WO2024023870A1

WO2024023870A1 - Waveguide-to-microstrip line converter, antenna device, and radar device

Info

Publication number: WO2024023870A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/028557
Authority: WO
Inventors: 貴史丸山; 明道廣田
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2022-07-25
Filing date: 2022-07-25
Publication date: 2024-02-01
Also published as: JP7515772B2; JPWO2024023870A1

Abstract

A waveguide-to-microstrip line converter according to the present invention is provided with a converter configuration unit (10) and a waveguide configuration unit (20). The converter configuration unit comprises: a dielectric (11); a straight linear signal conductor (12) formed on one surface of the dielectric (11); a first conductor layer (13) formed on one surface of the dielectric (11) and having an opening (13a) whose lengthwise direction forms a 45° angle relative to the direction of extension of the signal conductor (12); a probe (14) that is formed on one surface of the dielectric (11), extends continuously from one end of the signal conductor (12), and is located inside the opening (13a) of the first conductor layer (13); and a second conductor layer (15) that is formed on another surface of the dielectric (11) so as to oppose the first conductor layer (13) and is electrically connected to the first conductor layer (11) by a through conductor (16) which passes from one surface to the other surface. The waveguide configuration unit (20) comprises a waveguide (24) which has another end surface (24b) that opposes the opening (13a) of the first conductor layer (13) and whose lengthwise direction forms a 45° angle relative to the direction of extension of the signal conductor (12).

Description

Waveguide-microstrip line converter, antenna device, and radar device

The present disclosure relates to a waveguide-to-microstrip line converter that connects a microstrip line and a waveguide, which are transmission lines of different types, and an antenna device using the waveguide-to-microstrip line converter. and radar equipment.

In high frequency regions such as millimeter wave bands, from waveguides that do not increase loss during signal transmission to high frequency signal transmission lines used on flat substrates on which various high frequency circuits for signal processing and their peripheral circuits are mounted. In order to transmit signals to the microstrip line of A conventional antenna device is shown in Patent Document 1.

The waveguide-microstrip line converter shown in Patent Document 1 includes a waveguide, a dielectric substrate, a ground conductor, and a line conductor, and the waveguide has a long side parallel to the Y axis and a long side parallel to the X axis. The ground conductor is provided on the first surface of the dielectric substrate, and the ground conductor is provided in the XY region surrounded by the opening edge of the waveguide, and It has a slot that is long in the Y-axis direction, and the line conductor is provided on the second surface of the dielectric substrate.

Special table 2019-138468 publication

In a waveguide-to-microstrip line converter configured in this way, the waveguide has dimensions that are limited in order to pass the power of the high-frequency signal, and in the case of a rectangular waveguide, the opening of the waveguide is It is necessary to make the long side of the aperture larger than half the wavelength of the high frequency signal.
On the other hand, when the end of the waveguide is opened and the waveguide is used as an antenna, it is desirable to downsize the waveguide-to-microstrip line conversion part in an antenna device in which waveguides used as antennas are densely arranged. It is rare.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and aims to obtain a miniaturized waveguide-microstrip line converter.

A waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the present disclosure includes a converter component and a waveguide component, and the converter component includes a dielectric and a linear line formed on one surface of the dielectric. A signal conductor, a first conductor layer formed on one surface of the dielectric and having an opening whose longitudinal direction forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the signal conductor, and a first conductor layer formed on one surface of the dielectric. , a probe extending continuously from one end of the signal conductor and located within the opening of the first conductor layer; a second conductor layer electrically connected to the first conductor layer by a through conductor penetrating from the first conductor layer to the other surface, the waveguide component facing the opening of the first conductor layer; A waveguide is provided, the other end surface of which is at an angle of 45 degrees in the longitudinal direction with respect to the extending direction of the signal conductor.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to downsize the waveguide-microstrip line converter.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual side view of the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the first embodiment along the propagation direction of a high-frequency signal in the waveguide. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the converter components and terminals in the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a waveguide component in the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a converter component and terminals in a waveguide-microstrip line converter according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a waveguide component in a waveguide-microstrip line converter according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a converter component and terminals in a waveguide-microstrip line converter according to Embodiment 3; FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a waveguide component in a waveguide-microstrip line converter according to a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a conceptual side view of a waveguide functioning as an antenna of a radar device according to a fourth embodiment, taken along the propagation direction of a high-frequency signal.

Embodiment 1.
A waveguide-microstrip line converter and antenna device according to a first embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 1 to 3.
Note that FIG. 1 is not a cross-sectional view of a specific location along the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 1, which is the propagation direction of high-frequency signals in the waveguide in a waveguide-microstrip line converter. In order to clearly explain the layer structure and the structure provided in each layer of the line converter, it is a conceptual side view along the Z-axis direction, conceptually showing the layer structure and the structure provided in each layer in a cross section. .
1 to 3, the X axis is a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductor 12, the Y axis is the extending direction of the signal conductor 12, and the Z axis is the propagation direction of the high frequency signal in the waveguide 24. , X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are three axes that are perpendicular to each other.

The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the first embodiment converts a high-frequency signal from a microstrip line, which serves as a transmission line for high-frequency signals in a high-frequency region such as a millimeter wave band or a microwave band, into a high-frequency electromagnetic wave. Then, the signal is transmitted to a waveguide that does not increase loss during signal transmission.
By opening the other end surface of the waveguide, the waveguide can be used as a transmitting antenna, and the antenna device according to the first embodiment transmits high-frequency electromagnetic waves into space from the open end surface of the waveguide as a transmitting antenna. Such waveguide-to-microstrip line converters can be used.

In the following explanation, we will mainly explain a waveguide-to-microstrip line converter that converts a high-frequency signal from a microstrip line to a waveguide, but conversely, we will explain a waveguide-to-microstrip line converter that converts a high-frequency signal from a microstrip line to a waveguide. Waveguide-to-microstrip line conversion that receives high-frequency electromagnetic waves from space from the open end of the waveguide as a receiving antenna, converts the received electromagnetic waves into high-frequency signals in the high-frequency region, and transmits them to the microstrip line. The present invention can also be applied to an antenna device using a device.

The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the first embodiment includes a converter component 10, a waveguide component 20, and a plurality of ball-shaped terminals 30.
The transducer component 10 is formed in a transducer forming area on the microstrip substrate.
The converter component 10 includes a converter dielectric 11, a signal conductor 12, a first conductor layer 13, a probe 14, a second conductor layer 15, a plurality of through conductors 16, and an inner conductor layer 18.
In the following description, in order to avoid complexity, the term "for conversion" of the converter dielectric 11 will be omitted unless necessary.

The dielectric 11 is a dielectric formed continuously with the dielectric of the microstrip substrate, and has a multilayer structure having two dielectric layers in this example.
The dielectric 11 is located in the transducer forming area of the dielectric of the microstrip substrate.
The dielectric 11 is, for example, ceramic, which is commonly used in microstrip substrates.
It is preferable to use a material with a relatively small dielectric loss tangent for the dielectric 11 in order to reduce attenuation of high frequency signals.

As shown in FIG. 2, the signal conductor 12 is formed on one side of the dielectric 11, in this example, on the surface.
The signal conductor 12 extends linearly in the Y-axis direction in the transducer forming region of the dielectric 11 . That is, the extending direction of the signal conductor 12 is the illustrated Y-axis direction.
The signal conductor 12 is a conductive foil formed continuously with the signal conductor formed on one surface of the dielectric of the microstrip substrate.
In a microstrip board, a signal conductor, a ground plane formed in an inner layer of a dielectric, and a dielectric sandwiched between the signal conductor and the ground plane constitute a microstrip line.
The signal conductors on the microstrip substrate are electrically connected to a high frequency circuit.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first conductor layer 13 is formed on one surface of the dielectric 11 in the transducer formation region, and extends in the extending direction of the signal conductor 12, that is, in the longitudinal direction with respect to the Y axis. The opening 13a has an angle of 45 degrees. The longitudinal direction of the opening 13a also forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the X axis.
One surface of the dielectric 11 where the opening 13a is located is exposed. That is, the opening 13a is formed by etching the conductor layer for forming the first conductor layer 13.

The shape of the opening 13a is a rounded rectangle with rounded corners, which is the same as the XY cross-sectional shape of the hollow portion 24a constituting the waveguide 24 and the shape of both

end surfaces

24b and 24c of the waveguide 24.
The shape of the opening 13a is not limited to a rounded rectangle, but has a shape that matches the shape of the hollow portion 24a and both

end surfaces

24b and 24c that constitute the waveguide 24, and the shape of the opening 13a is not limited to a rounded rectangle. If the shapes of 24b and 24c are rectangular, they are rectangular, and if they are elliptical, they are elliptical.

Further, the size of the opening 13a is also the same as the size of the cross-sectional shape of the hollow portion 24a and the size of both

end surfaces

24b and 24c, and has a major axis a and a minor axis b. Note that the term "same" here includes design margins.
Note that the shape and size of the opening 13a are not limited to the example described above, and may be any shape and size that matches the transmission characteristics of the high-frequency signal transmitted through the signal conductor 12. The portion 13a has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, and may be an opening whose longitudinal direction forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the signal conductor 12.

One end of the signal conductor 12 reaches the longitudinal center of one side of the opening 13a.
The first conductor layer 13 has a conductor opening 13b along the signal conductor 12 at a position where the signal conductor 12 is arranged and communicated from the longitudinal center of the opening 13a.

The first conductor layer 13 is a conductor formed on one surface of the dielectric 11 in the transducer formation region by a generally known method over the entire surface of the transducer formation region excluding the opening 13a and the conductor opening 13b. It is a foil, and in this example it is a copper foil.
The first conductor layer 13 is not present in the opening 13a and the conductor opening 13b, one surface of the dielectric 11 is exposed, and the signal conductor 12 is directly connected to the first conductor layer 13. There isn't.

The probe 14 is formed on one surface of the dielectric 11, is located within the opening 13a of the first conductor layer 13, continues from one end of the signal conductor 12, and extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the opening 13a. .
For example, the angle between the longitudinal direction of the opening 13a and the extending direction of the signal conductor 12, that is, the Y axis, is +45 degrees, and the angle between the extending direction of the probe 14 and the extending direction of the signal conductor 12 is +45 degrees. -45 degrees, and the angle between the longitudinal direction of the opening 13a and the extending direction of the probe 14 is 90 degrees.

Note that the probe 14 only needs to extend continuously from one end of the signal conductor 12 and be located within the opening 13a of the first conductor layer 13, and the direction in which the probe 14 extends and the direction in which the signal conductor 12 extends The angle formed by the signal conductor 12 does not need to be -45 degrees, and may have any shape and direction depending on the transmission characteristics of the high frequency signal transmitted through the signal conductor 12.

The probe 14 crosses the opening 13a at the longitudinal center of the opening 13a.
The probe 14 is not directly connected to the first conductor layer 13.
The signal conductor 12 and the probe 14 are formed simultaneously with the signal conductor forming the microstrip line on one surface of the dielectric material forming the microstrip substrate.

The second conductor layer 15 is a conductor foil formed on the other surface of the dielectric 11 in the converter formation region, in this example, the back surface, facing the first conductor layer 13, and is a copper foil in this example. It is.
The second conductor layer 15 is formed on the entire other surface of the dielectric 11 in the transducer formation region at the same time as the conductor foil formed on the other surface of the dielectric of the microstrip substrate.
The second conductor layer 15 is electrically connected to the first conductor layer 13 by a plurality of through conductors 16 that penetrate from one surface of the dielectric 11 to the other surface.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the plurality of through conductors 16 penetrates from one side of the dielectric 11 to the other side, and has an upper end connected to the first conductor layer 13 and a lower end connected to the second conductor layer 15. connected.
The plurality of through conductors 16 are arranged at intervals so as to surround the opening 13a of the first conductor layer 13.
The plurality of through conductors 16 constitute a pseudo waveguide in a region surrounding the opening 13a.

The first conductor layer 13 including the opening 13a, the plurality of through conductors 16, and the second conductor layer 15 convert the high frequency signal transmitted through the microstrip line into the high frequency electromagnetic wave transmitted through the waveguide 24. A conversion unit 17 is configured to perform the conversion.
Further, a back short of the waveguide 24 is formed by the plurality of through conductors 16 and the second conductor layer 15.
The length of the back short is 1/4 of the wavelength λ within the dielectric 11. However, 1/4 does not strictly indicate 1/4, but is a value that includes design margin.

Note that the electrical connection between the first conductor layer 13 and the second conductor layer 15 is preferably made by a plurality of through conductors 16 arranged so as to surround the opening 13a of the conductor layer 13; The first conductor layer 13 and the second conductor layer 15 may be electrically connected by the through conductor 16.

An inner conductor layer 18 is formed on the inner layer of the dielectric 11 in the transducer formation region.
The internal conductor layer 18 is a conductor foil formed continuously with the ground plane formed in the dielectric inner layer of the microstrip board, and is a copper foil in this example.
The signal conductor 12, the internal conductor layer 18, and the dielectric 11 sandwiched between the signal conductor 12 and the internal conductor layer 18 constitute a microstrip line continuous from the microstrip line on the microstrip board.

The inner conductor layer 18 is electrically connected to the first conductor layer 13 and the second conductor layer 15 through the plurality of through conductors 16 .
Each of the plurality of through conductors 16 is a generally known through hole that penetrates through the internal conductor layer 18 from one surface of the dielectric 11 to the other surface.
Note that the plurality of through conductors 16 are not limited to through holes, but include via holes that electrically connect the first conductor layer 13 and the inner conductor layer 18, and electrically connect the inner conductor layer 18 and the second conductor layer 15. It may also be configured by a via hole connected to.

The waveguide component 20 includes a waveguide dielectric 21 , a conductor layer 22 on one side, a conductor layer 23 on the other side, and a waveguide 24 .
In the following description, in order to avoid complexity, the waveguide dielectric 21 will be omitted from "waveguide use" unless necessary.

The dielectric body 21 has a penetrating portion 21a in the portion where the waveguide 24 is formed, that is, in the waveguide formation region, having the same shape in the X-Y cross section shown from one side to the other side, in this example, from the front side to the back side. has.
As shown in FIG. 13a.
The tube axis direction of the penetrating portion 21a is the Z-axis direction.
The angle between the longitudinal direction of the penetration portion 21a and the extending direction of the signal conductor 12, that is, the Y axis, is 45 degrees. The longitudinal direction of the penetrating portion 21a also forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the X axis.
The cross-sectional shape of the penetrating portion 21a is a rounded rectangle with rounded vertices.
Note that the cross section is the illustrated XY plane.

The cross-sectional shape of the penetrating portion 21a is not limited to a rounded rectangle, and may be changed as appropriate, and may be rectangular or elliptical. It is sufficient if the shape has a length that allows high-frequency electromagnetic waves to propagate.
Dielectric 21 is, for example, ceramic, which is commonly used when forming waveguide 24 .
In order to manufacture the dielectric 21 at low cost, it is preferable to use a material with a relatively large dielectric loss tangent.
The penetrating portion 21a is formed by penetrating the dielectric 21 from one surface to the other surface by a generally known cutting process.

The one-side conductor layer 22 is formed on one surface of the dielectric 21, and has an opening 22a that communicates with the through-hole 21a at the position of the through-hole 21a.
The opening 22a has the same shape as the XY cross-sectional shape of the penetrating portion 21a, and is a rounded rectangle with rounded vertices.
The shape of the opening 22a is rectangular if the cross-sectional shape of the penetrating portion 21a is rectangular, and is elliptical if the cross-sectional shape of the penetrating portion 21a is oval.
Furthermore, the size of the opening 22a matches the size of the opening surface on one surface of the penetrating portion 21a.
The one-side conductor layer 22 is a conductor foil formed on one side of the dielectric 21 by a generally known method, and is a copper foil in this example.

The other surface conductor layer 23 is formed on the other surface of the dielectric 21 and has an opening 23a at the position of the penetration portion 21a that communicates with the penetration portion 21a.
The opening 23a has the same shape as the XY cross-sectional shape of the penetrating portion 21a, and is a rounded rectangle with rounded vertices.
The shape of the opening 23a is rectangular if the cross-sectional shape of the penetrating portion 21a is rectangular, and is elliptical if the cross-sectional shape of the penetrating portion 21a is oval.
Further, the size of the opening 23a matches the size of the opening surface on the other surface of the penetrating portion 21a.
The other side conductor layer 23 is a conductor foil formed on the other side of the dielectric 21 by a generally known method, and is a copper foil in this example.

The waveguide 24 is a hollow waveguide composed of a waveguide layer 25, which is a conductor layer for forming a tube, formed on the entire inner surface of the penetrating portion 21a, and has a hollow portion 24a surrounded by the waveguide layer 25. It is.
The waveguide layer 25 has a cylindrical shape, and one end of the waveguide layer 25 is electrically connected to the first conductor layer 22 at the opening 22 a of the first conductor layer 22 .
The other end of the waveguide layer 25 is electrically connected to the other side conductor layer 23 at the opening 23 a of the other side conductor layer 23 .
The waveguide layer 25 is a plating layer formed on the entire inner surface of the penetrating portion 21a by metal plating, in this example, copper plating, in the same manner as in the generally known method for forming through holes.
The tube axis direction of the waveguide 24 is the illustrated Z direction.

The XY cross-sectional shape of the hollow portion 24a constituting the waveguide 24 has a similar shape to the penetrating portion 21a, which is smaller by the thickness of the waveguide layer 25. It has the same shape as , and is a rounded rectangle with rounded vertices.
The shape of the hollow portion 24a is rectangular if the cross-sectional shape of the penetrating portion 21a is rectangular, and is elliptical if the cross-sectional shape of the penetrating portion 21a is oval.
The shapes of both end surfaces 24b and 24c of the waveguide 24 are the same as the XY cross-sectional shape of the hollow portion 24a.

As shown in FIG. 3, the shape of both end surfaces 24b and 24c of the waveguide 24 is a rounded rectangle having a major axis a, which is the length in the longitudinal direction, and a minor axis b, which is the length in the transverse direction. The angle between the longitudinal direction of both end surfaces 24b and 24c, the extending direction of the signal conductor 12, and the illustrated Y axis is 45 degrees. The longitudinal direction of both end surfaces 24b and 24c also forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the X axis.
The major axis a, which is the length in the longitudinal direction of both end surfaces 24b and 24c, is long enough to propagate high-frequency electromagnetic waves, and in this example, is longer than half the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves.
In both end surfaces 24b and 24c of the waveguide 24, for example, the major axis a is 3 mm and the minor axis b is 0.8 mm.

By making one end surface 24c of the waveguide 24 located on the opposite side to the converter component 10 an open end surface, the waveguide 24 can be used to transmit high-frequency electromagnetic waves into space or to transmit high-frequency electromagnetic waves from space. It can be used as an antenna to receive.
Further, a waveguide (not shown) whose cross section has the same shape as the one end surface 24c of the waveguide 24 is connected in communication with the one end surface 24c of the waveguide 24, and the waveguide is connected to the connected waveguide. It may also be a device that propagates high frequency waves between the high frequency circuit and the high frequency circuit.

The other side conductor layer 23 is electrically connected to the first conductor layer 13 in the converter component 10 through a plurality of ball-shaped terminals 30 .
Electrical connection between the first conductor layer 13 and the other side conductor layer 23 through the plurality of terminals 30 is performed by a generally known ball grid array (BGA).
That is, the plurality of terminals 30 constitute a ball grid array.
The ball grid array of terminals 30 also serves to mechanically connect the waveguide arrangement 20 to the transducer arrangement 10 .

The plurality of terminals 30 are arranged at intervals so as to surround the opening 13a of the first conductor layer 13 and the opening 23a of the other side conductor layer 23.
That is, the opening 13a of the first conductor layer 13 and the opening 23a of the other side conductor layer 23 are arranged so that their respective longitudinal directions face each other at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the signal conductor 12.
The ball grid array of the plurality of terminals 30 arranged in this manner constitutes a pseudo waveguide.

The high frequency signal transmitted through the signal conductor 12 is converted into an electromagnetic wave by the probe 14, and the converted electromagnetic wave is propagated to the waveguide 24 via a pseudo waveguide formed by a ball grid array.
Further, the electromagnetic wave propagating through the waveguide 24 is converted into a high frequency signal by the probe 14 via a pseudo waveguide formed by a ball grid array, and the converted high frequency signal is transmitted through the signal conductor 12.
Note that the electrical connection between the first conductor layer 13 and the other side conductor layer 23 is preferably made by forming a pseudo waveguide using a plurality of terminals 30; But it's okay.

Next, the operation of the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the first embodiment will be explained.
A case will be described in which the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the first embodiment is applied to an antenna device in which the other end surface 24c of the waveguide 24 is open and the waveguide 24 is used as a transmitting antenna.
The high frequency signal transmitted through the microstrip line in the microstrip substrate is transmitted to the microstrip line including the signal conductor 12 in the waveguide-microstrip line converter.

The high frequency signal transmitted to the microstrip line including the signal conductor 12 is converted into the waveguide 24 at the probe 14 via a pseudo waveguide formed by a ball grid array with a plurality of terminals 30.
The converted high-frequency signal (electromagnetic wave) propagates through the waveguide 24, and the high-frequency electromagnetic wave is radiated into space from the open end surface 24c on the other side of the waveguide 24, which functions as a transmitting antenna.

On the other hand, when the waveguide 24 functions as a receiving antenna, the open end surface 24c on the other surface of the waveguide 24 receives high-frequency electromagnetic waves from space, and the waveguide 24 propagates the received electromagnetic waves. In the probe 14, the signal is converted into a high frequency signal on a microstrip line including the signal conductor 12, and the converted high frequency signal is transmitted through the microstrip line on the microstrip board and input into a high frequency circuit.

As described above, the microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the first embodiment has an angle formed by the extending direction of the signal conductor 12 in the converter component 10, and the longitudinal direction with respect to the Y axis in the drawing. Since the waveguide 24 is provided with the end surface 24b on the other end side at 45 degrees, the longitudinal direction of the end surface 24b on the other end side of the waveguide 24 is perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductor 12, that is, Compared to an arrangement in which the longitudinal direction of the end surface 24b is arranged parallel to the illustrated X-axis, the exclusive width in the X-axis direction can be made smaller. Specifically, the exclusive width in the X-axis direction can be reduced to 1/√2.
As a result, the microstrip line-waveguide converter can be made smaller.

For example, when the microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the first embodiment is applied to an antenna device, the plurality of microstrip line-waveguide converters are connected in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductor 12, as shown in the figure. There is an advantage that they can be arranged densely along the X axis.
Although the waveguide 24 is a hollow waveguide having a hollow portion 24a built into the dielectric 21, it may be a hollow metal tube with a rounded rectangular or rectangular cross section.
When the waveguide 24 is a hollow metal tube, the other end surface of the hollow metal tube may be electrically and mechanically connected to one surface of the first conductor layer 13 so as to surround the opening 13a.

In the microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the first embodiment, the dielectric 11 used in the converter component 10 in which the signal conductor 12 for transmitting high-frequency signals is formed is made of a material with a relatively small dielectric loss tangent. By using a material with a relatively large dielectric loss tangent for the dielectric 21 used in the waveguide component 20 for configuring the waveguide 24, which is generally considered not to increase loss during signal transmission, Attenuation of high frequency signals can be reduced, and the microstrip line-waveguide converter can be manufactured at low cost.
That is, it is preferable that the dielectric material 21 is made of a material having a larger dielectric loss tangent than that of the dielectric material 11.

Embodiment 2.
A waveguide-microstrip line converter and antenna device according to a second embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 4 and 5.
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the second embodiment has a plurality of waveguide-microstrip line converters according to the first embodiment arranged in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductor 12. They are different, and in other respects are the same.

In the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the second embodiment, an example is shown in which two waveguide-microstrip line converters are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductor 12. However, the number of waveguide-to-microstrip line converters according to the second embodiment is not limited to two, and also includes one in which three or more are arranged.
Two waveguide-to-microstrip line converters will be described as a first waveguide-to-microstrip line converter and a second waveguide-to-microstrip line converter.

The first waveguide-microstrip line converter and the second waveguide-microstrip line converter each have the same configuration as the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the first embodiment. Components corresponding to those in the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference signs -1 and -2 to clarify their correspondence.

In the following description, in order to mainly explain the differences from the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to Embodiment 1, a plan view (FIG. 4) showing the converter components and terminals and the waveguide configuration The side surface along the propagation direction of the high frequency signal in the waveguide shows the first waveguide-microstrip line converter and the second waveguide. - Each microstrip line converter is substantially the same as the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the first embodiment.

The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the second embodiment includes a first transducer component 10-1 and a first waveguide component 20- formed in a transducer formation region of a microstrip substrate. 1 and a plurality of ball-shaped first terminals 30-1, and a second transducer configuration formed in a transducer formation region of a microstrip substrate. A second waveguide-to-microstrip line converter is provided, which includes a section 10-2, a second waveguide component 20-2, and a plurality of ball-shaped second terminals 30-2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first converter component 10-1 and the second converter component 10-2 have signal conductors 12-1, 12-2 in the converter formation area of the microstrip substrate. It is arranged and formed along the illustrated X-axis, which is a direction perpendicular to the stretching direction of.
The first converter component 10-1 and the second converter component 10-2 have a dielectric 11, a first conductor layer 13, a second conductor layer 15, and an inner conductor layer in the converter formation region. Make 18 common.

The first converter component 10-1 includes a first signal conductor 12-1, a first probe 14-1, and a plurality of first through conductors 16-1.
The second converter component 10-2 includes a second signal conductor 12-2, a second probe 14-2, and a plurality of second through conductors 16-2.
The first signal conductor 12-1 and the second signal conductor 12-2 extend linearly in parallel to the illustrated Y-axis in the transducer forming region of the dielectric 11.
The first signal conductor 12-1 and the second signal conductor 12-2 extend linearly parallel to the Y-axis, so they do not interfere with each other.

The distance dx between the first signal conductor 12-1 and the second signal conductor 12-2 is set to a half wavelength with respect to the wavelength of the high frequency wave propagating through the waveguides 24-1 and 24-2.
The set interval dx is not limited to a half wavelength with respect to the wavelength of the high frequency, and may be increased or decreased depending on the design of the waveguides 24-1 and 24-2. Preferably, the distance dx is equal to or less than a half wavelength with respect to the wavelength of the high frequency.
Note that when there are three or more waveguide-microstrip line converters, the interval between adjacent signal conductors 12 is the set interval dx.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first conductor layer 13 has a longitudinal direction that forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the first signal conductor 12-1 and the second signal conductor 12-2. It has a first opening 13a-1 and a second opening 13a-2. The longitudinal direction of the first opening 13a-1 and the second opening 13a-2 also forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the X axis.
The first opening 13a-1 and the second opening 13a-2 are arranged in parallel, and the distance between the center of the first opening 13-1a and the center of the second opening 13a-2 is set. The distance dx is the same as the distance dx between the first signal conductor 12-1 and the second signal conductor 12-2.

One end of the first signal conductor 12-1 reaches the longitudinal center of one side of the first opening 13a-1.
One end of the second signal conductor 12-2 reaches the longitudinal center of one side of the second opening 13a-2.

The first conductor layer 13 communicates with the first signal conductor 12-1 at a position where the first signal conductor 12-1 is disposed by communicating from the longitudinal center of the first opening 13a-1. A second signal conductor 12-2 is placed in communication with the first conductor opening 13b-1 along the longitudinal center of the second opening 13a-2. It has a second conductor opening 13b-2 along the conductor 12-2.

The first probe 14-1 is located within the first opening 13a-1 of the first conductor layer 13, continues from one end of the first signal conductor 12-1, and extends from the first opening 13a. -1 extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.
The second probe 14-2 is located within the second opening 13a-2 of the first conductor layer 13, continues from one end of the second signal conductor 12-2, and extends from the second opening 13a. -2 extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the plurality of first through conductors 16-1 penetrates from one surface to the other surface of the dielectric 11, and has an upper end connected to the first conductor layer 13 and a lower end connected to the second conductor layer 15. electrically connected to.
The plurality of first through conductors 16-1 are arranged at intervals so as to surround the first opening 13a-1 of the first conductor layer 13.
The plurality of first penetrating conductors 16-1 constitute a pseudo waveguide in a region surrounding the first opening 13a-1.

The first conductor layer 13 including the first opening 13a-1, the plurality of first through conductors 16-1, and the second conductor layer 15 allow high frequency signals transmitted through the microstrip line and the first conductor layer 13 to be connected to each other. A first conversion unit 17-1 is configured to perform conversion with a high-frequency electromagnetic wave propagating through the wave tube 24-1.
Further, a back short of the first waveguide 24-1 is formed by the plurality of first through conductors 16-1 and the second conductor layer 15.
Since the second signal conductor 12-2 extends linearly along the Y-axis, the high frequency signal transmitted through the second signal conductor 12-2 does not interfere with the first converter 17-1.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the plurality of second through conductors 16-2 penetrates from one surface to the other surface of the dielectric 11, and has an upper end connected to the first conductor layer 13 and a lower end connected to the second conductor layer 15. electrically connected to.
The plurality of second through conductors 16-2 are arranged at intervals so as to surround the second opening 13a-2 of the first conductor layer 13.
The plurality of second penetrating conductors 16-2 constitute a pseudo waveguide in a region surrounding the second opening 13a-2.

The first conductor layer 13 including the second opening 13a-2, the plurality of second through conductors 16-2, and the second conductor layer 15 allow high frequency signals transmitted through the microstrip line and the second conductor layer 13 to be connected to each other. A second conversion unit 17-2 is configured to perform conversion with a high-frequency electromagnetic wave propagating through the wave tube 24-2.
Further, a back short of the second waveguide 24-2 is formed by the plurality of second through conductors 16-2 and the second conductor layer 15.
Since the first signal conductor 12-1 extends linearly along the Y-axis, the high frequency signal transmitted through the first signal conductor 12-1 does not interfere with the second converter 17-2.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first waveguide configuration section 20-1 and the second waveguide configuration section 20-2 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductors 12-1 and 12-2; It is arranged and formed along the illustrated X axis.
The first waveguide component 20-1 and the second waveguide component 20-2 share a dielectric 21, a conductor layer 22 on one side, and a conductor layer 23 on the other side in the waveguide formation region. Make it.

The dielectric 21 has a first penetrating portion 21a-1 penetrating from one surface to the other surface in a portion forming the first waveguide 24-1, and forms a second waveguide 24-2. A second penetrating portion 21a-2 that penetrates from one surface to the other surface is provided at the portion where the second through portion 21a-2 penetrates from one surface to the other surface.
The angle between the longitudinal direction of the first penetrating portion 21a-1 and the extending direction of the first signal conductor 12-1, that is, the Y-axis, is 45 degrees. The longitudinal direction of the first penetrating portion 21a-1 also forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the X axis.
The cross-sectional shape of the first penetrating portion 21a-1 is a rounded rectangle with rounded vertices.

The angle between the longitudinal direction of the second penetrating portion 21a-2 and the extending direction of the second signal conductor 12-2, that is, the Y-axis, is 45 degrees. The longitudinal direction of the second penetrating portion 21a-2 also forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the X axis.
The cross-sectional shape of the second penetrating portion 21a-2 is a rounded rectangle with rounded vertices.
The first penetration part 21a-1 and the second penetration part 21a-2 are arranged in parallel, and the distance between the center of the first penetration part 21a-1 and the center of the second penetration part 21a-2 is set. The distance dx is the same as the set distance dx between the first signal conductor 12-1 and the second signal conductor 12-2.

As shown in FIG. 5, the one-side conductor layer 22 has a first opening 22a-1 that communicates with the first penetration part 21a-1 at the position of the first penetration part 21a-1, and a second opening 22a-1 that communicates with the first penetration part 21a-1. It has a second opening 22a-2 that communicates with the second penetration part 21a-2 at the position of the penetration part 21a-2.
The shape and size of the first opening 22a-1 match the shape and size of the opening surface on one surface of the first penetrating portion 21a-1.
The shape and size of the second opening 22a-2 match the shape and size of the opening surface on one surface of the second penetrating portion 21a-2.

The other side conductor layer 23 has a first opening 23a-1 communicating with the first penetration part 21a-1 at the position of the first penetration part 21a-1, and a first opening 23a-1 communicating with the first penetration part 21a-1. It has a second opening 23a-2 at a position that communicates with the second through-hole 21a-2.
The shape and size of the first opening 23a-1 match the shape and size of the opening on the other surface of the first penetrating portion 21a-1.
The shape and size of the second opening 23a-2 match the shape and size of the opening on the other surface of the second penetrating portion 21a-2.

The first waveguide 24-1 is constituted by a first waveguide layer 25-1 formed on the entire inner surface of the first penetrating portion 21a-1. It is a hollow waveguide having a first enclosed hollow part 24a-1.
The first waveguide layer 25-1 has a cylindrical shape, and one end of the first waveguide layer 25-1 is connected to the first conductor layer 22 at the first opening 22a-1 of the first conductor layer 22. 22.
The other end of the first waveguide layer 25-1 is electrically connected to the other side conductor layer 23 at the first opening 23a-1 of the other side conductor layer 23.

The second waveguide 24-2 is constituted by a second waveguide layer 25-2 formed on the entire inner surface of the second penetrating portion 21a-2. It is a hollow waveguide having a second enclosed hollow part 24a-2.
The second waveguide layer 25-2 has a cylindrical shape, and one end of the second waveguide layer 25-2 is connected to the first conductor layer 22 at the second opening 22a-2 of the first conductor layer 22. 22.
The other end of the second waveguide layer 25-2 is electrically connected to the other side conductor layer 23 at the second opening 23a-2 of the other side conductor layer 23.

The shape of the cross section and both end surfaces 24b-1 and 24c-1 of the first hollow part 24a-1 in the first waveguide 24-1, and the second hollow part in the second waveguide 24-2 The cross section of 24a-2 and the shapes of both end surfaces 24b-2 and 24c-2 are the same, and the longitudinal direction and the extending direction of the first signal conductor 12-1 and the second signal conductor 12-2 are the same. , the angle formed with the illustrated Y axis is 45 degrees, and the angle formed with the X axis is also 45 degrees.

In addition, the major axis a, which is the length in the longitudinal direction of each of them, is long enough to propagate high-frequency electromagnetic waves, and in this example, is longer than half the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves.
For example, in both end surfaces 24b-1, 24c-1 of the first waveguide 24-1 and both end surfaces 24b-2, 24c-2 of the second waveguide 24-2, the major axis a is 3.098 mm, The minor axis b is 1.549 mm.

The center of the cross section and both end surfaces 24b-1 and 24c-1 of the first hollow part 24a-1 in the first waveguide 24-1, and the second hollow part in the second waveguide 24-2 The interval between the cross section of 24a-2 and the centers of both end faces 24b-2 and 24c-2 is a set interval dx, which is the set interval between the first signal conductor 12-1 and the second signal conductor 12-2. It is the same as the interval dx, and is half the wavelength of the high frequency.
That is, the interval between the first waveguide 24-1 and the second waveguide 24-2 is the set interval dx, which is half the wavelength of the high frequency.

The center of the cross section and both end surfaces 24b-1 and 24c-1 of the first hollow part 24a-1 in the first waveguide 24-1, and the second hollow part in the second waveguide 24-2 The distance dx between the cross section of 24a-2 and the center of both end surfaces 24b-2 and 24c-2 is preferably half a wavelength or less with respect to the wavelength of the high frequency. In this case, the first signal conductor 12-1 The distance dx between the signal conductor 12-2 and the second signal conductor 12-2 is also less than half a wavelength in total.

One end surface 24c-1 of the first waveguide 24-1 and the second waveguide located on the opposite side with respect to the first converter component 10-1 and the second converter component 10-2, respectively. By making one end surface 24c-2 of the wave tube 24-2 open, each of the first wave guide 24-1 and the second wave guide 24-2 transmits high-frequency electromagnetic waves into space. Or it can be used as an antenna to receive high frequency electromagnetic waves from space.
Both the first waveguide 24-1 and the second waveguide 24-2 may be used as a transmitting antenna or a receiving antenna, or one may be used as a transmitting antenna and the other as a receiving antenna.

Further, when both the first waveguide 24-1 and the second waveguide 24-2 are used as transmitting antennas, the open end surface 24c-1 of the first waveguide 24-1 and the second waveguide By changing the phase of the high frequency wave emitted from the open end surface 24c-2 of the wave tube 24-2, the direction of beam orientation on the illustrated XZ plane can be changed.
Furthermore, since the set interval dx between the first waveguide 24-1 and the second waveguide 24-2 is set to half a wavelength or less than a half wavelength, It is possible to obtain an antenna device in which grating lobes are not generated even when the beam is scanned in any direction in half space.

Further, each of the one end surface 24c-1 of the first waveguide 24-1 and the one end surface 24c-2 of the second waveguide 24-2 has a cross section of the first waveguide 24-1. A waveguide (not shown) having the same shape as the one end surface 24c-1 and the one end surface 24c-2 of the second waveguide 24-2 is connected to communicate with each other, and the waveguide is connected to the connected waveguide. It may also be a device that propagates high frequencies between it and a high frequency circuit.

As shown in FIG. 4, the other side conductor layer 23 includes first conductor layers arranged at intervals so as to surround the first opening 13a-1 of the first conductor layer 13 in the converter component 10. A second ball grid arranged at intervals so as to surround a plurality of first terminals 30-1 constituting a ball grid array and a second opening 13a-2 of the first conductor layer 13-1. The plurality of second terminals 30-2 constituting the array are electrically connected to the first conductor layer 13.

That is, the first opening 13a-1 of the first conductor layer 13 and the first opening 23a-1 of the other side conductor layer 23 have their longitudinal directions aligned with respect to the first signal conductor 12-1. The second opening 13a-2 of the first conductor layer 13 and the second opening 23a-2 of the other side conductor layer 23 are disposed facing each other at an angle of 45 degrees, and the longitudinal direction of each of the second opening 13a-2 of the first conductor layer 13 and the second opening 23a-2 of the other side conductor layer 23 is 45 degrees. The two signal conductors 12-2 are arranged facing each other at an angle of 45 degrees.

The first ball grid array formed by the plurality of first terminals 30-1 arranged in this manner provides a first ball grid array with respect to the first transducer component 10-1 and the first waveguide component 20-1. A second ball grid array with a plurality of second terminals 30-2 constitutes a pseudo waveguide and is connected to the second transducer component 10-2 and the second waveguide component 20-2. A second pseudo waveguide is constructed.

The plurality of first terminals 30-1 constituting the first ball grid array and the plurality of second terminals 30-2 constituting the second ball grid array are connected to the first signal conductor 12-1, respectively. and the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the second signal conductor 12-2, along the X-axis shown in the figure, in a parallel movement by an interval dx.
That is, the distance between the corresponding first terminal 30-1 and second terminal 30-2 is all set to the distance dx, and as a result, the distance between the first converter 17-1 and the second converter 17- 2, the terminal surrounded by frame A in FIG. 4 becomes a terminal 30 that is shared by the first ball grid array and the second ball grid array.

A terminal located between the first converting section 17-1 and the second converting section 17-2 in the first ball grid array and the second ball grid array, each of which constitutes a pseudo waveguide. However, the extending direction (Y-axis in the figure) of the first signal terminal 12-1 and the second signal terminal 12-2 is the same as that of the first converter 17-1 and the second converter 17-1. Since it is perpendicular to the arrangement direction (X axis in the drawing) of the converter 17-2, the high frequency signal transmitted to the first signal terminal 12-1 is transmitted to the second converter 17-2 and the second ball grid. There is no interference with the second pseudo waveguide by the array, and the high frequency signal transmitted to the second signal terminal 12-2 is transmitted to the first converter 17-1 and the first ball grid. The array does not interfere with the first pseudo waveguide.

Note that when a converter is formed adjacent to the first converter 17-1 on the left side in the illustration, the terminal surrounded by frame B in FIG. 4 is the terminal 30 shared between adjacent ball grid arrays. If the converter is formed adjacent to the right side of the second converter 17-2 in the drawing, the terminal surrounded by the frame C in FIG. 4 is a terminal shared between adjacent ball grid arrays. Becomes 30.
The first ball grid array formed by the first terminal 30-1 and the second ball grid array formed by the second terminal 30-2 are integrated with the first waveguide component 20-1 and the second ball grid array formed by the second terminal 30-2. It also serves to mechanically connect the second waveguide component 20-2 to the first transducer component 10-1 and second transducer component 10-2, which are integrally configured.

As described above, in the microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the second embodiment, in each microstrip line-waveguide converter, the microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the first embodiment In addition to having the same effect as a transducer, multiple microstrip line-waveguide converters are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductor, so multiple microstrip line-waveguide converters can be They can be densely arranged at narrow intervals in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductor.

In the microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the second embodiment, the interval dx between the adjacent waveguides 24-1 and 24-2 is set to a half wavelength with respect to the wavelength of the high frequency wave propagating through the waveguides, or By making the wavelength less than half a wavelength, a plurality of waveguides can be densely arranged at narrow intervals in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductor.
Moreover, since the interval dx between the adjacent waveguides 24-1 and 24-2 is set to half a wavelength or less than half a wavelength, the beam can be directed in any direction in the half space on the XZ plane in the radiation direction, the +Z direction in the figure. An antenna device that does not generate grating lobes even during scanning can be obtained.

The microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the second embodiment includes a first converter component 10-1, a first waveguide component 20-1, and a second converter component 10-2. and the second waveguide configuration section 20-2, that is, the first ball grid array and the second ball grid array corresponding to the pair of adjacent transducer configuration section and waveguide configuration section, the adjacent conversion By using the terminals 30-1 and 30-2 that constitute the first ball grid array and the second ball grid array located between the pair of the waveguide component and the waveguide component as the common terminal 30, A plurality of microstrip line-waveguide converters can be arranged more closely at narrow intervals in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the signal conductor extends.

Embodiment 3.
A waveguide-microstrip line converter and antenna device according to Embodiment 3 will be explained using FIGS. 6 and 7.
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the third embodiment is such that the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the second embodiment converts two waveguide-microstrip line converters into the signal conductor 12. In addition to the two waveguides arranged in the direction orthogonal to the stretching direction, two waveguides having the same configuration as the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the second embodiment are further arranged in the direction orthogonal to the two arrangement directions. The difference is that the wave tube-microstrip line converter is arranged, and the other points are the same.

That is, the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the third embodiment has two axes perpendicular to the tube axis of the waveguide, two axes each on the X axis and the Y axis, assuming that the tube axis is the Z axis. A waveguide-to-microstrip line converter is arranged.
Although two waveguide-to-microstrip line converters according to the third embodiment are shown as an example in which two waveguides are arranged on each of the X-axis and Y-axis, the number is not limited to two. It also includes those in which three or more are arranged on each axis.

The two waveguide-to-microstrip line converters arranged along the X-axis are the first waveguide-to-microstrip line converter shown as the waveguide-to-microstrip line converter according to the second embodiment. and the second waveguide-to-microstrip line converter.
Additionally, the two waveguide-to-microstrip line converters arranged along the Y axis include a first waveguide-to-microstrip line converter and a second waveguide-to-microstrip line converter at 90°. This is similar to the arrangement in which the waveguides are rotated by a degree, and will be explained as a third waveguide-to-microstrip line converter and a fourth waveguide-to-microstrip line converter.

Each of the first waveguide-microstrip line converter to the fourth waveguide-microstrip line converter has the same configuration as the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the first embodiment. Components corresponding to those in the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference numerals -1 to -4 to clarify their correspondence.

In the following description, in order to mainly explain the differences from the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to Embodiment 2, a plan view (FIG. 6) showing the converter components and terminals and the waveguide configuration The side surface along the propagation direction of the high-frequency signal in the waveguide is from the first waveguide-microstrip line converter to the fourth waveguide. - Each microstrip line converter is substantially the same as the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the first embodiment.
Note that in FIGS. 6 and 7, the same symbols as those in FIGS. 4 and 5 indicate the same or equivalent parts.

The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the third embodiment includes a first waveguide-microstrip line converter to a fourth waveguide-microstrip line converter.
The first waveguide-microstrip line converter and the second waveguide-microstrip line converter have two axes orthogonal to the tube axis of the waveguide, and if the tube axis is the Z axis, the X axis and They are arranged in parallel along one axis of the Y axis, in this example the X axis shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
The third waveguide-to-microstrip line converter and the fourth waveguide-to-microstrip line converter are arranged on the other axis of the X-axis and the Y-axis, in this example the Y-axis shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. are arranged in parallel along the

The first waveguide-microstrip line converter includes a first converter component 10-1, a first waveguide component 20-1, and a plurality of ball-shaped first terminals 30-1. Equipped with.
The second waveguide-microstrip line converter includes a second converter component 10-2, a second waveguide component 20-2, and a plurality of ball-shaped second terminals 30-2. Equipped with.
The third waveguide-microstrip line converter includes a third converter component 10-3, a third waveguide component 20-3, and a plurality of ball-shaped third terminals 30-3. Equipped with.
The fourth waveguide-microstrip line converter includes a fourth converter component 10-4, a fourth waveguide component 20-4, and a plurality of ball-shaped fourth terminals 30-4. Equipped with.

The first waveguide-microstrip line converter and the second waveguide-microstrip line converter are the first waveguide-microstrip line converter in the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the second embodiment. Since the microstrip line converter and the second waveguide-to-microstrip line converter are the same, the third waveguide-to-microstrip line converter and the fourth waveguide-to-microstrip line converter are I will mainly explain.

In FIG. 6, the third converter component 10-3 and the fourth converter component 10-4 are connected to the first converter component 10-1 and the second converter component 10-2. and are placed in a mirror image relationship around the vector (x, y) = (-1, 1).
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the third converter component 10-3 and the fourth converter component 10-4 are provided with signal conductors 12-3 and 12 in the converter forming area of the microstrip substrate. -4 is arranged along the illustrated Y axis, which is a direction perpendicular to the stretching direction.

The structures of the third converter component 10-3 and the fourth converter component 10-4 are basically a first waveguide-microstrip line converter and a second waveguide-microstrip line converter. Since the structure is the same as that of a strip line converter, the main points will be explained below.
The third signal conductor 12-3 and the fourth signal conductor 12-4 extend linearly in parallel to the illustrated On the side on which the waveguide-to-microstrip line converter and the second waveguide-to-microstrip line converter are arranged.
The third signal conductor 12-3 and the fourth signal conductor 12-4 extend linearly parallel to the Y-axis, so they do not interfere with each other.

The third converter component 10-3 and the fourth converter component 10-4 have a dielectric 11, a first conductor layer 13, a second conductor layer 15, and an inner conductor layer in the converter formation region. 18 is shared by the first converter component 10-1 and the second converter component 10-2.
The third converter component 10-3 includes a third signal conductor 12-3, a third probe 14-3, and a plurality of third through conductors 16-3.
The fourth converter component 10-4 includes a fourth signal conductor 12-4, a fourth probe 14-4, and a plurality of fourth through conductors 16-4.

The distance dy between the third signal conductor 12-3 and the fourth signal conductor 12-4 is the same as the distance dx between the first signal conductor 12-1 and the second signal conductor 12-2. This is set to be half the wavelength of the high frequency waves propagating through the waveguides 24-3 and 24-4.
Like the setting interval dx, the set interval dy is not limited to a half wavelength of the high frequency wavelength, and may be increased or decreased depending on the design of the waveguides 24-1 and 24-2. Preferably, the distance dy is less than half a wavelength with respect to the wavelength of the radio frequency.
Note that when there are three or more waveguide-microstrip line converters along the Y axis, the interval between adjacent signal conductors 12 is the set interval dy.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first conductor layer 13 has an angle of 45 degrees in the longitudinal direction with respect to the extending direction of the third signal conductor 12-3 and the fourth signal conductor 12-4. It has a third opening 13a-3 and a fourth opening 13a-4. The longitudinal direction of the first opening 13a-1 and the second opening 13a-2 also forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the X axis.
The third opening 13a-3 and the fourth opening 13a-4 are arranged in parallel, and the distance between the center of the third opening 13a-3 and the center of the fourth opening 13a-4 is set. The distance dy is the same as the distance dy between the third signal conductor 12-3 and the fourth signal conductor 12-4.

As shown in FIG. 6, each of the plurality of third through conductors 16-3 penetrates from one surface to the other surface of the dielectric 11, and has an upper end connected to the first conductor layer 13 and a lower end connected to the second conductor layer 15. electrically connected to.
The plurality of third through conductors 16-3 are arranged at intervals so as to surround the third opening 13a-3 of the first conductor layer 13.
The plurality of third through conductors 16-3 constitute a pseudo waveguide in a region surrounding the third opening 13a-3.

The first conductor layer 13 including the third opening 13a-3, the plurality of third through conductors 16-3, and the second conductor layer 15 allow high frequency signals transmitted through the microstrip line and the third conductor layer 13 to be connected to each other. A third conversion unit 17-3 is configured to perform conversion with a high frequency electromagnetic wave propagating through the wave tube 24-3.
Further, a back short of the third waveguide 24-3 is formed by the plurality of third through conductors 16-3 and the second conductor layer 15.
Since the fourth signal conductor 12-4 extends linearly along the X-axis, the high frequency signal transmitted through the fourth signal conductor 12-4 does not interfere with the third converter 17-3.

As shown in FIG. 6, each of the plurality of fourth through conductors 16-4 penetrates from one side of the dielectric 11 to the other side, and has an upper end connected to the first conductive layer 13 and a lower end connected to the second conductive layer 15. electrically connected to.
The plurality of fourth through conductors 16-4 are arranged at intervals so as to surround the fourth opening 13a-4 of the first conductor layer 13.
The plurality of fourth through conductors 16-4 constitute a pseudo waveguide in a region surrounding the fourth opening 13a-4.

The first conductor layer 13 including the fourth opening 13a-4, the plurality of fourth through conductors 16-4, and the second conductor layer 15 allow high frequency signals transmitted through the microstrip line and the fourth conductor layer 13 to be connected to each other. A fourth conversion unit 17-4 is configured to perform conversion with a high-frequency electromagnetic wave propagating through the wave tube 24-4.
Further, a back short of the fourth waveguide 24-4 is formed by the plurality of fourth through conductors 16-4 and the second conductor layer 15.
Since the third signal conductor 12-3 extends linearly along the X-axis, the high frequency signal transmitted through the third signal conductor 12-3 does not interfere with the fourth converter 17-4.

In FIG. -2 is placed at a position that is a mirror image of the vector (x, y) = (-1, 1).
Therefore, as shown in FIG. direction, and is arranged along the illustrated Y axis.

The third waveguide configuration section 20-3 and the fourth waveguide configuration section 20-4 have a dielectric material 21, a conductor layer 22 on one side, and a conductor layer 23 on the other side in the waveguide formation region. This is common to the first waveguide configuration section 20-1 and the second waveguide configuration section 20-2.
The dielectric 21 has a third penetration part 21a-3 penetrating from one surface to the other surface in a portion forming the third waveguide 24-3, and forms a fourth waveguide 24-4. A fourth penetrating portion 21a-4 is provided at the portion where the cylindrical portion 21a-4 penetrates from one surface to the other surface.
The angle between the longitudinal direction of the third through-hole 21a-3 and the extending direction of the third signal conductor 12-3, that is, the X-axis, is 45 degrees. The longitudinal direction of the third penetrating portion 21a-3 also forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the Y axis.

The angle between the longitudinal direction of the fourth through-hole 21a-4 and the extending direction of the fourth signal conductor 12-4, that is, the X-axis, is 45 degrees. The longitudinal direction of the fourth penetrating portion 21a-4 also forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the Y axis.
The third penetration part 21a-3 and the fourth penetration part 21a-4 are arranged in parallel, and the distance between the center of the third penetration part 21a-3 and the center of the fourth penetration part 21a-4 is set. The distance dy is the same as the distance dy between the third signal conductor 12-3 and the fourth signal conductor 12-4.

As shown in FIG. 7, the one-side conductor layer 22 has a third opening 22a-3 that communicates with the third through-hole 21a-3 at the position of the third through-hole 21a-3, and a fourth opening 22a-3 that communicates with the third through-hole 21a-3. It has a fourth opening 22a-4 that communicates with the fourth through-hole 21a-4 at the position of the through-hole 21a-4.
The other side conductor layer 23 has a third opening 23a-3 communicating with the third penetration 21a-3 at the position of the third penetration 21a-3, and a third opening 23a-3 communicating with the third penetration 21a-3. It has a fourth opening 23a-4 that communicates with the fourth through-hole 21a-4 at the position.

The third waveguide 24-3 is constituted by a third waveguide layer 25-3 formed on the entire inner surface of the third penetrating portion 21a-3. It is a hollow waveguide having an enclosed third hollow part 24a-3.
The third waveguide layer 25-3 has a cylindrical shape, and one end of the third waveguide layer 25-3 is connected to the first conductor layer 22 at the third opening 22a-3 of the first conductor layer 22. 22.
The other end of the third waveguide layer 25-3 is electrically connected to the other side conductor layer 23 at the third opening 23a-3 of the other side conductor layer 23.

The fourth waveguide 24-4 is constituted by a fourth waveguide layer 25-4 formed on the entire inner surface of the fourth penetrating portion 21a-4. It is a hollow waveguide having an enclosed fourth hollow section 24a-4.
The fourth waveguide layer 25-4 has a cylindrical shape, and one end of the fourth waveguide layer 25-4 is connected to the first conductor layer 22 at the fourth opening 22a-4 of the first conductor layer 22. 22.
The other end of the fourth waveguide layer 25-4 is electrically connected to the other side conductor layer 23 at the fourth opening 23a-4 of the other side conductor layer 23.

The longitudinal direction of each of the third hollow part 24a-3 in the third waveguide 24-3 and the fourth hollow part 24a-4 in the fourth waveguide 24-4 and the third signal conductor 12- The extending directions of the third and fourth signal conductors 12-4 form an angle of 45 degrees with the illustrated X-axis, and an angle of 45 degrees with the Y-axis.
In addition, the major axis a, which is the length in the longitudinal direction of each of them, is long enough to propagate high-frequency electromagnetic waves, and in this example, is longer than half the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves.

The center of the cross section and both end surfaces 24b-3 and 24c-3 of the third hollow part 24a-3 in the third waveguide 24-3, and the fourth hollow part in the fourth waveguide 24-4 The distance between the cross section of 24a-4 and the centers of both end surfaces 24b-4 and 24c-4 is the set distance dy, which is the distance between the third signal conductor 12-3 and the fourth signal conductor 12-4. It is the same as dy, and is half the wavelength of the high frequency.
That is, the interval between the third waveguide 24-3 and the fourth waveguide 24-4 is the set interval dy, which is half the wavelength of the high frequency.

One end surface 24c-3 of the third waveguide 24-3 and the fourth waveguide located on the opposite side to the third converter component 10-3 and the fourth converter component 10-4, respectively. By making one end surface 24c-4 of the wave tube 24-4 open, each of the third wave guide 24-3 and the fourth wave guide 24-4 transmits high-frequency electromagnetic waves into space. Or it can be used as an antenna to receive high frequency electromagnetic waves from space.
Both the third waveguide 24-3 and the fourth waveguide 24-4 may be used as a transmitting antenna or a receiving antenna, or one may be used as a transmitting antenna and the other as a receiving antenna.

Further, when both the third waveguide 24-3 and the fourth waveguide 24-4 are used as transmitting antennas, the open end surface 24c-3 of the third waveguide 24-3 and the fourth waveguide By changing the phase of the high frequency wave emitted from the open end surface 24c-4 of the wave tube 24-4, the direction of beam orientation on the illustrated XZ plane can be changed.
Furthermore, since the set interval dy between the third waveguide 24-3 and the fourth waveguide 24-4 is set to half a wavelength or less than half a wavelength, It is possible to obtain an antenna device in which grating lobes are not generated even when the beam is scanned in any direction in half space.

In wireless communication or radar, a plurality of waveguides in the direction along the X axis, in this example, a first waveguide 24-1 and a second waveguide 24-2, are used as a first set of antennas. , a plurality of waveguides in the direction along the Y axis, in this example, the third waveguide 24-3 and the fourth waveguide 24-4 are the second set of antennas, and the first set of antennas is Both the antenna and the second set of antennas may be used as transmitting antennas or receiving antennas, or one set may be used as a transmitting antenna and the other set may be used as a receiving antenna.

Further, each of the one end surface 24c-3 of the third waveguide 24-3 and the one end surface 24c-4 of the fourth waveguide 24-4 has a cross section of the third waveguide 24-3. One end surface 24c-3 and a waveguide (not shown) having the same shape as the one end surface 24c-4 of the fourth waveguide 24-4 are connected in communication with each other, and the waveguide is connected to the connected waveguide. It may also be a device that propagates high frequencies between it and a high frequency circuit.

As shown in FIG. 6, an interval is formed so as to surround the third opening 13a-3 of the first conductor layer 13 and the third opening 23a-3 of the other side conductor layer 23 in the converter component 10. A plurality of third terminals 30-3 constituting a third ball grid array arranged at intervals electrically connect the other side conductor layer 23 and the first conductor layer 13.
A fourth ball grid array arranged at intervals so as to surround the fourth opening 13a-4 of the first conductor layer 13-1 and the fourth opening 23a-4 of the other side conductor layer 23. A plurality of fourth terminals 30-4 forming the second side electrically connect the other side conductor layer 23 and the first conductor layer 13.

The third ball grid array formed by the plurality of third terminals 30-3 arranged in this manner provides a third ball grid array for the third transducer component 10-3 and the third waveguide component 20-3. A fourth ball grid array with a plurality of fourth terminals 30-4 constitutes a pseudo waveguide and is connected to the fourth transducer component 10-4 and the fourth waveguide component 20-4. A fourth pseudo waveguide is constructed.

The plurality of third terminals 30-3 constituting the third ball grid array and the plurality of fourth terminals 30-4 constituting the fourth ball grid array are connected to the third signal conductor 12-3, respectively. and a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the fourth signal conductor 12-4, in which the signal conductor 12-4 is moved in parallel by an interval dy along the illustrated Y axis.
That is, the intervals between the corresponding third terminal 30-3 and fourth terminal 30-4 are all set to the interval dy, and as a result, the third converter 17-3 and the fourth converter 17- 4 and the terminal surrounded by frame E in FIG. 6 becomes a terminal 30 that is shared by the third ball grid array and the fourth ball grid array.

A terminal located between the third converting section 17-3 and the fourth converting section 17-4 in the third ball grid array and the fourth ball grid array, each of which constitutes a pseudo waveguide. However, the extending direction (X-axis in the figure) of the third signal terminal 12-3 and the fourth signal terminal 12-4 is the same as that of the third converting section 17-3 and the fourth converting section 17-3. Since it is perpendicular to the arrangement direction (Y-axis shown) of the converter 17-4, the high frequency signal transmitted to the third signal terminal 12-1 is transmitted to the fourth converter 17-4 and the fourth ball grid. The array does not interfere with the fourth pseudo waveguide, and the high frequency signal transmitted to the fourth signal terminal 12-4 is transmitted to the third converter 17-3 and the third ball grid. There is no interference with the third pseudo waveguide by the array.

Note that when a converter is formed adjacent to the fourth converter 17-4 below the fourth converter 17-4, the terminal surrounded by the frame F in FIG. 6 is the terminal 30 that is shared between adjacent ball grid arrays. become.
The third ball grid array formed by the third terminal 30-3 and the fourth ball grid array formed by the fourth terminal 30-4 are integrated with the third waveguide component 20-3 and the fourth ball grid array formed by the fourth terminal 30-4. It also serves to mechanically connect the waveguide component 20-4 of No. 4 to the integrally configured third and fourth transducer components 10-3 and 10-4.

As described above, in the microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the third embodiment, in each microstrip line-waveguide converter, the microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the first embodiment In addition to having the same effect as the converter, it also has a plurality of microstrip line-waveguides in the X-axis direction shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, similar to the microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the second embodiment. The transducers can be arranged densely at narrow intervals, and a plurality of microstrip line-waveguide converters can also be arranged densely at narrow intervals in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductor in the Y-axis direction.

The microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the third embodiment has waveguides 24-1 and 24 adjacent to each other in two directions perpendicular to the tube axis of the waveguide, that is, the X-axis and the Y-axis. -2 interval dx and the interval dy between adjacent waveguides 24-3 and 24-4 can be made half a wavelength or less than a half wavelength with respect to the wavelength of the high frequency wave propagating in the waveguide, and can be made half a wavelength or half a wavelength. By making it less than the wavelength, it is possible to arrange densely at narrow intervals in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

Moreover, since the interval dx between the adjacent waveguides 24-1 and 24-2 is set to half a wavelength or less than a half wavelength, the radiation direction of the adjacent waveguides 24-1 and 24-2, which is - Grating lobes are not generated even when the beam is scanned in any direction in the half-space on the Z plane, and the distance dy between adjacent waveguides 24-3 and 24-4 is set to half a wavelength or less than half a wavelength. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an antenna device in which grating lobes are not generated even if the beam is scanned in any direction in the half space on the YZ plane in the radiation direction of the adjacent waveguides 24-3 and 24-4, the +Z direction in the figure. be able to.

The microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the third embodiment is adjacent to the microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the second embodiment in the X-axis direction shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. By using the terminals 30-1 and 30-2 that constitute the first ball grid array and the second ball grid array located between the pair of the converter component and the waveguide component as the common terminal 30, , a plurality of microstrip line-waveguide converters can be closely arranged at narrow intervals, and also in the Y-axis direction, the third converter component 10-3 and the third waveguide component 20- In the third ball grid array and the fourth ball grid array corresponding to the pair of the third and fourth transducer components 10-4 and the fourth waveguide component 20-4, adjacent transducer components By using the terminals 30-3 and 30-4 that constitute the third ball grid array and the fourth ball grid array, which are located between the pair of waveguide components and the pair of waveguide components, as the common terminal 30, Can be placed more densely.

Embodiment 4.
A radar device according to Embodiment 4 will be explained using FIG. 8.
The radar device according to the fourth embodiment includes the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the first embodiment.
Note that FIG. 8 is not a cross-sectional view of a specific location along the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 8, which is the propagation direction of a high-frequency signal in a waveguide in a waveguide-microstrip line converter. In order to clearly explain the structure provided in each layer, it is a conceptual side view along the Z-axis direction, conceptually showing the layer configuration and the structure provided in each layer in a cross section.
In addition, in FIG. 8, the X axis is a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductor, the Y axis is the extending direction of the signal conductor, and the Z axis is the propagation direction of the high frequency signal in the waveguide. and Z axis are three mutually perpendicular axes.
In FIG. 8, the same symbols as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

The radar device according to the fourth embodiment has one end surface 24c of the waveguide 24 as an open end surface, so that the waveguide 24 can be used as an antenna for transmitting high-frequency electromagnetic waves into space or receiving high-frequency electromagnetic waves from space. When the waveguide 24 is used as a transmitting antenna, it is possible to use a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) 40 from a high-frequency circuit for signal processing built into the monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) 40. Based on a high frequency signal in a high frequency region such as a wave band or a microwave band, high frequency waves are radiated from the open end surface 24c of the waveguide 24. When the waveguide 24 is used as a receiving antenna, the open end surface 24c of the waveguide 24 A high frequency signal is received from the high frequency circuit, a high frequency signal is inputted to the high frequency circuit based on the received high frequency signal, and the high frequency circuit processes the high frequency signal.

In order to avoid complication of explanation, one example of the waveguide 24 will be explained below, but as shown in the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the second embodiment, a waveguide that functions as an antenna may be used. A radar device in which a plurality of tubes 24 are arranged along one of two axes perpendicular to the tube axis of the waveguide 24, and a waveguide-to-microstrip line converter according to the third embodiment are shown. Similarly, a radar device may be provided in which a plurality of waveguides 24 functioning as antennas are arranged along each of two directions.

The radar device according to the fourth embodiment includes a converter component 10, a waveguide component 20, a plurality of ball-shaped terminals 30, and an MMIC 40 having a built-in high frequency circuit.
The converter component 10 includes a converter dielectric 11, a signal conductor 12, a first conductor layer 13, a probe 14, a second conductor layer 15, a plurality of through conductors 16, and an internal conductor layer 18. Since it is the same as the converter component 10 shown in the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the first embodiment, detailed explanation will be omitted.

In FIG. 8, the extending direction of the signal conductor 12 is the illustrated Y-axis direction in the transducer forming region of the dielectric 11.
Therefore, the longitudinal direction of the opening 13a in the first conductor layer 13 forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the X axis. The longitudinal direction of the opening 13a also forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the Y axis.
Note that a probe 14 located within the opening 13a is continuously formed at one end of the signal conductor 12.

In addition, at the other end of the signal conductor 12, outside the converter forming area of the dielectric 11, a signal line that constitutes a microstrip line by the ground plane formed in the inner layer of the dielectric 11 and the dielectric 11 is connected. It is formed. Since the signal line is formed outside the converter forming area, it does not necessarily have to extend in the Y-axis direction shown in the figure.

In addition, in FIG. 8, in order to avoid complexity, the signal line is also shown as the signal conductor 12.
Further, it is preferable to use a material with a relatively small dielectric loss tangent for the dielectric 11 in order to reduce attenuation of high frequency signals transmitted to the signal conductor 12 and signal line forming the microstrip line.

The waveguide component 20 includes a dielectric 21, a conductor layer 22 on one side, a conductor layer 23 on the other side, and a waveguide 24 in a waveguide formation region of a dielectric 21 for a waveguide. Since it is substantially the same as the waveguide component 20 shown in the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to No. 1, detailed explanation will be omitted.
In FIG. 8, the longitudinal direction of the penetration part 21a formed in the waveguide formation region of the dielectric 21, the longitudinal direction of the opening 22a formed in the conductor layer 22 on one side, and the longitudinal direction of the opening 22a formed in the conductor layer 23 on the other side are shown. The longitudinal direction of the opening 23a and the longitudinal direction of the cross section and both end surfaces 24b and 24c of the hollow portion 24a of the waveguide 24 form an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the illustrated X-axis. Each longitudinal direction also forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the Y axis.

A plurality of terminals 30 constituting a ball grid array arranged at intervals so as to surround the opening 13a of the first conductor layer 13 and the opening 23a of the other side conductor layer 23 are connected to the other side conductor layer 23. and the first conductor layer 13 are electrically connected.
The ball grid array made up of the plurality of terminals 30 arranged in this manner is a pseudo-type for the transducer component 10 and the waveguide component 20 whose longitudinal direction makes an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the illustrated X-axis. Configure a waveguide.

The dielectric 21 has a multilayer structure including two dielectric layers, and has a mounting area in which the MMIC 40 and the like are mounted, which are continuous to the waveguide forming area.
The mounting area in the dielectric 21 is located at a position that does not face the transducer forming area in the dielectric 11 for the transducer, and the surface area of the waveguide forming area and the mounting area in the dielectric 21 is the same as the transducer forming area in the dielectric 11. Greater than the surface area of the region.
In order to manufacture the dielectric 21 at low cost, it is preferable to use a material with a relatively large dielectric loss tangent.
Even if the dielectric 21 has a mounting area, the radar device can be manufactured at low cost.

The one-side conductor layer 22 is also formed on one side of the dielectric 21 in the mounting area continuously from the waveguide forming area.
The inner conductor layer 26 is formed in the inner layer of the waveguide forming region and the mounting region of the dielectric 21, and serves as the ground plane of the microstrip line.

The inner conductor layer 26 has an opening 26a having the same cross-sectional shape as the penetration part 21a at the position of the penetration part 21a of the dielectric 21, and the waveguide layer 25 constituting the hollow part 24a in the opening 26a. electrically connected.
The inner conductor layer 26 and the inner conductor layer 18 in the transducer forming region are electrically connected by through holes and ball-shaped terminals.

The MMIC 40 is mounted on the other surface of the dielectric 21 in the mounting area.
The MMIC 40 has a built-in high frequency circuit that is responsible for transmitting and receiving high frequency waves used as a radar.
Each terminal in the MMIC 40 is connected to a signal wiring layer, a power supply wiring layer, and a ground wiring layer (in FIG. 8, one wiring layer is representatively indicated by reference numeral 28) formed on the other surface of the dielectric 21 in the mounting area. ) and a transmission line 27 for transmitting high-frequency signals through a ball-shaped terminal 33 electrically and mechanically.
Connections between each terminal in the MMIC 40 and the wiring layer etc. 28 and the transmission line 27 may be made by soldering.

One end of the transmission line 27 is electrically connected to the output terminal, input terminal, or input/output terminal of the MMIC 40 by a terminal 33, and the other end of the transmission line 27 is electrically connected to the other end of the signal conductor 12 by a ball-shaped terminal 32. connected.
The transmission path 27 includes the internal conductor layer 26 in the mounting area and the dielectric 21 sandwiched between the transmission path 27 and the internal conductor layer 26, and constitutes a microstrip line that transmits a high frequency signal.

The length L1 from the connection point at one end connected to the terminal 33 of the transmission line 27 to the connection point at the other end connected to the terminal 32 is the length L1 from the connection point at the other end connected to the terminal 32 of the signal conductor 12. It is shorter than the length L2 to the probe.
By making the length L1 shorter than the length L2, it is possible to reduce attenuation of the high frequency signal transmitted through the transmission line 27 forming the microstrip line.

Therefore, a high frequency signal is transmitted from the MMIC 40 via the transmission path 27, and the power radiated from the open end surface 24c of the waveguide 24 is received from the open end surface 24c of the waveguide 24 and transmitted to the MMIC 40 via the transmission path 27. By increasing the power of the high-frequency signal input to the radar device, the detection performance of the radar device can be improved.
In addition, the size of the dielectric 21 is increased by the mounting area compared to only the waveguide forming area constituting the waveguide 24, that is, it is longer by the length including the length L2, but the size is increased by the length including the length L2. Since the resulting difference in size is only slight, the length L2 may be adjusted as necessary.

Next, the operation of the radar device according to the fourth embodiment will be explained.
A case will be described in which the waveguide 24 having the open end surface 24c is used as a transmitting antenna.
A high frequency signal for transmission is output from the output terminal of the MMIC 40 to the microstrip line including the transmission line 27 via the terminal 33. The high frequency signal transmitted through the transmission line 27 is transmitted via the terminal 32 to the microstrip line including the signal conductor 12 in the waveguide-microstrip line converter.

On the other hand, when the waveguide 24 having the open end surface 24c is used as a receiving antenna, the open end surface 24c of the waveguide 24 receives high-frequency electromagnetic waves from space, and the waveguide 24 propagates the received electromagnetic waves. In the probe 14, the electromagnetic wave is converted into a high frequency signal by the microstrip line including the signal conductor 12, and the converted high frequency signal is transmitted to the microstrip line including the signal conductor 12.

The high frequency signal transmitted through the signal conductor 12 is transmitted to the microstrip line including the transmission line 27 via the terminal 32.
The high frequency signal transmitted through the transmission line 27 is input to the input terminal of the MMIC 40 via the terminal 33, and is subjected to signal processing by the MMIC 40.

As described above, similarly to the microstrip line-waveguide converter according to the first embodiment, the radar device according to the first embodiment has the following advantages: In the figure, since the waveguide 24 is provided with the end surface 24b on the other end side whose longitudinal direction forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the X-axis, the exclusive width in the Y-axis direction can be reduced. Specifically, the exclusive width in the Y-axis direction can be reduced to 1/√2.
As a result, the radar device can be made smaller.

The radar device according to Embodiment 4 includes a dielectric 21 in which a waveguide component 20 including a waveguide 24 is formed, and a mounted component such as an MMIC 40 having a built-in high-frequency circuit continuously in the waveguide formation region. Since it has a mounting area for mounting, it is possible to reduce the size of the radar device.
Furthermore, the dielectric 21 is provided with a mounting area for mounting components necessary for the operation of the radar device, the dielectric 21 is made of a material with a relatively large dielectric loss tangent, and the signal conductor 12 through which high-frequency signals are transmitted is formed. Since the dielectric material 11 used in the converter component 10 is made of a material with a relatively small dielectric loss tangent, the high frequency signal transmitted to the signal conductor 12 can be reduced without using expensive materials with a relatively small dielectric loss tangent. Since signal attenuation is reduced and the components are mounted on an inexpensive material with a relatively large dielectric loss tangent, the radar device as a whole can be manufactured at low cost.
That is, by using a material with a dielectric loss tangent larger than that of the dielectric 11, the attenuation of the transmitted high-frequency signal can be reduced, and the radar device as a whole can be manufactured at low cost.

Note that in the radar device according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the second embodiment, the waveguide 24 having the open end surface 24c functioning as an antenna is used as a waveguide. Along one of the two axes perpendicular to the tube axis of the tube 24, the Y-axis in FIG. A plurality of radar devices may be arranged.

In this case, the plurality of signal conductors 12 in the plurality of converter components are electrically connected to the MMIC 40 mounted in the mounting area of the waveguide dielectric 21 via the corresponding terminals 32 and the corresponding transmission paths 27. connected to.

For a plurality of waveguides 24 arranged along one axis, the intervals between adjacent waveguides 24 are set according to the wavelength of the high frequency wave propagating through the waveguides 24, as in the second embodiment. half the wavelength.
By making the interval between adjacent waveguides 24 half a wavelength, grating lobes are not generated between adjacent waveguides 24, and the plurality of waveguides 24, each of which functions as an antenna, are narrowed in one direction. A radar device that can be arranged closely at intervals can be obtained.

Further, in the radar device according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to the third embodiment, the waveguide 24 having the open end surface 24c functioning as an antenna is used as a waveguide. A plurality of radar devices may be arranged along two axes perpendicular to the tube axis of the tube 24, ie, the X axis and the Y axis in FIG. 8.
In this case, the plurality of signal conductors 12 in the plurality of converter components are electrically connected to the MMIC 40 mounted in the mounting area of the waveguide dielectric 21 via the corresponding terminals 32 and the corresponding transmission paths 27. connected to.

For a plurality of waveguides 24 arranged along one axis, the intervals between adjacent waveguides 24 are set according to the wavelength of the high frequency wave propagating through the waveguides 24, as in the third embodiment. half the wavelength.
For the plurality of waveguides 24 arranged along the other axis, the intervals between the adjacent waveguides 24 are determined by the wavelength of the high frequency wave propagating through the waveguides 24 in the same way as shown in Embodiment 3. half wavelength.

By making the interval between adjacent waveguides 24 half a wavelength in each of the two axes, grating lobes are not generated between adjacent waveguides 24, and a plurality of waveguides each functioning as an antenna are created. A radar device in which the antennas 24 can be closely arranged at narrow intervals in two directions can be obtained.
Since grating lobes are not generated in each of the two axes, a radar device that can prevent mismeasured angles can be obtained.

The plurality of waveguides 24 arranged along one axis and the plurality of waveguides 24 arranged along the other axis may all be used as transmitting antennas or receiving antennas. The plurality of waveguides 24 arranged along the other axis may be used as a transmitting antenna, and the plurality of waveguides 24 arranged along the other axis may be used as a receiving antenna.

When a plurality of waveguides 24 arranged along one axis are used as a transmitting antenna and a plurality of waveguides 24 arranged along the other axis are used as a receiving antenna, all the waveguides 24 are open. The end faces 24c have the same direction, that is, the open end faces 24c have the same longitudinal direction; in this example, the angle with respect to the axis is 45 degrees, and radiation is radiated from the open end face 24c of the waveguide 24 functioning as a transmitting antenna. The polarization of the high frequency wave and the polarization of the high frequency wave received by the open end surface 24c of the waveguide 24 functioning as a receiving antenna are the same.
Therefore, high frequency waves can be received using the same polarization as the high frequency waves being transmitted.

A plurality of waveguides 24 arranged along one axis function as a transmitting antenna or a receiving antenna, and the horizontal position of the target is detected by the phase difference of the transmitted or received high frequency waves, and the horizontal position of the target is detected along the other axis. The plurality of waveguides 24 arranged in a row function as a transmitting antenna or a receiving antenna, and the present invention can also be applied as a radar device that detects the position of a target in the vertical direction based on the phase difference between the transmitted or received high frequency waves.

Note that it is possible to freely combine each embodiment, to modify any component of each embodiment, or to omit any component in each embodiment.

The waveguide-microstrip line converter, antenna device, and radar device according to the present disclosure can be applied to the wireless communication field and radar field that use high-frequency signals in the microwave band or millimeter wave band.

10 converter component, 10-1 first converter component, 10-2 second converter component, 10-3 third converter component, 10-4 fourth converter component, 11 Dielectric for converter, 12 Signal conductor, 12-1 First signal conductor, 12-2 Second signal conductor, 13 First conductor layer, 14 Probe, 14-1 First probe, 14-2 second probe, 14-3 third probe, 14-4 fourth probe, 15 second conductor layer, 16 through conductor, 16-1 first through conductor, 16-2 second through conductor Penetrating conductor, 16-3 Third penetrating conductor, 16-4 Fourth penetrating conductor, 17 Conversion section, 17-1 First conversion section, 17-2 Second conversion section, 17-3 Third conversion Part, 17-4 Fourth conversion section, 18 Internal conductor layer, 20 Waveguide component, 20-1 First waveguide component, 20-2 Second waveguide component, 20-3 3rd waveguide component, 20-4 4th waveguide component, 21 dielectric for waveguide, 21a penetration part, 22 one side conductor layer, 22a opening, 23 other side conductor layer, 23a Opening, 24 Waveguide, 24-1 First waveguide, 24-2 Second waveguide, 24-3 Third waveguide, 24-4 Fourth waveguide, 24a Hollow part, 24a-1 first hollow part, 24a-2 second hollow part, 24a-3 third hollow part, 24a-4 fourth hollow part, 24b, 24c end face, 25 waveguide layer, 25-1 First waveguide layer, 25-2 Second waveguide layer, 25-3 Third waveguide layer, 25-4 Fourth waveguide layer, 30 Terminal, 30-1 First terminal, 30-2 second terminal, 30-3 third terminal, 30-4 fourth terminal, 40 MMIC.

Claims

comprising a converter component and a waveguide component,
The converter component includes a dielectric, a linear signal conductor formed on one surface of the dielectric, and a linear signal conductor formed on one surface of the dielectric in a longitudinal direction with respect to an extending direction of the signal conductor. a first conductor layer having an opening formed at an angle of 45 degrees; and a through conductor formed on the other surface of the dielectric so as to face the first conductor layer and penetrating from one surface to the other surface of the dielectric to electrically connect the first conductor layer. a second conductor layer to be connected;
The waveguide component includes a waveguide that faces the opening of the first conductor layer and has the other end face whose longitudinal direction forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the signal conductor. Waveguide-microstrip line converter.
The through conductor that electrically connects the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer is composed of a plurality of through conductors arranged at intervals so as to surround the opening of the first conductor layer. ,
forming a back short of the waveguide by the plurality of through conductors and the second conductor layer;
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to claim 1.
The through conductor that electrically connects the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer is composed of a plurality of through conductors arranged at intervals so as to surround the opening of the first conductor layer. ,
the plurality of penetrating conductors constitute a pseudo waveguide;
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to claim 1.
The waveguide component includes a dielectric body having a penetrating portion that penetrates from one surface to the other surface and whose longitudinal direction makes an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the signal conductor,
The waveguide is a hollow waveguide that surrounds a hollow part with a waveguide layer formed on the entire inner surface of the penetrating part, and the longitudinal direction of the hollow part is aligned with the extending direction of the signal conductor. The angle is 45 degrees,
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The waveguide component includes a dielectric body having a penetrating portion that penetrates from one surface to the other surface and whose longitudinal direction makes an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the signal conductor, and the other surface of the dielectric body. the other side conductor layer has an opening that communicates with the through portion and whose longitudinal direction makes an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the signal conductor; electrically connected to the first conductor layer by a ball-shaped terminal,
The waveguide is a hollow waveguide that surrounds a hollow part with a waveguide layer formed on the entire inner surface of the penetrating part, and the longitudinal direction of the hollow part is aligned with the extending direction of the signal conductor. The angle is 45 degrees,
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The ball-shaped terminals constitute a ball grid array consisting of a plurality of ball-shaped terminals arranged at intervals so as to surround the opening of the first conductor layer and the opening of the other side conductor layer. death,
the ball grid array constitutes a pseudo waveguide;
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to claim 5.
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to claim 5, wherein the length of the hollow portion in the waveguide in the longitudinal direction is longer than a half wavelength of the electromagnetic wave propagating through the waveguide.
comprising a converter component and a waveguide component,
The converter component includes a dielectric, a linear signal conductor formed on one surface of the dielectric, and a probe formed on one surface of the dielectric and extending from one end of the signal conductor. a conductor layer formed on the other surface of the dielectric to face the probe,
The waveguide configuration section includes a waveguide that faces the probe and has the other end surface whose longitudinal direction forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the signal conductor. Waveguide-microstrip line converter.
each comprising a plurality of corresponding transducer components and a plurality of waveguide components;
The plurality of transducer components include a common dielectric, a first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer,
Each of the plurality of converter components includes a linear signal conductor formed on one surface of the dielectric and a probe, and each of the signal conductors has a set interval from an adjacent signal conductor. arranged in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductor,
The first conductor layer is formed on one surface of the dielectric, and corresponds to each of the plurality of converter components, and the first conductor layer has an angle of 45 degrees in the longitudinal direction with respect to the extending direction of the corresponding signal conductor. a plurality of openings, each of the openings being arranged at the set interval from an adjacent opening in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductor;
The probe extends continuously from one end of the corresponding signal conductor and is located within the corresponding opening of the first conductor layer,
The second conductor layer is formed on the other surface of the dielectric so as to face the first conductor layer, and is configured to conduct electricity to the first conductor layer by a through conductor that penetrates from one surface to the other surface of the dielectric. connected to
Each of the plurality of waveguide components faces each of the openings of the first conductor layer, and each of the plurality of waveguide components makes an angle of 45 degrees in the longitudinal direction with respect to the extending direction of the corresponding signal conductor. comprising a waveguide having an end face, each of the waveguides being disposed in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the signal conductor with the predetermined interval from the adjacent waveguide;
Waveguide-microstrip line converter.
The plurality of waveguide components include a common waveguide dielectric, a conductor layer on one side, and a conductor layer on the other side,
The dielectric for the waveguide corresponds to each of the plurality of waveguide components, and the longitudinal direction thereof forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the corresponding signal conductor. It has a penetration part that penetrates to the surface,
The other side conductor layer is formed on the other side of the waveguide dielectric, each communicates with the corresponding penetration part, and has an angle formed in the longitudinal direction with respect to the extending direction of the corresponding signal conductor. has an opening whose angle is 45 degrees, and the other side conductor layer is electrically connected to the first conductor layer by a ball-shaped terminal,
The waveguide is a hollow waveguide that surrounds a hollow part with a waveguide layer formed on the entire inner surface of the penetrating part, and the longitudinal direction of the hollow part is aligned with the extending direction of the signal conductor. The angle is 45 degrees,
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to claim 9.
The ball-shaped terminals constitute a plurality of ball grid arrays arranged at intervals so as to surround each of the plurality of openings in the first conductor layer and each of the plurality of openings in the other side conductor layer. death,
Each of the ball grid arrays constitutes a pseudo waveguide for the corresponding transducer component and the corresponding waveguide component;
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to claim 10.
In the ball grid array corresponding to the adjacent pair of the transducer component and the waveguide component, the ball grid located between the adjacent pair of the transducer component and the waveguide component. 12. The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to claim 11, wherein the terminals constituting the array are shared terminals.
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the set interval is a half wavelength or less with respect to the wavelength of the high frequency wave propagating in the waveguide.
a plurality of transducer components and a plurality of waveguide components, each corresponding to a plurality of transducer components and a plurality of waveguide components arranged parallel to a first direction; and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. each comprising a plurality of corresponding transducer components and a plurality of waveguide components;
The plurality of transducer components arranged in the first direction and the plurality of transducer components arranged in the second direction have a common dielectric material, a first conductor layer, and a second conductor layer. comprising layers,
Each of the plurality of converter components arranged in the first direction includes a linear signal conductor formed on one surface of the dielectric and whose extending direction is the second direction, and a probe, Each of the signal conductors is arranged in the first direction with a set interval from an adjacent signal conductor,
Each of the plurality of converter components arranged in the second direction includes a linear signal conductor formed on one surface of the dielectric and whose extending direction is the first direction, and a probe, Each of the signal conductors is arranged in the second direction with the set interval from the adjacent signal conductor,
The first conductor layer is formed on one surface of the dielectric and corresponds to each of the plurality of transducer components arranged in the first direction and the plurality of transducer components arranged in the second direction. and each has a plurality of openings whose longitudinal direction forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the corresponding signal conductor, and each of the plurality of openings has the set interval with respect to the adjacent opening. arranged with
The probe extends continuously from one end of the corresponding signal conductor and is located within the corresponding opening of the first conductor layer,
The second conductor layer is formed on the other surface of the dielectric so as to face the first conductor layer, and is configured to conduct electricity to the first conductor layer by a through conductor that penetrates from one surface to the other surface of the dielectric. connected to
Each of the plurality of waveguide components arranged in the first direction faces each of the openings of the first conductor layer arranged in the first direction, and each of the plurality of waveguide components arranged in the first direction faces each of the openings arranged in the first direction. a waveguide having the other end surface whose longitudinal direction forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the waveguide, each of the waveguides being arranged in the first direction with the predetermined distance from the adjacent waveguide. ,
Each of the plurality of waveguide constituent parts arranged in the second direction faces each of the openings arranged in the second direction of the first conductor layer, and each of the plurality of waveguide constituent parts arranged in the second direction faces each other. a waveguide having the other end surface whose longitudinal direction forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the waveguide, each of the waveguides being arranged in the second direction with the predetermined distance from the adjacent waveguide. Ru,
Waveguide-microstrip line converter.
The plurality of waveguide constituent parts arranged in the first direction and the plurality of waveguide constituent parts arranged in the second direction have a common waveguide dielectric material and a one-side conductor layer. Equipped with a conductor layer on the other side,
The waveguide dielectric corresponds to each of the plurality of waveguide constituent parts arranged in the first direction and the plurality of waveguide constituent parts arranged in the second direction, respectively. has a penetrating portion that penetrates from one surface to the other surface and whose longitudinal direction forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the corresponding signal conductor,
The other side conductor layer is formed on the other side of the waveguide dielectric, each communicates with the corresponding penetration part, and has an angle formed in the longitudinal direction with respect to the extending direction of the corresponding signal conductor. has an opening whose angle is 45 degrees, and the other side conductor layer is electrically connected to the first conductor layer by a ball-shaped terminal,
Each of the waveguides of the plurality of waveguide components arranged in the first direction is a hollow waveguide whose hollow part is surrounded by a waveguide layer formed on the entire inner surface of the corresponding penetrating part. and the angle that the longitudinal direction of the hollow part makes with the second direction is 45 degrees,
Each of the waveguides of the plurality of waveguide components arranged in the second direction is a hollow waveguide whose hollow part is surrounded by a waveguide layer formed on the entire inner surface of the corresponding penetrating part. and the angle that the longitudinal direction of the hollow part makes with the first direction is 45 degrees,
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to claim 14.
15. The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to claim 14, wherein the set interval is a half wavelength or less with respect to the wavelength of the high frequency wave propagating in the waveguide.
16. The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to claim 15, wherein the set interval is less than a half wavelength with respect to the wavelength of the high frequency wave propagating in the waveguide.
In the waveguide-microstrip line converter according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and claim 8,
An antenna device in which one end surface of the waveguide is an open end surface, and the waveguide is used as an antenna.
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to claim 5,
An antenna device in which one end surface of the waveguide is an open end surface, and the waveguide is used as an antenna.
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to claim 13,
An antenna device in which one end surface of the waveguide is an open end surface, and the waveguide is used as an antenna.
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to any one of claims 14 to 16,
An antenna device in which one end surface of the waveguide is an open end surface, and the waveguide is used as an antenna.
The waveguide-microstrip line converter according to claim 17,
An antenna device in which one end surface of the waveguide is an open end surface, and the waveguide is used as an antenna.
A waveguide of the plurality of waveguide components arranged in the first direction is used as a transmitting antenna,
a waveguide of the plurality of waveguide components arranged in the second direction is used as a receiving antenna;
The antenna device according to claim 22.
The antenna device according to claim 22 or 23,
The dielectric for the waveguide is a waveguide in which the plurality of waveguide constituent parts arranged in the first direction and the plurality of waveguide constituent parts arranged in the second direction are formed. comprising a tube forming area and a mounting area formed continuously to the waveguide forming area,
a mounting component that is mounted on the other surface of the waveguide dielectric in the mounting area and includes a built-in high-frequency circuit for processing a high-frequency signal transmitted to the signal conductor;
radar equipment.
25. The radar device according to claim 24, wherein the combined surface area of the waveguide forming area and the mounting area in the dielectric for the waveguide is larger than the surface area of the converter forming area in the dielectric for the converter.
The radar device according to claim 24, wherein the dielectric loss tangent of the dielectric for the waveguide is larger than the dielectric loss tangent of the dielectric for the converter.
The radar device according to claim 25, wherein the dielectric loss tangent of the dielectric for the waveguide is larger than the dielectric loss tangent of the dielectric for the converter.