WO2020218147A1 - Antenna, antenna system, array antenna, and array antenna system - Google Patents

Antenna, antenna system, array antenna, and array antenna system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020218147A1
WO2020218147A1 PCT/JP2020/016707 JP2020016707W WO2020218147A1 WO 2020218147 A1 WO2020218147 A1 WO 2020218147A1 JP 2020016707 W JP2020016707 W JP 2020016707W WO 2020218147 A1 WO2020218147 A1 WO 2020218147A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
antenna
ground conductor
phase
conductor
antenna element
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2020/016707
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
小向　康文
弘晃 小林
康充 高井
岡田　真一
義範 平松
Original Assignee
パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
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.)
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Application filed by パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 filed Critical パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority to CN202080029884.7A priority Critical patent/CN113711439A/en
Priority to JP2021516051A priority patent/JPWO2020218147A1/ja
Publication of WO2020218147A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020218147A1/en

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    • 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
    • H01Q21/08—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart the units being spaced along or adjacent to a rectilinear 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
    • H01Q3/26—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
    • H01Q3/30—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 varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q7/00—Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to antennas, antenna systems, array antennas and array antenna systems.
  • Patent Document 1 a module provided with a coil antenna for transmitting and receiving signals by non-contact communication with a non-contact IC card formed of a spiral pattern coil has been disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1).
  • the ground conductor of such a cable may be connected to the ground conductor provided in the module.
  • the antenna included in the module may also be connected to the ground conductor provided in the module. In such a case, the current leaking from the antenna to the ground conductor of the module flows to the ground conductor of the cable. As a result, the radiation characteristics of the antenna may be affected by the cable.
  • the present disclosure provides an antenna or the like that can improve the radiation characteristics.
  • the antenna according to one aspect of the present disclosure is connected to a loop-shaped antenna element formed by a conductor having open ends at both ends and one of the open ends of the antenna element so as to surround the outer periphery of the antenna element. It comprises an annular first grounding conductor that is arranged closed.
  • the radiation characteristics can be improved.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of the antenna system according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a simulation result of the current distribution of the antenna system according to the comparative example.
  • FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a simulation result of the current distribution of the antenna system according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of the array antenna system according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an example of the phase control unit according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an example of a part of the phase control unit according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of the phase characteristics of each phase device in the phase control unit according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of the antenna system according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a simulation result of the current distribution of the antenna system according to the comparative example.
  • FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a simulation result of the current distribution of the
  • FIG. 7 is a graph showing directivity characteristics when the phase difference of the array antenna according to the second embodiment is 90 degrees.
  • FIG. 8 is a graph showing directivity characteristics when the phase difference of the array antenna according to the second embodiment is 180 degrees.
  • FIG. 9 is a graph showing directivity characteristics when there is no phase difference of the array antenna according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is a graph showing the directivity characteristics of the array antenna according to the second embodiment when there is no phase difference in the state where the cable is connected.
  • the antenna according to one aspect of the present disclosure is connected to a loop-shaped antenna element formed by a conductor having open ends at both ends and one of the open ends of the antenna element so as to surround the outer periphery of the antenna element. It comprises an annular first grounding conductor that is arranged closed.
  • one open end of the antenna element is connected to the ground conductor (called the second ground conductor) of the control board provided with the control circuit for controlling the antenna, and the second ground conductor is connected to the ground conductor of a cable such as a coaxial cable (called the second ground conductor).
  • a cable such as a coaxial cable
  • an outer conductor of a coaxial cable may be connected, and power may be supplied to the antenna element via the cable.
  • a current may leak from the antenna element to the second ground conductor, the leaked current may flow to the ground conductor of the cable, and the radiation characteristics of the antenna may be affected by the cable. Therefore, an annular first grounding conductor arranged so as to surround the outer circumference of the antenna element is connected to one open end of the antenna element.
  • the radiation characteristics of the antenna are less affected by the cable, and the radiation characteristics can be improved.
  • the antenna element may be formed in a circular loop shape.
  • the antenna element may be formed in a circular loop shape.
  • the antenna may further include a perturbation element composed of a conductor branched from the antenna element.
  • the perturbation element can radiate a circularly polarized radio wave from the antenna.
  • the antenna system includes the above-mentioned antenna and a control board, and the control board includes a control circuit for controlling the antenna, the open end of one of the antenna elements, and the first.
  • a second grounding conductor connected to one grounding conductor is provided.
  • the array antenna according to one aspect of the present disclosure is configured by arranging a plurality of the above antennas.
  • the array antenna system includes the above-mentioned array antenna and a control board, and the control board is a control circuit for controlling the array antenna, and a plurality of control circuits constituting the array antenna. It includes a control circuit including a phase control unit for controlling the phase of the radio wave output from the antenna, and a second ground conductor connected to one of the open ends of the antenna element and the first ground conductor.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of the antenna system 1 according to the first embodiment.
  • the antenna system 1 is a system for radiating and receiving radio waves.
  • the antenna system 1 includes an antenna 10 and a control board 20.
  • the antenna 10 and the control board 20 may be integrally formed.
  • the antenna system 1 may be realized by one substrate 30.
  • the substrate 30 may be, for example, a printed wiring board, or the antenna 10 and the control substrate 20 may be formed on one substrate 30.
  • the left side portion of the substrate 30 is referred to as an antenna 10
  • the right portion is referred to as a control substrate 20.
  • the antenna 10 and the control board 20 may not be formed on one board 30, but may be formed separately.
  • the antenna 10 includes an antenna element 11, a first ground conductor 12, a perturbation element 13, and a feeding point 14.
  • the antenna element 11 is a loop-shaped radiating element formed by a conductor having open ends at both ends.
  • the antenna element 11 is formed as a conductor pattern on the substrate 30, for example.
  • the antenna element 11 in order to make the shape of the antenna element 11 easy to understand, the antenna element 11 is hatched with diagonal lines extending from the upper right to the lower left.
  • the antenna element 11 is formed, for example, in a circular loop shape.
  • the antenna element 11 is not limited to a circular shape but may have a polygonal shape as long as it has a loop shape.
  • FIG. 1 shows a loop-shaped antenna element 11 having one round as the loop-shaped antenna element 11, but the antenna element 11 is not limited to the loop shape of one round, but has a loop shape of one round or more. It may be (that is, spiral).
  • One open end of the antenna element 11 is connected to the first ground conductor 12 and the second ground conductor 21 described later. The other open end side of the antenna element 11 is connected to the feeding point 14.
  • the first grounding conductor 12 is an annular grounding conductor connected to one open end of the antenna element 11 and closed so as to surround the outer circumference of the antenna element 11.
  • the first grounding conductor 12 is formed as a conductor pattern on the substrate 30, for example.
  • the first grounding conductor 12 is hatched with dots.
  • a broken line is added to the boundary between the first grounding conductor 12 and the second grounding conductor 21 described later.
  • the first ground conductor 12 and the second ground conductor 21 described later may be seamlessly connected on the substrate 30.
  • the first ground conductor 12 is arranged along the antenna element 11.
  • the first ground conductor 12 is formed in an annular shape along the outer circumference of the loop.
  • the first ground conductor 12 may not be formed in an annular shape as long as it is closed and arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the antenna element 11, and may be formed in a polygonal annular shape.
  • the first ground conductor 12 may also be formed in a square ring shape along the outer circumference of the antenna element 11.
  • the perturbation element 13 is a radiating element composed of a conductor branched from the antenna element 11.
  • the perturbation element 13 is formed as a conductor pattern on the substrate 30, for example.
  • the perturbation element 13 is hatched with diagonal lines extending from the upper left to the lower right.
  • the perturbation element 13 is formed so as to branch off from the loop-shaped antenna element 11 and extend inside the loop, it may be formed so as to extend outside the loop.
  • the perturbation element 13 has a linear shape, it is not limited to the linear shape and may have a curved shape.
  • the perturbation element 13 can radiate a circularly polarized radio wave from the antenna 10.
  • a right-handed circularly polarized radio wave can be radiated to the front side of the paper in FIG. 1, and a left-handed circularly polarized radio wave can be radiated to the back side of the paper in FIG.
  • the antenna 10 does not have to include the perturbation element 13 when emitting linearly polarized radio waves.
  • the feeding point 14 is provided, for example, on the other open end side of the antenna element 11, supplies high-frequency power to the antenna element 11, and receives high-frequency power generated by receiving radio waves at the antenna element 11, such as a receiver. It is a point for transmitting to.
  • the feeding point 14 is connected to an input / output IF (interface) 23 to which a cable such as a coaxial cable is connected via a control circuit 22, as will be described later.
  • the feeding point 14 is shown to be provided at the other open end of the antenna element 11 in FIG. 1, it does not have to be provided at the open end and is deviated from the open end of the antenna element 11. It may be provided at a position.
  • the control board 20 includes a second ground conductor 21, a control circuit 22, and an input / output IF 23.
  • the second ground conductor 21 is a ground conductor connected to one open end of the antenna element 11 and the first ground conductor 12.
  • the second grounding conductor 21 is formed as a solid pattern on, for example, the control board 20 (board 30). In FIG. 1, in order to make the shape of the second grounding conductor 21 easy to understand, the second grounding conductor 21 is hatched with dots different from those of the first grounding conductor 12.
  • the control circuit 22 is a circuit that controls the antenna 10.
  • the control circuit 22 may be provided on only one main surface of the control board 20, may be provided on both sides, or when the control board 20 (board 30) is a multilayer board, the control circuit 22 may be provided on only one main surface. It may be provided in the inner layer.
  • the control circuit 22 includes, for example, an impedance matching circuit, a filter circuit, a switch circuit, and the like.
  • the input / output IF23 is an interface to which a cable such as a coaxial cable is connected, and when the cable is a coaxial cable, it is a coaxial connector.
  • a cable such as a coaxial cable
  • an RFIC Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit
  • the coaxial cable is connected to the coaxial connector, so that the internal conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to the feeding point 14 via the control circuit 22. Will be done.
  • the outer conductor (ground conductor) of the coaxial cable is connected to the second ground conductor 21.
  • the characteristic configuration of the present disclosure is an annular first ground conductor 12 that is connected to one open end of the antenna element 11 and is closed and arranged so as to surround the outer circumference of the antenna element 11.
  • the effect of the antenna 10 including the first ground conductor 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.
  • FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a simulation result of the current distribution of the antenna system according to the comparative example.
  • FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a simulation result of the current distribution of the antenna system 1 according to the first embodiment.
  • the lighter the color, the more concentrated the current In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the lighter the color, the more concentrated the current.
  • the antenna system according to the comparative example is not provided with the first ground conductor 12. Therefore, by comparing FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the effect of providing the first grounding conductor 12 can be confirmed.
  • the antenna element 11 is transferred to the second ground conductor 21. It can be seen that the inflow of current is large. For example, when the ground conductor of the cable is connected to the second ground conductor 21, the current leaked from the antenna element 11 to the second ground conductor 21 flows to the ground conductor of the cable. As a result, the radiation characteristics of the antenna 10 may be affected by the cable (for example, radiation noise from the cable) and the radiation characteristics may deteriorate.
  • the current is not concentrated in the portion of the second ground conductor 21 surrounded by the broken line A, and instead, the second ground conductor 21 is provided. It can be seen that the current is concentrated in the portion of the ground conductor 12 surrounded by the broken line B. That is, by providing the first ground conductor 12, it is possible to suppress the inflow of current from the antenna element 11 to the second ground conductor 21.
  • one open end of the antenna element 11 is connected to the second ground conductor 21 of the control board 20, and the ground conductor of a cable such as a coaxial cable (for example, the outer conductor of the coaxial cable) is connected to the second ground conductor 21. ) Is connected, and power may be supplied to the antenna element 11 via a cable.
  • a current may leak from the antenna element 11 to the second ground conductor 21, the leaked current may flow to the ground conductor of the cable, and the radiation characteristics of the antenna 10 may be affected by the cable. Therefore, an annular first grounding conductor 12 arranged so as to surround the outer circumference of the antenna element 11 is connected to one open end of the antenna element 11.
  • the current is less likely to leak from the antenna element 11 to the second ground conductor 21, and the current is less likely to flow through the ground conductor of the cable connected to the second ground conductor 21. Therefore, the radiation characteristic of the antenna 10 is less affected by the cable, and the radiation characteristic can be improved.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of the array antenna system 2 according to the second embodiment.
  • the array antenna system 2 is a system for radiating and receiving radio waves.
  • the array antenna system 2 includes an array antenna 100 and a control board 200.
  • the directivity of the array antenna 100 can be controlled. That is, radio waves can be transmitted and received to an object arranged in a specific direction with respect to the array antenna 100.
  • the array antenna 100 and the control board 200 may be integrally formed.
  • the array antenna system 2 may be realized by one substrate 300.
  • the substrate 300 may be, for example, a printed wiring board, or the array antenna 100 and the control substrate 200 may be formed on one substrate 300.
  • the lower portion of the substrate 300 is referred to as an array antenna 100, and the upper portion is referred to as a control substrate 200.
  • the array antenna 100 and the control board 200 may not be formed on one board 300, or may be formed separately.
  • the array antenna 100 is configured by arranging a plurality of antennas 10 according to the first embodiment, and includes, for example, four antennas 10.
  • the four antennas 10 are antennas 10a to 10d. That is, the antennas 10a to 10d each include an antenna element 11, a first ground conductor 12, a perturbation element 13, and a feeding point 14.
  • the antenna elements 11, the first ground conductor 12, and the perturbation element 13 of the antennas 10a to 10d are formed as a conductor pattern on the substrate 300, for example.
  • each of the feeding points 14 of the antennas 10a to 10d is connected to an input / output IF 230 to which a cable such as a coaxial cable is connected via a control circuit 220.
  • the number of antennas 10 included in the array antenna 100 is not limited to four, and may be two, three, or five or more.
  • the control board 200 includes a second ground conductor 210, a control circuit 220, and an input / output IF 230.
  • the second grounding conductor 210 is a grounding conductor connected to one open end of each of the antenna elements 11 of the antennas 10a to 10d and to each of the first grounding conductors 12 of the antennas 10a to 10d.
  • the second ground conductor 210 is formed as a solid pattern on, for example, the control board 200 (board 300). In FIG. 3, in order to make the shape of the second grounding conductor 210 easy to understand, the second grounding conductor 210 is hatched with dots different from those of the first grounding conductor 12.
  • the control circuit 220 is a circuit that controls the array antenna 100.
  • the control circuit 220 may be provided on only one main surface of the control board 200 or on both sides, or when the control board 200 (board 300) is a multilayer board, the control circuit 220 may be provided on only one main surface of the control board 200. It may be provided in the inner layer.
  • the control circuit 220 includes, for example, an impedance matching circuit, a filter circuit, a switch circuit, and the like. Further, for example, the control circuit 220 includes a phase control unit 227 (see FIG. 4 described later) that controls the phase of radio waves output from a plurality of antennas 10a to 10d constituting the array antenna 100.
  • the input / output IF230 is an interface to which a cable such as a coaxial cable is connected, and when the cable is a coaxial cable, it is a coaxial connector.
  • a cable such as a coaxial cable
  • RFIC or the like is connected to the input / output IF230 via a cable.
  • the coaxial cable is connected to the coaxial connector, so that the internal conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to the antennas 10a to 10d via the control circuit 220. It is connected to each feeding point 14.
  • high-frequency power from the RFICs and the like can be supplied to the respective antenna elements 11 of the antennas 10a to 10d at the time of transmission, and high-frequency power from the respective antenna elements 11 of the antennas 10a to 10d can be supplied to the RFICs and the like at the time of reception. Can be transmitted to. Further, the outer conductor (ground conductor) of the coaxial cable is connected to the second ground conductor 210.
  • phase control unit 227 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
  • FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an example of the phase control unit 227 according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 also shows the input / output IF230 and the antennas 10a to 10d.
  • the input / output IF230 in FIG. 4 indicates, for example, a terminal to which the inner conductor of the coaxial cable is connected.
  • the portion of the input / output IF 230 to which the outer conductor (ground conductor) of the coaxial cable is connected is connected to the second ground conductor 210 (not shown in FIG. 4).
  • the control circuit 220 may include other circuits such as an impedance matching circuit or a filter circuit in addition to the phase control unit 227, but the illustration of the other circuits is omitted in FIG.
  • the directivity of the array antenna 100 can be controlled by giving a phase difference to the high frequency signals transmitted to each of the antennas 10a to 10d via the input / output IF230.
  • the phase control unit 227 is configured to control the directivity of the array antenna 100, and includes switches SW11 and SW12 and phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n (n is an integer of 2 or more) provided corresponding to the antenna 10a. Switches SW21, SW22 and phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n provided corresponding to the antenna 10b, switches SW31, SW32 and phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n provided corresponding to the antenna 10c, and phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n provided corresponding to the antenna 10d. The switches SW41 and SW42 and the phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n are provided.
  • the switch SW11 is an SPnT (Single Pole n Throw) switch, and the common terminal is connected to the input / output IF230, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n.
  • the switch SW21 is an SPnT switch, and the common terminal is connected to the input / output IF230, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n.
  • the switch SW31 is an SPnT switch, and the common terminal is connected to the input / output IF230, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n.
  • the switch SW41 is an SPnT switch, and the common terminal is connected to the input / output IF230, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n.
  • the phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n, ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n, ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n, and ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n are phase adjustment circuits.
  • the phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n, ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n, ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n, and ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n are circuits composed of impedance elements such as inductors and capacitors, and the amount of phase adjustment depends on the connection form and element parameters of each impedance element. It can be decided.
  • the switch SW12 is an SPnT switch, the common terminal is connected to the feeding point 14 of the antenna 10a, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n.
  • the switch SW22 is an SPnT switch, and the common terminal is connected to the feeding point 14 of the antenna 10b, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n.
  • the switch SW32 is an SPnT switch, and the common terminal is connected to the feeding point 14 of the antenna 10c, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n.
  • the switch SW42 is an SPnT switch, and the common terminal is connected to the feeding point 14 of the antenna 10d, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n.
  • Each switch is controlled according to an instruction from the RFIC or an instruction from an integrated circuit such as a microcomputer included in the control circuit 220.
  • each switch it is possible to control which phase device the high frequency signal from the input / output IF 230 passes through, that is, it depends on the phase device that passes through the phase adjustment amount of the high frequency signal. it can.
  • the phase of the high frequency signal transmitted to each of the antennas 10a to 10d constituting the array antenna can be shifted, and the directivity of the array antenna 100 can be controlled.
  • phase control unit 227 a more detailed configuration example of the phase control unit 227 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 focusing on the switch SW11, the phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ n, and the switch SW12.
  • FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an example of a part of the phase control unit 227 according to the second embodiment.
  • the phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ 4 are realized by, for example, a ⁇ -type LC circuit.
  • the number of inductors and capacitors and the connection form are not limited to those shown in FIG.
  • phase adjustment amount of the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10a is adjusted according to the phase controller ⁇ 1
  • the switch SW11 and the switch SW12 are controlled so as to be connected to the selection terminal of.
  • the phase characteristics shown in FIG. 6 can be realized by adjusting the parameters of the inductor and the capacitor constituting each of the phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of the phase characteristics of the phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ 4 in the phase control unit 227 according to the second embodiment.
  • the high-frequency signals transmitted to the antennas 10a to 10d are, for example, UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band radio signals, and attention is paid to the phases of ⁇ 1 to ⁇ 4 of the phase controller at 0.92 GHz.
  • UHF Ultra High Frequency
  • the phase device ⁇ 1 can shift the phase of the signal passing through the phase device ⁇ 1 by 38 degrees
  • the phase device ⁇ 2 can shift the phase of the signal passing through the phase device ⁇ 2 by ⁇ 9.
  • the phase device ⁇ 3 can shift the phase of the signal passing through the phase device ⁇ 3 by ⁇ 103 degrees
  • the phase device ⁇ 4 can shift the phase of the signal passing through the phase device ⁇ 4 by -143 degrees.
  • the phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ 4 the phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ 4 and the phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ 4, the phase of the signal passing through them can be shifted in the same manner as the phase devices ⁇ 1 to ⁇ 4.
  • the directivity can be controlled by shifting the phase.
  • FIG. 7 is a graph showing the directivity characteristics when the phase difference of the array antenna 100 according to the second embodiment is 90 degrees.
  • FIG. 8 is a graph showing the directivity characteristics when the phase difference of the array antenna 100 according to the second embodiment is 180 degrees.
  • FIG. 9 is a graph showing the directivity characteristics when there is no phase difference of the array antenna 100 according to the second embodiment.
  • the phase difference between the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10a and the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10b is 90 degrees
  • the position of the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10b and the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10c is 90 degrees
  • the tilt angle of the array antenna 100 can be set to, for example, about 30 degrees.
  • the phase difference between the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10a and the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10b is 180 degrees
  • the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10b and the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10c Each switch is controlled so that the phase difference between the two is 180 degrees and the phase difference between the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10c and the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10d is 180 degrees.
  • the tilt angle of the array antenna 100 can be set to, for example, 60 degrees.
  • the phase difference between the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10a and the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10b becomes 0 degrees
  • the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10b and the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10c Each switch is controlled so that the phase difference between the two is 0 degrees and the phase difference between the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10c and the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10d is 0 degrees.
  • the tilt angle of the array antenna 100 can be set to, for example, 0 degrees (that is, the directivity can be not controlled).
  • the directivity of the array antenna 100 can be controlled by giving a phase difference to the high frequency signals transmitted to each of the antennas 10a to 10d by the phase control unit 227.
  • FIGS. 7 to 9 show the directivity characteristics of the array antenna 100 in the state where the cable is not connected. Therefore, the influence on the directivity when the cable is connected will be described with reference to FIG. 10, focusing on, for example, the array antenna 100 when there is no phase difference (that is, in the state of FIG. 9).
  • FIG. 10 is a graph showing the directivity characteristics of the array antenna 100 according to the second embodiment when there is no phase difference in the state where the cable is connected.
  • the gain of the array antenna 100 when there is no phase difference is 6.33 dBi as shown in FIG. 9 when the cable is not connected, whereas it is 5.08 dBi as shown in FIG. 10 when the cable is connected.
  • the gain is slightly smaller when the cable is connected.
  • this gain difference includes about 1 dB due to the loss of the cable itself and the loss of the power supply line, and the gain difference is substantially about 0.3 dB. Therefore, it can be seen that, for example, the influence of the cable other than the loss of the cable itself and the loss of the feeding line is almost no influence due to the radiation noise from the cable.
  • annular first ground conductor 12 arranged so as to surround the outer circumference of the antenna element 11 is connected to one open end of each of the antenna elements 11 of the antennas 10a to 10d. Because it has been done. That is, the current is less likely to leak from the antenna elements 11 of the antennas 10a to 10d to the second ground conductor 210, and the current is less likely to flow to the ground conductor of the cable connected to the second ground conductor 210. Therefore, the radiation characteristics of the array antenna 100 are less affected by the cable, and as shown in FIG. 10, the radiation characteristics can be improved.
  • the antenna 10, the antenna system 1, the array antenna 100, and the array antenna system 2 have been described above based on the embodiments, but the present disclosure is limited to the above embodiments. is not. As long as the gist of the present disclosure is not deviated, various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art are applied to the above-described embodiment, and a form constructed by combining components in different embodiments is also within the scope of one or more embodiments. May be included within.
  • This disclosure can be used for devices or systems equipped with antennas.
  • Antenna system 2 Array antenna system 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d Antenna 11 Antenna element 12 First ground conductor 13 Perturbation element 14 Feed point 20, 200 Control board 21, 210 Second ground conductor 22, 220 Control circuit 23, 230 I / O IF 30, 300 Board 100 Array antenna 227 Phase control unit SW11, SW12, SW21, SW22, SW31, SW32, SW41, SW42 Switch ⁇ 1, ⁇ 2, ⁇ 3, ⁇ 4, ⁇ n, ⁇ 1, ⁇ 2, ⁇ n, ⁇ 1, ⁇ 2, ⁇ n, ⁇ 1 , ⁇ 2, ⁇ n phase device

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  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)

Abstract

An antenna (10) is provided with: a looped antenna element (11) formed by a conductor having open ends on both ends; and an annular first grounding conductor (12) which is connected to one open end of the antenna element (11) and is disposed and closed so as to surround an outer periphery of the antenna element (11).

Description

アンテナ、アンテナシステム、アレイアンテナ及びアレイアンテナシステムAntennas, antenna systems, array antennas and array antenna systems
　本開示は、アンテナ、アンテナシステム、アレイアンテナ及びアレイアンテナシステムに関する。 The present disclosure relates to antennas, antenna systems, array antennas and array antenna systems.
　従来、スパイラル状のパターンコイルで形成された、非接触ＩＣカードとの間で非接触通信により信号の授受を行うためのコイルアンテナを備えるモジュールが開示されている（例えば、特許文献１）。 Conventionally, a module provided with a coil antenna for transmitting and receiving signals by non-contact communication with a non-contact IC card formed of a spiral pattern coil has been disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1).
特開２００８－２６９３８６号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-269386
　モジュールが備えるアンテナに対して同軸ケーブル等のケーブルを介して給電が行われる場合に、このようなケーブルの接地導体がモジュールに設けられた接地導体に接続される場合がある。一方で、特許文献１に開示されるように、モジュールが備えるアンテナもモジュールに設けられた上記接地導体に接続される場合がある。このような場合に、アンテナからモジュールの接地導体に漏れる電流がケーブルの接地導体に流れる。これにより、アンテナの放射特性がケーブルの影響を受けることがある。 When power is supplied to the antenna provided in the module via a cable such as a coaxial cable, the ground conductor of such a cable may be connected to the ground conductor provided in the module. On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the antenna included in the module may also be connected to the ground conductor provided in the module. In such a case, the current leaking from the antenna to the ground conductor of the module flows to the ground conductor of the cable. As a result, the radiation characteristics of the antenna may be affected by the cable.
　そこで、本開示は、放射特性を改善できるアンテナ等を提供する。 Therefore, the present disclosure provides an antenna or the like that can improve the radiation characteristics.
　本開示の一態様に係るアンテナは、両端に開放端を有する導体によって形成されるループ状のアンテナ素子と、前記アンテナ素子の一方の前記開放端に接続され、前記アンテナ素子の外周を取り巻くように閉じて配置される環状の第１接地導体と、を備える。 The antenna according to one aspect of the present disclosure is connected to a loop-shaped antenna element formed by a conductor having open ends at both ends and one of the open ends of the antenna element so as to surround the outer periphery of the antenna element. It comprises an annular first grounding conductor that is arranged closed.
　本開示に係るアンテナ等によれば、放射特性を改善できる。 According to the antenna and the like according to the present disclosure, the radiation characteristics can be improved.
図１は、実施の形態１に係るアンテナシステムの平面図である。FIG. 1 is a plan view of the antenna system according to the first embodiment. 図２Ａは、比較例に係るアンテナシステムの電流分布のシミュレーション結果を示す図である。FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a simulation result of the current distribution of the antenna system according to the comparative example. 図２Ｂは、実施の形態１に係るアンテナシステムの電流分布のシミュレーション結果を示す図である。FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a simulation result of the current distribution of the antenna system according to the first embodiment. 図３は、実施の形態２に係るアレイアンテナシステムの平面図である。FIG. 3 is a plan view of the array antenna system according to the second embodiment. 図４は、実施の形態２に係る位相制御部の一例を示す回路構成図である。FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an example of the phase control unit according to the second embodiment. 図５は、実施の形態２に係る位相制御部の一部の一例を示す回路構成図である。FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an example of a part of the phase control unit according to the second embodiment. 図６は、実施の形態２に係る位相制御部における各位相器の位相特性の一例を示すグラフである。FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of the phase characteristics of each phase device in the phase control unit according to the second embodiment. 図７は、実施の形態２に係るアレイアンテナの位相差が９０度のときの指向特性を示すグラフである。FIG. 7 is a graph showing directivity characteristics when the phase difference of the array antenna according to the second embodiment is 90 degrees. 図８は、実施の形態２に係るアレイアンテナの位相差が１８０度のときの指向特性を示すグラフである。FIG. 8 is a graph showing directivity characteristics when the phase difference of the array antenna according to the second embodiment is 180 degrees. 図９は、実施の形態２に係るアレイアンテナの位相差がないときの指向特性を示すグラフである。FIG. 9 is a graph showing directivity characteristics when there is no phase difference of the array antenna according to the second embodiment. 図１０は、実施の形態２に係るアレイアンテナの、ケーブルを接続した状態での位相差がないときの指向特性を示すグラフである。FIG. 10 is a graph showing the directivity characteristics of the array antenna according to the second embodiment when there is no phase difference in the state where the cable is connected.
　本開示の一態様に係るアンテナは、両端に開放端を有する導体によって形成されるループ状のアンテナ素子と、前記アンテナ素子の一方の前記開放端に接続され、前記アンテナ素子の外周を取り巻くように閉じて配置される環状の第１接地導体と、を備える。 The antenna according to one aspect of the present disclosure is connected to a loop-shaped antenna element formed by a conductor having open ends at both ends and one of the open ends of the antenna element so as to surround the outer periphery of the antenna element. It comprises an annular first grounding conductor that is arranged closed.
　例えば、アンテナを制御する制御回路を備える制御基板の接地導体（第２接地導体と呼ぶ）にアンテナ素子の一方の開放端が接続され、第２接地導体に、同軸ケーブル等のケーブルの接地導体（例えば同軸ケーブルの外部導体）が接続され、ケーブルを介してアンテナ素子への給電が行われる場合がある。このような場合に、アンテナ素子から第２接地導体へ電流が漏れ、漏れた電流がケーブルの接地導体に流れ、アンテナの放射特性がケーブルの影響を受ける場合がある。そこで、アンテナ素子の一方の開放端にアンテナ素子の外周を取り巻くように配置される環状の第１接地導体が接続される。これにより、アンテナ素子から第２接地導体へ電流が漏れにくくなり、第２接地導体に接続されたケーブルの接地導体に電流が流れにくくなる。したがって、アンテナの放射特性がケーブルの影響を受けにくくなり、放射特性を改善できる。 For example, one open end of the antenna element is connected to the ground conductor (called the second ground conductor) of the control board provided with the control circuit for controlling the antenna, and the second ground conductor is connected to the ground conductor of a cable such as a coaxial cable (called the second ground conductor). For example, an outer conductor of a coaxial cable) may be connected, and power may be supplied to the antenna element via the cable. In such a case, a current may leak from the antenna element to the second ground conductor, the leaked current may flow to the ground conductor of the cable, and the radiation characteristics of the antenna may be affected by the cable. Therefore, an annular first grounding conductor arranged so as to surround the outer circumference of the antenna element is connected to one open end of the antenna element. As a result, it becomes difficult for the current to leak from the antenna element to the second ground conductor, and it becomes difficult for the current to flow to the ground conductor of the cable connected to the second ground conductor. Therefore, the radiation characteristics of the antenna are less affected by the cable, and the radiation characteristics can be improved.
　また、前記アンテナ素子は、円形のループ状に形成されてもよい。 Further, the antenna element may be formed in a circular loop shape.
　このように、アンテナ素子は円形のループ状に形成されてもよい。 In this way, the antenna element may be formed in a circular loop shape.
　また、前記アンテナは、前記アンテナ素子から分岐した導体により構成される摂動素子を更に備えていてもよい。 Further, the antenna may further include a perturbation element composed of a conductor branched from the antenna element.
　これによれば、摂動素子によって、アンテナから円偏波の電波を放射できる。 According to this, the perturbation element can radiate a circularly polarized radio wave from the antenna.
　本開示の一態様に係るアンテナシステムは、上記のアンテナと、制御基板と、を備え、前記制御基板は、前記アンテナの制御を行う制御回路と、前記アンテナ素子の一方の前記開放端及び前記第１接地導体に接続される第２接地導体と、を備える。 The antenna system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned antenna and a control board, and the control board includes a control circuit for controlling the antenna, the open end of one of the antenna elements, and the first. A second grounding conductor connected to one grounding conductor is provided.
　これによれば、放射特性を改善できるアンテナシステムを提供できる。 According to this, it is possible to provide an antenna system that can improve the radiation characteristics.
　本開示の一態様に係るアレイアンテナは、上記のアンテナを複数配列して構成される。 The array antenna according to one aspect of the present disclosure is configured by arranging a plurality of the above antennas.
　これによれば、放射特性を改善できるアレイアンテナを提供できる。 According to this, it is possible to provide an array antenna that can improve the radiation characteristics.
　本開示の一態様に係るアレイアンテナシステムは、上記のアレイアンテナと、制御基板と、を備え、前記制御基板は、前記アレイアンテナの制御を行う制御回路であって、前記アレイアンテナを構成する複数の前記アンテナから出力される電波の位相を制御する位相制御部を含む制御回路と、前記アンテナ素子の一方の前記開放端及び前記第１接地導体に接続される第２接地導体と、を備える。 The array antenna system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned array antenna and a control board, and the control board is a control circuit for controlling the array antenna, and a plurality of control circuits constituting the array antenna. It includes a control circuit including a phase control unit for controlling the phase of the radio wave output from the antenna, and a second ground conductor connected to one of the open ends of the antenna element and the first ground conductor.
　これによれば、放射特性を改善できるアレイアンテナシステムを提供できる。 According to this, it is possible to provide an array antenna system that can improve the radiation characteristics.
　なお、以下で説明する実施の形態は、いずれも包括的又は具体的な例を示すものである。以下の実施の形態で示される数値、形状、構成要素、構成要素の配置位置及び接続形態、ステップ、ステップの順序などは、一例であり、本開示を限定する主旨ではない。 It should be noted that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. Numerical values, shapes, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, steps, step order, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.
　（実施の形態１）
　以下、図１から図２Ｂを用いて実施の形態１について説明する。 (Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2B.
　図１は、実施の形態１に係るアンテナシステム１の平面図である。 FIG. 1 is a plan view of the antenna system 1 according to the first embodiment.
　アンテナシステム１は、電波を放射し、また、電波を受信するためのシステムである。アンテナシステム１は、アンテナ１０と、制御基板２０と、を備える。なお、アンテナ１０と制御基板２０とは一体に形成されていてもよい。例えば、図１に示すように、アンテナシステム１は、１つの基板３０によって実現されてもよい。基板３０は、例えば、プリント配線基板であってもよく、アンテナ１０と制御基板２０とが１つの基板３０上に形成されていてもよい。図１では、基板３０の左側部分をアンテナ１０と呼び、右側部分を制御基板２０と呼んでいる。なお、アンテナ１０と制御基板２０とが１つの基板３０上に形成されなくてもよく、別体に形成されてもよい。 The antenna system 1 is a system for radiating and receiving radio waves. The antenna system 1 includes an antenna 10 and a control board 20. The antenna 10 and the control board 20 may be integrally formed. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the antenna system 1 may be realized by one substrate 30. The substrate 30 may be, for example, a printed wiring board, or the antenna 10 and the control substrate 20 may be formed on one substrate 30. In FIG. 1, the left side portion of the substrate 30 is referred to as an antenna 10, and the right portion is referred to as a control substrate 20. The antenna 10 and the control board 20 may not be formed on one board 30, but may be formed separately.
　アンテナ１０は、アンテナ素子１１と、第１接地導体１２と、摂動素子１３と、給電点１４とを備える。 The antenna 10 includes an antenna element 11, a first ground conductor 12, a perturbation element 13, and a feeding point 14.
　アンテナ素子１１は、両端に開放端を有する導体によって形成されるループ状の放射素子である。アンテナ素子１１は、例えば、基板３０上に導体パターンとして形成される。図１では、アンテナ素子１１の形状をわかりやすくするために、アンテナ素子１１に右上から左下へ延びる斜線のハッチングを付している。アンテナ素子１１は、例えば、円形のループ状に形成される。なお、アンテナ素子１１は、ループ状であれば、円形に限らず多角形形状であってもよい。また、図１には、ループ状のアンテナ素子１１として、１周のループ状のアンテナ素子１１を示しているが、アンテナ素子１１は、１周のループ状に限らず、１周以上のループ状（つまり渦巻状）であってもよい。アンテナ素子１１の一方の開放端は、第１接地導体１２及び後述する第２接地導体２１に接続される。アンテナ素子１１の他方の開放端側は、給電点１４に接続される。 The antenna element 11 is a loop-shaped radiating element formed by a conductor having open ends at both ends. The antenna element 11 is formed as a conductor pattern on the substrate 30, for example. In FIG. 1, in order to make the shape of the antenna element 11 easy to understand, the antenna element 11 is hatched with diagonal lines extending from the upper right to the lower left. The antenna element 11 is formed, for example, in a circular loop shape. The antenna element 11 is not limited to a circular shape but may have a polygonal shape as long as it has a loop shape. Further, FIG. 1 shows a loop-shaped antenna element 11 having one round as the loop-shaped antenna element 11, but the antenna element 11 is not limited to the loop shape of one round, but has a loop shape of one round or more. It may be (that is, spiral). One open end of the antenna element 11 is connected to the first ground conductor 12 and the second ground conductor 21 described later. The other open end side of the antenna element 11 is connected to the feeding point 14.
　第１接地導体１２は、アンテナ素子１１の一方の開放端に接続され、アンテナ素子１１の外周を取り巻くように閉じて配置される環状の接地導体である。第１接地導体１２は、例えば、基板３０上に導体パターンとして形成される。図１では、第１接地導体１２の形状をわかりやすくするために、第１接地導体１２にドットのハッチングを付している。また、第１接地導体１２が環状であることをわかりやすくするために、第１接地導体１２と後述する第２接地導体２１との境界に破線を付している。例えば、第１接地導体１２と後述する第２接地導体２１とは、基板３０上において切れ目なく接続されていてもよい。例えば、第１接地導体１２は、アンテナ素子１１に沿って配置される。例えば、アンテナ素子１１は、円形のループ状に形成されるため、第１接地導体１２は、当該ループの外周に沿うように、円環状に形成される。なお、第１接地導体１２は、アンテナ素子１１の外周を取り巻くように閉じて配置されていれば、円環状に形成されなくてもよく、多角形の環状に形成されてもよい。例えば、アンテナ素子１１が方形のループ状の場合、第１接地導体１２についても、アンテナ素子１１の外周に沿って方形の環状に形成されてもよい。 The first grounding conductor 12 is an annular grounding conductor connected to one open end of the antenna element 11 and closed so as to surround the outer circumference of the antenna element 11. The first grounding conductor 12 is formed as a conductor pattern on the substrate 30, for example. In FIG. 1, in order to make the shape of the first grounding conductor 12 easy to understand, the first grounding conductor 12 is hatched with dots. Further, in order to make it easy to understand that the first grounding conductor 12 is annular, a broken line is added to the boundary between the first grounding conductor 12 and the second grounding conductor 21 described later. For example, the first ground conductor 12 and the second ground conductor 21 described later may be seamlessly connected on the substrate 30. For example, the first ground conductor 12 is arranged along the antenna element 11. For example, since the antenna element 11 is formed in a circular loop shape, the first ground conductor 12 is formed in an annular shape along the outer circumference of the loop. The first ground conductor 12 may not be formed in an annular shape as long as it is closed and arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the antenna element 11, and may be formed in a polygonal annular shape. For example, when the antenna element 11 has a square loop shape, the first ground conductor 12 may also be formed in a square ring shape along the outer circumference of the antenna element 11.
　摂動素子１３は、アンテナ素子１１から分岐した導体により構成される放射素子である。摂動素子１３は、例えば、基板３０上に導体パターンとして形成される。図１では、摂動素子１３の形状をわかりやすくするために、摂動素子１３に左上から右下へ延びる斜線のハッチングを付している。なお、摂動素子１３が、ループ状のアンテナ素子１１から分岐して当該ループの内側へ延びるように形成されるが、当該ループの外側へ延びるように形成されてもよい。また、摂動素子１３は、直線形状を有しているが、直線形状に限らず曲線形状であってもよい。摂動素子１３によって、アンテナ１０から円偏波の電波を放射できる。例えば、図１の紙面手前側へ右旋円偏波の電波を放射でき、図１の紙面奥側へ左旋円偏波の電波を放射できる。なお、アンテナ１０は、直線偏波の電波を放射する場合には、摂動素子１３を備えていなくてもよい。 The perturbation element 13 is a radiating element composed of a conductor branched from the antenna element 11. The perturbation element 13 is formed as a conductor pattern on the substrate 30, for example. In FIG. 1, in order to make the shape of the perturbation element 13 easy to understand, the perturbation element 13 is hatched with diagonal lines extending from the upper left to the lower right. Although the perturbation element 13 is formed so as to branch off from the loop-shaped antenna element 11 and extend inside the loop, it may be formed so as to extend outside the loop. Further, although the perturbation element 13 has a linear shape, it is not limited to the linear shape and may have a curved shape. The perturbation element 13 can radiate a circularly polarized radio wave from the antenna 10. For example, a right-handed circularly polarized radio wave can be radiated to the front side of the paper in FIG. 1, and a left-handed circularly polarized radio wave can be radiated to the back side of the paper in FIG. Note that the antenna 10 does not have to include the perturbation element 13 when emitting linearly polarized radio waves.
　給電点１４は、例えば、アンテナ素子１１の他方の開放端側に設けられ、アンテナ素子１１に高周波電力を給電し、また、アンテナ素子１１で電波を受信することで発生した高周波電力を受信機等に伝送するための点である。例えば、給電点１４は、後述するように、制御回路２２を介して同軸ケーブル等のケーブルが接続される入出力ＩＦ（インタフェース）２３に接続される。なお、図１では、給電点１４は、アンテナ素子１１の他方の開放端に設けられるように示しているが、当該開放端に設けられなくてもよく、アンテナ素子１１の当該開放端からずれた位置に設けられてもよい。 The feeding point 14 is provided, for example, on the other open end side of the antenna element 11, supplies high-frequency power to the antenna element 11, and receives high-frequency power generated by receiving radio waves at the antenna element 11, such as a receiver. It is a point for transmitting to. For example, the feeding point 14 is connected to an input / output IF (interface) 23 to which a cable such as a coaxial cable is connected via a control circuit 22, as will be described later. Although the feeding point 14 is shown to be provided at the other open end of the antenna element 11 in FIG. 1, it does not have to be provided at the open end and is deviated from the open end of the antenna element 11. It may be provided at a position.
　制御基板２０は、第２接地導体２１と、制御回路２２と、入出力ＩＦ２３と、を備える。 The control board 20 includes a second ground conductor 21, a control circuit 22, and an input / output IF 23.
　第２接地導体２１は、アンテナ素子１１の一方の開放端及び第１接地導体１２に接続される接地導体である。第２接地導体２１は、例えば、制御基板２０（基板３０）上にベタパターンとして形成される。図１では、第２接地導体２１の形状をわかりやすくするために、第２接地導体２１に第１接地導体１２とは異なるドットのハッチングを付している。 The second ground conductor 21 is a ground conductor connected to one open end of the antenna element 11 and the first ground conductor 12. The second grounding conductor 21 is formed as a solid pattern on, for example, the control board 20 (board 30). In FIG. 1, in order to make the shape of the second grounding conductor 21 easy to understand, the second grounding conductor 21 is hatched with dots different from those of the first grounding conductor 12.
　制御回路２２は、アンテナ１０の制御を行う回路である。制御回路２２は、その構成部品が制御基板２０の一方主面にのみ設けられてもよいし、両面に設けられてもよいし、制御基板２０（基板３０）が多層基板である場合には、内層に設けられてもよい。制御回路２２は、例えば、インピーダンス整合回路、フィルタ回路、又は、スイッチ回路等を含む。 The control circuit 22 is a circuit that controls the antenna 10. The control circuit 22 may be provided on only one main surface of the control board 20, may be provided on both sides, or when the control board 20 (board 30) is a multilayer board, the control circuit 22 may be provided on only one main surface. It may be provided in the inner layer. The control circuit 22 includes, for example, an impedance matching circuit, a filter circuit, a switch circuit, and the like.
　入出力ＩＦ２３は、同軸ケーブル等のケーブルが接続されるインタフェースであり、ケーブルが同軸ケーブルの場合、同軸コネクタである。入出力ＩＦ２３は、ケーブルを介して例えばＲＦＩＣ（Ｒａｄｉｏ　Ｆｒｅｑｕｅｎｃｙ　Ｉｎｔｅｇｒａｔｅｄ　Ｃｉｒｃｕｉｔ）等が接続される。例えば、ケーブルが同軸ケーブルであり、入出力ＩＦ２３が同軸コネクタである場合に、同軸ケーブルが同軸コネクタに接続されることで、同軸ケーブルの内部導体は、制御回路２２を介して給電点１４に接続される。これにより、送信時にはＲＦＩＣ等からの高周波電力をアンテナ素子１１に供給することができ、また、受信時にはアンテナ素子１１からの高周波電力をＲＦＩＣ等に伝送できる。また、同軸ケーブルの外部導体（接地導体）は、第２接地導体２１に接続される。 The input / output IF23 is an interface to which a cable such as a coaxial cable is connected, and when the cable is a coaxial cable, it is a coaxial connector. For example, an RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) or the like is connected to the input / output IF23 via a cable. For example, when the cable is a coaxial cable and the input / output IF23 is a coaxial connector, the coaxial cable is connected to the coaxial connector, so that the internal conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to the feeding point 14 via the control circuit 22. Will be done. As a result, high-frequency power from the RFIC or the like can be supplied to the antenna element 11 at the time of transmission, and high-frequency power from the antenna element 11 can be transmitted to the RFIC or the like at the time of reception. Further, the outer conductor (ground conductor) of the coaxial cable is connected to the second ground conductor 21.
　本開示の特徴的な構成は、アンテナ素子１１の一方の開放端に接続され、アンテナ素子１１の外周を取り巻くように閉じて配置される環状の第１接地導体１２である。アンテナ１０がこのような第１接地導体１２を備えることで奏される効果について、図２Ａ及び図２Ｂを用いて説明する。 The characteristic configuration of the present disclosure is an annular first ground conductor 12 that is connected to one open end of the antenna element 11 and is closed and arranged so as to surround the outer circumference of the antenna element 11. The effect of the antenna 10 including the first ground conductor 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.
　図２Ａは、比較例に係るアンテナシステムの電流分布のシミュレーション結果を示す図である。図２Ｂは、実施の形態１に係るアンテナシステム１の電流分布のシミュレーション結果を示す図である。図２Ａ及び図２Ｂにおいて、色が薄いほど電流が集中していることを示す。 FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a simulation result of the current distribution of the antenna system according to the comparative example. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a simulation result of the current distribution of the antenna system 1 according to the first embodiment. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the lighter the color, the more concentrated the current.
　比較例に係るアンテナシステムには、第１接地導体１２が設けられていない。したがって、図２Ａと図２Ｂを比較することで、第１接地導体１２が設けられることの効果を確認できる。 The antenna system according to the comparative example is not provided with the first ground conductor 12. Therefore, by comparing FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the effect of providing the first grounding conductor 12 can be confirmed.
　図２Ａに示すように、第１接地導体１２が設けられない場合、第２接地導体２１におけるＡの破線で囲った部分に電流が集中しており、アンテナ素子１１から第２接地導体２１への電流の流れ込みが大きくなっていることがわかる。例えば、第２接地導体２１にケーブルの接地導体を接続すると、アンテナ素子１１から第２接地導体２１に漏れた電流がケーブルの接地導体に流れる。これにより、アンテナ１０の放射特性がケーブルの影響（例えばケーブルからの放射ノイズ）を受けて放射特性が劣化する可能性がある。 As shown in FIG. 2A, when the first ground conductor 12 is not provided, the current is concentrated in the portion of the second ground conductor 21 surrounded by the broken line A, and the antenna element 11 is transferred to the second ground conductor 21. It can be seen that the inflow of current is large. For example, when the ground conductor of the cable is connected to the second ground conductor 21, the current leaked from the antenna element 11 to the second ground conductor 21 flows to the ground conductor of the cable. As a result, the radiation characteristics of the antenna 10 may be affected by the cable (for example, radiation noise from the cable) and the radiation characteristics may deteriorate.
　一方で、図２Ｂに示すように、第１接地導体１２を備えるアンテナシステム１の場合、第２接地導体２１におけるＡの破線で囲った部分に電流が集中しておらず、その代わりに、第１接地導体１２におけるＢの破線で囲った部分に電流が集中していることがわかる。つまり、第１接地導体１２が設けられることで、アンテナ素子１１から第２接地導体２１への電流の流れ込みを抑制できる。 On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, in the case of the antenna system 1 provided with the first ground conductor 12, the current is not concentrated in the portion of the second ground conductor 21 surrounded by the broken line A, and instead, the second ground conductor 21 is provided. It can be seen that the current is concentrated in the portion of the ground conductor 12 surrounded by the broken line B. That is, by providing the first ground conductor 12, it is possible to suppress the inflow of current from the antenna element 11 to the second ground conductor 21.
　以上説明したように、制御基板２０の第２接地導体２１にアンテナ素子１１の一方の開放端が接続され、第２接地導体２１に、同軸ケーブル等のケーブルの接地導体（例えば同軸ケーブルの外部導体）が接続され、ケーブルを介してアンテナ素子１１への給電が行われる場合がある。このような場合に、アンテナ素子１１から第２接地導体２１へ電流が漏れ、漏れた電流がケーブルの接地導体に流れ、アンテナ１０の放射特性がケーブルの影響を受ける場合がある。そこで、アンテナ素子１１の一方の開放端にアンテナ素子１１の外周を取り巻くように配置される環状の第１接地導体１２が接続される。これにより、アンテナ素子１１から第２接地導体２１へ電流が漏れにくくなり、第２接地導体２１に接続されたケーブルの接地導体に電流が流れにくくなる。したがって、アンテナ１０の放射特性がケーブルの影響を受けにくくなり、放射特性を改善できる。 As described above, one open end of the antenna element 11 is connected to the second ground conductor 21 of the control board 20, and the ground conductor of a cable such as a coaxial cable (for example, the outer conductor of the coaxial cable) is connected to the second ground conductor 21. ) Is connected, and power may be supplied to the antenna element 11 via a cable. In such a case, a current may leak from the antenna element 11 to the second ground conductor 21, the leaked current may flow to the ground conductor of the cable, and the radiation characteristics of the antenna 10 may be affected by the cable. Therefore, an annular first grounding conductor 12 arranged so as to surround the outer circumference of the antenna element 11 is connected to one open end of the antenna element 11. As a result, the current is less likely to leak from the antenna element 11 to the second ground conductor 21, and the current is less likely to flow through the ground conductor of the cable connected to the second ground conductor 21. Therefore, the radiation characteristic of the antenna 10 is less affected by the cable, and the radiation characteristic can be improved.
　（実施の形態２）
　次に、図３から図１０を用いて実施の形態２について説明する。実施の形態２では、実施の形態１に係るアンテナ１０を複数配列して構成されるアレイアンテナ１００及びアレイアンテナ１００を備えるアレイアンテナシステム２について説明する。 (Embodiment 2)
Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10. In the second embodiment, an array antenna 100 including a plurality of antennas 10 according to the first embodiment and an array antenna 100 will be described.
　図３は、実施の形態２に係るアレイアンテナシステム２の平面図である。 FIG. 3 is a plan view of the array antenna system 2 according to the second embodiment.
　アレイアンテナシステム２は、電波を放射し、また、電波を受信するためのシステムである。アレイアンテナシステム２は、アレイアンテナ１００と、制御基板２００と、を備える。アレイアンテナシステム２では、アレイアンテナ１００の指向性を制御することができる。つまり、アレイアンテナ１００に対して特定の方向に配置された対象物に対して、電波の送受信を行うことができる。なお、アレイアンテナ１００と制御基板２００とは一体に形成されていてもよい。例えば、図３に示すように、アレイアンテナシステム２は、１つの基板３００によって実現されてもよい。基板３００は、例えば、プリント配線基板であってもよく、アレイアンテナ１００と制御基板２００とが１つの基板３００上に形成されていてもよい。図３では、基板３００の下側部分をアレイアンテナ１００と呼び、上側部分を制御基板２００と呼んでいる。なお、アレイアンテナ１００と制御基板２００とが１つの基板３００上に形成されなくてもよく、別体に形成されてもよい。 The array antenna system 2 is a system for radiating and receiving radio waves. The array antenna system 2 includes an array antenna 100 and a control board 200. In the array antenna system 2, the directivity of the array antenna 100 can be controlled. That is, radio waves can be transmitted and received to an object arranged in a specific direction with respect to the array antenna 100. The array antenna 100 and the control board 200 may be integrally formed. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the array antenna system 2 may be realized by one substrate 300. The substrate 300 may be, for example, a printed wiring board, or the array antenna 100 and the control substrate 200 may be formed on one substrate 300. In FIG. 3, the lower portion of the substrate 300 is referred to as an array antenna 100, and the upper portion is referred to as a control substrate 200. The array antenna 100 and the control board 200 may not be formed on one board 300, or may be formed separately.
　アレイアンテナ１００は、実施の形態１に係るアンテナ１０を複数配列して構成され、例えば、アンテナ１０を４つ備える。ここでは、４つのアンテナ１０をアンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄとしている。すなわち、アンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄは、それぞれ、アンテナ素子１１と、第１接地導体１２と、摂動素子１３と、給電点１４とを備える。アンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄのそれぞれのアンテナ素子１１、第１接地導体１２及び摂動素子１３は、例えば、基板３００上に導体パターンとして形成される。アンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄのそれぞれの給電点１４は、後述するように、制御回路２２０を介して同軸ケーブル等のケーブルが接続される入出力ＩＦ２３０に接続される。なお、アレイアンテナ１００が備えるアンテナ１０の数は、４つに限らず、２つ、３つ、又は５つ以上であってもよい。 The array antenna 100 is configured by arranging a plurality of antennas 10 according to the first embodiment, and includes, for example, four antennas 10. Here, the four antennas 10 are antennas 10a to 10d. That is, the antennas 10a to 10d each include an antenna element 11, a first ground conductor 12, a perturbation element 13, and a feeding point 14. The antenna elements 11, the first ground conductor 12, and the perturbation element 13 of the antennas 10a to 10d are formed as a conductor pattern on the substrate 300, for example. As will be described later, each of the feeding points 14 of the antennas 10a to 10d is connected to an input / output IF 230 to which a cable such as a coaxial cable is connected via a control circuit 220. The number of antennas 10 included in the array antenna 100 is not limited to four, and may be two, three, or five or more.
　制御基板２００は、第２接地導体２１０と、制御回路２２０と、入出力ＩＦ２３０と、を備える。 The control board 200 includes a second ground conductor 210, a control circuit 220, and an input / output IF 230.
　第２接地導体２１０は、アンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄのそれぞれのアンテナ素子１１の一方の開放端、及び、アンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄのそれぞれの第１接地導体１２に接続される接地導体である。第２接地導体２１０は、例えば、制御基板２００（基板３００）上にベタパターンとして形成される。図３では、第２接地導体２１０の形状をわかりやすくするために、第２接地導体２１０に第１接地導体１２とは異なるドットのハッチングを付している。 The second grounding conductor 210 is a grounding conductor connected to one open end of each of the antenna elements 11 of the antennas 10a to 10d and to each of the first grounding conductors 12 of the antennas 10a to 10d. The second ground conductor 210 is formed as a solid pattern on, for example, the control board 200 (board 300). In FIG. 3, in order to make the shape of the second grounding conductor 210 easy to understand, the second grounding conductor 210 is hatched with dots different from those of the first grounding conductor 12.
　制御回路２２０は、アレイアンテナ１００の制御を行う回路である。制御回路２２０は、その構成部品が制御基板２００の一方主面にのみ設けられてもよいし、両面に設けられてもよいし、制御基板２００（基板３００）が多層基板である場合には、内層に設けられてもよい。制御回路２２０は、例えば、インピーダンス整合回路、フィルタ回路、又は、スイッチ回路等を含む。また、例えば、制御回路２２０は、アレイアンテナ１００を構成する複数のアンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄから出力される電波の位相を制御する位相制御部２２７（後述する図４参照）を含む。 The control circuit 220 is a circuit that controls the array antenna 100. The control circuit 220 may be provided on only one main surface of the control board 200 or on both sides, or when the control board 200 (board 300) is a multilayer board, the control circuit 220 may be provided on only one main surface of the control board 200. It may be provided in the inner layer. The control circuit 220 includes, for example, an impedance matching circuit, a filter circuit, a switch circuit, and the like. Further, for example, the control circuit 220 includes a phase control unit 227 (see FIG. 4 described later) that controls the phase of radio waves output from a plurality of antennas 10a to 10d constituting the array antenna 100.
　入出力ＩＦ２３０は、同軸ケーブル等のケーブルが接続されるインタフェースであり、ケーブルが同軸ケーブルの場合、同軸コネクタである。入出力ＩＦ２３０は、ケーブルを介して例えばＲＦＩＣ等が接続される。例えば、ケーブルが同軸ケーブルであり、入出力ＩＦ２３０が同軸コネクタである場合に、同軸ケーブルが同軸コネクタに接続されることで、同軸ケーブルの内部導体は、制御回路２２０を介してアンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄのそれぞれの給電点１４に接続される。これにより、送信時にはＲＦＩＣ等からの高周波電力をアンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄのそれぞれのアンテナ素子１１に供給することができ、また、受信時にはアンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄのそれぞれのアンテナ素子１１からの高周波電力をＲＦＩＣ等に伝送できる。また、同軸ケーブルの外部導体（接地導体）は、第２接地導体２１０に接続される。 The input / output IF230 is an interface to which a cable such as a coaxial cable is connected, and when the cable is a coaxial cable, it is a coaxial connector. For example, RFIC or the like is connected to the input / output IF230 via a cable. For example, when the cable is a coaxial cable and the input / output IF230 is a coaxial connector, the coaxial cable is connected to the coaxial connector, so that the internal conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to the antennas 10a to 10d via the control circuit 220. It is connected to each feeding point 14. As a result, high-frequency power from the RFICs and the like can be supplied to the respective antenna elements 11 of the antennas 10a to 10d at the time of transmission, and high-frequency power from the respective antenna elements 11 of the antennas 10a to 10d can be supplied to the RFICs and the like at the time of reception. Can be transmitted to. Further, the outer conductor (ground conductor) of the coaxial cable is connected to the second ground conductor 210.
　ここで、位相制御部２２７について、図４から図６を用いて説明する。 Here, the phase control unit 227 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
　図４は、実施の形態２に係る位相制御部２２７の一例を示す回路構成図である。なお、図４には、位相制御部２２７の他に、入出力ＩＦ２３０及びアンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄも示している。また、図４における入出力ＩＦ２３０は、例えば、同軸ケーブルの内部導体が接続される端子を示している。入出力ＩＦ２３０における同軸ケーブルの外部導体（接地導体）が接続される部分については、第２接地導体２１０に接続されている（図４では図示せず）。また、制御回路２２０には、位相制御部２２７以外にもインピーダンス整合回路又はフィルタ回路等の他の回路が含まれ得るが、図４では他の回路の図示を省略している。 FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an example of the phase control unit 227 according to the second embodiment. In addition to the phase control unit 227, FIG. 4 also shows the input / output IF230 and the antennas 10a to 10d. Further, the input / output IF230 in FIG. 4 indicates, for example, a terminal to which the inner conductor of the coaxial cable is connected. The portion of the input / output IF 230 to which the outer conductor (ground conductor) of the coaxial cable is connected is connected to the second ground conductor 210 (not shown in FIG. 4). Further, the control circuit 220 may include other circuits such as an impedance matching circuit or a filter circuit in addition to the phase control unit 227, but the illustration of the other circuits is omitted in FIG.
　例えば、入出力ＩＦ２３０を介してアンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄのそれぞれに伝送される高周波信号に位相差が与えられることで、アレイアンテナ１００の指向性を制御することができる。 For example, the directivity of the array antenna 100 can be controlled by giving a phase difference to the high frequency signals transmitted to each of the antennas 10a to 10d via the input / output IF230.
　位相制御部２２７は、アレイアンテナ１００の指向性を制御するための構成であり、アンテナ１０ａに対応して設けられたスイッチＳＷ１１、ＳＷ１２及び位相器α１～αｎ（ｎは２以上の整数）と、アンテナ１０ｂに対応して設けられたスイッチＳＷ２１、ＳＷ２２及び位相器β１～βｎと、アンテナ１０ｃに対応して設けられたスイッチＳＷ３１、ＳＷ３２及び位相器γ１～γｎと、アンテナ１０ｄに対応して設けられたスイッチＳＷ４１、ＳＷ４２及び位相器δ１～δｎと、を備える。 The phase control unit 227 is configured to control the directivity of the array antenna 100, and includes switches SW11 and SW12 and phase devices α1 to αn (n is an integer of 2 or more) provided corresponding to the antenna 10a. Switches SW21, SW22 and phase devices β1 to βn provided corresponding to the antenna 10b, switches SW31, SW32 and phase devices γ1 to γn provided corresponding to the antenna 10c, and phase devices γ1 to γn provided corresponding to the antenna 10d. The switches SW41 and SW42 and the phase devices δ1 to δn are provided.
　スイッチＳＷ１１は、ＳＰｎＴ（Ｓｉｎｇｌｅ　Ｐｏｌｅ　ｎ　Ｔｈｒｏｗ）スイッチであり、共通端子が入出力ＩＦ２３０に接続され、選択端子が位相器α１～αｎに接続される。スイッチＳＷ２１は、ＳＰｎＴスイッチであり、共通端子が入出力ＩＦ２３０に接続され、選択端子が位相器β１～βｎに接続される。スイッチＳＷ３１は、ＳＰｎＴスイッチであり、共通端子が入出力ＩＦ２３０に接続され、選択端子が位相器γ１～γｎに接続される。スイッチＳＷ４１は、ＳＰｎＴスイッチであり、共通端子が入出力ＩＦ２３０に接続され、選択端子が位相器δ１～δｎに接続される。 The switch SW11 is an SPnT (Single Pole n Throw) switch, and the common terminal is connected to the input / output IF230, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units α1 to αn. The switch SW21 is an SPnT switch, and the common terminal is connected to the input / output IF230, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units β1 to βn. The switch SW31 is an SPnT switch, and the common terminal is connected to the input / output IF230, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units γ1 to γn. The switch SW41 is an SPnT switch, and the common terminal is connected to the input / output IF230, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units δ1 to δn.
　位相器α１～αｎ、β１～βｎ、γ１～γｎ及びδ１～δｎは、位相調整回路である。位相器α１～αｎ、β１～βｎ、γ１～γｎ及びδ１～δｎは、例えば、インダクタ及びキャパシタ等のインピーダンス素子からなる回路であり、各インピーダンス素子の接続形態及び素子パラメータによって、位相の調整量が決められる。 The phase devices α1 to αn, β1 to βn, γ1 to γn, and δ1 to δn are phase adjustment circuits. The phase devices α1 to αn, β1 to βn, γ1 to γn, and δ1 to δn are circuits composed of impedance elements such as inductors and capacitors, and the amount of phase adjustment depends on the connection form and element parameters of each impedance element. It can be decided.
　スイッチＳＷ１２は、ＳＰｎＴスイッチであり、共通端子がアンテナ１０ａの給電点１４に接続され、選択端子が位相器α１～αｎに接続される。スイッチＳＷ２２は、ＳＰｎＴスイッチであり、共通端子がアンテナ１０ｂの給電点１４に接続され、選択端子が位相器β１～βｎに接続される。スイッチＳＷ３２は、ＳＰｎＴスイッチであり、共通端子がアンテナ１０ｃの給電点１４に接続され、選択端子が位相器γ１～γｎに接続される。スイッチＳＷ４２は、ＳＰｎＴスイッチであり、共通端子がアンテナ１０ｄの給電点１４に接続され、選択端子が位相器δ１～δｎに接続される。 The switch SW12 is an SPnT switch, the common terminal is connected to the feeding point 14 of the antenna 10a, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units α1 to αn. The switch SW22 is an SPnT switch, and the common terminal is connected to the feeding point 14 of the antenna 10b, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units β1 to βn. The switch SW32 is an SPnT switch, and the common terminal is connected to the feeding point 14 of the antenna 10c, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units γ1 to γn. The switch SW42 is an SPnT switch, and the common terminal is connected to the feeding point 14 of the antenna 10d, and the selection terminal is connected to the phase units δ1 to δn.
　各スイッチは、ＲＦＩＣからの指示、又は、制御回路２２０に含まれるマイコン等の集積回路からの指示に応じて制御される。各スイッチが制御されることで、入出力ＩＦ２３０からの高周波信号がどの位相器を通過するかを制御でき、つまり、高周波信号の位相の調整量を通過する位相器に応じたものとすることができる。これにより、アレイアンテナを構成するアンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄのそれぞれに伝送される高周波信号の位相をずらすことができ、アレイアンテナ１００の指向性を制御することができる。 Each switch is controlled according to an instruction from the RFIC or an instruction from an integrated circuit such as a microcomputer included in the control circuit 220. By controlling each switch, it is possible to control which phase device the high frequency signal from the input / output IF 230 passes through, that is, it depends on the phase device that passes through the phase adjustment amount of the high frequency signal. it can. As a result, the phase of the high frequency signal transmitted to each of the antennas 10a to 10d constituting the array antenna can be shifted, and the directivity of the array antenna 100 can be controlled.
　ここで、位相制御部２２７のより詳細な構成例を、スイッチＳＷ１１、位相器α１～αｎ及びスイッチＳＷ１２に着目した図５を用いて説明する。 Here, a more detailed configuration example of the phase control unit 227 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 focusing on the switch SW11, the phase devices α1 to αn, and the switch SW12.
　図５は、実施の形態２に係る位相制御部２２７の一部の一例を示す回路構成図である。図５では、スイッチＳＷ１１及びスイッチＳＷ２１をＳＰ４Ｔスイッチとし、位相器α１～α４を示している（つまり、ｎ＝４としている）。 FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an example of a part of the phase control unit 227 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, the switch SW11 and the switch SW21 are SP4T switches, and the phase units α1 to α4 are shown (that is, n = 4).
　図５に示すように、位相器α１～α４は、例えば、π型のＬＣ回路により実現される。なお、インダクタ及びキャパシタの数及び接続形態は図５に示すものに限らない。 As shown in FIG. 5, the phase devices α1 to α4 are realized by, for example, a π-type LC circuit. The number of inductors and capacitors and the connection form are not limited to those shown in FIG.
　例えば、アンテナ１０ａに伝送される高周波信号の位相の調整量を位相器α１に応じたものにする場合には、スイッチＳＷ１１及びスイッチＳＷ１２の共通端子と、図５に示す選択端子のうちの最も上の選択端子とが接続されるように、スイッチＳＷ１１及びスイッチＳＷ１２が制御される。位相器α１～α４のそれぞれについて、それぞれを構成するインダクタ及びキャパシタのパラメータを調整することで、例えば、図６に示すような位相特性を実現できる。 For example, when the phase adjustment amount of the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10a is adjusted according to the phase controller α1, the top of the common terminals of the switch SW11 and the switch SW12 and the selection terminal shown in FIG. The switch SW11 and the switch SW12 are controlled so as to be connected to the selection terminal of. For example, the phase characteristics shown in FIG. 6 can be realized by adjusting the parameters of the inductor and the capacitor constituting each of the phase devices α1 to α4.
　図６は、実施の形態２に係る位相制御部２２７における位相器α１～α４の位相特性の一例を示すグラフである。なお、アンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄに伝送される高周波信号を、例えば、ＵＨＦ（Ｕｌｔｒａ　Ｈｉｇｈ　Ｆｒｅｑｕｅｎｃｙ）帯の無線信号とし、０．９２ＧＨｚでの位相器のα１～α４の位相に着目している。 FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of the phase characteristics of the phase devices α1 to α4 in the phase control unit 227 according to the second embodiment. The high-frequency signals transmitted to the antennas 10a to 10d are, for example, UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band radio signals, and attention is paid to the phases of α1 to α4 of the phase controller at 0.92 GHz.
　図６に示すように、それぞれ０．９２ＧＨｚにおいて、位相器α１は位相器α１を通過する信号の位相を３８度ずらすことができ、位相器α２は位相器α２を通過する信号の位相を－９度ずらすことができ、位相器α３は位相器α３を通過する信号の位相を－１０３度ずらすことができ、位相器α４は位相器α４を通過する信号の位相を－１４３度ずらすことができている。位相器β１～β４、位相器γ１～γ４及び位相器δ１～δ４についても、位相器α１～α４と同じように自身を通過する信号の位相をずらすことができる。 As shown in FIG. 6, at 0.92 GHz, the phase device α1 can shift the phase of the signal passing through the phase device α1 by 38 degrees, and the phase device α2 can shift the phase of the signal passing through the phase device α2 by −9. The phase device α3 can shift the phase of the signal passing through the phase device α3 by −103 degrees, and the phase device α4 can shift the phase of the signal passing through the phase device α4 by -143 degrees. There is. As for the phase devices β1 to β4, the phase devices γ1 to γ4, and the phase devices δ1 to δ4, the phase of the signal passing through them can be shifted in the same manner as the phase devices α1 to α4.
　次に、位相をずらすことで指向性を制御できることを図７から図９を用いて説明する。 Next, it will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 that the directivity can be controlled by shifting the phase.
　図７は、実施の形態２に係るアレイアンテナ１００の位相差が９０度のときの指向特性を示すグラフである。 FIG. 7 is a graph showing the directivity characteristics when the phase difference of the array antenna 100 according to the second embodiment is 90 degrees.
　図８は、実施の形態２に係るアレイアンテナ１００の位相差が１８０度のときの指向特性を示すグラフである。 FIG. 8 is a graph showing the directivity characteristics when the phase difference of the array antenna 100 according to the second embodiment is 180 degrees.
　図９は、実施の形態２に係るアレイアンテナ１００の位相差がないときの指向特性を示すグラフである。 FIG. 9 is a graph showing the directivity characteristics when there is no phase difference of the array antenna 100 according to the second embodiment.
　例えば、アンテナ１０ａに伝送される高周波信号と、アンテナ１０ｂに伝送される高周波信号との位相差が９０度となり、アンテナ１０ｂに伝送される高周波信号と、アンテナ１０ｃに伝送される高周波信号との位相差が９０度となり、アンテナ１０ｃに伝送される高周波信号と、アンテナ１０ｄに伝送される高周波信号との位相差が９０度となるように、各スイッチを制御する。これにより、図７に示すように、アレイアンテナ１００のチルト角を例えば約３０度とすることができる。 For example, the phase difference between the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10a and the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10b is 90 degrees, and the position of the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10b and the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10c. Each switch is controlled so that the phase difference is 90 degrees and the phase difference between the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10c and the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10d is 90 degrees. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the tilt angle of the array antenna 100 can be set to, for example, about 30 degrees.
　また、例えば、アンテナ１０ａに伝送される高周波信号と、アンテナ１０ｂに伝送される高周波信号との位相差が１８０度となり、アンテナ１０ｂに伝送される高周波信号と、アンテナ１０ｃに伝送される高周波信号との位相差が１８０度となり、アンテナ１０ｃに伝送される高周波信号と、アンテナ１０ｄに伝送される高周波信号との位相差が１８０度となるように、各スイッチを制御する。これにより、図８に示すように、アレイアンテナ１００のチルト角を例えば６０度とすることができる。 Further, for example, the phase difference between the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10a and the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10b is 180 degrees, and the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10b and the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10c Each switch is controlled so that the phase difference between the two is 180 degrees and the phase difference between the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10c and the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10d is 180 degrees. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the tilt angle of the array antenna 100 can be set to, for example, 60 degrees.
　また、例えば、アンテナ１０ａに伝送される高周波信号と、アンテナ１０ｂに伝送される高周波信号との位相差が０度となり、アンテナ１０ｂに伝送される高周波信号と、アンテナ１０ｃに伝送される高周波信号との位相差が０度となり、アンテナ１０ｃに伝送される高周波信号と、アンテナ１０ｄに伝送される高周波信号との位相差が０度となるように、各スイッチを制御する。この場合、図９に示すように、アレイアンテナ１００のチルト角を例えば０度とすることができる（つまり、指向性を制御しないようにすることができる）。 Further, for example, the phase difference between the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10a and the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10b becomes 0 degrees, and the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10b and the high-frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10c Each switch is controlled so that the phase difference between the two is 0 degrees and the phase difference between the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10c and the high frequency signal transmitted to the antenna 10d is 0 degrees. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the tilt angle of the array antenna 100 can be set to, for example, 0 degrees (that is, the directivity can be not controlled).
　このように、位相制御部２２７によって、アンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄのそれぞれに伝送される高周波信号に位相差を与えることで、アレイアンテナ１００の指向性を制御できる。 In this way, the directivity of the array antenna 100 can be controlled by giving a phase difference to the high frequency signals transmitted to each of the antennas 10a to 10d by the phase control unit 227.
　なお、図７から図９は、ケーブルを接続しない状態でのアレイアンテナ１００の指向特性を示している。そこで、ケーブルを接続したときの指向特性への影響について、例えば位相差がないときの（つまり、図９の状態での）アレイアンテナ１００に着目して、図１０を用いて説明する。 Note that FIGS. 7 to 9 show the directivity characteristics of the array antenna 100 in the state where the cable is not connected. Therefore, the influence on the directivity when the cable is connected will be described with reference to FIG. 10, focusing on, for example, the array antenna 100 when there is no phase difference (that is, in the state of FIG. 9).
　図１０は、実施の形態２に係るアレイアンテナ１００の、ケーブルを接続した状態での位相差がないときの指向特性を示すグラフである。 FIG. 10 is a graph showing the directivity characteristics of the array antenna 100 according to the second embodiment when there is no phase difference in the state where the cable is connected.
　位相差がないときのアレイアンテナ１００の利得は、ケーブルを接続しない状態では図９に示すように６．３３ｄＢｉであるのに対して、ケーブルを接続した状態では図１０に示すように５．０８ｄＢｉとなっており、ケーブルを接続した状態では多少利得が小さくなっている。ただし、この利得の差には、ケーブル自体のロス及び給電線路のロスによるものが約１ｄＢ分含まれており、利得の差は、実質的には、０．３ｄＢほどになる。このため、ケーブル自体のロス及び給電線路のロス以外のケーブルの影響として、例えば、ケーブルからの放射ノイズによる影響は、ほとんどないことがわかる。 The gain of the array antenna 100 when there is no phase difference is 6.33 dBi as shown in FIG. 9 when the cable is not connected, whereas it is 5.08 dBi as shown in FIG. 10 when the cable is connected. The gain is slightly smaller when the cable is connected. However, this gain difference includes about 1 dB due to the loss of the cable itself and the loss of the power supply line, and the gain difference is substantially about 0.3 dB. Therefore, it can be seen that, for example, the influence of the cable other than the loss of the cable itself and the loss of the feeding line is almost no influence due to the radiation noise from the cable.
　これは、実施の形態１で説明したように、アンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄのそれぞれのアンテナ素子１１の一方の開放端にアンテナ素子１１の外周を取り巻くように配置される環状の第１接地導体１２が接続されているためである。つまり、アンテナ１０ａ～１０ｄのそれぞれのアンテナ素子１１から第２接地導体２１０へ電流が漏れにくくなり、第２接地導体２１０に接続されたケーブルの接地導体に電流が流れにくくなっている。したがって、アレイアンテナ１００の放射特性がケーブルの影響を受けにくくなっており、図１０に示すように、放射特性を改善できる。 As described in the first embodiment, an annular first ground conductor 12 arranged so as to surround the outer circumference of the antenna element 11 is connected to one open end of each of the antenna elements 11 of the antennas 10a to 10d. Because it has been done. That is, the current is less likely to leak from the antenna elements 11 of the antennas 10a to 10d to the second ground conductor 210, and the current is less likely to flow to the ground conductor of the cable connected to the second ground conductor 210. Therefore, the radiation characteristics of the array antenna 100 are less affected by the cable, and as shown in FIG. 10, the radiation characteristics can be improved.
　以上、一つ又は複数の態様に係るアンテナ１０、アンテナシステム１、アレイアンテナ１００及びアレイアンテナシステム２について、実施の形態に基づいて説明したが、本開示は、上記実施の形態に限定されるものではない。本開示の趣旨を逸脱しない限り、当業者が思いつく各種変形を上記実施の形態に施したものや、異なる実施の形態における構成要素を組み合わせて構築される形態も、一つまたは複数の態様の範囲内に含まれてもよい。 The antenna 10, the antenna system 1, the array antenna 100, and the array antenna system 2 according to one or more embodiments have been described above based on the embodiments, but the present disclosure is limited to the above embodiments. is not. As long as the gist of the present disclosure is not deviated, various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art are applied to the above-described embodiment, and a form constructed by combining components in different embodiments is also within the scope of one or more embodiments. May be included within.
　本開示は、アンテナを備える装置又はシステム等に利用できる。 This disclosure can be used for devices or systems equipped with antennas.
　１　アンテナシステム
　２　アレイアンテナシステム
　１０、１０ａ、１０ｂ、１０ｃ、１０ｄ　アンテナ
　１１　アンテナ素子
　１２　第１接地導体
　１３　摂動素子
　１４　給電点
　２０、２００　制御基板
　２１、２１０　第２接地導体
　２２、２２０　制御回路
　２３、２３０　入出力ＩＦ
　３０、３００　基板
　１００　アレイアンテナ
　２２７　位相制御部
　ＳＷ１１、ＳＷ１２、ＳＷ２１、ＳＷ２２、ＳＷ３１、ＳＷ３２、ＳＷ４１、ＳＷ４２　スイッチ
　α１、α２、α３、α４、αｎ、β１、β２、βｎ、γ１、γ２、γｎ、δ１、δ２、δｎ　位相器 1 Antenna system 2 Array antenna system 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d Antenna 11 Antenna element 12 First ground conductor 13 Perturbation element 14 Feed point 20, 200 Control board 21, 210 Second ground conductor 22, 220 Control circuit 23, 230 I / O IF
30, 300 Board 100 Array antenna 227 Phase control unit SW11, SW12, SW21, SW22, SW31, SW32, SW41, SW42 Switch α1, α2, α3, α4, αn, β1, β2, βn, γ1, γ2, γn, δ1 , Δ2, δn phase device

Claims (6)

  1. 　両端に開放端を有する導体によって形成されるループ状のアンテナ素子と、
    　前記アンテナ素子の一方の前記開放端に接続され、前記アンテナ素子の外周を取り巻くように閉じて配置される環状の第１接地導体と、を備えるアンテナ。     A loop-shaped antenna element formed by a conductor having open ends at both ends,
    An antenna including an annular first grounding conductor connected to one of the open ends of the antenna element and closed so as to surround the outer periphery of the antenna element.
  2. 　前記アンテナ素子は、円形のループ状に形成される、請求項１に記載のアンテナ。 The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the antenna element is formed in a circular loop shape.
  3. 　前記アンテナ素子から分岐した導体により構成される摂動素子を更に備える、請求項１又は２に記載のアンテナ。 The antenna according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a perturbation element composed of a conductor branched from the antenna element.
  4. 　請求項１～３のいずれか１項に記載のアンテナと、
    　制御基板と、を備え、
    　前記制御基板は、
    　前記アンテナの制御を行う制御回路と、
    　前記アンテナ素子の一方の前記開放端及び前記第１接地導体に接続される第２接地導体と、を備える、アンテナシステム。     The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and
    With a control board,
    The control board
    A control circuit that controls the antenna and
    An antenna system comprising one open end of the antenna element and a second ground conductor connected to the first ground conductor.
  5. 　請求項１～３のいずれか１項に記載のアンテナを複数配列して構成される、アレイアンテナ。 An array antenna configured by arranging a plurality of antennas according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
  6. 　請求項５に記載のアレイアンテナと、
    　制御基板と、を備え、
    　前記制御基板は、
    　前記アレイアンテナの制御を行う制御回路であって、前記アレイアンテナを構成する複数の前記アンテナから出力される電波の位相を制御する位相制御部を含む制御回路と、
    　前記アンテナ素子の一方の前記開放端及び前記第１接地導体に接続される第２接地導体と、を備える、アレイアンテナシステム。     The array antenna according to claim 5 and
    With a control board,
    The control board
    A control circuit that controls the array antenna and includes a phase control unit that controls the phase of radio waves output from the plurality of antennas constituting the array antenna.
    An array antenna system comprising one open end of the antenna element and a second ground conductor connected to the first ground conductor.
PCT/JP2020/016707 2019-04-25 2020-04-16 Antenna, antenna system, array antenna, and array antenna system WO2020218147A1 (en)

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WO2022123910A1 (en) * 2020-12-07 2022-06-16 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 Component supply system and reading device

Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2000099658A (en) * 1998-09-24 2000-04-07 Tamura Electric Works Ltd Radio device
JP2000268138A (en) * 1999-03-15 2000-09-29 Hitachi Information Technology Co Ltd Communication equipment for radio card
JP2009105614A (en) * 2007-10-23 2009-05-14 Panasonic Corp On-board antenna device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2000099658A (en) * 1998-09-24 2000-04-07 Tamura Electric Works Ltd Radio device
JP2000268138A (en) * 1999-03-15 2000-09-29 Hitachi Information Technology Co Ltd Communication equipment for radio card
JP2009105614A (en) * 2007-10-23 2009-05-14 Panasonic Corp On-board antenna device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022123910A1 (en) * 2020-12-07 2022-06-16 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 Component supply system and reading device

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