JPS59110205A - Array antenna device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain desired radiation characteristics in the vertical surface of a cylindrical array by providing exciting circuits in a longitudinal direction with a specific phase distribution. CONSTITUTION:A connection cable 3k connects a feeding network to the two- distribution part of a signal distributor 14b, and connection cables 3i and 3j connect four-distribution parts of distributors 14a and 14b to the two-distribution part of the distributor 14b. Connection cables 3a-3d connect print die holes 2a- 2d to the four-distribution parts of the distributors 14a and 14b, and connection cables 3e-3k connect die holes 2e-2h respectively. Then, the lengths of the connection cables 3a-3h are set corresponding to the extents of phase shifting based upon coefficients of distortion and curvature of field to excite the die holes 2a-2h with the different extents of phase shifting. Thus, the desired radiation characteristics are obtained in the vertical surface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in array antenna devices used for communications, broadcasting, radar, etc. in microwave and millimeter wave bands.

First, a conventional array antenna device of this type will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

In the figure, (1) is an array antenna device, (2) is a printed dipole, (3) is a connection cable, and (4) is a feeding circuit network.

(5) is a radome, (6) is a metal rod, (7) is a stopper frame,
(8) is a mounting bracket, (9) is a variable power divider, 01 is a branch line coupler, (11) is a dummy load, o is a phase shift cable, +13) is a connector.

In FIG. 1, this type of array antenna device (1) is shown.

It is generally called a cylindrical array9
Printed dipoles (2), which are radiating elements, are placed between the grids of metal rods (6) that function as reflectors with an array radius R.
Each printed dipole (2) is connected to a power supply network (4) which is arranged radially at a predetermined interval on the circumference of the circuit and which distributes or combines power, using a connecting cable (3). The printed dipole (2) is attached to a stopper frame (
7) using the mounting bracket (8). Radome (
5) To protect each printed dipole (2) from rain and wind, a dielectric plate or the like which is thinner than the wavelength is used. The cylindrical play is mainly an array antenna device of a type suitable for directivity synthesis in the horizontal plane including the antenna cross section, and in order to obtain the desired radiation characteristics or shaped beam, each printed dipole ( 2) Control the excitation amplitude and excitation phase shift.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a variable power divider (9), which is a component of the feed network (4), and shows two branch line couplers (1) arranged on a printed circuit board.
Add eight connectors α to 0a) and (10b), and add branch line couplers (10a) and (10b).
0b), two phase shift cables (12a), (
12b). The dummy load αυ is a non-reflection termination for absorbing unbalanced components, and the connector (13
a) is the input terminal, and +ψ is connected to the phase shift cable (12a).
When a phase shift amount of .degree. is given and a phase shift amount of -.psi..degree. is given to the phase shift cable (12b), an output of .omega.S.psi. can be obtained from the connector (13b) and an output of sin.phi.

A feeding circuit network (4) configured by connecting variable power dividers (9) in multiple stages as shown in FIG.
Fig. 3 shows an example of driving the motor.

Figure 3 is an example of a shaped beam in the horizontal plane.

FIG. 4 shows the coordinate system in the vertical plane.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the radiation characteristics of a vertical plane based on the coordinate system of FIG. 4.

As explained above, the conventional array antenna device can obtain the desired radiation characteristics or shaped beam in the horizontal plane including the antenna cross section, and is effective as a base station antenna for mobile radio or as an antenna for broadcasting services. Met. However, in the radiation characteristics in the vertical plane,
Since the central axis of the main beam is oriented horizontally, it is difficult to match the shaped beam in the horizontal plane to the shape of the service area in a strict sense, and more than half of the transmission power is wasted. There was a drawback.

Furthermore, NuLL in the radiation characteristics in the vertical plane is.

When used as a mobile radio base station antenna as described above, it may cause disconnection of the line between the mobile device and the base station and an increase in noise, and when used as an antenna for broadcasting services, the signal quality may be poor depending on the receiving location. There were no drawbacks to receiving it.

In order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present invention provides a predetermined phase distribution to the vertical excitation circuit and tilts the main beam in the vertical plane.

This is an improvement that fills in NuI and L of the radiation characteristics in the vertical plane.The aim is to effectively utilize transmission power, reduce line disconnections between the base station and mobile equipment, and improve the reception signal within the service area. This is the equalization of

The explanation of the array antenna device of this invention includes FIGS. 1 and 2.
Figure, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 6, Figure 7 are required, but 9
The configuration in the circumferential direction is basically the same as the conventional one, so we will only provide supplementary explanations.

The vertical configuration will be explained using FIGS. 4, 6, and 7.

In Figures 1, 2, and 3, (1) is an array antenna device, (2) is a printed dipole, (3) is a connection cable, (4) is a feeding circuit network, (5) is a radome, (
6) is a metal rod, (7) is a stopper frame, (8) is a mounting bracket, (
9) is a variable power divider, and Qll is a branch line coupler.

The load is the dummy load, the cable is the phase shift cable, and the cable is the connector.

In the case of the above-mentioned 32-element configuration in the circumferential direction of the array antenna device of the present invention, the variable power divider (9)
will require 31 pieces. The power supply network (4) is.

It is constructed by connecting the variable power dividers (9) described above in five stages.

The shape of the shaped beam as shown in Figure 3 is based on the phase shifting cables (12a) and (12b) of the variable power divider (9).
In the case of a 32-element configuration, the phase shift amount of 31 pairs controls the excitation amplitude.

Figure 4 is a coordinate system for explaining the radiation characteristics in the vertical plane, and the radiation characteristics in the vertical plane can be approximated by the number of elements in the vertical direction,
Radiation characteristics of the element, excitation amplitude of the element.

Depends on excitation phase.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the vertical configuration of the array antenna device of the present invention. In FIG. 91, (2) is a printed dipole, (3) is a connection cable, and (J4 is a signal splitter).

In the figure, the signal from the power supply network (4) is divided into 8 parts using 2 signal distributors (14a) and 4 parts (14b), and each printed dipole (2a), (
2b), (2c).

(2d), (2θ), (2f), (2g),
An example of exciting (2h) is shown below.

The connection cable (3k) connects the two distribution parts of the power supply network (4) and the signal distributor (14b), and the connection cable (5i)
.

(3j) are signal splitters (14a) and (1
4b) and the two-way distribution section of the signal distributor (14b) are connected. Connection cable (sa), (3b) +
(!10), ('yd) is a printed dipole (2a
), (2b), (20), (2a) and also connecting cables (3e), (s), (3g)
, (xh) is a printed dipole (2e), (
2f), (2g), (2h) and signal splitter (1
4a).

(14b) is connected to the four distribution parts.

The number of elements is N, and the element spacing is d. Then, the opening length 2d is.

2d-do・(N-1)o+ The position di of the first element from the top is given by .

di=-4+d.・(1-1) (21) If the coefficient of field curvature aberration is 1+and the coefficient of distortion is 2, then using a tilt angle θ7°, give each to the first element. The amount of phase shift φ11゜φ12 is 1 φ12 = 380°・K2・(-)(41λ: free space wavelength, and if the two aberrations are combined, the amount of phase shift φ1 is 1. Therefore, the connection cable (5a) , (3b)
.

(3c), (sa), (3e), (5f)
By making the lengths of , (5g) and (3h) correspond to the amount of phase shift given by equation (5), printed dipoles (2a), (2b), (2c), (2d), (26
), r2f).

(2g) and (2h) can be excited with different phase shifts.

FIG. 7 is an example of the radiation characteristics in the vertical plane of the eight-element linear array shown in FIG. 6.

The beam tilt angle θ70 is set to 8°. 1, and the coefficient of field curvature aberration is 02. It's easy to see if the peak of the main beam is pointing downwards.

This means that the power contained within the service area can be used effectively. 1, it is clear that the NuLL between the six side lobes is buried due to the effect of field curvature aberration.

In addition, in Fig. 2, an example in which the vertical direction is composed of 8 elements is explained, and an example in which 8 distribution is performed using two signal distributors, but the present invention is not limited to these. Even if the number changes or the method of signal distribution changes, the same effect can be obtained. Further, the feed line corresponding to the connection cable may be arranged on the same printed circuit board together with the signal distributor and the radiating element.

As explained above, with the array antenna device according to the present invention, a shaped beam matching the shape of the service area can be realized in the horizontal plane.

In addition to filling the NuLL of the radiation pattern in the vertical plane, it is also possible to tilt the main beam by a desired angle. Therefore, more effective use of electric power is achieved, and the base station.

It can also reduce line disconnections with mobile devices.

An extremely practical array antenna device can be provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a conventional array antenna device, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a feeding circuit network of the conventional array antenna device. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the radiation characteristics in the horizontal plane of a conventional array antenna device, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the coordinate system in the vertical plane, and Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the radiation characteristics in the vertical plane of the conventional array antenna device. A diagram explaining the characteristics. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the vertical configuration of the array antenna device of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the radiation characteristics in the vertical plane of the array antenna device of the present invention. In the figure, (1) is an array antenna device, (2) is a printed dipole, (3) is a connection cable, and (4) is a feeding circuit network. (5) is a radome, (6) is a metal rod, (7) is a stopper frame,
(8) is a mounting bracket, (9) is a variable power divider, (II
is the branch line cup 2-2 αυ is the dummy load,
0 is a phase shift cable, (l is a connector, and Q4 is a signal distributor). In FIG. 9, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Agent: Makoto Kuzuno - Figure 1: Licensed person, Ukei Tachiki, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] A radiating section configured by stacking 2" (n is a natural number) radiating elements radially arranged at predetermined intervals on a circumference of a predetermined radius in one or more stages in the vertical direction. , a variable power divider is used as a feeding circuit network for controlling radiation characteristics in two circumferential directions in an array antenna device consisting of a feeding circuit network for vibrating the radiating section according to a predetermined radiation characteristic. A variable power divider network configured by connecting in multiple stages is used, and a signal divider and a phase shift based on predetermined distortion and field curvature aberration coefficients are used as a feeder network to control the longitudinal radiation characteristics. An array antenna device characterized in that a connection cable is used to connect the radiating element and the power divider.