Antenna Radio Equipment

Abstract

To provide an antenna radio device that can be driven with high beamforming accuracy.SOLUTION: An antenna radio device according to one example of the present disclosure includes a plurality of antenna elements, a power feeding port corresponding to each antenna element, detection ports corresponding to some or all of the plurality of antenna elements, a transmission / reception circuit connected to each power feeding port, and a reference transmission / reception circuit connected to each detection port or the plurality of detection ports. For each antenna element, the transmission / reception circuit generates a second signal by performing processing on a first signal, and feeds the second signal to the power feeding port. The second signal fed to the power feeding port is output to the reference transmission / reception circuit through the detection port. The reference transmission / reception circuit generates a third signal by performing processing on the second signal, detects the amplitude / phase deviation based on the first signal and the third signal, and outputs the amplitude / phase deviation to the transmission / reception circuit. The transmission / reception circuit adjusts the phase / amplitude of the transmission signal based on the amplitude / phase deviation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Antenna radio devices that include a detector immediately after a transmission power amplifier are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-263632 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above conventional configuration, the detector detects the difference in transmission characteristics along the transmission path up to the input to the antenna element, so the detected value contains errors due to differences in temperature and wiring length between the antenna element and the detector, resulting in a problem of reduced beamforming accuracy.

[0005] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure contribute to providing an antenna radio device that can be driven with high beamforming accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An antenna radio device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of antenna elements formed on a substrate, a feed port associated with each of the plurality of antenna elements, detection ports associated with some or all of the plurality of antenna elements, a transceiver circuit connected to each of the feed ports, and a reference transceiver circuit connected to each or a plurality of the detection ports, wherein for each of the plurality of antenna elements, the transceiver circuit generates a second signal by performing transmission processing including digital-to-analog conversion and up-conversion on a first signal, and the second signal is connected to the transceiver circuit. power is fed to the feed port associated with the antenna element associated with the feed port, the second signal fed to the feed port is output via the detection port associated with the antenna element associated with the feed port to the reference transceiver circuit connected to the detection port, the reference transceiver circuit generates a third signal by performing processing on the second signal including analog-to-digital conversion and down-conversion, detects a first amplitude and phase deviation based on the first signal and the third signal, and outputs the first amplitude and phase deviation to the transceiver circuit, and the transceiver circuit adjusts the phase and amplitude of a transmission signal based on the first amplitude and phase deviation.

[0007] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to correct the difference in path characteristics between the antenna element and the detector that detects the phase and amplitude deviation, thereby enabling driving with high beamforming accuracy.

[0009] Further advantages and benefits of an embodiment of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification and drawings. Such advantages and / or benefits may be provided by some of the embodiments and features described in the specification and drawings, but not necessarily all of them may be provided to obtain one or more identical features. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an antenna radio device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is another block diagram illustrating an example of an antenna radio device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an antenna substrate of an antenna radio device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] Cross section AA in Figure 3A [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the configuration of the antenna substrate of the antenna radio device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of yet another example of the configuration of the antenna substrate of the antenna radio device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of an antenna substrate of an antenna radio device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of an antenna substrate of an antenna radio device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating yet another example of an antenna substrate of an antenna radio device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of an antenna substrate of an antenna radio device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following explanation and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0012] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) <Configuration of antenna radio equipment> An antenna radio device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The antenna radio device 10 includes a phased array antenna capable of beamforming.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an antenna radio device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0015] The antenna radio device 10 includes an antenna substrate 101, a horizontally (hereinafter referred to as "H") polarized wave transmitting and receiving circuit 106, a vertically (hereinafter referred to as "V") polarized wave transmitting and receiving circuit 107, and a reference transmitting and receiving circuit 108.

[0016] Antenna substrate 101 has a plurality of patch antenna elements 102(m,n) formed on antenna substrate 101, an H-polarized wave feed port 103(m,n) for an H-polarized wave signal, a V-polarized wave feed port 104(m,n) for a V-polarized wave signal, and a detection port 105(m,n), where m is an integer between 1 and M, and n is an integer between 1 and N.

[0017] When referring to all of the patch antenna elements 102(m,n) or a representative one of the patch antenna elements 102(m,n), it may be referred to as patch antenna element 102. Similarly, when referring to all of the H-polarized feed port 103(m,n), the V-polarized feed port 104(m,n) for V-polarized signals, and the detection port 105(m,n), it may be referred to as H-polarized feed port 103, V-polarized feed port 104, and detection port 105, respectively.

[0018] The patch antenna elements 102(m,n) are, for example, rectangular planar antenna elements fed by electromagnetic coupling. The patch antenna elements 102(m,n) are, for example, arranged in a rectangular lattice pattern aligned in the X-axis and Y-axis directions to form an M×N planar antenna array. That is, the M patch antenna elements 102(1,n) to 102(M,n) arranged in the X-axis direction form a patch antenna row, and the N patch antenna elements 102(m,1) to 102(m,N) arranged in the Y-axis direction form a patch antenna column. The multiple patch antenna elements 102 are arranged at intervals of λ / 2 or approximately λ / 2, where λ is the wavelength of the RF signal.

[0019] Detection port 105(m,n) is arranged at the center or approximately the center of patch antenna element 102(m,n). Detection ports 105(1,n) to 105(M,n), which are arranged at the center or approximately the center of patch antenna elements 102(1,n) to 102(M,n) constituting a patch antenna row, are arranged on the same line or approximately the same line along the X-axis direction at equal intervals or approximately the same spacing. Similarly, detection ports 105(m,1) to 105(m,N), which are arranged at the center or approximately the center of patch antenna elements 102(m,1) to 102(m,N) constituting a patch antenna column, are arranged on the same line or approximately the same line along the Y-axis direction at equal intervals or approximately the same spacing.

[0020] The H-polarized feed port 103(m,n) is arranged on the patch antenna element 102(m,n) at a predetermined distance on the positive side of the X-axis direction from the center or approximately the center of the patch antenna element 102(m,n). Alternatively, the H-polarized feed port 103(m,n) may be arranged on the patch antenna element 102(m,n) at a predetermined distance on the negative side of the X-axis direction from the center or approximately the center of the patch antenna element 102(m,n). The H-polarized feed ports 103(1,n) to 103(M,n) arranged on the patch antenna elements 102(1,n) to 102(M,n) constituting the patch antenna row are arranged on the same or approximately the same line along the X-axis direction at equal or approximately equal intervals. Therefore, H-polarized wave feed port 103(1,n) to H-polarized wave feed port 103(M,n) and detection port 105(1,n) to detection port 105(M,n) are arranged on the same line or approximately on the same line along the X-axis direction.

[0021] V-polarized feed port 104(m,n) is arranged on patch antenna element 102(m,n) at a predetermined distance on the negative side of the Y-axis direction from the center or approximately the center of patch antenna element 102(m,n). Alternatively, V-polarized feed port 104(m,n) may be arranged on patch antenna element 102(m,n) at a predetermined distance on the positive side of the Y-axis direction from the center or approximately the center of patch antenna element 102(m,n). V-polarized feed ports 104(m,1) to 104(m,N) arranged on patch antenna elements 102(m,1) to 102(m,N) constituting the patch antenna array are arranged on the same or approximately the same line along the Y-axis direction at equal or approximately equal intervals. Therefore, V-polarized wave feed port 104(m,1) to V-polarized wave feed port 104(m,N) and detection port 105(m,1) to detection port 105(m,N) are arranged on the same line or approximately on the same line along the Y-axis direction.

[0022] The H polarized wave transmitting and receiving circuit 106 is a circuit for transmitting and receiving an H polarized wave signal. One H polarized wave transmitting and receiving circuit 106 is connected to each of the multiple H polarized wave feed ports 103. In other words, there are M×N H polarized wave transmitting and receiving circuits 106.

[0023] V polarized wave transmitting and receiving circuits 107 are circuits for transmitting and receiving V polarized wave signals. One V polarized wave transmitting and receiving circuit 107 is connected to each of the multiple V polarized wave feed ports 104. In other words, there are M×N V polarized wave transmitting and receiving circuits 107.

[0024] In the transmission system, the reference transmission / reception circuit 108 is a circuit that detects the power and delay time of the H-system code sequence and V-system code sequence for calibration (described later) for each patch antenna element 102, and detects / acquires the amplitude and phase deviation from a predetermined value for each patch antenna element 102, so that the H-polarized transmission / reception circuit 106 and the V-polarized transmission / reception circuit 107 can adjust the amplitude and phase of their transmission signals.

[0025] In addition, for the reception system, the reference transmission / reception circuit 108 is a circuit that outputs H-system code sequences and V-system code sequences for calibration, which will be described later, to the H-polarized transmission / reception circuit 106 and the V-polarized transmission / reception circuit 107, respectively, for each patch antenna element 102, so that the H-polarized transmission / reception circuit 106 and the V-polarized transmission / reception circuit 107 can adjust the amplitude and phase of their received signals.

[0026] In the first embodiment, one reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 is connected to each of the plurality of detection ports 105. That is, there are M×N reference transmitting / receiving circuits 108.

[0027] The H polarized wave transmitting and receiving circuit 106, the V polarized wave transmitting and receiving circuit 107, and the reference transmitting and receiving circuit 108 may be arranged on the rear side of the plane of the planar antenna array (below the plane of the planar antenna array in the Z-axis direction).

[0028] FIG. 2 is another block diagram showing an example of antenna radio device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 2 also shows an example of the internal configuration of the H polarization transmitting and receiving circuit 106, the V polarization transmitting and receiving circuit 107, and the reference transmitting and receiving circuit 108.

[0030] 2, the antenna radio device 10 further includes an H-system Rx calibration (CAL) code sequence generator 114a, a V-system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114b, an H-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115a, and a V-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115b. The CAL code sequence is sometimes called a correlation code sequence.

[0031] The H-system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114a generates a CAL code sequence for calibrating the H-polarized wave receiving system, such as an M sequence or a pseudo-noise (PN) code such as a Gold code. The H-system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114a then outputs the generated CAL code sequence to a CAL code generator 141 in the reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 and an H-system Rx CAL code correlator 131a in the H-polarized wave transmitting / receiving circuit 106, which will be described later.

[0032] V system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114b generates a CAL code sequence for calibrating the V polarization receiving system, such as an M sequence or a PN code such as a Gold code. V system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114b then outputs the generated CAL code sequence to CAL code generator 141 of reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 and V system Rx CAL code correlator 131b of V polarization transmitting / receiving circuit 107, which will be described later.

[0033] H-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115a generates a CAL code sequence for calibrating the H-polarized wave transmitting system, such as an M sequence or a PN code such as a Gold code. H-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115a then outputs the generated CAL code sequence to a code correlator 149 of reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108, which will be described later, and also outputs it to phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123a via switch 122a of H-polarized wave transmitting / receiving circuit 106.

[0034] V system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115b generates a CAL code sequence for calibrating the V polarization transmitting system, such as an M sequence or a PN code such as a Gold code. V system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115b then outputs the generated CAL code sequence to code correlator 149 of reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108, which will be described later, and also outputs it to phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123b via switch 122b of V polarization transmitting / receiving circuit 107.

[0035] The H polarization transmitting and receiving circuit 106 includes a switch 122a, a phase and amplitude adjustment circuit 123a, an IQ digital-to-analog converter (DAC: Digital to Analog Converter) 124a, a frequency converter 125a, a power amplifier 126a, an input / output coupling unit 127a, an LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) ​​128a, a quadrature demodulator 129a, an IQ analog-to-digital converter (ADC: Analog to Digital Converter) 130a, an H-system Rx CAL code correlator 131a, and a phase and amplitude adjustment circuit 132a.

[0036] When calibrating the H polarization transmission system, switch 122a outputs the CAL code sequence (first signal) generated by H system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115a to phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123a. When transmitting an H polarization signal, switch 122a outputs, for example, externally input transmit signal 121a to phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123a.

[0037] When calibrating the H polarization transmission system, phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123a outputs the CAL code sequence input from switch 122a to IQ DAC 124a. When transmitting an H polarization signal, phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123a adjusts the transmission power and transmission phase of the transmission signal input from switch 122a using correlation data (amplitude / phase deviation of the H polarization system) detected by code correlator 149 of reference transmission / reception circuit 108 (described later) and input to phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123a. Phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123a then outputs the adjusted transmission signal to IQ DAC 124a.

[0038] The operation of each of the IQ DAC 124a, frequency converter 125a, and power amplifier 126a when calibrating the H polarization transmission system will be described.

[0039] The IQ DAC 124a performs digital-to-analog conversion on the CAL code sequence input from the phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123a, then quadrature-modulates it, and outputs an analog signal of the CAL code sequence to the frequency converter 125a.

[0040] The frequency converter 125a performs frequency conversion (up-conversion) on the analog signal of the CAL code sequence input from the IQ DAC 124a to convert it into a transmission calibration signal (second signal), and outputs the transmission calibration signal to the power amplifier 126a.

[0041] Power amplifier 126a amplifies the level of the transmit calibration signal to a desired transmit level and feeds the transmit calibration signal via input / output coupler 127a to a corresponding one of H-polarized feed ports 103(m,n). The transmit calibration signal fed to H-polarized feed port 103 is output to a corresponding detection port 105 via patch antenna element 102 associated with H-polarized feed port 103.

[0042] LNA 128a amplifies the level of a reception calibration signal (when calibrating the H polarization reception system) or a reception signal (when decoding the H polarization signal), which is a desired CAL code sequence input from H polarization feed port 103 via input / output coupling unit 127a, and outputs the amplified signal to quadrature demodulator 129a.

[0043] The quadrature demodulator 129a frequency-converts (down-converts) the reception calibration signal or the reception signal input from the LNA 128a, and outputs the frequency-converted signal to the IQ ADC 130a.

[0044] The IQ ADC 130a converts the signal input from the quadrature demodulator 129a into a digital data signal (a digital data signal used when calibrating the H polarization receiving system: a sixth signal) by AD converting the signal, and outputs the digital data signal to an H system Rx CAL code correlator 131a and a phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 132a.

[0045] When calibrating the H polarization receiving system, the H-system Rx CAL code correlator 131a performs code correlation to detect the correlation between the digital data signal input from the IQ ADC 130a and the CAL code sequence (H-system code sequence) generated and input by the H-system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114a. As a result, the H-system Rx CAL code correlator 131a detects the power and delay time of the CAL code sequence (H-system code sequence) and detects the amplitude and phase deviation from predetermined values. The H-system Rx CAL code correlator 131a then outputs the amplitude and phase deviation, which are correlation data, to the phase and amplitude adjustment circuit 132a.

[0046] When decoding the H polarization signal, the phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 132a adjusts the power and phase of the digital data signal of the received signal input from the IQ ADC 130a using the amplitude / phase deviation input from the H-system Rx CAL code correlator 131a. As a result, the phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 132a decodes the received signal 133a and outputs it to, for example, an external device.

[0047] The V polarization transmitting and receiving circuit 107 includes a switch 122b, a phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123b, an IQ DAC 124b, a frequency converter 125b, a power amplifier 126b, an input / output coupling unit 127b, an LNA 128b, a quadrature demodulator 129b, an IQ ADC 130b, a V system Rx CAL code correlator 131b, and a phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 132b.

[0048] When calibrating the V polarization transmission system, switch 122b outputs the CAL code sequence (first signal) generated by V system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115b to phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123b. When transmitting a V polarization signal, switch 122b outputs, for example, externally input transmission signal 121b to phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123b.

[0049] When calibrating the V polarization transmission system, phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123b outputs the CAL code sequence input from switch 122b to IQ DAC 124b. When transmitting a V polarization signal, phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123b adjusts the transmission power and transmission phase of the transmission signal input from switch 122b using correlation data (amplitude / phase deviation of the V polarization system) detected by code correlator 149 of reference transmission / reception circuit 108 (described later) and input to phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123b. Phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123b then outputs the adjusted transmission signal to IQ DAC 124b.

[0050] Regarding IQ DAC 124b, frequency converter 125b, and power amplifier 126b, the operation of each section when performing calibration of the V polarization transmission system will be described.

[0051] The IQ DAC 124b performs digital-to-analog conversion on the CAL code sequence input from the phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123b, then quadrature-modulates it, and outputs an analog signal of the CAL code sequence to the frequency converter 125b.

[0052] The frequency converter 125b performs frequency conversion (up-conversion) on the analog signal of the CAL code sequence input from the IQ DAC 124b to convert it into a transmission calibration signal (second signal), and outputs the transmission calibration signal to the power amplifier 126b.

[0053] Power amplifier 126b amplifies the level of the transmit calibration signal to a desired transmit level and feeds the transmit calibration signal via input / output coupler 127b to a corresponding one of V-polarized feed ports 104(m,n). The transmit calibration signal fed to V-polarized feed port 104 is output to the corresponding detection port 105 via patch antenna element 102 associated with V-polarized feed port 104.

[0054] LNA 128b amplifies the level of a reception calibration signal (when calibrating the V polarization reception system) or a reception signal (when decoding a V polarization signal), which is a desired CAL code sequence input from V polarization feed port 104 via input / output coupling unit 127b, and outputs the amplified signal to quadrature demodulator 129b.

[0055] The quadrature demodulator 129b frequency-converts (down-converts) the reception calibration signal or the reception signal input from the LNA 128b, and outputs the frequency-converted signal to the IQ ADC 130b.

[0056] The IQ ADC 130b converts the signal input from the quadrature demodulator 129b into a digital data signal (a digital data signal used when calibrating the V polarization receiving system: a sixth signal) by AD converting the signal, and outputs the digital data signal to the V system Rx CAL code correlator 131b and the phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 132b.

[0057] When calibrating the V polarization receiving system, the V system Rx CAL code correlator 131b performs code correlation to detect the correlation between the digital data signal input from the IQ ADC 130b and the CAL code sequence (V system code sequence) generated and input by the V system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114b. As a result, the V system Rx CAL code correlator 131b detects the power and delay time of the CAL code sequence (V system code sequence) and detects the amplitude and phase deviation from predetermined values. The V system Rx CAL code correlator 131b then outputs the amplitude and phase deviation, which are correlation data, to the phase and amplitude adjustment circuit 132b.

[0058] When decoding a V polarization signal, the phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 132b adjusts the power and phase of the digital data signal of the received signal input from the IQ ADC 130b using the amplitude / phase deviation input from the V-system Rx CAL code correlator 131b. As a result, the phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 132b decodes the received signal 133b and outputs it to, for example, an external device.

[0059] The reference transmitter / receiver circuit 108 includes a CAL code generator 141, an IQ DAC 142, a frequency converter 143, a power amplifier 144, a duplexer or switch 145, an LNA 146, a quadrature demodulator 147, an IQ ADC 148, and a code correlator 149.

[0060] The CAL code generator 141 generates a composite signal (fourth signal) by combining the CAL code sequence generated by the H-system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114a and the CAL code sequence generated and input by the V-system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114b. Then, the CAL code generator 141 outputs the composite signal to the IQ DAC 142.

[0061] The IQ DAC 142 performs DA conversion on the composite signal (digital signal) input from the CAL code generator 141 , then performs quadrature modulation, and outputs an analog signal of the composite signal to the frequency converter 143 .

[0062] Frequency converter 143 performs frequency conversion (up-conversion) on the analog signal of the combined signal input from IQ DAC 142 to convert it into a reception calibration signal (fifth signal), and outputs the reception calibration signal to power amplifier 144.

[0063] The power amplifier 144 amplifies the level of the received calibration signal to a desired transmission level, and feeds the received calibration signal via a duplexer or switch 145 to a detection port 105 associated with a corresponding one of the patch antenna elements 102(m,n).

[0064] The reception calibration signal fed to the detection port 105 is output to the corresponding H-polarized wave feed port 103 and V-polarized wave feed port 104 via the patch antenna element 102 associated with the detection port 105 .

[0065] The transmission calibration signal fed to the H polarization feed port 103 and the transmission calibration signal fed to the V polarization feed port 104 described above are detected by the code correlator 149 and output to a corresponding one of the multiple detection ports 105 as a composite signal of the H system signal and the V system signal (second signal: hereinafter referred to as the detection signal).

[0066] The LNA 146 amplifies the level of a desired detection signal input from a corresponding one of the plurality of detection ports 105 via the duplexer or switch 145 and outputs the amplified signal to the quadrature demodulator 147 .

[0067] The quadrature demodulator 147 frequency-converts (down-converts) the detection signal input from the LNA 146 , and outputs the frequency-converted signal to the IQ ADC 148 .

[0068] The IQ ADC 148 converts the signal input from the quadrature demodulator 147 into a digital data signal (third signal) by AD conversion, and outputs the digital data signal to the code correlator 149 .

[0069] The code correlator 149 separates the digital data signal into an H polarization component and a V polarization component. Then, by performing code correlation, the code correlator 149 detects the correlation between the digital data signal input from the IQ ADC 148 and the CAL code sequence generated by the H-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115a and input. Similarly, the code correlator 149 also performs code correlation to detect the correlation between the digital data signal input from the IQ ADC 148 and the CAL code sequence generated by the V-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115b and input. As a result, the code correlator 149 detects the power and delay time of each of the H polarization component and the V polarization component, and detects amplitude and phase deviation, which are correlation data. Then, the code correlator 149 outputs the detected correlation data of the H polarization component and the correlation data of the V polarization component to the (transmission system) phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123a of the H polarization transceiver circuit 106 and the (transmission system) phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123b of the V polarization transceiver circuit 107, respectively.

[0070] In the example of FIG. 2, input / output couplers 127a and 127b are duplexers or other duplexers when the antenna radio equipment access method is the FDD method, and are switches when the antenna radio equipment access method is the TDD method.

[0071] Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, an example of the configuration of the antenna substrate of the antenna radio device according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0072] FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of antenna substrate 201 of the antenna radio device according to the first embodiment.

[0073] Note that antenna substrate 201, patch antenna element 200, H-polarized wave feed port 205, V-polarized wave feed port 206, and detection port 207 in Figure 3A correspond to antenna substrate 101, patch antenna element 102, H-polarized wave feed port 103, V-polarized wave feed port 104, and detection port 105 in Figure 1, respectively.

[0074] Antenna substrate 201 is a multilayer substrate composed of antenna pattern 202, dielectric 203, and GND pattern 204. H-polarized wave feed port 205, V-polarized wave feed port 206, and detection port 207 are connected to antenna pattern 202.

[0075] The H-polarized wave feed port 205 is disposed on the patch antenna element 200 at a predetermined distance from the center or approximately the center of the patch antenna element 200 on the positive side in the X-axis direction.

[0076] The V-polarized wave feed port 206 is disposed on the patch antenna element 200 at a predetermined distance from the center or approximately the center of the patch antenna element 200 on the negative side in the Y-axis direction.

[0077] The detection port 207 is located at or near the center of the patch antenna element 200 .

[0078] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3A.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 3B, detection port 207 is configured by a through-hole between antenna pattern 202 on the front surface of antenna substrate 201 and the GND plane on the back surface of antenna substrate 201. A gap is provided between detection port 207 and antenna pattern 202. By providing such a gap to separate detection port 207 and antenna pattern 202, the amount of coupling can be controlled and the amount of attenuation can be ensured. As an example, such a gap is preferably about 5% of the effective electrical length determined by the relative dielectric constant of dielectric 203. In this case, the amount of attenuation is about 20 dB.

[0080] However, a gap that is too wide (for example, 10% of the effective electrical length due to the relative dielectric constant of the dielectric 203) results in a large reduction in the area of ​​the antenna pattern 202 relative to the detection port 207. Therefore, a gap that is too wide is undesirable because it increases the impact on the operation of the patch antenna element 200.

[0081] The H-polarized wave feeding port 205 is formed by a via hole between the antenna pattern 202 on the front surface of the antenna substrate 201 and the GND surface on the rear surface of the antenna substrate 201 , and is directly connected to the antenna pattern 202 .

[0082] Similarly, although not shown, the V-polarized power supply port 206 is formed by a via hole between the antenna pattern 202 on the front surface of the antenna substrate 201 and the GND surface on the back surface of the antenna substrate 201, and is directly connected to the antenna pattern 202.

[0083] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the configuration of the antenna substrate of the antenna radio device according to the first embodiment.

[0084] In the example of FIG. 4, detection port 211 is used instead of detection port 207 of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0085] The detection port 211 is formed by an inner via hole (IVH) extending from the GND plane to the intermediate layer of the dielectric 203, and is separated from the antenna pattern 202 by the dielectric 203 in between.

[0086] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of yet another example of the configuration of the antenna substrate of the antenna radio device according to the first embodiment.

[0087] In the example of FIG. 5, detection port 212 is used instead of detection port 207 of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0088] The detection port 211 is disposed on the GND plane and is separated from the antenna pattern 202 by a dielectric 203 .

[0089] <Calibration operation of antenna radio equipment> Next, the calibration operation of the transmission system in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0090] The CAL code sequence generated by the H-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115a passes through a switch 122a and a phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123a, is quadrature modulated by an IQ DAC 124a, and is converted into a transmission calibration signal by a frequency converter 125a.

[0091] The transmit calibration signal is fed to the H-polarized wave feed port 103 via the power amplifier 126a and the input / output coupler 127a.

[0092] Similarly, the CAL code sequence generated by the V-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115b passes through a switch 122b and a phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123b, is quadrature modulated by an IQ DAC 124b, and is converted into a transmission calibration signal by a frequency converter 125b.

[0093] The transmit calibration signal is fed to the V-polarized feed port 104 via the power amplifier 126b and the input / output coupler 127b.

[0094] Regarding the CAL code sequence used for calibration, different correlation code sequences are used for the H system and the V system. These CAL code sequences are preferably orthogonal sequences.

[0095] The transmit calibration signal fed to the H polarization feed port and the transmit calibration signal fed to the V polarization feed port are output to detection port 105 as detection signals.

[0096] Here, because detection port 105 is located at or approximately at the center of patch antenna element 102, the detection signal fed to detection port 105 has a smaller excitation current than the signals that pass through H-polarized wave feed port 103 and V-polarized wave feed port 104. Furthermore, because detection port 105 is not directly connected to the antenna pattern of patch antenna element 102 as described above, the detection signal fed to detection port 105 is detected as a signal with a very small power compared to the transmission power. Therefore, the effect on the radiation characteristics of the antenna is small.

[0097] Next, the detection signal fed to the detection port 105 is output to the reference transmission / reception circuit 108, received by the transmission / reception duplexer or switch 145, LNA 146, quadrature demodulator 147, and Tx CAL signal decoding system, frequency converted, and then converted into a digital data signal by AD conversion in the IQ ADC 148.

[0098] The code correlator 149 separates the digital data signal into an H polarization component and a V polarization component. Then, the code correlator 149 detects the correlation between the digital data signal and the CAL code sequence generated by the H-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115a. Similarly, the code correlator 149 detects the correlation between the digital data signal and the CAL code sequence generated by the V-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115b. As a result, the code correlator 149 detects the power and delay time of each of the H polarization component and the V polarization component, and detects amplitude and phase deviation.

[0099] The amplitude and phase deviation of the H polarization component detected by code correlator 149 is output to phase and amplitude adjustment circuit 123a of H polarization transceiver circuit 106. Similarly, the amplitude and phase deviation of the V polarization component detected by code correlator 149 is output to phase and amplitude adjustment circuit 123b of V polarization transceiver circuit 107.

[0100] Phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123a and phase / amplitude adjustment circuit 123b are able to adjust the transmission power and transmission phase of transmission signals 121a and 121b to predetermined values ​​using the amplitude / phase deviation of the H polarization component and the amplitude / phase deviation of the V polarization component, respectively.

[0101] For each of the multiple patch antenna elements 102(1,1) to (M,N), the H polarized wave transceiver circuit 106, the V polarized wave transceiver circuit 107, and the reference transceiver circuit 108 can perform the same operations as described above. Therefore, by detecting the power and delay time of each of the H polarized wave transmission system and the V polarized wave transmission system for each patch antenna element 102 and detecting / acquiring the amplitude and phase deviation for each patch antenna element 102, it becomes possible to correct the deviation for each patch antenna element 102, thereby improving the accuracy of transmit beamforming.

[0102] Furthermore, even if fluctuations in transmission power occur due to temperature fluctuations or the like between the patch antenna element 102 and the H-polarized wave transmitting / receiving circuit 106 (H-system Rx CAL code correlator 131a), the V-polarized wave transmitting / receiving circuit 107 (V-system Rx CAL code correlator 131b), and the reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 (code correlator 149), it becomes possible to correct the transmission power of the transmission signal to an appropriate power.

[0103] Next, the calibration operation of the receiving system in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0104] The CAL code generator 141 generates a composite signal by combining the CAL code sequence generated by the H-system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114a and the CAL code sequence generated by the V-system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114b.

[0105] The composite signal is subjected to digital-to-analog conversion by an IQ DAC 142, then quadrature-modulated, and converted into a reception calibration signal by a frequency converter 143.

[0106] The receive calibration signal is fed into a detection port 105 associated with the patch antenna element 102 .

[0107] The received calibration signal fed to detection port 105 is output to H-polarized wave feed port 103 and V-polarized wave feed port 104 via patch antenna element 102 .

[0108] Similar to the operation of the transmission system, detection port 105 is disposed at or approximately at the center of patch antenna element 102, and therefore the receive calibration signal fed to detection port 105 has a smaller excitation current than the signals that pass through H polarization feed port 103 and V polarization feed port 104. Furthermore, as described above, detection port 105 is not directly connected to the antenna pattern of patch antenna element 102, and therefore the receive calibration signal fed to detection port 105 is output to H polarization feed port 103 and V polarization feed port 104 as a signal attenuated relative to the receive calibration power.

[0109] The receive calibration signal output to the H polarization feed port 103 passes through the LNA 128a of the H polarization transmitting and receiving circuit 106, is received by the H system Rx CAL signal decoding system, is frequency converted by the quadrature demodulator 129a, and is then AD converted by the IQ ADC 130a into a digital data signal.

[0110] The H-system Rx CAL code correlator 131a detects the correlation between the digital data signal and the H-system CAL code sequence, thereby detecting the power and delay time of the H-polarized component and detecting the amplitude and phase deviation.

[0111] Similarly, the reception calibration signal output to the V polarization feed port 104 passes through the LNA 128b of the V polarization transmitting and receiving circuit 107, is received by the V system Rx CAL signal decoding system, is frequency converted by the quadrature demodulator 129b, and is then AD converted by the IQ ADC 130b into a digital data signal.

[0112] The V-system Rx CAL code correlator 131b detects the correlation between the digital data signal and the V-system CAL code sequence, thereby detecting the power and delay time of the V-polarized component and detecting the amplitude and phase deviation.

[0113] For each of the multiple patch antenna elements 102(1,1) to (M,N), the H polarized wave transceiver circuit 106, the V polarized wave transceiver circuit 107, and the reference transceiver circuit 108 can perform the same operations as described above. Therefore, by detecting the power and delay time of each of the H polarized wave receiving system and the V polarized wave receiving system for each patch antenna element 102 and detecting / acquiring the amplitude and phase deviation for each patch antenna element 102, it becomes possible to correct the deviation for each patch antenna element 102, thereby improving the accuracy of receive beamforming.

[0114] Furthermore, by detecting the power and delay time (and therefore amplitude and phase deviation) of both the H-polarized and V-polarized systems using a single detection port, a compact phased array can be constructed.

[0115] As described above, the configuration of the first embodiment makes it possible to correct differences in path characteristics between the patch antenna element 102 and the code correlator 149 (reference transceiver circuit 108), the H-system Rx CAL code correlator 131a (H-polarized transceiver circuit 106), and the V-system Rx CAL code correlator 131b (V-polarized transceiver circuit 107) that detect phase and amplitude deviations. That is, it is possible to correct differences in path characteristics due to differences in temperature and wiring length between the patch antenna element 102 and these detection units. This makes it possible to correct amplitude and phase deviations for each patch antenna element 102 in the transmission and reception paths, thereby improving beamforming accuracy.

[0116] Furthermore, by detecting the amplitude and phase deviation for each transmission / reception path including the patch antenna element 102 and providing one detection port shared by multiple polarizations such as H polarization and V polarization, it is possible to improve area efficiency. This makes it possible to provide, for example, a panel-type phased array antenna in which the transmission / reception system is arranged on the back side of the planar array antenna surface.

[0117] Although the first embodiment describes an example in which one H-polarized feed port 103 and one V-polarized feed port 104 are associated with one patch antenna element 102, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, there may not be one H-polarized feed port 103, and only one V-polarized feed port 104 may be associated with one patch antenna element 102, or there may not be one V-polarized feed port 104, and only one H-polarized feed port 103 may be associated with one patch antenna element 102.

[0118] In this way, when only one H-polarized wave feed port 103 or one V-polarized wave feed port 104 is associated with one patch antenna element 102, only one CAL code sequence needs to be used.

[0119] Furthermore, the above-described calibration of the transmission system may be performed in parallel or sequentially for the plurality of patch antenna elements 102. Similarly, the above-described calibration of the reception system may be performed in parallel or sequentially for the plurality of patch antenna elements 102.

[0120] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, an example in which the switches 122a and 122b are used has been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, adders may be used instead of the switches 122a and 122b. When adders are used, the transmission signals 121a and 121b to which the CAL code sequence has been added pass through the phase / amplitude adjustment circuits 123a and 123b, respectively, and are quadrature-modulated by the IQ DACs 124a and 124b, and then converted into transmission carrier frequency signals by the frequency converters 125a and 125b. Such transmission carrier frequency signals may be used as transmission calibration signals.

[0121] (Embodiment 2) The antenna substrate of the antenna radio device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Description of the same configuration as that of the antenna radio device according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0122] In the second embodiment, the number of patch antenna elements is four, that is, both M and N are two.

[0123] [First example] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of antenna substrate 301 of the antenna radio device according to the second embodiment.

[0124] In the example of FIG. 6, the antenna substrate 301 has a patch antenna element 302a, a patch antenna element 302b, a patch antenna element 302c, and a patch antenna element 302d.

[0125] When referring to all of the plurality of patch antenna elements 302a to 302d or a representative one of the plurality of patch antenna elements 302a to 302d, they may be referred to as patch antenna element 302.

[0126] Patch antenna element 302a has H polarized wave feed port 303a and V polarized wave feed port 304a arranged at the same positions as patch antenna element 102 shown in FIG.

[0127] On the other hand, patch antenna elements 302b to 302d are arranged such that their respective H-polarized feed ports 303 and V-polarized feed ports 304 are positioned on the outer sides of patch antenna elements 302b to 302d. In other words, the positions of H-polarized feed ports 303 and V-polarized feed ports 304 of these four patch antenna elements 302 are rotated.

[0128] Note that when referring to the entire set of H-polarized wave feed ports 303a-303d or a representative one of the H-polarized wave feed ports 303a-303d, it may be referred to as H-polarized wave feed port 303. Similarly, when referring to the entire set of V-polarized wave feed ports 304a-304d or a representative one of the V-polarized wave feed ports 304a-304d, it may be referred to as V-polarized wave feed port 304.

[0129] In the example of FIG. 6, antenna substrate 301 further includes detection port 305a, detection port 305b, detection port 305c, and detection port 305d.

[0130] When referring to all of the plurality of detection ports 305a to 305d or a representative one of the plurality of detection ports 305a to 305d, they may be referred to as detection port 305.

[0131] The detection port 305a is disposed at a position midway or approximately midway between the patch antenna element 302a and the patch antenna element 302b adjacent to each other in the X direction.

[0132] Furthermore, the detection port 305a, the H polarized wave feed port 303a, and the H polarized wave feed port 303b are arranged so as to be on the same line or approximately on the same line along the X-axis direction.

[0133] Similarly, detection port 305b is disposed at a position midway or approximately midway between patch antenna element 302c and patch antenna element 302d adjacent to each other in the X direction.

[0134] Furthermore, detection port 305b, H polarized wave feed port 303c, and H polarized wave feed port 303d are arranged so as to be on the same line or approximately on the same line along the X-axis direction.

[0135] The detection port 305a is connected to one reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is shared for calibrating the H polarization systems of the patch antenna element 302a and the patch antenna element 302b.

[0136] Similarly, the detection port 305b is connected to one reference transceiver circuit 108 shown in Figures 1 and 2, which is shared for calibrating the H polarization systems of the patch antenna elements 302c and 302d.

[0137] The detection port 306a is disposed at a position midway or approximately midway between the patch antenna element 302a and the patch antenna element 302c adjacent to each other in the Y direction.

[0138] Furthermore, detection port 306a, V-polarized wave feed port 304a, and V-polarized wave feed port 304c are arranged so as to be on the same line or approximately on the same line along the Y-axis direction.

[0139] Similarly, detection port 306b is located at a position midway or approximately midway between patch antenna element 302b and patch antenna element 302d adjacent to each other in the Y direction.

[0140] Furthermore, detection port 306b, V-polarized wave feed port 304b, and V-polarized wave feed port 304d are arranged so as to be on the same line or approximately on the same line along the Y-axis direction.

[0141] The detection port 306a is connected to one reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is shared for calibrating the V-polarized systems of the patch antenna element 302a and the patch antenna element 302c.

[0142] Similarly, the detection port 306b is connected to one reference transceiver circuit 108 shown in Figures 1 and 2, which is shared to calibrate the V-polarized systems of the patch antenna elements 302b and 302d.

[0143] Thus, in the first example, there are four reference transceiver circuits 108.

[0144] When referring to the entire set of detection ports 305a-305b or a representative one of the detection ports 305a-305b, it may be referred to as detection port 305. Similarly, when referring to the entire set of detection ports 306a-306b or a representative one of the detection ports 306a-306b, it may be referred to as detection port 306.

[0145] The reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 connected to the detection port 305a can sequentially calibrate the H polarization systems of the patch antenna elements 302a and 302b, as described above, using the same CAL code sequence generated by the H-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115a and the H-system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114a shown in FIG. 2 for each of the transmitting and receiving systems. Alternatively, when calibrating the H polarization systems of the patch antenna elements 302a and 302b in parallel, different CAL code sequences are used for the patch antenna elements 302a and 302b. As a result, the detection accuracy of the amplitude and phase deviation of the H polarization systems between the patch antenna elements 302a and 302b can be improved.

[0146] Similarly, the reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 connected to the detection port 305b can sequentially calibrate the H polarization systems of the patch antenna elements 302c and 302d using the same CAL code sequence. Alternatively, when performing calibrations in parallel, different CAL code sequences can be used. As a result, the detection accuracy of the amplitude and phase deviation of the H polarization systems between the patch antenna elements 302c and 302d can be improved.

[0147] The reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 connected to the detection port 306a can sequentially calibrate the V-polarized systems of the patch antenna elements 302a and 302c, as described above, using the same CAL code sequence generated by the V-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115b and the V-system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114b shown in FIG. 2 for each of the transmitting and receiving systems. Alternatively, different CAL code sequences can be used when performing calibrations in parallel. As a result, the detection accuracy of the amplitude and phase deviation of the V-polarized systems between the patch antenna elements 302a and 302c can be improved.

[0148] Similarly, the reference transceiver circuit 108 connected to the detection port 306b can sequentially calibrate the V-polarized systems of the patch antenna elements 302b and 302d using the same CAL code sequence. Alternatively, when performing calibrations in parallel, different CAL code sequences can be used. As a result, the detection accuracy of the amplitude and phase deviation of the V-polarized systems between the patch antenna elements 302b and 302d can be improved.

[0149] Furthermore, since there is a correlation between the amplitude and phase deviations of the H polarization system and the V polarization system among patch antenna element 302a, patch antenna element 302b, patch antenna element 302c, and patch antenna element 302d, it becomes possible to detect the deviations among these four patch antenna elements with greater accuracy.

[0150] [Second example] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of antenna substrate 301 of the antenna radio device according to the second embodiment.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 7, instead of the detection ports 305a to 305b and 306a to 306b shown in FIG. 6, detection ports 307a to 307b and 308a to 308b having pad patterns with modified surface pattern shapes may be used.

[0152] Note that when referring to the entire set of detection ports 307a-307b or a representative one of the detection ports 307a-307b, they may be referred to as detection port 307. Similarly, when referring to the entire set of detection ports 308a-308b or a representative one of the detection ports 308a-308b, they may be referred to as detection port 308.

[0153] By changing the shape of the surface layer pattern in this way, it is possible to adjust the amount of coupling between the detection port and the power supply port.

[0154] As described above, according to the configurations of the first and second examples of the second embodiment, by providing a detection port shared between adjacent patch antenna elements, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of amplitude and phase deviation between adjacent patch antenna elements. For example, when an array antenna is configured using 2 × 2 patch antenna elements as basic units, it is possible to improve the beamforming accuracy for each unit.

[0155] [Third example] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing yet another example of antenna substrate 301 of the antenna radio device according to the second embodiment.

[0156] In the example of FIG. 8, patch antenna element 302d has H polarized wave feed port 303d and V polarized wave feed port 304d arranged at the same positions as patch antenna element 302d shown in FIG.

[0157] The H-polarized wave feed port 303 and the V-polarized wave feed port 304 of each of the patch antenna elements 302a to 302c in the example of Fig. 8 are also arranged so as to have the same positional relationship as the H-polarized wave feed port 303d and the V-polarized wave feed port 304d of the patch antenna element 302d in the example of Fig. 8. In other words, the positions of the H-polarized wave feed port 303 and the V-polarized wave feed port 304 of these four patch antenna elements 302 are not rotated.

[0158] In the case where it is difficult to rotate the positions of H-polarized wave feed port 303 and V-polarized wave feed port 304 of patch antenna element 302 in this manner, as shown in FIG. 8, detection port 309a, detection port 309b, detection port 309c, and detection port 309d may be provided for H-polarized waves, and detection port 310a, detection port 310b, detection port 310c, and detection port 310d may be provided for V-polarized waves.

[0159] Note that when referring to the entire set of detection ports 309a-309d or a representative one of the detection ports 309a-309d, it may be referred to as detection port 309. Similarly, when referring to the entire set of detection ports 310a-310d or a representative one of the detection ports 310a-310d, it may be referred to as detection port 310.

[0160] In the example of FIG. 8, detection port 309a, H-polarized power feed port 303a, detection port 309b, and H-polarized power feed port 303b are arranged so as to be on the same line or approximately the same line along the X-axis direction.

[0161] Similarly, detection port 309c, H-polarized wave feed port 303c, detection port 309d, and H-polarized wave feed port 303d are arranged so as to be on the same line or approximately on the same line along the X-axis direction.

[0162] Furthermore, detection port 310a, V-polarized wave feed port 304a, detection port 310c, and V-polarized wave feed port 304c are arranged so as to be on the same line or approximately the same line along the Y-axis direction.

[0163] Similarly, detection port 310b, V-polarized wave feed port 304b, detection port 310d, and V-polarized wave feed port 304d are arranged so as to be on the same line or approximately on the same line along the Y-axis direction.

[0164] The detection port 309a and the detection port 310a are connected to one reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 shown in FIGS.

[0165] Similarly, the detection port 309b and the detection port 310b are connected to one reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 shown in FIGS.

[0166] Similarly, the detection port 309c and the detection port 310c are connected to one reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 shown in FIGS.

[0167] Similarly, the detection port 309d and the detection port 310d are connected to one reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 shown in FIGS.

[0168] Therefore, in the third example, there are also four reference transceiver circuits 108.

[0169] (Embodiment 3) The antenna substrate of the antenna radio device according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Description of the same configuration as that of the antenna radio device according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0170] In the third embodiment, the number of patch antenna elements is also four, that is, both M and N are two.

[0171] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of an antenna substrate 330 of the antenna radio device according to the third embodiment.

[0172] In the example of FIG. 9, the antenna substrate 330 includes a patch antenna element 311a, a patch antenna element 311b, a patch antenna element 311c, and a patch antenna element 311d.

[0173] When referring to all of the plurality of patch antenna elements 311a to 311d or a representative one of the plurality of patch antenna elements 311a to 311d, the element may be referred to as patch antenna element 311.

[0174] The arrangement of H polarized wave feed port 312 and V polarized wave feed port 313 of patch antenna element 311 is the same as the arrangement of H polarized wave feed port 303 and V polarized wave feed port 304 of patch antenna element 302 shown in FIG.

[0175] Note that when referring to the entire set of H-polarized wave feed ports 312a-312d or a representative one of the H-polarized wave feed ports 312a-312d, it may be referred to as H-polarized wave feed port 312. Similarly, when referring to the entire set of V-polarized wave feed ports 313a-313d or a representative one of the V-polarized wave feed ports 313a-313d, it may be referred to as V-polarized wave feed port 313.

[0176] 9, the antenna substrate 330 differs in configuration from the antenna substrate 301 shown in FIG. 6 in that it further includes only one detection port 331. In the example of FIG.

[0177] The detection port 331 is disposed at a position midway or approximately midway between the four patch antenna elements 311a to 311d adjacent in the X and Y directions.

[0178] The detection port 331 is connected to one reference transmission / reception circuit 108 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is shared for calibrating the H polarization system and V polarization system of the four patch antenna elements 311a to 311d.

[0179] Therefore, in the example of FIG. 9, there is only one reference transceiver circuit 108.

[0180] The reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 connected to the detection port 331 can sequentially calibrate the H polarization system of each of the patch antenna elements 311a to 311d, as described above, using the same CAL code sequence generated by the H-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115a and the H-system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114a shown in FIG. 2 for each of the transmitting and receiving systems. Alternatively, when calibration is performed in parallel, eight different CAL code sequences are used. As a result, the detection accuracy of the amplitude and phase deviation of the H polarization system among the patch antenna elements 311a to 311d can be improved.

[0181] Furthermore, the reference transmitting / receiving circuit 108 connected to the detection port 331 can calibrate the V polarization system of each of the patch antenna elements 311a to 311d as described above using the same CAL code sequence generated by the V system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115b and the V system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114b shown in FIG. 2 for the transmitting and receiving systems, respectively. Alternatively, when performing calibration in parallel, eight different CAL code sequences are used. As a result, the detection accuracy of the amplitude and phase deviation of the V polarization system among the patch antenna elements 311a to 311d can be improved.

[0182] As described above, according to the configuration of the third embodiment, the number of reference transceiver circuits can be reduced, improving compactness and power saving, and by using the same single CAL code sequence when performing calibrations sequentially, it is possible to reduce the deviation between the four patch antenna elements and improve the beamforming accuracy.

[0183] In addition, the total number of detection ports is reduced to one, which improves the area efficiency of the antenna substrate.

[0184] In the above-described embodiments, the notation "... part" used for each component may be replaced with other notations such as "... circuitry," "... assembly," "... device," "... unit," or "... module."

[0185] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims. It is understood that such modifications or alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0186] An embodiment of the present disclosure can improve the beamforming accuracy of a phased array antenna and is useful as a wireless communication device that performs beam scanning. It can also be applied to radar devices and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0187] 10 Antenna Radio Equipment 101, 201, 301, 330 Antenna board 102, 200, 302, 311 Patch antenna elements 103, 205, 303, 312 H polarized feed ports 104, 206, 304, 313 V-polarized feed ports 105, 207, 211, 212, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 331 detection ports 106 H-polarized wave transmitting and receiving circuit 107 V-polarized wave transmitting and receiving circuit 108 Reference Transmitter / Receiver Circuit 114a H-system Rx CAL code sequence generator 114b V-system Rx CAL code sequence generator 115a H-system Tx CAL code sequence generator 115b V-based Tx CAL code sequence generator

Claims

1. A plurality of antenna elements formed of a substrate; a feed port associated with each of the plurality of antenna elements; detection ports associated with some or all of the plurality of antenna elements; A transceiver circuit connected to each of the power supply ports; a reference transceiver circuit connected to each or a plurality of said detection ports; Equipped with For each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements, the transmission / reception circuit generates a second signal by performing a transmission process including digital-to-analog conversion and up-conversion on a first signal, and supplies the second signal to the power supply port connected to the transmission / reception circuit; the second signal fed to the feeding port is output to the reference transmitting / receiving circuit connected to the detection port via the detection port associated with the antenna element associated with the feeding port; the reference transceiver circuit generates a third signal by performing processing including analog-to-digital conversion and down-conversion on the second signal, detects a first amplitude / phase deviation based on the first signal and the third signal, and outputs the first amplitude / phase deviation to the transceiver circuit; the transmission / reception circuit adjusts the phase and amplitude of a transmission signal based on the first amplitude and phase deviation; the detection port is configured to be separated from the antenna pattern on the front surface of the substrate by a through via hole between the antenna pattern on the front surface of the substrate and a GND surface on the rear surface of the substrate; Antenna radio equipment.

2. A plurality of antenna elements formed of a substrate; a feed port associated with each of the plurality of antenna elements; detection ports associated with some or all of the plurality of antenna elements; A transceiver circuit connected to each of the power supply ports; a reference transceiver circuit connected to each or a plurality of said detection ports; Equipped with For each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements, the transmission / reception circuit generates a second signal by performing a transmission process including digital-to-analog conversion and up-conversion on a first signal, and supplies the second signal to the power supply port connected to the transmission / reception circuit; the second signal fed to the feeding port is output to the reference transmitting / receiving circuit connected to the detection port via the detection port associated with the antenna element associated with the feeding port; the reference transceiver circuit generates a third signal by performing processing including analog-to-digital conversion and down-conversion on the second signal, detects a first amplitude / phase deviation based on the first signal and the third signal, and outputs the first amplitude / phase deviation to the transceiver circuit; the transmission / reception circuit adjusts the phase and amplitude of a transmission signal based on the first amplitude and phase deviation; the substrate is a multi-layer substrate having an antenna pattern on a surface of the substrate, The detection port is configured to be separated from the antenna pattern by an inner via hole between the multilayer substrate and a GND surface on the rear surface of the substrate. Antenna radio equipment.

3. A plurality of antenna elements formed of a substrate; a feed port associated with each of the plurality of antenna elements; detection ports associated with some or all of the plurality of antenna elements; A transceiver circuit connected to each of the power supply ports; a reference transceiver circuit connected to each or a plurality of said detection ports; Equipped with For each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements, the transmission / reception circuit generates a second signal by performing a transmission process including digital-to-analog conversion and up-conversion on a first signal, and supplies the second signal to the power supply port connected to the transmission / reception circuit; the second signal fed to the feeding port is output to the reference transmitting / receiving circuit connected to the detection port via the detection port associated with the antenna element associated with the feeding port; the reference transceiver circuit generates a third signal by performing processing including analog-to-digital conversion and down-conversion on the second signal, detects a first amplitude / phase deviation based on the first signal and the third signal, and outputs the first amplitude / phase deviation to the transceiver circuit; the transmission / reception circuit adjusts the phase and amplitude of a transmission signal based on the first amplitude and phase deviation; the detection port is disposed on a GND surface on the back surface of the substrate and is separated from an antenna pattern on the front surface of the substrate; Antenna radio equipment.

4. A plurality of antenna elements formed of a substrate; a feed port associated with each of the plurality of antenna elements; detection ports associated with some or all of the plurality of antenna elements; A transceiver circuit connected to each of the power supply ports; a reference transceiver circuit connected to each or a plurality of said detection ports; Equipped with For each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements, the transmission / reception circuit generates a second signal by performing a transmission process including digital-to-analog conversion and up-conversion on a first signal, and supplies the second signal to the power supply port connected to the transmission / reception circuit; the second signal fed to the feeding port is output to the reference transmitting / receiving circuit connected to the detection port via the detection port associated with the antenna element associated with the feeding port; the reference transceiver circuit generates a third signal by performing processing including analog-to-digital conversion and down-conversion on the second signal, detects a first amplitude / phase deviation based on the first signal and the third signal, and outputs the first amplitude / phase deviation to the transceiver circuit; the transmission / reception circuit adjusts the phase and amplitude of a transmission signal based on the first amplitude and phase deviation; the detection port is disposed approximately midway between two adjacent antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements; Antenna radio equipment.

5. the detection port comprises a pad pattern; 5. The antenna radio device according to claim 4.

6. A plurality of antenna elements formed of a substrate; a feed port associated with each of the plurality of antenna elements; detection ports associated with some or all of the plurality of antenna elements; A transceiver circuit connected to each of the power supply ports; a reference transceiver circuit connected to each or a plurality of said detection ports; Equipped with For each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements, the transmission / reception circuit generates a second signal by performing a transmission process including digital-to-analog conversion and up-conversion on a first signal, and supplies the second signal to the power supply port connected to the transmission / reception circuit; the second signal fed to the feeding port is output to the reference transmitting / receiving circuit connected to the detection port via the detection port associated with the antenna element associated with the feeding port; the reference transceiver circuit generates a third signal by performing processing including analog-to-digital conversion and down-conversion on the second signal, detects a first amplitude / phase deviation based on the first signal and the third signal, and outputs the first amplitude / phase deviation to the transceiver circuit; the transmission / reception circuit adjusts the phase and amplitude of a transmission signal based on the first amplitude and phase deviation; Each of the plurality of antenna elements is a first feed port corresponding to a first polarization; a second feed port corresponding to a second polarization; a first detection port for the first power supply port; a second detection port for the second power supply port; and is associated with Antenna radio equipment.

7. A plurality of antenna elements formed of a substrate; a feed port associated with each of the plurality of antenna elements; detection ports associated with some or all of the plurality of antenna elements; A transceiver circuit connected to each of the power supply ports; a reference transceiver circuit connected to each or a plurality of said detection ports; Equipped with For each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements, the transmission / reception circuit generates a second signal by performing a transmission process including digital-to-analog conversion and up-conversion on a first signal, and supplies the second signal to the power supply port connected to the transmission / reception circuit; the second signal fed to the feeding port is output to the reference transmitting / receiving circuit connected to the detection port via the detection port associated with the antenna element associated with the feeding port; the reference transceiver circuit generates a third signal by performing processing including analog-to-digital conversion and down-conversion on the second signal, detects a first amplitude / phase deviation based on the first signal and the third signal, and outputs the first amplitude / phase deviation to the transceiver circuit; the transmission / reception circuit adjusts the phase and amplitude of a transmission signal based on the first amplitude and phase deviation; The plurality of antenna elements are four antenna elements arranged in a 2×2 rectangular grid, the detection port is disposed approximately midway between the four antenna elements and associated with the four antenna elements; Antenna radio equipment.

8. For each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements, the reference transceiver circuit generates a fifth signal by performing a reception process including digital-to-analog conversion and up-conversion on the fourth signal, and supplies the fifth signal to the detection port connected to the reference transceiver circuit; the fifth signal fed to the detection port is output to the transmission / reception circuit connected to the feeding port via the feeding port associated with the antenna element associated with the detection port; the transmission / reception circuit generates a sixth signal by performing processing including analog-to-digital conversion and down-conversion on the fifth signal, detects a second amplitude / phase deviation based on the fourth signal and the sixth signal, and adjusts the phase / amplitude of a received signal based on the second amplitude / phase deviation.

8. An antenna radio device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A first code sequence generator for generating a first code sequence; a second code sequence generator for generating a second code sequence; It also has the first signal is the first code sequence generated by the first code sequence generator; the reference transmitting / receiving circuit detects the first amplitude / phase deviation from a correlation between the third signal and the first code sequence; the fourth signal is the second code sequence generated by the second code sequence generator; the transmission / reception circuit detects the second amplitude / phase deviation from a correlation between the sixth signal and the second code sequence.

9. The antenna radio device according to claim 8.

10. A plurality of antenna elements formed of a substrate; a feed port associated with each of the plurality of antenna elements; detection ports associated with some or all of the plurality of antenna elements; A transceiver circuit connected to each of the power supply ports; a reference transceiver circuit connected to each or a plurality of said detection ports; Equipped with For each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements, the transmission / reception circuit generates a second signal by performing a transmission process including digital-to-analog conversion and up-conversion on a first signal, and supplies the second signal to the power supply port connected to the transmission / reception circuit; the second signal fed to the feeding port is output to the reference transmitting / receiving circuit connected to the detection port via the detection port associated with the antenna element associated with the feeding port; the reference transceiver circuit generates a third signal by performing processing including analog-to-digital conversion and down-conversion on the second signal, detects a first amplitude / phase deviation based on the first signal and the third signal, and outputs the first amplitude / phase deviation to the transceiver circuit; the transmission / reception circuit adjusts the phase and amplitude of a transmission signal based on the first amplitude and phase deviation; The detection port is a first feed port corresponding to a first polarization; a second feed port corresponding to a second polarization; Shared by Antenna radio equipment.

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