Automotive antenna network

Abstract

Antenna Array for a Motor Vehicle The invention relates to an antenna array (1) for a motor vehicle (2) comprising a plurality of faces (20), said antenna array (1) comprising: at least two antennas (10), a support (11) configured to receive said at least two antennas (10), wherein: said support (11) is configured to extend along one of said faces (20), and each antenna (10) is inclined relative to said support (11) and positioned on the support (11): offset from an adjacent antenna (10) along a vertical axis (Z) parallel to said face (20), and offset from an adjacent antenna (10) along a horizontal axis (Y) parallel to said face (20). Figure for the abstract: Figure 6

Description

Title of the invention: Antenna array for motor vehicles

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna array for motor vehicles. It finds a particular, but not limiting, application in motor vehicles.

[0002] An antenna array for motor vehicles is used in a manner known to those skilled in the art during communication with a vehicle identifier, said identifier allowing access to said vehicle. For this purpose, it is necessary to locate the identifier on the scale of the vehicle and to locate it relative to the vehicle. The location of the identifier is achieved by measuring a characteristic of the signal of a radio frequency wireless communication. The signal characteristic used is the angle of arrival of the radio frequency signal. For this purpose, the antenna array is used to determine the angle of arrival of the radio frequency signal.An antenna array has a beamwidth of approximately 145°, corresponding to a radiation coverage area (hatched). These antennas must therefore be placed all around the vehicle to cover its surroundings. The vehicle thus comprises several antenna arrays. The placement of these antenna arrays must be along an axis slightly different from that AX of the vehicle (illustrated in [Fig. 1]) in order to cover areas close to the vehicle. [Fig. 1] illustrates a prior art design for a vehicle with such antenna arrays. The antenna arrays are labeled 6 in [Fig. 1] and the antennas 60.

[0003] One drawback of this prior art is that when attempting to integrate the antenna arrays into the motor vehicle, the ends of the antenna arrays become embedded inside the vehicle. Consequently, the radio frequency signals from the identifier may no longer be received correctly.

[0004] In this context, the present invention aims to resolve the aforementioned drawback.

[0005] To this end, the invention proposes an antenna array for a motor vehicle comprising a plurality of faces, said antenna array comprising: a. at least two antennas, b. a support configured to receive said at least two antennas, according to which: a. said support is configured to extend along one of said faces, and b. Each antenna is inclined relative to said support and positioned on the support: i. offset from an adjacent antenna along a vertical axis parallel to said face, and ii. in a manner offset from an adjacent antenna along a horizontal axis parallel to said face.

[0006] According to non-limiting embodiments, the antenna array may further comprise one or more additional features from the following:

[0007] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said face is perpendicular to a horizontal plane and each antenna is inclined with respect to said support at a horizontal angle of inclination defined in said horizontal plane.

[0008] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said horizontal inclination angle is between 5° and 30°.

[0009] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said horizontal inclination angle is approximately equal to 20°.

[0010] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said antenna array comprises more than two antennas.

[0011] According to a non-limiting embodiment, each antenna is positioned on the support: a. offset relative to an adjacent antenna along a vertical axis parallel to said face, and b. in a manner offset from an adjacent antenna along a horizontal axis parallel to said face.

[0012] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said antennas are offset from one another along the vertical axis parallel to said face by the same pitch.

[0013] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said antennas are offset from one another along said horizontal axis parallel to said face by the same pitch.

[0014] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said antenna array is arranged on a front side face, a rear side face, a front face, or a rear face of the motor vehicle.

[0015] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said support further includes a tilting wedge for each antenna.

[0016] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said at least two antennas are planar antennas.

[0017] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said antenna array comprises eight antennas.

[0018] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said at least two antennas are configured to communicate with an identifier of said motor vehicle according to a wireless communication protocol.

[0019] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said wireless communication protocol is the Bluetooth™, Bluetooth Low Energy™ or Wifi protocol.

[0020] A grouping of antennas for motor vehicles is also proposed comprising a plurality of antenna arrays according to any one of the preceding characteristics.

[0021] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said antenna grouping comprises eight antenna arrays, including: a. two antenna arrays arranged along two front lateral faces, b. two antenna arrays arranged along two rear lateral faces, c. two antenna arrays arranged along a front face, d. two antenna arrays arranged along a rear face.

[0022] According to a non-limiting embodiment, each corner of the motor vehicle is covered by two antenna arrays, one of which is arranged along a side face and the other arranged along a front or rear face.

[0023] The invention and its various applications will be better understood upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures:

[0024] - Fig. 1 represents a top view of a motor vehicle in the state of prior technique comprising a plurality of antenna arrays;

[0025] - Figure 2 shows a front view of a vehicle antenna array automobile, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention;

[0026] - [Fig.3] represents a top view of the antenna array of [Fig.2];

[0027] - [Fig. 4] represents [Fig. 3] with the opening angles of the array antennas antennas;

[0028] - [Fig. 5] represents an antenna of the antenna array of [Fig. 3], said antenna resting on a tilting wedge;

[0029] - [Fig. 6] represents a grouping of antenna arrays from Figures 2 to 4 integrated in a motor vehicle and an identifier configured to communicate with said plurality of antenna networks, in a non-limiting embodiment; and

[0030] - [Fig.7] represents the grouping of antenna arrays of [Fig.6].

[0031] Identical elements, by structure or by function, appearing on different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references.

[0032] An antenna array 1 for a motor vehicle 2 according to the invention is described with reference to Figures 2 to 7, in a non-limiting embodiment. The term "motor vehicle" refers to any type of motor vehicle. In non-limiting embodiments, the motor vehicle 2 is an electric, hybrid, or internal combustion engine vehicle.

[0033] As illustrated in [Fig. 6], the motor vehicle 2 comprises: a. two front side faces 20i, one right and one left, b. two rear side faces 202, one right and one left, c. a front panel 203, d. a rear face 204.

[0034] A front side face 20i is delimited by the front bumper 22a and a front door 23a. A rear side face 202 is delimited by the rear bumper 22b and a rear door 23b. A face 20 is perpendicular to a horizontal plane X, Y illustrated in [Fig.6].

[0035] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the antenna array 1 comprises: a. at least two antennas 10, b. a support 11 configured to receive said at least two antennas 10.

[0036] In a non-limiting embodiment, the antenna array 1 is arranged behind the bumper of the motor vehicle 2, namely behind the plastic parts of the motor vehicle 2. It is attached to the bumper or the frame of the motor vehicle 2.

[0037] In non-limiting embodiments, the antenna array 1 extends along a face 20. In particular, it extends along a front side face 20i (right or left), a rear side face 202 (right or left), the front face 203 (right or left), or the rear face 204 (right or left) of the motor vehicle 2. This results in the flat integration of the antenna array 1 within the motor vehicle 2 with respect to a face 20. This arrangement allows it to be positioned as close as possible to the surface of the bumper and to avoid interference from other elements of the motor vehicle 2, such as the computer, equipment, etc., which could interfere with the reception of the radio frequency signal of the identifier 3 by the antennas 10.

[0038] Said at least two antennas 10 are configured to communicate remotely with an identifier 3 of said motor vehicle 2 according to a wireless communication protocol 4. In particular, they receive the radio frequency signals sent by the identifier 3 to determine its position around the motor vehicle 2. According to non-limiting embodiments, said wireless communication protocol 4 is the Bluetooth™, Bluetooth Low Energy™ or Wifi protocol.

[0039] In a non-limiting embodiment, the identifier 3 is an electronic key, a mobile phone (also called a smartphone), a tablet, etc. The identifier 3 is configured to communicate remotely with a control unit (not shown) of the motor vehicle 2, in particular to enable the execution of a function related to the motor vehicle 2. In a non-limiting example, the function is access to the motor vehicle 2, allowing remote locking and / or unlocking of said motor vehicle 2. The identifier 3 is configured to send a radio frequency signal 30. The antennas 10 are configured to determine the angle of arrival of the radio frequency signal 30. This determination being known to those skilled in the art, it is not described here.

[0040] In a non-limiting embodiment, said at least two antennas 10 are planar antennas, also called "patch" antennas. This type of antenna is shielded on the back. This prevents other components of the motor vehicle 2 located behind the antennas 10 from interfering with their radiation. In a non-limiting embodiment, the antenna array 1 comprises more than two antennas 10. In a non-limiting example shown, the antenna array 1 comprises eight antennas 10i to 108 as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4.

[0041] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], each antenna 10 of the antenna array 1 is inclined relative to the support 11. In a non-limiting embodiment, each antenna 10 is inclined relative to said support 11 at a horizontal angle of inclination a defined in said horizontal plane X, Y and illustrated in [Fig. 3]. Thus, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], an antenna 10 is inclined relative to the support 11 along the X axis.

[0042] In a non-limiting embodiment, said horizontal inclination angle a is between 5° and 30°. In a non-limiting variant, it is approximately 20°. This provides a clear line of sight for each antenna 10 to measure the arrival angle of the radio frequency signal 30 of identifier 3. This line of sight is represented by an aperture angle [3 (illustrated in [Fig. 4]) of the antenna 10. The aperture angle [3] determines the radiation coverage of the antenna 10, which can be schematically represented by a cone emanating from the antenna 10.

[0043] In a non-limiting embodiment, the support 11 includes a tilting wedge 110 for each antenna 10. This allows the antenna 10 to be held tilted. An antenna 10 with its tilting wedge 110 (shown in hatching) is illustrated in [Fig. 5]. In other non-limiting embodiments, each antenna 10 is glued or clipped onto its tilting wedge 110.

[0044] In a non-limiting embodiment, an antenna 10 is arranged on a printed circuit board with a ground connection, otherwise called a PCBA (not shown), and known by the English acronym "Printed Circuit Board Assembly". In this case, the PCBA is itself arranged on the tilting wedge 110 or is part of the tilting wedge 110.

[0045] Furthermore, as illustrated in [Fig.2], each antenna 10 is positioned on the support 11: a. offset from an adjacent antenna 10 along a vertical axis Z parallel to the face 20 along which the antenna array 1 extends, and b. offset from an adjacent antenna 10 along a horizontal axis Y parallel to said face 20.

[0046] Thus, for case a) in the example of [Fig.2]: i. If we take antenna 10i, we can see that it is offset relative to the adjacent antenna 102 along the vertical axis Z parallel to face 20 and which is perpendicular to the horizontal plane X, Y, ii. if we take antenna 102, we can see that it is offset relative to the adjacent antenna 10i and relative to antenna 102 along the vertical axis Z parallel to face 20 and which is perpendicular to the horizontal plane X, Y.

[0047] As a reminder, the horizontal plane X, Y is perpendicular to the face 20 and consequently to the support 11. Thus, an antenna 10; (with i an integer and = 1 to 8 in the non-limiting example) is offset with respect to two adjacent antennas 10i+i and 10m which are arranged on either side or to an adjacent antenna 10i+i (for the antenna 10i) or 10m (for the antenna 108).

[0048] Furthermore, for case b) in the example of [Fig.2]: i. If we take antenna 10i, we can see that it is offset relative to antenna 102, which is adjacent along the horizontal axis Y to face 20, axis Y of the horizontal plane X, Y, ii. if we take antenna 102, we can see that it is offset relative to the adjacent antenna 10i and relative to the adjacent antenna 103 along the horizontal Y axis as well.

[0049] This allows an antenna 10 to avoid interference from another adjacent antenna 10 when measuring the angle of arrival of a radio frequency signal of identifier 3. Indeed, if the antennas 10 were positioned flat on the support 11, without any inclination, there would be overlap between the beamwidth [3] of one antenna and the beamwidth [3] of the adjacent antenna(s), preventing coverage of several areas around the motor vehicle. This would create so-called blind spots around the motor vehicle 2. It should be noted that this arrangement of the antennas 10 relative to each other provides a clear line of sight in addition to the inclination.

[0050] In a non-limiting embodiment, the antennas 10 of the antenna array 1 are offset from each other along the vertical axis Z by the same spacing p1. This prevents the antennas 10 from interfering with each other. In a non-limiting embodiment, the antennas 10 of the antenna array 1 are offset from each other along the horizontal axis Y by the same spacing p2. In this way, they can be placed side by side. It should be noted that the two modes can be combined as illustrated in [Fig. 2]. Thus, the antennas 10 are well aligned with each other along a diagonal line L1.

[0051] In a non-limiting embodiment, the antennas 10 of the antenna array 1 have an opening angle [3] of the order of 135° illustrated in [Fig. 5]. In [Fig. 5], for For the sake of clarity, only two beamwidths [3] have been illustrated. Thus, with two antennas 10, this allows coverage of 270°. With all eight antennas 10, this allows coverage of the environment around the face 20 along which the antenna array 1 extends. Thus, the identifier 3 will be visible to two antennas 10 of the antenna array 11, each antenna 10 seeing it at a different angle of arrival of the radio frequency signal it transmits. Its position can then be deduced by taking the intersection of the two angles of arrival of the radio frequency signal determined by the two antennas 10.

[0052] In order to perform the access function to the motor vehicle 2, it is necessary to have antennas 10 all around the motor vehicle 2 to detect the approach of the identifier 3 of the motor vehicle 2. To this end, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the motor vehicle 2 comprises an antenna array 5 including a plurality of antenna arrays 1 as described above. Each antenna array 1 is arranged along a face 20 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0053] In a non-limiting embodiment illustrated, said antenna grouping 5 comprises eight antenna arrays 1 of which: a. two antenna arrays 1 arranged along the two front lateral faces 20i (right and left), b. two antenna arrays 1 arranged along the two rear lateral faces 202 (right and left), c. two antenna arrays 1 arranged along the front face 203 (right and left), d. two antenna arrays 1 arranged along the rear face 204 (right and left).

[0054] Thus, the surroundings of the motor vehicle 2 are covered. Thus, each corner of the motor vehicle 2 is covered by two antenna arrays 1, one of which is arranged along a side face 20i or 202, and the other arranged along a front face 203 or rear face 204.

[0055] Of course, the description of the invention is not limited to the application and embodiments described above.

[0056] Thus, in another non-limiting embodiment, one or more antenna arrays 1 of eight antennas 10 in the antenna grouping 5 can each be replaced by two antenna arrays 1 comprising four antennas 10 each.

[0057] Thus, in another non-limiting embodiment, one or more antenna arrays 1 of eight antennas 10 in the antenna grouping 5 can each be replaced by an antenna array 1 comprising four antennas 10.

[0058] Thus, in another non-limiting embodiment, the support 11 may have a different shape from the rectangular one illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0059] Thus, the described invention has, in particular, the following advantages: a. It prevents an antenna 10 from being interfered with by other elements of the motor vehicle 2, b. It prevents an antenna 10 from being interfered with by the radiation coverage of an adjacent antenna 10. c. It allows for optimized radiation coverage to cover the environment all around the motor vehicle 2 for better localization of the identifier's position 3, d. It is a simple solution to implement.

Claims

Demands

1. Antenna array (1) for a motor vehicle (2) comprising a plurality of faces (20), said antenna array (1) comprising: a. at least two antennas (10), b. a support (11) configured to receive said at least two antennas (10), wherein: a. said support (11) is configured to extend along one of said faces (20), and b. each antenna (10) is inclined with respect to said support (11) and positioned on the support (11): i. offset with respect to an adjacent antenna (10) along a vertical axis (Z) parallel to said face (20), and ii. offset with respect to an adjacent antenna (10) along a horizontal axis (Y) parallel to said face (20).

2. Antenna array (1) according to claim 1, wherein said face (20) is perpendicular to a horizontal plane (X, Y) and each antenna (10) is inclined with respect to said support (11) at a horizontal angle of inclination (a) defined in said horizontal plane (X, Y).

3. Antenna array (1) according to claim 2, wherein said horizontal tilt angle (a) is between 5° and 30°.

4. Antenna array (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said horizontal tilt angle (a) is approximately equal to 20°.

5. Antenna array (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said antenna array (1) comprises more than two antennas (10).

6. Antenna array (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each antenna (10) is positioned on the support (11): a. offset from an adjacent antenna (10) along a vertical axis (Z) parallel to said face (20), and b. in a manner offset from an adjacent antenna (10) along a horizontal axis (Y) parallel to said face (20).

7. Antenna array (1) according to claim 6, wherein said antennas (10) are offset from one another along the vertical axis (Z) parallel to said face (20) by the same pitch (pl).

8. Antenna array (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said antennas (10) are offset from one another along said horizontal axis (Y) parallel to said face (20) by the same pitch (p2).

9. Antenna array (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said antenna array (1) is arranged on a front side face (20i), a rear side face (202), a front face (203), or a rear face (204) of the motor vehicle (2).

10. Antenna array (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support (11) further comprises a tilt wedge (110) for each antenna (10).

11. Antenna array (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least two antennas (10) are planar antennas.

12. Antenna array (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said antenna array (1) comprises eight antennas (10).

13. Antenna array (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said antenna array (1) is arranged behind the bumper of said motor vehicle (2).

14. Antenna array (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least two antennas (10) are configured to communicate with an identifier (3) of said motor vehicle (2) according to a wireless communication protocol (4).

15. Antenna array (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said wireless communication protocol (4) is the Bluetooth™, Bluetooth Low Energy™ or Wifi protocol.

16. Antenna grouping (5) for motor vehicle (2) comprising a plurality of antenna arrays (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. Antenna grouping (5) according to the preceding claim, wherein said antenna grouping (5) comprises eight antenna arrays (1) of which: a. two antenna arrays (1) arranged along two front lateral faces (20i), b. two antenna arrays (1) arranged along two rear lateral faces (202), c. two antenna arrays (1) arranged along a front face (203), d. two antenna arrays (1) arranged along a rear face (204).

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