Array antenna system and wireless power transmission system

Abstract

To provide an array antenna device which can emit beam-shaped radio waves with suppressed side lobes.SOLUTION: An array antenna device includes: an antenna part 50 in which sub-array antennas 1 with multiple circular polarization element antennas are arrayed in a matrix by the arrangement number n in the first direction and the second direction; and multiple feed waveguides 2 which are provided for each subset obtained by dividing the sub-array antennas 1. (n+1-2*j) sub-array antennas 1j which have the same circumference distance j and are continuously arrayed in the first direction or second direction are powered by a single feed waveguide 2j. When the arrangement number n is an odd number, one sub-array antenna 1 in the center of the antenna part 50 is powered by the single feed waveguide 2j. When the arrangement number n is an even number, the four sub-array antennas 1 in the two rows and two columns in the center of the antenna part 50 and the two sub-array antennas 1 arrayed in the first direction or second direction are powered by the single feed waveguide 2j.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an array antenna device and a wireless power transmission device used in a wireless power transmission device that transmits power wirelessly. [Background technology]

[0002] An array antenna device is known that individually controls the phase of radio waves radiated by circularly polarized element antennas by mechanically rotating each of the circularly polarized element antennas individually (Patent Document 1). The array antenna device described in Patent Document 1 includes a waveguide having a plurality of probe insertion holes on a first wall surface and a plurality of connection shaft insertion holes on a second wall surface facing the first wall surface; a plurality of feed probes inserted into each of the plurality of probe insertion holes, with one of the plurality of circularly polarized element antennas connected to one end; a plurality of connection shafts inserted into each of the plurality of connection shaft insertion holes, with one end connected to the other end of the plurality of feed probes; a plurality of rotation shafts, with one end connected to the other end of the plurality of connection shafts; a plurality of rotation devices for rotating each of the plurality of rotation shafts; and a control device for individually controlling the rotation of the plurality of rotation devices.

[0003] Antenna devices radiate not only a main lobe, which is directed in the direction the antenna device is facing, but also side lobes. Side lobes are radiated in a direction different from the direction the antenna device is facing. The power of side lobes is usually about 1 / 5 or less of the power of the main lobe, but it can be higher. In antenna devices, there is a concern that side lobes may interfere with other wireless communication devices and affect them. Reducing the power of side lobes is an important issue in antenna devices. One beamforming technique involves suppressing side lobes by applying an intensity gradient to the amplitude of the radio waves radiated by a phased array antenna according to the position of each element antenna (Non-Patent Literature 1). The formula for calculating the electric field strength of an antenna is well-known (Non-Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents]

Patent Document

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] It is conceivable to configure an array antenna device by arranging a plurality of sub-arrays with the configuration described in Patent Document 1 as sub-arrays. Even in such an array antenna device, suppressing the side lobes of the radiated radio waves is an important issue.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to obtain an array antenna device that can radiate radio waves with a beam shape in which side lobes are suppressed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The array antenna device according to this disclosure includes an antenna unit and a plurality of power supply waveguide tubes. The antenna section consists of a total number of sub-array antennas, each numbered by two times the frame number (which is an integer greater than or equal to 1) plus the square of the number of arrangements (which is an integer obtained by adding 1 or 2). The arrangements are arranged in a first direction in the aperture plane and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the aperture plane. The subarray antenna comprises a waveguide, multiple circularly polarized element antennas, multiple feeding probes, multiple connection shafts, multiple rotation shafts, multiple rotation devices, and a control device. The waveguide has multiple probe insertion holes on a first wall parallel to the aperture plane, and a feeding aperture and multiple connection shaft insertion holes on a second wall opposite to the first wall. Each of the multiple feeding probes radiates a circularly polarized element radio wave. Each of the multiple feeding probes is inserted into each of the multiple probe insertion holes, and one of the multiple circularly polarized element antennas is connected to one end of each probe. Each of the multiple connection shafts is inserted into each of the multiple connection shaft insertion holes, and one end is connected to the other end of each of the multiple feeding probes. Each of the multiple rotation shafts is connected to the other end of each of the multiple connection shafts. Each of the multiple rotation devices rotates each of the multiple rotation shafts. The control device individually controls the rotation of the multiple rotation devices. Multiple feed waveguides are arranged on the side of the second wall of the antenna section. Each feed waveguide is provided for each of the multiple sub-assemblies obtained by dividing the total number of sub-array antennas. Each feed waveguide has the same number of feed openings as the feed openings, and a feed terminal to which a transmission signal of a predetermined power and transmission frequency is fed. When the number of arrangements is odd, the multiple feeding waveguides include one feeding waveguide that feeds a subarray antenna belonging to a subset that includes one subarray antenna positioned in the center of the first and second directions. When the number of arrangements is even, the multiple feeding waveguides include two feeding waveguides that feed four subarray antennas positioned in the center of the first and second directions to each subarray antenna belonging to two sets of subsets, each containing two subarray antennas aligned in the first or second direction. The outer perimeter distance is the lesser of the number of sub-array antennas present in the first direction and the number of sub-array antennas present in the second direction from each sub-array antenna to the outer perimeter of the antenna section, and is an integer from 1 to the number of frames. Each set of sub-array antennas with the same outer perimeter distance is divided into four sets of sub-sets, each containing a number of sub-array antennas obtained by subtracting twice the outer perimeter distance from the number of arrangements and adding 1, which are arranged continuously in the extending direction, either the first or second direction. Multiple feeding waveguides are included, each feeding waveguide having an edge count of an integer obtained by multiplying 4 by the number of frames, which feeds each sub-array antenna belonging to one of these sets of sub-sets with an edge count of an integer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the array antenna device disclosed herein, it is possible to emit radio waves with a beam shape that suppresses side lobes. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic plan view of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a schematic bottom view of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic bottom view showing the types of feed waveguides and sub-array antennas of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is an external perspective view of a sub-array antenna constituting an array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a wireless power transmission device having an array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] This is a schematic bottom view showing the types of feed waveguides and sub-array antennas in a modified example of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] This figure shows the coordinate system used to explain how the amplitude gradient of the radio waves emitted by the antenna allows it to emit radio waves with small side lobes. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a first modified example of a wireless power transmission device having an array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a second modified example of a wireless power transmission device having an array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 12] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 13] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a modified example of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiment 1. The structure of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figures 1 to 3 are schematic plan view, schematic bottom view, and schematic cross-sectional view of the array antenna device 70 according to Embodiment 1, respectively. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the AA section shown in Figures 1 and 2. In Figures 1 to 3, components that are not explained are omitted for clarity. To explain the structure of the array antenna device 70, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is defined. The X-axis is the axis parallel to the left-right direction in Figure 1. The Y-axis is the axis parallel to the up-down direction in Figure 1. The Z-axis is the axis parallel to the up-down direction in Figure 3. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the array antenna device 70 showing the types of feed waveguides and sub-array antennas.

[0012] The array antenna device 70 is an antenna device that radiates radio waves to transmit power in a wireless power transmission device. The array antenna device 70 has 36 sub-array antennas 1. Each sub-array antenna 1 has a substantially square aperture. The aperture of the sub-array antenna 1 is parallel to the XY plane. The XY plane is also called the aperture plane. Figure 1 is a view of the array antenna device 70 from the side of the aperture. Figure 2 is a view of the array antenna device 70 from the side other than the aperture. The 36 sub-array antennas 1 are arranged in groups of six in the X-axis direction and six in the Y-axis direction. The outer shape of the aperture of the array antenna device 70 is substantially square. The X-axis direction is the first direction in which the sub-array antennas 1 are arranged. The Y-axis direction is the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The Y-axis direction may be considered the first direction and the X-axis direction the second direction.

[0013] The number of sub-array antennas 1 in an array antenna device is n, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 3. 2 There should be at least one. Let n be called the number of arrangements. 2 Each sub-array antenna 1 is called the antenna section 50 (the symbol is not shown). The array antenna device 70 is the case when the number of arrangements n=6. 2 The number of sub-array antennas 1 is the total number of sub-array antennas 1, and is called the total number. The number of arrangements n is determined by taking into account performance and cost.

[0014] A feeding waveguide 2 exists on the side of the array antenna device 70 that is not the opening (the back side). The feeding waveguide 2 feeds the transmission signals that each sub-array antenna 1 radiates as radio waves to each sub-array antenna 1. The array antenna device 70 has 10 feeding waveguides 2. The 10 feeding waveguides 2 can be divided into three types. The first type (referred to as type 1) of feeding waveguide 2 feeds the sub-array antennas 1 located on the outer circumference of the antenna section 50. The type 1 feeding waveguide 2 is denoted as feeding waveguide 21. The sub-array antenna 1 fed by the feeding waveguide 21 is denoted as sub-array antenna 11. The type j feeding waveguide 2 is denoted as feeding waveguide 2 j This is written as follows: Power supply waveguide 2 j The sub-array antenna 1, which is powered by the sub-array antenna 1j is denoted as. In FIG. 4, the power supply waveguide 2 with different symbols according to types j and the sub - array antenna 1 j are shown. For the sake of easy viewing of the figure, the symbol 1 j is only attached to the sub - array antenna 1 arranged at the corner j . Note that the subscript j in the power supply waveguide 2 j and the sub - array antenna 1 j is called the outer - circumference distance. The definition of the outer - circumference distance will be described later.

[0015] Although the sub - array antenna 1 is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it has a plurality of circularly polarized element antennas 3 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 5) on the aperture surface. The circularly polarized element antenna 3 is an antenna that radiates circularly polarized radio waves by physically rotating. The circularly polarized element antenna 3 can individually adjust the phase of the radiated radio waves.

[0016] The sub - array antenna 11 is 20 sub - array antennas 1 existing on the outer circumference of the antenna part 50. The 20 sub - array antennas 11 are arranged in a single row on the four sides so that the outer shape is square. There are 4 power supply waveguides 21. The power supply waveguide 21 supplies power to 5 sub - array antennas 11 each. The 5 sub - array antennas 11 supplied by 1 power supply waveguide 21 are 5 sub - array antennas 11 that are continuously arranged in the X - axis direction or the Y - axis direction including the sub - array antenna 11 arranged at the corner.

[0017] The sub - array antenna 12 is 12 sub - array antennas 1 arranged in a single row or a single column inside the sub - array antenna 11. The 12 sub - array antennas 12 are arranged in a single row or a single column on the four sides so that the outer shape is square. The 12 sub - array antennas 12 are supplied with power by 4 power supply waveguides 22. The 3 sub - array antennas 12 supplied by 1 power supply waveguide 22 are 3 sub - array antennas 12 that are continuously arranged in the X - axis direction or the Y - axis direction including the sub - array antenna 12 arranged at the corner.

[0018] The sub-array antenna 13 consists of four sub-array antennas 1 arranged in a 2x2 grid inside the sub-array antenna 12. The four sub-array antennas 13 are fed by two feed waveguides 23. Two sub-array antennas 13 fed by one feed waveguide 23 are aligned in the Y-axis direction.

[0019] In the antenna section 50 in which sub-array antennas 1 are arranged in a matrix, the outer circumference distance of each sub-array antenna 1 will be explained. The outer circumference distance of a sub-array antenna 1 is the lesser of the number of sub-array antennas 1 present in the X-axis direction and the number of sub-array antennas 1 present in the Y-axis direction from each sub-array antenna 1 to the outer circumference of the antenna section 50.

[0020] In the antenna section 50, the sets of sub-array antennas 11 and sub-array antennas 12 are arranged so that the sub-array antennas 1 are arranged in a square frame shape. The maximum value of the outer perimeter distance over which the sub-array antennas 1 are arranged in a square frame shape is called the number of frames. The number of frames is represented by the variable m.

[0021] Each feed waveguide 2 has a feed terminal 4 located near the diagonal of the antenna section 50. A coaxial cable 5 (shown in Figure 7) is connected to each feed terminal 4 to supply the transmission signal to each feed waveguide 2. The transmission signal supplied to the feed waveguide 2 is generated by the feed section 80 (shown in Figure 7).

[0022] The structure of the sub-array antenna 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is an external perspective view of the sub-array antenna constituting the array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sub-array antenna 1 and the feed waveguide 2 in the BB cross-section shown in Figure 5. The BB cross-section shown in Figure 5 is in the same cross-sectional position as the AA cross-section shown in Figures 1 and 2. The sub-array antenna 1 is similar to the rectangular array antenna described in Embodiment 2 of Patent Document 1. As shown in Figure 5, the sub-array antenna 1 has 12 circularly polarized element antennas 3 on its aperture surface.

[0023] The sub-array antenna 1 comprises a waveguide 6, 12 sets of circularly polarized element antennas 3, a feeding probe 7, a connecting shaft 8, a rotating shaft 9 and a rotating device 10, and a control device 11. The waveguide 6 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape externally, and its internal space is also rectangular parallelepiped. The waveguide 6 has a first wall surface 6a and a second wall surface 6b facing each other, and a short-circuit wall 6c on the side. The first wall surface 6a is the side of the aperture of the sub-array antenna 1. The second wall surface 6b is the side where the feeding waveguide 2 is located. The first wall surface 6a and the second wall surface 6b are parallel to the XY plane. The circularly polarized element antennas 3 radiate elemental radio waves. The feeding probe 7 receives radio waves inside the waveguide 6 and feeds the circularly polarized element antennas 3. The connecting shaft 8 is a shaft made of dielectric material that connects to the feeding probe 7. The rotating shaft 9 connects to the connecting shaft 8. When the rotation axis 9 rotates, the connecting axis 8, the feed probe 7, and the circularly polarized element antenna 3 also rotate. The rotating device 10 rotates the rotation axis 9. The control device 11 individually controls the rotation of the rotating device 10. A control device 11 is provided for each sub-array antenna 1. Alternatively, one control device 11 may be provided for two or more sub-array antennas 1. The number of control devices 11 should be set to an optimal value considering the size and cost of the array antenna device.

[0024] The first wall 6a is provided with the same number of probe insertion holes 12 as there are circularly polarized element antennas 3. The probe insertion holes 12 are holes into which the feed probes 7 are inserted. One feed probe 7 is inserted into each probe insertion hole 12. The feed probe 7 is a conductive metal rod. The circularly polarized element antenna 3 is connected to one end of the feed probe 7. The circularly polarized element antenna 3 is located outside the aperture side of the subarray antenna 1. The circularly polarized element antenna 3 is a helical antenna made by bending a conductive metal wire into a spiral. The feed probe 7 is connected to the end of the circularly polarized element antenna 3. The length (insertion length) of the feed probe 7 inserted into the waveguide 6 is determined based on the excitation amplitude distribution and impedance characteristics inside the waveguide 6 of the subarray antenna 1. The probe insertion holes 12 are provided on the first wall 6a at the positions where the circularly polarized element antennas 3 are placed. The diameter of the probe insertion hole 12 is sufficiently small compared to the wavelength of the high-frequency signal propagating within the waveguide 6.

[0025] In the second wall surface 6b, a connecting shaft insertion hole 13 is provided at a position opposite the probe insertion hole 12. The connecting shaft insertion hole 13 is a hole into which a connecting shaft 8 is inserted. The diameter of the connecting shaft insertion hole 13 is sufficiently small compared to the wavelength of the high-frequency signal propagating within the waveguide 6. One connecting shaft 8 is inserted into one connecting shaft insertion hole 13. The connecting shaft 8 is a tube made of an insulating material. The connecting shaft 8 is manufactured, for example, from a dielectric material. One end of the connecting shaft 8 is connected to the other end of the power supply probe 7. The other end of the power supply probe 7 is inserted into one end of the connecting shaft 8. As for the method of connecting the power supply probe 7 and the connecting shaft 8, for example, a screw hole can be provided in the connecting shaft 8 and a male screw can be provided in the power supply probe 7 to screw the power supply probe 7 and the connecting shaft 8 together. Alternatively, a fitting hole can be provided in the connecting shaft 8 and the power supply probe 7 can be press-fitted into the fitting hole of the connecting shaft 8. Another possible method involves forming a conductive pattern on the outer surface of the connecting shaft 8, and using the portion of the connecting shaft 8 with the conductive pattern as the power supply probe 7.

[0026] The rotating shaft 9 is a metal rod rotated by the rotating device 10. One end of the rotating shaft 9 is connected to the other end of the connecting shaft 8. One end of the rotating shaft 9 is inserted into the other end of the connecting shaft 8. The method of connecting the rotating shaft 9 and the connecting shaft 8 may be, for example, screw fastening or press-fitting. The location where the rotating shaft 9 and the connecting shaft 8 are connected is outside the waveguide 6.

[0027] The rotating device 10 is, for example, an electric motor such as a DC motor, AC motor, or stepping motor. The rotating device 10 rotates the circularly polarized element antenna 3 by rotating the rotating shaft 9. The control device 11 has a rotary drive device 14 and a rotary control device 15. The control device 11 individually controls the rotation of the multiple rotating devices 10.

[0028] The rotary drive device 14 is a motor driver that can be implemented, for example, in a semiconductor integrated circuit, a network interface for communication equipment, a power supply circuit, or a drive current generation circuit. The rotary drive device 14 drives the rotary device 10 so that the rotation shaft 9 rotates to a commanded angle by outputting a drive current to the rotary device 10 that corresponds to the command value output from the rotation control device 15.

[0029] The rotation control device 15 includes, for example, a storage device such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or a hard disk, a semiconductor integrated circuit or a single-chip microcontroller that implements a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a user interface such as a keyboard or mouse, and a network interface such as a communication device. The rotation control device 15 calculates the rotation angle of the rotation axis 9 based on information input via the user interface or information stored in the storage device, and outputs a command value to the rotation drive device 14 via the network interface to rotate the rotation axis 9 by the calculated rotation angle.

[0030] A feeding opening 16 is provided in the center of the second wall surface 6b. The feeding opening 16 communicates with a feeding opening 17 provided in the feeding waveguide 2. The feeding opening 16 and the feeding opening 17 are circular and of the same size. The sub-array antenna 1 and the feeding waveguide 2 are arranged so that the feeding opening 16 and the feeding opening 17 perfectly coincide. The sub-array antenna 1 and the feeding waveguide 2 are in contact with each other. At the point where the feeding opening 16 and the feeding opening 17 are connected, the connection is made so as not to leak the transmitted signal (radio waves). In the feeding waveguide 2, the distance between the feeding openings 17 is an integer multiple of half the wavelength of the transmitted signal inside the feeding waveguide 2. The wavelength is represented by the variable λ, and the distance between the feeding openings 17 is represented by the variable L. a This is represented by the distance L. a The following equation is satisfied. Note that N a is a positive integer. L a =N a *(λ / 2) (1)

[0031] The distance from the reflective end of the feed waveguide 2 to each feed aperture 17 shall be an integer multiple of 1 / 4 of the wavelength of the transmitted signal. The distance from the reflective end of the feed waveguide 2 to each feed aperture 17 shall be determined by the variable L b This is represented by the distance L. b The following equation is satisfied: N b is a positive integer. L b =N b *(λ / 4) (2)

[0032] The connecting shafts 8 corresponding to each circularly polarized element antenna 3 either penetrate the feed waveguide 2 or are located outside the feed waveguide 2. The rotating device 10 and the control device 11 are attached to a flat structural member 18 (not shown). The structural member 18 is located on the side of the feed waveguide 2 opposite to the side where the sub-array antenna 1 is located. The rotating device 10 and the control device 11 are located on the side of the feed waveguide 2 opposite to the side where the sub-array antenna 1 is located. Structural members supporting the sub-array antenna 1 and the feed waveguide 2 are also present. At the point where the connecting shafts 8 penetrate the feed waveguide 2, a member may be provided to reduce the influence of the dielectric connecting shafts 8 on the electromagnetic field distribution of the transmitted signal (radio waves) in the feed waveguide 2.

[0033] Each feeding waveguide 2 receives a transmission signal (radio wave) of the same power at its feeding terminal 4. The transmission signal input to the feeding waveguide 2 enters the waveguide 6 through the feeding aperture 16. An electromagnetic field is generated inside the waveguide 6. A feeding probe 7 inserted inside the waveguide 6 couples with the changing electric field, causing a current to flow through the feeding probe 7. As the current flows through the feeding probe 7, the circularly polarized element antenna 3 radiates circularly polarized radio waves (element radio waves) into space. Considering the phase difference of the currents flowing through each feeding probe 7, the rotation angle of each rotation axis 9 is calculated so that the phase distribution of each element radio wave is appropriate. Each control device 11 controls the rotation device 10 so that each rotation axis 9 rotates at the calculated rotation speed. The phase of the element radio waves radiated by each of the multiple circularly polarized element antennas 3 of each sub-array 1 is adjusted to achieve the specified phase distribution. The array antenna device 70 as a whole radiates radio waves in the specified direction.

[0034] Referring to Figure 7, the configuration of the wireless power transmission device 100 having an array antenna device 70 will be described. The wireless power transmission device 100 includes an array antenna device 70, a coaxial cable 5, a power supply unit 80, and a power transmission control device 90. The array antenna device 70 radiates radio waves to be transmitted. The power supply unit 80 supplies a transmission signal (radio waves) to the array antenna device 70. The coaxial cable 5 inputs the transmission signal generated by the power supply unit 80 to the power supply terminal 4. The power transmission control device 90 controls the power supply unit 80 and the array antenna device 70.

[0035] The power supply unit 80 includes a high-frequency oscillator 81 and a distribution circuit 82. The high-frequency oscillator 81 outputs a high-frequency transmission signal radiated as radio waves by the array antenna device 70. The high-frequency oscillator 81 is a microwave oscillator using a magnetron or semiconductor. The distribution circuit 82 distributes the transmission signal output by the high-frequency oscillator 81 to the number of power supply waveguides 2. The distribution circuit 82 supplies the distributed transmission signal to the power supply waveguides 2.

[0036] The power transmission control device 90 receives an output command value and a directional command value specified by the user. The power transmission control device 90 has an output adjustment unit 91 and a phase control unit 92. The output adjustment unit 91 controls the high-frequency oscillator 81 so that the power of the transmission signal output by the high-frequency oscillator 81 becomes a value corresponding to the output command value. The phase control unit 92 controls each control device 11 so that the array antenna device 70 radiates radio waves in the direction specified by the directional command value. The phase control unit 92 calculates the phase (element radio wave phase) of each element radio wave radiated by each circularly polarized element antenna 3 of each sub-array antenna 1. The phase control unit 92 commands each control device 11 to the calculated element radio wave phase. The control device 11 controls each rotating device 10 so that it becomes the commanded element radio wave phase.

[0037] The direction specified by the direction command value is the specified power transmission direction. The phase control unit 92 is a radiation direction control unit that controls the array antenna device 70 so that the antenna unit 50 radiates radio waves in the specified power transmission direction. The power transmission control device 90 is a control unit that has a radiation direction control unit.

[0038] The arrangement of the feed waveguide 2 will now be explained. The array antenna device 70 is configured with n=6 arrangements and m=2 frames. The array antenna device 70 has 36 rectangular sub-array antennas 1, and is configured by arranging the sub-array antennas 1 so that the outer shape is a square. The feed waveguide 2 is arranged as shown in Figures 2 and 4. As can be seen from Figure 4, there are 6 sub-array antennas 11 arranged in one row or one column on the outermost four sides. One feed waveguide 21 distributes the transmitted signal to 5 sub-array antennas 11 on each of the four sides. There are 4 feed waveguides 21 on each side that feed the 5 sub-array antennas 11.

[0039] Excluding the 20 sub-array antennas 11, there are four sub-array antennas 12 arranged in one row or one column on the outermost four sides of the sub-array antenna 1. The transmitted signal is distributed to three sub-array antennas 12 on each of the four sides by one feed waveguide 22. There are four feed waveguides 22 for each side that feed the three sub-array antennas 12.

[0040] Excluding sub-array antennas 11 and 12, four sub-array antennas 13 remain, arranged in a 2x2 grid in the center of the antenna section 50. Two of these four sub-array antennas 13, aligned in the Y-axis direction, distribute the transmitted signal through a single feed waveguide 23. There are two feed waveguides 23. Alternatively, two sub-array antennas 13, aligned in the X-axis direction, may also distribute the transmitted signal through a single feed waveguide 23.

[0041] <Modified form of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 1> The array antenna device 70 is the case with n=6 arrangements and m=2 frames. The number of arrangements n may be an odd number. Figure 8 shows a bottom view of array antenna device 70A, which is a modified example of array antenna device 70. Array antenna device 70A is the case with n=7 arrangements and m=3 frames. Array antenna device 70A has 49 rectangular sub-array antennas 1. In array antenna device 70A, the sub-array antennas 1 are arranged so that the outer shape is a square. The feed waveguide 2 is arranged as shown in Figure 8.

[0042] As can be seen from Figure 8, there are 7 sub-array antennas 11 arranged in one row or one column on the outermost four sides. One feed waveguide 21 distributes the transmitted signal to 6 sub-array antennas 11 on each of the four sides. There are 4 feed waveguides 21 on each side that feed the 6 sub-array antennas 11. The total number of sub-array antennas 11 is 24.

[0043] Removing the 24 sub-array antennas 11 leaves a 5x5 sub-array antenna 1. In the sub-array antenna 1 with the sub-array antennas 11 removed, five sub-array antennas 12 are arranged in one row or one column on the outermost four sides. One feed waveguide 22 distributes the transmitted signal to four sub-array antennas 12 on each of the four sides. There are four feed waveguides 22 for each side that feed the four sub-array antennas 12. The total number of sub-array antennas 12 is 16.

[0044] Removing sub-array antennas 11 and 12 leaves sub-array antenna 1 with a 3x3 configuration. In sub-array antenna 1, with sub-array antennas 11 and 12 removed, three sub-array antennas 13 are arranged in one row or one column on the outermost of the four sides. One feed waveguide 23 distributes the transmitted signal to two sub-array antennas 13 on each of the four sides. There are four feed waveguides 23 on each side that feed two sub-array antennas 13. The total number of sub-array antennas 13 is eight.

[0045] Excluding the sub-array antennas 11, 12, and 13, one sub-array antenna 14 remains in the center of the antenna section 50A. The single sub-array antenna 14 distributes the transmitted signal through a single feed waveguide 24.

[0046] In the array antenna device 70A, the feeding waveguide 21 that supplies power to the upper right corner sub-array antenna 11 extends in the Y-axis direction. The feeding waveguide 22 that supplies power to the upper right corner sub-array antenna 12 within the frame-shaped sub-array antenna 12 extends in the X-axis direction. The feeding waveguide 23 that supplies power to the upper right corner sub-array antenna 13 within the frame-shaped sub-array antenna 13 extends in the Y-axis direction. Thus, the direction in which the feeding waveguide 2 extends may differ depending on the outer perimeter distance. The direction in which the feeding waveguide 2 extends may be the same for all outer perimeter distances.

[0047] The number of arrangements n can be odd or even, and there is one of the following two relationships between it and the number of slots m. n = 1 + 2 * m (3) n = 2 + 2 * m (4) If equation (3) is true, the number of arrangements n is odd. If equation (4) is true, the number of arrangements n is even.

[0048] If the number of arrangements n is determined first, the number of slots m can be calculated using the following formula. m = [(n-1) / 2] (5) In equation (5), [X] represents an integer not exceeding the real number X. Furthermore, the integer remainder q is defined as follows: q = n-2 * [(n-1) / 2] (6) q is either 1 or 2. Using the remainder q, equations (3) and (4) can be expressed in the following single equation: n = q + 2*m, q = 1 or q = 2 (7) Equations (3) and (4), or (7), mean that the number of arrangements n is twice the number of frames m plus 1 or 2. The number of frames m is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The number of arrangements n is an integer greater than or equal to 3.

[0049] For outer perimeter distance j from 1 to several frames m, sub-array antenna 1 j These are arranged in a frame-like shape. Subarray antenna 1 j The number of elements is 4*(n+1-2*j). Subarray antenna 1 j The set can be divided into four sets of subcategories. Subarray antenna 1 j Each subset consists of (n+1-2*j) subarray antennas that are continuously arranged in the extending direction, which is either the X-axis or Y-axis direction. j It has a sub-array antenna 1. j For each subset, a feed waveguide 2 extends in the direction of extension. j A sub-array is provided. Conversely, a collection of sub-array antennas 1 fed by a single feed waveguide 2 is a sub-set. Feed waveguide 2 j This consists of (n+1-2*j) subarray antennas arranged continuously in the direction of extension. j Power is supplied to it. Whether the number of arrangements n is odd or even, if the outer distance j is from 1 to the number of frames m, 4 power supply waveguides 2 j Each of these consists of (n+1-2*j) sub-array antennas 1 j Power is supplied to it. The outer perimeter distance j ranges from 1 to the number of frames m (n 2 -q 2 ) subarray antennas 1 j It is divided into 4*m subsets. There are (n+1-2*j) subarray antennas belonging to one subset. j However, one feed waveguide 2 j Power is supplied by 4*m feed waveguides 2 j Each of these extends in the extension direction, which is either the X-axis or Y-axis direction, and consists of (n+1-2*j) sub-array antennas arranged continuously in the extension direction. j It supplies power to 4*m feed waveguides 2 j However, (n 2 -q 2 ) subarray antennas 1 j It supplies power to it. 4*m is called the number of sides.

[0050] If the number of arrangements n is odd, then sub-array antenna 1 m+1This becomes a single sub-array antenna 1 positioned in the center of the antenna section 50 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. m+1 It consists of one power supply waveguide 2 m+1 Powered by: 1 sub-array antenna m+1 This is a single subset.

[0051] If the number of arrangements n is even, then sub-array antenna 1 m+1 These are four sub-array antennas 1 arranged in a 2x2 grid at the center of the antenna section 50 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. m+1 This consists of two sub-array antennas aligned in the X-axis or Y-axis direction. m+1 This is divided into two sets of subsets. One set of subarray antennas 1 m+1 A subset of 1 is a single feed waveguide 2 m+1 Power is supplied by the following: Power supply waveguide 2 m+1 The number of items is 2.

[0052] Total number of components n that make up the antenna section 50 2 The subarray antenna 1 is divided into (4*m+q) subsets, and each subset is fed by one feed waveguide 2. The (4*m+q) feed waveguides 2 are n 2 Power is supplied to each sub-array antenna 1.

[0053] The center distance k is defined by the following formula, corresponding to the perimeter distance j. k = m + 2 - j (8) Transforming equation (8) into an equation for j, we obtain the following equation. j = m + 2 - k (9) According to equation (8), when the outer perimeter distance j=1, the central distance k=m+1. When the outer perimeter distance j=m+1, the central distance k=1. From equation (9), a sub-array antenna 1 with a central distance k is a sub-array antenna 1 (m+2‐k) Corresponds to the following: The feeding waveguide 2 at a central distance k is the feeding waveguide 2 (m+2‐k)This corresponds to the central distance k, which is small when each sub-array antenna 1 is close to the center of the antenna section 50 and large when it is far from the center.

[0054] Waveguide 2 with center distance k (m+2‐k) The number of subarray antennas 1 that are fed by is called the feed number. The feed number is expressed by variable a. k Represented by: Number of power supplies a k It can be calculated using the following formula. a1 = q (10-1) a k =q-3+2*k, k=2,3,…,m+1 (10-2) Substituting k = m + 1 into equation (10-2), we obtain the following: a m+1 =q-1+2*m=n-1 (11)

[0055] In array antenna 70, a1=2, a2=3, a3=5. In array antenna 70A, a1=1, a2=2, a3=4, a4=6. In the array antenna device according to this disclosure, the number of feeds a increases as the center distance k increases (closer to the outer edge) of the sub-array antenna 1. k Large feed waveguide 2 (m+2‐k) It is powered by [this method].

[0056] In the array antenna device 70, the same power P0 transmission signal is input to each feed waveguide 2. Feed waveguide 2 at a center distance k (m+2‐k) Subarray antenna 1 supplied with power (m+2‐k) The power of the transmitted signal supplied is called the supplied power. The supplied power is expressed by the variable P. k This is expressed as follows: The power P supplied to the power supply when losses in the power supply waveguide 2 are not considered. k It can be calculated using the following formula. P k =P0 / a k (12)

[0057] Substituting a1=2, a2=3, a3=5 into equation (12), we get P1=P0 / 2, a2=P0 / 3, a3=P0 / 5. Since the loss in the feed waveguide 2 is not very large, the result is almost the same even when considering the loss in the feed waveguide 2. In the array antenna device 70, the sub-array antennas 1 closer to the center of the antenna section 50 are fed with transmission signals of higher power. The sub-array antennas 1 further from the center of the antenna section 50 (closer to the outer edge) are fed with transmission signals of lower power. Therefore, in the array antenna device 70, the amplitude of the radio waves radiated from the central sub-array antenna 1 of the antenna section 50 is larger, and the amplitude of the radio waves radiated from the outer sub-array antennas 1 is smaller. In the radio waves radiated by the antenna section 50, an amplitude gradient occurs in which the amplitude is large in the center and decreases towards the outside. Due to this amplitude gradient, the array antenna device 70 can form a transmission beam with a lower side lobe intensity compared to the case without an amplitude gradient.

[0058] The amplitude gradient of the radio waves radiated by the antenna section 50 allows the array antenna device 70 to form a power transmission beam with low side lobe intensity. This is because, when considering a single polarization component Ea on the aperture surface of the antenna section 50, the radiated electric field component E(P) at point P shown in Figure 9 is defined by the following equation. Equation (13) is described in Non-Patent Literature 2.

[0059]

number

[0060] By electrically controlling the transmission signals input to each sub-array antenna 1 of the array antenna device 70, it is possible to generate an amplitude gradient in the radio waves radiated by the sub-array antennas 1 such that the amplitude is large in the center and small at the periphery. When generating the amplitude gradient by electrical control, the feeding circuit becomes complex and the losses due to the control become large. In the antenna device according to this disclosure, no electrical control is performed to generate the amplitude gradient, so no electrical losses occur. In the antenna device according to this disclosure, the losses that occur before inputting a transmission signal with an amplitude gradient to the sub-array antenna 1 can be limited to the losses during transmission in the feeding waveguide 2, etc. Therefore, the array antenna device 70 has lower losses than an array antenna device that generates the amplitude gradient by electrical control.

[0061] The array antenna device 70 can radiate radio waves with a beam shape that suppresses side lobes with a simple structure. The array antenna device 70 consists of multiple sub-array antennas 1 and feed waveguides 2. The feed unit 80 of the wireless power transmission device 100 has a simple configuration with a high-frequency oscillator 81 and a distribution circuit 82. Since the distribution circuit 82 distributes the transmission signal equally to each feed waveguide 2, each feed waveguide 2 receives a transmission signal of the same power. The power of the transmission signal input to each feed waveguide 2 may differ depending on the feed waveguide 2. The feed unit 80 only needs to supply a transmission signal of a predetermined power and transmission frequency to the feed terminal 4 of each feed waveguide 2.

[0062] <First modified example of a wireless power transmission device> A first modified version of the wireless power transmission device 100 is one in which there are multiple high-frequency oscillators and multiple amplifiers. The wireless power transmission device 100A according to the first modified version will be described with reference to Figure 10. The wireless power transmission device 100A has modified power supply unit 80A and power transmission control device 90A. The power supply unit 80A has multiple sets of high-frequency oscillators 81A and amplifiers 83 and a reference signal distribution circuit 84. The power supply unit 80A does not have a distribution circuit 82. The number of sets of high-frequency oscillators 81A and amplifiers 83 is the same as the number of power supply waveguides 2.

[0063] The reference signal distribution circuit 84 distributes a reference signal with a frequency lower than the transmission frequency, which is a predetermined frequency of the transmission signal output by the high-frequency oscillator 81A. The reference signals distributed by the reference signal distribution circuit 84 are input to each high-frequency oscillator 81A. Each high-frequency oscillator 81A generates a high-frequency signal based on the reference signal. Each high-frequency oscillator 81A is a microwave oscillator using semiconductors. Since each high-frequency oscillator 81A receives the same reference signal, it outputs a transmission signal with the same transmission frequency and adjusted phase. Each amplifier 83 amplifies the transmission signal output by each high-frequency oscillator 81A. The transmission signal amplified by each amplifier 83 is supplied to each feed waveguide 2.

[0064] The shape of the transmission beam, which is the radio wave emitted by the array antenna device 70, is called the transmission beam shape. The power transmission control device 90A emits radio waves (transmission beam) with a power transmission beam shape specified by the user. The power transmission control device 90A includes an output adjustment unit 91A, a phase control unit 92, a power determination unit 93, and an amplifier control unit 94. The output adjustment unit 91A controls each high-frequency oscillator 81A so that the power of the transmission signal output by each high-frequency oscillator 81A becomes a value corresponding to the output command value. The output command value input by the user is the sum of the transmission signals output by all high-frequency oscillators 81A. Therefore, the output command value for each high-frequency oscillator 81A is the total number of output command values ​​input by the user n 2 The value obtained by dividing by [the specified value] is obtained. The phase control unit 92 is the same as that of the power transmission control device 90.

[0065] The power determination unit 93 determines the beamforming power, which is the power of each transmitted signal input to the feed terminal 4 of each feed waveguide 2, so that the array antenna device 70 radiates radio waves (transmitting beam) with a specified transmitting beam shape. The amplifier control unit 94 controls each amplifier 83 so that each amplifier 83 outputs a transmitting signal of beamforming power. The beamforming power is the power determined so that the shape of the radio waves radiated from the array antenna device 70 (transmitting beam shape) is a predetermined shape.

[0066] In the wireless power transmission device 100A, the shape of the radio waves (transmission beam) radiated from the array antenna device 70 is the transmission beam shape specified by the user. The transmission beam shape is determined so that the power of the side lobes of the radio waves radiated by the antenna device 70 is reduced. Therefore, the wireless power transmission device 100A can radiate radio waves with a beam shape that has lower side lobe power than the wireless power transmission device 100, i.e., a beam shape with suppressed side lobes.

[0067] The power supply unit may not have an amplifier 83, and the power transmission control device may have a power determination unit 93 but not an amplifier control unit 94. In such a wireless power transmission device, the output adjustment unit controls each high-frequency oscillator 81A so that each high-frequency oscillator 81A outputs the beamforming power determined by the power determination unit.

[0068] A wireless power transmission device 100 having one oscillator 81 may have an amplifier 83 in the power supply section, and the power transmission control device may have a power determination unit 93 and an amplifier control unit 94. Such a wireless power transmission device operates similarly to wireless power transmission device 100A and can radiate radio waves with lower sidelobe power than wireless power transmission device 100.

[0069] <Second modified example of a wireless power transmission device> A second modification of the wireless power transmission device 100 is a case in which the wireless power transmission device 100 has multiple amplifiers. The wireless power transmission device 100B according to the second modification will be described with reference to Figure 11. The wireless power transmission device 100B has modified power supply unit 80B and power transmission control device 90B. The power supply unit 80B has multiple amplifiers 83. Each amplifier 83 amplifies the transmission signal distributed by the distribution circuit 82. The power transmission control device 90B has an output adjustment unit 91, a phase control unit 92 and an amplifier control unit 94B. The amplifier control unit 94B controls the amplifiers 83 so that each amplifier 83 outputs a transmission signal of the same magnitude. Therefore, each power supply waveguide 2 receives a transmission signal of the same magnitude.

[0070] The wireless power transmission device 100B has the same number of amplifiers 83 as the number of feed waveguides 2. The amplifier control unit 94B controls the amplifiers 83 so that a transmission signal of the same magnitude is input to each feed waveguide 2. Therefore, the wireless power transmission device 100B can more reliably ensure that a transmission signal of the same magnitude is input to each feed waveguide 2 than the wireless power transmission device 100. In the wireless power transmission device 100B, even if the power distributed by the distribution circuit 82 deviates from equal distribution, a transmission signal of the same magnitude is input to each feed waveguide 2.

[0071] Even in the case of a power supply unit having multiple high-frequency oscillators 81A, the power transmission control device may not have a power determination unit 93, but instead have an amplifier control unit 94B that controls each amplifier 83 to output a transmission signal of the same magnitude. The power supply unit may have multiple high-frequency oscillators 81A and a reference signal distribution circuit 84, but no amplifiers 83. In that case, the output adjustment unit 91 controls the multiple high-frequency oscillators 81A so that each high-frequency oscillator 81A outputs a transmission signal of the same magnitude.

[0072] The power supply unit may have one high-frequency oscillator or multiple high-frequency oscillators and a reference signal distribution circuit. The power supply unit may or may not have an amplifier. The power transmission control device may have a phase control unit that controls the array antenna device so that the antenna unit radiates radio waves in a specified power transmission direction. The power supply unit may generate the transmission signal that is fed to the array antenna device. The above also applies to other embodiments.

[0073] Embodiment 2. The array antenna device according to Embodiment 2 is a case in which the rotating device is placed between the waveguide and the feed waveguide. The structure of the array antenna device 70C according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 2. In the antenna section 50C of the array antenna device 70C, the sub-array antenna 1C and the feed waveguide 2 are separated in the Z-axis direction. The feed opening 16 of the sub-array antenna 1C and the feed opening 17 of the feed waveguide 2 are connected by a connecting waveguide 19. The rotating device 10 is placed between the waveguide 6 and the feed waveguide 2 in the Z-axis direction. The rotating device 10 is placed on the side of the feed waveguide 2 where the sub-array antenna 1C is located.

[0074] In the array antenna device 70, the dielectric connecting shaft 8 passes through the feed waveguide 2. In the array antenna device 70, the electromagnetic field distribution inside the feed waveguide 2 may be disturbed. In order to make the disturbance of the electromagnetic field distribution inside the feed waveguide 2 an acceptable level, it may be necessary to optimize the structure or add components.

[0075] In the array antenna device 70C, there is no connecting axis 8 passing through the inside of the feed waveguide 2. Therefore, in the array antenna device 70C, measures to mitigate disturbances in the electromagnetic field distribution inside the feed waveguide 2 caused by the connecting axis 8 are unnecessary.

[0076] The array antenna device 70C allows for a shorter connection shaft 8 than the array antenna device 70. When the connection shaft 8 is long, it can be difficult to rotate it without bending it. To prevent bending of the connection shaft 8, measures such as making the material of the connection shaft 8 lightweight and highly rigid may be necessary. In the array antenna device 70C, where the connection shaft 8 is shorter, measures to prevent bending of the connection shaft 8 can be eliminated or reduced to a minor degree.

[0077] <Modified example of the array antenna device according to Embodiment 2> In the array antenna device 70C, diffraction of the transmitted signal (radio waves) occurs at the point where the transmitted signal enters the connecting waveguide 19 from the feed waveguide 2, potentially causing the direction of propagation of the transmitted signal to shift and resulting in distortion of the transmitted signal. Simply connecting the feed waveguide 2 and the waveguide 6 with the connecting waveguide 19 results in significant reflection. The array antenna device 70D, a modification of Embodiment 2, is an array antenna device 70C in which a component to suppress distortion of the transmitted signal is added.

[0078] The structure of the array antenna device 70D will be explained with reference to Figure 13. The array antenna device 70D matches impedance at the coupling between the feed waveguide 2 and the connecting waveguide 19, and at the coupling between the connecting waveguide 19 and the waveguide 6. The sub-array antenna 1D and the feed waveguide 2D of the array antenna device 70D are provided with irises 20 near the coupling by the connecting waveguide 19. The irises 20 are flat, conductor-made protrusions that prevent distortion of the transmitted signal. Figure 13 shows an example where the irises 20 are provided in three locations. The first iris 20 is provided on the feed waveguide 2D at a position corresponding to the center of the feed opening 17, perpendicular to the direction of extension of the feed waveguide 2D. The second iris 20 is provided around the feed opening 16, protruding towards the waveguide 6. The third iris 20 is provided on the first wall surface 6a at a position corresponding to the center of the power supply opening 16. In this way, the structure of the coupling when the waveguide is branched into a T shape is based on the technology described in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 4888143.

[0079] The array antenna device 70C or the array antenna device 70D can be used in a wireless power transmission device having a power supply unit and a control unit.

[0080] Although preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0081] The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix.

[0082] (Note 1) A subarray antenna comprising: a waveguide having a plurality of probe insertion holes on a first wall surface, and a power supply opening and a plurality of connection shaft insertion holes on a second wall surface facing the first wall surface; a plurality of circularly polarized element antennas that radiate circularly polarized element radio waves; a plurality of power supply probes inserted into each of the plurality of probe insertion holes, with one of the plurality of circularly polarized element antennas connected to one end; a plurality of connection shafts inserted into each of the plurality of connection shaft insertion holes, with one end connected to the other end of each of the plurality of power supply probes; a plurality of rotating shafts, with one end connected to the other end of each of the plurality of connecting shafts; a plurality of rotating devices for rotating each of the plurality of rotating shafts; and a control device for individually controlling the rotation of the plurality of rotating devices, wherein the total number of subarray antennas is the square of the arrangement number, which is an integer obtained by adding 1 or 2 to twice the frame number, which is an integer of 1 or more, the arrangement number is aligned in a first direction in the aperture plane which is a plane parallel to the first wall surface, and the arrangement number is aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the aperture plane, A plurality of feeding waveguides arranged on the side of the second wall of the antenna section, each feeding waveguide is provided for each of the plurality of sub-assemblies obtained by dividing the total number of sub-array antennas, and has the same number of feeding openings as the feeding openings of each sub-array antenna belonging to each sub-assembly to feed power to each sub-array antenna, and a feeding terminal to which a transmission signal of a predetermined power and transmission frequency is fed, wherein when the number of arrangements is odd, one feeding waveguide feeds power to the sub-array antenna belonging to the sub-assembly including one sub-array antenna located in the center of the first and second directions, or when the number of arrangements is even, it includes two sub-array antennas arranged in the first or second direction, obtained by dividing four sub-array antennas located in the center of the first and second directions. An array antenna device comprising: two feeding waveguides for feeding power to each of the subarray antennas belonging to each of two sets of the subsets; and a plurality of feeding waveguides, each having a number of sides equal to 4 multiplied by the number of frames, for feeding power to each of the subsets, each of which has the same outer perimeter distance, which is an integer from 1 to the frame number, and is arranged continuously in the extending direction which is either the first or second direction, and each set of subarray antennas has the same outer perimeter distance, which is the smaller of the number of subarray antennas existing in the first direction and the number of subarray antennas existing in the second direction, and each set of subsets has the same outer perimeter distance, which is an integer from 1 to the frame number (Note 2) The system comprises a total number of connecting waveguides that connect the feeding aperture of each of the sub-array antennas to the corresponding feeding aperture of the feeding waveguide, The array antenna apparatus according to Appendix 1, wherein the plurality of rotating devices of each sub-array antenna are arranged on the side of the feed waveguide where the sub-array antenna is located. (Note 3) The subarray antenna and the power supply waveguide are in contact such that the powered-to-feed opening and the power supply opening are in communication with each other. The array antenna apparatus according to Appendix 1, wherein the plurality of rotation devices for each sub-array antenna are arranged on the side of the feed waveguide opposite to the side where the sub-array antenna is located. (Note 4) An array antenna device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein the power of the transmission signal supplied to each of the aforementioned power supply terminals is the same magnitude. (Note 5) The array antenna device described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein the power of the transmission signal supplied to each of the aforementioned power supply terminals is determined to be such that the shape of the radio waves radiated from the array antenna device takes on a predetermined shape. (Note 6) An array antenna device described in any one of the items 1 to 3 of the appendix that emits radio waves for power transmission, A power supply unit that generates the transmission signal supplied to the array antenna device, A wireless power transmission device comprising a control unit having a radiation direction control unit that controls the array antenna device so that the array antenna device radiates the radio waves in a specified power transmission direction. (Note 7) The wireless power transmission device according to Appendix 6, wherein the power supply unit has an oscillator that outputs the transmission signal of the transmission frequency, and a distribution circuit that distributes the transmission signal output by the oscillator and supplies it to the power supply waveguide. (Note 8) The distribution circuit supplies the transmission signal of the same magnitude to each of the power supply waveguides, as described in Appendix 7 of the wireless power transmission device. (Note 9) The wireless power transmission device as described in Appendix 6, wherein the power supply unit has the same number of oscillators as the power supply waveguides, which receive a reference signal and output the transmission signal whose phase of the transmission frequency supplied to each of the power supply waveguides has been adjusted. (Note 10) Each of the oscillators outputs the transmission signal of the same magnitude, as described in Appendix 9, in the wireless power transmission device. (Note 11) A wireless power transmission device according to Appendix 7 or Appendix 9, comprising the same number of amplifiers as the power supply waveguide for amplifying the transmission signal and supplying it to the power supply waveguide. (Note 12) The wireless power transmission device according to Appendix 11, wherein the control unit has an amplifier control unit that controls the amplifier so that the transmission signal of the same power is input to each of the power supply waveguides. (Note 13) The wireless power transmission device according to Appendix 11, wherein the control unit includes a power determination unit that determines beamforming power, which is the power of each of the transmission signals input to each of the feed waveguides, so that the array antenna device radiates the radio waves in a specified transmission beam shape, and an amplifier control unit that controls each of the amplifiers so that each of the amplifiers outputs the transmission signal of the beamforming power. (Note 14) A wireless power transmission device according to any one of the appendices 6 to 13, comprising a coaxial cable for inputting the transmission signal generated by the power supply unit to the power supply terminal. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 1C, 1D sub-array antennas, 2, 21, 22, 23, 24, 2D feeding waveguide, 3. Circular polarization element antenna, 4 Power supply terminals, 5 Coaxial cable, 6 Waveguides, 6a First wall, 6b Second wall, 6c Short-circuit wall, 7 Power supply probe, 8 connecting shafts, 9 rotation axes, 10 Rotating device, 11 Control device, 12 probe insertion holes, 13 Hole for inserting connecting shaft, 14 Rotary drive device, 15. Rotation control device, 16. Opening for power supply, 17 Power supply opening, 18 Structural members, 19 Connecting waveguides, 20 Iris, 50, 50A, 50C, 50D antenna section, 70, 70A, 70C, 70D array antenna systems, 80, 80A, 80B power supply section, 81, 81A High-frequency oscillator (oscillator), 82 distribution circuit, 83 Amplifier, 84 Reference signal distribution circuit, 90, 90A, 90B Power transmission control device (control unit), 91, 91A Output adjustment section, 92 Phase control unit (radiation direction control unit), 93 Power determination unit, 94, 94B Amplifier control unit, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D Wireless power transmission devices.

Claims

1. A subarray antenna comprising: a waveguide having a plurality of probe insertion holes on a first wall surface, and a power supply opening and a plurality of connection shaft insertion holes on a second wall surface facing the first wall surface; a plurality of circularly polarized element antennas that radiate circularly polarized element radio waves; a plurality of power supply probes inserted into each of the plurality of probe insertion holes, with one of the plurality of circularly polarized element antennas connected to one end; a plurality of connection shafts inserted into each of the plurality of connection shaft insertion holes, with one end connected to the other end of each of the plurality of power supply probes; a plurality of rotation shafts, with one end connected to the other end of each of the plurality of connection shafts; a plurality of rotation devices for rotating each of the plurality of rotation shafts; and a control device for individually controlling the rotation of the plurality of rotation devices, wherein the total number of subarray antennas is the square of the arrangement number, which is an integer obtained by adding 1 or 2 to twice the number of frames, which is an integer of 1 or more, the arrangement number is aligned in a first direction in the aperture plane which is a plane parallel to the first wall surface, and the arrangement number is aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the aperture plane, A plurality of feeding waveguides arranged on the side of the second wall of the antenna section, each feeding waveguide is provided for each of the plurality of sub-assemblies obtained by dividing the total number of sub-array antennas, and has the same number of feeding openings as the feeding openings of each sub-array antenna belonging to each sub-assembly to feed power to each sub-array antenna, and a feeding terminal to which a transmission signal of a predetermined power and transmission frequency is fed, wherein when the number of arrangements is odd, one feeding waveguide feeds power to the sub-array antenna belonging to the sub-assembly including one sub-array antenna located in the center of the first and second directions, or when the number of arrangements is even, it includes two sub-array antennas arranged in the first or second direction, obtained by dividing four sub-array antennas located in the center of the first and second directions. An array antenna device comprising: two feeding waveguides for feeding power to each of the subarray antennas belonging to each of two sets of the subsets; and a plurality of feeding waveguides, each having a number of sides equal to 4 multiplied by the number of frames, for feeding power to each of the subsets, each of which has the same outer circumference distance from each of the subarray antennas, which is the smaller of the number of subarray antennas existing in the first direction and the number of subarray antennas existing in the second direction, and is divided into four sets of the subsets, each set having the same outer circumference distance which is an integer from 1 to the number of frames, and which are arranged continuously in the extending direction which is the first or second direction, and each set contains a number of subarray antennas obtained by subtracting twice the outer circumference distance from the number of arrangements and adding 1; and each set of subarray antennas having the same outer circumference distance which is an integer from 1 to the number of frames.

2. The system comprises a total number of connecting waveguides that connect the feeding aperture of each of the sub-array antennas to the corresponding feeding aperture of the feeding waveguide, The array antenna device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the rotating devices of each sub-array antenna are arranged on the side of the feed waveguide where the sub-array antenna is located.

3. The subarray antenna and the power supply waveguide are in contact such that the powered-to-feed opening and the power supply opening are in communication with each other. The array antenna device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the rotating devices for each of the sub-array antennas are arranged on the side of the feed waveguide opposite to the side where the sub-array antennas are located.

4. The array antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power of the transmission signal supplied to each of the power supply terminals is the same magnitude.

5. The array antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power of the transmission signal supplied to each of the power supply terminals is determined to be such that the shape of the radio waves radiated from the array antenna device takes on a predetermined shape.

6. An array antenna device according to claim 1 that emits radio waves for power transmission, A power supply unit that generates the transmission signal supplied to the array antenna device, A wireless power transmission device comprising a control unit having a radiation direction control unit that controls the array antenna device so that the array antenna device radiates the radio waves in a specified power transmission direction.

7. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 6, wherein the power supply unit has an oscillator that outputs the transmission signal of the transmission frequency, and a distribution circuit that distributes the transmission signal output by the oscillator and supplies it to the power supply waveguide.

8. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 7, wherein the distribution circuit supplies the transmission signal of the same magnitude to each of the power supply waveguides.

9. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 6, wherein the power supply unit has the same number of oscillators as the power supply waveguides, which receive a reference signal and output the transmission signal whose phase of the transmission frequency supplied to each of the power supply waveguides has been adjusted.

10. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 9, wherein each oscillator outputs the transmission signal of the same magnitude.

11. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 7 or 9, further comprising the same number of amplifiers as the power supply waveguide for amplifying the transmission signal and supplying it to the power supply waveguide.

12. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 11, wherein the control unit has an amplifier control unit that controls the amplifier so that the transmission signal of the same magnitude is input to each of the power supply waveguides.

13. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 11, wherein the control unit includes a power determination unit that determines beamforming power, which is the power of each of the transmission signals input to each of the feed waveguides, so that the array antenna device radiates the radio waves in a specified transmission beam shape, and an amplifier control unit that controls each of the amplifiers so that each of the amplifiers outputs the transmission signal of the beamforming power.

14. A wireless power transmission device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, comprising a coaxial cable for inputting the transmission signal generated by the power supply unit to the power supply terminal.

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