JP7233620B2 - Transmission line structure and deployable planar antenna - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a transmission line structure including a plurality of transmission line bodies through which high-frequency signals are transmitted, and a deployable planar antenna including the transmission line structure.

Deployable planar antennas are used as large planar antennas to be mounted on artificial satellites. Due to restrictions on rocket storage space, multiple panels are transported into space in a folded state. Be expanded.
In an unfolded state in which a plurality of panels are unfolded, high-frequency signals transmitted or received by antennas provided on each panel are transmitted between the panels.

A high-frequency signal is transmitted between panels by using a flexible waveguide or coaxial cable at the connecting portion of the signal transmission path between the panels.
In recent years, from the viewpoint that flexible waveguides and coaxial cables have large high-frequency loss and reduce the power efficiency of antenna systems, methods using rigid waveguides have been studied.

One method using rigid waveguides is shown in US Pat.
The deployment structure in the satellite-mounted antenna or the like shown in Patent Document 1 has a choke flange provided at the end of a waveguide fixed to one of the adjacent panels and a choke flange fixed to the other adjacent panel. A cover flange provided at the end of the waveguide is arranged to face each other with a gap therebetween.

Patent No. 6501361

When the deployable structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied to a signal transmission path in a phased array antenna capable of beam scanning, the following problems arise.
That is, since the deployable structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a large thickness, the phased array antenna, in which a plurality of signal transmission paths run in parallel on the surface opposite to the surface on which the antenna is provided, becomes large.

The present disclosure is intended to solve the above problems, and enables high-frequency signal transmission between a first transmission line body and a second transmission line body that are adjacent to each other while suppressing high-frequency loss. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a transmission line structure in which the thickness of the second transmission line body is reduced.

A transmission line structure according to the present disclosure includes a first transmission line body and a second transmission line body adjacent to each other, and each of the first transmission line body and the second transmission line body transmits a high-frequency signal inside. a waveguide, flanges provided at opposite ends of the waveguide, a dielectric substrate provided inside the waveguide along the direction in which the high-frequency signal is transmitted, and a dielectric substrate A suspended line with a waveguide as an outer conductor and a signal line as an inner conductor has a signal line formed along the direction in which high-frequency signals are transmitted on either the front or back side of the , the dielectric substrate of the first transmission line body includes a base positioned inside the waveguide and the flange of the first transmission line body, and extending from the base to the outside of the end surface of the flange of the first transmission line body. and has an extension facing the dielectric substrate of the second transmission line body, and the signal line of the first transmission line body is the main line located at the base of the dielectric substrate of the first transmission line body and an extension line located in the extension portion of the dielectric substrate of the first transmission line body and arranged opposite to the signal line of the second transmission line body, and the flange of the first transmission line body or the second One of the flanges of the transmission line body is a choke flange and the other flange is a cover flange.

According to the present disclosure, the signal line of the first transmission line body has an extension line arranged opposite to the signal line of the second transmission line body, whereby the first transmission line body and the second transmission line body The choke flange suppresses high-frequency loss and transmits high-frequency signals, and the first transmission line body and the second transmission line body are each connected to the waveguide as the outer conductor. Since the suspended line is configured with the signal line as the inner conductor, it is possible to obtain a transmission line structure in which the thickness of the first transmission line body and the thickness of the second transmission line body are reduced.

1 is a bird's-eye view showing a transmission line structure according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1; 4 is a bird's-eye view showing a state in which the connection between the first transmission line body and the second transmission line body in the transmission line structure according to Embodiment 1 is released; FIG. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a transmission line structure according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 10 is a bird's-eye view showing a state in which the connection between the first transmission line body and the second transmission line body in the transmission line structure according to Embodiment 2 is released; FIG. 12 is a bird's-eye view showing a state in which the connection between the first transmission line body and the second transmission line body in the transmission line structure according to Embodiment 3 is released; FIG. 12 is a bird's-eye view showing a state in which the connection between the first transmission line body and the second transmission line body in the transmission line structure according to Embodiment 4 is released; FIG. 11 is a bird's-eye view showing a transmission line structure according to Embodiment 5; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a first dielectric substrate in a transmission line structure according to Embodiment 5; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a bird's-eye view showing a state in which the connection between the first transmission line body and the second transmission line body in the transmission line structure according to Embodiment 5 is released; FIG. 20 is a bird's-eye view showing a deployable planar antenna according to Embodiment 6; 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 14; FIG. FIG. 12 is a bird's-eye view showing a state in which the connection between the first transmission line body and the second transmission line body in the transmission line structure according to Embodiment 6 is released; FIG. 22 is a bird's-eye view showing a deployable planar antenna according to Embodiment 7; FIG. 22 is a bird's-eye view showing a deployable planar antenna according to Embodiment 8;

Embodiment 1.
A transmission line structure 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.
A transmission line structure 100 used for a deployable planar antenna mounted on an artificial satellite will be described below as an example. A high-frequency signal is transmitted through the transmission line structure 100 . In the description of the first embodiment, a transmission line structure 100 for transmitting high frequency signals will be described as an example when a deployable planar antenna transmits high frequency signals.
The transmission line structure 100 for transmitting high frequency signals has the same configuration when the deployable planar antenna receives the high frequency signals.

The transmission line structure 100 includes a first transmission line body 10a and a second transmission line body 10b adjacent to each other.
Each of the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b includes a waveguide 1 in which a high-frequency signal is transmitted, flanges 2 provided at opposite ends of the waveguide 1, and a conductor. A dielectric substrate 3 provided inside the wave tube 1 along the direction in which high-frequency signals are transmitted, that is, the direction indicated by symbol A in the figure, and either the front surface or the rear surface of the dielectric substrate 3. In addition, a suspended line 5, which is a so-called square coaxial line, has a signal line 4 formed along the direction in which a high-frequency signal is transmitted, and has a waveguide 1 as an outer conductor and a signal line 4 as an inner conductor. do.
The high-frequency signal means a high-frequency signal transmitted inside the waveguide 1 in the following description.

In this description, in order to avoid complication, in the description of the configurations of the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b, the description of the same configuration will be referred to as "first" and "second transmission line body 10b." ” and the suffixes a and b of the reference numerals are omitted, and when there is a need to describe different configurations and separately, the configuration of the first transmission line body 10a is denoted by “first” and the reference numerals , and the configuration of the second transmission line body 10b will be described with the suffix b added with the suffix “second”.

The waveguide 1 is a metal waveguide having an upper side wall and a lower side wall located on long sides and a right side wall and a left side wall located on short sides, and having a rectangular cross-sectional shape with both ends opened. be.
Note that the waveguide 1 is not limited to a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and may be a waveguide having a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape.
The flange 2 has openings of the same diameter at both ends communicating with the space of the waveguide 1, and has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the waveguide 1, and is formed integrally with the waveguide 1. It is a metal body.

The first flange 2a of the first transmission line body 10a is a choke flange. A first flange 2a as a choke flange is arranged on the aperture surface so as to surround the aperture edge at a position of 1/4 wavelength (λ/4) of the high frequency signal from the aperture edge, and has a depth of 1/4 of the high frequency signal. It has a choke groove 2a0 of /4 wavelength (λ/4).
That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the choke groove 2a0 is provided in the first flange 2a so that its depth direction is parallel to the axial direction of the first waveguide 1a. It is an elongated groove and provided so as to surround the cross section of the first waveguide 1a. At this time, the choke groove 2a0 is provided at a position apart from each side of the cross section of the first waveguide 1a in the vertical outward direction by λ/4 of the high-frequency signal, and its depth is λ/4 of the high-frequency signal. 4.

The second flange 2b of the second transmission line body 10b is a cover flange. The second flange 2b as a cover flange has a flat opening surface.
When the opening surface of the first flange 2a of the first transmission line body 10a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b of the second transmission line body 10b are arranged to face each other, the first transmission line body 10a and The second transmission line body 10b is in a connected state with respect to the high-frequency signal transmitted inside. 1 to 3 show the state of connection between the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b, and FIG. 4 shows the connection between the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b. It shows the state of
The first flange 2a may be a cover flange, and the second flange 2b may be a choke flange.

In the connected state of the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b in which the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b are arranged to face each other, the first flange 2a When a gap is generated between the opening surface of the second flange 2b and the opening surface of the second flange 2b, the gap and the choke groove 2a0 can be regarded as a kind of transmission line. The input impedance when viewing the bottom side from the open end of the choke groove 2a0 is extremely large because the depth of the choke groove 2a0 is λ/4 of the high frequency signal.

The transmission line defined by the gap and the choke groove 2a0 can be regarded as a transmission line in which a very large impedance is connected in parallel at a position separated by λ/4 from the connection point P shown in FIG.
As a result, the input impedance when viewing the choke groove 2a0 side from the connection point P can be regarded as a very small value, that is, an electrically short-circuited state.
Therefore, even if a gap is formed between the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b, leakage of the electromagnetic field from the gap is prevented.
Therefore, the high-frequency signal input from the first suspended line 5a is efficiently transmitted to the second suspended line 5b.
The connection point P is the position of the opening edge of the first flange 2a.

The dielectric substrate 3 is a printed circuit board arranged inside the waveguide 1 so that its surface direction is parallel to the axial direction of the waveguide 1 . That is, the top and bottom surfaces of the dielectric substrate 3 are parallel to the upper and lower sidewalls of the waveguide 1, and the right and left side surfaces of the dielectric substrate 3 correspond to the right and left sidewalls of the waveguide 1, respectively. affixed to the inner surface of the

As shown in FIG. 3, the second dielectric substrate 3b of the second transmission line body 10b is thicker than the first dielectric substrate 3a of the first transmission line body 10a. It is fixed at a lower position by a minute.
The first dielectric substrate 3a may be fixed at a position lower than the second dielectric substrate 3b by the thickness of the second dielectric substrate 3b.

The first dielectric substrate 3a has a base portion 3a1 located inside the first waveguide 1a and the first flange 2a, and a width of the base portion 3a1 from the base portion 3a1 to the outside of the end face of the first flange 2a. It has an extended portion 3a2 that extends with a narrow width and faces the second dielectric substrate 3b of the second transmission line body 10b.
The length of the base portion 3a1 of the first dielectric substrate 3a is equal to the sum of the length of the side wall of the first waveguide 1a and the length of the first flange 2a.
The length of the extended portion 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a is slightly longer than the quarter wavelength (λ/4) of the high frequency signal.

The length of the second dielectric substrate 3b is equal to the length of the sidewall of the second waveguide 1b plus the length of the second flange 2b.
Therefore, in the connected state of the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b in which the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b are arranged to face each other, as shown in FIG. As shown, the extending portion 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a is inserted inside the second suspended line 5b, and the back surface of the extending portion 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a is connected to the second dielectric substrate 3b. Placed in contact with the surface. The length of the contact portion is approximately λ/4.

The signal line 4 is a metal pattern formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate 3 by vapor deposition or the like. The signal line 4 is a high-frequency signal line that extends parallel to the axial direction of the waveguide 1 and has open ends.
Note that the signal line 4 may be formed on the back surface of the dielectric substrate 3 .

The first signal line 4a is located at the main line 4a1 located at the base portion 3a1 of the first dielectric substrate 3a and the extension portion 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a, and is arranged to face the second signal line 4b. It has an extension line 4a2 that is connected.
A first signal line 4a having a main line 4a1 and an extension line 4a2 is an extension portion extending from one end of the base portion 3a1 to the other end of the base portion 3a1 at the center in the width direction of the surface of the base portion 3a1 and the extension portion 3a2. It is formed linearly to the other end of 3a2.

The second signal line 4b is formed linearly from one end to the other end at the widthwise center of the surface of the second dielectric substrate 3b.
Therefore, in the connected state of the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b, the extended line 4a2 of the first signal line 4a is inserted inside the second suspended line 5b, and the first signal line An extension line 4a2 of 4a is arranged to face the second signal line 4b via an extension portion 3a2. That is, the extension line 4a2 and the second signal line 4b are arranged so as to face each other and run in parallel with the extension portion 3a2 interposed therebetween. The opposed length is λ/4 of the high frequency signal.

In short, the extension line 4a2 and the second signal line 4b form a so-called interdigital coupled line, and the high-frequency signal input from the first suspended line 5a is transmitted to the second suspended line 5b. be done. The transmission efficiency at this time is improved compared to the conventional method using a rigid waveguide.

Further, by adjusting the length of the extended line 4a2 and the second signal line 4b facing each other and the line width of the extended line 4a2 and the second signal line 4b, the first suspended line 5a to the second suspended line 5a can be changed. The transmission amount (transmission efficiency) of high-frequency signals to the line 5b can be controlled.
By setting the length of the portion where the extension line 4a2 and the second signal line 4b run in parallel to λ/4 of the high frequency signal, the transmission efficiency of the high frequency signal from the first suspended line 5a to the second suspended line 5b can be improved.

Further, by making the line width of the extension line 4a2 and the second signal line 4b running parallel to the extension line 4a2 thinner than the line width of the main line 4a1, the first suspended line 5a to the second suspended line The transmission efficiency of the high frequency signal to 10 can be improved.
The line width of the portion of the second signal line 4b that does not run parallel to the extension line 4a2 is the same as the line width of the main line 4a1.

The signal line 4 is not limited to the metal pattern linearly formed from one end to the other end of the dielectric substrate 3 at the center of the surface of the dielectric substrate 3 in the width direction. metal patterns extending at an angle to the longitudinal direction from one end of the It may be formed by a metal pattern.

In the case where the second dielectric substrate 3b is positioned below the first dielectric substrate 3a and the signal line 4 is formed on the back surface of the dielectric substrate 3, the extension line 4a2 and the second signal Lines 4b are arranged so as to face each other and run in parallel with second dielectric substrate 3b interposed therebetween.
In the case where the first dielectric substrate 3a is positioned below the second dielectric substrate 3b and the signal line 4 is formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate 3, the extension line 4a2 and the second signal Lines 4b are arranged so as to face each other and run in parallel with second dielectric substrate 3b interposed therebetween.
Further, in the case where the first dielectric substrate 3a is located under the second dielectric substrate 3b and the signal line 4 is formed on the back surface of the dielectric substrate 3, the extension line 4a2 and the second signal The line 4b is arranged so as to run parallel to each other with the extending portion 3a2 interposed therebetween.

Next, the operation will be explained.
During use, the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are the first transmission line in which the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b are arranged to face each other. A connection state is established between the body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b.
In this connection state, a high-frequency signal input from one end of the first suspended line 5a propagates inside the first suspended line 5a and reaches the connection portion between the first suspended line 5a and the second suspended line 5b. is entered.

At this time, a high frequency current flows through the first signal line 4a. Since the extension line 4a2 and the second signal line 4b running parallel to the extension line 4a2 form an interdigital coupled line, the electromagnetic field generated by the high-frequency current flowing in the extension line 4a2 of the first signal line 4a is , the extension line 4a2 and the second signal line 4b running parallel to the extension line 4a2 are coupled. As a result, a high-frequency current is excited in the second signal line 4b, and the high-frequency signal input from the first suspended line 5a is transmitted to the second suspended line 5b.

The length of the extended line 4a2 and the second signal line 4b facing each other is λ/4 of the high frequency signal, and the line width of the extended line 4a2 and the second signal line 4b running in parallel with the extended line 4a2 is the main line 4a1. , the transmission efficiency of high-frequency signals from the first suspended line 5a to the second suspended line 5b is improved as compared with the conventional method using a rigid waveguide. .

Further, since the first flange 2a is a choke flange, it is possible to prevent leakage of the electromagnetic field from the gap between the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b. A high-frequency signal input from the line 5a is efficiently transmitted to the second suspended line 5b.

As described above, in the transmission line structure 100 according to Embodiment 1, the first dielectric substrate 3a of the first transmission line body 10a serves as the first waveguide of the first transmission line body 10a. a base portion 3a1 located inside the tube 1a and the first flange 2a; The first signal line 4a of the first transmission line body 10a has an extending portion 3a2 facing the second dielectric substrate 3b, and the first signal line 4a of the first transmission line body 10a is the base of the first dielectric substrate 3a of the first transmission line body 10a. The main line 4a1 located at 3a1 and the extending portion 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a of the first transmission line body 10a are arranged to face the second signal line 4b of the second transmission line body 10b. Therefore, the extension part 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a of the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b of the second transmission line body 10b running parallel to this extension part 3a2 are provided. The signal line 4b forms an interdigital coupled line, enabling connection of high-frequency signals between the first suspended line 5a and the second suspended line 5b.

Furthermore, one of the first flange 2a of the first transmission line body 10a and the second flange 2b of the second transmission line body 10b is a choke flange, and the other flange is a cover flange. Prevents leakage of an electromagnetic field from the gap between the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b in the connected state of the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b. Thus, the high-frequency signal input from the first suspended line 5a is efficiently transmitted to the second suspended line 5b.

At this time, unlike the conventional method using a rigid waveguide, the first suspended line 5a and the second suspended line 5b have no cutoff frequency for the fundamental mode used for high-frequency signal transmission. , the width or height of the first waveguide 1a and the second waveguide 1b can be reduced compared to the waveguides used in conventional methods using rigid waveguides.
That is, the thickness of the transmission line by the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b in the transmission line structure 100 according to Embodiment 1 is used in the conventional method using a rigid waveguide. It can be made smaller than a waveguide.

Embodiment 2.
A transmission line structure 100 according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG.
The transmission line structure 100 according to the second embodiment is different from the transmission line structure 100 according to the first embodiment in that a hinge 20 is provided, and other points are the same.
5 and 6, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

The hinge 20 has a rotating shaft 21 and two pieces 22 and 23, one piece 22 of the two pieces 22 and 23 being attached to the lower side surface of the first flange 2a of the first transmission line body 10a. The other piece 23 of the two pieces 22, 23 is attached to the lower side surface of the second flange 2b of the second transmission line body 10b.
In the hinge 20, the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are relatively rotated around a rotation axis 21, and the opening surface of the first transmission line body 10a in the first flange 2a and the first transmission line body 10b are separated from each other. 2 can be deployed to a position where the opening faces of the second flange 2b of the transmission line body 10b face each other.

A state in which the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b are arranged to face each other is the connection state of the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b.
The state in which the lower side surface of the first flange 2a and the lower side surface of the second flange 2b are arranged to face each other is the folded state of the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b. be.
That is, from the folded state in which the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are overlapped, one of the transmission line bodies is rotated 180 degrees about the rotation axis 21 of the hinge 20, whereby the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are rotated. The line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are connected.
In short, the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are bent and retracted by the hinge 20 and deployed.

The space of the waveguide 1 is adjusted so that the extending portion 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a in the first transmission line body 10a does not contact the opening surface of the second flange 2b in the second transmission line body 10b. has been decided.

Similar to the transmission line structure 100 according to the first embodiment, the transmission line structure 100 according to the second embodiment also has the following effects 1) to 3).
1) The extension part 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a of the first transmission line body 10a and the second signal line 4b of the second transmission line body 10b running parallel to the extension part 3a2 are interdigitally coupled. A line is formed to enable connection of high frequency signals between the first suspended line 5a and the second suspended line 5b.

2) In the state where the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are connected, the electromagnetic field from the gap between the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b Leakage can be prevented.
3) A high-frequency signal input from the first suspended line 5a is efficiently transmitted to the second suspended line 5b, and the thickness of the transmission line formed by the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b is can be made smaller.

In particular, in the transmission line structure 100 according to Embodiment 2, play occurs in the hinge 20, and when the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are connected, the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b, due to the effect of the choke groove 2a0 formed in the first flange 2a of the first transmission line body 10a, the electromagnetic field from the gap Leakage can be prevented, and the high-frequency signal input from the first suspended line 5a is efficiently transmitted to the second suspended line 5b.

Embodiment 3.
A transmission line structure 100 according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
The transmission line structure 100 according to the third embodiment differs from the transmission line structure 100 according to the second embodiment in that a slit 30 is provided in the second flange 2b of the second transmission line body 10b. However, other points are the same.
7, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 5 and 6 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

The slit 30 is a groove that communicates with the opening of the second flange 2b and is provided parallel to the transmission direction of the high-frequency signal from the opening surface toward the second waveguide 1b.
From the folded state in which the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are overlapped, one of the transmission line bodies is rotated 180 degrees around the rotation axis 21 of the hinge 20, thereby forming the first transmission line body. 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are connected, the extending portion 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a in the first transmission line body 10a passes through the slit 30, and the second suspended line 5b is extended. The first dielectric substrate 3a is inserted inside, and arranged in a state in which the rear surface of the extending portion 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a is in contact with the surface of the second dielectric substrate 3b.
The extending portion 3a2 passes through the slit 30 also when rotating from the connected state to the folded state.

Since the slit 30 is a groove provided parallel to the transmission direction of the high-frequency signal, the effect on the high-frequency signal is small when the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are connected.

The transmission line structure 100 according to the third embodiment also has the same effects as the transmission line structure 100 according to the second embodiment. The thickness, that is, the thickness in the vertical direction can be further reduced, and the transmission line structure 100 can be made thinner.

Embodiment 4.
A transmission line structure 100 according to Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the transmission line structure 100 according to the fourth embodiment, the slit 30 in the second flange 2b of the second transmission line body 10b is changed to the slit 40 in the transmission line structure 100 according to the third embodiment. A point is different, and other points are the same.
In FIG. 8, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 7 denote the same or corresponding parts.

The slit 40 is a groove that communicates with the opening of the second flange 2b and is provided parallel to the transmission direction of the high-frequency signal from the opening surface to the side surface of the second flange 2b toward the second waveguide 1b. .
From the folded state in which the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are overlapped, one of the transmission line bodies is rotated 180 degrees around the rotation axis 21 of the hinge 20, thereby forming the first transmission line body. 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are connected, the extending portion 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a in the first transmission line body 10a passes through the slit 40, and the second suspended line 5b is extended. The first dielectric substrate 3a is inserted inside, and arranged in a state in which the rear surface of the extending portion 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a is in contact with the surface of the second dielectric substrate 3b.
The extending portion 3a2 passes through the slit 40 also when rotating from the connected state to the folded state.

Since the slit 40 is a groove provided parallel to the transmission direction of the high-frequency signal, the effect on the high-frequency signal is small when the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are connected.

Also in the transmission line structure 100 according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to having the same effect as the transmission line structure 100 according to the third embodiment, the slit 40 penetrates from the side surface of the second flange 2b to the opening. Therefore, the thickness of the waveguide 1 and the flange 2, that is, the thickness in the vertical direction can be further reduced, and the transmission line structure 100 can be made thinner.

Embodiment 5.
A transmission line structure 100 according to Embodiment 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. FIG.
In contrast to the transmission line structure 100 according to the first embodiment, the transmission line structure 100 according to the fifth embodiment divides the waveguide 1 into an upper waveguide portion and a lower waveguide portion, and has a flange. 2 is also divided into an upper flange portion and a lower flange portion, and is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion to change the structure of the dielectric substrate 3. Other points are the same.
9 to 13, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

The first waveguide 1a is composed of a first waveguide upper portion 1a1 and a first waveguide lower portion 1a2.
The second waveguide 1b is composed of a second waveguide upper portion 1b1 and a second waveguide lower portion 1b2.
The first waveguide upper portion 1a1, the first waveguide lower portion 1a2, the second waveguide upper portion 1b1, and the second waveguide lower portion 1b2 are U-shaped with rectangular grooves, respectively. It is a metal block.
The shape of the groove is not limited to a rectangular shape, and the cross-sectional shape may be semicircular or semielliptical.

The first flange 2a is composed of a first flange upper portion 2a1 and a first flange lower portion 2a2.
The first flange upper portion 2a1 has openings of the same diameter at both ends that communicate with the space of the first waveguide upper portion 1a1, and one end of the first waveguide upper portion 1a1 is connected to the first waveguide It is a plate-like metal body extending outward perpendicularly from the opening edge of the upper portion 1a1 and integrally formed with the first waveguide upper portion 1a1.
The first flange lower portion 2a2 has openings of the same diameter at both ends that communicate with the space of the first waveguide lower portion 1a2, and one end of the first waveguide lower portion 1a2 is provided with the first waveguide It is a plate-like metal body extending outward perpendicularly from the opening edge of the lower portion 1a2 and integrally formed with the first waveguide lower portion 1a2.

The second flange 2b is composed of a second flange upper portion 2b1 and a second flange lower portion 2b2.
The second flange upper portion 2b1 has openings of the same diameter at both ends that communicate with the space of the second waveguide upper portion 1b1, and one end of the second waveguide upper portion 1b1 is connected to the second waveguide It is a plate-like metal body extending outward perpendicularly from the opening edge of the upper portion 1b1 and integrally formed with the second waveguide upper portion 1b1.
The second flange lower portion 2b2 has openings of the same diameter at both ends that communicate with the space of the second waveguide lower portion 1b2, and one end of the second waveguide lower portion 1b2 has a second waveguide It is a plate-like metal body extending outward perpendicularly from the opening edge of the lower portion 1b2 and integrally formed with the second waveguide lower portion 1b2.

The first flange 2a formed by the first flange upper portion 2a1 and the first flange lower portion 2a2 is a choke flange.
The first flange upper portion 2a1 constituting the choke flange is arranged on the aperture surface at a position of 1/4 wavelength (λ/4) of the high frequency signal from the aperture edge so as to surround the aperture edge, and has a depth corresponding to the high frequency signal. has a choke groove 2a01 which is an elongated groove with a quarter wavelength (λ/4) of .
The first flange lower portion 2a2 constituting the choke flange is arranged on the aperture surface at a position of 1/4 wavelength (λ/4) of the high-frequency signal from the aperture edge so as to surround the aperture edge, and has a depth corresponding to the high-frequency signal. has a choke groove 2a02 which is an elongated groove having a quarter wavelength (λ/4) of .

The second flange 2b formed by the second flange upper portion 2b1 and the second flange lower portion 2b2 is a cover flange having a flat opening surface.
The first dielectric substrate 3a has a base portion 3a1 located inside the first waveguide 1a and the first flange 2a, and a width of the base portion 3a1 from the base portion 3a1 to the outside of the end face of the first flange 2a. At the extension part 3a2 that extends with a narrow width and faces the second dielectric substrate 3b of the second transmission line body 10b, and the end surfaces of the first waveguide upper part 1a1 and the first waveguide lower part 1a2 It is a printed circuit board having a peripheral edge portion 3a3 extending to the outer periphery of a base portion 3a1 with a length corresponding to the width and the width of the end faces of the first flange upper portion 2a1 and the first flange lower portion 2a2.
The peripheral edge portion 3a3 does not exist in the portion where the choke grooves 2a01 and 2a02 are located.

The first surface-side contact surface pattern 50a1 is a metal pattern formed by vapor deposition or the like on the surface of the peripheral portion 3a3 of the first dielectric substrate 3a. The first back surface side contact surface pattern 50a2 is a metal pattern formed by vapor deposition or the like on the back surface of the peripheral edge portion 3a3 of the first dielectric substrate 3a, and has the same shape as the first surface side contact surface pattern 50a1. .
The first front-side contact surface pattern 50a1 and the first back-side contact surface pattern 50a2 are formed to surround the choke grooves 2a01 and 2a02.

A plurality of first vias 60a are formed at regular intervals in the peripheral edge portion 3a3 of the first dielectric substrate 3a, and electrically connect the first surface-side contact surface pattern 50a1 and the first back-side contact surface pattern 50a2. connect to.
The arrangement interval of the plurality of first vias 60a is sufficiently smaller than the wavelength λ of the high frequency signal, and can be regarded as a pseudo conductor wall over the entire circumference.
Also, the first via 60a is formed to surround the choke grooves 2a01 and 2a02.

The first waveguide upper portion 1a1 and the first flange upper portion 2a1 and the first waveguide lower portion 1a2 and the first flange lower portion 2a2 are fixed with the peripheral edge portion 3a3 of the first dielectric substrate 3a interposed therebetween. .
As a result, the first waveguide upper portion 1a1--the first front side contact surface pattern 50a1--the plurality of first vias 60a--the first back side contact surface pattern 50a2--the first waveguide lower portion 1a2. are connected in series to form a first waveguide 1a.
In addition, the first flange upper portion 2a1-the first front-side contact surface pattern 50a1-the plurality of first vias 60a-the first back-side contact surface pattern 50a2-the first flange lower portion 2a2 are electrically connected, It constitutes the first flange 2a.

The choke grooves 2a01 and 2a02 are opposed to each other with the peripheral edge portion 3a3 interposed therebetween, and the choke grooves 2a01, 2a02, and a plurality of first vias 60a surrounding the choke grooves 2a01 and 2a02 form choke channels. It constitutes the groove 2a0 and has the same configuration as the choke groove 2a0 in the transmission line structure 100 according to the first embodiment.

In addition, the first waveguide upper portion 1a1--the first surface-side contact surface pattern 50a1--the plurality of first vias 60a--the first back-side contact surface pattern 50a2--the first waveguide lower portion 1a2 are connected to an external conductor. , constitute a first suspended line 5a, which is a so-called rectangular coaxial line, in which the first signal line 4a is used as an inner conductor.

The second dielectric substrate 3b includes a base portion 3b1 located inside the second waveguide 1b and the second flange 2b, and a second waveguide upper portion 1b1 and a second waveguide portion 3b1 on the outer circumference of the base portion 3b1. It is a printed circuit board having a peripheral edge portion 3b3 extending by the width of the end surface of the lower corrugated tube portion 1b2 and the width of the end surface of the second flange upper portion 2b1 and the second flange lower portion 2b2.

As with the first dielectric substrate 3a, the second dielectric substrate 3b has a second surface-side contact surface pattern 50b1 on the surface of the peripheral edge portion 3b3 of the second dielectric substrate 3b, and a second contact surface pattern 50b1 on the back surface. The back side contact surface pattern 50b2 forms a plurality of second vias 60b that electrically connect the second top side contact surface pattern 50b1 and the second back side contact surface pattern 50b2.

The second waveguide upper portion 1b1 and the second flange upper portion 2b1 and the second waveguide lower portion 1b2 and the second flange lower portion 2b2 are fixed with the peripheral edge portion 3b3 of the second dielectric substrate 3b interposed therebetween. .
As a result, the second waveguide upper portion 1b1-the second front side contact surface pattern 50b1-the plurality of second vias 60b-the second back side contact surface pattern 50b2-the second waveguide lower portion 1b2 are electrically are connected in series to form a second waveguide 1b.
In addition, the second flange upper portion 2b1-the second front-side contact surface pattern 50b1-the plurality of second vias 60b-the second back-side contact surface pattern 50b2-the second flange lower portion 2b2 are electrically connected, It constitutes the second flange 2b.

Second waveguide upper portion 1b1--second surface side contact surface pattern 50b1--plurality of second vias 60b--second back side contact surface pattern 50b2--second waveguide lower portion 1b2 are connected to external conductors. , constitute a second suspended line 5b, which is a so-called rectangular coaxial line, in which the second signal line 4b is used as an inner conductor.

The transmission line structure 100 according to the fifth embodiment is different from the transmission line structure 100 according to the first embodiment in that the waveguide 1 and the flange 2 are divided into an upper portion and a lower portion. It is substantially the same as the transmission line structure 100 according to form 1, and operates in the same manner.

Similar to the transmission line structure 100 according to the first embodiment, the transmission line structure 100 according to the fifth embodiment also has the following effects 1) to 3).
1) The extension part 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a of the first transmission line body 10a and the second signal line 4b of the second transmission line body 10b running parallel to the extension part 3a2 are interdigitally coupled. A line is formed to enable connection of high frequency signals between the first suspended line 5a and the second suspended line 5b.

2) When the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are connected, the choke groove 2a01, the choke groove 2a02, and the plurality of first vias 60a surrounding the choke grooves 2a01 and 2a02 The choke groove 2a0 can prevent the electromagnetic field from leaking from the gap between the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b.

3) A high-frequency signal input from the first suspended line 5a is efficiently transmitted to the second suspended line 5b, and the thickness of the transmission line formed by the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b is can be made smaller.

Furthermore, since the waveguide 1 and the flange 2 are divided into an upper portion and a lower portion, assembly is easy.

Modification 1 of Embodiment 5
In the transmission line structure 100 according to the fifth embodiment, as in the transmission line structure 100 according to the second embodiment, the hinge 20 having the rotating shaft 21 and the two pieces 22 and 23 is attached to the two pieces 22 and 23. One piece 22 of the first transmission line body 10a is attached to the lower side surface of the first flange lower portion 2a2 of the first transmission line body 10a, and the other piece 23 of the two pieces 22 and 23 is attached to the second side of the second transmission line body 10b. It mounts|wears with the side surface of the lower side in the flange lower part two b2.

Modification 2 of Embodiment 5
In the transmission line structure 100 according to the fifth embodiment, as in the transmission line structure 100 according to the third embodiment, the lower side surface of the first flange lower portion 2a2 of the first transmission line body 10a and the second A hinge 20 is attached between the lower side surface of the second flange lower portion 2b2 of the transmission line body 10b, and further, similarly to the transmission line structure 100 according to the third embodiment, the second transmission line The second flange 2b of the body 10b is provided with a slit 30 which is a groove that communicates with the opening of the second flange 2b and is provided parallel to the transmission direction of the high-frequency signal from the opening surface toward the second waveguide 1b. prepare.

Modification 3 of Embodiment 5
In the transmission line structure 100 according to the fifth embodiment, as in the transmission line structure 100 according to the fourth embodiment, the lower side surface of the first flange lower portion 2a2 of the first transmission line body 10a and the second A hinge 20 is attached between the lower side surface of the second flange lower portion 2b2 of the transmission line body 10b, and further, similarly to the transmission line structure 100 according to the fourth embodiment, the second transmission line The second flange 2b of the body 10b communicates with the opening of the second flange 2b, and extends parallel to the transmission direction of the high-frequency signal from the opening to the side of the second flange 2b toward the second waveguide 1b. Provide a slit 40 that is a groove provided

Embodiment 6.
A deployable planar antenna according to Embodiment 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16. FIG.
The deployable planar antenna according to the sixth embodiment is a phased array antenna, and uses the transmission line structure 100 according to the second embodiment as a transmission line for transmitting high-frequency signals.
14 to 16, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 6 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

The deployable planar antenna includes a transmission line structure 100, a first subarray antenna 70a arranged in parallel with the first transmission line body 10a in the transmission line structure 100, the first transmission line body 10a and the first subarray antenna 70a. A first antenna feeding portion 80a that connects the subarray antenna 70a, a second subarray antenna 70b that is arranged in parallel with the second transmission line body 10b in the transmission line structure 100, and a second transmission line A second antenna feeding section 80b connecting the body 10b and the second subarray antenna 70b is provided.

The subarray antenna 70 is a waveguide feeding type array antenna having a plurality of radiating elements 72 provided on the side wall of the antenna waveguide 71 and the upper side wall of the antenna waveguide 71 in the sixth embodiment. It is an array antenna in which a waveguide is used as a feeding circuit for distributing signals to several radiating elements.
The antenna waveguide 71 has an upper side wall and a lower side wall positioned on the long side, a right side wall and a left side wall positioned on the short side, a front end wall and a rear end wall positioned on the end, and both ends are open. It is a metal waveguide having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The antenna waveguide 71 has its ends short-circuited by the conductor walls of the front end wall and the rear end wall.

When the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are in a connected state, that is, in an unfolded state, the first antenna waveguide 71a and the second antenna waveguide 71b are arranged on a straight line. , the rear end wall of the first antenna waveguide 71a faces the front end wall of the second antenna waveguide 71b.
Note that the waveguide 1 is not limited to a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and may be a waveguide having a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape.

Each of the plurality of radiating elements 72 is a slot consisting of an elongated opening formed in the upper wall of the antenna waveguide 71, and operates as a so-called waveguide slot antenna.

The first antenna feeding portion 80a is a feeding waveguide that connects the first waveguide 1a of the first transmission line body 10a and the first antenna waveguide 71a of the first subarray antenna 70a. is.
The first antenna feeding portion 80a has one end connected to the upper wall of the first waveguide 1a of the first transmission line body 10a and the other end connected to the first antenna conductor of the first subarray antenna 70a. It is connected to the lower wall of the wave tube 71a and guides part of the high-frequency signal transmitted through the first waveguide 1a to the first antenna waveguide 71a.

The first antenna feeding portion 80a serves as a connecting portion between the first suspended line 5a and the first antenna waveguide 71a.
The feeding waveguide constituting the first antenna feeding portion 80a is a metal waveguide having a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
Note that the feeding waveguide is not limited to a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and may be a waveguide having a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape.
Further, instead of the feeding waveguide, the first antenna feeding section 80a may be a slot having an elongated cross-sectional shape, or may have a structure in which a waveguide and a slot are combined.

The second antenna feeding portion 80b is a feeding waveguide that connects the second waveguide 1b of the second transmission line body 10b and the second antenna waveguide 71b of the second subarray antenna 70b. is.
The second antenna feeding portion 80b has one end connected to the upper wall of the second waveguide 1b of the second transmission line body 10b and the other end connected to the second antenna conductor of the second subarray antenna 70b. It is connected to the lower wall of the wave tube 71b and guides part of the high-frequency signal transmitted through the second waveguide 1b to the second antenna waveguide 71b.

The second antenna feeding portion 80b serves as a connecting portion between the second suspended line 5b and the second antenna waveguide 71b.
The feeding waveguide constituting the second antenna feeding portion 80b is a metal waveguide having a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
Note that the feeding waveguide is not limited to a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and may be a waveguide having a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape.
Further, the second antenna feeding portion 80b may be a slot having an elongated cross-sectional shape instead of the feeding waveguide, or may have a structure in which a waveguide and a slot are combined.

The shape and arrangement position of the first radiating element 72a and the second radiating element 72b, and the first antenna feeding part 80a to the second antenna feeding part in the first suspended line 5a and the second suspended line 5b By adjusting the length of the line up to 80b and the shapes of the first antenna feeding portion 80a and the second antenna feeding portion 80b, each of the plurality of first radiating elements 72a and the plurality of second radiating elements 72b The phases of the radio waves radiated from the antenna are set in the desired direction and in the same phase, and the main beam from the deployable planar antenna is directed in the desired direction.

The first antenna waveguide 71a is arranged in parallel with the first waveguide 1a on the opposite side of the lower wall of the first waveguide 1a to which the hinge 20 is attached, and is arranged in parallel with the second antenna waveguide 1a. The wave tube 71b is arranged parallel to the second waveguide 1b on the side opposite to the lower wall of the second waveguide 1b to which the hinge 20 is attached.
That is, the first subarray antenna 70a is arranged parallel to the first transmission line body 10a on the side opposite to the side of the first transmission line body 10a in the transmission line structure 100 to which the hinge 20 is attached. is arranged parallel to the second transmission line body 10b on the side opposite to the second transmission line body 10b in the transmission line structure 100 to which the hinge 20 is attached.

Therefore, from the folded state in which the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b and the first subarray antenna 70a and the second subarray antenna 70b are superimposed, one of the transmission lines is shifted around the rotation axis 21 of the hinge 20. By rotating the line body by 180 degrees, the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are arranged in a straight line and connected, and the first subarray antenna 70a and the second subarray antenna 70a are connected. The antenna 70b is deployed in a straight line.
In short, the first subarray antenna 70a and the second subarray antenna 70b are bent and retracted by the hinge 20 and deployed.

Next, the operation will be explained.
During use, the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are the first transmission line in which the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b are arranged to face each other. The body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are connected and deployed as a deployable planar antenna.

In this unfolded state, a high-frequency signal input from one end of the first suspended line 5a propagates inside the first suspended line 5a. A part of the high-frequency signal propagating inside the first suspended line 5a is input to the first antenna waveguide 71a via the first antenna feeding section 80a, and the high-frequency signal is fed to the first subarray antenna 70a. is entered.
The first subarray antenna 70a to which the high-frequency signal is input propagates inside the first antenna waveguide 71a and is radiated into space from the first radiation element 72a.

On the other hand, the remaining high-frequency signal propagating inside the first suspended line 5a is input to the connecting portion between the first suspended line 5a and the second suspended line 10. FIG.
At this time, a high frequency current flows through the first signal line 4a. Since the extension line 4a2 and the second signal line 4b running parallel to the extension line 4a2 form an interdigital coupled line, the electromagnetic field generated by the high-frequency current flowing in the extension line 4a2 of the first signal line 4a is , the extension line 4a2 and the second signal line 4b running parallel to the extension line 4a2. As a result, a high-frequency current is excited in the second signal line 4b, and the high-frequency signal input from the first suspended line 5a is transmitted to the second suspended line 5b.

Further, since the first flange 2a is a choke flange, it is possible to prevent leakage of the electromagnetic field from the gap between the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b. A high-frequency signal input from the line 5a is efficiently transmitted to the second suspended line 5b.

A part of the high-frequency signal input to the second suspended line 5b is input to the second antenna waveguide 71b via the second antenna feeding section 80b, and the high-frequency signal is input to the second subarray antenna 70b. is entered.
The second subarray antenna 70b to which the high-frequency signal is input propagates inside the second antenna waveguide 71b and is radiated into space from the second radiation element 72b.

The radio waves radiated into space from each of the plurality of first radiating elements 72a and the plurality of second radiating elements 72b are radiated in desired directions with the same phase, and the main beam from the deployable planar antenna is emitted as a beam directed in the desired direction.

As described above, in the deployable planar antenna according to the sixth embodiment, the first subarray antenna 70a and the second subarray antenna 70b are bent and stored and deployed by the hinge 20, and the second subarray antenna is used. The transmission line structure 100 has the effects 1) to 4).

i.e.
1) The extension part 3a2 of the first dielectric substrate 3a of the first transmission line body 10a and the second signal line 4b of the second transmission line body 10b running parallel to the extension part 3a2 are interdigitally coupled. A line is formed to enable connection of high frequency signals between the first suspended line 5a and the second suspended line 5b.

2) In the state where the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b are connected, the electromagnetic field from the gap between the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b Leakage can be prevented.

3) A high-frequency signal input from the first suspended line 5a is efficiently transmitted to the second suspended line 5b, and the thickness of the transmission line formed by the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b is can be made smaller.

4) play occurs in the hinge 20, and in the connected state of the first transmission line body 10a and the second transmission line body 10b, between the opening surface of the first flange 2a and the opening surface of the second flange 2b; Even if a gap occurs, the effect of the choke groove 2a0 formed in the first flange 2a of the first transmission line body 10a prevents leakage of the electromagnetic field from the gap. The resulting high-frequency signal is efficiently transmitted to the second suspended line 5b.

Modification of Embodiment 6 A deployable planar antenna according to Embodiment 6 is a phased array antenna, and uses the transmission line structure 100 according to Embodiment 2 as a transmission line for transmitting high-frequency signals. However, instead of the transmission line structure 100 according to the second embodiment, the transmission line structure 100 according to the third embodiment, the transmission line structure 100 according to the fourth embodiment, and the first modification of the fifth embodiment , the transmission line structure 100 according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 5, and the transmission line structure 100 according to Modification 3 of Embodiment 5 may be used.

Embodiment 7.
A deployable planar antenna according to Embodiment 7 will be described with reference to FIG.
The deployable planar antenna according to the seventh embodiment uses waveguide-fed array antennas as the first subarray antenna 70a and the second subarray antenna 70b in the deployable planar antenna according to the sixth embodiment. The difference is that a probe-fed antenna, which is a kind of array antenna, is used, but the other points are the same.
17, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 14 to 16 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

The subarray antenna 70 is a probe-fed antenna having an antenna waveguide 71 and a side wall of the antenna waveguide 71, which is a plurality of radiating elements 73 which are provided so as to protrude from the upper wall in the seventh embodiment. be.
The antenna waveguide 71 has an insertion hole formed in its upper wall at the center position of the slit which is the radiating element 72 in the deployable planar antenna according to the sixth embodiment.

The feeding probe, which is the first radiation element 73a, functions as a helical antenna, and one end thereof is inserted through an insertion hole formed in the first antenna waveguide 71a and inserted into the first antenna feeding portion 80a. be done.
The feeding probe, which is the second radiating element 73b, functions as a helical antenna, and one end thereof is inserted through an insertion hole formed in the second antenna waveguide 71b and inserted into the second antenna feeding portion 80b. be done.
Note that the radiating element 73 is not limited to a helical antenna, and may be of another antenna shape.

In short, the deployable planar antenna according to the seventh embodiment uses a feeding probe as the radiating element 73 instead of the slot array antenna using the slot as the radiating element 72 in the deployable planar antenna according to the sixth embodiment. It has been changed to a probe-fed antenna.

Thus, even if probe-fed antennas are used as the first subarray antenna 70a and the second subarray antenna 70b, the same effect as the deployable planar antenna according to the sixth embodiment is obtained.

Embodiment 8.
A deployable planar antenna according to Embodiment 8 will be described with reference to FIG.
The deployable planar antenna according to the eighth embodiment uses waveguide slot array antennas as the first subarray antenna 70a and the second subarray antenna 70b in the deployable planar antenna according to the sixth embodiment. , are the same except that a planar array antenna is used.
In FIG. 18, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 14 to 16 denote the same or corresponding parts.

The subarray antenna 70 has a printed circuit board 74 , a feeder line (not shown) formed on the printed circuit board 74 , and a plurality of radiating elements 75 formed in an array on the surface of the printed circuit board 74 .

The first radiating element 75a functions as a patch antenna and is electromagnetically coupled with a first feeding line formed on the first printed circuit board 74a.
The second radiating element 75b functions as a patch antenna and is electromagnetically coupled with a second feeding line formed on the second printed circuit board 74b.
Note that the radiating element 75 is not limited to a patch antenna, and may be of another antenna shape.

The first antenna feeding portion 80a is a slot or feeding waveguide that connects the first waveguide 1a of the first transmission line body 10a and the first feeding line of the first subarray antenna 70a. .
The second antenna feeding portion 80b is a slot or a feeding waveguide that connects the second waveguide 1b of the second transmission line body 10b and the second feeding line of the second subarray antenna 70b. .

In short, the deployable planar antenna according to the eighth embodiment is obtained by replacing the waveguide slot array antenna in the deployable planar antenna according to the sixth embodiment with a planar array antenna.

Thus, even when planar array antennas are used as the first subarray antenna 70a and the second subarray antenna 70b, the same effect as the deployable planar antenna according to the sixth embodiment is obtained.

It should be noted that it is possible to freely combine each embodiment, modify any component of each embodiment, or omit any component from each embodiment.

The transmission line structure according to the present disclosure is a transmission line that transmits a high-frequency signal for a beam emitted from a subarray antenna in a deployable planar antenna that is a phased array antenna mounted on an artificial satellite, or for a beam received by the subarray antenna. It is suitable for transmission lines that transmit high-frequency signals.

100 transmission line structure 10a first transmission line body 10b second transmission line body 1a first waveguide 1b second waveguide 2a first flange 2b second flange , 2a0 choke groove 2a01 first choke groove 2a02 second choke groove 3a first dielectric substrate 3a1 base portion 3a2 extension portion 3b second dielectric substrate 4a first signal line 4a1 main line 4a2 extension line 4b second signal line 5a first suspended line 5b second suspended line 20 hinge 21 rotating shaft 22, 23 piece 30, 40 slit 70a first subarray Antenna 70b Second subarray antenna 71a First antenna waveguide 71b Second antenna waveguide 72a, 73a, 75a First radiation element 72b, 73b, 75b Second radiation element , 80a a first antenna feeder, 80b a second antenna feeder.

Claims (12)

A first transmission line body and a second transmission line body adjacent to each other,
Each of the first transmission line body and the second transmission line body,
a waveguide through which a high-frequency signal is transmitted;
flanges on opposite ends of the waveguide;
a dielectric substrate provided inside the waveguide along the direction in which the high-frequency signal is transmitted;
A signal line formed along the direction in which the high-frequency signal is transmitted is provided on either the front surface or the back surface of the dielectric substrate, and the waveguide is an outer conductor and the signal line is an inner conductor. Construct a suspended line with
The dielectric substrate of the first transmission line body has a base portion located inside the waveguide and the flange of the first transmission line body, and a base portion extending from the base portion to the outside of the end face of the flange of the first transmission line body. and has an extension part facing the dielectric substrate of the second transmission line body,
The signal line of the first transmission line body is located at the main line located at the base of the dielectric substrate of the first transmission line body and the extension portion of the dielectric substrate of the first transmission line body, Having an extension line arranged opposite to the signal line of the second transmission line body,
A transmission line structure in which one of the flanges of the first transmission line body or the flange of the second transmission line body is a choke flange and the other flange is a cover flange. 2. The transmission line structure according to claim 1, wherein the waveguide is made of metal having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The waveguide has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and is composed of a metal body divided into two,
The flange is made of a metal body divided into two,
2. The transmission line structure according to claim 1, wherein said dielectric substrate is sandwiched between two metal bodies of said waveguide and between two metal bodies of said flange. The choke flange has a choke groove disposed on the aperture surface at a position 1/4 wavelength of the high frequency signal from the edge of the aperture and having a depth of 1/4 wavelength of the high frequency signal,
The transmission line structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover flange has a flat opening surface. 5. The transmission line structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the extension line in the signal line of the first transmission line body has a length of 1/4 wavelength of the high frequency signal. It has a rotating shaft and two pieces, one of the two pieces is attached to the flange of the first transmission line body, and the other piece of the two pieces is attached to the flange of the second transmission line body. and the first transmission line body and the second transmission line body are relatively rotated about the rotation axis, and the opening face of the flange of the first transmission line body and the second transmission line body are rotated. 6. The transmission line structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a hinge capable of being deployed to a position where the opening faces of the flanges face each other. 7. The transmission line structure according to claim 6, wherein the flange of the second transmission line body has a slit through which the extending portion of the dielectric substrate of the first transmission line body passes. a transmission line structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
a first subarray antenna arranged in parallel with the first transmission line body in the transmission line structure;
a first antenna feeding section that connects the first transmission line body and the first subarray antenna;
a second subarray antenna arranged in parallel with the second transmission line body in the transmission line structure;
a second antenna feeding section that connects the second transmission line body and the first subarray antenna;
Deployable planar antenna with a transmission line structure according to claim 6 or claim 7;
a first subarray antenna arranged parallel to the first transmission line body on the side opposite to the first transmission line body side in the transmission line structure to which the hinge is attached;
a first antenna feeding section that connects the first transmission line body and the first subarray antenna;
a second subarray antenna arranged parallel to the second transmission line body on the side opposite to the second transmission line body side in the transmission line structure to which the hinge is attached;
a second antenna feeding section that connects the second transmission line body and the second subarray antenna;
Deployable planar antenna with The first subarray antenna and the second subarray antenna are array antennas each having an antenna waveguide and a plurality of radiating elements provided on side walls of the antenna waveguide,
The first antenna feeding portion is a slot or a feeding waveguide connecting the waveguide of the first transmission line body and the antenna waveguide of the first subarray antenna,
9. The second antenna feeding portion is a slot or a feeding waveguide connecting the waveguide of the second transmission line body and the antenna waveguide of the second subarray antenna or The deployable planar antenna according to claim 9. 11. The deployable planar antenna according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of radiating elements in the first subarray antenna and the second subarray antenna is a slot- or probe-fed antenna. Each of the first subarray antenna and the second subarray antenna is a planar array antenna having a printed circuit board, a feeder line formed on the printed circuit board, and a plurality of radiating elements,
The first antenna feeding portion is a slot or a feeding waveguide connecting the waveguide of the first transmission line body and the feeding line of the first subarray antenna,
10. The second antenna feeding portion is a slot or a feeding waveguide connecting the waveguide of the second transmission line body and the feeding line of the second subarray antenna. The deployable planar antenna according to .

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