Radio wave control device and communication system

Abstract

This radio wave control device comprises a housing, a radio wave control plate which is disposed inside the housing and which controls the emission direction of waves received from a base station, and a rotation mechanism which is disposed inside the housing and which rotates the radio wave control plate within a first plane.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a radio wave control device and a radio wave control method. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known techniques for controlling electromagnetic waves without using a dielectric lens. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for refracting radio waves by changing the parameters of each element in a structure in which resonator elements are arranged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-231182 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The radio wave control device of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a radio wave control plate installed within the housing that controls the emission direction of an incident wave received from a base station, and a rotation mechanism installed within the housing that rotates the radio wave control plate within a first plane.

[0005] The radio wave control method of the present disclosure includes the steps of controlling the emission direction of an incident wave received from a base station using a radio wave control plate installed in a housing, and rotating the radio wave control plate within a first plane to control the emission direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a wireless communication system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the radio wave control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a configuration example of a polygonal housing according to a first example of the first embodiment. [Figure 3B]FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a configuration example of a polygonal housing according to a second example of the first embodiment. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a configuration example of a polygonal housing according to a third example of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a radio wave control plate. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a radio wave control board according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the radio wave control board according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the radio wave control board according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio wave control board according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method for fixing the radio wave control plate according to the second embodiment to a rotary table. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method for rotating the rotation mechanism according to the first example of the second embodiment from outside the housing. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a rotation mechanism according to a second example of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a rotation mechanism according to a third example of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a coverage area according to a comparative example of the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a coverage area according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of installing a radio wave control plate according to a comparative example of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a method of installing a radio wave control plate according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15A] FIG. 15A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio wave control board according to a first example of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 15B]FIG. 15B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio wave control board according to a second example of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a radio wave control device according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 17A] FIG. 17A is a diagram for explaining the phase distribution of the first radio wave control plate according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 17B] FIG. 17B is a diagram for explaining the phase distribution of the second radio wave control plate according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 18A] FIG. 18A is a diagram showing an example of a phase distribution of superposition according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 18B] FIG. 18B is a diagram showing an example of a phase distribution of superposition according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a method for changing the focal position of radio waves according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and in the following embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0008] In the following explanation, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set, and the positional relationship of each part will be explained with reference to this XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. The direction parallel to the X axis in a horizontal plane is defined as the X-axis direction, the direction parallel to the Y axis in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the X axis is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the direction parallel to the Z axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane is defined as the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, the plane containing the X and Y axes will be referred to as the XY plane, the plane containing the X and Z axes will be referred to as the XZ plane, and the plane containing the Y and Z axes will be referred to as the YZ plane. The XY plane is parallel to the horizontal plane. The XY plane, the XZ plane, and the YZ plane are perpendicular to each other.

[0009] [First embodiment] (wireless communication system) An overview of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0010] 1, the wireless communication system 1 includes a base station 2, a terminal 3, and a radio wave control board 4. If an obstacle 5 exists between the base station 2 and the terminal 3, the radio waves transmitted from the base station 2 to the terminal 3 are blocked by the obstacle 5. In an environment where the obstacle 5 blocking the radio waves between the base station 2 and the terminal 3 exists, the wireless communication system 1 causes the radio wave control board 4 to reflect or refract the radio waves from the base station 2, allowing the terminal 3 to receive the radio waves.

[0011] Here, if radio wave control board 4 is a radio wave control board that cannot control the reflection or refraction direction of radio waves by electrical control, for example, a change in the positional relationship between terminal 3 and radio wave control board 4 may result in communication being lost between base station 2 and terminal 3. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the radio wave control board is installed inside a housing, and the reflection or refraction direction of radio waves is changed by rotating the radio wave control board inside the housing.

[0012] (Radio wave control device) An example of the configuration of the radio wave control device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the radio wave control device according to the first embodiment.

[0013] 2, the radio wave control device 10 includes a housing 12 and a radio wave control plate 14. The radio wave control plate 14 is disposed inside the housing 12. The radio wave control plate 14 is rotatable within the XY plane inside the housing 12.

[0014] The housing 12 is a box-like body in which the radio wave control plate 14 can be installed. The housing 12 is made of a material with a low dielectric constant that is permeable to radio waves. The housing 12 is preferably made of a resin that is permeable to radio waves. Examples of resins that make up the housing 12 include, but are not limited to, ABS resin, polycarbonate resin, polyethylene resin, acrylic resin, and Teflon (registered trademark) resin. The housing 12 is preferably formed in the shape of a regular polygon or a circle when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0015] 3A is a diagram showing a configuration example of a polygonal housing according to a first example of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3A, housing 12 according to the first example of the first embodiment is configured to be quadrangular when viewed from the Z-axis direction. Housing 12 may, for example, have a connecting portion that can be connected to other housings 12. As a result, in the first example of the first embodiment, four housings 12, namely housing 12-1, housing 12-2, housing 12-3, and housing 12-4, can be connected to each other.

[0016] 3B is a diagram showing a configuration example of a polygonal housing according to a second example of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3B, the housing 12A according to the second example of the first embodiment is configured to be hexagonal when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The housing 12A may, for example, have a connecting portion that can be connected to other housings 12A. As a result, in the second example of the first embodiment, four housings 12A, namely housing 12A-1, housing 12A-2, housing 12A-3, and housing 12A-4, can be connected to each other.

[0017] 3C is a diagram showing a configuration example of a polygonal housing according to a third example of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3C, the housing 12B according to the third example of the first embodiment is configured to be octagonal when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The housing 12B may, for example, have a connecting portion that can be connected to other housings 12B. As a result, in the third example of the first embodiment, four housings 12B, namely, housing 12B-1, housing 12B-2, housing 12B-3, and housing 12B-4, can be connected.

[0018] Returning to FIG. 2, the radio wave control plate 14 is installed inside the housing 12. The radio wave control plate 14 can be placed inside the housing 12, for example, by opening any one side of the housing 12. The radio wave control plate 14 is a plate-shaped member configured to be able to transmit or reflect radio waves transmitted from the base station 2. The radio wave control plate 14 includes a radio wave refraction plate that refracts radio waves in a predetermined direction and a radio wave reflection plate that reflects radio waves in a predetermined direction. When the radio wave control plate 14 receives radio waves transmitted from the base station 2, it refracts or reflects the radio waves toward the terminal and emits them toward the terminal. The radio wave control plate 14 can be made of, for example, a metamaterial that changes the phase of the incident wave.

[0019] Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of radio wave control board 14. As shown in Fig. 4, radio wave control board 14 may include, for example, substrate 20, element 22, element 24, element 26, and element 28.

[0020] The elements 22, 24, 26, and 28 may be formed on a substrate 20. The substrate 20 may have, for example, but is not limited to, a rectangular shape. The elements 22, 24, 26, and 28 may be arranged two-dimensionally on the substrate 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 In the example shown, a plurality of elements 22 may be arranged in a row on the bottom level of substrate 20. A plurality of elements 24 may be arranged in a row on substrate 20, on the level above the level on which elements 22 are arranged. A plurality of elements 26 may be arranged in a row on substrate 20, on the level above the level on which elements 24 are arranged. A plurality of elements 28 may be arranged in a row on substrate 20, on the level above the level on which elements 26 are arranged. That is, radio wave control board 14 may have a structure in which a plurality of elements of different sizes are periodically arranged. Elements 22 to 28 may each vary in the frequency band and the amount of phase change of the radio waves they change. Elements 22 to 28 each have a rectangular shape, but this is not limited to this. By changing the size and shape of elements 22, 24, 26, and 28, the frequency band and the amount of phase change of the radio waves to be refracted or reflected can be adjusted.

[0021] 2, the radio wave control plate 14 is configured to have, for example, a rectangular shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction. It is preferable that the radio wave control plate 14 is configured to have a polygonal shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0022] 5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams showing configuration examples of a radio wave control plate according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5A, radio wave control plate 14A may be circular when viewed in the Z-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 5B, radio wave control plate 14B may be hexagonal when viewed in the Z-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 5C, radio wave control plate 14C may be octagonal when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0023] As a method for rotating the radio wave control plate 14, for example, the housing 12 may be opened, the radio wave control plate 14 may be taken out, the housing 12 may be rotated so that the radio wave control plate 14 is oriented to reflect or refract radio waves in the desired direction, and the plate may then be placed back inside the housing 12. In this way, in the first embodiment, the directivity is determined at the time of design. Radio wave control panel 14 The reflection direction and refraction direction of the radio waves can be easily changed. In the first embodiment, the radio wave control plate 14 may be disposed tilted with respect to the XY plane.

[0024] [Second embodiment] (Radio wave control device) A second embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio wave control plate according to the second embodiment.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 6, the radio wave control device 10A includes a housing 12, a radio wave control plate 14, and a rotation mechanism 16. The radio wave control plate 14 and the rotation mechanism 16 are disposed in the housing 12. A The radio wave control plate 14 is configured to be rotatable within the XY plane by a rotation mechanism 16.

[0026] The rotation mechanism 16 includes a rotation table 16a and a shaft 16b. The rotation table 16a is, for example, a flat plate formed in a circular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The shaft 16b is a shaft provided at the center of the rotation table 16a. The rotation mechanism 16 is a rotation mechanism in which the rotation table 16a rotates along the XY plane in the direction of the arrow around the shaft 16b. The rotation mechanism 16 is operated by a user from outside the housing 12. Turntable 16a XY plane in The rotation mechanism 16 is installed inside the housing 12 so that it can be rotated. The rotation mechanism 16 is installed inside the housing 12 so that, for example, the shaft portion 16b is inserted into the bottom surface 12a of the housing 12, thereby rotating the XY plane.

[0027] The radio wave control plate 14 is installed on a rotating base 16a. Specifically, the radio wave control plate 14 is fixed to the rotating base 16a so as not to move on the rotation mechanism 16. Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining a method for fixing a radio wave control plate 14D according to the second embodiment to the rotating base 16a. As shown in Figure 7, the radio wave control plate 14D has a plurality of cutout portions 14a.

[0028] Cutout portion 14a is a portion obtained by cutting out a portion of the periphery of the substrate of radio wave control plate 14D. Cutout portion 14a can be connected to a protrusion (not shown) formed on turntable 16a. By connecting cutout portion 14a to a protrusion (not shown) formed on turntable 16a, radio wave control plate 14D is fixed to turntable 16a.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for rotating the rotation mechanism 16 according to the first example of the second embodiment from outside the housing 12. FIG. 8 shows the bottom surface 12a of the housing 12 on which the rotation mechanism 16 is installed, as viewed from the outside. As shown in FIG. 8, a hole 12ab is formed in the bottom surface 12a, and a shaft 16b of the rotation mechanism 16 installed inside the housing 12 is exposed through the hole 12ab. A marker M is provided around the hole 12ab. The marker M is provided by, for example, laser engraving. The marker M is an arrow indicating the rotation direction of the rotation mechanism 16. A user can rotate the rotation table 16a along the XY plane by rotating the shaft 16b in the direction of the arrow indicated by the marker M.

[0030] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a rotation mechanism according to a second example of the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, in rotation mechanism 16A, the substrate of radio wave control plate 14E is formed in the shape of a gear with multiple teeth formed on the outer periphery.

[0031] Rotation mechanism 16A has a shaft portion 30 provided on the side surface of housing 12 and a teeth portion 32 provided inside housing 12. Shaft portion 30 and teeth portion 32 are connected to each other. Teeth portion 32 meshes with teeth on the outer periphery of radio wave control plate 14E.

[0032] Rotation mechanism 16A is configured so that when a user rotates shaft portion 30 in the direction of arrow V1, tooth portion 32 rotates in the direction of arrow V2. Because tooth portion 32 meshes with teeth on the outer periphery of radio wave control plate 14E, when tooth portion 32 rotates in the direction of arrow V2, radio wave control plate 14E rotates in the direction of arrow V3. In other words, by rotating shaft portion 30 in the direction of arrow V1, a user can rotate radio wave control plate 14E in the direction of arrow V3.

[0033] 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a rotation mechanism according to a third example of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, in the rotation mechanism 16B, the substrate of the radio wave control plate 14F is formed with a plurality of teeth on the periphery, and the periphery is formed in a constant width figure shape that is a constant width curve. A constant width curve is a curve with a width across alwaysA "reuleaux" refers to a closed curve that is constant at a certain point, and examples thereof include a circle and a Reuleaux polygon. In the example shown in Fig. 10, the substrate of radio wave control board 14F has a plurality of teeth formed on the outer periphery and is formed in the shape of a Reuleaux triangle. The substrate of radio wave control board 14F is not limited to a Reuleaux triangle, and may be formed in any shape as long as it is formed in the shape of a Reuleaux polygon.

[0034] Rotation mechanism 16B has a shaft portion 30 provided on the side surface of housing 12, a teeth portion 32 provided inside housing 12, and a conveyor 34 provided along the inner wall of housing 12 and having a plurality of teeth formed on its inner circumference. The teeth of radio wave control plate 14F mesh with the teeth of conveyor 34. Teeth portion 32 mesh with the teeth of conveyor 34.

[0035] Rotation mechanism 16B is configured so that when a user rotates shaft portion 30 in the direction of arrow V1, tooth portion 32 rotates in the direction of arrow V2. Because tooth portion 32 and the teeth of conveyor 34 mesh together, when tooth portion 32 rotates in the direction of arrow V2, conveyor 34 rotates along the inner periphery of housing 12 as indicated by arrows V5 and V6. Because the teeth of conveyor 34 and the teeth of radio wave control plate 14F mesh together, the rotation of conveyor 34 as indicated by arrows V5 and V6 causes radio wave control plate 14F to rotate in the direction of arrow V7. In other words, a user can rotate radio wave control plate 14F in the direction of arrow V7 by rotating shaft portion 30 in the direction of arrow V1.

[0036] As described above, in the second embodiment, the radio wave control plate installed inside the housing can be rotated from outside the housing. In the second embodiment, the reflection and refraction directions of radio waves, whose directivity is determined at the time of design, can be easily changed.

[0037] [Third embodiment] A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. When rotating a radio wave control board installed in a housing to change the reflection direction or the refraction direction to control the receivable area of radio waves, if the refraction angle or the reflection angle is small with respect to the beam width of the radio waves, there arises a problem that the receivable area cannot be effectively changed. For example, the range of the beam in which the radio waves emitted from the radio wave control board become half the maximum power at the distance between the radio wave control board and the terminal or the base station is defined as the beam width.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a receivable area according to a comparative example of the third embodiment. FIG. 11 schematically shows a state in which radio waves W1 incident on the radio wave control board 14 are refracted. In FIG. 11, let the distance between the radio wave control board 14 and the terminal or the base station be d, the refraction angle of the radio waves be θ1, and the beam width of the radio waves W1 at the position at a distance d from the radio wave control board 14 where the gain drops by 3 dB be w. In this case, let d·tan θ1 be the distance L1 and w / 2·cos θ1 be the distance L2. The example shown in FIG. 11 shows a case where the refraction angle θ1 is small with respect to the beam width w, and satisfies the condition d·tan θ1 < w / 2·cos θ1. In this case, the receivable area of the radio waves W2 from the radio wave control board 14 is the area A1. The area A1 is an annular range when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0039] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a receivable area according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 schematically shows a state in which radio waves W1 incident on the radio wave control board 14 are refracted. In FIG. 12, let the distance between the radio wave control board 14 and the terminal be d, the refraction angle of the radio waves be θ2, and the beam width of the radio waves W1 at the position at a distance d from the radio wave control board 14 where the gain drops by 3 dB be w. In this case, let d·tan θ2 be the distance L3 and w / 2·cos θ2 be the distance L4. The example shown in FIG. 12 shows a case where the refraction angle θ2 is large with respect to the beam width w, and satisfies the condition d·tan θ2 ≧ w / 2·cos θ2. In this case, the receivable area of the radio waves W2 from the radio wave control board 14 is the area A2. The area A2 is an annular range when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0040] 11 and area A2 shown in Fig. 12, area A2 is larger. Ta In this case, satisfying the condition d·tanθ≧w / 2·cosθ makes it possible to effectively change the coverage area.

[0041] [Fourth embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. When radio waves are refracted by a radio wave control plate installed inside a housing, if the radio wave control plate is installed at an angle to the base station, the effective area in the direction of radio wave refraction may become smaller when the radio wave control plate rotates, which may result in a decrease in received power.

[0042] Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of installing a radio wave control board according to a comparative example of the fourth embodiment. Fig. 13 schematically shows how radio waves from base station 50 are refracted and emitted. Arrow V10 indicates the direction connecting base station 50 and the center of radio wave control board 14. Arrow V11 indicates the normal direction of radio wave control board 14.

[0043] As shown in step S1, radio wave control board 14 is installed so that the angle formed by arrow V10 and arrow V11 is installation angle α. Radio wave control board 14 is configured to refract radio waves W1 from a base station and emit radio waves W2. The refraction angle of radio waves W1 is θ3. Installation angle α is greater than refraction angle θ3.

[0044] In step S2, radio wave control plate 14 is rotated 180°. That is, radio wave control plate 14 is reversed left to right. As shown in FIG. 13, when radio wave control plate 14 is reversed left to right, the emission direction of radio wave W2 is also reversed. Because radio wave control plate 14 is tilted with respect to base station 50, when the emission direction of radio wave W2 is reversed, the effective area in the refraction direction of radio wave W1 becomes smaller, which may result in a decrease in received power.

[0045] Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining a method of installing a radio wave control board according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 14 schematically shows how radio waves from base station 50 are refracted and emitted. Arrow V10 indicates the direction connecting base station 50 and the center of radio wave control board 14. Arrow V11 indicates the normal direction of radio wave control board 14.

[0046] As shown in step S11, radio wave control plate 14 is installed so that arrow V10 and arrow V11 are aligned. That is, the installation angle formed by arrow V10 and arrow V11 is 0°. That is, in the fourth embodiment, installation angle α is smaller than refraction angle θ3.

[0047] In step S12, radio wave control board 14 is rotated 180° to reverse the left and right of radio wave control board 14. As shown in Fig. 14, when radio wave control board 14 is reversed, the emission direction of radio waves W2 is also reversed. Because radio wave control board 14 is not tilted with respect to base station 50, the received power does not decrease even if the emission direction of radio waves W2 is reversed.

[0048] That is, it is preferable to install radio wave control board 14 so that the angle formed by the line connecting base station 50 and the center of radio wave control board 14 and the normal to radio wave control board 14 is smaller than the refraction angle of radio wave control board 14. It is more preferable that the angle formed by the line connecting the center of radio wave control board 14 and the normal to radio wave control board 14 is 0°. This makes it possible in the fourth embodiment to suppress a decrease in reception sensitivity caused by rotating radio wave control board 14.

[0049] [Fifth embodiment] A fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. To rotate a radio wave control plate within a housing, it is advantageous to reduce the size of the radio wave control plate. However, reducing the size of the radio wave control plate results in a problem of reduced reception power. However, if the size of the radio wave control plate is increased in order to improve reception power, it may become impossible to rotate the radio wave control plate within the housing.

[0050] In the fifth embodiment, the surface shape of the radio wave control plate is a constant width curve, that is, a constant width figure, thereby improving the received power.

[0051] Fig. 15A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio wave control plate according to a first example of the fifth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 15A, when housing 12C is circular when viewed in the Z-axis direction, it is preferable that radio wave control plate 14A also has a circular shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction. When housing 12C is circular when viewed in the Z-axis direction, the shape of radio wave control plate 14A may be a Reuleaux polygon when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0052] 15B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio wave control plate according to a second example of the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15B, when housing 12 has a polygonal shape such as a rectangle when viewed from the Z-axis direction, radio wave control plate 14G may have a Reuleaux triangle when viewed from the Z-axis direction. When housing 12 has a polygonal shape such as a rectangle when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the shape of the radio wave control plate may be a circle or a Reuleaux polygon other than a Reuleaux triangle when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0053] For example, if the shape of housing 12 as viewed from the Z-axis direction is a square with a side length of L, when a radio wave control plate that is square as viewed from the Z-axis direction is installed and rotated, the length of one side must be L / (√2). In this case, the area of ​​the radio wave control plate is (L^2) / 2.

[0054] On the other hand, when the shape of housing 12 as viewed from the Z-axis direction is a square with a side length of L, if a radio wave control plate that is circular as viewed from the Z-axis direction is installed and rotated, the length of the diameter can be L. In this case, the area of ​​the radio wave control plate is (π / 4)L^2.

[0055] That is, the area ratio of a rotatable square radio wave control plate to a circular radio wave control plate in the same size housing 12 is: Area of ​​square radio wave control board: Area of ​​circular radio wave control board = 2:π When this is converted into gain under far-field conditions, the circular radio wave control board has a higher gain of about 2.0 dB compared to the square radio wave control board. When this is converted into received power, the circular radio wave control board has a received power that is 1.6 times higher than the square radio wave control board.

[0056] Furthermore, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, if the shape of the housing 12 viewed from the Z-axis direction is a square with a side length of L, the shape of the radio wave control plate that has the smallest area among the constant width curves that can rotate inside the housing 12 is a Reuleaux triangle. Reuleaux triangle The area ratio of the radio wave control board is Area of ​​square radio wave control panel: Reuleaux triangle The area of ​​the radio wave control board = 1:1.41 When this is converted into gain under far-field conditions, the Reuleaux triangular radio wave control board has a higher gain of about 1.5 dB compared to the square radio wave control board. When this is converted into received power, the Reuleaux triangular radio wave control board has a received power 1.4 times higher than the square radio wave control board.

[0057] That is, in the fifth embodiment, by making the surface shape of the radio wave control plate a constant width curve, it is possible to increase the gain of received power at a distance by 1.5 dB or more.

[0058] [Sixth embodiment] A sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. When a radio wave control plate with a constant-width curved surface shape is rotated and used inside a housing, there is a problem in that it is difficult to adjust the focal position when it is desired to concentrate power at a specific point. Examples of cases where it is desired to concentrate power at a specific point include, but are not limited to, cases where it is desired to compensate for power loss due to a medium such as heat-reflecting glass by converging radio waves. In the sixth embodiment, the phase distribution of the radio wave control plate is configured to be concentric, and the focal length is made variable by making this phase distribution variable. Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, a mechanism is provided that allows the focal position to be changed by rotating the radio wave control plate while shifting the center of the concentric phase distribution from the center of rotation.

[0059] Fig. 16 illustrates an example of the configuration of a radio wave control device according to a sixth embodiment. Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a radio wave control device according to a sixth embodiment.

[0060] FIG. 16 shows a schematic diagram of a radio wave control device 10B according to a sixth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the radio wave control device 10B includes a housing 12, a first radio wave control plate 14H-1, and a second radio wave control plate 14H-2. That is, the radio wave control device 10B includes a plurality of radio wave control plates. The first radio wave control plate 14H-1 and the second radio wave control plate 14H-2 are arranged one on top of the other along the Z-axis direction. In the XY plane, the radio wave control device 10B includes the first radio wave control plate 14H-1 and No. 2 Radio Control Board 14 H The rotation mechanism 16 shown in Fig. 6, the rotation mechanism 16A shown in Fig. 9, the rotation mechanism 16B shown in Fig. 10, or the like can be used as the rotation mechanism, but is not limited to these.

[0061] The radio wave control device 10B changes the focal length using the principle of a moire lens by independently rotating two radio wave control plates, the first radio wave control plate 14H-1 and the second radio wave control plate 14H-2, in the XY plane.

[0062] The phase distribution of the radio wave control plate according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17A and Fig. 17B. Fig. 17A is a diagram for explaining the phase distribution of the first radio wave control plate according to the sixth embodiment. Fig. 17B is a diagram for explaining the phase distribution of the second radio wave control plate according to the sixth embodiment.

[0063] Fig. 17A shows the phase distribution of first radio wave control plate 14H-1. In Fig. 17A, the shade of color indicates the amount of phase change. For example, the darker the color, the greater the amount of phase change, and the lighter the color, the smaller the amount of phase change. In first radio wave control plate 14H-1, the amount of phase change changes concentrically.

[0064] 17B shows the phase distribution of second radio wave control board 14H-2. Second radio wave control board 14H-2 has, for example, the same phase distribution as first radio wave control board 14H-1. Second radio wave control board 14H-2 is placed inside housing 12 rotated by a predetermined angle θ (θ=30° in FIG. 17B) with respect to the phase distribution of first radio wave control board 14H-1. As the relative angle of the phase distribution of second radio wave control board 14H-2 with respect to the phase distribution of first radio wave control board 14H-1 changes, the phase distribution of the overlap of first radio wave control board 14H-1 and second radio wave control board 14H-2 changes.

[0065] 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating an example of a superimposed phase distribution according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 18A shows a superimposed phase distribution 60 when the relative angle of the phase distribution of second radio wave control plate 14H-2 with respect to the phase distribution of first radio wave control plate 14H-1 is 15°. FIG. 18B shows a superimposed phase distribution 62 when the relative angle of the phase distribution of second radio wave control plate 14H-2 with respect to the phase distribution of first radio wave control plate 14H-1 is 30°. As shown by phase distributions 60 and 62, the moiré pattern of the phase distribution changes as the relative angle of the phase distribution of second radio wave control plate 14H-2 with respect to the phase distribution of first radio wave control plate 14H-1 changes. This allows the focal length to be changed.

[0066] Next, a method for changing the focal position of the radio waves will be described. As explained in Figures 18A and 18B, the focal length of the radio waves changes by changing the relative angle of the phase distribution of second radio wave control plate 14H-2 with respect to the phase distribution of first radio wave control plate 14H-1. To change the focal position of the radio waves, first radio wave control plate 14H-1 and second radio wave control plate 14H-2 are rotated as a whole around a position different from the center of the overlapping phase distribution of first radio wave control plate 14H-1 and second radio wave control plate 14H-2.

[0067] 19 is a diagram for explaining a method for changing the focal position of radio waves according to the sixth embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 19, first radio wave control plate 14H-1 and second radio wave control plate 14H-2 are mounted on housing 12 which is circular in shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. CIt is assumed that the sensor is placed inside the sensor.

[0068] The phase center O1 indicates the center of the phase distribution 60 of the superposition of the first radio wave control plate 14H-1 and the second radio wave control plate 14H-2. C 1 shows the center of rotation of first radio wave control plate 14H-1 and second radio wave control plate 14H-2 inside housing 12C. By rotating first radio wave control plate 14H-1 and second radio wave control plate 14H-2 around rotation center O2 using a rotation mechanism (not shown), phase center O1 moves along arrow V20. In this way, by moving the position of phase center O1 inside housing 12C, the focal position of the radio waves can be changed.

[0069] As described above, in the sixth embodiment, the focal position of the radio waves can be changed by changing the relative angle between the phase distributions of the two radio wave control plates.

[0070] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the contents of these embodiments. Furthermore, the above-described components include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Wireless communication systems 2 base station 3. Terminal 4 Radio Control Board 10, 10A, 10B Radio wave control device 12, 12A, 12B, 12C housing 14, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G Radio control board 14H-1 1st radio wave control board 14H-2 Second radio wave control board 16, 16A, 16B Rotation mechanism

Claims

1. The housing and a radio wave control plate installed in the housing and controlling the direction of emission of an incident wave from a base station; a rotation mechanism installed in the housing and configured to rotate the radio wave control plate within a first plane; Equipped with When the distance between the radio wave control board and a terminal or base station that receives the outgoing wave emitted from the radio wave control board is d, the reflection angle or refraction angle of the incident wave at the radio wave control board is θ, and the beam width of the outgoing wave is w, the relationship of the following formula (1) is satisfied: Radio wave control device. d・tanθ≧w / 2・cosθ...(1)

2. The radio wave control board is The radio wave control plate is installed so that the angle formed by the straight line connecting the radio wave control plate and the base station and the normal direction of the radio wave control plate is smaller than the refraction angle of the incident wave at the radio wave control plate. The radio wave control device according to claim 1 .

3. The radio wave control plate has an outer shape of a fixed width figure.

3. The radio wave control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a plurality of the radio wave control plates each having a different phase distribution; the rotation mechanism rotates at least one of the plurality of radio wave control plates within the first plane to change a relative angle of a phase distribution of each of the plurality of radio wave control plates; The radio wave control device according to claim 1 .

5. A radio wave control plate that can be rotated within a first plane by a rotation mechanism, and a terminal or a base station, When the distance between the radio wave control board and the terminal or the base station that receives the outgoing wave emitted from the radio wave control board is d, the reflection angle or refraction angle of the incident wave at the radio wave control board is θ, and the beam width of the outgoing wave is w, the relationship of the following formula (1) is satisfied: Communication system. d・tanθ≧w / 2・cosθ...(1)

Images