Antenna module and communication device mounted with same

Abstract

In an antenna module (100), each hybrid coupler (150A, 150B) has an input terminal (IN1, IN2) and an output terminal (OUT1, OUT2), each distributor (140A, 140B) distributes a high-frequency signal from an RFIC (110) in two directions, a distributor (140A) distributes a first signal from the RFIC to the input terminal (IN1) in each hybrid coupler, a distributor (140B) distributes a second signal from the RFIC to the input terminal (IN2) in each hybrid coupler, and a distributor (140B) distributes a second signal from the RFIC to the output terminal (OUT1, OUT2) in each hybrid coupler. The output terminals (OUT1, OUT2) of the hybrid coupler (150A) are respectively connected to the radiating elements (121D, 122D), the output terminals (OUT1, OUT2) of the hybrid coupler (150B) are respectively connected to the radiating elements (121E, 122E), and the phase difference of the high-frequency signals supplied to the input terminals (IN1, IN2) in each of the hybrid couplers is set to 90 DEG.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an antenna module and a communication device equipped with the antenna module, and more particularly, to a technology for improving antenna characteristics of an array antenna. Background Art

[0002] International Publication No. 2020 / 170722 (Patent Document 1) discloses an antenna module in which a radiating element is arranged on two surfaces with different normal directions in a dielectric substrate having a flat plate shape bent into a substantially L-shape. In the antenna module disclosed in International Publication No. 2020 / 170722 (Patent Document 1), radio waves can be radiated in different directions from the radiating elements on each surface of the dielectric substrate.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2020 / 170722 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the structure of the antenna module disclosed in International Publication No. 2020 / 170722 (Patent Document 1), a high-frequency signal is independently supplied to each radiating element on a substrate from a corresponding output port in a feed circuit (RFIC). In such a structure, when the number of radiating elements arranged on the substrate increases, the RFIC needs to have output ports corresponding to the number of arranged radiating elements.

[0008] In antenna modules such as those described above, high antenna gain and / or wide radiation range are generally required. In order to meet this requirement, a method of increasing the number of radiating elements in each substrate is considered. In this case, the RFIC may need to have more output ports. In particular, in the case of a multi-band antenna that radiates radio waves of multiple frequency bands and / or a dual-polarization antenna that radiates radio waves of two different polarization directions, the number of output ports required is further increased.

[0009] On the other hand, in RFIC, due to the limitation of the mounting area in the antenna module, etc., on the size of the RFIC components and / or the suppression of the cost increase of the RFIC, it is sometimes impossible to ensure the required number of output ports. In such a case, it may become impossible to achieve the desired antenna characteristics.

[0010] The present disclosure has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present disclosure is to improve antenna characteristics in an antenna module in which the number of output ports of an RFIC is smaller than the number of radiating elements.

[0011] Solutions for solving problems

[0012] The antenna module involved in a certain aspect of the present disclosure comprises a first antenna group and a second antenna group, a first hybrid coupler and a second hybrid coupler, a first distributor and a second distributor, and a feeding circuit. The first antenna group includes a first radiating element and a second radiating element. The second antenna group includes a third radiating element and a fourth radiating element. Each hybrid coupler has a first input terminal and a second input terminal and a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The feeding circuit supplies a high-frequency signal to each radiating element. Each distributor distributes the high-frequency signal from the feeding circuit to two directions. Each antenna group is capable of radiating radio waves in a first frequency band. The first distributor distributes the first signal from the feeding circuit to the first input terminal in each hybrid coupler. The second distributor distributes the second signal from the feeding circuit to the second input terminal in each hybrid coupler. The first output terminal and the second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler are connected to the first radiating element and the third radiating element, respectively. The first output terminal and the second output terminal of the second hybrid coupler are connected to the second radiating element and the fourth radiating element, respectively. In each hybrid coupler, the phase difference of the high-frequency signal supplied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal is set to 90°.

[0013] The antenna module involved in another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of radiating elements including a first radiating element and a second radiating element, a first hybrid coupler and a second hybrid coupler, a first distributor and a second distributor, and a feeding circuit. Each radiating element is capable of radiating radio waves with a first direction as a polarization direction and radio waves with a second direction as a polarization direction. Each hybrid coupler has a first input terminal and a second input terminal and a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The feeding circuit supplies a high-frequency signal to the plurality of radiating elements. Each distributor distributes the high-frequency signal from the feeding circuit to two directions. The first distributor distributes the first signal from the feeding circuit to the first input terminal in each hybrid coupler. The second distributor distributes the second signal from the feeding circuit to the second input terminal in each hybrid coupler. The first output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to the feeding point of the first radiating element for polarization in the first direction. The second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to the feeding point of the second radiating element for polarization in the second direction. The first output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to the feeding point of the second radiating element for polarization in the first direction. The second output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to the feeding point of the first radiating element for polarization in the second direction. In each hybrid coupler, the phase difference between the high-frequency signals supplied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal is set to 90°.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] In the antenna module of the present disclosure, a high-frequency signal from an output port assigned to a radiating element included in the second antenna group can be supplied to the radiating element included in the first antenna group using a hybrid coupler and a divider. Thus, the antenna characteristics can be improved in an antenna module in which the number of output ports of a feed circuit (RFIC) is smaller than the number of radiating elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a communication device to which the antenna module according to the first embodiment is applied.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the antenna module according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a diagram for explaining a hybrid coupler.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a connection state of the antenna module according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining another example of the arrangement of the radiation elements of each antenna group.

[0021] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the antenna module according to Modification 1.

[0022] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing the connection state of antenna modules according to Embodiment 1, a comparative example, and a reference example.

[0023] Figure 8 It is a diagram for explaining the gain distribution in the radiating element on the low-frequency (28 GHz) side.

[0024] Fig. 9 It is a diagram for explaining the gain distribution in the radiating element on the high frequency (39 GHz) side.

[0025] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module according to the second embodiment.

[0026] Fig.11 It is a perspective view of the antenna module involved in Embodiment 3.

[0027] Fig.12 It is a perspective view of an antenna module according to Modification 2.

[0028] Fig.13 It is a side view of the antenna module involved in Embodiment 4.

[0029] Fig.14 It is a perspective view of an antenna module according to Modification 3.

[0030] Fig.15 This is a block diagram of a communication device to which the antenna module according to the fifth embodiment is applied.

[0031] Fig.16 This is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module according to the fifth embodiment.

[0032] Fig.17 This is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module according to a sixth embodiment.

[0033] Fig.18 It is a diagram for explaining the gain distribution in the radiating element on the low-frequency (28 GHz) side.

[0034] Fig.19 It is a diagram for explaining the gain distribution in the radiating element on the high frequency (39 GHz) side.

[0035] Fig. 20 1 is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module according to a fourth modification.

[0036] Fig.21 1 is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module according to a fifth modification.

[0037] Fig. 22 is a diagram showing the configuration of an antenna module in a smartphone.

[0038] Fig.23 This is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the antenna module and the hand when the way the smartphone is held is changed.

[0039] Fig.24 It is a perspective view of an antenna module according to the seventh embodiment.

[0040] Fig.25 This is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of an antenna module according to Embodiment 7 in a communication device.

[0041] Fig.26 It is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of an antenna module according to Modification Example 6 in a communication device.

[0042] Fig. 27 1 is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module according to a seventh modification.

[0043] Fig.28 It is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of an antenna module according to Modification 7 in a communication device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts in the drawings, and their description will not be repeated.

[0045] [Implementation Method 1]

[0046] (Basic structure of communication device)

[0047] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of a communication device 10 to which the antenna module 100 according to the present embodiment is applied. The communication device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal such as a mobile phone, a smart phone or a tablet terminal, a personal computer with a communication function, etc. An example of a frequency band of radio waves used in the antenna module 100 according to the present embodiment is a radio wave in a millimeter wave band with a center frequency of 28 GHz, 39 GHz, and 60 GHz, etc., but radio waves in frequency bands other than the above can also be applied.

[0048] Reference Figure 1 The communication device 10 includes an antenna module 100 and a BBIC 200 constituting a baseband signal processing circuit. The antenna module 100 includes an RFIC 110 as an example of a feed circuit, an antenna device 120, dividers 140A, 140B, and hybrid couplers 150A, 150B. In the following description, the dividers 140A, 140B are sometimes collectively referred to as "dividers 140", and the hybrid couplers 150A, 150B are sometimes collectively referred to as "hybrid couplers 150".

[0049] The communication device 10 up-converts the signal transmitted from the BBIC 200 to the antenna module 100 into a high frequency signal and radiates it from the antenna device 120 , and down-converts the high frequency signal received by the antenna device 120 and processes the signal using the BBIC 200 .

[0050] The antenna device 120 includes a dielectric substrate 105 having two substrates 130A and 130B. A plurality of radiating elements are arranged on each substrate of the dielectric substrate 105. More specifically, Figure 1 , as an example, a structure in which five radiating elements 121A to 121E (first antenna group 101) are arranged on substrate 130A and five radiating elements 122A to 122E (second antenna group 102) are arranged on substrate 130B, but the number of radiating elements arranged on each substrate is not limited to this. Figure 1 In the embodiment, an example is shown in which the radiating elements are arranged in a one-dimensional array in a row on each substrate of the dielectric substrate, but the radiating elements may be arranged in a two-dimensional array on each substrate.

[0051] In the following description, the radiation elements 121A to 121E included in the first antenna group 101 are sometimes collectively referred to as "radiation elements 121", and the radiation elements 122A to 122E included in the second antenna group 102 are sometimes collectively referred to as "radiation elements 122". In Embodiment 1, the radiation elements 121 and 122 are microstrip antennas having a substantially square plate shape. In addition, the shapes of the radiation elements 121 and 122 may also be circular, elliptical, or other polygonal shapes.

[0052] RFIC 110 includes switches 111A to 111H, 113A to 113H, 117A, and 117B, power amplifiers 112AT to 112HT, low noise amplifiers 112AR to 112HR, attenuators 114A to 114H, phase shifters 115A to 115H, signal combiners / demultiplexers 116A and 116B, mixers 118A and 118B, and amplifier circuits 119A and 119B. Among them, the structure of switches 111A~111D, 113A~113D, 117A, power amplifiers 112AT~112DT, low noise amplifiers 112AR~112DR, attenuators 114A~114D, phase shifters 115A~115D, signal combiner / demultiplexer 116A, mixer 118A and amplifier circuit 119A is a circuit for high-frequency signals radiated from the radiation element 121 of the substrate 130A. In addition, the structure of switches 111E~111H, 113E~113H, 117B, power amplifiers 112ET~112HT, low noise amplifiers 112ER~112HR, attenuators 114E~114H, phase shifters 115E~115H, signal combiner / demultiplexer 116B, mixer 118B and amplifier circuit 119B is a circuit for high-frequency signals radiated from the radiation element 122 of the substrate 130B.

[0053] When transmitting a high-frequency signal, switches 111A to 111H and 113A to 113H are switched to the power amplifiers 112AT to 112HT, and switches 117A and 117B are connected to the transmitting-side amplifiers of amplifier circuits 119A and 119B. When receiving a high-frequency signal, switches 111A to 111H and 113A to 113H are switched to the low-noise amplifiers 112AR to 112HR, and switches 117A and 117B are connected to the receiving-side amplifiers of amplifier circuits 119A and 119B.

[0054] The signal transmitted from BBIC 200 is amplified by amplifier circuits 119A and 119B and then up-converted by mixers 118A and 118B. The up-converted transmission signal, which is a high-frequency signal, is divided into four by signal multiplexers / demultiplexers 116A and 116B and fed to the radiating element through the corresponding signal path. By independently adjusting the phase shift of phase shifters 115A to 115H arranged in each signal path, the directivity of the radio wave output from the radiating element of each substrate can be adjusted. In addition, attenuators 114A to 114H adjust the strength of the transmission signal.

[0055] Transmission signals from output ports P1, P2, and P3 connected to switches 111A, 111B, and 111C are supplied to radiating elements 121A, 121B, and 121C, respectively. In addition, transmission signals from output ports P6, P7, and P8 connected to switches 111F, 111G, and 111H are supplied to radiating elements 122C, 122B, and 122A, respectively. A transmission signal from output port P4 connected to switch 111D is distributed to two directions by distributor 140A and supplied to one input terminal of each of hybrid couplers 150A and 150B. In addition, a transmission signal from output port P5 connected to switch 111E is distributed to two directions by distributor 140B and supplied to the other input terminal of each of hybrid couplers 150A and 150B.

[0056] The two output terminals of the hybrid coupler 150A are connected to the radiating elements 121D and 122E, respectively. The two output terminals of the hybrid coupler 150B are connected to the radiating elements 121E and 122D, respectively.

[0057] The received signals as high frequency signals received by the radiating elements 121 and 122 are transmitted to the RFIC 110, and are multiplexed by the signal multiplexers / demultiplexers 116A and 116B via four different signal paths. The multiplexed received signals are down-converted by the mixers 118A and 118B, amplified by the amplifier circuits 119A and 119B, and transmitted to the BBIC 200.

[0058] The RFIC 110 is formed, for example, as a single-chip integrated circuit component including the above-mentioned circuit structure. Alternatively, the devices (switches, power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, attenuators, and phase shifters) corresponding to the radiation elements 121A and 121B in the RFIC 110 may be formed as a single-chip integrated circuit component according to the corresponding radiation elements.

[0059] (Structure of antenna module)

[0060] Next, use Figure 2 to Figure 4The structure of the antenna module 100 in this embodiment will be described in detail. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the antenna module 100 . Figure 3 1 is a diagram for explaining the details of the hybrid coupler 150. Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing a connection state in the antenna module 100 .

[0061] Reference Figure 2 The antenna module 100 is used as Figure 1 As described above, the dielectric substrate 105, the radiating elements 121 and 122, the distributor 140, the hybrid coupler 150, and the RFIC 110 are included. In the following description, the normal direction of the substrate 130A is referred to as the Z-axis direction, the normal direction of the substrate 130B is referred to as the X-axis direction, and the arrangement direction of the radiating elements in each substrate is referred to as the Y-axis direction. In some cases, the positive direction of the Z-axis in each figure is referred to as the upper surface side, and the negative direction is referred to as the lower surface side.

[0062] The dielectric substrate 105 is, for example, a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) multilayer substrate, a multilayer resin substrate formed by laminating a plurality of resin layers composed of epoxy, polyimide or other resins, a multilayer resin substrate formed by laminating a plurality of resin layers composed of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) having a lower dielectric constant, a multilayer resin substrate formed by laminating a plurality of resin layers composed of fluorine-based resins, or a ceramic multilayer substrate other than LTCC. In addition, the dielectric substrate 105 does not necessarily have to be a multilayer structure, and may also be a single-layer substrate.

[0063] In the antenna device 120 of the antenna module 100, the cross-sectional shape of the dielectric substrate 105 is substantially L-shaped, and the dielectric substrate 105 includes a flat-plate-shaped substrate 130A with the Z-axis direction as the normal direction, a flat-plate-shaped substrate 130B with the X-axis direction as the normal direction, and a bent portion 135 connecting the two substrates 130A and 130B. In the first embodiment, the substrate 130A corresponds to the "first substrate" of the present disclosure, and the substrate 130B corresponds to the "second substrate" of the present disclosure.

[0064] In the antenna module 100, five radiating elements are arranged in a row along the Y-axis direction on each of the two substrates 130A and 130B. In the following description, for ease of understanding, an example is described in which the radiating elements 121 and 122 are arranged to be exposed on the surface of the substrates 130A and 130B, but the radiating elements 121 and 122 may also be arranged inside the substrates 130A and 130B.

[0065] The substrate 130A has a substantially rectangular shape, and the five radiating elements 121A to 121E of the first antenna group 101 are arranged in a row along the Y-axis direction on its surface. In addition, a SiP (System In Package) module 125 having built-in RFIC 110, a distributor 140, a hybrid coupler 150, and a power module IC (not shown) and a connector (not shown) are installed on the lower surface side of the substrate 130A (the surface in the negative direction of the Z-axis). The substrate 130A is mounted on the mounting substrate by connecting the connector arranged on the lower surface of the substrate 130A to the connector arranged on the surface of the mounting substrate (not shown). In addition, the substrate 130A can also be mounted on the mounting substrate by soldering instead of being mounted on the mounting substrate by a connector.

[0066] The substrate 130B is connected to a bent portion 135 bent from the substrate 130A, and the substrate 130B is arranged to be approximately 90 degrees relative to the substrate 130A. The substrate 130B is a structure in which a plurality of cutouts 136 are formed on a dielectric substrate of an approximately rectangular shape, and the bent portion 135 is connected to the cutouts 136. In other words, a protrusion 133 is formed in a portion of the substrate 130B where the cutouts 136 are not formed, and the protrusion 133 protrudes from a boundary portion 134 connecting the bent portion 135 and the substrate 130B along the substrate 130B in a direction toward the substrate 130A (i.e., the positive direction of the Z axis). The position of the protruding end of the protrusion 133 is located at a position closer to the positive direction of the Z axis than the surface on the lower surface side of the substrate 130A, i.e., the surface on which the SiP module 125 is mounted.

[0067] The radiating elements 122A to 122E of the second antenna group 102 are arranged on the protruding portion 133 of the substrate 130B in the antenna module 100 so as to correspond to the radiating elements 121A to 121E arranged on the substrate 130A. Each of the radiating elements 122A to 122E on the substrate 130B is arranged so that at least a portion overlaps with the protruding portion 133. When viewed from above in the normal direction of the substrate 130A, the radiating elements 122A to 122E are arranged side by side with the radiating elements 121A to 121E in the X-axis direction.

[0068] Although not shown in the figure, in the substrates 130A, 130B and the bent portion 135, a ground electrode is arranged in an inner layer on the surface opposite to the surface on which the radiating elements 121, 122 are arranged so as to be separated from the radiating elements 121, 122. A high-frequency signal is transmitted from the RFIC 110 in the SiP module 125 to the radiating element 121 of the substrate 130A via a feed wiring passing through the inside of the substrate 130A. The feed wiring is connected to a feed point SP1 in each radiating element. The feed point SP1 is arranged at a position offset in the negative direction of the Y axis with respect to the center of each radiating element in the radiating element 121. By supplying a high-frequency signal to the feed point SP1, an electric wave with the Y axis direction as the polarization direction can be radiated in the positive direction of the Z axis.

[0069] In addition, the high-frequency signal is transmitted from the RFIC 110 to the radiating element 122 of the substrate 130B via the feed wiring that passes through the substrate 130A, the bent portion 135, and the dielectric inside the substrate 130B from the RFIC 110. The feed wiring is connected to the feed point SP2 of each radiating element in the radiating element 122. The feed point SP2 is arranged at a position offset in the negative direction of the Y axis with respect to the center of each radiating element. By supplying the high-frequency signal to the feed point SP2, it is possible to radiate an electric wave with the Y axis direction as the polarization direction in the positive direction of the X axis.

[0070] Reference Figure 3 The hybrid coupler 150 has a structure in which two input terminals IN1 and IN2, two output terminals OUT1 and OUT2, two first lines 151 having a characteristic impedance Zo, and two second lines 152 having an impedance Zo / √2 are combined.

[0071] More specifically, one second line 152 is connected between the input terminal IN1 (first input terminal) and the output terminal OUT1 (first output terminal), and another second line 152 is connected between the input terminal IN2 (second input terminal) and the output terminal OUT2 (second output terminal). In addition, the input terminal IN1 and the input terminal IN2 are connected by one first line 151, and the output terminal OUT1 and the output terminal OUT2 are connected by another first line 151. If the wavelength of the high-frequency signal supplied to each radiating element in the dielectric substrate 105 is λ, the lengths of the first line 151 and the second line 152 are both set to λ / 4.

[0072] The corresponding radiating element 121 is connected to the output terminal OUT1 via the feed wiring 171. In addition, the corresponding radiating element 122 is connected to the output terminal OUT2 via the feed wiring 172. The difference between the wiring length L1 of the feed wiring 171 and the wiring length L2 of the feed wiring 172 is set to nλ (n is an integer greater than or equal to zero). Thus, when high-frequency signals of the same phase are output from the output terminals OUT1 and OUT2, radio waves of the same phase are radiated from the radiating elements 121 and 122.

[0073] In the hybrid coupler 150, when a high-frequency signal having a phase difference of +90° with respect to the input terminal IN1 is supplied to the input terminal IN2, a high-frequency signal having twice the power is output from the output terminal OUT1, but a high-frequency signal is not output from the output terminal OUT2. Conversely, when a high-frequency signal having a phase difference of -90° with respect to the input terminal IN1 is supplied to the input terminal IN2, a high-frequency signal having twice the power is output from the output terminal OUT2, but a high-frequency signal is not output from the output terminal OUT1.

[0074] Furthermore, when the phase difference α of the high-frequency signal supplied to the input terminal IN2 with respect to the high-frequency signal supplied to the input terminal IN1 is adjusted within the range of -90°<α<90°, the power of the ratio corresponding to the phase difference is output from the output terminals OUT1 and OUT2. For example, when the phase difference α is adjusted to 0°, high-frequency signals of the same power are output from the output terminals OUT1 and OUT2. That is, the hybrid coupler 150 functions as a multiplexer and a demultiplexer.

[0075] In the hybrid coupler 150 of the first embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, the phase difference α of the signal from the output port P5 relative to the signal from the output port P4 is set to +90° or -90°. When the phase difference α is set to +90°, the signal from the hybrid coupler 150A is supplied to the radiating element 121D of the first antenna group 101, and the signal from the hybrid coupler 150B is supplied to the radiating element 121E of the first antenna group 101.

[0076] On the other hand, when the phase difference α is set to −90°, the signal from the hybrid coupler 150A is supplied to the radiating element 122E of the second antenna group 102 , and the signal from the hybrid coupler 150B is supplied to the radiating element 122D of the second antenna group 102 .

[0077] As described above, the signals distributed by the distributor 140 are supplied to the input terminals of the hybrid coupler 150, so the power of the signal received by each input terminal becomes 1 / 2 of the power of the signal output from each output port. In the first embodiment, since the phase difference is set to +90° or -90°, the power of the signal output from each output terminal of the hybrid coupler 150 is equal to the power of the signal output from each output port.

[0078] In the antenna module 100 of the first embodiment, radio waves cannot be radiated from the radiation elements 121 and 122 of both the first antenna group 101 and the second antenna group 102 at the same time, but radio waves are radiated alternately from the first antenna group 101 and the second antenna group 102. Furthermore, when radio waves are radiated from the first antenna group 101, radio waves are radiated from the radiation elements 121D and 121E of the first antenna group 101 using the power from the output port P5 for the second antenna group 102. Also, when radio waves are radiated from the second antenna group 102, radio waves are radiated from the radiation elements 122D and 122E of the second antenna group 102 using the power from the output port P4 for the first antenna group 101.

[0079] In this way, by using the signal from the antenna group that does not radiate radio waves using the distributor and the hybrid coupler, it is possible to radiate radio waves using a larger number of radiating elements than the number of output ports. As a result, the peak gain of radio waves radiated from each antenna group can be increased compared to a structure in which the output ports and the radiating elements are connected in a 1:1 manner.

[0080] The high frequency signal after up-conversion by the RFIC 110 passes through the distributor 140 and the hybrid coupler 150. Generally speaking, as the frequency of the signal becomes higher, the loss in the transmission path increases. Therefore, in order to reduce the loss, it is desirable to make the transmission path from the RFIC 110 including the distributor 140 and the hybrid coupler 150 to the radiating elements 121 and 122 as short as possible. Figure 2 When the SiP module 125 including the RFIC 110 is arranged on the substrate 130A, it is preferable to Figure 4 The elements including the distributor 140 and the hybrid coupler 150 in the dotted line region PR1 are arranged on the substrate 130A, and the elements in the dotted line region PR2 are arranged on the substrate 130B.

[0081] In the antenna module 100 of Embodiment 1, a so-called single-band type and single-polarization type antenna module that radiates radio waves of one frequency band in one polarization direction is used as an example for description. In the case of a dual-band type antenna module that can radiate radio waves of two different frequency bands or a dual-polarization type antenna module that can radiate radio waves of two different polarization directions, the RFIC 110 also needs to have a corresponding radiation element and an output port for polarization.

[0082] For example, in the case of a dual-polarization antenna module, Figure 4 As shown, output ports P9 to P12 are assigned to the first antenna group 101 as output ports for high frequency signals for the second polarization, and output ports P13 to P16 are assigned to the second antenna group 102 as output ports for high frequency signals for the second polarization. Figure 4 By connecting in that way, the peak gain for radio waves in the second polarization direction can also be increased.

[0083] In addition, in the above Figure 2 In the embodiment, the structure in which the radiation element 121 of the first antenna group 101 is arranged on the substrate 130A and the radiation element 122 of the second antenna group 102 is arranged on the substrate 130B is described, but it can also be as follows Figure 5 In this way, a part of the radiating elements in each antenna group is arranged on another substrate. Figure 5 In the antenna module, the radiation elements 121A to 121D in the first antenna group 101 are arranged on the substrate 130A and the radiation element 121E is arranged on the substrate 130B (region RG1). Similarly, the radiation elements 122A to 122D in the second antenna group 102 are arranged on the substrate 130B and the radiation element 122E is arranged on the substrate 130A (region RG2).

[0084] In such a structure, when radio waves are radiated from the first antenna group 101, in addition to radiating radio waves in the positive direction of the Z axis, a portion of radio waves are also radiated in the positive direction of the X axis. In addition, when radio waves are radiated from the second antenna group 102, in addition to radiating radio waves in the positive direction of the X axis, a portion of radio waves are also radiated in the positive direction of the Z axis. Thus, the radiation range of radio waves can be expanded.

[0085] (Variant 1)

[0086] Figure 6 1 is a perspective view of an antenna module 100A according to Modification 1. The antenna module 100A is a dual-band and dual-polarization antenna module capable of radiating radio waves of two different frequency bands from a plurality of radiating elements disposed on each of the substrates 130A and 130B, and capable of radiating radio waves of each frequency band in two different polarization directions.

[0087] The antenna module 100A includes Figure 1In addition to the structure of the antenna module 100, the antenna module 100 also includes radiation elements 123A to 123E arranged on the substrate 130A and radiation elements 124A to 124E arranged on the substrate 130B. In addition, in the following description, the radiation elements 123A to 123E are sometimes collectively referred to as "radiation elements 123", and the radiation elements 124A to 124E are sometimes collectively referred to as "radiation elements 124".

[0088] The element size of the radiation elements 123 and 124 is larger than that of the radiation elements 121 and 122. Therefore, the radiation elements 123 and 124 radiate radio waves of a lower frequency band than the radiation elements 121 and 122. For example, the center frequency of the radio waves radiated from the radiation elements 121 and 122 is 39 GHz, and the center frequency of the radio waves radiated from the radiation elements 123 and 124 is 28 GHz.

[0089] The radiation element 123 is arranged in a layer between the radiation element 121 and the ground electrode arranged on the substrate 130A in the substrate 130A. When viewed from the normal direction (Z-axis direction) of the substrate 130A, the radiation element 121 and the radiation element 123 overlap so that their centers coincide. That is, the radiation elements 121, 123 and the ground electrode form a stacked patch antenna.

[0090] In the radiation element 121, a feeding point SP1A is arranged at a position offset in the negative direction of the Y axis with respect to the center of the radiation element 121, and a feeding point SP1B is arranged at a position offset in the positive direction of the X axis with respect to the center of the radiation element 121. By supplying a high-frequency signal to the feeding point SP1A, an electric wave with the Y-axis direction as the polarization direction is radiated in the positive direction of the Z axis. In addition, by supplying a high-frequency signal to the feeding point SP1B, an electric wave with the X-axis direction as the polarization direction is radiated in the positive direction of the Z axis.

[0091] Despite Figure 6 Although not shown in the figure, the feeding points are also arranged at a position offset in the X-axis direction relative to the center of the radiating element 123 and at a position offset in the Y-axis direction relative to the center of the radiating element 123. The radiating element 123 also radiates radio waves with the X-axis direction as the polarization direction and radio waves with the Y-axis direction as the polarization direction. In addition, a high-frequency signal may be transmitted to the radiating element 123 using a feeding wiring different from that of the radiating element 121, or a feeding wiring for the radiating element 121 that passes through the radiating element 123 may be used to transmit a high-frequency signal to the radiating element 123.

[0092] The radiation element 124 is disposed in a layer between the radiation element 122 and the ground electrode disposed on the substrate 130B in the substrate 130B. When viewed from the normal direction (X-axis direction) of the substrate 130B, the radiation element 122 overlaps with the radiation element 124 so that the centers coincide with each other. That is, the radiation elements 122, 124 and the ground electrode form a stacked patch antenna.

[0093] In the radiation element 122, a feeding point SP2A is arranged at a position offset in the negative direction of the Y axis with respect to the center of the radiation element 122, and a feeding point SP2B is arranged at a position offset in the positive direction of the Z axis with respect to the center of the radiation element 122. By supplying a high-frequency signal to the feeding point SP2A, an electric wave with a polarization direction in the Y axis direction is radiated in the positive direction of the X axis. In addition, by supplying a high-frequency signal to the feeding point SP2B, an electric wave with a polarization direction in the Z axis direction is radiated in the positive direction of the X axis.

[0094] Despite Figure 6 Although not shown in the figure, the radiating element 124 is also provided with a feeding point at a position offset in the X-axis direction relative to the center of the radiating element 124 and a position offset in the Y-axis direction relative to the center of the radiating element 124. The radiating element 124 also radiates an electric wave polarized in the Y-axis direction and an electric wave polarized in the Z-axis direction. In addition, a high-frequency signal may be transmitted to the radiating element 124 using a feeding wiring different from that of the radiating element 122, or a feeding wiring for the radiating element 122 that passes through the radiating element 124 may be used to transmit a high-frequency signal to the radiating element 124.

[0095] In the antenna module of this structure, for each polarization of each frequency band, a distributor and a hybrid coupler are used to set the Figure 4 The connection shown thereby enables the peak gain to be increased even when the number of output ports of the RFIC is less than the number of radiating elements.

[0096] (Comparison of Antenna Characteristics)

[0097] Next, use Figure 7 to Figure 9 The simulation results of the antenna characteristics of the antenna module according to Embodiment 1 are described below. Figure 7 to Figure 9 , an antenna module 100X of a comparative example and an antenna module 100P of a reference example are also shown. In addition, a dual-band and dual-polarization antenna module such as the antenna module 100A of the first modification is actually used for the simulation.

[0098] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing the connection state of antenna modules according to Embodiment 1, a comparative example, and a reference example. Figure 8 It is a diagram for explaining the gain distribution in the radiating element on the low-frequency (28 GHz) side. Fig. 9 This is a diagram for explaining the gain distribution in the radiating element on the high frequency (39 GHz) side. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , an example of gain distribution when the radiation elements 121 and 123 of the substrate 130A radiate radio waves in two polarization directions at the same time is shown.

[0099] Reference Figure 7 , the antenna module 100X of the comparative example has a structure in which four radiating elements are arranged on each substrate, and the antenna port of the RFIC 110 is connected to each radiating element in a 1:1 manner. In addition, the antenna module 100P of the reference example has a structure in which five radiating elements are arranged on each substrate in the same manner as the antenna module 100 of the first embodiment, but the feed wiring is branched by distributors 140P and 140Q on the output side of the hybrid coupler 150P.

[0100] exist Figure 8 and Fig. 9 In the figure, the gain distribution in each antenna module is shown on the upper side, and the cumulative distribution function (CDF) is shown on the lower side. In each gain distribution, the horizontal axis represents the angle φ around the Y axis relative to the X axis direction, and the vertical axis represents the angle θ around the X axis relative to the Z axis direction. That is, φ = -90° represents the positive direction of the Z axis, and φ = 0° represents the positive direction of the X axis. In addition, in each gain distribution, the higher the gain, the darker the color of the shadow.

[0101] First, refer to Figure 8 In the case of the 28 GHz band, compared with the comparative example 1 in which the output port and the radiating element are connected in a 1:1 manner, the radiating element is added in the case of the embodiment 1 and the reference example, so the peak gain (CDF = 100%) increases from 10.16 dBi in the comparative example 1 to 10.25 dBi in the case of the embodiment 1 and 10.27 dBi in the case of the reference example. However, the gain at CDF = 50% is 1.62 dBi in the case of the embodiment 1 and 1.64 dBi in the case of the reference example, which is a slightly lower value than 1.90 dBi in the comparative example. That is, in the 28 GHz band, the radiation range is slightly narrowed.

[0102] Next, refer to Fig. 9In the case of the 39 GHz frequency band, the peak gain increases to 11.57 dBi in both the embodiment 1 and the reference example, compared to 10.39 dBi in the comparative example 1. In addition, the gain at CDF = 50% increases to 0.77 dBi in the embodiment 1 and to 0.80 dBi in the reference example, compared to 0.46 dBi in the comparative example 1. That is, in the case of the 39 GHz frequency band, in addition to the increase in peak gain, the radiation range can also be expanded.

[0103] In addition, Figure 8 The narrowing of the radiation range in the case of the 28 GHz frequency band is affected by the following: In the above simulation example, the spacing between the radiating elements is narrower than λ / 2.

[0104] As described above, by using the output port of the radiating element assigned to another antenna group using the distributor and the hybrid coupler, radio waves can be radiated using more radiating elements than the output ports assigned to each antenna group, thereby increasing the peak gain.

[0105] In the case of Embodiment 1 and Reference Example, the number of output ports corresponding to each substrate is increased compared to Comparative Example 1, so that the Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) can be increased when power is supplied from these corresponding output ports.

[0106] In addition, the “hybrid coupler 150A” and “hybrid coupler 150B” in Embodiment 1 correspond to the “first hybrid coupler” and “second hybrid coupler” in the present disclosure, respectively. The “distributor 140A” and “distributor 140B” in Embodiment 1 correspond to the “first distributor” and “second distributor” in the present disclosure, respectively. The “radiating element 121D”, “radiating element 121E”, “radiating element 122E” and “radiating element 122D” in Embodiment 1 correspond to the “first radiation element”, “second radiation element”, “third radiation element” and “fourth radiation element” in the present disclosure, respectively.

[0107] [Implementation Method 2]

[0108] In Embodiment 1, a configuration in which one radiating element is added to each antenna group using an output port corresponding to one radiating element on the other substrate side is described. In Embodiment 2, a configuration example in which two radiating elements are added to each antenna group is described.

[0109] Fig.101 is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module 100B according to Embodiment 2. In the antenna module 100B, the first antenna group 101 disposed on the substrate 130A includes six radiating elements 121A to 121F, and the second antenna group 102 disposed on the substrate 130B includes six radiating elements 122A to 122F. In addition, the antenna module 100B includes four hybrid couplers 150C to 150F and four distributors 140C to 140F instead of the hybrid couplers 150A, 150B and the distributors 140A, 140B of the antenna module 100.

[0110] Transmission signals from output ports P1 and P2 of the RFIC 110 are supplied to the radiation elements 121A and 121B of the substrate 130A, respectively. Also, transmission signals from output ports P7 and P8 are supplied to the radiation elements 122B and 122A of the substrate 130B, respectively.

[0111] The transmission signal from the output port P3 is distributed to two directions by the distributor 140C and then supplied to one input terminal of each of the hybrid couplers 150C and 150D. In addition, the transmission signal from the output port P6 is distributed to two directions by the distributor 140D and then supplied to the other input terminal of each of the hybrid couplers 150C and 150D. The two output terminals of the hybrid coupler 150C are connected to the radiation elements 121C and 122E, respectively. The two output terminals of the hybrid coupler 150D are connected to the radiation elements 121E and 122C, respectively.

[0112] The transmission signal from the output port P4 is distributed into two directions by the distributor 140E, and then supplied to one input terminal of each of the hybrid couplers 150E and 150F. In addition, the transmission signal from the output port P5 is distributed into two directions by the distributor 140F, and then supplied to the other input terminal of each of the hybrid couplers 150E and 150F. The two output terminals of the hybrid coupler 150E are connected to the radiation elements 121D and 122F, respectively. The two output terminals of the hybrid coupler 150F are connected to the radiation elements 121F and 122D, respectively.

[0113] In the hybrid couplers 150C and 150D, when the phase difference of the signal from the output port P6 with respect to the signal from the output port P3 is set to +90°, the signal from the hybrid coupler 150C is supplied to the radiating element 121C of the first antenna group 101, and the signal from the hybrid coupler 150D is supplied to the radiating element 121E of the first antenna group 101. On the other hand, when the phase difference is set to -90°, the signal from the hybrid coupler 150C is supplied to the radiating element 122E of the second antenna group 102, and the signal from the hybrid coupler 150D is supplied to the radiating element 122C of the second antenna group 102.

[0114] Similarly, in the hybrid couplers 150E and 150F, when the phase difference of the signal from the output port P5 with respect to the signal from the output port P4 is set to +90°, the signal from the hybrid coupler 150E is supplied to the radiating element 121D of the first antenna group 101, and the signal from the hybrid coupler 150F is supplied to the radiating element 121F of the first antenna group 101. On the other hand, when the phase difference is set to -90°, the signal from the hybrid coupler 150E is supplied to the radiating element 122F of the second antenna group 102, and the signal from the hybrid coupler 150F is supplied to the radiating element 122D of the second antenna group 102.

[0115] Therefore, by outputting signals having a phase difference of +90° with respect to the transmission signals of the output ports P1 to P4 from the output ports P5 and P6, radio waves can be radiated from the six radiating elements 121A to 121F of the first antenna group 101. In addition, by outputting signals having a phase difference of -90° with respect to the transmission signals of the output ports P3 and P4 from the output ports P5 to P8, radio waves can be radiated from the six radiating elements 122A to 122F of the second antenna group 102.

[0116] In this way, by utilizing the output ports corresponding to the two radiating elements on the other substrate side, two radiating elements can be added to each antenna group, thereby increasing the peak gain.

[0117] Similarly, when the number of output ports of RFIC 110 is 8, by using 6 distributors and hybrid couplers, radio waves can be radiated from 7 radiating elements for each antenna group. Also, by using 8 distributors and hybrid couplers, radio waves can be radiated from 8 radiating elements for each antenna group. In addition, in the case of a dual-band antenna module and / or a dual-polarization antenna module, the corresponding frequency band and the circuit for polarization are set to be the same as Fig.10 The same connection structure can increase the number of radiation elements used.

[0118] The “hybrid couplers 150C” to “hybrid couplers 150F” in Embodiment 2 correspond to the “first hybrid coupler” to “fourth hybrid coupler” in the present disclosure, respectively. The “distributors 140C” to “distributors 140F” in Embodiment 2 correspond to the “first distributor” to “fourth distributor” in the present disclosure, respectively. The “radiating element 121C”, “radiating element 121E”, “radiating element 122E”, “radiating element 122C”, “radiating element 121D”, “radiating element 121F”, “radiating element 122F”, and “radiating element 122D” in Embodiment 2 correspond to the “first radiation element” to “eighth radiation element” in the present disclosure, respectively.

[0119] [Implementation method 3]

[0120] In the antenna module 100 of the first embodiment, the structure in which the radiating elements of each substrate are arranged in a row along the Y-axis direction is described. In the third embodiment, the structure in which the radiating elements of each substrate are arranged in a two-dimensional array is described.

[0121] Fig.11 is a perspective view of an antenna module 100C according to Embodiment 3. Fig.11 , in the antenna module 100C, with Fig.10 Similarly, the first antenna group 101 disposed on the substrate 130A includes six radiating elements 121A to 121F, and the second antenna group 102 disposed on the substrate 130B includes six radiating elements 122A to 122F.

[0122] On the substrate 130A, the group of radiating elements 121A to 121C and the group of radiating elements 121D to 121F are arranged in a row along the Y-axis direction. Moreover, the radiating elements 121D to 121F are arranged adjacent to the radiating elements 121A to 121C in the negative direction of the X-axis. That is, the first antenna group 101 has a structure in which the radiating elements 121A to 121F are arranged in a two-dimensional array of 2×3.

[0123] Similarly, on the substrate 130B, the group of radiating elements 122A to 122C and the group of radiating elements 122D to 122F are arranged in a row along the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the radiating elements 122D to 122F are arranged adjacent to the radiating elements 122A to 122C in the positive direction of the Z-axis. That is, the second antenna group 102 has a structure in which the radiating elements 122A to 122F are arranged in a two-dimensional array of 2×3.

[0124] In this way, by arranging the radiating elements of each substrate two-dimensionally, the radiated radio waves can be tilted in two directions, thereby expanding the radiation range of the radio waves. In addition, by using the output port corresponding to the radiating element on the other substrate side, more radiating elements than the output ports assigned to each antenna group can be used to radiate radio waves, thereby increasing the peak gain.

[0125] (Variant 2)

[0126] In Modification 2, a structure in which eight radiating elements are two-dimensionally arranged on each substrate will be described.

[0127] Fig.12 2 is a perspective view of an antenna module 100D according to a second modification. Fig.12 In the antenna module 100D, the first antenna group 101 disposed on the substrate 130A includes eight radiating elements 121A to 121H, and the second antenna group 102 disposed on the substrate 130B includes eight radiating elements 122A to 122H. In this case, eight hybrid couplers and eight distributors are used respectively.

[0128] On the substrate 130A, the group of radiating elements 121A to 121D and the group of radiating elements 121E to 121H are arranged in a row along the Y-axis direction. Moreover, the radiating elements 121E to 121H are arranged adjacent to the radiating elements 121A to 121D in the negative direction of the X-axis. That is, the first antenna group 101 has a structure in which the radiating elements 121A to 121H are arranged in a two-dimensional array of 2×4.

[0129] Similarly, on the substrate 130B, the group of radiating elements 122A to 122D and the group of radiating elements 122E to 122H are arranged in a row along the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the radiating elements 122E to 122H are arranged adjacent to the radiating elements 122A to 122D in the positive direction of the Z-axis. That is, the second antenna group 102 has a structure in which the radiating elements 122A to 122H are arranged in a two-dimensional array of 2×4.

[0130] In this way, by adopting a structure in which the radiation elements are two-dimensionally arranged in 2×4 on each substrate, it is possible to increase the peak gain.

[0131] [Implementation Method 4]

[0132] In Embodiments 1 to 3, a configuration for radiating radio waves in two different directions has been described. However, the features of the present disclosure can also be applied to an antenna module for radiating radio waves in three or more different directions.

[0133] Fig.131 is a side view of an antenna module 100E according to Embodiment 4. In the antenna module 100E, the dielectric substrate 105E includes a substrate 130C in addition to the substrates 130A and 130B. The substrate 130C is connected to the side of the substrate 130A opposite to the side connected to the substrate 130B, and the substrate 130C is arranged to face the substrate 130B. That is, the dielectric substrate 105E is as follows: Fig.13 As shown, the cross section when viewed from the Y-axis direction is substantially C-shaped.

[0134] Furthermore, the radiation element 126 of the third antenna group is disposed on the surface of the substrate 130C in the negative direction of the X-axis. The radiation element 126 radiates radio waves in the negative direction of the X-axis.

[0135] In such an antenna module that can radiate radio waves in three different directions, a distributor and a hybrid coupler are also used to share the output ports of the RFIC with each other. As a result, even if the number of output ports is less than the number of radiating elements, the radiating elements of each antenna group can be increased, thereby increasing the peak gain.

[0136] (Variant 3)

[0137] Fig.14 is a perspective view of an antenna module 100F according to a third modification. In the dielectric substrate 105F of the antenna module 100F, in addition to Fig.13 In addition to the structure, substrates 130D and 130E are added to form a structure that can radiate radio waves in five different directions.

[0138] The substrate 130D is connected to the side of the substrate 130A in the positive direction of the Y axis, and the substrate 130E is connected to the side of the substrate 130A in the negative direction of the Y axis. On each of the substrates 130A to 130E, six radiation elements are arranged in a two-dimensional array.

[0139] In such a structure capable of radiating radio waves in five different directions, the peak gain can be increased by using a distributor and a hybrid coupler to share the output ports of the RFIC.

[0140] [Implementation method 5]

[0141] Embodiments 1 to 4 describe a configuration in which an output port of an RFIC is shared by two antenna groups. Embodiment 5 describes a configuration in which an output port is shared between two polarizations in a dual-polarization array antenna in which a plurality of radiating elements are arranged on the same substrate.

[0142] Fig.15 is a block diagram of a communication device to which the antenna module 100G according to Embodiment 5 is applied. Fig.161 is a diagram showing a connection state of the antenna module 100G.

[0143] Reference Fig.15 and Fig.16 The antenna device 120G of the antenna module 100G has a structure in which five radiating elements 121A to 121E are arranged on a single dielectric substrate 130. A feeding point SP1V for the first polarization and a feeding point SP1H for the second polarization are arranged on each radiating element.

[0144] Transmission signals from output ports P1, P2, and P3 of RFIC 110 are supplied to feed points SP1V in radiating elements 121A, 121B, and 121C, respectively. Transmission signals from output ports P5, P6, and P7 are supplied to feed points SP1H in radiating elements 121A, 121B, and 121C, respectively.

[0145] The transmission signal from the output port P4 is distributed into two directions by the distributor 140G and supplied to one input terminal of each of the hybrid couplers 150G and 150H. The transmission signal from the output port P8 is distributed into two directions by the distributor 140H and supplied to the other input terminal of each of the hybrid couplers 150G and 150H.

[0146] In the hybrid couplers 150G and 150H, when the phase difference of the signal from the output port P8 with respect to the signal from the output port P4 is set to +90°, the signal from the hybrid coupler 150G is supplied to the feeding point SP1V of the radiating element 121D, and the signal from the hybrid coupler 150H is supplied to the feeding point SP1V of the radiating element 121E. On the other hand, when the phase difference is set to -90°, the signal from the hybrid coupler 150G is supplied to the feeding point SP1H of the radiating element 121E, and the signal from the hybrid coupler 150H is supplied to the feeding point SP1H of the radiating element 121D.

[0147] Therefore, by outputting a signal having a phase difference of +90° with respect to the transmission signal of the output ports P1 to P4 from the output port P8, the radio waves of the first polarization direction can be radiated from the five radiating elements 121A to 121E. In addition, by outputting a signal having a phase difference of -90° with respect to the transmission signal of the output port P4 from the output ports P5 to P8, the radio waves of the second polarization direction can be radiated from the five radiating elements 122A to 122E.

[0148] In this way, in the dual-polarization array antenna, one radiating element can be added for each polarization direction by using the output port corresponding to the radio wave in the other polarization direction, so that the peak gain can be increased.

[0149] In addition, the "radiating element 121D" and the "radiating element 121E" in Embodiment 5 correspond to the "first radiating element" and the "second radiating element" in the present disclosure, respectively. The "hybrid coupler 150G" and the "hybrid coupler 150H" in Embodiment 5 correspond to the "first hybrid coupler" and the "second hybrid coupler" in the present disclosure, respectively. The "distributor 140G" and the "distributor 140H" in Embodiment 5 correspond to the "first distributor" and the "second distributor" in the present disclosure, respectively.

[0150] [Implementation Method 6]

[0151] In the antenna modules of the above-mentioned embodiments, the signals output from the two paired hybrid couplers are signals of the same phase. When the two radiating elements connected to the hybrid coupler in the same substrate radiate radio waves of the same phase, the synthesized directivity becomes stronger in the front direction than the radio waves radiated from one radiating element. In this state, when the phase shifter of the RFIC is adjusted to change the beam direction, the phase difference between the two radiating elements is not generated, so it is difficult to radiate radio waves in the low elevation angle direction, and there may be a situation where the radiation range is partially limited although the peak gain can be ensured.

[0152] Therefore, in Embodiment 6, a configuration will be described in which the radiation range is expanded by independently changing the phases of radio waves radiated from radiating elements added by the distributor and the hybrid coupler.

[0153] Fig.17 1 is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module 100H according to Embodiment 6. The antenna module 100H has the following structure: Figure 4 The two input terminals of the hybrid coupler 150B in the antenna module 100 of the first embodiment are connected to phase shifters 160A and 160B, respectively. The other structures of the antenna module 100H are the same as those of the antenna module 100, and the description thereof will not be repeated. Figure 4 Repeating elements.

[0154] Reference Fig.17 In more detail, the transmission signal from the output port P4 of the RFIC 110 is distributed to two directions by the distributor 140A. One of the distributed signals is supplied to an input terminal of the hybrid coupler 150A. In addition, the other of the distributed signals is supplied to an input terminal of the hybrid coupler 150B via the phase shifter 160A.

[0155] In addition, the transmission signal from the output port P5 of the RFIC 110 is distributed to two directions by the distributor 140B. One of the distributed signals is supplied to the other input terminal of the hybrid coupler 150A. In addition, the other of the distributed signals is supplied to the other input terminal of the hybrid coupler 150B via the phase shifter 160B.

[0156] The phase shifters 160A and 160B are configured to change the phase of the input signal and then output it. For example, the phase shifters 160A and 160B shift the phase of the input signal by 120° and then output it. As a result, a phase difference can be given between the radio wave radiated from the radiating element 121D in the substrate 130A and the radio wave radiated from the radiating element 121E, and between the radio wave radiated from the radiating element 122D in the substrate 130B and the radio wave radiated from the radiating element 122E. Therefore, although the peak gain is slightly reduced, it is easy to radiate radio waves in the low elevation angle direction, and as a result, the radiation range can be expanded.

[0157] Next, use Fig.18 and Fig.19 The simulation results of the antenna characteristics of the antenna module 100H according to the sixth embodiment will be described. Fig.18 It is shown in Figure 6 The figure shows the simulation results of the gain distribution (upper part) and CDF (lower part) of the low frequency (28 GHz) band in the case of the dual-band and dual-polarization antenna module. Fig.19 is a diagram showing the simulation results of the gain distribution (upper part) and CDF (lower part) in the high frequency (39 GHz) band. Fig.18 and Fig.19 In the left column, the case where the same-phase radio waves are radiated from the corresponding two radiating elements as in Embodiment 1 is shown, and the case where the phase difference of the radio waves radiated from the corresponding two radiating elements is set to 120° as in Embodiment 6 is shown. Fig.18 and Fig.19 , and , show examples of gain distribution when radio waves in two polarization directions are simultaneously radiated from the substrate 130A.

[0158] Reference Fig.18 When the phase difference is set to 120° as in Embodiment 6, the peak gain slightly decreases from 10.25dBi in Embodiment 1 to 9.97dBi. However, the gain increases especially near φ=0°, and the gain at CDF=50% increases from 1.62dBi to 2.34dBi, and the radiation range is expanded. Fig.19In the 39 GHz band, the peak gain also slightly decreases from 11.57 dBi to 10.76 dBi, but the gain at CDF = 50% further increases from 0.77 dBi to 1.75 dBi.

[0159] As described above, in a configuration in which the output port of the radiating element assigned to another antenna group is utilized by using a distributor and a hybrid coupler, the radiation range can be expanded by providing a phase difference between signals output from two hybrid couplers.

[0160] In the above-described antenna module 100H, an example is described in which the phase difference between radio waves from two hybrid couplers is set to 120°. However, this phase difference can be appropriately selected according to the specifications of the required peak gain and radiation range.

[0161] In addition, the “phase shifter 160A” and the “phase shifter 160B” in Embodiment 6 correspond to the “first phase shifter” and the “second phase shifter” in the present disclosure, respectively.

[0162] (Variant 4)

[0163] In the antenna module 100H of the sixth embodiment, a configuration in which phase shifters are arranged at two input terminals of a hybrid coupler is described. In the fourth modification, a configuration in which phase shifters are arranged at the output terminal side of the hybrid coupler is described.

[0164] Fig. 20 1 is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module 100I according to a fourth modification. The antenna module 100I has the following structure: Figure 4 Phase shifters 160D and 160C are respectively provided at one output terminal of each of the hybrid couplers 150A and 150B in the antenna module 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The other structures of the antenna module 100I are the same as those of the antenna module 100, and the description thereof will not be repeated. Figure 4 Repeating elements.

[0165] Reference Fig. 20 One output terminal (first output terminal) of the hybrid coupler 150A is connected to the radiating element 121D of the first antenna group 101. The other output terminal (second output terminal) of the hybrid coupler 150A is connected to the radiating element 122E of the second antenna group 102 via the phase shifter 160D. The phase shifter 160D shifts the signal from the hybrid coupler 150A by 120°.

[0166] In addition, one output terminal (first output terminal) of the hybrid coupler 150B is connected to the radiating element 121E of the first antenna group 101 via the phase shifter 160C. The other output terminal (second output terminal) of the hybrid coupler 150B is connected to the radiating element 122D of the second antenna group 102. The phase shifter 160C shifts the signal from the hybrid coupler 150B by 120°.

[0167] Even in such a configuration, a phase difference can be given between the radio waves radiated from the radiating element 121D in the substrate 130A and the radio waves radiated from the radiating element 121E, and between the radio waves radiated from the radiating element 122D in the substrate 130B and the radio waves radiated from the radiating element 122E. Thus, although the peak gain is slightly reduced, it is easy to radiate radio waves in a low elevation angle direction, and as a result, the radiation range can be expanded.

[0168] The “phase shifter 160C” and the “phase shifter 160D” in Modification 4 correspond to the “third phase shifter” and the “fourth phase shifter” in the present disclosure, respectively.

[0169] (Variant 5)

[0170] In the antenna modules of the sixth embodiment and the fourth modification, a configuration in which a phase shifter is added to a configuration in which a distributor is arranged on the input side of a hybrid coupler is described. Figure 7 In a structure in which a distributor is arranged on the output side of a hybrid coupler as shown in the reference example of , a phase shifter is arranged in one of the radiating elements connected to the distributor.

[0171] Fig.21 1 is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module 100Q according to a fifth modification. The antenna module 100Q has the following structure: Figure 7 Phase shifters 160P and 160Q are added to the antenna module 100P described in the reference example. Specifically, one output of the distributor 140P is connected to the radiating element 121D of the first antenna group 101, and the other output is connected to the radiating element 121E of the first antenna group 101 via the phase shifter 160P. The phase shifter 160P changes the signal from the distributor 140P by 120 degrees.

[0172] Similarly, one output of the distributor 140Q is connected to the radiating element 122D of the second antenna group 102, and the other output is connected to the radiating element 122E of the second antenna group 102 via the phase shifter 160Q. The phase shifter 160Q shifts the signal from the distributor 140Q by 120 degrees.

[0173] Even in such a configuration, a phase difference can be given between the radio waves radiated from the radiating element 121D in the substrate 130A and the radio waves radiated from the radiating element 121E, and between the radio waves radiated from the radiating element 122D in the substrate 130B and the radio waves radiated from the radiating element 122E. Therefore, although the peak gain is slightly reduced, it is easy to radiate radio waves in a low elevation angle direction, and as a result, the radiation range can be expanded.

[0174] [Implementation method 7]

[0175] In Embodiment 7, a structure is described in which two substrates for arranging a radiating element are separated and connected to each other by a flexible cable.

[0176] In such Figure 2 and Figure 5 When the antenna module having a substantially L-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 1 is configured in a smartphone as the communication device 10, electrodes for a touch panel are arranged in a grid pattern on the display surface of the smartphone, so generally, a substrate 130A is arranged on the main surface (i.e., the back surface) opposite to the display surface, and a substrate 130B is arranged on the side of the smartphone. In addition, when making a call or browsing a web page with a smartphone, it is generally as shown in FIG. Fig. 22 As shown in the figure, the main body of the substantially rectangular shape is held in a longitudinal direction, in other words, in a horizontal direction with the short side. In this case, the antenna module is arranged at the end along the short side of the main body so that the antenna module is not blocked by the hand and / or fingers holding the main body. As a result, the antenna module radiates radio waves from the side of the short side of the main body in the direction along the long side, and radiates radio waves in the back direction of the main body.

[0177] However, when watching movies or other images and / or playing games, there are Fig.23 In the case where the communication device 10 is held horizontally with the long side of the main body of the communication device 10 in a horizontal direction as shown in the figure. In this case, the two ends of the short side of the main body may be held, and the entire antenna module in the main body may be covered by the hand. As a result, there is a concern that the antenna module may not be able to correctly transmit and receive radio waves.

[0178] Therefore, in Embodiment 7, the following structure is adopted: the two substrates 130A and 130B constituting the dielectric substrate 105 are separated, and the separated substrates are connected to each other via a flexible substrate. By adopting such a structure, the degree of freedom of arrangement of each substrate can be increased, so that the radiation element can be arranged at a position where radio waves can be transmitted and received regardless of how the user holds the smartphone.

[0179] Fig.242 is a perspective view of an antenna module 100K according to Embodiment 7. Fig.24 The antenna module 100K has the following structure: Figure 2 The substrate 130A and the substrate 130B are separated by the bent portion 135. The substrate 130A and the substrate 130B are connected by a flexible substrate 137 having flexibility. One end of the flexible substrate 137 is connected to a connector 181 arranged on the back side of the substrate 130A. In addition, the other end of the flexible substrate 137 is connected to a connector 182 arranged on the back side of the substrate 130B. In the antenna module 100K, each of the connectors 181 of the substrate 130A and the connector 182 of the substrate 130B is arranged near the center of each substrate in the long side direction.

[0180] By setting such a structure, for example, Fig.25 As shown in FIG. 1 , the substrate 130B is arranged on the side of the short side of the main body of the communication device 10 (smartphone), and the substrate 130A is arranged at a position closer to the center than the short side on the back side of the main body of the communication device 10 and not covered by the hand. Fig. 22 When holding the smartphone vertically, Fig.23 In any case where the smartphone is held horizontally, radio waves can be properly sent and received.

[0181] In addition, the connection between the substrate 130A and the substrate 130B and the flexible substrate 137 may also be made by using solder instead of the conventional method. Fig.24 In addition, instead of using a flexible substrate, a protrusion may be provided on at least one of the substrate 130A and the substrate 130B, and the substrate 130A and the substrate 130B may be directly connected via the protrusion using a connector or a connection member such as solder. In this case, the thickness of the protrusion provided on the substrate 130A and / or the substrate 130B may be thinner than the thickness of the other substrate parts.

[0182] Furthermore, in the above description, an example in which the antenna module is arranged in a smartphone is described, but this structure can also be applied to other portable terminal devices such as tablet terminals, electronic notebooks, and / or game consoles having communication functions.

[0183] (Variant 6)

[0184] In Modification 6, an example in which the connection position of the flexible substrate in the substrate is different will be described.

[0185] Fig.26FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of an antenna module 100L according to a sixth modification example in a communication device 10. In the antenna module 100L, the flexible substrate 137 is connected to the vicinity of the center in the long-side direction of the substrate 130B, and the flexible substrate 137 is connected to a portion in the short-side direction of the substrate 130A. By connecting the flexible substrate 137 to a portion in the short-side direction of the substrate 130A, it is possible to Fig.26 As shown in the figure, a part of the radiating element 121 arranged on the substrate 130A is arranged at a portion closer to the center of the body of the smartphone. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the radiating element from being covered by the user's hand and / or finger.

[0186] (Variant 7)

[0187] In Modification 7, a structure is described in which a substrate on which radiating elements are arranged is divided, and a part of radiating elements included in each antenna group is arranged at a different position in the communication device.

[0188] Fig. 27 : is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module 100M according to a modification 7. The antenna module 100M has the following structure: Fig.10 In the antenna module 100B of the second embodiment shown, the radiation elements 121E and 121F are arranged on a substrate 130F different from the substrate 130A, and the radiation elements 122E and 122F are arranged on a substrate 130G different from the substrate 130B. That is, the radiation elements 121A to 121D are arranged on the substrate 130A, and the radiation elements 122A to 122D are arranged on the substrate 130B.

[0189] As described above, in order to suppress transmission loss, the distributor 140 and the hybrid coupler 150 are arranged on the substrate 130A for configuring the SiP module 125 , and therefore each of the substrates 130F and 130G is connected to the substrate 130A using the flexible substrate 137 .

[0190] Fig.28 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the antenna module 100M of the modification 7 in the communication device 10. The dielectric substrate 105 (i.e., substrates 130A and 130B) having a substantially L-shaped cross section is configured along the short side of the main body of the communication device 10. The substrate 130B is configured on the side of the short side of the main body, and the substrate 130A is configured at the end of the short side of the main surface along the back side of the main body. Moreover, at a position closer to the center than the short side of the main surface on the back side of the main body of the communication device 10, the substrate 130F is configured along one long side, and the substrate 130G is configured along the other long side.

[0191] In this way, by configuring a part of the radiating elements of each antenna group on another substrate, and using a flexible substrate to configure the other substrate at a position not covered by the user's hand, radio waves can be properly sent and received regardless of how the communication device is held.

[0192] [Way]

[0193] (Item 1) An antenna module according to one embodiment includes a first antenna group and a second antenna group, a first hybrid coupler and a second hybrid coupler, a first distributor and a second distributor, and a feeding circuit. The first antenna group includes a first radiating element and a second radiating element. The second antenna group includes a third radiating element and a fourth radiating element. Each hybrid coupler has a first input terminal and a second input terminal and a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The feeding circuit supplies a high-frequency signal to each radiating element. Each distributor distributes the high-frequency signal from the feeding circuit to two directions. Each antenna group is capable of radiating radio waves in a first frequency band. The first distributor distributes the first signal from the feeding circuit to the first input terminal in each hybrid coupler. The second distributor distributes the second signal from the feeding circuit to the second input terminal in each hybrid coupler. The first output terminal and the second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler are connected to the first radiating element and the third radiating element, respectively. The first output terminal and the second output terminal of the second hybrid coupler are connected to the second radiating element and the fourth radiating element, respectively. In each hybrid coupler, the phase difference of the high-frequency signal supplied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal is set to 90°.

[0194] (Item 2) The antenna module described in Item 1 further includes a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the normal directions of the first substrate and the second substrate are different from each other, the first antenna group is arranged on the first substrate, and the second antenna group is arranged on the second substrate.

[0195] (Item 3) The antenna module described in Item 2 further includes a first phase shifter and a second phase shifter. The first phase shifter is connected to the first input terminal of the second hybrid coupler to change the phase of the first signal from the feed circuit. The second phase shifter is connected to the second input terminal of the second hybrid coupler to change the phase of the second signal from the feed circuit.

[0196] (Item 4) In the antenna module described in Item 3, the first phase shifter changes the phase of the first signal by 120°, and the second phase shifter changes the phase of the second signal by 120°.

[0197] (Item 5) The antenna module described in Item 2 further includes a third phase shifter and a fourth phase shifter. The third phase shifter is connected to the first output terminal of the second hybrid coupler to change the phase of the signal output to the second radiating element. The fourth phase shifter is connected to the second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler to change the phase of the signal output to the third radiating element.

[0198] (Item 6) In the antenna module described in Item 5, the third phase shifter changes the phase of the signal output to the second radiating element by 120°. The fourth phase shifter changes the phase of the signal output to the third radiating element by 120°.

[0199] (Item 7) The antenna module described in Item 1 further includes a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the normal directions of the first substrate and the second substrate are different from each other, the first radiation element and the third radiation element are arranged on the first substrate, and the second radiation element and the fourth radiation element are arranged on the second substrate.

[0200] (Item 8) The antenna module described in any one of items 1 to 7 further includes a third hybrid coupler and a fourth hybrid coupler and a third distributor and a fourth distributor. The first antenna group also includes a fifth radiating element and a sixth radiating element. The second antenna group also includes a seventh radiating element and an eighth radiating element. The third distributor distributes the third signal from the feed circuit to the first input terminal in the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler. The fourth distributor distributes the fourth signal from the feed circuit to the second input terminal in the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler. The first output terminal and the second output terminal of the third hybrid coupler are connected to the fifth radiating element and the seventh radiating element, respectively. The first output terminal and the second output terminal of the fourth hybrid coupler are connected to the sixth radiating element and the eighth radiating element, respectively. In each hybrid coupler in the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler, the phase difference of the high-frequency signal supplied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal is set to 90°.

[0201] (Item 9) In the antenna module described in Item 2, the plurality of radiating elements included in the first antenna group are arranged one-dimensionally on the first substrate. The plurality of radiating elements included in the second antenna group are arranged one-dimensionally on the second substrate.

[0202] (Item 10) In the antenna module described in Item 2, the plurality of radiating elements included in the first antenna group are two-dimensionally arranged on the first substrate. The plurality of radiating elements included in the second antenna group are two-dimensionally arranged on the second substrate.

[0203] (Item 11) An antenna module in another embodiment includes a plurality of radiating elements including a first radiating element and a second radiating element, a first hybrid coupler and a second hybrid coupler, a first distributor and a second distributor, and a feeding circuit. Each radiating element is capable of radiating radio waves with a first direction as a polarization direction and radio waves with a second direction as a polarization direction. Each hybrid coupler has a first input terminal and a second input terminal and a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The feeding circuit supplies a high-frequency signal to the plurality of radiating elements. Each distributor distributes the high-frequency signal from the feeding circuit to two directions. The first distributor distributes the first signal from the feeding circuit to the first input terminal in each hybrid coupler. The second distributor distributes the second signal from the feeding circuit to the second input terminal in each hybrid coupler. The first output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to a feeding point of the first radiating element for polarization in the first direction. The second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to a feeding point of the second radiating element for polarization in the second direction. The first output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to a feeding point of the second radiating element for polarization in the first direction. The second output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to the feeding point of the first radiating element for polarization in the second direction. In each hybrid coupler, the phase difference between the high-frequency signals supplied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal is set to 90°.

[0204] (Item 12) In the antenna module described in Item 11, the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other.

[0205] (Item 13) The antenna module described in Item 11 or Item 12 further includes a first phase shifter and a second phase shifter. The first phase shifter is connected to the first input terminal of the second hybrid coupler to change the phase of the first signal from the feed circuit. The second phase shifter is connected to the second input terminal of the second hybrid coupler to change the phase of the second signal from the feed circuit.

[0206] (Item 14) A communication device including the antenna module according to any one of Items 1 to 13.

[0207] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0208] Description of Reference Numerals

[0209] 10: communication device; 100, 100A~100I, 100K~100M, 100P, 100Q, 100X: antenna module; 101, 102: antenna group; 105, 105E, 105F, 130: dielectric substrate; 110: RFIC; 111A~111H, 113A~113H, 117A, 117B: switch; 112AR~112HR: low noise amplifier; 1 12AT~112HT: power amplifier; 114A~114H: attenuator; 115A~115H, 160A~160D, 160P, 160Q: phase shifter; 116A, 116B: signal combiner / demultiplexer; 118A, 118B: mixer; 119A, 119B: amplifier circuit; 120, 120G: antenna device; 121, 121A~121F, 121H, 122, 123 22A to 122F, 122H, 123, 123A to 123E, 124, 124A to 124E, 126: radiating element; 125: SiP module; 130A to 130G: substrate; 133: protrusion; 134: boundary; 135: bending portion; 136: cutout portion; 137: flexible substrate; 140, 140A to 140H, 140P, 140Q: distributor; 150, 150 A~150H, 150P: hybrid coupler; 151: first line; 152: second line; 171, 172: feeding wiring; 200: BBIC; IN1, IN2: input terminals; OUT1, OUT2: output terminals; P1~P16: output ports; RG1, RG2: regions; SP1, SP1A, SP1B, SP1H, SP1V, SP2, SP2A, SP2B: feeding points.

Claims

1. An antenna module, comprising: a first antenna group comprising a first radiating element and a second radiating element; a second antenna group comprising a third radiating element and a fourth radiating element; A first hybrid coupler and a second hybrid coupler, each of the first hybrid coupler and the second hybrid coupler having a first input terminal and a second input terminal and a first output terminal and a second output terminal; a feeding circuit configured to supply a high frequency signal to each radiating element included in the first antenna group and the second antenna group; as well as a first distributor and a second distributor, wherein the first distributor and the second distributor distribute the high frequency signal from the feeding circuit to two directions, The first antenna group and the second antenna group are capable of radiating radio waves in a first frequency band. The first distributor distributes the first signal from the feeding circuit to the first input terminals of the hybrid couplers. The second distributor distributes the second signal from the feed circuit to the second input terminals of the hybrid couplers. The first output terminal and the second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler are connected to the first radiation element and the third radiation element respectively. The first output terminal and the second output terminal of the second hybrid coupler are connected to the second radiation element and the fourth radiation element respectively. In each hybrid coupler, the phase difference between the high-frequency signals supplied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal is set to 90°.

2. The antenna module according to claim 1, wherein: The antenna module further includes a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the normal directions of the first substrate and the second substrate are different from each other. The first antenna group is configured on the first substrate. The second antenna group is configured on the second substrate.

3. The antenna module according to claim 2, wherein: The antenna module also has: a first phase shifter connected to the first input terminal of the second hybrid coupler and configured to change the phase of the first signal from the feeding circuit; as well as The second phase shifter is connected to the second input terminal of the second hybrid coupler and changes the phase of the second signal from the feeding circuit.

4. The antenna module according to claim 3, wherein: The first phase shifter changes the phase of the first signal by 120°. The second phase shifter changes the phase of the second signal by 120°.

5. The antenna module according to claim 2, wherein: The antenna module also has: a third phase shifter connected to the first output terminal of the second hybrid coupler and changing the phase of the signal output to the second radiating element; as well as A fourth phase shifter is connected to the second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler and changes the phase of the signal output to the third radiating element.

6. The antenna module according to claim 5, wherein: The third phase shifter changes the phase of the signal output to the second radiating element by 120°. The fourth phase shifter changes the phase of the signal output to the third radiation element by 120 degrees.

7. The antenna module according to claim 1, wherein: The antenna module further includes a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the normal directions of the first substrate and the second substrate are different from each other. The first radiation element and the third radiation element are disposed on the first substrate. The second radiation element and the fourth radiation element are disposed on the second substrate.

8. The antenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The antenna module also has: a third hybrid coupler and a fourth hybrid coupler; and The third distributor and the fourth distributor, The first antenna group further includes a fifth radiating element and a sixth radiating element, The second antenna group further includes a seventh radiating element and an eighth radiating element, the third distributor distributes the third signal from the feed circuit to the first input terminals of the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler, the fourth distributor distributes the fourth signal from the feed circuit to the second input terminals of the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler, The first output terminal and the second output terminal of the third hybrid coupler are connected to the fifth radiation element and the seventh radiation element respectively. The first output terminal and the second output terminal of the fourth hybrid coupler are connected to the sixth radiation element and the eighth radiation element respectively. In each of the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler, a phase difference between high-frequency signals supplied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal is set to 90°.

9. The antenna module according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of radiation elements included in the first antenna group are arranged one-dimensionally on the first substrate, A plurality of radiation elements included in the second antenna group are one-dimensionally arranged on the second substrate.

10. The antenna module according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of radiation elements included in the first antenna group are two-dimensionally arranged on the first substrate, A plurality of radiation elements included in the second antenna group are two-dimensionally arranged on the second substrate.

11. An antenna module comprising: A plurality of radiation elements, the plurality of radiation elements comprising a first radiation element and a second radiation element, each of the plurality of radiation elements being capable of radiating an electric wave with a first direction as a polarization direction and an electric wave with a second direction as a polarization direction; A first hybrid coupler and a second hybrid coupler, each of the first hybrid coupler and the second hybrid coupler having a first input terminal and a second input terminal and a first output terminal and a second output terminal; a feeding circuit for supplying high frequency signals to the plurality of radiating elements; as well as a first distributor and a second distributor, wherein the first distributor and the second distributor distribute the high frequency signal from the feeding circuit to two directions, The first distributor distributes the first signal from the feeding circuit to the first input terminals of the hybrid couplers. The second distributor distributes the second signal from the feed circuit to the second input terminals of the hybrid couplers. a first output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to a feed point of the first radiating element for polarization in the first direction, a second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to a feed point of the second radiating element for polarization in the second direction, a first output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to a feed point of the second radiating element for polarization in the first direction, a second output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to a feed point of the first radiating element for polarization in the second direction, In each of the first hybrid coupler and the second hybrid coupler, a phase difference between high-frequency signals supplied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal is set to 90°.

12. The antenna module according to claim 11, wherein: The first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.

13. The antenna module according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The antenna module also has: a first phase shifter connected to the first input terminal of the second hybrid coupler and configured to change the phase of the first signal from the feeding circuit; as well as The second phase shifter is connected to the second input terminal of the second hybrid coupler and changes the phase of the second signal from the feeding circuit.

14. A communication device comprising the antenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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