed wiring board, and has an insulating board 517 made of an insulator and various conductors provided on the insulating board 517. The module substrate 509 is, for example, a multilayer board, and as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6C, includes a multilayer board constituting the antenna 1 as a part thereof. Therefore, the above-mentioned description of the multilayer board constituting the antenna 1 may be applied to the description of the module board 509 except for details.

For example, the insulating substrate 517 has a plurality of dielectric layers 21 (see FIGS. 2 (b) and 2 (c)) laminated with each other. A part or all of the plurality of dielectric layers 21 are used so that a part of the layer constitutes the antenna 1. That is, the insulating substrate 517 includes the antenna substrate 5. Further, the conductors provided on the insulating substrate 517 are a through conductor (reference numeral omitted) and a conductor layer 23, and a part thereof is used to form an antenna conductor 7, a line conductor 9, a plate-shaped conductor 11, and the like. There is.

The module board 509 has, for example, an antenna 1 on the side surface side. For example, the antenna conductor 7 is closer to the side surface of the module board than the center of the figure of the module board 509 in a plan view. Further, for example, the side surface of the antenna substrate 5 on the −y side in FIG. 1 constitutes a part of one side surface of the insulating substrate 517. From another viewpoint, for example, another conductor is interposed between the antenna conductor 7 and the region of the one side surface of the insulating substrate 517 that overlaps with the antenna conductor 7 when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the one side surface. No other conductor exists on the side of the one side surface with respect to the antenna conductor 7 over the entire surface of the one side surface.

Further, the module substrate 509 has, for example, a rectangular shape in a plan view, and has an antenna 1 located on the side surface side as described above for each of the two side surfaces intersecting with each other. These two antennas 1 correspond to, for example, radio waves having the same frequency as each other.

The number of antennas 1 is appropriate, and for example, only one antenna 1 may be provided on one side surface, or a plurality of antennas 1 may be provided.

The pad 515 is composed of, for example, a conductor layer 23 located on the main surface of the insulating substrate 517. The pad 515 may be provided for mounting an electronic component 507 other than the IC3. Further, the module board 509 may have a land in a narrow sense (not shown) for mounting the IC3 or another electronic component 507 through a hole in place of or in addition to the pad 515.

The word land may refer to a conductor pattern for through-hole mounting (narrow sense) or a conductor pattern used for mounting and connecting parts, and may include a pad for surface mounting (broad definition). However, in this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, it refers to a land in a broad sense.

The wiring 521 is composed of, for example, a through conductor (reference numeral omitted) and / or a conductor layer 23. As the wiring 521, for example, one for connecting the line conductor 9 to any one of the plurality of pads 515, one for connecting the plate-shaped conductor 11 to any other of the plurality of pads 515, and the like are provided. In addition, wiring 521 connecting the line conductors 9 of the plurality of antennas 1 and / or wiring 521 connecting the plate-shaped conductors 11 of the plurality of antennas 1 may be provided.

(IC operation)
The operation of the IC3 on the module board 509 is as follows.

The IC 3 for example modulates a signal including information to be transmitted and raises the frequency (conversion of a carrier frequency to a high frequency signal), and outputs the signal to the antenna 1. In place of or in addition to this operation, the IC 3 performs frequency down-conversion and demodulation of the signal, for example, when a signal is input from antenna 1 and / or antenna 519.

The potential when the signal is output from the IC 3 to the antenna 1 and the potential when the signal is input from the antenna 1 to the IC 3 are as described above with reference to FIG. Further, although not particularly shown, signal filtering and amplification may be appropriately performed inside the IC 3 or between the IC 3 and the antenna 1. Further, although not particularly shown, when the antenna 1 is used for both transmission and reception, a demultiplexer is provided inside the IC 3 or between the IC 3 and the antenna 1.

In the above embodiment, the end portion 13d and the end portion 13e of the first main conductor 13A and the end portion 13d and the end portion 13e of the second main conductor 13B are, in order, the first end portion, the second end portion, and the second end portion. It is an example of a three-end portion and a fourth end portion, or an example of a third end portion, a fourth end portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The x direction is an example of the first direction. The z direction is an example of the second direction. The y direction is an example of the third direction.

<Example>
Gains were investigated by simulation calculations for a plurality of examples in which specific dimensions were set for the antennas of the plurality of embodiments described above. The results are shown below.
(Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Example 1, Reference Example 1: One antenna conductor)
The configurations of Examples and Comparative Examples are as follows.

Comparative Example 1: The ends 11a and 11b of the plate-shaped conductor coincide with the ends of the antenna substrate (Dt1 = Dt2 = 1.56λ _g ).
Comparative Example 2: Dt1 = Dt2> 2λ _g
Example 1: Configuration of the first embodiment (FIG. 2), Dt1 = λ _g / 3.7
Reference example 1: Configuration in which the z-direction spacing of the main conductor is widened to increase the width of the main conductor line (impedance-adjusted configuration)
Comparative Example 1 has a configuration in which the shape of the plate-shaped conductor has not been devised, and Comparative Example 2 has a configuration in which both Dt1 and Dt2 are significantly larger than those of Comparative Example 1. Example 1 has a configuration in which Dt1 is reduced, and Reference Example 1 has a configuration in which the distance between the main conductors in the z direction is widened and the conductor line width is widened to match the impedance to 50Ω in the configuration of Comparative Example 1. The various dimensions of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Example 1 and Reference Example 1 are the same as each other.

The total gain obtained by the simulation calculation is as follows. The unit is dBi (hereinafter, the same applies).

Comparative Example 1 4.0
Comparative Example 2 4.28
Example 1 4.15
Reference example 1 4.15
As described above, in Example 1, the gain could be improved as compared with Comparative Example 1. Further, in Example 1, it was possible to obtain a gain approaching the configuration of Comparative Example 2, which causes an increase in size while reducing the size of the antenna.

Further, as shown in Reference Example 1, it was confirmed that increasing the distance between the main conductors in the Z direction has the same effect as adjusting the end position of the plate-shaped conductor. From this, it can be seen that the gain of Comparative Example 2 can be approached by providing the configuration of Reference Example 1 in the configuration of Example 1.

(Comparative Examples 3 to 5 and Examples 2, Reference Examples 2 and 3: 3 antenna conductors)
Next, the same simulation was performed for an array antenna having a plurality of antenna conductors.

The configurations of Examples and Comparative Examples are as follows.

Comparative Example 3: The ends 11a and 11b of the plate-shaped conductor coincide with the ends of the antenna substrate (Dt1 = Dt2 ≠ λ _g / 4).
Comparative Example 4: Configuration in which the first main conductor is located in the −x direction only for the third antenna conductor 13C Comparative Example 5: Dt1 = Dt2 ≈ λ _g / 4
Example 2: Configuration of the second embodiment (FIG. 3), Dt1 = λ _g / 3.7
Example 3: In Example 2, only the third antenna conductor 13C has a configuration in which the z-direction spacing of the main conductor is widened to increase the main conductor line width (impedance-adjusted configuration), Dt1 = λ _g / 4.29.
Reference example 2: Configuration in which the main conductor spacing is widened only for the third antenna conductor 13C Reference example 3: Configuration in which the main conductor spacing is widened and the main conductor line width is widened only for the third antenna conductor 13C (impedance adjusted configuration)
Comparative Example 3 has a configuration in which Dt1 is larger than that in Example 2, Comparative Example 4 has a configuration in which the shape of the third antenna conductor is different from that in Comparative Example 3, and Comparative Example 5 has a configuration in which the main conductor is different from the configuration of Example 2. The position of the end portion 11b of 11 is also adjusted so that Dt2 is equivalent to Dt1.

Further, Reference Example 2 is a configuration in which the distance between the main conductors of the third antenna conductor 17C in the z direction is widened with respect to the configuration of Comparative Example 3, and Reference Example 3 is a configuration in which the main conductor and the like are widened from the configuration of Reference Example 2. This is a configuration in which impedance matching is achieved by adjusting the line width of.

Example 3 has a configuration in which Dt1 is made smaller than that of Reference Example 3.

Various dimensions other than those described above in Comparative Examples 3 to 5, Examples 2, and Reference Examples 2 and 3 are the same as each other.

The total gain obtained by simulation calculation for each of these models is as follows. The unit is dBi.

Comparative Example 3 6.78
Comparative Example 4 5.20
Comparative Example 5 6.82
Example 2 7.07
Example 3 7.68
Reference example 2 6.95
Reference example 3 7.36
As described above, in Example 2, the gain was improved as compared with Comparative Examples 3 and 4. Further, in Comparative Example 5 in which Dt2 was changed from the configuration of Example 2, the gain was lower than that in Example 2. That is, it was found that the gain deteriorates when Dt2 is shortened. When Dt2 was made larger than that of Example 2, the value did not decrease to the value of Comparative Example 5, but the gain was slightly deteriorated. From this, the gain can be improved by making Dt2 larger than λ _g / 4 (L1 = Dt1). Specifically, it may be 0.5 λ _g or more.

Further, it was confirmed that Reference Examples 2 and 3 have the same effect as adjusting the end position of the plate-shaped conductor by increasing the distance between the main conductors in the Z direction. From this, it was found that the gain can be further improved by providing the configurations of Reference Examples 2 and 3 in the configuration of Example 2.

It was confirmed that in Example 3 in which Dt1 was further adjusted from Reference Example 3, the gain was improved as compared with Example 2 and Reference Example 3.

In Reference Example 3, a simulation was performed for an example in which the distance between the main conductors located on the most −x direction side was widened. On the other hand, it was confirmed that the total gain decreased when the distance between the main conductors was widened in the antenna conductors located on the center side and the + x direction side. More specifically, when the distance between the main conductors is widened only for the central antenna conductor, the total gain is 5.81, and when the distance between the main conductors is widened only for the antenna conductor on the most + x direction side, the total gain is 5.81. The total gain was 6.92.

Next, in Example 2, the calculation was made for the case where Dt1 is λ _g / 3.7, but Dt1 is λ _g / 17, λ _g / 4.2, λ _g / 3.7, λ _g / 2. The change in gain when changed to 9.9, λ _g / 2.8, λ _g / 2.24, λ _g / 2.1, λ _g / 1.67, λ _g / 1.4 was calculated. .. The results are shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis is the magnitude of Dt1 and the vertical axis is the gain (unit: dBi). Further, since Dt1 of Comparative Example 3 is 1.56λ _g , the characteristics of Comparative Example 3 are also plotted.

As is clear from FIG. 7, it was confirmed that the gain of the antenna reached a maximum value when it was 0.2λ _g to 0.3λ _g , and worsened as the distance from that value increased. More specifically, it was found that the profit was highest when Dt1 was set to a value slightly smaller than λ _g / 4 (a value slightly smaller than L1). Here, when Dt1 is set to 0.1λ _g to 0.75λ _g , when Dt2 is also adjusted, that is, when a plate-shaped conductor having a symmetrical structure in the −x direction and the + x direction is provided (Comparative Examples 3 and 5). ), The gain can be improved.

Similarly, FIG. 8 shows how the gain changes when Dt1 is changed in the configuration shown in the first embodiment (see FIG. 2). Specifically, each gain was obtained by simulating the case where Dt1 was changed to λ _g / 3.96, λ _g / 2.64, λ _g / 1.98, λ _g / 1.32. .. The values of Example 1 are also shown in FIG.

In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis is the magnitude of Dt1 (unit: λ _g ), and the vertical axis is the gain (unit: dBi). As is clear from FIG. 8, it was found that the gain increases when λ _g / 4 + n × λ _g / 2. Focusing on the relationship with n, it was confirmed that the gain was the largest near λ _g / 4 (n = 0), and the gain tended to decrease as n increased. Similarly, it was confirmed that the gain tended to decrease when (n + 1) × λ _g / 2.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may be implemented in various embodiments.

For example, the antenna may be used in an appropriate frequency band, specifically, a frequency band of 30 kHz to 300 kHz, a frequency band of 300 kHz to 3000 kHz, a frequency band of 3 MHz to 30 MHz, a frequency band of 30 MHz to 300 MHz, and a frequency band of 300 MHz to 300 MHz. It may be used in a frequency band of 3000 MHz, a frequency band of 3 GHz to 30 GHz, or a frequency band of 30 GHz to 300 GHz.

Also, as can be understood from the above, the antenna is not limited to a relatively small one. For example, the antenna may be provided in a real estate such as a steel tower or a house, or may be provided in a means of transportation such as a ship, with a main conductor having a length of several tens of centimeters or more or several meters or more. Further, the antenna may be several cm or more or several + cm or more and may be provided outside the housing of the electronic device.

In the embodiment, assuming that the antenna functions like a half-wave dipole antenna, the length L1 of each pair of main conductors 13 is described as λ _g / 4 in principle. However, the length L1 can be λ _g / 4 + n × λ _g / 2, when n is an integer of 0 or more.

FIG. 9 shows the relationship between Dt1 and the gain when the length of L1 of the main conductor is λ _g / 4 + n × λ _g / 2. However, in FIG. 9, the simulation is performed with n = 1. For reference, FIG. 9 also shows the gain when Dt1 is not adjusted and the value when Dt1 = L1 = λg / 4.

As is clear from FIG. 9, when Dt1 is set to λ _g / 4 + m × λ _g / 2 or slightly shorter than that, the gain increases, and especially when m = n (equal to L1), the gain increases. It turns out to be the maximum. In addition, m is an integer of n or more.

On the contrary, it was confirmed that the gain decreased when Dt1 was set to λ _g / 4 + m × λ _g / 2 ± λ _g / 4. It was confirmed that when Dt1 is shorter than L1 (for example, when it is shorter than λg / 8), the gain becomes smaller. Specifically, it can be confirmed that the gain is smaller when Dt1 is shorter than L1 (that is, when L1-λ _g / 4) than when Dt1 is + λ _g / 4 longer than L1. rice field.

When the length of L1 of the main conductor is λ _g / 4 + n × λ _g / 2 and n is 1 or more, the gain is larger than when n = 0. It is presumed that this is because the area of the metal constituting the conductor has increased, and as a result, the gain has improved. However, when n is increased, the antenna size becomes large, so the antenna may be appropriately designed in consideration of the size and gain required for the antenna.

The antenna conductor does not have to have a shape that is 180 ° rotationally symmetric. For example, the positions of the pair of main conductors in the second direction (z direction) may be the same, the positions of the pair of opposing conductors in the z direction may be the same, and the shape may be axisymmetric. Also, the symmetry may be broken for fine adjustment of the gain.
Further, from the present disclosure, for example, the following techniques can be extracted.

(Concept 1)
A plurality of antenna conductors including a first main conductor and a second main conductor, a plate-shaped conductor, and
A track conductor connected to each of the first main conductors, facing the plate-shaped conductor and extending along the plate-shaped conductor, and
A connecting line connecting each of the second main conductors and the plate-shaped conductor,
Including
The first main conductor has a first end portion and a second end portion located on one side of the first direction with respect to the first end portion, and the first direction is defined as a longitudinal direction. It is a shape that
The second main conductor has a third end adjacent to the first end and a fourth end located on the other side of the first direction with respect to the third end. , The shape is such that the first direction is the longitudinal direction.
The plurality of antenna conductors are arranged along the first direction.
The plurality of antenna conductors include a first conductor and a second conductor located on the other side of the first conductor in the first direction.
In the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the distance between the first main conductor and the second main conductor of the first conductor is the distance between the first main conductor and the second main conductor of the second conductor. An antenna that is small compared to the distance.

1 ... antenna, 13A ... first main conductor, 13B ... second main conductor, 13d ... end, 13e ... end, 15A ... first opposed conductor, 15B ... second opposed conductor.

Claims (8)

A plurality of antenna conductors including a first main conductor and a second main conductor ,
With a plate-shaped conductor,
A track conductor connected to each of the first main conductors, facing the plate-shaped conductor and extending along the plate-shaped conductor, and
A connecting line connecting each of the second main conductors and the plate-shaped conductor,
Including
The first main conductor has a first end portion and a second end portion located on one side of the first direction with respect to the first end portion, and the first direction is defined as a longitudinal direction. It is a shape that
The second main conductor has a third end adjacent to the first end and a fourth end located on the other side of the first direction with respect to the third end. , The shape is such that the first direction is the longitudinal direction.
The plurality of antenna conductors are arranged along the first direction and include a first antenna conductor and a second antenna conductor located on the other side of the first antenna conductor in the first direction.
In the first direction
Of the plurality of antenna conductors, the first distance, which is the distance between the connection line connected to the antenna conductor located on the other side and the other end of the plate-shaped conductor, is the first distance.
Compared to the second distance, which is the distance between the connection line connected to the antenna conductor located on one side of the plurality of antenna conductors and the end portion of the plate-shaped conductor on one side. Small ,
In the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the distance between the first main conductor of the first antenna conductor and the second main conductor is determined by the first main conductor of the second antenna conductor and the second lead. Smaller than the distance to the body,
antenna. The antenna according to claim 1 , wherein the first distance is 0.1 to 0.75 in wavelength ratio. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the first distance is 0.2 to 0.3 in wavelength ratio. The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the second distance is 0.5 or more in wavelength ratio. The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising a dielectric in which the first main conductor and the second main conductor are located inside or on the surface. The antenna according to claim 5 , wherein the first main conductor, the second main conductor, the line conductor, and the plate-shaped conductor are layered conductors in contact with the dielectric. With the antenna according to claim 5 or 6 .
An insulating substrate containing the dielectric and
A module substrate comprising a land located on the surface of the insulating substrate. The module board according to claim 7 and
A module comprising an electronic component mounted on the land.

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