wireless communication device

Abstract

To provide a wireless communication device that can be easily installed at a desired position and can achieve high gain in a desired direction.SOLUTION: A wireless communication device 10 includes an access point device 20 having a predetermined shape, antennas 41 and 42, and a housing 50. The antennas 41 and 42 are connected to the access point device 20, are arranged side by side with the access point device 20, and have main directivity in the direction opposite to the access point device 20 side. The housing 50 accommodates the access point device 20 and the antennas 41 and 42, allows radio waves to pass therethrough, and has a portable shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication device including an access point device and an antenna. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a LAN extension system equipped with repeaters inside a tunnel. The repeaters are placed at intervals along the direction in which the tunnel extends. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6766285 specification Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with conventional configurations including that of Patent Document 1, it has been difficult to easily install the antenna at a desired position and to provide a high gain in a desired direction.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication device that can be easily installed in a desired location and that can achieve high gain in a desired direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wireless communication device of the present invention includes an access point device, an antenna, and a housing having a predetermined shape. The antenna is connected to the access point device, is arranged next to the access point device, and has a primary directivity in the direction opposite to the access point device. The housing accommodates the access point device and the antenna, and is portable and transparent to radio waves.

[0007] With this configuration, simply placing the housing in the desired position and orientation allows the housing to emit radio waves with high gain in the desired direction. This allows the wireless communication device to be easily installed in the desired position and achieve high gain in the desired direction.

[0008] Furthermore, the wireless communication device of the present invention has a plurality of antennas, which are arranged at positions sandwiching the access point device therebetween.

[0009] This configuration allows high-gain radio waves to be emitted on both sides of the access point device, thereby reducing the number of wireless communication devices that need to be placed within range of receiving the radio waves from the access point device.

[0010] In addition, in the wireless communication device of the present invention, the access point device has a side area smaller than its plan area, and the side shape has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. The antenna is a waveguide slot antenna extending along the longitudinal direction.

[0011] In this configuration, the access point device and the antenna can be housed in a housing that is short in a predetermined direction (for example, thin). This reduces the installation area of ​​the wireless communication device. In particular, the wireless communication device can be made thinner when viewed in the direction in which the access point device and the antenna are aligned.

[0012] The wireless communication device of the present invention also includes a combiner connected between the antenna and input / output terminals for a plurality of types of high frequency signals in the access point device, the combiner being disposed within the housing.

[0013] This configuration allows the antenna to radiate multiple types of high-frequency signals, achieving high gain in a desired direction while radiating multiple types of high-frequency signals, and allowing the antenna to be easily installed in a desired location.

[0014] The wireless communication device of the present invention also includes an omnidirectional antenna connected to the access point device, the omnidirectional antenna being disposed on a side of the access point device different from the side on which the antenna is disposed.

[0015] With this configuration, it is possible to ensure a predetermined level of radio wave intensity in the vicinity of the wireless communication device while suppressing an increase in the size of the housing.

[0016] The wireless communication device of the present invention also includes a fixture that physically connects to the access point device and the antenna, and the fixture is a flat plate that is physically fixed to the housing.

[0017] In this configuration, the size of the housing is prevented from increasing, and the access point device and the antenna can be more reliably fixed to the housing.

[0018] In addition, in the wireless communication device of the present invention, the housing is dustproof and waterproof.

[0019] This configuration can more reliably protect the access point device and antenna from dust and moisture. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(A) is an external perspective view of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1(B) is an external perspective view of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment with the cover 52 removed. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are side cross-sectional views of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the access point device and the antenna. [Figure 6]6(A), 6(B), 6(C), and 6(D) are plan views and a number of side views showing the arrangement of the access point device and antennas. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an installation state of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a wireless communication device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10(A) is a plan view of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 10(B) is a side cross-sectional view of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an installation state of a wireless communication device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of another aspect of an antenna used in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of another aspect of an antenna used in the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] [First embodiment] A wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] Fig. 1(A) is an external perspective view of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 1(B) is an external perspective view of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment with the cover 52 removed. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment. Figs. 3, 4(A), and 4(B) are side cross-sectional views of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment. Figs. 2, 3, 4(A), and 4(B) show the device with the cover open.

[0023] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the access point device and the antenna. Fig. 6(A), Fig. 6(B), Fig. 6(C), and Fig. 6(D) are a plan view and several side views showing the arrangement of the access point device and the antenna. Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment.

[0024] (Functional Configuration (Circuit Configuration) of Wireless Communication Device 10) As shown in FIG. 7, the wireless communication device 10 includes an access point device 20, a combiner 31, a combiner 32, an antenna 41, an antenna 42, a transmission line 291, a transmission line 292, a transmission line 293, a transmission line 294, a transmission line 391, and a transmission line 392.

[0025] The access point device 20 has an access point function (AP function) capable of transmitting and receiving signals at multiple frequencies (two types of frequencies in this example). For example, the access point device 20 can transmit and receive high-frequency signals in the 2.4 GHz band and the 5.0 GHz band used for Wi-Fi communication.

[0026] Antennas 41 and 42 are antennas that have high gain in a specific direction. In other words, antennas 41 and 42 are not omnidirectional, but have high gain in a specific direction relative to antenna 41 or 42, and have lower gain in other directions than the specific direction. The specifications of antennas 41 and 42 are determined according to the frequency of the high-frequency signals transmitted and received by access point device 20.

[0027] The access point device 20 and the combiner 31 are connected by a transmission line 291 and a transmission line 292. The combiner 31 and the antenna 41 are connected by a transmission line 391.

[0028] The access point device 20 and the combiner 32 are connected by a transmission line 293 and a transmission line 294. The combiner 32 and the antenna 42 are connected by a transmission line 392.

[0029] The transmission line 291, the transmission line 292, the transmission line 293, the transmission line 294, the transmission line 391, and the transmission line 392 are made of, for example, coaxial cables.

[0030] Access point device 20 outputs a first high-frequency signal of a first frequency to combiner 31 via transmission line 291. Also, access point device 20 outputs a second high-frequency signal of a second frequency (a frequency different from the first frequency) to combiner 31 via transmission line 292.

[0031] The combiner 31 combines the first high-frequency signal and the second high-frequency signal. The combiner 31 feeds the combined signal to the antenna 41 via the transmission line 391. The antenna 41 radiates the fed combined signal in a predetermined direction with high gain and directivity.

[0032] The access point device 20 outputs a first high-frequency signal of a first frequency to the combiner 32 via a transmission line 293. The access point device 20 also outputs a second high-frequency signal of a second frequency to the combiner 32 via a transmission line 294.

[0033] The combiner 32 combines the first high-frequency signal and the second high-frequency signal. The combiner 32 feeds the combined signal to the antenna 42 via a transmission line 392. The antenna 42 radiates the fed combined signal with high gain and directivity in a predetermined direction.

[0034] With this configuration, the wireless communication device 10 can support multiple frequencies and achieve a predetermined directivity.

[0035] (Structure of wireless communication device 10) Next, the shapes of each component of the wireless communication device 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 1(A), 1(B), 2, 3, 4(A), 4(B), 5, 6(A), 6(B), 6(C), and 6(D).

[0036] (Structures of Access Point Device 20, Antenna 41, and Antenna 42) The access point device 20 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. More specifically, the area of ​​the access point device 20 when viewed from above (the area when viewed from the z-axis direction in the drawing) is larger than the area when viewed from the side (the area when viewed from the x-axis direction in the drawing and the area when viewed from the y-axis direction in the drawing). The side shape of the access point device 20 has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. Specifically, with reference to the drawings, the longitudinal directions of the access point device 20 are the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, and the lateral direction is the z-axis direction. Note that the access point device 20 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape as long as the area when viewed from above and the area when viewed from the side satisfy the above-mentioned relationship and the shape when viewed from the side has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction.

[0037] Antenna 41 is a slot antenna (waveguide slot antenna) that uses a rectangular waveguide. Antenna 41 includes rectangular waveguide 411 and horn 412. Rectangular waveguide 411 has a shape that extends in one direction. Rectangular waveguide 411 has a plurality of slots 410 formed at intervals in the extending direction. Horn 412 is disposed on the outside of the wall surface of rectangular waveguide 411 on which the plurality of slots 410 are formed. As a result, antenna 41 radiates radio waves with a primary directivity in a direction perpendicular to the surface on which the plurality of slots 410 are formed (see FIG. 8 described below).

[0038] The antenna 41 is disposed adjacent to the first side surface of the access point device 20. In this case, the antenna 41 is disposed so that the extending direction of the antenna 41 (the extending direction of the rectangular waveguide 411) is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first side surface of the access point device 20. Note that the "parallel" here does not necessarily mean perfect parallelism, but may include errors at the time of mounting, etc.

[0039] Antenna 42 is a slot antenna (waveguide slot antenna) that uses a rectangular waveguide. Antenna 42 includes rectangular waveguide 421 and horn 422. Rectangular waveguide 421 has a shape that extends in one direction. Rectangular waveguide 421 has a plurality of slots 420 formed at intervals in the extending direction. Horn 422 is disposed on the outside of the wall surface of rectangular waveguide 421 on which the plurality of slots 420 are formed. As a result, antenna 42 radiates radio waves with a primary directivity in a direction perpendicular to the surface on which the plurality of slots 420 are formed (see FIG. 8 described below).

[0040] Antenna 42 is disposed adjacent to the second side surface of access point device 20. The second side surface is the surface facing the first side surface. In this case, antenna 42 is disposed so that the direction in which antenna 42 extends (the direction in which rectangular waveguide 421 extends) is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second side surface of access point device 20. Note that "parallel" here does not necessarily mean perfectly parallel, and may include errors at the time of installation, etc.

[0041] That is, antenna 41 and antenna 42 are arranged with access point device 20 sandwiched therebetween. Antenna 41 and antenna 42 are also arranged so that their extending directions are parallel. Note that "parallel" here does not necessarily mean perfectly parallel, and may include errors at the time of installation, etc.

[0042] With this configuration, the complex consisting of the access point device 20, the antenna 41, and the antenna 42 has a shape in which the dimension in the z-axis direction is smaller than the dimensions in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. In other words, this complex can be realized with reduced space in the z-axis direction.

[0043] Furthermore, antennas 41 and 42 are arranged so that the direction of their main directivity is opposite to the access point device 20 side. With this configuration, wireless communication device 10 can radiate radio waves with high gain on both sides (on both sides in the x-axis direction in each drawing) of the complex. In other words, compared to when an omnidirectional antenna is used, wireless communication device 10 can radiate radio waves to positions farther on both sides of the complex.

[0044] (Fixing structure of access point device 20, antenna 41, and antenna 42) The relative positions of the access point device 20, antenna 41, and antenna 42 are fixed by a fixing jig 60. The fixing jig 60 is a flat plate and includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion that are integrally formed. The first portion is connected to the access point device 20, the second portion is connected to the antenna 41, and the third portion is connected to the antenna 42.

[0045] More specifically, one principal surface (one surface parallel to the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction) of the access point device 20, one surface (one surface parallel to the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction) of the rectangular waveguide 411 of the antenna 41, and one surface (one surface parallel to the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction) of the rectangular waveguide 421 of the antenna 42 are flush with each other. In other words, one principal surface (one surface parallel to the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction) of the access point device 20, one surface (one surface parallel to the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction) of the rectangular waveguide 411 of the antenna 41, and one surface (one surface parallel to the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction) of the rectangular waveguide 421 of the antenna 42 are at substantially the same position in the z-axis direction.

[0046] In contrast, the first portion abuts against one main surface of the access point device 20 and is physically fixed by screws 600 or the like, the second portion abuts against one surface of the antenna 41 and is physically fixed by screws 600 or the like, and the third portion abuts against one surface of the antenna 41 and is physically fixed by screws 600 or the like. As a result, the positions of the antennas 41 and 42 are physically fixed relative to the access point device 20.

[0047] (Structure of the housing 50) The housing 50 includes a main body 51 and a lid 52. The main body 51 and the lid 52 are made of resin and are dustproof and waterproof. The housing 50 is radio wave transparent.

[0048] The main body 51 is box-shaped and includes a main wall 511, a side wall 512, a side wall 513, a side wall 514, and a side wall 515. The side walls 512, 513, 514, and 515 are arranged along the outer periphery of the main wall 511 and stand upright from the main wall 511. The side walls 512 and 513 face each other, and the side walls 514 and 515 face each other. As a result, the main body 51 has a space 510 surrounded by the main wall 511, the side walls 512, 513, 514, and 515.

[0049] The distance between side wall 512 and side wall 513 is longer than the distance between side wall 514 and side wall 515. In other words, the direction in which side wall 512 and side wall 513 are aligned is the longitudinal direction of main body 51 (housing 50), and the direction in which side wall 514 and side wall 515 are aligned is the lateral direction of main body 51 (housing 50).

[0050] The lid 52 is rotatably fixed to the tip of the side wall 515 (the end opposite to the side connected to the main wall 511) by a hinge or the like. The lid 52 is rotated to close the opening of the main body 51, thereby sealing the space 510. This makes it possible to prevent dust, dirt, and moisture from entering the space 510.

[0051] (Fixing structure of access point device 20, antenna 41, and antenna 42 to housing 50) The complex of the access point device 20, antenna 41, and antenna 42 is housed within the space 510 of the main body 51 so that the longitudinal direction of the complex coincides with (is parallel to) the longitudinal direction of the main body 51 of the housing 50.

[0052] Furthermore, the short side of the housing 50 (main body 51) is parallel to the long side of the antennas 41 and 42, and the length of the short side of the housing is approximately the same as the length of the antennas 41 and 42 in the extension direction, and is a length that allows the complex to be accommodated within the space 510.

[0053] Furthermore, the depth of space 510 is approximately the same as the height of the complex. Here, the height of the complex is the direction perpendicular to both the direction in which antenna 41, access point device 20, and antenna 42 are lined up and the direction in which antennas 41 and 42 extend, and is the dimension in the z-axis direction in each drawing.

[0054] With this configuration, the size of the housing 50 (main body 51) can be made as small as possible within the range in which the complex can be housed. That is, the housing 50 can be made compact while still being able to house the complex.

[0055] Furthermore, the height of the complex (dimension in the z-axis direction) is smaller than the other directions of the complex (dimension in the x-axis direction and dimension in the y-axis direction). The height of the complex is approximately the same as the depth of space 510 in main body 51. Therefore, the depth of space 510 in main body 51 can be made shallow, and housing 50 can be made thinner.

[0056] Such a composite is fixed to the housing 50 using a fixing jig 60. More specifically, a portion of the fixing jig 60 has a shape that reaches the side walls 514 and 515 of the main body 51 of the housing 50. In the portions where the fixing jig 60 overlaps with the side walls 514 and 515, the fixing jig 60 is physically fixed to the side walls 514 and 515 by screws 600 or the like.

[0057] With the above-described configuration, the wireless communication device 10 can emit radio waves with high gain to both sides of the housing 50 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 50. Furthermore, since the housing 50 is small and thin, the wireless communication device 10 is easy to carry and install. Therefore, the wireless communication device 10 provides a wireless communication device that can be easily installed in a desired location and achieves high gain in a desired direction.

[0058] It is preferable that the housing 50 of the wireless communication device 10 has a handle 53, but the handle 53 can be omitted. The handle 53 improves the ease of carrying the wireless communication device 10. As will be described later, the handle 53 can also be used to set up the wireless communication device 10.

[0059] Furthermore, it is preferable that antennas 41 and 42 of wireless communication device 10 have conductor plates at the center of the ends of rectangular waveguides 411 and 421. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress radio waves leaking to the outside from rectangular waveguides 411 and 421, and antennas 41 and 42 can radiate radio waves more efficiently.

[0060] In wireless communication device 10, antenna 41 and antenna 42 are arranged on either side of access point device 20. However, it is sufficient if at least one of antenna 41 and antenna 42 is arranged. Furthermore, it is also possible to arrange an antenna on each side (for example, four side surfaces) of access point device 20.

[0061] (An example of installation of a wireless communication device) Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an installation mode of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment. Note that in Fig. 8, the size of the wireless communication device 10 is exaggerated, but the wireless communication device 10 is small enough to be carried by a person. Also, the radio waves shown in Fig. 8 are intended to show an image of directivity, and do not necessarily completely match the actual directivity.

[0062] The plurality of wireless communication devices 10X1, 10X2, and 10X3 are installed inside a tunnel 90. Each of the plurality of wireless communication devices 10X1, 10X2, and 10X3 has the configuration of the wireless communication device 10 described above.

[0063] Wireless communication devices 10X1, 10X2, and 10X3 are installed at predetermined intervals along the direction in which tunnel 90 extends. Note that this installation interval may be constant or may vary. Furthermore, the number of wireless communication devices installed is not limited to three, and any number necessary to create the required wireless environment within tunnel 90 may be installed as appropriate.

[0064] The handles 53 of the wireless communication devices 10X1, 10X2, and 10X3 are hung on protrusions or the like on the wall of the tunnel 90 at positions spaced apart from the road surface 91. This allows the wireless communication devices 10X1, 10X2, and 10X3 to be easily installed at predetermined positions within the tunnel 90.

[0065] Furthermore, the direction in which the shortest dimension of wireless communication devices 10X1, 10X2, and 10X3 is the same as the width direction of tunnel 90. As a result, even when wireless communication devices 10X1, 10X2, and 10X3 are installed, they do not take up a large amount of space in the width direction of tunnel 90, and are less likely to interfere with work.

[0066] Furthermore, in the wireless communication devices 10X1, 10X2, and 10X3, the direction in which the radio wave intensity of each antenna is strong is the same as the extending direction of tunnel 90. For example, in the example of Fig. 8, the directions in which the radio wave intensity of radio waves RF41X1 from antenna 41X1 and radio waves RF42X1 from antenna 42X1 of the wireless communication device 10X1, radio waves RF41X2 from antenna 41X2 and radio waves RF42X2 from antenna 42X2 of the wireless communication device 10X2, and radio waves RF41X3 from antenna 41X3 and radio waves RF42X3 from antenna 42X3 of the wireless communication device 10X3 are strong are the same as the extending direction of tunnel 90.

[0067] As a result, for example, the reach of radio waves that enable communication between wireless communication device 10X1 and wireless communication device 10X2 can be covered by radio waves RF42X1 that are radiated from antenna 42X1 and have strong directivity in the direction in which tunnel 90 extends, and radio waves RF41X2 that are radiated from antenna 41X2 and have strong directivity in the direction in which tunnel 90 extends. Also, the reach of radio waves that enable communication between wireless communication device 10X2 and wireless communication device 10X3 can be covered by radio waves RF42X2 that are radiated from antenna 42X2 and have strong directivity in the direction in which tunnel 90 extends, and radio waves RF41X3 that are radiated from antenna 41X3 and have strong directivity in the direction in which tunnel 90 extends.

[0068] Therefore, even if wireless communication device 10X1 and wireless communication device 10X2 are far apart, access to access point device 20 of wireless communication device 10X1 or access point device 20 of wireless communication device 10X2 is possible between these wireless communication devices 10X1 and 10X2. Similarly, even if wireless communication device 10X2 and wireless communication device 10X3 are far apart, access to access point device 20 of wireless communication device 10X2 or access point device 20 of wireless communication device 10X3 is possible between these wireless communication devices 10X2 and 10X3.

[0069] In this way, by using the wireless communication device 10 of this embodiment, the distance between the multiple wireless communication devices 10 (10X1, 10X2, 10X3) can be made longer than when using an access point that uses a conventionally common omnidirectional antenna. Therefore, when the same distance section within the tunnel 90 is set as the radio wave reachable range, the number of wireless communication devices set can be reduced.

[0070] [Second embodiment] A wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment. Fig. 10(A) is a plan view of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 10(B) is a side cross-sectional view of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment.

[0071] 9, 10(A), and 10(B), the wireless communication device 10A according to the second embodiment differs from the wireless communication device 10 according to the first embodiment in that it includes an omnidirectional antenna 70. Other configurations of the wireless communication device 10A according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the wireless communication device 10 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, a description of similar parts will be omitted.

[0072] The wireless communication device 10A includes an omnidirectional antenna 70. The omnidirectional antenna 70 has a rod-like external shape. The omnidirectional antenna 70 is directly connected physically and electrically to the access point device 20. The omnidirectional antenna 70 emits radio waves at the same frequency as the antennas 41 and 42.

[0073] Omnidirectional antenna 70 is arranged along a side of access point device 20 that is different from the side adjacent to antenna 41 and the side adjacent to antenna 42. With this configuration, omnidirectional antenna 70 is accommodated within space 510 of housing 50.

[0074] In this way, by providing the omnidirectional antenna 70, the radio wave intensity in the vicinity of the wireless communication device 10A can be increased.

[0075] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an installation mode of a wireless communication device according to the second embodiment. In Fig. 11, wireless communication devices 10X1, 10X2, and 10X3 shown in Fig. 8 are replaced with wireless communication devices 10AX1, 10AX2, and 10AX3 having the same configuration as wireless communication device 10A.

[0076] 11, in the vicinity of wireless communication device 10AX1, radio waves RF70X1 from omnidirectional antenna 70 ensure more reliable communication between wireless communication device 10AX1 and access point device 20. Similarly, in the vicinity of wireless communication devices 10AX2 and 10AX3, radio waves RF70X2 and RF70X3 from the respective omnidirectional antennas 70 ensure more reliable communication between wireless communication devices 10AX2 and 10AX3 and access point device 20.

[0077] This makes it possible to more reliably increase the area within the tunnel 90 where the radio wave intensity is high.

[0078] [Another antenna configuration] 12 and 13 are diagrams each showing an example of another aspect of an antenna used in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] 12, the antenna 48 includes a rectangular parallelepiped cavity resonator 481. A plurality of slots 482 and 483 are formed in one wall surface of the cavity resonator 481. The extension directions of the plurality of slots 482 and the plurality of slots 483 are perpendicular to each other. The plurality of slots 482 and the plurality of slots 483 are two-dimensionally arranged in a predetermined pattern on the one wall surface of the cavity resonator 481.

[0080] With this configuration, antenna 48 can radiate radio waves of two orthogonal components (for example, a vertically polarized component and a horizontally polarized component) and can radiate obliquely polarized waves (polarized waves that are neither perpendicular nor parallel to the formation surface of multiple slots 482, 483). This allows antenna 48 to achieve high directivity in a specific direction (desired direction), and can radiate high-gain radio waves in this direction.

[0081] Antenna 48 having such a shape may be arranged, for example, so that the radiation surface (the surface on which multiple slots 482, 483 are formed) is parallel to the main surface (the surface having a larger area than the other surfaces) of access point device 20. This allows space 510 in housing 50 to be efficiently used to accommodate antenna 48, and prevents housing 50 from becoming larger.

[0082] 13, antenna 49 is an antenna that applies a waveguide slot antenna, and includes a rectangular waveguide 491, a plurality of slots 490, and two conductive plates 492.

[0083] The multiple slots 490 are formed at predetermined intervals along the direction in which the rectangular waveguide 491 extends. The two conductive plates 492 are arranged at positions a predetermined distance from one end of the arrangement of the multiple slots 490 in the rectangular waveguide 491. The two conductive plates 492 are electrically and physically connected to the rectangular waveguide 491. The flat surfaces of the two conductive plates 492 are perpendicular to the direction in which the rectangular waveguide 491 extends.

[0084] The two conductive plates 492 are arranged in the direction in which the rectangular waveguide 491 extends, at an interval of approximately ¼ of the wavelength of the radio waves emitted by the antenna 49. With this configuration, the two conductive plates 492 reflect the radio waves emitted from the multiple slots 490. This allows the antenna 49 to emit radio waves with high directivity in a direction in which the two conductive plates 492 are not located, in the direction in which the rectangular waveguide 491 extends. Therefore, the antenna 49 can achieve high directivity in a specific direction (desired direction) and can emit radio waves with high gain in this direction.

[0085] In this case, it is preferable that antenna 49 has a recess 493 in rectangular waveguide 491. Recess 493 is formed in the center of the surface opposite to the surface on which the plurality of slots 490 are mainly formed in rectangular waveguide 491. This improves the radiation characteristics of antenna 49.

[0086] As described above, in the wireless communication device of this embodiment, the radiation method and shape of the antenna can be selected arbitrarily as long as it can achieve high directivity in a specific direction (desired direction). However, as explained above, if the shape is such that the length in one direction is shorter than the length in other directions (for example, a shape closer to a flat plate than a cube), the length in the specific direction can be shortened within the space 510 of the housing 50, making it easier to arrange the antenna along the surface of the access point device. This makes it possible to prevent the housing from becoming too large, which is more preferable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] RF41X1, RF41X2, RF41X3, RF42X1, RF42X2, RF42X3, RF70X1, RF70X2: Radio waves 10, 10A, 10AX1, 10AX2, 10X1, 10X2, 10X3: Wireless communication equipment 20: Access point device 31, 32: Synthesizer 41, 41X1, 41X2, 41X3, 42, 42X1, 42X2, 42X3, 48, 49: Antennas 50: Cabinet 51: Main body 52: Lid 53: Handle 60: Fixture 70: Omnidirectional antenna 90: Tunnel 91: Road surface 291, 292, 293, 294, 391, 392: Transmission lines 410, 420, 482, 483, 490: Slots 411, 421, 491: Rectangular waveguide 412, 422: Horn 481: Cavity resonator 492: Conductor plate 493: Dent 510: Space 511: Main wall 512, 513, 514, 515: Side wall 600:Screw

Claims

1. An access point device having a side view area smaller than a plan view area, the side view shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction; a plurality of waveguide slot antennas connected to the access point device, arranged side by side with the access point device at positions sandwiching the access point device, the plurality of waveguide slot antennas extending along the longitudinal direction and having a primary directivity in a direction opposite to the access point device; a portable housing that accommodates the access point device and the plurality of waveguide slot antennas and is radio-transparent; a combiner disposed within the housing and connected between an input / output terminal for a plurality of types of high frequency signals in the access point device and the waveguide slot antenna; A wireless communication device comprising:

2. 2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, an omnidirectional antenna connected to the access point device; the omnidirectional antenna is arranged on a side of the access point device different from a side on which the plurality of waveguide slot antennas are arranged. Wireless communication device.

3. 3. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, a fixture that physically connects the access point device and the plurality of waveguide slot antennas; the fixing jig is a flat plate and is physically fixed to the housing; Wireless communication device.

4. 3. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, The housing is dustproof and waterproof. Wireless communication device.

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