WO2018088051A1 - Antenna device for in-vehicle mobile station, and in-vehicle mobile station - Google Patents

Antenna device for in-vehicle mobile station, and in-vehicle mobile station Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018088051A1
WO2018088051A1 PCT/JP2017/035017 JP2017035017W WO2018088051A1 WO 2018088051 A1 WO2018088051 A1 WO 2018088051A1 JP 2017035017 W JP2017035017 W JP 2017035017W WO 2018088051 A1 WO2018088051 A1 WO 2018088051A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
antenna
antenna elements
mobile station
vehicle
antenna device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2017/035017
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
麗 岳
竜宏 志村
Original Assignee
住友電気工業株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 住友電気工業株式会社 filed Critical 住友電気工業株式会社
Priority to JP2018550060A priority Critical patent/JP6988816B2/en
Publication of WO2018088051A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018088051A1/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
    • H01Q21/20—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart the units being spaced along or adjacent to a curvilinear path
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/24—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/02—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
    • H04B7/10—Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an on-vehicle mobile station antenna device and an on-vehicle mobile station.
  • This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-221380 filed on Nov. 14, 2016, and incorporates all the description content described in the above Japanese application.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses beam forming by a base station.
  • the antenna device for an in-vehicle mobile station that communicates with a mobile communication base station.
  • the antenna device includes a base attached to a vehicle and a plurality of first antenna elements supported by the base.
  • the plurality of first antenna elements are arranged circumferentially at equal intervals on a horizontal plane.
  • the horizontal plane does not have to physically exist in the antenna device, and may be a horizontal plane that is virtually conceived.
  • Each of the plurality of antenna elements has directivity directed outward in the radial direction of the circumference.
  • the cylindrical arrangement of the antenna elements suffices if a part of each antenna element (preferably the center in the horizontal direction of the antenna) is located on the virtual circumference, and the entire antenna element is on the virtual circumference. There is no need to be located. Therefore, the base for indicating the antenna element does not have to be circular, and may be polygonal.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle mobile station.
  • FIG. 2A is a plan view of the antenna device.
  • FIG. 2B is a side view of the antenna device.
  • FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the antenna device.
  • FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of antenna element switching.
  • FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of antenna element switching.
  • FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram of antenna element switching based on operation direction estimation.
  • FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram of antenna element switching based on operation direction estimation.
  • FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram of antenna element switching based on operation direction estimation.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the antenna device.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the antenna device.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the antenna device.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the antenna device.
  • FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of transmission path calibration.
  • FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of reception path calibration.
  • FIG. 12A is a configuration diagram of an antenna device according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 12B is a plan view of the antenna device according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 12C is a side view of the antenna device according to the second embodiment.
  • the relative positional relationship between a mobile station and a base station continues to fluctuate.
  • the relative change in the horizontal plane is severe.
  • This disclosure relates to a novel structure for accommodating all directions of a horizontal plane in an antenna device in an in-vehicle mobile station, not an antenna of a mobile station carried by a person such as a mobile phone and a smartphone.
  • an in-vehicle mobile station antenna device communicating with a mobile communication base station includes a base attached to a vehicle, a plurality of first antenna elements supported by the base, The plurality of first antenna elements are arranged circumferentially at equal intervals on a horizontal plane, and each has directivity directed outward in the radial direction of the circumference.
  • the plurality of first antenna elements are arranged so that beams can be directed in all horizontal directions. In this case, more stable communication with the base station is possible regardless of the direction of the base station in the horizontal plane.
  • the antenna element to be used can be switched.
  • a control unit is further provided for executing a switching process for switching the first antenna element selected as the used antenna element.
  • the antenna to be used can be switched according to the movement of the mobile station.
  • the number of used antenna elements and the circumferential interval after switching are the same as the number of used antenna elements and the circumferential interval before switching. In this case, variation in antenna gain due to switching can be prevented.
  • At least one of the plurality of used antenna elements after switching is preferably included in the plurality of used antenna elements before switching. In this case, the direction of the beam can be changed finely.
  • the switching process calculates a relative operation direction between the on-vehicle mobile station antenna device and the mobile communication base station, and is selected as the antenna element to be used based on the relative operation direction. It is preferable to include switching. In this case, switching can be easily performed based on the relative operation direction. Also, it is not necessary to perform beam sweep in all directions.
  • a plurality of calibration antenna elements for antenna calibration of each first antenna element.
  • the number of the plurality of calibration antenna elements is the same as the number of the plurality of first antenna elements, and the plurality of calibration antenna elements are positioned differently in the vertical direction from the plurality of first antenna elements. Are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the horizontal plane, and their respective circumferential positions coincide with the circumferential position of any one of the first antenna elements.
  • a plurality of second antenna elements equal in number to the plurality of first antenna elements are further provided, and the plurality of second antenna elements are arranged at positions different from each other in the vertical direction from the plurality of first antenna elements.
  • the plurality of second antenna elements may be disposed below the plurality of first antenna elements, and may be disposed radially outward of the circumference from the plurality of first antenna elements. . In this case, an obliquely inclined arrangement is obtained.
  • the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements each have directivity directed radially outward and obliquely upward of the circumference. In this case, directivity in an obliquely upward direction can be obtained.
  • the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements preferably form a non-directional beam on a horizontal plane. In this case, stable communication is possible regardless of the direction of the base station.
  • the tilt angle control of the beam is performed by array synthesis of the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements. In this case, tilt angle control according to the relative height position of the base station can be performed.
  • the in-vehicle mobile station may include the in-vehicle mobile station antenna device according to any one of (1) to (13).
  • FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 20 on which an in-vehicle mobile station 10 is mounted.
  • the in-vehicle mobile station 10 communicates with the mobile communication base station 30.
  • the base station 30 is installed at a relatively high place such as a rooftop of a building or a steel tower, and communicates with a mobile station on the ground.
  • the mobile communication is preferably communication using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves in order to realize high-speed communication.
  • Mobile communication using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves is, for example, a fifth generation mobile network (5G).
  • 5G fifth generation mobile network
  • beam forming is performed to compensate for propagation loss.
  • the directivity can be directed in a specific direction and the gain can be improved.
  • beam forming is performed not only by the base station 30 but also by the mobile station 10 and enables high-speed communication.
  • the in-vehicle mobile station 10 has an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements, which will be described later.
  • the vehicle 20 is a vehicle in transportation such as a bus or train.
  • the in-vehicle mobile station 10 according to the embodiment is connected to the wireless LAN wireless unit 40.
  • the wireless LAN wireless unit 40 is a wireless LAN access point, and provides a wireless LAN service to the wireless LAN terminal 50 in the vehicle.
  • the in-vehicle wireless LAN terminal 50 is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop computer that a passenger of the vehicle 20 has.
  • the terminal 50 of the passenger can be connected to the Internet via a wireless LAN and a mobile communication network.
  • the in-vehicle mobile station 10 includes an antenna device 100 for communicating with the base station 30.
  • FIG. 2 shows an example of the antenna device 100.
  • the antenna device 100 shown in FIG. 2 is preferably installed outside the vehicle 20 for communication with the base station 30 outside the vehicle 20.
  • the antenna device 100 can be disposed so as to protrude upward from the ceiling 20a of the vehicle 20 as shown in FIGS.
  • the XY plane in FIG. 2 is a horizontal plane
  • the Z direction indicates a vertical direction.
  • the ceiling 20a of the vehicle 20 is horizontal.
  • the horizontal means the horizontal in a state where the vehicle 20 stands upright on a horizontal surface. Therefore, for example, when the vehicle 20 stands upright on a horizontal surface and the ceiling 20a of the vehicle 20 is horizontal, the ceiling 20a is treated as a horizontal surface regardless of the posture of the vehicle. In other words, regarding the horizontal, it is not considered when the vehicle 20 is on an inclined surface or when the vehicle is inclined due to curve driving or the like.
  • the antenna device 100 has a base 110.
  • the base 110 shown in FIG. 2 has an attachment portion 111 that is attached to the vehicle.
  • the attachment part 111 is a plate-like member, for example, and is attached to the ceiling 20a of the vehicle 20, for example.
  • the attachment portion 111 is attached to the vehicle 20 by, for example, a fastener such as a bolt, an adhesive, or welding.
  • the base 110 includes a support 112 for the antenna element 120.
  • the antenna element 120 is a patch antenna element. Since the patch antenna element is formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate, the dielectric substrate is also the support 112 for the antenna element.
  • a flexible printed wiring board can be used as the dielectric.
  • the support 112 and the antenna element 120 are exposed, but are preferably covered and protected by a radome (not shown).
  • the support 112 is formed in a cylindrical shape in order to obtain a circumferential arrangement of the plurality of antenna elements 120.
  • the support 112 may have a cylindrical shape or a polygonal cylindrical shape (n-square cylindrical shape, where n is an integer of 3 or more). Since the polygon approximates a circle, the circumferential arrangement of the antenna elements 120 can be obtained even with the polygonal cylindrical support 112.
  • each antenna element 120 preferably the center in the horizontal direction of the antenna
  • the entire antenna element 120 is virtual. It is not necessary to be located on a certain circumference. If the support is cylindrical, an arrangement in which the entire antenna element 120 is located on a virtual circumference can be easily obtained.
  • n is not particularly limited, but n is preferably 6 or more, more preferably 12 or more, and further preferably 24 or more. The larger n is, the easier it is to handle in all horizontal plane directions.
  • the lower part of the support body 112 is connected to the mounting part 111.
  • the support body 112 is attached to the horizontal attachment portion 111 so that the cylinder axis 200 is oriented in the vertical direction (Z direction). Therefore, 32 (n) side surfaces 201 of the polygonal cylindrical support 112 are vertical surfaces.
  • a plurality of antenna elements 120 are formed on the side surface 201 (outer surface; antenna element support surface) of the support body 112.
  • the antenna element 120 is advantageously a planar antenna element, for example, in order to reduce the size of the antenna device 100.
  • a patch antenna element is employed as the planar antenna element.
  • the antenna element 120 is formed on each of the 32 (n) side surfaces 201 of the support 112. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2A, 32 (n) antenna elements 120 are circumferentially arranged on the support 112 in the horizontal plane (XY plane). In FIG. 2A, 32 antenna elements 120 in the circumferential direction are arranged at equal intervals over the entire circumference (360 °). In FIG. 2A, the circumferential angle ⁇ between any two antenna elements 120, 120 adjacent in the circumferential direction is 11.25 °.
  • a plurality of antenna elements 120 are arranged in the vertical direction on each of the 32 side surfaces 201 of the support 112.
  • four stages of antenna elements 120 are arranged in the vertical direction.
  • the number and arrangement of the antenna elements 120 in each stage are the same, and are circumferentially spaced.
  • a total of 128 antenna elements 120 (32 ⁇ 4 stages) are formed on the support 112.
  • the circumferential positions of the antenna elements 120 at each stage are also aligned.
  • Each antenna element 120 has the same shape and the same antenna gain.
  • each of the 32 antenna elements 120 arranged in the uppermost stage of FIG. 2B is referred to as a “first antenna element 120a”, and a set of 32 first antenna elements 120a is referred to as a first antenna element group 130a.
  • Each of the 32 antenna elements 120 arranged immediately below the first antenna element 120a (second stage from the top) is referred to as a “second antenna element 120b”, and a set of 32 second antenna elements 120b is a second antenna. This is referred to as an element group 130b.
  • Each of the 32 antenna elements 120 arranged immediately below the second antenna element 120b (third stage from the top) is referred to as a “third antenna element 120c”, and a set of 32 third antenna elements 120b is a third antenna.
  • Each of the 32 antenna elements 120 arranged immediately below the third antenna element 120c (third stage from the top) is referred to as a “fourth antenna element 120d”, and a set of 32 fourth antenna elements 120c is a fourth antenna. This is referred to as an element group 130d.
  • the first to fourth antenna elements are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as antenna elements 120.
  • the antenna element 120 which is a planar antenna element is formed on the surface of the support side surface 201 which is a vertical surface, the surface direction of the antenna element 120 faces the vertical direction.
  • the planar antenna element is a directional antenna having directivity in the front direction orthogonal to the surface direction. Therefore, the antenna element 120 disposed on the support side surface 201 has directivity that faces outward in the radial direction 210 of the cylindrical support 112, that is, in the horizontal direction.
  • reference numeral 220 indicates the directivity of the beam 220 formed by one antenna element 120.
  • the horizontal beam widths of the beams 220 formed by the antenna elements 120 are set so as to overlap each other in the horizontal plane circumferential direction. Therefore, by using the plurality of antenna elements 120 in the circumferential direction, the beam can be directed in all horizontal plane directions.
  • “being able to direct the beam in all directions in the horizontal plane” refers to directing the beam in any direction included in all directions in the horizontal plane using only one of the plurality of antenna elements 120 in the circumferential direction. And simultaneously using all the plurality of antenna elements 120 in the circumferential direction to direct an omnidirectional beam in all horizontal directions.
  • the antenna device 100 has 32 antennas 140 arranged in a circle. Note that the state in which the 32 antennas 140 are arranged in a circle may be replaced with the state in which only the 32 first antenna elements 120a are arranged in a circle.
  • 32 circumferential antennas 140 are used as array antennas for be forming. However, in the first embodiment, not all of the 32 antennas 140 are used simultaneously, but some of the 32 antennas 140 are used simultaneously. Some antennas may be one or more. Hereinafter, some of the antennas 140 are assumed to be three antennas 140. Three antennas used at the same time are referred to as used antennas (used antenna elements). In other words, in this embodiment, the antenna device 100 operates as an array antenna having three antennas 140 (antenna elements). The three antennas (antenna elements) constituting the array antenna can be switched.
  • the antenna apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3 includes three adjustment units 301, 302, and 303 for adjusting the phase and amplitude of each of the three (plural) used antennas 140.
  • Each of the adjustment units 301, 302, and 303 includes a variable phase shifter 401 for phase adjustment and an attenuator 402 for amplitude adjustment.
  • the number of the adjustment parts 30 should just respond
  • the adjustment units 301, 302, and 303 are connected to the signal processing unit 500 included in the in-vehicle mobile station 10 via the combiner 410.
  • the signal processing unit 500 performs signal processing for mobile communication in the in-vehicle mobile station 10.
  • the number corresponding to the number of antennas used may be sufficient as the number of adjustment parts, In that case, it is sufficient to use only the adjustment parts connected to the antennas used.
  • the 3 includes a selection unit 350 for connecting each of the three adjustment units 301, 302, and 303 to any three of the 32 (plurality) of antennas 140.
  • the antenna 140 connected to the adjustment units 301, 302, and 303 becomes the use antenna.
  • the selection unit 350 includes three first ports 351 and 32 second ports 352.
  • the three first ports 351 are connected to one of the three adjustment units 301, 302, and 303, respectively.
  • the 32 second ports 352 are each connected to one of the 32 antennas 140.
  • the selection unit 350 includes a switch 355 for selectively connecting each first port 351 to any one of the plurality of second ports 352. Three switches 355 are provided corresponding to the three first ports 351. Each switch selects a different second port 352. Each of the three used antennas 140 is connected to one of the three adjustment units 301, 302, and 303 by the three switches. In the present embodiment, the selection unit 350 selects three adjacent antennas 140 from among a plurality of antennas 140 arranged at equal intervals around the entire circumference. 140 may be selected. The control unit 600 determines which antenna 140 is selected as a use antenna. The control unit 600 controls the selection unit 350 and executes a switching process for switching the antenna selected as the antenna to be used.
  • the beam control method is realized by processing performed by the control unit 600.
  • the processing performed by the control unit 600 is realized by causing a computer to execute a computer program.
  • part or all of the processing performed by the control unit 600 may be realized by a semiconductor integrated circuit. .
  • FIG. 4 shows a state in which a plurality of antennas 140 a, 140 b, 140 c, 140 d,... Circumferentially arranged along a virtual circumference 700 are switched by the selection unit 350 controlled by the control unit 600. ing.
  • the antenna 140a, the antenna 140b, and the antenna 140c are selected by the selection unit 350. Therefore, a beam 251 is formed by array synthesis of these three antennas 140a, 140b, and 140c.
  • the antenna selected by the selection unit 350 is switched to the antenna 140b, the antenna 140c, and the antenna 140d.
  • a beam 252 is formed by combining the three antennas 140b, 140c, and 140d.
  • the directivity of the beam 252 changes in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4B as compared with the beam 251, and the direction of the beam can be changed.
  • the number of used antennas selected by the selection unit 350 before and after switching from FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B is three, which is the same.
  • the three used antennas are the three adjacent antennas 140 selected from the plurality of antennas 140 equally arranged in the circumferential direction, and therefore the circumferential intervals are also equal.
  • the beams 251 and 252 obtained by combining the three antennas used in the array can have the same characteristics in other points, although the positions in the circumferential direction are different.
  • switching of an antenna in a mobile station is not preferable because it changes a propagation environment with the base station 30 and easily causes a problem in communication with the base station 30.
  • the antenna gain does not change and only the beam direction changes. Therefore, there are few problems even if the antenna used is switched.
  • the used antennas 140b, 140c, and 104d after switching can include some of the antennas 140b, 104c among the used antennas 140a, 140b, and 140c before switching.
  • the direction of the beam can be finely adjusted in the circumferential direction like a plurality of beams 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, and 256 shown in FIG. 2A. This makes it possible to form a strong beam in any direction on the horizontal plane. Beam forming that combines adjustment of the beam direction by switching antennas and adjustment of the phase or amplitude of the signal enables high-speed communication by supporting any direction on the horizontal plane while maintaining high gain. It becomes.
  • switching may be performed before and after switching so that the antennas used do not overlap.
  • the antennas 140p, 140q, and 140r in FIG. 2A are used antennas and the beam 257 is formed
  • the antennas 140s, 140t, and 140u in FIG. 2B are used antennas.
  • a beam 258 may be formed.
  • the switching of the antenna used as shown in FIG. 4 is performed, for example, to change the direction of the beam on the horizontal plane in accordance with the movement of the vehicle 20 (the on-vehicle mobile station 10; the antenna device 100). Due to the operation of the vehicle 20, the position and orientation of the vehicle 20 change, and the relative positional relationship with the base station 30 changes. Based on the relative positional relationship between the base station 30 and the mobile station 10, the control unit 600 of the antenna device 100 determines an antenna 140 that is an antenna to be used for obtaining an optimum beam direction.
  • the relative positional relationship between the base station 30 and the mobile station 10 is calculated as, for example, the relative operation direction of the mobile station 10 with respect to the base station 30.
  • the control unit 600 estimates the Doppler frequency from the frequency of the communication signal (Step S10), estimates the relative operation direction of the mobile station 10 from the Doppler frequency (Step S20), Based on the relative direction of travel, the antenna used (switched antenna) can be determined (step S30).
  • the control unit 600 of the mobile station 10 estimates the relative operation direction of the mobile station 10 with respect to the base station 30, and determines the directions of the beams 262 and 263 to be directed next based on the current beam 261 and the relative operation direction. To do.
  • FIG. 5B when the mobile station 10 is operating on the right side of the figure, the beam direction should be changed counterclockwise in the figure, and thus the beam 262 to be directed next is specified. Is done. Also, as shown in FIG.
  • the beam direction should be changed clockwise in the figure, so that the beam 263 to be directed next is Identified.
  • the antenna 140 for forming the beam is determined as the antenna to be used.
  • the relative positional relationship between the mobile station and the person changes irregularly, and it is not easy to estimate the future movement direction of the person.
  • the in-vehicle mobile station 10 is mounted on the vehicle 20, the relative positional relationship with the vehicle 20 hardly changes, and the position and orientation of the vehicle 20 itself does not change abruptly. Therefore, it is relatively easy to estimate the future relative operation direction of the in-vehicle mobile station 10.
  • the beam can be always directed to the base station 30 by estimating the relative operation direction between the base station 30 and the mobile station 10 and switching the beam direction.
  • the antenna device 300 of the present embodiment can direct the beam in all directions on the horizontal plane, it can cope with any direction of the in-vehicle mobile station 10 operating.
  • the estimation of the future relative operation direction of the in-vehicle mobile station 10 is not limited to the Doppler frequency, and may be performed based on a GPS signal. Moreover, when the operation route of the vehicle 20 is determined in advance, the future relative operation direction of the in-vehicle mobile station 10 may be estimated based on the operation route information.
  • the operation route information may be, for example, bus or train route information, or route information selected by the car navigation system.
  • FIG. 6 shows a modification of the antenna device 100.
  • the support body 112 has a regular 32-square tube shape, but in FIG. 6, the support body 112 has a regular hexagonal tube shape, and the antenna element 120 (first antenna element) includes six side surfaces of the support body 112. Each is formed, and six pieces are arranged in the circumferential direction.
  • These six antenna elements 120 are arranged at equal intervals on a circumference 700 in a virtual horizontal plane (XY plane) in the horizontal plane, and are arranged in a circumferential manner.
  • Each of the six antenna elements 120 has a circumferential interval of 60 °.
  • beams 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, and 256 formed by array combining of two antenna elements 120 are shown, but a beam may be formed by array combining of three antenna elements 130. Also in the antenna device 100 of FIG. 6, the antenna elements 120 may be arranged in multiple stages in the vertical direction, or may be arranged in a single stage.
  • FIG. 7 shows another modification of the antenna device 100.
  • the antenna device 100 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a regular hexagonal cylindrical support body 112, similarly to the antenna device illustrated in FIG. On each of the six side surfaces of the support 112, four (plural) antenna elements are arranged in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 7, there are a total of 24 antenna elements 120 in one horizontal plane.
  • the antenna elements 120 shown in FIG. 7 are arranged in a hexagonal ring shape at intervals in the circumferential direction of the horizontal plane.
  • the ring arrangement in the horizontal plane may be a polygon ring arrangement or a circular ring arrangement. Even in such a ring-shaped arrangement, it is possible to deal with all horizontal plane directions.
  • FIG. 8 shows another modification of the antenna device 100.
  • the support body 112 is composed of a plurality (two) of divided support bodies 112a and 112b.
  • the divided support bodies 112a and 112b in FIG. 8 are obtained by dividing the regular 32-square tube in FIG. 2 into two on the left and right sides, and each has 18 antenna elements 120.
  • the divided supports 112a and 112b of the antenna device 100 of FIG. 8 are coupled, it is equivalent to the antenna device 100 of FIG.
  • the support body 112 is divided into a plurality of parts, an appropriate divided arrangement on the vehicle 20 is possible.
  • one divided support body 112 a can be disposed at the front portion of the vehicle 20, and the other divided support body 112 b can be disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle 20.
  • the number of divisions is not limited to two divisions, and may be four divisions, for example. By dividing into four parts, the divided support bodies can be arranged at the four corners of the vehicle.
  • the support body 112 is constituted by a plurality of divided support bodies 112
  • the circumferentially equidistant arrangement of the antenna elements 120 is obtained when the plurality of divided support bodies 112 are combined. If it is enough.
  • FIG. 9 to 11 show other modified examples of the antenna device 100.
  • FIG. The antenna device 100 shown in FIG. 9 is obtained by adding the calibration antenna element 150 of the antenna device 100 shown in FIG. 2B.
  • the antenna element 150 is used for antenna calibration of the antenna element 120.
  • 32 antenna elements 150 are arranged in the circumferential direction.
  • the arrangement of the plurality of antenna elements 150 is common to the arrangement of the plurality of antenna elements 120 in each stage, and is arranged at equal intervals on the circumference.
  • the circumferential positions of the antenna elements 120 and the antenna elements 150 at the respective stages are also aligned. That is, five antenna elements 120 and 150 are arranged in the vertical direction on each of the 32 side surfaces 201 of the support 112.
  • the antenna element 150 is disposed below the antenna element 120, that is, at the lowermost stage, but may be disposed above the antenna element 120, that is, disposed at the uppermost stage.
  • a set of 32 antenna elements 150 is referred to as a calibration antenna element group 130e.
  • the description of the antenna device 100 in FIG. 9 is the same as that of the antenna device 100 in FIG.
  • the antenna calibration is a calibration of the phase between the antenna elements 120 used for communication. Phase calibration allows the beam to be accurately directed in a specified direction.
  • a signal output from an antenna element to be calibrated is received by the calibration antenna element 150, the received signal is compared with a calibration reference signal, and a comparison result is obtained. Based on this, the phase of the phase shifter connected to the antenna element to be calibrated is calibrated.
  • the four antenna elements 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d arranged in the vertical direction are treated as one antenna 140, and calibration is performed in units of the antenna 140.
  • Each antenna 140 is provided with adjusting units 301, 302,... 332 including a phase shifter 401 and the like. That is, 32 antennas 140 are arranged in the circumferential direction, and 32 adjustment units 301, 302,... 332 are also provided corresponding to the antennas 140. That is, in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, there are 32 transmission / reception paths.
  • FIG. 10 shows how to calibrate 32 transmission paths. Transmission from the 32 antennas 140 for calibration is performed in order in a time division manner. That is, during transmission transmission from one antenna 140, transmission from another antenna 140 is not performed. As an antenna element 150 for receiving a signal transmitted from a certain antenna 140, an antenna element 150 having the same circumferential position as that of the antenna 140 is selected.
  • the signal received by the antenna element 150 selected for reception is given to the signal processing unit 500.
  • the signal processing unit 500 compares the received signal with the calibration reference signal, and calculates the configuration parameter of the phase shifter.
  • the calculated configuration parameter is given to the phase shifter included in the transmission path of the antenna 140 that has transmitted the signal, and phase calibration of the transmission path is performed.
  • the calibration of the transmission path of a certain antenna 140 is completed, the calibration of the transmission paths of the other antennas 140 is sequentially performed, whereby the transmission paths of all 32 antennas 140 are calibrated.
  • FIG. 11 shows how to calibrate 32 reception paths. Reception by 32 antennas 140 for calibration is also performed in order in a time division manner.
  • the calibration signal is transmitted by the calibration antenna element 150.
  • the antenna element 150 that transmits a signal received by a certain antenna 140 the antenna element 150 whose circumferential position matches that of the antenna 140 is selected. That is, the antenna element 150 located at the same position in the circumferential direction as the reception antenna 140 is selected as the transmission antenna.
  • a calibration signal transmitted from a certain antenna element 150 is received by the antenna 140 located at the same position in the circumferential direction as that antenna element 150.
  • a signal received by the antenna 140 is given to the signal processing unit 500.
  • the signal processing unit 500 compares the received signal with the calibration reference signal, and calculates the configuration parameter of the phase shifter.
  • the calculated configuration parameter is given to a phase shifter included in the reception path of the antenna 140 that has received the signal, and phase calibration of the reception path is performed.
  • phase calibration not only phase calibration but also amplitude calibration may be performed.
  • FIG. 12 shows the antenna device 100 according to the second embodiment.
  • the antenna device 100 is also provided in the in-vehicle mobile station 10 as with the antenna device 100 of the first embodiment.
  • points that are not particularly described below are the same as in the first embodiment.
  • the antenna device 100 functions as an omnidirectional antenna that corresponds to all directions in the horizontal direction, and improves the gain by narrowing the directivity in the vertical direction by beam forming, thereby enabling high-speed communication.
  • the support body 112 that supports the antenna element 120 has a cone shape.
  • the cone may be a pyramid (n-pyramid) or a cone.
  • the cone shape includes not only a perfect cone but also a frustum.
  • the frustum may be a truncated pyramid or a truncated cone.
  • a plurality of antenna elements 120 are arranged on the inclined surface 201 of the support 112.
  • the antenna element 120 is formed on each of the eight (n) inclined surfaces 201.
  • four (plural) antenna elements 120 are arranged in a row in the radial direction along the inclined surface.
  • antenna elements 120 are arranged at the same height in the vertical direction.
  • the eight antenna elements 120 are arranged in the horizontal plane. Circumferentially arranged at equal intervals. The circumferential positions of the antenna elements 120 in the vertical stages are aligned.
  • the circumferential angle ⁇ between any two antenna elements 120, 120 adjacent in the circumferential direction is 45 °. It can be said that the eight antenna elements 120 having the same height are arranged in an octagonal ring shape in the horizontal plane.
  • each of the eight antenna elements 120 installed at the uppermost stage is referred to as a “first antenna element 120a”, and a set of eight first antenna elements 120a is the first.
  • This is referred to as an antenna element group 130a.
  • Each of the eight antenna elements 120 arranged immediately below the first antenna element 120a (second stage from the top) is referred to as a “second antenna element 120b”, and a set of eight second antenna elements 120b is a second antenna. This is referred to as an element group 130b.
  • Each of the eight antenna elements 120 arranged immediately below the second antenna element 120b (third stage from the top) is referred to as a “third antenna element 120c”, and a set of eight third antenna elements 120b is a third antenna.
  • Each of the eight antenna elements 120 arranged immediately below the third antenna element 120c (third stage from the top) is referred to as a “fourth antenna element 120d”, and a set of eight fourth antenna elements 120c is a fourth antenna. This is referred to as an element group 130d.
  • the antenna elements 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d at the respective stages are arranged at equal circumferential intervals on the horizontal plane.
  • the second antenna element 120b is disposed radially outward from the first antenna element 120a, and is disposed so as to draw a circumference larger than the circumference drawn by the first antenna element 120a.
  • the third antenna element 120b is disposed radially outward from the second antenna element 120b, and the fourth antenna element 120b is disposed radially outward from the third antenna element 120c.
  • each antenna element 120 has directivity that is radially outward in the horizontal plane and obliquely upward in the vertical plane.
  • the antenna elements 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d having the same height and arranged circumferentially are combined in phase. Accordingly, the first antenna element group 130a, the second antenna element group 130b, the third antenna element group 130c, and the fourth antenna element group 140d each form a beam that is non-directional on a horizontal plane. By being non-directional on the horizontal plane, stable communication with the base station 30 is possible regardless of the direction in which the base station 30 is viewed from the mobile station 10.
  • the first antenna element group 130a, the second antenna element group 130b, the third antenna element group 130c, and the fourth antenna element group 130d are divided into four antennas.
  • the directivity in the vertical plane can be changed by beam forming.
  • the antenna front direction in which a large gain is easily obtained faces obliquely upward. Since the base station 30 is generally arranged at a high place, the base station 30 has an antenna front direction obliquely upward as compared with a case where the antenna front direction is a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. It is easy to obtain a high gain in communication with
  • the four antennas 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d arranged along the inclined surface 201 are array-synthesized, and the tilt angle can be controlled by adjusting the phase of each antenna by the variable phase shifter 405. By tilt angle control, the beam can be appropriately directed in the direction of the base station 30.
  • the directivity control in the horizontal plane is not performed as in the first embodiment, but the antenna gain can be obtained by performing the directivity control in the vertical plane.
  • the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements each have directivity directed radially outward and obliquely upward of the ring.
  • a mobile station comprising the antenna device according to any one of items 1 to 3.
  • the antenna device is provided with a base, a plurality of first antenna elements supported by the base and arranged in a ring shape on a horizontal plane, and supported by the base and arranged in a ring shape on a horizontal plane.
  • a plurality of second antenna elements are provided.
  • the horizontal plane does not have to physically exist in the antenna device, and may be a horizontal plane that is virtually conceived.
  • the ring shape means that the shape of the antenna element itself is not a ring shape, but the overall arrangement of the plurality of antenna elements is a ring shape.
  • the ring may be a perfect circle, an ellipse, or a polygon.
  • the plurality of antenna elements arranged in a ring shape need not be in contact with each other, and there is a space between the antenna elements. According to the antenna device according to the first item, it is possible to deal with all horizontal directions and to have diagonally upward directivity.
  • the tilt angle of the beam can be controlled by array synthesis of the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements.
  • the antenna device is suitable for an on-vehicle mobile station.
  • the mobile station can include the antenna device according to any one of Items 1 to 3.

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Abstract

An antenna device 100 for an in-vehicle mobile station 10 that communicates with a mobile communication base station 30 includes: a base 110 that is attached to a vehicle 20; and a plurality of first antenna elements 120a that are supported by the base 110. The plurality of first antenna elements 120a are disposed equidistantly in a circular configuration in a horizontal plane, and each of the first antenna elements 120a has directivity outwards in the radial direction of the circle.

Description

車載移動局用アンテナ装置及び車載移動局In-vehicle mobile station antenna device and in-vehicle mobile station
　本発明は、車載移動局用アンテナ装置及び車載移動局に関するものである。本出願は、２０１６年１１月１４日出願の日本特許出願２０１６－２２１３８０号に基づく優先権を主張し、前記日本出願に記載された全ての記載内容を援用するものである。 The present invention relates to an on-vehicle mobile station antenna device and an on-vehicle mobile station. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-221380 filed on Nov. 14, 2016, and incorporates all the description content described in the above Japanese application.
　モバイル通信においては、基地局と移動局との間で通信が行われる。特許文献１は、基地局によるビームフォーミングを開示している。 In mobile communication, communication is performed between a base station and a mobile station. Patent Document 1 discloses beam forming by a base station.
国際公開第２０１１／４３２９８号International Publication No. 2011/43298
　本開示の一の態様は、モバイル通信基地局と通信する車載移動局用のアンテナ装置である。実施形態において、アンテナ装置は、車両に取り付けられるベースと、前記ベースに支持された複数の第１アンテナ素子と、を備える。複数の前記第１アンテナ素子は、水平面において円周状に等間隔に配置される。ここで、水平面は、アンテナ装置において物理的に存在している必要はなく、仮想的に観念される水平面であれば足りる。複数のアンテナ素子は、それぞれ前記円周の径方向外方に向く指向性を有する。アンテナ素子の円筒状配置は、各アンテナ素子の一部（好ましくはアンテナ水平方向中心）が、仮想的な円周上に位置していれば足り、アンテナ素子の全体が仮想的な円周上に位置している必要はない。したがって、アンテナ素子を指示するベースが円周状である必要はなく、多角形状であってもよい。 One aspect of the present disclosure is an antenna device for an in-vehicle mobile station that communicates with a mobile communication base station. In the embodiment, the antenna device includes a base attached to a vehicle and a plurality of first antenna elements supported by the base. The plurality of first antenna elements are arranged circumferentially at equal intervals on a horizontal plane. Here, the horizontal plane does not have to physically exist in the antenna device, and may be a horizontal plane that is virtually conceived. Each of the plurality of antenna elements has directivity directed outward in the radial direction of the circumference. The cylindrical arrangement of the antenna elements suffices if a part of each antenna element (preferably the center in the horizontal direction of the antenna) is located on the virtual circumference, and the entire antenna element is on the virtual circumference. There is no need to be located. Therefore, the base for indicating the antenna element does not have to be circular, and may be polygonal.
図１は車載移動局を搭載した車両を示す図である。FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle mobile station. 図２Ａは、アンテナ装置の平面図である。図２Ｂは、アンテナ装置の側面図である。FIG. 2A is a plan view of the antenna device. FIG. 2B is a side view of the antenna device. 図３は、アンテナ装置の回路図である。FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the antenna device. 図４Ａは、アンテナ素子切替の説明図である。図４Ｂは、アンテナ素子切替の説明図である。FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of antenna element switching. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of antenna element switching. 図５Ａは、運行方向推定によるアンテナ素子切替の説明図である。図５Ｂは、運行方向推定によるアンテナ素子切替の説明図である。図５Ｃは、運行方向推定によるアンテナ素子切替の説明図である。FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram of antenna element switching based on operation direction estimation. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram of antenna element switching based on operation direction estimation. FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram of antenna element switching based on operation direction estimation. 図６は、アンテナ装置の変形例を示す図である。FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the antenna device. 図７は、アンテナ装置の変形例を示す図である。FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the antenna device. 図８は、アンテナ装置の変形例を示す図である。FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the antenna device. 図９は、アンテナ装置の変形例を示す図である。FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the antenna device. 図１０は、送信パスキャリブレーションの説明図である。FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of transmission path calibration. 図１１は、受信パスキャリブレーションの説明図である。FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of reception path calibration. 図１２Ａは、第２実施形態に係るアンテナ装置の構成図である。図１２Ｂは、第２実施形態に係るアンテナ装置の平面図である。図１２Ｃは、第２実施形態に係るアンテナ装置の側面図である。FIG. 12A is a configuration diagram of an antenna device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12B is a plan view of the antenna device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12C is a side view of the antenna device according to the second embodiment.
［１．実施形態の概要］ [1. Outline of Embodiment]
　モバイル通信においては、移動局と基地局の相対位置関係は、変動し続ける。特に、水平面における相対方向の変化が激しい。このため、移動局のアンテナは、水平面の全方向に対応していることが望ましい。 In mobile communication, the relative positional relationship between a mobile station and a base station continues to fluctuate. In particular, the relative change in the horizontal plane is severe. For this reason, it is desirable that the antenna of the mobile station corresponds to all directions on the horizontal plane.
　本開示は、携帯電話及びスマートフォンのように人によって携帯される移動局のアンテナではなく、車載移動局におけるアンテナ装置において、水平面の全方向に対応するための新規な構造に関する。 This disclosure relates to a novel structure for accommodating all directions of a horizontal plane in an antenna device in an in-vehicle mobile station, not an antenna of a mobile station carried by a person such as a mobile phone and a smartphone.
（１）実施形態において、モバイル通信基地局と通信する車載移動局用のアンテナ装置は、車両に取り付けられるベースと、前記ベースに支持された複数の第１アンテナ素子と、
を備え、複数の前記第１アンテナ素子は、水平面において円周状に等間隔に配置され、それぞれ前記円周の径方向外方に向く指向性を有する。かかる構成により、水平面全方向への対応が容易となり、基地局との安定した通信が可能となる。 (1) In the embodiment, an in-vehicle mobile station antenna device communicating with a mobile communication base station includes a base attached to a vehicle, a plurality of first antenna elements supported by the base,
The plurality of first antenna elements are arranged circumferentially at equal intervals on a horizontal plane, and each has directivity directed outward in the radial direction of the circumference. With this configuration, it is easy to deal with all horizontal planes, and stable communication with the base station is possible.
（２）複数の前記第１アンテナ素子は、水平面全方向にビームを向けることができるように配置されているのが好ましい。この場合、基地局が水平面のどの方向にあっても、基地局とのより安定した通信が可能となる。 (2) It is preferable that the plurality of first antenna elements are arranged so that beams can be directed in all horizontal directions. In this case, more stable communication with the base station is possible regardless of the direction of the base station in the horizontal plane.
（３）複数の前記第１アンテナ素子のうちの一部を、前記モバイル通信基地局との通信に用いられる１又は複数の使用アンテナ素子として選択する選択部を更に備えるのが好ましい。この場合、使用アンテナ素子を切り替えることが可能となる。 (3) It is preferable to further include a selection unit that selects a part of the plurality of first antenna elements as one or a plurality of antenna elements to be used for communication with the mobile communication base station. In this case, the antenna element to be used can be switched.
（４）前記車載移動局用アンテナ装置の移動に応じて水平面におけるビームの向きを変えるために、前記使用アンテナ素子として選択される第１アンテナ素子を切り替える切替処理を実行する制御部を更に備えるのが好ましい。この場合、移動局の移動に応じて、使用アンテナを切り替えることができる。 (4) In order to change the direction of the beam in the horizontal plane according to the movement of the on-vehicle mobile station antenna device, a control unit is further provided for executing a switching process for switching the first antenna element selected as the used antenna element. Is preferred. In this case, the antenna to be used can be switched according to the movement of the mobile station.
（５）切り替え後の複数の使用アンテナ素子の数及び円周方向間隔は、切り替え前の複数の使用アンテナ素子の数及び円周方向間隔と同じであるのが好ましい。この場合、切替によるアンテナ利得の変動を防止できる。 (5) It is preferable that the number of used antenna elements and the circumferential interval after switching are the same as the number of used antenna elements and the circumferential interval before switching. In this case, variation in antenna gain due to switching can be prevented.
（６）切り替え後の複数の使用アンテナ素子の少なくともいずれか一つは、切り替え前の複数の使用アンテナ素子に含まれるのが好ましい。この場合、ビームの向きを細かく変化させることが可能となる。 (6) At least one of the plurality of used antenna elements after switching is preferably included in the plurality of used antenna elements before switching. In this case, the direction of the beam can be changed finely.
（７）前記切替処理は、前記車載移動局用アンテナ装置と前記モバイル通信基地局との相対運行方向を算出し、前記相対運行方向に基づいて、前記使用アンテナ素子として選択される第１アンテナ素子を切り替えることを含むのが好ましい。この場合、相対運行方向に基づいて、容易に切り替えを行うことができる。また、全方向のビームスイープをする必要がなくなる。 (7) The switching process calculates a relative operation direction between the on-vehicle mobile station antenna device and the mobile communication base station, and is selected as the antenna element to be used based on the relative operation direction. It is preferable to include switching. In this case, switching can be easily performed based on the relative operation direction. Also, it is not necessary to perform beam sweep in all directions.
（８）各第１アンテナ素子のアンテナキャリブレーションのための複数のキャリブレーション用アンテナ素子を更に備えるのが好ましい。この場合、キャリブレーションアンテナ素子を用いた第１アンテナ素子のキャリブレーションが可能となる。第１アンテナ素子のキャリブレーションによって、より正確なビーム制御が可能となる。複数の前記キャリブレーション用アンテナ素子の数は、複数の前記第１アンテナ素子の数と同じであり、複数の前記キャリブレーション用アンテナ素子は、複数の前記第１アンテナ素子とは垂直方向に異なる位置に配置され、水平面において円周状に等間隔に配置され、それぞれの円周方向位置が、いずれか一つの前記第１アンテナ素子の円周方向位置と一致するのが好ましい。 (8) It is preferable to further include a plurality of calibration antenna elements for antenna calibration of each first antenna element. In this case, it is possible to calibrate the first antenna element using the calibration antenna element. More accurate beam control is possible by calibration of the first antenna element. The number of the plurality of calibration antenna elements is the same as the number of the plurality of first antenna elements, and the plurality of calibration antenna elements are positioned differently in the vertical direction from the plurality of first antenna elements. Are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the horizontal plane, and their respective circumferential positions coincide with the circumferential position of any one of the first antenna elements.
（９）複数の前記第１アンテナ素子の数と同数の複数の第２アンテナ素子を更に備え、複数の前記第２アンテナ素子は、複数の前記第１アンテナ素子とは垂直方向に異なる位置に配置され、水平面において円周状に等間隔に配置され、それぞれの円周方向位置が、いずれか一つの前記第１アンテナ素子の円周方向位置と一致し、それぞれ前記円周の径方向外方に向く指向性を有するのが好ましい。この場合、垂直方向におけるアンテナ素子多段構造が得られ、アンテナ利得向上が可能となるか、又は垂直面におけるビームフォーミングが可能となる。 (9) A plurality of second antenna elements equal in number to the plurality of first antenna elements are further provided, and the plurality of second antenna elements are arranged at positions different from each other in the vertical direction from the plurality of first antenna elements. Are arranged at equal intervals in a circumferential manner in a horizontal plane, and each circumferential position thereof coincides with the circumferential position of any one of the first antenna elements, and each radially outward of the circumference. It preferably has a directivity that faces. In this case, a multi-stage structure of antenna elements in the vertical direction can be obtained, and the antenna gain can be improved, or beam forming in the vertical plane can be performed.
（１０）複数の前記第２アンテナ素子は、複数の前記第１アンテナ素子よりも下方に配置され、複数の前記第１アンテナ素子よりも前記円周の径方向外方に配置されていてもよい。この場合、斜めに傾斜した配置が得られる。 (10) The plurality of second antenna elements may be disposed below the plurality of first antenna elements, and may be disposed radially outward of the circumference from the plurality of first antenna elements. . In this case, an obliquely inclined arrangement is obtained.
（１１）複数の前記第１アンテナ素子及び複数の前記第２アンテナ素子は、それぞれ、前記円周の径方向外方かつ斜め上方に向く指向性を有するのが好ましい。この場合、斜め上方の指向性が得られる。 (11) It is preferable that the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements each have directivity directed radially outward and obliquely upward of the circumference. In this case, directivity in an obliquely upward direction can be obtained.
（１２）複数の前記第１アンテナ素子及び複数の第２アンテナ素子は、水平面において無指向性となるビームを形成するのが好ましい。この場合、どの方向に基地局があっても安定した通信が可能である。 (12) The plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements preferably form a non-directional beam on a horizontal plane. In this case, stable communication is possible regardless of the direction of the base station.
（１３）複数の前記第１アンテナ素子と複数の前記第２アンテナ素子とのアレイ合成によりビームのチルト角制御が行われるのが好ましい。この場合、基地局の相対的高さ位置に応じたチルト角制御を行うことができる。 (13) It is preferable that the tilt angle control of the beam is performed by array synthesis of the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements. In this case, tilt angle control according to the relative height position of the base station can be performed.
（１４）実施形態において、車載移動局は、（１）～（１３）ののいずれか１項に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置を備えることができる。 (14) In the embodiment, the in-vehicle mobile station may include the in-vehicle mobile station antenna device according to any one of (1) to (13).
［２．実施形態の詳細］ [2. Details of Embodiment]
［２．１　第１実施形態］
　図１は、車載移動局１０が搭載された車両２０を示している。車載移動局１０は、モバイル通信基地局３０と通信をする。基地局３０は、建物の屋上、鉄塔の上などの比較的高い場所に設置され、地上の移動局と通信する。モバイル通信は、高速通信の実現のため、ミリ波又は準ミリ波が利用される通信であるのが好ましい。ミリ波又は準ミリ波が利用されるモバイル通信は、例えば、第５世代モバイルネットワーク（５Ｇ）である。 [2.1 First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 20 on which an in-vehicle mobile station 10 is mounted. The in-vehicle mobile station 10 communicates with the mobile communication base station 30. The base station 30 is installed at a relatively high place such as a rooftop of a building or a steel tower, and communicates with a mobile station on the ground. The mobile communication is preferably communication using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves in order to realize high-speed communication. Mobile communication using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves is, for example, a fifth generation mobile network (5G).
　ミリ波又は準ミリ波が利用される通信では、高い周波数のため、伝搬損失が大きい。本実施形態では、伝播損失の補償のため、ビームフォーミングが行われる。ビームフォーミングをすることで、特定の方向に指向性を向けて利得を向上させることができる。本実施形態では、ビームフォーミングは、基地局３０だけでなく移動局１０によっても行われ、高速通信を可能とする。ビームフォーミングを行うため、車載移動局１０は、複数のアンテナ素子を有するアレイアンテナを有するが、この点については後述する。 In communications using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves, the propagation loss is large due to the high frequency. In this embodiment, beam forming is performed to compensate for propagation loss. By performing beam forming, the directivity can be directed in a specific direction and the gain can be improved. In the present embodiment, beam forming is performed not only by the base station 30 but also by the mobile station 10 and enables high-speed communication. In order to perform beam forming, the in-vehicle mobile station 10 has an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements, which will be described later.
　車両２０は、例えば、バス・電車などの交通機関における車両である。実施形態に係る車載移動局１０は、無線ＬＡＮ無線部４０と接続されている。無線ＬＡＮ無線部４０は、無線ＬＡＮアクセスポイントであり、車内の無線ＬＡＮ端末５０に対して、無線ＬＡＮサービスを提供する。車内の無線ＬＡＮ端末５０は、例えば、車両２０の乗客が有する携帯電話、スマートフォン、タブレット、又はノートパソコンなどである。乗客が有する端末５０は、無線ＬＡＮ及びモバイル通信ネットワークを介して、インターネット接続が可能である。 The vehicle 20 is a vehicle in transportation such as a bus or train. The in-vehicle mobile station 10 according to the embodiment is connected to the wireless LAN wireless unit 40. The wireless LAN wireless unit 40 is a wireless LAN access point, and provides a wireless LAN service to the wireless LAN terminal 50 in the vehicle. The in-vehicle wireless LAN terminal 50 is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop computer that a passenger of the vehicle 20 has. The terminal 50 of the passenger can be connected to the Internet via a wireless LAN and a mobile communication network.
　車載移動局１０は、基地局３０と通信するためのアンテナ装置１００を備える。図２は、アンテナ装置１００の一例を示している。図２に示すンテナ装置１００は、車両２０の外部の基地局３０との通信のため、車両２０の外部に設置されるのが好ましい。アンテナ装置１００は、例えば、図１及び図２に示すように車両２０の天井２０ａから上方突出状に配置できるが、車両２０の側面に設置されてもよい。 The in-vehicle mobile station 10 includes an antenna device 100 for communicating with the base station 30. FIG. 2 shows an example of the antenna device 100. The antenna device 100 shown in FIG. 2 is preferably installed outside the vehicle 20 for communication with the base station 30 outside the vehicle 20. The antenna device 100 can be disposed so as to protrude upward from the ceiling 20a of the vehicle 20 as shown in FIGS.
　ここで、図２におけるＸＹ平面は、水平面であり、Ｚ方向は垂直方向を示す。本実施形態においては、車両２０の天井２０ａは水平とする。また、水平とは、車両２０が水平な面の上で直立している状態での水平をいう。したがって、例えば、車両２０が水平な面の上で直立しているときに、車両２０の天井２０ａが水平であれば、車両の姿勢にかかわらず、天井２０ａは、水平な面として扱う。つまり、水平に関して、車両２０が傾斜面上にある場合や、カーブ走行などにより車両が傾斜している場合は考えないものとする。 Here, the XY plane in FIG. 2 is a horizontal plane, and the Z direction indicates a vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the ceiling 20a of the vehicle 20 is horizontal. Further, the horizontal means the horizontal in a state where the vehicle 20 stands upright on a horizontal surface. Therefore, for example, when the vehicle 20 stands upright on a horizontal surface and the ceiling 20a of the vehicle 20 is horizontal, the ceiling 20a is treated as a horizontal surface regardless of the posture of the vehicle. In other words, regarding the horizontal, it is not considered when the vehicle 20 is on an inclined surface or when the vehicle is inclined due to curve driving or the like.
　アンテナ装置１００は、ベース１１０を有する。図２に示すベース１１０は、車両に取り付けられる取付部１１１を有する。取付部１１１は、例えば、板状部材であり、例えば、車両２０の天井２０ａに取り付けられる。取付部１１１は、例えば、ボルト等の締結具、接着剤、又は溶接などによって、車両２０に取り付けられる。ベース１１０は、アンテナ素子１２０の支持体１１２を備える。後述するように、本実施形態において、アンテナ素子１２０は、パッチアンテナ素子である。パッチアンテナ素子は、誘電体基板の表面に形成されるため、誘電体基板は、アンテナ素子の支持体１１２でもある。誘電体としては、フレキシブルプリント配線基板を用いることができる。なお、図２において、支持体１１２及びアンテナ素子１２０は、露出しているが、図示しないレドームによって覆われて、保護されるのが好ましい。 The antenna device 100 has a base 110. The base 110 shown in FIG. 2 has an attachment portion 111 that is attached to the vehicle. The attachment part 111 is a plate-like member, for example, and is attached to the ceiling 20a of the vehicle 20, for example. The attachment portion 111 is attached to the vehicle 20 by, for example, a fastener such as a bolt, an adhesive, or welding. The base 110 includes a support 112 for the antenna element 120. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, the antenna element 120 is a patch antenna element. Since the patch antenna element is formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate, the dielectric substrate is also the support 112 for the antenna element. A flexible printed wiring board can be used as the dielectric. In FIG. 2, the support 112 and the antenna element 120 are exposed, but are preferably covered and protected by a radome (not shown).
　図２において、支持体１１２は、複数のアンテナ素子１２０の円周状配置を得るため、筒状に形成されている。支持体１１２は、円筒状であってもよいし、多角形筒状（ｎ角筒状：ｎは３以上の整数）であってもよい。多角形は円を近似するため、多角形筒状の支持体１１２でも、アンテナ素子１２０の円周状配置は得られる。 In FIG. 2, the support 112 is formed in a cylindrical shape in order to obtain a circumferential arrangement of the plurality of antenna elements 120. The support 112 may have a cylindrical shape or a polygonal cylindrical shape (n-square cylindrical shape, where n is an integer of 3 or more). Since the polygon approximates a circle, the circumferential arrangement of the antenna elements 120 can be obtained even with the polygonal cylindrical support 112.
　なお、アンテナ素子１２０の円筒状配置は、各アンテナ素子１２０の一部（好ましくはアンテナ水平方向中心）が、仮想的な円周上に位置していれば足り、アンテナ素子１２０の全体が仮想的な円周上に位置している必要はない。なお、支持体が円筒状であれば、アンテナ素子１２０の全体が仮想的な円周上に位置している配置を容易に得ることができる。 Note that the cylindrical arrangement of the antenna elements 120 suffices if a part of each antenna element 120 (preferably the center in the horizontal direction of the antenna) is located on a virtual circumference, and the entire antenna element 120 is virtual. It is not necessary to be located on a certain circumference. If the support is cylindrical, an arrangement in which the entire antenna element 120 is located on a virtual circumference can be easily obtained.
　図２において支持体１１２は、正多角筒状であり、より具体的には、正３２角筒状（ｎ＝３２）である。ｎの値は特に限定されないが、ｎは、６以上であるのが好ましく、１２以上であるのがより好ましく、２４以上であるのがさらに好ましい。ｎが大きいほど、水平面全方向への対応が容易となる。 In FIG. 2, the support body 112 has a regular polygonal cylinder shape, and more specifically, a regular 32 square cylinder shape (n = 32). The value of n is not particularly limited, but n is preferably 6 or more, more preferably 12 or more, and further preferably 24 or more. The larger n is, the easier it is to handle in all horizontal plane directions.
　支持体１１２は、その下部が取付部１１１に接続されている。支持体１１２は、筒軸心２００が、垂直方向（Ｚ方向）に向くように、水平な取付部１１１に対して取り付けられている。したがって、多角筒状支持体１１２の３２個（ｎ個）の側面２０１は、垂直面となっている。 The lower part of the support body 112 is connected to the mounting part 111. The support body 112 is attached to the horizontal attachment portion 111 so that the cylinder axis 200 is oriented in the vertical direction (Z direction). Therefore, 32 (n) side surfaces 201 of the polygonal cylindrical support 112 are vertical surfaces.
　支持体１１２の側面２０１（外表面；アンテナ素子支持面）には、複数のアンテナ素子１２０が形成されている。アンテナ素子１２０は、アンテナ装置１００の小型化のため、例えば、平面アンテナ素子であるのが有利である。実施形態においては、平面アンテナ素子として、パッチアンテナ素子を採用した。実施形態において、アンテナ素子１２０は、支持体１１２の３２個（ｎ個）の側面２０１それぞれ形成されている。したがって、図２Ａに示すように、支持体１１２には、水平面(ＸＹ平面)において、３２個（ｎ個）のアンテナ素子１２０が円周状に配置されている。図２Ａにおいて、円周方向の３２個のアンテナ素子１２０は、全周（３６０°）に亘って均等間隔で配置されている。図２Ａにおいて、円周方向に隣接する任意の２つのアンテナ素子１２０，１２０間の円周方向角θは１１．２５°である。 A plurality of antenna elements 120 are formed on the side surface 201 (outer surface; antenna element support surface) of the support body 112. The antenna element 120 is advantageously a planar antenna element, for example, in order to reduce the size of the antenna device 100. In the embodiment, a patch antenna element is employed as the planar antenna element. In the embodiment, the antenna element 120 is formed on each of the 32 (n) side surfaces 201 of the support 112. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2A, 32 (n) antenna elements 120 are circumferentially arranged on the support 112 in the horizontal plane (XY plane). In FIG. 2A, 32 antenna elements 120 in the circumferential direction are arranged at equal intervals over the entire circumference (360 °). In FIG. 2A, the circumferential angle θ between any two antenna elements 120, 120 adjacent in the circumferential direction is 11.25 °.
　支持体１１２の３２個の側面２０１それぞれには、垂直方向に複数のアンテナ素子１２０が配置されている。図２Ｂにおいては、垂直方向に４段のアンテナ素子１２０が配置されている。各段におけるアンテナ素子１２０の数・配置は共通しており、円周状等間隔配置である。つまり、支持体１１２には、合計で１２８個＝（３２個×４段）のアンテナ素子１２０が形成されている。また、各段のアンテナ素子１２０の円周方向位置も揃っている。なお、各アンテナ素子１２０は、同じ形状であり、同じアンテナ利得を持つ。 A plurality of antenna elements 120 are arranged in the vertical direction on each of the 32 side surfaces 201 of the support 112. In FIG. 2B, four stages of antenna elements 120 are arranged in the vertical direction. The number and arrangement of the antenna elements 120 in each stage are the same, and are circumferentially spaced. In other words, a total of 128 antenna elements 120 (32 × 4 stages) are formed on the support 112. In addition, the circumferential positions of the antenna elements 120 at each stage are also aligned. Each antenna element 120 has the same shape and the same antenna gain.
　以下では、図２Ｂの最上段に配置された３２個のアンテナ素子１２０それぞれを「第１アンテナ素子１２０ａ」といい、３２個の第１アンテナ素子１２０ａの集合を第１アンテナ素子群１３０ａという。第１アンテナ素子１２０ａの直下（上から２段目）に配置された３２個のアンテナ素子１２０それぞれを「第２アンテナ素子１２０ｂ」といい、３２個の第２アンテナ素子１２０ｂの集合を第２アンテナ素子群１３０ｂという。第２アンテナ素子１２０ｂの直下（上から３段目）に配置された３２個のアンテナ素子１２０それぞれを「第３アンテナ素子１２０ｃ」といい、３２個の第３アンテナ素子１２０ｂの集合を第３アンテナ素子群１３０ｃという。第３アンテナ素子１２０ｃの直下（上から３段目）に配置された３２個のアンテナ素子１２０それぞれを「第４アンテナ素子１２０ｄ」といい、３２個の第４アンテナ素子１２０ｃの集合を第４アンテナ素子群１３０ｄという。なお、第１から第４アンテナ素子を区別しない場合には、単に、アンテナ素子１２０という。 Hereinafter, each of the 32 antenna elements 120 arranged in the uppermost stage of FIG. 2B is referred to as a “first antenna element 120a”, and a set of 32 first antenna elements 120a is referred to as a first antenna element group 130a. Each of the 32 antenna elements 120 arranged immediately below the first antenna element 120a (second stage from the top) is referred to as a “second antenna element 120b”, and a set of 32 second antenna elements 120b is a second antenna. This is referred to as an element group 130b. Each of the 32 antenna elements 120 arranged immediately below the second antenna element 120b (third stage from the top) is referred to as a “third antenna element 120c”, and a set of 32 third antenna elements 120b is a third antenna. This is referred to as an element group 130c. Each of the 32 antenna elements 120 arranged immediately below the third antenna element 120c (third stage from the top) is referred to as a “fourth antenna element 120d”, and a set of 32 fourth antenna elements 120c is a fourth antenna. This is referred to as an element group 130d. When the first to fourth antenna elements are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as antenna elements 120.
　平面アンテナ素子であるアンテナ素子１２０は、垂直面である支持体側面２０１の表面に形成されているため、アンテナ素子１２０の面方向が垂直方向を向いている。そして、平面アンテナ素子は、その面方向に対して直交する正面方向に指向性を持つ指向性アンテナである。したがって、支持体側面２０１に配置されたアンテナ素子１２０は、筒状支持体１１２の径方向２１０の外方、すなわち水平方向に向く指向性を有する。 Since the antenna element 120 which is a planar antenna element is formed on the surface of the support side surface 201 which is a vertical surface, the surface direction of the antenna element 120 faces the vertical direction. The planar antenna element is a directional antenna having directivity in the front direction orthogonal to the surface direction. Therefore, the antenna element 120 disposed on the support side surface 201 has directivity that faces outward in the radial direction 210 of the cylindrical support 112, that is, in the horizontal direction.
　図２Ａにおいて、符号２２０は、１個のアンテナ素子１２０によって形成されるビーム２２０の指向性を示している。図２Ａに示すように、各アンテナ素子１２０によって形成されるビーム２２０は、互いに水平面周方向に重複するように、それらの水平ビーム幅が設定されている。したがって、円周方向の複数のアンテナ素子１２０を用いることにより、水平面全方向にビームを向けることができる。ここで、「水平面全方向にビームを向けることができる」とは、円周方向における複数のアンテナ素子１２０のうちのいずれかだけを用いて、水平面全方向に含まれる任意の方向にビームを向けることを含むとともに、円周方向における複数のアンテナ素子１２０全てを同時に用いて、水平面全方向に無指向のビームを向けることの双方を含む。 2A, reference numeral 220 indicates the directivity of the beam 220 formed by one antenna element 120. As shown in FIG. 2A, the horizontal beam widths of the beams 220 formed by the antenna elements 120 are set so as to overlap each other in the horizontal plane circumferential direction. Therefore, by using the plurality of antenna elements 120 in the circumferential direction, the beam can be directed in all horizontal plane directions. Here, “being able to direct the beam in all directions in the horizontal plane” refers to directing the beam in any direction included in all directions in the horizontal plane using only one of the plurality of antenna elements 120 in the circumferential direction. And simultaneously using all the plurality of antenna elements 120 in the circumferential direction to direct an omnidirectional beam in all horizontal directions.
　第１実施形態では、１つの支持体側面３０１に形成され垂直方向に並ぶ４つのアンテナ素子１２０ａ，１２０ｂ，１２０ｃ，１２０ｄを一つのアンテナ１４０として使う例を説明する。４つのアンテナ素子１２０ａ，１２０ｂ，１２０ｃ，１２０ｄを一つのアンテナ１４０として使う場合、アンテナ装置１００は、３２個のアンテナ１４０が円周状に並んだものとなる。なお、３２個のアンテナ１４０が円周状に並んでいる状態は、３２個の第１アンテナ素子１２０ａだけが円周状に並んでいる状態に置き換えて考えても良い。 In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which four antenna elements 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d formed on one support side surface 301 and arranged in the vertical direction are used as one antenna 140. When the four antenna elements 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d are used as one antenna 140, the antenna device 100 has 32 antennas 140 arranged in a circle. Note that the state in which the 32 antennas 140 are arranged in a circle may be replaced with the state in which only the 32 first antenna elements 120a are arranged in a circle.
　また、第１実施形態では、円周状の３２個のアンテナ１４０をビーフォーミングのためのアレイアンテナとして用いる。ただし、第１実施形態では、３２個のアンテナ１４０は、全てが同時に使用されるのではなく、３２個のアンテナのうちの一部のアンテナ１４０が同時に使用される。一部のアンテナは、１個でも複数個でもよい。以下では、一部のアンテナ１４０は、３個のアンテナ１４０とする。同時に使用される３個のアンテナを使用アンテナ（使用アンテナ素子）という。つまり、本実施形態では、アンテナ装置１００は、３個のアンテナ１４０（アンテナ素子）を有するアレーアンテナとして動作する。アレーアンテナを構成する３個のアンテナ（アンテナ素子）は切替可能である。 In the first embodiment, 32 circumferential antennas 140 are used as array antennas for be forming. However, in the first embodiment, not all of the 32 antennas 140 are used simultaneously, but some of the 32 antennas 140 are used simultaneously. Some antennas may be one or more. Hereinafter, some of the antennas 140 are assumed to be three antennas 140. Three antennas used at the same time are referred to as used antennas (used antenna elements). In other words, in this embodiment, the antenna device 100 operates as an array antenna having three antennas 140 (antenna elements). The three antennas (antenna elements) constituting the array antenna can be switched.
　図３に示すアンテナ装置１００は、３個（複数）の使用アンテナ１４０それぞれの位相・振幅を調整するための３個の調整部３０１，３０２，３０３を備える。各調整部３０１，３０２，３０３は、それぞれ、位相調整のための可変移相器４０１及び振幅調整のための減衰器４０２を備える。調整部３０の数は、使用アンテナ（使用アンテナ素子）の数に対応していればよい。調整部３０１，３０２，３０３は、合成器４１０を介して、車載移動局１０が有する信号処理部５００に接続されている。信号処理部５００は、車載移動局１０においてモバイル通信のための信号処理を行う。なお、調整部の数は、使用アンテナの数に対応した数であってもよく、その場合、使用アンテナに接続されている調整部だけを使用すればよい。 The antenna apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3 includes three adjustment units 301, 302, and 303 for adjusting the phase and amplitude of each of the three (plural) used antennas 140. Each of the adjustment units 301, 302, and 303 includes a variable phase shifter 401 for phase adjustment and an attenuator 402 for amplitude adjustment. The number of the adjustment parts 30 should just respond | correspond to the number of use antennas (use antenna element). The adjustment units 301, 302, and 303 are connected to the signal processing unit 500 included in the in-vehicle mobile station 10 via the combiner 410. The signal processing unit 500 performs signal processing for mobile communication in the in-vehicle mobile station 10. In addition, the number corresponding to the number of antennas used may be sufficient as the number of adjustment parts, In that case, it is sufficient to use only the adjustment parts connected to the antennas used.
　図３のアンテナ装置１００は、３つの調整部３０１，３０２，３０３それぞれを、３２個（複数）のアンテナ１４０のいずれか３つに接続するための選択部３５０を備える。調整部３０１，３０２，３０３に接続されたアンテナ１４０が使用アンテナとなる。選択部３５０は、３個の第１ポート３５１と、３２個の第２ポート３５２を有する。３個の第１ポート３５１は、それぞれ、３個の調整部３０１，３０２，３０３のうちの１つに接続されている。３２個の第２ポート３５２は、それぞれ、３２個のアンテナ１４０のうちの１つに接続されている。 3 includes a selection unit 350 for connecting each of the three adjustment units 301, 302, and 303 to any three of the 32 (plurality) of antennas 140. The antenna 140 connected to the adjustment units 301, 302, and 303 becomes the use antenna. The selection unit 350 includes three first ports 351 and 32 second ports 352. The three first ports 351 are connected to one of the three adjustment units 301, 302, and 303, respectively. The 32 second ports 352 are each connected to one of the 32 antennas 140.
　選択部３５０は、各第１ポート３５１を、複数の第２ポート３５２のうちのいずれか一つに選択的に接続するためのスイッチ３５５を備えて構成されている。スイッチ３５５は、第１ポート３５１が３つあることに対応して、３つ設けられている。各スイッチは、それぞれ、異なる第２ポート３５２を選択する。３つのスイッチによって、３つの使用アンテナ１４０それぞれが、３つの調整部３０１，３０２，３０３のうちの１つに接続される。なお、本実施形態では、選択部３５０は、円周全体に等間隔に配置された複数のアンテナ１４０の中から隣接する３つのアンテナ１４０を選択するが、一つ又は二つ置きに３つのアンテナ１４０を選択してもよい。どのアンテナ１４０を使用アンテナとして選択するかは、制御部６００によって決定される。制御部６００は、選択部３５０を制御し、使用アンテナとして選択されるアンテナを切り替える切替処理を実行する。実施形態において、制御部６００が行う処理によってビーム制御方法が実現される。また、実施形態において、制御部６００が行う処理は、コンピュータプログラムをコンピュータに実行させることによって実現されるが、制御部６００が行う処理の一部又は全部が、半導体集積回路によって実現されてもよい。 The selection unit 350 includes a switch 355 for selectively connecting each first port 351 to any one of the plurality of second ports 352. Three switches 355 are provided corresponding to the three first ports 351. Each switch selects a different second port 352. Each of the three used antennas 140 is connected to one of the three adjustment units 301, 302, and 303 by the three switches. In the present embodiment, the selection unit 350 selects three adjacent antennas 140 from among a plurality of antennas 140 arranged at equal intervals around the entire circumference. 140 may be selected. The control unit 600 determines which antenna 140 is selected as a use antenna. The control unit 600 controls the selection unit 350 and executes a switching process for switching the antenna selected as the antenna to be used. In the embodiment, the beam control method is realized by processing performed by the control unit 600. In the embodiment, the processing performed by the control unit 600 is realized by causing a computer to execute a computer program. However, part or all of the processing performed by the control unit 600 may be realized by a semiconductor integrated circuit. .
　図４は、仮想的な円周７００に沿った円周状配置の複数のアンテナ１４０ａ，１４０ｂ，１４０ｃ，１４０ｄ，・・・が、制御部６００によって制御される選択部３５０によって切り替えられる様子を示している。図４Ａでは、選択部３５０によって、アンテナ１４０ａ、アンテナ１４０ｂ及びアンテナ１４０ｃが選択されている。したがって、これら３つのアンテナ１４０ａ，１４０ｂ，１４０ｃのアレイ合成によりビーム２５１が形成される。図４Ｂでは、選択部３５０によって選択されているアンテナは、アンテナ１４０ｂ、アンテナ１４０ｃ及びアンテナ１４０ｄに切り替わる。これら３つのアンテナ１４０ｂ，１４０ｃ，１４０ｄのアレイ合成によりビーム２５２が形成される。ビーム２５２は、ビーム２５１よりも、図４Ｂにおいて時計回りに指向性が変化しており、ビームの向きを変更できている。 FIG. 4 shows a state in which a plurality of antennas 140 a, 140 b, 140 c, 140 d,... Circumferentially arranged along a virtual circumference 700 are switched by the selection unit 350 controlled by the control unit 600. ing. In FIG. 4A, the antenna 140a, the antenna 140b, and the antenna 140c are selected by the selection unit 350. Therefore, a beam 251 is formed by array synthesis of these three antennas 140a, 140b, and 140c. In FIG. 4B, the antenna selected by the selection unit 350 is switched to the antenna 140b, the antenna 140c, and the antenna 140d. A beam 252 is formed by combining the three antennas 140b, 140c, and 140d. The directivity of the beam 252 changes in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4B as compared with the beam 251, and the direction of the beam can be changed.
　図４Ａから図４Ｂの切り替え前後において、選択部３５０によって選択されている使用アンテナの数は、３つであって、同じである。図４Ａから図４Ｂの切り替え前後において、３つの使用アンテナは、円周方向に均等配置された複数のアンテナ１４０から選択された３つの隣接するアンテナ１４０であるため、円周方向間隔も等しい。 The number of used antennas selected by the selection unit 350 before and after switching from FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B is three, which is the same. Before and after switching from FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B, the three used antennas are the three adjacent antennas 140 selected from the plurality of antennas 140 equally arranged in the circumferential direction, and therefore the circumferential intervals are also equal.
　したがって、図４Ａから図４Ｂの切り替え前後において、３つの使用アンテナのアレイ合成により得られるビーム２５１，２５２は、円周方向位置は異なるものの、その他の点においては同じ特性を持つことができる。一般に移動局におけるアンテナの切り替えは、基地局３０との間の伝搬環境を変化させ、基地局３０との通信に問題を招き易いため好ましくない。しかし、本実施形態では、使用アンテナを切り替えても、アンテナ利得は変化せず、ビームの方向が変化するだけであるため、使用アンテナを切り替えても問題が少ない。 Therefore, before and after switching from FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B, the beams 251 and 252 obtained by combining the three antennas used in the array can have the same characteristics in other points, although the positions in the circumferential direction are different. In general, switching of an antenna in a mobile station is not preferable because it changes a propagation environment with the base station 30 and easily causes a problem in communication with the base station 30. However, in this embodiment, even if the antenna used is switched, the antenna gain does not change and only the beam direction changes. Therefore, there are few problems even if the antenna used is switched.
　また、本実施形態では、切替後の使用アンテナ１４０ｂ，１４０ｃ，１０４ｄは、切替前の使用アンテナ１４０ａ，１４０ｂ，１４０ｃのうちの一部のアンテナ１４０ｂ，１０４ｃを含むことができる。このような切替を行うと、図２Ａに示される複数のビーム２５１，２５２，２５３，２５４，２５５，２５６のように、円周方向に細かくビームの向きを調整することができる。これにより、水平面のいずれの方向へも強いビームを形成することが可能となる。アンテナ切替によるビーム方向の調整と信号の位相又は振幅の調整とを併用したビームフォーミングをすることで、高い利得を維持しつつ、水平面のいずれの方向へも対応することができ、高速通信が可能となる。 In the present embodiment, the used antennas 140b, 140c, and 104d after switching can include some of the antennas 140b, 104c among the used antennas 140a, 140b, and 140c before switching. When such switching is performed, the direction of the beam can be finely adjusted in the circumferential direction like a plurality of beams 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, and 256 shown in FIG. 2A. This makes it possible to form a strong beam in any direction on the horizontal plane. Beam forming that combines adjustment of the beam direction by switching antennas and adjustment of the phase or amplitude of the signal enables high-speed communication by supporting any direction on the horizontal plane while maintaining high gain. It becomes.
　なお、切替前後において、使用アンテナが重複しないように切替を行っても良い。例えば、切替前においては、図２Ａにおけるアンテナ１４０ｐ，１４０ｑ，１４０ｒが使用アンテナとなってビーム２５７が形成されており、切替後においては、図２Ｂにおけるアンテナ１４０ｓ，１４０ｔ，１４０ｕが使用アンテナとなってビーム２５８が形成されてもよい。 Note that switching may be performed before and after switching so that the antennas used do not overlap. For example, before switching, the antennas 140p, 140q, and 140r in FIG. 2A are used antennas and the beam 257 is formed, and after switching, the antennas 140s, 140t, and 140u in FIG. 2B are used antennas. A beam 258 may be formed.
　図４に示すような、使用アンテナの切り替えは、例えば、車両２０（車載移動局１０；アンテナ装置１００）の移動に応じて、水平面におけるビームの向きを変えるために行われる。車両２０の運行により、車両２０の位置・向きが変わり、基地局３０との相対的な位置関係が変化する。アンテナ装置１００の制御部６００は、基地局３０と移動局１０との相対的位置関係に基づいて、最適なビーム方向を得るための使用アンテナとなるアンテナ１４０を決定する。 The switching of the antenna used as shown in FIG. 4 is performed, for example, to change the direction of the beam on the horizontal plane in accordance with the movement of the vehicle 20 (the on-vehicle mobile station 10; the antenna device 100). Due to the operation of the vehicle 20, the position and orientation of the vehicle 20 change, and the relative positional relationship with the base station 30 changes. Based on the relative positional relationship between the base station 30 and the mobile station 10, the control unit 600 of the antenna device 100 determines an antenna 140 that is an antenna to be used for obtaining an optimum beam direction.
　基地局３０と移動局１０との相対的位置関係は、例えば、基地局３０に対する移動局１０の相対運行方向として算出される。図３に示すように、制御部６００は、切替処理において、通信信号の周波数からドップラー周波数を推定し（ステップＳ１０）、ドップラー周波数から、移動局１０の相対運行方向を推定し（ステップＳ２０）、相対運行方向に基づいて、使用アンテナ（切替先アンテナ）を決定することができる（ステップＳ３０）。 The relative positional relationship between the base station 30 and the mobile station 10 is calculated as, for example, the relative operation direction of the mobile station 10 with respect to the base station 30. As shown in FIG. 3, in the switching process, the control unit 600 estimates the Doppler frequency from the frequency of the communication signal (Step S10), estimates the relative operation direction of the mobile station 10 from the Doppler frequency (Step S20), Based on the relative direction of travel, the antenna used (switched antenna) can be determined (step S30).
　例えば、基地局３０と移動局１０とが図５Ａに示す位置関係にあるときに、移動局１０では、ビーム２６１が形成される使用アンテナ１４０が選択されているものとする。このとき、移動局１０の制御部６００は、基地局３０に対する移動局１０の相対運行方向を推定し、現在のビーム２６１と相対運行方向に基づき、次に向けるべきビーム２６２，２６３の方向を決定する。図５Ｂに示すように、移動局１０が、図の右方に運行している場合、ビーム方向は、図における反時計回りに変化させるべきであり、このことから次に向けるべきビーム２６２が特定される。また、図５Ｃに示すように、移動局１０が、図の左方に運行している場合、ビーム方向は、図における時計回りに変化させるべきであり、このことから次に向けるべきビーム２６３が特定される。ビームの方向が特定されると、そのビームを形成するためのアンテナ１４０が使用アンテナとして決定される。 For example, when the base station 30 and the mobile station 10 are in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 5A, it is assumed that the use antenna 140 on which the beam 261 is formed is selected in the mobile station 10. At this time, the control unit 600 of the mobile station 10 estimates the relative operation direction of the mobile station 10 with respect to the base station 30, and determines the directions of the beams 262 and 263 to be directed next based on the current beam 261 and the relative operation direction. To do. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the mobile station 10 is operating on the right side of the figure, the beam direction should be changed counterclockwise in the figure, and thus the beam 262 to be directed next is specified. Is done. Also, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the mobile station 10 is operating to the left in the figure, the beam direction should be changed clockwise in the figure, so that the beam 263 to be directed next is Identified. When the direction of the beam is specified, the antenna 140 for forming the beam is determined as the antenna to be used.
　人によって携帯（典型的には手持ち）される移動局の場合、移動局と人との相対位置関係は不規則に変化し、人の将来の移動方向の推定も容易ではない。これに対して、車載移動局１０は、車両２０に搭載されており、車両２０との相対位置関係はほとんど変化せず、車両２０自体の位置姿勢も急激に変更しない。したがって、車載移動局１０の将来の相対運行方向の推定は比較的容易である。これを利用して、基地局３０と移動局１０との相対運行方向を推定して、ビーム方向を切り替えることで、常にビームを基地局３０に向けることができる。また、ビームを基地局３０に向けるために、全てのビーム方向をスイープする必要がない。しかも、本実施形態のアンテナ装置３００は水平面の全方向にビームを向けることができるため、車載移動局１０がどの方向に運行しても対応することができる。 In the case of a mobile station carried by a person (typically hand-held), the relative positional relationship between the mobile station and the person changes irregularly, and it is not easy to estimate the future movement direction of the person. On the other hand, the in-vehicle mobile station 10 is mounted on the vehicle 20, the relative positional relationship with the vehicle 20 hardly changes, and the position and orientation of the vehicle 20 itself does not change abruptly. Therefore, it is relatively easy to estimate the future relative operation direction of the in-vehicle mobile station 10. By utilizing this, the beam can be always directed to the base station 30 by estimating the relative operation direction between the base station 30 and the mobile station 10 and switching the beam direction. In addition, in order to direct the beam to the base station 30, it is not necessary to sweep all beam directions. Moreover, since the antenna device 300 of the present embodiment can direct the beam in all directions on the horizontal plane, it can cope with any direction of the in-vehicle mobile station 10 operating.
　車載移動局１０の将来の相対運行方向の推定は、ドップラー周波数に限らず、ＧＰＳ信号に基づいて行っても良い。また、車両２０の運行ルートが予め決まっている場合、運行ルート情報に基づいて、車載移動局１０の将来の相対運行方向の推定を行っても良い。運行ルート情報は、例えば、バス又は電車の路線情報でもよいし、カーナビゲーションシステムによって選択された経路情報でもよい。 The estimation of the future relative operation direction of the in-vehicle mobile station 10 is not limited to the Doppler frequency, and may be performed based on a GPS signal. Moreover, when the operation route of the vehicle 20 is determined in advance, the future relative operation direction of the in-vehicle mobile station 10 may be estimated based on the operation route information. The operation route information may be, for example, bus or train route information, or route information selected by the car navigation system.
　図６は、アンテナ装置１００の変形例を示している。図２において、支持体１１２は、正３２角筒状であったが、図６では、正６角筒状であり、アンテナ素子１２０（第１アンテナ素子）は、支持体１１２の６個の側面それぞれに形成され、円周方向に６個配置されている。これらの６個のアンテナ素子１２０は、水平面における仮想的な水平面（ＸＹ平面）における円周７００上に等間隔に配置され、円周状配置となっている。６個のアンテナ素子１２０それぞれの円周方向間隔は、６０°である。図６では、２つのアンテナ素子１２０のアレイ合成により形成されるビーム２５１，２５２，２５３，２５４，２５５，２５６を示したが、３つのアンテナ素子１３０のアレイ合成によりビームを形成してもよい。図６のアンテナ装置１００においても、アンテナ素子１２０を垂直方向に多段配置してもよいし、１段配置でもよい。 FIG. 6 shows a modification of the antenna device 100. In FIG. 2, the support body 112 has a regular 32-square tube shape, but in FIG. 6, the support body 112 has a regular hexagonal tube shape, and the antenna element 120 (first antenna element) includes six side surfaces of the support body 112. Each is formed, and six pieces are arranged in the circumferential direction. These six antenna elements 120 are arranged at equal intervals on a circumference 700 in a virtual horizontal plane (XY plane) in the horizontal plane, and are arranged in a circumferential manner. Each of the six antenna elements 120 has a circumferential interval of 60 °. In FIG. 6, beams 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, and 256 formed by array combining of two antenna elements 120 are shown, but a beam may be formed by array combining of three antenna elements 130. Also in the antenna device 100 of FIG. 6, the antenna elements 120 may be arranged in multiple stages in the vertical direction, or may be arranged in a single stage.
　図７は、アンテナ装置１００の他の変形例を示している。図７に示すアンテナ装置１００は、図６に示すアンテナ装置と同様に、正６角筒状の支持体１１２を有する。支持体１１２の６個の側面それぞれには、水平方向に４個（複数）のアンテナ素子が配置されている。図７では、複数のアンテナ素子１２０は、１つの水平面において合計２４個ある。図７に示すアンテナ素子１２０は、それぞれ水平面周方向に間隔をおいいて、６角形リング状に配置されている。水平面におけるリング状配置は、多角形リング状配置でもよいし、円リング状配置でもよい。このようなリング状配置でも、水平面全方向への対応が可能である。 FIG. 7 shows another modification of the antenna device 100. The antenna device 100 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a regular hexagonal cylindrical support body 112, similarly to the antenna device illustrated in FIG. On each of the six side surfaces of the support 112, four (plural) antenna elements are arranged in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 7, there are a total of 24 antenna elements 120 in one horizontal plane. The antenna elements 120 shown in FIG. 7 are arranged in a hexagonal ring shape at intervals in the circumferential direction of the horizontal plane. The ring arrangement in the horizontal plane may be a polygon ring arrangement or a circular ring arrangement. Even in such a ring-shaped arrangement, it is possible to deal with all horizontal plane directions.
　図８は、アンテナ装置１００の他の変形例を示している。図８において、支持体１１２は、複数（２個）の分割支持体１１２ａ，１１２ｂにより構成されている。図８の分割支持体１１２ａ，１１２ｂは、図２の正３２角筒を左右に２つに分割したものであり、それぞれ、１８個のアンテナ素子１２０を有する。図８のアンテナ装置１００の分割支持体１１２ａ，１１２ｂを結合すると、図２のアンテナ装置１００と等価である。支持体１１２が複数に分割されていると、車両２０への適切な分割配置が可能となる。例えば、一方の分割支持体１１２ａを、車両２０の前部に配置し、他方の分割支持体１１２ｂを車両２０の後部に配置することができる。また、分割数は、２分割に限られず、例えば、４分割であってもよい。４分割により、分割支持体を車両の四隅に配置することができる。 FIG. 8 shows another modification of the antenna device 100. In FIG. 8, the support body 112 is composed of a plurality (two) of divided support bodies 112a and 112b. The divided support bodies 112a and 112b in FIG. 8 are obtained by dividing the regular 32-square tube in FIG. 2 into two on the left and right sides, and each has 18 antenna elements 120. When the divided supports 112a and 112b of the antenna device 100 of FIG. 8 are coupled, it is equivalent to the antenna device 100 of FIG. When the support body 112 is divided into a plurality of parts, an appropriate divided arrangement on the vehicle 20 is possible. For example, one divided support body 112 a can be disposed at the front portion of the vehicle 20, and the other divided support body 112 b can be disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle 20. Further, the number of divisions is not limited to two divisions, and may be four divisions, for example. By dividing into four parts, the divided support bodies can be arranged at the four corners of the vehicle.
　図８のように、支持体１１２が、複数の分割支持体１１２により構成されている場合、アンテナ素子１２０の円周状等間隔配置は、複数の分割支持体１１２を結合したときに得られていれば足りる。 As shown in FIG. 8, when the support body 112 is constituted by a plurality of divided support bodies 112, the circumferentially equidistant arrangement of the antenna elements 120 is obtained when the plurality of divided support bodies 112 are combined. If it is enough.
　図９～図１１は、アンテナ装置１００の他の変形例を示している。図９に示すアンテナ装置１００は、図２Ｂに示すアンテナ装置１００のキャリブレーション用アンテナ素子１５０を追加したものである。アンテナ素子１５０は、アンテナ素子１２０のアンテナキャリブレーションに用いられる。アンテナ素子１５０も、アンテナ素子１２０と同様に、円周方向に３２個配置されている。複数のアンテナ素子１５０の配置は、各段の複数のアンテナ素子１２０の配置と共通しており、円周上等間隔配置である。また、各段のアンテナ素子１２０及びアンテナ素子１５０の円周方向位置も揃っている。つまり、支持体１１２の３２個の側面２０１それぞれには、垂直方向に５個のアンテナ素子１２０，１５０が配置されている。 9 to 11 show other modified examples of the antenna device 100. FIG. The antenna device 100 shown in FIG. 9 is obtained by adding the calibration antenna element 150 of the antenna device 100 shown in FIG. 2B. The antenna element 150 is used for antenna calibration of the antenna element 120. Similarly to the antenna element 120, 32 antenna elements 150 are arranged in the circumferential direction. The arrangement of the plurality of antenna elements 150 is common to the arrangement of the plurality of antenna elements 120 in each stage, and is arranged at equal intervals on the circumference. In addition, the circumferential positions of the antenna elements 120 and the antenna elements 150 at the respective stages are also aligned. That is, five antenna elements 120 and 150 are arranged in the vertical direction on each of the 32 side surfaces 201 of the support 112.
　図９において、アンテナ素子１５０は、アンテナ素子１２０よりも下方、つまり、最下段に配置されているが、アンテナ素子１２０よりも上方、つまり、最上段に配置されていてもよい。なお、３２個のアンテナ素子１５０の集合を、キャリブレーション用アンテナ素子群１３０ｅという。図９のアンテナ装置１００において説明を省略した点は、図２Ｂのアンテナ装置１００と同様である。 In FIG. 9, the antenna element 150 is disposed below the antenna element 120, that is, at the lowermost stage, but may be disposed above the antenna element 120, that is, disposed at the uppermost stage. A set of 32 antenna elements 150 is referred to as a calibration antenna element group 130e. The description of the antenna device 100 in FIG. 9 is the same as that of the antenna device 100 in FIG.
　実施形態において、アンテナキャリブレーションは、通信に用いられるアンテナ素子１２０間の位相のキャリブレーションである。位相のキャリブレーションにより、指定された方向にビームを正確に向けることができる。実施形態において、位相キャリブレーションは、キャリブレーションの対象となるアンテナ素子から出力された信号を、キャリブレーション用アンテナ素子１５０にて受信し、受信した信号をキャリブレーション基準信号と比較し、比較結果に基づいて、キャリブレーションの対象となるアンテナ素子に接続された位相器の位相を校正することで行われる。 In the embodiment, the antenna calibration is a calibration of the phase between the antenna elements 120 used for communication. Phase calibration allows the beam to be accurately directed in a specified direction. In the embodiment, in phase calibration, a signal output from an antenna element to be calibrated is received by the calibration antenna element 150, the received signal is compared with a calibration reference signal, and a comparison result is obtained. Based on this, the phase of the phase shifter connected to the antenna element to be calibrated is calibrated.
　図１０及び図１１は、キャリブレーションのより具体的な方法の一例を示している。なお、ここでは、垂直方向に並ぶ４つのアンテナ素子１２０ａ，１２０ｂ，１２０ｃ，１２０ｄを一つのアンテナ１４０として扱い、アンテナ１４０単位でキャリブレーションが行われる。各アンテナ１４０には、位相器４０１等を含む調整部３０１，３０２，・・，３３２が設けられている。すなわち、アンテナ１４０は、円周方向に３２個配置され、調整部３０１，３０２，・・，３３２もアンテナ１４０に対応して３２個設けられている。すなわち、図１０及び図１１では、３２本の送受信パスが存在する。 10 and 11 show an example of a more specific method of calibration. Here, the four antenna elements 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d arranged in the vertical direction are treated as one antenna 140, and calibration is performed in units of the antenna 140. Each antenna 140 is provided with adjusting units 301, 302,... 332 including a phase shifter 401 and the like. That is, 32 antennas 140 are arranged in the circumferential direction, and 32 adjustment units 301, 302,... 332 are also provided corresponding to the antennas 140. That is, in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, there are 32 transmission / reception paths.
　図１０は、３２本の送信パスのキャリブレーションの仕方を示している。キャリブレーションのための３２個のアンテナ１４０からの送信は、時分割で順番に行われる。つまり、あるアンテナ１４０から送信の送信中は、他のアンテナ１４０からの送信は行われない。あるアンテナ１４０から送信された信号の受信のためのアンテナ素子１５０として、そのアンテナ１４０と円周方向位置が一致するアンテナ素子１５０が選択される。 FIG. 10 shows how to calibrate 32 transmission paths. Transmission from the 32 antennas 140 for calibration is performed in order in a time division manner. That is, during transmission transmission from one antenna 140, transmission from another antenna 140 is not performed. As an antenna element 150 for receiving a signal transmitted from a certain antenna 140, an antenna element 150 having the same circumferential position as that of the antenna 140 is selected.
　受信のために選択されたアンテナ素子１５０によって受信された信号は、信号処理部５００に与えられる。信号処理部５００は、受信信号とキャリブレーション基準信号とを比較し、位相器の構成パラメータを計算する。計算された構成パラメータは、信号を送信したアンテナ１４０の送信パスに含まれる位相器に与えられ、その送信パスの位相キャリブレーションが行われる。あるアンテナ１４０の送信パスのキャリブレーションが完了すると、他のアンテナ１４０の送信パスのキャリブレーションが順次行われ、これにより、３２個全てのアンテナ１４０の送信パスのキャリブレーションが行われる。 The signal received by the antenna element 150 selected for reception is given to the signal processing unit 500. The signal processing unit 500 compares the received signal with the calibration reference signal, and calculates the configuration parameter of the phase shifter. The calculated configuration parameter is given to the phase shifter included in the transmission path of the antenna 140 that has transmitted the signal, and phase calibration of the transmission path is performed. When the calibration of the transmission path of a certain antenna 140 is completed, the calibration of the transmission paths of the other antennas 140 is sequentially performed, whereby the transmission paths of all 32 antennas 140 are calibrated.
　図１１は、３２本の受信パスのキャリブレーションの仕方を示している。キャリブレーションのための３２個のアンテナ１４０による受信も、時分割で順番に行われる。キャリブレーション信号の送信は、キャリブレーション用アンテナ素子１５０によって行われる。あるアンテナ１４０によって受信される信号を送信するアンテナ素子１５０として、そのアンテナ１４０と円周方向位置が一致するアンテナ素子１５０が選択される。つまり、受信アンテナ１４０と円周方向において同じ位置にあるアンテナ素子１５０が送信アンテナとして選択される。 FIG. 11 shows how to calibrate 32 reception paths. Reception by 32 antennas 140 for calibration is also performed in order in a time division manner. The calibration signal is transmitted by the calibration antenna element 150. As the antenna element 150 that transmits a signal received by a certain antenna 140, the antenna element 150 whose circumferential position matches that of the antenna 140 is selected. That is, the antenna element 150 located at the same position in the circumferential direction as the reception antenna 140 is selected as the transmission antenna.
　あるアンテナ素子１５０から送信されたキャリブレーション信号は、そのアンテナ素子１５０と円周方向において同じ位置にあるアンテナ１４０によって受信される。アンテナ１４０によって受信された信号は、信号処理部５００に与えられる。信号処理部５００は、受信信号とキャリブレーション基準信号とを比較し、位相器の構成パラメータを計算する。計算された構成パラメータは、信号を受信したアンテナ１４０の受信パスに含まれる位相器に与えられ、その受信パスの位相キャリブレーションが行われる。あるアンテナ１４０の受信パスのキャリブレーションが完了すると、他のアンテナ１４０の受信パスのキャリブレーションが順次行われ、これにより、３２個全てのアンテナ１４０の受信パスのキャリブレーションが行われる。 A calibration signal transmitted from a certain antenna element 150 is received by the antenna 140 located at the same position in the circumferential direction as that antenna element 150. A signal received by the antenna 140 is given to the signal processing unit 500. The signal processing unit 500 compares the received signal with the calibration reference signal, and calculates the configuration parameter of the phase shifter. The calculated configuration parameter is given to a phase shifter included in the reception path of the antenna 140 that has received the signal, and phase calibration of the reception path is performed. When the calibration of the reception path of a certain antenna 140 is completed, the calibration of the reception paths of the other antennas 140 is sequentially performed, whereby the calibration of the reception paths of all 32 antennas 140 is performed.
　なお、キャリブレーションにおいては、位相キャリブレーションだけでなく、振幅キャリブレーションも行っても良い。 In calibration, not only phase calibration but also amplitude calibration may be performed.
［２．２　第２実施形態］ [2.2 Second Embodiment]
　図１２は、第２実施形態に係るアンテナ装置１００を示している。このアンテナ装置１００も、第１実施形態のアンテナ装置１００と同様に車載移動局１０に設けられる。第２実施形態に関し、以下において特に説明しない点については、第１実施形態と同様である。 FIG. 12 shows the antenna device 100 according to the second embodiment. The antenna device 100 is also provided in the in-vehicle mobile station 10 as with the antenna device 100 of the first embodiment. Regarding the second embodiment, points that are not particularly described below are the same as in the first embodiment.
　第２実施形態のアンテナ装置１００は、水平方向は全方向に対応した無指向性アンテナとして機能し、ビームフォーミングにより垂直方向に指向性を絞って利得を向上させて、高速通信を可能とする。 The antenna device 100 according to the second embodiment functions as an omnidirectional antenna that corresponds to all directions in the horizontal direction, and improves the gain by narrowing the directivity in the vertical direction by beam forming, thereby enabling high-speed communication.
　図１２Ｂ，図１２Ｃに示すように、第２実施形態において、アンテナ素子１２０を支持する支持体１１２は、錐体状である。錐体は、角錐体（ｎ角錐体）でもよいし、円錐体でもよい。錐体状には、完全な錐体だけでなく、錐台を含むものとする。錐台は、角錐台でもよいし、円錐台でもよい。 As shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C, in the second embodiment, the support body 112 that supports the antenna element 120 has a cone shape. The cone may be a pyramid (n-pyramid) or a cone. The cone shape includes not only a perfect cone but also a frustum. The frustum may be a truncated pyramid or a truncated cone.
　図１２Ｂ，図１２Ｃに示す支持体１１２は、８角錐体状（ｎ＝８）であり、８個の傾斜面２０１を有する。支持体１１２の傾斜面２０１には、複数のアンテナ素子１２０が配置されている。アンテナ素子１２０は、８個（ｎ個）の傾斜面２０１それぞれに形成されている。各傾斜面２０１には、傾斜面に沿った径方向に４個（複数）のアンテナ素子１２０が１列に配置されている。 The support 112 shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C has an octagonal pyramid shape (n = 8), and has eight inclined surfaces 201. A plurality of antenna elements 120 are arranged on the inclined surface 201 of the support 112. The antenna element 120 is formed on each of the eight (n) inclined surfaces 201. In each inclined surface 201, four (plural) antenna elements 120 are arranged in a row in the radial direction along the inclined surface.
　図１２Ｂ，図１２Ｃにおいては、垂直方向における同じ高さに８個のアンテナ素子１２０が配置され、同じ高さの８個のアンテナ素子１２０に着目すると、その８個のアンテナ素子１２０は、水平面において円周状に等間隔で配置されている。垂直方向の各段のアンテナ素子１２０の円周方向位置は揃っている。図１２Ｂにおいて、円周方向に隣接する任意の２つのアンテナ素子１２０，１２０の間の円周方向角θは４５°である。なお、同じ高さの８個のアンテナ素子１２０は、水平面において８角形リング状に配置されているということもできる。 12B and 12C, eight antenna elements 120 are arranged at the same height in the vertical direction. When attention is paid to the eight antenna elements 120 having the same height, the eight antenna elements 120 are arranged in the horizontal plane. Circumferentially arranged at equal intervals. The circumferential positions of the antenna elements 120 in the vertical stages are aligned. In FIG. 12B, the circumferential angle θ between any two antenna elements 120, 120 adjacent in the circumferential direction is 45 °. It can be said that the eight antenna elements 120 having the same height are arranged in an octagonal ring shape in the horizontal plane.
　第１実施形態と同様に、図１２においても、最上段に設置された８個のアンテナ素子１２０それぞれを「第１アンテナ素子１２０ａ」といい、８個の第１アンテナ素子１２０ａの集合を第１アンテナ素子群１３０ａという。第１アンテナ素子１２０ａの直下（上から２段目）に配置された８個のアンテナ素子１２０それぞれを「第２アンテナ素子１２０ｂ」といい、８個の第２アンテナ素子１２０ｂの集合を第２アンテナ素子群１３０ｂという。第２アンテナ素子１２０ｂの直下（上から３段目）に配置された８個のアンテナ素子１２０それぞれを「第３アンテナ素子１２０ｃ」といい、８個の第３アンテナ素子１２０ｂの集合を第３アンテナ素子群１３０ｃという。第３アンテナ素子１２０ｃの直下（上から３段目）に配置された８個のアンテナ素子１２０それぞれを「第４アンテナ素子１２０ｄ」といい、８個の第４アンテナ素子１２０ｃの集合を第４アンテナ素子群１３０ｄという。 Similarly to the first embodiment, in FIG. 12, each of the eight antenna elements 120 installed at the uppermost stage is referred to as a “first antenna element 120a”, and a set of eight first antenna elements 120a is the first. This is referred to as an antenna element group 130a. Each of the eight antenna elements 120 arranged immediately below the first antenna element 120a (second stage from the top) is referred to as a “second antenna element 120b”, and a set of eight second antenna elements 120b is a second antenna. This is referred to as an element group 130b. Each of the eight antenna elements 120 arranged immediately below the second antenna element 120b (third stage from the top) is referred to as a “third antenna element 120c”, and a set of eight third antenna elements 120b is a third antenna. This is referred to as an element group 130c. Each of the eight antenna elements 120 arranged immediately below the third antenna element 120c (third stage from the top) is referred to as a “fourth antenna element 120d”, and a set of eight fourth antenna elements 120c is a fourth antenna. This is referred to as an element group 130d.
　図１２Ｂ，図１２Ｃに示すように、各段のアンテナ素子１２０ａ，１２０ｂ，１２０ｃ，１２０ｄは、それぞれ、水平面において、円周状等間隔配置である。また、第２アンテナ素子１２０ｂは、第１アンテナ素子１２０ａよりも径方向外方に配置され、第１アンテナ素子１２０ａが描く円周よりも大きな円周を描くように配置されている。また、同様に、第３アンテナ素子１２０ｂは第２アンテナ素子１２０ｂよりも、第４アンテナ素子１２０ｂは第３アンテナ素子１２０ｃよりも径方向外方に配置されている。 As shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C, the antenna elements 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d at the respective stages are arranged at equal circumferential intervals on the horizontal plane. In addition, the second antenna element 120b is disposed radially outward from the first antenna element 120a, and is disposed so as to draw a circumference larger than the circumference drawn by the first antenna element 120a. Similarly, the third antenna element 120b is disposed radially outward from the second antenna element 120b, and the fourth antenna element 120b is disposed radially outward from the third antenna element 120c.
　平面アンテナであるアンテナ素子１２０は、傾斜面２０１の表面に形成されているため、アンテナ素子１２０の面方向が、傾斜している。したがって、各アンテナ素子１２０は、水平面においては径方向外方であって、垂直面においては、斜め上方に向く指向性を持つ。 Since the antenna element 120 that is a planar antenna is formed on the surface of the inclined surface 201, the surface direction of the antenna element 120 is inclined. Therefore, each antenna element 120 has directivity that is radially outward in the horizontal plane and obliquely upward in the vertical plane.
　図１２Ａに示すように、円周状に配置された同じ高さのアンテナ素子１２０ａ，１２０ｂ，１２０ｃ，１２０ｄは、同相合成される。したがって、第１アンテナ素子群１３０ａ、第２アンテナ素子群１３０ｂ、第３アンテナ素子群１３０ｃ及び第４アンテナ素子群１４０ｄは、それぞれ、水平面において無指向性となるビームを形成する。水平面において無指向性であることで、基地局３０が移動局１０からみてどの方向にあっても、基地局３０との安定した通信が可能となる。 As shown in FIG. 12A, the antenna elements 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d having the same height and arranged circumferentially are combined in phase. Accordingly, the first antenna element group 130a, the second antenna element group 130b, the third antenna element group 130c, and the fourth antenna element group 140d each form a beam that is non-directional on a horizontal plane. By being non-directional on the horizontal plane, stable communication with the base station 30 is possible regardless of the direction in which the base station 30 is viewed from the mobile station 10.
　また、図１２Ａに示すように、第２実施形態のアンテナ装置１００では、第１アンテナ素子群１３０ａ、第２アンテナ素子群１３０ｂ、第３アンテナ素子群１３０ｃ及び第４アンテナ素子群１３０ｄを４つのアンテナとして、４つのアンテナによるアレイアンテナとして機能する。４つのアンテナ１３０ａ，１３０ｂ，１３０ｃ，１３０ｄは、垂直方向に位置が異なるため、ビームフォーミングにより、垂直面における指向性を変えることができる。車載移動局１０と基地局３０との垂直方向の相対的位置に応じて、垂直面における指向性変えることで、基地局３０の向きにおいて大きな利得を得ることができ、安定した高速通信が可能となる。 As shown in FIG. 12A, in the antenna device 100 of the second embodiment, the first antenna element group 130a, the second antenna element group 130b, the third antenna element group 130c, and the fourth antenna element group 130d are divided into four antennas. As an array antenna with four antennas. Since the four antennas 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d have different positions in the vertical direction, the directivity in the vertical plane can be changed by beam forming. By changing the directivity in the vertical plane according to the relative position in the vertical direction between the in-vehicle mobile station 10 and the base station 30, a large gain can be obtained in the direction of the base station 30, and stable high-speed communication is possible. Become.
　また、第２実施形態では、アンテナ素子１２０が傾斜面２０１に配置されているため、大きな利得を得やすいアンテナ正面方向が斜め上方を向いている。基地局３０は、一般に、高所に配置されているため、アンテナ正面方向が垂直方向であったり、水平方向であったりする場合に比べて、アンテナ正面方向が斜め上方であると、基地局３０との通信において高い利得を得やすい。 In the second embodiment, since the antenna element 120 is disposed on the inclined surface 201, the antenna front direction in which a large gain is easily obtained faces obliquely upward. Since the base station 30 is generally arranged at a high place, the base station 30 has an antenna front direction obliquely upward as compared with a case where the antenna front direction is a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. It is easy to obtain a high gain in communication with
　しかも、傾斜面２０１に沿って並んだ４つのアンテナ１３０ａ，１３０ｂ，１３０ｃ，１３０ｄは、アレイ合成され、各アンテナの位相が、可変位相器４０５によって調整されることで、チルト角制御が行える。チルト角制御により、基地局３０の向きに適切にビームを向けることができる。第２実施形態では、第１実施形態のように、水平面における指向性制御は行わないが、垂直面における指向性制御を行うことで、アンテナ利得を得ることができる。 Furthermore, the four antennas 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d arranged along the inclined surface 201 are array-synthesized, and the tilt angle can be controlled by adjusting the phase of each antenna by the variable phase shifter 405. By tilt angle control, the beam can be appropriately directed in the direction of the base station 30. In the second embodiment, the directivity control in the horizontal plane is not performed as in the first embodiment, but the antenna gain can be obtained by performing the directivity control in the vertical plane.
［３．他の観点からの発明の開示］ [3. Disclosure of Invention from Other Viewpoint]
［３．１　構成］ [3.1 Configuration]
［３．１．１　第１項］
　アンテナ装置であって、
　ベースと、
　前記ベースに支持され、水平面においてリング状に配置された複数の第１アンテナ素子と、
　前記ベースに支持され、水平面においてリング状に配置された複数の第２アンテナ素子と、
を備え、
　複数の前記第２アンテナ素子は、複数の前記第１アンテナ素子よりも下方に配置され、複数の前記第１アンテナ素子よりも前記リングの径方向外方に配置され、
　複数の前記第１アンテナ素子及び複数の前記第２アンテナ素子は、それぞれ、前記リングの径方向外方かつ斜め上方に向く指向性を有する
　アンテナ装置。 [3.1.1 Item 1]
An antenna device,
Base and
A plurality of first antenna elements supported by the base and arranged in a ring shape in a horizontal plane;
A plurality of second antenna elements supported by the base and arranged in a ring shape in a horizontal plane;
With
The plurality of second antenna elements are disposed below the plurality of first antenna elements, and are disposed radially outward of the ring from the plurality of first antenna elements.
The plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements each have directivity directed radially outward and obliquely upward of the ring.
［３．１．２　第２項］
　複数の前記第１アンテナ素子及び複数の第２アンテナ素子は、水平面において無指向性となるビームを形成する
　第１項に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。 [3.1.2 Item 2]
The on-vehicle mobile station antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements form a beam that is non-directional on a horizontal plane.
［３．１．３　第３項］
　複数の前記第１アンテナ素子と複数の前記第２アンテナ素子とのアレイ合成によりビームのチルト角制御が行われる請求項１０～１２のいずれか１項に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。 [3.1.3 Item 3]
The in-vehicle mobile station antenna apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein beam tilt angle control is performed by array synthesis of the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements.
［３．１．４　第４項］
　前記アンテナ装置は、車載移動局用である
　第１項～第３項のいずれか１項に記載のアンテナ装置。 [3.1.4 Item 4]
The antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the antenna device is for an in-vehicle mobile station.
［３．１．５　第５項］
　第１項～第３項いずれか１項に記載のアンテナ装置を備えた移動局。 [3.1.5 Item 5]
A mobile station comprising the antenna device according to any one of items 1 to 3.
［３．２　説明］ [3.2 Explanation]
［３．２．１　第１項］
　前述の第１項に係るアンテナ装置は、ベースと、前記ベースに支持され、水平面においてリング状に配置された複数の第１アンテナ素子と、前記ベースに支持され、水平面においてリング状に配置された複数の第２アンテナ素子と、を備える。ここで、水平面は、アンテナ装置において物理的に存在している必要はなく、仮想的に観念される水平面であれば足りる。また、リング状とは、アンテナ素子そのものの形状がリング状であるのではなく、複数のアンテナ素子の配置の全体的な形態がリング状であることをいう。リングは、真円であってもよいし、楕円であってもよいし、多角形であってもよい。リング状配置の複数のアンテナ素子は、互いに接触している必要はなく、各アンテナ素子間には間隔が存在する。第１項に係るアンテナ装置によれば、水平方向全方向に対応できるとともに、斜め上方の指向性を持つことができる。 [3.2.1 Paragraph 1]
The antenna device according to the first aspect described above is provided with a base, a plurality of first antenna elements supported by the base and arranged in a ring shape on a horizontal plane, and supported by the base and arranged in a ring shape on a horizontal plane. A plurality of second antenna elements. Here, the horizontal plane does not have to physically exist in the antenna device, and may be a horizontal plane that is virtually conceived. The ring shape means that the shape of the antenna element itself is not a ring shape, but the overall arrangement of the plurality of antenna elements is a ring shape. The ring may be a perfect circle, an ellipse, or a polygon. The plurality of antenna elements arranged in a ring shape need not be in contact with each other, and there is a space between the antenna elements. According to the antenna device according to the first item, it is possible to deal with all horizontal directions and to have diagonally upward directivity.
［３．２．２　第２項］
　第２項のアンテナ装置によれば、水平面において無指向性となるビームを形成することができる。 [3.2.2 Item 2]
According to the antenna device of the second term, it is possible to form a beam that is non-directional on a horizontal plane.
［３．２．３　第３項］
　第３項のアンテナ装置によれば、複数の前記第１アンテナ素子と複数の前記第２アンテナ素子とのアレイ合成によりビームのチルト角制御を行える。 [3.2.3 Item 3]
According to the antenna device of the third item, the tilt angle of the beam can be controlled by array synthesis of the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements.
［３．２．４　第４項］
　前記アンテナ装置は、車載移動局用に好適である。
［３．２．５　第５項］
　移動局は、第１項～第３項いずれか１項に記載のアンテナ装置を備えることができる。 [3.2.4 Item 4]
The antenna device is suitable for an on-vehicle mobile station.
[3.2.5 Item 5]
The mobile station can include the antenna device according to any one of Items 1 to 3.
［４．付記］
　なお、今回開示された実施の形態はすべての点で例示であって制限的なものではないと考えられるべきである。本発明の範囲は、上記した意味ではなく、請求の範囲によって示され、請求の範囲と均等の意味、及び範囲内でのすべての変更が含まれることが意図される。 [4. Addendum]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above-described meaning but by the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope.
１０　車載移動局
２０　車両
２０ａ　天井
３０　モバイル通信基地局
４０　無線ＬＡＮ無線部
５０　端末
１００　アンテナ装置
１１０　ベース
１１１　取付部
１１２　支持体
１２０　アンテナ素子
１２０ａ　第１アンテナ素子
１２０ｂ　第２アンテナ素子
１２０ｃ　第３アンテナ素子
１２０ｄ　第４アンテナ素子
１３０ａ　第１アンテナ素子群
１３０ｂ　第２アンテナ素子群
１３０ｃ　第３アンテナ素子群
１３０ｄ　第４アンテナ素子群
１４０　アンテナ
１５０　キャリブレーション用アンテナ素子
２００　軸心
２０１　側面
２１０　径方向
２２０　ビーム
２５１　ビーム
２５２　ビーム
２５３　ビーム
２５４　ビーム
２５５　ビーム
２５６　ビーム
２５７　ビーム
２５８　ビーム
２６１　ビーム
３６２　ビーム
２６３　ビーム
３０１　調整部
３０２　調整部
３０３　調整部
３３２　調整部
３３３　調整部
３５０　選択部
３５１　第１ポート
３５２　第２ポート
３５５　スイッチ
４０１　位相器
４０２　減衰器
４０５　可変位相器
４１０　合成器
５００　信号処理部
６００　制御部
７００　円周 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 In-vehicle mobile station 20 Vehicle 20a Ceiling 30 Mobile communication base station 40 Wireless LAN radio | wireless part 50 Terminal 100 Antenna apparatus 110 Base 111 Attachment part 112 Support body 120 Antenna element 120a 1st antenna element 120b 2nd antenna element 120c 3rd antenna element 120d Fourth antenna element 130a First antenna element group 130b Second antenna element group 130c Third antenna element group 130d Fourth antenna element group 140 Antenna 150 Antenna element 200 for calibration 200 Axis center 201 Side face 210 Radial direction 220 Beam 251 Beam 252 Beam 253 Beam 254 Beam 255 Beam 256 Beam 257 Beam 258 Beam 261 Beam 362 Beam 263 Beam 301 Adjustment unit 302 Adjustment unit 303 Adjustment unit 332 Adjustment unit 333 Adjustment Part 350 selecting unit 351 first port 352 second port 355 switch 401 phase shifter 402 attenuator 405 variable phase shifter 410 combiner 500 the signal processing unit 600 the control unit 700 circle

Claims (14)

  1. 　モバイル通信基地局と通信する車載移動局用のアンテナ装置であって、
    　車両に取り付けられるベースと、
    　前記ベースに支持された複数の第１アンテナ素子と、
    を備え、
    　複数の前記第１アンテナ素子は、水平面において円周状に等間隔に配置され、それぞれ前記円周の径方向外方に向く指向性を有する
    　車載移動局用アンテナ装置。     An antenna device for an in-vehicle mobile station that communicates with a mobile communication base station,
    A base attached to the vehicle;
    A plurality of first antenna elements supported by the base;
    With
    The plurality of first antenna elements are arranged at equal intervals in a circumferential shape on a horizontal plane, and each has a directivity facing radially outward of the circumference.
  2. 　複数の前記第１アンテナ素子は、水平面全方向にビームを向けることができるように配置されている
    　請求項１に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。     The on-vehicle mobile station antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first antenna elements are arranged so as to direct a beam in all horizontal directions.
  3. 　複数の前記第１アンテナ素子のうちの一部を、前記モバイル通信基地局との通信に用いられる１又は複数の使用アンテナ素子として選択する選択部を更に備える
    　請求項２に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。     The on-vehicle mobile station according to claim 2, further comprising a selection unit that selects a part of the plurality of first antenna elements as one or a plurality of antenna elements used for communication with the mobile communication base station. Antenna device.
  4. 　前記車載移動局用アンテナ装置の移動に応じて水平面におけるビームの向きを変えるために、前記使用アンテナ素子として選択される第１アンテナ素子を切り替える切替処理を実行する制御部を更に備える
    　請求項３に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。     The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a switching unit that performs a switching process for switching the first antenna element selected as the antenna element to be used in order to change a beam direction in a horizontal plane according to the movement of the antenna device for in-vehicle mobile station. The antenna apparatus for vehicle-mounted mobile stations of description.
  5. 　切り替え後の複数の使用アンテナ素子の数及び円周方向間隔は、切り替え前の複数の使用アンテナ素子の数及び円周方向間隔と同じである
    　請求項４に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。     The in-vehicle mobile station antenna device according to claim 4, wherein the number of used antenna elements and the circumferential interval after switching are the same as the number of used antenna elements and the circumferential interval before switching.
  6. 　切り替え後の複数の使用アンテナ素子の少なくともいずれか一つは、切り替え前の複数の使用アンテナ素子に含まれる
    　請求項４又は５に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。     The on-vehicle mobile station antenna device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein at least one of the plurality of used antenna elements after switching is included in the plurality of used antenna elements before switching.
  7. 　前記切替処理は、前記車載移動局用アンテナ装置と前記モバイル通信基地局との相対運行方向を算出し、前記相対運行方向に基づいて、前記使用アンテナ素子として選択される第１アンテナ素子を切り替えることを含む
    　請求項４～６のいずれか１項に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。     The switching process calculates a relative operation direction between the on-vehicle mobile station antenna device and the mobile communication base station, and switches a first antenna element selected as the use antenna element based on the relative operation direction. The on-vehicle mobile station antenna device according to any one of claims 4 to 6.
  8. 　各第１アンテナ素子のアンテナキャリブレーションのための複数のキャリブレーション用アンテナ素子を更に備える
    　請求項１～７のいずれか１項に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。     The in-vehicle mobile station antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a plurality of calibration antenna elements for antenna calibration of each first antenna element.
  9. 　複数の前記第１アンテナ素子の数と同数の複数の第２アンテナ素子を更に備え、
    　複数の前記第２アンテナ素子は、複数の前記第１アンテナ素子とは垂直方向に異なる位置に配置され、水平面において円周状に等間隔に配置され、それぞれの円周方向位置が、いずれか一つの前記第１アンテナ素子の円周方向位置と一致し、それぞれ前記円周の径方向外方に向く指向性を有する
    　請求項１～８のいずれか１項に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。     A plurality of second antenna elements equal in number to the plurality of first antenna elements;
    The plurality of second antenna elements are arranged at different positions in the vertical direction from the plurality of first antenna elements, are arranged circumferentially at equal intervals on a horizontal plane, and each circumferential position is any one of them. The in-vehicle mobile station antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the antenna device has a directivity that coincides with a circumferential position of each of the first antenna elements and that faces each radially outward of the circumference.
  10. 　複数の前記第２アンテナ素子は、複数の前記第１アンテナ素子よりも下方に配置され、複数の前記第１アンテナ素子よりも前記円周の径方向外方に配置されている
    　請求項９に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。     The plurality of second antenna elements are arranged below the plurality of first antenna elements, and are arranged radially outward of the circumference from the plurality of first antenna elements. An in-vehicle mobile station antenna device.
  11. 　複数の前記第１アンテナ素子及び複数の前記第２アンテナ素子は、それぞれ、前記円周の径方向外方かつ斜め上方に向く指向性を有する
    　請求項１０に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。     The on-vehicle mobile station antenna device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements each have directivity directed radially outward and obliquely upward of the circumference.
  12. 　複数の前記第１アンテナ素子及び複数の第２アンテナ素子は、水平面において無指向性となるビームを形成する
    　請求項１０又は１１に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。     The on-vehicle mobile station antenna device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements form a non-directional beam on a horizontal plane.
  13. 　複数の前記第１アンテナ素子と複数の前記第２アンテナ素子とのアレイ合成によりビームのチルト角制御が行われる請求項１０～１２のいずれか１項に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置。 The on-vehicle mobile station antenna device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein beam tilt angle control is performed by array synthesis of a plurality of the first antenna elements and a plurality of the second antenna elements.
  14. 　請求項１～１３のいずれか１項に記載の車載移動局用アンテナ装置を備えた車載移動局。 A vehicle-mounted mobile station comprising the vehicle-mounted mobile station antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
PCT/JP2017/035017 2016-11-14 2017-09-27 Antenna device for in-vehicle mobile station, and in-vehicle mobile station WO2018088051A1 (en)

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