WO2015122240A1

WO2015122240A1 - Transmission unit and sonar

Info

Publication number: WO2015122240A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/051299
Authority: WO
Inventors: 山口　武治
Original assignee: 古野電気株式会社
Priority date: 2014-02-13
Filing date: 2015-01-20
Publication date: 2015-08-20
Also published as: JP6281961B2; JPWO2015122240A1

Abstract

The present invention minimizes increases in the quantity of transmission signal generation units and precisely controls the direction of each orientation of a transmission beam. A transmission unit (12) is provided with: a transmitter (10) that has a plurality of transmission elements (TDm1, TDm2, TDm3, etc.) that each transmit a transmitter pulse; a plurality of transmission signal generation units (S1, S3, S5, etc.) that each generate a transmission signal having an adjusted phase; and a circuit unit (15) that combines at least two of the transmission signals and outputs the result to at least one of first transmission elements (TDm2, TDm4, TDm6, etc.) included among the plurality of transmission elements (TDm1, TDm2, TDm3, etc.).

Description

Transmission unit and sonar

The present invention relates to a transmission unit capable of transmitting a transmission wave in a desired direction, and a sonar including the transmission unit.

Conventionally, there is a transmission unit capable of transmitting a transmission beam in a predetermined direction by shifting the phases of transmission waves transmitted from each of a plurality of elements arranged based on a predetermined regularity with respect to each other. Known (for example, Patent Document 1). In the transducer as a transmitter disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in paragraph 0017 and FIG. 1 and the like, the ultrasonic transducers at each stage are grouped into a plurality of groups. By performing phase control different for each, a beam that is not rotationally symmetric is formed on the central axis of the cylindrical transducer.

Japanese Patent No. 4798826

However, even if different phase control is performed for each group in the ultrasonic transducers at the same stage as described above, ultrasonic waves having the same phase are transmitted from the ultrasonic transducers belonging to the same group. Cannot be controlled accurately.

On the other hand, it is also conceivable to accurately control the direction of the transmission beam by providing a transmission signal generation unit corresponding to each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers and individually performing phase control for each ultrasonic transducer. However, if it does so, since it will be necessary to provide many transmission signal generation parts, the cost of a transmission signal generation part will increase.

The present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to accurately control the direction of a transmission beam while suppressing an increase in the number of transmission signal generation units.

(1) In order to solve the above-described problem, a transmission unit according to an aspect of the present invention includes a transmitter having a plurality of transmission elements each transmitting a transmission wave, and a transmission whose phase is adjusted. A plurality of transmission signal generation units that generate signals; and a circuit unit that combines at least two transmission signals and outputs the resultant signal to at least one first transmission element included in the plurality of transmission elements.

(2) Preferably, the plurality of transmission elements further include a plurality of second transmission elements provided corresponding to the transmission signal generation units, and the circuit unit is generated by the transmission signal generation units. The transmission signal is output to each of the corresponding second transmission elements, and each of the second transmission elements is a transmission wave based on the transmission signal generated by each of the transmission signal generation units corresponding to each of the second transmission elements. Send.

(3) More preferably, the plurality of second transmission elements are arranged along a predetermined direction, and each of the plurality of first transmission elements is between two adjacent second transmission elements in the predetermined direction. The transmission wave transmitted from each of the first transmission elements is generated by the two transmission signal generation units corresponding to each of the two second transmission elements adjacent to the first transmission element. It is a composite wave of the transmission signal.

(4) More preferably, in the transmission unit, at least a part of the plurality of first transmission elements and at least a part of the plurality of second transmission elements are along a circumferential direction as the predetermined direction. An arranged annular array.

(5) More preferably, the transmitter is formed in a cylindrical shape by arranging a plurality of the annular arrays along the central axis direction of the annular array.

(6) Preferably, the circuit unit includes a first coil electrically connected to each transmission signal generation unit and a second coil electrically connected to each transmission element. .

(7) Preferably, the transmission wave is an electromagnetic wave or an ultrasonic wave.

(8) Moreover, in order to solve the said subject, the sonar which concerns on a certain situation of this invention is the receiving part which receives the reflected wave of the transmission wave transmitted from one of the transmission units mentioned above and the said transmission unit. A signal processing unit that processes a reception signal obtained by the reception unit, and a display unit that displays a video based on the video signal generated by the signal processing unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately control the direction of the transmission beam for each azimuth while suppressing an increase in the number of transmission signal generation units.

It is a figure which shows typically about the shape of the transmission beam transmitted from the sonar transmitter mounted on the ship. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram for explaining the shake correction performed by the sonar, and FIG. 2A is a view schematically showing a transmission beam transmitted from a ship that is not shaken. FIG. 2B is a diagram schematically showing a transmission beam transmitted from a ship in a state of being shaken, and is a diagram showing a transmission beam of a sonar that does not have a shake correction function. FIG. 2C is a diagram schematically showing a transmission beam transmitted from a ship in a state of shaking, and is a diagram showing a transmission beam of a sonar having a shaking correction function. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sonar which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows typically the shape of the transducer shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a transmission part in association with each cyclic | annular array of a transducer. It is a figure which shows the structure of a part of transmission unit, and is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the correspondence of the some ultrasonic transducer | vibrator which comprises a cyclic | annular array, and the some transmission circuit which comprises a transmission circuit group. . FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the shake correction performed in the sonar shown in FIG. 3, (A) is a diagram showing a state in which the ship is not shaken, and (B) is a figure in which the ship is shaken and shake correction is performed. It is a figure which shows the broken state. It is a figure which shows the structure of the transmission unit which concerns on a modification, and is a figure shown corresponding to FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the transmission unit which concerns on a modification, and is a figure shown corresponding to FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the simulation result of the transmission beam transmitted by the transmission unit demonstrated in embodiment, Comprising: FIG. 10 (A) is an image which shows a simulation result, FIG.10 (B) is about a roll angle. It is the model for demonstrating, Comprising: It is the figure which looked at the ship carrying the sonar from back. It is a figure for demonstrating the comparative example 1, Comprising: It is a figure for demonstrating the simulation result by the transmission unit which does not have a fluctuation correction function. It is a figure for demonstrating the comparative example 2, Comprising: It is a figure for demonstrating the simulation result by the transmission unit which has a fluctuation correction function different from embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the comparative example 3, Comprising: It is a figure for demonstrating the simulation result by the transmission unit which has a fluctuation correction function different from embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a transmitter according to the present invention and a sonar using the transmitter will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, first, the vibration correction performed by the sonar will be described, and then the configuration of the sonar 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the shape of a transmission beam transmitted from a sonar transducer mounted on the ship S. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the shake correction performed by the sonar. Specifically, FIG. 2A is a diagram schematically illustrating a transmission beam transmitted from a ship that is not shaken. FIG. 2B is a diagram schematically showing a transmission beam transmitted from a ship in a state of being shaken, and is a diagram showing a transmission beam of a sonar that does not have a shake correction function. FIG. 2C is a diagram schematically showing a transmission beam transmitted from a ship in a state of shaking, and is a diagram showing a transmission beam of a sonar having a shaking correction function. In FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrations of the sonar and the transducer mounted on the ship S are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, in sonar, an umbrella-shaped transmission beam is transmitted at a predetermined tilt angle θ in all directions. Therefore, when the wave is calm and the ship is not shaken, that is, when the horizontal plane of the ship (transmitter / receiver) is not inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the sea surface (see FIG. 2A), it is transmitted from the transmitter / receiver. The tilt angle of the transmitted beam is uniform with respect to the horizontal surface of the sea surface in all directions.

In the case of a sonar that does not have a shake correction function, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), when the wave becomes large and the ship shakes, the angle of the transmission beam with respect to the horizontal surface of the sea surface changes. Therefore, in the sonar that does not have the fluctuation correction function, the transmission position of the transmission beam with respect to the water changes when the ship shakes. As a result, every time the ship is shaken, a different underwater position is detected, and the position of the target cannot be accurately grasped.

On the other hand, in the sonar having the fluctuation correction function, the tilt angle of the transmission beam is adjusted so as to correct the deviation of the transmission beam due to the fluctuation of the ship (see FIG. 2C). As a result, the same underwater position can be detected regardless of the movement of the ship, so that the position of the target can be accurately grasped.

[overall structure]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sonar 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the sonar 1 includes a transducer 10 (transmitter), a transmission / reception device 2, a tilt detection unit 3, a signal processing unit 4, and an operation / display device 5. The sonar 1 is provided in a ship such as a fishing boat, and is mainly used for detecting a target such as a fish and a school of fish.

The transducer 10 converts an electric signal into an ultrasonic wave, transmits an umbrella-shaped ultrasonic wave as shown in FIG. 1 into the water at every predetermined timing, and converts the received ultrasonic wave into an electric signal. The transducer 10 includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers TD (transmission elements) arranged with a predetermined regularity, and the phases of ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducers TD are appropriately set with respect to each other. By being shifted, ultrasonic waves having high intensity are transmitted in a predetermined tilt direction. The specific configuration of the transducer 10 will be described later in detail.

The transmission / reception device 2 includes a transmission / reception switching unit 6, a transmission unit 7, and a reception unit 8. The transmission / reception switching unit 6 switches to a connection in which a transmission signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 7 to the transducer 10 at the time of transmission. The transmission / reception switching unit 6 switches to a connection in which an electrical signal converted from an ultrasonic wave by the transducer 10 is transmitted from the transducer 10 to the reception unit 8 at the time of reception.

The transmission unit 7 outputs a transmission signal generated based on the conditions set in the operation / display device 5 to the transmitter / receiver 10 via the transmission / reception switching unit 6. Further, the transmission unit 7 adjusts the phase of the transmission signal output to the transducer 10 according to the detection value (the inclination of the ship) detected by the inclination detection unit 3. The specific configuration of the transmission unit 7 will be described in detail later together with the configuration of the transducer 10.

The receiving unit 8 includes a detection unit and an A / D conversion unit. The detector detects and amplifies the signal received by the transducer 10 and outputs the amplified received signal to the A / D converter. The A / D conversion unit outputs the reception data obtained by converting the reception signal output from the detection unit into a digital signal, to the signal processing unit 4.

The tilt detection unit 3 detects the tilt of the ship with respect to the horizontal plane as a detection value, and notifies the transmission unit 7 of the detection value.

The signal processing unit 4 processes the reception data output from the reception unit 8 and generates a target video signal.

The operation / display device 5 displays a video (in this embodiment, a PPI image) corresponding to the video signal output from the signal processing unit 4 on the display screen. The user can estimate the underwater state (single fish, presence / absence of a school of fish, etc.) in all directions around the ship by looking at the PPI image. Further, the operation / display device 5 includes input means such as various input keys, and is configured to be able to input various settings or various parameters necessary for ultrasonic transmission / reception, signal processing, or video display. Has been.

[Configuration of wave transmission unit]
The sonar 1 according to the present embodiment includes a transmission unit 12. The transmission unit 12 includes a transducer 10 and a transmission unit 7.

[Configuration of transducer]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the outer shape of the transducer 10. The transducer 10 of the sonar 1 according to the present embodiment includes a casing unit 11 configured in a cylindrical shape and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers TD arranged along the outer peripheral surface of the casing unit 11. Provided as a transducer array.

In the transducer 10, an annular array AR composed of N ultrasonic transducers TD arranged along the circumference of the casing unit 11 has M stages along the central axis direction of the casing unit 11. It is arranged. That is, the transducer 10 has (M × N) ultrasonic transducers TD. For example, the transducer 10 of the present embodiment includes 240 (M = 12, N = 20) ultrasonic transducers TD as an example.

In the transducer 10, the plurality of ultrasonic transducers TD are arranged in a staggered manner. Specifically, in the transducer 10, the plurality of ultrasonic transducers TD constituting the annular array AR are connected to the respective ultrasonic transducers TD constituting the annular array AR adjacent in the central axis direction of the housing unit 11. On the other hand, they are arranged shifted in the circumferential direction.

In the following, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 4, the m-th annular array may be expressed as an annular array AR _m (m = 1, 2,..., M). Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the m-th annular array AR _m , the nth (n = 1, 2,..., N) in the direction of arrow A from the reference ultrasonic transducer in the circumferential direction. The ultrasonic transducer may be referred to as an ultrasonic transducer TD _mn .

[Configuration of transmitter]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the transmission unit 7 in association with each annular array AR _m (m = 1, 2,..., M) in the transducer 10. The transmission unit 7 has a plurality of transmission circuit groups TM. Each of the plurality of transmission circuit groups TM is provided corresponding to each annular array AR _m and transmits ultrasonic waves to the corresponding annular array AR _m . In the following, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 5, each transmission circuit group corresponding to each annular array AR _m (m = 1, 2,..., M) is referred to as a transmission circuit group TM _m (m = 1, 2, ..., M).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of the transmission unit 12, and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers TD _mn (n = 1, 2,...) Constituting the _m-th annular array AR _m in FIG. N) is a schematic diagram for explaining a correspondence relationship between a plurality of transmission circuits tm _p (p = 1, 3, 5,...) Constituting the transmission circuit group TM _m corresponding to the annular array AR _m . As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission circuit group TM _m (specifically, half the number of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers TD) fewer than the plurality of ultrasonic transducers TD, a plurality of transmission circuits tm _p (p = 1, 3, 5,...). In FIG. 6, only the m-th annular array AR _m and the transmission circuit group TM _m corresponding thereto are illustrated, but the relationship between the other-stage annular array and the corresponding transmission circuit group is also illustrated. This is the same as in FIG.

Each transmission circuit tm _p (p = 1, 3, 5,...) Has a transmission signal generation unit _Sp and a primary coil L1 connected in series. Pulse wave generated by the transmission signal generation unit S _p via the primary secondary coils coil L1 and will be described later, is transmitted to each of the ultrasonic transducers TD _mn. A plurality of transmission signal generating unit S _p can transmit different phases of the pulse wave to each other.

Annular array AR each of the ultrasonic transducers constituting the _{_{m TD mn (n = 1,2,}} ..., N) , the secondary coil L2, L2a, L2b are connected. Specifically, referring to FIG. 6, one secondary coil L2 is connected in series to the ultrasonic transducers TD _m1 , TD _m3 , TD _m5,. On the other hand, the ultrasonic transducer _{_{_{TD m2, TD m4, TD m6}}} , ... , the secondary coil L2a, L2b are connected in series. The ultrasonic transducers TD _m2 , TD _m4 , TD _m6 ,... _Are provided as first transmission elements, and the ultrasonic transducers TD _m1 , TD _m3 , TD _m5,.

A plurality of the primary coil L1 and a plurality of secondary coil mentioned above L2, L2a, L2b the voltage of the pulse wave generated by the transmission signal generation unit S _p at a predetermined ratio to each of the ultrasonic transducers TD _mn A circuit unit 15 for distribution is provided. For example, as an example, in the circuit unit 15, referring to FIG. 6, half of the voltage of the pulse wave generated by a certain transmission signal generation unit (for example, S ₁ ) is the primary coil L 1 and the secondary coil. It is distributed to the ultrasonic transducer TD _m1 via the side coil L2. Further, a quarter of the voltage is distributed to the ultrasonic transducer TD _mN via the primary side coil L1 and the secondary side coil L2b. Further, a quarter of the voltage is distributed to the ultrasonic transducer TD _m2 via the primary side coil L1 and the secondary side coil L2a. In the circuit unit 15, for example, the number of turns of the secondary coil L2 is one half of the number of turns of the primary coil L1, and the number of turns of the secondary coils L2a and L2b is the primary side. The number of turns of the coil L1 is ¼. Thereby, the voltage of the pulse wave transmitted from each ultrasonic transducer _TDmn can be made the same. Since the distribution of the pulse wave of the voltage signal generated by the transmission signal generating unit other than the transmission signal generating unit S ₁ is the same as that described above, description thereof will be omitted.

[Phase and amplitude of pulse wave transmitted from each ultrasonic transducer]
The transmission signal generator S _p and the ultrasonic vibrator TD _mn, by connecting the circuit unit 15 as shown in FIG. 6, a pulse wave of phase transmitted from each of the ultrasonic transducers TD _mn is shown below It becomes like this. Specifically, the phases of the pulse waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducers TD _m1 , TD _m3 , TD _m5 ,... As the second transmission elements are transmitted signal generation units S ₁ , S provided corresponding to them. ₃ , S ₅ ,... Have the same phase as that of the pulse wave generated.

On the other hand, the phase of the pulse wave transmitted from the ultrasonic transducers TD _m2 , TD _m4 , TD _m6 ,... As the first transmitting element is as follows. Specifically, the pulse wave transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer TD _{m @ 2} phase, and pulse wave phase generated by the transmission signal generation unit S _1, the pulse wave generated by the transmission signal generator S ₃ A value between the phase. In addition, about the phase of the pulse wave transmitted from ultrasonic transducer _| vibrator _TDm4 , _TDm6 , ..., since it is the same as that of the case mentioned above, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the phase difference of the peripheral transmission signal generation portion adjacent to the direction (S ₁ and S _3, S ₃ and S _5, ...) pulse wave transmitted from the relatively small. Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer _{_{_{TD m2, TD m4, TD m6}}} , the amplitude of the pulse wave transmitted from ..., each ultrasonic transducer _{_{_{TD m2, TD m4, TD m6}}} , 2 one ultrasonic transducer adjacent to ... It becomes almost the same value as the amplitude of the pulse wave transmitted from.

[Basic sonar operation]
In the sonar 1 according to the present embodiment, an umbrella-shaped ultrasonic wave as shown in FIG. 1 is transmitted from the transmitter / receiver 10 at every predetermined timing, and a reflected wave of the transmitted ultrasonic wave is received by the transmitter / receiver. Is done. Then, echo data obtained from the received reflected wave is appropriately processed by the signal processing unit 4 to generate a video signal, and a PPI screen based on the video signal is displayed on the operation / display device 5.

[Sonar action when the ship is shaken]
7A and 7B are schematic diagrams for explaining the shake correction performed in the sonar 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7A is a view showing a state where the ship is not shaken, and FIG. 7B is a view showing that the ship is shaken. It is a figure which shows the state by which shake correction | amendment was performed.

In the sonar 1 according to the present embodiment, the inclination detector 3 does not detect the inclination of the ship when the ship is not shaken (see FIG. 7A). In this case, the tilt angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the ship S (transmitter / receiver 10) is uniform with respect to the horizontal plane of the sea surface in all directions.

On the other hand, when the ship S is shaken, the detection unit 3 detects the tilt angle of the ship and notifies the transmission unit 7 of the detected value. Transmission unit 7 receives the detection value, (see FIG. 7 (B)) so as to correct the deviation of the transmission beam by shaking the ship, adjusting the amplitude and phase of each transmission signal generator S _p. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7B, the transmission direction of the transmission beam with respect to the water can be maintained in a desired direction regardless of the ship's shaking.

[effect]
As described above, in the transmitting unit 12 according to the present embodiment, transmission signals generated by each of the at least two transmission signal generator S _p is synthesized, at least one ultrasonic transducer TD m @ _2, TD _m4 , TD _m6 ,... (First transmission element). Then, it is not necessary to provide a so-called transmission signal generator dedicated to the first transmission element, which corresponds to each ultrasonic transducer TD _m2 , TD _m4 , TD _m6,. Accordingly, the number of transmission signal generation units S ₁ , S ₃ , S ₅ ,... Can be made smaller than the number of ultrasonic transducers TD _m1 , TD _m2 , TD _m3,. Each first transmission element _{_{TD m2, TD m4, TD m6}} , transmission wave transmitted from _... is the synthetic wave of the transmission signal generated by each of the two transmission signal generating unit. Thereby, the phase of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from each first transmission element TD _m2 , TD _m4 , TD _m6 ,... Can be accurately controlled.

Therefore, the transmission unit 12 can accurately control the direction of the transmission beam while suppressing an increase in the number of transmission signal generation units.

Further, the transmitting unit 12, with reference to FIG. 6, each second transmission element _{_{_{TD m1, TD m3, TD m5}}} , pulse wave transmitted from ..., each transmission signal generator _S _{1, S} 3, S ₅ ,... Only composed of a pulse wave having a phase generated. Thereby, the phase of the pulse wave transmitted from each of the second transmitting elements TD _m1 , TD _m3 , TD _m5 ,... Can be easily controlled.

Further, in the transmission unit 12, referring to FIG. 6, it corresponds to two second transmission elements (TD _m1 and TD _m3 , TD _m3 and TD _m5 ,...) Adjacent in a predetermined direction (circumferential direction). Each pulse wave generated by two provided transmission signal generation units (S ₁ and S ₃ , S ₃ and S ₅ ,...) Is arranged between two adjacent second transmission elements. _Are distributed to the elements TD _m2 , TD _m4 , TD _m6,.

In the present embodiment, the phase of the pulse wave transmitted from the second transmission elements TD _m1 , TD _m3 , TD _m5 ,... Is gradually shifted along the circumferential direction. Therefore, the phase shift of the pulse wave transmitted from the two second transmission elements (TD _m1 and TD _m3 , TD _m3 and TD _m5 ,...) Adjacent in the circumferential direction is relatively small. Therefore, the pulse waves generated from the two transmission signal generation units (S ₁ and S ₃ , S ₃ and S ₅ ,...) That generate two pulse waves with relatively small phase shifts in this way are used as the first. By distributing and synthesizing to the transmission elements TD _m2 , TD _m4 , TD _m6 ,..., The amplitude of the pulse wave transmitted from each first transmission element can be made comparable to the amplitude of the adjacent second transmission element. As a result, the direction of the transmission beam transmitted from the transducer 10 can be easily controlled.

Further, in the transmission unit 12, the second transmission elements TD _m1 , TD _m3 , TD _m5 ,... _Are arranged along the circumferential direction, and the first transmission elements TD _m2 , TD _m4 , TD _m6,. the second transmission element _TD m1 of two _adjacent, _TD _m3, TD _{_m5,} are arranged ... between. Thereby, in the annular array AR, the phase and amplitude of the pulse wave transmitted from each transmission element can be easily controlled while reducing the number of transmission elements for the plurality of ultrasonic transducers TD.

Further, in the transmission unit 12, in the cylindrical transducer 10 formed by a plurality of annular arrays AR _m (m = 1, 2,... M) arranged along the central axis of the annular array AR, The phase and amplitude of the pulse wave transmitted from each transmission element can be easily controlled while reducing the number of transmission elements for the ultrasonic transducer TD.

In the transmission unit 12, the circuit unit 15 is configured by a plurality of coils L1, L2, L2a, and L2b. Thereby, the pulse wave produced _| generated by each transmission signal production | generation part Sp can be appropriately distributed to each transmission element.

Further, in the sonar 1 according to the present embodiment, even when the horizontal plane of the ship S (the horizontal plane of the transducer 10) is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the sea surface (when the ship is shaken), the fluctuation is accurately measured. It can be corrected. Therefore, it is possible to accurately transmit the transmission beam to the same position in the sea regardless of the sway of the ship.

[Modification]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these, A various change is possible unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

(1) In the above embodiment, the circuit unit 15 is configured such that the voltage ratio of the pulse wave transmitted from each ultrasonic transducer _TDmn is the same, but this is not limitative. Specifically, the voltage ratio of the pulse wave transmitted from each ultrasonic transducer _TDmn is set to a different value by appropriately adjusting the number of turns of the first coil and the second coil constituting the circuit unit. You can also.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, a cylindrical transducer was described as an example of application of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a transmitter or a linear transducer.

(3) FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission unit 12a according to a modification, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 8, the ultrasonic vibrator _TD m1, _{TD m4,} ... are provided as a second transmission element, the ultrasonic transducer _{_{_{TD m2, TD m3, TD m5}}} , ..., is _{TD mN} It is provided as a first transmission element. According to this modification, as shown in FIG. 8, the number of transmission signal generation units can be reduced as compared with the case of the above embodiment.

(4) FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission unit 12b according to a modification, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. In FIG. 9, the pulse wave generated by each of the two transmission circuits is distributed to each of the three ultrasonic transducers TD _m1 , TD _m2 , and TD _m3 by the circuit unit 15b, and the three ultrasonic vibrations. Each of the children TD _m1 , TD _m2 , and TD _m3 transmits a combined wave of transmission waves generated by the two transmission circuits. That is, the plurality of ultrasonic transducers TD _m1 , TD _m2 , TD _m3 ,... In the present modification do not include the second transmission element, but include only the plurality of first transmission elements. Even with such a configuration, the phase of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic transducers TD _m1 , TD _m2 , TD _m3,. Can be controlled.

(5) In the above embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers TD _mn of the transducer 10 are arranged in a staggered manner, but this is not _limiting , and the ultrasonic transducers TD _mn are arranged along the circumferential direction and the axial direction. That is, you may arrange in a grid | lattice form.

(6) In the above embodiment, the sonar has been described as an application example of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to other devices including a transmission unit, such as a radar. In this case, the radar handles electromagnetic waves as transmission waves.

[Example]
In this example, the transmission beam transmitted by the transmission unit 12 described in the above embodiment was simulated. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the simulation result of the transmission beam transmitted by the transmission unit 12 described in the above embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 10A is an image showing a simulation result indicating the intensity of each direction of the transmission beam transmitted in a predetermined direction by the transmission unit 12. FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram for explaining the roll angle, and is a view of the ship on which the sonar is mounted as viewed from the rear. Below, the simulation result (FIG. 10 (A)) by a present Example was compared with the simulation result (FIG. 11 (B), FIG.12 (B), and FIG.13 (B)) by three comparative examples. In each figure, the intensity of the transmission beam is shown corresponding to the density of hatching. Specifically, a region where the intensity of the transmission beam is high is indicated by dark hatching, and a region where the intensity of the transmission beam is low is indicated by thin hatching (or no hatching).

The simulation results in each figure show that the transmission beam is transmitted along the horizontal plane when the ship on which the sonar is mounted is tilted 15 degrees to the right as viewed from behind (see FIG. 10B). The intensity characteristic of the transmission beam in the case is shown. However, as will be described in detail later, in the simulation results shown in FIG. 11B (Comparative Example 1), the ship shake correction is not performed. That is, FIG. 11B shows a simulation result when the transmission beam is transmitted along the horizontal plane of the ship tilted as shown in FIG. Moreover, the structure of the transmitter / receiver of the transmission unit of a present Example and a comparative example was taken as the structure shown in FIG. 4 (12 elements in the vertical direction x 20 elements = 240 elements in the circumferential direction). In addition, the simulation was performed with the interval between the ultrasonic transducers adjacent in the circumferential direction being 0.8λ and the interval between the ultrasonic transducers adjacent in the vertical direction being 0.5λ. Note that a Chebyshev weight of −30 dB is applied in the vertical direction to suppress side lobes.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the comparative example 1, and is a diagram for explaining a simulation result by a transmission unit that does not have a shake correction function. Specifically, FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the transmission unit of Comparative Example 1, and FIG. 11B is a transmission transmitted from the transmission unit illustrated in FIG. It is a figure which shows the simulation result of a beam. As shown in FIG. 11 (A), in Comparative Example 1, each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers TD _X, it is controlled by one transmission signal generator tm _X.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the comparative example 2, and is a diagram for explaining a simulation result by a transmission unit having a fluctuation correction function different from that of the above-described embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the transmission unit of Comparative Example 2, and FIG. 12B is a transmission transmitted from the transmission unit illustrated in FIG. It is a figure which shows the simulation result of a beam. As shown in FIG. 12A, in the comparative example 2, each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers TD _Y is individually controlled by the corresponding transmission circuit tm _Y. That is, in the comparative example 2, one ultrasonic transducer TD _Y is controlled by one corresponding transmission circuit tm _Y.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the comparative example 3. As in the comparative example 2, FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the simulation result by the transmission unit having the fluctuation correcting function different from the embodiment described above. is there. Specifically, FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the transmission unit of Comparative Example 3, and FIG. 13B is a transmission transmitted from the transmission unit illustrated in FIG. It is a figure which shows the simulation result of a beam. As shown in FIG. 13 (A), in the Comparative Example 3, each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers pairs constituting a plurality of ultrasonic transducers TD _Z, are controlled by the transmit circuit tm _Z corresponding to each . That is, in Comparative Example 3, two ultrasonic transducers TD _Z, are controlled by a single transmission circuit tm _Z.

The simulation result of Comparative Example 1 (see FIG. 11B) shows that the azimuth of the transmission beam fluctuates in a range of about ± 15 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction (the direction in which the vertical azimuth is 0 degrees). As a result, the beam transmission direction is shifted. Further, the simulation result of Comparative Example 3 (see FIG. 13B) shows that the transmission beam is slightly spread in the horizontal direction although the direction of the transmission beam is approximately 0 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. In addition to the horizontal direction, a beam having a relatively high intensity (dark hatching) that is considered to be caused by the side lobe is transmitted.

On the other hand, the simulation results of the present embodiment (see FIG. 10A) show that the transmission direction of the transmission beam extends over all directions (0 degrees to 360 degrees) in the horizontal direction, regardless of the movement of the ship. It is around 0 degrees (near the horizontal direction). In addition, a strong beam is not transmitted in an angular direction away from the horizontal direction (direction in which the vertical direction is 0 degrees). This simulation result is substantially the same as the simulation result of Comparative Example 2 (see FIG. 12B) in which each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers is individually controlled.

As described above, according to the present example and the comparative example, the configuration of the transmission unit according to the above embodiment is a configuration suitable for reducing the number of transmission signal generation units and directing the transmission beam in a desired direction. I was able to confirm.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10

Transmitter

12, 12a,

12b Transmission unit

15, 15a, 15b Circuit part S Transmission signal generation part TD Ultrasonic transducer (transmission element)

Claims

A transmitter having a plurality of transmission elements each transmitting a transmission wave;
A plurality of transmission signal generators each generating a phase-adjusted transmission signal;
A circuit unit that synthesizes at least two transmission signals and outputs the synthesized signal to at least one first transmission element included in the plurality of transmission elements;
A wave transmission unit comprising:
The transmission unit according to claim 1, wherein
The plurality of transmission elements further include a plurality of second transmission elements provided corresponding to each of the transmission signal generation units,
The circuit unit outputs the transmission signals generated by the transmission signal generation units to the corresponding second transmission elements,
Each said 2nd transmission element transmits the transmission wave based on the transmission signal produced | generated by each said transmission signal production | generation part corresponding to each said 2nd transmission element, The transmission unit characterized by the above-mentioned.
The transmission unit according to claim 2,
The plurality of second transmission elements are arranged along a predetermined direction,
Each of the plurality of first transmission elements is disposed between two second transmission elements adjacent in the predetermined direction,
The transmission wave transmitted from each of the first transmission elements is a combination of transmission signals generated by the two transmission signal generation units corresponding to the two second transmission elements adjacent to the first transmission element. A wave transmission unit characterized by being a wave.
The transmission unit according to claim 3,
An annular array in which at least a part of the plurality of first transmission elements and at least a part of the plurality of second transmission elements are arranged along a circumferential direction as the predetermined direction are further provided. A feature of the transmission unit.
The transmission unit according to claim 4,
The wave transmission unit according to claim 1, wherein the wave transmitter is formed in a cylindrical shape by arranging a plurality of the ring arrays along a central axis direction of the ring array.
The transmission unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The circuit unit includes a first coil electrically connected to each transmission signal generation unit and a second coil electrically connected to each transmission element. Transmission unit.
The transmission unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The wave transmission unit, wherein the transmission wave is an electromagnetic wave or an ultrasonic wave.
The transmission unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A receiving unit that receives a reflected wave of a transmission wave transmitted from the transmission unit;
A signal processing unit for processing a received signal obtained by the receiving unit;
A display unit for displaying video based on the video signal generated by the signal processing unit;
Sonar, characterized by comprising