WO2017006524A1

WO2017006524A1 - Beam tilt angle control device, antenna system, wireless communication device, and beam tilt angle control method

Info

Publication number: WO2017006524A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/002950
Authority: WO
Inventors: 浩介田邊
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社
Priority date: 2015-07-09
Filing date: 2016-06-20
Publication date: 2017-01-12

Abstract

A beam tilt angle control device (1) of the present invention is provided with at least a dielectric plate (11), and a dielectric plate (12) that is disposed such that at least a part thereof overlaps the dielectric plate (11) in the thickness direction. A beam tilt angle control device (1) of the present invention is configured such that the tilt angle of a beam propagating in the thickness direction of the dielectric plates (11, 12) is controlled by changing the area where the dielectric plates (11, 12) overlap each other in the thickness direction of the dielectric plates (11, 12).

Description

Beam tilt angle control device, antenna system, wireless communication device, and beam tilt angle control method

The present invention relates to a beam tilt angle control device, an antenna system, a radio communication device, and a beam tilt angle control method, and more particularly to a beam tilt angle control device, an antenna system, a radio communication device, and a beam using at least two dielectric plates. The present invention relates to a tilt angle control method.

In radio communication using microwaves, a parabolic antenna or a planar antenna with directivity is used. In wireless communication using a directional antenna, the beam direction may be shifted due to a positional shift at the time of antenna installation or vibration of the antenna, which may affect the wireless communication.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a planar microwave antenna that can easily finely adjust the beam directivity while the antenna is fixed. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for adjusting a tilt angle of a beam by providing a dielectric cover having an inclination angle so as to face a slot array antenna.

JP-A-7-170121 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-15408

As described in the background art, in wireless communication using a directional antenna, the beam direction may be shifted due to a positional shift or the like when the antenna is installed. For example, such a deviation in the beam direction can be corrected by adjusting the tilt angle of the beam. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the tilt angle of a beam is adjusted by displacing the positions of two fan-shaped (center angle is 90 degrees) beam tilt plates within the same plane.

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, only two fan-shaped beam tilt plates are displaced in the same plane (that is, the two beam tilt plates do not overlap). When the tilt angle is controlled, there is a problem that the phase efficiency is lowered and the gain is lowered.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a beam tilt angle control device, an antenna system, a wireless communication device, and a beam tilt angle control method capable of suppressing a decrease in gain when controlling the tilt angle of a beam. That is.

A beam tilt angle control device according to the present invention includes a first dielectric plate, and a second dielectric plate at least partially disposed so as to be able to overlap with the first dielectric plate in the thickness direction. The thickness direction of the first and second dielectric plates is provided by changing at least the area where the first and second dielectric plates overlap in the thickness direction of the first and second dielectric plates. The tilt angle of the beam propagating to is controlled.

A beam tilt angle control method according to the present invention includes: a first dielectric plate; and a second dielectric plate at least partially disposed so as to be able to overlap with the first dielectric plate in the thickness direction. In the beam tilt angle control method used, the first and second dielectric plates are changed by changing the overlapping area of the first and second dielectric plates in the thickness direction of the first and second dielectric plates. The tilt angle of the beam propagating in the thickness direction of the dielectric plate is controlled.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a beam tilt angle control device, an antenna system, a wireless communication device, and a beam tilt angle control method capable of suppressing a decrease in gain when controlling the beam tilt angle.

1 is a front view showing a beam tilt angle control device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line III-III in FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between rotation angle (alpha) 1 and (alpha) 2 and tilt angle (delta) of a beam tilt angle control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the simulation result of the relationship between rotation angle (alpha) 1, (alpha) 2 of a beam tilt angle control apparatus, and a tilt angle. It is sectional drawing which shows the antenna system provided with the beam tilt angle control apparatus concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the antenna system according to the first exemplary embodiment; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the antenna system according to the first exemplary embodiment; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the antenna system according to the first exemplary embodiment; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the antenna system according to the first exemplary embodiment. It is the front view and side view which show the beam tilt angle control apparatus concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the antenna system concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the antenna system concerning Embodiment 3. It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the antenna system concerning Embodiment 4. It is a front view which shows the other structural example of a beam tilt angle control apparatus. It is the front view and sectional drawing which show the other structural example of a beam tilt angle control apparatus. It is the front view and sectional drawing which show the other structural example of a beam tilt angle control apparatus. It is a front view which shows the other structural example of a beam tilt angle control apparatus. It is the front view and sectional drawing which show the other structural example of a beam tilt angle control apparatus.

<Embodiment 1>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of the beam tilt angle control apparatus according to the first embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line III-III in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the beam tilt angle control device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a dielectric plate 11 (first dielectric plate), a dielectric plate 12 (second dielectric plate), Is provided. Each of the dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 is a semicircular plate-like member, and can be configured using a resin material (relative dielectric constant is about 3 to 4) such as polycarbonate or ABS resin. For example, the diameters of the dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 can be the same.

2 and 3, at least a part of the dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 are arranged so as to be superposed in the thickness direction (z-axis direction) of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12, respectively. The dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 are arranged so that the principal surfaces of the dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 are parallel to the xy plane, respectively.

The dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 are configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 13. For example, the dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 are configured to be rotatable in directions opposite to each other about the rotation shaft 13. Here, when the angle between the diameter of the dielectric plate 11 and the x axis is α1, and the angle between the diameter of the dielectric plate 12 and the x axis is α2, the dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 are rotated. When rotating in the opposite directions around the moving shaft 13, it rotates while maintaining the relationship of α1 = α2. Specifically, when the dielectric plate 11 is rotated clockwise by an angle α1, the dielectric plate 12 is rotated counterclockwise by an angle α2 (α2 = α1).

In this embodiment, the beam propagates in the z-axis direction, that is, in the thickness direction of the dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12. When the beam passes through the

dielectric plates

11 and 12, the speed of the electromagnetic field of the beam is delayed. For example, if the phase delay amount per

dielectric plate

11 and 12 is Δθ, Δθ can be expressed by the following equation.

Here, ε _r is the dielectric constant of the dielectric plate, t is the thickness of the dielectric plate, and λ is the wavelength in free space. For example, when the relative dielectric constant of the dielectric plate is ε _r = 3, the wavelength is λ = 5 [mm] (frequency 60 [GHz]), and the thickness of the dielectric plate is t = 2 [mm], Δθ = π / 8 [rad] (45 degrees).

As shown in FIG. 1, in the beam tilt angle control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 are configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 13. Therefore, in the z-axis direction through which the beam passes, a region 19 without a dielectric plate, a region with one dielectric plate (see the cross-sectional view in FIG. 3), and a region with two dielectric plates (the cross-section in FIG. 2) (See the figure) can be variably formed. Here, the region 19 without the dielectric plate has a phase delay amount of 0, the region with one dielectric plate has a phase delay amount of Δθ, and the region with two dielectric plates has a phase delay amount of 2. × Δθ.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angles α1 and α2 of the beam tilt angle control device 1 and the tilt angle δ (the angle formed by the normal of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12 and the beam direction). The horizontal axis of the graph of FIG. 4 is the radiation angle, and the vertical axis is the gain. As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 4, when the angles α1 and α2 of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12 are 0 degrees (α1 = α2 = 0 degrees), the two

semicircular dielectric plates

11 and 12 are Form one circle. At this time, since the beam passes through one dielectric plate in the entire circle, the tilt angle of the beam does not change. Therefore, the radiation angle of the beam does not change (δ = δ0 = 0 degree).

On the other hand, as shown in the center diagram of FIG. 4, when the angles α1 and α2 of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12 are each 30 degrees (α1 = α2 = 30 degrees), that is, the dielectric plate 11 is rotated clockwise. When α1 = 30 degrees is rotated and the dielectric plate 12 is rotated counterclockwise by α2 = 30 degrees, the beam radiation angle is shifted to the x-axis minus side. The tilt angle at this time is δ = δ1 (δ1> 0).

Further, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 4, when the angles α1 and α2 of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12 are 60 degrees (α1 = α2 = 60 degrees), that is, the dielectric plate 11 is rotated α1 clockwise. When the dielectric plate 12 is rotated counterclockwise by α2 = 60 degrees and the dielectric plate 12 is rotated counterclockwise by α2 = 60 degrees, the beam radiation angle is shifted to the x-axis minus side. The tilt angle at this time is δ = δ2 (δ2> δ1).

In the beam tilt angle control apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, since two

semicircular dielectric plates

11 and 12 are used, the two

semicircular dielectric plates

11 and 12 overlap in a semicircular shape. That is, when α1 = α2 = 90 degrees, the tilt angle of the beam on the negative side of the x axis becomes the largest.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a simulation result of the relationship between the rotation angles α1 and α2 of the beam tilt angle control device 1 and the tilt angle. The horizontal axis of the graph of FIG. 5 is the radiation angle, and the vertical axis is the gain. The simulation result shown in FIG. 5 is a simulation result when the diameter of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12 is 200 [mm]. The relative dielectric constant of the dielectric plate is ε _r = 3, the wavelength is λ = 5 [mm] (frequency 60 [GHz]), and the thickness of the dielectric plate is t = 2 [mm]. In this case, from the above equation (1), Δθ = π / 8 [rad] (45 degrees).

As shown in FIG. 5, as the angles α1 and α2 of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12 are increased, the radiation angle of the beam is shifted to the minus side. This result corresponds to the operation of the beam tilt angle control device 1 described in FIG. Further, for example, focusing on the result that the angles α1 and α2 of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12 are 0 degrees, the gain decreases by 5 [dB] when the radiation angle is shifted by 1 degree. In other words, this means that the gain decreases by 5 [dB] when the angle of the antenna device is shifted by 1 degree. However, by shifting the radiation angle of the beam by 1 degree using the beam tilt angle control device 1 according to the present embodiment, the angle deviation of the antenna device can be compensated, and the gain is improved by 5 [dB]. can do.

As described above, the beam tilt angle control device 1 according to the present embodiment changes the area where the

dielectric plates

11 and 12 overlap in the thickness direction (z-axis direction) of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12, thereby The tilt angle of the beam propagating in the thickness direction of the

plates

11 and 12 can be controlled.

As described in the background art, in radio communication using microwaves, a parabolic antenna or a planar antenna having directivity is used. In wireless communication using a directional antenna, the beam direction may be shifted due to a positional shift at the time of antenna installation or vibration of the antenna, which may affect the wireless communication.

Specifically, when installing the antenna, adjust the direction of the antenna using metal fittings. After adjusting the direction of the antenna, tighten it with bolts and nuts to fix the antenna. However, the direction of the antenna slightly shifts when this final tightening is performed, affecting wireless communication. There was a case. This problem is particularly problematic when the beam width of the antenna is narrow.

Also, the antenna may be attached to a thin pole. In this case, for example, the pole may sway due to traffic such as a car or strong wind. When the beam width of the antenna is narrow, the beam deviation of the antenna due to the swing of the pole becomes a problem.

For example, such a beam shift can be corrected by adjusting the tilt angle of the beam. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the tilt angle of a beam is adjusted by displacing the positions of two fan-shaped (center angle is 90 degrees) beam tilt plates within the same plane.

On the other hand, in the beam tilt angle control device 1 according to the present embodiment, the dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 at least partially disposed so as to be able to overlap with the dielectric plate 11 in the thickness direction are provided. The tilt angle of the beam propagating in the thickness direction of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12 is controlled by changing the area where the

dielectric plates

11 and 12 overlap at least in the thickness direction of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12. Yes.

That is, in the beam tilt angle control device 1 according to the present embodiment, at least a part of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12 overlap each other in the thickness direction, so that the region without the dielectric plate, that is, the dielectric plate One region and two regions of the dielectric plate can be variably formed. Here, the phase delay amount is 0 in the region without the dielectric plate, the phase delay amount is Δθ in the region with one dielectric plate, and the phase delay amount is 2 × in the region with two dielectric plates. Δθ.

In other words, in the beam tilt angle control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, at least a part of two or more dielectric plates are arranged so as to overlap each other in the thickness direction, thereby providing three or more different phase delay amounts. A region having the same can be formed. On the other hand, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, only regions having two different phase delay amounts are formed. Therefore, in the beam tilt angle control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the phase distribution in the plane perpendicular to the traveling direction of the beam can be made smoother than the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, so that the beam The phase efficiency can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in gain when controlling the tilt angle of the beam.

In the above description, the case where the beam tilt angle control device 1 shifts the beam to the x-axis minus side has been described (see FIG. 4). However, in the beam tilt angle control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the beam may be shifted to the x-axis plus side. In this case, the dielectric plate 11 shown in the left diagram of FIG. 4 (α1 = α2 = 0 degrees) is rotated counterclockwise and the dielectric plate 12 is rotated clockwise. In other words, the

dielectric plates

11 and 12 are gathered on the x-axis plus side.

Similarly, in the beam tilt angle control apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the beam may be shifted to the y-axis plus side, or the beam may be shifted to the y-axis minus side. Further, the beam may be shifted in an oblique direction. That is, in the beam tilt angle control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the tilt angle of the beam propagating in the thickness direction of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12 is changed by changing the overlapping area and the overlapping position of the

dielectric plates

11 and 12. Can be controlled arbitrarily.

In the above description, the case where the dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 are rotated while maintaining the relationship of α1 = α2 when the dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 can be rotated in the opposite directions around the rotation shaft 13 has been described. However, in the beam tilt angle control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 are rotated, α1 and α2 may have different values. Thus, by independently controlling the values of α1 and α2, the tilt angle of the beam can be controlled more flexibly.

In the above description, the case where the semicircular dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 are used has been described. However, in the beam tilt angle control device 1 according to the present embodiment, a fan-shaped dielectric plate (having a central angle of (Greater than 0 and smaller than 360) may be used (when the central angle is 180 degrees, the shape is semicircular). Further, for example, the diameters of the dielectric plate 11 and the dielectric plate 12 may be different. Moreover, it is good also as a shape which notched the fan-shaped center side. That is, in the beam tilt angle control device 1 according to the present embodiment, the shape of the dielectric plate can be determined according to the tilt angle of the beam. Further, the plurality of dielectric plates may have different shapes.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an antenna system provided with the beam tilt angle control device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the antenna system 5_1 includes a beam tilt angle control device 1 and an antenna device 14. For example, the antenna device 14 is configured using a parabolic antenna, and the beam tilt angle control device 1 is disposed so as to face the radiation surface of the antenna device 14. When a beam is radiated from the antenna device 14, the beam radiated from the antenna device 14 passes through the beam tilt angle control device 1 and is then radiated to the space. When the beam is incident on the antenna device 14, the beam after passing through the beam tilt angle control device 1 is received by the antenna device 14. Note that the configuration and operation of the beam tilt angle control device 1 are the same as those described above.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the antenna system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the antenna system 5_2 includes a beam tilt angle control device 1 and an antenna device 14. For example, the antenna device 14 is configured using a parabolic antenna, and the beam tilt angle control device 1 is disposed so as to face the radiation surface of the antenna device 14. Further, in the antenna system 5_2 shown in FIG. 7, the beam tilt angle control device 1 is disposed inside the radome 15. By arranging the beam tilt angle control device 1 inside the radome 15 in this way, the beam tilt angle control device 1 can be protected from the external environment (such as wind and rain), and the landscape can be improved.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the antenna system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the antenna system 5_3 includes a beam tilt angle control device 1, a lens antenna 16, and a primary radiator 17. Here, the lens antenna 16 and the primary radiator 17 constitute an antenna device. The surface on the primary radiator 17 side of the lens antenna 16 is convex (curved), and the surface on the side opposite to the primary radiator 17 is flat. Further, the beam tilt angle control device 1 is disposed so as to face the radiation surface of the lens antenna 16.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the antenna system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the antenna system 5_4 includes a beam tilt angle control device 1, a lens antenna 18, and a primary radiator 17. Here, the lens antenna 18 and the primary radiator 17 constitute an antenna device. The surface on the primary radiator 17 side of the lens antenna 18 is a flat surface, and the surface on the side opposite to the primary radiator 17 is convex (curved). In the antenna system 5_4 illustrated in FIG. 9, the beam tilt angle control device 1 is disposed between the lens antenna 18 and the primary radiator 17.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the antenna system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the antenna system 5_5 includes a beam tilt angle control device 1 ', a lens antenna 19, and a primary radiator 17. Here, the lens antenna 19 and the primary radiator 17 constitute an antenna device. The surface of the lens antenna 19 on the primary radiator 17 side is a flat surface, and the surface on the side opposite to the primary radiator 17 is convex (curved). In the antenna system 5_5 shown in FIG. 10, the dielectric plates 11 ′ and 12 ′ (beam tilt angle control device 1 ′) having a shape (curved shape) corresponding to the convex surface of the lens antenna 19 are used. It arrange | positions so that a planar surface may be opposed.

The antenna system described above can be used for any wireless communication device.

According to the invention described above, it is possible to provide a beam tilt angle control device, an antenna system, a wireless communication device, and a beam tilt angle control method capable of suppressing a decrease in gain when controlling the tilt angle of a beam. .

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a front view and a side view showing the beam tilt angle control apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the beam tilt angle control device 2 according to the present embodiment includes a dielectric plate 21 and a dielectric plate 22. The dielectric plate 21 and the dielectric plate 22 respectively leave a part of the

circular dielectric plates

23 and 25 in a semicircular shape (indicated by reference numerals 24 and 26) while leaving the outer peripheral portions of the

circular dielectric plates

23 and 25. It is a shape that penetrates the surface. The dielectric plate 21 and the dielectric plate 22 can be configured using a resin material (relative dielectric constant is about 3 to 4) such as polycarbonate or ABS resin. For example, the diameters of the dielectric plate 21 and the dielectric plate 22 can be the same.

As shown in the side view of FIG. 11, the dielectric plate 21 and the dielectric plate 22 are arranged so as to overlap in the thickness direction of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22, respectively. The dielectric plate 21 and the dielectric plate 22 are configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 29. For example, the dielectric plate 21 and the dielectric plate 22 are configured to be rotatable in directions opposite to each other about the rotation shaft 29. A rotation mechanism 27 is provided on the side surface side of the dielectric plate 21. The rotation mechanism 27 rotates while contacting the side surface of the dielectric plate 21, so that the dielectric plate 21 moves the rotation shaft 29. Rotate to the center. Similarly, a rotation mechanism 28 is provided on the side surface side of the dielectric plate 22, and the rotation of the rotation mechanism 28 while contacting the side surface of the dielectric plate 22 causes the dielectric plate 22 to rotate. It rotates around the shaft 29. The rotation mechanism 27 and the rotation mechanism 28 are driven using a motor 34_1 and a motor 34_2 (generically referred to as the motor 34 in FIG. 11), respectively.

Note that the operation of controlling the tilt angle of the beam using the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and therefore a duplicate description is omitted.

Next, the antenna system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the antenna system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the antenna system 30_1 according to the present embodiment includes a beam tilt angle control device 2, an antenna device 14, a radio device 31, a sensor 32, a displacement amount detection unit 41, an angle detection unit 42, and a control unit 43. , A drive unit 44, motors 34_1 and 34_2, and encoders 35_1 and 35_2.

The reception signal received by the antenna device 14 is supplied to the wireless device 31. The wireless device 31 performs predetermined signal processing on the received signal. The sensor 32 detects the displacement of the antenna device 14. The displacement information of the antenna device 14 detected by the sensor 32 is supplied to the displacement amount detection unit 41. For example, the sensor 32 can be configured using an acceleration sensor attached to the antenna device 14. The displacement amount detection unit 41 calculates the displacement amount of the antenna device 14 using the displacement information (acceleration information) supplied from the sensor 32, and outputs the calculated displacement amount to the control unit 43.

The angle detection unit 42 acquires the rotation angle information of the dielectric plate 21 from the encoder 35_1 and outputs the acquired rotation angle information to the control unit 43. Similarly, the angle detection unit 42 acquires the rotation angle information of the dielectric plate 22 from the encoder 35_2, and outputs the acquired rotation angle information to the control unit 43.

The control unit 43 controls the positions of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 based on the displacement amount of the antenna device 14 detected by the sensor 32. Specifically, the control unit 43 uses the displacement amount of the antenna device 14 supplied from the displacement amount detection unit 41 to determine the target positions (that is, target angles) of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22. At this time, the control unit 43 determines the tilt angle of the beam that maximizes the gain of the beam received by the antenna device 14 (that is, the tilt angle that cancels the displacement of the antenna device 14). A target angle of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 to be a tilt angle is determined. Then, the control unit 43 obtains the rotation angle information of the dielectric plates 21 and 22 (that is, the current rotation angle information of the dielectric plates 21 and 22) acquired from the angle detection unit 42 and the

dielectric plates

21 and 22. Are compared with each other, and the drive amount for the angle of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 to be the target angle is calculated. The calculated drive amount is supplied to the drive unit 44 as a control signal.

The drive unit 44 drives the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 according to the control signal (drive amount) output from the control unit 43. Specifically, the drive unit 44 outputs a drive signal corresponding to the control signal (drive amount) supplied from the control unit 43 to the motors 34_1 and 34_2. The motors 34_1 and 34_2 respectively rotate the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 in accordance with the drive signal supplied from the drive unit 44. By such an operation, the angle of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 can be set as a target angle. Therefore, the tilt angle of the beam can be set to a tilt angle that maximizes the gain.

Also in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a beam tilt angle control device, an antenna system, a wireless communication device, and a beam tilt angle control method capable of suppressing a decrease in gain when controlling the beam tilt angle. .

<Embodiment 3>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of the antenna system according to the third embodiment. The antenna system 30_2 according to the present embodiment is different from the antenna system 30_1 described in the second embodiment in that the sensor 32 and the displacement amount detection unit 41 are not provided, the reception level detection unit 51 is provided, In addition, the operation of the control unit 53 is different. Since other than this is the same as that of the antenna system 30_1 according to the second embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

The radio 31 outputs a reception level signal (for example, RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)) corresponding to the signal level of the received signal received by the antenna device 14 to the reception level detection unit 51. The reception level detection unit 51 detects the reception level of the signal received by the antenna device 14. Specifically, the reception level detection unit 51 detects the reception level of the antenna device 14 using the reception level signal supplied from the wireless device 31, and outputs the detected reception level to the control unit 53.

The control unit 53 controls the positions of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 based on the reception level detected by the reception level detection unit 51. Specifically, the control unit 53 instructs the drive unit 44 to drive the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 while monitoring the reception level of the antenna device 14 supplied from the reception level detection unit 51. Then, when the reception level of the antenna device 14 supplied from the reception level detection unit 51 reaches the maximum value (or may exceed a predetermined threshold), the control unit 53 may adjust the

dielectric plates

21 and 22. The drive unit 44 is instructed to stop driving. In this way, by driving the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 while monitoring the reception level of the antenna device 14, the angles α1 and α2 of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 at which the reception level of the antenna device 14 becomes the maximum value ( Alternatively, the angles α1 and α2 of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 exceeding a predetermined threshold may be specified. At this time, since the rotation angle information of the dielectric plates 21 and 22 (that is, the current rotation angle information of the dielectric plates 21 and 22) is supplied from the angle detection unit 42 to the control unit 53, the control unit 53 53 can grasp the angles α1 and α2 of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 at which the reception level of the antenna device 14 becomes the maximum value. Information on the angles α1 and α2 can be used in the next control.

<Embodiment 4>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram of a system configuration of the antenna system according to the fourth embodiment. The antenna system 30_3 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the antenna system 30_1 described in the second embodiment and the antenna system 30_2 described in the third embodiment are combined. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as antenna system 30_1 and 30_2 concerning Embodiment 2, 3, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

The control unit 63 included in the antenna system 30_3 according to the present embodiment can be implemented by combining the operation of the antenna system 30_1 described in the second embodiment and the operation of the antenna system 30_2 described in the third embodiment. . That is, the control unit 63 controls the positions of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 based on the displacement amount of the antenna device 14 detected by the sensor 32 and the reception level detected by the reception level detection unit 51.

For example, the control unit 63 determines the target position (that is, the target angle) of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 using the displacement amount of the antenna device 14 supplied from the displacement amount detection unit 41. At this time, the control unit 63 determines the tilt angle of the beam so that the gain of the beam received by the antenna device 14 is maximized, and sets the target angle of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 for setting the beam to this tilt angle. decide. Then, the control unit 63 obtains the rotation angle information of the dielectric plates 21 and 22 (that is, the current rotation angle information of the dielectric plates 21 and 22) acquired from the angle detection unit 42 and the

dielectric plates

21 and 22. Are compared with each other to calculate the driving amount for setting the angles of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 to the target angle. The calculated drive amount is supplied to the drive unit 44 as a control signal.

The drive unit 44 outputs a drive signal corresponding to the control signal (drive amount) supplied from the control unit 63 to the motors 34_1 and 34_2. The motors 34_1 and 34_2 respectively rotate the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 in accordance with the drive signal supplied from the drive unit 44.

Then, when the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 are rotated, the control unit 63 monitors the reception level detected by the reception level detection unit 51. In this way, by monitoring the reception level, even if the target angles of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 are slightly shifted, the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 are moved to positions where the beam gain is maximized. be able to.

In the antenna system 30_3 according to the present embodiment, the operation of the antenna system 30_1 described in the second embodiment and the operation of the antenna system 30_2 described in the third embodiment may be used depending on the situation. Good. For example, the control unit 63 controls the positions of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 based on the displacement amount of the antenna device 14 detected by the sensor 32 with respect to the shaking (that is, rapid change) of the antenna device 14. (Refer to Embodiment 2). Further, when correcting a change in installation of the antenna device 14 (that is, a slow change) and an integration error of the angle detection unit 42, the control unit 53 is based on the reception level detected by the reception level detection unit 51. The positions of the

dielectric plates

21 and 22 may be controlled (see Embodiment 3).

<Other embodiments>
Hereinafter, as another embodiment, another configuration example of the beam tilt angle control device, that is, another configuration example of the dielectric plate will be described.

For example, as shown in the front view of FIG. 15, the beam tilt angle control device 70 is formed by cutting a circular dielectric plate with a straight line connecting two points on the circumference of the circular dielectric plate. Two

dielectric plates

71 and 72 may be used. As shown in the beam tilt angle control device 70_1 in FIG. 16, when the two

dielectric plates

71 and 72 are arranged so as not to overlap in the thickness direction, the phase delay of the beam passing through the beam tilt angle control device 70_1. The amount becomes uniform throughout the beam tilt angle control device 70_1 (phase delay amount Δθ). Therefore, the phase distribution of the beam becomes flat.

On the other hand, as shown in the beam tilt angle control device 70_2 of FIG. 16, the dielectric plate 72 is moved to the dielectric plate 71 side, and is arranged so that the dielectric plate 71 and the dielectric plate 72 overlap in the thickness direction. In this case, the number of dielectric plates in the thickness direction (that is, the number of dielectric plates through which the beam passes) can be changed (refer to the sectional view). More specifically, the area has two dielectric plates (phase delay amount is 2 × Δθ), one area (phase delay amount is Δθ), and the region 73 without dielectric plates (phase delay amount is 0). Can be formed. In this case, the amount of phase delay can be gradually reduced from the region having two dielectric plates toward the region 73 having no dielectric plate. Therefore, the phase distribution of the beam can be changed smoothly (see the phase distribution graph).

Further, for example, as shown in the front view of FIG. 17, the beam tilt angle control device 80 may be configured by using three

dielectric plates

81, 82, 83 having different shapes. Each of the three

dielectric plates

81, 82, 83 has a shape obtained by cutting a circle having the same diameter by a straight line connecting two points on the circumference. Therefore, when the

dielectric plates

81, 82, and 83 are stacked, the circumferential portions of the

dielectric plates

81, 82, and 83 coincide with each other.

For example, when each of the

dielectric plates

81, 82, 83 is arranged so as to overlap on the left side of FIG. 17, the number of dielectric plates in the thickness direction can be changed (refer to the sectional view). Specifically, there are three areas of dielectric plates (phase delay amount is 3 × Δθ), two areas (phase delay amount is 2 × Δθ), one area (phase delay amount is Δθ), and A region 84 having no dielectric plate (the phase delay amount is 0) can be formed. In this case, the amount of phase delay can be gradually reduced from the region having three dielectric plates to the region 84 having no dielectric plate. Therefore, the phase distribution of the beam can be changed smoothly (see the phase distribution graph). Since the beam tilt angle control device 80 shown in FIG. 17 uses three dielectric plates, the tilt of the phase distribution is larger than that of the beam tilt angle control device 70 using two dielectric plates shown in FIG. Can be smoothed.

Further, for example, as shown in the front view of FIG. 18, the beam tilt angle control device 90 may be configured by using four dielectric plates 91 to 94 having different shapes. For example, each of the

dielectric plates

91 and 94 can be formed by cutting the circular dielectric plate along a straight line connecting two points on the circumference of the circular dielectric plate. Each of the

dielectric plates

92 and 93 can be formed by cutting the circular dielectric plate along a straight line connecting two points on the circumference of the circular dielectric plate. That is, when the dielectric plate 91 and the dielectric plate 94 are combined, a circular shape is obtained, and when the dielectric plate 92 and the dielectric plate 93 are combined, a circular shape is formed.

As shown in the cross-sectional view of the beam tilt angle control device 90_1 in FIG. 19, the two

dielectric plates

91 and 94 are arranged so as not to overlap in the thickness direction, and the two

dielectric plates

92 and 93 are made thick. The

dielectric plates

91 and 94 and the

dielectric plates

92 and 93 are arranged so as to overlap each other in the thickness direction. In this case, since the beam passing through the beam tilt angle control device 90_1 always passes through the two dielectric plates, the phase delay amount is uniform in the entire beam tilt angle control device 90_1. Therefore, the phase distribution of the beam becomes flat.

On the other hand, as shown in the beam tilt angle control device 90_2 of FIG. 19, when the dielectric plates 91 to 94 are arranged so as to overlap on the left side of FIG. 19, the number of dielectric plates in the thickness direction can be changed. Yes (see cross-sectional view). Specifically, four dielectric plates (phase delay amount is 4 × Δθ), three regions (phase delay amount is 3 × Δθ), and two regions (phase delay amount is 2 × Δθ). One region (phase delay amount is Δθ) and a region 95 without a dielectric plate (phase delay amount is 0) can be formed. In this case, the phase delay amount can be gradually decreased from the region having four dielectric plates toward the region 95 having no dielectric plate. Therefore, the phase distribution of the beam can be changed smoothly (see the phase distribution graph). Since the beam tilt angle control device 90 shown in FIG. 19 uses four dielectric plates, the tilt of the phase distribution is larger than that of the beam tilt angle control device 80 using three dielectric plates shown in FIG. Can be smoothed.

In addition, the beam tilt angle control device 90 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 includes a plurality of combinations of dielectric plates that are circular when the two dielectric plates are aligned with each other on the same plane. Can be made flat, that is, a state where the beam is not tilted.

In the above description, the case where the thickness of each dielectric plate included in the beam tilt angle control device is the same has been described. However, the thickness of each dielectric plate may be different. In the above description, the material of each dielectric plate included in the beam tilt angle control device is the same. However, the material of each dielectric plate may be different. That is, in the present invention, the size, thickness, material, and the like of each dielectric plate included in the beam tilt angle control device can be determined in consideration of the beam characteristics and the beam tilt angle.

The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the invention.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-137620 filed on July 9, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

1, 2 Beam tilt

angle control device

11, 12 Dielectric plate 13 Rotating shaft 14 Antenna device 15

Radome

16, 18, 19 Lens antenna 17

Primary radiators

21, 22

Dielectric plates

27, 28 Rotating mechanism 31 Radio 32 Sensor 34, 34_1, 34_2 Motor 35_1, 35_2 Encoder 41 Displacement detection unit 42

Angle detection unit

43, 53, 63 Control unit 44 Drive unit 51 Reception level detection unit

Claims

A first dielectric plate;
And at least a part of the first dielectric plate, and a second dielectric plate disposed so as to be superposed in the thickness direction.
Propagating in the thickness direction of the first and second dielectric plates by changing the overlapping area of the first and second dielectric plates in the thickness direction of the first and second dielectric plates. Control the tilt angle of the beam,
Beam tilt angle control device.
The beam tilt angle control device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second dielectric plates is configured to be rotatable in directions opposite to each other about a rotation axis.
The beam tilt angle control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the first and second dielectric plates is semicircular.
The first and second dielectric plates each have a shape in which a part of the circular dielectric plate is pierced into a semicircular shape while leaving an outer peripheral portion of the circular dielectric plate. 3. The beam tilt angle control device according to 2.
The beam tilt angle control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the first and second dielectric plates has a fan shape.
3. The beam tilt angle control device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of combinations of a plurality of dielectric plates that are circular when the two dielectric plates are put together on the same plane.
A beam tilt angle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An antenna device arranged to face the beam tilt angle control device,
Antenna system.
A sensor for detecting a displacement of the antenna device;
A control unit for controlling the positions of the first and second dielectric plates based on a displacement amount of the antenna device detected by the sensor;
A drive unit that drives the first and second dielectric plates according to a control signal output from the control unit,
The antenna system according to claim 7.
A reception level detector that detects a reception level of a signal received by the antenna device;
A control unit for controlling the positions of the first and second dielectric plates based on the reception level detected by the reception level detection unit;
A drive unit that drives the first and second dielectric plates according to a control signal output from the control unit,
The antenna system according to claim 7.
A sensor for detecting a displacement of the antenna device;
A reception level detector that detects a reception level of a signal received by the antenna device;
A controller that controls the positions of the first and second dielectric plates based on at least one of a displacement amount of the antenna device detected by the sensor and a reception level detected by the reception level detector;
A drive unit that drives the first and second dielectric plates according to a control signal output from the control unit,
The antenna system according to claim 7.
The antenna system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the beam tilt angle control device is disposed inside a radome.
The antenna device is a lens antenna;
The first and second dielectric plates provided in the beam tilt angle control device have a shape corresponding to the convex surface of the lens antenna.
The antenna system according to any one of claims 7 to 11.
A wireless communication apparatus comprising the antenna system according to any one of claims 7 to 12.
A beam tilt angle control method using a first dielectric plate and a second dielectric plate at least partially disposed so as to be able to overlap with the first dielectric plate in the thickness direction,
Propagating in the thickness direction of the first and second dielectric plates by changing the overlapping area of the first and second dielectric plates in the thickness direction of the first and second dielectric plates. Control the tilt angle of the beam,
Beam tilt angle control method.