Antenna module and communication device equipped with same

Abstract

Provided is an antenna module (100) in which: hybrid couplers (150A, 150B) each have input terminals (IN1, IN2) and output terminals (OUT1, OUT2); distributors (140A, 140B) each distribute a high-frequency signal from an RFIC in two directions; the distributor (140A) distributes a first signal from the RFIC to the input terminals (IN1) of the hybrid couplers; the distributor (140B) distributes a second signal from the RFIC to the input terminals (IN2) of the hybrid couplers; the output terminals (OUT1, OUT2) of the hybrid coupler (150A) are connected respectively to radiation elements (121D, 122D); the output terminals (OUY1, OUT2) of the hybrid coupler (150B) are connected to radiation elements (121E, 122E), respectively; and in the hybrid couplers, the phase difference between the high-frequency signals supplied to the input terminals (IN1, IN2) is set to 90°.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an antenna module and a communication device equipped with the same, and more particularly to a technique for improving the antenna characteristics of an array antenna. [Background technology]

[0002] WO 2020 / 170722 (Patent Document 1) discloses an antenna module in which radiating elements are arranged on two surfaces of a dielectric substrate formed in the shape of a flat plate bent into a substantially L-shape. The antenna module disclosed in WO 2020 / 170722 (Patent Document 1) can radiate radio waves in different directions from the radiating elements on each surface of the dielectric substrate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 170722 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the antenna module configuration disclosed in International Publication No. 2020 / 170722 (Patent Document 1), a high-frequency signal is individually supplied to each radiating element on a substrate from a corresponding output port in a feed circuit (RFIC). In such a configuration, as the number of radiating elements arranged on the substrate increases, the RFIC needs to have a number of output ports corresponding to the number of radiating elements arranged.

[0005] Antenna modules such as those described above generally require high antenna gain and / or a wide radiation range. To meet these requirements, one approach is to increase the number of radiating elements on each board. In this case, more output ports may be required on the RFIC. This is particularly true for multi-band antennas that emit radio waves in multiple frequency bands and / or dual-polarized antennas that emit radio waves in two different polarization directions.

[0006] On the other hand, in RFICs, there are cases where the required number of output ports cannot be secured due to limitations on the size of the RFIC elements caused by limitations on the mountable area of ​​the antenna module, and / or due to the need to suppress increases in the cost of the RFIC, and in such cases, the desired antenna characteristics may not be achieved.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to improve antenna characteristics in an antenna module in which the number of output ports of an RFIC is less than the number of radiating elements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An antenna module according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes first and second antenna groups, first and second hybrid couplers, first and second dividers, and a feed circuit. The first antenna group includes a first radiating element and a second radiating element. The second antenna group includes a third radiating element and a fourth radiating element. Each hybrid coupler has a first and second input terminal and a first and second output terminal. The feed circuit supplies a high-frequency signal to each radiating element. Each divider divides the high-frequency signal from the feed circuit in two directions. Each antenna group is capable of radiating radio waves in a first frequency band. The first divider divides a first signal from the feed circuit to a first input terminal of each hybrid coupler. The second divider divides a second signal from the feed circuit to a second input terminal of each hybrid coupler. The first and second output terminals of the first hybrid coupler are connected to the first and third radiating elements, respectively. The first and second output terminals of the second hybrid coupler are connected to the second and fourth radiating elements, respectively. In each hybrid coupler, the phase difference between the high-frequency signals supplied to the first and second input terminals is set to 90°.

[0009] An antenna module according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of radiating elements including a first radiating element and a second radiating element, a first hybrid coupler and a second hybrid coupler, a first divider and a second divider, and a feed circuit. Each radiating element is capable of radiating radio waves polarized in a first direction and radio waves polarized in a second direction. Each hybrid coupler has a first input terminal and a second input terminal and a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The feed circuit supplies high-frequency signals to the plurality of radiating elements. Each divider divides the high-frequency signal from the feed circuit into two directions. The first divider divides the first signal from the feed circuit to the first input terminal of each hybrid coupler. The second divider divides the second signal from the feed circuit to the second input terminal of each hybrid coupler. The first output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to a feed point for the first polarization of the first radiating element. The second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to the feed point for polarization in the second direction of the second radiating element. The first output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to the feed point for polarization in the first direction of the second radiating element. The second output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to the feed point for polarization in the second direction of the first radiating element. In each of the hybrid couplers, the phase difference between the high frequency signals supplied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal is set to 90°. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In the antenna module according to the present disclosure, a hybrid coupler and a divider are used to supply high-frequency signals from an output port assigned to a radiating element included in the second antenna group to a radiating element included in the first antenna group, thereby improving the antenna characteristics in an antenna module in which the number of output ports of a feeding circuit (RFIC) is less than the number of radiating elements. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a communication device to which an antenna module according to a first embodiment is applied. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an antenna module according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hybrid coupler. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram showing a connection state of the antenna module according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining other examples of the arrangement of radiating elements of each antenna group. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an antenna module according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating connection states of antenna modules according to the first embodiment, a comparative example, and a reference example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the gain distribution in the radiating element on the low frequency (28 GHz) side. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the gain distribution in the radiating element on the high frequency (39 GHz) side. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing a connection state of the antenna module according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an antenna module according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an antenna module according to a second modification. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a side view of the antenna module according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modified example 3 antenna module. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a communication device to which an antenna module according to a fifth embodiment is applied. [Figure 16] 13 is a diagram showing a connection state of the antenna module according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is a diagram showing a connection state of the antenna module according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the gain distribution in the radiating element on the low frequency (28 GHz) side. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the gain distribution in the radiating element on the high frequency (39 GHz) side. [Figure 20] 13 is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module according to a fourth modified example. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement of an antenna module in a smartphone. [Figure 23] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the antenna module and the hand when the way the smartphone is held is changed. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an antenna module according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 25] 13 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of an antenna module according to a seventh embodiment in a communication device. FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of an antenna module of Modification 6 in a communication device. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module according to a seventh modification. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of an antenna module according to a seventh modification in a communication device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0013] [Embodiment 1] (Basic configuration of communication equipment) 1 is a block diagram of a communication device 10 to which an antenna module 100 according to this embodiment is applied. The communication device 10 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet, or a personal computer with a communication function. An example of the frequency band of radio waves used in the antenna module 100 according to this embodiment is millimeter-wave radio waves with center frequencies of 28 GHz, 39 GHz, and 60 GHz, but radio waves in other frequency bands are also applicable.

[0014] 1, a communication device 10 includes an antenna module 100 and a BBIC 200 that constitutes a baseband signal processing circuit. The antenna module 100 includes an RFIC 110, which is an example of a power supply circuit, an antenna device 120, dividers 140A and 140B, and hybrid couplers 150A and 150B. In the following description, the dividers 140A and 140B may also be collectively referred to as "divider 140," and the hybrid couplers 150A and 150B may also be collectively referred to as "hybrid coupler 150."

[0015] The communication device 10 upconverts the signal transmitted from the BBIC 200 to the antenna module 100 into a high-frequency signal and radiates it from the antenna device 120, and also downconverts the high-frequency signal received by the antenna device 120 and processes the signal in the BBIC 200.

[0016] The antenna device 120 includes a dielectric substrate 105 having two substrates 130A and 130B. A plurality of radiating elements are arranged on each substrate of the dielectric substrate 105. More specifically, FIG. 1 shows an example in which five radiating elements 121A to 121E (first antenna group 101) are arranged on substrate 130A and five radiating elements 122A to 122E (second antenna group 102) are arranged on substrate 130B, but the number of radiating elements arranged on each substrate is not limited to this. Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows an example in which the radiating elements are arranged in a one-dimensional array on each substrate of the dielectric substrate, but the radiating elements may be arranged in a two-dimensional array on each substrate.

[0017] In the following description, the radiating elements 121A to 121E included in the first antenna group 101 may be collectively referred to as "radiating elements 121," and the radiating elements 122A to 122E included in the second antenna group 102 may be collectively referred to as "radiating elements 122." In the first embodiment, the radiating elements 121 and 122 are microstrip antennas having a substantially square flat plate shape. The shape of the radiating elements 121 and 122 may be a circle, an ellipse, or another polygon.

[0018] The RFIC 110 includes switches 111A to 111H, 113A to 113H, 117A, and 117B, power amplifiers 112AT to 112HT, low-noise amplifiers 112AR to 112HR, attenuators 114A to 114H, phase shifters 115A to 115H, signal combiners / dividers 116A and 116B, mixers 118A and 118B, and amplifier circuits 119A and 119B. Of these, the configuration of switches 111A to 111D, 113A to 113D, 117A, power amplifiers 112AT to 112DT, low-noise amplifiers 112AR to 112DR, attenuators 114A to 114D, phase shifters 115A to 115D, signal combiner / divider 116A, mixer 118A, and amplifier circuit 119A constitutes a circuit for a high-frequency signal radiated from radiating element 121 of substrate 130A. Furthermore, the configuration of the switches 111E to 111H, 113E to 113H, and 117B, the power amplifiers 112ET to 112HT, the low-noise amplifiers 112ER to 112HR, the attenuators 114E to 114H, the phase shifters 115E to 115H, the signal combiner / divider 116B, the mixer 118B, and the amplifier circuit 119B constitutes a circuit for the high-frequency signal radiated from the radiating element 122 of the substrate 130B.

[0019] When transmitting a high frequency signal, the switches 111A to 111H and 113A to 113H are switched to the power amplifiers 112AT to 112HT side, and the switches 117A and 117B are connected to the transmission amplifiers of the amplifier circuits 119A and 119B. When receiving a high frequency signal, the switches 111A to 111H and 113A to 113H are switched to the low noise amplifiers 112AR to 112HR side, and the switches 117A and 117B are connected to the reception amplifiers of the amplifier circuits 119A and 119B.

[0020] The signal transmitted from the BBIC 200 is amplified by amplifier circuits 119A and 119B and up-converted by mixers 118A and 118B. The up-converted high-frequency transmission signal is divided into four by signal combiners / dividers 116A and 116B, passes through the corresponding signal paths and is fed to the radiating elements. By individually adjusting the phase shift of phase shifters 115A to 115H arranged on each signal path, it is possible to adjust the directivity of the radio waves output from the radiating elements of each board. In addition, attenuators 114A to 114H adjust the strength of the transmission signal.

[0021] The transmission signals from output ports P1, P2, and P3 connected to switches 111A, 111B, and 111C are supplied to radiating elements 121A, 121B, and 121C, respectively. The transmission signals from output ports P6, P7, and P8 connected to switches 111F, 111G, and 111H are supplied to radiating elements 122C, 122B, and 122A, respectively. The transmission signal from output port P4 connected to switch 111D is split into two directions by splitter 140A and supplied to one input terminal of each of hybrid couplers 150A and 150B. The transmission signal from output port P5 connected to switch 111E is split into two directions by splitter 140B and supplied to the other input terminal of each of hybrid couplers 150A and 150B.

[0022] The two output terminals of hybrid coupler 150A are connected to radiating elements 121D and 122E, respectively, and the two output terminals of hybrid coupler 150B are connected to radiating elements 121E and 122D, respectively.

[0023] The received signals, which are high-frequency signals received by the radiating elements 121 and 122, are transmitted to the RFIC 110 and then combined in the signal combiners / dividers 116A and 116B via four different signal paths. The combined received signals are down-converted in the mixers 118A and 118B, and further amplified in the amplifier circuits 119A and 119B before being transmitted to the BBIC 200.

[0024] The RFIC 110 is formed, for example, as a one-chip integrated circuit component including the above circuit configuration. Alternatively, the devices (switches, power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, attenuators, phase shifters) corresponding to the radiating elements 121A and 121B in the RFIC 110 may be formed as one-chip integrated circuit components for each corresponding radiating element.

[0025] (Antenna module configuration) Next, the configuration of the antenna module 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the antenna module 100. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the details of the hybrid coupler 150. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the connection state in the antenna module 100.

[0026] 2, antenna module 100 includes dielectric substrate 105, radiating elements 121 and 122, divider 140, hybrid coupler 150, and RFIC 110, as described in FIG. 1. In the following description, the normal direction to substrate 130A is defined as the Z-axis direction, the normal direction to substrate 130B is defined as the X-axis direction, and the arrangement direction of the radiating elements on each substrate is defined as the Y-axis direction. In each figure, the positive direction of the Z-axis may be referred to as the upper surface side, and the negative direction as the lower surface side.

[0027] Dielectric substrate 105 is, for example, a low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) multilayer substrate, a multilayer resin substrate formed by laminating multiple resin layers made of resin such as epoxy or polyimide, a multilayer resin substrate formed by laminating multiple resin layers made of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) having a lower dielectric constant, a multilayer resin substrate formed by laminating multiple resin layers made of fluorine-based resin, or a ceramic multilayer substrate other than LTCC. Note that dielectric substrate 105 does not necessarily have a multilayer structure and may be a single-layer substrate.

[0028] In antenna device 120 of antenna module 100, dielectric substrate 105 has a substantially L-shaped cross section and includes flat substrate 130A having a normal direction in the Z-axis direction, flat substrate 130B having a normal direction in the X-axis direction, and bent portion 135 connecting the two substrates 130A and 130B. Note that in the first embodiment, substrate 130A corresponds to the "first substrate" of the present disclosure, and substrate 130B corresponds to the "second substrate" of the present disclosure.

[0029] In the antenna module 100, five radiating elements are arranged in a row in the Y-axis direction on each of the two substrates 130A and 130B. In the following description, for ease of understanding, an example will be described in which the radiating elements 121 and 122 are arranged so as to be exposed on the surfaces of the substrates 130A and 130B, but the radiating elements 121 and 122 may also be arranged inside the substrates 130A and 130B.

[0030] The substrate 130A has a substantially rectangular shape, and on its surface, the five radiating elements 121A to 121E of the first antenna group 101 are arranged in a row in the Y-axis direction. Also, on the lower surface side (the surface in the negative direction of the Z-axis) of the substrate 130A, a SiP (System In Package) module 125 incorporating an RFIC 110, a distributor 140, a hybrid coupler 150, and a power module IC (not shown), as well as a connector (not shown), are mounted. The substrate 130A is mounted on a mounting board by connecting a connector arranged on the bottom surface to a connector arranged on the surface of the mounting board (not shown). Note that the substrate 130A may be mounted on the mounting board by soldering instead of using a connector.

[0031] Substrate 130B is connected to bent portion 135 bent from substrate 130A, and is disposed at an angle of approximately 90° with respect to substrate 130A. Substrate 130B is configured such that a plurality of notches 136 are formed in a substantially rectangular dielectric substrate, and bent portion 135 is connected to notches 136. In other words, in a portion of substrate 130B where notches 136 are formed, protruding portion 133 is formed, protruding from boundary portion 134 where bent portion 135 and substrate 130B are connected, in a direction along substrate 130B toward substrate 130A (i.e., in the positive direction of the Z axis). The position of the protruding end of protruding portion 133 is located in the positive direction of the Z axis from the lower surface of substrate 130A, i.e., the surface on which SiP module 125 is mounted.

[0032] Radiating elements 122A to 122E of second antenna group 102 are arranged on protruding portion 133 of substrate 130B in antenna module 100, corresponding to radiating elements 121A to 121E arranged on substrate 130A. Each of radiating elements 122A to 122E on substrate 130B is arranged so that at least a portion thereof overlaps protruding portion 133. When viewed in a plan view from the normal direction of substrate 130A, radiating elements 122A to 122E are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction with radiating elements 121A to 121E, respectively.

[0033] Although not shown in the figure, ground electrodes are arranged at a distance from the radiating elements 121 and 122 on the inner layer of the surfaces of the substrates 130A and 130B and the bending portion 135 opposite to the surfaces on which the radiating elements 121 and 122 are arranged. A high-frequency signal is transmitted from the RFIC 110 in the SiP module 125 to the radiating element 121 of the substrate 130A via a feed wiring passing through the interior of the substrate 130A. The feed wiring is connected to a feed point SP1 of each radiating element. The feed point SP1 is arranged at a position offset in the negative direction of the Y-axis from the center of each radiating element 121. When a high-frequency signal is supplied to the feed point SP1, a radio wave polarized in the Y-axis direction is radiated in the positive direction of the Z-axis.

[0034] Furthermore, a high-frequency signal is transmitted from RFIC 110 to radiating element 122 of substrate 130B via a feed wiring that passes through substrate 130A, bent portion 135, and the inside of the dielectric of substrate 130B. The feed wiring is connected to feed point SP2 of each radiating element 122. Feed point SP2 is located at a position offset in the negative direction of the Y-axis from the center of each radiating element. When a high-frequency signal is supplied to feed point SP2, a radio wave polarized in the Y-axis direction is radiated in the positive direction of the X-axis.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, the hybrid coupler 150 has a configuration in which two input terminals IN1 and IN2, two output terminals OUT1 and OUT2, two first lines 151 having a characteristic impedance Zo, and two second lines 152 having an impedance Zo / √2 are combined.

[0036] More specifically, one second line 152 is connected between input terminal IN1 (first input terminal) and output terminal OUT1 (first output terminal), and the other second line 152 is connected between input terminal IN2 (second input terminal) and output terminal OUT2 (second output terminal). Furthermore, input terminal IN1 and input terminal IN2 are connected by one first line 151, and output terminal OUT1 and output terminal OUT2 are connected by the other first line 151. If the wavelength in dielectric substrate 105 of the high-frequency signal supplied to each radiating element is λ, the lengths of both first line 151 and second line 152 are set to a length of λ / 4.

[0037] Output terminal OUT1 is connected to corresponding radiating element 121 via feed wiring 171. Furthermore, output terminal OUT2 is connected to corresponding radiating element 122 via feed wiring 172. The difference between the wiring length L1 of feed wiring 171 and the wiring length L2 of feed wiring 172 is set to be nλ (n is an integer equal to or greater than zero). As a result, when high-frequency signals of the same phase are output from output terminals OUT1 and OUT2, radio waves of the same phase are radiated from radiating elements 121 and 122.

[0038] In hybrid coupler 150, when a high-frequency signal having a phase difference of +90° with respect to input terminal IN1 is supplied to input terminal IN2, a high-frequency signal having twice the power is output from output terminal OUT1, but no high-frequency signal is output from output terminal OUT2. Conversely, when a high-frequency signal having a phase difference of -90° with respect to input terminal IN1 is supplied to input terminal IN2, a high-frequency signal having twice the power is output from output terminal OUT2, but no high-frequency signal is output from output terminal OUT1.

[0039] Furthermore, when the phase difference α between the high-frequency signal supplied to input terminal IN1 and the high-frequency signal supplied to input terminal IN2 is adjusted to the range of -90°<α<90°, powers having a ratio corresponding to the phase difference are output from output terminals OUT1 and OUT2. For example, when the phase difference α is adjusted to 0°, high-frequency signals of the same power are output from output terminals OUT1 and OUT2. In other words, hybrid coupler 150 functions as a combiner and a demultiplexer.

[0040] 4, in the hybrid coupler 150 of the first embodiment, the phase difference α of the signal from output port P5 relative to the signal from output port P4 is set to +90° or −90°. When the phase difference α is set to +90°, the signal from hybrid coupler 150A is supplied to radiating element 121D of the first antenna group 101, and the signal from hybrid coupler 150B is supplied to radiating element 121E of the first antenna group 101.

[0041] On the other hand, when the phase difference α is set to −90°, the signal from the hybrid coupler 150A is supplied to the radiating element 122E of the second antenna group 102, and the signal from the hybrid coupler 150B is supplied to the radiating element 122D of the second antenna group 102.

[0042] As described above, the signals distributed by distributor 140 are supplied to each input terminal of hybrid coupler 150, so the power of the signals received at each input terminal is half the power of the signals output from each output port. In the first embodiment, the phase difference is set to +90° or −90°, so that the power of the signals output from each output terminal of hybrid coupler 150 is equal to the power of the signals output from each output port.

[0043] In the antenna module 100 of the first embodiment, radio waves cannot be radiated simultaneously from the radiating elements 121, 122 of both the first antenna group 101 and the second antenna group 102, and radio waves are radiated alternately from the first antenna group 101 and the second antenna group 102. When radiating radio waves from the first antenna group 101, the radio waves are radiated from the radiating elements 121D, 121E of the first antenna group 101 using power from the output port P5 for the second antenna group 102. When radiating radio waves from the second antenna group 102, the radio waves are radiated from the radiating elements 122D, 122E of the second antenna group 102 using power from the output port P4 for the first antenna group 101.

[0044] In this way, by using a distributor and a hybrid coupler to utilize signals from antenna groups that are not radiating radio waves, it is possible to radiate radio waves using more radiating elements than the number of output ports, which increases the peak gain of the radio waves radiated from each antenna group compared to a configuration in which the output ports and radiating elements are connected 1:1.

[0045] A high-frequency signal upconverted by RFIC 110 passes through divider 140 and hybrid coupler 150. Generally, the higher the signal frequency, the greater the loss in the transmission path. Therefore, to reduce loss, it is desirable to make the transmission path from RFIC 110, including divider 140 and hybrid coupler 150, to radiating elements 121 and 122 as short as possible. Therefore, when SiP module 125 including RFIC 110 is arranged on substrate 130A as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable to arrange elements including divider 140 and hybrid coupler 150 in dashed-line region PR1 in FIG. 4 on substrate 130A, and to arrange elements in dashed-line region PR2 on substrate 130B.

[0046] The antenna module 100 of the first embodiment has been described as an example of a so-called single-band and single-polarized antenna module that radiates radio waves in one frequency band in one polarization direction. In the case of a dual-band antenna module that can radiate radio waves in two different frequency bands, or a dual-polarized antenna module that can radiate radio waves in two different polarization directions, the RFIC 110 further requires output ports for corresponding radiating elements and polarizations.

[0047] For example, in the case of a dual-polarized antenna module, as shown in Fig. 4, output ports P9 to P12 are assigned to the first antenna group 101 as output ports for the high frequency signal for the second polarization, and output ports P13 to P16 are assigned to the second antenna group 102. In this case as well, by using a distributor and a hybrid coupler to make the connection as shown in Fig. 4, it is possible to increase the peak gain of radio waves in the second polarization direction as well.

[0048] 2 above, a configuration has been described in which radiating element 121 of first antenna group 101 is arranged on substrate 130A and radiating element 122 of second antenna group 102 is arranged on substrate 130B, but as shown in Fig. 5, a configuration in which some radiating elements of each antenna group are arranged on the other substrate may also be used. Specifically, in the antenna module of Fig. 5, radiating elements 121A to 121D of first antenna group 101 are arranged on substrate 130A, and radiating element 121E is arranged on substrate 130B (region RG1). Similarly, radiating elements 122A to 122D of second antenna group 102 are arranged on substrate 130B, and radiating element 122E is arranged on substrate 130A (region RG2).

[0049] In this configuration, when radio waves are radiated from first antenna group 101, in addition to being radiated in the positive direction of the Z axis, some of the radio waves are also radiated in the positive direction of the X axis. Also, when radio waves are radiated from second antenna group 102, in addition to being radiated in the positive direction of the X axis, some of the radio waves are also radiated in the positive direction of the Z axis. Therefore, the radiation range of the radio waves can be expanded.

[0050] (Variation 1) 6 is a perspective view of the antenna module 100A of Modification 1. The antenna module 100A is a dual-band and dual-polarized antenna module that can radiate radio waves in two different frequency bands from a plurality of radiating elements arranged on each of the substrates 130A and 130B, and can radiate the radio waves in each frequency band in two different polarization directions.

[0051] 1, antenna module 100A further includes radiating elements 123A to 123E arranged on substrate 130A, and radiating elements 124A to 124 arranged on substrate 130B. In the following description, radiating elements 123A to 123E may be collectively referred to as "radiating element 123," and radiating elements 124A to 124E may be collectively referred to as "radiating element 124."

[0052] The element size of the radiating elements 123 and 124 is larger than the element size of the radiating elements 121 and 122. Therefore, the radiating elements 123 and 124 emit radio waves in a lower frequency band than the radiating elements 121 and 122. For example, the center frequency of the radio waves radiated from the radiating elements 121 and 122 is 39 GHz, and the center frequency of the radio waves radiated from the radiating elements 123 and 124 is 28 GHz.

[0053] Radiating element 123 is arranged on substrate 130A in a layer between radiating element 121 and a ground electrode arranged on substrate 130A. When viewed in a plan view from the normal direction (Z-axis direction) of substrate 130A, radiating elements 121 and 123 overlap so that their centers coincide. In other words, radiating elements 121, 123 and the ground electrode form a stacked patch antenna.

[0054] In radiating element 121, feed point SP1A is located at a position offset in the negative direction of the Y axis from the center of radiating element 121, and feed point SP1B is located at a position offset in the positive direction of the X axis from the center of radiating element 121. When a high-frequency signal is supplied to feed point SP1A, radio waves polarized in the Y axis direction are radiated in the positive direction of the Z axis. Furthermore, when a high-frequency signal is supplied to feed point SP1B, radio waves polarized in the X axis direction are radiated in the positive direction of the Z axis.

[0055] 6, radiating element 123 also has feed points disposed at positions offset in the X-axis direction and in the Y-axis direction from the center of radiating element 123. Radiating element 123 also emits radio waves whose polarization direction is in the X-axis direction and radio waves whose polarization direction is in the Y-axis direction. Note that a high-frequency signal may be transmitted to radiating element 123 using a feed wiring separate from that of radiating element 121, or a high-frequency signal may be transmitted using a feed wiring for radiating element 121 that passes through radiating element 123.

[0056] Radiating element 124 is disposed on substrate 130B in a layer between radiating element 122 and a ground electrode disposed on substrate 130B. When viewed in a plan view from the normal direction (X-axis direction) of substrate 130B, radiating elements 122 and 124 overlap with their centers coinciding. In other words, radiating elements 122, 124 and the ground electrode form a stacked patch antenna.

[0057] In radiating element 122, feed point SP2A is located at a position offset in the negative direction of the Y axis from the center of radiating element 122, and feed point SP2B is located at a position offset in the positive direction of the Z axis from the center of radiating element 122. When a high-frequency signal is supplied to feed point SP2A, radio waves polarized in the Y axis direction are radiated in the positive direction of the X axis. Furthermore, when a high-frequency signal is supplied to feed point SP2B, radio waves polarized in the Z axis direction are radiated in the positive direction of the X axis.

[0058] 6, radiating element 124 also has feed points disposed at positions offset in the X-axis direction and in the Y-axis direction from the center of radiating element 124. Radiating element 124 also emits radio waves whose polarization direction is in the Y-axis direction and radio waves whose polarization direction is in the Z-axis direction. Note that a high-frequency signal may be transmitted to radiating element 124 using a feed wiring separate from that of radiating element 122, or a high-frequency signal may be transmitted using a feed wiring for radiating element 122 that passes through radiating element 124.

[0059] Even in an antenna module with this configuration, by using a divider and hybrid coupler for each polarization in each frequency band and making the connections shown in Figure 4, the peak gain can be increased even if the number of output ports of the RFIC is less than the number of radiating elements.

[0060] (Comparison of antenna characteristics) Next, simulation results of the antenna characteristics of the antenna module of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figures 7 to 9 also show the antenna module 100X of the comparative example and the antenna module 100P of the reference example. Note that the simulation was actually performed using a dual-band, dual-polarized antenna module such as the antenna module 100A of the first modified example.

[0061] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the connection states of antenna modules according to the first embodiment, the comparative example, and the reference example. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the gain distribution in the radiating element on the low frequency (28 GHz) side. Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining the gain distribution in the radiating element on the high frequency (39 GHz) side. Figs. 8 and 9 show examples of gain distributions when radiating elements 121 and 123 of substrate 130A simultaneously emit radio waves in two polarization directions.

[0062] 7, the antenna module 100X of the comparative example has four radiating elements arranged on each substrate, and the antenna ports of the RFIC 110 are connected to the radiating elements in a 1:1 ratio. The antenna module 100P of the reference example has five radiating elements arranged on each substrate, similar to the antenna module 100 of the first embodiment, but has a configuration in which the power supply wiring is branched by distributors 140P and 140Q on the output side of the hybrid coupler 150P.

[0063] 8 and 9, the upper row shows the gain distribution of each antenna module, and the lower row shows the cumulative distribution function (CDF). In each gain distribution, the horizontal axis represents the angle φ from the X-axis direction around the Y-axis, and the vertical axis represents the angle θ from the Z-axis direction around the X-axis. That is, φ=-90° represents the positive direction of the Z-axis, and φ=0° represents the positive direction of the X-axis. In each gain distribution, the higher the gain, the darker the hatching color.

[0064] First, referring to Fig. 8, in the case of the 28 GHz band, compared to Comparative Example 1 in which the output port and the radiating element are connected 1:1, the number of radiating elements is increased in the cases of Embodiment 1 and the Reference Example, and therefore the peak gain (CDF = 100%) increases from 10.16 dBi in Comparative Example 1 to 10.25 dBi in the case of Embodiment 1 and 10.27 dBi in the case of the Reference Example. However, the gain at CDF = 50% is slightly lower, at 1.62 dBi in the case of Embodiment 1 and 1.64 dBi in the case of the Reference Example, compared to 1.90 dBi in the Comparative Example. In other words, the radiation range is slightly narrower in the 28 GHz band.

[0065] 9, in the case of the 39 GHz band, the peak gain is also increased to 11.57 dBi in both the first embodiment and the reference example, compared to 10.39 dBi in comparative example 1. Furthermore, the gain at CDF=50% is also increased to 0.77 dBi in the first embodiment and 0.80 dBi in the reference example, compared to 0.46 dBi in comparative example 1. That is, in the case of the 39 GHz band, in addition to an increase in peak gain, an expansion of the radiation range has been achieved.

[0066] The reason why the radiation range is narrow in the 28 GHz band in FIG. 8 is that in the above simulation example, the pitch between the radiating elements is narrower than λ / 2.

[0067] As described above, by using a distributor and a hybrid coupler to utilize the output ports assigned to the radiating elements of the other antenna group, it is possible to radiate radio waves using more radiating elements than the output ports assigned to each antenna group, thereby increasing the peak gain.

[0068] Furthermore, in the case of embodiment 1 and the reference example, the number of output ports corresponding to each substrate is increased compared to comparative example 1, and therefore it is possible to increase the equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) when power is supplied from these corresponding output ports.

[0069] It should be noted that "hybrid coupler 150A" and "hybrid coupler 150B" in the first embodiment correspond to "first hybrid coupler" and "second hybrid coupler" in the present disclosure, respectively. "Divider 140A" and "divider 140B" in the first embodiment correspond to "first divider" and "second divider" in the present disclosure, respectively. "Radiating element 121D," "radiating element 121E," "radiating element 122E," and "radiating element 122D" in the first embodiment correspond to "first radiating element," "second radiating element," "third radiating element," and "fourth radiating element," respectively.

[0070] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which one radiating element is added to each antenna group by using an output port corresponding to one radiating element on the other board side. In the second embodiment, a configuration example will be described in which two radiating elements are added to each antenna group.

[0071] 10 is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module 100B according to embodiment 2. In antenna module 100B, first antenna group 101 arranged on substrate 130A includes six radiating elements 121A to 121F, and second antenna group 102 arranged on substrate 130B includes six radiating elements 122A to 122F. Furthermore, antenna module 100B includes four hybrid couplers 150C to 150F and four dividers 140C to 140F instead of hybrid couplers 150A and 150B and dividers 140A and 140B of antenna module 100.

[0072] The transmission signals from output ports P1 and P2 of RFIC 110 are supplied to radiating elements 121A and 121B, respectively, of substrate 130A, while the transmission signals from output ports P7 and P8 are supplied to radiating elements 122B and 122A, respectively, of substrate 130B.

[0073] The transmission signal from output port P3 is split into two directions by splitter 140C and supplied to one input terminal of each of hybrid couplers 150C and 150D. The transmission signal from output port P6 is split into two directions by splitter 140D and supplied to the other input terminal of each of hybrid couplers 150C and 150D. The two output terminals of hybrid coupler 150C are connected to radiating elements 121C and 122E, respectively. The two output terminals of hybrid coupler 150D are connected to radiating elements 121E and 122C, respectively.

[0074] The transmission signal from output port P4 is split into two directions by splitter 140E and supplied to one input terminal of each of hybrid couplers 150E and 150F. The transmission signal from output port P5 is split into two directions by splitter 140F and supplied to the other input terminal of each of hybrid couplers 150E and 150F. The two output terminals of hybrid coupler 150E are connected to radiating elements 121D and 122F, respectively. The two output terminals of hybrid coupler 150F are connected to radiating elements 121F and 122D, respectively.

[0075] In the hybrid couplers 150C and 150D, when the phase difference between the signal from output port P6 and the signal from output port P3 is set to +90°, the signal from hybrid coupler 150C is supplied to radiating element 121C of the first antenna group 101, and the signal from hybrid coupler 150D is supplied to radiating element 121E of the first antenna group 101. On the other hand, when the phase difference is set to -90°, the signal from hybrid coupler 150C is supplied to radiating element 122E of the second antenna group 102, and the signal from hybrid coupler 150D is supplied to radiating element 122C of the second antenna group 102.

[0076] Similarly, in the hybrid couplers 150E and 150F, when the phase difference between the signal from output port P5 and the signal from output port P4 is set to +90°, the signal from hybrid coupler 150E is supplied to radiating element 121D of the first antenna group 101, and the signal from hybrid coupler 150F is supplied to radiating element 121F of the first antenna group 101. On the other hand, when the phase difference is set to -90°, the signal from hybrid coupler 150E is supplied to radiating element 122F of the second antenna group 102, and the signal from hybrid coupler 150F is supplied to radiating element 122D of the second antenna group 102.

[0077] Therefore, by outputting signals having a phase difference of +90° with respect to the transmission signals of output ports P1 to P4 from output ports P5 and P6, radio waves can be radiated from the six radiating elements 121A to 121F of the first antenna group 101. Furthermore, by outputting signals having a phase difference of −90° with respect to the transmission signals of output ports P3 and P4 from output ports P5 to P8, radio waves can be radiated from the six radiating elements 122A to 122F of the second antenna group 102.

[0078] In this way, by using the output ports corresponding to the two radiating elements on the other board, two radiating elements can be added to each antenna group, thereby increasing the peak gain.

[0079] Similarly, if the RFIC 110 has eight output ports, radio waves can be radiated from seven radiating elements for each antenna group by using six dividers and hybrid couplers. Furthermore, radio waves can be radiated from eight radiating elements for each antenna group by using eight dividers and hybrid couplers. In the case of a dual-band type antenna module and / or a dual-polarized type antenna module, the number of radiating elements used can be increased by using a connection configuration similar to that shown in Figure 10 for the circuits corresponding to the corresponding frequency bands and polarizations.

[0080] "Hybrid coupler 150C" to "hybrid coupler 150F" in the second embodiment correspond to the "first hybrid coupler" to "fourth hybrid coupler" in this disclosure, respectively. "Divider 140C" to "Divider 140F" in the second embodiment correspond to the "first divider" to "fourth divider" in this disclosure, respectively. "Radiating element 121C," "radiating element 121E," "radiating element 122E," "radiating element 122C," "radiating element 121D," "radiating element 121F," "radiating element 122F," and "radiating element 122D" in the second embodiment correspond to the "first radiating element" to "eighth radiating element" in this disclosure, respectively.

[0081] [Embodiment 3] In the antenna module 100 of the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the radiating elements of each substrate are arranged in a row in the Y-axis direction. In the third embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the radiating elements of each substrate are arranged in a two-dimensional array.

[0082] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an antenna module 100C according to embodiment 3. Referring to Fig. 11, in antenna module 100C, similar to Fig. 10, first antenna group 101 arranged on substrate 130A includes six radiating elements 121A to 121F, and second antenna group 102 arranged on substrate 130B includes six radiating elements 122A to 122F.

[0083] On substrate 130A, a set of radiating elements 121A to 121C and a set of radiating elements 121D to 121F are arranged in a line along the Y-axis direction. Radiating elements 121D to 121F are arranged adjacent to radiating elements 121A to 121C in the negative direction of the X-axis. That is, first antenna group 101 has a configuration in which radiating elements 121A to 121F are arranged in a 2×3 two-dimensional array.

[0084] Similarly, on substrate 130B, a set of radiating elements 122A-122C and a set of radiating elements 122D-122F are arranged in a line along the Y-axis direction. Radiating elements 122D-122F are arranged adjacent to radiating elements 122A-122C in the positive direction of the Z-axis. In other words, second antenna group 102 has a configuration in which radiating elements 122A-122F are arranged in a 2×3 two-dimensional array.

[0085] In this way, by arranging the radiating elements on each board two-dimensionally, the radiated radio waves can be tilted in two directions, thereby expanding the radiation range of the radio waves.Furthermore, by using the output ports corresponding to the radiating elements on the other board, radio waves can be radiated using more radiating elements than the output ports assigned to each antenna group, thereby increasing the peak gain.

[0086] (Variation 2) In the second modification, a configuration in which eight radiating elements are two-dimensionally arranged on each substrate will be described.

[0087] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an antenna module 100D of Modification 2. Referring to Fig. 12, in antenna module 100D, first antenna group 101 arranged on substrate 130A includes eight radiating elements 121A to 121H, and second antenna group 102 arranged on substrate 130B includes eight radiating elements 122A to 122H. In this case, eight hybrid couplers and eight distributors are used.

[0088] On substrate 130A, a set of radiating elements 121A to 121D and a set of radiating elements 121E to 121H are arranged in a line along the Y-axis direction. Radiating elements 121E to 121H are arranged adjacent to radiating elements 121A to 121D in the negative direction of the X-axis. That is, first antenna group 101 has a configuration in which radiating elements 121A to 121H are arranged in a 2×4 two-dimensional array.

[0089] Similarly, on substrate 130B, a set of radiating elements 122A to 122D and a set of radiating elements 122E to 122H are arranged in a line along the Y-axis direction. Radiating elements 122E to 122H are arranged adjacent to radiating elements 122A to 122D in the positive direction of the Z-axis. In other words, second antenna group 102 has a configuration in which radiating elements 122A to 122H are arranged in a 2×4 two-dimensional array.

[0090] In this way, by configuring each substrate with radiating elements arranged two-dimensionally in a 2x4 pattern, the peak gain can be increased.

[0091] [Embodiment 4] In the first to third embodiments, the configuration for radiating radio waves in two different directions has been described, but the features of the present disclosure can also be applied to antenna modules that radiate radio waves in three or more different directions.

[0092] Fig. 13 is a side view of an antenna module 100E according to the fourth embodiment. In the antenna module 100E, a dielectric substrate 105E includes a substrate 130C in addition to the substrates 130A and 130B. The substrate 130C is connected to the side of the substrate 130A opposite to the side to which the substrate 130B is connected, and is disposed so as to face the substrate 130B. That is, as shown in Fig. 13, the cross section of the dielectric substrate 105E when viewed from the Y-axis direction is substantially C-shaped.

[0093] Radiating element 126 of the third antenna group is disposed on the surface of substrate 130C facing in the negative direction of the X axis. Radio waves are emitted from radiating element 126 in the negative direction of the X axis.

[0094] Even in such an antenna module capable of radiating radio waves in three different directions, by using a distributor and hybrid coupler to share the output ports of the RFIC, it is possible to increase the number of radiating elements in each antenna group and increase the peak gain, even if the number of output ports is fewer than the number of radiating elements.

[0095] (Variation 3) Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an antenna module 100F of Modification 3. In a dielectric substrate 105F of the antenna module 100F, in addition to the configuration of Fig. 13, substrates 130D and 130E are further added, and the antenna module 100F is configured to be able to radiate radio waves in five different directions.

[0096] Substrate 130D is connected to the side of substrate 130A in the positive direction along the Y axis, and substrate 130E is connected to the side of substrate 130A in the negative direction along the Y axis. Six radiating elements are arranged in a two-dimensional array on each of substrates 130A to 130E.

[0097] Even in such a configuration in which radio waves can be emitted in five different directions, the peak gain can be increased by using a splitter and a hybrid coupler to share the output ports of the RFIC.

[0098] [Embodiment 5] In the first to fourth embodiments, a configuration has been described in which two antenna groups share an output port of an RFIC. In the fifth embodiment, a configuration will be described in which an output port is shared between two polarized waves in a dual-polarized array antenna in which multiple radiating elements are arranged on the same substrate.

[0099] Fig. 15 is a block diagram of a communication device to which an antenna module 100G according to the fifth embodiment is applied, and Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a connection state of the antenna module 100G.

[0100] 15 and 16, an antenna device 120G of an antenna module 100G has a configuration in which five radiating elements 121A to 121E are arranged on a single dielectric substrate 130. Each radiating element is provided with a feed point SP1V for a first polarized wave and a feed point SP1H for a second polarized wave.

[0101] The transmission signals from output ports P1, P2, and P3 of RFIC 110 are supplied to feed points SP1V of radiating elements 121A, 121B, and 121C, respectively. Also, the transmission signals from output ports P5, P6, and P7 are supplied to feed points SP1H of radiating elements 121A, 121B, and 121C, respectively.

[0102] The transmit signal from output port P4 is split into two directions by splitter 140G and supplied to one input terminal of each of hybrid couplers 150G and 150H, while the transmit signal from output port P8 is split into two directions by splitter 140H and supplied to the other input terminal of each of hybrid couplers 150G and 150H.

[0103] In hybrid couplers 150G and 150H, when the phase difference between the signal from output port P8 and the signal from output port P4 is set to +90°, the signal from hybrid coupler 150G is supplied to feed point SP1V of radiating element 121D, and the signal from hybrid coupler 150H is supplied to feed point SP1V of radiating element 121E. On the other hand, when the phase difference is set to -90°, the signal from hybrid coupler 150G is supplied to feed point SP1H of radiating element 121E, and the signal from hybrid coupler 150H is supplied to feed point SP1H of radiating element 121D.

[0104] Therefore, by outputting from output port P8 a signal having a phase difference of +90° with respect to the transmission signal of output ports P1 to P4, radio waves in the first polarization direction can be radiated from the five radiating elements 121A to 121E. Also, by outputting from output ports P5 to P8 a signal having a phase difference of -90° with respect to the transmission signal of output port P4, radio waves in the second polarization direction can be radiated from the five radiating elements 122A to 122E.

[0105] In this way, in a dual-polarized array antenna, by using the output port corresponding to the radio waves in the other polarization direction, one radiating element can be added for each polarization direction, thereby increasing the peak gain.

[0106] Note that "radiating element 121D" and "radiating element 121E" in the fifth embodiment correspond to the "first radiating element" and "second radiating element" in the present disclosure, respectively. "Hybrid coupler 150G" and "hybrid coupler 150H" in the fifth embodiment correspond to the "first hybrid coupler" and "second hybrid coupler" in the present disclosure, respectively. "Divider 140G" and "divider 140H" in the fifth embodiment correspond to the "first divider" and "second divider" in the present disclosure, respectively.

[0107] [Embodiment 6] In the antenna modules of the above-described embodiments, the signals output from the two paired hybrid couplers are in phase. When two radiating elements connected to a hybrid coupler on the same board radiate radio waves in phase, the combined directivity is stronger in the forward direction than radio waves radiated from a single radiating element. In this state, if the RFIC phase shifter is adjusted to change the beam direction, no phase difference occurs between the two radiating elements, making it difficult for radio waves to be radiated in the low elevation angle direction. This may result in a partial limitation of the radiation range, although the peak gain can be ensured.

[0108] Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the radiation range is expanded by individually changing the phases of the radio waves radiated from the radiating elements added by the divider and hybrid coupler.

[0109] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module 100H according to embodiment 6. The antenna module 100H has a configuration in which phase shifters 160A and 160B are connected to the two input terminals of the hybrid coupler 150B in the antenna module 100 according to embodiment 1 shown in Fig. 4. The other configuration of the antenna module 100H is the same as that of the antenna module 100, and description of elements that overlap with those in Fig. 4 will not be repeated.

[0110] 17, in more detail, a transmission signal from output port P4 of RFIC 110 is split into two directions by splitter 140A. One of the split signals is supplied to one input terminal of hybrid coupler 150A. The other of the split signals is supplied to one input terminal of hybrid coupler 150B via phase shifter 160A.

[0111] Furthermore, the transmission signal from output port P5 of RFIC 110 is split into two directions by splitter 140B. One of the split signals is supplied to the other input terminal of hybrid coupler 150A. The other of the split signals is supplied to the other input terminal of hybrid coupler 150B via phase shifter 160B.

[0112] Phase shifters 160A and 160B are configured to change the phase of an input signal and output it. For example, phase shifters 160A and 160B output an input signal with a phase shift of 120°. This allows a phase difference to be created between the radio waves radiated from radiating element 121D and radiating element 121E on substrate 130A, and between the radio waves radiated from radiating element 122D and radiating element 122E on substrate 130B. Although the peak gain is slightly reduced, this makes it easier to radiate radio waves in directions with low elevation angles, thereby expanding the radiation range.

[0113] Next, simulation results of the antenna characteristics of the antenna module 100H of the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG. 18 shows simulation results of the gain distribution (top row) and CDF (bottom row) in the low-frequency (28 GHz) band for the dual-band, dual-polarized antenna module shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 19 shows simulation results of the gain distribution (top row) and CDF (bottom row) in the high-frequency (39 GHz) band. In FIGS. 18 and 19, the left column shows a case where radio waves of the same phase are radiated from two corresponding radiating elements, as in the first embodiment, and the right column shows a case where the phase difference between the radio waves radiated from the two corresponding radiating elements is 120°, as in the sixth embodiment. Both FIGS. 18 and 19 show examples of gain distributions when radio waves of two polarization directions are simultaneously radiated from the substrate 130A.

[0114] 18, when the phase difference is set to 120° as in the sixth embodiment, the peak gain is slightly reduced to 9.97 dBi from 10.25 dBi in the first embodiment. However, the gain increases particularly near φ=0°, and the gain at CDF=50% increases from 1.62 dBi to 2.34 dBi, expanding the radiation range. Also in the 39 GHz band of FIG. 19, the peak gain decreases slightly from 11.57 dBi to 10.76 dBi, but the gain at CDF=50% further increases from 0.77 dBi to 1.75 dBi.

[0115] As described above, in a configuration in which a distributor and a hybrid coupler are used to utilize the output port assigned to the radiating element of the other antenna group, it is possible to expand the radiation range by imparting a phase difference to the signals output from the two hybrid couplers.

[0116] In the above antenna module 100H, an example has been described in which the phase difference between the radio waves from the two hybrid couplers is set to 120°, but the phase difference can be selected appropriately depending on the required peak gain and radiation range specifications.

[0117] It should be noted that "phase shifter 160A" and "phase shifter 160B" in the sixth embodiment correspond to the "first phase shifter" and "second phase shifter" in the present disclosure, respectively.

[0118] (Variation 4) In the antenna module 100H of the sixth embodiment, a configuration has been described in which phase shifters are arranged at the two input terminals of one hybrid coupler. In the fourth modification, a configuration will be described in which phase shifters are arranged on the output terminal side of the hybrid coupler.

[0119] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a connection state of an antenna module 100I of Modification 4. The antenna module 100I has a configuration in which phase shifters 160D and 160C are respectively arranged at one output terminal of each of the hybrid couplers 150A and 150B in the antenna module 100 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 4. The other configuration of the antenna module 100I is the same as that of the antenna module 100, and description of elements that overlap with Fig. 4 will not be repeated.

[0120] 20, one output terminal (first output terminal) of hybrid coupler 150A is connected to radiating element 121D of first antenna group 101. The other output terminal (second output terminal) of hybrid coupler 150A is connected via phase shifter 160D to radiating element 122E of second antenna group 102. Phase shifter 160D shifts the signal from hybrid coupler 150A by 120°.

[0121] Furthermore, one output terminal (first output terminal) of hybrid coupler 150B is connected to radiating element 121E of first antenna group 101 via phase shifter 160C. The other output terminal (second output terminal) of hybrid coupler 150B is connected to radiating element 122D of second antenna group 102. Phase shifter 160C shifts the signal from hybrid coupler 150B by 120°.

[0122] Even with this configuration, it is possible to create a phase difference between the radio waves radiated from radiating element 121D and radiating element 121E on board 130A, and between the radio waves radiated from radiating element 122D and radiating element 122E on board 130B. This makes it easier to radiate radio waves in directions with low elevation angles, although the peak gain decreases slightly, and as a result, the radiation range can be expanded.

[0123] "Phase shifter 160C" and "phase shifter 160D" in Modification 4 correspond to the "third phase shifter" and "fourth phase shifter" in the present disclosure, respectively.

[0124] (Variation 5) In the antenna modules of the sixth embodiment and the fourth modification, a configuration in which a phase shifter is added to a configuration in which a divider is arranged on the input side of a hybrid coupler has been described. In the fifth modification, a configuration in which a phase shifter is arranged on one of the radiating elements connected to a divider in a configuration in which a divider is arranged on the output side of a hybrid coupler as shown as a reference example in Fig. 7 will be described.

[0125] Fig. 21 is a diagram showing the connection state of an antenna module 100Q of Modification 5. The antenna module 100Q has a configuration in which phase shifters 160P and 160Q are added to the antenna module 100P described in the reference example of Fig. 7. Specifically, one output of the divider 140P is connected to the radiating element 121D of the first antenna group 101, and the other output is connected to the radiating element 121E of the first antenna group 101 via the phase shifter 160P. The phase shifter 160P shifts the signal from the divider 140P by 120°.

[0126] Similarly, one output of divider 140Q is connected to radiating element 122D of second antenna group 102, and the other output is connected via phase shifter 160Q to radiating element 122E of second antenna group 102. Phase shifter 160Q shifts the signal from divider 140Q by 120°.

[0127] Even with this configuration, it is possible to create a phase difference between the radio waves radiated from radiating element 121D and radiating element 121E on board 130A, and between the radio waves radiated from radiating element 122D and radiating element 122E on board 130B. Therefore, although the peak gain is slightly reduced, it becomes easier to radiate radio waves in directions with low elevation angles, and as a result, the radiation range can be expanded.

[0128] [Embodiment 7] In the seventh embodiment, a configuration will be described in which two substrates on which radiating elements are arranged are separated and connected to each other by a flexible cable.

[0129] When an antenna module having a substantially L-shaped cross section as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 is disposed in a smartphone, which is a communication device 10, substrate 130A is generally disposed on the main surface opposite the display surface (i.e., the back surface) because electrodes for a touch panel are arranged in a grid pattern on the display surface of the smartphone, and substrate 130B is disposed on a side surface of the smartphone. Furthermore, when making a call or browsing a web page with the smartphone, the smartphone is typically held with its substantially rectangular body oriented vertically, as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, with its short side oriented horizontally. In this case, the antenna module is disposed at the end along the short side of the body so that it is not blocked by the hand and / or fingers holding the body. This allows radio waves to be emitted from the antenna module in the direction along the long side from the side of the short side of the body and toward the back of the body.

[0130] However, when watching videos such as movies and / or playing games, communication device 10 may be held sideways with the long side of the main body horizontal, as shown in Fig. 23. In such cases, both ends of the short side of the main body may be held, which may result in the entire antenna module inside the main body being covered by the hand. This may cause the antenna module to fail to properly transmit and receive radio waves.

[0131] Therefore, in the seventh embodiment, the two substrates 130A and 130B that make up the dielectric substrate 105 are separated, and the separated substrates are connected to each other via a flexible substrate. This configuration increases the degree of freedom in arranging each substrate, and therefore allows the radiating element to be placed in a position where radio waves can be transmitted and received regardless of how the user holds the smartphone.

[0132] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an antenna module 100K according to the seventh embodiment. Referring to FIG. 24, the antenna module 100K has a configuration in which the bent portion 135 in FIG. 2 is removed and the substrate 130A and the substrate 130B are separated. The substrate 130A and the substrate 130B are connected by a flexible substrate 137 having flexibility. One end of the flexible substrate 137 is connected to a connector 181 arranged on the rear side of the substrate 130A. The other end of the flexible substrate 137 is connected to a connector 182 arranged on the rear side of the substrate 130B. In the antenna module 100K, the connector 181 of the substrate 130A and the connector 182 of the substrate 130B are each arranged near the center of the long side of each substrate.

[0133] 25, for example, board 130B can be placed on a side of a short side of the main body of communication device 10 (smartphone), and board 130A can be placed closer to the center of the short side on the rear side of the main body of communication device 10 and in a position that is not covered by the hand. Therefore, it is possible to properly transmit and receive radio waves whether the smartphone is held vertically as in FIG. 22 or horizontally as in FIG. 23.

[0134] Note that the connection between substrates 130A and 130B and flexible substrate 137 may be made using solder instead of using connectors 181 and 182 as shown in FIG. 24. Alternatively, instead of using a flexible substrate, a protrusion may be provided on at least one of substrates 130A and 130B, and substrates 130A and 130B may be directly connected via the protrusion using a connecting member such as a connector or solder. In this case, the protrusion provided on substrate 130A and / or substrate 130B may be thinner than the remaining substrate portions.

[0135] Although the above describes an example in which the antenna module is placed on a smartphone, this configuration can also be applied to other mobile terminal devices such as tablets, electronic organizers, and / or game consoles that have communication functions.

[0136] (Variation 6) In the sixth modification, an example in which the connection position of the flexible substrate on the substrate is different will be described.

[0137] Fig. 26 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of antenna module 100L of Modification 6 in communication device 10. In antenna module 100L, flexible substrate 137 is connected to substrate 130B near the center in the long side direction, and is connected to substrate 130A in the short side direction. By connecting flexible substrate 137 to substrate 130A in the short side direction, as shown in Fig. 26, it is possible to arrange part of radiating element 121 arranged on substrate 130A closer to the center of the smartphone body. This further prevents the radiating element from being covered by the user's hand and / or fingers.

[0138] (Variation 7) In the seventh modification, a configuration will be described in which the substrate on which the radiating elements are arranged is divided, and some of the radiating elements included in each antenna group are arranged in different positions within the communication device.

[0139] Fig. 27 is a diagram showing a connection state of antenna module 100M of Modification 7. In antenna module 100M, radiating elements 121E and 121F in antenna module 100B of Embodiment 2 shown in Fig. 10 are arranged on board 130F different from board 130A, and radiating elements 122E and 122F are arranged on board 130G different from board 130B. That is, radiating elements 121A to 121D are arranged on board 130A, and radiating elements 122A to 122D are arranged on board 130B.

[0140] As described above, in order to reduce transmission loss, the distributor 140 and the hybrid coupler 150 are placed on the substrate 130A on which the SiP module 125 is placed, and therefore each of the substrates 130F and 130G is connected to the substrate 130A by a flexible substrate 137.

[0141] 28 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of antenna module 100M of Modification 7 in communication device 10. Dielectric substrate 105 (i.e., substrates 130A and 130B) having a substantially L-shaped cross section is arranged along the short sides of the main body of communication device 10. Substrate 130B is arranged on a side surface of the short side of the main body, and substrate 130A is arranged at an end along the short side of the main surface on the rear side of the main body. Then, at a position closer to the center of the short side on the main surface on the rear side of the main body of communication device 10, substrate 130F is arranged along one long side, and substrate 130G is arranged along the other long side.

[0142] In this way, by placing some of the radiating elements of each antenna group on a separate substrate and using a flexible substrate to position this separate substrate in a position that is not covered by the user's hand, radio waves can be transmitted and received appropriately regardless of how the communication device is held.

[0143] [Aspect] (Item 1) An antenna module according to one aspect includes first and second antenna groups, first and second hybrid couplers, first and second dividers, and a feed circuit. The first antenna group includes a first radiating element and a second radiating element. The second antenna group includes a third and a fourth radiating element. Each hybrid coupler has a first and a second input terminal and a first and a second output terminal. The feed circuit supplies a high-frequency signal to each radiating element. Each divider divides the high-frequency signal from the feed circuit in two directions. Each antenna group is capable of radiating radio waves in a first frequency band. The first divider divides a first signal from the feed circuit to a first input terminal of each hybrid coupler. The second divider divides a second signal from the feed circuit to a second input terminal of each hybrid coupler. The first and the second output terminals of the first hybrid coupler are connected to the first and the third radiating elements, respectively. The first and second output terminals of the second hybrid coupler are connected to the second and fourth radiating elements, respectively. In each hybrid coupler, the phase difference between the high-frequency signals supplied to the first and second input terminals is set to 90°.

[0144] (Item 2) The antenna module according to item 1 further includes a first substrate and a second substrate having different normal directions. The first antenna group is disposed on the first substrate. The second antenna group is disposed on the second substrate.

[0145] (Item 3) The antenna module described in item 2 further includes a first phase shifter and a second phase shifter. The first phase shifter is connected to a first input terminal of the second hybrid coupler and changes the phase of a first signal from the feed circuit. The second phase shifter is connected to a second input terminal of the second hybrid coupler and changes the phase of a second signal from the feed circuit.

[0146] (4) In the antenna module described in (3), the first phase shifter shifts the phase of the first signal by 120°, and the second phase shifter shifts the phase of the second signal by 120°.

[0147] (Item 5) The antenna module described in item 2 further includes a third phase shifter and a fourth phase shifter. The third phase shifter is connected to the first output terminal of the second hybrid coupler and changes the phase of the signal output to the second radiating element. The fourth phase shifter is connected to the second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler and changes the phase of the signal output to the third radiating element.

[0148] (Item 6) In the antenna module described in item 5, the third phase shifter shifts the phase of the signal output to the second radiating element by 120°. The fourth phase shifter shifts the phase of the signal output to the third radiating element by 120°.

[0149] (Item 7) The antenna module described in item 1 further includes a first substrate and a second substrate having different normal directions. The first radiating element and the third radiating element are disposed on the first substrate. The second radiating element and the fourth radiating element are disposed on the second substrate.

[0150] (Item 8) The antenna module according to any one of items 1 to 7 further includes a third hybrid coupler and a fourth hybrid coupler, and a third divider and a fourth divider. The first antenna group further includes a fifth radiating element and a sixth radiating element. The second antenna group further includes a seventh radiating element and an eighth radiating element. The third divider distributes a third signal from the feed circuit to first input terminals of the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler. The fourth divider distributes a fourth signal from the feed circuit to second input terminals of the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler. The first output terminal and the second output terminal of the third hybrid coupler are connected to the fifth radiating element and the seventh radiating element, respectively. The first output terminal and the second output terminal of the fourth hybrid coupler are connected to the sixth radiating element and the eighth radiating element, respectively. In each of the third and fourth hybrid couplers, the phase difference between the high frequency signals supplied to the first and second input terminals is set to 90°.

[0151] (Item 9) In the antenna module described in item 2, the plurality of radiating elements included in the first antenna group are arranged in a one-dimensional array on the first substrate, and the plurality of radiating elements included in the second antenna group are arranged in a one-dimensional array on the second substrate.

[0152] (Item 10) In the antenna module described in item 2, the plurality of radiating elements included in the first antenna group are two-dimensionally arranged on the first substrate, and the plurality of radiating elements included in the second antenna group are two-dimensionally arranged on the second substrate.

[0153] (Clause 11) An antenna module in another aspect includes a plurality of radiating elements including a first radiating element and a second radiating element, a first hybrid coupler and a second hybrid coupler, a first divider and a second divider, and a feed circuit. Each radiating element is capable of radiating radio waves polarized in a first direction and radio waves polarized in a second direction. Each hybrid coupler has a first input terminal and a second input terminal and a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The feed circuit supplies high-frequency signals to the plurality of radiating elements. Each divider divides the high-frequency signal from the feed circuit in two directions. The first divider divides the first signal from the feed circuit to the first input terminal of each hybrid coupler. The second divider divides the second signal from the feed circuit to the second input terminal of each hybrid coupler. The first output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to the feed point for the first polarization of the first radiating element. The second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to the feed point for polarization in the second direction of the second radiating element. The first output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to the feed point for polarization in the first direction of the second radiating element. The second output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to the feed point for polarization in the second direction of the first radiating element. In each of the hybrid couplers, the phase difference between the high frequency signals supplied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal is set to 90°.

[0154] (Item 12) In the antenna module according to item 11, the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other.

[0155] (Item 13) The antenna module according to item 11 or 12 further includes a first phase shifter and a second phase shifter. The first phase shifter is connected to a first input terminal of the second hybrid coupler and changes the phase of the first signal from the feed circuit. The second phase shifter is connected to a second input terminal of the second hybrid coupler and changes the phase of the second signal from the feed circuit.

[0156] (Item 14) A communication device equipped with the antenna module according to any one of items 1 to 13.

[0157] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0158] 10 Communication equipment, 100, 100A to 100I, 100K to 100M, 100P, 100Q, 100X Antenna module, 101, 102 Antenna group, 105, 105E, 105F, 130 Dielectric substrate, 110 RFIC, 111A to 111H, 113A to 113H, 117A, 117B Switch, 112AR to 112HR Low noise amplifier, 112AT to 112HT Power amplifier, 114A to 114H Attenuator, 115A to 115H, 160A to 160D, 160P, 160Q Phase shifter, 116A, 116B Signal combiner / divider, 118A, 118B Mixer, 119A, 119B Amplifier circuit, 120, 120G Antenna device, 121, 121A to 121F, 121H, 122, 122A to 122F, 122H, 123, 123A to 123E, 124, 124A to 124E, 126 Radiating element, 125 SiP module, 130A to 130G Substrate, 133 Protrusion, 134 Boundary, 135 Bending portion, 136 Notch, 137 Flexible substrate, 140, 140A to 140H, 140P, 140Q Splitter, 150, 150A to 150H, 150P Hybrid coupler, 151 First line, 152 Second line, 171, 172 Power supply wiring, 200 BBIC, IN1, IN2 input terminals, OUT1, OUT2 output terminals, P1 to P16 output ports, RG1, RG2 areas, SP1, SP1A, SP1B, SP1H, SP1V, SP2, SP2A, SP2B power supply points.

Claims

1. a first antenna group including a first radiating element and a second radiating element; a second antenna group including a third radiating element and a fourth radiating element; a first hybrid coupler and a second hybrid coupler, each having a first input terminal and a second input terminal, and a first output terminal and a second output terminal; a feeding circuit for supplying a high frequency signal to each of the radiating elements included in the first antenna group and the second antenna group; a first divider and a second divider that divide a high-frequency signal from the power supply circuit into two directions, the first antenna group and the second antenna group are capable of emitting radio waves in a first frequency band; the first divider divides a first signal from the power supply circuit to a first input terminal of each hybrid coupler; the second divider distributes the second signal from the power supply circuit to the second input terminals of the hybrid couplers; a first output terminal and a second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler are connected to the first radiating element and the third radiating element, respectively; a first output terminal and a second output terminal of the second hybrid coupler connected to the second radiating element and the fourth radiating element, respectively;

2. An antenna module as described in claim 1, wherein in each hybrid coupler, the phase difference of the high-frequency signals supplied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal is set to 90°.

3. the antenna module further includes a first substrate and a second substrate having normal directions different from each other; the first antenna group is disposed on the first substrate; The antenna module according to claim 1 , wherein the second antenna group is disposed on the second substrate.

4. The antenna module includes: a first phase shifter connected to a first input terminal of the second hybrid coupler and configured to change the phase of the first signal from the power supply circuit; 4. The antenna module according to claim 3, further comprising: a second phase shifter connected to a second input terminal of the second hybrid coupler, the second phase shifter changing the phase of the second signal from the feeding circuit.

5. the first phase shifter shifts the phase of the first signal by 120°; The antenna module according to claim 4 , wherein the second phase shifter shifts the phase of the second signal by 120°.

6. The antenna module includes: a third phase shifter connected to the first output terminal of the second hybrid coupler and configured to change the phase of a signal output to the second radiating element; 4. The antenna module according to claim 3, further comprising: a fourth phase shifter connected to the second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler, the fourth phase shifter changing the phase of the signal output to the third radiating element.

7. the third phase shifter shifts the phase of the signal output to the second radiating element by 120°; The antenna module according to claim 6 , wherein the fourth phase shifter shifts the phase of the signal output to the third radiating element by 120°.

8. the antenna module further includes a first substrate and a second substrate having normal directions different from each other; the first radiating element and the third radiating element are disposed on the first substrate; The antenna module according to claim 1 , wherein the second radiating element and the fourth radiating element are disposed on the second substrate.

9. The antenna module includes: a third hybrid coupler and a fourth hybrid coupler; a third distributor and a fourth distributor, the first antenna group further includes a fifth radiating element and a sixth radiating element; the second antenna group further includes a seventh radiating element and an eighth radiating element; the third divider divides a third signal from the power supply circuit to first input terminals of the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler; the fourth divider divides a fourth signal from the power supply circuit to second input terminals of the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler; a first output terminal and a second output terminal of the third hybrid coupler are connected to the fifth radiating element and the seventh radiating element, respectively; a first output terminal and a second output terminal of the fourth hybrid coupler are connected to the sixth radiating element and the eighth radiating element, respectively; 9. The antenna module according to claim 1, wherein in each of the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler, a phase difference between the high-frequency signals supplied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal is set to 90°.

10. the plurality of radiating elements included in the first antenna group are arranged one-dimensionally on the first substrate, The antenna module according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of radiating elements included in the second antenna group are arranged in a one-dimensional array on the second substrate.

11. the plurality of radiating elements included in the first antenna group are two-dimensionally arranged on the first substrate, The antenna module according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of radiating elements included in the second antenna group are two-dimensionally arranged on the second substrate.

12. a plurality of radiating elements including a first radiating element and a second radiating element, each of which is capable of radiating a radio wave polarized in a first direction and a radio wave polarized in a second direction; a first hybrid coupler and a second hybrid coupler, each having a first input terminal and a second input terminal, and a first output terminal and a second output terminal; a feeding circuit for feeding a high frequency signal to the plurality of radiating elements; a first divider and a second divider that divide a high-frequency signal from the power supply circuit into two directions, the first divider divides a first signal from the power supply circuit to a first input terminal of each hybrid coupler; the second divider distributes the second signal from the power supply circuit to the second input terminals of the hybrid couplers; a first output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to a feed point for polarization in the first direction of the first radiating element; a second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to a feed point for polarization in the second direction of the second radiating element; a first output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to a feed point for polarization in the first direction of the second radiating element; an antenna module, wherein a second output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to a feed point for polarization in the second direction of the first radiating element;

13. An antenna module as described in Claim 12, wherein in each of the first hybrid coupler and the second hybrid coupler, the phase difference of the high-frequency signals supplied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal is set to 90°.

14. The antenna module according to claim 12 , wherein the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other.

15. The antenna module includes: a first phase shifter connected to a first input terminal of the second hybrid coupler and configured to change the phase of the first signal from the power supply circuit; 15. The antenna module according to claim 12, further comprising: a second phase shifter connected to a second input terminal of the second hybrid coupler and configured to change the phase of the second signal from the feeding circuit.

16. A communication device equipped with the antenna module according to claim 1 or 12.

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