Electronic apparatus

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus that can shorten a transmission line to an antenna that transmits and receives signals for detecting an object.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus comprises a plurality of transmission antennas that transmit transmission waves, and an electronic component that outputs transmission signals to the plurality of transmission antennas. Feeding point of the plurality of transmission antennas are connected to a plurality of transmission terminals of the electronic component respectively by linear transmission lines.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electronic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in the field of the automobile industry, a technology for measuring the distance between a vehicle and a predetermined object is considered important. In particular, in recent years, various RADAR (Radio Detecting and Ranging) technologies have been researched, which transmit radio waves such as millimeter waves and receive the reflected waves from an object such as an obstacle to measure the distance between the vehicle and the object. The importance of such technology for measuring distance is expected to increase in the future with the development of technologies for assisting the driver in driving and technologies related to autonomous driving that automates part or all of driving.

[0003] In the above-mentioned radar-like technology, various proposals have been made regarding the arrangement of antennas that transmit and receive signals. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a millimeter wave transmitting and receiving device in which multiple patch antennas are all connected in parallel with equal-length transmission lines. Patent Document 1 also proposes a millimeter wave transmitting and receiving device in which multiple patch antennas arranged vertically are directly connected with equal-length transmission lines, and then multiple antennas are arranged horizontally as well. By arranging the patch antennas in this way, it is expected that the directivity of the transmitted wave in the forward direction can be increased.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 proposes a radar device in which patch antennas are connected with an interval of nλ (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and λ is the wavelength of the center frequency used). By arranging patch antennas in this way, it is expected that the vertical tilt angle can be increased at a frequency shifted from the center frequency, and the change in tilt angle can be used to adjust the radiation direction of the radar wave. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-261917 [Patent Document 2] JP 2010-220008 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In an electronic device that detects a specific object by receiving a reflected wave that is the result of transmitting a transmitted wave and reflecting the object, signal loss in the transmission line can be reduced by shortening the transmission line to an antenna that transmits and receives a signal to detect the object.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device that can shorten the transmission line to an antenna that transmits and receives signals for detecting an object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The electronic device according to an embodiment includes: A plurality of transmitting antennas for transmitting transmission waves; an electronic component that outputs a transmission signal to the plurality of transmission antennas; Equipped with. The power supply points of the plurality of transmitting antennas are connected to the plurality of transmitting terminals of the electronic component by linear transmission lines, respectively. Moreover, the electronic device according to an embodiment includes: A plurality of receiving antennas for receiving reflected waves of transmitted waves; an electronic component to which received signals are input from the plurality of receiving antennas; Equipped with. The feed points of the plurality of receiving antennas are connected to the plurality of receiving terminals of the electronic component by linear transmission lines, respectively. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one embodiment, it is possible to provide an electronic device that can shorten the transmission line to an antenna that transmits and receives a signal for detecting an object. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage mode of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission signal according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating comparative examples for explaining the arrangement of transmitting antennas, receiving antennas, and electronic components in an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, and electronic components in an electronic device according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram showing another example of the arrangement of the transmitting antenna, the receiving antenna, and the electronic components in the electronic device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 11 is a diagram showing yet another example of the arrangement of transmitting antennas, receiving antennas, and electronic components in an electronic device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] The electronic device according to an embodiment is mounted on a vehicle (mobile body) such as an automobile and is capable of detecting a predetermined object present around the mobile body. To this end, the electronic device according to an embodiment can transmit a transmission wave to the surroundings of the mobile body from a transmission antenna installed on the mobile body. The electronic device according to an embodiment can also receive a reflected wave of the transmission wave from a receiving antenna installed on the mobile body. At least one of the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna may be provided in, for example, a radar sensor installed on the mobile body.

[0013] Hereinafter, as a typical example, a configuration in which the electronic device according to the embodiment is mounted on an automobile such as a passenger car will be described. However, the electronic device according to the embodiment is not limited to being mounted on an automobile. The electronic device according to the embodiment may be mounted on various moving bodies such as a bus, a truck, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a ship, an aircraft, an agricultural machine such as a tractor, a snowplow, a cleaning vehicle, a police car, an ambulance, and a drone. In addition, the electronic device according to the embodiment is not necessarily limited to a moving body that moves by its own power. For example, the moving body on which the electronic device according to the embodiment is mounted may be a trailer part towed by a tractor. The electronic device according to the embodiment can measure the distance between the sensor and an object in a situation in which at least one of the sensor and a predetermined object can move. In addition, the electronic device according to the embodiment can measure the distance between the sensor and an object even if both the sensor and the object are stationary.

[0014] First, an example of object detection by an electronic device according to an embodiment will be described.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage mode of an electronic device according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 shows an example in which a sensor including a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna according to an embodiment is installed in a moving object. There are.

[0016] A sensor 5 having a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna according to an embodiment is installed in the moving body 100 shown in FIG. 1. The moving body 100 shown in FIG. 1 is equipped with (for example, built-in) an electronic device 1 according to an embodiment. A specific configuration of the electronic device 1 will be described later. The sensor 5 may have at least one of a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, for example. The sensor 5 may also include at least one of other functional units, such as at least a part of a control unit 10 (FIG. 2) included in the electronic device 1, as appropriate. The moving body 100 shown in FIG. 1 may be an automobile vehicle such as a passenger car, but may be any type of moving body. In FIG. 1, the moving body 100 may be moving (running or slowly moving) in, for example, the Z-axis positive direction (traveling direction) shown in the figure, or may be moving in another direction, or may be stationary without moving.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a sensor 5 having a transmitting antenna is installed in a moving body 100. In the example shown in FIG. 1, only one sensor 5 having a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna is installed in the front of the moving body 100. Here, the position where the sensor 5 is installed in the moving body 100 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 1, and may be other positions as appropriate. For example, the sensor 5 as shown in FIG. 1 may be installed on the left side, right side, and / or rear of the moving body 100. In addition, the number of such sensors 5 may be any number of one or more depending on various conditions (or requirements) such as the range and / or accuracy of measurement in the moving body 100. The sensor 5 may be installed inside the moving body 100. The inside of the moving body 100 may be, for example, a space in a bumper, a space in a body, a space in a headlight, or a driving space.

[0018] The sensor 5 transmits electromagnetic waves as transmission waves from a transmission antenna. For example, when a specific object (e.g., object 200 shown in FIG. 1) is present around the moving body 100, at least a part of the transmission wave transmitted from the sensor 5 is reflected by the object and becomes a reflected wave. Then, by receiving such a reflected wave, for example, by a receiving antenna of the sensor 5, the electronic device 1 mounted on the moving body 100 can detect the object.

[0019] The sensor 5 equipped with a transmitting antenna may typically be a RADAR (Radio Detecting and Ranging) sensor that transmits and receives radio waves. However, the sensor 5 is not limited to a radar sensor. The sensor 5 according to an embodiment may be a sensor based on, for example, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging, Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) technology using light waves. Such sensors may be configured to include, for example, a patch antenna. Technologies such as RADAR and LIDAR are already known, so detailed descriptions may be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0020] The electronic device 1 mounted on the moving body 100 shown in FIG. 1 receives, from a receiving antenna, a reflected wave of a transmission wave transmitted from a transmitting antenna of a sensor 5. In this way, the electronic device 1 can detect a predetermined object 200 that exists within a predetermined distance from the moving body 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 can measure a distance L between the moving body 100, which is the host vehicle, and the predetermined object 200. The electronic device 1 can also measure the relative speed between the moving body 100, which is the host vehicle, and the predetermined object 200. Furthermore, the electronic device 1 can also measure the direction (arrival angle θ) in which the reflected wave from the predetermined object 200 arrives at the moving body 100, which is the host vehicle.

[0021] Here, the object 200 may be, for example, at least one of an oncoming vehicle traveling in a lane adjacent to the moving body 100, a car traveling parallel to the moving body 100, and cars before and after the moving body 100 traveling in the same lane. Also, the object 200 may be a motorcycle, a bicycle, a baby stroller, or the like. The object 200 may be any object present around the moving body 100, such as a human being such as a robot, a pedestrian, an animal, an insect, or other living organism, a guardrail, a median strip, a road sign, a step on a sidewalk, a wall, an obstacle, etc. Furthermore, the object 200 may be moving or stationary. For example, the object 200 may be a car parked or stopped around the moving body 100.

[0022] In Fig. 1, the ratio between the size of the sensor 5 and the size of the moving body 100 does not necessarily represent the actual ratio. Also, in Fig. 1, the sensor 5 is shown installed outside the moving body 100. However, in one embodiment, the sensor 5 may be installed at various positions on the moving body 100. For example, in one embodiment, the sensor 5 may be installed inside the bumper of the moving body 100 so as not to be visible from the outside of the moving body 100.

[0023] In the following, as a typical example, the transmitting antenna of the sensor 5 will be described as transmitting radio waves in a frequency band such as millimeter waves (30 GHz or higher) or quasi-millimeter waves (for example, around 20 GHz to 30 GHz). For example, the transmitting antenna of the sensor 5 may transmit radio waves having a frequency bandwidth of 4 GHz, such as 77 GHz to 81 GHz.

[0024] 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment. An example of the configuration of the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment will be described below.

[0025] When measuring distances and the like using a millimeter wave radar, a frequency modulated continuous wave radar (hereinafter, referred to as FMCW radar) is often used. In an FMCW radar, a transmission signal is generated by sweeping the frequency of radio waves to be transmitted. Therefore, in a millimeter wave FMCW radar using radio waves in a frequency band of, for example, 79 GHz, the frequency of the radio waves used has a frequency bandwidth of 4 GHz, for example, 77 GHz to 81 GHz. A radar in the 79 GHz frequency band has a feature that the available frequency bandwidth is wider than other millimeter wave / quasi-millimeter wave radars in frequency bands of, for example, 24 GHz, 60 GHz, and 76 GHz. Hereinafter, such an embodiment will be described.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2, the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment includes a sensor 5 and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 50. The ECU 60 controls various operations of the moving body 100. The ECU 60 may be configured with at least one ECU. In the present disclosure, the term "electronic device" may mean, for example, the electronic device 1 (i.e., including, for example, the sensor 5 and the ECU 60) as shown in Fig. 2, or may mean, for example, the sensor 5 as shown in Fig. 2.

[0027] The electronic device 1 according to an embodiment includes a control unit 10. The electronic device 1 according to an embodiment may also include other functional units, such as a transmission unit 20 and / or reception units 30A to 30D, as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 1 may include a plurality of reception units, such as reception units 30A to 30D. Hereinafter, when there is no particular need to distinguish between reception units 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D, they will simply be referred to as "reception unit 30."

[0028] The control unit 10 may include a distance FFT processing unit 11, a speed FFT processing unit 12, an arrival angle estimation unit 13, and an object detection unit 14. These functional units included in the control unit 10 will be described in further detail below.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 2, the transmitting section 20 may include a signal generating section 21, a synthesizer 22, phase control sections 23A, 23B, and 23C, amplifiers 24A, 24B, and 24C, and transmitting antennas 26A, 26B, and 26C. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the phase control section 23A, the phase control section 23B, and the phase control section 23C, they will be simply referred to as "phase control section 23". Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the amplifiers 24A, 24B, and 24C, they will simply be referred to as "amplifiers 24." Furthermore, below, when there is no need to distinguish between the transmitting antennas 26A, 26B, and 26C, they will simply be referred to as "transmitting antennas 26."

[0030] The receiving unit 30 may include corresponding receiving antennas 31A to 31D, as shown in Fig. 2. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the receiving antennas 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D, they will be simply referred to as "receiving antennas 31". Also, as shown in Fig. 2, each of the multiple receiving units 30 may include an LNA 33, a phase control unit 34, a mixer 35, an IF unit 36, and an AD conversion unit 37. The receiving units 30A to 30D may each have the same configuration. In Fig. 2, the configuration of only the receiving unit 30A is shown roughly as a representative example.

[0031] The above-mentioned sensor 5 may include, for example, a transmitting antenna 26 and a receiving antenna 31. Furthermore, the sensor 5 may also include at least one of other functional units such as a control unit 10 as appropriate.

[0032] A control unit 10 included in the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment can control each functional unit constituting the electronic device 1 as well as the operation of the entire electronic device 1. The control unit 10 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to provide control and processing power for executing various functions. The control unit 10 may include at least one processor, such as a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). The control unit 10 may be realized by one processor, by several processors, or by individual processors. The processor may be realized as a single integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is also called an integrated circuit (IC). The processor may be realized as a plurality of integrated circuits and discrete circuits connected in a communicable manner. The processor may be realized based on various other known technologies. In one embodiment, the control unit 10 may be configured as, for example, a CPU and a program executed by the CPU. The control unit 10 may include any memory as appropriate. In one embodiment, the any memory may store various parameters for setting a range in which an object is detected by the transmission wave T transmitted from the transmission antenna 26 and the reflected wave R received from the reception antenna 31.

[0033] In the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment, the control unit 10 can control at least one of the transmission unit 20 and the reception unit 30. In this case, the control unit 10 may control at least one of the transmission unit 20 and the reception unit 30 based on various information stored in, for example, an arbitrary memory. Also, in the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment, the control unit 10 may instruct the signal generation unit 21 to generate a signal, or control the signal generation unit 21 to generate a signal.

[0034] The signal generating unit 21 generates a signal (transmission signal) to be transmitted as a transmission wave T from the transmission antenna 26 under the control of the control unit 10. When generating the transmission signal, the signal generating unit 21 may assign a frequency of the transmission signal based on the control of the control unit 10, for example. Specifically, the signal generating unit 21 may assign a frequency of the transmission signal according to parameters set by the control unit 10. For example, the signal generating unit 21 receives frequency information from the control unit 10 to generate a signal of a predetermined frequency in a frequency band such as 77 to 81 GHz. The signal generating unit 21 may be configured to include a functional unit such as a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO).

[0035] The signal generating unit 21 may be configured as hardware having the relevant function, or may be configured as a microcomputer, or may be configured as a processor such as a CPU and a program executed by the processor. Each of the functional units described below may also be configured as hardware having the relevant function, or may be configured as a microcomputer, if possible. Alternatively, the control unit 10 may be configured as a processor such as a CPU and a program executed by the processor.

[0036] In the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment, the signal generating unit 21 may generate a transmission signal (transmission chirp signal) such as a chirp signal. In particular, the signal generating unit 21 may generate a signal (linear chirp signal) whose frequency changes periodically and linearly. For example, the signal generating unit 21 may generate a chirp signal whose frequency increases periodically and linearly from 77 GHz to 81 GHz over time. Also, for example, the signal generating unit 21 may generate a signal whose frequency periodically repeats a linear increase (up chirp) and decrease (down chirp) from 77 GHz to 81 GHz over time. The signal generated by the signal generating unit 21 may be set in advance in, for example, the control unit 10. Also, the signal generated by the signal generating unit 21 may be stored in advance in, for example, any memory. Since chirp signals used in technical fields such as radar are known, a more detailed description will be appropriately simplified or omitted. The signal generated by the signal generating unit 21 is supplied to the synthesizer 22.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a chirp signal generated by the signal generating unit 21. As shown in FIG.

[0038] In Fig. 3, the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time, and the vertical axis represents the frequency. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the signal generating unit 21 generates a linear chirp signal whose frequency changes periodically and linearly. In Fig. 3, each chirp signal is shown as c1, c2, ..., c8. As shown in Fig. 3, in each chirp signal, the frequency increases linearly with the passage of time.

[0039] In the example shown in FIG. 3, eight chirp signals such as c1, c2, ..., c8 are included in one subframe. That is, subframe 1 and subframe 2 shown in FIG. 3 are each configured to include eight chirp signals such as c1, c2, ..., c8. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 3, 16 subframes such as subframe 1 to subframe 16 are included in one frame. That is, frame 1 and frame 2 shown in FIG. 3 are each configured to include 16 subframes. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a frame interval of a predetermined length may be included between frames. One frame shown in FIG. 3 may be, for example, about 30 milliseconds to 50 milliseconds long.

[0040] In Fig. 3, frame 2 and onwards may have the same configuration. Also, in Fig. 3, frame 3 and onwards may have the same configuration. In the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment, the signal generating unit 21 may generate a transmission signal as an arbitrary number of frames. Also, in Fig. 3, some chirp signals are omitted. In this manner, the relationship between time and frequency of the transmission signal generated by the signal generating unit 21 may be stored in, for example, an arbitrary memory.

[0041] In this way, the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment may transmit a transmission signal composed of subframes including a plurality of chirp signals. Also, the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment may transmit a transmission signal composed of a frame including a predetermined number of subframes.

[0042] Hereinafter, the electronic device 1 will be described as transmitting a transmission signal having a frame structure as shown in FIG. 3. However, the frame structure as shown in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and the number of chirp signals included in one subframe is not limited to eight. In one embodiment, the signal generating unit 21 may generate a subframe including any number of chirp signals (for example, any multiple). The subframe structure as shown in FIG. 3 is also merely an example, and the number of subframes included in one frame is not limited to 16. In one embodiment, the signal generating unit 21 may generate a frame including any number of subframes (for example, any multiple). The signal generating unit 21 may generate signals of different frequencies. The signal generating unit 21 may generate a plurality of discrete signals whose frequency f has different bandwidths.

[0043] Returning to FIG. 2, the synthesizer 22 increases the frequency of the signal generated by the signal generating unit 21 to a frequency in a predetermined frequency band. The synthesizer 22 may increase the frequency of the signal generated by the signal generating unit 21 to a frequency selected as the frequency of the transmission wave T to be transmitted from the transmitting antenna 26. The frequency selected as the frequency of the transmission wave T to be transmitted from the transmitting antenna 26 may be set by, for example, the control unit 10. For example, the frequency selected as the frequency of the transmission wave T to be transmitted from the transmitting antenna 26 may be the frequency selected by the control unit 10. In addition, the frequency selected as the frequency of the transmission wave T to be transmitted from the transmitting antenna 26 may be stored in, for example, any memory. The signal whose frequency has been increased by the synthesizer 22 is supplied to the phase control unit 23 and the mixer 35. When there are multiple phase control units 23, the signal whose frequency has been increased by the synthesizer 22 may be supplied to each of the multiple phase control units 23. Furthermore, when there are multiple receiving sections 30 , the signal whose frequency has been increased by the synthesizer 22 may be supplied to the mixers 35 in each of the multiple receiving sections 30 .

[0044] The phase control section 23 controls (adjusts) the phase of the transmission signal supplied from the synthesizer 22. Specifically, the phase control section 23 may adjust the phase of the transmission signal by appropriately advancing or delaying the phase of the signal supplied from the synthesizer 22 based on the control by the control section 10, for example. In this case, the phase control section 23 may adjust the phase of each transmission signal based on the path difference of each transmission wave T transmitted from the multiple transmission antennas 26. By the phase control section 23 appropriately adjusting the phase of each transmission signal, the transmission waves T transmitted from the multiple transmission antennas 26 reinforce each other in a predetermined direction to form a beam (beamforming). In this case, the correlation between the direction of beamforming and the phase amount to be controlled of the transmission signal transmitted by each of the multiple transmission antennas 26 may be stored in, for example, an arbitrary memory. The phase control section 23 may be configured to include, for example, an arbitrary phase shifter. The transmission signal phase-controlled by the phase control section 23 is supplied to the amplifier 24.

[0045] The amplifier 24 amplifies the power of the transmission signal supplied from the phase control section 23, for example, based on the control by the control section 10. When the sensor 5 includes a plurality of transmission antennas 26, the plurality of amplifiers 24 may respectively amplify the power of the transmission signal supplied from each of the plurality of phase control sections 23 corresponding thereto, for example, based on the control by the control section 10. The technology itself for amplifying the power of the transmission signal is already known, so a detailed description will be omitted. The amplifier 24 is connected to the transmission antenna 26.

[0046] The transmitting antenna 26 outputs (transmits) the transmission signal amplified by the amplifier 24 as a transmission wave T. When the sensor 5 includes a plurality of transmitting antennas 26, the plurality of transmitting antennas 26 may output (transmit) the transmission signals amplified by corresponding ones of the plurality of amplifiers 24 as transmission waves T. The transmitting antenna 26 can be configured in the same manner as a transmitting antenna used in known radar technology, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] In this way, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment includes a transmitting antenna 26, and can transmit a transmission signal (e.g., a transmitting chirp signal) as a transmission wave T from the transmitting antenna 26. Here, at least one of the functional units constituting the electronic device 1 may be housed in a single housing. In addition, in this case, the single housing may have a structure that makes it difficult to open. For example, it is preferable that the transmitting antenna 26, the receiving antenna 31, and the amplifier 24 are housed in a single housing, and that this housing has a structure that makes it difficult to open. Furthermore, In the case where the sensor 5 is installed in a moving body 100 such as an automobile, the transmitting antenna 26 may transmit the transmission wave T to the outside of the moving body 100 via a cover member such as a radar cover. In this case, the radar cover may be made of a material that transmits electromagnetic waves, such as synthetic resin or rubber. This radar cover may be, for example, a housing for the sensor 5. By covering the transmitting antenna 26 with a member such as a radar cover, it is possible to reduce the risk that the transmitting antenna 26 will be damaged or malfunction due to contact with the outside. The above-mentioned radar cover and housing may also be called a radome.

[0048] The electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 2 shows an example having three transmitting antennas 26. However, in one embodiment, the electronic device 1 may have any number of transmitting antennas 26. On the other hand, in one embodiment, the electronic device 1 may have a plurality of transmitting antennas 26 when the transmitting wave T transmitted from the transmitting antenna 26 forms a beam in a predetermined direction. In one embodiment, the electronic device 1 may also have a plurality of phase control units 23 and amplifiers 24 corresponding to the plurality of transmitting antennas 26. The plurality of phase control units 23 may control the phases of the plurality of transmitting waves supplied from the synthesizer 22 and transmitted from the plurality of transmitting antennas 26, respectively. The plurality of amplifiers 24 may amplify the power of the plurality of transmitting signals transmitted from the plurality of transmitting antennas 26, respectively. In this case, the sensor 5 may be configured to include a plurality of transmitting antennas. In this way, when the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 2 has a plurality of transmitting antennas 26, it may also be configured to include a plurality of functional units required for transmitting the transmitting wave T from the plurality of transmitting antennas 26.

[0049] The receiving antenna 31 receives a reflected wave R. The reflected wave R is a transmission wave T reflected by a predetermined object 200. The receiving antenna 31 may be configured to include a plurality of antennas, for example, receiving antennas 31A to 31D. The receiving antenna 31 can be configured in the same manner as a receiving antenna used in known radar technology, and therefore a detailed description will be omitted. The receiving antenna 31 is connected to the LNA 33. A reception signal based on the reflected wave R received by the receiving antenna 31 is supplied to the LNA 33.

[0050] The electronic device 1 according to an embodiment can receive a reflected wave R that is a result of a transmission wave T transmitted as a transmission signal (transmission chirp signal) such as a chirp signal from a plurality of receiving antennas 31 and reflected by a predetermined object 200. In this way, when a transmission chirp signal is transmitted as the transmission wave T, a reception signal based on the received reflection wave R is referred to as a reception chirp signal. That is, the electronic device 1 receives a reception signal (e.g., a reception chirp signal) as a reflection wave R from the receiving antenna 31. Here, when the sensor 5 is installed in a moving body 100 such as an automobile, the receiving antenna 31 may receive the reflected wave R from the outside of the moving body 100 through a cover member such as a radar cover. In this case, the radar cover may be made of a material that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through, such as synthetic resin or rubber. This radar cover may be, for example, a housing for the sensor 5. By covering the receiving antenna 31 with a member such as a radar cover, the risk of the receiving antenna 31 being damaged or defective due to contact with the outside can be reduced. The above-mentioned radar cover and housing may also be called a radome.

[0051] Furthermore, when the receiving antenna 31 is installed near the transmitting antenna 26, these may be configured to be collectively included in one sensor 5. That is, one sensor 5 may include, for example, at least one transmitting antenna 26 and at least one receiving antenna 31. For example, one sensor 5 may include a plurality of transmitting antennas 26 and a plurality of receiving antennas 31. In such a case, one radar sensor may be covered with a cover member such as, for example, a radar cover.

[0052] The LNA 33 converts the received signal based on the reflected wave R received by the receiving antenna 31 into a low-noise signal. The LNA 33 may be a low noise amplifier, and amplifies the reception signal supplied from the reception antenna 31 with low noise. The reception signal amplified by the LNA 33 is supplied to a phase control unit .

[0053] The phase control unit 34 controls (adjusts) the phase of the reception signal supplied from the LNA 33. Specifically, the phase control unit 34 may adjust the phase of the reception signal by appropriately advancing or delaying the phase of the signal supplied from the LNA 33 based on, for example, the control by the control unit 10. In this case, the phase control unit 34 may adjust the phase of each reception signal based on the path difference of each reflected wave R received from the multiple reception antennas 31. In this case, the phase amount to be controlled of the reception signal received from each of the multiple reception antennas 31 may be stored in, for example, an arbitrary memory. The phase control unit 34 may be configured to include, for example, an arbitrary phase shifter. The transmission signal phase-controlled by the phase control unit 34 is supplied to the mixer 35.

[0054] Mixer 35 generates a beat signal by mixing (multiplying) the RF frequency reception signal supplied from phase control unit 34 with the transmission signal supplied from synthesizer 22. The beat signal mixed by mixer 35 is supplied to IF unit 36.

[0055] The IF unit 36 ​​reduces the frequency of the beat signal supplied from the mixer 35 to an intermediate frequency (IF frequency). The beat signal whose frequency has been reduced by the IF unit 36 ​​is supplied to an AD conversion unit 37.

[0056] The AD conversion unit 37 digitizes the analog beat signal supplied from the IF unit 36. The AD conversion unit 37 may be configured with any analog-to-digital conversion circuit (Analog to Digital Converter (ADC)). The beat signal digitized by the AD conversion unit 37 is supplied to the distance FFT processing unit 11 of the control unit 10. When there are multiple receiving units 30, each of the beat signals digitized by the multiple AD conversion units 37 may be supplied to the distance FFT processing unit 11.

[0057] The distance FFT processing unit 11 estimates the distance between the moving body 100 mounting the electronic device 1 and the object 200 based on the beat signal supplied from the AD conversion unit 37. The distance FFT processing unit 11 may include, for example, a processing unit that performs a fast Fourier transform. In this case, the distance FFT processing unit 11 may be configured with any circuit or chip that performs a fast Fourier transform (FFT) process.

[0058] The distance FFT processing unit 11 performs FFT processing on the beat signal digitized by the AD conversion unit 37 (hereinafter, referred to as "distance FFT processing" as appropriate). For example, the distance FFT processing unit 11 may perform FFT processing on the complex signal supplied from the AD conversion unit 37. The beat signal digitized by the AD conversion unit 37 can be expressed as a time change in signal strength (power). The distance FFT processing unit 11 can express the beat signal as a signal strength (power) corresponding to each frequency by performing FFT processing on such a beat signal. If a peak is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold in the result obtained by the distance FFT processing, the distance FFT processing unit 11 may determine that a predetermined object 200 is present at a distance corresponding to the peak. For example, a method is known in which, when a peak value equal to or greater than a threshold is detected from the average power or amplitude of a disturbance signal, an object reflecting a transmission wave (a reflecting object) is present, as in a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detection process.

[0059] In this manner, the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment detects the object 200 that reflects the transmission wave T based on the transmission signal transmitted as the transmission wave T and the reception signal received as the reflected wave R. It can be put out.

[0060] The distance FFT processing unit 11 can estimate the distance to a predetermined object based on one chirp signal (e.g., c1 shown in FIG. 3). That is, the electronic device 1 can measure (estimate) the distance L shown in FIG. 1 by performing distance FFT processing. Since the technology for measuring (estimating) the distance to a predetermined object by performing FFT processing on a beat signal is well known, a more detailed description will be appropriately simplified or omitted. The result of the distance FFT processing performed by the distance FFT processing unit 11 (e.g., distance information) may be supplied to the velocity FFT processing unit 12. In addition, the result of the distance FFT processing performed by the distance FFT processing unit 11 may also be supplied to the object detection unit 14.

[0061] The velocity FFT processing unit 12 estimates the relative velocity between the moving body 100 mounting the electronic device 1 and the object 200, based on the beat signal on which the distance FFT processing has been performed by the distance FFT processing unit 11. The velocity FFT processing unit 12 may include, for example, a processing unit that performs a fast Fourier transform. In this case, the velocity FFT processing unit 12 may be configured with any circuit or chip that performs a fast Fourier transform (FFT) process.

[0062] The velocity FFT processing unit 12 further performs FFT processing on the beat signal that has been subjected to the distance FFT processing by the distance FFT processing unit 11 (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "velocity FFT processing"). For example, the velocity FFT processing unit 12 may perform FFT processing on the complex signal supplied from the distance FFT processing unit 11. The velocity FFT processing unit 12 can estimate the relative velocity with respect to a predetermined object based on a subframe of the chirp signal (for example, subframe 1 shown in FIG. 3). When the distance FFT processing is performed on the beat signal as described above, a plurality of vectors can be generated. The relative velocity with respect to the predetermined object can be estimated by determining the phase of the peak in the result of performing the velocity FFT processing on these plurality of vectors. That is, the electronic device 1 can measure (estimate) the relative velocity between the moving body 100 and the predetermined object 200 shown in FIG. 1 by performing the velocity FFT processing. The technology itself for measuring (estimating) the relative velocity with respect to a predetermined object by performing the velocity FFT processing on the result of performing the distance FFT processing is known, so a more detailed description will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. The result of the velocity FFT processing performed by the velocity FFT processing unit 12 (e.g., velocity information) may be supplied to the arrival angle estimation unit 13. In addition, the result of the velocity FFT processing performed by the velocity FFT processing unit 12 may also be supplied to the object detection unit 14.

[0063] The arrival angle estimation unit 13 estimates the direction in which the reflected wave R arrives from the predetermined object 200 based on the result of the velocity FFT processing performed by the velocity FFT processing unit 12. The electronic device 1 can estimate the direction in which the reflected wave R arrives by receiving the reflected wave R from the multiple receiving antennas 31. For example, the multiple receiving antennas 31 are arranged at a predetermined interval. In this case, the transmission wave T transmitted from the transmission antenna 26 is reflected by the predetermined object 200 to become the reflected wave R, and the multiple receiving antennas 31 arranged at a predetermined interval each receive the reflected wave R. Then, the arrival angle estimation unit 13 can estimate the direction in which the reflected wave R arrives at the receiving antenna 31 based on the phase of the reflected wave R received by each of the multiple receiving antennas 31 and the path difference of each reflected wave R. That is, the electronic device 1 can measure (estimate) the arrival angle θ shown in FIG. 1 based on the result of the velocity FFT processing.

[0064] Various techniques have been proposed for estimating the direction from which the reflected wave R arrives based on the results of the velocity FFT processing. For example, known algorithms for estimating the direction of arrival include MUSIC (MUltiple SIgnal Classification) and ESPRIT (Estimation of Signal Parameters via Rotational Invariance Technique). Therefore, detailed descriptions of known techniques will be appropriately simplified or omitted. Information on the arrival angle θ estimated thereby (angle information) may be supplied to the object detection unit 14.

[0065] The object detection unit 14 detects an object present in the range where the transmission wave T is transmitted based on information supplied from at least one of the distance FFT processing unit 11, the speed FFT processing unit 12, and the arrival angle estimation unit 13. The object detection unit 14 may perform object detection by, for example, clustering processing based on the supplied distance information, speed information, and angle information. For example, DBSCAN (Density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise) is known as an algorithm used for clustering data. In the clustering processing, for example, the average power of points constituting the detected object may be calculated. Information on the distance, speed, angle, and power of the object detected by the object detection unit 14 may be supplied to the ECU 60. In this case, when the moving body 100 is an automobile, communication may be performed using a communication interface such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0066] The control unit 10 sets various parameters that define a transmission signal and a reception signal for detecting an object that reflects the transmission wave T as a reflected wave R. That is, the control unit 10 sets various parameters for transmitting the transmission wave T from the transmission antenna 26 and various parameters for receiving the reflected wave R from the reception antenna 31.

[0067] In particular, in one embodiment, the control unit 10 may set various parameters related to the transmission of the transmission wave T and the reception of the reflected wave R in order to detect an object. For example, the control unit 10 may specify a desired range for receiving the reflected wave R in order to receive the reflected wave R and detect an object in the object detection range. Also, for example, the control unit 10 may specify a desired range for directing the beam of the transmission wave T in order to transmit the transmission wave T from the multiple transmitting antennas 26 and detect an object in the object detection range. In addition, the control unit 10 may set various parameters for transmitting the transmission wave T and receiving the reflected wave R.

[0068] The various parameters set by the control unit 10 may be supplied to the signal generation unit 21. This allows the signal generation unit 21 to generate a transmission signal to be transmitted as a transmission wave T based on the various parameters set by the control unit 10. The various parameters set by the control unit 10 may be supplied to the object detection unit 14. This allows the object detection unit 14 to perform processing to detect an object within an object detection range determined based on the various parameters set by the control unit 10.

[0069] The ECU 60 included in the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment can control the operation of the entire mobile body 100, including the control of each functional unit constituting the mobile body 100. The ECU 60 may include at least one processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), to provide control and processing power for executing various functions. The ECU 60 may be realized as one processor, several processors, or individual processors. The processor may be realized as a single integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is also called an IC (Integrated Circuit). The processor may be realized as a plurality of integrated circuits and discrete circuits connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other. The processor may be realized based on various other known technologies. In an embodiment, the ECU 60 may be configured as, for example, a CPU and a program executed by the CPU. The ECU 60 may include a memory required for the operation of the ECU 60 as appropriate. In addition, at least a part of the functions of the control unit 10 may be the functions of the ECU 60, or at least a part of the functions of the ECU 60 may be the functions of the control unit 10.

[0070] The electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 2 has three transmitting antennas 26 and four receiving antennas 31. However, the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment may include any number of transmitting antennas 26 and any number of receiving antennas 31. In this manner, the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment may include a number of transmitting antennas 26 that transmit transmission waves and a number of receiving antennas 31 that receive reflected waves of the transmission waves. For example, by including two transmitting antennas 26 and four receiving antennas 31, the electronic device 1 can be considered to include a virtual antenna array consisting of eight virtual antennas. In this manner, the electronic device 1 may receive reflected waves R of the 16 subframes shown in FIG. 3 by using, for example, eight virtual antennas.

[0071] Next, the configuration of the sensor 5 included in the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment will be further described. First, before showing a specific configuration of the sensor 5 included in the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment, a sensor that is generally assumed to be a device such as a known radar sensor will be described.

[0072] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a comparative example for explaining the arrangement of a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, and electronic components in the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment. That is, Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a sensor assumed to be compared with the sensor 5 included in the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0073] 4 includes a plurality of transmitting antennas 26, a plurality of receiving antennas 31, and an electronic component 40. The plurality of transmitting antennas 26, the plurality of receiving antennas 31, and the electronic component 40 may be arranged on a planar substrate parallel to the XY plane, for example.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 4, the sensor 50 may include, for example, a transmitting antenna 26A, a transmitting antenna 26B, and a transmitting antenna 26C. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the transmitting antennas 26A, 26B, and 26C, they will be simply referred to as "transmitting antennas 26." The multiple transmitting antennas 26 shown in Fig. 4 may correspond to, for example, the multiple transmitting antennas 26 described in Fig. 2.

[0075] 4, the sensor 50 may include, for example, a receiving antenna 31A, a receiving antenna 31B, a receiving antenna 31C, and a receiving antenna 31D. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the receiving antennas 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D, they will be simply referred to as "receiving antennas 31." The multiple receiving antennas 31 shown in FIG. 4 may correspond to, for example, the multiple receiving antennas 31 described in FIG. 2.

[0076] Each of the multiple transmitting antennas 26 and the multiple receiving antennas 31 shown in FIG. 4 is shown as four patch antennas (microstrip antennas) connected in series in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 4). However, each of the multiple transmitting antennas 26 and the multiple receiving antennas 31 may be an arbitrary number of patch antennas, or may be antennas of other shapes. Furthermore, the patch antennas of each of the multiple transmitting antennas 26 and the multiple receiving antennas 31 shown in FIG. 4 are arranged with the same position in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 4). However, the patch antennas of each of the multiple transmitting antennas 26 and the multiple receiving antennas 31 may be arranged with different positions in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 4). Furthermore, each of the patch antennas of each of the multiple transmitting antennas 26 and the multiple receiving antennas 31 shown in FIG. 4 is shown as a square (rectangular) microstrip antenna, but may be another shape, such as a circular microstrip antenna.

[0077] The electronic component 40 shown in Fig. 4 may be a component including at least a part of the functions of at least any of the transmitting unit 20, the receiving unit 30, and the control unit 10 shown in Fig. 2. Moreover, the electronic component 40 shown in Fig. 4 may be a component including all of the functions of the transmitting unit 20, the receiving unit 30, and the control unit 10 shown in Fig. 2.

[0078] 4 may output transmission signals to a plurality of transmitting antennas 26, and may receive reception signals from a plurality of receiving antennas 31. The electronic component 40 may be a packaged semiconductor integrated circuit, such as a chip or a die. In one embodiment, the electronic component 40 may be, for example, a system-on-a-chip (SoC). That is, the electronic component 40 may be an integrated circuit product designed to integrate functions of a general microcontroller, such as a processor core, and other functions for application purposes on a single chip of the integrated circuit, and to function as a system in cooperation with these functions.

[0079] Here, as shown in Fig. 4, electronic component 40 may have, for example, a rectangular shape. For example, electronic component 40 may have at least a first side 41 and a second side 42 as shown in Fig. 4. In electronic component 40 shown in Fig. 4, first side 41 may be, for example, a side that is substantially vertical, i.e., substantially parallel to the Y-axis direction shown in Fig. 4. Also, in electronic component 40 shown in Fig. 4, second side 42 may be, for example, a side that is substantially horizontal, i.e., substantially parallel to the X-axis direction shown in Fig. 4.

[0080] A first side 41 of the electronic component 40 shown in Fig. 4 may be a side on which a plurality of transmitting terminals (e.g., p1 to p3) are arranged, which output transmitting signals to the plurality of transmitting antennas 26, respectively. The plurality of transmitting terminals such as p1 to p3 shown in Fig. 4 may be, for example, output ports. As shown in Fig. 4, the feeding points (f1 to f3) of the plurality of transmitting antennas 26A to 26C and the plurality of corresponding transmitting terminals (p1 to p3) on the first side 41 of the electronic component 40 may be connected by transmission lines (25A to 25C), respectively.

[0081] The second side 42 of the electronic component 40 shown in Fig. 4 may be a side on which a plurality of receiving terminals (e.g., p4 to p7) are arranged to receive received signals from the plurality of receiving antennas 31. The plurality of receiving terminals such as p4 to p7 shown in Fig. 4 may be, for example, input ports. As shown in Fig. 4, the feeding points (f4 to f7) of the plurality of receiving antennas 31A to 31D and the corresponding plurality of receiving terminals (p4 to p7) on the second side 42 of the electronic component 40 may be connected by transmission lines (32A to 32D).

[0082] The sensor 50 shown in Fig. 4 may control the phase of each RF signal output to the power feed points (f1 to f3) of the multiple transmitting antennas 26. This allows the sensor 50 shown in Fig. 4 to control the directivity of the multiple transmitting antennas 26. Here, as shown in Fig. 4, the transmission lines (25A to 25C) from the multiple transmitting terminals (p1 to p3) of the electronic component 40 to the power feed points (f1 to f3) of the multiple transmitting antennas 26 may each be wiring of the same length. This allows the sensor 50 to reduce the phase difference of the transmission signals in the multiple transmitting antennas 26 to zero.

[0083] In this manner, the transmission lines (25A to 25C) of the transmission signals may be made the same length in the sensor 50. As a result, when the initial value of the phase of the signal transmitted from the multiple transmitting terminals (p1 to p3) in the electronic component 40 is set to 0 deg., when power is supplied to each of the multiple transmitting antennas 26 with zero phase difference, the directivity of the composite power can be set to 0 deg. by software processing.

[0084] 4 may detect a phase difference between RF signals input from multiple receiving antennas 31 to multiple receiving terminals (p4 to p7) in electronic component 40. This allows sensor 50 shown in FIG. 4 to estimate the direction of arrival of a reflected wave that is a transmitted wave reflected by an object (for example, ESPRIT method). Here, as shown in FIG. 4, transmission lines (32A to 32D) from the feeding points (f4 to f7) of multiple receiving antennas 31 to the multiple receiving terminals (p4 to p7) in electronic component 40 may each be wiring of the same length. This enables the sensor 50 to reduce the phase difference between the signals received by the multiple receiving antennas 31 to zero.

[0085] In this way, the transmission lines (32A to 32D) of the received signals may be made the same length in the sensor 50. This makes it possible to set the phase difference of the signals when the arrival direction is 0 deg. to 0 deg. by software processing when estimating the arrival direction of the reflected wave using the phase difference of the signals received from the multiple receiving antennas 31.

[0086] As described above, by making the transmission lines (25A to 25C) of the transmission signals and / or the transmission lines (32A to 32D) of the reception signals the same length, the initial value of the phase difference between the signals can be set to 0 deg.

[0087] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the transmission lines (25A to 25C) of the transmission signals and / or the transmission lines (32A to 32D) of the reception signals are made the same length, at least a part of the transmission lines must be wired so as to make a detour. For example, the transmission line 25C shown in FIG. 4 is wired so as to make a detour on the board compared to the transmission lines 25A and 25B. Also, the transmission lines 32B and 32C shown in FIG. 4 are wired so as to make a detour on the board compared to the transmission lines 32A and 32D. A transmission path wired so as to make a detour on the board in this way is longer than a transmission line connected by the shortest route. When the transmission line is longer, the loss of the signal passing through the transmission line may increase. Also, when the transmission line is detoured on the board, the mounting area of ​​the transmission line on the board increases, which may make it difficult to miniaturize the device.

[0088] Therefore, in the sensor 5 according to one embodiment, the transmission line of the transmission signal and / or the transmission line of the reception signal is made as short as possible. Such an embodiment will be further described below.

[0089] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sensor 5 according to an embodiment. That is, Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a plurality of transmitting antennas 26, a plurality of receiving antennas 31, and an electronic component 40 in an electronic device (sensor 5) according to an embodiment.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 5, in the sensor 5 according to the embodiment, first, the transmission lines (25A to 25C) of the transmission signals and the transmission lines (32A to 32D) of the reception signals are shaped differently from those of the sensor 50 shown in FIG. 4. That is, in the sensor 5 shown in FIG. 5, the transmission lines (25A to 25C) of the transmission signals and the transmission lines (32A to 32D) of the reception signals are each linearly wired. Therefore, in the sensor 5 shown in FIG. 5, the transmission lines (25A to 25C) of the transmission signals and the transmission lines (32A to 32D) of the reception signals can be made to have lengths that are the shortest paths or close to the shortest paths. In the sensor 5 according to the embodiment, the electronic component 40 realizes a function different from that of the electronic component 40 of the sensor 50 shown in FIG. 4.

[0091] In other respects than those described above, the sensor 5 according to one embodiment can have the same configuration as the sensor 50 shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, hereinafter, descriptions that are the same as or similar to the sensor 50 shown in Fig. 4 will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0092] In this manner, in the electronic device (sensor 5) according to one embodiment, the feed points (f1 to f3) of the multiple transmitting antennas 26 may be connected to the multiple transmitting terminals (p1 to p3) by the transmission lines (25A to 25C), respectively. Also, in the electronic device (sensor 5) according to one embodiment, the feed points (f4 to f7) of the multiple receiving antennas 31 may be connected to the multiple receiving terminals (p4 to p7) by the transmission lines (32A to 32D), respectively.

[0093] In addition, in the electronic device (sensor 5) according to one embodiment, the feed points (f1 to f3) of the multiple transmitting antennas 26 may be connected to the multiple transmitting terminals (p1 to p3) by the transmission lines (25A to 25C) of the shortest paths, respectively. Similarly, in the electronic device (sensor 5) according to one embodiment, the feed points (f4 to f7) of the multiple receiving antennas 31 may be connected to the multiple receiving terminals (p4 to p7) by the transmission lines (32A to 32D) of the shortest paths, respectively.

[0094] 4, the electronic component 40 of the sensor 5 shown in Fig. 5 outputs transmission signals to the multiple transmitting antennas 26 and receives reception signals from the multiple receiving antennas 31. Meanwhile, in the sensor 5 shown in Fig. 5, the electronic component 40 has at least one of the functions of the phase control unit 23 of the transmitting unit 20 and the phase control unit 34 of the receiving unit 30 shown in Fig. 2. Moreover, the electronic component 40 of the sensor 5 shown in Fig. 5 may also have other functions as appropriate in addition to the function of at least one of the phase control unit 23 of the transmitting unit 20 and the phase control unit 34 of the receiving unit 30 shown in Fig. 2.

[0095] The electronic component 40 shown in FIG. 5 controls (adjusts) the phases of the transmission signals output from the multiple transmission terminals (p1 to p3) to the multiple transmission antennas 26 by the function of the phase control unit 23 of the transmitter 20. Here, the phase control unit 23 of the transmitter 20 may adjust the phase of the transmission signal according to the length of each of the multiple transmission lines (25A to 25C) of the transmission signal. In general, the longer the multiple transmission lines of the transmission signal, the more delayed the signal transmission. For this reason, the phase control unit 23 of the transmitter 20 may, for example, adjust the phase of the signal to be advanced in advance for the longer one of the multiple transmission lines of the transmission signal. Also, the phase control unit 23 of the transmitter 20 may, for example, adjust the phase of the transmission signal so that the phases of the transmission signal are aligned at the power feeding points (f1 to f3) of the multiple transmission antennas 26.

[0096] In this manner, the electronic component 40 may adjust the phase of the transmission signal output from each of the multiple transmission terminals (p1 to p3). In this case, the electronic component 40 may adjust the phase of the transmission signal output from each of the multiple transmission terminals (p1 to p3) in accordance with the length of each of the transmission lines (25A to 25C) from the multiple transmission terminals (p1 to p3) to the feed points (f1 to f3) of the multiple transmission antennas 26. In particular, the electronic component 40 may adjust the phase of the transmission signal so that the phases of the transmission signals output from each of the multiple transmission terminals (p1 to p3) are aligned at the feed points (f1 to f3) of the multiple transmission antennas 26.

[0097] 5, the phase of the received signal input from the multiple receiving antennas 31 to the multiple receiving terminals (p4 to p7) is controlled (adjusted) by the function of the phase control unit 34 of the receiving unit 30. Here, the phase control unit 34 of the receiving unit 30 may adjust the phase of the received signal according to the length of each of the multiple transmission lines (32A to 32D) of the received signal. In general, the longer the multiple transmission lines of the received signal, the more delayed the signal transmission. For this reason, the phase control unit 34 of the receiving unit 30 may adjust, for example, the longer the multiple transmission lines of the received signal, so as to advance the phase of the signal. Furthermore, the phase control unit 34 of the receiving unit 30 may adjust, for example, the phase of the received signal so that the phase of the received signal is aligned at the multiple receiving terminals (p4 to p7) of the electronic component 40.

[0098] In this manner, the electronic component 40 may adjust the phases of the reception signals input to the multiple reception terminals (p4 to p7), respectively. In this case, the electronic component 40 may adjust the phases of the reception signals input to the multiple reception terminals (p4 to p7) in accordance with the lengths of the transmission lines (32A to 32D) from the feed points (f4 to f7) of the multiple reception antennas 31 to the multiple reception terminals (p4 to p7). In particular, the electronic component 40 may adjust the phases of the reception signals input to the multiple reception terminals (p4 to p7) so that the phases of the reception signals are aligned.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 5, the transmission lines (25A to 25C) from the multiple transmission terminals (p1 to p3) to the power feed points (f1 to f3) of the multiple transmission antennas 26 are different in length. Therefore, when the phase difference between the transmission signals output from the multiple transmission terminals (p1 to p3) is 0 deg., a phase difference occurs in the transmission signals at the power feed points (f1 to f3) of the multiple transmission antennas 26. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the phase variation in the transmission line 25A is δ1, the phase variation in the transmission line 25B is δ2, and the phase variation in the transmission line 25C is δ3. In this case, the relationship δ1>δ2>δ3 holds.

[0100] Similarly, a phase difference occurs in the received signals at the feeding points (f4 to f7) of the multiple receiving antennas 31. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 5, the phase variation in the transmission line 32A is δ4, the phase variation in the transmission line 32B is δ5, the phase variation in the transmission line 32C is δ6, and the phase variation in the transmission line 32D is δ7. In this case, the relationship δ4=δ7>δ5=δ6 holds. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the transmission lines 32A and 32D have the same length, and the transmission lines 32B and 32C have the same length.

[0101] Based on the above-mentioned relationship, the phase control section 23 and / or the phase control section 34 may offset the phases of the signals at the multiple transmitting terminals (p1 to p3) and / or the multiple receiving terminals (p4 to p7). This allows the phase control section 23 of the electronic component 40 to align the phase differences of the signals between the multiple transmitting terminals (p1 to p3) of the electronic component 40 and the feeding points (f1 to f3) of the multiple transmitting antennas 26. Furthermore, the phase control section 34 of the electronic component 40 can align the phase differences of the signals between the feeding points (f4 to f37) of the multiple receiving antennas 31 and the multiple receiving terminals (p4 to p7) of the electronic component 40.

[0102] Here, the phase shift amount of the transmitting terminal p1 is 0 deg., the phase shift amount of the transmitting terminal p2 is δ2 deg., and the phase shift amount of the transmitting terminal p3 is δ3 deg. (δ3>δ2). The phase shift amount of the receiving terminal p4 and the receiving terminal p7 is 0 deg., and the phase shift amount of the receiving terminal p5 and the receiving terminal p6 is δ5 deg. By setting the above phase shift amounts as initial values ​​and varying the phase differences of the signals in the multiple transmitting antennas 26, the sensor 5 according to the embodiment can obtain the desired directivity of the transmitted wave. Similarly, the sensor 5 according to the embodiment can estimate the arrival direction of the reflected wave by the multiple receiving antennas 31.

[0103] In this manner, the electronic device (sensor 5) according to the embodiment includes a plurality of transmitting antennas 26, a plurality of receiving antennas 31, and an electronic component 40. Here, the plurality of transmitting antennas 26 transmit a transmission wave. Furthermore, the plurality of receiving antennas 31 receive a reflected wave resulting from reflection of the transmission wave. Furthermore, the electronic component 40 outputs a transmission signal to the plurality of transmitting antennas 25, and receives a reception signal from the plurality of receiving antennas 31. Furthermore, in this manner, the electronic device (sensor 5) according to the embodiment can detect an object in the same manner as a normal radar sensor or the like. That is, the electronic device (sensor 5) according to the embodiment may detect an object that reflects a transmission wave based on a transmission signal transmitted as a transmission wave and a reception signal received as a reflected wave.

[0104] 5, in one embodiment, the electronic component 40 may have a first side 41 and a second side 42. Here, the first side 41 may be a side along which a plurality of transmitting terminals (e.g., p1 to p3) that output transmitting signals to the plurality of transmitting antennas 26 are arranged. The second side 42 may be a side along which a plurality of receiving terminals (e.g., p4 to p7) that receive receiving signals from the plurality of receiving antennas 31 are arranged.

[0105] In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the feed points (f The arrangement of the feed points (f1 to f3) of the multiple transmitting antennas 26 may be arranged on the same line as the arrangement of the feed points (f4 to f7) of the multiple receiving antennas 31, or may be arranged parallel to each other. In this way, in one embodiment, the direction in which the feed points (f1 to f3) of the multiple transmitting antennas 26 are arranged and the direction in which the feed points (f4 to f7) of the multiple receiving antennas 31 are arranged may be arranged parallel to each other.

[0106] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the electronic component 40 may have a shape such as a rectangle. For example, the electronic component 40 may have at least a first side 41 and a second side 42 as shown in FIG. 5. In the electronic component 40 shown in FIG. 5, for example, the first side 41 may be a side that is substantially vertical, i.e., substantially parallel to the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 5. In addition, in the electronic component 40 shown in FIG. 5, for example, the second side 42 may be a side that is substantially horizontal, i.e., substantially parallel to the X-axis direction shown in FIG. In this way, in one embodiment, the first side 41 and the second side 42 of the electronic component 40 may be arranged not to be parallel to each other.

[0107] As described above, in the sensor 5 according to an embodiment, the multiple transmission lines connecting the electronic component 40 to the transmitting antenna 26 and / or the receiving antenna 31 may be of different lengths. In such a configuration, the sensor 5 according to an embodiment can offset the phase of the signal at the transmitting terminals (p1 to p3) and / or the receiving terminals (p4 to p7) to set them to individual initial values. According to the sensor 5 according to an embodiment, the length of the transmission lines (25A to 25C and / or 32A to 32D) can be shortened. Therefore, according to the sensor 5 according to an embodiment, the loss of the signal passing through the transmission lines can be reduced. Furthermore, according to the sensor 5 according to an embodiment, it is not necessary to detour the transmission lines on the board. Therefore, according to the sensor 5 according to an embodiment, the mounting area of ​​the transmission lines on the board can be reduced, making it easier to miniaturize the device.

[0108] Next, another embodiment will be described.

[0109] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a sensor according to another embodiment, that is, Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a plurality of transmitting antennas 26, a plurality of receiving antennas 31, and an electronic component 40 in an electronic device (sensor) according to another embodiment.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 6, a sensor 5' according to another embodiment has an electronic component 40 installed in a different manner from the sensor 5 shown in FIG. 5. In the sensor 5 shown in FIG. 5, the first side 41 of the electronic component 40 is substantially vertical, i.e., substantially parallel to the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 5. In the sensor 5 shown in FIG. 5, the first side 41 of the electronic component 40 is substantially horizontal, i.e., substantially parallel to the X-axis direction shown in FIG. 5. In contrast, in the sensor 5' shown in FIG. 6, the first side 41 of the electronic component 40 may be diagonal, i.e., not parallel to either the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 6. In the sensor 5' shown in FIG. 6, the first side 41 of the electronic component 40 may be diagonal, i.e., not parallel to either the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 6.

[0111] In addition, the length of the transmission lines (25A to 25C and / or 32A to 32D) may be slightly changed in the sensor 5' shown in Fig. 6 in accordance with a change in the installation mode of the electronic component 40. For example, the transmission lines (25A to 25C and / or 32A to 32D) shown in Fig. 6 may be shorter than the transmission lines (25A to 25C and / or 32A to 32D) shown in Fig. 5.

[0112] In other respects than those described above, the sensor 5' according to the other embodiment can have the same configuration as the sensor 5 shown in Fig. 5. Therefore, hereinafter, the description that is the same as or similar to the sensor 5 shown in Fig. 5 will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0113] In this way, in the sensor 5' shown in FIG. 6, by mounting the electronic component 40 at an angle, the transmission line connecting the electronic component 40 to the transmitting antenna 26 and / or the receiving antenna 31 can be further shortened. Therefore, the sensor 5' shown in FIG. 6 can reduce the loss of signals passing through the transmission line. Furthermore, the sensor 5' shown in FIG. 6 does not need to detour the transmission line on the board. Therefore, the sensor 5' shown in FIG. 6 can easily miniaturize the device by reducing the mounting area of ​​the transmission line on the board.

[0114] Here, the phase shift amount of the transmitting terminal p1 is 0 deg., the phase shift amount of the transmitting terminal p2 is δ2' deg., and the phase shift amount of the transmitting terminal p3 is δ3' deg. (δ3'>δ2', δ2>δ2', δ3>δ3'). The phase shift amount of the receiving terminal p4 is 0 deg., the phase shift amount of the receiving terminal p5 is δ5' deg., the phase shift amount of the receiving terminal p6 is δ6' deg., and the phase shift amount of the receiving terminal p7 is δ7 deg. (δ5'>δ6'>δ7, δ5>δ5', δ6>δ6'). By setting the above phase shift amounts as initial values ​​and varying the phase differences of the signals in the multiple transmitting antennas 26, the sensor 5' according to one embodiment can obtain the desired directivity of the transmitted wave. Similarly, the sensor 5' according to one embodiment can estimate the arrival direction of the reflected wave by the multiple receiving antennas 31.

[0115] Thus, in one embodiment, at least one of the first side 41 and the second side 42 may be positioned obliquely with respect to at least one of the direction in which the feed points (f1 to f3) of the multiple transmitting antennas 26 are arranged and the direction in which the feed points (f4 to f7) of the multiple receiving antennas 31 are arranged.

[0116] Next, a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0117] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the sensor 5' shown in Fig. 6. That is, Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the multiple transmitting antennas 26, the multiple receiving antennas 31, and the electronic component 40 in the modified example of the sensor 5' shown in Fig. 6.

[0118] 5 and 6, for example, the multiple transmitting antennas 26 and the multiple receiving antennas 31 have been described assuming that they are arranged on the same surface as the electronic component 40. In this manner, in the sensor according to one embodiment, the multiple transmitting antennas 26 and the multiple receiving antennas 31 may be arranged on the same surface as the surface on which the electronic component 40 is arranged (for example, a surface facing the positive direction of the Z axis).

[0119] However, as in the sensor 5'' shown in FIG. 7, the multiple transmitting antennas 26 and the multiple receiving antennas 31 may be arranged on a surface different from the electronic component 40. In the sensor 5'' shown in FIG. 7, the multiple transmitting antennas 26 and the multiple receiving antennas 31 are arranged on the front surface side of the planar substrate (the surface facing the positive direction of the Z axis shown in FIG. 7). On the other hand, in the sensor 5'' shown in FIG. 7, the electronic component 40 is arranged on the back surface side of the planar substrate (the surface facing the negative direction of the Z axis shown in FIG. 7). In this way, in the sensor according to one embodiment, the multiple transmitting antennas 26 and the multiple receiving antennas 31 may be arranged on the surface opposite to the surface on which the electronic component 40 is arranged (e.g., the surface facing the negative direction of the Z axis).

[0120] In the sensor 5'' shown in FIG. 7, the transmission lines (25A to 25C and / or 32A to 32D) may be folded back from one surface to the other surface, or may pass through a through hole formed on the substrate.

[0121] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications or corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and corrections are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, Functions, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent. Multiple functional units, etc. may be combined into one or divided. Each embodiment of the present disclosure described above is not limited to being faithfully implemented according to each of the embodiments described, and may be implemented by combining each feature or omitting a part as appropriate. In other words, the contents of the present disclosure can be modified and amended in various ways by a person skilled in the art based on the present disclosure. Therefore, these modifications and amendments are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in each embodiment, each functional unit, each means, each step, etc. can be added to other embodiments so as not to be logically inconsistent, or replaced with each functional unit, each means, each step, etc. of other embodiments. In addition, in each embodiment, multiple functional units, each means, each step, etc. can be combined into one or divided. In addition, each embodiment of the present disclosure described above is not limited to being faithfully implemented according to each of the embodiments described, and may be implemented by combining each feature or omitting a part as appropriate.

[0122] For example, in FIG. 2, an example has been described in which the phase control section 23 is included in the transmitting section 20 and the phase control section 34 is included in the receiving section 30. However, the phase control section 23 and the phase control section 34 may be provided at any position as long as they can control (adjust) the phases of the transmitting signal and the receiving signal, respectively. For example, the phase control section 23 may be provided at any position in the transmitting section 20. Also, for example, the phase control section 34 may be provided at any position in the receiving section 30, or may be provided in, for example, a control section subsequent to the AD conversion section 37. Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the phase control section 23 and the phase control section 34 have been described as being included in the electronic component 40. However, the phase control section 23 and the phase control section 34 may be provided outside the electronic component 40.

[0123] The above-described embodiment is not limited to being implemented only as an electronic device (sensor 5). For example, the above-described embodiment may be implemented as a control method for an apparatus such as an electronic device (sensor 5). Furthermore, for example, the above-described embodiment may be implemented as a control program for an apparatus such as an electronic device (sensor 5).

[0124] The electronic device according to an embodiment may have, as a minimum configuration, at least a part of, for example, only one of the sensor 5 or the control unit 10. Meanwhile, the electronic device according to an embodiment may be configured to include at least one of the signal generating unit 21, the synthesizer 22, the phase control unit 23, the amplifier 24, and the transmitting antenna 26 as shown in FIG. 2 in addition to the control unit 10. Also, the electronic device according to an embodiment may be configured to include at least one of the receiving antenna 31, the LNA 33, the phase control unit 34, the mixer 35, the IF unit 36, and the AD conversion unit 37 instead of the above-mentioned functional units or together with the above-mentioned functional units. Furthermore, the electronic device according to an embodiment may be configured to include any memory. In this way, the electronic device according to an embodiment may have various configurations. Also, when the electronic device according to an embodiment is mounted on the moving body 100, at least one of the above-mentioned functional units may be installed in an appropriate location, such as inside the moving body 100. Meanwhile, in an embodiment, at least one of the transmitting antenna 26 and the receiving antenna 31 may be installed outside the moving body 100, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1 Electronic equipment 5 Sensors 10 Control section 11 Distance FFT processing section 12 Speed ​​FFT processing section 13 Arrival angle estimator 14 Object detection unit 20 Transmitter 21 Signal Generation Unit 22 Synthesizer 23 Phase control section 24 Amplifier 25 Transmission Lines 26 Transmitting Antenna 30 Receiving section 31 Receiving antenna 32 Transmission Lines 33 LNA 34 Phase control section 35 Mixer 36 IF Section 37 AD conversion section 40 Electronic Components 60 ECU 100 Mobile 200 objects

Claims

1. A plurality of transmitting antennas for transmitting transmission waves; an electronic component that outputs a transmission signal to the plurality of transmission antennas; An electronic device comprising: an electronic device, wherein the power supply points of the plurality of transmitting antennas are connected to a plurality of transmitting terminals of the electronic component by linear transmission lines, respectively.

2. a plurality of receiving antennas for receiving reflected waves of the transmission waves; the electronic component outputs transmission signals to the plurality of transmission antennas and receives reception signals from the plurality of reception antennas; the electronic component has a first side along which a plurality of transmitting terminals are arranged, the transmitting terminals outputting transmitting signals to the transmitting antennas, respectively, and a second side along which a plurality of receiving terminals are arranged, the receiving terminals receiving received signals from the receiving antennas, respectively, are arranged; At least one of the first side and the second side is located obliquely with respect to at least one of a direction in which the feed points of the plurality of transmitting antennas are arranged and a direction in which the feed points of the plurality of receiving antennas are arranged, The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the feed points of the plurality of receiving antennas are connected to the plurality of receiving terminals by transmission lines, respectively.

3. A plurality of receiving antennas for receiving reflected waves of transmitted waves; an electronic component to which received signals are input from the plurality of receiving antennas; An electronic device comprising: an electronic device, wherein the power supply points of the plurality of receiving antennas are connected to a plurality of receiving terminals of the electronic component by linear transmission lines, respectively.

4. A plurality of transmitting antennas for transmitting the transmission waves; an electronic component that outputs transmission signals to the plurality of transmission antennas and receives reception signals from the plurality of reception antennas; An electronic device comprising: the electronic component has a first side along which a plurality of transmitting terminals are arranged, the transmitting terminals outputting transmitting signals to the transmitting antennas, respectively, and a second side along which a plurality of receiving terminals are arranged, the receiving terminals receiving received signals from the receiving antennas, respectively, are arranged; At least one of the first side and the second side is located obliquely with respect to at least one of a direction in which the feed points of the plurality of transmitting antennas are arranged and a direction in which the feed points of the plurality of receiving antennas are arranged, The electronic device according to claim 3 , wherein the feed points of the plurality of transmitting antennas are connected to the plurality of transmitting terminals by transmission lines, respectively.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic component adjusts phases of the transmission signals output from the plurality of transmission terminals.

6. The electronic device according to claim 3 , wherein the electronic component adjusts phases of reception signals input to the plurality of reception terminals.

7. 6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the electronic component adjusts phases of the transmission signals output from the plurality of transmitting terminals in accordance with lengths of transmission lines from the plurality of transmitting terminals to feed points of the plurality of transmitting antennas.

8. The electronic component is configured such that the phases of the transmission signals output from the plurality of transmission terminals are the same as the phases of the plurality of transmission terminals. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the phase of the transmission signal is adjusted so as to be aligned at the feed points of a number of transmitting antennas.

9. 7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic component adjusts phases of the received signals input to the respective receiving terminals in accordance with lengths of transmission lines from feed points of the respective receiving antennas to the respective receiving terminals.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the electronic component adjusts the phases of the received signals input to the plurality of receiving terminals so that the phases of the received signals are aligned.

11. a plurality of receiving antennas for receiving reflected waves of the transmission waves; The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein a direction in which the power feed points of the plurality of transmitting antennas are arranged is parallel to a direction in which the power feed points of the plurality of receiving antennas are arranged.

12. The electronic device according to claim 2 , wherein the first side and the second side of the electronic component are not parallel to each other.

13. The electronic device according to claim 11 , wherein the plurality of transmitting antennas and the plurality of receiving antennas are arranged on the same surface on which the electronic components are arranged.

14. The electronic device according to claim 11 , wherein the plurality of transmitting antennas and the plurality of receiving antennas are arranged on a surface opposite to a surface on which the electronic components are arranged.

15. The electronic device according to claim 11 , further comprising: a receiving signal that is received as the reflected wave and that detects an object that reflects the transmitted wave.

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