WO2019087525A1

WO2019087525A1 - Base station device antenna, re-radiator, communication system, and base station device

Info

Publication number: WO2019087525A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/030406
Authority: WO
Inventors: 竜宏志村
Original assignee: 住友電気工業株式会社
Priority date: 2017-11-01
Filing date: 2018-08-16
Publication date: 2019-05-09
Also published as: JPWO2019087525A1

Abstract

Provided is a base station device antenna which is used for a base station device performing radio communication with a mobile terminal, and is provided with: a first antenna part having an orientation direction directed to the mobile terminal located in a first communicable area; and a second antenna part having an orientation direction directed to a re-radiator which re-radiates radio waves supplied from one among the base station device and the mobile terminal which is located in a second communicable area to the other.

Description

Base station apparatus antenna, re-radiator, communication system, and base station apparatus

The present invention relates to a base station antenna, a re-radiator, a communication system, and a base station apparatus.
This application claims the priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-211968 filed on Nov. 1, 2017, and incorporates all the contents described in the aforementioned Japanese application.

In the 5th generation mobile communication system, communication using a millimeter wave band is considered. (See Non-Patent Document 1).

The base station apparatus antenna according to one embodiment is a base station apparatus antenna for use in a base station apparatus that performs wireless communication with a mobile terminal, and the pointing direction is directed to the mobile terminal located in the first communicable area. A pointing direction directed to a reradiator reradiating radio waves given from either one of the first antenna unit and the base station apparatus and the mobile terminal located in the second communicable area to the other And an antenna unit.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a reemitter that reradiates radio waves given from one of a mobile terminal and a base station apparatus performing radio communication with the mobile terminal to the other, the mobile terminal A mobile terminal antenna unit for transmitting and receiving radio waves, a base station apparatus antenna unit for transmitting and receiving radio waves between the base station apparatus, the mobile terminal antenna unit, and the base station apparatus side And a connection circuit for electrically connecting to the antenna unit, and the beam width of the beam formed by the base station apparatus antenna unit is narrower than the beam width of the beam formed by the mobile terminal antenna unit.

A communication system according to another embodiment includes a mobile terminal, a base station apparatus performing wireless communication with the mobile terminal located in a first communicable area, and the mobile station located in the base station apparatus and a second communicable area. And a re-radiator re-radiating radio waves given by one of the terminals to the other, wherein the base station apparatus is a first antenna whose pointing direction is directed to the mobile terminal located in a first communicable area. Unit and a second antenna unit whose pointing direction is directed to the re-radiator, the re-radiator transmits and receives radio waves to and from the mobile terminal located in the second communicable area Electrically connecting a mobile terminal antenna unit, a base station apparatus antenna unit for transmitting and receiving radio waves between the base station apparatus, the mobile terminal antenna unit, and the base station apparatus antenna unit Connection circuit, Provided, the beam width of the beam by the base station apparatus antenna portion is formed narrower than the beam width of the beam the mobile terminal antenna portion is formed.

Also, a base station apparatus according to another embodiment is a base station apparatus that performs wireless communication with a mobile terminal, and a first antenna unit whose pointing direction is directed to the mobile terminal located in a first communicable area. A second antenna unit whose pointing direction is directed to a reradiator that reradiates radio waves given from either one of the base station apparatus and the mobile terminal located in the second communicable area to the other; There is.

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of an indoor passage in which the communication system according to the first embodiment is installed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a base station apparatus. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the second antenna unit. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first re-radiator. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a base station apparatus used in the communication system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an installation example of the communication system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a base station apparatus used in the communication system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an installation example of the communication system according to the third embodiment.

[Problems to be solved by the present disclosure]
The radio wave in the millimeter wave band has high straightness compared to the radio wave of the frequency used for the conventional mobile communication, and can not expect a wraparound by diffraction. In addition, the propagation loss is large as compared to the radio wave of the frequency used for the conventional mobile communication.
For this reason, the reach of radio waves emitted by the wireless communication device may be relatively narrow in a place where people are densely placed or in an indoor where paths are complicated.

This indication is made in view of such a situation, and aims at offer of art which can extend an arrival range of an electric wave.

[Effect of the present disclosure]
According to the present disclosure, the reach of radio waves can be expanded.

[Description of the embodiment]
First, the contents of the embodiment will be listed and described.
(1) The base station apparatus antenna according to an embodiment is a base station apparatus antenna used for a base station apparatus that performs wireless communication with a mobile terminal, and is directed to the mobile terminal located in the first communicable area. The pointing direction is directed to a re-radiator that reradiates radio waves given from one of the first antenna unit whose direction is directed and the base station apparatus and the mobile terminal located in the second communicable area to the other. And a second antenna unit.

According to the base station apparatus antenna of the above configuration, the second antenna unit has a pointing direction directed to the reradiator that reradiates radio waves with the mobile terminal located in the second communicable area. Since the mobile terminal is located in the first communicable area, radio waves can be transmitted and received between the mobile terminal located in the second communicable area and the mobile terminal located in the second communicable area. As a result, by installing the re-radiator so that the second communicable area is formed at a position different from the first communicable area, it is possible to extend the reach of radio waves by the base station apparatus. In addition, even if a shielded portion in which radio waves are shielded with the base station device is generated in the first communicable area, if the shielded portion is included in the second communicable area, base on the shielded portion. Radio waves from the station apparatus can be reached, and the reach of radio waves from the base station apparatus can be expanded.

(2) In the base station apparatus antenna, the beam width of the beam formed by the second antenna unit is preferably narrower than the beam width of the beam formed by the first antenna unit.
The second antenna unit does not have to radiate radio waves to the mobile terminal widely, and may transmit and receive radio waves to and from the re-radiator, so the beam width of the beam can be further narrowed. As a result, the second antenna unit can increase the gain relatively more than the first antenna unit, and the space loss can be reduced.

(3) In the base station apparatus antenna, the second antenna unit preferably includes an antenna element for forming the beam and a focusing unit for focusing the beam.
(4) Preferably, the focusing unit is a lens capable of focusing a plurality of beams.
In this case, the plurality of beams can be focused without providing a configuration for focusing the beams on each of the plurality of antenna elements, which simplifies the configuration.

(5) In the base station apparatus antenna, the first antenna unit is connected to a first output unit to which a first series signal is output in the base station apparatus, and the second antenna unit is the base station The apparatus may be connected to a second output unit to which a second series signal different from the first series is output.
In this case, in the area where the first communicable area and the second communicable area overlap, it is possible to support wireless communication by Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO).

(6) Further, in the base station apparatus antenna, the first antenna unit is connected to an input / output unit to which transmission / reception signals are input / output in the base station apparatus, and the second antenna unit is the first antenna It may be connected to the input / output unit to which the unit is connected.
In this case, if any one of the radio wave from the first antenna unit and the radio wave from the second antenna unit is delayed, the radio wave via the first antenna unit, even if it is a radio wave by the same transmission / reception signal. And, the mobile terminal and the base station apparatus can perform separation from the radio wave that has passed through the second antenna unit.

(7) A re-emitter according to another embodiment is a re-emitter re-radiating a radio wave given from one of a mobile terminal and a base station apparatus performing radio communication with the mobile terminal to the other, A mobile terminal antenna unit that transmits and receives radio waves with the mobile terminal, a base station antenna unit that transmits and receives radio waves with the base station apparatus, the mobile terminal antenna unit, and the base And a connection circuit for electrically connecting the station apparatus side antenna unit,
The beam width of the beam formed by the base station apparatus antenna unit is narrower than the beam width of the beam formed by the mobile terminal antenna unit.

According to the re-radiator of the above configuration, the base station apparatus side antenna section does not need to radiate radio waves widely, and may transmit and receive radio waves with the base station apparatus, so the beam width of the beam is narrower. can do. Thus, the base station apparatus side antenna unit can increase the gain relatively more than the mobile terminal side antenna unit, and can transmit and receive radio waves with the base station apparatus appropriately by reducing the space loss. .

(8) In the above re-radiator, the base station apparatus side antenna section preferably includes an antenna element for forming the beam and a focusing section for focusing the beam.

(9) In the above re-radiator, the connection circuit preferably includes a phase delay unit that delays the phase of the radio wave reradiated to the other.
In this case, the base station apparatus directly transmits and receives radio waves to and from the mobile terminal, so that even if the mobile terminal receives both the radio wave passed through the reemitter and the radio wave not passed through the reemitter, Since the radio wave passed through the radiator is delayed, it is possible to cause the mobile terminal to separate the radio wave passed through the re-emitter and the radio wave not passed through the re-emitter.

(10) In the above-mentioned re-radiator, the mobile terminal side antenna unit is located at a position different from the first communicable area capable of communicating with the mobile terminal formed by the antenna of the base station apparatus. It is preferable to form a second communicable area where the station apparatus and the mobile terminal can communicate.
In this case, when the mobile terminal side antenna unit forms the second communicable area, the reach of the radio wave by the base station apparatus can be expanded.

(11) A communication system according to another embodiment includes a mobile terminal, a base station apparatus performing wireless communication with the mobile terminal located in a first communicable area, a position in the base station apparatus and a second communicable area. And a re-radiator for reradiating radio waves given by one of the mobile terminals to the other, and the base station apparatus has a pointing direction directed to the mobile terminal located in the first communicable area. A first antenna unit, and a second antenna unit whose pointing direction is directed to the re-radiator, the re-radiator transmits radio waves to the mobile terminal located in the second communicable area. A mobile terminal side antenna unit performing transmission and reception, a base station apparatus side antenna unit performing transmission and reception of radio waves with the base station apparatus, the mobile terminal side antenna unit, and the base station apparatus side antenna unit are electrically Connection times to connect to When, with a beam width of the beam by the base station apparatus antenna portion is formed narrower than the beam width of the beam the mobile terminal antenna portion is formed.

(12) In addition, a base station apparatus which is another embodiment is a base station apparatus that performs wireless communication with a mobile terminal, and the first pointing direction is directed to the mobile terminal located in the first communicable area. An antenna unit, and a second antenna unit whose pointing direction is directed to a re-radiator that reradiates radio waves given from one of the base station apparatus and the mobile terminal located in the second communicable area to the other; Is equipped.

Details of Embodiment
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
In addition, at least one part of each embodiment described below may be combined arbitrarily.

[About the first embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of an indoor passage in which the communication system according to the first embodiment is installed, wherein (a) of FIG. 1 is a view of the indoor passage as viewed from the front, and (b) of FIG. It is a top view of an indoor passage.
FIG. 1 shows the vicinity of an intersection point C where a first passage R1 which is an indoor passage and a second passage R2 which is also an indoor passage intersect. FIG. 1A is a front view of the first passage R1.

The communication system 1 of the present embodiment is configured to include a base station apparatus 2, a re-radiator 3, and a mobile terminal 4. The communication system 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of re-radiators 3 (a first re-radiator 3 a and a second re-radiator 3 b). The first re-radiator 3a is fixed to the ceiling of the first passage R1. The second re-radiator 3 b is fixed to the ceiling of the intersection C.
The mobile terminal 4 is held by passersby T1, T2, T3 located at the first passage R1, the second passage R2, and the intersection C.

The base station device 2 is fixed to the ceiling of the first passage R1. Moreover, the base station apparatus 2 is being fixed to the point between the 1st re-radiator 3a and the 2nd re-radiator 3b.
The base station apparatus 2 conforms to, for example, a fifth generation mobile communication system (5G). Therefore, the base station apparatus 2 performs wireless communication using radio waves in the millimeter wave band.
The base station apparatus 2 forms a communicable area A1 (first communicable area) that can communicate with the mobile terminal 4 in the first path R1 and immediately below the own apparatus 2. The base station apparatus 2 emits radio waves into the communicable area A1, or receives radio waves transmitted from the mobile terminal 4 located in the communicable area A1 to locate the mobile terminal located in the communicable area A1. Wireless communication is performed with 4).

In addition to wireless communication with the mobile terminal 4 located in the communicable area A1 of the first path R1, the base station apparatus 2 is an expanded area formed by the first reradiator 3a and the second reradiator 3b. Wireless communication can be performed with the mobile terminals 4 of passersby T2 and T3 located in A2 (the second communicable area).
As shown in FIG. 1, the communicable area A1 and the extended area A2 are formed at different positions.

Here, the state in which the position of the communicable area A1 and the position of the extended area A2 are the same position means that the shapes of the two areas match, and the position of the communicable area A1; The state in which the position of the extension area A2 is different from each other refers to a state other than the state in which the shapes of both areas match. Therefore, when the positions of both areas are different from each other, the areas may include overlapping areas.

The first re-radiator 3 a and the second re-radiator 3 b intervene between the base station device 2 and the mobile terminal 4 to relay radio waves.
The first re-radiator 3a has a function of reradiating radio waves given from one of the base station apparatus 2 and the mobile terminal 4 located in the extension area A2 (extension area A21) to the other.
Thereby, the first re-radiator 3a forms an extended area A2 (extended area A21) that enables communication between the base station apparatus 2 and the mobile terminal 4 immediately below the own device 3a.
Further, the second re-radiator 3b, like the first re-radiator 3a, transmits radio waves given from either one of the base station 2 and the mobile terminal 4 located in the extension area A2 (the extension areas A22 and A23). It has a function to re-radiate.
Thereby, the second re-radiator 3b forms an expansion area A2 (expansion areas A22 and A23) enabling communication between the base station apparatus 2 and the mobile terminal 4 in the vicinity of the own device 3b.

The base station apparatus 2 transmits and receives radio waves to and from the mobile terminal 4 located in the extension area A2 via the first reradiator 3a and the second reradiator 3b. By this, the base station apparatus 2 can perform wireless communication with the mobile terminal 4 located in the extension area A2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of base station apparatus 2.
As shown in FIG. 2, the base station device 2 includes a radio unit 10 and a base station device antenna 15.
The radio unit 10 applies a transmission signal (hereinafter also referred to as a downlink signal) to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 4 to the antenna 15 for base station apparatus. Further, the radio unit 10 is supplied with a received signal (hereinafter, also referred to as an uplink signal) received by the base station apparatus antenna 15. The radio unit 10 performs processing on these transmission and reception signals (uplink signal and downlink signal). Thus, the base station apparatus 2 performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 4.

The base station apparatus antenna 15 includes a first antenna unit 11 and a second antenna unit 12.
The first antenna unit 11 and the second antenna unit 12 are connected to the first input / output unit 10 a of the wireless unit 10. The radio unit 10 outputs a downlink signal from the first input / output unit 10a and receives an uplink signal. Therefore, downlink signals of the same sequence are given to the first antenna unit 11 and the second antenna unit 12.

The first antenna unit 11 is an antenna for the base station device 2 to perform direct wireless communication with the mobile terminal 4.
When the first antenna unit 11 receives an uplink signal transmitted as a radio wave from the mobile terminal 4 located in the communicable area A1, the first antenna unit 11 provides the received uplink signal to the radio unit 10. Further, the first antenna unit 11 radiates the downlink signal supplied from the wireless unit 10 as a radio wave.

The first antenna unit 11 includes a plurality of antenna elements 11a and a control unit 11b, and configures an array antenna.
The plurality of antenna elements 11a are configured by, for example, planar antennas.
When receiving the radio wave transmitted from the mobile terminal 4 located in the communicable area A1, the plurality of antenna elements 11a provide the control unit 11b with an uplink signal based on the received radio wave. Further, the plurality of antenna elements 11 a radiate the downlink signals given from the radio unit 10 through the control unit 11 b as radio waves.

Control unit 11 b applies the downlink signal received from radio unit 10 to each antenna element 11 a. In addition, the control unit 11 b provides the radio unit 10 with an upstream signal provided from each antenna element 11 a. Further, the control unit 11 b has a function of performing phase adjustment of transmission / reception signals given from the wireless unit 10 and each antenna element 11 a to form a beam.

The beam by the first antenna unit 11 is formed such that the pointing direction is directed to any point in the communicable area A1. Thus, the first antenna unit 11 can transmit and receive radio waves with the mobile terminal 4 located in the communicable area A1.

Thus, the first antenna unit 11 forms a communicable area A1 by forming a beam whose pointing direction is directed to any point in the communicable area A1.
Here, the beam refers to the main lobe in the radiation (reception) pattern of the radio wave of the antenna, and the beam width refers to the beam width (angle) at a point 3 dB below the maximum gain of the main lobe. Further, the pointing direction refers to the direction in which the main axis of the beam is directed with respect to the antenna.

The second antenna unit 12 is an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the first reradiator 3a and the second reradiator 3b. When the second antenna unit 12 receives an upstream signal transmitted as a radio wave from the first reradiator 3a and the second reradiator 3b, the second antenna unit 12 provides the received upstream signal to the radio unit 10. Further, the second antenna unit 12 radiates the downlink signal supplied from the wireless unit 10 as a radio wave toward the first re-radiator 3 a and the second re-radiator 3 b.
Thus, the pointing direction of the second antenna unit 12 is directed to both the first reradiator 3a and the second reradiator 3b.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the second antenna unit 12.
In FIG. 3, the second antenna unit 12 includes a plurality of antenna elements 13 and a dielectric lens 14, and constitutes a lens antenna.

The dielectric lens 14 is a lens formed in a spherical shape using a dielectric. Since the dielectric lens 14 is spherical, the same characteristics are always obtained regardless of the incident direction of the radio wave. The diameter of the dielectric lens 14 is set according to the wavelength of the incident wave.

The plurality of antenna elements 13 are, for example, planar antennas, and are connected to the radio unit 10. The second antenna unit 12 of the present embodiment includes two antenna elements 13. The two antenna elements 13 are disposed to face the lens surface 14 a of the dielectric lens 14. The two antenna elements 13 are arranged such that the pointing direction passes through the center of the dielectric lens 14.
Thus, the dielectric lens 14 focuses the radio wave emitted from the antenna element 13, and the focused radio wave is emitted from the opposite side of the antenna element 13. Further, the dielectric lens 14 focuses the radio waves directed to the antenna element 13 and radiates the focused radio waves to the antenna element 13. As a result, the beam formed by the second antenna unit 12 is obtained by focusing the beam of the antenna element 13 by the dielectric lens 14.
In addition, the directivity direction of the antenna element 13 which is a flat antenna shall be substantially coincident with the normal direction passing through the center of the antenna surface.

Further, the two antenna elements 13 are disposed along an equator line where a horizontal plane passing through the center of the dielectric lens 14 and the lens surface 14 a of the dielectric lens 14 intersect. Therefore, the pointing directions of the two antenna elements 13 are almost parallel to the horizontal plane. In addition, since the base station apparatus 2 and the re-radiators 3a and 3b are both fixed to the ceiling, the pointing direction of the antenna element 13 is adjusted by adjusting the pointing direction of the antenna element 13 in the horizontal plane. It can be turned to 3b.

In the present embodiment, the case where a spherical lens is used as the dielectric lens 14 is exemplified, but each antenna element 13 is disposed along an equator line, so for example, a cylindrical dielectric lens should be used. You can also. In this case, each antenna element 13 is disposed on the side surface of a cylindrical dielectric lens.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second antenna unit 12 configured as a lens antenna using the dielectric lens 14 has more beams if the multiple antenna elements 13 are disposed by the lens surface 14 a of the dielectric lens 14. It can be focused.

The pointing direction of one antenna element 13a of the two antenna elements 13 is directed to the first reradiator 3a, and the beam of the antenna element 13a focused by the dielectric lens 14 is the first reradiator 3a. It is formed towards the end.
Thus, the antenna element 13a can transmit and receive radio waves with the first re-radiator 3a.

Also, the pointing direction of the other antenna element 13b is directed to the second reradiator 3b, and the beam of the antenna element 13b focused by the dielectric lens 14 is formed toward the second reradiator 3b. .
Thereby, the other antenna element 13b can transmit and receive radio waves with the second re-radiator 3b.

Here, the beam width of the beam formed by the second antenna unit 12 is set to be narrower than the beam width of the beam formed by the first antenna unit 11.
The second antenna unit 12 does not have to radiate radio waves to the mobile terminal 4 widely, and may transmit and receive radio waves to and from the re-radiator 3, so the beam width of the beam can be further narrowed. Thereby, the second antenna unit 12 can increase the gain relatively more than the first antenna unit 11, and can reduce the space loss more than the first antenna unit 11.

Further, since the base station apparatus 2 and the

reradiators

3a and 3b are both fixed to the ceiling, radio waves transmitted and received between the base station apparatus 2 and the

reradiators

3a and 3b are along the ceiling. It is emitted. Therefore, radio waves can be prevented from being shielded by an obstacle such as a passerby.

As described above, the second antenna unit 12 includes a plurality of antenna elements 13 for forming a beam, and a dielectric lens 14 as a focusing unit for focusing the beam. The beam width of the second antenna unit 12 is focused by the dielectric lens 14 so as to be narrower than the beam width of the first antenna unit 11.
Here, in the present embodiment, since the dielectric lens 14 capable of focusing each of the plurality of beams formed by the plurality of antenna elements 13 disposed opposite to each other on the surface is used as the focusing portion, Each of the beams can be focused by one dielectric lens 14 without providing a configuration for focusing the light beams. This simplifies the configuration.

The focusing unit is not limited to the dielectric lens, and the second antenna unit 12 may be configured of a horn antenna. In this case, the horn of the horn antenna is the focusing unit. Further, the second antenna unit 12 may be configured by a dish antenna. In this case, the portion of the dish antenna for focusing the beam is the focusing portion.

Moreover, although the case where the two antenna elements 13 were provided was illustrated in the 2nd antenna part 12 of this embodiment, three or more antenna elements 13 can also be provided. In this case, radio waves can be transmitted / received to / from more reemitters 3.

According to the base station apparatus antenna 15 having the above configuration, the pointing direction is to the

reradiators

3a and 3b that reradiate radio waves with the mobile terminal 4 located in the extension area A2 (the second communicable area). Since the second antenna unit 12 directed is provided, transmission and reception of radio waves with the mobile terminal 4 located in the extended area A2 in addition to the mobile terminal 4 located in the communicable area A1 (first communicable area) Make it possible. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, by installing the

reradiators

3a and 3b so that the expansion area A2 is formed at a position different from the communicable area A1, the reach of the radio wave by the base station apparatus 2 is expanded. can do.

In addition, even if a shielded portion in which radio waves are shielded with the base station device 2 is generated in the communicable area A1, if the shielded portion is included in the extended area A2, the base station device in the shielded portion The radio wave of 2 can be made to reach, and the reach of the radio wave by the base station apparatus 2 can be expanded.

Further, according to the base station apparatus antenna 15 of the present embodiment, in (a) of FIG. 1 and (b) of FIG. 1, like the mobile terminal 4 of the passerby T3, the base station apparatus 2 is The radio wave can be transmitted / received to the mobile terminal 4 which is shielded and out of sight by passing through the second re-emitter 3b.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first re-radiator 3a. The configuration of the second reradiator 3b is also substantially the same as that of the first reradiator 3a. Therefore, the description of the second re-radiator 3b is omitted here.

In FIG. 4, the first reradiator 3 a is a mobile terminal side antenna that transmits and receives radio waves between the base station device antenna unit 20 that transmits and receives radio waves to and from the base station device 2 and the mobile terminal 4. And a connection circuit 22 electrically connecting the base station apparatus side antenna unit 20 and the mobile terminal side antenna unit 21.

The base station apparatus side antenna unit 20 is configured of a horn antenna. When the base station device antenna unit 20 receives the downlink signal transmitted as a radio wave from the base station device 2, the base station device antenna unit 20 applies the received downlink signal to the mobile terminal antenna unit 21 through the connection circuit 22. Further, the base station apparatus antenna unit 20 radiates an uplink signal supplied from the mobile terminal antenna unit 21 through the connection circuit 22 as a radio wave toward the base station apparatus 2.

When the mobile terminal antenna unit 21 receives the uplink transmitted as a radio wave from the mobile terminal 4 located in the extension area A 21, the mobile terminal antenna unit 21 applies the received uplink signal to the base station apparatus antenna unit 20 through the connection circuit 22. Also, the mobile terminal side antenna unit 21 radiates the downlink signal given from the base station apparatus side antenna unit 20 through the connection circuit 22 as a radio wave toward the mobile terminal 4 located in the extension area A21.

Thus, the first re-radiator 3a re-radiates the downlink signal given from the base station apparatus 2 to the mobile terminal 4 located in the extension area A21 as a radio wave and gives it from the mobile terminal 4 located in the extension area A21. To the base station device 2 as a radio wave.

The mobile terminal-side antenna unit 21 includes a plurality of antenna elements 21a, a plurality of phase shifters 21b, and a divider / combiner 21c, and constitutes an array antenna.
The plurality of phase shifters 21 b are connected between the plurality of antenna elements 21 a and the divider / combiner 21 c.
The plurality of antenna elements 21a are configured by, for example, planar antennas.
When the plurality of antenna elements 21a receive radio waves transmitted from the mobile terminal 4 located in the extension area A21, the uplink signals based on the received radio waves are transmitted through the plurality of phase shifters 21b and the distribution combiner 21c to the base station apparatus side antenna unit Give to 20. Also, the plurality of antenna elements 21a transmit to the mobile terminal 4 located in the extension area A21 the downstream signal given from the base station apparatus side antenna unit 20 as the radio signal for the downstream signal given through the divider / combiner 21c and the plurality of phase shifters 21b. It radiates towards.

The distribution / combiner 21 c distributes the downlink signal provided from the base station apparatus side antenna unit 20 to the plurality of antenna elements 21 a and combines the uplink signals provided from the plurality of antenna elements 21 a and combines the synthesized upstream signal into the base station It is supplied to the apparatus-side antenna unit 20.

The plurality of phase shifters 21 b have a function of adjusting the phases of transmission and reception signals supplied from the plurality of antenna elements 21 a and the base station device side antenna unit 20 to form a beam.
The plurality of phase shifters 21b are set for phase adjustment so that the beam from the mobile terminal side antenna unit 21 forms the extension area A21 (FIG. 1).
As a result, the first reradiator 3a forms an extended area A21 immediately below the own device 3a in which the base station device 2 and the mobile terminal 4 can communicate.

In the second re-radiator 3b, two extended areas A22 and A23 are formed. In this case, the plurality of antenna elements 21a are divided into two groups, and the two groups are directed in different directivity directions. Set to form a beam. Thereby, two extension areas A22 and A23 can be formed.

Here, the beam width of the beam formed by the base station apparatus antenna unit 20 is set to be narrower than the beam width of the beam formed by the mobile terminal antenna unit 21.
The base station apparatus side antenna unit 20 does not have to radiate radio waves widely, and may transmit and receive radio waves with the base station apparatus 2, so the beam width of the beam can be further narrowed. Thereby, the base station device side antenna unit 20 can increase the gain relative to the mobile terminal side antenna unit 21 and reduce the space loss and appropriately transmit and receive radio waves with the base station device 2 be able to.

As described above, the base station apparatus side antenna unit 20 is configured of a horn antenna. The horn antenna comprises an antenna element and a horn as a focusing unit for focusing the beam. The beam width of the base station apparatus antenna unit 20 is focused by the horn so as to be narrower than the beam width of the mobile terminal antenna unit 21.

The focusing unit is not limited to the horn, and the base station apparatus antenna unit 20 may be configured as a lens antenna. In this case, the lens of the lens antenna is the focusing unit. Further, the base station apparatus side antenna unit 20 may be configured by a dish antenna, and in this case, the portion of the dish antenna for focusing the beam is the focusing unit.

The connection circuit 22 electrically connects the mobile terminal side antenna unit 21 and the base station apparatus side antenna unit 20 so that uplink signals received by the mobile terminal side antenna unit 21 are transmitted to the base station apparatus antenna unit 20. It connects so that it may be given, and conversely it connects so that the downlink signal which the base station apparatus side antenna part 20 received may be given to the mobile terminal side antenna part 21. FIG.
Thus, the connection circuit 22 connects the mobile terminal side antenna unit 21 and the base station apparatus side antenna unit 20 so that signals can be exchanged. Thereby, the re-radiator 3 can re-radiate radio waves without receiving external power supply other than reception of radio waves.

The connection circuit 22 includes a delay circuit 23. The delay circuit 23 is connected between the mobile terminal side antenna unit 21 and the base station apparatus side antenna unit 20. The delay circuit 23 delays the phase of the supplied signal by a predetermined time and outputs the delayed signal. Thus, when the downlink signal received by the base station apparatus antenna unit 20 is applied to the delay circuit 23, the downlink signal is delayed in phase for a predetermined time and applied to the mobile terminal antenna unit 21. Similarly, when the uplink signal received by the mobile terminal side antenna unit 21 is given to the delay circuit 23, the phase of the uplink signal is delayed for a predetermined time and given to the base station apparatus antenna unit 20.

The first antenna unit 11 of the base station apparatus 2 of the present embodiment is connected to the first input / output unit 10 a of the radio unit 10, and the second antenna unit 12 is connected to the first antenna unit 11. 1 is connected to the input / output unit 10a. Therefore, the same transmission / reception signal is transmitted / received to the first antenna unit 11 and the second antenna unit 12. Therefore, the radio wave by the first antenna unit 11 and the radio wave by the second antenna unit 12 passing through the first re-radiator 3 a become the same.
In this case, it is conceivable that the mobile terminal 4 receives radio waves of the same downlink signal from both the first antenna unit 11 and the first re-radiator 3a. Similarly, it is conceivable that the base station apparatus 2 receives radio waves of the same uplink signal from both the first antenna unit 11 and the second antenna unit 12.

In the present embodiment, since the first reradiator 3a includes the delay circuit 23, the phase of the radio wave that has passed through the first reradiator 3a is delayed by a predetermined time. As a result, the mobile terminal 4 receives both the radio wave passing through the first reradiator 3a and the radio wave not passing through the first reradiator 3a (radio wave from the first antenna unit 11), and both radio waves received are Even if it is a radio wave due to the same downlink signal, the radio wave passing through the first antenna unit 11 is delayed, so the radio wave passing through the first reradiator 3a and the radio wave not passing through the first reradiator 3a The separation can be performed by the mobile terminal 4 and the base station apparatus 2.
Thereby, the mobile terminal 4 and the base station apparatus 2 can perform diversity.
In this case, the amount of delay by delay circuit 23 is set to a value at which signals can be distinguished, taking into consideration that the delay due to the difference in the route is added in mobile terminal 4 and base station apparatus 2. .

[About the second embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the base station apparatus 2 used in the communication system according to the second embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the first antenna unit 11 constituting the base station apparatus antenna 15 is connected to the first input / output unit 10 a of the wireless unit 10, while the second antenna unit 12 is the second input / output of the wireless unit 10. It differs from the first embodiment in that it is connected to the unit 10b.

The radio unit 10 is configured to perform radio transmission by MIMO by outputting downlink signals of different sequences from the first input / output unit 10a and the second input / output unit 10b.
Therefore, downlink signals of different series are given to the first antenna unit 11 and the second antenna unit 12.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an installation example of the communication system according to the second embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the communication system 1 is installed on a platform P on which the train R stops.
The base station apparatus 2 is provided on a support 31 which supports a roof 30 covering the platform P. Since the support column 31 is provided substantially at the center of the platform P, the base station apparatus 2 is also provided substantially at the center of the platform P.

The re-radiator 3 is fixed to the inner surface 30 a of the roof 30. The re-radiator 3 of the present embodiment is fixed on both sides of the support 31. Thus, two reradiators 3 are fixed on both sides of the base station device 2.

The first antenna unit 11 (see FIG. 5) of the base station apparatus 2 forms a communicable area A1 over the entire area of the platform P, as shown in FIG.
Further, the re-radiator 3 is set to form the extension area A2 immediately below the self-device 3. Therefore, in the platform P, the extension area A2 overlaps with the communicable area A1.

Therefore, both the radio wave emitted from the first antenna unit 11 of the base station device 2 and the radio wave emitted from the second antenna unit 12 reach the mobile terminal 4 of the passerby T4 in FIG.
The radio wave radiated from the first antenna unit 11 reaches the mobile terminal 4 through the path L1 which directly reaches the mobile station 4 from the base station apparatus 2.
Further, the radio wave radiated from the second antenna unit 12 reaches the mobile terminal 4 through the path L 2 which reaches the mobile terminal 4 from the base station apparatus 2 via the re-emitter 3.

The base station apparatus 2 provides the first antenna unit 11 and the second antenna unit 12 with different series of downlink signals, thereby performing wireless transmission by MIMO using the two paths L1 and L2 to the mobile terminal 4 I do.

As described above, according to the base station apparatus antenna 15 of the present embodiment, the first antenna unit 11 and the second antenna unit 12 output the downlink signals of different series from each other, and the second input / output unit 10a Since it is connected to the unit 10b, wireless transmission by MIMO can be performed in an area where the communicable area A1 and the extension area A2 overlap.

Further, for example, the path L1 in FIG. 6 may be shielded by the presence of the passerby T5, and the radio wave from the first antenna unit 11 may not reach the mobile terminal 4 of the passerby T4.
In this case, in the present embodiment, since the shielded area (the position of the mobile terminal 4 of the pedestrian T4) in which the radio wave of the first antenna unit 11 is shielded by the pedestrian T5 is included in the extension area A2, the shielded portion The radio wave from the base station apparatus 2 can be reached at Thereby, although radio | wireless transmission by MIMO is prevented, the reach | attainment range of the electromagnetic wave by the base station apparatus 2 can be extended, and communication of the mobile terminal 4 which exists in a shielding part can be ensured.

About the third embodiment
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the base station apparatus 2 used in the communication system according to the third embodiment.
The second antenna unit 12 of the present embodiment is different from the second antenna unit 12 of the second embodiment in that three antenna elements 13 are provided.

As described above, the second antenna unit 12 constitutes a lens antenna. Each antenna element 13 is disposed opposite to the dielectric lens 14 (FIG. 3) so as to face in different directions of orientation. Thereby, the second antenna unit 12 of the present embodiment can transmit and receive radio waves with three directions, that is, with three re-radiators 3.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an installation example of the communication system according to the third embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the communication system 1 is installed in a spectator seat area S surrounding a field F of a stadium such as a stadium or a baseball stadium.
In the spectator seat area S, a large number of step surfaces are formed in a step shape, and on each step surface, a spectator seat 42 is disposed facing the field F side.
The base station apparatus 2 is provided on an outer wall 40 supporting a roof 41 covering the spectator seat area S. Thus, the base station device 2 is disposed outside the spectator seat area S.

The communication system 1 of the present embodiment is provided with three re-radiators 3. The three re-radiators 3 are fixed to the inner surface 41 a of the roof 41.
As shown in FIG. 8, the first antenna unit 11 of the base station device 2 forms a communicable area A1 over the entire area of the spectator seat area S.
Further, the three re-radiators 3 are set to form the extension area A2 immediately below the self-station 3. Each expansion area A2 is set to share a part of the spectator seat area S. Therefore, each extension area A2 overlaps with the communicable area A1.

Therefore, both the radio wave emitted from the first antenna unit 11 of the base station apparatus 2 and the radio wave emitted from the second antenna unit 12 reach the mobile terminal 4 of the spectator who sits in the audience seat 42 in FIG. Do.
The radio wave radiated from the first antenna unit 11 reaches the mobile terminal 4 through the path L1 which directly reaches the mobile station 4 from the base station apparatus 2.
Further, the radio wave radiated from the second antenna unit 12 reaches the mobile terminal 4 through the path L 2 which reaches the mobile terminal 4 from the base station apparatus 2 via the re-emitter 3.

The base station apparatus 2 provides the first antenna unit 11 and the second antenna unit 12 with different series of downlink signals, thereby performing wireless transmission by MIMO using the two paths L1 and L2 to the mobile terminal 4 I do.
As a result, in the spectator seat area S where the communicable area A1 and the extended area A2 overlap over the entire area, wireless transmission by MIMO can be performed.

Also, for example, the path L1 in FIG. 8 may be shielded by the presence of a spectator, and the radio wave from the first antenna unit 11 may not reach the mobile terminal 4 in FIG.
Even in this case, in the present embodiment, since the shielded area in which the radio waves of the first antenna unit 11 are shielded by the spectator is included in the extension area A2, the radio waves from the base station apparatus 2 reach the shielded area. Can. Thereby, although radio | wireless transmission by MIMO is prevented, the reach | attainment range of the electromagnetic wave by the base station apparatus 2 can be extended, and communication of the mobile terminal 4 which exists in a shielding part can be ensured.

[Others]
It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect.
For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the mobile terminal side antenna unit 21 forms a beam by the plurality of phase shifters 21b in the re-radiator 3 adjusting the phases of transmission / reception signals corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements 21a. Although the case where A2 is formed is illustrated, for example, the plurality of phase shifters 21b may be configured to be capable of adjusting the phase externally.
In this case, the beam formed by the re-radiator 3 can be adjusted as needed to change the position of the extension area A2. Thus, the setting of the extension area A2 can be easily changed in accordance with the change of the situation.

In the second and third embodiments, the radio unit 10 exemplifies a case of performing radio transmission by MIMO by outputting two different series of signals. However, MIMO using more series of signals is exemplified. It can also be done. For example, three reradiators 3 are provided, a communicable area A1 by the base station apparatus 2 and an extended area A2 of each of the three reradiators 3 are all overlapped, and four different series are provided in each area. If the base station device 2 is configured to emit radio waves by signals, wireless transmission by MIMO using four series of signals can be performed.

The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of the claims, not the meaning described above, and is intended to include the meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

Reference Signs List 1 communication system 2 base station apparatus 3 reradiator 3a first reradiator 3b second reradiator 4 mobile terminal 10 radio unit 10a first input / output unit 10b second input / output unit 11 first antenna unit

11a antenna element

11b Control section 12 Second antenna section 13 Antenna element

13a Antenna element

13b Antenna element 14 Dielectric lens 14a Lens surface 15 Base station antenna 20 Base station apparatus side antenna section 21 Mobile terminal side antenna section

21a Antenna element 21b Phaser

21c Distribution Synthesizer 22 connecting circuit 23 delay circuit 30 roof 30a inner side 31 post 40 outer wall 41 roof 41a inner side 42 audience seat R1 first passage R2 second passage A1 communication area A2 extended area A21 extended area A21 extended area T22 passerby T2 passerby T3 passerby T4 Liner T5 Passerby L1 Route L2 Route

Claims

A base station apparatus antenna for use in a base station apparatus that performs wireless communication with a mobile terminal, comprising:
A first antenna unit whose pointing direction is directed to the mobile terminal located in a first communicable area;
A second antenna unit whose pointing direction is directed to a re-radiator that reradiates radio waves given from either one of the base station apparatus and the mobile terminal located in the second communicable area to the other;
Base station apparatus antenna equipped with
The antenna for a base station apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a beam width of a beam formed by the second antenna unit is narrower than a beam width of a beam formed by the first antenna unit.
3. The base station antenna according to claim 2, wherein the second antenna unit comprises an antenna element for forming the beam, and a focusing unit for focusing the beam.
The base station apparatus antenna according to claim 3, wherein the focusing unit is a lens capable of focusing a plurality of beams.
The first antenna unit is connected to a first output unit to which a signal of a first series is output in the base station apparatus,
The at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second antenna unit is connected to a second output unit to which a signal of a second series different from the first series is output in the base station apparatus. The antenna for a base station as described.
The first antenna unit is connected to an input / output unit to which transmission / reception signals are input / output in the base station apparatus,
The base station apparatus antenna according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second antenna unit is connected to the input / output unit to which the first antenna unit is connected.
A re-radiator re-radiating radio waves supplied from one of a mobile terminal and a base station apparatus performing wireless communication with the mobile terminal to the other,
A mobile terminal side antenna unit that transmits and receives radio waves to and from the mobile terminal;
A base station apparatus side antenna unit for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the base station apparatus;
A connection circuit for electrically connecting the mobile terminal side antenna unit and the base station apparatus side antenna unit;
Equipped with
The beam width of the beam formed by the base station apparatus side antenna unit is narrower than the beam width of the beam formed by the mobile terminal side antenna unit.
The re-emitter according to claim 7, wherein the base station apparatus side antenna section comprises an antenna element for forming the beam and a focusing section for focusing the beam.
The re-emitter according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the connection circuit includes a phase delay unit that delays the phase of the radio wave reradiated to the other.
The base station apparatus and the mobile terminal communicate with the mobile terminal antenna unit at a position different from the first communicable area capable of communicating with the mobile terminal formed by the antenna of the base station apparatus. Form a second possible communicable area,
The re-emitter according to any one of claims 7-9.
Mobile terminals,
A base station apparatus performing wireless communication with the mobile terminal located in a first communicable area;
And a re-radiator re-radiating radio waves given from either one of the base station apparatus and the mobile terminal located in the second communicable area to the other,
The base station apparatus
A first antenna unit whose pointing direction is directed to the mobile terminal located in a first communicable area;
A second antenna unit whose pointing direction is directed to the re-radiator;
Equipped with
The re-emitter is
A mobile terminal side antenna unit that transmits and receives radio waves to and from the mobile terminal located in the second communicable area;
A base station apparatus side antenna unit for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the base station apparatus;
And a connection circuit for electrically connecting the mobile terminal side antenna unit and the base station apparatus side antenna unit,
The communication system wherein the beam width of the beam formed by the base station apparatus side antenna unit is narrower than the beam width of the beam formed by the mobile terminal side antenna unit.
A base station apparatus that performs wireless communication with a mobile terminal,
A first antenna unit whose pointing direction is directed to the mobile terminal located in a first communicable area;
A second antenna unit whose pointing direction is directed to a re-radiator that reradiates radio waves given from either one of the base station apparatus and the mobile terminal located in the second communicable area to the other;
Base station apparatus provided with