JP7239514B2 - Antennas, wireless communication modules and wireless communication equipment - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to antennas, wireless communication modules, and wireless communication devices.

Array antennas, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, and the like have a plurality of antenna elements arranged close to each other. Mutual coupling between antenna elements can increase when multiple antenna elements are placed in close proximity. Increased mutual coupling between antenna elements can reduce the radiation efficiency of the antenna elements.

Therefore, techniques for reducing mutual coupling between antenna elements have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-504274

Techniques for reducing mutual coupling between conventional antenna elements leave room for improvement.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an antenna, a wireless communication module, and a wireless communication device with reduced mutual coupling between antenna elements.

An antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises:
a first antenna element including a first radiation conductor and a first feeder line and resonating in a first frequency band;
a second antenna element including a second radiation conductor and a second feeder line and resonating in a second frequency band;
a first combination;
a first coupling portion;
the second feed line is coupled to the first feed line with a first component of either a capacitance component or an inductance component dominant;
wherein the first coupler couples the first feeder line and the second feeder line with a second component different from the first component being dominant;
the first radiation conductor and the second radiation conductor are arranged along the first plane at an interval equal to or less than half the resonant wavelength;
the second feeding line is coupled to the first radiation conductor with a dominant third component of either a capacitance component or an inductance component;
The first coupling portion preferentially couples the first radiation conductor and the second feeding line with a fourth component different from the third component.

A wireless communication module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:
an antenna as described above;
an RF module electrically connected to at least one of the first feed line and the second feed line.

A wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:
the wireless communication module described above;
a battery that supplies power to the wireless communication module.

An antenna, a wireless communication module, and a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can reduce mutual coupling between antenna elements.

1 is a perspective view of an antenna according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the antenna shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the negative direction side of the Z-axis; FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the antenna shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna along line L1-L1 shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna taken along line L2-L2 shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna taken along line L3-L3 shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an antenna according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a plan view of an antenna according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a plan view of an antenna according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication module according to one embodiment; FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a wireless communication module shown in FIG. 10; FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication device according to one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the wireless communication device shown in FIG. 12; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the wireless communication device shown in FIG. 12;

In the present disclosure, "dielectric material" can include either ceramic material or resin material as a composition. Ceramic materials include aluminum oxide sintered bodies, aluminum nitride sintered bodies, mullite sintered bodies, glass ceramic sintered bodies, crystallized glass in which crystal components are precipitated in a glass base material, and mica or titanium. Including microcrystalline sintered bodies such as aluminum oxide. Resin materials include cured uncured materials such as epoxy resins, polyester resins, polyimide resins, polyamideimide resins, polyetherimide resins, and liquid crystal polymers.

In the present disclosure, the “conductive material” may include any one of a metal material, an alloy of metal materials, a hardened metal paste, and a conductive polymer as a composition. Metallic materials include copper, silver, palladium, gold, platinum, aluminum, chromium, nickel, cadmium lead, selenium, manganese, tin, vanadium, lithium, cobalt, titanium, and the like. An alloy includes multiple metallic materials. The metal paste contains powder of a metal material kneaded with an organic solvent and a binder. Binders include epoxy resins, polyester resins, polyimide resins, polyamideimide resins, and polyetherimide resins. Conductive polymers include polythiophene-based polymers, polyacetylene-based polymers, polyaniline-based polymers, polypyrrole-based polymers, and the like.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the constituent elements shown in FIGS. 1 to 14, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the plane on which the first antenna element 31 and the second antenna element 32 shown in FIG. 1 and the like extend is shown as the XY plane. The direction from the first ground conductor 61 shown in FIG. 2 etc. toward the first radiation conductor 41 shown in FIG. 1 etc. is shown as the positive direction of the Z-axis, and the opposite direction is shown as the negative direction of the Z-axis. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the positive direction of the X-axis and the negative direction of the X-axis are not particularly distinguished, the positive direction of the X-axis and the negative direction of the X-axis are collectively referred to as the “X direction”. When the positive direction of the Y-axis and the negative direction of the Y-axis are not particularly distinguished, the positive direction of the Y-axis and the negative direction of the Y-axis are collectively referred to as the "Y direction". When the positive direction of the Z-axis and the negative direction of the Z-axis are not particularly distinguished, the positive direction of the Z-axis and the negative direction of the Z-axis are collectively referred to as the "Z direction".

[Antenna structure example 1]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an antenna 10 according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the antenna 10 shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the negative side of the Z axis. FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the antenna 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of antenna 10 taken along line L1-L1 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna 10 along line L2-L2 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of antenna 10 taken along line L3-L3 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the antenna 10 has a base 20 , a first antenna element 31 , a second antenna element 32 , a first joint 70 and a first joint 74 . Antenna 10 may further include a second coupling body 73 and a second coupling portion 75 .

The base 20 supports the first antenna element 31 and the second antenna element 32 . The substrate 20 is a quadrangular prism, as shown in FIGS. However, the base 20 may have any shape as long as it can support the first antenna element 31 and the second antenna element 32 .

Substrate 20 may comprise a dielectric material. The dielectric constant of the substrate 20 may be adjusted as appropriate according to the desired resonance frequency of the antenna 10 . Substrate 20 includes a top surface 21 and a bottom surface 22, as shown in FIGS.

The first antenna element 31 resonates in the first frequency band. The second antenna element 32 resonates in the second frequency band. The first frequency band and the second frequency band may belong to the same frequency band or different frequency bands depending on the application of the antenna 10 or the like. Depending on the application of the antenna 10, each of the first antenna element 31 and the second antenna element 32 is supplied with the first antenna element 31 and the second antenna element 32 from the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52, respectively. 32 may be fed with a signal to excite 32 in phase. A signal that excites the first antenna element 31 and the second antenna element 32 with different phases from each of the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52 to each of the first antenna element 31 and the second antenna element 32. may be powered.

The first antenna element 31 includes a first radiation conductor 41 and a first feeding line 51, as shown in FIG. The first antenna element 31 may further include a first ground conductor 61 . Since the first antenna element 31 includes the first ground conductor 61, it becomes a microstrip antenna. The second antenna element 32 includes a second radiation conductor 42 and a second feeding line 52, as shown in FIG. Second antenna element 32 may further include a second ground conductor 62 . The second antenna element 32 becomes a microstrip antenna by including the second ground conductor 62 .

The first radiation conductor 41 shown in FIG. 1 radiates the power supplied from the first feeder 51 as electromagnetic waves. The first radiation conductor 41 supplies electromagnetic waves from the outside to the first feed line 51 as power. The second radiation conductor 42 shown in FIG. 1 radiates the power supplied from the second feeder 52 as electromagnetic waves. The second radiation conductor 42 supplies electromagnetic waves from the outside to the second feed line 52 as power.

Each of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 may include a conductive material. A first radiation conductor 41, a second radiation conductor 42, a first feeder line 51, a second feeder line 52, a first ground conductor 61, a second ground conductor 62, a first coupling body 70, a first coupling portion 74 and a second Each of the coupling portions 75 may contain the same conductive material or may contain different conductive materials.

The first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 may be flat as shown in FIG. The first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 can extend along the XY plane. The first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 are located on the upper surface 21 of the base 20 . A portion of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 may be located within the base 20 .

In this embodiment, the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 are of the same rectangular shape. However, the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 may have any shape. Also, each of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 may have a different shape.

The longitudinal direction of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 is along the Y direction. The short directions of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 are along the X direction. The first radiation conductor 41 includes long sides 41a and short sides 41b. The second radiation conductor 42 includes long sides 42a and short sides 42b.

The first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 are arranged such that the long side 41a and the long side 42a face each other. However, the arrangement of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 is not limited to this. For example, the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 may be arranged side by side so that part of the long side 41a and part of the long side 42a face each other. In other words, the first radiating conductor 41 and the second radiating conductor 42 may be arranged with a shift in the Y direction.

The first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 may be arranged side by side such that the short side 41b and the short side 42b face each other. However, the arrangement of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 is not limited to this. For example, the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 may be arranged side by side such that a portion of the short side 41b faces a portion of the short side 42b. In other words, the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 may be arranged side by side with the opposing short sides 41b and 42b shifted.

The first radiating conductor 41 and the second radiating conductor 42 are arranged at an interval equal to or less than half the resonant wavelength of the antenna 10 . In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 have a gap g1 between the long side 41a and the long side 42a facing each other, which is half the resonance wavelength of the antenna 10. is 1 or less. However, the manner in which the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 are arranged with a spacing of 1/2 or less of the resonance wavelength of the antenna 10 is not limited to this. For example, in a configuration in which the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 are arranged so that the short side 41b and the short side 42b face each other, the gap between the short side 41b and the short side 42b is the resonance wavelength of the antenna 10. It may be 1/2 or less.

A current flows through the first radiation conductor 41 along the Y direction. When a current flows through the first radiation conductor 41 along the Y direction, the magnetic field surrounding the first radiation conductor 41 changes in the XZ plane. A current flows through the second radiation conductor 42 along the Y direction. When current flows through the second radiation conductor 42 along the Y direction, the magnetic field surrounding the second radiation conductor 42 changes in the XZ plane. The magnetic field surrounding the first radiation conductor 41 and the magnetic field surrounding the second radiation conductor 42 affect each other. For example, when the first radiating conductor 41 and the second radiating conductor 42 are excited in the same or close phase, most of the current flowing through each of the first radiating conductor 41 and the second radiating conductor 42 will be in the same direction. Phases close to each other include, for example, when both phases are within a range of ±60°, ±45°, or ±30°. When most of the currents flowing through each of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 are directed in the same direction, magnetic field coupling is increased between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 .

When the resonance frequencies of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 are the same or close to each other, coupling occurs between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 during resonance. This coupling at resonance is called an even mode and an odd mode. The even mode and the odd mode are also collectively referred to as "even-odd mode". When the even-odd mode occurs between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42, each of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 resonates at a resonance frequency different from that in the case where no coupling occurs. In many cases where the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 are coupled, magnetic field coupling and electric field coupling occur simultaneously. When either the magnetic field coupling or the electric field coupling becomes dominant, finally the coupling between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor can be regarded as the dominant magnetic field coupling or electric field coupling.

In the present disclosure, the second radiating conductor 42 is coupled to the first radiating conductor 41 in a first coupling scheme in which one of capacitive coupling and magnetic coupling predominates. In this embodiment, the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 are microstrip antennas, and the long side 41a and the long side 42a face each other. The mutual influence of the magnetic field surrounding the first radiating conductor 41 and the magnetic field surrounding the second radiating conductor 42 dominates the mutual influence of the electric field between the first radiating conductor 41 and the second radiating conductor 42 . The coupling between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 is regarded as magnetic field coupling. In this embodiment, the second radiation conductor 42 is coupled to the first radiation conductor 41 by the first coupling method in which magnetic field coupling is dominant.

The first feed line 51 shown in FIG. 3 is electrically connected to the first radiation conductor 41 . The first feed line 51 is coupled to the first radiation conductor 41 with a dominant inductance component. However, the first feed line 51 may be magnetically coupled to the first radiation conductor 41 . In this case, the first feeding line 51 is coupled to the first radiation conductor 41 with a dominant capacitance component. The first feeder line 51 can extend from the opening 61a of the first ground conductor 61 shown in FIG. 2 to an external device or the like.

The second feed line 52 shown in FIG. 3 is electrically connected to the second radiation conductor 42 . The second feed line 52 is coupled to the second radiation conductor 42 with a dominant inductor component. However, the second feed line 52 may be magnetically coupled to the second radiation conductor 42 . In this case, the second feeding line 52 is coupled to the second radiation conductor 42 with a dominant capacitance component. The second feed line 52 can extend from the opening 62a of the second ground conductor 62 shown in FIG. 2 to an external device or the like.

The first feed line 51 feeds power to the first radiation conductor 41 . The first feeder line 51 feeds power from the first radiation conductor 41 to an external device or the like. The second feed line 52 feeds power to the second radiation conductor 42 . The second feed line 52 feeds the power from the second radiation conductor 42 to an external device or the like.

The first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52 may contain a conductive material. Each of the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52 may be a through-hole conductor, a via conductor, or the like. The first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52 may be positioned within the substrate 20 as shown in FIG. The first feed line 51 passes through the first conductor 71 of the first combined body 70, as shown in FIG. The second feed line 52 passes through the second conductor 72 of the first combined body 70, as shown in FIG.

The first feed line 51 extends along the Z direction inside the base 20 as shown in FIG. A current flows through the first feed line 51 along the Z direction. When a current flows through the first feeder line 51 along the Z direction, the magnetic field surrounding the first feeder line 51 changes in the XY plane.

The second feed line 52 extends along the Z direction inside the base 20, as shown in FIG. A current flows through the second feed line 52 along the Z direction. When a current flows through the second feeder line 52 along the Z direction, the magnetic field surrounding the second feeder line 52 changes in the XY plane.

The magnetic field surrounding the first feed line 51 and the magnetic field surrounding the second feed line 52 can interfere. For example, when most of the currents flowing through each of the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52 are in the same direction, the magnetic field surrounding the first feed line 51 and the magnetic field surrounding the second feed line 52 interfere. The first feeder line 51 and the second feeder line 52 can be magnetically coupled by interference between the magnetic field surrounding the first feeder line 51 and the magnetic field surrounding the second feeder line 52 .

In the present disclosure, the second feed line 52 is coupled to the first feed line 51 with predominantly a first component of either the capacitance component or the inductance component. As described above, in the present embodiment, the first power supply line 51 and the second power supply line 52 can be magnetically coupled by interference between the magnetic field surrounding the first power supply line 51 and the magnetic field surrounding the second power supply line 52. . That is, in the present embodiment, the second feeder line 52 is coupled to the first feeder line 51 preferentially with the inductance component as the first component.

A first ground conductor 61 shown in FIG. 2 provides a reference potential at the first antenna element 31 . A second ground conductor 62 shown in FIG. 2 provides a reference potential at the second antenna element 32 . Each of the first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 may be connected to the ground of equipment comprising the antenna 10 .

The first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 may comprise electrically conductive material. The first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 may be flat. A first ground conductor 61 and a second ground conductor 62 are located on the bottom surface 22 of the substrate 20 . A portion of the first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 may be located within the substrate 20 .

The first ground conductor 61 may be connected to the second ground conductor 62 . The first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 may be integral as shown in FIG. The first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 may be integrated with a single substrate 20 . However, the first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 may be independent and separate members. In this configuration, each of the first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 can be separately integrated with the substrate 20 .

The first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 extend along the XY plane as shown in FIG. Each of the first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 is positioned apart from each of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the substrate 20 is interposed between the first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 and between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 . The first ground conductor 61 faces the first radiation conductor 41 in the Z direction. The second ground conductor 62 faces the second radiation conductor 42 in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 have a rectangular shape corresponding to the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 . However, the first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 may have any shape corresponding to the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 .

In the present disclosure, the first coupling 70 couples the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52 preferentially with a second component different from the first component. As described above, in this embodiment, the first component is the inductance component. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first coupler 70 preferentially couples the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52 with the capacitance component as the second component different from the first component.

Specifically, the first combined body 70 includes a first conductor 71 and a second conductor 72, as shown in FIG. Each of the first conductor 71 and the second conductor 72 may comprise a conductive material. Each of the first conductors 71 and the second conductors 72 extends along the XY plane. Each of the first conductor 71 and the second conductor 72 is flat as shown in FIG. The first conductor 71 is electrically connected to the first feeder line 51 passing through the first conductor 71 . The second conductor 72 is electrically connected to the second power supply line 52 passing through the second conductor 72 . As shown in FIG. 4, the end 71a of the first conductor 71 and the end 72a of the second conductor 72 face each other. The end portion 71 a of the first conductor 71 and the end portion 72 a of the second conductor 72 can constitute capacitance via the base 20 . By forming the capacitance, the first coupler 70 preferentially couples the first feeder line 51 and the second feeder line 52 with the capacitance component as the second component.

Here, since the first feed line 51 directly feeds the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feed line 52 directly feeds the second radiation conductor 42, the first feed line 51 and the second feed line The coupling between the two feeder lines 52 is a coupling in which the inductance component is dominant. The inductance component of this coupling and the capacitance component of the first coupling body 70 are in a parallel relationship in terms of circuit, so that an anti-resonant circuit including the inductance component and the capacitance component is formed. This antiresonant circuit causes an attenuation pole in the transmission characteristics between the first antenna element 31 and the second antenna element 32 . This transmission characteristic is the characteristic of power transmitted from the first feeder line 51 serving as the input port of the first antenna element 31 to the second feeder line 52 serving as the input port of the second antenna element 32 . An attenuation pole that occurs in this transmission characteristic reduces interference between the first antenna element 31 and the second antenna element 32 .

In this way, the first combined body 70 connects the first feeder line 51, which is the input port of the first antenna element 31, and the second feeder line 52, which is the input port of the second antenna element 32, so that the second component is dominant. bind to The second component is different from the first component that dominates the coupling between the first feed line 51 itself and the second feed line 52 itself. The antenna 10 has an anti-resonant circuit at the input port because the first component and the second component are in a parallel circuit relationship.

In the present disclosure, the second coupler 73 couples the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 by a second coupling scheme different from the first coupling scheme. When the first coupling method is a coupling method in which magnetic coupling is dominant as in the present embodiment, the second coupling method is a coupling method in which capacitive coupling is dominant. The second coupler 73 couples the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 by a second coupling method in which capacitive coupling is dominant.

Specifically, the second conjugate 73 may include a conductive material. The second bond 73 is located within the base 20 as shown in FIG. The second coupling body 73 is located away from the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 in the Z direction. The second combined body 73 spreads along the XY plane, as shown in FIG. A portion of the second coupling body 73 may overlap a portion of the first radiation conductor 41 in the XY plane. A part of the second coupling body 73 and a part of the first radiation conductor 41 that overlap each other can form a capacitance through the base 20 . Similarly, a portion of the second coupling body 73 may overlap a portion of the second radiation conductor 42 in the XY plane. A part of the second coupling body 73 and a part of the second radiation conductor 42 that overlap each other can form a capacitance through the base 20 . The first radiating conductor 41 and the second radiating conductor 42 have a capacitance formed by the first radiating conductor 41 and the second coupling body 73 and a capacitance formed by the second radiation conductor 42 and the second coupling body 73. can be coupled via In other words, the second coupler 73 couples the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 by the second coupling method in which capacitive coupling is dominant.

The electric field increases at both ends of the first radiation conductor 41 and both ends of the second radiation conductor 42 . When most of the currents flowing through the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 are reversed, the potential difference between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 increases. The magnitude of capacitive coupling by the second coupling method changes depending on the position where the second coupler 73 faces each of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 . The magnitude of the capacitive coupling by the second coupling method can be adjusted by the position and area where the second coupler 73 faces the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 .

The first coupling portion 74 couples the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feeder line 52 . The first coupling portion 74 connects the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feeder line 52 according to the configuration of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feeder line 52 so that either the capacitance component or the inductance component is dominant. , join. In this embodiment, the second feed line 52 is connected to the first radiation conductor 41 with the inductance component as the third component being dominant. Therefore, the first coupling portion 74 couples the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feeding line 52 preferentially to the capacitance component as the fourth component different from the third component.

Specifically, first coupling portion 74 may include an electrically conductive material. The first coupling portion 74 is located within the base 20 . The first coupling portion 74 is positioned apart from each of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 in the Z direction. The first coupling portion 74 may be L-shaped, as shown in FIG. The L-shaped first coupling portion 74 includes a piece 74a and a piece 74b. As shown in FIG. 3, the second power supply line 52 penetrates through the piece 74a. The piece 74a is electrically connected to the second power supply line 52 by passing the second power supply line 52 therethrough. As shown in FIG. 3, the piece 74b extends in the negative direction of the X-axis from the end of the piece 74a on the negative direction side of the Y-axis, so that the piece 74b extends in the XY plane as shown in FIG. 1 overlaps a portion of the radiation conductor 41 . The first coupling portion 74 is capacitively coupled to the first radiation conductor 41 by overlapping the piece 74b with a portion of the first radiation conductor 41 in the XY plane. In the first coupling portion 74, the piece 74a is electrically connected to the second feeder line 52 and the piece 74b is capacitively connected to the first radiation conductor 41, thereby making the capacitance component dominant as the fourth component. , the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feeding line 52 are coupled.

The second coupling portion 75 couples the second radiation conductor 42 and the first feeder line 51 . The second coupling portion 75 connects the second radiation conductor 42 and the first feeder line 51 according to the configuration of the second radiation conductor 42 and the first feeder line 51 so that either the capacitance component or the inductance component is dominant. , join. In this embodiment, the first feeder line 51 is connected to the second radiation conductor 42 with the inductance component as the fifth component being dominant. Therefore, the second coupling portion 75 couples the second radiation conductor 42 and the first feeding line 51 preferentially to the capacitance component as the sixth component different from the fifth component.

Specifically, the second coupling portion 75 may include a conductive material. The second coupling portion 75 is located within the base body 20 . The second coupling portion 75 is positioned apart from each of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 in the Z direction. The second coupling portion 75 may be L-shaped, as shown in FIG. The L-shaped second coupling portion 75 includes a piece 75a and a piece 75b. Similarly to the first coupling portion 74, the second coupling portion 75 is electrically connected to the first feeder line 51 at the piece 75a and capacitively coupled to the second radiation conductor 42 at the piece 75b. The second radiation conductor 42 and the first feeding line 51 are coupled with the capacitance component as the dominant component.

As described above, in the antenna 10 according to the present embodiment, the second feeder line 52 is coupled to the first feeder line 51 preferentially with the inductance component as the first component. The first coupler 70 preferentially couples the first feeder line 51 and the second feeder line 52 with the capacitance component as the second component. Here, the coupling coefficient K1 by the capacitance component and the inductance component between the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52 can be calculated using the coupling coefficient Ke1 and the coupling coefficient Km1. A coupling coefficient Ke1 is a coupling coefficient due to a capacitance component between the first feeder line 51 and the second feeder line 52 . A coupling coefficient Km1 is a coupling coefficient due to an inductance component between the first feeder line 51 and the second feeder line 52 . For example, it is represented by the formula: K1=(Ke12-Km12)/(Ke12+Km12).

The coupling coefficient Km1 can be determined according to the configurations of the first feeder line 51 and the second feeder line 52 . For example, the coupling coefficient Km1 can change when the length in the X direction of the gap g2 between the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52 shown in FIG. 4 changes. In the antenna 10, the magnitude of the coupling coefficient Ke1 can be adjusted by configuring the first coupler 70 appropriately. In the antenna 10, by adjusting the magnitude of the coupling coefficient Ke1 according to the coupling coefficient Km1, it is possible to change the extent to which the coupling coefficient Km1 and the coupling coefficient Ke1 cancel each other out. In the antenna 10, the coupling coefficient Km1 and the coupling coefficient Ke1 cancel each other out due to the coupling coefficient Ke1 having a magnitude corresponding to the coupling coefficient Km1, and the coupling coefficient K1 can be reduced. In other words, in the antenna 10, mutual coupling between the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52 can be reduced. By reducing the mutual coupling between the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52, each of the first antenna element 31 and the second antenna element 32 is connected to the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52. Electric power from each can efficiently radiate electromagnetic waves.

In the antenna 10 according to this embodiment, the second radiation conductor 42 is coupled to the first radiation conductor 41 by the first coupling method in which magnetic coupling is dominant. The second coupler 73 couples the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 by a second coupling method in which capacitive coupling is dominant. Here, the coupling coefficient K2 due to capacitive coupling and magnetic coupling between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 can be calculated using the coupling coefficient Ke2 and the coupling coefficient Km2. A coupling coefficient Ke2 is a coupling coefficient of capacitive coupling between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 . A coupling coefficient Km2 is a coupling coefficient of magnetic field coupling between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 . For example, it is represented by the formula: K2=(Ke22-Km22)/(Ke22+Km22).

The coupling coefficient Km2 can be determined according to the configurations of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor . For example, a configuration in which the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 are aligned in the Y direction as shown in FIG. and may have different coupling coefficients Km2. The coupling coefficient Km2 can change when the length of the gap g1 shown in FIG. 1 in the X direction changes. In the antenna 10, the magnitude of the coupling coefficient Ke2 can be adjusted by configuring the second coupler 73 appropriately. In the antenna 10, by adjusting the magnitude of the coupling coefficient Ke2 according to the coupling coefficient Km2, it is possible to change the extent to which the coupling coefficient Km2 and the coupling coefficient Ke2 cancel each other out. In the antenna 10, the coupling coefficient Km2 and the coupling coefficient Ke2 cancel each other out, and the coupling coefficient K2 can become small. In other words, in the antenna 10, mutual coupling between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 can be reduced. By reducing the mutual coupling between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 , each of the first antenna element 31 and the second antenna element 32 becomes the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 Electromagnetic waves can be efficiently radiated from each.

In the antenna 10 according to the present embodiment, the second feeding line 52 is coupled to the first radiation conductor 41 with the inductance component as the third component dominant. The first coupling portion 74 couples the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feeding line 52 preferentially to the capacitor component as the fourth component different from the third component. Here, the coupling coefficient K3 due to the capacitance component and the inductance component between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feeding line 52 can be reduced by canceling out the coupling coefficient Ke3 and the coupling coefficient Km3. A coupling coefficient Ke3 is a coupling coefficient due to the capacitance component between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feeder line 52 . A coupling coefficient Km3 is a coupling coefficient due to an inductance component between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feeder line 52 .

The coupling coefficient Km3 can be determined according to the configurations of the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feeder line 52 . In the antenna 10, the magnitude of the coupling coefficient Ke3 can be adjusted by configuring the first coupling section 74 appropriately. In the antenna 10, the degree to which the coupling coefficient Km3 and the coupling coefficient Ke3 cancel each other can be changed by adjusting the magnitude of the coupling coefficient Ke3 by the first coupling section 74 according to the coupling coefficient Km3. That is, in the antenna 10, the coupling coefficient Km3 and the coupling coefficient Ke3 cancel each other out by appropriately configuring the first coupling section 74, and the coupling coefficient K3 can be reduced. Mutual coupling between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feed line 52 can be reduced by reducing the coupling coefficient K3. By reducing the mutual coupling between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feed line 52, each of the first antenna element 31 and the second antenna element 32 can efficiently radiate electromagnetic waves.

In the antenna 10 according to the present embodiment, the first feeding line 51 is coupled to the second radiation conductor 42 preferentially with the inductance component as the fifth component. The second coupling portion 75 couples the second radiation conductor 42 and the first feeding line 51 preferentially to the capacitance component as the sixth component different from the fifth component. Here, the coupling coefficient K4 due to the capacitance component and the inductance component between the second radiation conductor 42 and the first feeding line 51 can be reduced by canceling out the coupling coefficient Ke4 and the coupling coefficient Km4. A coupling coefficient Ke4 is a coupling coefficient due to the capacitance component between the second radiation conductor 42 and the first feeder line 51 . A coupling coefficient Km4 is a coupling coefficient due to an inductance component between the second radiation conductor 42 and the first feeder line 51 .

The coupling coefficient K4 can be determined according to the configurations of the second radiation conductor 42 and the first feeder line 51 . In the antenna 10, the magnitude of the coupling coefficient Ke4 can be adjusted by configuring the second coupling section 75 appropriately. In the antenna 10, the degree to which the coupling coefficient Km4 and the coupling coefficient Ke4 cancel each other can be changed by adjusting the magnitude of the coupling coefficient Ke4 by the second coupling section 75 according to the coupling coefficient Km4. That is, in the antenna 10, the coupling coefficient Km4 and the coupling coefficient Ke4 cancel each other out by appropriately configuring the second coupling section 75, and the coupling coefficient K4 can be reduced. Mutual coupling between the second radiation conductor 42 and the first feeding line 51 can be reduced by reducing the coupling coefficient K4. By reducing the mutual coupling between the second radiation conductor 42 and the first feed line 51, each of the first antenna element 31 and the second antenna element 32 can efficiently radiate electromagnetic waves.

The antenna 10 according to the present embodiment includes a first coupling body 70 that reduces mutual coupling between the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52, and a coupling between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor . and a second coupling 73 that reduces the mutual coupling of the . The antenna 10 includes a first coupling portion 74 that reduces mutual coupling between the first radiation conductor 41 and the second feeder line 52, and a mutual coupling between the second radiation conductor 42 and the first feeder line 51. It has a second coupling portion 75 that connects. The antenna 10 reduces these mutual couplings separately in different coupling bodies, namely, a first coupling body 70 , a second coupling body 73 , a first coupling portion 74 and a second coupling portion 75 . The first coupling body 70, the second coupling body 73, the first coupling portion 74, and the second coupling portion 75 are configured independently of each other. Since the antenna 10 includes the first coupler 70, the second coupler 73, the first coupler 74, and the second coupler 75, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in design when reducing mutual coupling.

[Antenna structure example 2]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an antenna 110 according to one embodiment. Antenna 110 does not have second coupling body 73, unlike antenna 10 shown in FIG.

In the antenna 110 , when the second radiation conductor 42 is coupled to the first radiation conductor 41 by the first coupling method, at least one of the first coupling portion 74 and the second coupling portion 75 is connected to the first radiation conductor 41 and the first radiation conductor 41 . 2 radiating conductors 42 may be coupled by a second coupling scheme.

For example, when the second radiation conductor 42 is coupled to the first radiation conductor 41 by the first coupling method in which magnetic coupling is dominant, the position of the first coupling portion 74 in the Z direction may be adjusted as appropriate. In this case, the first coupling portion 74 whose position in the Z direction is appropriately adjusted may capacitively couple the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 . Alternatively, the second coupling portion 75 whose position in the Z direction is appropriately adjusted may capacitively couple the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 .

Other configurations and effects of the antenna 110 are similar to those of the antenna 10 shown in FIG.

[Structure example 1 of array antenna]
FIG. 8 is a plan view of an antenna 210 according to one embodiment. In FIG. 8, the first direction is the X direction. The second direction is the Y direction.

Antenna 210 may be an array antenna. Antenna 210 may be a linear array antenna.

The antenna 210 has a base 20 and n antenna elements (where n is an integer equal to or greater than 3) as a plurality of antenna elements. In this embodiment, the antenna 210 has four antenna elements (n=4), namely a first antenna element 31, a second antenna element 32, a third antenna element 33 and a fourth antenna element . .

Each of the first feeder line 51 to the fourth feeder line 54 is connected to each of the first antenna element 31, the second antenna element 32, the third antenna element 33, and the fourth antenna element 34 according to the application of the antenna 210. , a signal that excites the first antenna element 31 and the like in phase may be fed. Alternatively, each of the first antenna element 31, the second antenna element 32, the third antenna element 33, and the fourth antenna element 34 is supplied with the first antenna element 31 from each of the first to fourth feed lines 51 to 54. , etc., may be fed with signals that excite them with different phases.

The antenna 210 may appropriately have the first coupling body 70, the second coupling body 73, the first coupling portion 74, and the second coupling portion 75 shown in FIG. 1 according to the configuration of the first antenna element 31 and the like.

The third antenna element 33 resonates in the first frequency band or the second frequency band depending on the application of the antenna 210 and the like. The third antenna element 33 may have the same configuration as the first antenna element 31 or the second antenna element 32 shown in FIG. The third antenna element 33 has a third radiation conductor 43 and a third feeding line 53 . The third radiation conductor 43 may have the same configuration as the first radiation conductor 41 or the second radiation conductor 42 shown in FIG. The third feeder line 53 may have the same configuration as the first feeder line 51 or the second feeder line shown in FIG.

The fourth antenna element 34 resonates in the first frequency band or the second frequency band depending on the application of the antenna 210 and the like. The fourth antenna element 34 may have the same configuration as the first antenna element 31 or the second antenna element 32 shown in FIG. The fourth antenna element 34 has a fourth radiation conductor 44 and a fourth feeding line 54 . The fourth radiation conductor 44 may have the same configuration as the first radiation conductor 41 or the second radiation conductor 42 shown in FIG. The fourth feeder line 54 may have the same configuration as the first feeder line 51 or the second feeder line shown in FIG.

The first antenna element 31, the second antenna element 32, the third antenna element 33, and the fourth antenna element 34 are arranged along the X direction. The first antenna element 31 , the second antenna element 32 , the third antenna element 33 , and the fourth antenna element 34 may be arranged in the X direction at intervals of one quarter or less of the resonant wavelength of the antenna 210 . In this embodiment, the first radiation conductor 41, the second radiation conductor 42, the third radiation conductor 43, and the fourth radiation conductor 44 are arranged along the X direction with an interval D1. The spacing D1 is less than or equal to a quarter of the resonant wavelength of the antenna 210. FIG.

In the configuration in which the fourth antenna element 34 as the n-th antenna element resonates at the first frequency, the fourth radiation conductor 44 as the n-th radiation conductor has a resonance wavelength of half or less of the antenna 210 in the X direction. It may be aligned with the first radiation conductor 41 at intervals. In this embodiment, the first radiation conductor 41 and the fourth radiation conductor 44 are arranged along the X direction with an interval D2 therebetween. The interval D2 is less than or equal to half the resonant wavelength of the antenna 210. FIG. The fourth radiation conductor 44 may be directly or indirectly coupled to the second radiation conductor 42 .

Adjacent first antenna element 31 and second antenna element 32 may be shifted in the Y direction. In this configuration, the antenna 210 may have the first coupling 70 shown in FIG. 1 adjusted accordingly for the offset. Similarly, adjacent second antenna element 32 and third antenna element 33, and adjacent third antenna element 33 and fourth antenna element 34 may be shifted in the Y direction. The antenna 210 may have a first coupling body 70 that is appropriately adjusted according to the amount of deviation therebetween.

[Structure example 2 of array antenna]
FIG. 9 is a plan view of an antenna 310 according to one embodiment. In FIG. 9, the first direction is the X direction. The second direction is the Y direction.

Antenna 310 may be an array antenna. Antenna 310 may be a planar antenna.

Antenna 310 has base 20 , first antenna element group 81 , and second antenna element group 82 . Antenna 310 may further comprise second couplings 371 , 372 , 373 , 374 , 375 , 376 , 377 . The antenna 310 may appropriately have the first coupling body 70, the first coupling portion 74, and the second coupling portion 75 shown in FIG. 1 according to the configuration of the first antenna element group 81 and the like.

Each of the first antenna element group 81 and the second antenna element group 82 extends along the X direction. The first antenna element group 81 and the second antenna element group 82 are arranged along the Y direction. Each of the first antenna element group 81 and the second antenna element group 82 may have the same configuration as the antenna element group shown in FIG. The antenna element group shown in FIG. 8 includes a first antenna element 31, a second antenna element 32, a third antenna element 33 and a fourth antenna element .

The first antenna element group 81 includes antenna elements 331 , 332 , 333 and 334 . Each of the antenna elements 331 to 343 may have the same configuration as the first antenna element 31 or the second antenna element 32 shown in FIG. Each of the antenna elements 331, 332, 333, 334 includes a radiation conductor 341, 342, 343, 344, respectively. Each of the radiation conductors 341 to 344 may have the same configuration as the first radiation conductor 41 or the second radiation conductor 42 shown in FIG.

The second antenna element group 82 includes antenna elements 335 , 336 , 337 and 338 . Each of the antenna elements 335-338 may have the same configuration as the first antenna element 31 or the second antenna element 32 shown in FIG. Each of antenna elements 335, 336, 337, 338 includes a radiating conductor 345, 346, 347, 348, respectively. Each of the radiation conductors 345 to 348 may have the same configuration as the first radiation conductor 41 or the second radiation conductor 42 shown in FIG.

Depending on the application of the antenna 310, each of the antenna elements 331-338 may be supplied with a signal that excites the antenna elements 331-338 in phase from the feed line included in each of the antenna elements 331-338. Alternatively, each of the antenna elements 331 to 338 may be fed with a signal that excites the antenna elements 331 to 338 with different phases from the feed line included in each of the antenna elements 331 to 338 .

In the first antenna element group 81, the antenna elements 331-334 are arranged along the X direction. The antenna elements 331-334 may be arranged in a staggered manner in the Y direction. Among the antenna elements 331 to 334, the antenna element 333 protrudes toward the second antenna element group .

In the second antenna element group 82, the antenna elements 335-338 are arranged along the X direction. The antenna elements 335-338 may be staggered in the Y direction. Among the antenna elements 335 to 338 , the antenna element 337 protrudes toward the first antenna element group 81 .

At least one of the first antenna element group 81 is capacitively or magnetically coupled to at least one of the second antenna element group 82 . In this embodiment, the radiation conductor 343 of the antenna element 333 of the first antenna element group 81 is capacitively coupled to the radiation conductor 347 of the antenna element 337 of the second antenna element group 82 . Specifically, the short side 343b of the radiation conductor 343 and the short side 347b of the radiation conductor 347 face each other. The short side 343b and the short side 347b facing each other can form a capacitance with the substrate 20 interposed therebetween. By forming the capacitance, the radiation conductor 343 of the antenna element 333 is capacitively coupled to the radiation conductor 347 of the antenna element 337 .

The first antenna element group 81 includes radiation conductors 341 , 342 , 343 and 344 as the first radiation conductor group 91 . The second antenna element group 82 includes radiation conductors 345 , 346 , 347 and 348 as the second radiation conductor group 92 .

In the first radiation conductor group 91, adjacent radiation conductors 341 and 342 are coupled by a third coupling method in which one of capacitive coupling and magnetic coupling is dominant. As for the coupling between the radiation conductors 341 and 342, the magnetic field coupling is dominant among the magnetic coupling and the electric field coupling, like the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 shown in FIG. That is, the adjacent radiation conductors 341 and 342 are coupled by the third coupling method in which magnetic coupling is dominant. Similarly, adjacent radiation conductors 342 and 343 are coupled by a third coupling method in which magnetic coupling is dominant. Similarly, adjacent radiation conductors 343 and 344 are coupled by a third coupling method in which magnetic coupling is dominant.

In the second radiation conductor group 92, adjacent radiation conductors 345 and 346 are coupled by a third coupling method in which magnetic field coupling is dominant, like the radiation conductors 341 and 342. FIG. Similarly, adjacent radiation conductors 346 and 347 are coupled by a third coupling method in which magnetic coupling is dominant. Similarly, adjacent radiation conductors 347 and 348 are coupled by a third coupling method in which magnetic coupling is dominant.

The second coupler 371 couples the adjacent radiation conductors 341 and 342 by a fourth coupling scheme different from the third coupling scheme. In the present embodiment, since the third coupling method is a coupling method in which magnetic coupling is dominant, the fourth coupling method is a coupling method in which capacitive coupling is dominant. The second coupler 371 couples the adjacent radiation conductors 341 and 342 in the same manner as the second coupler 73 shown in FIG. 1, using the fourth coupling method in which capacitive coupling is dominant. Mutual coupling between the adjacent radiation conductors 341 and 342 can be reduced by coupling the adjacent radiation conductors 341 and 342 by the second coupler 371 using the fourth coupling method.

As with the second coupler 371, the second coupler 372 couples the adjacent radiation conductors 342 and 343 by a fourth coupling scheme in which capacitive coupling is dominant. The second coupler 373 couples the adjacent radiation conductors 343 and 344 by a fourth coupling method in which capacitive coupling is dominant. The second coupler 374 couples the adjacent radiation conductors 345 and 346 by a fourth coupling method in which capacitive coupling is dominant. The second coupler 375 couples the adjacent radiation conductors 346 and 347 by a fourth coupling method in which capacitive coupling is dominant. The second coupler 376 couples the adjacent radiation conductors 347 and 348 by a fourth coupling method in which capacitive coupling is dominant. Such a configuration may reduce mutual coupling between adjacent radiating conductors.

The second coupler 377 magnetically couples the radiation conductor 343 of the first radiation conductor group 91 and the radiation conductor 347 of the second radiation conductor group 92 . Second coupling 377 may include a coil or the like. Mutual coupling between the radiation conductors 343 and 347 can be reduced by the magnetic field coupling of the radiation conductors 343 and 347 by the second coupler 377 .

[Wireless communication module]
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the wireless communication module 1 according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of the wireless communication module 1 shown in FIG.

A wireless communication module 1 includes an antenna 11 , an RF module 12 and a circuit board 14 . The circuit board 14 has a ground conductor 13A and a printed circuit board 13B.

The antenna 11 comprises the antenna 10 shown in FIG. However, the antenna 11 may include any one of the antenna 110 shown in FIG. 7, the antenna 210 shown in FIG. 8, and the antenna 310 shown in FIG. 9 instead of the antenna 10 shown in FIG. The antenna 11 has a first feed line 51 and a second feed line 52 . Antenna 11 has a ground conductor 60 . The ground conductor 60 is formed by integrating the first ground conductor 61 and the second ground conductor 62 shown in FIG.

Antenna 11 is located on circuit board 14, as shown in FIG. A first feed line 51 of the antenna 11 is connected to the RF module 12 shown in FIG. 10 via the circuit board 14 shown in FIG. The second feed line 52 of the antenna 11 is connected to the RF module 12 shown in FIG. 10 via the circuit board 14 shown in FIG. The ground conductor 60 of the antenna 11 is electromagnetically connected to the ground conductor 13A of the circuit board 14 .

The antenna 11 is not limited to having both the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52 . The antenna 11 may have one of the first feed line 51 and the second feed line 52 . In this configuration, the configuration of the circuit board 14 can be changed as appropriate to correspond to the configuration of the antenna 11 having one feeder line. For example, the RF module 12 may have one connection terminal. For example, the circuit board 14 may have one conductive line connecting the connection terminal of the RF module 12 and the feed line of the antenna 11 .

Ground conductor 13A may comprise a conductive material. The ground conductor 13A can extend in the XY plane.

Antenna 11 may be integrated with circuit board 14 . In a configuration in which the antenna 11 and the circuit board 14 are integrated, the ground conductor 60 of the antenna 11 may be integrated with the ground conductor 13A of the circuit board 14 .

The RF module 12 controls power supplied to the antenna 11 . The RF module 12 modulates the baseband signal and supplies it to the antenna 11 . The RF module 12 modulates the electrical signal received by the antenna 11 into a baseband signal.

Such a wireless communication module 1 can efficiently radiate electromagnetic waves by including the antenna 11 .

[Wireless communication equipment]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the wireless communication device 2 according to one embodiment. 13 is a plan view of the wireless communication device 2 shown in FIG. 12. FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the wireless communication device 2 shown in FIG. 12. As shown in FIG.

A wireless communication device 2 may be located on the substrate 3 . The material of substrate 3 may be any material. The wireless communication device 2 includes a wireless communication module 1, a sensor 15, a battery 16, a memory 17, and a controller 18, as shown in FIG. The wireless communication device 2 has a housing 19 as shown in FIG.

The sensor 15 includes, for example, a speed sensor, a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a rotation angle sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a magnet sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, an optical sensor, an illuminance sensor, a UV sensor, and a gas sensor. , gas concentration sensor, atmosphere sensor, level sensor, smell sensor, pressure sensor, air pressure sensor, contact sensor, wind sensor, infrared sensor, motion sensor, displacement sensor, image sensor, weight sensor, smoke sensor, leak sensor, A vital sensor, a remaining battery level sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal receiver, or the like may be included.

A battery 16 supplies power to the wireless communication module 1 . Battery 16 may power at least one of sensor 15 , memory 17 and controller 18 . Battery 16 may include at least one of a primary battery and a secondary battery. The negative pole of battery 16 is electrically connected to the ground terminal of circuit board 14 shown in FIG. The negative pole of battery 16 is electrically connected to ground conductor 40 of antenna 11 .

Memory 17 may include, for example, a semiconductor memory or the like. Memory 17 can function as a work memory for controller 18 . Memory 17 may be included in controller 18 . The memory 17 stores a program describing processing details for realizing each function of the wireless communication device 2, information used for processing in the wireless communication device 2, and the like.

Controller 18 may include, for example, a processor. Controller 18 may include one or more processors. The processor may include a general-purpose processor that loads a specific program to execute a specific function, and a dedicated processor that specializes in specific processing. A dedicated processor may include an application specific IC. Application-specific ICs are also called ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). A processor may include a programmable logic device. A programmable logic device is also called a PLD (Programmable Logic Device). The PLD may include an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The controller 18 may be either a SoC (System-on-a-Chip) or a SiP (System In a Package) with which one or more processors cooperate. The controller 18 may store in the memory 17 various information or programs for operating each component of the wireless communication device 2 .

Controller 18 generates a transmission signal to be transmitted from wireless communication device 2 . Controller 18 may, for example, obtain measurement data from sensor 15 . Controller 18 may generate a transmission signal responsive to the measurement data. Controller 18 may transmit baseband signals to RF module 12 of wireless communication module 1 .

A housing 19 shown in FIG. 13 protects other devices of the wireless communication device 2 . Housing 19 may include a first housing 19A and a second housing 19B.

The first housing 19A shown in FIG. 14 can extend in the XY plane. The first housing 19A supports other devices. The first housing 19A can support the wireless communication device 2 . The wireless communication device 2 is positioned on the upper surface 19a of the first housing 19A. First housing 19A may support battery 16 . The battery 16 is positioned on the upper surface 19a of the first housing 19A. The wireless communication module 1 and the battery 16 may be arranged along the X direction on the upper surface 19a of the first housing 19A.

A second housing 19B shown in FIG. 14 may cover other devices. The second housing 19B includes a lower surface 19b positioned on the negative direction side of the Z axis of the antenna 11 . The lower surface 19b extends along the XY plane. The lower surface 19b is not limited to being flat and may include irregularities. The second housing 19B can have a conductor member 19C. The conductor member 19C is positioned at least one of the inside, the outside, and the inside of the second housing 19B. The conductor member 19C is positioned on at least one of the top surface and the side surface of the second housing 19B.

A conductor member 19</b>C shown in FIG. 14 faces the antenna 11 . Antenna 11 can be coupled to conductor member 19C and radiate electromagnetic waves using conductor member 19C as a secondary radiator. When the antenna 11 and the conductor member 19C face each other, the capacitive coupling between the antenna 11 and the conductor member 19C can be increased. When the current direction of antenna 11 is along the direction in which conductor member 19C extends, the electromagnetic coupling between antenna 11 and conductor member 19C can be increased. This coupling can be mutual inductance.

The configuration according to the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and many modifications and changes are possible. For example, the functions included in each component can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components can be combined into one or divided.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the second coupler 73 is positioned on the negative side of the Z-axis with respect to the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 . However, if the second coupling body 73 can couple the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation by the second coupling method, it does not have to be located on the negative direction side of the Z axis. For example, the second coupler 73 may be located on the positive side of the Z-axis with respect to the first radiation conductor 41 and the second radiation conductor 42 .

The figures describing the configuration according to the present disclosure are schematic. The dimensional ratios and the like on the drawings do not necessarily match the actual ones.

Descriptions such as “first”, “second”, and “third” in the present disclosure are examples of identifiers for distinguishing the configurations. Configurations that are differentiated in descriptions such as "first" and "second" in this disclosure may interchange the numbers in that configuration. For example, a first frequency can exchange identifiers "first" and "second" with a second frequency. The exchange of identifiers is done simultaneously. The configurations are still distinct after the exchange of identifiers. Identifiers may be deleted. Configurations from which identifiers have been deleted are distinguished by codes. Based solely on the description of identifiers such as "first" and "second" in this disclosure, the interpretation of the order of the configuration, the rationale for the presence of lower numbered identifiers, and the presence of higher numbered identifiers. should not be used as a basis for

1 wireless communication module 2 wireless communication device 3 substrate 10, 110, 210, 310 antenna 11 antenna 12 RF module 13A ground conductor 13B printed circuit board 14 circuit board 15 sensor 16 battery 17 memory 18 controller 19 housing 19a upper surface 19b lower surface 19A first Housing 19B Second housing 19C Conductive member 20 Base 21 Upper surface 22 Lower surface 31, 131 First antenna element 32, 132 Second antenna element 33 Third antenna element 34 Fourth antenna element (nth antenna element)
41 first radiation conductor 42 second radiation conductor 43 third radiation conductor 44 fourth radiation conductor (n-th radiation conductor)
41a, 42a long side 41b, 42b, 343b, 347b short side 51 first feeder line 52 second feeder line 53 third feeder line 54 fourth feeder line (nth feeder line)
60 ground conductor 61 first ground conductor 62 second ground conductor 61a, 62a opening 70 first combined body 71 first conductor 72 second conductor 71a, 72a end 73, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377 second joint 74 first joint 75 second joint 74a, 74b, 75a, 75b piece 81 first antenna element group 82 second antenna element group 91 first radiation conductor group 92 second radiation conductor group 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338 antenna element 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348 radiation conductor g1, g2 gap D1, D2 gap

Claims (20)

a first antenna element including a first radiation conductor and a first feeder line and resonating in a first frequency band;
a second antenna element including a second radiation conductor and a second feeder line and resonating in a second frequency band;
a first combination;
a first coupling portion;
the second feed line is coupled to the first feed line with a first component of either a capacitance component or an inductance component dominant;
wherein the first coupler couples the first feeder line and the second feeder line with a second component different from the first component being dominant;
the first radiation conductor and the second radiation conductor are arranged along the first plane at an interval equal to or less than half the resonance wavelength, which is the wavelength of the resonance frequency of the first radiation conductor and the second radiation conductor ;
the second feeding line is coupled to the first radiation conductor with a dominant third component of either a capacitance component or an inductance component;
The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling section preferentially couples a fourth component different from the third component to couple the first radiation conductor and the second feeding line. An antenna according to claim 1,
further comprising a second joint;
the first feeding line is coupled to the second radiation conductor with a fifth component of either a capacitance component or an inductance component being dominant;
The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling section preferentially couples a sixth component different from the fifth component, and couples the second radiation conductor and the first feeding line. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2,
further comprising a second conjugate;
the second radiation conductor is coupled to the first radiation conductor by a first coupling method in which one of capacitive coupling and magnetic coupling is dominant;
The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the second coupler couples the first radiation conductor and the second radiation conductor by a second coupling method different from the first coupling method. The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The antenna, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band belong to the same frequency band. The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The antenna, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band belong to different frequency bands. The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The antenna, wherein the first antenna element further includes a first ground conductor. An antenna according to claim 6,
The antenna, wherein the second antenna element further includes a second ground conductor. An antenna according to claim 7,
The antenna, wherein the first ground conductor is connected to the second ground conductor. An antenna according to claim 7 or 8,
the first ground conductor and the second ground conductor are integral;
The antenna, wherein the first ground conductor and the second ground conductor are integrated into a single substrate. An antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
Having a plurality of antenna elements including the first antenna element and the second antenna element,
The plurality of antenna elements are arranged along a first direction,
The antenna, wherein adjacent antenna elements included in the plurality of antenna elements are shifted in a second direction different from the first direction. 11. An antenna according to claim 10,
The antenna, wherein the plurality of antenna elements are arranged in the first direction at intervals of a quarter or less of a resonance wavelength. An antenna according to claim 10 or 11,
the plurality of antenna elements,
Having an n-th antenna element (n: an integer of 3 or more) that resonates in a first frequency band, including an n-th radiation conductor and an n-th feeder line,
The antenna, wherein the n-th radiation conductor is aligned with the first radiation conductor in the first direction at an interval equal to or less than half the resonance wavelength. 13. An antenna according to claim 12,
The antenna, wherein the n-th radiation conductor is directly or indirectly coupled to the second radiation conductor. An antenna according to any one of claims 10 to 13,
the plurality of antenna elements,
a first antenna element group arranged in the first direction;
and a second antenna element group arranged in the first direction,
At least one of the first group of antenna elements is capacitively or magnetically coupled to at least one of the second group of antenna elements. 15. An antenna according to claim 14,
The first antenna element group includes a first radiation conductor group,
The second antenna element group includes a second radiation conductor group,
Adjacent radiation conductors included in the first radiation conductor group are coupled by a third coupling method in which one of capacitive coupling and magnetic coupling is dominant,
The second combination of said antennas comprises:
coupling adjacent radiation conductors included in the first radiation conductor group by a fourth coupling method different from the third coupling method;
An antenna that magnetically couples a radiation conductor included in the first radiation conductor group and a radiation conductor included in the second radiation conductor group. 16. An antenna according to claim 15,
Adjacent radiation conductors included in the second radiation conductor group are coupled by the third coupling method,
The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the second coupler of the antenna couples adjacent radiation conductors included in the second radiation conductor by the fourth coupling method. An antenna according to any one of claims 10 to 16,
An antenna, wherein each of the plurality of antenna elements is fed with a signal that excites the plurality of antenna elements in phase. An antenna according to any one of claims 10 to 16,
An antenna, wherein each of the plurality of antenna elements is fed with a signal that excites the plurality of antenna elements with different phases. An antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 18;
and an RF module electrically connected to at least one of the first feed line and the second feed line. a wireless communication module according to claim 19;
a battery that supplies power to the wireless communication module.

Images