JPH02137402A - Beam tilt type flat array antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate multiple kinds of antennas different in respective installation places and to reduce manufacturing cost by providing a radiation part in which plural sub-arrays are generated, a feeding part and a holding mechanism, mechanically changing the electric length of feeders and adjusting the beam tilt angle. CONSTITUTION:The radiation part 10 consisting of a sub-array group 1 and a feeder group in sub-array 2 and the feed part 20 in which a coupling element group 4 for exciting respective feeders in sub-array in the radiation part 10 are studded and which consists of a waveguide are held in the holding mechanism which adjustably holds the position relation of both. First, the feed part 20 consisting of the waveguide is fixed to the bottom of a case part 31 by screwing and the like. Next, the radiation part 10 is vertically shifted in a state that it is held by groove parts 33 and 34 in both ends of the case body 31, and positioning for the feed part 20 is performed. When the adjustment of the beam tilt angle by the positioning terminates, the radiation part 10 is fixed into the case part 31 by tightening the screws 35 and 36.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a beam tilt type planar array antenna used as a receiving antenna for satellite broadcasting.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, parabolic antennas have been widely used as receiving antennas for satellite broadcasting, but recently, planar array antennas have been developed as an alternative.

As shown in the partial plan view of FIG. 5, this planar array antenna has antenna element groups 51a such as batches and slots.
, 52b and a feeder line 52 connecting these antenna element groups.
It has a structure in which a large number of subarray groups consisting of subarrays a and 52b are formed on a printed circuit board.

Some of these planar array antennas include beam tilt type antennas that have directivity tilted at a predetermined angle from the normal direction of the printed circuit board so that they can be directly attached to a vertical wall or support. As shown in FIG. 6, this beam-tilting planar array antenna has multiple feeds within each sub-array.
&152a, 52b, the antenna element 5.
By adjusting the excitation phase of 1a and 51b, the configuration provides directivity tilted by a predetermined angle θ from the normal direction of the printed circuit board.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) A receiving antenna for satellite broadcasting needs to be provided with a different elevation angle depending on the latitude of the installation location. Even in Honshu, the elevation angle varies in the north-south direction over a range of 34° to 44°. For this reason, in the above-mentioned beam tilt type planar array antenna, it is necessary to create antennas with different beam tilt angles for each installation location, which raises the problem of increased manufacturing costs.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The beam tilt type planar array antenna of the present invention includes an antenna element group and a micro antenna connected to the antenna element group.
Power feeding by a radiating section in which a plurality of subarrays consisting of stripline feed lines are formed, and a waveguide in which a group of coupling elements are implanted to electrically couple the feed lines of each subarray in this radiating section and the waveguide. and a holding mechanism that holds the radiating section and the power supply section while combining them so that their mutual positional relationship can be adjusted, and the beam tilt angle can be adjusted by mechanically changing the electrical length of the power supply line. It is composed of

Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention will be explained in detail together with examples.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a beam tilt type planar array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially plan view, and FIG. 3 is a partially sectional view.

Printed wiring layer 1a formed on the surface of printed circuit board 1
A subarray group consisting of subarrays IA, IB, IC, . . . is formed. Each subarray consists of a group of eight annular slots. This printed circuit board
A printed circuit board 2 is disposed below the circuit board 2, and further, on the bottom surface of the printed circuit board 2, intra-sub-array power feeds 'fa2A, 2B, 2C, . . . formed of a printed wiring layer 2a are formed. The printed wiring layer 2a forming the intra-subarray power supply line is covered with an insulating film 2c.

A metal plate 3a is placed below the printed circuit board 2 with an insulating spacer 3b made of styrofoam or the like interposed therebetween. This metal plate 3a.

The printed wiring layer 2a and the printed wiring layer 1a forming the sub-array group form a vertically symmetrical triplate-type microstrip line power supply line.

This vertically symmetrical triplate-type microstrip line power supply line reduces the amount of radio waves leaked from the power supply path and achieves sharp directivity.

Further, a waveguide 5 is arranged below the metal plate 3a. This waveguide 5 includes coupling elements 4A, 4B, 4C...
are planted at regular intervals, and each of these coupling elements is electrically coupled to the sub-array feeder lines 2A, 2B, 2C, etc. via an insulating coating 2c, and the corresponding feeder line Excite. The insulating coating 2c prevents mechanical contact between the metal coupling element and the subarray power supply line, and prevents corrosion due to mechanical wear and electrolytic corrosion.

Each of the above coupling elements 4A, 4B, 4C...
Referring also to the partial plan view in FIG. 2 and the partial cross-sectional view in FIG.
A dielectric rod 4a made of ethylene fluoride or the like, a conductor rod 4b made of copper or the like held at the center of the dielectric rod 4a, and phosphor bronze formed at the tip of the conductor rod 4b. It is equipped with a plate spring 4C made of. This coupling element 4 converts a waveguide-type feeder line into a coaxial-type feeder line, and further converts the coaxial-type feeder line into a microstrip-type feeder line while corresponding intra-subarray feeder lines 2A and 2B. , 2C, and so on.

As shown in the partial plan view of FIG. 2, the positional relationship between the center of the coupling element 4 implanted in the waveguide 5 and the intra-subarray feed line 2 can be mechanically adjusted. By adjusting this positional relationship, the electrical length λ of the intra-subarray feeder line to the four annular slot groups a, b, c, and d in each subarray is
1 and the remaining four annular slot groups e, f, g, and i, the electrical length λ2 of the intra-subarray feeder line is adjusted, and the beam tilt angle is adjusted accordingly. Typically, the electrical lengths λ1 and λ2 before adjustment are values that provide a beam tilt angle of 38°, which is necessary in the Tokyo area, which is located approximately midway between the north and south of the Japanese archipelago and where the largest number of beams are expected to be installed. It is set. This beam tilt angle is adjusted to a value around 38° by adjusting the electrical lengths λ1 and λ2 depending on the actual installation location in Japan.

In order to adjust the above-mentioned positional relationship, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. A power feeding section 20 formed by a waveguide in which a coupling element group 4 is implanted is held by a holding mechanism 30 that maintains the positional relationship between the two in an adjustable manner. This holding mechanism 30
includes a dielectric housing portion 31 and a lid portion (radome) 32. First, the power supply section 20 using a waveguide is fixed to the bottom surface of the casing section 31 with screws or the like.

Next, the radiating section 10 is connected to the grooves 33 and 34 at both ends of the housing section 31.
The power supply unit 20 is shifted left and right while being held by the
Positioning is performed. When the adjustment of the beam tilt angle through this positioning is completed, the radiating section 10 is fixed within the housing section 31 by tightening the screws 35 and 36.

In the above, a configuration has been exemplified in which the power feeding section is first fixed in the holding mechanism and the beam tilt angle is adjusted by adjusting the arrangement of the radiating section with respect to the power feeding section.

However, it is also possible to conversely fix the radiating section first and adjust the beam tilt angle by adjusting the arrangement of the power feeding section with respect to the radiating section.

In addition, a configuration in which annular slot type antenna elements are used as the antenna element group in each subarray is exemplified.

However, the antenna element group can also be configured with a punch type or a line type.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained in detail above, the beam tilt type planar array antenna of the present invention has a radiation antenna in which a plurality of sub-arrays each consisting of antenna element groups and micro-stripline feed lines connected to these antenna element groups are formed. and a power feeding section using a waveguide in which a coupling element group is implanted to electrically couple the feeding line of each subarray in the radiating section and the waveguide;
It is equipped with a holding mechanism that holds the radiating part and the power supply part while adjusting their mutual positional relationship, and the beam tilt angle is adjusted by mechanically changing the electrical length of the power supply line. There is no need to manufacture many different types of antennas for each location, and manufacturing costs can be significantly reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1, 2, and 3 are a partially exploded perspective view, a partially plan view, and a partially sectional view showing the configuration of a beam tilt type planar array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. A cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration including a holding mechanism 30 in addition to the radiating section 10 and the power feeding section 20, FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of a conventional planar array antenna with a fixed beam tilt angle, and FIG. 6 is a beam tilt type antenna. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle of a planar array antenna. 1.2...Printed circuit board, IA, IB, IC...
Sub-array group, 1a... printed wiring layer, a w i
...8 annular slots constituting the antenna element group in each subarray, 2A, 2B2C... feeder line within the subarray, 2a... printed wiring layer, 2c... insulating coating, 3a... ... Metal plate, 3b... Insulating spacer, 4A4B, 4C... Coupling element, 4a... Dielectric rod, 4b... Conductor bar, 4c... Leaf spring, 5...
Waveguide, 10... Radiation part, 2o... Power feeding part, 30.
...Retention mechanism. Patent applicant: NEC Home Electronics Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A radiating section in which a plurality of sub-arrays each consisting of an antenna element group and a micro-stripline feed line connected to the antenna element group are formed; The present invention is characterized by comprising: a power feeding section using a waveguide in which a group of coupling elements for electrically coupling are implanted; and a holding mechanism that holds the radiating section and the power feeding section while combining them so that their mutual positional relationship can be adjusted. Beam tilting planar array antenna.