Phased Array Antenna

Abstract

The phased array antenna (1) comprises a plurality of antenna elements (11a to 11d), a plurality of signal paths (R11, R12) connected to each of the antenna elements, a memory unit (M) that stores, for at least one of the antenna elements, a set value of at least one of the amplitude or phase of a signal transmitted by at least one predetermined reference path among the plurality of signal paths connected thereto, for at least one of the antenna directivities to be set, and an amplitude / phase control unit (22, 26) that controls, using the set value stored in the memory unit, at least one of the amplitude or phase of a signal transmitted by the reference path in the antenna element whose set value is stored in the memory, and at least one of the amplitude or phase of a signal transmitted by a signal path other than the reference path in the antenna element.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a phased array antenna. [Background technology]

[0002] A phased array antenna is an antenna that can freely change antenna directivity by adjusting at least one of the amplitude and phase (either amplitude only, phase only, or amplitude and phase) of a signal (transmitted signal) supplied to a plurality of antenna elements or a signal (received signal) supplied from a plurality of antenna elements. In recent years, such phased array antennas have been used in the fields of automobiles, communications, and various other fields.

[0003] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional phased array antenna. This phased array antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of amplitude and phase controllers corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements, and a memory that stores amplitude and phase setting values ​​for the plurality of amplitude and phase controllers. The setting values ​​stored in the memory are set in the amplitude and phase controller, and the amplitudes and phases of a plurality of signals supplied from the plurality of antenna elements are adjusted to form a required antenna directivity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-212947 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, conventional phased array antennas adjust the amplitude and phase of multiple signals supplied from multiple antenna elements by referring to setting values ​​stored in memory, which poses a problem that a large memory capacity is required as the number of antenna directivities, the number of antenna elements, and the number of transmitting / receiving waves and polarizations increase.

[0006] For example, if the number of antenna directivities is 8, the number of antenna elements is 4, and the number of transmitters and receivers is 2 (1 transmitter and 1 receiver), the required memory amount is 64 words obtained by multiplying these values ​​together. In addition, when transmitting and receiving vertically (V) polarized and horizontally (H) polarized signals, a memory amount of 128 words is required, obtained by further multiplying by 2, which is the number of polarizations. Note that one word is the amplitude and phase setting value set in one amplitude phase controller.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a phased array antenna that can reduce the amount of memory required to form a desired antenna directivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A phased array antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of signal paths connected to each of the antenna elements, a memory unit that stores, for at least one of the antenna elements, a setting value of at least one of the amplitude or phase of a signal transmitted by at least one predetermined reference path among the plurality of signal paths connected thereto, for at least one of the antenna elements, and an amplitude / phase control unit that controls, using the setting values ​​stored in the memory unit, at least one of the amplitude or phase of a signal transmitted by the reference path in the antenna element whose setting values ​​are stored in the memory unit, and at least one of the amplitude or phase of a signal transmitted by the signal path other than the reference path in the antenna element.

[0009] In the phased array antenna according to the above aspect, for at least one of the antenna elements to which the signal paths are connected, at least one set value of the amplitude or phase of a signal transmitted by at least one reference path predefined among the connected signal paths is stored in a storage unit for at least one antenna directivity to be set. Then, at least one of the amplitude or phase of a signal transmitted by the reference path in the antenna element whose set value is stored in the storage unit and at least one of the amplitude or phase of a signal transmitted by a signal path other than the reference path in the antenna element are controlled using the set value stored in the storage unit. Thus, in the phased array antenna according to the above aspect, for the antenna element whose set value is stored in the storage unit, it is sufficient to store in the storage unit the set value of at least one reference path, and it is not necessary to store in the storage unit the set value of a signal path other than the reference path, so that the amount of memory required to form a desired antenna directivity can be reduced.

[0010] The storage unit may store the setting values ​​for all of the antenna elements.

[0011] In the phased array antenna according to the above aspect, the memory unit may further store an inter-path error between the reference path and the signal path other than the reference path, and the amplitude / phase control unit may use the setting value stored in the memory unit to control at least one of the amplitude and the phase of the signal transmitted by the signal path other than the reference path with a corrected setting value obtained by correcting the setting value by the inter-path error.

[0012] In the phased array antenna according to the above aspect, the memory unit may store a plurality of the path errors, and the amplitude-phase control unit may select one of the path errors depending on the antenna directivity to be set.

[0013] In the phased array antenna according to the above aspect, the multiple signal paths may include a transmission signal path along which multiple transmission signals transmitted from each of the antenna elements are transmitted, and a reception signal path along which multiple reception signals received by each of the antenna elements are transmitted.

[0014] In the phased array antenna according to the above aspect, the multiple signal paths may include a first transmission signal path along which a transmission signal transmitted from each of the antenna elements as a signal in a first polarization state is transmitted, a first reception signal path along which a reception signal obtained by each of the antenna elements receiving the signal in the first polarization state is transmitted, a second transmission signal path along which a transmission signal transmitted from each of the antenna elements as a signal in a second polarization state is transmitted, and a second reception signal path along which a reception signal obtained by each of the antenna elements receiving the signal in the second polarization state is transmitted.

[0015] The phased array antenna according to the above aspect may further include a switching unit that sequentially switches among the plurality of signal paths.

[0016] In the phased array antenna according to the above aspect, the setting values ​​may be set to the same number as the number of antenna directivities to be set.

[0017] In the phased array antenna according to the above aspect, the setting value may be set for only a part of the number of antenna directivities to be set.

[0018] A phased array antenna according to another aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of antenna elements, a first transmission signal path through which a transmission signal transmitted as a signal in a first polarization state from each of the antenna elements is transmitted, a first reception signal path through which a reception signal obtained by receiving the signal in the first polarization state at each of the antenna elements is transmitted, a second transmission signal path through which a transmission signal transmitted as a signal in a second polarization state from each of the antenna elements is transmitted, and a second reception signal path through which a reception signal obtained by receiving the signal in the second polarization state at each of the antenna elements is transmitted, and the first setting value being a setting value of at least one of the amplitude or phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the first transmission signal path and the reception signal transmitted by the first reception signal path, for all of the antenna directivities to be set; and an amplitude / phase control unit that uses the first setting value stored in the storage unit to control at least one of the amplitude or phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the first transmission signal path and the reception signal transmitted by the first reception signal path, and that uses the second setting value stored in the storage unit to control at least one of the amplitude or phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the second transmission signal path and the reception signal transmitted by the second reception signal path. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to one or more aspects of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the amount of memory required to form a desired antenna directivity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a phased array antenna according to one embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of a memory in the first embodiment. [Figure 2B]FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of a controller in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a phased array antenna according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of a memory in the second embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of a controller in a second embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of a memory in the third embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of a controller in a third embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of a memory in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of a controller in a fourth embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of a memory in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of a controller in a fifth embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a memory in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of a controller in a sixth embodiment. [Figure 9A] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a memory in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 9B] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of selection of correction indexes in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 9C] FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of a controller in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 10A] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a memory in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 10B] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of selection of correction indexes in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 10C] FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of a controller in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the contents of the memory. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, a phased array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0022] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a phased array antenna according to a first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the phased array antenna 1 of this embodiment includes antenna elements 11a to 11d, transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d, and a controller 13, and transmits and receives radio signals by a TDD (Time Division Duplex) system. The phased array antenna 1 can change the antenna directivity by the control of the controller 13.

[0023] The phased array antenna 1 transmits and receives radio signals in the millimeter wave band having a frequency of, for example, about 30 to 300 [GHz]. Note that the radio signals transmitted and received by the phased array antenna 1 are not limited to radio signals in the millimeter wave band, and may be radio signals in bands other than the millimeter wave band.

[0024] In the following description, the four antenna elements 11a to 11d are collectively referred to as antenna element 11, and the four transceiver units 12a to 12d are collectively referred to as transceiver unit 12. The number of antenna elements 11 and transceiver units 12 included in the phased array antenna 1 is not limited to four, and may be three or less, or five or more.

[0025] The antenna elements 11a to 11d transmit and receive radio signals. Specifically, the antenna elements 11a to 11d convert the transmission signals output from the transmission / reception units 12a to 12d into electromagnetic waves and transmit them, respectively, and also receive electromagnetic waves transmitted from the outside, convert them into signals (reception signals), and output them to the transmission / reception units 12a to 12d, respectively. The antenna elements 11a to 11d are, for example, two-dimensionally arranged at predetermined intervals to form an array antenna. The antenna elements 11a to 11d may be linear antennas, planar antennas, microstrip antennas, patch antennas, or other antennas.

[0026] The transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d are provided corresponding to the antenna elements 11a to 11d, and output transmission signals to the corresponding antenna elements 11a to 11d, and receive reception signals output from the corresponding antenna elements 11a to 11d. Under the control of the controller 13, the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d control at least one of the amplitude and phase (either amplitude only, phase only, or amplitude and phase) of the transmission signals output to the corresponding antenna elements 11a to 11d, and control at least one of the amplitude and phase of the reception signals output from the corresponding antenna elements 11a to 11d. In the following, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d control the amplitude and phase of the transmission signals and reception signals. However, the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d may control only the amplitude or only the phase of the transmission signals and reception signals.

[0027] The transmitting and receiving units 12a to 12d each include a transmitter 21, an amplitude and phase controller 22 (amplitude and phase control unit), an amplifier 23, a switch 24 (switching unit), an amplifier 25, an amplitude and phase controller 26 (amplitude and phase control unit), and a receiver 27. Since the transmitting and receiving units 12a to 12d have the same configuration, the transmitting and receiving units 12a to 12d will be described below as the transmitting and receiving unit 12 without distinguishing between the transmitting and receiving units 12a to 12d.

[0028] The transmitter 21, the amplitude / phase controller 22, and the amplifier 23 are components provided for transmitting a radio signal, and are provided on a signal path R11 (transmission signal path) through which the transmission signal is transmitted. The amplifier 25, the amplitude / phase controller 26, and the receiver 27 are components provided for receiving a radio signal, and are provided on a signal path R12 (reception signal path) through which the reception signal is transmitted.

[0029] The switch 24 switches between connecting the signal path R11 or connecting the signal path R12 to the antenna element 11 at a required time. That is, the switch 24 sequentially switches the signal path connected to the antenna element 11 from the signal paths R11 and R12 at a required time. In this manner, in this embodiment, one antenna element 11 is shared by the signal paths R11 and R12. Note that the switch 24 performs the above-mentioned switching, thereby achieving transmission and reception of wireless signals by the TDD method.

[0030] The transmitter 21 provided on the signal path R11 outputs a transmission signal to be transmitted to the outside. The amplitude and phase controller 22 includes, for example, a variable gain amplifier and a phase shifter, and controls the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal output from the transmitter 21 (the transmission signal transmitted through the signal path R11) under the control of the controller 13. Note that, as will be described in detail later, the amplitude and phase controller 22 controls the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal using setting values ​​stored in the memory M of the controller 13. The amplifier 23 power-amplifies the transmission signal output from the amplitude and phase controller 22 and outputs the amplified signal to the switch 24.

[0031] The amplifier 25 provided in the signal path R12 performs low-noise amplification on the received signal output from the antenna element 11 and via the switch 24, and outputs the amplified signal to the amplitude and phase controller 26. The amplitude and phase controller 26 includes, for example, a variable gain amplifier and a phase shifter, and controls the amplitude and phase of the received signal (the received signal transmitted by the signal path R12) output from the amplifier 25 under the control of the controller 13. Note that, as with the amplitude and phase controller 22, the amplitude and phase controller 26 controls the amplitude and phase of the received signal using set values ​​stored in the memory M of the controller 13, as will be described in detail later. The receiver 27 performs reception processing of the received signal output from the amplitude and phase controller 26.

[0032] The controller 13 outputs a control signal to the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 provided in each of the transmission / reception units 12a to 12d to form the antenna directivity of the phased array antenna 1. The control signal output from the controller 13 includes a set value that specifies the amplitude and phase to be controlled by the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 according to the antenna directivity to be formed. The controller 13 includes a memory M (storage unit) that stores the set value. The controller 13 is configured by, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). Alternatively, the controller 13 may be implemented as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) in an integrated circuit that is integrated with the transmission / reception unit 12.

[0033] 2A is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a memory in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a table TB1 in which setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controllers 22 of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d are stored in the memory M of the controller 13. That is, the memory M stores the table TB1 in which setting values ​​of the amplitude and phase of a transmission signal transmitted through the signal path R11 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d are stored.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, table TB1 specifies four setting values ​​("setting value 1" to "setting value 4") for each directivity index. Here, a directivity index is an index for specifying an antenna directivity to be formed. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, eight types of directivity indexes specified by the numbers "1" to "8" are prepared. That is, the phased array antenna 1 of this embodiment can form eight types of antenna directivities. Also, the four setting values ​​("setting value 1" to "setting value 4") are setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude-phase controllers 22 of the transmission / reception units 12a to 12d, respectively.

[0035] Specifically, "C11", "C21", ..., "C81" in Fig. 2A are setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controller 22 of the transmitting / receiving unit 12a when the directivity index is 1, 2, ..., 8, respectively. The setting values ​​"C12", "C22", ..., "C82" in Fig. 2A are setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controller 22 of the transmitting / receiving unit 12b when the directivity index is 1, 2, ..., 8, respectively. Note that, although a combination of amplitude and phase setting values ​​is denoted as C11 etc. in Fig. 2A, the amplitude and phase setting values ​​may be stored separately for each directivity index.

[0036] 2A are the setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controller 22 of the transceiver unit 12c when the directivity index is 1, 2, ..., 8, respectively. The setting values ​​"C14", "C24", ..., "C84" in Fig. 2A are the setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controller 22 of the transceiver unit 12d when the directivity index is 1, 2, ..., 8, respectively.

[0037] Fig. 2B is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of the controller in the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2B, the controller 13 in this embodiment is configured to output four setting values ​​("setting value 1" to "setting value 4") for a directivity index when the directivity index is specified. The four setting values ​​output from the memory M are output to the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d, respectively.

[0038] For example, consider a case where the controller 13 specifies a directivity index of "1." In this case, a set value "C11" is output as "set value 1" to the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 of the transmitting and receiving unit 12a, and a set value "C12" is output as "set value 2" to the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 of the transmitting and receiving unit 12b. In addition, a set value "C13" is output as "set value 3" to the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 of the transmitting and receiving unit 12c, and a set value "C14" is output as "set value 4" to the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 of the transmitting and receiving unit 12d.

[0039] In this way, the table TB1 stored in the memory M is used to control the amplitude and phase of a transmission signal transmitted through the signal path R11 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d. In addition, the table TB1 is also used to control the amplitude and phase of a reception signal transmitted through the signal path R12 (a signal path other than the reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d. In other words, it can be said that the table TB1 is shared by the signal paths R11 and R12.

[0040] Next, we will explain the operation of the phased array antenna 1. The basic operation of the phased array antenna 1 is to form antenna directivity and transmit and receive radio signals by the TDD method.

[0041] When forming antenna directivity, first, a directivity index corresponding to the antenna directivity to be formed is specified by the controller 13. Next, four setting values ​​for the specified directivity index ("setting value 1" to "setting value 4" shown in FIG. 2B) are output from the memory M. These four setting values ​​are output as control signals to the amplitude / phase controllers 22 and 26 of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d, and the control amounts of the amplitude and phase in the signal paths R11 and R12 are set. In this way, the antenna directivity is formed.

[0042] When transmitting a wireless signal, first, the signal paths R11 of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d are connected to the antenna elements 11a to 11d, respectively, by the switch 24. Next, the transmission signals to be transmitted to the outside are output from the transmitters 21 provided in the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d, respectively. The transmission signals output from the transmitters 21 of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d are transmitted by the signal paths R11 provided in the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d, respectively.

[0043] These transmission signals are amplitude- and phase-controlled by amplitude-phase controllers 22 provided in the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d, respectively, and then power-amplified by amplifiers 23 provided in the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d. Then, the transmission signals are supplied to antenna elements 11a to 11d via switches 24 provided in the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d, respectively. The transmission signals supplied to antenna elements 11a to 11d are converted into electromagnetic waves and transmitted, respectively.

[0044] When receiving wireless signals, first, the signal paths R12 of the transmitting / receiving units 12a-12d are connected to the antenna elements 11a-11d, respectively, by the switch 24. Next, electromagnetic waves transmitted from the outside are received by the antenna elements 11a-11d, and received signals are output from the antenna elements 11a-11d to the transmitting / receiving units 12a-12d, respectively.

[0045] The received signals output from the antenna elements 11a to 11d are transmitted via the switches 24 of the transmitting and receiving units 12a to 12d, respectively, through the signal paths R12 of the transmitting and receiving units 12a to 12d. These received signals are low-noise amplified by the amplifiers 25 provided in the transmitting and receiving units 12a to 12d, respectively, and then the amplitude and phase are controlled by the amplitude and phase controllers 26 provided in the transmitting and receiving units 12a to 12d, respectively. The received signals are then supplied to the receivers 27 provided in the transmitting and receiving units 12a to 12d, where they are subjected to reception processing.

[0046] As described above, in this embodiment, the transmitting / receiving units 12a-12d are provided for the antenna elements 11a-11d, respectively, and the antenna elements are shared by the signal path R11 through which the transmitting signal is transmitted and the signal path R12 through which the receiving signal is transmitted. Also, the table TB1, which specifies the setting values ​​of the amplitude and phase of the transmitting signal transmitted by the signal path R11 of the transmitting / receiving units 12a-12d, is stored in the memory M.

[0047] Using the table TB1 stored in the memory M, the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the signal path R11 are controlled, and the amplitude and phase of the reception signal transmitted by the signal path R12 are controlled. In this manner, in this embodiment, the table TB1 in which the set values ​​for controlling the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal are defined can be shared with the set values ​​for controlling the amplitude and phase of the reception signal. Therefore, the memory capacity required to store all the set values ​​is 32 words. Note that one word is a combination of the amplitude and phase set values ​​set in one amplitude / phase controller (amplitude / phase controller 22, 26). If the set values ​​are not shared between the transmission signal and the reception signal, the memory capacity is 64 words, so that the memory capacity required to form the desired antenna directivity can be reduced.

[0048] Second Embodiment Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a phased array antenna according to the second embodiment. In Fig. 3, the same reference numerals are used for the configurations corresponding to those shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the phased array antenna 2 of this embodiment is configured such that the transceiver units 14a and 15a are provided instead of the transceiver unit 12a of the phased array antenna 1 shown in Fig. 1, the transceiver units 14b and 15b are provided instead of the transceiver unit 12b, the transceiver units 14c and 15c are provided instead of the transceiver unit 12c, and the transceiver units 14d and 15d are provided instead of the transceiver unit 12d.

[0049] In the phased array antenna 2 of this embodiment, transmission and reception of vertically polarized signals (V polarization: first polarization state) and horizontally polarized signals (H polarization: second polarization state) are performed by antenna elements 11a to 11d. In other words, by making the feeding points for antenna elements 11a to 11d different, antenna elements 11a to 11d are used in common as antenna elements for V polarization and antenna elements for H polarization.

[0050] In the following description, the four transceiver units 14a to 14d are collectively referred to as the transceiver units 14, and the four transceiver units 15a to 15d are collectively referred to as the transceiver units 15. The number of antenna elements 11, transceiver units 14, and transceiver units 15 included in the phased array antenna 2 is not limited to four, and may be three or less, or five or more. The polarizations used for transmission and reception are not limited to vertical and horizontal polarization, and may be any two polarizations, such as right-handed circular polarization and left-handed circular polarization, or +45° linear polarization and -45° linear polarization.

[0051] The transmitting / receiving units 14a-14d are provided corresponding to the antenna elements 11a-11d, and output transmission signals to the corresponding antenna elements 11a-11d, and receive reception signals output from the corresponding antenna elements 11a-11d. The transmitting / receiving units 14a-14d transmit and receive V-polarized signals. Under the control of the controller 13, the transmitting / receiving units 14a-14d control the amplitude and phase of the transmission signals output to the corresponding antenna elements 11a-11d, and control the amplitude and phase of the reception signals output from the corresponding antenna elements 11a-11d.

[0052] The transmitting / receiving units 15a-15d are provided corresponding to the antenna elements 11a-11d, and output transmission signals to the corresponding antenna elements 11a-11d, and receive reception signals output from the corresponding antenna elements 11a-11d. The transmitting / receiving units 15a-15d transmit and receive H-polarized signals. Under the control of the controller 13, the transmitting / receiving units 15a-15d control the amplitude and phase of the transmission signals output to the corresponding antenna elements 11a-11d, and control the amplitude and phase of the reception signals output from the corresponding antenna elements 11a-11d.

[0053] 1, and each includes a transmitter 21, an amplitude / phase controller 22, an amplifier 23, a switch 24, an amplifier 25, an amplitude / phase controller 26, and a receiver 27. Since the transmission / reception units 14a to 14d and 15a to 15d have the same configuration, the transmission / reception units 14a to 14d and 15a to 15d will be described below as the transmission / reception unit 14 without distinction, and the transmission / reception units 15a to 15d will be described below as the transmission / reception unit 15 without distinction.

[0054] The transmitter 21, amplitude / phase controller 22, and amplifier 23 of the transmitting / receiving unit 14 are configured to transmit a V-polarized radio signal, and are provided on a signal path R21 (transmission signal path, first transmission signal path) through which the transmission signal is transmitted. The amplifier 25, amplitude / phase controller 26, and receiver 27 of the transmitting / receiving unit 14 are configured to receive a V-polarized radio signal, and are provided on a signal path R22 (reception signal path, first reception signal path) through which the reception signal is transmitted.

[0055] The switch 24 of the transmitting / receiving unit 14 switches, at a required time, whether to connect the signal path R21 or the signal path R22 to the antenna element 11. In other words, the switch 24 of the transmitting / receiving unit 14 sequentially switches, at a required time, the signal path connected to the antenna element 11 from the signal paths R21 and R22.

[0056] The transmitter 21, amplitude / phase controller 22, and amplifier 23 of the transmitting / receiving unit 15 are configured to transmit an H-polarized radio signal, and are provided on a signal path R23 (transmission signal path, second transmission signal path) through which the transmission signal is transmitted. The amplifier 25, amplitude / phase controller 26, and receiver 27 of the transmitting / receiving unit 15 are configured to receive an H-polarized radio signal, and are provided on a signal path R24 (reception signal path, second reception signal path) through which the reception signal is transmitted.

[0057] The switch 24 of the transmission / reception unit 15 switches between connecting the signal path R23 or connecting the signal path R24 to the antenna element 11 at a required time. That is, the switch 24 of the transmission / reception unit 15 sequentially switches the signal path connected to the antenna element 11 among the signal paths R23 and R24 at a required time. In this manner, in this embodiment, one antenna element 11 is shared by four signal paths (signal paths R21 to R24). Note that the switch 24 of the transmission / reception units 14 and 15 performs the above-mentioned switching, thereby achieving transmission and reception of radio signals by the TDD method.

[0058] Fig. 4A is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a memory in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the memory M of the controller 13 stores a table TB2 that specifies the setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controllers 22 of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d. That is, the memory M stores a table TB2 that specifies the setting values ​​of the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted through the signal path R21 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d. The table TB2 shown in Fig. 4A is the same as the table TB1 shown in Fig. 2A.

[0059] Fig. 4B is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of the controller in the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4B, the controller 13 in this embodiment is configured to output four setting values ​​("setting value 1" to "setting value 4") for a directivity index for V polarization when the directivity index for V polarization is specified. The controller 13 in this embodiment is also configured to output four setting values ​​("setting value 1" to "setting value 4") for a directivity index for H polarization when the directivity index for H polarization is specified.

[0060] The controller 13 can specify the directivity index for V polarization and the directivity index for H polarization individually. Since different setting values ​​can be simultaneously read from the table TB2 depending on the directivity index for V polarization and the directivity index for H polarization, it is preferable to use a dual-port memory for the memory M. When the controller 13 specifies the directivity index for V polarization, the four setting values ​​are output to the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d, respectively. When the controller 13 specifies the directivity index for H polarization, the four setting values ​​are output to the transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d, respectively.

[0061] For example, consider a case where the controller 13 designates "1" as the directivity index for V polarization and "8" as the directivity index for H polarization. In this case, the set value "C11" is output as "set value 1" to the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 of the transmitting and receiving unit 14a, and the set value "C12" is output as "set value 2" to the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 of the transmitting and receiving unit 14b. In addition, the set value "C13" is output as "set value 3" to the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 of the transmitting and receiving unit 14c, and the set value "C14" is output as "set value 4" to the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 of the transmitting and receiving unit 14d.

[0062] Furthermore, the set value "C81" is output as "set value 1" to the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 of the transmitting and receiving unit 15a, and the set value "C82" is output as "set value 2" to the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 of the transmitting and receiving unit 15b. Furthermore, the set value "C83" is output as "set value 3" to the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 of the transmitting and receiving unit 15c, and the set value "C84" is output as "set value 4" to the amplitude and phase controllers 22, 26 of the transmitting and receiving unit 15d.

[0063] In this way, the table TB2 stored in the memory M is used to control the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted through the signal path R21 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d. In addition, the table TB2 is also used to control the amplitude and phase of the reception signal transmitted through the signal path R22 of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d, the signal path R23 of the transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d, and the signal path R24 (signal path other than the reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d. In other words, it can be said that the table TB2 is shared by the signal paths R21 to R24.

[0064] The phased array antenna 2 of the present embodiment differs from the phased array antenna 1 of the first embodiment in that the controller 13 can set a directivity index for V polarization and a directivity index for H polarization separately. In other words, the phased array antenna 2 of the present embodiment differs from the phased array antenna 1 of the first embodiment in that it can form different antenna directivities for V polarization signals and H polarization signals. However, the basic operation of the phased array antenna 2 of the present embodiment is similar to that of the phased array antenna 1 of the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed description will be omitted.

[0065] As described above, in this embodiment, the antenna elements 11a-11d are provided with the transceiver units 14a-14d for transmitting and receiving V-polarized waves, and the transceiver units 15a-15d for transmitting and receiving H-polarized waves. This allows the antenna elements to be shared by four signal paths (signal paths R21-R24). In addition, a table TB2 that specifies the setting values ​​of the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the signal path R21 of the transceiver units 14a-14d is stored in the memory M.

[0066] Then, using table TB2 stored in memory M, the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by signal path R21 is controlled, and the amplitude and phase of the signals transmitted by signal paths R22 to R24 are controlled. In this manner, in this embodiment, table TB2, in which the setting values ​​for one signal path (signal path R21) among the multiple signal paths are defined, is shared by the other signal paths, so that the memory capacity required to store all the setting values ​​is 32 words. If the setting values ​​are not shared, the memory capacity is 128 words, so that the memory capacity required to form the desired antenna directivity can be reduced.

[0067] Third Embodiment The phased array antenna according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the phased array antenna 2 shown in Fig. 3. However, the phased array antenna of this embodiment differs from the phased array antenna 2 shown in Fig. 3 in the contents of the memory M of the controller 13 and part of the configuration of the controller 13.

[0068] 5A is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a memory in the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the memory M of the controller 13 stores a table TB31 in which the set values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controllers 22 of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d are defined, and a table TB32 in which the set values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controllers 22 of the transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d are defined. That is, the table TB31 is a table in which the set values ​​(first set values) of the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the signal path R21 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d are defined. The table TB32 is a table in which the set values ​​(second set values) of the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the signal path R23 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d are defined.

[0069] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5A, table TB31 defines the setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controllers 22 of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d for each directivity index. Also, as shown in Fig. 5A, table TB32 defines the setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controllers 22 of the transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d for each directivity index. That is, in each of tables TB31 and TB32, the setting values ​​are defined for the number of antenna directivities to be set (formed). The memory capacity required to store tables TB31 and TB32 is 32 words each. Therefore, in this embodiment, the memory capacity required to store all the setting values ​​is 64 words.

[0070] Fig. 5B is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of the controller in the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5B, the controller 13 in this embodiment is configured to output four setting values ​​for a directivity index ("setting value V1" to "setting value V4") when a directivity index for V polarization is specified. The controller 13 in this embodiment is also configured to output four setting values ​​for a directivity index ("setting value H1" to "setting value H4") when a directivity index for H polarization is specified.

[0071] Note that the controller 13 can individually specify the directivity index for V polarization and the directivity index for H polarization, similarly to the second embodiment. However, this embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the setting value defined in table TB31 is read out by the directivity index for V polarization, and the setting value defined in table TB32 is read out by the directivity index for H polarization. Therefore, in this embodiment, the memory M does not need to be a dual-port memory.

[0072] When a directivity index for V polarization is specified, the four setting values ​​read out from table TB31 of memory M are output to the amplitude and phase controllers 22 of the transmitting and receiving units 14a to 14d, respectively, and are also output to the amplitude and phase controllers 26 of the transmitting and receiving units 14a to 14d, respectively. When a directivity index for H polarization is specified, the four setting values ​​read out from table TB32 of memory M are output to the amplitude and phase controllers 22 of the transmitting and receiving units 15a to 15d, respectively, and are also output to the amplitude and phase controllers 26 of the transmitting and receiving units 15a to 15d, respectively.

[0073] In this way, the set values ​​defined in table TB31 are used to control the amplitude and phase of a transmission signal transmitted through signal path R21 (reference path) of the transceiver units 14a to 14d. In addition, the set values ​​defined in table TB31 are also used to control the amplitude and phase of a reception signal transmitted through signal path R22 (a signal path other than the reference path) of the transceiver units 14a to 14d. In other words, it can be said that table TB31 of memory M is shared by signal paths R21 and R22.

[0074] The set values ​​defined in table TB32 are used to control the amplitude and phase of a transmission signal transmitted through signal path R23 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d. In addition, the set values ​​defined in table TB32 are also used to control the amplitude and phase of a reception signal transmitted through signal path R24 (a signal path other than the reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d. In other words, it can be said that table TB32 of memory M is shared by signal paths R23 and R24.

[0075] The phased array antenna of this embodiment differs from the phased array antenna 2 of the second embodiment in that the setting values ​​used in the transceiver units 14a to 14d are defined in table TB31, and the setting values ​​used in the transceiver units 15a to 15d are defined in table TB32. However, the basic operation of the phased array antenna of this embodiment is similar to that of the phased array antenna 2 of the second embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] As described above, in this embodiment, the antenna element is shared by four signal paths (signal paths R21 to R24) as in the second embodiment. In addition, the setting values ​​for the signal path R21 are stored in the memory M as table TB31, and the setting values ​​for the signal path R23 are stored in the memory M as table TB32.

[0077] The set values ​​of table TB31 are used to control the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by signal path R21, and the amplitude and phase of the reception signal transmitted by signal path R22. The set values ​​of table TB32 are used to control the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by signal path R23, and the amplitude and phase of the reception signal transmitted by signal path R24.

[0078] In this embodiment, the setting values ​​for controlling the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal are shared with the setting values ​​for controlling the amplitude and phase of the reception signal in each of the transmission / reception units 14a to 14d and 15a to 15d, so that the memory capacity required to store all the setting values ​​is 64 words. If the setting values ​​are not shared, the memory capacity is 128 words, so that the memory capacity required to form the desired antenna directivity can be reduced.

[0079] [Fourth embodiment] The phased array antenna according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the phased array antenna 2 shown in Fig. 3. However, the phased array antenna of this embodiment differs from the phased array antenna 2 shown in Fig. 3 in the contents of the memory M of the controller 13 and part of the configuration of the controller 13.

[0080] 6A is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the memory in the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the memory M of the controller 13 stores a table TB41 in which the set values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controllers 22 of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d are defined, and a table TB42 in which the set values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controllers 26 of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d are defined. That is, the table TB41 is a table in which the set values ​​(first set values) of the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the signal path R21 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d are defined. The table TB42 is a table in which the set values ​​(second set values) of the amplitude and phase of the reception signal transmitted by the signal path R22 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d are defined.

[0081] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, table TB41 defines the setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controllers 22 of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d for each directivity index. Also, as shown in FIG. 6A, table TB42 defines the setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controllers 26 of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d for each directivity index. That is, tables TB41 and TB42 each define setting values ​​for the number of antenna directivities to be set (formed). The memory capacity required to store tables TB41 and TB42 is 32 words each. Therefore, in this embodiment, the memory capacity required to store all the setting values ​​is 64 words, similar to the third embodiment.

[0082] Fig. 6B is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of the controller in the fourth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6B, the controller 13 in this embodiment is configured to output four setting values ​​("setting value T1" to "setting value T4") for a directivity index for transmission when the controller 13 in this embodiment is configured to output four setting values ​​("setting value R1" to "setting value R4") for a directivity index for reception when the controller 13 in this embodiment is configured to output four setting values ​​("setting value R1" to "setting value R4") for the directivity index ...

[0083] The controller 13 can specify the directivity index for transmission and the directivity index for reception individually. However, this embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the setting value defined in table TB41 is read by the directivity index for transmission, and the setting value defined in table TB42 is read by the directivity index for reception. Therefore, in this embodiment, the memory M does not need to be a dual-port memory.

[0084] When a directivity index for transmission is specified, the four setting values ​​read out from table TB41 are output to the amplitude and phase controllers 22 of the transmitting and receiving units 14a to 14d, respectively, and are also output to the amplitude and phase controllers 22 of the transmitting and receiving units 15a to 15d, respectively. When a directivity index for reception is specified, the four setting values ​​read out from table TB42 in memory M are output to the amplitude and phase controllers 26 of the transmitting and receiving units 14a to 14d, respectively, and are also output to the amplitude and phase controllers 26 of the transmitting and receiving units 15a to 15d, respectively.

[0085] In this way, the set values ​​defined in table TB41 are used to control the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted through signal path R21 (reference path) of the transceiver units 14a to 14d. In addition, the set values ​​defined in table TB41 are also used to control the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted through signal path R23 (signal path other than the reference path) of the transceiver units 15a to 15d. In other words, it can be said that table TB41 is shared by signal paths R21 and R23.

[0086] The set values ​​defined in table TB42 are used to control the amplitude and phase of the received signal transmitted through signal path R22 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d. In addition, the set values ​​defined in table TB42 are also used to control the amplitude and phase of the received signal transmitted through signal path R24 (signal path other than the reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d. In other words, it can be said that table TB42 of memory M is shared by signal paths R22 and R24.

[0087] The phased array antenna of this embodiment differs from the phased array antenna 2 of the second embodiment in that the setting values ​​used in the signal paths R21 and R23 are defined in a table TB41, and the setting values ​​used in the signal paths R22 and R24 are defined in a table TB42. However, the basic operation of the phased array antenna of this embodiment is similar to that of the phased array antenna 2 of the second embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] As described above, in this embodiment, the antenna element is shared by four signal paths (signal paths R21 to R24) as in the second embodiment. In addition, the setting values ​​for the signal path R21 are stored in the memory M as table TB41, and the setting values ​​for the signal path R22 are stored in the memory M as table TB42.

[0089] The set values ​​of table TB41 are used to control the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by signal path R21, and also to control the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by signal path R23. The set values ​​of table TB42 are used to control the amplitude and phase of the reception signal transmitted by signal path R22, and also to control the amplitude and phase of the reception signal transmitted by signal path R24.

[0090] In this manner, in this embodiment, the setting values ​​for controlling the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal can be shared between the transmission / reception units 14a to 14d and the transmission / reception units 15a to 15d, and by sharing the setting values ​​for controlling the amplitude and phase of the reception signal, the memory capacity required to store all the setting values ​​is 64 words. If the setting values ​​are not shared, the memory capacity is 128 words, so that the memory capacity required to form the desired antenna directivity can be reduced.

[0091] Fifth embodiment The phased array antenna according to the fifth embodiment has the same configuration as the phased array antenna 1 shown in Fig. 1. However, the phased array antenna of this embodiment differs from the phased array antenna 1 shown in Fig. 1 in the contents of the memory M of the controller 13 and part of the configuration of the controller 13.

[0092] 7A is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a memory in the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, the memory M of the controller 13 stores a table TB51 in which set values ​​to be set in the amplitude / phase controllers 22 of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d are specified, and a table TB52 in which correction values ​​of the set values ​​specified in the table TB51 are specified. That is, the table TB51 is a table in which set values ​​of the amplitude and phase of a transmission signal transmitted by the signal path R11 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d are specified. The table TB52 is a table in which the path error between the signal path R11 (reference path) and the signal path R12 (path other than the reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d is specified.

[0093] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7A, table TB51 defines setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude-phase controllers 22 of the transmitting and receiving units 12a-12d for each directivity index. Also, as shown in Fig. 7A, table TB52 defines correction values ​​for each of the transmitting and receiving units 12a-12d. That is, table TB51 defines setting values ​​for the number of antenna directivities to be set (formed), and table TB52 defines correction values ​​for the number of the transmitting and receiving units 12a-12d.

[0094] FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of the controller in the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7B, the controller 13 in this embodiment is configured to output four set values ​​("set value 1" to "set value 4") for a directivity index when the directivity index is specified. The controller 13 in this embodiment is also configured to output four corrected set values ​​obtained by correcting these four set values ​​using the correction values ​​("correction value 1" to "correction value 4") in table TB52. The four symbols "◯" in FIG. 7B indicate operators that perform a correction calculation of the set values. These operators perform calculations such as multiplication of amplitude (or addition by decibel value) and addition of phase angle.

[0095] When a directivity index is specified, the four set values ​​read from table TB51 in memory M are output to the amplitude / phase controllers 22 of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d, respectively. Also, when a directivity index is specified, the four correction set values ​​output from controller 13 are output to the amplitude / phase controllers 26 of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d, respectively.

[0096] In this way, the set values ​​defined in table TB51 are used to control the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted through the signal path R11 (reference path) of the transceiver units 12a to 12d. In contrast, the correction set values ​​obtained using the correction values ​​defined in table TB52 are used to control the amplitude and phase of the reception signal transmitted through the signal path R12 (signal path other than the reference path) of the transceiver units 12a to 12d. Note that although correction using the correction values ​​defined in table TB52 is required, table TB51 can be said to be shared by the signal paths R11 and R12.

[0097] The phased array antenna of this embodiment differs from the phased array antenna 1 of the first embodiment in that the amplitude and phase of the received signal transmitted through the signal path R12 are controlled by using a corrected set value obtained by correcting the set value defined in table TB51. However, the basic operation of the phased array antenna of this embodiment is similar to that of the phased array antenna 1 of the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] As described above, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, an antenna element is shared between the signal path R11 through which a transmission signal is transmitted and the signal path R12 through which a reception signal is transmitted. Also, a table TB51 that specifies the setting values ​​of the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the signal path R11 of the transmission / reception units 12a to 12d, and a table TB52 that specifies the correction values ​​of the setting values ​​specified in the table TB51 are stored in the memory M.

[0099] Then, the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the signal path R11 are controlled using table TB51 stored in memory M. Also, the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the signal path R12 are controlled using a corrected set value obtained by correcting the set value defined in table TB51 with a correction value defined in table TB52. Therefore, even if there is an error between the signal paths R11 and R12, the desired antenna directivity can be formed.

[0100] The memory capacity required to store table TB51 is 32 words, and the memory capacity required to store table TB52 is 4 words. Therefore, in this embodiment, the memory capacity required to store all the setting values ​​and correction values ​​is 36 words. Therefore, compared with 64 words in the case where the setting values ​​are not shared between the transmission signal and the reception signal, the memory capacity required to form the desired antenna directivity can be reduced.

[0101] Sixth Embodiment The phased array antenna according to the sixth embodiment has the same configuration as the phased array antenna 2 shown in Fig. 3. However, the phased array antenna of this embodiment is different from the phased array antenna 2 shown in Fig. 3 in the contents of the memory M of the controller 13 and part of the configuration of the controller 13.

[0102] 8A is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a memory in the sixth embodiment. In this embodiment, the memory M of the controller 13 stores a table TB61 that specifies the setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude-phase controllers 22 of the transmission / reception units 14a to 14d, and tables TB62 to TB64 that specify correction values ​​for the setting values ​​specified in table TB61.

[0103] That is, table TB61 is a table that specifies the set values ​​of the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the signal path R21 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d. Table TB62 is a table that specifies the path error between the signal path R21 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d and the signal path R22 (path other than the reference path). Table TB63 is a table that specifies the path error between the signal path R21 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d and the signal path R23 (path other than the reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d. Table TB64 is a table that specifies the path error between the signal path R21 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d and the signal path R24 (path other than the reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d.

[0104] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8A, table TB61 defines the setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude phase controllers 22 of the transceiver units 14a to 14d for each directivity index. As shown in Fig. 8A, table TB62 defines the correction values ​​for each of the transceiver units 14a to 14d, and tables TB63 and TB64 define the correction values ​​for each of the transceiver units 15a to 15d.

[0105] That is, table TB61 defines sets of setting values ​​(each set is set from 1 to 4) for the number of antenna directivities to be set (formed). Table TB62 defines correction values ​​for the number of transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d, and tables TB63 and TB64 define correction values ​​for the number of transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d.

[0106] Fig. 8B is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of the controller in the sixth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8B, the controller 13 in this embodiment is configured to output four setting values ​​("setting value 1" to "setting value 4") for a directivity index for V polarization when the directivity index is specified. The controller 13 in this embodiment is also configured to output four corrected setting values ​​(hereinafter referred to as "first corrected setting values") obtained by correcting these four setting values ​​using the correction values ​​("correction value A1" to "correction value A4") in table TB62.

[0107] Moreover, the controller 13 of this embodiment is configured to output, when a directivity index for H polarization is specified, four set values ​​("set value 1" to "set value 4") for the directivity index corrected, and the controller 13 of this embodiment is configured to output four corrected set values ​​(hereinafter referred to as "second corrected set values") corrected using the correction values ​​("correction value B1" to "correction value B4") of table TB63. Moreover, the controller 13 of this embodiment is configured to output four corrected set values ​​(hereinafter referred to as "third corrected set values") corrected using the correction values ​​("correction value C1" to "correction value C4") of table TB64.

[0108] The controller 13 can specify the directivity index for V polarization and the directivity index for H polarization individually. Since different setting values ​​can be simultaneously read out from the table TB61 depending on the directivity index for V polarization and the directivity index for H polarization, it is preferable to use a dual-port memory for the memory M, as in the second embodiment. The 12 symbols "◯" in Fig. 8B are the same as the operators shown in Fig. 7B.

[0109] When a directivity index for V polarization is specified, the four set values ​​read out from table TB61 of memory M are output to the amplitude and phase controllers 22 of the transmitting and receiving units 14a to 14d, respectively. Also, the first correction set value is output to the amplitude and phase controllers 26 of the transmitting and receiving units 14a to 14d, respectively. When a directivity index for H polarization is specified, the second correction set value is output to the amplitude and phase controllers 22 of the transmitting and receiving units 15a to 15d, respectively, and the third correction set value is output to the amplitude and phase controllers 26 of the transmitting and receiving units 15a to 15d, respectively.

[0110] In this way, the set values ​​defined in table TB61 are used to control the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted through the signal path R21 (reference path) of the transceiver units 14a to 14d. On the other hand, the first correction set values ​​obtained using the correction values ​​defined in table TB62 are used to control the amplitude and phase of the reception signal transmitted through the signal path R22 (signal path other than the reference path) of the transceiver units 14a to 14d.

[0111] Moreover, the second correction set value obtained using the correction value specified in table TB63 is used to control the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted through the signal path R23 (signal path other than the reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d. Moreover, the third correction set value obtained using the correction value specified in table TB64 is used to control the amplitude and phase of the reception signal transmitted through the signal path R24 (signal path other than the reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 15a to 15d. Note that although table TB61 requires correction using the correction values ​​specified in tables TB62 to TB64, it can be said that table TB61 is shared by the signal paths R21 to R24.

[0112] The phased array antenna of this embodiment differs from the phased array antenna 2 of the second embodiment in that corrected set values ​​obtained by correcting set values ​​defined in table TB61 are used as set values ​​for signal paths R22 to R24. However, the basic operation of the phased array antenna of this embodiment is similar to that of the phased array antenna 2 of the second embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0113] As described above, in this embodiment, the antenna element is shared by four signal paths (signal paths R21 to R24) as in the second embodiment. Also, a table TB61 that specifies the setting values ​​for the signal path R21, and tables TB62 to TB64 that specify the correction values ​​for the setting values ​​specified in table TB61 are stored in a memory M.

[0114] Then, the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by signal path R21 are controlled using the set values ​​in table TB61. Also, the amplitude and phase of the signals transmitted by signal paths R22-R24 are controlled using first to third corrected set values ​​obtained by correcting the set values ​​defined in table TB61 with the correction values ​​defined in tables TB62-TB64. Therefore, even if there is an error between the signal path R21 and the signal paths R22-R24, the desired antenna directivity can be formed.

[0115] The memory capacity required to store table TB61 is 32 words, and the memory capacity required to store tables TB62 to TB64 is 12 words. Therefore, in this embodiment, the memory capacity required to store all the setting values ​​and correction values ​​is 44 words. Therefore, compared with 128 words in the case where the setting values ​​are not shared, the memory capacity required to form the desired antenna directivity can be reduced.

[0116] Seventh embodiment The phased array antenna according to the seventh embodiment has a configuration almost similar to that of the phased array antenna according to the fifth embodiment, and the overall configuration is almost similar to that of the phased array antenna 1 shown in Fig. 1. However, the phased array antenna according to this embodiment is slightly different from the phased array antenna according to the fifth embodiment in the contents of the memory M of the controller 13 and part of the configuration of the controller 13.

[0117] 9A is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a memory in the seventh embodiment. In this embodiment, the memory M of the controller 13 stores a table TB71 that specifies the setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude-phase controllers 22 of the transmission / reception units 12a to 12d, and a table TB72 that specifies correction values ​​for the setting values ​​specified in the table TB71.

[0118] Table TB71 is the same as table TB51 shown in Fig. 7A, and is a table that specifies the setting values ​​of the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the signal path R11 (reference path) of the transmitting and receiving units 12a to 12d. Table TB72, like table TB52 shown in Fig. 7A, is a table that specifies the inter-path error between the signal path R11 (reference path) and the signal path R12 (path other than the reference path) of the transmitting and receiving units 12a to 12d. However, table TB72 differs from table TB52 shown in Fig. 7A in that a plurality of inter-path errors are specified.

[0119] The reason for defining a plurality of inter-path errors in this way is to make the correction setting value used for controlling the amplitude and phase of the received signal transmitted by the signal path R12 more appropriate according to the antenna directivity to be set (formed). The plurality of inter-path errors defined in table TB72 are specified by correction indexes. In the example shown in FIG. 9A, two inter-path errors specified by correction indexes are defined in table TB72.

[0120] Fig. 9B is a diagram showing an example of selection of a correction index in the seventh embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9B, a correction index is selected for each directivity index. In table TB72 shown in Fig. 9A, the correction index can take the values ​​"1" and "2". Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9B, "1" or "2" is selected as the value of the correction index for each directivity index.

[0121] Fig. 9C is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of the controller in the seventh embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9C, the controller 13 in this embodiment has almost the same configuration as that shown in Fig. 7B. However, the controller 13 in this embodiment differs from that shown in Fig. 7B in that a correction index corresponding to a directivity index is selected (see Fig. 9B), and a set value is corrected using the correction values ​​("correction value 1" to "correction value 4") specified by the selected correction index.

[0122] The phased array antenna of this embodiment differs from the phased array antenna of the fifth embodiment in that a plurality of inter-path errors are defined between the signal paths R11 and R12 of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d. However, the basic operation of the phased array antenna of this embodiment is similar to that of the phased array antenna of the fifth embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0123] As described above, in this embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment (first embodiment), an antenna element is shared between the signal path R11 through which a transmission signal is transmitted and the signal path R12 through which a reception signal is transmitted. Also, a table TB71 that specifies the setting values ​​of the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by the signal path R11 of the transmission / reception units 12a to 12d, and a table TB72 that specifies a plurality of correction values ​​for the setting values ​​specified in the table TB71 are stored in the memory M.

[0124] Then, the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by signal path R11 are controlled using table TB71 stored in memory M. Also, the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by signal path R12 are controlled using a corrected set value obtained by correcting the set value specified in table TB71 with a correction value specified in table TB72. Therefore, even if there is an error between the signal paths R11 and R12, the desired antenna directivity can be formed.

[0125] As described above, table TB71 is the same as table TB51 shown in Fig. 7A, so the memory capacity required to store table TB71 is 32 words. Moreover, the memory capacity required to store table TB72 is 8 words (4 words x 2 indexes). Therefore, in this embodiment, the memory capacity required to store all the setting values ​​and correction values ​​is 40 words. Therefore, compared with 64 words in the case where the setting values ​​are not shared between the transmission signal and the reception signal, the memory capacity required to form the desired antenna directivity can be reduced.

[0126] In addition, in this embodiment, table TB72 specifies a plurality of correction values ​​for the set values ​​specified in table TB71. Therefore, in this embodiment, the correction set value used to control the amplitude and phase of the reception signal transmitted through signal path R12 can be made more appropriate according to the antenna directivity to be set (formed). When the control error of the amplitude-phase controller 26 provided in signal path R12 cannot be ignored, it is also possible to reduce the control error by selecting an appropriate correction value.

[0127] Eighth embodiment The phased array antenna according to the eighth embodiment has a configuration almost similar to that of the phased array antenna of the sixth embodiment, and the overall configuration is almost similar to that of the phased array antenna 2 shown in Fig. 3. However, the phased array antenna of this embodiment is slightly different from the phased array antenna of the sixth embodiment in the contents of the memory M of the controller 13 and part of the configuration of the controller 13.

[0128] 10A is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a memory in the eighth embodiment. In this embodiment, the memory M of the controller 13 stores a table TB81 that specifies the setting values ​​to be set in the amplitude-phase controllers 22 of the transmission / reception units 14a to 14d, and tables TB72 to TB74 that specify correction values ​​for the setting values ​​specified in table TB81.

[0129] Table TB81 is the same as table TB61 shown in Fig. 8A, and is a table that specifies the setting values ​​of the amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by signal path R21 (reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d. Table TB82, like table TB62 shown in Fig. 8A, is a table that specifies the inter-path error between signal path R21 (reference path) and signal path R22 (path other than the reference path) of the transmitting / receiving units 14a to 14d.

[0130] Table TB83, like table TB63 shown in Fig. 8A, is a table that specifies the path error between signal path R21 (reference path) of the transceiver units 14a to 14d and signal path R23 (path other than the reference path) of the transceiver units 15a to 15d. Table TB84, like table TB64 shown in Fig. 8A, is a table that specifies the path error between signal path R21 (reference path) of the transceiver units 14a to 14d and signal path R24 (path other than the reference path) of the transceiver units 15a to 15d.

[0131] However, tables TB82 to TB84 differ from tables TB62 to TB64 shown in Fig. 8A in that a plurality of inter-path errors are defined in this manner. The reason for defining a plurality of inter-path errors is to make the correction setting values ​​used for controlling the amplitude and phase of signals transmitted through signal paths R22 to R24 more appropriate according to the antenna directivity to be set (formed).

[0132] 10A, two inter-path errors specified by a correction index A are defined in a table TB82. Two inter-path errors specified by a correction index B are defined in a table TB83. Two inter-path errors specified by a correction index C are defined in a table TB84.

[0133] Fig. 10B is a diagram showing an example of selection of correction indexes in the eighth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10B, correction indexes A to C are selected for each directivity index. In tables TB82 to TB84 shown in Fig. 10A, correction indexes A to C can take values ​​"1" and "2". Therefore, as shown in Fig. 10B, "1" or "2" is individually selected as the values ​​of correction indexes A to C for each directivity index.

[0134] Fig. 10C is a diagram for explaining a part of the configuration of the controller in the eighth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10C, the controller 13 in this embodiment has almost the same configuration as that shown in Fig. 8B. However, the controller 13 in this embodiment is different in that correction indexes A to C corresponding to the directivity index are selected (see Fig. 10B), and the set value is corrected using the correction values ​​specified by the selected correction indexes A to C. In this embodiment, the correction index A specifies "correction value A1" to "correction value A4", the correction index B specifies "correction value B1" to "correction value B4", and the correction index C specifies "correction value C1" to "correction value C4".

[0135] The phased array antenna of this embodiment differs from the phased array antenna of the sixth embodiment in that a plurality of inter-path errors are defined for each of the path errors between the signal paths R21 and R22, the path errors between the signal paths R21 and R23, and the path errors between the signal paths R21 and R24. However, the basic operation of the phased array antenna of this embodiment is similar to that of the phased array antenna of the sixth embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0136] As described above, in this embodiment, as in the sixth embodiment (second embodiment), an antenna element is shared by four signal paths (signal paths R21 to R24). Also, a table TB81 in which a setting value for signal path R21 is defined, and tables TB62 to TB64 in which a plurality of correction values ​​for the setting values ​​defined in table TB81 are defined are stored in memory M.

[0137] The amplitude and phase of the transmission signal transmitted by signal path R21 are controlled using the set values ​​in table TB81. The amplitude and phase of the signals transmitted by signal paths R22-R24 are controlled using correction set values ​​(first to third correction set values) obtained by correcting the set values ​​defined in table TB81 with the correction values ​​defined in tables TB82-TB84. Therefore, even if there is an error between the signal path R21 and the signal paths R22-R24, the desired antenna directivity can be formed.

[0138] As described above, table TB81 is the same as table TB61 shown in FIG. 8A, so the memory capacity required to store table TB81 is 32 words. Also, the memory capacity required to store tables TB82 to TB84 is 8 words each. Therefore, in this embodiment, the memory capacity required to store all the setting values ​​and correction values ​​is 56 words. Therefore, compared to 128 words when setting values ​​are not shared, the memory capacity required to form a desired antenna directivity can be reduced.

[0139] In addition, in this embodiment, tables TB82 to TB84 prescribe a plurality of correction values ​​for the set values ​​prescribe in table TB81. Therefore, in this embodiment, the correction set values ​​used to control the amplitude and phase of the signals transmitted through the signal paths R22 to R24 can be made more appropriate according to the antenna directivity to be set (formed). When the control error of the amplitude-phase controller 22 or the amplitude-phase controller 26 provided in the signal paths R22 to R24 cannot be ignored, it is also possible to reduce the control error by selecting an appropriate correction value.

[0140] Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be freely modified within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, one antenna element is shared by two signal paths R11 and R12 or four signal paths R21 to R24, but the antenna element does not necessarily have to be shared. The antenna element may be provided in each of the two signal paths R11 and R12 or the four signal paths R21 to R24.

[0141] However, in either case, whether an antenna element is shared by a plurality of signal paths or not, it is desirable that the conditions of each signal path, such as the wiring length, be uniform. If it is difficult to uniformly set the above conditions due to physical constraints, mounting errors, control errors of the amplitude-phase controllers 22 and 26, etc., a correction value may be provided to correct the set value as in the fifth to eighth embodiments.

[0142] In the above-described embodiment, the transmission and reception of signals (radio signals) is realized by the TDD method, but it is not necessarily required to transmit and receive signals. It may be a device that only transmits signals, or a device that only receives signals. For example, it may be a device that only transmits V-polarized signals and H-polarized signals, or a device that only receives V-polarized signals and H-polarized signals.

[0143] Furthermore, when performing a correction calculation as in the fifth to eighth embodiments described above, it is possible that phase wraparound occurs after correction (the phase after correction exceeds ±π). If such phase wraparound occurs, it is desirable to perform a modulo calculation or the like to keep the phase after correction within the range of ±π.

[0144] In the above embodiment, an example in which a setting value is shared by all directivity indexes has been described, but the setting value may be shared by at least one directivity index (antenna directivity to be set). However, when the number of directivity indexes that share the setting value is small, it is preferable to reduce the number of correction values ​​and the number of words.

[0145] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the contents of the memory. As shown in Fig. 11, table TB90 in this example is made up of three tables TB91 to TB93. Table TB91 is a table in which setting values ​​to be used when the directivity index is 1 to 6 are defined. Tables TB92 and TB93 are tables in which setting values ​​to be used when the directivity index is 7 and 8 are defined.

[0146] The set values ​​defined in table TB91 are used, for example, to control the amplitude and phase of a transmission signal transmitted through signal path R11 and a reception signal transmitted through signal path R12 of the transmission / reception units 12a to 12d in the phased array antenna 1 shown in Fig. 1. In other words, it can be said that table TB91 is shared by signal paths R11 and R12 for directivity indexes 1 to 6.

[0147] The set values ​​defined in table TB92 are used, for example, to control the amplitude and phase of a transmission signal transmitted through signal path R11 of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d in the phased array antenna 1 shown in Fig. 1. The set values ​​defined in table TB93 are used, for example, to control the amplitude and phase of a reception signal transmitted through signal path R12 of the transmitting / receiving units 12a to 12d in the phased array antenna 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0148] In this way, in this example, the setting value is shared among six of the directivity indexes 1 to 8 (directivity indexes 1 to 6). Note that the example shown in Fig. 11 is merely one example, and the number of directivity indexes sharing the setting value is not limited to six, and may be any of one to five, or may be seven. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 1, 2... Phased array antenna, 11a to 11d... Antenna elements, 22, 26... Amplitude and phase controller, M... Memory, 24... Switch, R11, R12... Signal path, R21 to R24... Signal path

Claims

1. A plurality of antenna elements; a plurality of signal paths connected to each of the antenna elements; a storage unit that stores at least one of the set values ​​of the amplitude and phase of a signal transmitted through at least two predetermined reference paths among the plurality of signal paths connected to at least one of the antenna elements, for at least one of the antenna directivities to be set; At least one of the amplitude and the phase of a signal transmitted through the reference path in the antenna element whose setting value is stored in the storage unit; and At least one of the amplitude and phase of a signal transmitted through the signal path other than the reference path in the antenna element; an amplitude / phase control unit that performs control using the setting value stored in the storage unit; Equipped with The storage unit further stores an inter-path error between the reference path and the signal path other than the reference path, The amplitude / phase control unit controls at least one of the amplitude and the phase of the signal transmitted through the signal path other than the reference path by a corrected setting value obtained by correcting the setting value stored in the memory unit by the inter-path error.

2. The storage unit stores the setting values ​​for all of the antenna elements.

2. The phased array antenna of claim 1.

3. The plurality of signal paths include a transmission signal path through which a plurality of transmission signals transmitted from each of the antenna elements are transmitted; a reception signal path through which a plurality of reception signals received by each of the antenna elements are transmitted; 2. The phased array antenna of claim 1, further comprising:

4. The plurality of signal paths include a first transmission signal path through which a transmission signal transmitted as a signal in a first polarization state from each of the antenna elements is transmitted; a first reception signal path through which a reception signal obtained by receiving a signal in the first polarization state at each of the antenna elements is transmitted; a second transmission signal path through which a transmission signal transmitted as a signal in a second polarization state from each of the antenna elements is transmitted; a second reception signal path through which a reception signal obtained by receiving a signal in the second polarization state at each of the antenna elements is transmitted; 2. The phased array antenna of claim 1, further comprising:

5. The phased array antenna according to claim 1 , further comprising a switching unit that sequentially switches the plurality of signal paths.

6. the storage unit stores the setting value by the number of the antenna directivities to be set, 2. The phased array antenna according to claim 1, wherein the amplitude / phase control unit controls, for all of the antenna directivities to be set, at least one of an amplitude or a phase of a signal transmitted through the reference path in the antenna element, for which the setting value is stored in the storage unit, and at least one of an amplitude or a phase of a signal transmitted through the signal path other than the reference path in the antenna element, by using the setting value stored in the storage unit.

7. the storage unit stores the setting value by the number of the antenna directivities to be set, 2. The phased array antenna according to claim 1, wherein the amplitude / phase control unit controls, in a part of the antenna directivity to be set, at least one of an amplitude or a phase of a signal transmitted through the reference path in the antenna element, for which the setting value is stored in the storage unit, and at least one of an amplitude or a phase of a signal transmitted through the signal path other than the reference path in the antenna element, by using the setting value stored in the storage unit.

8. A plurality of antenna elements; a first transmission signal path through which a transmission signal transmitted as a signal in a first polarization state from each of the antenna elements is transmitted; a first reception signal path through which a reception signal obtained by receiving a signal in the first polarization state at each of the antenna elements is transmitted; a second transmission signal path through which a transmission signal transmitted as a signal in a second polarization state from each of the antenna elements is transmitted; a second reception signal path through which a reception signal obtained by receiving a signal in the second polarization state at each of the antenna elements is transmitted; a storage unit that stores, for all of the plurality of antenna elements, a first setting value that is a setting value of at least one of an amplitude or a phase of a transmission signal transmitted by the first transmission signal path and a reception signal transmitted by the first reception signal path, and a second setting value that is a setting value of at least one of an amplitude or a phase of a transmission signal transmitted by the second transmission signal path and a reception signal transmitted by the second reception signal path, for all of the antenna directivities to be set; An amplitude and phase control section; Equipped with The storage unit is a first inter-path error between the first transmitting signal path and the first receiving signal path; a second inter-path error between the first transmission signal path and the second transmission signal path; a third inter-path error between the first transmitting signal path and the second receiving signal path; The amplitude and phase control section includes: controlling at least one of the amplitude and the phase of the reception signal transmitted through the first reception signal path using a first corrected setting value obtained by correcting the first setting value by the first inter-path error; controlling at least one of the amplitude and the phase of a transmission signal transmitted through the second transmission signal path using a second corrected setting value obtained by correcting the second setting value by the second inter-path error; A phased array antenna that controls at least one of the amplitude and the phase of a received signal transmitted by the second received signal path using a third corrected setting value obtained by correcting the second setting value by the third inter-path error.

Images