JP7487879B2 - Wide-structure tapered slot antenna - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a tapered slot antenna with a wide structure, and in particular to a tapered slot antenna with a wide structure that has directional characteristics with a wide beam width and wideband characteristics with little frequency change at high frequencies, and that can reduce costs.

An example of an antenna that has a single directivity over a wide frequency band and linear polarization is the tapered slot antenna. A tapered slot antenna is an antenna that has two conductor plates with their ends facing each other vertically at a short distance, and has a shape in which the distance between the two opposing conductor plates gradually increases as you approach the tips of the conductor plates.

In 1.6.2 and Figure 1.83 of Non-Patent Document 1, it is stated that "A tapered slot antenna, as shown in Figure 1.83(a), is an antenna that achieves a large amount of radiation while avoiding the generation of backward waves by expanding the slot line in a tapered shape and opening the tip. A tapered slot antenna (TSA) is a non-resonant antenna that has wideband characteristics in both impedance and radiation pattern."

Paragraph 0015 and Figure 1 of Patent Document 1 state, "In Figure 1, 1 is a dielectric substrate, 2 is a metal conductor portion formed on the dielectric substrate, 2 is an antenna element formed on the metal conductor portion and having a tapered portion whose slot width gradually widens toward the end of the dielectric substrate, 5 is a microstrip line, 6 is a microstrip-slot converter that performs mode conversion of a high-frequency signal supplied by the microstrip line and transmits it onto the slot line of the antenna element, 8 is a power supply portion to which the high-frequency signal is supplied by a distributor, 9 is a distributor that receives a high-frequency signal from an input end and distributes and supplies the high-frequency signal to each tapered slot antenna portion consisting of a dielectric substrate, a metal conductor portion, an antenna element, a microstrip line, a converter, and a power supply portion, and 12 is a power supply line that is connected to the power supply portion of each tapered slot antenna portion and supplies the high-frequency signal distributed by the distributor to the power supply portion of each tapered slot antenna portion." Furthermore, paragraph 0016 of Patent Document 1 states, "Each tapered slot antenna section is configured in a substantially identical manner, and is arranged radially from the power supply section, with the end of the dielectric substrate, i.e., the opening of the tapered slot antenna section from which radio waves are emitted, arranged on an arc." As such, the antenna device of Patent Document 1 has a distributor for distributing and feeding high-frequency signals to each tapered slot antenna section, and is therefore correspondingly more expensive than an antenna device that does not have a distributor.

Paragraph 0003 of Patent Document 2 states that "the tapered slot antenna comprises a dielectric substrate, a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate patterned on one side of the dielectric substrate, a microstrip line formed on the other side of the dielectric substrate for feeding power to a tapered slot formed by the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate, and a through hole provided in the dielectric substrate at the end of the microstrip line." Paragraph 0004 of Patent Document 2 states that "the tapered slot is configured so that its width gradually increases in a tapered manner from the power feed point side (the side where the microstrip line is provided) toward the front side, and the tip portion is a radiation portion opening. Also, the tapered shape of the tapered slot is formed symmetrically with respect to the center line of the tapered slot antenna." Patent Document 2 does not state that the high frequency directional characteristics are wideband characteristics.

Naohisa Goto, Masao Nakagawa, and Kiyohiko Ito, editors, "Antenna and Radio Handbook", Ohmsha Co., Ltd., October 25, 2006, 1st edition, 1st printing JP 2003-188643 A JP 2009-005086 A

As mentioned above, none of Non-Patent Document 1, Patent Document 1, and Patent Document 2 describe a tapered slot antenna that has broadband characteristics with little frequency change in high-frequency directional characteristics and can reduce costs, and there has been a demand for such an antenna.

The objective of this disclosure is to provide a tapered slot antenna that solves the above-mentioned problems.

The wide structure tapered slot antenna according to the present disclosure has:
a central conductor having a generally U-shaped configuration, the central conductor having a short-circuit portion, a first portion coupled to a portion of the short-circuit portion, and a second portion coupled to another portion of the short-circuit portion, the central conductor having a slit formed between the first portion and the second portion;
a first tapered conductor extending from the first portion, having a first side surface in a direction intersecting the extending direction and a second side surface in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction, and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the central conductor;
a second tapered conductor extending from the second portion and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed perpendicularly to the central conductor;
Equipped with
a distance between a tip of the extended end of the first tapered conductor and a tip of the extended end of the second tapered conductor is longer than a distance between an end of the first tapered conductor close to the slit and an end of the second tapered conductor close to the slit;
a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface at the tip of the extended end of the first tapered conductor is longer than a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface at an end close to the slit,
the first tapered conductor has a third side surface that intersects with a direction from the second portion toward the first portion;
a distance between a connection point of the third side surface and the first portion and a side opposite to the connection point is shorter than a distance between the connection point and a first tip of the first tapered conductor close to the first side surface;
a distance between the connection point and a side opposite to the connection point is shorter than a distance between the connection point and a second tip of the first tapered conductor close to the second side surface;
The first portion and the second portion are supplied with power.

The wide structure tapered slot antenna according to the present disclosure has:
a central conductor having a generally U-shaped configuration, the central conductor having a short-circuit portion, a first portion coupled to a portion of the short-circuit portion, and a second portion coupled to another portion of the short-circuit portion, the central conductor having a slit formed between the first portion and the second portion;
a first tapered conductor extending from the first portion, having a first side surface in a direction intersecting the extending direction and a second side surface in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction, and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the central conductor;
a second tapered conductor extending from the second portion and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed perpendicularly to the central conductor;
Equipped with
a distance between a tip of the extended end of the first tapered conductor and a tip of the extended end of the second tapered conductor is longer than a distance between an end of the first tapered conductor close to the slit and an end of the second tapered conductor close to the slit;
a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface at the tip of the extended end of the first tapered conductor is longer than a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface at an end close to the slit,
the first tapered conductor has a third side surface that intersects with a direction from the second portion toward the first portion;
a distance between a connection point of the third side surface and the first portion and a side opposite to the connection point is shorter than a distance between the connection point and a first tip of the first tapered conductor close to the first side surface;
a distance between the connection point and a side opposite to the connection point is shorter than a distance between the connection point and a second tip of the first tapered conductor close to the second side surface;
supplying power to the first portion and the second portion;
The tapered slot antenna is covered in directions other than the main beam direction of the radio waves radiated by the tapered slot antenna with a wall formed of a conductor, a dielectric, or a conductive dielectric material including a conductor and a dielectric.

The orthogonal tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to the present disclosure includes:
A first tapered slot antenna and a second tapered slot antenna are provided,
The first tapered slot antenna comprises:
a first antenna central conductor having a substantially U-shaped configuration, the first antenna central conductor having a first antenna short-circuit portion, a first antenna first portion coupled to a portion of the first antenna short-circuit portion, and a first antenna second portion coupled to another portion of the first antenna short-circuit portion, the first antenna central conductor having a first antenna slit formed between the first antenna first portion and the first antenna second portion;
a first antenna first tapered conductor extending from the first antenna first portion, having a first antenna first side surface in a direction intersecting the extending direction and a first antenna second side surface in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction, and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first antenna central conductor;
a first antenna second tapered conductor extending from the first antenna second portion and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first antenna central conductor;
Equipped with
a distance between a tip of the extended end of the first antenna first tapered conductor and a tip of the extended end of the first antenna second tapered conductor is longer than a distance between an end of the first antenna first tapered conductor close to the first antenna slit and an end of the first antenna second tapered conductor close to the first antenna slit,
a distance between the first antenna first side surface and the first antenna second side surface at the tip of the extended end of the first antenna first tapered conductor is longer than a distance between the first antenna first side surface and the first antenna second side surface at an end close to the first antenna slit,
the first antenna first tapered conductor has a first antenna third side surface that intersects with a direction from the first antenna second portion to the first antenna first portion;
a distance between a first antenna coupling point coupled to the first antenna first portion of the first antenna third side surface and a side opposite to the first antenna coupling point is shorter than a distance between the first antenna coupling point and a first antenna first tip of the first antenna first tapered conductor close to the first antenna first side surface;
a distance between the first antenna coupling point and a side opposite to the first antenna coupling point is shorter than a distance between the first antenna coupling point and a first antenna second tip of the first antenna first tapered conductor close to the first antenna second side surface;
powering the first antenna first portion and the first antenna second portion;
The second tapered slot antenna comprises:
a second antenna central conductor having a substantially U-shaped configuration, the second antenna central conductor having a second antenna short-circuit portion, a second antenna first portion coupled to a portion of the second antenna short-circuit portion, and a second antenna second portion coupled to another portion of the second antenna short-circuit portion, the second antenna central conductor having a second antenna slit formed between the second antenna first portion and the second antenna second portion;
a second antenna first tapered conductor extending from the second antenna first portion, having a second antenna first side surface in a direction intersecting the extending direction and a second antenna second side surface in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction, and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the second antenna central conductor;
a second antenna second tapered conductor extending from the second antenna second portion and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the second antenna central conductor;
Equipped with
a distance between a tip of the extended end of the second antenna first tapered conductor and a tip of the extended end of the second antenna second tapered conductor is longer than a distance between an end of the second antenna first tapered conductor close to the second antenna slit and an end of the second antenna second tapered conductor close to the second antenna slit,
a distance between the second antenna first side surface and the second antenna second side surface at the tip of the extended end of the second antenna first tapered conductor is longer than a distance between the second antenna first side surface and the second antenna second side surface at an end close to the second antenna slit,
the second antenna first tapered conductor has a second antenna third side surface that intersects with a direction from the second antenna second portion to the second antenna first portion;
a distance between a second antenna coupling point, which is coupled to the second antenna first portion of the second antenna third side surface, and a side opposite to the second antenna coupling point, is shorter than a distance between the second antenna coupling point and a second antenna first tip of the second antenna first tapered conductor, which is close to the second antenna first side surface;
a distance between the second antenna coupling point and a side opposite to the second antenna coupling point is shorter than a distance between the second antenna coupling point and a second antenna second tip of the second antenna first tapered conductor close to the second antenna second side surface;
powering the first portion of the second antenna and the second portion of the second antenna;
The first antenna central conductor and the second antenna central conductor intersect so that the direction from the first antenna second part to the first antenna first part and the direction from the second antenna second part to the second antenna first part are perpendicular to each other.

The present disclosure provides a tapered slot antenna with a wide structure that has directional characteristics with a wide beam width and broadband characteristics with little frequency change at high frequencies, while also enabling cost reduction.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a first embodiment; 1 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a first embodiment; 1A to 1C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of a tapered slot antenna. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating the directivity of the antenna shown in FIG. 2A. 1A to 1C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of a tapered slot antenna. 2D is a schematic diagram illustrating the directivity of the antenna shown in FIG. 2C. 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment. 3C is a schematic diagram illustrating the directivity of the antenna shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment. 3D and 3E are schematic diagrams illustrating the directivity of the antenna shown in FIG. 3D and FIG. 3E. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a simulation model of a tapered slot antenna according to a first embodiment; 1 is a perspective view illustrating a simulation model of a tapered slot antenna according to a comparative example of the first embodiment; FIG. 4B is a graph illustrating the matching characteristics of the simulation model shown in FIG. 4A. 4B is a graph illustrating the directional characteristics of the simulation model shown in FIG. 4A and the directional characteristics of the simulation model shown in FIG. 4B. 1 is a graph illustrating directional characteristics in the AZ plane at a frequency of 5 GHz. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a ninth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a tenth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to an eleventh embodiment. FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention; 23 is a perspective view illustrating an orthogonal tapered slot antenna according to a thirteenth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating an orthogonal tapered slot antenna according to a fourteenth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a fifteenth embodiment. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention; 23 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a seventeenth embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted as necessary to clarify the explanation.

[First embodiment]
First, the problem will be described in detail.
The tapered slot antennas shown in Non-Patent Document 1, Patent Document 1, and Patent Document 2 have a wideband matching characteristic and are widely used as antennas having a single directivity of linear polarization. A wideband matching characteristic means that the input impedance fluctuates little in a wide frequency band, and that the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) is suppressed to a low value in a wide frequency band. On the other hand, an antenna is intended to radiate radio waves into space and perform wireless communication, but when radio waves are radiated into space, the spread of the radio waves, i.e., the directional characteristics, vary greatly depending on the frequency. A tapered slot antenna has a directional characteristic with a wide beam width at low frequencies, and as the frequency increases, the beam width becomes narrower and the beam becomes sharper. In addition, even if the tapered slot antenna is in a direction in which the maximum gain is obtained in a low frequency band, a null beam may be formed at another frequency (such as a higher frequency) in which the gain is minimized. The narrowing of the beam width at high frequencies and the formation of a null beam are disadvantages when performing wireless communication in a wide frequency band.

Now consider the case where wireless communication is performed with a wireless station in a specified area over a wide frequency band from low to high frequencies. When a normal tapered slot antenna is used, the beam width is wide in the low frequency band, so the coverage area for wireless communication is wide, and wireless communication can be performed with many wireless terminals (opposing wireless stations). For example, when the beam width of a tapered slot antenna is 60 degrees, wireless communication can be performed with wireless terminals in an area with a beam width of 60 degrees. However, the beam width of a tapered slot antenna becomes narrow at high frequencies. For example, when the beam width of a tapered slot antenna is 40 degrees at high frequencies, there is a problem that even wireless terminals that can perform wireless communication at low frequencies cannot perform wireless communication at high frequencies.

Let us also consider the case where a tapered slot antenna is used as the primary radiator of a parabolic antenna. In a parabolic antenna, the radio waves from the antenna used as the primary radiator are uniformly irradiated onto the parabolic reflector, thereby achieving high efficiency, i.e., high gain. However, in a tapered slot antenna, whose beam width varies with changes in frequency, the radio waves are not uniformly irradiated onto the parabolic reflector, and at high frequencies the radio wave irradiation is more concentrated near the center of the directivity, reducing the efficiency of the antenna and decreasing the gain.

To solve these problems, an antenna that is broadband and has minimal frequency change in its directional characteristics (radiation pattern characteristics) is needed.

Therefore, a tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to a first embodiment for solving the above problems will be described. First, the structure of the tapered slot antenna having a wide structure will be described. In the description, the tapered slot antenna having a wide structure may be simply referred to as a tapered slot antenna.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating the tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the tapered slot antenna 10 according to the first embodiment includes a central conductor 19, a first tapered conductor 11, and a second tapered conductor 12.

The tapered slot antenna 10 has a structure in which a first tapered conductor 11 and a second tapered conductor 12 are vertically opposed to each other at a short distance. The tapered slot antenna 10 has a structure in which the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12 are joined to a first portion 191 and a second portion 192 of a central conductor 19, respectively. The central conductor 19 has a slit St for feeding power, which is disposed within the central conductor 19. This slit St has an approximately U-shaped configuration. The first tapered conductor may also be referred to as the first radiating element, and the second tapered conductor may also be referred to as the second radiating element.

In other words, the central conductor 19 has a short-circuited portion 193, a first portion 191 that is coupled to a part of the short-circuited portion 193, and a second portion 192 that is coupled to another part of the short-circuited portion 193. The central conductor 19 has a generally U-shaped configuration with a slit St formed between the first portion 191 and the second portion 192.

The first tapered conductor 11 has side plates 11a and 11b and an upper bottom plate 11c made of a conductor or dielectric, and a radiation surface plate 11d made of a conductor. The second tapered conductor 12 is similar.

In other words, the first tapered conductor 11 extends from the first portion 191, has a first side surface 11S1 in a direction intersecting the extending direction, and has a second side surface 11S2 in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction. The first tapered conductor 11 has a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the central conductor 19. The outer surface of the side plate 11a is referred to as the first side surface 11S1, the outer surface of the side plate 11b is referred to as the second side surface 11S2, the outer surface of the bottom plate 11c is referred to as the third side surface 11S3, and the outer surface of the radiation plate 11d is referred to as the fourth side surface 11S4.

The second tapered conductor 12 extends from the second portion 192 and has a generally triangular shape when viewed perpendicular to the central conductor 19.

The width of the first tapered conductor 11 in the left-right direction gradually increases toward the tip P11f1, for example. The first tapered conductor 11 has a wide shape. The second tapered conductor 12 is similar. Specifically, the distance D1s between the first side 11S1 and the second side 11S2 at the tip P11f1, for example, of the end of the first tapered conductor 11 is longer than the distance between the first side 11S1 and the second side 11S2 at the end P11n close to the slit St. More specifically, the angle θ1 between the first side 11S1 of the first tapered conductor 11 and the second side 11S2 of the first tapered conductor 11 when viewed from the direction from the second portion 192 toward the first portion 191 is, for example, 29 degrees or more and 35 degrees or less. The second tapered conductor 12 is also similar to the first tapered conductor 11. That is, the angle θ2 between the first side 12S1 of the second tapered conductor 12 and the second side 12S2 of the second tapered conductor 12 when viewed from the direction from the second portion 192 toward the first portion 191 is, for example, 29 degrees or more and 35 degrees or less.

The line segment where the third side 11S3 and the fourth side 11S4 of the first tapered conductor 11 meet may be composed of a part of a straight line, a circle, an ellipse, an n-th order function (n is an integer of 2 or more), an exponential function, a logarithmic curve, etc. The shapes of the first side 11S1 and the second side 11S2 of the first tapered conductor 11 are determined by the extent of the wide structure of the fourth side 11S4 (radiation surface) of the first tapered conductor 11 and the fourth side 12S4 (radiation surface) of the second tapered conductor 12. The same applies to the second tapered conductor 12.

When the tapered slot antenna 10 is viewed from the direction from the second portion 192 toward the first portion 191, the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12 appear to have a wider structure as they approach the tip. Therefore, the tapered slot antenna 10 is sometimes referred to as a wide tapered slot antenna (WTSA).

The distance between the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12, which are opposed in the vertical direction, i.e., the distance between the radiating surface plate 11d and the radiating surface plate 12d, gradually widens and increases, for example, toward the tip P11f1.

Specifically, the distance between the end of the first tapered conductor 11, for example, tip P11f1, and the end of the second tapered conductor 12, for example, tip P12f1, is defined as distance D1f. The distance between the end P11n of the first tapered conductor 11 close to the slit St and the end P12n of the second tapered conductor 12 close to the slit St is defined as distance D1n. In this case, distance D1f is longer than distance D1n.

More specifically, the distance between the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12 at a first predetermined distance L1 from the near end P11n of the first tapered conductor 11 is defined as distance D1. The distance between the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12 at a second predetermined distance L2, which is longer than the first predetermined distance L1 from the near end P11n of the first tapered conductor 11, is defined as distance D2. In this case, distance D1 is shorter than distance D2.

The tapered slot antenna 10 supplies power to the upper part of the slit St (first part 191) and the lower part of the slit St (second part 192).

Specifically, the tapered slot antenna 10 further includes a power supply section 194. The power supply section 194 supplies power by applying a first potential to the first section 191 and a second potential, which is lower than the first potential, to the second section 192.

The tapered slot antenna 10 feeds power to the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12 from a single power feed section 194, so no distributor is required to feed power to each tapered conductor. This allows for cost reduction compared to antennas that feed power to multiple tapered conductors via a distributor.

The shape of the first tapered conductor 11, for example, from the tip P11f1 to the near end P11n of the first tapered conductor 11, and the shape of the second tapered conductor 12, for example, from the tip P12f1 to the near end P12n of the second tapered conductor 12, may be curved or linear.

Furthermore, the shape of the first tapered conductor 11, for example, from the tip P11f1 to the near end P11n of the first tapered conductor 11, and the shape of the second tapered conductor 12 from the tip P12f1 to the near end P12n of the second tapered conductor 12 may be any of the shapes of a combination of multiple straight lines, a combination of multiple curved lines, and a combination of multiple straight lines and multiple curved lines.

In other words, in FIG. 1A, the shape from the tip P11f1 to the nearby end P11n is described as a predetermined curved shape, but is not limited to this. The shape from the tip P11f1 to the nearby end P11n may be, for example, a shape using a combination of multiple curves, an nth-order curve (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1) with a continuously changing radius, a hyperbola, a logarithmic curve, an exponential curve, or the like. The same is true for the shape from the tip P12f1 to the nearby end P12n.

The fourth side surface 11S4 of the first tapered conductor 11 may be configured as a curved or flat surface, a surface that combines a curved surface and a flat surface, a surface that combines one or more curved surfaces and one or more flat surfaces, etc.

The second tapered conductor 12 may have a shape symmetrical to the first tapered conductor 11 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the central conductor 19.

As shown in FIG. 1B, each of the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12 of the tapered slot antenna 10a may be a polyhedron. The polyhedron may be, for example, a planar polyhedron. The fourth side surface 11S4 side of the first tapered conductor 11 may have a concave shape. Specifically, the first tapered conductor 11 has a third side surface 11S3 that intersects with the direction from the second portion 192 toward the first portion 191. The distance between the connection point P11c that connects to the first portion 191 of the third side surface 11S3 and the side f12 facing the connection point P11c is set as the distance Lcf. The distance between the connection point P11c and the first tip P11f1 close to the first side surface 11S1 of the first tapered conductor 11 is set as the distance L11. In this case, the distance Lcf is shorter than the distance L11. The distance between the connection point P11c and the second tip P11f2, which is closer to the second side surface 11S2 of the first tapered conductor 11, is set to distance L12. In this case, distance Lcf is shorter than distance L12. The same is true for the second tapered conductor 12.

In this way, in the tapered slot antenna 10a, the shape of the side f12 facing the coupling point P11c of the first tapered conductor 11 is not constant, but has a recess in the center, and the second tapered conductor 12 has a similar shape. As a result, the distance between the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12 arranged above and below varies. By having a recess in the center, the distance between the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12 in the center becomes longer than when there is no recess. By making the shape with such a recess, it becomes easier to distribute the current to both ends of the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12, as shown in FIG. 3E. This makes it possible to obtain the effect that the beam width of the directional characteristic of the antenna can be kept more constant than when there is no recess.

As shown in Figure 1A, if the distance between the connection point P11c and side f12 is constant, i.e., if it is constant in the circumferential direction, the shape of the antenna will in principle be close to a shape that is a partially cut-out biconical antenna. In this case, the effect of strongly distributing the current at both ends as shown in Figure 3E is small compared to an antenna with a recess in the center.

The operation of the tapered slot antenna will now be described.
First, as a basic operation, the operation of a tapered slot antenna constituted by a first tapered conductor and a second tapered conductor that do not have a wide structure will be described.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a tapered slot antenna.
2A shows the current flow in the first and second tapered conductors at low frequencies. The arrows in FIG. 2A show the current flow.
FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating the directivity of the antenna shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a tapered slot antenna.
2C shows the current flow in the first and second tapered conductors at high frequencies. The arrows in FIG. 2C show the current flow.
FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram illustrating the directivity of the antenna shown in FIG. 2C.

As shown in Fig. 2A, at low frequencies, the wavelength is long, so the current is distributed long at the ends of the first and second tapered conductors. The radio wave is radiated from a point at a distance R _WSA-L from the power supply with the directionality shown in Fig. 2B.

As shown in Fig. 2C, in the high frequency band, the wavelength is short, so multiple current maxima are distributed and the phase is inverted alternately. The current amplitude is largest at the part closest to the power feeder, so the center of radio wave radiation is generally near the current maxima closest to the power feeder, that is, the radio wave is emitted from the point at a distance R _TSA-H from the power feeder.

As shown in Figure 2D, in this case, the directivity is formed by a composite electric field of currents with multiple maximum values at the ends of the first and second tapered conductors, which are distributed with alternating phase inversions, resulting in a complex directivity with a narrow beam width and many high side lobes. In this way, the directivity of a tapered slot antenna composed of a first and second tapered conductor varies with changes in frequency, and the higher the frequency, the narrower the beam width.

Next, the operation of the tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 3A shows currents at low frequencies in the first tapered conductor and the second tapered conductor according to embodiment 1. The arrows shown in Fig. 3A show the flow of current.
FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment.
3B shows currents at low frequencies in the first tapered conductor and the second tapered conductor according to embodiment 1. The arrows shown in FIG. 3B show the flow of current.
FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram illustrating the directivity of the antenna shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 3D is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 3D shows currents at high frequencies in the first tapered conductor and the second tapered conductor according to embodiment 1. The arrows shown in Fig. 3D show the flow of current.
FIG. 3E is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 3E shows currents at low frequencies in the first tapered conductor and the second tapered conductor according to embodiment 1. The arrows shown in Fig. 3E show the flow of current.
FIG. 3F is a schematic diagram illustrating the directivity of the antenna shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E.

3A, since the wavelength is long at low frequencies, the current is distributed long at the end of the first tapered conductor 11 and the end of the second tapered conductor 12. The radio wave is radiated from a point at a distance R _WTSA-L from the power supply section 194.

In this case, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the current flows strongly to the fan-shaped ends of the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12. Therefore, the directivity of the tapered slot antenna 10 is a combination of radiation from two locations separated by a distance (spacing) _DWTSA-L , as shown in Figure 3C. Therefore, the beam width of the directivity of the tapered slot antenna 10 is slightly narrower than that of the antenna in Figures 2A and 2B. The directivity of the tapered slot antenna 10 can be considered as a two-element array antenna, and therefore has a broad directivity as shown in Figure 3C.

3D, since the wavelength is short at high frequencies, multiple current maxima are distributed and the phase is alternately inverted. The current amplitude is largest at the portion closest to the power feed 194. Therefore, radio waves are generally emitted from the vicinity of the current maxima closest to the power feed 194, that is, from the point at a distance R _WTSA-H from the power feed 194.

In this case, as shown in Figures 3D and 3E, the current flows strongly in the fan-shaped ends of the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12. Therefore, the directivity of the tapered slot antenna 10 is a combination of radiation from two locations separated by a distance (spacing) of D _WTSA-H , as shown in Figure 3F. In this case, the directivity is also affected by the electric field caused by the distribution of multiple currents due to the short wavelength, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, but the radiation from the two locations separated by the distance D _WTSA-H is the most affected and is more affected. Therefore, the shape of the directivity is determined by the combination of the two. Therefore, the directivity at high frequencies may also be considered as a two-element array antenna.

Here, the relationships of wavelength of low frequency > wavelength of high frequency, distance R _WTSA-L > distance R _WTSA-H , and distance D _WTSA-L > distance D _WTSA-H are established. If the relationships between the wavelength of low frequency and the wavelength of high frequency, between distance R _WTSA-L and distance R _WTSA-H , and between distance D _WTSA-L and distance D _WTSA-H are proportional or close to proportional, then the directivity and its beam width will be close to equivalent regardless of frequency.

For example, when the low-band frequency is 1 GHz (gigahertz), the wavelength is 30 cm (centimeters). If the distance D _WTSA-L is 15 cm, then 30 cm/15 cm = 0.5 wavelength. Therefore, the directivity shown in Figure 3C is close to the directivity of an array antenna with two elements and an antenna element spacing of 0.5 wavelength.

On the other hand, if the high frequency is 3 GHz, which is three times the low frequency of 1 GHz, the wavelength is 10 cm. The relationship between the distance R _WTSA-L and the distance R _WTSA-H is almost proportional to the wavelength, so the distance R _WTSA-H is 1/3 of the distance R _WTSA-L . The triangle T _WTSA-L shown in FIG. 3C and the triangle T _WTSA-H shown in FIG. 3F are similar to each other, and the ratio between the distance R _WTSA-L and the distance R _WTSA-H is approximately the same as the ratio between the distance D _WTSA-L and the distance D _WTSA-H . Therefore, the distance D _WTSA-H is also 1/3 of the distance D _WTSA-L , and the distance D _WTSA-H = 15 cm/3 = 5 cm.

In this case, the distance D _WTSA-H , when converted into wavelengths, is 10 cm/5 cm=0.5 wavelengths, and even at three times the frequency, a two-element antenna forms the directivity of an array antenna with an element spacing of 0.5 wavelengths.

In this way, if the relationship between distance R _WTSA-L and distance R _WTSA-H is proportional to or close to the relationship between distance D _WTSA-L and distance D _WTSA-H , the directivity formed will be equivalent to or close to that of a two-element array antenna, regardless of frequency.

Next, the effect of the tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment will be described using the results of a simulation.
FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating a simulation model of the tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment.
The angle between the first side surface and the second side surface of the first tapered conductor is 31.9 degrees.
FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustrating a simulation model of a tapered slot antenna according to a comparative example of the first embodiment.
The tapered slot antenna according to the comparative example uses a thin plate instead of a wide structure The tapered slot antenna according to the comparative example does not have a wide structure.

FIG. 4C is a graph illustrating the matching characteristics of the simulation model shown in FIG. 4A.
4C, the horizontal axis indicates frequency, and the vertical axis indicates the absolute value |S11| of the reflection coefficient S11, in units of dB (decibels).

As shown in Figure 4C, the absolute value of the reflection coefficient |S11| is -6 dB or less in the wide frequency band from 1.1 GHz to 5.5 GHz and at or above 6.8 GHz. When the absolute value of the reflection coefficient |S11| of -6 dB or less is converted into a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) indicating good matching, it is 3.0 or less, and it can be seen that good matching is obtained at least in the above bands (1.1 GHz to 5.5 GHz and 6.8 GHz or higher).

FIG. 4D is a graph illustrating the directional characteristics in the simulation model shown in FIG. 4A and the directional characteristics in the simulation model shown in FIG. 4B.
FIG. 4D shows three-dimensional directional characteristics including an azimuth plane (AZ plane) and an elevation angle plane (EL plane).

As shown in FIG. 4D, the tapered slot antenna according to the comparative example has a characteristic in the AZ plane in which the main beam becomes narrower (thinner) as the frequency increases. On the other hand, the tapered slot antenna according to embodiment 1 has a characteristic in the AZ plane in which the main beam does not narrow and maintains a constant beam width even as the frequency increases.

FIG. 4E is a graph illustrating the directional characteristics in the AZ plane at a frequency of 7 GHz.
The horizontal axis of Fig. 4E indicates the angle from the maximum gain direction in units of degrees, and the vertical axis of Fig. 4E indicates the gain in units of dBi.
The solid line shown in FIG. 4E indicates the gain of the tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment, and the dotted line indicates the gain of the tapered slot antenna according to the comparative example.

As shown in FIG. 4E, the -10 dB beam width in the directional gain of the tapered slot antenna according to the comparative example is 40 degrees. On the other hand, the -10 dB beam width in the directional gain of the tapered slot antenna according to embodiment 1 is 64 degrees, which is 1.6 times the beam width obtained with the tapered slot antenna according to the comparative example.

The tapered slot antenna according to the first embodiment can provide the following advantages compared to the tapered slot antenna according to the comparative example.
The matching characteristics are wideband, i.e., the input impedance characteristics are wideband.
・Directivity characteristics (radiation pattern characteristics) change little with respect to frequency changes. In particular, the beam width changes little, and a beam width with little fluctuation can be obtained over a wide frequency band. The beam width is also wide.

As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the tapered slot antenna 10 according to embodiment 1 feeds power to multiple tapered conductors (first tapered conductor 11 and second tapered conductor 12) from a single power feed section 194. In other words, the tapered slot antenna 10 does not require a distributor to feed power to each tapered conductor, and can share a single power feed section 194. This allows the tapered slot antenna 10 to reduce costs compared to antennas that feed power to multiple tapered conductors via a distributor.

As a result, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a tapered slot antenna with a wide structure that has directional characteristics with a wide beam width at high frequencies, wideband characteristics with little frequency change, and can reduce costs.

In addition, the tapered slot antenna 10 has a recess in the center of the upper and lower tapered conductors (see Figure 1A), which has the effect of keeping the beam width of the directional characteristic more constant compared to when there is no recess.

Here, the features of the tapered slot antenna 10 will be described below.
The tapered slot antenna 10 comprises a first tapered conductor 11 and a second tapered conductor 12 whose fourth sides (radiating facets) are opposed vertically at a short distance, i.e., the fourth side 11S4 and the fourth side 12S4, and a central conductor 19 that joins the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12.
The distance between the first tapered conductor 11 and the second tapered conductor 12 that face each other in the vertical direction gradually increases toward the tip.
The width of the first tapered conductor 11 in the left-right direction gradually increases toward the tip. This is called a wide structure.
The central conductor 19 has a substantially U-shaped slit St for feeding power.
The first tapered conductor 11 and an upper portion of the slit St of the central conductor 19 are joined, and the second tapered conductor 12 and a lower portion of the slit St of the central conductor 19 are joined.
The central conductor 19 is fed to an upper portion of the slit St and a lower portion of the slit St.
The first tapered conductor is referred to as the upper conductor and the second tapered conductor is referred to as the lower conductor.
By having the above-mentioned configuration, the tapered slot antenna 10 has wideband matching characteristics and its directivity varies little with frequency changes, and in particular has the advantage that the beam width is maintained without narrowing from low to high frequencies.
When there is a recess in the central portion of the upper and lower tapered conductors of the tapered slot antenna 10, the beam width of the directional characteristic can be kept more constant.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna 20 according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tapered slot antenna 20 according to the second embodiment differs from the tapered slot antenna 10 according to the first embodiment in that the first side 21S1, the second side 21S2, the third side 21S3, the fourth side 21S4, the first side 22S1, the second side 22S2, the third side 22S3, and the fourth side 22S4 are triangular in shape.

In particular, the third side 21S3 and the fourth side 21S4 of the first tapered conductor 21 and the third side 22S3 and the fourth side 22S4 of the second tapered conductor 22 are triangular rather than sector-shaped, so that the same effect as the tapered slot antenna 10a (see FIG. 1B) can be obtained. And, because the third side 21S3 and the third side 22S3 are triangular, it is easier to distribute the current to both ends of the third side 21S3 and the third side 22S3 compared to the case of a sector (see FIG. 3E). The reason for this is that the distance between the center when the fourth side 21S4 and the fourth side 22S4 are viewed from the central conductor 29 side is smaller in the triangle than in the sector, so that the current is less likely to be distributed. Furthermore, if the central conductor 29 made of a conductor has a thickness, the shapes of the third side surface 21S3, the fourth side surface 21S4, the third side surface 22S3, and the fourth side surface 22S4 will be trapezoidal.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna 30 according to the third embodiment.
As shown in Figure 6, the tapered slot antenna 30 of embodiment 3 differs from the tapered slot antenna 10 of embodiment 1 in that the fourth side surface 31S4 of the first tapered conductor 31 and the fourth side surface 32S4 of the second tapered conductor 32, which are the radiation surfaces, are formed as composite surfaces combining a plurality of surfaces.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first tapered conductor 31 and the second tapered conductor 32 are composed of multiple flat and curved surfaces. Specifically, the fourth side surface 31S4, which is the radio wave emission surface of the first tapered conductor 31, is composed of flat surfaces 31S41, 31S42, 31S43, and curved surface 31S44. The fourth side surface 32S4, which is the radio wave emission surface of the second tapered conductor 32, is composed of flat surfaces 32S41, 32S42, 32S43, and curved surface 32S44.

In other words, each of the first tapered conductor 31 and the second tapered conductor 32 is configured with a three-dimensional shape that includes multiple curved surfaces.

The first tapered conductor 31 and the second tapered conductor 32, which are radiation conductors facing each other above and below the tapered slot antenna 30, may have an asymmetric structure. That is, the second tapered conductor 32 may have an asymmetric shape with the first tapered conductor 31 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the central conductor 39. When the first tapered conductor 31 and the second tapered conductor 32 have an asymmetric structure, for example, the first tapered conductor 11 shown in FIG. 1A and the second tapered conductor 32 shown in FIG. 6 may be combined. When the tapered conductors are combined in this way, by keeping the length L shown in FIG. 6 approximately the same length as before the combination, no beam shift occurs in the elevation plane and the beam width in the azimuth direction can be maintained.

[Fourth embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to the fourth embodiment.
As shown in Figure 7, the tapered slot antenna 40 of embodiment 4 differs from the tapered slot antenna 10 of embodiment 1 in that after passing through the slit St, the antenna is short-circuited through a circular cut-out portion Ste at the short-circuit portion 491.

Specifically, the slit St of the tapered slot antenna 40 extends further in a direction toward the short-circuit portion 491. The extended portion of the slit St (the cutout portion Ste) has a predetermined shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the central conductor 49. The predetermined shape is, for example, a circular shape.

The shape of the cutout portion Ste is not limited to a circle, but may be, for example, an ellipse or a combination of multiple arcs.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to the fifth embodiment.
8, the tapered slot antenna 50 according to the fifth embodiment has a different shape of the cutout portion Ste from the tapered slot antenna 40 according to the fourth embodiment. Specifically, the shape of the cutout portion Ste is, for example, a sector shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the central conductor 59.

The shape of the cutout portion Ste is not limited to a circle or a sector shape, but may be any shape, for example, a polygon or a shape that combines a polygon and an arc.

Sixth Embodiment
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to the sixth embodiment.
9, the tapered slot antenna 60 according to the sixth embodiment is shorter than the tapered slot antenna 20 according to the second embodiment in the length from the tip P61f1 of the first tapered conductor 61 to the end P61n close to the slit St of the first tapered conductor 61. For example, the length Lnf from the tip P61f1 to the nearby end P61n is shorter than the predetermined length Lp. The same is true for the second tapered conductor 62.

That is, the tapered slot antenna 60 has a central conductor 69 with a tapered section that gradually widens in the vertical direction, and a first tapered conductor 61 and a second tapered conductor 62 that face each other vertically at the respective tips of the upper and lower tapered sections.

In the tapered slot antenna 60 shown in FIG. 9, the first tapered conductor 61 and the second tapered conductor 62 are shown as polyhedrons, but are not limited to this. Each of the first tapered conductor 61 and the second tapered conductor 62 may be configured as a combination of a polyhedron and a three-dimensional shape including multiple curved surfaces. The first tapered conductor 61 and the second tapered conductor 62 may also be configured as a combination of one or more flat surfaces and curved surfaces. The tapered portion may also be formed as a straight line, a curve, or a combination of one or more straight lines and curves.

[Embodiment 7]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to the seventh embodiment.
As shown in Figure 10, the tapered slot antenna 70 of embodiment 7 differs from the tapered slot antenna 10 of embodiment 1 in that the shape of the first side surface 71S1 and the second side surface 72S2 of the first tapered conductor 71 is a curved, approximately U-shaped shape when viewed from the direction from the second tapered conductor 72 toward the first tapered conductor 71.

The tapered slot antenna 70 is joined to the central conductor 79 at approximately the apex of the approximately U-shape of the first tapered conductor 71 and the second tapered conductor 72. The shape of the first side surface 71S1 and the second side surface 72S2 of the first tapered conductor 71 when viewed from the direction from the second tapered conductor 72 toward the first tapered conductor 71 is not limited to an approximately U-shape, but may be a linear approximately V-shape.

Furthermore, the fourth side surface 71S4 of the first tapered conductor 71 and the fourth side surface 72S4 of the second tapered conductor 72, which are the radiation surfaces of the radio waves, may each be configured as a curved surface, a flat surface, a combination of a curved surface and a flat surface, a combination of one or more curved surfaces and one or more flat surfaces, etc. In particular, when configured as a curved surface, the shape of the fourth side surface 71S4 of the first tapered conductor 71 in a cross section including the direction from the second portion 792 to the first portion 791 may be configured as a circle, an ellipse, an m-th order function (m is an integer of 1 or more), an exponential function, a logarithmic curve, etc. The same applies to the fourth side surface 72S4 of the second tapered conductor 72.

[Embodiment 8]
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to the eighth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 11, a tapered slot antenna 80 according to the eighth embodiment has a first tapered conductor 81 and a second tapered conductor 82, which are radio wave radiating elements, each of which is formed of a planar polyhedron.

Specifically, the first tapered conductor 81 is composed of a first side surface 81S1 (side plate 81a), a second side surface 81S2 (side plate 81b), a third side surface 81S3 (bottom plate 81c), and a fourth side surface 81S4 (radiating surface plate 81d). The fourth side surface 81S4 is composed of a surface 81S41 and a surface 81S42.

The second tapered conductor 82 is composed of a first side surface 82S1 (side plate 82a), a second side surface 82S2 (side plate 82b), a third side surface 82S3 (bottom plate 82c), and a fourth side surface 82S4 (radiating surface plate 82d). The fourth side surface 82S4 is composed of a surface 82S41 and a surface 82S42.

In the tapered slot antenna 80, the circumferential shapes of the upper and lower radiating elements (tapered conductors) are not constant, and the central portion protrudes, causing the distance between the upper and lower radiating elements (first tapered conductor 81 and second tapered conductor 82) to vary, with the distance being particularly short in the central portion.

Specifically, the distance between the connection point P81c of the first tapered conductor 81 and the tip P81f1 of the first tapered conductor 81 is shorter than the distance between the connection point P81c of the first tapered conductor 81 and another tip P81f3 of the first tapered conductor 81. Also, the distance between the connection point P81c of the first tapered conductor 81 and the further tip P81f2 of the first tapered conductor 81 is shorter than the distance between the connection point P81c of the first tapered conductor 81 and the further tip P81f3 of the first tapered conductor 81. As a result, the distance between the first tapered conductor 81 and the second tapered conductor 82 of the tapered slot antenna 80 varies more than in the case of the tapered slot antenna 50.

In this way, the tapered slot antenna 80 has a structure in which the circumferential shapes of the upper and lower radiating elements are not constant, the center part protrudes, and the distance between the upper and lower radiating elements varies. This has the effect of distributing the current to the center part and adjusting the beam width of the radio waves, even if the current is distributed too strongly at the joints (both ends) of the tapered conductors (see Figure 3E).

Ninth Embodiment
FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to the ninth embodiment.
As shown in Figure 12, the tapered slot antenna 90 of embodiment 9 differs from the tapered slot antenna 20 of embodiment 2 in that the thickness t of the central conductor 99 in a direction perpendicular to the central conductor 99 is a three-dimensional structure having a certain degree of thickness, i.e., a predetermined thickness t.

In the tapered slot antenna 90, the central conductor 99 is given a thickness t, and the slit St can also have a thickness t. By giving the slit St a thickness, the location where the current is shorted becomes more diverse. In other words, the current can be shorted through various paths. The high-frequency current input from the power supply 994 is shorted at the center of the left wall surface of the slit St, at the back end, and at the front end. The path lengths from the power supply position to the short-circuit position are different. As a result, there are multiple path lengths, and the impedance matching can be made broadband. Conversely, if the central conductor 99 is thin, the slit St is also thin, making it difficult to make the impedance matching broadband.

The thickness t in the direction perpendicular to the central conductor 99 may be, for example, less than one-tenth of the wavelength of the lowest operating frequency used in the tapered slot antenna 90.

[Embodiment 10]
FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to the tenth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 13, the tapered slot antenna 100 of the tenth embodiment differs from the tapered slot antenna 90 of the ninth embodiment in that the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the central conductor 109 is not constant.

For example, the thickness t1 of the surface 109S1 of the central conductor 109 that couples with the first tapered conductor 101 is different from the thickness t2 of the surface 109S2 opposite to the side of the central conductor 109 that couples with the first tapered conductor 101.

Note that, although FIG. 13 illustrates an example in which the thickness of the central conductor 109 changes linearly, this is not limiting. The thickness of the central conductor 109 may change in a curved manner.

[Embodiment 11]
FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to the eleventh embodiment.
14, in the tapered slot antenna 110 according to the eleventh embodiment, the first side surface 111S1, the second side surface 111S2, and the fourth side surface 111S4 of the first tapered conductor 111, which is a radio wave radiating element, are trapezoidal. The same is true for the second tapered conductor 112. The side surfaces of the central conductor 119 are also trapezoidal. Each of the first tapered conductor 111, the second tapered conductor 112, and the central conductor 119 has a shape obtained by removing the tip portion (the portion including the apex where the four sides are joined) from a quadrangular pyramid.

[Embodiment 12]
FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to the twelfth embodiment.
As shown in Figure 15, the tapered slot antenna 120 of embodiment 12 differs from the tapered slot antenna 20 of embodiment 2 in that directions other than the main beam direction of the radio waves radiated by the antenna are covered with walls formed of a conductor, a dielectric, or a conductive dielectric containing a conductor and a dielectric.

Specifically, the sides of the tapered slot antenna 120 except the radio wave radiation direction are covered with side wall plates 1211, 1212, upper wall plate 1213, bottom wall plate 1214, and rear wall plate 1215. The side wall plates 1211, 1212, upper wall plate 1213, bottom wall plate 1214, and rear wall plate 1215 may be formed of, for example, a conductor. The side wall plates 1211, 1212, upper wall plate 1213, bottom wall plate 1214, and rear wall plate 1215 may be formed of, for example, a dielectric or a combination of a conductor and a dielectric. The side wall plates 1211, 1212, upper wall plate 1213, bottom wall plate 1214, and rear wall plate 1215 may be formed of, for example, a conductor rod or a conductor grid and a dielectric.

[Embodiment 13]
FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating an orthogonal tapered slot antenna according to the thirteenth embodiment.
As shown in Figure 16, the orthogonal tapered slot antenna 130 of embodiment 13 differs from the tapered slot antenna 20 of embodiment 2 in that a first tapered slot antenna 131 and a second tapered slot antenna 132, which have the same shape, are arranged perpendicular to each other vertically and horizontally and joined at a joint portion 133.

The first tapered slot antenna 131 and the second tapered slot antenna 132 may each be the same as the tapered slot antenna 20 in embodiment 2.

The orthogonal tapered slot antenna 130 requires two feeding points (not shown) because two antennas, the first tapered slot antenna 131 and the second tapered slot antenna 132, are arranged vertically and horizontally. Each of the first tapered slot antenna 131 and the second tapered slot antenna 132 can be used as a vertically polarized and horizontally polarized wideband antenna.

Details of the orthogonal tapered slot antenna 130 are described below.
The orthogonal tapered slot antenna 130 includes a first tapered slot antenna 131 and a second tapered slot antenna 132 .

The first tapered slot antenna 131 has a first antenna central conductor, a first antenna first tapered conductor, and a first antenna second tapered conductor.

The first antenna central conductor has a first antenna short-circuited portion, a first antenna first portion that is coupled to a portion of the first antenna short-circuited portion, and a first antenna second portion that is coupled to another portion of the first antenna short-circuited portion. The first antenna central conductor has a substantially U-shaped configuration with a first antenna slit formed between the first antenna first portion and the first antenna second portion.

The first antenna first tapered conductor extends from the first antenna first portion and has a first antenna first side in a direction intersecting the extending direction. The first antenna first tapered conductor has a first antenna second side in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction. The first antenna first tapered conductor has a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first antenna central conductor.

The first antenna second tapered conductor extends from the first antenna second portion and has a generally triangular shape when viewed perpendicular to the first antenna central conductor.

The distance between the tip of the extended end of the first antenna first tapered conductor and the tip of the extended end of the first antenna second tapered conductor is longer than the distance between the end of the first antenna first tapered conductor closest to the first antenna slit and the end of the first antenna second tapered conductor closest to the first antenna slit.

The distance between the first antenna first side and the first antenna second side at the tip of the extended end of the first antenna first tapered conductor is longer than the distance between the first antenna first side and the first antenna second side at the end closer to the first antenna slit.

The first antenna first tapered conductor has a first antenna third side surface that intersects with the direction from the first antenna second portion toward the first antenna first portion. The distance between the first antenna coupling point that couples with the first antenna first portion of the first antenna third side surface and the side facing the first antenna coupling point is shorter than the distance between the first antenna coupling point and the first antenna first tip close to the first antenna first side surface of the first antenna first tapered conductor. The distance between the first antenna coupling point and the side facing the first antenna coupling point is shorter than the distance between the first antenna coupling point and the first antenna second tip close to the first antenna second side surface of the first antenna first tapered conductor.

The first tapered slot antenna 131 supplies power to the first antenna first portion and the first antenna second portion.

The second tapered slot antenna comprises a second antenna central conductor, a second antenna first tapered conductor, and a second antenna second tapered conductor.

The second antenna central conductor has a second antenna short-circuited portion, a second antenna first portion that is coupled to a portion of the second antenna short-circuited portion, and a second antenna second portion that is coupled to another portion of the second antenna short-circuited portion. The second antenna central conductor has a substantially U-shaped configuration with a second antenna slit formed between the second antenna first portion and the second antenna second portion.

The second antenna first tapered conductor extends from the second antenna first portion and has a second antenna first side in a direction intersecting the extending direction. The second antenna first tapered conductor has a second antenna second side in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction. The second antenna first tapered conductor has a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the second antenna central conductor.

The second antenna second tapered conductor extends from the second antenna second portion and has a generally triangular shape when viewed perpendicular to the second antenna central conductor.

The distance between the tip of the extended end of the second antenna first tapered conductor and the tip of the extended end of the second antenna second tapered conductor is longer than the distance between the end of the second antenna first tapered conductor closer to the second antenna slit and the end of the second antenna second tapered conductor closer to the second antenna slit.

The distance between the second antenna first side and the second antenna second side at the end of the second antenna first tapered conductor is longer than the distance between the second antenna first side and the second antenna second side at the end closer to the second antenna slit.

The second antenna first tapered conductor has a second antenna third side surface that intersects with the direction from the second antenna second portion toward the second antenna first portion. The distance between the second antenna coupling point that couples with the second antenna first portion of the second antenna third side surface and the side facing the second antenna coupling point is shorter than the distance between the second antenna coupling point and the second antenna first tip close to the second antenna first side surface of the second antenna first tapered conductor. The distance between the second antenna coupling point and the side facing the second antenna coupling point is shorter than the distance between the second antenna coupling point and the second antenna second tip close to the second antenna second side surface of the second antenna first tapered conductor.

The second tapered slot antenna 132 supplies power to the second antenna first portion and the second antenna second portion.

The first antenna central conductor and the second antenna central conductor intersect so that the direction from the first antenna second part to the first antenna first part is perpendicular to the direction from the second antenna second part to the second antenna first part.

[Embodiment 14]
FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating an orthogonal tapered slot antenna according to the fourteenth embodiment.
As shown in Figure 17, the orthogonal tapered slot antenna 140 of embodiment 14 differs from the orthogonal tapered slot antenna 130 of embodiment 13 in that directions other than the main beam direction of the radio waves radiated by the first tapered slot antenna 141 and the second tapered slot antenna 142 are covered with walls formed of a conductor, a dielectric, or a conductive dielectric containing a conductor and a dielectric.

Specifically, the sides of the orthogonal tapered slot antenna 140 except the radio wave radiation direction are covered with side wall plates 1411, 1412, upper wall plate 1413, bottom wall plate 1414, and rear wall plate 1415. The side wall plates 1411, 1412, upper wall plate 1413, bottom wall plate 1414, and rear wall plate 1415 may be formed of, for example, a conductor. The side wall plates 1411, 1412, upper wall plate 1413, bottom wall plate 1414, and rear wall plate 1415 may be formed of, for example, a dielectric or a combination of a conductor and a dielectric. The side wall plates 1411, 1412, upper wall plate 1413, bottom wall plate 1414, and rear wall plate 1415 may be formed of, for example, a conductor rod or a conductor grid and a dielectric.

[Embodiment 15]
FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to the fifteenth embodiment.
FIG. 18 shows a specific example of a method of feeding a tapered slot antenna.
18, the tapered slot antenna 150 according to the fifteenth embodiment electrically connects the first portion 1591 (the portion above the slit St) to the central conductor 1503 of the coaxial cable 1501. Also, the second portion 1592 (the portion below the slit St) to the outer conductor 1504 of the coaxial cable 1501. In this manner, power is supplied to the tapered slot antenna 150. The connection is made by, for example, contact, soldering, screwing, or other methods.

[Embodiment 16]
FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to the sixteenth embodiment.
FIG. 19 illustrates a tapered slot antenna in which the center conductor 169 has some thickness.
FIG. 19 shows a specific example of a method of feeding a tapered slot antenna.

As shown in FIG. 19, the tapered slot antenna 160 according to embodiment 16 passes a coaxial cable 1601 through the second portion 1692 (inside the lower conductor). The central conductor 1603 is electrically connected to the first portion 1691 (above the slit St), and the outer conductor 1604 is electrically connected to the second portion 1692 (below the slit St). The connection is made by, for example, contact, soldering, screwing, or other methods.

In addition, even in the case of a tapered slot antenna 160 in which the central conductor 169 has a certain thickness, the connection shown in FIG. 18 may be made.

[Embodiment 17]
FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a tapered slot antenna according to the seventeenth embodiment.
20, the tapered slot antenna 170 has a structure in which a horizontal sector-shaped cutout portion Ste (also referred to as a sector-shaped slit) is provided at the end of a slit St provided in a central conductor 179. Specifically, the slit St further extends in a direction toward the short-circuit portion 1793. The shape of the cutout portion Ste, which is the extended portion of the slit St, is sector-shaped when viewed from the direction from the second portion 1792 toward the first portion 1791.

The shape of the cutout portion Ste shown in FIG. 20 is the horizontal direction of the sector-shaped cutout portion (see FIG. 8) of the tapered slot antenna 50 according to embodiment 5. Therefore, by having the cutout portion Ste, it is possible to achieve wideband impedance matching of the antenna. The shape of the cutout portion Ste may be any shape, such as a circle or an ellipse.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes.
(Appendix 1)
a central conductor having a generally U-shaped configuration, the central conductor having a short-circuit portion, a first portion coupled to a portion of the short-circuit portion, and a second portion coupled to another portion of the short-circuit portion, the central conductor having a slit formed between the first portion and the second portion;
a first tapered conductor extending from the first portion, having a first side surface in a direction intersecting the extending direction and a second side surface in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction, and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the central conductor;
a second tapered conductor extending from the second portion and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed perpendicularly to the central conductor;
Equipped with
a distance between a tip of the extended end of the first tapered conductor and a tip of the extended end of the second tapered conductor is longer than a distance between an end of the first tapered conductor close to the slit and an end of the second tapered conductor close to the slit;
a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface at the tip of the extended end of the first tapered conductor is longer than a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface at an end close to the slit,
the first tapered conductor has a third side surface that intersects with a direction from the second portion toward the first portion;
a distance between a connection point of the third side surface and the first portion and a side opposite to the connection point is shorter than a distance between the connection point and a first tip of the first tapered conductor close to the first side surface;
a distance between the connection point and a side opposite to the connection point is shorter than a distance between the connection point and a second tip of the first tapered conductor close to the second side surface;
Supplying power to the first portion and the second portion;
A tapered slot antenna with a wide structure.
(Appendix 2)
the second tapered conductor has a shape symmetrical to the first tapered conductor when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the central conductor;
2. The tapered slot antenna having a wide structure as described in appendix 1.
(Appendix 3)
the second tapered conductor has an asymmetric shape with respect to the first tapered conductor when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the central conductor;
2. The tapered slot antenna having a wide structure as described in appendix 1.
(Appendix 4)
a power supply unit that supplies power by applying a first potential to the first portion and a second potential lower than the first potential to the second portion,
4. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
(Appendix 5)
a distance between the first tapered conductor and the second tapered conductor at a first predetermined distance from the near end of the first tapered conductor is shorter than a distance between the first tapered conductor and the second tapered conductor at a second predetermined distance that is longer than the first predetermined distance from the near end of the first tapered conductor;
5. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
(Appendix 6)
A shape from the tip of the first tapered conductor to the near end of the first tapered conductor, and a shape from the tip of the second tapered conductor to the near end of the second tapered conductor are each curved or linear.
6. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
(Appendix 7)
a shape from the tip of the first tapered conductor to the near end of the first tapered conductor and a shape from the tip of the second tapered conductor to the near end of the second tapered conductor are any one of a combination of a plurality of straight lines, a combination of a plurality of curved lines, and a combination of a plurality of straight lines and a plurality of curved lines;
6. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
(Appendix 8)
The slit further extends in a direction toward the short-circuit portion.
8. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
(Appendix 9)
the extended portion of the slit has a predetermined shape when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the central conductor;
9. The tapered slot antenna having a wide structure as described in claim 8.
(Appendix 10)
The predetermined shape is a circle or a sector.
10. The tapered slot antenna having a wide structure as described in appendix 9.
(Appendix 11)
a length from the tip of the first tapered conductor to the near end of the first tapered conductor is shorter than a predetermined length;
11. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
(Appendix 12)
Each of the first tapered conductor and the second tapered conductor is formed of a polyhedron.
12. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
(Appendix 13)
Each of the first tapered conductor and the second tapered conductor is configured to have a three-dimensional shape including a plurality of curved surfaces.
12. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
(Appendix 14)
Each of the first tapered conductor and the second tapered conductor is formed by a combination of a polyhedron and a three-dimensional shape including a plurality of curved surfaces.
12. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
(Appendix 15)
The thickness in a direction perpendicular to the central conductor is a predetermined thickness.
15. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 14.
(Appendix 16)
The slit further extends in a direction toward the short-circuit portion,
The extended portion of the slit is circular, elliptical, or sector-shaped when viewed from the second portion toward the first portion.
16. The tapered slot antenna having a wide structure as described in appendix 15.
(Appendix 17)
the first portion is connected to a central conductor of a coaxial cable, and the second portion is electrically connected to an outer conductor of the coaxial cable, thereby feeding power to the tapered slot antenna.
17. The tapered slot antenna of claim 1, wherein the slot is a wide structure.
(Appendix 18)
an angle between the first side surface of the first tapered conductor and the second side surface of the first tapered conductor when viewed from a direction from the second portion toward the first portion is equal to or greater than 29 degrees and equal to or less than 35 degrees;
18. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 17.
(Appendix 19)
a central conductor having a generally U-shaped configuration, the central conductor having a short-circuit portion, a first portion coupled to a portion of the short-circuit portion, and a second portion coupled to another portion of the short-circuit portion, the central conductor having a slit formed between the first portion and the second portion;
a first tapered conductor extending from the first portion, having a first side surface in a direction intersecting the extending direction and a second side surface in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction, and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the central conductor;
a second tapered conductor extending from the second portion and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed perpendicularly to the central conductor;
Equipped with
a distance between a tip of the extended end of the first tapered conductor and a tip of the extended end of the second tapered conductor is longer than a distance between an end of the first tapered conductor close to the slit and an end of the second tapered conductor close to the slit;
a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface at the tip of the extended end of the first tapered conductor is longer than a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface at an end close to the slit,
the first tapered conductor has a third side surface that intersects with a direction from the second portion toward the first portion;
a distance between a connection point of the third side surface and the first portion and a side opposite to the connection point is shorter than a distance between the connection point and a first tip of the first tapered conductor close to the first side surface;
a distance between the connection point and a side opposite to the connection point is shorter than a distance between the connection point and a second tip of the first tapered conductor close to the second side surface;
supplying power to the first portion and the second portion;
The self-tapered slot antenna is covered in directions other than the main beam direction of the radio wave radiated by the self-tapered slot antenna with a wall formed of a conductor, a dielectric, or a conductive dielectric including a conductor and a dielectric.
A tapered slot antenna with a wide structure.
(Appendix 20)
A first tapered slot antenna and a second tapered slot antenna are provided,
The first tapered slot antenna comprises:
a first antenna central conductor having a substantially U-shaped configuration, the first antenna central conductor having a first antenna short-circuit portion, a first antenna first portion coupled to a portion of the first antenna short-circuit portion, and a first antenna second portion coupled to another portion of the first antenna short-circuit portion, the first antenna central conductor having a first antenna slit formed between the first antenna first portion and the first antenna second portion;
a first antenna first tapered conductor extending from the first antenna first portion, having a first antenna first side surface in a direction intersecting the extending direction and a first antenna second side surface in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction, and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first antenna central conductor;
a first antenna second tapered conductor extending from the first antenna second portion and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first antenna central conductor;
Equipped with
a distance between a tip of the extended end of the first antenna first tapered conductor and a tip of the extended end of the first antenna second tapered conductor is longer than a distance between an end of the first antenna first tapered conductor close to the first antenna slit and an end of the first antenna second tapered conductor close to the first antenna slit,
a distance between the first antenna first side surface and the first antenna second side surface at the tip of the extended end of the first antenna first tapered conductor is longer than a distance between the first antenna first side surface and the first antenna second side surface at an end close to the first antenna slit,
the first antenna first tapered conductor has a first antenna third side surface that intersects with a direction from the first antenna second portion to the first antenna first portion;
a distance between a first antenna coupling point coupled to the first antenna first portion of the first antenna third side surface and a side opposite to the first antenna coupling point is shorter than a distance between the first antenna coupling point and a first antenna first tip of the first antenna first tapered conductor close to the first antenna first side surface;
a distance between the first antenna coupling point and a side opposite to the first antenna coupling point is shorter than a distance between the first antenna coupling point and a first antenna second tip of the first antenna first tapered conductor close to the first antenna second side surface;
powering the first antenna first portion and the first antenna second portion;
The second tapered slot antenna comprises:
a second antenna central conductor having a substantially U-shaped configuration, the second antenna central conductor having a second antenna short-circuit portion, a second antenna first portion coupled to a portion of the second antenna short-circuit portion, and a second antenna second portion coupled to another portion of the second antenna short-circuit portion, the second antenna central conductor having a second antenna slit formed between the second antenna first portion and the second antenna second portion;
a second antenna first tapered conductor extending from the second antenna first portion, having a second antenna first side surface in a direction intersecting the extending direction and a second antenna second side surface in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction, and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the second antenna central conductor;
a second antenna second tapered conductor extending from the second antenna second portion and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the second antenna central conductor;
Equipped with
a distance between a tip of the extended end of the second antenna first tapered conductor and a tip of the extended end of the second antenna second tapered conductor is longer than a distance between an end of the second antenna first tapered conductor close to the second antenna slit and an end of the second antenna second tapered conductor close to the second antenna slit,
a distance between the second antenna first side surface and the second antenna second side surface at the tip of the extended end of the second antenna first tapered conductor is longer than a distance between the second antenna first side surface and the second antenna second side surface at an end close to the second antenna slit,
the second antenna first tapered conductor has a second antenna third side surface that intersects with a direction from the second antenna second portion to the second antenna first portion;
a distance between a second antenna coupling point, which is coupled to the second antenna first portion of the second antenna third side surface, and a side opposite to the second antenna coupling point, is shorter than a distance between the second antenna coupling point and a second antenna first tip of the second antenna first tapered conductor, which is close to the second antenna first side surface;
a distance between the second antenna coupling point and a side opposite to the second antenna coupling point is shorter than a distance between the second antenna coupling point and a second antenna second tip of the second antenna first tapered conductor close to the second antenna second side surface;
powering the first portion of the second antenna and the second portion of the second antenna;
the first antenna central conductor and the second antenna central conductor intersect such that a direction from the first antenna second portion to the first antenna first portion and a direction from the second antenna second portion to the second antenna first portion are perpendicular to each other;
An orthogonal tapered slot antenna with a wide structure.
(Appendix 21)
The self-tapered slot antenna is covered in directions other than the main beam direction of the radio wave radiated by the self-tapered slot antenna with a wall formed of a conductor, a dielectric, or a conductive dielectric including a conductor and a dielectric.
21. The orthogonal tapered slot antenna having a wide structure as described in claim 20.

Reference Signs List 10, 10a... Tapered slot antenna 11... First tapered conductor 12... Second tapered conductor 19... Central conductor 191... First portion 192... Second portion 193... Short circuit portion 194... Power supply portion 1211, 1212... Side wall plate 1213... Upper wall plate 1214... Bottom wall plate 1215... Rear wall plate 130... Orthogonal tapered slot antenna 131... First tapered slot antenna 132... Second tapered slot antenna 133... Joint portion 1501... Coaxial cable 1503... Central conductor 1504... Outer conductor 11a, 11b... Side plate 11c... Bottom plate 11d... Radiation surface plate 11S1, 12S1... First side surface 11S2, 12S2... Second side surface 11S3, 12S3... Third side surface 11S4, 12S4...fourth side surface P11f1, P11f2, P12f1, P12f2, P61f1...tip P11n, P12n, P61n...near end D1, D2, D1f, D1s, D1n...distance L1...first predetermined distance L2...second predetermined distance L, Lnf...length Lp...predetermined length Lcf, L11, L12...distance f12...side St...slit Ste...cutout portion t, t1, t2...thickness θ1, θ2...angle

Claims (10)

a central conductor having a short-circuited portion, a first portion coupled to a portion of the short-circuited portion, and a second portion coupled to another portion of the short-circuited portion, the central conductor having a slit formed between the first portion and the second portion, the central conductor having a substantially U-shaped configuration;
a first tapered conductor extending from the first portion, having a first side surface in a direction intersecting the extending direction and a second side surface in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction, and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the central conductor;
a second tapered conductor extending from the second portion and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed perpendicularly to the central conductor;
Equipped with
a distance between a tip of the extended end of the first tapered conductor and a tip of the extended end of the second tapered conductor is longer than a distance between an end of the first tapered conductor close to the slit and an end of the second tapered conductor close to the slit;
a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface at the tip of the extended end of the first tapered conductor is longer than a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface at an end close to the slit,
the first tapered conductor has a third side surface that intersects with a direction from the second portion toward the first portion;
a distance between a connection point of the third side surface and the first portion and a side opposite to the connection point is shorter than a distance between the connection point and a first tip of the first tapered conductor close to the first side surface;
a distance between the connection point and a side opposite to the connection point is shorter than a distance between the connection point and a second tip of the first tapered conductor close to the second side surface;
Supplying power to the first portion and the second portion;
A tapered slot antenna with a wide structure. the second tapered conductor has a shape symmetrical to the first tapered conductor when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the central conductor;
2. The tapered slot antenna of claim 1 having a wide structure. the second tapered conductor has an asymmetric shape with respect to the first tapered conductor when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the central conductor;
2. The tapered slot antenna of claim 1 having a wide structure. a power supply unit that supplies power by applying a first potential to the first portion and a second potential to the second portion,
4. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to claim 1. a distance between the first tapered conductor and the second tapered conductor at a first predetermined distance from the near end of the first tapered conductor is shorter than a distance between the first tapered conductor and the second tapered conductor at a second predetermined distance that is longer than the first predetermined distance from the near end of the first tapered conductor;
5. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to claim 1. The slit further extends in a direction opposite to the direction in which the slit extends from the first portion .
6. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to claim 1. The thickness in a direction perpendicular to the central conductor is a predetermined thickness.
7. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to claim 1. an angle between the first side surface of the first tapered conductor and the second side surface of the first tapered conductor when viewed from a direction from the second portion toward the first portion is equal to or greater than 29 degrees and equal to or less than 35 degrees;
8. A tapered slot antenna having a wide structure according to claim 1. a central conductor having a short-circuited portion, a first portion coupled to a portion of the short-circuited portion, and a second portion coupled to another portion of the short-circuited portion, the central conductor having a slit formed between the first portion and the second portion, the central conductor having a substantially U-shaped configuration;
a first tapered conductor extending from the first portion, having a first side surface in a direction intersecting the extending direction and a second side surface in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction, and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the central conductor;
a second tapered conductor extending from the second portion and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed perpendicularly to the central conductor;
Equipped with
a distance between a tip of the extended end of the first tapered conductor and a tip of the extended end of the second tapered conductor is longer than a distance between an end of the first tapered conductor close to the slit and an end of the second tapered conductor close to the slit;
a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface at the tip of the extended end of the first tapered conductor is longer than a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface at an end close to the slit,
the first tapered conductor has a third side surface that intersects with a direction from the second portion toward the first portion;
a distance between a connection point of the third side surface and the first portion and a side opposite to the connection point is shorter than a distance between the connection point and a first tip of the first tapered conductor close to the first side surface;
a distance between the connection point and a side opposite to the connection point is shorter than a distance between the connection point and a second tip of the first tapered conductor close to the second side surface;
supplying power to the first portion and the second portion;
The self-tapered slot antenna is covered in directions other than the main beam direction of the radio wave radiated by the self-tapered slot antenna with a wall formed of a conductor, a dielectric, or a conductive dielectric including a conductor and a dielectric.
A tapered slot antenna with a wide structure. A first tapered slot antenna and a second tapered slot antenna are provided,
The first tapered slot antenna comprises:
a first antenna central conductor having a first antenna short-circuit portion, a first antenna first portion coupled to a portion of the first antenna short-circuit portion, and a first antenna second portion coupled to another portion of the first antenna short-circuit portion, the first antenna central conductor having a first antenna slit formed between the first antenna first portion and the first antenna second portion , the first antenna central conductor having a substantially U-shaped configuration;
a first antenna first tapered conductor extending from the first antenna first portion, having a first antenna first side surface in a direction intersecting the extending direction and a first antenna second side surface in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction, and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first antenna central conductor;
a first antenna second tapered conductor extending from the first antenna second portion and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first antenna central conductor;
Equipped with
a distance between a tip of the extended end of the first antenna first tapered conductor and a tip of the extended end of the first antenna second tapered conductor is longer than a distance between an end of the first antenna first tapered conductor close to the first antenna slit and an end of the first antenna second tapered conductor close to the first antenna slit,
a distance between the first antenna first side surface and the first antenna second side surface at the tip of the extended end of the first antenna first tapered conductor is longer than a distance between the first antenna first side surface and the first antenna second side surface at an end close to the first antenna slit,
the first antenna first tapered conductor has a first antenna third side surface that intersects with a direction from the first antenna second portion to the first antenna first portion;
a distance between a first antenna coupling point coupled to the first antenna first portion of the first antenna third side surface and a side opposite to the first antenna coupling point is shorter than a distance between the first antenna coupling point and a first antenna first tip of the first antenna first tapered conductor close to the first antenna first side surface;
a distance between the first antenna coupling point and a side opposite to the first antenna coupling point is shorter than a distance between the first antenna coupling point and a first antenna second tip of the first antenna first tapered conductor close to the first antenna second side surface;
powering the first antenna first portion and the first antenna second portion;
The second tapered slot antenna comprises:
a second antenna central conductor having a second antenna short-circuit portion, a second antenna first portion coupled to a portion of the second antenna short-circuit portion, and a second antenna second portion coupled to another portion of the second antenna short-circuit portion, the second antenna central conductor having a second antenna slit formed between the second antenna first portion and the second antenna second portion , the second antenna central conductor having a substantially U-shaped configuration;
a second antenna first tapered conductor extending from the second antenna first portion, having a second antenna first side surface in a direction intersecting the extending direction and a second antenna second side surface in a direction opposite to the intersecting direction, and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the second antenna central conductor;
a second antenna second tapered conductor extending from the second antenna second portion and having a substantially triangular shape when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the second antenna central conductor;
Equipped with
a distance between a tip of the extended end of the second antenna first tapered conductor and a tip of the extended end of the second antenna second tapered conductor is longer than a distance between an end of the second antenna first tapered conductor close to the second antenna slit and an end of the second antenna second tapered conductor close to the second antenna slit,
a distance between the second antenna first side surface and the second antenna second side surface at the tip of the extended end of the second antenna first tapered conductor is longer than a distance between the second antenna first side surface and the second antenna second side surface at an end close to the second antenna slit,
the second antenna first tapered conductor has a second antenna third side surface that intersects with a direction from the second antenna second portion to the second antenna first portion;
a distance between a second antenna coupling point, which is coupled to the second antenna first portion of the second antenna third side surface, and a side opposite to the second antenna coupling point, is shorter than a distance between the second antenna coupling point and a second antenna first tip of the second antenna first tapered conductor, which is close to the second antenna first side surface;
a distance between the second antenna coupling point and a side opposite to the second antenna coupling point is shorter than a distance between the second antenna coupling point and a second antenna second tip of the second antenna first tapered conductor close to the second antenna second side surface;
powering the first portion of the second antenna and the second portion of the second antenna;
the first antenna central conductor and the second antenna central conductor intersect such that a direction from the first antenna second portion to the first antenna first portion and a direction from the second antenna second portion to the second antenna first portion are perpendicular to each other;
An orthogonal tapered slot antenna with a wide structure.

Images