JPH11186837A - Array antenna system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a desired excitation distribution by interrupting an electric coupling between feeders and between a feeding circuit network and a radiation element, and to reduce a loss in the feeding circuit network due to an undesired mode. SOLUTION: A dielectric board 21 provided with a plurality of radiation elements 22 and a feeding circuit network 23 connecting to them, a 1st flat conductive board 26 that has openings 27 at positions corresponding to each radiation element and grooves at positions corresponding to the feeding circuit network, and a 2nd conductive flat board 29 that has recessed parts 30 at positions corresponding to the radiation element and grooves 31 at positions corresponding to the feeding circuit network are laminated in the order of the 1st flat conductive board, the dielectric board and the 2nd flat conductive board. Thus, an element antenna is formed by the openings, the radiation elements and the recessed parts.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an array antenna device having a plurality of element antennas arranged in a plane.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional planar array antenna device shown in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 0-205. In the figure, 1 is a first film substrate, 2 is a plurality of linearly polarized first radiating elements formed on the first film substrate 1, 3.
Is a first feeding network constituted by microstrip lines. Reference numeral 4 denotes a second film substrate, 5 denotes a plurality of second radiating elements formed on the second film substrate 4 and whose polarization is orthogonal to the first radiating element 2, and 6 denotes a triplate. It is a 2nd feed network comprised by the line. 7 is a first conductive flat plate, 8 is a second conductive flat plate, 9, 10, 1
1 is a dielectric sheet, and 12 is a slot provided on the first conductive plate 7 corresponding to the first radiating element 2 and the second radiating element 5.

Next, the operation will be described. A plurality of first radiating elements 2 formed on the first film substrate 1 are provided with a first feeding network 3 composed of microstrip lines.
And emits linearly polarized radio waves. In the first feeding network 3, the first conductive flat plate 7 is a ground conductor of the first feeding network 3. On the other hand, the plurality of second radiating elements 5 formed on the second film substrate 4 are excited by the second feeding network 6 composed of a triplate line. This second radiating element 5
Is excited by linearly polarized light whose polarization is orthogonal to that of the first radiating element 2. The radio wave radiated from the second radiating element 5 is radiated outside through the slot 12 formed in the first conductive flat plate 7 and the first radiating element 2. In the second power supply network 6, the first conductive plate 7 and the second conductive plate 8 serve as ground conductors.

In the array antenna device configured as described above, each element antenna is provided on the first film substrate 1 on the first film substrate 1.
Of the first conductive plate 7, the second radiating element 5 of the second film substrate 4, and the second conductive plate 8. Here, the dielectric sheet 9 is composed of the first film substrate 1 and the first conductive flat plate 7.
The dielectric sheet 10 is the distance between the first conductive flat plate 7 and the second film substrate 4, and the dielectric sheet 11 is the distance between the second film substrate 4 and the second conductive flat plate 8. It serves to keep the intervals parallel.

[0005] Although the above description is for the operation at the time of transmission, a similar operation is obtained at the time of reception.

As described above, according to the conventional array antenna device, the first film substrate 1, the second radiating element 5, and the second radiating element 5 having the first radiating element 2 and the first feeding network 3 are provided. Second film substrate 4 with feed network 6, slot 1
2, a first conductive plate 7, a second conductive plate 8,
And dielectric sheets 9, 10, 1 serving as spacers
1 and can transmit and receive two orthogonal linearly polarized waves at the same antenna aperture.

[0007] In addition, as documents including descriptions related to such a conventional array antenna device, there are other documents, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 5-67912 and 5-1528.
39, JP-A-5-152843, JP-A-5
No. 267930, and further, a paper B-62 "Radiation characteristics of a dual-polarized triplate-fed planar antenna" at the 1992 Spring Meeting of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers.

[0008]

Since the conventional array antenna device is configured as described above, the first and second feeder networks 3, 6 are connected between lines such as a microstrip line and a triplate line. And the first and second radiating elements 2 and 5 and the first and second feeding networks 3 and 6 have no electrical shield. Therefore, electrical coupling occurs between the feeder lines of the first and second feeder networks 3 and 6, and between the feeder lines and the first and second radiating elements 2 and 5, and a desired excitation There was a problem that distribution could not be obtained.

Particularly, in a triplate line structure, a parallel plate mode is generated around the first and second radiating elements 2 and 5 and propagates between the first and second conductive flat plates 7 and 8. In a wide area around the first and second radiating elements 2, 5, the first and second feed networks 3, 3
6 and the excitation distribution is greatly disturbed, for example, it becomes extremely difficult to obtain a tapered aperture distribution for obtaining low side lobe radiation characteristics. However, there is a problem that the loss of radio waves becomes large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to cut off electrical coupling between feeder lines of a feeder network or between a feeder network and a radiating element to obtain a desired one. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a planar array antenna device which can obtain an excitation distribution and reduce a loss due to an unnecessary mode in a feed network.

Further, the present invention provides an array antenna device which can be constituted by a distribution circuit which can easily realize a feed network, an array antenna device which can realize a distribution circuit having a larger distribution ratio, an array antenna device having a smaller feed loss, and the like. It is an object of the present invention to obtain an array antenna device that operates in a wide band and has higher radiation efficiency and an array antenna device that reduces unnecessary radiation in a wide-angle direction.

[0012]

An array antenna device according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of radiating elements and a feeder network connected thereto on a dielectric substrate, and the dielectric substrate is provided with:
A first conductive flat plate having an opening at a position corresponding to each radiating element and a groove at a position corresponding to the feed network, and a recess at a position corresponding to the radiating element and a position corresponding to the feed network; The element antenna is formed by being sandwiched by a second conductive flat plate having a groove, an opening of the first conductive flat plate, a radiating element of the dielectric substrate, and a concave portion of the second conductive flat plate. It is.

An array antenna device according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of first radiating elements and a first feeder network connected to the first radiating elements on a first dielectric substrate, A plurality of second radiating elements disposed at positions corresponding to the first radiating elements and a second radiating element connected to them;
A first conductive substrate having an opening at a position corresponding to the first radiating element and a groove at a position corresponding to the first feeding network. And a third dielectric flat plate having a recess and a slot at a position corresponding to the first radiating element and a groove at a position corresponding to the first feeder network, and a second dielectric substrate, A third conductive plate having a recess at a position corresponding to the second radiating element, a third conductive plate having a groove at a position corresponding to the second feeding network, and a second recess at a position corresponding to the second radiating element. Sandwiched between a second conductive flat plate having a groove at a position corresponding to the feed network, an opening of the first conductive flat plate, a first radiating element of the first dielectric substrate, and a third conductive flat plate. A concave portion and a slot on both sides of the conductive flat plate, a second radiating element of the second dielectric substrate,
The element antenna is formed by the concave portion of the conductive flat plate.

In the array antenna device according to the present invention, the conducting means for electrically conducting the front and back surfaces of the dielectric substrate is arranged around the radiating element and the feed network.

In the array antenna device according to the present invention, the excitation amplitude distribution of the radiation pattern on the specified surface is determined by the number of element antennas arranged in a plurality of rows orthogonal to the specified surface.

In the array antenna device according to the present invention, the conductor patterns adjacent to each other on both the front and back surfaces of the dielectric substrate are formed by:
It is provided in the power supply network.

An array antenna device according to the present invention includes a sub-array antenna obtained by dividing an array antenna into a plurality of sub-array antennas.
They are connected by distribution / synthesis means for distributing and synthesizing radio waves.

In the array antenna apparatus according to the present invention, the non-excited radiating elements are mounted on the side of the opening of each element antenna opposite to the side on which the radiating elements are arranged.

In the array antenna device according to the present invention, a radio wave reflecting wall is arranged around the array antenna device so as to reflect or scatter radio waves at a low elevation angle.

In the array antenna device according to the present invention, a radio wave absorbing wall is arranged around the array antenna device so as to absorb radio waves at a low elevation angle.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. In these FIGS. 1 and 2, 21
Is a film substrate as a dielectric substrate made of a film-like dielectric, 22 is a plurality of radiating elements formed on the film substrate 21 by using, for example, an etching technique, and 23 is also on the film substrate 21. The feed network is formed by an etching technique or the like and connected to each of the radiating elements 22. 24 are provided on both sides of the film substrate 21, around the radiating element 22 and the feeding network 23,
A ground pattern 25 is formed by a similar etching technique or the like, and 25 is a conducting means for electrically connecting the ground patterns 24 formed on both surfaces of the film substrate 21 at various places around the radiating element 22 and the feeding network 23. As a through hole.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a first conductive flat plate made of a conductor or a metallized dielectric. Reference numeral 27 denotes a first conductive flat plate on the first conductive flat plate 26 at a position where the radiating elements 22 on the film substrate 21 are arranged. Openings correspondingly drilled, 2
Reference numeral 8 denotes a groove provided on the first conductive flat plate 26 at a position corresponding to the position of the power supply network 23 on the film substrate 21. Reference numeral 29 denotes a second conductive flat plate made of a conductor or a metallized dielectric, similarly to the first conductive flat plate 26, and reference numeral 30 denotes a second conductive flat plate 29.
The recesses 31 provided corresponding to the positions of the respective radiating elements 22 on the film substrate 21 are provided on the second conductive flat plate 29 at the positions of the feeder networks 23 on the film substrate 21. It is a groove provided correspondingly.

Next, the operation will be described. The first conductive plate 26 configured as described above and the film substrate 21
When the second conductive flat plate 29 and the second conductive flat plate 29 are stacked in that order, the opening 27 of the first conductive flat plate 26, the radiating element 22 of the film substrate 21, and the concave portion 30 of the second conductive flat plate 29 Thereby, an element antenna of the array antenna device is formed. In each of these element antennas,
Radiating element 22 formed on film substrate 21 during transmission
Is excited through the feed network 23, a radio wave is radiated from the opening 27 of the first conductive flat plate 26. At the time of reception, the same operation as that at the time of transmission is performed.

At this time, the power supply network 23 on the film substrate 21 is surrounded by the groove 28 of the first conductive plate 26 and the groove 31 of the second conductive plate 29 to form a kind of rectangular coaxial line. doing. The ground patterns 24 arranged on both surfaces of the film substrate 21 are electrically connected to the radiating element 22 and the power supply network 23 at various places around the feed network 23 by through holes 25 provided in the ground pattern 24. By contacting the ground pattern 24, the first conductive plate 26 and the second conductive plate 29
Becomes electrically conductive. As a result, between the power supply lines in the power supply network 23 and between the power supply network 23 and the radiating element 22 are electrically disconnected. The electrical coupling between the electrodes 22 is eliminated, and unnecessary modes such as the parallel plate mode which is a problem in the triplate line in the conventional array antenna device are not generated.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, between each feed line in the feed network 23 formed on the film substrate 21 and between the feed network 23 and the radiating element 2
2 is electrically connected to the groove 28 of the first conductive flat plate 26, the groove 31 of the second conductive flat plate 29, and the ground pattern 24 formed on the front and back surfaces of the film substrate 21. , The ground pattern 24 disposed around the radiating element 22 and the feed network 23 is cut off by a through hole 25 that electrically conducts.
There is no electrical coupling between the feeder lines or between the feeder network 23 and the radiating element 22, and there is an effect that a desired excitation distribution can be realized. Further, since unnecessary modes such as the parallel plate mode, which has been a problem in the triplate line in the conventional array antenna device, do not occur, there is also an effect that a low-loss array antenna device can be realized without any loss.

In the first embodiment, the ground pattern 24 is formed on the front and back surfaces of the film substrate 21.
And the ground pattern 24 is connected to the radiating element 22.
And the through-holes 25 arranged around the power supply network 23 have been described. However, even without such a structure, the grooves 28 of the first conductive flat plate 26 and the second conductive Due to the action of the groove 31 of the flat plate 29, a temporary isolation effect between the feed lines or between the feed network 23 and the radiating element 22 can be expected.

Embodiment 2 FIG. In the first embodiment, a planar array antenna device for transmitting and receiving one type of radio wave has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to an array antenna device for transmitting and receiving two orthogonal linearly polarized waves. FIG. 3 shows such a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of an array antenna device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. In FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numeral 32 denotes a first film substrate as a first dielectric substrate made of a film-shaped dielectric. Reference numeral 33 denotes a plurality of linearly polarized first radiating elements formed on the first film substrate 32 by using, for example, an etching technique. And a first feed network connected to the first radiating elements 33. Reference numeral 35 denotes a ground pattern formed around the first radiating element 33 and the first feeding network 34 on both sides of the first film substrate 32 by etching technology or the like, and 36 denotes the first radiating element. Through holes as conductive means for electrically connecting ground patterns 35 formed on both surfaces of the first film substrate 32 at various places around the element 33 and the first power supply network 34.

Reference numeral 37 is the same as the first film substrate 32.
This is a second film substrate as a second dielectric substrate made of a film-shaped dielectric. 38 is formed on the second film substrate 37 at a position corresponding to each of the first radiating elements 33 by an etching technique or the like.
The first radiating element 33 is a second radiating element whose linear polarization is orthogonal, and 39 is formed on the second film substrate 37 by an etching technique or the like, and is connected to the second radiating element 38. It is a second feeding network. A ground pattern 40 is formed around the second radiating element 38 and the second feeding network 39 on both sides of the second film substrate 37 by etching or the like, and 41 is the second radiating element. Through holes as conductive means for electrically connecting ground patterns 40 formed on both surfaces of the second film substrate 37 at various locations around the element 38 and the second power supply network 39.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a first conductive flat plate made of a conductor or a metallized dielectric. Reference numeral 43 denotes an opening formed in the first conductive flat plate 42 at a position corresponding to each of the first radiating elements 33 on the first film substrate 32, and reference numeral 44 denotes a first conductive plate. Sex plate 42
The groove is provided corresponding to the position of the first power supply network 34 on the first film substrate 32.

Reference numeral 45 denotes a second conductive flat plate made of a conductor or a metallized dielectric, similarly to the first conductive flat plate 42. 46 is the second conductive plate 45
The second radiating element 3 on the second film substrate 37
8 are concave portions provided corresponding to the respective arrangement positions of the second conductive flat plate 45 and the second conductive flat plate 45.
Provided on the film substrate 37 corresponding to the arrangement position of the second power supply network 39.

Reference numeral 48 denotes a third conductive flat plate made of a conductor or a metallized dielectric, like the first conductive flat plate 42 and the second conductive flat plate 45. Reference numeral 49 denotes a concave portion provided on the surface of the third conductive flat plate 48 in correspondence with each position of the first radiating element 33 on the first film substrate 32. The groove is provided on the surface of the third conductive flat plate 48 corresponding to the position of the first power supply network 34 on the first film substrate 32. Reference numeral 51 denotes a slot provided in the third conductive flat plate 48 at a position corresponding to each position of the first radiating element 33 on the first film substrate 32. It is located at the bottom. 52 is provided on the back surface of the third conductive flat plate 48.
Depressions are provided corresponding to the respective arrangement positions of the second radiating elements 38 on the second film substrate 37, and 53 is also provided on the back surface of the third conductive flat plate 48. The groove is provided corresponding to the position of the second power supply network 39 on the film substrate 37. The first to third conductive flat plates 42, 45, 48 are formed on the through holes 36, 36 of the first or second film substrate 32, 37.
By being in contact with the ground patterns 35 and 40 connected at 41, they are in an electrically conductive state.

Next, the operation will be described. The first film substrate 32, the second film substrate 37, the first conductive flat plate 42, the second conductive flat plate 45,
And the third conductive plate 48 is connected to the first conductive plate 4.
2, the first film substrate 32, the third conductive flat plate 48,
When the second film substrate 37 and the second conductive flat plate 45 are laminated in this order, the opening 43 of the first conductive flat plate 42,
The first radiating element 33 of the first film substrate 32, the recesses 49, 52 and the slots 51 of the third conductive plate 48, the second radiating element 38 of the second film substrate 37, and the second conductive element The element antenna of the array antenna device is formed by the concave portion 46 of the conductive flat plate 45. In each of these element antennas, the first film substrate 3
When the first radiating element 33 formed on the second 2 is excited through the first feeding network 34, a radio wave is radiated from the opening 43 of the first conductive flat plate 42. Also, when the second radiating element 38 formed on the second film substrate 37 is excited through the second feeding network 39, the radio wave radiated from the second radiating element 38 is changed to the third conductive element. The first radiating element 33 is excited through the slot 51 provided in the flat plate 48, and a radio wave is emitted from the opening 43 of the first conductive flat plate 42.

Since the first radiating element 33 and the second radiating element 38 radiate radio waves orthogonal to each other, the radio waves excited by the second radiating element 38 transmit the first radiating element 33 and the second radiating element 38 to each other. There is very little interference with 34. Similarly, the radio wave excited by the first radiating element 33 hardly interferes with the second feeding network 39. Furthermore, the presence of the slots 51 makes the isolation between orthogonal polarizations more complete. At the time of reception, the same operation as that at the time of transmission is performed. Thus, in the array antenna device according to the second embodiment,
Transmission and reception of two orthogonal polarizations sharing one antenna surface are performed.

In the array antenna device according to the second embodiment, the array antenna based on the first radiating element 33 formed on the first film substrate 32 and the array antenna formed on the second film substrate 37 are provided. Second radiating element 3
It is needless to say that the array antenna based on No. 8 can be operated at different frequencies, or one can be operated separately for transmission and the other for reception.

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
Electricity between each feed line in the first and second feed networks 34 and 39, and between the first and second feed networks 34 and 39 and the first and second radiating elements 33 and 38. Are electrically connected to the grooves 44, 47, 50, 53 of the first to third conductive plates 42, 45, 48, and the ground patterns 35 on the front and back surfaces of the first and second film substrates 32, 37. , 40 and the through holes 36, 41 electrically connecting them, there is no electrical coupling between the feed lines or between each feed network and each radiating element. There is an effect that an excitation distribution can be realized. Also, since there is no unnecessary mode such as the parallel plate mode which is a problem in the triplate line in the conventional array antenna apparatus, there is no loss due to the unnecessary mode, and a low-loss planar array antenna for dual orthogonal polarization. There is also an effect that the device can be realized.

In the above description, the ground patterns 35 and 40 are provided on the front and back surfaces of the first and second film substrates 32 and 37, respectively.
5, 40, the first and second radiating elements 33, 38 and the first
In the second embodiment, the through-holes 36 and 41 provided around the second feeder networks 34 and 39 are electrically connected to each other. In the second embodiment, the ground patterns 35 and 40 and through holes 36 and 41
Even if there is no such structure, the first to third conductive flat plates 42,
Due to the action of the grooves 44, 47, 50, 53 of the first and second radiating elements 3, 45, 48, respectively.
A priming isolation effect between the third and third power supply networks 34 and 39 can be expected.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of the element antenna arrangement of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Note that the structure of the antenna itself is the same as that described in Embodiment 1 or 2. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 54 denotes an antenna opening of the array antenna device, and reference numeral 55 denotes a radiating element or a radiating element opening of the element antenna, which indicates an element antenna arranged in the antenna opening 54. 56 is the x-axis of the coordinates set on the antenna aperture 54, and 57 is its y-axis.
The axis 58 is the z-axis. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an excitation amplitude distribution when the excitation amplitude of the radiating element 55 of each element antenna is projected on the x-axis in the array antenna device having the element antenna arrangement shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a distribution circuit configuration in which a desired excitation amplitude distribution is set only by the distribution ratio of the power supply circuit, and FIG. 8 sets a desired excitation amplitude distribution by the number of radiating elements. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration of a distribution circuit in the case of performing the above. 7 and 8, reference numeral 55 denotes the radiating element, reference numeral 59 denotes a feed network connected to the radiating element 55, and reference numeral 60 denotes a distribution ratio by the feed network 59.

Next, the operation will be described. In general, the side lobe level of the radiation pattern on a certain evaluation plane is
It is determined by the excitation amplitude distribution when the excitation amplitude of each radiating element 55 is projected on a straight line where the evaluation surface and the aperture of the array antenna intersect. Here, when a radiation pattern with a low side lobe is desired on the xz plane on the coordinates shown in FIG.
It is sufficient that the excitation amplitude distribution obtained by projecting the excitation amplitude of each radiating element 55 above has a taper distribution as shown in FIG. In the array antenna device according to the third embodiment, the excitation amplitude of each radiating element 55 is made uniform, and the radiating element 55 of each element antenna is arranged on the antenna opening 54 as shown in FIG. The projected excitation amplitude distribution is set to the taper distribution shown in FIG. That is, a plurality of radiating elements 55 (element antennas) whose excitation amplitudes are substantially equal to each other are arranged in a plurality of rows orthogonal to the defining plane, and each of the radiating elements 55 is formed such that a radiation pattern having a tapered distribution shown in FIG. The number of radiating elements 55 arranged in a row is determined. This gives xz
A low side lobe radiation pattern can be obtained on the surface.

Here, a method often used to set a tapered excitation amplitude distribution as shown in FIG. 6 in an array antenna is to set the excitation amplitude distribution by adjusting the excitation amplitude of each radiating element 55. Is the way. In this method, in the array of radiating elements 55 of the array antenna device,
For example, when a voltage amplitude difference of 6: 1 is provided between the n-th column and the (n + 1) -th column, as shown in FIG.
The number of (element antennas) is the same, and the n-th column and the n-th
The feed amplitude to the +1 column is 6: 1 according to the distribution ratio 60 of the feed network 59. However, this method requires a feed network 59 having a large distribution ratio 60 such as 6: 1. Radiating element 55 and feed network 59
In the array antenna device in which the antenna elements are arranged on the same plane, the feed network 59 is arranged in the remaining narrow space where the radiating element 55 is already arranged. It is difficult to use a coupler.

Therefore, what is used as the feed network 59 is a simple T-branch circuit having one or two impedance steps. In order to realize a feeder network 59 having a large distribution ratio 60 in this T branch circuit, lines having a large characteristic impedance ratio are combined. However, since the line width of a high-impedance line is extremely narrow, not only it is difficult to maintain the line width accuracy, but also it is difficult to realize such a narrow line. On the other hand, a low impedance line has a very large line width, and therefore, it is difficult to arrange the line. As described above, the method of setting a desired excitation amplitude distribution only by adjusting the excitation amplitude of each radiating element 55 has a problem in realizing the feed network 59.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, in order to set a desired excitation amplitude distribution, the number of radiating elements 55 arranged in each column is determined as shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with the excitation amplitude distribution. doing. As in the case of FIG. 7, when a voltage amplitude difference of 6: 1 is provided between the n-th column and the (n + 1) -th column, the distribution ratio in each power supply network 59 is as shown in FIG. That is, in the upper four radiating elements 55, two T-branch circuits each having a distribution ratio 60 of 1: 1 are used, and in the lower three radiating elements 55, the distribution ratio 6 is used.
After 0 is branched into one radiating element 55 and two radiating elements 55 by a T-branch circuit of 1: 1.17, the distribution ratio is further increased to 6
A branch circuit for branching each of the two radiating elements 55 with a T-branch circuit in which 0 is 1: 1 is used. Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. 7, a distribution ratio 60 of 6: 1 was necessary, but in the case shown in FIG. 8, the distribution ratio 60 was 1: 1.17.
Get well.

As described above, according to the third embodiment,
Since the structure of the antenna itself is the same as that shown in the first or second embodiment, the electrical coupling between the feed lines or between the feed network and the radiating element is cut off.
A desired excitation distribution can be realized, and a loss due to an unnecessary mode in the feed network can be reduced. In addition, the number of element antennas arranged in each column can be changed to a desired excitation amplitude distribution. , The impedance ratio of the impedance steps constituting the feeder network can be made smaller, and the distribution ratio of the distribution circuit is reduced. In addition, there is an effect that an array antenna device in which a feeder network can be constituted by a distribution circuit that can be easily realized can be obtained.

In the above description, the arrangement number of the element antennas arranged in each column is determined according to the desired excitation amplitude distribution. However, the excitation amplitude distribution is determined by the arrangement number of the element antennas. Figure 7 shows how to set
It is needless to say that the technique of adjusting the excitation amplitude of each radiating element described in (1) can be used together.

Embodiment 4 In each of the above embodiments, a case has been described in which the radiating element and the feed network are formed on only one surface of the film substrate, but they may be formed on both surfaces of the film substrate. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a radiating element and a part of a feed circuit network of such an array antenna apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a section taken along line BB ′ of FIG. 9 and 10, reference numeral 61 denotes a film substrate as a dielectric substrate. Reference numeral 62 denotes a radiating element provided on the front surface of the film substrate 61, and reference numeral 63 denotes a radiating element provided on the back surface of the film substrate 61. 64
Is provided on the surface of the film substrate 61 and the radiating element 6
Reference numeral 65 denotes a power supply network connected to the radiation element 63 provided on the back surface of the film substrate 61. Reference numeral 66 denotes a directional coupler formed by conductor patterns that are close to each other on the front and back of the film substrate 61 of the power supply networks 64 and 65.

Next, the operation will be described. In the array antenna device configured as described above, the conductor patterns of the radiating elements 62 and 63 and the feeding circuit networks 64 and 65 are arranged on the front and back surfaces of the film substrate 61, respectively.
The feed lines of the feed network 64 and the feed network 65 are shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), the film substrate can be brought close to the front and back of the film substrate so that a part thereof overlaps. As a result, the power supply network 64 and the power supply line close to the power supply network 65 form a directional coupler 66. This directional coupler 66 can realize a larger distribution ratio than a normal T branch circuit. Therefore, the range of the excitation amplitude distribution that can be realized in the array antenna device can be further increased.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment,
Power supply networks 64 and 65 provided on the film substrate 61
However, since it has the conductor patterns of the feeder lines arranged on both sides of the film substrate 61 and adjacent to each other, it is easy to form the directional coupler 66 that can realize a larger distribution ratio than a normal T-branch circuit. And a distribution circuit having a larger distribution ratio can be obtained.

Embodiment 5 FIG. In each of the embodiments described above, the array antenna device is integrally configured, but may be divided into a plurality of sub-array antennas and combined. FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing the configuration of such an array antenna device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back. In the drawing, reference numeral 55 denotes a radiating element of an element antenna arranged in the array antenna apparatus, which is a part corresponding to the element denoted by the same reference numeral in FIG.

Reference numerals 67, 68, 69, and 70 denote sub-array antennas formed by dividing the array antenna device. The structure of each of the sub-array antennas 67 to 70 is shown in the first or second embodiment. Is the same as Reference numeral 71 denotes these sub-array antennas 6
7 to 70, and distributes the signals to the sub-array antennas 67 to 70.
Reference numeral 72 denotes a four-way splitter / synthesizer serving as splitter / synthesizer for synthesizing the signal from 70, and reference numeral 72 denotes a cable such as a coaxial cable for connecting the four-way splitter / synthesizer 71 to a running receiver not shown. 73, 74, 75, and 76 are connection points of the sub-array antennas 67 to 70 to which the four-way splitter / combiner 71 is connected, and 77 is a connection point of these sub-array antennas 67 to 70.
The connection point 70 is connected to the four-way splitter / combiner 71 by a coaxial cable or the like having a lower loss than the feed network in each of the sub-array antennas 67 to 70.

Next, the operation will be described. Each of the sub-array antennas 67 to 70 operates as one array antenna device by being connected to the four-segment combiner 71 via the connection points 73 to 76 via the cable 77. That is, the signal output from the transmitter / receiver is input to the four-way splitter / combiner 71 via the cable 72, is divided into four by the four-way splitter / combiner 71, and is connected to the connection point 73 of each sub-array antenna 67 to 70 via the cable 77. ~ 76. In each of the sub-array antennas 67 to 70, the radiating element 55 of each element antenna is excited by the transmitted signal. As a result, radio waves are radiated from the antenna aperture of the array antenna device. The same operation is performed at the time of reception.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment,
Since the array antenna device is divided into the sub-array antennas 67 to 70 and they are connected by the cable 77, the insulator in the sub-array antennas 67 to 70 has a rectangular coaxial line shape of air and has a relatively large loss. The length of the feeder network having the sub-array antennas 67 to
70 can be fed, and there is an effect that the loss of the entire array antenna device can be reduced.

Further, since the film substrates shown in the first and second embodiments are manufactured by etching or the like,
Depending on the required accuracy, the size that can be manufactured is limited.
Therefore, when a large array antenna device is required, a large array antenna device can be configured with required accuracy by dividing the array antenna into sub-array antennas 67 to 70 as in the fifth embodiment. There is also an effect.

Embodiment 6 FIG. FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an array antenna device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 4 and description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 78 denotes the first conductive flat plate 4.
2 is a foamed dielectric plate disposed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the first film substrate 32 is disposed.
Reference numeral 79 denotes a third film substrate made of a film-shaped dielectric, and reference numeral 80 denotes a third film substrate formed at a position on the third film substrate 79 corresponding to each of the openings 43 by using, for example, an etching technique. Non-excited radiating element.
By laminating the third film substrate 79 on the upper surface of the foamed dielectric plate 78, each non-excited radiating element 80 is arranged in parallel with each of the first radiating elements 33. In this way, the non-excited radiating element 80 is loaded on the upper surface of the opening 43 of each element antenna.

Next, the operation will be described. Here, the basic electric operation principle of the array antenna device according to the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is the same as that of the second embodiment. As described above, the first radiating element 33 and the second radiating element 38 of each element antenna operating in the same manner as in the second embodiment act as a kind of resonator. Therefore, if the non-excited radiating element 80 that is not supplied with power is loaded on the upper surface of the opening 43 of each of the element antennas, the volume as a resonator increases, and the operation can be performed in a wider band. In addition, since the conductor loss of the resonator is reduced by loading the non-excited radiating element 80, it is possible to realize an array antenna device having high radiation efficiency.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment,
Since the structure of the antenna itself is the same as that shown in the second embodiment, electrical coupling between the feed lines or between the feed network and the radiating element is cut off, and a desired excitation distribution is realized. In addition to being able to reduce the loss due to unnecessary modes in the feed network, the loading of the parasitic radiating element 80 increases the volume of the resonator and allows operation in a wider band. And the radiation efficiency can be improved by reducing the conductor loss of the resonator.

Embodiment 7 FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of an array antenna device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. In the figure, 81 is an array antenna device, 8
Reference numeral 2 denotes a radio wave reflecting wall provided around the array antenna device 81. The radio wave reflecting wall is made of, for example, a conductor or a metalized dielectric.
The structure of the array antenna device 81 is the same as that of the first embodiment.
It has the same structure as that described in Embodiment 2 or Embodiment 6.

Next, the operation will be described. Among the radio waves radiated from the array antenna device 81 at the time of transmission, radio waves radiated from the zenith at a low elevation angle of not less than α ° and not more than 90 ° are reflected or scattered by the radio wave reflecting wall 82, so that a side lobe at a low elevation angle is obtained. The level is kept low. This angle α ° is determined by the height of the radio wave reflecting wall 82. If the height of the radio wave reflecting wall 82 is determined according to the radiation pattern of the array antenna device 81, unnecessary radiation in the wide angle direction is suppressed. can do. Note that the operation at the time of reception is the same as that at the time of transmission.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment,
Radio wave reflecting wall 8 arranged around array antenna device 81
2 reflects or scatters radio waves at a low elevation angle, so that the side lobe level at a low elevation angle is reduced, and there is an effect that unnecessary radiation in a wide angle direction can be suppressed.

Embodiment 8 FIG. FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of an array antenna device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 81 denotes the same array antenna device as that shown in FIG. 13, and reference numeral 83 denotes a radio wave absorbing wall installed around the array antenna device 81.

Next, the operation will be described. Of the radio waves radiated from the array antenna device 81 at the time of transmission, radio waves radiated from the zenith at a low elevation angle of not less than α ° and not more than 90 ° are absorbed by the radio wave absorbing wall 83, so that the side lobe level at the low elevation angle is low. Can be kept low. This angle α ° is also determined by the height of the radio wave absorbing wall 83,
If the height of the radio wave absorbing wall 83 is determined according to the radiation pattern of the array antenna device 81, unnecessary radiation in a wide angle direction can be suppressed. Note that the operation at the time of reception is the same as that at the time of transmission.

As described above, according to the eighth embodiment,
Radio wave absorbing wall 8 arranged around array antenna device 81
3 absorbs radio waves at a low elevation angle, so that the side lobe level at a low elevation angle is reduced, and there is an effect that unnecessary radiation in a wide angle direction can be suppressed.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, a dielectric substrate provided with a plurality of radiating elements and a feeding circuit network connected to the radiating elements, and an opening provided at a position corresponding to each radiating element are provided. A first conductive flat plate having a groove at a position corresponding to the network, a recess at a position corresponding to the radiating element, a second conductive flat plate having a groove at a position corresponding to the feed network, The first conductive flat plate, the dielectric substrate, and the second conductive flat plate are stacked in this order, and the opening of the first conductive flat plate, the radiating element of the dielectric substrate, and the concave portion of the second conductive flat plate Since the element antenna is formed by the above, it is possible to cut off the electrical coupling between each feed line of the feed network and between the feed network and the radiating element, thereby obtaining a desired excitation distribution. Can be realized, and losses due to unnecessary modes in the power supply network can be reduced. The effect of a planar array antenna apparatus is obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, a first dielectric substrate provided with a plurality of first radiating elements and a first feeder network connected to the first radiating elements, and a plurality of first radiating elements corresponding to the first radiating elements are provided. A plurality of second radiating elements arranged at a position and a second dielectric substrate provided with a second feeding network connected thereto, and an opening at a position corresponding to the first radiating element; A first conductive plate having a groove at a position corresponding to the first power supply network;
A second conductive plate having a recess at a position corresponding to the second radiating element, a groove at a position corresponding to the second feeding network, and a recess and a slot at a position corresponding to the first radiating element; Having a groove at a position corresponding to the first feeding network,
A concave portion at a position corresponding to the radiating element, a third conductive flat plate having a groove at a position corresponding to the second feeding network,
A first conductive flat plate, a first dielectric substrate, a third conductive flat plate, a second dielectric substrate, a second conductive flat plate laminated in this order, an opening of the first conductive flat plate, The first radiating element of the first dielectric substrate, the recesses and slots on both the front and back surfaces of the third conductive plate, the second radiating element of the second dielectric substrate, and the recesses of the second conductive plate Since the element antenna is formed by the section, between each feed line of the first and second feed networks and between the first and second feed networks and the first and second radiating elements. It is possible to cut off the electrical coupling at the same time, to achieve the desired excitation distribution, and to reduce the loss due to unnecessary modes in each feed network. There is an effect that an array antenna device can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, since both the front and back surfaces of the dielectric substrate are electrically connected by the conductive means disposed around the radiating element and the feeder network,
Electrical coupling between each feed line of the feed network or between the feed network and the radiating element can be more reliably cut off, a desired excitation distribution can be realized, and Thus, there is an effect that a planar array antenna device that can reduce the loss due to unnecessary modes is obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, the excitation amplitude distribution of the radiation pattern on the specified surface is determined by the number of element antennas arranged in a plurality of rows orthogonal to the specified surface. There is an effect that the network can be configured by a distribution circuit that can be easily realized.

Further, according to the present invention, since the feeder network is configured to have conductor patterns close to each other on both the front and back surfaces of the dielectric substrate, the directivity having a larger distribution ratio than a normal T-branch circuit is provided. It is possible to easily form a coupler, and it is possible to realize a distribution circuit having a higher distribution ratio.

Further, according to the present invention, the array antenna device is divided into a plurality of sub-array antennas and these sub-array antennas are connected to the distributing / synthesizing means. Therefore, the line length of the feed network is reduced. However, since it is possible to supply power to each sub-array antenna using a normal coaxial cable having a lower loss than that, it is possible to reduce the loss of the entire array antenna device, and to further divide the sub-array antenna into sub-array antennas. Thus, there is an effect that a large array antenna device can be realized while maintaining necessary accuracy.

Further, according to the present invention, since the non-excited radiating element is loaded above each radiating element, it is possible to operate in a wide band by increasing the volume of the resonator.
Further, there is an effect that the radiation efficiency can be improved by reducing the conductor loss of the resonator.

According to the present invention, the radio wave reflecting wall disposed around the array antenna device reflects or scatters a radio wave at a low elevation angle, so that the side lobe level at a low elevation angle is low, This has the effect of obtaining a planar array antenna device with less unnecessary radiation.

Further, according to the present invention, since the radio wave absorbing wall disposed around the array antenna device is configured to absorb radio waves at a low elevation angle, the side lobe level at a low elevation angle is low, and unnecessary waves in a wide angle direction are unnecessary. There is an effect that a planar array antenna device with little radiation can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of an array antenna device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of the array antenna device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of an array antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA ′ of an array antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an element antenna arrangement of an array antenna device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an excitation amplitude distribution when an excitation amplitude of each radiating element is projected on an x-axis according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a distribution circuit in a case where a desired excitation amplitude distribution is set only by a distribution ratio of a power supply circuit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a distribution circuit in a case where a desired excitation amplitude distribution is set by the number of radiating elements in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a part of a radiating element and a feed network of the array antenna device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a radiating element and a feed network of the array antenna device according to the fourth embodiment taken along line BB ′.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing a configuration of an array antenna device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an array antenna device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of an array antenna device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of an array antenna device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional planar array antenna device.

[Explanation of symbols]

21, 61 film substrate (dielectric substrate), 22 radiating element, 23, 64, 65 feeding circuit network, 25, 36, 4
1 Through-hole (conduction means), 26, 42 First conductive flat plate, 27, 43 Opening, 28, 31, 44, 4
7, 50, 53 grooves, 29, 45 second conductive flat plate, 3
0, 46, 49, 52 recess, 32 first film substrate (first dielectric substrate), 33 first radiating element, 34
First feed network, 37 second film substrate (second
38 second radiating element, 39 second feeding network, 48 third conductive flat plate, 51 slot, 55 radiating element (element antenna), 67, 68, 6
9, 70 sub-array antenna, 714 divider / combiner (distributor / combiner), 80 non-excited radiating element, 81 array antenna device, 82 radio wave reflection wall, 83 radio wave absorption wall.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tohru Takahashi 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Within Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (72) Inventor Hidenori Yukawa 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Rishi Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hideyuki Ohashi 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsui Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toru Fukazawa 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsuishi Inside Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shuji Urasaki 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (72) Inventor Yoichi Matsumoto 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric Inside (72) Inventor Yoshihiro Fukuyo 3-19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Katsuhisa Uno, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Shinjuku 3-chome 19-2 Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Koichi Harada 3-19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (9)

[Claims] A dielectric substrate having a plurality of radiating elements and a feeding network connected to the radiating element, a dielectric substrate formed of a dielectric, a groove corresponding to the feeding network, and A first conductive flat plate made of a conductor or a metallized dielectric having an opening at a position corresponding to the radiating element, and a recess at a position corresponding to the radiating element; And a second conductive flat plate made of a conductor or a metallized dielectric having a groove at a corresponding position. The first conductive flat plate, the dielectric substrate, and the second conductive flat plate are arranged in this order. By stacking, the opening of the first conductive plate, the radiating element of the dielectric substrate, and the second
An array antenna device in which an element antenna is formed by the concave portion of the conductive flat plate. 2. A plurality of first radiating elements and said first radiating element.
A first dielectric substrate made of a dielectric having a first feed network connected to the first radiating element; and a first radiating element at a position corresponding to each of the first radiating elements. A second dielectric substrate made of a dielectric, having a second radiating element whose polarization is orthogonal, and having a second feeding network connected to the second radiating element; Having a groove at a position corresponding to the feed network, and having an opening at a position corresponding to the first radiating element;
A first made of a conductor or a metallized dielectric
A conductive flat plate having a recess at a position corresponding to the second radiating element and a groove at a position corresponding to the second feed network, the conductive plate being made of a conductor or a metallized dielectric. A conductive plate, a concave portion at a position corresponding to the first radiating element on a surface thereof, a groove at a position corresponding to a first feeding network, and the first radiating element. Conductor or metallization having a slot at a position corresponding to the second radiating element, a recess at a position corresponding to the second radiating element, and a groove at a position corresponding to the second feeding network. A third conductive flat plate made of a processed dielectric, and the first conductive flat plate, the first dielectric substrate, the third conductive flat plate, the second dielectric substrate, and the second conductive flat plate. By laminating in order of the conductive plate, the opening of the first conductive plate, Serial first dielectric first radiating element of the substrate, the third
Recesses and slots on both front and back sides of the conductive flat plate,
An array antenna device in which an element antenna is formed by the second radiating element of the dielectric substrate and the concave portion of the second conductive flat plate. 3. The dielectric device according to claim 1, further comprising a conduction unit provided around the radiating element and the feeder network of the dielectric substrate, for electrically connecting the front surface and the rear surface of the dielectric substrate. An array antenna device as described in the above. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the number of element antennas arranged in each of a plurality of rows orthogonal to the specified plane is determined according to an excitation amplitude distribution of a radiation pattern on the specified plane. The array antenna device according to claim 3. 5. The power supply circuit network provided on a dielectric substrate, the conductor pattern of which is disposed on both front and back surfaces of the dielectric substrate and has portions which are close to each other. The array antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The array antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the array antenna device is formed by a plurality of sub-array antennas, and each of the sub-array antennas is connected by distribution / combination means for distributing and combining radio waves. The array antenna device according to claim 1. 7. The non-excited radiating element is loaded on the side of the opening of each element antenna opposite to the side on which the radiating element is arranged.
An array antenna device according to any one of the preceding claims. 8. The array antenna according to claim 1, wherein a radio wave reflecting wall for reflecting or scattering radio waves at a low elevation angle is provided around the array antenna device. apparatus. 9. The array antenna device according to claim 1, wherein a radio wave absorbing wall for absorbing radio waves at a low elevation angle is provided around the array antenna device.