JPS63178603A - Array antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the maintenance work by connecting a distributer to an antenna module via a flexible cable removably and fixing the distributer to a location where the movement of plural antenna modules is not disturbed in the backward direction with respect to the radiation plane of said array antenna. CONSTITUTION:The tip of a cable 2-5 is connected to the distributer 3 removably by a connector 3-1, the distributer 3 is arranged in a longitudinal of an antenna module 2 to be fed at each longitudinal array of the antenna module 2 and fixed to a frame or the like (not shown in a figure). That is, the distributer 3 is fixed at a location where the movement of the plural antenna modules 2 toward the rear face direction 5 with respect to the radiation face of said array antenna 4 is not disturbed. Through the constitution above, in disconnecting both connectors, the antenna modules 2 are drawn toward the rear face 5 and removed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an array antenna, and particularly to the structure of a phased array antenna.

(Prior Art) A phased array antenna has an electrical configuration including a plurality of element antennas 1, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example.
, a plurality of antenna modules 2 that individually excite each of the plurality of element antennas 1, and a distributor 3 that distributes a signal to each of the plurality of antenna modules, and controls the excitation phase of the element antenna by the antenna module. This is an antenna device that performs beam scanning.

In addition, in FIG. 4, the antenna module 2 consists of a phase shifter. The one shown in FIG. 5 is a so-called active type phased array antenna, and the antenna module 2 includes a transmitting amplifier 2-1 and a receiving low-noise amplifier 2-1.
2, a phase shifter 2-3, and a transmission/reception switch 2-4.

By the way, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, this type of phased array antenna has a control device such as a phase shifter and a transmitter/receiver switch, or an active device such as an amplifier, so it is difficult to operate over a long period of time. Inside,
This will cause quite a few malfunctions. Therefore, in a system using a phased array antenna such as a phased array radar, in order to enable intermittent operation of the system by replacing parts even if a failure occurs, the antenna module is installed as a single unit, for example, as shown in Figure 6. Or, it is common to have a structure in which the element antenna and antenna module can be removed in one piece.

That is, in FIG. 6, the distributor 3 is fixed to a frame (not shown) or the like. One end of each of the plurality of antenna modules 2 is directly connected to the surface of the distributor 3 by a connector, and the element antenna 1 is integrally formed at the other end of each of the plurality of antenna modules 2. The support structure of the plurality of antenna modules 2 itself is, for example, a rectangular structure in which the element antennas 1 are arranged at appropriate intervals in the row direction and the column direction on a plane, as shown in the following example. In the case of an array, a flat support member (not shown) having guide holes formed in positions corresponding to the spatial arrangement positions of the plurality of antenna modules 2 is fixedly arranged at an appropriate position in front of the distributor 3, The antenna module 2 corresponding to each guide hole is slidably supported. In other words,
The plurality of antenna modules 2 are positioned so as to be slidable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the radiation surface of the array antenna 4. When replacing parts, disconnect the connectors in the distributor 3, pull out the antenna modules 2 one by one toward the radiation surface direction 9 of the array antenna 4, and insert the antenna modules 2 into the guide holes from the radiation surface direction 9. Connect the connector by pressing it against the distributor 3.

In short, in the conventional phased array antenna, the antenna module 2 and the element antenna 1 are removed in the direction 9 of the radiation surface of the array antenna 4.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in the conventional phased array antenna, due to its structure, the operator always needs to approach the front of the antenna when replacing the antenna module.

However, in systems that radiate high-power radio waves into space, such as radar, when working in areas where the power density of the radiated radio waves exceeds a certain standard value, such as near the front of the antenna, it is necessary to take precautions to prevent radio interference to the human body. Therefore, it is said that radio wave emission must be stopped before work begins. That is, in systems using conventional phased array antennas, there is a problem that continuous system operation is not possible because it is necessary to stop system operation during antenna maintenance such as antenna module replacement.

In addition, in order to install such an antenna outdoors,
Since it is necessary to protect the antenna modules and element antennas from wind and rain, it is necessary to cover each antenna module with a radome, or to cover the entire antenna radiation side with a radome that can be opened and closed during maintenance. Another problem is that the structure of the antenna's radiation surface is complex and difficult to maintain.

The present invention has been made in view of these conventional problems, and its purpose is to make it possible to remove the antenna module alone or the antenna module and the element antenna together in the rear direction with respect to the radiation surface of the array antenna. An object of the present invention is to provide an array antenna having a structure.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the array antenna of the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, the array antenna of the present invention includes a plurality of element antennas; each of the plurality of element antennas is excited individually, and is separable from or integrated with the corresponding element antenna and has a radiation surface on the radiation surface of the array antenna. A plurality of antenna modules that are slidably positioned and arranged in substantially orthogonal directions; A distributor that distributes a signal to each of the plurality of antenna modules; The antenna module individually controls the excitation phase of the element antenna by the antenna module. In the phased array antenna that performs beam scanning; It is characterized by: being fixed in a position that does not interfere with

(Function) Next, the function of the array antenna of the present invention configured as described above will be explained.

Since the distributor has a structure in which it is separably connected to the antenna module via a flexible cable, it must be fixed at a position that does not obstruct the movement of the plurality of antenna modules in the rearward direction relative to the radiation surface of the array antenna. Can be done.

Therefore, the antenna module can be removed alone or together with the element antenna toward the back side relative to the radiation surface of the array antenna, simply by disconnecting the antenna module from the distributor.

Thus, according to the array antenna of the present invention, there is no need to stop the operation of the system even if replacement or maintenance of the antenna module or the like is required, and furthermore, maintenance work can be carried out easily.

(Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same components as in the prior art.

FIG. 1 shows an array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention. This array antenna 4 is constructed of a rectangular array in which element antennas 1 are arranged on a plane at appropriate intervals in the row direction and the column direction. This is an array antenna device.

In this embodiment, an element antenna 1 is connected to a tip (other end) of a corresponding antenna module 2 via a connector (not shown) via a reflector 10.

That is, the element antenna 1 and the antenna module 2 can be separated.

Further, the support structure of the antenna module 2 is the same as that of the conventional one, but a visible cable 2-5 is drawn out from one end of each antenna module.

The tip of this cable 2-5 is connected to the connector 3-1 of the distributor 3.
The distributor 3 is arranged in a vertical gap of the antenna module 2 and fixed to a frame body (not shown) or the like in order to feed power to each vertical column of the antenna module 2.

That is, the distributor 3 is fixed at a position where it does not inhibit the movement of the plurality of antenna modules 2 in the back direction 5 with respect to the radiation surface of the array antenna 4.

With this configuration, the antenna module 2 is
Once both connectors are disconnected, they can be pulled out in the rear direction 5 and removed.

Note that the plurality of element antennas 1 are composed of a plurality of dipole antennas, a plurality of microstrip antennas integrally formed on a large printed circuit board, or the like. - Next, FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this second embodiment, the relationship between the distributor 3 and the antenna module 2 is the same as in the first embodiment, but the element antenna 1 is It is formed integrally with the antenna module 2, and has a structure in which the array antenna 4 is protected by a radome 6.

With this configuration, the antenna module 2 and the element antenna 1 can be pulled out and removed in the rear direction 5 of the array antenna 4 as a unit by simply disconnecting the connector 3-1 without removing the radome 6. be able to.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a specific installation example. In FIG. 3, a radome 6 is placed on the outdoor side of the window on four sides of the tower 7, and an array antenna 4 according to the present invention is placed on the indoor side, and the four-sided array antenna 4 covers a space of 360 degrees. It is designed to scan the beam. In addition, in the case of an installation example in which a hatch 8 is provided in the center of the floor of the tower 7 through which workers can go in and out, replacement work for antenna modules, etc. can be done through the hatch 8 and on the back side of the array antenna 4. Because it can be carried out, there is no problem of radio interference for workers and therefore there is no need to stop system operation prior to maintenance work, i.e. the system can be operated continuously even if antenna maintenance is required. Can be done.

Furthermore, since the array antenna 4 is protected from wind and rain by a building with a radome 6, there is no need to waterproof each antenna module or element antenna one by one, and there is no need for the extensive work of removing the radome for maintenance. .

Although FIG. 3 shows the case of a four-sided phased array antenna, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to, for example, a cylindrical phased array antenna. Also,
Of course, even in the case of a single-sided fixed antenna, a passage may be provided so that the operator can go directly to the back of the antenna without passing near the radiation surface of the antenna.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the array antenna of the present invention, the antenna module, etc. can be removed toward the rear of the antenna, so even if two antenna modules, etc. need to be replaced, system operation can be stopped. Furthermore, there is an advantage that maintenance work can be carried out easily.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an array antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an array antenna according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a specific installation example. Figures 4 and 5 are electrical configuration diagrams of the face array antenna.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional array antenna. 1...Element antenna, 2...Antenna module, 2-5...Cable, 3.
...Distributor, 3-1...Connector, 4
...Array antenna, 5...Back direction, 6...Radome, 7...Tower, 8...Hatch, 9... ... Radiation surface direction, 10...Reflector. Agent Patent Attorney Yoshihiro Yahata $ - Invention δ array antenna 184 rows (1) 1st and 2nd antennas removed - Lecture of the present array antenna Figure 2 / Ff parent Figure (a) Cross section of 7 Kuhu (b) ? Also, il and A row $ 3 Figure Funi's door array completed power train) A, horizontal 5 A ゛ I j 11-54 Figure A 7 Enter the dog - Sudo array completed, Tena transferred to electric power 1st power row S diagram

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of element antennas; Each of the plurality of element antennas is excited individually, and is separable from or integrated with the corresponding element antenna and positioned so as to be slidable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the radiation surface of the array antenna. a plurality of antenna modules arranged; a distributor that distributes a signal to each of the plurality of antenna modules;
In a phased array antenna that performs beam scanning by individually controlling excitation phases of element antennas by antenna modules; the distributor is separably connected to the antenna module via a flexible cable,
An array antenna characterized in that the plurality of antenna modules are fixed at a position that does not inhibit movement of the plurality of antenna modules in the rearward direction with respect to the radiation surface of the array antenna.