KR20220109111A - Array patch antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an array patch antenna includes: a substrate; a plurality of radiators disposed on the substrate in an array form; and a wall structure spaced apart from at least one radiator among the plurality of radiators in a first direction and a second direction, which is an opposite direction of the first direction. The wall structure is connected to the ground.

Description

Array patch antenna

The present invention relates to an array patch antenna, and more particularly, to an array patch antenna in which a beam width is improved and a bandwidth is expanded using a wall structure.

Array patch antennas for 5G/Radar are formed in a patch-type array structure. Due to the short wavelength due to the high frequency characteristics of mmW, a signal used for 5G/Radar, there is a problem with severe performance change due to dielectric constant and substrate deviation. In order to reduce this problem, an expensive substrate having a low dielectric constant and a low dielectric loss is used rather than a substrate having a high dielectric constant and a relatively high loss.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an array patch antenna in which a beam width is improved and a bandwidth is expanded using a wall structure.

In order to solve the above technical problem, an array patch antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate; a plurality of radiators disposed on the substrate in an array form; and a wall structure spaced apart from at least one of the plurality of radiators in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the wall structure is connected to a ground.

Also, at least some of the plurality of radiators may be connected in series on the same line extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.

In addition, the wall structure may be formed to be spaced apart in a first direction and a second direction of the radiators connected in series, and to extend from the ground in the third direction.

In addition, the extension length of the wall structure in the third direction may vary depending on the resonance frequency or bandwidth of the signal to be radiated.

In addition, at least one first radiator among the plurality of radiators may include a main radiation pattern; a sub radiation pattern spaced apart from the main radiation pattern; and a connection pattern connecting the main radiation pattern and the sub radiation pattern.

In addition, the sub radiation pattern may include a first sub radiation pattern disposed on one surface of the main radiation pattern and a second sub radiation pattern disposed on an opposite surface of the surface on which the first sub radiation pattern is disposed. .

In addition, the main radiation pattern is formed in a rectangular shape, the sub radiation pattern is formed in a rectangular shape, and a length in a second direction spaced apart from the main radiation pattern in a first direction perpendicular to the second direction may be shorter than the length of

Also, the plurality of radiators may include at least one second radiator including only a main radiation pattern.

In addition, at least one third radiator among the plurality of radiators may include a rectangular main radiation pattern; a curved radiation pattern formed in a curved shape having a predetermined radius at one or more corners of the main radiation pattern; and a groove pattern introduced in the first direction or the second direction of the main radiation pattern.

In order to solve the above technical problem, an array patch antenna according to another embodiment of the present invention includes: a first radiator, a second radiator, and a third radiator connected in series on the same line in a third direction; and a wall structure spaced apart from the first radiator in a first direction perpendicular to the third direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the wall structure is connected to a ground in the third direction It extends to the second radiator.

According to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to improve the beam width and expand the bandwidth through the wall structure. Dielectric variations can be compensated for by improving the beamwidth and extending the bandwidth. In addition, since it is possible to use low-cost materials, it is possible to manufacture at a low cost, thereby increasing unit price competitiveness.

1 illustrates an array patch antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 shows a radiator and a wall structure connected in series of an array patch antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a detailed view of a first radiator of an array patch antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram specifically illustrating a third radiator of an array patch antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining an array patch antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

However, the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to some embodiments described, but may be implemented in various different forms, and within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention, one or more of the components may be selected between the embodiments. It can be used by combining or substituted with

In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention may be generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, unless specifically defined and described explicitly. It may be interpreted as a meaning, and generally used terms such as terms defined in advance may be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the related art.

In addition, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

In this specification, the singular form may also include the plural form unless otherwise specified in the phrase, and when it is described as "at least one (or one or more) of A and (and) B, C", it is combined with A, B, C It may include one or more of all possible combinations.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the component from other components, and are not limited to the essence, order, or order of the component by the term.

And, when it is described that a component is 'connected', 'coupled', or 'connected' to another component, the component is directly 'connected', 'coupled', or 'connected' to the other component. In addition to the case, it may include a case of 'connected', 'coupled', or 'connected' by another element between the element and the other element.

In addition, when it is described as being formed or disposed on "above (above)" or "below (below)" of each component, "above (above)" or "below (below)" means that two components are directly connected to each other. It includes not only the case of contact, but also the case where one or more other components are formed or disposed between two components. In addition, when expressed as "upper (upper)" or "lower (lower)", the meaning of not only an upper direction but also a lower direction based on one component may be included.

An array patch antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, a plurality of radiators disposed on the substrate in an array form, and a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction from at least one radiator among the plurality of radiators. It consists of wall structures spaced apart in the direction. In addition, components that generate and process signals may be mounted or formed in a pattern.

The array patch antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention may be an antenna for 5G/Radar. For example, it may be used as a radar occupant alert (ROA) antenna that determines whether a occupant is located in the rear seat of a vehicle. Since a high-frequency signal in mmW is used, there is a problem in that the change of the resonance frequency increases according to the dielectric constant and substrate deviation. Because the mmW high frequency band has a narrow frequency range, the change in the resonance frequency increases depending on the influence of the environment. For example, when the frequency range to be used is 60 to 64 GHz, the dielectric constant and substrate deviation or environmental change If the frequency is changed from 55 to 70 GHz, the performance may be deteriorated In this case, when an expensive substrate is used, there is a problem in that the manufacturing cost becomes excessively large.

In addition, when designing an array structure with strong directivity due to frequency characteristics, the beam pattern is formed in a sharp shape. Since the area to be covered is wide due to the characteristics of the application, the beam width needs to be formed.

In order to solve this problem, the array patch antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention expands the bandwidth by forming a plurality of resonant frequencies adjacent to the main resonant frequency through current diversification, and is a wall structure connected to the ground on both sides of the radiator. By reinforcing the beam by placing an electrical wall, it is possible to simultaneously improve the beam width and expand the bandwidth. Through this, it is possible to prevent deterioration in performance due to dielectric constant and substrate variation or environmental factors, and it is possible to secure performance even if a low-cost substrate is used, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. Beam reinforcement may be implemented through a wall structure, and current diversification may be implemented through a structure connecting the sub radiation pattern to the main radiation pattern.

Hereinafter, an array patch antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a radiator and a wall structure with reference to the drawings.

A plurality of radiators according to an embodiment of the present invention are disposed on a substrate in an array form as shown in FIG. 1 . Here, the substrate may be a substrate including a dielectric. Alternatively, the substrate may include a dielectric material and a magnetic material. Since the substrate contains a dielectric, it can be greatly affected by the dielectric constant.

At least some of the plurality of radiators may be connected in series on the same line extending in a first direction, which is one direction. Radiators forming one row are arranged in one direction and connected in series. 1 , the first radiator 110 , the second radiator 120 , and the third radiator 130 are connected in series in a third direction. Here, the number and types of the plurality of radiators forming one row are illustrated and described by way of example, and the number and types of the plurality of radiators forming one row, the order of their connection, and the like may vary. For example, in FIG. 1 , three radiators are connected in the order of the first radiator 110 , the second radiator 120 , and the third radiator 130 , but one or two radiators are connected or four or more radiators are connected in the sequence. can be connected In addition, the flowchart of the first radiator 110 - the second radiator 120 - the third radiator 130 other than the first radiator 110 - the third radiator 130 - the second radiator 120, the third radiator ( 130 ) - second radiator 120 - first radiator 110 , or second radiator 120 - first radiator 110 - second radiator 120 may be formed. Alternatively, all of the first radiators 110 may be formed, all of the second radiators 120 or all of the third radiators 130 may be formed.

The third radiator 130 is connected to a feed line through which a signal to be radiated is input, and the signal input through the feed line is transmitted to the third radiator 130 , the second radiator 120 and the first radiator 110 , radiated from each emitter. In this case, the signal may have a specific resonant frequency and bandwidth, and may be radiated with directionality.

Each row of the array is formed by connecting a plurality of radiators in series. 1 , the first radiator 110 , the second radiator 120 , and the third radiator 130 form one row, and the other first radiators 110 - 1 to 110 - 6 and the second radiator (120-1 to 120-6) and the third radiators 130-1 to 130-6 may form heat, respectively. Each row formed of the first to third radiators may have a different number, order, and type of radiators forming the corresponding row.

The wall structures 141 and 141-1 are formed to be spaced apart from each other in the first direction and the second direction of at least one radiator among the plurality of radiators. Here, the first direction and the second direction may be opposite to each other. The wall structures 141 and 141-1 are connected to the ground to adjust the radiation pattern of the adjacent radiator. The wall structures 141 and 141-1 may be an electrical wall pattern connected to the ground, and have an effect on the radiator emitting a signal, so that the wall structures 141 and 141-1 radiate from the radiator. The resonant frequency and bandwidth of the signal may vary. In this way, the beam width and bandwidth of the radiation signal can be improved by adjusting the separation direction, the separation distance, and the extension length of the wall structures 141 and 141-1 from the radiator.

The wall structures 141 and 141-1 are spaced apart from each other in the first direction and the second direction with respect to each row and are formed on both sides, and only one wall structure may be formed between two adjacent rows according to the spacing of each row. . As shown on the left side of FIG. 1 , when each row composed of a radiator is narrow, only one wall structure 141-1 to 141-3 may be formed between each row, and as shown on the right side, between each row is wide. In this case, two wall structures 141-5 to 141-10 may be formed for each column.

The wall structures 141 and 141-1 may be spaced apart in a first direction and a second direction of the serially connected radiators, and may be formed to extend from the ground in the third direction. That is, the wall structures 141 and 141-1 extend in the third direction in which the radiators perpendicular to the first and second directions are connected in series.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the wall structures 141 and 141-1 are formed on both sides of a row composed of the first radiator 110 , the second radiator 120 , and the third radiator 130 in the first direction and the second direction. It may be formed to be spaced apart and extend in the third direction.

The array patch antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first radiator 110 , a second radiator 120 , a third radiator 130 , and a first radiator 110 connected in series on the same line in a third direction. ) and a wall structure (141, 141-1) spaced apart in a first direction perpendicular to the third direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the wall structures (141, 141-1) are It may be connected to the ground and extend to the second radiator in the third direction.

In this case, the extension length of the wall structures 141 and 141-1 in the third direction may be different from the extension length of the radiators connected in series in the third direction. That is, the wall structures 141 and 141-1 may not be formed on both sides of all radiators, but the wall structures 141 and 141-1 may be formed only on both sides of some radiators. As shown in FIG. 2 , the wall structures 141 and 141-1 may extend from the ground 150 to only the third radiator 130 and the second radiator 120 , but may not extend to the first radiator 110 . have. The second radiator 120 may extend only to an intermediate point rather than an end. Alternatively, it is natural that it may extend to the first radiator 110 or may extend longer than the first radiator 110 .

The extension length of the wall structures 141 and 141-1 in the third direction may vary depending on the resonance frequency or bandwidth of the signal to be radiated. Since the wall structures 141 and 141-1 can adjust the characteristics of the radiation signal, the extension length of the wall structures 141 and 141-1 can be set differently according to the resonant frequency and bandwidth of the signal to be radiated. Even wall structures formed on the same substrate may have the same length or different lengths for each wall structure. This may be set by the user according to the design specification of the antenna or may be set through simulation.

The first radiator 110 may include a main radiation pattern 111 , a sub radiation pattern 112 , and a connection pattern 113 . The first radiator may be formed as shown in FIG. 3 .

The main radiation pattern 111 may be formed in a shape according to a signal to be radiated. The main radiation pattern 111 may have a rectangular shape. The main radiation pattern 111 may have a predetermined length in a first direction and a length in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction according to the frequency of the signal to be radiated. In addition, it is of course that it may be formed in other shapes or lengths.

The sub radiation pattern 112 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the main radiation pattern 111 . The sub radiation pattern 111 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the main radiation pattern 111 in the first direction and the second direction at a predetermined interval. The separation distance may be set by a user according to the frequency of the signal to be radiated and the size of the bandwidth to be implemented, or may be set through simulation or design. The sub radiation pattern 112 may be referred to as a stub.

The sub radiation pattern 112 may be formed in a rectangular shape, and a length in a first direction that is spaced apart from the main radiation pattern 111 may be shorter than a length in a third direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , the sub radiation pattern 112 may be formed in a rectangular shape elongated in the third direction. A length of the sub radiation pattern 112 in the third direction may be equal to, shorter than, or longer than that of the main radiation pattern 111 . On the other hand, the length of the sub radiation pattern 112 in the first direction may be significantly shorter than that of the main radiation pattern 111 .

The sub radiation pattern 112 may include a first sub radiation pattern disposed on one surface of the main radiation pattern 111 and a second sub radiation pattern disposed on an opposite surface of the surface on which the first sub radiation pattern is disposed. . In addition to the first sub radiation pattern and the second sub radiation pattern, it may further include a third sub radiation pattern or a fourth radiation pattern disposed on the other surface on which the first sub radiation pattern and the second sub radiation pattern are disposed, The surface on which the first sub radiation pattern or the second sub radiation pattern is disposed may further include a fifth radiation pattern or a sixth radiation pattern spaced apart from the first sub radiation pattern or the second sub radiation pattern. The number and arrangement positions of the sub radiation patterns may be formed in various ways.

The connection pattern 113 connects the main radiation pattern 111 and the sub radiation pattern 112 . The connection pattern 113 connects the main radiation pattern 111 and the sub radiation pattern 112 spaced apart from each other. A connection pattern can be called a connection bridge. The connection pattern may include a first connection pattern and a second connection pattern spaced apart from and parallel to the first connection pattern. It goes without saying that a plurality of connection patterns may be formed in addition to the first connection pattern and the second connection pattern, such as the third connection pattern to the fourth connection pattern. By connecting the main radiation pattern 111 and the sub radiation pattern 112 with one or a plurality of connection patterns, the change in current may be diversified.

A current applied to the main radiation pattern 111 through a connection line connected to a feed line or another radiator forms a main resonance frequency in the main radiation pattern 111, and is transmitted to the sub radiation pattern 112 through the connection pattern 113. A current flow is generated, and a sub-resonant frequency different from the main resonant frequency is formed in the sub-radiation pattern 112 . The sub-radiation pattern 112 and the connection pattern 113 may be formed so that the frequency difference between the sub-resonant frequency and the main resonant frequency is less than or equal to a predetermined value. In this way, the bandwidth of the signal can be extended by forming the main resonant frequency and the surrounding sub resonant frequencies.

The plurality of radiators may include at least one second radiator 120 including only the main radiation pattern. As shown in FIG. 2 , the second radiator 120 may include only the main radiation pattern and not include the sub radiation pattern and the connection pattern, unlike the first radiator 110 . The second radiator 120 forms only a signal having a main resonance frequency. In order to prevent the efficiency from being lowered due to the formation of the sub-resonant frequency of the first radiator 110, the second radiator 120 that does not form the sub-resonant frequency may be included to cushion the decrease in the efficiency of the entire antenna. . The main radiation pattern of the second radiator 120 may have a longer length in the first direction than the main radiation pattern of the first radiator 110 . The length of the main radiation pattern 111 of the second radiator 120 in the first direction may be the same as the total length in the first direction of the first radiator 110 formed of the main radiation pattern and the sub radiation pattern.

The second radiator 120 may be connected in series with the at least one first radiator 110 . 2 , the first radiator 110 and the third radiator 130 may be connected in series. Since the second radiator 120 cannot form a sub-resonant frequency by itself, it is connected in series with the first radiator 110 to form an effect of extending a bandwidth. As described above, the order and shape in which the second radiator 120 is connected to the first radiator 110 may be formed in various ways.

The third radiator 130 may include a main radiation pattern 131 , a curved radiation pattern 132 , and a groove pattern 133 . The third radiator may be formed as shown in FIG. 4 .

The main radiation pattern 131 may be formed in a shape according to a signal to be radiated. The main radiation pattern 131 may have a rectangular shape. The main radiation pattern 131 may have a predetermined length in a first direction and a length in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction according to the frequency of the signal to be radiated. In addition, it is of course that it may be formed in other shapes or lengths.

The curved radiation pattern 132 may be formed in a curved shape having a predetermined radius at one or more corners of the main radiation pattern 131 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the curved radiation pattern 132 may be formed in a 3/4 circular shape formed at the corner of the rectangular main radiation pattern 131 . The radius of the curved radiation pattern 132 may be set by a user according to the frequency of the signal to be radiated and the size of the bandwidth to be implemented, or may be set through simulation or design. The curved radiation pattern 132 may be referred to as a circle structure. By forming the curved radiation pattern 132 at the four corners of the main radiation pattern 131, radiation efficiency can be increased.

The curved radiation pattern 132 may be formed in only one corner or two corners, not all four corners, as shown in FIG. 4 . When formed at the two corners, the radiator may be formed at the two corners located in the third direction in which they are connected in series. That is, the number and arrangement of the curved radiation patterns 132 may be formed in various ways.

The groove pattern 133 may be formed by being drawn in in the first direction or the second direction of the main radiation pattern 131 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the groove pattern 133 may be formed in the shape of a groove recessed in the first direction or the second direction in the central region of the main radiation pattern 131 . The groove pattern 133 may be referred to as a groove. The groove pattern 133 may increase the efficiency or expand the bandwidth by changing the flow of current. As shown in FIG. 4 , the groove patterns 133 may be formed on both sides, may be formed in the third direction, or may be formed in one or three or more. The number and arrangement of the groove patterns 133 may be formed in various ways.

The line pattern may be formed in the form of a patch on the substrate, and a signal is transmitted to a plurality of radiators connected thereto. The line pattern may be connected to the power feeding unit to apply a current applied from the power feeding unit to a plurality of radiators connected in series. The line pattern may include at least one auxiliary pattern protruding in a direction perpendicular to the extension length direction. The auxiliary pattern may be formed in a rectangular shape or may be formed in another shape. When a plurality of auxiliary patterns are formed, the auxiliary patterns may be formed to cross each other in both directions, protrude in both directions at the same location, or protrude in one direction. In addition, it may be formed in various numbers, directions, and shapes. The auxiliary pattern, like the sub-radiation pattern of the first radiator, serves to expand the bandwidth by diversifying the current. A signal having an extended bandwidth may be transmitted to the plurality of radiators, and the plurality of radiators may serve to assist in extending the bandwidth. In addition to the auxiliary patterns, patterns for frequency matching of signals may be formed at positions where the line patterns are formed.

The plurality of radiators forming the first to fourth columns on the left side of FIG. 1 may be a transmitting antenna (Tx) emitting a signal or a receiving antenna (Rx) receiving a signal that is radiated and reflected by an object. When the plurality of radiators forming the first to fourth columns form the reception antenna, the radiators forming the transmission antenna may be disposed in different areas of the substrate or may be implemented as separate antennas. When formed on one substrate, the transmitting antenna radiators may be formed to be spaced apart from the receiving antenna radiators at a distance that does not cause interference, or may further include a configuration for preventing interference. The transmitting antenna may also be disposed in an array form including a first radiator, a second radiator, a third radiator, and a wall structure, and may include a plurality of columns formed of a plurality of radiators. When formed in a plurality of columns, signals may be radiated without interfering with each other through time division. For example, a signal may be applied to a plurality of columns in chronological order to radiate the signal. It goes without saying that the number, type, and order of the number, type, and order of radiators forming a column may be variously formed according to the direction in which the signal is to be radiated.

The sub radiation pattern, connection pattern, curved radiation pattern, or groove pattern may be formed by forming a groove in the main radiation pattern. That is, the same radiation pattern as the main radiation pattern of the second radiator is formed by forming grooves forming the sub radiation pattern and the connection pattern of the first radiator, or grooves forming the curved radiation pattern and the groove pattern of the third radiator are formed. can do. In this case, the groove may be formed through etching or the like. It goes without saying that this may be formed in various ways other than as one example of forming the radiator.

As described above, in forming a multi-beam by forming a main resonant frequency and a sub-resonant frequency by implementing the diversification of current through the radiator having various structures, and at the same time improving the beam width and expanding the bandwidth through the wall structure, the beam angle You can adjust your back. The bandwidth can be extended through a plurality of resonant frequencies, and even if the resonant frequency is changed according to dielectric constant, substrate deviation, or environmental change, the resonant frequency can be located within a desired frequency band. That is, by extending the bandwidth, it is possible to compensate for dielectric variation and the like. In addition, since the antenna can be manufactured using a low-cost substrate, it can be manufactured at a low cost, thereby increasing unit price competitiveness. A phase for each beamforming angle of the patch array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention is as shown in FIG. 5, and a beam ID (phase) for each angle is as shown in FIG. 6 .

A person of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment will understand that it can be implemented in a modified form within a range that does not deviate from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed methods are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is indicated in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the present invention.

100: array patch antenna
110, 130: first radiator
111: main radiation pattern
112: sub radiation pattern
113: connection pattern
120: second radiator
130: third emitter
131: main radiation pattern
132: curved radiation pattern
133: home pattern

Claims (10)

Board;
a plurality of radiators disposed on the substrate in an array form; and
a wall structure spaced apart from at least one radiator among the plurality of radiators in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction;
The wall structure is an array patch antenna connected to the ground. According to claim 1,
At least some of the radiators of the plurality of radiators,
Array patch antennas connected in series on the same line extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. 3. The method of claim 2,
The wall structure is
The array patch antenna is spaced apart in a first direction and a second direction of the radiators connected in series, and is formed to extend from the ground in the third direction. 4. The method of claim 3,
The extension length in the third direction of the wall structure is,
An array patch antenna that depends on the resonant frequency or bandwidth of the signal to be radiated. According to claim 1,
At least one first radiator among the plurality of radiators,
main radiation pattern;
a sub radiation pattern spaced apart from the main radiation pattern; and
Array patch antenna including a connection pattern connecting the main radiation pattern and the sub radiation pattern. 6. The method of claim 5,
The sub radiation pattern is
An array patch antenna comprising a first sub radiation pattern disposed on one surface of the main radiation pattern and a second sub radiation pattern disposed on an opposite surface of the surface on which the first sub radiation pattern is disposed. 6. The method of claim 5,
The main radiation pattern is formed in a rectangular shape,
The sub radiation pattern is formed in a rectangular shape, and a length in a second direction spaced apart from the main radiation pattern is shorter than a length in a first direction perpendicular to the second direction. 6. The method of claim 5,
The plurality of radiators,
An array patch antenna comprising at least one second radiator including only a main radiation pattern. According to claim 1,
At least one third radiator among the plurality of radiators,
square main radiation pattern;
a curved radiation pattern formed in a curved shape having a predetermined radius at one or more corners of the main radiation pattern; and
Array patch antenna including a groove pattern introduced in the first direction or the second direction of the main radiation pattern. a first radiator, a second radiator, and a third radiator connected in series on the same line in a third direction; and
a wall structure spaced apart from the first radiator in a first direction perpendicular to the third direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction;
and the wall structure is connected to a ground and extends to the second radiator in the third direction.

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