Transceiver, transceiver device, and transceiver method

Abstract

In order to transmit / receive desired radio waves at the same time between a plurality of communication targets while establishing both gain and a communication number, the present invention provides a transmitter / receiver comprising: a spherical radio wave lens having formed therein a meta surface that condenses the desired radio waves to be transmitted / received; and a plurality of array antennas that are disposed facing a transmission / reception surface of the spherical radio wave lens and are disposed so that antenna units that transmit / receive the desired radio waves to be transmitted / received match the focal position of the spherical radio wave lens.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a transceiver or the like used for transmitting and receiving radio waves. [Background technology]

[0002] Fifth-generation mobile communications (also known as 5G) and beyond use radio waves in higher frequency bands than previous generations. These high-frequency radio waves tend to travel in a more directional manner and are more susceptible to attenuation than previous generations. As a result, radio waves emitted from base stations in 5G and beyond mobile communications have a harder time reaching receivers than in previous generations. This calls for technology that allows the high-frequency radio waves used in 5G and beyond mobile communications to reach receiver antennas efficiently.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a phased array antenna device having an array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements. The plurality of antenna elements included in the device of Patent Document 1 are arranged in a two-dimensional array.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a terminal that uses a metasurface substrate to allow desired radio waves to reach an antenna. The terminal in Patent Document 2 includes a transmission direction restriction unit and a control unit. The transmission direction restriction unit has multiple metasurface units. Each of the multiple metasurface units is composed of a metasurface substrate and a dielectric substrate arranged opposite the metasurface substrate. The control unit determines the direction of transmission of radio waves based on the arrival direction of the desired radio waves or the arrival direction of interference waves by adjusting the distance between the metasurface substrates of the multiple metasurface units and the dielectric substrate. For example, by placing the transmission direction restriction unit in Patent Document 2 on window glass, high-frequency radio waves used in mobile communications beyond 5G can be efficiently transmitted to an antenna located inside the terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6721226 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-158600 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the device of Patent Document 1, if the number of antenna elements constituting the array antenna is reduced and the number of array antennas is increased, the number of communication targets that can be communicated with simultaneously can be increased. However, if the number of antenna elements constituting the array antenna is reduced too much, the area allocated to beamforming for each array antenna becomes smaller, and the gain decreases. Also, in the device of Patent Document 1, if the number of antenna elements constituting the array antenna is increased and the number of array antennas is reduced, the gain for each array antenna can be increased. However, if the number of antenna elements constituting the array antenna is increased too much, the number of communication channels decreases. In other words, in the device of Patent Document 1, there is a trade-off between the gain of the array antenna and the number of communications.

[0007] The technique of Patent Document 2 dynamically controls the distance between the metasurface substrate and the dielectric substrate depending on the reception status of the desired radio waves, and directs the desired radio waves toward an antenna placed at a predetermined position. In other words, the technique of Patent Document 2 cannot direct the desired radio waves toward an antenna unless the desired radio waves are being received by that antenna. It is difficult to accurately predict the direction of arrival of the desired radio waves unless it is predicted in advance. Therefore, the technique of Patent Document 2 has difficulty simultaneously receiving desired radio waves arriving from multiple directions.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a transceiver or the like that can simultaneously transmit and receive desired radio waves to and from multiple communication targets while achieving both gain and the number of communications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A transceiver according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a spherical radio wave lens having a metasurface formed thereon that converges desired radio waves to be transmitted and received, and a plurality of array antennas arranged opposite the spherical radio wave lens, with antenna units that transmit and receive the desired radio waves to be transmitted and received being aligned with the focal position of the spherical radio wave lens.

[0010] In one aspect of the transmission and reception method of the present disclosure, a transceiver is used that includes a spherical radio wave lens formed with a metasurface that converges desired radio waves to be transmitted and received, and an array antenna that is positioned opposite the spherical radio wave lens and has an antenna unit that transmits and receives the desired radio waves to be transmitted and received aligned with the focal position of the spherical radio wave lens, to acquire a received signal corresponding to the radio waves received by the transceiver, decode and output the acquired received signal, acquire a transmission signal intended for the communication target, and output the acquired transmission signal to an antenna unit that transmits the transmission signal to the communication target. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a transceiver or the like that can simultaneously transmit and receive desired radio waves to and from multiple communication targets while achieving both gain and the number of communications. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a transmission / reception device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a configuration example of a transceiver according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of reception of radio waves by the transmitter / receiver according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of transmission of radio waves by a transmitter / receiver according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a transmission / reception device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a transceiver according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of reception of radio waves by a transmitter / receiver according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of transmission of radio waves by a transmitter / receiver according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a transmitter / receiver according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a configuration example of a transceiver according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an application example of a transceiver according to each embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an application example of a transceiver according to each embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration for realizing control and processing according to each embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are limited in a manner that is technically preferable for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the invention is not limited to the following. In all drawings used to describe the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for similar parts unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, repeated explanations of similar configurations and operations may be omitted.

[0014] (First embodiment) First, a transmitter / receiver according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The transmitter / receiver according to this embodiment includes a spherical radio wave lens having a metasurface. A metasurface is an artificial medium in which structures smaller than the wavelength of the desired radio wave to be received are periodically arranged on the surface of an object. By using a metasurface, it is possible to obtain any desired permittivity / permeability using multiple periodically arranged structures.

[0015] (composition) 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transceiver 1 according to this embodiment. The transceiver 1 includes a spherical radio lens 11, an array antenna 13, and a transceiver circuit 17. The spherical radio lens 11 and the array antenna 13 constitute a transceiver 10.

[0016] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the transceiver 10 of FIG. 1 cut along a plane parallel to the plane of the paper on which FIG. 1 is drawn. The spherical radio lens 11 is composed of a metasurface section 111 and a support 113. A plurality of antenna units 130 are arranged in the concave portion of the array antenna 13. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the metasurface section 111 is formed outside the support 113. The metasurface section 111 may also be formed inside the support 113.

[0017] Spherical radio lens 11 is disposed opposite array antenna 13. At least a portion of the surface of spherical radio lens 11 is disposed opposite the transmitting and receiving surface of array antenna 13. Spherical radio lens 11 converges radio waves arriving from a certain direction toward a single antenna unit 130. Spherical radio lens 11 also converges radio waves transmitted from any of antenna units 130 toward the transmission direction of the radio waves. Radio waves emitted from spherical radio lens 11 are transmitted as directional radio waves.

[0018] The spherical radio wave lens 11 has a metasurface section 111 and a support 113. The spherical radio wave lens 11 has a structure in which the metasurface section 111 is supported by the spherical support 113. The inside of the support 113 is hollow. The metasurface section 111 focuses a desired radio wave toward a single antenna unit 130 depending on the direction from which the desired radio wave arrives. The metasurface section 111 also focuses radio waves transmitted from any of the antenna units 130 toward the transmission direction of the radio wave.

[0019] The metasurface unit 111 and the support 113 are made of a material that has a high transmittance for the desired radio wave. For example, the metasurface unit 111 and the support 113 are made of glass or polymer. The metasurface unit 111 and the support 113 may be made of the same material or different materials.

[0020] A plurality of unit cells (not shown) are formed in the metasurface portion 111. The plurality of unit cells correspond to at least one of the plurality of antenna units 130. For example, the plurality of unit cells are patterns formed by a metal film. The unit cells may be formed by a transparent electrode. The sizes of the plurality of unit cells may be the same or different depending on their positions in the metasurface portion 111. For example, the size of a unit cell is set to be 1 / 10 or more and 1 / 5 or less of the wavelength of the desired radio wave. The shapes of the plurality of unit cells may be the same or different depending on their positions in the metasurface portion 111. For example, if the plurality of unit cells have a plurality of shapes, the desired radio wave can be guided to at least one of the plurality of antenna units 130 arranged in the array antenna 13. Each of the plurality of unit cells corresponds to at least one of the plurality of antenna units 130 arranged in the array antenna 13. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of unit cells corresponds to one of the plurality of antenna units 130 arranged in the array antenna 13.

[0021] For example, the plurality of unit cells are formed on the surface of the metasurface portion 111 facing the array antenna 13. For example, the plurality of unit cells are formed on the surface of the metasurface portion 111 not facing the array antenna 13. In these cases, the desired radio waves pass through the surface on which the unit cells are formed once before being received by the antenna unit 130. For example, the plurality of unit cells are formed on the entire surface of the metasurface portion 111. When the plurality of unit cells are formed on the entire surface of the metasurface portion 111, the desired radio waves pass through the surface on which the unit cells are formed twice before being received by the antenna unit 130. The refractive index of the desired radio waves by the spherical radio wave lens 11 is set depending on the number of times the desired radio waves pass through the surface on which the unit cells are formed, the dielectric constants of the metasurface portion 111 and the support body 113, and the convergence of the desired radio waves by the unit cells.

[0022] Array antenna 13 is disposed opposite spherical radio lens 11. Array antenna 13 has a three-dimensional (spherical cap) shape formed by cutting a hollow sphere along a plane. The inner surface (concave surface) of array antenna 13 is the transmitting / receiving surface. Multiple antenna units 130 are disposed on the transmitting / receiving surface of array antenna 13. For example, multiple antenna units 130 are disposed at the focal position of spherical radio lens 11. Multiple antenna units 130 may be disposed at positions shifted from the focal position of spherical radio lens 11, as long as the desired radio waves converged by spherical radio lens 11 can be efficiently received.

[0023] There are no limitations on the arrangement of the multiple antenna units 130. For example, the multiple antenna units 130 are arranged at regular intervals on the transmitting and receiving surface of the array antenna 13. For example, the multiple antenna units 130 are arranged in an array (mesh) on the transmitting and receiving surface of the array antenna 13. The multiple antenna units 130 may be arranged one-dimensionally (arc-shaped) or two-dimensionally (mesh-shaped) along the transmitting and receiving surface of the array antenna 13. The multiple antenna units 130 are antennas for transmitting and receiving desired radio waves. For example, the size and shape of the antenna units 130 are set according to the wavelength of the desired radio waves to be transmitted and received.

[0024] The antenna unit 130 is used to transmit and receive desired radio waves. Radio waves converged by the spherical radio wave lens 11 are incident on the antenna unit 130. Radio waves converged by the associated unit cell are incident on the antenna unit 130. The antenna unit 130 receives the desired radio waves that are the target of reception from the incident radio waves. The antenna unit 130 converts the received desired radio waves into a current (also called a received signal). The received signal includes information from the target of communication. The antenna unit 130 outputs the received signal to the transmission / reception circuit 17.

[0025] A transmission signal is input to the antenna unit 130 from the transmission / reception circuit 17. The antenna unit 130 converts the input transmission signal into a radio wave. The transmission signal includes information addressed to the communication target. The antenna unit 130 transmits the converted radio wave.

[0026] The transmission / reception circuit 17 is connected to the multiple antenna units 130 arranged in the array antenna 13. The transmission / reception circuit 17 acquires received signals corresponding to desired radio waves received by the multiple antenna units 130. The transmission / reception circuit 17 converts the received signals into digital signals. The transmission / reception circuit 17 decodes the converted digital signals. The transmission / reception circuit 17 outputs the decoded signals. There are no particular limitations on the destination or use of the signals output from the transmission / reception circuit 17.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of reception of a desired radio wave by the transceiver 10. The desired radio wave is incident on the spherical radio lens 11. The spherical radio lens 11 focuses the desired radio wave toward one of the multiple antenna units 130 depending on the direction of arrival of the desired radio wave. The desired radio wave focused by the spherical radio lens 11 is received by one of the antenna units 130. The transceiver 10 receives the desired radio wave at the antenna unit 130 depending on the direction of arrival of the desired radio wave. In this embodiment, the desired radio wave arriving from a wide range is focused onto one of the antenna units 130 via the spherical radio lens 11. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the reception strength of the desired radio wave can be substantially amplified.

[0028] Furthermore, the transmission / reception circuit 17 outputs a transmission signal transmitted from the multiple antenna units 130 to any one of the antenna units 130. There are no particular limitations on the destination or use of the transmission signal output from the transmission / reception circuit 17 to the antenna unit 130.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of transmission of desired radio waves by the transceiver 10. A transmission signal to be transmitted toward a communication target is input from the transceiver circuit 17 to each of the multiple antenna units 130. Each of the multiple antenna units 130 converts the input transmission signal into a radio wave. Each of the multiple antenna units 130 emits the converted radio wave. The radio wave emitted from each of the multiple antenna units 130 is transmitted via the spherical radio wave lens 11. The radio wave transmitted via the spherical radio wave lens 11 is emitted into free space. The transceiver 10 transmits radio waves from the antenna unit 130 corresponding to the transmission direction of the desired radio wave. According to this embodiment, radio waves radiated from any of the antenna units 130 can be transmitted as highly directional radio waves via the spherical radio wave lens 11.

[0030] For example, the transmission / reception circuit 17 transmits and receives the desired radio waves using different antenna units 130. If different antenna units 130 are used, the desired radio waves can be transmitted and received simultaneously. For example, the transmission / reception circuit 17 transmits and receives the desired radio waves using the same antenna unit 130. If the same antenna unit 130 is used, the desired radio waves can be transmitted and received in a time-division manner, with the desired radio waves being transmitted and received at different timings.

[0031] As described above, the transmitter / receiver device of this embodiment includes a transceiver and a transmitter / receiver circuit. The transceiver has a spherical radio lens and an array antenna. A metasurface that converges desired radio waves from a communication target is formed on the spherical radio lens. The spherical radio lens converges desired radio waves arriving from the same direction toward a single antenna unit. The array antenna is arranged opposite the spherical radio lens. Multiple antenna units that transmit and receive desired radio waves from a communication target are arranged on the array antenna in alignment with the focal position of the spherical radio lens. The transmitter / receiver circuit acquires a received signal corresponding to the radio waves received by the transceiver. The transmitter / receiver circuit decodes and outputs the acquired received signal. The transmitter / receiver circuit acquires a transmission signal intended for the communication target. The transmitter / receiver circuit outputs the acquired transmission signal to an antenna unit that transmits the transmission signal toward the communication target.

[0032] The transmission / reception device of this embodiment receives desired radio waves converged by the spherical radio lens using multiple antenna units arranged in alignment with the focal position of the spherical radio lens. The transmission / reception device of this embodiment can simultaneously transmit and receive desired radio waves to and from multiple communication targets using multiple antenna units. The transmission / reception device of this embodiment also receives desired radio waves using multiple antenna units arranged in alignment with the focal position of the spherical radio lens. Therefore, the transmission / reception device of this embodiment has a larger receiving area than a radio lens arranged on the plane of multiple antenna units, and therefore can obtain high gain. In other words, the transmission / reception device of this embodiment can simultaneously transmit and receive desired radio waves to and from multiple communication targets while achieving both gain and number of communications.

[0033] In the transceiver of this embodiment, the light receiving surface of the antenna unit is spherical, which increases the receiving area and increases the reception strength of the desired radio waves compared to a planar antenna. Furthermore, since the transceiver of this embodiment has a wide reception range for the desired radio waves, it is possible to simultaneously communicate with multiple communication targets scattered over a wide area using a single device. Furthermore, since the transceiver of this embodiment transmits highly directional radio waves in the direction of the antenna unit, directional control of the transmitted radio waves is not required. In this embodiment, the multiple antenna units are not arranged in a phased array. Therefore, the transceiver of this embodiment does not require a phase shifter, which reduces costs.

[0034] In a typical phased array antenna, a phased array is constructed on a planar light-receiving surface divided into multiple antenna units, each consisting of 2 × 2 units (4 divisions) or 4 × 4 units (16 divisions). In a typical phased array antenna, each antenna unit communicates with a single communication target. For example, if the planar light-receiving surface is divided into 16 × 16 and the antenna units are 2 × 2 (4 divisions), 64 channels are assigned to the phased array antenna. For example, if the planar light-receiving surface is divided into 16 × 16 (256 units) and the antenna units are 4 × 4 (16 divisions), 16 channels are assigned to the phased array antenna. In contrast, the array antenna of the transceiver device of this embodiment does not construct a phased array, but assigns one channel to each of 256 antenna units arranged in a spherical shape, thereby assigning 256 channels. The transceiver device of this embodiment can simultaneously transmit and receive using 256 channels. In other words, the technique of this embodiment allows for a greater number of channels than when a typical planar phased array antenna is used. Furthermore, since the transmitting / receiving device of this embodiment does not require a phase shifter, the circuitry can be simplified and costs can be reduced compared to a general phased array antenna.

[0035] In one aspect of this embodiment, the spherical radio wave lens has a support and a metasurface portion. The support is spherical and transmits the desired radio wave. The metasurface includes a metasurface in which structures smaller than the wavelength of the desired radio wave are periodically arranged on the surface. According to this aspect, a spherical radio wave lens in which the metasurface is supported by the support can be realized.

[0036] In one aspect of this embodiment, the array antenna has a spherical cap shape. A plurality of antenna units are arranged on the concave surface of the array antenna. The concave surface of the array antenna is arranged facing the spherical radio wave lens. In the transceiver device of this aspect, a plurality of antenna units are arranged on the concave surface of the spherical cap-shaped array antenna. Therefore, according to this aspect, the reception range of the desired radio waves is wider than when a plurality of antenna units are arranged in a planar shape, thereby expanding the communication range.

[0037] In one aspect of this embodiment, the plurality of antenna units are arranged in an arc shape on the concave surface of the array antenna. For example, the plurality of antenna units are arranged along the direction of arrival of desired radio waves. According to this aspect, the desired radio waves arriving along the arrangement direction of the plurality of antenna units can be efficiently received.

[0038] In one aspect of this embodiment, the plurality of antenna units are arranged in a mesh pattern on the concave surface of the array antenna. For example, the plurality of antenna units are arranged facing any direction. According to this aspect, desired radio waves arriving from any direction can be received without omission.

[0039] In one aspect of the present embodiment, the transmission / reception circuit transmits and receives the desired radio waves to and from the same communication target using the same antenna unit in a time-division manner. According to this aspect, the antenna unit can be shared with the same communication target in transmitting and receiving the desired radio waves.

[0040] In this embodiment, an example has been given in which the radio wave lens is spherical. However, the radio wave lens does not have to be spherical as long as it has at least one curved surface. For example, the radio wave lens may be a spheroid. For example, the radio wave lens may have any surface of revolution. The curved surface of the radio wave lens may be set according to the application.

[0041] (Second embodiment) Next, a transmission / reception device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The transmission / reception device of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that desired radio waves arriving from the same direction are received by multiple antenna units. That is, in this embodiment, multiple antenna units are arranged in a phased array. In the following, an example will be given in which desired radio waves arriving from the same direction are received by two antenna units, but the transmission / reception device may be configured to receive desired radio waves arriving from the same direction by three or more antenna units.

[0042] (composition) 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the transceiver 2 according to this embodiment. The transceiver 2 includes a spherical radio lens 21, an array antenna 23, and a transceiver circuit 27. The spherical radio lens 21 and the array antenna 23 constitute a transceiver 20.

[0043] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the transceiver 20 of Fig. 5 taken along a plane parallel to the plane of the paper on which Fig. 5 is drawn. The spherical radio wave lens 21 is composed of a metasurface portion 211 and a support 213. A plurality of antenna units 230 are arranged in the concave portion of the array antenna 23. In the following, explanations of the same parts as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0044] Spherical radio lens 21 has the same configuration as spherical radio lens 11 of the first embodiment. Spherical radio lens 21 is disposed opposite array antenna 23. At least a portion of the surface of spherical radio lens 21 is disposed opposite the transmitting and receiving surface of array antenna 23. Spherical radio lens 21 converges radio waves arriving from a certain direction toward at least two antenna units 230. In addition, spherical radio lens 21 converges radio waves transmitted from any of antenna units 230 toward the transmission direction of the radio waves. Radio waves emitted from spherical radio lens 21 are transmitted as directional radio waves.

[0045] The spherical radio wave lens 21 has a metasurface unit 211 and a support 213. The spherical radio wave lens 21 has a structure in which the metasurface unit 211 is supported by a spherical support 213. The support 213 has a hollow interior. The metasurface unit 211 converges the desired radio waves toward at least two antenna units 230 depending on the direction of arrival of the desired radio waves. If the refractive index of the desired radio waves due to the metasurface unit 211 is the same, the distance between the spherical radio wave lens 21 and the array antenna 23 can be reduced. For example, the refractive index of the desired radio waves due to the metasurface unit 211 can be reduced without changing the distance between the spherical radio wave lens 21 and the array antenna 23, so that the desired radio waves are converged to multiple antenna units 230. Furthermore, the metasurface unit 211 converges radio waves transmitted from any of the antenna units 230 toward the transmission direction of the radio waves.

[0046] The array antenna 23 has the same configuration as the array antenna 13 of the first embodiment. The array antenna 23 is disposed opposite the spherical radio lens 21. The array antenna 23 has a three-dimensional (spherical cap) shape obtained by cutting a hollow sphere along a plane. The inner surface (concave surface) of the array antenna 23 is the transmitting / receiving surface. A plurality of antenna units 230 are disposed on the transmitting / receiving surface of the array antenna 23. For example, the plurality of antenna units 230 are disposed at the focal position of the spherical radio lens 21. The plurality of antenna units 230 may be disposed at positions shifted from the focal position of the spherical radio lens 21 as long as the desired radio waves converged by the spherical radio lens 21 can be efficiently received.

[0047] The antenna unit 230 has a configuration similar to that of the antenna unit 130 of the first embodiment. To allow the multiple antenna units 230 to receive the radio waves converged by the spherical radio lens 21, the antenna units 230 are arranged closer to the spherical radio lens 21 than in the first embodiment. Bringing the spherical radio lens 21 and the antenna unit 230 closer together results in multiple antenna units 230 being positioned at the focal points of the spherical radio lens 21. For example, the number of antenna units 230 may be increased to maintain the number of channels. The antenna units 230 are used to transmit and receive desired radio waves. Radio waves converged by the spherical radio lens 21 are incident on the antenna units 230. Radio waves converged by the associated unit cells are incident on the antenna units 230. The antenna units 230 receive the desired radio waves that are the target of reception from the incident radio waves. The antenna units 230 convert the received desired radio waves into a current (also called a received signal). The antenna units 230 output the received signal to the transmission / reception circuit 27.

[0048] A transmission signal is input to the antenna unit 230 from the transmission / reception circuit 27. The antenna unit 230 converts the input transmission signal into a radio wave, and transmits the converted radio wave.

[0049] The transmission / reception circuit 27 is connected to the multiple antenna units 230 arranged in the array antenna 23. The transmission / reception circuit 27 acquires received signals corresponding to desired radio waves received by the multiple antenna units 230. In this embodiment, since the multiple antenna units 230 are arranged in a phased array, the transmission / reception circuit 27 includes a phase shifter (not shown). The transmission / reception circuit 27 uses the phase shifter to change the phase of the received signal for each of the multiple phased array antenna units 230, thereby aligning the phases of the received signals of the multiple antenna units 230. The transmission / reception circuit 27 converts the phase-aligned received signals into digital signals. The transmission / reception circuit 27 decodes the converted digital signals. The transmission / reception circuit 27 outputs the decoded signals. There are no particular limitations on the destination or use of the signals output from the transmission / reception circuit 27.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of reception of desired radio waves by the transceiver 20. The desired radio waves are incident on the spherical radio lens 21. The spherical radio lens 21 focuses the desired radio waves toward at least two of the multiple antenna units 230 depending on the direction of arrival of the desired radio waves. For example, if the transmitted radio waves are to be swept one-dimensionally, two antenna units 230 may be used. For example, if the transmitted radio waves are to be swept three-dimensionally, at least three antenna units 230 are used, and typically four antenna units 230 are used. The desired radio waves swept by the spherical radio lens 21 are received by at least two antenna units 230. The transceiver 20 receives the desired radio waves using the antenna unit 230 corresponding to the direction of arrival of the desired radio waves. According to this embodiment, desired radio waves arriving from a wide range can be received by the multiple antenna units 230 via the spherical radio lens 21. Therefore, according to this embodiment, multiple processes can be simultaneously performed on radio waves transmitted from the same communication target.

[0051] Furthermore, the transmission / reception circuit 27 uses a phase shifter to change the phases of the transmission signals transmitted from the multiple antenna units 230, converting them into phases for each antenna unit 230. The transmission / reception circuit 27 outputs the multiple transmission signals converted into phases for each antenna unit 230 to the antenna units 230 corresponding to those transmission signals. There are no particular limitations on the destination or use of the transmission signals output from the transmission / reception circuit 27 to the antenna units 230.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of transmission of desired radio waves by the transceiver 20. A transmission signal to be transmitted toward a communication target is input from the transceiver circuit 27 to each of the multiple antenna units 230. Each of the multiple antenna units 230 converts the input transmission signal into a radio wave. Each of the multiple antenna units 230 emits the converted radio wave. In this embodiment, the same radio wave is emitted from at least two antenna units 230. The radio waves emitted from each of the multiple antenna units 230 are transmitted via the spherical radio wave lens 21. The radio waves transmitted via the spherical radio wave lens 21 are radiated into free space. The transceiver 20 transmits radio waves from at least two antenna units 230 according to the transmission direction of the desired radio wave.

[0053] In this embodiment, directional radio waves are transmitted in the same direction from at least two antenna units 230. According to this embodiment, by forming a plurality of antenna units 230 into a phased array, the transmission direction of the radio waves can be finely adjusted compared to when only one antenna unit 230 is used. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the transmission direction of the transmitted radio waves can be finely adjusted compared to the first embodiment.

[0054] As described above, the transmitter / receiver device of this embodiment includes a transceiver and a transmitter / receiver circuit. The transceiver has a spherical radio lens and an array antenna. A metasurface that converges desired radio waves from a communication target is formed on the spherical radio lens. The spherical radio lens converges desired radio waves arriving from the same direction toward at least two antenna units. The array antenna is arranged opposite the spherical radio lens. Multiple antenna units that transmit and receive desired radio waves from a communication target are arranged on the array antenna in alignment with the focal position of the spherical radio lens. The transmitter / receiver circuit acquires a received signal corresponding to the radio waves received by the transceiver. The transmitter / receiver circuit decodes and outputs the acquired received signal. The transmitter / receiver circuit acquires a transmission signal intended for the communication target. The transmitter / receiver circuit outputs the acquired transmission signal to an antenna unit that transmits the transmission signal to the communication target.

[0055] The transmission / reception device of this embodiment receives desired radio waves converged by a spherical radio lens using multiple antenna units arranged in alignment with the focal position of the spherical radio lens. The transmission / reception device of this embodiment can simultaneously transmit and receive desired radio waves to and from multiple communication targets using multiple antenna units. The transmission / reception device of this embodiment also receives desired radio waves using multiple antenna units arranged in alignment with the focal position of the spherical radio lens. Therefore, the transmission / reception device of this embodiment has a larger receiving area than a radio lens arranged on a plane with multiple antenna units, thereby achieving high gain. In other words, the transmission / reception device of this embodiment can simultaneously transmit and receive desired radio waves to and from multiple communication targets while achieving both high gain and high communication capacity. The transmission / reception device of this embodiment transmits and receives desired radio waves arriving from the same direction using at least one antenna unit. Therefore, the transmission / reception device of this embodiment can fine-tune the transmission direction of the transmitted radio waves by arranging multiple antenna units in a phased array.

[0056] (Third embodiment) Next, a transceiver according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The transceiver of this embodiment has a simplified configuration of the transceivers of the first and second embodiments.

[0057] Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transceiver 30 according to this embodiment. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the transceiver 30 in Fig. 9 taken along a plane parallel to the plane of the paper on which Fig. 9 is drawn. The transceiver 30 includes a spherical radio wave lens 31 and an array antenna 33.

[0058] A metasurface that converges the desired radio waves of the transmission / reception target is formed on the spherical radio lens 31. The array antenna 33 is arranged opposite the spherical radio lens 31. The array antenna 33 has a plurality of antenna units 330 that transmit and receive the desired radio waves of the transmission / reception target and are arranged in alignment with the focal position of the spherical radio lens 31.

[0059] The transceiver of this embodiment receives desired radio waves converged by the spherical radio lens using multiple antenna units arranged in alignment with the focal position of the spherical radio lens. The transceiver of this embodiment can simultaneously transmit and receive desired radio waves to and from multiple communication targets using multiple antenna units. The transceiver of this embodiment also receives desired radio waves using multiple antenna units arranged in the focal position of the spherical radio lens. Therefore, the transceiver of this embodiment has a larger receiving area than a radio lens arranged on the plane of multiple antenna units, and therefore can obtain high gain. In other words, the transceiver of this embodiment can simultaneously transmit and receive desired radio waves to and from multiple communication targets while achieving both gain and the number of communications.

[0060] (Application example) Next, application examples of the transceivers according to the first to third embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Figs. 11 and 12 are conceptual diagrams for explaining the application examples. In the application examples below, an example will be given in which any of the transceivers according to the first to third embodiments (transceiver 40) is used. The transceiver 40 is connected to a transmission / reception circuit (not shown).

[0061] FIG. 11 shows an example in which a transceiver 40 used as a base station is placed in a city. For example, the transceiver 40 is installed beside a road where people and cars pass by. For example, the transceiver 40 is placed on the roof of a building. The transceiver 40 has a wide communication range, so a single unit can cover a wide area. The transceiver 40 can also be applied to various types of base stations. The transceiver 40 may be placed indoors as well as outdoors. For example, the transceiver 40 may be used as an access point or a router. There are no limitations on the use of the transceiver 40 as long as it is used for wireless communication.

[0062] Fig. 12 shows an example in which transceiver 40 is placed with its spherical radio wave lens facing up into the sky. Transceiver 40 communicates wirelessly with drone 410 and artificial satellite 420 flying in the sky. Transceiver 40 is placed on drone 410 and artificial satellite 420 with its spherical radio wave lens facing downward. According to the application example of Fig. 12, a communication system capable of communicating with the entire celestial sphere can be constructed.

[0063] (Hardware) Here, a hardware configuration for executing control and processing according to each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using an information processing device 90 in Fig. 13 as an example. Note that the information processing device 90 in Fig. 13 is an example configuration for executing control and processing according to each embodiment, and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 13, an information processing device 90 includes a processor 91, a main storage device 92, an auxiliary storage device 93, an input / output interface 95, and a communication interface 96. In Fig. 13, interface is abbreviated as I / F (Interface). The processor 91, the main storage device 92, the auxiliary storage device 93, the input / output interface 95, and the communication interface 96 are connected to each other via a bus 98 so as to be able to communicate data with each other. The processor 91, the main storage device 92, the auxiliary storage device 93, and the input / output interface 95 are also connected to a network such as the Internet or an intranet via the communication interface 96.

[0065] The processor 91 loads a program stored in an auxiliary storage device 93 or the like into a main storage device 92. The processor 91 executes the program loaded into the main storage device 92. In this embodiment, a software program installed in the information processing device 90 may be used. The processor 91 executes control and processing according to each embodiment.

[0066] The main memory device 92 has an area in which programs are loaded. Programs stored in the auxiliary memory device 93 or the like are loaded into the main memory device 92 by the processor 91. The main memory device 92 is realized by a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). Furthermore, a non-volatile memory such as an MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory) may be configured / added to the main memory device 92.

[0067] The auxiliary storage device 93 stores various data such as programs. The auxiliary storage device 93 is realized by a local disk such as a hard disk or flash memory. Note that it is also possible to configure the main storage device 92 to store various data, thereby omitting the auxiliary storage device 93.

[0068] The input / output interface 95 is an interface for connecting the information processing device 90 to peripheral devices based on standards and specifications. The communication interface 96 is an interface for connecting to external systems and devices via a network such as the Internet or an intranet based on standards and specifications. The input / output interface 95 and the communication interface 96 may be a common interface for connecting to external devices.

[0069] Input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and touch panel may be connected to the information processing device 90 as needed. These input devices are used to input information and settings. When a touch panel is used as the input device, the display screen of the display device may also serve as the interface for the input device. Data communication between the processor 91 and the input devices may be mediated by an input / output interface 95.

[0070] The information processing device 90 may also be equipped with a display device for displaying information. When a display device is equipped, the information processing device 90 preferably includes a display control device (not shown) for controlling the display of the display device. The display device may be connected to the information processing device 90 via the input / output interface 95.

[0071] The information processing device 90 may also be equipped with a drive device. The drive device acts as an intermediary between the processor 91 and a recording medium (program recording medium) for reading data and programs from the recording medium, writing the processing results of the information processing device 90 to the recording medium, etc. The drive device may be connected to the information processing device 90 via an input / output interface 95.

[0072] The above is an example of a hardware configuration for enabling control and processing according to each embodiment of the present invention. Note that the hardware configuration in FIG. 13 is an example of a hardware configuration for executing control and processing according to each embodiment, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a program that causes a computer to execute control and processing according to each embodiment is also within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a program recording medium on which a program according to each embodiment is recorded is also within the scope of the present invention. The recording medium can be realized, for example, as an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The recording medium may also be realized as a semiconductor recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an SD (Secure Digital) card. The recording medium may also be realized as a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, or other recording medium. When a program executed by a processor is recorded on a recording medium, the recording medium corresponds to a program recording medium.

[0073] The components of each embodiment may be combined in any manner, and may be realized by software or by a circuit.

[0074] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1, 2 Transmitting and receiving device 10, 20, 30, 40 Transceiver 11, 21, 31 Spherical radio lens 13, 23, 33 Array Antenna 17, 27 Transmitting and receiving circuit 111, 211 Metasurface section 113, 213 Support 130, 230, 330 antenna unit

Claims

1. a spherical radio wave lens on which a metasurface is formed that converges desired radio waves to be transmitted and received; a transmitter / receiver comprising: an array antenna arranged opposite the spherical radio wave lens, in which an antenna unit for transmitting and receiving desired radio waves to be transmitted and received is arranged to align with the focal position of the spherical radio wave lens.

2. The spherical radio wave lens is a spherical support through which the desired radio waves pass; The transceiver according to claim 1 , further comprising: a metasurface section including the metasurface on which structures smaller than the wavelength of the desired radio wave are periodically arranged.

3. The array antenna comprises:

3. The transceiver according to claim 1, wherein the transceiver has a spherical cap shape with a plurality of said antenna units arranged on a concave surface, said concave surface being arranged facing said spherical radio wave lens.

4. The transceiver according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of antenna units are arranged in an arc shape on the concave surface of the array antenna.

5. The transceiver according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of antenna units are arranged in a mesh pattern on the concave surface of the array antenna.

6. The spherical radio wave lens is The transceiver according to claim 1 , wherein the desired radio waves arriving from the same direction are converged toward a single antenna unit.

7. The spherical radio wave lens is 6. The transceiver according to claim 1, wherein the desired radio waves arriving from the same direction are converged toward at least two of the antenna units.

8. A transceiver according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a transmitter / receiver circuit that acquires a received signal corresponding to the radio waves received by the transmitter / receiver, decodes and outputs the acquired received signal, and acquires a transmission signal directed to a communication target, and outputs the acquired transmission signal to an antenna unit that transmits the transmission signal to the communication target.

9. The transmitting and receiving circuit includes: The transmitting / receiving device according to claim 8 , wherein the desired radio wave is transmitted and received in a time-division manner from the same communication target using the same antenna unit.

10. A method of transmitting and receiving using a transceiver including: a spherical radio wave lens on which a metasurface that converges a desired radio wave to be transmitted and received is formed; and an array antenna that is arranged opposite the spherical radio wave lens and in which an antenna unit that transmits and receives the desired radio wave to be transmitted and received is arranged to match the focal position of the spherical radio wave lens, The computer acquiring a received signal corresponding to the radio wave received by the transceiver; Decode and output the acquired received signal; Acquire a transmission signal directed to a communication target; A transmission / reception method in which the acquired transmission signal is output to an antenna unit that transmits the signal toward the communication target.

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