Phased array antenna evaluation device and phased array antenna evaluation method

The phased array antenna evaluation device and method simultaneously evaluate transmission and reception systems using multiple reference antennas and measuring instruments, addressing inefficiencies in conventional methods by reducing steps and optimizing signal intensity.

JP7770597B2Active Publication Date: 2025-11-14FUJIKURA LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024576173
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-02-08
Filing Date
2023-12-28
Publication Date
2025-11-14
Estimated Expiration
2043-12-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional phased array antenna evaluation devices require separate evaluation of transmission and reception systems, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Method used

A phased array antenna evaluation device and method that utilizes multiple reference antennas and measuring instruments to simultaneously evaluate transmission and reception systems by transmitting and receiving polarized waves with different vibration directions.

Benefits of technology

Enables simultaneous evaluation of transmission and reception systems, reducing evaluation steps and time, and optimizing signal intensity, thereby improving efficiency and reducing device costs.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

This phased-array-antenna evaluation device comprises a plurality of reference antennas, a first measurement instrument, and a second measurement instrument. The plurality of reference antennas include a first reference antenna and a second reference antenna. The first reference antenna receives first radio waves including first polarized waves from a phased array antenna. The second reference antenna transmits second radio waves including second polarized waves to the phased array antenna on the basis of a first signal output by the first reference antenna by using the first radio waves. The travel direction of the first radio waves and the travel direction of the second radio waves are different. The first measurement instrument detects the first signal. On the basis of the second radio waves, the second measurement instrument detects a second signal output by the phased array antenna.
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a phased array antenna evaluation device and a phased array antenna evaluation method. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-017359, filed on February 8, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an evaluation device that evaluates (inspects) a phased array antenna having a plurality of antennas (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The evaluation device described in Patent Document 1 includes a reference antenna that is arranged to face the phased array antenna to be evaluated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-124360 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The evaluation device must separately evaluate the radio waves transmitted from the phased array antenna to the reference antenna and the radio waves received from the reference antenna to the phased array antenna, which requires a large number of steps for evaluation and can be time-consuming to evaluate the phased array antenna.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a phased array antenna evaluation device and a phased array antenna evaluation method that can simultaneously evaluate the transmission system and the reception system of a phased array antenna. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A phased array antenna evaluation device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a phased array antenna evaluation device for evaluating a phased array antenna having a plurality of radiating elements that transmit or receive first and second polarized waves having different vibration directions, the phased array antenna evaluation device comprising a plurality of reference antennas, a first measuring instrument, and a second measuring instrument, wherein the plurality of reference antennas include a first reference antenna that receives a first radio wave including the first polarized wave from the phased array antenna, and a second reference antenna that transmits a second radio wave including the second polarized wave to the phased array antenna based on a first signal output by the first reference antenna in response to the first radio wave, wherein the first reference antenna faces the phased array antenna in the direction of propagation of the first radio wave, and the second reference antenna faces the phased array antenna in the direction of propagation of the second radio wave, the direction of propagation of the first radio wave and the direction of propagation of the second radio wave are different, the first measuring instrument detects the first signal, and the second measuring instrument detects the second signal output by the phased array antenna based on the second radio wave.

[0007] According to this configuration, it is possible to simultaneously evaluate the transmission system from the phased array antenna to the first reference antenna and the reception system from the second reference antenna to the phased array antenna.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention relates to the phased array antenna evaluation device of the first aspect, further comprising an adjuster that adjusts the intensity of the first signal.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is a phased array antenna evaluation device according to the first or second aspect, wherein a plurality of the first reference antennas are provided, and the plurality of first reference antennas are arranged at different positions in a first direction, which is the vibration direction of the first polarization.

[0010] A phased array antenna evaluation method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a phased array antenna evaluation method for evaluating a phased array antenna having a plurality of radiating elements that transmit or receive first polarized waves and second polarized waves that have different vibration directions, the method using a plurality of reference antennas, a first measuring instrument, and a second measuring instrument, the plurality of reference antennas including a first reference antenna and a second reference antenna, and includes the steps of: transmitting a first radio wave including the first polarized wave from the phased array antenna and receiving the first radio wave with the first reference antenna; outputting a first signal by the first radio wave from the first reference antenna; and measuring the first signal by the first measuring instrument. a step of detecting the second signal by the second measuring instrument, a step of the second reference antenna transmitting a second radio wave including the second polarization to the phased array antenna based on the first signal and the phased array antenna receiving the second radio wave, a step of the phased array antenna outputting a second signal based on the second radio wave, and a step of detecting the second signal by the second measuring instrument, wherein the first reference antenna faces the phased array antenna in the traveling direction of the first radio wave, and the second reference antenna faces the phased array antenna in the traveling direction of the second radio wave, and the traveling direction of the first radio wave and the traveling direction of the second radio wave are different.

[0011] According to this method, it is possible to simultaneously evaluate the transmission system from the phased array antenna to the first reference antenna and the reception system from the second reference antenna to the phased array antenna.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the present invention is directed to the phased array antenna evaluation method of the fourth aspect, wherein the intensity of the first signal is adjusted using an adjuster.

[0013] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a phased array antenna evaluation method according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein a plurality of the first reference antennas are provided, and the plurality of first reference antennas are arranged at different positions in a first direction, which is the vibration direction of the first polarization. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] One aspect of the present invention provides a phased array antenna evaluation device and a phased array antenna evaluation method that can simultaneously evaluate the transmission system and the reception system of a phased array antenna. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a phased array antenna evaluation device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example of a phased array antenna. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of a reference antenna oriented such that its reference direction is along the horizontal direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a front view of a reference antenna oriented such that its reference direction is aligned with the vertical direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a phased array antenna evaluation device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a reference antenna of a phased array antenna evaluation apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an evaluation method using the phased array antenna evaluation device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an evaluation method using the phased array antenna evaluation device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a graph showing the results of measuring the effective isotropic radiated power of H pol. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A phased array antenna evaluation device and a phased array antenna evaluation method according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] [Phased array antenna evaluation device] (first embodiment) FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a phased array antenna evaluation device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the phased array antenna 10. FIGS. 3 and 4 are front views of a reference antenna 20. The "phased array antenna evaluation device" is also simply called an "evaluation device." The "phased array antenna evaluation method" is also simply called an "evaluation method."

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the evaluation device 100 includes a plurality of reference antennas 20, a first measuring instrument 30, a second measuring instrument 40, a signal generator 50, a vector signal generator 60, and a duplexer .

[0019] In FIG. 1, PAAM is a Phased Array Antenna Module. In this specification, PAAM is simply referred to as a "phased array antenna." SG is a Signal Generator. VSG is a Vector Signal Generator. SPL is a Splitter. SA is a Spectrum Analyzer. PS is a Power Sensor. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an evaluation device 100 viewed from the horizontal direction.

[0020] The evaluation device 100 is a device that evaluates a phased array antenna 10 using a reference antenna 20. The phased array antenna 10 is supported by a first support 101. The reference antenna 20 is supported by a second support 102. The first support 101 and the second support 102 are installed on an installation surface G. The first support 101 and the second support 102 extend upward from the installation surface G.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, a phased array antenna 10 is an example of a phased array antenna to be evaluated. The phased array antenna 10 includes a plurality of antennas 11 and a substrate B. Each antenna 11 transmits and receives a first polarized wave and a second polarized wave whose vibration directions are orthogonal to each other.

[0022] The direction in which the first polarization vibrates is referred to as the first direction. The direction in which the second polarization vibrates is referred to as the second direction. One of the first polarization and the second polarization is H pol. (Horizontal polarization). The other of the first polarization and the second polarization is V pol. (Vertical polarization). In the following description, it is assumed that the first polarization is H pol. and the second polarization is V pol. In the example shown in the figure, the first direction is the horizontal direction and is represented by the symbol H. The second direction is the vertical direction and is represented by the symbol V. Antenna 11 is an example of a "radiating element."

[0023] The multiple antennas 11 are arranged two-dimensionally in the vertical and horizontal directions. In the illustrated example, eight antennas 11 are arranged in both the vertical and horizontal directions, resulting in a total of 64 antennas 11 arranged two-dimensionally.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a front view of reference antenna 20 in a position (first position) where reference direction E is aligned with the horizontal direction. FIG. 4 is a front view of reference antenna 20 in a position (second position) where reference direction E is aligned with the vertical direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, reference antenna 20 has reference direction E. Reference direction E is a direction determined by the design of reference antenna 20. Reference antenna 20 can, for example, transmit or receive radio waves oscillating in reference direction E.

[0025] The reference antenna 20 may be, for example, a horn antenna. In the illustrated example, the reference antenna 20 is, for example, a rectangular horn antenna having a pair of long sides 20a and a pair of short sides 20b when viewed from the front. In this reference antenna 20, the reference direction E is a direction parallel to the short sides 20b. Note that the reference direction E may be inclined with respect to the short sides 20b and the long sides 20a.

[0026] 1, the reference antenna 20 is disposed so as to face the phased array antenna 10 in the traveling direction of the first radio wave (described in detail later) or the second radio wave (described in detail later). The reference antenna 20 transmits the second radio wave or receives the first radio wave between itself and the phased array antenna 10.

[0027] The plurality of reference antennas 20 includes a first reference antenna 21 and a second reference antenna 22. The first reference antenna 21 receives the first radio wave transmitted from the phased array antenna 10. In the example of Fig. 1, the orientation of the first reference antenna 21 facing the phased array antenna 10 with respect to the traveling direction of the first radio wave is to the left. The first reference antenna 21 is oriented such that, for example, the reference direction E is aligned with the horizontal direction (see Fig. 3).

[0028] The second reference antenna 22 transmits a second radio wave to the phased array antenna 10. In the example of FIG. 1, the second reference antenna 22 is positioned lower than the first reference antenna 21. The orientation of the second reference antenna 22 facing the phased array antenna 10 with respect to the traveling direction of the second radio wave is different from the orientation of the first reference antenna 21. In the example of FIG. 1, the orientation of the second reference antenna 22 is diagonally upward and to the left. The second reference antenna 22 is oriented, for example, such that the reference direction E is aligned with the vertical direction (see FIG. 4).

[0029] The signal generator 50 is electrically connected to the phased array antenna 10 . The vector signal generator 60 is electrically connected to the phased array antenna 10 .

[0030] The first measuring instrument 30 and the second measuring instrument 40 are, for example, a spectrum analyzer (SA), a power sensor (PS), etc. The spectrum analyzer measures the strength of a received radio wave for each frequency. The power sensor measures the strength of the radio wave. The first measuring instrument 30 can handle, for example, RF (Radio Frequency) signals (for example, frequencies of 24 GHz to 30 GHz). The second measuring instrument 40 can handle, for example, IF (Intermediate Frequency) signals (for example, frequencies of 2 GHz to 10 GHz).

[0031] The first measuring instrument 30 is electrically connected to the first reference antenna 21 by a coaxial cable or the like. The second measuring instrument 40 is electrically connected to the phased array antenna 10 by a coaxial cable or the like.

[0032] [Phased array antenna evaluation method] (First embodiment) The evaluation method according to the first embodiment will be described using the evaluation device 100 as an example.

[0033] (First step: transmitting and receiving the first radio wave) The signal generator 50 outputs a local oscillation (LO) signal to the phased array antenna 10. The vector signal generator 60 outputs an IF signal corresponding to the first polarization (H pol. in this example) to the phased array antenna 10. The frequency band of the IF signal is, for example, 2 GHz to 10 GHz.

[0034] The phased array antenna 10 frequency-converts the IF signal received from the vector signal generator 60 using the LO signal received from the signal generator 50 to generate an RF signal including a first polarization. The phased array antenna 10 transmits a first radio wave including the generated RF signal to the first reference antenna 21. The frequency band of the RF signal is, for example, 24 GHz to 30 GHz. In the example of FIG. 1, the traveling direction of the first radio wave is to the right. The first reference antenna 21 receives the first radio wave transmitted from the phased array antenna 10 .

[0035] (Second process: output of first signal) The first reference antenna 21 outputs a first signal based on the received first radio wave. The first signal is output to the first measuring instrument 30 and the second reference antenna 22 by the branching filter 70.

[0036] (Third step: detection of the first signal) The first measuring instrument 30 detects the first signal, thereby being able to confirm, for example, the radio field intensity, frequency, etc. of the first radio wave.

[0037] (Fourth step: transmitting and receiving the second radio wave) The second reference antenna 22 generates a second radio wave including a second polarization (V pol. in this example) based on the first signal. The frequency band of the second radio wave is, for example, 24 GHz to 30 GHz. The second reference antenna 22 transmits the second radio wave to the phased array antenna 10. In the example of FIG. 1, the traveling direction of the second radio wave is approximately to the left (more specifically, diagonally upward to the left). The traveling direction of the second radio wave is approximately parallel to the receiving direction of the phased array antenna 10. The traveling direction of the second radio wave is different from the traveling direction of the first radio wave (to the right). The phased array antenna 10 receives a second radio wave from a second reference antenna 22.

[0038] (5th step: output of second signal) The phased array antenna 10 outputs a second signal to the second measuring instrument 40 based on the received second radio wave.

[0039] (Sixth step: detection of second signal) The second measuring instrument 40 detects the second signal. By detecting the second signal, the second measuring instrument 40 can confirm the radio wave intensity, frequency, etc. of the second radio wave.

[0040] The evaluation device 100 of this embodiment includes a first reference antenna 21 that receives a first radio wave including a first polarization from the phased array antenna 10, and a second reference antenna 22 that transmits a second radio wave including a second polarization to the phased array antenna 10. In the evaluation device 100, the first measuring instrument 30 can detect a first signal, and the second measuring instrument 40 can detect a second signal. Therefore, the evaluation device 100 can simultaneously evaluate the transmission system from the phased array antenna 10 to the first reference antenna 21 and the reception system from the second reference antenna 22 to the phased array antenna 10. This reduces the number of steps required for evaluation. This makes it easy to evaluate the phased array antenna 10.

[0041] The evaluation device 100 does not require a signal generator that can handle RF signals (for example, frequencies of 24 GHz to 30 GHz), which is particularly necessary when evaluating the receiving system from the second reference antenna 22 to the phased array antenna 10, thereby reducing device costs.

[0042] [Phased array antenna evaluation device and evaluation method] (Second embodiment) Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram of an evaluation device 200 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the evaluation device 200 has the same configuration as the evaluation device 100 (see Fig. 1) except that it includes an adjuster 80. Components common to the evaluation device 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

[0043] The adjuster 80 adjusts the intensity of the first signal output from the first reference antenna 21 to the second reference antenna 22. The adjuster 80 is, for example, an attenuator or an amplifier. The adjuster 80 can be provided at any position on the path (such as a coaxial cable) that sends the first signal from the first reference antenna 21 to the second reference antenna 22. When an attenuator is used as the adjuster 80, the adjuster 80 decreases the intensity of the first signal. When an amplifier is used as the adjuster 80, the adjuster 80 increases the intensity of the first signal.

[0044] Similar to the evaluation device 100 (see FIG. 1), the evaluation device 200 can simultaneously evaluate the transmission system from the phased array antenna 10 to the first reference antenna 21 and the reception system from the second reference antenna 22 to the phased array antenna 10. Therefore, the evaluation of the phased array antenna 10 can be easily performed.

[0045] The evaluation device 200 includes the adjuster 80 that adjusts the strength of the first signal, and therefore can optimize the strength of the second radio wave transmitted from the second reference antenna 22 to the phased array antenna 10.

[0046] [Phased array antenna evaluation device] (third embodiment) Fig. 6 is a configuration diagram of the reference antenna 20 of the evaluation device 300 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the evaluation device 300 has the same configuration as the evaluation device 100 (see Fig. 1) except for the configuration of the reference antenna 20. Components common to the evaluation devices 100 and 200 (see Figs. 1 and 5) are assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described. Fig. 6 is a configuration diagram of the reference antenna 20 of the evaluation device 300 as seen from a direction orthogonal to the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0047] In the evaluation device 300, the multiple reference antennas 20 include multiple first reference antennas 21 and multiple second reference antennas 22. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the number of first reference antennas 21 is three. The three first reference antennas 21 are referred to as first reference antennas 21A, 21B, and 21C, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the number of second reference antennas 22 is two. The two second reference antennas 22 are referred to as second reference antennas 22A and 22B, respectively.

[0048] A support arm 103 is provided on the second support column 102. The support arm 103 extends horizontally.

[0049] The multiple first reference antennas 21 (21A, 21B, 21C) are arranged at different positions in the horizontal direction. In other words, the multiple first reference antennas 21 (21A, 21B, 21C) are arranged at different positions in the horizontal direction. The multiple first reference antennas 21 are lined up in the horizontal direction. The multiple first reference antennas 21 are arranged, for example, at equal intervals in the horizontal direction.

[0050] The multiple second reference antennas 22 (22A, 22B) are arranged at different vertical positions. In other words, the multiple second reference antennas 22 (22A, 22B) are arranged at different vertical positions. The multiple second reference antennas 22 are lined up in the vertical direction.

[0051] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the horizontal position of second reference antenna 22 (the left-right position in FIG. 6) corresponds to the position of the central first reference antenna 21 (first reference antenna 21B) among the three first reference antennas 21. Second reference antenna 22A is positioned higher than first reference antenna 21. Second reference antenna 22B is positioned lower than first reference antenna 21. Therefore, second reference antenna 22A, first reference antenna 21B, and second reference antenna 22B are aligned in this order in the vertical direction. The distance between first reference antenna 21B and second reference antenna 22A may be equal to the distance between first reference antenna 21B and second reference antenna 22B.

[0052] The three first reference antennas 21 are supported, for example, by a support arm 103. The two second reference antennas 22 are supported, for example, by a second support pole 102.

[0053] The positions of the first reference antenna 21 and the second reference antenna 22 are determined in accordance with the directivity angles of the radio waves transmitted to and received from the phased array antenna 10.

[0054] [Phased array antenna evaluation method] (Third embodiment) The evaluation method according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. In the evaluation method according to the third embodiment, for example, the following first to third evaluations can be performed.

[0055] (First evaluation) As shown in Fig. 6, the directivity angle of the first radio wave from the phased array antenna 10 is adjusted so that the first radio wave is directed toward the first reference antenna 21A, and an evaluation method similar to that of the first embodiment is performed. The first reference antenna 21A receives the first radio wave and outputs a first signal. The first signal is output to the first measuring instrument 30 and the second reference antenna 22 (22A, 22B) by the branching filter 70. In the first evaluation, the strength of the radio wave at the relevant directivity angle can be measured.

[0056] (Second evaluation) As shown in Fig. 7, the directivity angle of the first radio wave of the phased array antenna 10 is adjusted so that the first radio wave is directed toward the first reference antenna 21B, and an evaluation method similar to that of the first embodiment is performed. The first reference antenna 21B receives the first radio wave and outputs a first signal. The first signal is output by the branching filter 70 to the first measuring instrument 30 and the second reference antenna 22 (22A, 22B). In the second evaluation, the strength of the radio wave at the corresponding directivity angle can be measured.

[0057] (Third evaluation) As shown in Fig. 8, the directivity angle of the first radio wave of the phased array antenna 10 is adjusted so that the first radio wave is directed toward the first reference antenna 21C, and an evaluation method similar to that of the first embodiment is performed. The first reference antenna 21C receives the first radio wave and outputs a first signal. The first signal is output by the duplexer 70 to the first measuring instrument 30 and the second reference antenna 22 (22A, 22B). In the third evaluation, the strength of the radio wave at the corresponding directivity angle can be measured.

[0058] Similar to the evaluation devices 100 and 200 (see FIGS. 1 and 5), the evaluation device 300 can simultaneously evaluate the transmission system from the phased array antenna 10 to the first reference antenna 21 and the reception system from the second reference antenna 22 to the phased array antenna 10. This makes it easy to evaluate the phased array antenna 10.

[0059] In the evaluation device 300, the multiple first reference antennas 21 are arranged at different horizontal positions. Therefore, the first to third evaluations can be performed without changing the device configuration. Therefore, the phased array antenna 10 can be evaluated for multiple directivity angles of the first radio wave with a simple operation. Therefore, the time required for evaluation for multiple directivity angles of the first radio wave can be reduced. [Example]

[0060] The above embodiment will be described below using specific examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0061] Example 1 The phased array antenna 10 was evaluated using the evaluation device 100 shown in Fig. 1. The specific conditions were as follows.

[0062] Distance between phased array antenna 10 and reference antenna 20: 3 m Frequency of the LO signal output by the signal generator 50: 6.25 GHz Frequency of the IF signal output by the vector signal generator 60: 3.0 GHz H pol. frequency: 28.0GHz First measuring instrument 30: Spectrum analyzer Second measuring instrument 40: Spectrum analyzer

[0063] The first signal was detected by the first measuring instrument 30, and the strength and frequency of the first radio wave were confirmed. The second signal was detected by the second measuring instrument 40, and the strength and frequency of the second radio wave were confirmed. Therefore, it was confirmed that the transmission system and the reception system can be evaluated simultaneously.

[0064] Example 2 Using the same evaluation device 100 as in Example 1, the effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of H pol. was measured when the input of the IF signal to the phased array antenna 10 was increased. The results are shown in FIG.

[0065] (Comparative Example 1) The phased array antenna was evaluated using an evaluation device with one reference antenna. Specifically, in this comparative example, only the first reference antenna 21 was used, and the second reference antenna 22 was not used. This evaluation device has the same configuration as evaluation device 100 (see FIG. 1), except that it has one reference antenna (first reference antenna 21 in this comparative example) instead of first reference antenna 21 and second reference antenna 22.

[0066] Using the evaluation device of Comparative Example 1, the effective isotropic radiated power of H pol. was measured when the input of the IF signal to the phased array antenna 10 was increased, as in Example 2. The results are shown in FIG.

[0067] Fig. 9 is a graph showing the results of measuring the effective isotropic radiated power of H pol. The horizontal axis of Fig. 9 represents the intensity of the IF signal input to the phased array antenna 10. The vertical axis of Fig. 9 represents the effective isotropic radiated power of H pol.

[0068] 9, in Example 2, an effective isotropically radiated power equivalent to that of Comparative Example 1 was obtained. From this result, it was confirmed that in Example 2, the influence on the effective isotropically radiated power caused by the second radio wave from second reference antenna 22 interfering with the first radio wave was small.

[0069] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0070] For example, the type of reference antenna 20 is not limited to a horn antenna, and other types of reference antennas may be used as long as they are capable of transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the phased array antenna 10. Also, different types of antennas may be used for the first reference antenna 21 and the second reference antenna 22. The evaluation device may include a mechanism for adjusting the directivity angle of the first radio wave from the phased array antenna 10.

[0071] The evaluation device 300 according to the third embodiment has a plurality of first reference antennas 21 and a plurality of second reference antennas 22, but the number of first reference antennas and second reference antennas is not particularly limited. The number of first reference antennas may be one or more (any number equal to or greater than two). The number of first reference antennas may be one, two, or four or more. That is, at least one first reference antenna may be provided. The number of second reference antennas may be one or more (any number equal to or greater than two). The number of second reference antennas may be one, or three or more. That is, at least one second reference antenna may be provided.

[0072] In the above-described evaluation device and evaluation method, the case where the first polarization is H pol. and the second polarization is V pol. has been exemplified, but in the evaluation device and evaluation method of the embodiment, the first polarization may be V pol. and the second polarization may be H pol.

[0073] In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and variations may be combined as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10... Phased array antenna, 11... Antenna (radiating element), 20... Reference antenna, 21, 21A, 21B, 21C... First reference antenna, 22, 22A, 22B... Second reference antenna, 30... First measuring instrument, 40... Second measuring instrument, 80... Adjuster, 100, 200, 300... Evaluation device (phased array antenna evaluation device)

Claims

1. 1. A phased array antenna evaluation device for evaluating a phased array antenna having a plurality of radiating elements that transmit or receive first polarized waves and second polarized waves having different vibration directions, a plurality of reference antennas, a first measuring instrument, and a second measuring instrument; The plurality of reference antennas include: a first reference antenna that receives a first radio wave including the first polarized wave from the phased array antenna; a second reference antenna that transmits a second radio wave including the second polarized wave to the phased array antenna based on a first signal output from the first reference antenna in response to the first radio wave; Including, the first reference antenna faces the phased array antenna in a traveling direction of the first radio wave; the second reference antenna faces the phased array antenna in a traveling direction of the second radio wave, the traveling direction of the first radio wave is different from the traveling direction of the second radio wave, the first measuring instrument detects the first signal; the second measuring instrument detects a second signal output by the phased array antenna based on the second radio wave; Phased array antenna evaluation device.

2. further comprising an adjuster for adjusting the intensity of the first signal; 2. The phased array antenna evaluation device according to claim 1.

3. a plurality of first reference antennas are provided; the plurality of first reference antennas are arranged at different positions in a first direction, which is a vibration direction of the first polarized wave; 3. The phased array antenna evaluation device according to claim 1.

4. 1. A phased array antenna evaluation method for evaluating a phased array antenna having a plurality of radiating elements that transmit or receive first polarized waves and second polarized waves having different vibration directions, the method comprising: using a plurality of reference antennas, a first measuring instrument, and a second measuring instrument; the plurality of reference antennas include a first reference antenna and a second reference antenna; transmitting a first radio wave including the first polarization from the phased array antenna and receiving the first radio wave with the first reference antenna; a step of outputting a first signal from the first reference antenna in response to the first radio wave; detecting the first signal by the first measuring instrument; a step in which the second reference antenna transmits a second radio wave including the second polarization to the phased array antenna based on the first signal, and the second radio wave is received by the phased array antenna; outputting a second signal from the phased array antenna based on the second radio wave; detecting the second signal by the second measuring instrument; and the first reference antenna faces the phased array antenna in a traveling direction of the first radio wave; the second reference antenna faces the phased array antenna in a traveling direction of the second radio wave, The traveling direction of the first radio wave is different from the traveling direction of the second radio wave. Phased array antenna evaluation methods.

5. adjusting the intensity of the first signal using an adjuster; 5. The phased array antenna evaluation method according to claim 4.

6. a plurality of first reference antennas are provided; the plurality of first reference antennas are arranged at different positions in a first direction, which is a vibration direction of the first polarized wave; 6. The phased array antenna evaluation method according to claim 4 or 5.

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