JPH0766619A - Electron scanning type array antenna system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform beam scanning without causing the fluctuation of the rotation phase of circularly polarized waves by a beam direction in an electron scanning type array antenna system for controlling an excitation phase in respective circular polarized wave element antennas 1 constituting an array antenna part 10 and performing the beam scanning. CONSTITUTION:This device is provided with a phase correction arithmetic circuit 33 for computing the rotation phase fluctuation portion phi of the circularly polarized waves to a reference beam direction in a directed beam direction based on beam direction data. Then, at the time of the beam scanning, the excitation phase PSI in the respective circular polarized wave element antennas is controlled based on the output Sphi of the arithmetic circuit 33 so as to turn the rotation phase fluctuation portion phi of the circularly polarized waves by the beam direction to zero.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic scanning type array antenna device, and more particularly to a device using a circular polarization element antenna as an antenna element.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional general electronic scanning type array antenna device, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure thereof. In the figure, 200 is an electronic scanning type array antenna device. In the mobile satellite communication system 50 as shown in FIG. 11, for example, the satellite base station 5
It is mounted on a mobile station 51 or the like that can move on the ground L that communicates with the mobile station 2 and the like, and its array antenna section 10 has a structure in which circular polarization element antennas 1 are arranged in a matrix. Further, each of the circular polarization element antennas 1 is connected via a variable phase shifter 2 of the phase shifter group 20 to a distribution / combination circuit 3 for distributing a transmission signal and combining reception signals. The synthesizing circuit 3 is connected to the transmission / reception unit 40 that processes the transmission / reception signal SRF.

On the other hand, each of the variable phase shifters 2 is connected to an antenna controller 30 for controlling the beam direction of the antenna device 200. The controller 30 positions and attitudes of the mobile station 51 on the ground L. The beam direction data H, that is, the beam direction data calculation circuit 31 for calculating the beam direction data based on the position and orientation data G, and the variable phase shifters 2 based on the beam direction data H. , And a phase shifter setting circuit 32 for supplying a set phase signal SΦi for setting the phase shift amount to Φi.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the principle of beam scanning in the electronic scanning type array antenna apparatus, and FIG. 8 (a) is an xyz coordinate system with the center of the array antenna section 10 as the origin. Fig. 8 (b) shows this xyz
The yz coordinate plane which looked at the coordinate system from the x-axis direction is shown.
In the figure, [Pi] is the position vector of an arbitrary circularly polarized element antenna 1i, U is the directional beam direction of the antenna device, here the reference beam direction, that is, the direction in which the radio wave (circularly polarized wave) from the array antenna unit 10 travels. Is in the z-axis direction in the xyz coordinate system. Further, [u] is the above pointing beam direction U
Is a unit vector, and ξ is yz in the pointing beam direction U.
An elevation angle with respect to the plane, η, is a deflection angle from the z axis in the yz plane in the pointing beam direction U, and coincides with the yz plane and the horizontal plane. In the xyz coordinate system, the position vector [Pi] of the circular polarization element antenna 1i and the unit vector [u] indicating the beam direction are [Pi] = (x, y, z) (1) [u], respectively. ] = (Sin ξ, cos ξ sin η, cos ξ cos η) (2)

Further, F0 is a transmission / reception surface of radio waves of the array antenna section 10, and the transmission / reception surface F0 is in the z-axis direction, that is, the traveling direction of the radio waves (circular polarization) emitted from each circular polarization element antenna 1. It is vertical. F1 is an equiphase surface in which the radio waves emitted from the circular polarization element antennas 1 constituting the array antenna section 10 have the same phase, and the direction perpendicular to the isophase surface F1 is the directional beam direction U. Further, Ri is the distance from the arbitrary circularly polarized element antenna 1i to the equiphase plane F1 and is ([Pi] · [u]), that is, the circularly polarized element antenna 1
It is a value corresponding to the inner product of the position vector [Pi] of i and the unit vector [u] indicating the pointing beam direction.

Next, the operation will be described. In the electronic scanning antenna device 200 having the above-mentioned configuration, by controlling the excitation phase in each circular polarization element antenna 1, an equiphase surface F1 forming a predetermined angle with respect to the traveling direction of the radiated radio wave (z-axis direction), that is, By forming a plane in which the phases of the radio waves radiated from the respective circular polarization element antennas 1 are equal, the array antenna unit 1
A radiation beam from 0 can be directed in the normal direction of the equiphase surface F1, and the beam scanning is performed by controlling the excitation phase in each circular polarization element antenna 1.

That is, when transmitting a radio wave, the transmission signal SRF from the transmitter / receiver is distributed to each variable phase shifter 2 by the distribution / synthesis circuit 3, and further, in this variable phase shifter 2, the phase shifter setting circuit 32 is provided. The phase of the transmission signal is set on the basis of the set phase signal SΦi from, and the phase-set transmission signal is supplied to each circular polarization element antenna 1. Here, the set phase signal SΦi sets the phase shift amount in each variable phase shifter 2 to Φi, and the phase shifter setting circuit 32 generates the set phase signal SΦi based on the beam direction data. is doing. The phase shift amount Φi in each variable phase shifter 2 is Φi = ([Pi] · [u]) 360 / λ (deg) (where λ is the wavelength of the radio wave radiated from the circular polarization element antenna). 3) is given in.

When receiving a radio wave, the excitation phase in the circular polarization element antenna 1 is controlled on the basis of the beam direction data H in the same manner as in the above transmission, and the beam scanning is thereby performed.

[0009]

However, in the conventional electronic scanning type array antenna device, the beam scanning is performed by controlling the excitation phase in each circular polarization element antenna 1 as described above. The rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave is not taken into consideration. For example, in the electronic scanning array antenna device having the plurality of array antenna units 10, the phase of the circularly polarized wave is changed when the array antenna units 10 are switched. In a system in which a jump occurs and a signal is processed through phase information of circularly polarized waves, there is a problem that a discontinuity occurs in the processed signal.

Hereinafter, this problem will be described in detail. Generally, in an electronic scanning type antenna device using a circular polarization element antenna, the rotational phase of circular polarization changes depending on the observation direction (beam direction) U. That is, the same xy shown in FIG. 9 as in FIG.
Unit vectors [Iξ] and [Iη] orthogonal to each other in a plane (W plane) perpendicular to the beam direction U in the z coordinate system are calculated by using the elevation angle ξ and the deflection angle η in the beam direction, and [Iξ] = ( cos ξ, −sin ξ cos η, −sin ξ cos η) (4) [I η] = (0, cos η, −sin η) (5)

On the other hand, when the excitation vectors in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction at the feeding point (excitation point) of the circular polarization element antenna are [Ev] and [EH], and their absolute values are Ev and EH, respectively. In the case of left-handed circularly polarized wave, since the horizontal excitation vector [EH] leads the vertical excitation vector [Ev] by 90 degrees, each vector has [Ev] = Ev (1,0,0) (6) [EH] = jEH (0,1,0) (7)

Here, (1,0,0) is the direction of the excitation vector [Ev], and (0,1,0) is the excitation vector [EH].
] Indicates that the phase of the excitation vector [EH] leads the phase of the excitation vector [Ev] by 90 degrees. By the way, in the case of right-handed circular polarization, the sign of j is Will be negative.

The electric field strength Eξ due to the excitation vectors [Ev] and [EH] in the direction of the unit vector [Iξ] is
From Eqs. (4), (6), and (7), Eξ = [Ev] · [Iξ] + [EH] · [Iξ] (8) is obtained, and in the direction of the unit vector [Iη], The electric field strength Eη due to the excitation vectors [Ev] and [EH] is Eη = [Ev] · [Iη] + [EH] · [Iη] (9) according to the equations (5), (6) and (7). The left-handed component EL of the circularly polarized wave viewed from the observation direction U is 90 degrees in two directions orthogonal to each other in the plane W perpendicular to the observation direction U, that is, in the unit vectors [Iξ] and [Iη]. The difference between the electric field strengths having different phases, that is, EL = 1 / √2 (Eξ-jEη) (10)

Then, the phase φ obtained from the phase term of the equation (10) becomes φ = φ (ξ, η) = tan ⁻¹ (−EH sin ξ sin η / (Ev cos ξ + EH cos η)) (11), This equation (11) indicates that an extra left-handed rotational phase component, that is, a rotational phase change occurs in the rotational phase of circularly polarized waves due to the beam elevation angle ξ and the deflection angle η during beam scanning.

As a result, the observation direction (directional beam direction) U
Then, the rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave is (Φi + φ), that is, the rotational phase Φi in the z-axis direction in which the circularly polarized wave from the array antenna unit 10 advances and the rotational phase change amount φ in the beam direction is added. Only the portion corresponding to the phase φ is deviated from the rotational phase Φi of the circularly polarized wave in the traveling direction (z-axis direction) of the radio wave radiated from the antenna.

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG.
Electronic scanning in which the array antenna units 10a to 10d are arranged so that their radiation planes of circularly polarized waves face north, west, south, and east, respectively, and the circularly polarized radiation advances to north, west, south, and east, respectively. In the type array antenna device, when beam scanning is performed in all directions by these four array antenna units 10a to 10d, the array antenna unit 1 in which the beam faces north
When switching from 0a to the array antenna section 10b facing west, a phase jump of the rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave occurs.

As shown in the equation (11), the rotation phase change amount φ is the deflection angle η of the beam in the horizontal plane (yz plane).
Since it is an odd function, the rotational phase change amount φ (ξ, η) with respect to the deflection angle η when the beam is directed in the northwest direction by the array antenna section 10a facing north and the west surface The rotational phase change amount φ (ξ, −η) with respect to the deflection angle (−η) when the beam is directed in the northwest direction by the array antenna unit 10b is 2φ.
A difference of (ξ, η) occurs, and this difference of the rotational phase change amount appears as a discontinuous portion of the processed signal in the system that processes the signal via the phase information.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the beam scanning by the excitation phase control in each circular polarization element antenna forming the array antenna section is performed by the circular polarization in the beam direction. It is an object of the present invention to obtain an electronic scanning type array antenna device that can be performed without causing fluctuations in the rotation phase of the.

[0019]

The electronic scanning type array antenna device according to the present invention has a structure in which the beam scanning is performed by controlling the excitation phases of a plurality of circular polarization element antennas forming the array antenna section. Equipped with arithmetic means for calculating the rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction based on the beam direction data, and controlling the excitation phase at each circularly polarized element antenna during beam scanning. Based on the output of the calculating means, the change amount of the rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction is compensated by the control amount of the excitation phase.

According to the present invention, in the electronic scanning array antenna device, a variable phase shifter for changing the excitation phase of each circular polarization element antenna based on a set phase signal, and the set phase signal based on beam direction data. In addition to the phase shifter setting circuit that generates the phase shift calculation circuit that calculates the rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction as a phase correction signal, the phase based on the beam direction data is provided. The setting signal is biasedly corrected by the phase correction signal and supplied to the phase shift setting unit.

According to the present invention, in the electronic scanning array antenna device, a variable phase shifter for changing the excitation phase of each circular polarization element antenna based on a set phase signal, and the set phase signal based on beam direction data. In addition to a phase shifter setting circuit for generating, a storage means for storing the ratio of the horizontal electric field component and the vertical electric field component of the circularly polarized wave output from each of the circular polarization element antennas as axial ratio data, The calculation means is configured to calculate the rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction based on the axial ratio data together with the beam direction data.

In the electronic scanning array antenna device according to the present invention, an auxiliary variable phase shifter for shifting the phase of the transmission / reception signal is provided in the preceding stage of the distribution / combining circuit for distributing / combining the transmission / reception signal to / from the circular polarization element antenna. Is provided, and the phase shift amount of the auxiliary variable phase shifter is controlled so that the rotational phase change amount of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction is compensated by the phase shift control amount.

According to the present invention, in the above electronic scanning array antenna device, a plurality of array antenna bodies having the circular polarization element antennas arranged according to a predetermined arrangement are provided, and each circular polarization in each array antenna body during beam scanning. The excitation phase of the wave element antenna is controlled so that the rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction in each of the array antenna bodies is compensated by the control amount of the excitation phase.

[0024]

According to the present invention, in addition to the configuration in which the excitation phase in the plurality of circularly polarized element antennas constituting the array antenna section is controlled on the basis of the beam direction data to perform the beam scanning, the beam scanning is performed during the beam scanning. Based on the direction data, calculate the rotational phase change of circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction, and control the excitation phase in each circular polarization element antenna. Since the rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave depending on the direction is controlled to be compensated by the control amount of the excitation phase,
Beam scanning by controlling the excitation phase in each of the circular polarization element antennas can be performed without causing a change in the rotational phase of circular polarization depending on the beam direction.

Further, according to the present invention, a phase correction arithmetic circuit for generating a phase correction signal corresponding to the rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction is provided, and a variable shift for setting the excitation phase of the circularly polarized element antenna. Since the set phase signal to the phase shifter is bias-corrected by the phase correction signal, the phase shifter setting that generates the set phase signal for the rotational phase fluctuation of the circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction during beam scanning. This can be avoided by a simple configuration in which the phase correction arithmetic circuit is added to the circuit.

In the present invention, the ratio of the horizontal component and the vertical component of the transmitted / received circularly polarized wave in the array antenna section constituted by the plurality of circularly polarized element antennas is stored as axial ratio data, and together with the beam direction data. Since the rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the above directional beam direction is calculated based on the axial ratio data, even in an antenna device with a poor axial ratio, the array antenna body can be used regardless of the axial ratio. Scanning the beam emitted from
This can be performed without causing the rotational phase variation of the circularly polarized wave depending on the pointing direction.

In the present invention, an auxiliary variable phase shifter is provided in the preceding stage of the distribution / combining circuit, and the phase shift amount of the auxiliary variable phase shifter is controlled by circular polarization with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction. Since the rotation phase change of is compensated by the phase shift control amount, the configuration of the phase shifter setting circuit that supplies the phase setting signal to the variable phase shifter for each circular polarization element antenna is changed. It is possible to prevent the rotational phase fluctuation of the circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction during beam scanning.

According to the present invention, a plurality of array antennas each having the circularly polarized element antenna arranged according to a predetermined arrangement are provided, and the excitation phase at each circularly polarized element antenna in each of the arrayed antenna elements at the time of beam scanning. Control of
The rotation phase change of the circularly polarized wave due to the beam direction in each array antenna body is adapted to be compensated by the control amount of the excitation phase, so when operating a plurality of array antenna bodies, It is possible to prevent the phase difference of the rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave from occurring at the time of switching, and thereby to prevent the discontinuity of the processed signal from occurring in the system that processes the signal based on the phase information.

[0029]

EXAMPLES Example 1. FIG. 1 (a) is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic scanning array antenna device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (b) is a directional beam direction U and a reference in the same xyz coordinate system as in FIG. It is a figure which shows a beam direction (z-axis direction), In the figure, the code | symbol same as FIG. 6-FIG. 8 shows the same thing as the conventional electronic scanning type array antenna apparatus 200, 101 is the electronic scanning type of this Example. The array antenna device is mounted on the mobile station 51 or the like in the mobile satellite communication system 50 as shown in FIG. 11 as in the conventional device, and each circular polarization element antenna 1 constituting the array antenna unit 10 is Distribution for performing transmission signal distribution and reception signal combination via each variable phase shifter 2 of the variable phase shifter group 20.
It is connected to the synthesis circuit 3. Here, the distributing / combining circuit 3 is connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 40, and each of the variable phase shifters 2 is connected to the antenna controller 30a that controls the beam direction of the antenna device 100.

In the present embodiment, the controller 30a described above is used.
Is a beam direction data calculation circuit 31 that calculates beam direction data H based on position and attitude data G regarding the position and attitude of the mobile station on the ground, and a reference in the directional beam direction U based on the beam direction data H. Beam direction (z
Rotational phase change of circularly polarized wave with respect to (axial direction) φ (ξ, η)
Phase correction calculation circuit 3 for calculating
3 and the beam direction data H, the phase shift amount Φi in each variable phase shifter 2 is calculated, and the phase shift amount Φi is biased by the rotational phase change amount φ (ξ, η). The set phase signal S that is corrected and corresponds to the corrected phase shift amount Ψi
Phase shifter setting circuit 32a for supplying Ψi to each variable phase shifter 2
And have.

Next, the operation will be described. Here, the array antenna unit 10 is composed of n circular polarization element antennas 1, and there is no deterioration in the axial ratio of the radio wave radiated from the array antenna unit 10, that is, the direction in which the radiated circular polarization advances ( The vertical component Ev and the horizontal component EH of the same when viewed from the z-axis direction) will be described.

The beam direction data calculation circuit 31 receives the data G regarding the position and attitude of the mobile station, and calculates the beam direction to be directed as the beam direction data H based on this position and attitude data G and the position information of the satellite station. Then,
In the phase correction arithmetic circuit 33, from the beam direction data H, the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction U (z-axis direction)
The rotational phase change φ (ξ, η) of the circularly polarized wave with respect to is calculated based on the above equation (11), and this is calculated as
Is supplied to the phase shifter setting circuit 4a.

At this time, in the phase shifter setting circuit 4a,
Based on the beam direction data H, the phase shift amount Φi (i = 1 to n) in each variable phase shifter 2 is calculated by the above formula (3), that is, Φi = ([Pi] · [u]) 360. / Λ (deg), and the phase shift amount Φi is subtracted from the rotational phase change φ of the circularly polarized wave to obtain the corrected phase shift amount Ψi.
The variable phase shifter 2 is supplied with a set phase signal SΨi for setting the phase shift amount to Ψi.

As a result, the phase shift amount Ψi of the variable phase shifter 2 corresponding to the circular polarization element antenna is Ψi = Φi−φ = ([Pi] · [u]) 360 / λ−tan ⁻¹ (−EH sin ξ sin η / (Ev cos ξ + EH cos η)) (12), and since Ev = EH here, Ψi = ([Pi] · [u]) 360 / λ − tan ⁻¹ (− sin ξ sin η / (cos ξ +) cos η)) (13)

Here, the rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave in the beam directed in the predetermined direction is the excitation phase in each circularly polarized element antenna 1 constituting the array antenna section 10, that is, the variable phase shifter. It becomes a value (Ψi + φ) obtained by adding an extra left-handed component φ due to the beam direction to the phase shift amount Ψi, but the excitation phase Ψi is the excitation phase Φi for directing the beam in a required direction based on the beam direction data H. From the reference beam direction (z-axis direction) in the directional beam direction, the value obtained by subtracting the rotational phase change φ of the circularly polarized wave is obtained. The rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave of is Ψi + φ = (Φi−φ) + φ = ([Pi] · [u]) 360 / λ, which is related to the elevation angle ξ and deflection angle η of the beam, that is, the beam direction. There will be no circular polarization, and no matter which direction the beam is directed, The wave rotation phase is constant. The rotation phase change φ (ξ, η) of the circularly polarized wave needs to be changed depending on the arrangement of the circularly polarized element antenna and the geometric structure of the array antenna section.

As described above, in this embodiment, the rotational phase change φ (ξ, η) of the circularly polarized wave seen from the observation point (beam direction) U during beam scanning is analytically obtained, and this phase change is calculated. Since the excitation phase in the circular polarization element antenna 1 is collectively bias-corrected so as to become zero, the beam scanning by controlling the excitation phase in each of the circular polarization element antennas 1 described above is performed in the circular direction by the beam direction. This can be performed without causing a change in the rotation phase of the polarized wave.

A phase correction operation circuit 33 for generating a phase correction signal Sφ corresponding to the rotational phase change φ of the circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction is provided, and the phase shift amount of the variable phase shifter 2 based on the beam direction data H. Since Φi is corrected bias-wise by the phase correction signal, a circuit configuration for avoiding the rotational phase fluctuation of the circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction is added to the conventional antenna controller 30 with the phase correction arithmetic circuit 33. And the phase correction arithmetic circuit 33 can be realized easily.
Since it can be easily configured by using C or LSI, the antenna device can be made compact, inexpensive, and highly accurate.

Example 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an electronic scanning type array antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 102 denotes the electronic scanning type array antenna device of the present embodiment, and here, the first embodiment described above. In addition to the configuration of the electronic scanning array antenna device 101, the axial ratio data for storing the ratio (ep = EV / EH) of the vertical and horizontal components of the circularly polarized wave transmitted and received from the array antenna unit 10 as axial ratio data. A phase correction arithmetic circuit 33a including a storage circuit 36 for generating a phase correction signal for correcting the phase shift amount of the variable phase shifter 2 is provided on the basis of not only the beam direction data H but also the axial ratio data ep. Rotational phase change φ of circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the pointing beam direction
The antenna control unit 30b has a phase shifter setting circuit 32a, a phase correction arithmetic circuit 33a, and an axial ratio data storage circuit 36. It is composed. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, the axial ratio of the electronic scanning array antenna device 102 is obtained by actual measurement or simulation, and the axial ratio data ep is stored in the data storage circuit 36. Then, during beam scanning, the phase correction arithmetic circuit 33a determines Ev and EH included as parameters in the equation (11) based on the axial ratio data ep. Then, based on the beam direction data, the rotational phase change amount φ 1 (ξ, η, e of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction (z axis direction) in the directional beam direction.
p) is calculated from the equation (11) in which the above parameters are set, and this is used as the phase correction signal Sφ1 for the phase shifter setting circuit 3
2a.

At this time, in the phase shifter setting circuit 32a, based on the beam direction data H, the phase shift amount Φi of the variable phase shifter is expressed by the above equation (3), that is, Φi = ([Pi] [U]) 360 / λ (deg), and the phase shift amount Φi is subtracted from the rotational phase change amount φ1 of the circularly polarized wave to obtain the corrected phase shift amount Ψi ₁ in each variable phase shifter 2a. determined, the each variable phase shifter 2, and supplies the phase setting signal Esupusaiai ₁ to set the phase shift amount in .psi.i _1.

Accordingly, the phase shift amount Ψi ₁ of the variable phase shifter 2 corresponding to the circular polarization element antenna 1 is Ψi ₁ = Φi −φ 1 = ([Pi] · [u]) 360 / λ −tan ⁻¹ ( −EH sin ξ sin η / (Ev cos ξ + EH cos η)) (14)

Here, the rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave in the beam directed in the predetermined direction is rotationally phase-shifted in the beam direction to the excitation phase Ψi1 of each circularly polarized element antenna 1 constituting the array antenna section 10. Value (ψi1 + φ1
), The excitation phase Ψi1 is the beam direction data H
The value obtained by subtracting the rotational phase change φ1 of circularly polarized wave in consideration of the axial ratio with respect to the reference beam direction (z-axis direction) in the pointing beam direction from the excitation phase Φi for directing the beam in the required direction based on Therefore, in this case, as a result, the rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave in the beam directed in the predetermined direction is Ψi1 + φ1 = (Φi−φ1) + φ1 = ([Pi] · [u]) 360 / λ Becomes As a result, even if the antenna device has a poor axial ratio, that is, the ratio of Ev to EH is not 1, the beam elevation angle ξ
And the deflection angle η, that is, it has nothing to do with the beam direction, and scans the beam emitted from the array antenna
This can be performed without causing the rotational phase variation of the circularly polarized wave depending on the pointing direction.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the ratio of the vertical component Ev and the horizontal component EH of the transmitted / received circularly polarized wave in the array antenna section composed of the plurality of circularly polarized element antennas is stored as the axial ratio data ep. , The beam direction data H
Not only that, the rotation phase change φ1 of the circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction is calculated based on the axial ratio data ep, and the excitation phase of the circularly polarized element antenna is corrected based on this, so that the axial ratio is poor. Also in the antenna device, regardless of the axial ratio, the scanning of the beam emitted from the array antenna body,
This can be performed without causing the rotational phase variation of the circularly polarized wave depending on the pointing direction.

Example 3. FIG. 3 shows an electronic scanning array antenna device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 103 is an electronic scanning array antenna device of this embodiment, which is a conventional electronic scanning array antenna device 20.
In the configuration of 0, in front of the distribution / combining circuit 3 that distributes and combines the transmission / reception signal SRF to / from the circular polarization element antenna,
Auxiliary variable phase shifter 7 for shifting the phase of the transmission / reception signal SRF
And calculating the rotational phase change amount φ (ξ, η) of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction on the basis of the beam direction data H, and setting the auxiliary phase shifter to zero. 7 is provided with an auxiliary phase shifter setting circuit 32b for setting the amount of phase shift of No. 7, here, the antenna control unit 30c includes an auxiliary phase shifter in addition to the beam direction data calculation circuit 31 and the phase shifter setting circuit 32. The configuration has a setting circuit 32b.

In this embodiment, the rotational phase change φ of the circularly polarized wave seen from the observation point is transferred to the variable phase shifter 2 corresponding to each circular polarization element antenna 1 as in the first embodiment. Distribute the transmitted / received signal SRF instead of correcting it by controlling the phase amount.
Before and after the distribution by the combining circuit 3, or after combining, the auxiliary variable phase shifter 7 is used to correct the phase shift to form the transmission / reception signal SRF1. Therefore, the variable shift for setting the excitation phase of the circular polarization element antenna 1 is performed. Without changing the configuration of the phase shifter setting circuit 32 that supplies the set phase signal to the phase shifter 2, it is possible to avoid the rotational phase fluctuation of the circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction during beam scanning.

In each of the above embodiments, the electronic scanning type array antenna apparatus having one array antenna section has been described, but the electronic scanning type array antenna apparatus may have a plurality of array antenna sections.

Example 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an electronic scanning type array antenna device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation thereof.
Is the first and second array antenna units 10a, 1 of this embodiment.
In the electronic scanning array antenna device having 0b, the array antenna units 10a and 10b are held by the array antenna unit support plate 11, and the circular polarization element antennas 1a and 1b, respectively.
It has a structure in which b is arranged according to a predetermined array pattern.

In the electronic scanning array antenna device 104, the first and second distribution / combining circuits 3a and 3b and the first and second variable phase shifts are provided corresponding to the array antenna units 10a and 10b. Group 20a, 20b are provided, and these have the same structure as the group of divider / combiner and variable phase shifter of the first embodiment.

Further, here, each array antenna section 1 described above is used.
Antenna controller 3 for controlling beam scanning of 0a and 10b
0d is a beam direction data operation circuit 31 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the first and second variable phase shifter groups 20a,
The phase shift amount of the variable phase shifter of 20b is set by the phase signal S
A phase shifter setting circuit 32b set by Ψia and SΨib,
The phase correction arithmetic circuit 33 for outputting the phase correction signals Sφa and Sφb to the circuit 32b, and the transmission / reception signal switch 4 and the set phase signal switch 5 based on the beam direction data H.
And a switch control circuit 34 for controlling the control signal by the control signal CS.

A switch 4 for the transmission / reception signal SRF is provided between the transmitter / receiver 40 and the distributor / combiner circuits 3a, 3b, and the variable phase shifter groups 20a, 20b and the antenna controller 30d are connected to each other. A switch 5 for switching between the set phase signals Ψia and Ψib from the phase shifter setting circuit 32b is provided between them.

Here, the phase shifter setting circuit 32b includes the first and second array antenna units 10 as shown in FIG.
xa ya is set so that the directions of the circularly polarized waves transmitted and received from a and 10b coincide with the za axis direction and the zb axis direction.
The set phase signals SΨia, SΨib are output based on the za coordinate system and the second xbybzb coordinate system, that is, the za axis direction and the zb axis direction of each coordinate system are the reference beam directions.

Next, the function and effect will be described. For convenience of explanation, in the first array antenna section 10a,
Beam scanning is performed in the range from the beam direction Ua1 to the beam direction Ua2, and in the second array antenna unit 10b, beam scanning is performed in the range from the beam direction Ub1 to the beam direction Ub2, which is substantially the same as the beam direction Ua2. It is assumed that the beam scanning ranges of both array antenna units are slightly overlapped.

In the fourth embodiment having such a configuration, the first
When the direction of the scanning beam by the array antenna unit 10a of 1 approaches the beam direction Ua2, the switching device control circuit 34
The transmission / reception signal switcher 4 and the set phase signal switcher 5 are controlled based on the output H of the beam direction data operation circuit 31 to transmit / receive the transmission / reception signal SRF from the transmission / reception unit 40 from the first distribution / combination circuit 3a. The output of the phase shifter setting circuit 32 is switched from the first variable phase shifter group 20a to the second variable phase shifter group 20b while switching to the second distribution / synthesis circuit 3b. As a result, the radiation of the beam from the first array antenna unit 10a is stopped, and instead, the radiation of the beam is started from the second array antenna unit 10b.
The beam scanning by the array antenna unit 10b is performed within the range from the beam direction Ub1 to the beam direction Ub2 based on the set phase signal Ψia.

On the contrary, the second array antenna section 10b
When the direction of the scanning beam due to approaches the beam direction Ub1,
The switching device control circuit 34 controls the transmission / reception signal switching device 4 and the set phase signal switching device 5 based on the output H of the beam direction data operation circuit 31 to output the transmission / reception signal SRF from the transmission / reception unit 40 to the second transmission / reception signal SRF. And the output of the phase shifter setting circuit 32 is switched from the second variable phase shifter group 20b to the second variable phase shifter group 20a. This stops the emission of the beam from the second array antenna unit 10b,
Instead, the beam emission from the first array antenna unit 10a is started, and the beam scanning by the first array antenna unit 10a is performed based on the set phase signal Ψia in the beam direction U.
This is performed within the range from a2 to the beam direction Ua1.

Next, each array antenna section 10a, 1
The beam scanning at 0b will be briefly described. In the first and second array antenna units 10a and 10b, as shown in FIG. 5, xa ya za coordinates are set so that the directions of transmission and reception circularly polarized waves from the array antenna units coincide with the za axis direction and the zb axis direction, respectively. System and the xbybzb coordinate system are set, and the phase correction arithmetic circuit 33b is the arithmetic circuit 3
Z of each coordinate system based on the beam direction data H from 1
Phase correction signals Sφa and Sφb are output with the a-axis direction and the zb-axis direction as reference beam directions, and at this time, the phase shifter setting circuit 32b outputs the beam direction data H from the arithmetic circuit 31 and the phase correction signal Sφa, Based on Sφb, set phase signals SΨia and SΨib are output with the za axis direction and zb axis direction of each coordinate system as the reference beam directions. That is, the phase shift amount Ψia of the variable phase shifter corresponding to the first array antenna unit 10a is Ψia = Φia−Φa.

Here, the rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave in the beam directed in a predetermined direction is changed to the excitation phase Ψia in each circularly polarized element antenna 1a forming the array antenna section 10a by the above-mentioned beam direction. Value (ψia +
φa), but the excitation phase Ψia is based on the excitation phase Φia for directing the beam in the required direction based on the beam direction data H, and the reference beam direction (za
Since the rotation phase change amount φa of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the (axial direction) is subtracted, as a result, in this case, the rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave in the beam directed in the predetermined direction is Ψia + φa = ( Φia-φa) + φa = ([Pia] · [ua]) 360 / λ, which is irrelevant to the elevation angle or deflection angle of the beam, that is, the beam direction. The wave rotation phase is constant. Here, [Pia] is a position vector of an arbitrary circularly polarized element antenna 1i forming the array antenna unit 10a, and [ua] is a unit vector in the direction of transmission / reception radio waves in the first array antenna unit 10a, which are respectively the above xa ya in the za coordinate system. Similarly, the phase shift amount Ψib of the variable phase shifter corresponding to the second array antenna unit 10b is Ψib = Φib−φb.

Here, the rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave in the beam directed in the predetermined direction changes to the excitation phase Ψib in each circularly polarized element antenna 1b forming the array antenna section 10b according to the beam direction. Value (ψib +
φb), but the excitation phase Ψib is based on the excitation phase Φib for directing the beam in the required direction based on the beam direction data H, and the reference beam direction (zb
Since the rotation phase change φb of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the (axial direction) is subtracted, as a result, in this case, the rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave in the beam directed in the predetermined direction is Ψib + φb = ( .PHI.ib-.phi.b) +. Phi.b = ([Pib]. [Ub]) 360 / .lamda., Which is irrelevant to the elevation angle and deflection angle of the beam, that is, the beam direction. The wave rotation phase is constant. Here, [Pib] is a position vector of an arbitrary circularly polarized element antenna 1i forming the array antenna unit 10b, and [ub] is a unit vector in the direction of transmission / reception radio waves in the second array antenna unit 10b, which are respectively the above xb yb in the zb coordinate system.

As a result, each array antenna section 10a,
The change of the rotation phase of the circularly polarized wave radiated from 10b depending on the beam direction is avoided, and when a plurality of array antenna units are operated, the rotation phase change of the circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction causes a difference between the antenna units. It is possible to avoid the phase skipping that occurs in (1), and thus to prevent the occurrence of discontinuity in the processed signal in the system that processes the signal based on the phase information.

[0059]

As described above, according to the electronic scanning array antenna device of the present invention, the excitation phases of the plurality of circular polarization element antennas forming the array antenna part are controlled based on the beam direction data. In addition to the configuration for performing beam scanning, at the time of beam scanning, based on the beam direction data,
The rotation phase change of circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction is calculated, and the excitation phase control in each circularly polarized wave element antenna is performed. Since the phase change is compensated by the control amount of the excitation phase, the beam scanning by the control of the excitation phase in each of the circular polarization element antennas can be performed to change the rotational phase of the circular polarization depending on the beam direction. There is an effect that can be performed without inviting.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above electronic scanning type array antenna device, a phase correction arithmetic circuit for generating a phase correction signal corresponding to the rotational phase change of the circular polarization depending on the beam direction is provided, and the circular polarization element is provided. Since the excitation phase of the antenna is biasedly corrected by the phase correction signal, the rotational phase fluctuation of the circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction at the time of beam scanning is described in the phase shifter setting circuit that generates the setting phase signal. There is an effect that it can be avoided by a simple configuration in which only a phase correction arithmetic circuit is added.

Further, according to the present invention, in the electronic scanning array antenna device, the ratio of the horizontal component and the vertical component of the transmitted / received circularly polarized wave in the array antenna section constituted by the plurality of circularly polarized element antennas is set as an axis. Since it is stored as ratio data and the rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the pointing beam direction is calculated based on the axial ratio data together with the beam direction data, in an antenna device with a poor axial ratio. However, regardless of the axial ratio, there is an effect that the beam emitted from the array antenna body can be scanned at the time of beam scanning without causing the rotational phase variation of the circularly polarized wave depending on the direction of the beam.

According to the present invention, in the electronic scanning array antenna device, an auxiliary variable phase shifter is provided in the preceding stage of the distribution / synthesis circuit, and the control of the phase shift amount of the auxiliary variable phase shifter is directed. Since the rotation phase change of circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the beam direction is compensated by the phase shift control amount, the phase setting signal is supplied to the variable phase shifter for each circularly polarized element antenna. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent the rotational phase fluctuation of the circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction during beam scanning without changing the configuration of the phase shifter setting circuit.

Further, according to the present invention, in the electronic scanning array antenna device, a plurality of array antenna bodies each having the circularly polarized element antennas arranged according to a predetermined arrangement are provided, and each array antenna body at the time of beam scanning. Since the control of the excitation phase in each circular polarization element antenna in, is performed so that the rotational phase change of the circular polarization due to the beam direction in each array antenna body is compensated by the control amount of the excitation phase, When multiple array antenna units are operated, it is possible to avoid phase jumps of the rotational phase of circularly polarized waves when the array antenna units are switched, and this allows discontinuity of processed signals in a system that processes signals based on phase information. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a portion.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an electronic scanning array antenna device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic scanning array antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic scanning array antenna device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic scanning array antenna device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic scanning array antenna device in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an electronic scanning array antenna device having a plurality of conventional circular polarization element antennas.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventional electronic scanning array antenna device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation principle of a conventional electronic scanning array antenna device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining fluctuations in the rotational phase of circularly polarized waves depending on the beam direction in a conventional electronic scanning array antenna device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining phase skipping when a plurality of electronic scanning array antenna devices are operated.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a general mobile satellite communication system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a, 1b Circular polarization element antenna 2 Variable phase shifter 3, 3a, 3b Distribution / synthesis circuit 7 Auxiliary variable phase shifter 10, 10a, 10b Array antenna section 11 Array antenna section support plate 20, 20a, 20b Variable Phase shifter group 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d Antenna control unit 31 Beam direction data calculation circuit 32 Phase shifter setting circuit 33, 33a, 33b Phase correction calculation circuit 34 Switcher control circuit 36 Axial ratio data storage circuit 37 Auxiliary phase shift Setting circuit 101 to 104 Electronic scanning array antenna device G Position and attitude data H Beam direction data SRF Transmission / reception signal φ, φ1, φa, φb Rotational phase change amount φi, Ψi, Ψi1, Ψia, Ψib Phase shift amount Sφ, Sφ1 , Sφa phase correction signal SΦi, SΨi, SΨi1, SΨia, SΨib set phase signal

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 18, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Detailed explanation of the invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic scanning type array antenna device, and more particularly to a device using a circular polarization element antenna as an antenna element.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional general electronic scanning type array antenna device, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure thereof. In the figure, 200 is an electronic scanning type array antenna device. In the mobile satellite communication system 50 as shown in FIG. 11, for example, the satellite base station 5
It is mounted on a mobile station 51 or the like that can move on the ground L that communicates with the mobile station 2 and the like, and its array antenna section 10 has a structure in which circular polarization element antennas 1 are arranged in a matrix. Further, each of the circular polarization element antennas 1 is connected via a variable phase shifter 2 of the phase shifter group 20 to a distribution / combination circuit 3 for distributing a transmission signal and combining reception signals. The synthesizing circuit 3 is connected to the transmission / reception unit 40 that processes the transmission / reception signal SRF.

On the other hand, each of the variable phase shifters 2 is connected to an antenna control unit 30 which controls the beam direction of the antenna device 200, and the control unit 30 positions and attitudes of the mobile station 51 on the ground L. The beam direction data H, that is, the beam direction data calculation circuit 31 for calculating the beam direction data based on the position and orientation data G, and the variable phase shifters 2 based on the beam direction data H. , And a phase shifter setting circuit 32 which supplies a set phase signal SΦi for setting the phase shift amount to Φi.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the principle of beam scanning in the electronic scanning type array antenna apparatus, and FIG. 8 (a) is an xyz coordinate system with the center of the array antenna section 10 as the origin. Fig. 8 (b) shows this xyz
The yz coordinate plane which looked at the coordinate system from the x-axis direction is shown.
Position vector in Figure [Pi] is any circularly polarized antenna elements 1i, U is a directional beam direction of the antenna device, to the z-axis direction in the reference beam Direction is the xyz coordinate system where
It Further, [u] is a unit vector indicating the directional beam direction U, ξ is an elevation angle with respect to the yz plane in the directional beam direction U, and η is a deflection angle from the z axis in the yz plane in the directional beam direction U, It coincides with the yz plane and the horizontal plane. In the xyz coordinate system, the position vector [Pi] of the circular polarization element antenna 1i and the unit vector [u] indicating the beam direction are [Pi] = (x, y, z) (1) [u], respectively. ] = (Sin ξ, cos ξ sin η, cos ξ cos η) (2)

Further, F0 is a transmission / reception surface of radio waves of the array antenna section 10, and the transmission / reception surface F0 is in the z-axis direction, that is, the traveling direction of the radio waves (circular polarization) emitted from each circular polarization element antenna 1. It is vertical. F1 is equal position phase plane waves emitted phases are equal from the circularly polarized antenna elements 1 constituting the array antenna unit 10, this constant position Aimen F1 perpendicular direction is a directional beam direction U. Moreover Ri is a distance to an equal position Aimen F1 from the arbitrary circular polarization element antennas 1i, a directional beam direction ([Pi] - [u]) That is the position vector of the circularly polarized antenna elements 1i [Pi] It is a value corresponding to the inner product with the unit vector [u] shown.

Next, the operation will be described. In the electronic scanning antenna device 200 having the above configuration, by controlling the excitation phase at each circularly polarized antenna elements 1, forms such position a predetermined angle with respect to the traveling direction of the radiated wave (z-axis direction) Aimen F1,
That is, by forming a surface where the phases of the radio waves radiated from the circularly polarized element antennas 1 are the same, the radiation beam from the array antenna unit 10 can be directed in the normal direction of the equiphase surface F1. Each circular polarization element antenna 1
The beam scanning is performed by controlling the excitation phase in.

That is, when transmitting a radio wave, the transmission signal SRF from the transmitter / receiver is distributed to each variable phase shifter 2 by the distribution / synthesis circuit 3, and further, in this variable phase shifter 2, the phase shifter setting circuit 32 is provided. The phase of the transmission signal is set on the basis of the set phase signal SΦi from, and the phase-set transmission signal is supplied to each circular polarization element antenna 1. Here, the set phase signal SΦi sets the phase shift amount in each variable phase shifter 2 to Φi, and the phase shifter setting circuit 32 generates the set phase signal SΦi based on the beam direction data. is doing. The phase shift amount Φi in each variable phase shifter 2 is Φi = ([Pi] · [u]) 360 / λ (deg) (where λ is the wavelength of the radio wave radiated from the circular polarization element antenna). 3) is given in.

When receiving a radio wave, the excitation phase in the circular polarization element antenna 1 is controlled on the basis of the beam direction data H in the same manner as in the above transmission, and the beam scanning is thereby performed.

[0009]

However, in the conventional electronic scanning type array antenna device, the beam scanning is performed by controlling the excitation phase in each circular polarization element antenna 1 as described above. Therefore, the point that the phase of each circularly polarized wave component is changed is not taken into consideration. For example, in an electronic scanning array antenna device having a plurality of array antenna units 10, the rotational phase of the circularly polarized wave is changed when the array antenna units 10 are switched. In the system in which the phase skip occurs and the signal is processed through the phase information of the circularly polarized wave, there is a problem that a discontinuous portion occurs in the processed signal.

Hereinafter, this problem will be described in detail. Generally, in an electronic scanning antenna device using a circularly polarized element antenna, the phase of the circularly polarized component changes depending on the observation direction (beam direction) U. That is, the same xy shown in FIG. 9 as in FIG.
The unit vectors [Iξ] and [Iη] orthogonal to each other in the plane perpendicular to the beam direction U in the z coordinate system are [Iξ] = (cosξ, −sinξ, using the elevation angle ξ and the deflection angle η in the beam direction. cos η, −sin ξ cos η) (4) [Iη] = (0, cos η, −sin η) (5)

On the other hand, when the excitation vectors in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction at the feeding point (excitation point) of the circular polarization element antenna are [Ev] and [EH], and their absolute values are Ev and EH, respectively. In the case of left-handed circularly polarized wave, since the horizontal excitation vector [EH] leads the vertical excitation vector [Ev] by 90 degrees, each vector has [Ev] = Ev (1,0,0) (6) [EH] = jEH (0,1,0) (7)

Here, (1,0,0) is the direction of the excitation vector [Ev], and (0,1,0) is the excitation vector [EH].
] Indicates that the phase of the excitation vector [EH] leads the phase of the excitation vector [Ev] by 90 degrees. By the way, in the case of right-handed circular polarization, the sign of j is Will be negative.

Using the above conditions, the phase of each circular polarization component
Is calculated, the phase is generally expressed as a function of ξ, η, and ep.
Is, φ = φ (ξ, η , ep) , and the expression of this is the elevation xi], oscillation is angle eta and axial ratio ep beams during the beam scanning, to change the phase of the circularly polarized components
It is shown that that. Here, the axial ratio ep is orthogonal to each other.
Is defined as the ratio of the excitation vector [EH], [Ev]
There is .

As a result, the observation direction (pointing beam direction) U
In circular polarization of position phase (Φi + φ), i.e. the reference phase .PHI.i in the beam direction that by the position phase variation phi added value when the circular polarization of the array antenna unit 10 advances in the z-axis direction next, only the portion corresponding to the phase phi, so that the deviated relative position phase Φi circularly polarized wave in the traveling direction of the radio wave radiated from the antenna (z-axis direction).

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG.
Electronic scanning in which the array antenna units 10a to 10d are arranged so that their radiation planes of circularly polarized waves face north, west, south, and east, respectively, and the circularly polarized radiation advances to north, west, south, and east, respectively. In the type array antenna device, when beam scanning is performed in all directions by these four array antenna units 10a to 10d, the array antenna unit 1 in which the beam faces north
At the time of switching from 0a to the array antenna section 10b facing west, a phase jump of the phase of the circular polarization component occurs ,
The difference in the amount of phase change is the system that processes the signal through the phase information.
In the stem, it appears as a discontinuous portion of the processed signal.
And

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the beam scanning by the excitation phase control in each circular polarization element antenna forming the array antenna section is performed by the circular polarization in the beam direction. An object of the present invention is to obtain an electronic scanning type array antenna device that can be performed without causing fluctuations in the phase of components .

[0017]

The electronic scanning type array antenna device according to the present invention has a structure in which the beam scanning is performed by controlling the excitation phases of a plurality of circular polarization element antennas forming the array antenna section. Controlling the excitation phase of each circular polarization element antenna during beam scanning is provided with a calculation means for calculating the phase change amount of each circular polarization component with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction based on the beam direction data. To
Based on the output of the calculation means, the phase change amount of each circularly polarized wave component due to the beam direction is compensated by the control amount of the excitation phase.

According to the present invention, in the electronic scanning array antenna device, a variable phase shifter for changing the excitation phase of each circular polarization element antenna based on a set phase signal, and the set phase signal based on beam direction data. In addition to the phase shifter setting circuit that generates the phase shift calculation circuit that calculates the phase change amount of each circular polarization component with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction as a phase correction signal, it is based on the beam direction data. The phase setting signal is biasedly corrected by the phase correction signal and supplied to the phase shift setting unit.

In the electronic scanning array antenna device according to the present invention, a variable phase shifter for changing the excitation phase of each circular polarization element antenna based on a set phase signal, and the set phase signal based on beam direction data. In addition to the phase shifter setting circuit for generating the above, the ratios of mutually orthogonal excitation vector components of the circularly polarized waves excited by the respective circularly polarized element antennas are stored as axial ratio data (ep) . Equipped with storage means,
The calculating means is configured to calculate the phase change amount of each circularly polarized wave component in the directional beam direction with respect to the reference beam direction based on the beam ratio data and the axial ratio data.

In the electronic scanning array antenna device according to the present invention, an auxiliary variable phase shifter for shifting the phase of the transmission / reception signals is provided in the preceding stage of the distribution / combining circuit for distributing / combining the transmission / reception signals to / from the circular polarization element antenna. Is provided, and the phase shift amount of the auxiliary variable phase shifter is controlled so that the phase change amount of each circular polarization component with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction is compensated by the phase shift control amount. .

According to the present invention, in the above electronic scanning array antenna device, a plurality of array antenna bodies having the circularly polarized element antennas arranged according to a predetermined arrangement are provided, and when the beam is scanned, the circular polarization of each of the array antenna bodies is increased. The control of the excitation phase in the wave element antenna is performed so that the phase change amount of each circularly polarized wave component due to the beam direction in each array antenna body is compensated by the control amount of the excitation phase.

[0022]

According to the present invention, in addition to the configuration in which the excitation phase in the plurality of circularly polarized element antennas constituting the array antenna section is controlled on the basis of the beam direction data to perform the beam scanning, the beam scanning is performed during the beam scanning. Based on the direction data, the phase change amount of each circular polarization component with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction is calculated, and the control of the excitation phase in each circular polarization element antenna is performed based on the calculation result described above. Since the phase change of each circular polarization component due to the beam direction is controlled so as to be compensated by the control amount of the excitation phase, the beam scanning by controlling the excitation phase of each circular polarization element antenna This can be performed without causing a change in the phase of each circular polarization component depending on the direction.

Also, in the present invention, a phase correction arithmetic circuit for generating a phase correction signal corresponding to the phase change of each circularly polarized wave component depending on the beam direction is provided, and the excitation phase of the circularly polarized element antenna is set variable. Since the set phase signal to the phase shifter is bias-corrected by the phase correction signal , the phase fluctuation of each circularly polarized wave component depending on the beam direction at the time of beam scanning is performed by the phase shift that generates the set phase signal. This can be avoided by a simple configuration in which the above-mentioned phase correction arithmetic circuit is added to the instrument setting circuit.

According to the present invention, the ratio of the excitation vector components of transmission / reception circularly polarized waves orthogonal to each other in the array antenna section constituted by the plurality of circularly polarized element antennas is stored as axial ratio data, and the beam direction data is stored. At the same time, the rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the above-mentioned directional beam direction is calculated based on the axial ratio data. The beam emitted from the body can be scanned without causing a phase change of each circularly polarized wave component depending on the direction of the beam.

In the present invention, an auxiliary variable phase shifter is provided in the preceding stage of the distribution / synthesis circuit, and the phase shift amount of the auxiliary variable phase shifter is controlled by each circular deviation with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction. Since the phase change of the wave component is compensated by the phase shift control amount, the configuration of the phase shifter setting circuit that supplies the phase setting signal to the variable phase shifter for each circular polarization element antenna is changed. Without beam scanning,
It is possible to prevent the phase variation of each circularly polarized wave component depending on the beam direction.

According to the present invention, a plurality of array antenna bodies having the above-mentioned circular polarization element antennas arranged according to a predetermined arrangement are provided, and the excitation phase of each circular polarization element antenna in each array antenna body at the time of beam scanning. Control of
Each circular polarization component by the beam direction at each array antenna element
Since the phase change of the above is compensated by the control amount of the excitation phase, when multiple array antenna bodies are operated, the phase skip of the phase of each circular polarization component when the array antenna bodies are switched. This can be prevented from occurring, which can prevent a discontinuity in the processed signal from occurring in a system that processes the signal based on the phase information.

[0027]

EXAMPLES Example 1. FIG. 1 (a) is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic scanning array antenna device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (b) is a directional beam direction U and a reference in the same xyz coordinate system as in FIG. It is a figure which shows a beam direction (z-axis direction), In the figure, the code | symbol same as FIG. 6-FIG. 8 shows the same thing as the conventional electronic scanning type array antenna apparatus 200, 101 is the electronic scanning type of this Example. The array antenna device is mounted on the mobile station 51 or the like in the mobile satellite communication system 50 as shown in FIG. 11 as in the conventional device, and each circular polarization element antenna 1 constituting the array antenna unit 10 is Distribution for performing transmission signal distribution and reception signal combination via each variable phase shifter 2 of the variable phase shifter group 20.
It is connected to the synthesis circuit 3. Here, the distributing / combining circuit 3 is connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 40, and each of the variable phase shifters 2 is connected to the antenna controller 30a that controls the beam direction of the antenna device 100.

In the present embodiment, the controller 30a described above is used.
Is a beam direction data calculation circuit 31 that calculates beam direction data H based on position and attitude data G regarding the position and attitude of the mobile station on the ground, and a reference in the directional beam direction U based on the beam direction data H. Beam direction (z
Phase change of circularly polarized wave component φ (ξ, η)
Phase correction calculation circuit 3 for calculating
3 and the beam direction data H, the phase shift amount Φi in each variable phase shifter 2 is calculated, and the phase shift amount Φi is further increased.
Serial position phase variation φ (ξ, η) bias to be corrected by,
The set phase signal SΨi corresponding to this corrected phase shift amount Ψi
And a phase shifter setting circuit 32a for supplying the variable phase shifter 2 to each variable phase shifter 2.

Next, the operation will be described. Here, the array antenna unit 10 is composed of n circular polarization element antennas 1, and there is no deterioration in the axial ratio of the radio wave radiated from the array antenna unit 10, that is, the direction in which the radiated circular polarization advances ( The vertical component Ev and the horizontal component EH of the same when viewed from the z-axis direction) will be described.

The beam direction data calculation circuit 31 receives the data G regarding the position and attitude of the mobile station, and calculates the beam direction to be directed as the beam direction data H based on the position and attitude data G and the position information of the satellite station. Then,
In the phase correction arithmetic circuit 33, from the beam direction data H, the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction U (z-axis direction)
Phase variation φ (ξ, η) of the circular polarization component to be computation, and supplies to the phase shifter setting circuit 4a so as phase correction signal Esufai.

[0031] At this time, in該移phase shifter setting circuit 32 a, based on the beam direction data H, the amount of phase shift .PHI.i (i = 1 to n) in each variable phase shifter 2, the (3 ), That is, Φi = ([Pi] · [u]) 360 / λ (deg), and the circularly polarized wave from the set phase shift amount Φi.
The phase shift amount φ of the component is subtracted to obtain the corrected phase shift amount Ψi,
The variable phase shifter 2 is supplied with a set phase signal SΨi for setting the phase shift amount to Ψi.

As a result, the phase shift amount Ψi of the variable phase shifter 2 corresponding to the circular polarization element antenna is Ψi = Φi−φ = ([Pi] · [u]) 360 / λ− φ (ξ, η, ep) (12)

Here, the phase of the circular polarization component in the beam directed in a predetermined direction is the excitation phase in each circular polarization element antenna 1 constituting the array antenna section 10, that is, the variable phase shifter. Phase shift due to the beam direction above the phase shift amount Ψi
It is a value (Ψi + φ) that is the quantity φ, but the excitation phase Ψ
i is a value obtained by subtracting the rotational phase change φ of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction (z-axis direction) in the pointing beam direction from the excitation phase Φi for directing the beam in the required direction based on the beam direction data H. Therefore, as a result,
In this case, the circular polarization component of the beam directed in the specified direction
The phase, Ψi + φ = (Φi -φ ) + φ = ( [Pi] - [u]) becomes 360 / lambda, the beam elevation angle ξ and deflection angle eta, i.e. it shall not related to the beam direction, which Ru can be made constant the phase of the circularly polarized wave components even directed to the beam direction. The phase change φ (ξ, η , ep ) of the circularly polarized wave component needs to be changed depending on the arrangement of the circularly polarized element antenna and the geometric structure of the array antenna section.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the phase change φ (ξ, η , ep ) of the circular polarization component viewed from the observation point (beam direction) U during beam scanning is analytically obtained, and this phase change is obtained. Since the excitation phase in the circular polarization element antenna 1 is collectively corrected in a bias manner so that the component becomes zero, the beam scanning by controlling the excitation phase in each circular polarization element antenna 1 is performed in the beam direction. This can be performed without causing a change in the phase of the circular polarization component due to.

A phase correction operation circuit 33 for generating a phase correction signal Sφ corresponding to the phase change φ of the circularly polarized wave component depending on the beam direction is provided, and the phase shift amount of the variable phase shifter 2 based on the beam direction data H. Since Φi is corrected in a bias-like manner by the phase correction signal, a circuit configuration for avoiding the phase fluctuation of the circularly polarized wave component depending on the beam direction is added to the conventional antenna controller 30 by adding the phase correction arithmetic circuit 33. And the phase correction arithmetic circuit 33 can be realized easily.
Since it can be easily configured by using C or LSI, the antenna device can be made compact, inexpensive, and highly accurate.

Example 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an electronic scanning type array antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 102 denotes the electronic scanning type array antenna device of the present embodiment, and here, the first embodiment described above. In addition to the configuration of the electronic scanning array antenna device 101 of FIG .
An axial ratio data storage circuit 36 for storing the ratio of excitation vector components (ep = Ev / EH) as axial ratio data,
Based on not only the beam direction data H but also the axial ratio data ep, a phase correction arithmetic circuit 33a for generating a phase correction signal for correcting the phase shift amount of the variable phase shifter 2 is used as a reference in each directional beam direction. The circuit configuration is such that the phase change amount φ 1 (ξ, η, ep) of the circularly polarized wave component with respect to the beam direction is calculated. Here, the antenna control unit 30b includes the phase shifter setting circuit 32a, It has a configuration including a phase correction arithmetic circuit 33a and an axial ratio data storage circuit 36. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, the axial ratio of the electronic scanning array antenna device 102 is obtained by actual measurement or simulation, and the axial ratio data ep is stored in the data storage circuit 36. Then, during beam scanning, the phase correction arithmetic circuit 33a determines Ev and EH included as parameters in the equation (11) based on the axial ratio data ep (= Ev / EH) . Then, based on the beam direction data, the phase change φ of the circular polarization component with respect to the reference beam direction (z-axis direction) in the directional beam direction.
1 (ξ, η, ep) is set to the above parameters (1
It is calculated from the equation (1) and is output to the phase shifter setting circuit 32a as the phase correction signal Sφ1.

At this time, in the phase shifter setting circuit 32a, based on the beam direction data H, the phase shift amount Φi of the variable phase shifter is calculated by the equation (3), that is, Φi = ([Pi] [U]) Obtained from 360 / λ (deg) and further subtracting the phase change φ1 of the circular polarization component from the phase shift amount Φi to correct the phase shift in each variable phase shifter 2a. The amount Ψ i1 is obtained, and the set phase signal S Ψ i1 for setting the amount of phase shift to Ψ i1 is supplied to each variable phase shifter 2.

Accordingly, the phase shift amount Ψi ₁ of the variable phase shifter 2 corresponding to the circular polarization element antenna 1 is Ψi1 = Φi−φ1 = ([Pi] · [u]) 360 / λ− φ1 (ξ, η, ep) (14)

[0040] Here, the phase of the circularly polarized components of the beam which is directed in a predetermined direction, position phase change due to the beam direction to the excitation phase Ψi1 in each circularly polarized antenna elements 1 constituting the array antenna unit 10 It becomes a value (Ψi1 + φ1) obtained by adding the minute φ1, but the excitation phase Ψi1 is calculated from the excitation phase Φi for directing the beam in the required direction based on the beam direction data H to the reference beam direction (z-axis direction) in the directed beam direction. ), The phase change φ1 of the circular polarization component considering the axial ratio is subtracted, and as a result, in this case, the phase of the circular polarization component in the beam directed in the predetermined direction is , Ψi1 + φ1 = (Φi−φ1) + φ1 = ([Pi] · [u]) 360 / λ. As a result, even if the antenna device has a poor axial ratio, that is, the ratio of Ev to EH is not 1, the beam elevation angle ξ
And the deflection angle η, that is, it has nothing to do with the beam direction, and scans the beam emitted from the array antenna
This can be performed without causing a phase change of the circularly polarized wave component due to the directing direction.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the ratio of the excitation vector components of transmission / reception circularly polarized waves orthogonal to each other in the array antenna section constituted by the plurality of circularly polarized element antennas is stored as the axial ratio data ep, Since not only the beam direction data H but also the axial ratio data ep is calculated, the phase change φ1 of the circular polarization component due to the beam direction is calculated, and the excitation phase of the circular polarization element antenna is corrected based on this. Even in an antenna device having a poor axial ratio, the beam radiated from the array antenna body can be scanned without causing a phase variation of the circularly polarized wave component due to its directing direction, regardless of the axial ratio.

Example 3. FIG. 3 shows an electronic scanning array antenna device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 103 is an electronic scanning array antenna device of this embodiment, which is a conventional electronic scanning array antenna device 20.
In the configuration of 0, in front of the distribution / combining circuit 3 that distributes and combines the transmission / reception signal SRF to / from the circular polarization element antenna,
Auxiliary variable phase shifter 7 for shifting the phase of the transmission / reception signal SRF
In addition, the phase change amount φ (ξ, η) of the circularly polarized wave component with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction is calculated based on the beam direction data H, and the above assistance is performed so that the phase change amount φ (ξ, η) becomes zero. The auxiliary phase shifter setting circuit 32b for setting the amount of phase shift of the variable phase shifter 7 is provided. Here, in addition to the beam direction data calculation circuit 31 and the phase shifter setting circuit 32, the antenna control unit 30c includes It has a configuration including an auxiliary phase shifter setting circuit 32b.

[0043] In this embodiment, the circular polarization formed as seen from the observation point
The phase change amount φ is not corrected by controlling the phase shift amount of the variable phase shifter 2 corresponding to each circular polarization element antenna 1 as in the first embodiment, but the transmission / reception signal SRF is distributed.・
Before and after the distribution by the combining circuit 3, or after combining, the auxiliary variable phase shifter 7 is used to correct the phase shift to form the transmission / reception signal SRF1. Therefore, the variable shift for setting the excitation phase of the circular polarization element antenna 1 is performed. Without changing the configuration of the phase shifter setting circuit 32 that supplies the set phase signal to the phase shifter 2, it is possible to avoid the phase fluctuation of the circular polarization component depending on the beam direction during beam scanning.

In each of the above embodiments, the electronic scanning type array antenna device having one array antenna part has been described, but the electronic scanning type array antenna device may have a plurality of array antenna parts.

Example 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an electronic scanning type array antenna device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation thereof.
Is the first and second array antenna units 10a, 1 of this embodiment.
In the electronic scanning array antenna device having 0b, the array antenna units 10a and 10b are held by the array antenna unit support plate 11, and the circular polarization element antennas 1a and 1b, respectively.
It has a structure in which b is arranged according to a predetermined array pattern.

In the electronic scanning array antenna device 104, the first and second distribution / combining circuits 3a and 3b and the first and second variable phase shifts are provided corresponding to the array antenna units 10a and 10b. Group 20a, 20b are provided, and these have the same structure as the group of divider / combiner and variable phase shifter of the first embodiment.

Further, here, each array antenna unit 1
Antenna controller 3 for controlling beam scanning of 0a and 10b
0d is a beam direction data operation circuit 31 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the first and second variable phase shifter groups 20a,
The phase shift amount of the variable phase shifter of 20b is set by the phase signal S
A phase shifter setting circuit 32b set by Ψia and SΨib,
The phase correction arithmetic circuit 33 for outputting the phase correction signals Sφa and Sφb to the circuit 32b, and the transmission / reception signal switch 4 and the set phase signal switch 5 based on the beam direction data H.
And a switch control circuit 34 for controlling the control signal by the control signal CS.

A switch 4 for the transmission / reception signal SRF is provided between the transmission / reception unit 40 and each of the distribution / synthesis circuits 3a, 3b, and each of the variable phase shifter groups 20a, 20b and the antenna control unit 30d are connected to each other. A switch 5 for switching between the set phase signals Ψia and Ψib from the phase shifter setting circuit 32b is provided between them.

Here, the phase shifter setting circuit 32b includes the first and second array antenna units 10 as shown in FIG.
xa ya is set so that the directions of the circularly polarized waves transmitted and received from a and 10b coincide with the za axis direction and the zb axis direction.
The set phase signals SΨia, SΨib are output based on the za coordinate system and the second xbybzb coordinate system, that is, the za axis direction and the zb axis direction of each coordinate system are the reference beam directions.

Next, the function and effect will be described. For convenience of explanation, in the first array antenna section 10a,
Beam scanning is performed in the range from the beam direction Ua1 to the beam direction Ua2, and in the second array antenna unit 10b, beam scanning is performed in the range from the beam direction Ub1 to the beam direction Ub2, which is substantially the same as the beam direction Ua2. It is assumed that the beam scanning ranges of both array antenna units are slightly overlapped.

In the fourth embodiment having such a configuration, the first
When the direction of the scanning beam by the array antenna unit 10a of 1 approaches the beam direction Ua2, the switching device control circuit 34
The transmission / reception signal switcher 4 and the set phase signal switcher 5 are controlled on the basis of the output H of the beam direction data calculation circuit 31 to transmit / receive the transmission / reception signal SRF from the transmission / reception unit 40 from the first distribution / synthesis circuit 3a to the first transmission / combination circuit 3a. The output of the phase shifter setting circuit 32 is switched from the first variable phase shifter group 20a to the second variable phase shifter group 20b while switching to the second distribution / synthesis circuit 3b. As a result, the emission of the beam from the first array antenna unit 10a is stopped, and the emission of the beam from the second array antenna unit 10b is started instead,
The beam scanning by the array antenna unit 10b is performed within the range from the beam direction Ub1 to the beam direction Ub2 based on the set phase signal Ψia.

On the contrary, the second array antenna section 10b
When the direction of the scanning beam due to approaches the beam direction Ub1,
The switching device control circuit 34 controls the transmission / reception signal switching device 4 and the set phase signal switching device 5 based on the output H of the beam direction data operation circuit 31 to output the transmission / reception signal SRF from the transmission / reception unit 40 to the second transmission / reception signal SRF. And the output of the phase shifter setting circuit 32 is switched from the second variable phase shifter group 20b to the second variable phase shifter group 20a. This stops the emission of the beam from the second array antenna unit 10b,
Instead, the beam emission from the first array antenna unit 10a is started, and the beam scanning by the first array antenna unit 10a is performed based on the set phase signal Ψia in the beam direction U.
This is performed within the range from a2 to the beam direction Ua1.

Next, each of the array antenna parts 10a, 1
The beam scanning at 0b will be briefly described. In the first and second array antenna units 10a and 10b, as shown in FIG. 5, xa ya za coordinates are set so that the directions of transmission and reception circularly polarized waves from the array antenna units coincide with the za axis direction and the zb axis direction, respectively. System and the xbybzb coordinate system are set, and the phase correction arithmetic circuit 33b is the arithmetic circuit 3
Z of each coordinate system based on the beam direction data H from 1
Phase correction signals Sφa and Sφb are output with the a-axis direction and the zb-axis direction as reference beam directions, and at this time, the phase shifter setting circuit 32b outputs the beam direction data H from the arithmetic circuit 31 and the phase correction signal Sφa, Based on Sφb, set phase signals SΨia and SΨib are output with the za axis direction and zb axis direction of each coordinate system as the reference beam directions. That is, the phase shift amount Ψia of the variable phase shifter corresponding to the first array antenna unit 10a is Ψia = Φia−Φa.

[0054] Here, the phase of circularly polarized components of the beam which is directed in a predetermined direction, that due to the beam direction to the excitation phase Ψia in each circularly polarized antenna elements 1a constituting the array antenna unit 10a-position Value (φia + φa) with phase change φa added
), The excitation phase Ψia is the beam direction data H
The value obtained by subtracting the phase change φa of the circular polarization component with respect to the reference beam direction (za axis direction) in the pointing beam direction from the excitation phase Φia for directing the beam in the required direction based on In this case, the phase of the circularly polarized wave component in the beam directed in the predetermined direction is Ψia + φa = (Φia−φa) + φa = ([Pia] · [ua]) 360 / λ, and It becomes independent of the elevation angle and the deflection angle, that is, the beam direction, and the phase of the circular polarization component is constant no matter which direction the beam is directed. Here, [Pia] is a position vector of an arbitrary circularly polarized element antenna 1i forming the array antenna unit 10a, and [ua] is a unit vector in the direction of transmission / reception radio waves in the first array antenna unit 10a, which are respectively the above xa ya in the za coordinate system. Similarly, the phase shift amount Ψib of the variable phase shifter corresponding to the second array antenna unit 10b is Ψib = Φib−φb.

[0055] Here, the phase of circularly polarized components of the beam which is directed in a predetermined direction, that due to the beam direction to the excitation phase Ψib in each circularly polarized antenna elements 1b constituting the array antenna unit 10b-positions Value (φib + φb) with phase change φb added
), The excitation phase Ψib is the beam direction data H
The value obtained by subtracting the phase change φb of the circular polarization component with respect to the reference beam direction (zb axis direction) in the pointing beam direction from the excitation phase Φib for directing the beam in the required direction based on Therefore, in this case, the phase of the circularly polarized wave component in the beam directed in the predetermined direction is Ψib + φb = (Φib−φb) + φb = ([Pib] · [ub]) 360 / λ, It becomes independent of the elevation angle and the deflection angle, that is, the beam direction, and the phase of the circular polarization component is constant no matter which direction the beam is directed. Here, [Pib] is a position vector of an arbitrary circularly polarized element antenna 1i forming the array antenna unit 10b, and [ub] is a unit vector in the direction of transmission / reception radio waves in the second array antenna unit 10b, which are respectively the above xb yb in the zb coordinate system.

As a result, each array antenna section 10a,
Circularly polarized wave radiated from 10b, the variation of I that position phase in the beam direction becomes to be avoided, when operating a plurality of the array antenna unit, position of the circularly polarized component by the beam direction <br/> It is possible to avoid a phase jump that occurs between the antenna units due to the phase change, and thus to prevent a discontinuous portion from occurring in the processed signal in the system that processes the signal based on the phase information.

[0057]

As described above, according to the electronic scanning array antenna device of the present invention, the excitation phases of the plurality of circular polarization element antennas forming the array antenna part are controlled based on the beam direction data. In addition to the configuration for performing beam scanning, at the time of beam scanning, based on the beam direction data,
Each circular NamiNaru respect to the reference beam direction of a directional beam direction
Min calculates the phase variation, the control of the excitation phase at each circularly polarized antenna elements, the phase change in the circular polarized component by the beam direction based on the result of this operation by the control amount of the excitation phase Since it is performed so as to be compensated, there is an effect that the beam scanning by controlling the excitation phase in each of the circular polarization element antennas described above can be performed without causing a change in the phase of each circular polarization component depending on the beam direction. is there.

Further, according to the present invention, in the electronic scanning array antenna device, each circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction.
Since the phase correction arithmetic circuit that generates the phase correction signal corresponding to the phase change of the component is provided and the excitation phase of the circularly polarized element antenna is bias-corrected by the phase correction signal, There is an effect that the phase fluctuation of each circular polarization component depending on the direction can be avoided by a simple configuration in which the phase correction arithmetic circuit is added to the phase shifter setting circuit that generates the setting phase signal.

Further, according to the present invention, in the electronic scanning array antenna device, the ratio of excitation vector components orthogonal to each other of transmission / reception circularly polarized waves in the array antenna section constituted by the plurality of circularly polarized element antennas is set. Since it is stored as axial ratio data and the phase change amount of each circularly polarized wave component with respect to the reference beam direction in the above directional beam direction is calculated based on the above axial direction data together with the above beam direction data, an antenna with a poor axial ratio Also in the apparatus, the beam emitted from the array antenna body can be scanned at the time of beam scanning regardless of the axial ratio without causing the phase fluctuation of each circularly polarized wave component due to the direction of the beam. effective.

According to the present invention, in the electronic scanning array antenna device, an auxiliary variable phase shifter is provided in the preceding stage of the distribution / synthesis circuit, and the control of the phase shift amount of the auxiliary variable phase shifter is directed. Since the phase change amount of each circularly polarized wave component in the beam direction with respect to the reference beam direction is compensated by the above phase shift control amount, the variable phase shifter for each circularly polarized element antenna is used. There is an effect that the phase fluctuation of each circularly polarized wave component due to the beam direction can be prevented during beam scanning without changing the configuration of the phase shifter setting circuit that supplies the phase setting signal.

Further, according to the present invention, in the electronic scanning array antenna device, a plurality of array antenna bodies each having the circularly polarized element antennas arranged according to a predetermined arrangement are provided, and each array antenna body is subjected to beam scanning. In order to control the excitation phase of each circular polarization element antenna, the phase change of each circular polarization component due to the beam direction in each array antenna body is compensated by the control amount of the excitation phase. Since this is done, when multiple array antenna units are operated, each circularly polarized wave is generated when the array antenna units are switched.
It is possible to avoid the occurrence of phase skips in the phases of the components, and thus it is possible to prevent discontinuity of the processed signal from occurring in a system that performs signal processing based on the phase information.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Brief description of the drawing

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an electronic scanning array antenna device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic scanning array antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic scanning array antenna device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic scanning array antenna device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic scanning array antenna device in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an electronic scanning array antenna device having a plurality of conventional circular polarization element antennas.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventional electronic scanning array antenna device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation principle of a conventional electronic scanning array antenna device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the fluctuation of the phase of each circularly polarized wave component depending on the beam direction in the conventional electronic scanning array antenna device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining phase skipping when a plurality of electronic scanning array antenna devices are operated.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a general mobile satellite communication system.

[Description of Reference Signs] 1,1a, 1b Circular polarization element antenna 2 Variable phase shifter 3, 3a, 3b Distribution / combining circuit 7 Auxiliary variable phase shifter 10, 10a, 10b Array antenna section 11 Array antenna section support plate 20 , 20a, 20b Variable phase shifter group 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d Antenna control unit 31 Beam direction data arithmetic circuit 32 Phase shifter setting circuit 33, 33a, 33b Phase correction arithmetic circuit 34 Switcher control circuit 36 Axial ratio data storage Circuit 37 Auxiliary phase shifter setting circuit 101-104 Electronic scanning type array antenna device G Position and attitude data H Beam direction data SRF Transmission / reception signal φ, φ1, φa, φb Circular polarization component phase change component Φi, Ψi, Ψi1, Ψia , Ψib Phase shift amount Sφ, Sφ1, Sφa Phase correction signal SΦi, SΨi, SΨi1, SΨia, SΨib Set phase signal

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of circular polarization element antennas for transmitting and receiving circularly polarized waves, and a distribution for distributing transmission signals to the respective circular polarization element antennas and for combining received signals from the respective circular polarization element antennas. A combining circuit, a plurality of variable phase shifters connected between the circular polarization element antennas and the distributing / combining circuit for shifting the phases of the transmission signal and the reception signal based on a set phase signal; and a beam. And a phase shifter setting circuit that generates the set phase signal based on direction data, and controls the excitation phase in each circular polarization element antenna to perform beam scanning in an electronic scanning array antenna apparatus, Based on the direction data, it is equipped with a calculating means for calculating the rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction. Serial based on the output of the arithmetic unit, an electronic scanning array antenna system rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave by the beam direction and performing to be compensated by controlling the amount of the excitation phase. 2. The electronic scanning array antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic means calculates a phase correction signal of a rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction as a phase correction signal. And a circuit, wherein the phase shifter setting circuit has a circuit configuration in which the set phase signal is bias-corrected by the phase correction signal and is supplied to each of the variable phase shifters. Type array antenna device. 3. The electronic scanning array antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the axial ratio of the ratio of the horizontal component and the vertical component of the transmitted and received circularly polarized waves in the array antenna section constituted by the plurality of circularly polarized element antennas. Storage means for storing as data is provided, and the calculating means is configured to calculate the rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in each directional beam direction based on the beam direction data and the axial ratio data. An electronic scanning array antenna device characterized by: 4. The electronic scanning array antenna device according to claim 1, wherein an auxiliary variable phase shifter for shifting the phase of a transmission / reception signal is provided in the preceding stage of the distribution / synthesis circuit, and the auxiliary variable phase shifter shifts. Based on the output of the computing means, the amount of phase change of the circularly polarized wave with respect to the reference beam direction in the directional beam direction is compensated by the phase shift control amount in the auxiliary variable phase shifter. An electronic scanning array antenna device characterized by the above. 5. The electronic scanning array antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of array antenna bodies in which the circular polarization element antennas are arranged according to a predetermined arrangement, and each circular polarization in each array antenna body. An electronic scanning type array characterized in that the excitation phase of the element antenna is controlled so that the rotational phase change of the circularly polarized wave depending on the beam direction in each array antenna body is compensated by the control amount of the excitation phase. Antenna device.