High-frequency power distribution circuit and antenna module

Abstract

This invention provides a high-frequency power distribution circuit that allows for increased flexibility in the number of targets to which a high-frequency signal input to a single node is equally distributed. [Solution] A high-frequency signal is input to the first node. High-frequency signals are output from each of the multiple second nodes. A first branch transmission line connects the first node to each of the multiple second nodes. The first branch transmission line includes multiple cascaded distributors, each of which has one input node and two output nodes. Some of the distributors are equal distributors, and the remaining distributors are unequal distributors with a distribution ratio of 2 or less. The first branch transmission line is configured so that the high-frequency power input to the first node is equally distributed to the multiple second nodes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-frequency power distribution circuit and an antenna module.

Background Art

[0002] An antenna module that distributes a high-frequency signal from one mixer to a plurality of radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) using a power divider and supplies power to a plurality of antenna elements connected to the plurality of RFICs is known (Patent Document 1). One power divider distributes an input high-frequency signal to two transmission lines so that the power is equally divided. By cascade-connecting a plurality of power dividers, high-frequency signals of equal power are supplied to 2 n RFICs (n is a natural number).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional power divider, it is possible to distribute a high-frequency signal to 2 n RFICs, but it is not possible to equally distribute the high-frequency signal to other numbers of RFICs. An object of the present invention is to provide a high-frequency power distribution circuit capable of increasing the degree of freedom in the number of objects to which a high-frequency signal input to one node is equally distributed. Another object of the present invention is to provide an antenna module using this high-frequency power distribution circuit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a first node to which a high-frequency signal is input, a plurality of second nodes from which the high-frequency signal is output, A first branch transmission path connecting the first node and each of the multiple second nodes Equipped with, The first branch transmission line includes a plurality of cascaded distributors, each of which has one input node and two output nodes, some of which are equal distributors, and the remaining distributors are unequal distributors with a distribution ratio of 2 or less. The first branch transmission line is provided with a high-frequency power distribution circuit configured such that the high-frequency power input to the first node is equally distributed to a plurality of second nodes.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, The aforementioned high-frequency power distribution circuit, A first mixer having the function of upconverting a baseband signal or an intermediate frequency signal and inputting it to the first node, and the function of downconverting a high-frequency signal output from the first node, Multiple high-frequency circuits, each connected to a plurality of preceding second nodes, which have the function of amplifying and outputting high-frequency signals output from the plurality of preceding second nodes, Multiple antenna elements connected to each of the multiple high-frequency circuits, to which amplified high-frequency signals are supplied, Equipped with, The plurality of high-frequency circuits further provide an antenna module having the function of amplifying the high-frequency signals received by the plurality of antenna elements and inputting them to the plurality of second nodes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] By configuring multiple distributors with equal distributors and unequal distributors with a distribution ratio of 2 or less, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in the number of objects to which high-frequency signals are equally distributed. Furthermore, by setting the distribution ratio of the unequal distributor to 2 or less, the decrease in isolation can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic equivalent circuit diagram of a high-frequency power distribution circuit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a high-frequency signal distribution circuit according to the first modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing the power normalization value, the distribution ratio, and the power normalization value of the output node of the input node of the distributor 26, and FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram showing the power normalization value, the distribution ratio, and the power normalization value of the output node of the input nodes of the first-stage and second-stage distributors 26A and 26B. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a wiring pattern of the distributor 26. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a high-frequency power distribution circuit according to the second modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a high-frequency power distribution circuit according to the third modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an antenna module according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the antenna module according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an antenna module according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship in the plane of a multilayer substrate 60 of a plurality of components of the antenna module according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the planar positional relationship of the components of the antenna module according to the modification of the third embodiment.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] [First Embodiment] Referring to the drawings from FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, a high-frequency power distribution circuit according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic equivalent circuit diagram of a high-frequency power distribution circuit according to the first embodiment. The high-frequency power distribution circuit according to the first embodiment includes a first node 11, a plurality of second nodes 12, and a first branch transmission line 21. A high-frequency signal is input to the first node 11, and high-frequency signals are output from each of the plurality of second nodes 12. The first branch transmission line 21 connects the first node 11 to each of the plurality of second nodes 12 and equally distributes the high-frequency signal input to the first node to the plurality of second nodes 12.

[0011] The first branch transmission line 21 includes a plurality of distributors 26 connected in cascade. Each of the distributors 26 distributes and outputs the high-frequency signal input to the input node to two output nodes. Note that the distributor 26 can also operate as a synthesizer and has a function of synthesizing the high-frequency signals input to the two output nodes and outputting them from the input node. The distributor 26 can also be referred to as a "two-way combiner", but in this specification, it is referred to as a "distributor". The node to which the high-frequency signal before distribution is input and from which the high-frequency signal after synthesis is output is referred to as the input node. The node to which the high-frequency signal after distribution is output and to which the high-frequency signal before synthesis is input is referred to as the output node.

[0012] The distribution ratio of each of the plurality of distributors 26 is 2 or less. Here, the "distribution ratio" is defined as the value obtained by dividing the larger value of the power of the high-frequency signals output to the two output nodes by the smaller value. That is, the distribution ratio of the distributor 26 that distributes the power of the input high-frequency signal as m:n (m≥n) is m / n. Therefore, the distribution ratio is always 1 or more. For example, the distribution ratio of the distributor 26 that equally distributes the power of the input high-frequency signal is 1, and the distribution ratio of the distributor 26 that distributes it as 2:1 is 2.

[0013] In the example shown in Figure 1, there are six second nodes 12, and the first branch transmission line 21 equally distributes the high-frequency signal input to the first node 11 to the six second nodes 12. That is, the power of the high-frequency signals output from the six second nodes 12 is equal. The power of the high-frequency signal normalized by the power of the high-frequency signal output from each second node 12 is called the power normalized value. That is, the power normalized value for each second node 12 is 1. In Figure 1, the power normalized value is shown as a number in parentheses.

[0014] The first branch transmission line 21 includes six distributors 26, and the distributors 26 are cascaded in up to three stages. More specifically, the first branch transmission line 21 is composed of one first-stage distributor 26A, two second-stage distributors 26B, and two third-stage distributors 26C.

[0015] The power normalized value of the high-frequency signal input to the first node 11 is 6. The first stage distributor 21A is an equal distributor; that is, its distribution ratio is 1. As a result, a high-frequency signal with a power normalized value of 3 is output from each of the two output nodes of distributor 21A. A high-frequency signal with a power normalized value of 3 is input to each of the two input nodes of the second stage distributors 26B. Hereafter, the power normalized value of the high-frequency signal at an input node or output node may simply be referred to as the power normalized value of each node.

[0016] The distribution ratio of each output node in the second stage distributor 26B is 2. Therefore, the power normalized values ​​of the two output nodes of the second stage distributor 26B are 2 and 1. The output node with a power normalized value of 1 is directly connected to the second node 12. The output node with a power normalized value of 2 is connected to the input node of the third stage distributor 26C.

[0017] Each of the third-stage distributors 26C is an equal distributor. Therefore, the power normalized value of each of the two output nodes of the third-stage distributor 26C is 1. Output nodes with a power normalized value of 1 are each directly connected to the second node 12. In this way, the first branch transmission line 21 shown in Figure 1 equally distributes the high-frequency signal input to the first node 11 to six second nodes 12. The six distributors 26 include equal distributors and unequal distributors with a distribution ratio of 2 or less.

[0018] Figure 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a high-frequency signal distribution circuit according to the first modification of the first embodiment. In the first modification shown in Figure 2, there are 10 second nodes 12. The first branch transmission line 21 is composed of 9 distributors 26, and multiple distributors 26 are cascaded in up to 4 stages. The power normalized value of the first node 11 is 10.

[0019] The first stage distributor 26A is an equal distributor. Therefore, the power normalized value of each of the two output nodes of the first stage distributor 26A is 5. The distribution ratio of the two second stage distributors 26B is 3 / 2 for both. Therefore, the power normalized values ​​of each of the two output nodes of the second stage distributors 26B are 3 and 2.

[0020] An output node with a power normalized value of 3 is connected to the input node of a third-stage distributor 26C with a distribution ratio of 2, and an output node with a power normalized value of 2 is connected to the input node of a third-stage distributor 26C with a distribution ratio of 1.

[0021] The power normalized values ​​of the two output nodes of distributor 26C with a distribution ratio of 2 are 2 and 1. The power normalized values ​​of the two output nodes of distributor 26C with a distribution ratio of 1 are both 1. The output node with a power normalized value of 2 is connected to the input node of the fourth-stage distributor 26D with a distribution ratio of 1. The power normalized values ​​of the two output nodes of the fourth-stage distributor 26D are both 1. The output node with a power normalized value of 1 is directly connected to the second node 12.

[0022] In the first modified example shown in Figure 2, the distribution ratio of the two second-stage distributors 26B is 3 / 2, and the distribution ratio of two of the four third-stage distributors 26C is 2. The other distributors 26 are equal distributors. Thus, the distribution ratio of each of the nine distributors 26 is 2 or less, and there are four distributors 26 with a distribution ratio other than 1 (unequal distributors).

[0023] Next, the functions of the distributor 26 will be described with reference to Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C. Figures 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing the power normalized values ​​of the input nodes, the distribution ratio, and the power normalized values ​​of the output nodes of the distributor 26.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3A, for a distributor 26 where the power normalized value of the input node is even (2m), the distribution ratio is set to 1. Here, the parameter m is a natural number, meaning an equal distributor is used as distributor 26. In this case, the power normalized values ​​of both output nodes of distributor 26 are both m. As shown in Figure 3B, for a distributor 26 where the power normalized value of the input node is odd (2m+1), the distribution ratio is set to (m+1) / m. That is, an unequal distributor with a distribution ratio of 2 or less is used as distributor 26. More specifically, this unequal distributor distributes power such that the difference in the power normalized values ​​after distribution is 1. In this case, the power normalized values ​​of the two output nodes of distributor 26 are (m+1) and m. When the power normalized value of an output node becomes 1, that output node is directly connected to the second node 12.

[0025] Figure 3C is a schematic diagram showing the power normalized values, distribution ratios, and power normalized values ​​of the input nodes and output nodes of the first and second stage distributors 26A and 26B. An example where the power normalized value of the first node 11 is 2 × (2n + 1) will be explained. Here, the parameter n is a natural number. When n = 1, the first branch transmission line 21 has the configuration shown in Figure 1, and when n = 2, the first branch transmission line 21 has the configuration shown in Figure 2.

[0026] For the first stage distributor 26A, the power normalized value of the input node is even, so the distribution ratio is 1. The power normalized values ​​of the two output nodes of the first stage distributor 26A are both (2n+1). For the second stage distributor 26B, the power normalized value of the input node is odd, so its distribution ratio is (n+1) / n. Therefore, the power normalized values ​​of the two output nodes of the second stage distributor 26B are (n+1) and n. For the third stage and beyond, the distributor 26 shown in Figure 3A or Figure 3B is used.

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the wiring pattern of the power distributor 26. The wiring pattern is formed on a dielectric substrate. Branch transmission lines 31A and 31B branch off from the source transmission line 30. Branch transmission lines 32A and 32B are connected to the output terminals of the two branch transmission lines 31A and 31B, respectively. A resistor 33 is connected between the midpoint of one branch transmission line 31A and the midpoint of the other branch transmission line 31B. For example, a surface-mount resistor is used as the resistor 33. Such a power distributor 26 is called a Wilkinson-type power distributor.

[0028] The distribution ratio of the distributor 26 can be adjusted by changing the ratio of the characteristic impedances of the branch transmission lines 31A and 31B. The characteristic impedances of the branch transmission lines 31A and 31B can be adjusted by changing the line width of the strip line or microstrip line. For example, when the ratio of the characteristic impedances of the two branch transmission lines 31A and 31B is approximately 2.5, the distribution ratio is approximately 2. To make the distribution ratio of the distributor 26 2 or less, the ratio of the characteristic impedances of the two branch transmission lines 31A and 31B should be 2.5 or less.

[0029] Changing the ratio of the line widths of the two branch transmission lines 31A and 31B changes the ratio of their characteristic impedances. Note that, as shown in Figure 4, the line widths of the two branch transmission lines 31A and 31B may be changed along the way. In this case, the ratio of the line widths of the two branch transmission lines 31A and 31B can be defined as the ratio of the line width of the widest part of the branch transmission line 31B (which has a relatively wider line width) to the line width of the narrowest part of the branch transmission line 31A (which has a relatively narrower line width).

[0030] The characteristic impedance of the source transmission line 30 is equal to the characteristic impedance of the two branched transmission lines 32A and 32B. In other words, the line width of the source transmission line 30 is equal to the line width of the two branched transmission lines 32A and 32B.

[0031] Next, a high-frequency power distribution circuit according to a second modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the high-frequency power distribution circuit according to a second modification of the first embodiment.

[0032] In the first embodiment (Figure 1) and the first modified example of the first embodiment (Figure 2), the number of second nodes 12 is 2 × (2n+1). Here, the parameter n is a natural number. That is, the power normalized value of the first node 11 is 2 × (2n+1). Since the power normalized value of the input nodes of the first stage distributor 26A is even, a distributor 26 with a distribution ratio of 1 (Figure 3A) is used as the first stage distributor 26A. Since the power normalized value of the input nodes of the second stage distributor 26B is odd, a distributor 26 with a distribution ratio of (m+1) / m (Figure 3B) is used as the second stage distributor 26B.

[0033] In contrast, in the second modified example shown in Figure 5, the number of second nodes 12 is a multiple of 4, for example, 12. In this case, the power normalized values ​​of each of the two output nodes of the first-stage distributor 26 with a distribution ratio of 1 are also even numbers. For example, the power normalized value of the output node of the first-stage distributor 26 is 12, and the power normalized values ​​of each of the two output nodes are both 6.

[0034] Therefore, the second-stage distributor 26B also uses a distributor 26 (Figure 3A) with a distribution ratio of 1. The connection configuration of the distributors 26 from each of the two second-stage distributors 26B to the fourth-stage distributor 26D is the same as the connection configuration of the distributors 26 of the first branch transmission line 21 shown in Figure 1.

[0035] Next, a high-frequency power distribution circuit according to a third modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the high-frequency power distribution circuit according to the third modification of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment (Figure 1), the first modification of the first embodiment (Figure 2), and the second modification of the first embodiment (Figure 5), the number of second nodes 12 is even. In contrast, in the third modification of the first embodiment, the number of second nodes 12 is odd. Figure 6 shows an example where the number of second nodes 12 is 7.

[0036] Since the number of second nodes 12 is odd, the power normalized value of the input nodes of the first stage distributor 26A is also odd, for example, 7. The power normalized value of one of the two output nodes of the first stage distributor 26A is even, for example, 4, and the power normalized value of the other output node is odd, for example, 3. For output nodes with even power normalized values, a distributor 26 with a distribution ratio of 1 (Figure 3A) should be connected, and for output nodes with odd power normalized values, a distributor 26 with a distribution ratio of (m+1) / m (Figure 3B) should be connected.

[0037] From the third stage onward, by combining a distributor 26 with a distribution ratio of 1 (Figure 3A) and a distributor 26 with a distribution ratio of (m+1) / m (Figure 3B), the power normalized value of all output nodes of the distributor 26 can be made 1. In the example shown in Figure 6, only the distributor 26 with a distribution ratio of 1 (Figure 3A) is used as the distributor 26 from the third stage onward.

[0038] Next, the excellent effects of the first embodiment and its modified examples will be described. In the first embodiment, by using not only a power distributor that distributes power equally, but also at least one distributor 26 that is not an equal distributor (unequal distributor), the number of second nodes 12 is increased to 2 nEven in cases other than the number of nodes (where n is a natural number), the high-frequency signal can be equally distributed to multiple second nodes 12. Distributors with a large distribution ratio are difficult to mount on a multilayer substrate. In the first embodiment, since the power distribution ratio of the multiple distributors 26 is 2 or less, it is possible to easily mount them on a multilayer substrate. Furthermore, by setting the distribution ratio to 2 or less, it is easy to configure a highly isolated distributor 26.

[0039] In the first embodiment, a distributor 26 with a distribution ratio of 1 (Figure 3A) and a distributor 26 with a distribution ratio of (m+1) / m (Figure 3B) are used. However, when a high-frequency signal distribution circuit is used for power supply to antenna elements, the distribution ratio may deviate from the target value within a range that is permissible for the operation of multiple antenna elements. For example, even if the distribution ratio of a distributor 26 is not exactly 1, the distributor 26 can be treated as an equal distributor even if there is a deviation from the target value in the distribution ratio within the permissible error range of the distributor 26's specifications. In this case, a distributor 26 with a distribution ratio greater than 1.1 and less than or equal to 2 can be treated as a "distributor 26 that is not an equal distributor (unequal distributor)" included in the first branch transmission line 21.

[0040] [Second Example] Next, the antenna module according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The following description will omit details of the configuration common to the first embodiment and its modified examples, which were described with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

[0041] Figure 7 is a block diagram of an antenna module according to the second embodiment. The antenna module according to the second embodiment includes a high-frequency power distribution circuit consisting of a first node 11, a plurality of second nodes 12, and a first branch transmission line 21. The high-frequency power distribution circuit of the first embodiment and various modifications thereof are used as this high-frequency power distribution circuit.

[0042] A first mixer 51 is connected to the first node. The first mixer 51 upconverts the baseband signal or intermediate frequency signal and inputs it to the first node 11. Furthermore, the first mixer 51 has the function of downconverting the high-frequency signal output from the first node 11 to a baseband signal or intermediate frequency signal. A high-frequency circuit 55 (RFIC) is connected to each of the multiple second nodes 12. Each of the high-frequency circuits 55 has multiple antenna terminals and has the function of amplifying the high-frequency signal output from the second node 12 and outputting it from each of the multiple antenna terminals. The power of the high-frequency signal output from each of the multiple antenna terminals is equal.

[0043] Multiple antenna elements 56 are connected to the respective antenna terminals of multiple high-frequency circuits 55. A high-frequency signal amplified by the high-frequency circuits 55 is supplied to each of the multiple antenna elements 56. Furthermore, the high-frequency signals received by each of the multiple antenna elements 56 are input to the antenna terminals of the high-frequency circuits 55. Each of the high-frequency circuits 55 has the function of combining and amplifying the high-frequency signals input to the multiple antenna terminals and inputting them to the second node 12. The high-frequency circuits 55 operate the multiple antenna elements 56 as a phased array antenna by adjusting the phase of the high-frequency signals supplied to the multiple antenna elements 56. A high-frequency circuit 55 with this function is sometimes called a beamforming IC (BFIC).

[0044] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an antenna module according to the second embodiment. A first mixer 51 and a plurality of high-frequency circuits 55 are mounted on one side of the multilayer substrate 60. A plurality of antenna elements 56 are formed on the other side of the multilayer substrate 60. Each of the plurality of antenna elements 56 is, for example, a patch antenna.

[0045] The first mixer 51 is connected to a plurality of high-frequency circuits 55 via a first branch transmission line 21 consisting of strip lines or microstrip lines arranged within the multilayer substrate 60. Each of the plurality of high-frequency circuits 55 is connected to an antenna element 56 via a feed line 57 provided on the multilayer substrate 60.

[0046] Next, we will describe the excellent effects of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the first branch transmission line 21 is the first branch transmission line 21 according to the first embodiment or a modified version thereof, so that the high-frequency signal output from the first mixer 51 is equally distributed to multiple high-frequency circuits 55. This makes it possible to suppress deviations of the directional pattern from a symmetrical shape. Also, the number of high-frequency circuits 55 is 2 n Even in cases other than the number of individual (n is a natural number), the high-frequency signal can be equally distributed to multiple high-frequency circuits 55. Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, the antenna module can be easily mounted on a multilayer substrate, and high isolation can be easily ensured.

[0047] [Third Embodiment] Next, the antenna module according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9, 10, and 11. The following description will omit details of components common to the antenna module according to the second embodiment.

[0048] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an antenna module according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, in addition to the components of the antenna module according to the second embodiment, a third node 13, a second branch transmission line 22, a plurality of fourth nodes 14, and a second mixer 52 are included. The configuration of the third node 13, the second branch transmission line 22, the plurality of fourth nodes 14, and the second mixer 52 is the same as the configuration of the first node 11, the first branch transmission line 21, a plurality of second nodes 12, and the first mixer 51 of the antenna module according to the second embodiment (Figure 7).

[0049] In other words, a high-frequency signal is input from the second mixer 52 to the third node 13. The high-frequency signal input to the third node 13 is equally distributed and output from multiple fourth nodes 14. The number of fourth nodes 14 is the same as the number of second nodes 12. Multiple second nodes 12 and multiple fourth nodes 14 each constitute one node pair 15. The second branch transmission line 22 is formed on the same multilayer substrate 60 (Figure 8) on which the first branch transmission line 21 is formed, and the second mixer 52 is mounted on the same multilayer substrate 60 on which the first mixer 51 is mounted.

[0050] A high-frequency circuit 55 is connected to each of the multiple node pairs 15. For example, a common high-frequency circuit 55 is connected to the second node 12 and the fourth node 14 of each of the multiple node pairs 15. Multiple antenna elements 56 are connected to each of the multiple high-frequency circuits 55. Each of the multiple high-frequency circuits 55 separately amplifies the high-frequency signal input from the second node 12 and the high-frequency signal input from the fourth node 14, outputs them from separate output terminals, and supplies them to the multiple antenna elements 56.

[0051] Each of the multiple antenna elements 56 has a first feed point 56A to which a high-frequency signal input from the second node 12 and amplified is input, and a second feed point 56B to which a high-frequency signal input from the fourth node 14 is input. Each of the multiple antenna elements 56 radiates mutually orthogonal polarizations, such as vertical polarization and horizontal polarization, when fed to the first feed point 56A and when fed to the second feed point 56B. Furthermore, the polarization is the same for all of the multiple antenna elements 56 when fed to the first feed point 56A and when fed to the second feed point 56B.

[0052] The high-frequency signal output from the first mixer 51 is supplied to the first feed point 56A of each of the multiple antenna elements 56, allowing the multiple antenna elements 56 to radiate radio waves with the same polarization. Furthermore, the high-frequency signal output from the second mixer 52 is supplied to the second feed point 56B of each of the multiple antenna elements 56, allowing the multiple antenna elements 56 to radiate radio waves with polarization orthogonal to the polarization radiated when the first mixer 51 is operated.

[0053] Furthermore, two radio waves with mutually orthogonal polarizations can be received by the first mixer 51 and the second mixer 52, respectively. By controlling the phase of the high-frequency signals supplied to the multiple antenna elements 56, the multiple antenna elements 56 can be operated as a phased array antenna.

[0054] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of multiple components of an antenna module according to the third embodiment within the plane of the multilayer substrate 60. A first direction D1 parallel to the surface of the multilayer substrate 60 and a second direction D2 intersecting the first direction are defined. For example, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are mutually orthogonal. In Figure 10, an example is shown where the number of node pairs 15 is even, for example, 6. That is, the number of second nodes 12 and fourth nodes 14 are also even, for example, 6.

[0055] Multiple node pairs 15 are arranged in two columns in the first direction D1 on the multilayer substrate 60. For example, six node pairs 15 are arranged in a 3x2 matrix. Multiple node pairs 15 aligned in the first direction are referred to as node pair columns. In each of the multiple node pairs 15, the second node 12 and the fourth node 14 are aligned in the second direction D2 and are positioned in the same relative position with respect to the second direction D2. That is, the distance between the second node 12 and the fourth node 14 is equal among the multiple node pairs 15.

[0056] The first branch transmission line 21 includes two first parts 21I and 21J, and a first connecting part 21K. The first parts 21I and 21J are arranged along the node pair rows on the first side (right side in Figure 10) of each of the two rows of node pair rows with respect to the second direction D2. The first connecting part 21K connects the two first parts 21I and 21J at a point where it does not overlap with the two rows of node pair rows with respect to the first direction D1. Thus, the first branch transmission line 21 is arranged in a U-shaped region (a U-shape opening downwards in Figure 10) in a plan view. Furthermore, the first connecting part 21K is connected to the first node 11.

[0057] The first connection section 21K includes a first-stage distributor 26A, and each of the two first sections 21I and 21J includes a second-stage distributor 26B and a third-stage distributor 26C.

[0058] The second branch transmission line 22, like the first branch transmission line 21, includes two second parts 22I and 22J and a second connecting part 22K. The second parts 22I and 22J are arranged along the node pair rows on the second side (left side in Figure 10) opposite to the first side of each of the two rows of node pair rows with respect to the second direction D2. The second connecting part 22K connects the two second parts 22I and 22J at a point where it does not overlap with the two rows of node pair rows with respect to the first direction D1. Furthermore, the second connecting part 22K is connected to the third node 13.

[0059] In the second branch transmission line 22, the second connection section 22K includes the first-stage distributor 26A, and each of the two second sections 22I and 22J includes the second-stage distributor 26B and the third-stage distributor 26C.

[0060] The first connection section 21K and the second connection section 22K are arranged so as to sandwich two rows of node pairs with respect to the first direction D1. For example, the second branch transmission line 22 is arranged in a U-shaped region in a plan view (a U-shape opening upwards in Figure 10). The U-shaped region where the first branch transmission line 21 is located and the U-shaped region where the second branch transmission line 22 is located have a mutually interlocking positional relationship.

[0061] In a plan view, the high-frequency circuits 55 are arranged so as to overlap each of the multiple node pairs 15, with the first mixer 51 overlapping the first node 11 and the second mixer 52 overlapping the third node 13. Therefore, the six high-frequency circuits 55 are also arranged in two rows in the first direction D1, similar to the six node pairs 15.

[0062] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the planar positional relationship of each component of the antenna module according to a modification of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment (Figure 10), there are 6 high-frequency circuits 55, but in this modification, there are 10 high-frequency circuits 55. The 10 high-frequency circuits 55 are arranged in two rows in the first direction D1. Each row contains 5 high-frequency circuits 55.

[0063] Similar to the configuration of the third embodiment (Figure 10), the first branch transmission line 21 includes two first parts 21I and 21J, and a first connecting part 21K connecting them. The second branch transmission line 22 includes two second parts 22I and 22J, and a second connecting part 22K connecting them. The U-shaped region where the first branch transmission line 21 is located and the U-shaped region where the second branch transmission line 22 is located are arranged to interlock with each other. In Figure 11, the U-shaped region where the first branch transmission line 21 is located and the U-shaped region where the second branch transmission line 22 is located are hatched.

[0064] Next, we will describe the excellent effects of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the high-frequency signals output from the first mixer 51 and the second mixer 52 are equally distributed to a plurality of high-frequency circuits 55. Also, the number of high-frequency circuits 55 is 2n Even in cases other than the number of individual (n is a natural number), the high-frequency signal can be equally distributed to multiple high-frequency circuits 55. Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, the antenna module can be easily mounted on a multilayer substrate, and high isolation can be easily ensured. In addition, it is possible to accommodate two mutually orthogonal polarizations.

[0065] Furthermore, by arranging the first branch transmission line 21 and the second branch transmission line 22 in a U-shaped region that interlocks with each other, the excellent effect of shortening the wiring length can be obtained. This makes it possible to suppress the increase in transmission loss.

[0066] Next, an antenna module according to another modification of the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment (Figure 10), the first mixer 51 and the second mixer 52, which correspond to the first branch transmission line 21 and the second branch transmission line 22 respectively, are placed in separate locations. However, the first mixer 51 and the second mixer 52 may be configured on a single chip and placed in one location.

[0067] The embodiments described above are illustrative, and it goes without saying that partial substitution or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments is possible. Similar effects and benefits from similar configurations in multiple embodiments will not be mentioned sequentially for each embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications, improvements, and combinations are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 11. Node 1 12. Second Node 13. Third node 14. 4th node 15 node pairs 21. First Branch Transmission Line 21I, 21J Part 1 21K First connection section 22 Second Branch Transmission Line 22I, 22J 2nd part 22K Second connection section 26 Distributor 26A First stage distributor 26B Second stage distributor 26C 3rd stage distributor 26D 4th stage distributor 30 Branching source transmission line 31A, 31B Branch Transmission Line 32A, 32B Branch transmission line 33 Resistor 51 Mixer No. 1 52 Mixer No. 2 55. High-frequency circuits (beamforming ICs) 56 Antenna elements 56A First power supply point 56B Second power supply point 57 Power line 60 Multilayer board

Claims

1. A first node into which a high-frequency signal is input, Multiple second nodes from which high-frequency signals are output, A first branch transmission path connecting the first node and each of the plurality of second nodes Equipped with, The first branch transmission line includes a plurality of cascaded distributors, each of which has one input node and two output nodes, some of which are equal distributors, and the remaining distributors are unequal distributors with a distribution ratio of 2 or less. The first branch transmission line is a high-frequency power distribution circuit configured such that the high-frequency power input to the first node is equally distributed to a plurality of second nodes.

2. When the power of the high-frequency signal is normalized by the value of the high-frequency power appearing at each of the multiple second nodes, The high-frequency power distribution circuit according to claim 1, wherein, among the plurality of distributors, the distribution ratio of the distributor whose power normalized value of the input high-frequency signal is even is 1, and the distributors whose power normalized value is odd distribute power such that the difference in the power normalized values ​​after distribution is 1, and the distribution of power ends when the power normalized value after distribution becomes 1.

3. Let the parameter n be a natural number, and the number of the aforementioned second nodes be 2 × (2n + 1), The first stage distributor, directly connected to the first node, distributes the power equally so that the normalized power value after distribution is 2n+1. The high-frequency power distribution circuit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second stage distributor distributes the power so that the normalized power values ​​after distribution are n+1 and n.

4. A third node into which a high-frequency signal is input, A high-frequency signal is output, and the same number of fourth nodes as the multiple second nodes, A second branch transmission line connects the third node to each of the multiple fourth nodes and equally distributes the high-frequency signal input to the third node to the multiple fourth nodes, A substrate on which the first branch transmission line and the second branch transmission line are formed Furthermore, The high-frequency power distribution circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of second nodes and the plurality of fourth nodes each constitute one node pair.

5. The number of each of the multiple second nodes and the multiple fourth nodes is even. Multiple node pairs are arranged in two rows in a first direction parallel to the surface of the substrate to form a node pair row. In each of the plurality of node pairs, the second node and the fourth node are arranged side by side in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and are in the same positional relationship with respect to the second direction. The first branch transmission line is, With respect to the second direction, on the first side of each of the two rows of node pair columns, there is a first portion arranged along the node pair column, The two first portions are connected at locations that do not overlap with the two rows of node pairs in the first direction, and the first connection portion connected to the first node and Includes, The second branch transmission line is, With respect to the second direction, a second portion is arranged along the node pair row on the second side opposite to the first side of each of the two rows of node pair rows, The two second portions are connected at locations that do not overlap with the two rows of node pairs in the first direction, and the second connection portion connected to the third node is connected to the second portion connected to the third node. The high-frequency power distribution circuit according to claim 4, including the above.

6. A high-frequency power distribution circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A first mixer having the function of upconverting a baseband signal or an intermediate frequency signal and inputting it to the first node, and the function of downconverting a high-frequency signal output from the first node, Multiple high-frequency circuits, each connected to one of the multiple aforementioned second nodes, and having the function of amplifying and outputting high-frequency signals output from the multiple aforementioned second nodes, Multiple antenna elements connected to each of the multiple high-frequency circuits, to which amplified high-frequency signals are supplied, Equipped with, The plurality of high-frequency circuits further comprises an antenna module having the function of amplifying the high-frequency signals received by the plurality of antenna elements and inputting them to the plurality of second nodes.

7. A high-frequency power distribution circuit according to claim 4 or 5, A first mixer having the function of upconverting a baseband signal or an intermediate frequency signal and inputting it to the first node, and the function of downconverting a high-frequency signal output from the first node, A second mixer having the function of upconverting a baseband signal or intermediate frequency signal and inputting it to the third node, and the function of downconverting a high-frequency signal output from the third node, Multiple high-frequency circuits connected to the second and fourth nodes of each of the multiple node pairs, Multiple antenna elements connected to each of the multiple high-frequency circuits, Equipped with, Each of the multiple high-frequency circuits separately amplifies the high-frequency signal input from the second node and the high-frequency signal input from the fourth node, outputs them from separate output terminals, and supplies power to the multiple antenna elements. Each of the plurality of antenna elements has a first feeding point to which a high-frequency signal input from the second node and amplified is input, and a second feeding point to which a high-frequency signal input from the fourth node is input, and the antenna module radiates mutually orthogonal polarizations when fed to the first feeding point and when fed to the second feeding point.

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