High-frequency circuits and antenna modules

Abstract

The present invention provides a high-frequency circuit and antenna module that can improve the degree of freedom in the transmission and reception direction of a phased array antenna compared to conventional designs. [Solution] The phase array antenna comprises a parameter acquisition unit that acquires a phase gradient parameter for a plurality of antenna elements based on the installation interval of the antenna elements, the wavelength of the transmitted and received waves, and the transmission and reception direction, and a phase shift parameter based on the phase gradient parameter, the coordinates of the antenna elements, and an offset adjustment value related to the antenna elements, and a setting value acquisition unit that acquires a phase shift setting value for the antenna elements based on the phase shift parameter.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to high-frequency circuits and antenna modules. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a system and method for operating a phased array antenna. This system and method includes a beamforming circuit that converts the beam direction into at least one phase gradient parameter, and sets the phase shift setpoint of each antenna element in the phased array antenna based on the phase gradient parameter calculated by the beamforming circuit.

[0003] In this system and method, if the beam emission / reception direction is θ and φ, the installation spacing of each antenna element in the x-direction (x-direction installation spacing) is dx, the installation spacing in the y-direction (y-direction installation spacing) is dy, and the wavelength of the transmitted and received waves is λ, then the phase gradient parameters SlopeX and SlopeY in the x-direction and y-direction are calculated based on the beam emission / reception direction θ and φ, the installation spacing in the x-direction dx, the installation spacing in the y-direction dy, and the wavelength of the transmitted and received waves λ. Furthermore, the phase difference Ψ_i of the i-th antenna element is calculated based on the above phase gradient parameters SlopeX and SlopeY and the positions x_i and y_i of each antenna element. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0075523 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] For example, if we assume that the transmission and reception frequency is 28 GHz, the x-direction spacing dx and y-direction spacing dy are both 7.0 mm, and the phase gradient parameters SlopeX and SlopeY are in the range of -128 to +127, then when φ=0°, the transmission and reception direction can only be set within the range of θ from -48° to +48°. For example, the direction φ=0° and θ=60° cannot be set. In other words, the above background technology has the problem that the beam emission / reception direction θ and φ (transmission and reception direction) are small and limited.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a high-frequency circuit and antenna module that can improve the degree of freedom in the transmission and reception direction of a phased array antenna compared to conventional designs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention employs a first solution relating to a high-frequency circuit, comprising: a parameter acquisition unit that acquires a phase gradient parameter for a plurality of antenna elements constituting a phased array antenna based on the installation interval of the antenna elements, the wavelength of the transmitted and received waves, and the transmission and reception direction; a parameter acquisition unit that acquires a phase shift parameter based on the phase gradient parameter, the coordinates of the antenna elements, and an offset adjustment value relating to the antenna elements; and a setting value acquisition unit that acquires a phase shift setting value for the antenna elements based on the phase shift parameter.

[0008] In the present invention, as a second solution relating to the high-frequency circuit, in the first solution described above, the parameter acquisition unit employs a method of calculating the phase shift parameter by adding the offset adjustment value to the product of the phase gradient parameter and the coordinates of the antenna element.

[0009] In the present invention, as a third solution means related to a high-frequency circuit, in the above first or second solution means, the parameter acquisition unit stores a plurality of data sets related to the offset adjustment value, and selects the data set based on a switching instruction to obtain the offset adjustment value.

[0010] In the present invention, as a fourth solution means related to a high-frequency circuit, in any of the above first to third solution means, the offset adjustment value is a fixed-point decimal number in two's complement notation.

[0011] In the present invention, as a fifth solution means related to a high-frequency circuit, in any of the above first to fourth solution means, the parameter acquisition unit performs an adjustment process on the phase gradient parameter so as to increase or decrease the fineness in the transmission and reception directions.

[0012] In the present invention, as a solution means related to an antenna module, a high-frequency circuit according to any of the above first to fifth solution means and the phased array antenna in which the transmission and reception directions are set by the high-frequency circuit are adopted.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a high-frequency circuit and an antenna module capable of improving the degree of freedom in the transmission and reception directions of a phased array antenna more than before.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an antenna module and a high-frequency circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a beamformer integrated circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of an offset table in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of an antenna module and high-frequency circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a first characteristic diagram showing the measured and calculated values ​​of radiated power in one embodiment of the present invention, in the case where the phase gradient parameter is subjected to compressed coordinate processing (a) and in the case where the phase gradient parameter is subjected to compressed coordinate processing and offset adjustment processing (b). [Figure 6] This is a second characteristic diagram showing the measured and calculated values ​​of radiated power in one embodiment of the present invention, in the case where the phase gradient parameter is subjected to compressed coordinate processing (a) and in the case where the phase gradient parameter is subjected to compressed coordinate processing and offset adjustment processing (b). [Figure 7] This is a third characteristic diagram showing the measured and calculated values ​​of radiated power in one embodiment of the present invention, in the case where the phase gradient parameter is subjected to compressed coordinate processing (a) and in the case where the phase gradient parameter is subjected to compressed coordinate processing and offset adjustment processing (b). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the functional configuration of the antenna module 1 and the high-frequency circuit 3 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. The antenna module 1 according to this embodiment is installed, for example, in a wireless communication device that performs beamforming to change the beam pattern (antenna directivity) in the millimeter-wave band.

[0016] The antenna module 1 comprises, for example, multiple integrated circuits (ICs) mounted on the first surface and an antenna mounted on the second surface of a substrate, which is one of the two surfaces in the thickness direction of a printed circuit board or the like. As shown in Figure 1, the antenna module 1 comprises, for example, a high-frequency circuit 3 and an array antenna 7 made up of multiple antenna elements 5. The array antenna 7 is, for example, a phased array antenna comprising multiple antenna elements 5 arranged regularly.

[0017] The high-frequency circuit 3 is, for example, an RF module equipped with a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC). The high-frequency circuit 3 includes, for example, a frequency conversion integrated circuit 11 (FCIC), a band-pass filter 12 (BPF), a distribution combiner (Σ) 13, and a plurality of beamformer integrated circuits 14 (BFIC).

[0018] The frequency conversion integrated circuit 11 (FCIC) includes, for example, a local oscillator and a mixer. The frequency conversion integrated circuit 11 (FCIC) converts the frequency between the high-frequency signal (RF signal) transmitted and received by the array antenna 7 and the intermediate-frequency signal (IF signal) using the local oscillator signal generated from the local oscillator.

[0019] The band-pass filter 12 (BPF) allows a desired frequency band of RF signals transmitted and received by, for example, the array antenna 7 to pass through, while blocking signals outside the desired frequency band.

[0020] The distribution combiner 13(Σ) functions, for example, as a distributor that distributes RF signals and a combiner that combines RF signals. The distribution combiner 13(Σ) distributes, for example, the RF signal output from the band-pass filter 12 (BPF) to multiple beamformer integrated circuits 14 (BFIC). The distribution combiner 13(Σ) combines the RF signals output from the multiple beamformer integrated circuits 14 (BFIC) and outputs them to the band-pass filter 12 (BPF).

[0021] Each of the multiple beamformer integrated circuits 14 (BFIC) controls, for example, the beam pattern (antenna directivity) of multiple antenna elements 5. This beamformer integrated circuit 14 (BFIC) is controlled by an external communication control device 20, for example, as shown in Figure 2. The beamformer integrated circuit 14 (BFIC) includes, for example, an antenna control unit 21, a relay circuit 22, and multiple front-end circuits 23.

[0022] The antenna control unit 21 controls the operation of the beamformer integrated circuit 14 (BFIC) in response to information input from, for example, an external communication control device 20. For example, the information input to the antenna control unit 21 from the outside includes at least a first phase gradient parameter α, a second phase gradient parameter β, and command information. The antenna control unit 21 inputs the first phase gradient parameter α, the second phase gradient parameter β, and the command information received from, for example, an external communication control device 20, to a plurality of front-end circuits 23.

[0023] The first phase gradient parameter α and the second phase gradient parameter β are parameters related to the phase difference between adjacent antenna elements 5. For example, when multiple antenna elements 5 are arranged in the XY plane along the X, Y, and Z axes that form a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, the first phase gradient parameter α is related to the phase difference in the X-axis direction, and the second phase gradient parameter β is related to the phase difference in the Y-axis direction.

[0024] For example, the first phase gradient parameter α is given by equation (1) below. The second phase gradient parameter β is given by equation (2) below. α=dx×sinθ×cosφ×360÷λ (1) β=dy×sinθ×sinφ×360÷λ (2)

[0025] In equations (1) and (2), dx is the distance d between adjacent antenna elements 5 in the X-axis direction, and dy is the distance between adjacent antenna elements 5 in the Y-axis direction. λ is the wavelength of the beam-shaped transmitted and received wave (RF signal) emitted or received by the antenna elements 5. θ is the first angle that defines the direction of the beam-shaped transmitted and received wave (transmission / reception direction) in the spherical coordinate system, and φ is the second angle that defines the direction of the beam-shaped transmitted and received wave (transmission / reception direction) in the spherical coordinate system. The first angle θ is the zenith angle θ, which is the angle between the Z-axis and the radial vector. The second angle φ is the azimuth angle φ, which is the angle between the X-axis and the projection of the radial vector onto the XY plane.

[0026] The relay circuit 22 includes, for example, a switching unit 31 and a distribution and combining unit 32(Σ). The switching unit 31 includes, for example, two switches (SW) and two amplifiers connected in antiparallel between the two switches (SW). The switching unit 31 switches the path of the RF signal to either of the two amplifiers.

[0027] The distribution and combining unit 32(Σ) functions as both a distributor for distributing RF signals and a combiner for combining RF signals. For example, the distribution and combining unit 32(Σ) distributes the RF signal output from the switching unit 31 to a plurality of front-end circuits 23. For example, the distribution and combining unit 32(Σ) combines the RF signals output from the plurality of front-end circuits 23 and outputs them to the switching unit 31.

[0028] Each of the multiple front-end circuits 23 includes, for example, a phase shifter 33, a first switch 34 (SW1), a second switch 35 (SW2), a transmitting variable gain amplifier 36a, a receiving variable gain amplifier 36b, a power amplifier 37a, a low-noise amplifier 37b, a parameter acquisition unit 38, and a set value acquisition unit 39, as shown in the figure.

[0029] The phase shifter 33 sets the phase of the RF signal according to the phase shift setting value (phase shift setting value) δ input from the setting value acquisition unit 39, which will be described later. The first switch 34 (SW1) is connected to the phase shifter 33, and the second switch 35 (SW2) is connected to the antenna element 5. The first switch 34 (SW1) and the second switch 35 (SW2) switch, for example, the RF signal transmission path SR and the reception path RR between the phase shifter 33 and the antenna element 5.

[0030] The transmitting variable gain amplifier 36a and the power amplifier 37a are connected in series sequentially from the first switch 34(SW1) to the second switch 35(SW2) in the transmitting path SR between the first switch 34(SW1) and the second switch 35(SW2), for example. The low-noise amplifier 37b and the receiving variable gain amplifier 36b are connected in series sequentially from the second switch 35(SW2) to the first switch 34(SW1) in the receiving path RR between the first switch 34(SW1) and the second switch 35(SW2), for example. The transmitting variable gain amplifier 36a, the power amplifier 37a, the receiving variable gain amplifier 36b, and the low-noise amplifier 37b are connected in antiparallel between the first switch 34(SW1) and the second switch 35(SW2), for example.

[0031] The transmitting variable gain amplifier 36a and the receiving variable gain amplifier 36b set the strength of the RF signal according to, for example, the strength setting value g (gain setting value) input from the setting value acquisition unit 39, which will be described later. The power amplifier 37a amplifies the RF signal going from the transmitting variable gain amplifier 36a to the second switch 35 (SW2) in the transmitting path SR at a predetermined amplification factor. The low-noise amplifier 37b amplifies the RF signal going from the second switch 35 (SW2) to the receiving variable gain amplifier 36b in the receiving path RR at a predetermined amplification factor.

[0032] The parameter acquisition unit 38 acquires a phase shift parameter Ψ related to the phase shift of the antenna element 5 based on, for example, a first phase gradient parameter α, a second phase gradient parameter β, etc., received from the antenna control unit 21. That is, the parameter acquisition unit 38 calculates a phase shift parameter Ψ(k) corresponding to an appropriate natural number k, as shown in equation (3) below, which consists of the first and second phase gradient parameters α and β, the X coordinate x(k) and Y coordinate y(k) of each antenna element 5, and the offset adjustment value Offset(k) related to each antenna element 5. Ψ(k)=x(k)×α+y(k)×β+Offset(k) (3)

[0033] The above offset adjustment value Offset(k) is a fixed value added to the product of the first phase gradient parameter α and the X coordinate x(k) and the product of the second phase gradient parameter β and the Y coordinate y(k), as shown in equation (3). Such an offset adjustment value Offset(k) causes the phase shift parameter Ψ(k) to change in steps according to its magnitude.

[0034] The offset adjustment value Offset(k) is pre-stored in the parameter acquisition unit 38 as an offset table T, as shown in Figure 3. The offset table T is a two-dimensional table (data table) in which multiple offset adjustment values ​​Offset_k, each associated with an address, are registered as multiple datasets for multiple antenna elements 5, as shown in the figure.

[0035] The parameter acquisition unit 38 acquires one dataset from multiple datasets by specifying a specific address in the offset table T based on a switching instruction input from an external higher-level control device, and calculates the phase shift parameter Ψ(k) based on this dataset. Such an offset adjustment value Offset_k is registered in the offset table T as a fixed-point number in two's complement notation, for example, in order to reduce the computational load on the parameter acquisition unit 38.

[0036] Here, the parameter acquisition unit 38 replaces the first and second phase gradient parameters α and β and the X coordinate x(k) and Y coordinate y(k) with the first and second adjusted phase gradient parameters α and β, which have undergone a predetermined adjustment process. E , β E and adjustment X coordinate x C (k) and adjusted Y coordinate y C The phase shift parameter Ψ(k) may be calculated using (k).

[0037] That is, the first and second phase gradient parameters α and β, as well as the X coordinate x(k) and the Y coordinate y(k), are adjusted by a density parameter indicating the fineness of the transmission / reception direction (beam direction) of the beam-like transmission / reception wave transmitted and received by the array antenna 7, whereby the first and second adjusted phase gradient parameters α E , β E and the adjusted X coordinate x C (k) and the adjusted Y coordinate y C (k) are converted. The density parameter is a first density parameter γX related to the fineness in the X-axis direction and a second density parameter γY related to the fineness in the Y-axis direction.

[0038] The parameter acquisition unit 38 uses the first and second density parameters γX and γY to convert the first and second phase gradient parameters α and β into the first and second adjusted phase gradient parameters α E , β E as shown in the following formula (4). Also, the parameter acquisition unit 38 uses the first and second density parameters γX and γY to convert the X coordinate x(k) and the Y coordinate y(k) into the adjusted X coordinate x C (k) and the adjusted Y coordinate y C (k) as shown in the following formula (5).

[0039]

Equation

[0040]

Equation

[0041] Also, the parameter acquisition unit 38 calculates a phase shift parameter Ψ(k) based on the first and second adjusted phase gradient parameters α E , β E and the adjusted X coordinate x C (k) and the adjusted Y coordinate y C (k) as shown in the following formula (6). Ψ(k)=x C (k)×α E +y C (k)×βE +Offset(k) (6)

[0042] The setting value acquisition unit 39 acquires, for example, a phase shift setting value δ (phase shift setting value) and an intensity setting value g (gain setting value) according to the phase shift parameter Ψ acquired by the parameter acquisition unit 38. The setting value acquisition unit 39 pre-stores, for example, table data or map data showing the correspondence between the phase shift parameter Ψ and the phase shift setting value δ and intensity setting value (gain setting value) g.

[0043] The setting value acquisition unit 39 acquires the phase shift setting value δ (phase shift setting value) and the intensity setting value g (gain setting value) by referring to table data or map data that is stored in advance according to the phase shift parameter Ψ input from the parameter acquisition unit 38, for example. The setting value acquisition unit 39 inputs the phase shift setting value δ (phase shift setting value) to the phase shifter 33 and the intensity setting value g (gain setting value) to the transmitting variable gain amplifier 36a and the receiving variable gain amplifier 36b.

[0044] Next, the operation of the antenna module 1 and the high-frequency circuit 3 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the figures.

[0045] In the high-frequency circuit 3 according to this embodiment, the parameter acquisition unit 38 acquires first and second phase gradient parameters α and β, and calculates a phase shift parameter Ψ(k) for each antenna element 5 based on equation (3), which consists of the first and second phase gradient parameters α and β, the X coordinate x(k) and Y coordinate y(k) of each antenna element 5, and the offset adjustment value Offset(k) for each antenna element 5.

[0046] In the high-frequency circuit 3 according to this embodiment, the setting value acquisition unit 39 acquires the phase shift setting value δ (phase shift setting value) and the intensity setting value g (gain setting value) based on the phase shift parameter Ψ. In this high-frequency circuit 3, the phase shift setting value δ (phase shift setting value) is supplied from the setting value acquisition unit 39 to the phase shifter 33. In addition, in this high-frequency circuit 3, the intensity setting value g (gain setting value) is supplied from the setting value acquisition unit 39 to the transmitting-side variable gain amplifier 36a and the receiving-side variable gain amplifier 36b.

[0047] Then, the phase amount of the phase shifter 33 is adjusted based on the phase shift setting value δ (phase shift setting value), and the gains of the transmitting-side variable gain amplifier 36a and the receiving-side variable gain amplifier 36b are adjusted based on the intensity setting value g (gain setting value), thereby appropriately setting the transmission and reception direction of the array antenna 7 (phased array antenna).

[0048] Here, the offset adjustment value Offset(k) used to calculate the phase shift parameter Ψ(k) is a quantity added to the product of the first phase gradient parameter α and the X coordinate x(k) and the product of the second phase gradient parameter β and the Y coordinate y(k), as shown in equation (3). As shown in Figure 4, such an offset adjustment value Offset(k) causes the transmission and reception direction of the array antenna 7 (phased array antenna) to shift in steps according to the magnitude of the phase shift parameter Ψ(k).

[0049] In other words, the high-frequency circuit 3 according to this embodiment includes a parameter acquisition unit 38 that acquires phase gradient parameters α and β for a plurality of antenna elements 5 constituting an array antenna 7 (phased array antenna) based on the installation interval dx and dy of the antenna elements 5, the wavelength λ of the transmitted and received waves, and the transmission and reception directions θ and φ, and also acquires a phase shift parameter Ψ(k) based on the phase gradient parameters α and β, the coordinates x(k) and y(k) of the antenna elements 5, and an offset adjustment value Offset(k) related to the antenna elements 5, and a setting value acquisition unit 39 that acquires a phase shift setting value δ for the antenna elements 5 based on the phase shift parameter Ψ(k).

[0050] According to this embodiment, the phase shift setting value δ of the antenna element 5 is set taking into account the offset adjustment value Offset(k) related to the antenna element 5, so it is possible to provide a high-frequency circuit 3 that can improve the degree of freedom of the transmission and reception direction of the array antenna 7 (phased array antenna) compared to conventional methods.

[0051] In the background technology described above, assuming that the transmission and reception wave frequencies are 28 GHz, the x-direction installation spacing dx and y-direction installation spacing dy are 7.0 mm each, and the phase gradient parameters SlopeX and SlopeY are 8-bit digital values ​​in the range of -128 to +127, it is not possible to set the beam emission direction θ (transmission / reception direction) to 60°. However, according to this embodiment, the transmission and reception direction of the array antenna 7 (phased array antenna) can be freely set by the offset adjustment value Offset(k).

[0052] In recent years, efforts have been made to reduce the number of phased array antennas and lower costs by using a single phased array antenna across a wide frequency band. However, in such cases, the antenna is not always used at the frequency where it performs best. For example, if one tries to create a phased array antenna that can be used in the 10-30 GHz frequency band and optimizes the configuration for 20 GHz transmission and reception (with an antenna element spacing of approximately 7 mm), and then also tries to perform 28 GHz transmission and reception, there will be directions in which the beam cannot be directed. According to this embodiment, it is possible to realize a phased array antenna that can transmit and receive even with such a configuration.

[0053] Furthermore, in the high-frequency circuit 3 according to this embodiment, the parameter acquisition unit 38 calculates the phase shift parameter Ψ(k) by adding an offset adjustment value Offset(k) to the product of the phase gradient parameters α and β and the coordinates x(k) and y(k) of the antenna element 5. According to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in the transmission and reception direction of the array antenna 7 (phased array antenna) compared to conventional methods.

[0054] Furthermore, in the high-frequency circuit 3 according to this embodiment, the parameter acquisition unit 38 stores multiple datasets related to the offset adjustment value Offset(k) as a parameter table T, and acquires the offset adjustment value Offset(k) by selecting a dataset based on a switching instruction. According to this embodiment, it is easy to change the offset adjustment value Offset(k) for multiple antenna elements 5.

[0055] Furthermore, in the high-frequency circuit 3 according to this embodiment, the offset adjustment value Offset(k) is a fixed-point number in two's complement notation. According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the computational load on the parameter acquisition unit 38 in calculating the multiple phase shift parameters Ψ(k) related to the multiple antenna elements 5.

[0056] Furthermore, in the high-frequency circuit 3 according to this embodiment, the parameter acquisition unit 38 performs coordinate compression processing on the phase gradient parameters α and β in addition to offset adjustment processing of the phase gradient parameters α and β using the offset adjustment value Offset_k, in order to increase or decrease the precision in the transmission and reception direction. That is, by setting the first density parameter γX and the second density parameter γY to values ​​less than 1 (γX<1, γY<1), the precision in the beam direction in the X-axis and Y-axis directions of the beam-shaped RF signal radiated or received by the antenna element 5 is increased.

[0057] As a result, the X coordinate x is changed. C (k) and the changed Y coordinate y C (k) is compressed compared to the X coordinate x(k) and Y coordinate y(k). On the other hand, the first modified phase gradient parameter α E and the second modified phase gradient parameter β E This is extended compared to the first phase gradient parameter α and the second phase gradient parameter β.

[0058] Furthermore, by setting the first density parameter γX and the second density parameter γY to values ​​greater than 1 (γX>1, γY>1), the beam-direction fineness of the beam-like RF signal radiated or received by the antenna element 5 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions is reduced. As a result, the X-coordinate x C (k) and the changed Y coordinate y C (k) is stretched compared to the X coordinate x(k) and Y coordinate y(k). On the other hand, the first modified phase gradient parameter α E and the second modified phase gradient parameter β E This is compressed compared to the first phase gradient parameter α and the second phase gradient parameter β.

[0059] Figures 5 to 7 are characteristic diagrams showing the measured and calculated values ​​of radiated power when the phase gradient parameters α and β are subjected to coordinate compression (a) and when the phase gradient parameters α and β are subjected to both coordinate compression and offset adjustment (b).

[0060] Specifically, Figure 5 shows the radiated power when the phase gradient parameters α and β are set to "0". Figure 6 shows the radiated power when the phase gradient parameter α is set to 127 and the phase gradient parameter β is set to "0". Furthermore, Figure 7 shows the radiated power when the phase gradient parameter α is set to 128 and the phase gradient parameter β is set to "0".

[0061] As shown in Figure 5(a), when both phase gradient parameters α and β are set to "0", there is a good correlation between the measured values ​​of radiated power and the calculated values ​​of radiated power when coordinate compression processing (coordinate compression) is applied to the phase gradient parameters α and β. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(b), when both phase gradient parameters α and β are set to "0", there is a good correlation between the measured values ​​of radiated power and the calculated values ​​of radiated power when coordinate compression processing (coordinate compression) and offset adjustment processing are applied to the phase gradient parameters α and β.

[0062] As shown in Figure 6(a), when the phase gradient parameter α is set to 127 and the phase gradient parameter β is set to "0", there is a good correlation between the measured value of radiated power and the calculated value of radiated power when the phase gradient parameters α and β are subjected to coordinate compression processing (coordinate compression). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(b), when the phase gradient parameter α is set to 127 and the phase gradient parameter β is set to "0", there is a good correlation between the measured value of radiated power and the calculated value of radiated power when the phase gradient parameters α and β are subjected to coordinate compression processing (coordinate compression) and offset adjustment processing.

[0063] As shown in Figure 7(a), when the phase gradient parameter α is set to 128 and the phase gradient parameter β is set to "0", there is a good correlation between the measured value of radiated power and the calculated value of radiated power when the phase gradient parameters α and β are subjected to coordinate compression (coordinate compression). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(b), when the phase gradient parameter α is set to 128 and the phase gradient parameter β is set to "0", there is a good correlation between the measured value of radiated power and the calculated value of radiated power when the phase gradient parameters α and β are subjected to coordinate compression (coordinate compression) and offset adjustment. Note that α=128 corresponds to -128 when viewed in two's complement.

[0064] Furthermore, the antenna module 1 according to this embodiment includes the high-frequency circuit 3 described above and an array antenna 7 (phased array antenna) whose transmission and reception direction is set by the high-frequency circuit 3. According to this embodiment, since the phase shift setting value δ of the antenna element 5 is set taking into account the offset adjustment value Offset(k) related to the antenna element 5, it is possible to provide an antenna module 1 that can improve the degree of freedom of the transmission and reception direction of the array antenna 7 (phased array antenna) compared to conventional models.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and for example, the following modifications are possible. (1) In the above embodiment, Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the antenna module 1 and Figure 2 shows the functional configuration of the high-frequency circuit 3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Figures 1 and 2 are merely examples, and various modifications to the configuration of the antenna module 1 and the high-frequency circuit 3 are possible.

[0066] (2) In the above embodiment, instead of the first and second phase gradient parameters α and β and the X coordinate x(k) and Y coordinate y(k), the first and second adjusted phase gradient parameters α and β are used, which are obtained by applying a predetermined adjustment process to the first and second phase gradient parameters α and β. E , β E and adjustment X coordinate x C (k) and adjusted Y coordinate y C Although it was mentioned that the phase shift parameter Ψ(k) is calculated using (k), the first and second adjustment phase gradient parameters α E , β E and adjustment X coordinate x C (k) and adjusted Y coordinate y C The calculation of the phase shift parameter Ψ(k) using (k) can be performed as needed.

[0067] (3) In the above embodiment, the offset adjustment value Offset(k) was used to set the receiving direction in addition to setting the transmission direction of the array antenna 7 (phased array antenna), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The offset adjustment value Offset(k) may be used to set either the transmission direction or the receiving direction of the array antenna 7 (phased array antenna). [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1…Antenna module, 3…High-frequency circuit, 5…Antenna element, 7…Array antenna, 11…Frequency conversion integrated circuit (FCIC), 12…Bandpass filter (BPF), 13…Distributor / combiner (Σ), 14…Beamformer integrated circuit (BFIC), 20…Communication control device, 21…Antenna control unit, 22…Relay circuit, 23…Front-end circuit, 31…Switching unit, 32…Distributor / combiner unit (Σ), 33…Phase shifter, 34…First switch (SW1), 35…Second switch (SW2), 36a…Transmitter-side variable gain amplifier, 36b…Receiver-side variable gain amplifier, 37a…Power amplifier, 37b…Low-noise amplifier, 38…Parameter acquisition unit, 39…Setpoint acquisition unit

Claims

1. A parameter acquisition unit acquires a phase gradient parameter for multiple antenna elements constituting a phased array antenna based on the installation interval of the antenna elements, the wavelength of the transmitted and received waves, and the transmission and reception direction, and also acquires a phase shift parameter based on the phase gradient parameter, the coordinates of the antenna elements, and an offset adjustment value related to the antenna elements. A setting value acquisition unit that acquires the phase shift setting value of the antenna element based on the phase shift parameter. A high-frequency circuit equipped with this feature.

2. The high-frequency circuit according to claim 1, wherein the parameter acquisition unit calculates the phase shift parameter by adding the offset adjustment value to the product of the phase gradient parameter and the coordinates of the antenna element.

3. The high-frequency circuit according to claim 1, wherein the parameter acquisition unit stores a plurality of datasets relating to the offset adjustment value and acquires the offset adjustment value by selecting the dataset based on a switching instruction.

4. The high-frequency circuit according to claim 1, wherein the offset adjustment value is a fixed-point number in two's complement notation.

5. The high-frequency circuit according to claim 1, wherein the parameter acquisition unit performs adjustment processing on the phase gradient parameter to increase or decrease the precision in the transmission and reception direction.

6. A high-frequency circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The phased array antenna whose transmission and reception direction is set by the high-frequency circuit and An antenna module equipped with the following features.

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