Antenna module and communication device equipped therewith

Abstract

An antenna module (100) comprises: a radiating element (121) including a first element (121A) and a second element (121B); and an RFIC (110), and exchanges signals with a BBIC (200). The RFIC (110) includes a transmitting circuit for supplying a high-frequency signal to the radiating element (121) and a receiving circuit for receiving a high-frequency signal from the radiating element (121). The RFIC (110) exchanges intermediate frequency signals with the BBIC (200). A first intermediate frequency signal (IF1) is used for communication between the transmitting circuit and the BBIC (200). A second intermediate frequency signal (IF2) is used for communication between the receiving circuit and the BBIC (200). The RFIC (110) stops the emission of radio waves from the first element (121A) if the amount of change in the reception level of the high-frequency signal received by the receiving circuit while the high-frequency signal is transmitted from the transmitting circuit exceeds a predetermined value that has been set in advance.

Description

Antenna module and communication device equipped with same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an antenna module and a communication device equipped with the same, and more particularly to a technique for improving radiation efficiency in an array antenna.

[0002] WO 2020 / 170722 (Patent Document 1) discloses an antenna module in which radiating elements are arranged on two surfaces of a dielectric substrate having a substantially L-shaped flat plate shape, the surfaces of which have different normal directions. In the antenna module disclosed in WO 2020 / 170722 (Patent Document 1), radio waves can be radiated in different directions from the radiating elements on each surface of the dielectric substrate.

[0003] International Publication No. 2020 / 170722

[0004] The antenna module disclosed in WO 2020 / 170722 (Patent Document 1) may be used in a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet, in which the antenna module is disposed near an end portion inside a housing of the mobile terminal.

[0005] Typically, users operate a mobile terminal by holding it in their hand, but depending on how the user holds it, the radiating element of the antenna module may be covered by the user's hand. In this case, even if a high-frequency signal is supplied to the radiating element, the radiating element will not be able to properly radiate radio waves. This can lead to unnecessary consumption of radiated power and reduced radiation capability.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to suppress a decrease in radiation efficiency when an obstacle is present above the radiating element of the antenna module.

[0007] The antenna module according to the present disclosure includes a first radiating element including a first element and a second element, and a radio-frequency circuit, which exchanges signals with a baseband circuit. The radio-frequency circuit includes a transmitting circuit for supplying radio-frequency signals to the first radiating element and a receiving circuit for receiving the radio-frequency signals from the first radiating element. The radio-frequency circuit exchanges intermediate frequency signals with the baseband circuit. A first intermediate signal is used for communication between the transmitting circuit and the baseband circuit. A second intermediate signal different from the first intermediate signal is used for communication between the receiving circuit and the baseband circuit. The radio-frequency circuit stops emitting radio waves from the first element when a first condition is met, in which a change in the reception level of a radio-frequency signal received by the receiving circuit while the radio-frequency signal is being transmitted from the transmitting circuit exceeds a predetermined value.

[0008] In the antenna module according to the present disclosure, a transmitter circuit transmits a high-frequency signal to a first element using different intermediate frequency (IF) signals to radiate radio waves. When the reception level of the received signal received by the receiver circuit exceeds a predetermined value, the radiation of radio waves from the first element is stopped. This prevents power from being supplied to elements that cannot properly radiate radio waves due to obstacles, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption. As a result, a decrease in radiation efficiency can be suppressed.

[0009] 1 is a block diagram of a communication device to which an antenna module according to a first embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a hybrid coupler. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of arrangement of an antenna module in a mobile terminal. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an obstacle detection method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining foreign object detection processing and antenna selection processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an obstacle detection method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a communication device to which an antenna module according to a third embodiment is applied. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an obstacle detection method according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a first diagram showing an example of a setting when radio waves are radiated from one element using a Butler matrix circuit. FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing an example of a setting when radio waves are radiated from one element using a Butler matrix circuit. FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing an example of a setting when radio waves are radiated from two elements using a Butler matrix circuit. FIG. 12 is a second diagram showing an example of a setting when radio waves are radiated from two elements using a Butler matrix circuit. FIG. 3 is a third diagram showing a setting example when radio waves are radiated from two elements using a Butler matrix circuit. FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram showing a setting example when radio waves are radiated from two elements using a Butler matrix circuit. FIG. 5 is a fifth diagram showing a setting example when radio waves are radiated from two elements using a Butler matrix circuit. FIG. 6 is a sixth diagram showing a setting example when radio waves are radiated from two elements using a Butler matrix circuit. FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing a setting example when radio waves are radiated from three elements using a Butler matrix circuit. FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a setting example when radio waves are radiated from three elements using a Butler matrix circuit. FIG. 3 is a third diagram showing a setting example when radio waves are radiated from three elements using a Butler matrix circuit. FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram showing a setting example when radio waves are radiated from three elements using a Butler matrix circuit.13 is a flowchart for explaining an obstacle detection process and an antenna switching process in the fourth embodiment.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] [First Embodiment] (Basic Configuration of Communication Device) Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a communication device 10 to which an antenna module 100 according to this embodiment is applied. The communication device 10 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet, or a personal computer with a communication function. An example of the frequency band of radio waves used in the antenna module 100 according to this embodiment is millimeter-wave radio waves with center frequencies of 28 GHz, 39 GHz, and 60 GHz, for example, but radio waves in other frequency bands are also applicable.

[0012] 1, a communication device 10 includes an antenna module 100 and a BBIC 200 that constitutes a baseband signal processing circuit. The antenna module 100 includes an RFIC 110, which is an example of a high-frequency circuit, an antenna device 120, a phase shifter 140, and hybrid couplers 150A to 150D. In the following description, the hybrid couplers 150A to 150D may also be collectively referred to as "hybrid coupler 150."

[0013] The communication device 10 upconverts the signal transmitted from the BBIC 200 to the antenna module 100 into a high-frequency signal and radiates it from the antenna device 120, and downconverts the high-frequency signal received by the antenna device 120 and processes the signal in the BBIC 200.

[0014] The antenna device 120 includes a dielectric substrate 130 and radiating elements 121A to 121D arranged on the dielectric substrate 130. Note that, although Fig. 1 shows as an example a configuration in which four radiating elements 121A to 121D are arranged on the dielectric substrate 130, the number of radiating elements arranged on the dielectric substrate 130 is not limited to this. Also, Fig. 1 shows an example in which the radiating elements 121A to 121D are arranged in a one-dimensional array on the dielectric substrate 130, but the radiating elements may also be arranged in a two-dimensional array on the dielectric substrate 130.

[0015] In the following description, radiating elements 121A to 121D may be collectively referred to as "radiating element 121." In the first embodiment, radiating element 121 is a microstrip antenna having a substantially square flat plate shape. The shape of radiating element 121 may also be a circle, an ellipse, or another polygon.

[0016] Radiating element 121 is a so-called dual-polarized antenna module capable of radiating radio waves in two different polarization directions. Radiating element 121 is provided with a feed point SP1A for radiating radio waves in a first polarization direction and a feed point SP1B for radiating radio waves in a second polarization direction. In the first embodiment, the two polarization directions are orthogonal to each other.

[0017] The RFIC 110 includes switches 111A to 111H, 113A to 113H, 117A, and 117B, power amplifiers 112AT to 112HT, low-noise amplifiers 112AR to 112HR, attenuators 114A to 114H, phase shifters 115A to 115H, signal combiners / dividers 116A and 116B, mixers 118A and 118B, and amplifier circuits 119A and 119B. Among these, the switches 111A to 111D, 113A to 113D, and 117A, the power amplifiers 112AT to 112DT, the low-noise amplifiers 112AR to 112DR, the attenuators 114A to 114D, the phase shifters 115A to 115D, the signal combiner / divider 116A, the mixer 118A, and the amplifier circuit 119A constitute a high-frequency signal circuit for emitting radio waves in a first polarization direction. A first intermediate frequency signal IF1 is supplied to this circuit from the BBIC 200.

[0018] The switches 111E to 111H, 113E to 113H, and 117B, the power amplifiers 112ET to 112HT, the low-noise amplifiers 112ER to 112HR, the attenuators 114E to 114H, the phase shifters 115E to 115H, the signal combiner / divider 116B, the mixer 118B, and the amplifier circuit 119B constitute a high-frequency signal circuit for emitting radio waves in a second polarization direction. A second intermediate frequency signal IF2, which is different from the first intermediate frequency signal IF1, is supplied to this circuit from the BBIC 200.

[0019] When transmitting a high-frequency signal, switches 111A to 111H and 113A to 113H are switched to the power amplifiers 112AT to 112HT, and switches 117A and 117B are connected to the transmission-side amplifiers of amplifier circuits 119A and 119B. When receiving a high-frequency signal, switches 111A to 111H and 113A to 113H are switched to the low-noise amplifiers 112AR to 112HR, and switches 117A and 117B are connected to the reception-side amplifiers of amplifier circuits 119A and 119B. In RFIC 110 of antenna module 100 of the first embodiment, different intermediate frequency signals are used for the circuit for the first polarization and the circuit for the second polarization, so it is also possible to use the circuit for the first polarization as a transmission circuit and the circuit for the second polarization as a reception circuit.

[0020] Signals transmitted from the BBIC 200 are amplified by amplifier circuits 119A and 119B and upconverted by mixers 118A and 118B. The upconverted high-frequency transmission signals are then split into four by signal combiners / dividers 116A and 116B. Note that the signal combiners / dividers 116A and 116B may be switch circuits that can connect one input terminal to any of four output terminals. By individually adjusting the phase shift of the phase shifters 115A to 115H arranged in each signal path, the directivity of the radio waves output from the radiating elements of each board can be adjusted. Furthermore, attenuators 114A to 114H adjust the strength of the transmission signals.

[0021] The output ports P1 to P8 connected to the switches 111A to 111H, respectively, are connected to corresponding hybrid couplers 150 via phase shifters 140. The output terminals of the hybrid couplers 150 are connected to corresponding feed points of the radiating elements 121.

[0022] More specifically, signals from output ports P1 and P2 are input to the two input terminals of hybrid coupler 150A, respectively. One output terminal of hybrid coupler 150A is connected to feed point SP1A of radiating element 121A. The other output terminal of hybrid coupler 150A is connected to feed point SP1A of radiating element 121B. Signals from output ports P3 and P4 are input to the two input terminals of hybrid coupler 150B, respectively. One output terminal of hybrid coupler 150B is connected to feed point SP1A of radiating element 121C. The other output terminal of hybrid coupler 150B is connected to feed point SP1A of radiating element 121D.

[0023] Signals from output ports P5 and P6 are input to the two input terminals of hybrid coupler 150C, respectively. One output terminal of hybrid coupler 150C is connected to feed point SP1B of radiating element 121A. The other output terminal of hybrid coupler 150C is connected to feed point SP1B of radiating element 121B. Signals from output ports P7 and P8 are input to the two input terminals of hybrid coupler 150D, respectively. One output terminal of hybrid coupler 150D is connected to feed point SP1B of radiating element 121C. The other output terminal of hybrid coupler 150D is connected to feed point SP1B of radiating element 121D.

[0024] The phase shifter 140 is configured to be able to individually change the phase of the signal input from each output port to the hybrid coupler 150. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, the power of the two output signals can be adjusted by adjusting the phase difference between the two input signals to the hybrid coupler 150. Note that the phase shifter 140 is not necessarily required, and the phase of the signal input to the hybrid coupler 150 may be adjusted by the phase shifters 115A to 115H arranged in each signal path. Alternatively, the beam direction may be adjusted by the phase shifter 140 without providing the phase shifters 115A to 115H.

[0025] The received signals, which are high-frequency signals received by each radiating element 121, are transmitted to the RFIC 110 and then combined in the signal combiners / dividers 116A and 116B via four different signal paths. The combined received signals are down-converted in the mixers 118A and 118B, and further amplified in the amplifier circuits 119A and 119B before being transmitted to the BBIC 200.

[0026] The RFIC 110 is formed as, for example, a one-chip integrated circuit component including the above circuit configuration. Alternatively, the devices (switches, power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, attenuators, phase shifters) corresponding to the radiating elements 121A and 121B in the RFIC 110 may be formed as one-chip integrated circuit components for each corresponding radiating element.

[0027] In addition, in FIG. 1, the phase shifter 140 and the hybrid coupler 150 are shown independently of the RFIC 110 and the antenna device 120, but the phase shifter 140 and the hybrid coupler 150 may be configured to be arranged within the RFIC 110 or within the antenna device 120.

[0028] (Explanation of Hybrid Coupler) Next, the hybrid coupler 150 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, the hybrid coupler 150A will be described as an example.

[0029] The hybrid coupler 150 has a configuration in which two input terminals IN1 and IN2, two output terminals OUT1 and OUT2, two first lines 1501 having a characteristic impedance Zo, and two second lines 1502 having an impedance Zo / √2 are combined. In the case of the hybrid coupler 150A, the input terminals IN1 and IN2 are connected to output ports P1 and P2, respectively.

[0030] More specifically, one second line 1502 is connected between input terminal IN1 (first input terminal) and output terminal OUT1 (first output terminal), and the other second line 1502 is connected between input terminal IN2 (second input terminal) and output terminal OUT2 (second output terminal). Furthermore, input terminal IN1 and input terminal IN2 are connected by one first line 1501, and output terminal OUT1 and output terminal OUT2 are connected by the other first line 1501. If the wavelength within dielectric substrate 130 of the high-frequency signal supplied to each radiating element is λ, the lengths of both first line 1501 and second line 1502 are set to a length of λ / 4.

[0031] The output terminals OUT1 and OUT2 are connected to corresponding radiating elements 121 via feeder wirings 171 and 172. In the case of hybrid coupler 150A, radiating element 121A is connected to output terminal OUT1, and radiating element 121B is connected to output terminal OUT2.

[0032] The difference between the wiring length L1 of the power supply wiring 171 and the wiring length L2 of the power supply wiring 172 is set to be nλ (n is an integer equal to or greater than zero). As a result, when high-frequency signals of the same phase are output from the output terminals OUT1 and OUT2, radio waves of the same phase are radiated from the radiating elements 121A and 121B.

[0033] In hybrid coupler 150, when a high-frequency signal having a phase difference of +90° with respect to input terminal IN1 is supplied to input terminal IN2, a high-frequency signal having twice the power is output from output terminal OUT1, but no high-frequency signal is output from output terminal OUT2. Conversely, when a high-frequency signal having a phase difference of −90° with respect to input terminal IN1 is supplied to input terminal IN2, a high-frequency signal having twice the power is output from output terminal OUT2, but no high-frequency signal is output from output terminal OUT1.

[0034] Furthermore, when the phase difference θ of the high frequency signal supplied to input terminal IN2 relative to the high frequency signal supplied to input terminal IN1 is adjusted to the range of -90°<θ<90°, powers at a ratio corresponding to the phase difference are output from output terminals OUT1 and OUT2. For example, when the phase difference θ is adjusted to 0°, high frequency signals of the same power are output from output terminals OUT1 and OUT2. In other words, hybrid coupler 150 functions as a combiner and a demultiplexer.

[0035] 2, on the assumption that radio waves are transmitted from the radiating element 121, the terminal connected to the RFIC 110 is referred to as the "input terminal" and the terminal connected to the radiating element 121 is referred to as the "output terminal," but when radio waves are received by the radiating element 121, the terminal connected to the radiating element 121 becomes the "output terminal" and the terminal connected to the RFIC 110 becomes the "output terminal." Similarly, in the subsequent descriptions of the hybrid coupler and the Butler matrix circuit described later, for convenience, the terminal on the radiating element 121 side is referred to as the "input terminal" and the terminal on the RFIC 110 side is referred to as the "output terminal," and there is no limitation to the actual input and output directions of the signals.

[0036] (Obstacle Detection Process) Fig. 3 illustrates a state in which a user is holding the communication device 10. In the example of Fig. 3, the communication device 10 is a smartphone, and the housing 15 is composed of a case 30 and a display screen 40. When the user holds the smartphone in one hand, as shown in Fig. 3(A), the communication device 10 is held so that the rectangular display screen 40 formed as part of the housing 15 is vertically oriented. In this case, the portion of the housing 15 below the center in the long side direction is covered by the user's hand.

[0037] When a user watches a video on a smartphone, the communication device 10 is held with the display screen 40 oriented horizontally, as shown in Fig. 4B . In this case, the corners below the center of the short side of the housing 15 are likely to be covered by the user's hands.

[0038] Flat-shaped communication devices such as smartphones and tablets are increasingly adopting configurations with multiple antennas to improve communication quality. Meanwhile, there is a growing need for thinner communication devices with larger screens, and the proportion of the display screen in the housing is gradually increasing. Liquid crystal panels or organic electroluminescence (EL) panels are commonly used as display screens for communication devices. To detect the position of a user's touch, such display screens have conductor wiring arranged in a grid pattern on or within the entire screen. In other words, the display screen functions as a shield for antennas that emit radio waves.

[0039] Therefore, in such communication terminals, the antenna is often placed at the end of the communication device or at a corner of the housing, as shown in positions 11A to 11D in Fig. 3. However, as shown in Fig. 3, depending on how the user holds the device, the user's hand may overlap with a position where the antenna is likely to be placed, which may prevent the antenna from radiating radio waves properly.

[0040] Therefore, in the first embodiment, an "obstacle detection process" is executed to detect whether or not there is an obstacle on each radiating element, and an "antenna selection process" is executed to stop the radiation of radio waves from a radiating element that has an obstacle, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.

[0041] 4 is a diagram for explaining the obstacle detection method in Embodiment 1. In Embodiment 1, for each radiating element 121, a high frequency signal is transmitted to a feed point in one polarization direction to radiate radio waves, while a reflected wave of the radiated radio waves is received via a path in the other polarization direction, and the reception level of the received signal is measured, thereby detecting the presence or absence of an obstacle above the radiating element 121.

[0042] In the example of FIG. 4, for ease of explanation, the circuits of the radiating elements 121A and 121B will be described, but the same applies to the radiating elements 121C and 121D.

[0043] 4, the BBIC 200 controls the switches 111A to 111H and 113A to 113H, so that the circuit in the RFIC 110 that uses the first intermediate frequency signal IF1 is set as the transmission circuit, and the circuit that uses the second intermediate frequency signal IF2 is set as the reception circuit. The first intermediate frequency signal IF1 is upconverted to a high-frequency signal RF1 by the transmission circuit and input to the hybrid coupler 150A via the phase shifter 140. At this time, by adjusting the phase shifter 140, for example, the high-frequency signal is supplied only to the feed point SP1A of the radiating element 121A.

[0044] Furthermore, the feed point SP1B of the radiating element 121A is connected to the receiving circuit of the RFIC 110 via the hybrid coupler 150C and the phase shifter 140. As a result, the high frequency signal RF2 received by the radiating element 121A is down-converted by the RFIC 110, and the obtained second intermediate frequency signal IF2 is output to the BBIC 200.

[0045] The BBIC 220 detects the amount of change in the reception level (RSSI: Received Signal Strength Indicator) of the signal received by the radiating element 121A. When there is no obstacle above the radiating element 121A, the radiated radio waves are not reflected, and the reception level of the received signal is low. On the other hand, when there is an obstacle above the radiating element 121A, the radiated radio waves are reflected by the obstacle, and the reception level of the received signal is relatively high. In other words, when the BBIC 200 meets a condition (first condition) in which the amount of change in RSSI strength is greater than a predetermined value, it can determine that there is an obstacle above the radiating element 121A.

[0046] By performing such measurements sequentially for the radiating elements 121A to 121D, it is possible to determine whether or not there is an obstacle on each radiating element 121. If it is determined that an obstacle exists on a certain radiating element 121, the BBIC 200 adjusts the phase shifter 140 when emitting radio waves after the measurement so as not to supply a high-frequency signal to the radiating element 121 that has the obstacle. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption by the radiating element 121 that has the obstacle.

[0047] At this time, if there is amplifying margin in the power amplifier in the RFIC 110, it is possible to adjust the gain of the power amplifier to increase the power supplied to the radiating element 121 where there is no obstacle, thereby preventing a decrease in the total strength of the radio waves radiated from the antenna device 120. In this way, the power supplied from the BBIC 200 can be used efficiently, and therefore a decrease in the radiation efficiency from the antenna device 120 can be suppressed.

[0048] Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the foreign object detection process and the antenna selection process in embodiment 1. In embodiment 1, the flowchart in Fig. 5 will be described as an example in which the process is executed in BBIC 200, but the process may be executed by a control unit other than BBIC 200.

[0049] 5, the BBIC 200 measures the amount of change in the RSSI level during normal reception processing in step (hereinafter, step will be abbreviated as S) 100. Then, in S110, the BBIC 200 determines whether the amount of change in the RSSI is greater than a predetermined value α, i.e., whether the first condition is met.

[0050] If the change in RSSI is less than or equal to the predetermined value α (NO at S110), the BBIC 200 determines that there is no obstacle on the radiating element 121, skips the subsequent steps, terminates the processing, and continues normal transmission and reception processing.

[0051] If the amount of change in RSSI is greater than the predetermined value α (YES in S110), the process proceeds to S120, where the BBIC 200 determines that an obstacle is present above any of the radiating elements 121 of the antenna device 120.

[0052] Then, in S130, the BBIC 200 sequentially measures the amount of change in RSSI for each radiating element 121 individually, as described in Fig. 4, to identify a radiating element 121 where an obstacle is present. Thereafter, the BBIC 200 sets the RFIC 110 to off and / or adjusts the phase of the phase shifter 140 so as not to transmit a high-frequency signal to the identified radiating element 121, thereby stopping the emission of radio waves from the radiating element 121 during the transmission process. Although not shown in Fig. 5, the BBIC 200 may also increase the power of the high-frequency signal to be transmitted to a radiating element 121 where it is determined that no obstacle is present.

[0053] Furthermore, the suspension of the high-frequency signal to the identified radiating element 121 is reset after a predetermined time has elapsed or at the time of the next reception process, thereby enabling radio wave radiation using all the radiating elements 121 when the obstacle has disappeared.

[0054] By performing control according to the above-described processing, it is possible to reduce unnecessary power consumption due to obstacles in an array-configured antenna module and suppress a decrease in radiation efficiency.

[0055] The "radiating element 121" in the first embodiment corresponds to the "first radiating element" in the present disclosure. The "radiating element 121A" and the "radiating element 121B" in the first embodiment correspond to the "first element" and the "second element," respectively, in the present disclosure. The "RFIC 110" in the first embodiment corresponds to the "high-frequency circuit" in the present disclosure. The "BBIC 200" in the first embodiment corresponds to the "baseband circuit" in the present disclosure. The "first intermediate frequency signal IF1" and the "second intermediate frequency signal IF2" in the first embodiment correspond to the "first intermediate signal" and the "second intermediate signal," respectively, in the present disclosure. The "feed point SP1A" and the "feed point SP1B" in the first embodiment correspond to the "first feed point" and the "second feed point," respectively, in the present disclosure. The "hybrid coupler 150A" and the "hybrid coupler 150C" in the first embodiment correspond to the "first hybrid coupler" and the "second hybrid coupler" in the present disclosure, respectively.

[0056] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, a configuration was described in which radio waves are emitted from one of the circuits connected to different feed points within the same radiating element, and the presence or absence of an obstacle on the radiating element is determined based on the RSSI when the reflected wave of the radio waves is received by the circuit connected to the other feed point.

[0057] In the second embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the presence or absence of an obstacle is determined based on the RSSI when radio waves are emitted and received between different radiating elements of an array antenna.

[0058] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining an obstacle detection method in embodiment 2. The device configuration in Fig. 6 is substantially the same as the configuration in Fig. 4 in embodiment 1, and therefore details thereof will not be repeated.

[0059] 6, in the second embodiment, the reflected wave of the radio wave radiated from the feed point SP1A of the radiating element 121B is received by a receiving circuit connected to the feed point SP1B of the radiating element 121A, and when the change in the RSSI level becomes greater than a predetermined value and the first condition is met, it is determined that an obstacle is present in the range spanning the radiating elements 121A and 121B. When it is determined that an obstacle is present, the radiation of radio waves from the radiating elements 121A and 121B is stopped.

[0060] It is also possible to make a determination by radiating a radio wave from radiating element 121A and receiving a reflected wave at radiating element 121B. The two radiating elements do not necessarily have to be adjacent to each other, and another radiating element may be disposed between the two radiating elements, such as radiating element 121A and radiating element 121C.

[0061] With this configuration, if an obstacle is present on the radiating element, the radiation of radio waves from the radiating element can be stopped, thereby reducing power consumption by a radiating element that is unable to properly radiate radio waves.

[0062] In the second embodiment, the power that should be supplied to a radiating element that has stopped radiating due to an obstacle may be distributed to other radiating elements to prevent a decrease in radiation efficiency.

[0063] Third Embodiment In a third embodiment, a so-called dual-band type antenna module will be described, in which radiating elements capable of radiating radio waves in two different frequency bands are stacked in the antenna module.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a communication device 10A to which an antenna module 100A according to a third embodiment is applied. In addition to the configuration of the antenna module 100, the antenna module 100A further includes an RFIC 110A, a phase shifter 145, and a hybrid coupler 155. The antenna module 100A also includes an antenna device 120A instead of the antenna device 120. The antenna device 120A further includes radiating elements 122A-122D in addition to the configuration of the antenna device 120A according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the radiating elements 122A-122D are also collectively referred to as "radiating element 122." Furthermore, in FIG. 7, descriptions of elements that overlap with those of the antenna module 100 will not be repeated.

[0065] In the antenna device 120A, radiating elements 122A to 122D are provided corresponding to the radiating elements 122A to 122D. The element size of the radiating element 122 is larger than that of the radiating element 121. Therefore, the radiating element 122 emits radio waves in a lower frequency band than the radiating element 121. Each of the radiating elements 122 is arranged so as to overlap the corresponding element of the radiating element 121 when the dielectric substrate 130 is viewed in a plan view from the normal direction. The radiating element 121 is arranged within the dielectric substrate 130 at a greater distance in the radiation direction of the radio waves than the radiating element 122. In other words, the antenna module 100A is a stacked dual-band type antenna module.

[0066] In the antenna module 100A, the RFIC 110, the phase shifter 140, and the hybrid coupler 150 are devices for the radiating element 121 on the high frequency side, and the RFIC 110A, the phase shifter 145, and the hybrid coupler 155 are devices for the radiating element 122 on the high frequency side.

[0067] The RFIC 110A, the phase shifter 145, and the hybrid coupler 155 have the same configurations as the RFIC 110, the phase shifter 140, and the hybrid coupler 150, respectively, and therefore their details are omitted. The RFIC 110 converts the intermediate frequency signals IF1 and IF2 from the BBIC 200 into high-frequency signals and supplies them to each feed point of the radiating element 121. The RFIC 110A also converts the intermediate frequency signals IF3 and IF4 from the BBIC 200 into high-frequency signals and supplies them to each feed point of the radiating element 122.

[0068] In FIG. 7, due to space limitations, it is shown as if one feed line is connected from the hybrid couplers 150 and 155 to each radiating element, but in reality, two feed lines are connected to each feed point of each radiating element.

[0069] In such a stacked antenna module, the radiating element 122 arranged on the lower side of the dielectric substrate 130 is more difficult to detect obstacles than the radiating element 121, because the radiating element 121 is arranged in the direction of radio wave radiation. Therefore, in a stacked antenna module, obstacle detection is performed using the radiating element on the higher frequency side, i.e., the radiating element 121 in the antenna module 100A.

[0070] Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining an obstacle detection method in embodiment 3. In Fig. 8, radiating elements 122A to 122D on the low frequency side are added to Fig. 4 of embodiment 1. Note that in Fig. 8, the transmitting circuit and receiving circuit for radiating element 122 are omitted.

[0071] 8, in the antenna module 100A, the circuit connected to the feed point SP1A of each radiating element 121 is set as a transmitting circuit, and the circuit connected to the feed point SP1B is set as a receiving circuit. For each radiating element 121, a high-frequency signal is supplied to the feed point SP1A to emit radio waves, while the receiving circuit connected to the feed point SP1B receives the reflected waves of the radio waves. If the RSSI of the received signal exceeds a predetermined value, thereby satisfying the first condition, the BBIC 200 determines that an obstacle is present on the reflecting element. For the radiating element for which an obstacle is determined to exist, the BBIC 200 stops the emission of radio waves by adjusting the switches and / or phase shifters 140 and 145 in the RFIC.

[0072] This configuration makes it possible to reduce power consumption due to obstacles in the radiating element even in a stacked dual-band antenna module. Furthermore, by increasing the power supplied to the obstacle radiating element, it is possible to reduce the decrease in radiation efficiency from the antenna device.

[0073] In the antenna module 100A, as in the second embodiment, an obstacle may also be detected based on transmission and reception of radio waves between different radiating elements.

[0074] The "radiating element 122" in the third embodiment corresponds to the "second radiating element" in the present disclosure. The "radiating element 122A" in the third embodiment corresponds to the "third element" in the present disclosure.

[0075] <Power Distribution Using a Butler Matrix Circuit> Next, examples of setting power distribution using a Butler matrix circuit will be described with reference to Fig. 9 to Fig. 22. Fig. 9 to Fig. 22 explain how to set the input power and the phase shifter 140 so that radio waves are radiated with equal power from the remaining radiating elements when an obstacle is detected on a radiating element in the above-described first to third embodiments.

[0076] Figures 9 to 12 show setting examples when radio waves are emitted from one of four radiating elements. Figures 13 to 18 show setting examples when radio waves are emitted from two of four radiating elements. Figures 19 to 22 show setting examples when radio waves are emitted from three of four radiating elements.

[0077] First, the configuration of Butler matrix circuit 152 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Butler matrix circuit 152 can be provided in place of hybrid coupler 150 in embodiment 1. More specifically, one Butler matrix circuit is provided in place of hybrid couplers 150A and 150B for feed point SP1A of radiating element 121, and one Butler matrix circuit is provided in place of hybrid couplers 150C and 150D for feed point SP1B. In the following description, a circuit that supplies a high-frequency signal to feed point SP1A will be described as an example.

[0078] The Butler matrix circuit 152 includes four hybrid couplers 152A to 152D and two delay circuits 160A and 160B. The Butler matrix circuit 152 generally has a configuration in which the hybrid couplers 152A and 152B and the hybrid couplers 152C and 152D are cascade-connected via the delay circuits 160A and 160B.

[0079] One input terminal (first input terminal) of the hybrid coupler 152A is connected to the output port P1 of the RFIC 110 via a phase shifter 140A. The other input terminal (second input terminal) of the hybrid coupler 152A is connected to the output port P2 of the RFIC 110 via a phase shifter 140B. Similarly, one input terminal (first input terminal) of the hybrid coupler 152B is connected to the output port P3 of the RFIC 110 via a phase shifter 140C. The other input terminal (second input terminal) of the hybrid coupler 152B is connected to the output port P4 of the RFIC 110 via a phase shifter 140D.

[0080] One output terminal (first output terminal) of the hybrid coupler 152A is connected to one input terminal (first input terminal) of the hybrid coupler 152C via a delay circuit 160A. The other output terminal (second output terminal) of the hybrid coupler 152A is connected to one input terminal (first input terminal) of the hybrid coupler 152D. One output terminal (first output terminal) of the hybrid coupler 152B is connected to the other input terminal (second input terminal) of the hybrid coupler 152C. The other output terminal (second output terminal) of the hybrid coupler 152B is connected to the other input terminal (second input terminal) of the hybrid coupler 152D via a delay circuit 160B. The delay circuits 160A and 160B delay the phase of the input signal by −45°.

[0081] One output terminal (first output terminal) of hybrid coupler 152C is connected to feed point SP1A of radiating element 121A, and the other output terminal (second output terminal) is connected to feed point SP1A of radiating element 121B. One output terminal (first output terminal) of hybrid coupler 152D is connected to feed point SP1A of radiating element 121C, and the other output terminal (second output terminal) is connected to feed point SP1A of radiating element 121D.

[0082] In this configuration, by adjusting the magnitude and phase of the power of the signal input to each input terminal of the Butler matrix circuit 152, it is possible to distribute power to the four radiating elements 121A to 121D.

[0083] Note that "radiating element 121C" and "radiating element 121D" correspond to the "third element" and "fourth element" in this disclosure, respectively. "Hybrid couplers 152A to 152D" correspond to the "third hybrid coupler" to "sixth hybrid coupler" in this disclosure, respectively. "Delay circuit 160A" and "delay circuit 160B" correspond to the "first delay circuit" and "second delay circuit" in this disclosure.

[0084] (a: In the case of one element output) The settings for radiating radio waves from any one of the radiating elements 121A to 121D will be described using Figures 9 to 12. In the following description, the maximum power that can be supplied from the RFIC to each input terminal will be described as 1.0.

[0085] (a-1: Output from radiating element 121A) Fig. 9 shows a setting example when radio waves are emitted only from radiating element 121A. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to each input terminal of Butler matrix circuit 152 is all set to 1.0. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are set to 0°, 90°, 45°, and 135°, respectively.

[0086] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, radio waves with four times the power can be radiated from the radiating element 121A.

[0087] (a-2: Output from radiating element 121B) Fig. 10 shows a setting example when radio waves are emitted only from radiating element 121B. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to each input terminal of Butler matrix circuit 152 is all set to 1.0. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are set to 0°, -270°, -135°, and -45°, respectively.

[0088] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, radio waves with four times the power can be radiated from radiating element 121B.

[0089] (a-3: Output from radiating element 121C) Fig. 11 shows a setting example when radio waves are radiated only from radiating element 121C. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to each input terminal of Butler matrix circuit 152 is all set to 1.0. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are set to 0°, 270°, 135°, and 45°, respectively.

[0090] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, radio waves with four times the power can be radiated from radiating element 121C.

[0091] (a-4: Output from radiating element 121D) Fig. 12 shows a setting example when radio waves are radiated only from radiating element 121D. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to each input terminal of Butler matrix circuit 152 is all set to 1.0. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are set to 0°, -90°, -45°, and -135°, respectively.

[0092] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, radio waves with four times the power can be radiated from the radiating element 121D.

[0093] (b: Case of Two-Element Output) Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 18, a setting for radiating radio waves from two of the four radiating elements 121A to 121D will be described.

[0094] (b-1: Output from radiating elements 121A and 121B) Fig. 13 shows a setting example when radio waves are radiated from radiating elements 121A and 121B. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to each input terminal of Butler matrix circuit 152 is all set to 1.0. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are set to 45°, 135°, 0°, and 90°, respectively.

[0095] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, radio waves with twice the power can be radiated from each of the radiating elements 121A and 121B.

[0096] (b-2: Output from radiating elements 121A and 121C) Figure 14 shows a setting example when radio waves are radiated from radiating elements 121A and 121C. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B in Butler matrix circuit 152 is set to 1.0. On the other hand, the magnitude of the power input to the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B is set to 0.41. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are set to 22.5°, 22.5°, 112.5°, and 112.5°, respectively.

[0097] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, it is possible to radiate radio waves with 1.41 times the power from each of the radiating elements 121A and 121C.

[0098] (b-3: Output from radiating elements 121A, 121D) Figure 15 shows a setting example when radio waves are radiated from radiating elements 121A, 121D. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to the first input terminals of hybrid couplers 152A and 152B in Butler matrix circuit 152 is set to 1.0. On the other hand, the magnitude of the power input to the second input terminals of hybrid couplers 152A and 152B is set to 0.41. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are set to 22.5°, 22.5°, 22.5°, and -157.5°, respectively.

[0099] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, it is possible to radiate radio waves with 1.41 times the power from each of the radiating elements 121A and 121D.

[0100] (b-4: Output from radiating elements 121B and 121C) Figure 16 shows a setting example when radio waves are radiated from radiating elements 121B and 121C. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B in Butler matrix circuit 152 is set to 1.0. On the other hand, the magnitude of the power input to the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B is set to 0.41. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are set to 22.5°, -157.5°, -157.5°, and 22.5°, respectively.

[0101] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, it is possible to radiate radio waves with 1.41 times the power from each of the radiating elements 121B and 121C.

[0102] (b-5: Output from radiating elements 121B, 121D) Figure 17 shows a setting example when radio waves are radiated from radiating elements 121B, 121D. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B in Butler matrix circuit 152 is set to 1.0. On the other hand, the magnitude of the power input to the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B is set to 0.41. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are then set to 112.5°, 112.5°, 22.5°, and 22.5°, respectively.

[0103] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, it is possible to radiate radio waves with 1.41 times the power from each of the radiating elements 121B and 121D.

[0104] (b-6: Output from radiating elements 121C and 121D) Fig. 18 shows a setting example when radio waves are radiated from radiating elements 121C and 121D. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to each input terminal of Butler matrix circuit 152 is all set to 1.0. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are set to 90°, 0°, 135°, and 45°, respectively.

[0105] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, radio waves with twice the power can be radiated from each of the radiating elements 121C and 121D.

[0106] (c: Case of Three-Element Output) Using Figs. 19 to 22, a setting for radiating radio waves from three of the radiating elements 121A to 121D will be described.

[0107] (c-1: Output from radiating elements 121A, 121B, 121C) Fig. 19 shows a setting example when radio waves are radiated from radiating elements 121A, 121B, 121C. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B in Butler matrix circuit 152 is set to 1.0. On the other hand, the magnitude of the power input to the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B is set to 0.45. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are set to 26.57°, -180°, 45°, and 71.57°, respectively.

[0108] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, radio waves with 0.96 times the power can be radiated from each of the radiating elements 121A, 121B, and 121C.

[0109] (c-2: Output from radiating elements 121A, 121C, 121D) Figure 20 shows a setting example when radio waves are radiated from radiating elements 121A, 121C, 121D. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B in Butler matrix circuit 152 is set to 1.0. On the other hand, the magnitude of the power input to the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B is set to 0.45. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are set to 26.57°, 0°, -45°, and 161.6°, respectively.

[0110] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, radio waves with 0.96 times the power can be radiated from each of the radiating elements 121A, 121C, and 121D.

[0111] (c-3: Output from radiating elements 121B, 121C, 121D) Fig. 21 shows a setting example when radio waves are radiated from radiating elements 121B, 121C, 121D. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B in Butler matrix circuit 152 is set to 1.0. On the other hand, the magnitude of the power input to the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B is set to 0.45. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are set to 71.57°, 45°, -180°, and 26.57°, respectively.

[0112] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, radio waves with 0.96 times the power can be radiated from each of the radiating elements 121B, 121C, and 121D.

[0113] (c-4: Output from radiating elements 121A, 121B, 121D) Fig. 22 shows a setting example when radio waves are radiated from radiating elements 121A, 121B, 121D. In this case, the magnitude of the power input to the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B in Butler matrix circuit 152 is set to 1.0. On the other hand, the magnitude of the power input to the second input terminal of hybrid coupler 152A and the first input terminal of hybrid coupler 152B is set to 0.45. The phases of phase shifters 140A to 140D are set to 161.6°, -45°, 0°, and -26.57°, respectively.

[0114] By setting the power and phase of the input high frequency signal in this way, it is possible to radiate radio waves with 0.96 times the power from each of the radiating elements 121A, 121B, and 121D.

[0115] As described above, by using a Butler matrix circuit, when power supply to a radiating element where an obstacle is present is stopped, it is possible to efficiently supply power to the remaining radiating elements.

[0116] Fourth Embodiment In a fourth embodiment, a description will be given of a configuration of an antenna module having a multi-faceted structure in which radiating elements are arranged on dielectric substrates having normal directions different from each other.

[0117] Fig. 23 is a perspective view of an antenna module 100B according to the fourth embodiment. Referring to Fig. 23, the antenna module 100B includes an SiP (System In Package) module 125 including an RFIC and a PMIC (Power Module IC), which is a power control circuit, and an antenna device 120B. The antenna device 120B includes a dielectric substrate 105 and radiating elements 121A to 121D and 123A to 123D. In the following description, the radiating elements 123A to 123D will also be collectively referred to as "radiating element 123."

[0118] Dielectric substrate 105 includes substrates 130A and 130B having different normal directions and a bent portion 135 connecting substrates 130A and 130B, and has a substantially L-shaped cross section. Radiating elements 121A to 121D are arranged in a row on substrate 130A, and radiating elements 123A to 123D are arranged in a row on substrate 130B. Radiating elements 121 and 123 may be arranged on internal layers of substrates 130A and 130B, respectively. In Fig. 23, the normal direction of substrate 130A is the Z-axis, the normal direction of substrate 130B is the X-axis, and the arrangement direction of radiating elements 121 and 123 is the Y-axis.

[0119] The substrate 130A has a substantially rectangular shape, and four radiating elements 121 are arranged in a row on its surface. The SiP module 125 is connected to the lower surface (the surface facing the negative direction of the Z axis) of the substrate 130A. The SiP module 125 is mounted on a mounting substrate (not shown) using solder bumps or a multi-pole connector.

[0120] The substrate 130B is connected to a bent portion 135 bent from the substrate 130A. The substrate 130B is configured such that a plurality of notches 136 are formed in a substantially rectangular dielectric substrate, and the bent portion 135 is connected to the notches 136. In other words, in a portion of the substrate 130B where the notches 136 are not formed, a protruding portion 133 is formed that protrudes from a boundary portion 134 where the bent portion 135 and the substrate 130B are connected, along the substrate 130B in a direction toward the substrate 130A (i.e., in the positive direction of the Z axis). The position of the protruding end of this protruding portion 133 is located in the positive direction of the Z axis from the lower surface of the substrate 130A (the side on which the RFIC 110B is mounted).

[0121] Each of the radiating elements 121 and 123 has a feed point arranged thereon for radiating radio waves in different polarization directions. More specifically, the radiating element 121 has a feed point SP1A arranged at a position offset from the center of the radiating element 121 in the negative direction of the Y axis, and a feed point SP1B arranged at a position offset from the center of the radiating element 121 in the negative direction of the X axis. When a high-frequency signal is supplied to the feed point SP1A, radio waves polarized in the Y axis direction are radiated in the positive direction of the Z axis. Furthermore, when a high-frequency signal is supplied to the feed point SP1B, radio waves polarized in the X axis direction are radiated in the positive direction of the Z axis.

[0122] Radiating element 123 has feed point SP2A located at a position offset in the negative direction of the Y axis from the center of radiating element 123, and feed point SP2B located at a position offset in the positive direction of the Z axis from the center of radiating element 122. When a high-frequency signal is supplied to feed point SP2A, radio waves polarized in the Y axis direction are radiated in the positive direction of the X axis. Furthermore, when a high-frequency signal is supplied to feed point SP1B, radio waves polarized in the Z axis direction are radiated in the positive direction of the X axis.

[0123] FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a communication device 10B to which an antenna module 100B according to the fourth embodiment is applied.

[0124] The communication device 10B includes an antenna module 100B and a BBIC 200. The antenna module 100B includes RFICs 110 and 110B, an antenna device 120B, phase shifters 140 and 146, and hybrid couplers 150 and 156.

[0125] RFIC 110, phase shifter 140, and hybrid coupler 150 are devices for radiating element 121 on substrate 130A. RFIC 110B, phase shifter 146, and hybrid coupler 156 are devices for radiating element 123 on substrate 130B. The configurations of RFICs 110 and 110B, phase shifters 140 and 146, and hybrid couplers 150 and 156 are basically the same as those in the third embodiment shown in Fig. 7, and therefore detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0126] In addition, although FIG. 24 also shows that one feed line is connected from the hybrid couplers 150 and 156 to each radiating element, in reality, two feed lines are connected to each feed point of each radiating element.

[0127] In such a multifaceted antenna module, the presence or absence of an obstacle can be detected for each radiating element on each board with a different radiation direction, as in embodiment 1. In embodiment 4, if an obstacle is detected on the radiating element on one board but not on the other board, radio waves are radiated by switching to the radiating element on the other board. By performing this antenna switching process, the radiation direction changes, but radio waves of the desired power can be radiated without wasting power.

[0128] In the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when an obstacle is detected on a radiating element, the radiation of radio waves from that radiating element may be stopped, and power may be distributed to the remaining radiating elements on the same board to radiate radio waves.

[0129] Fig. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the obstacle detection process and the antenna switching process in embodiment 4. In embodiment 4, an example in which the flowchart in Fig. 25 is executed in BBIC 200 will also be described, but the process may be executed by a control unit other than BBIC 200.

[0130] 25, the BBIC 200 measures the amount of change in the RSSI level during normal reception processing in S200. Then, in S210, the BBIC 200 determines whether the amount of change in the RSSI is greater than a predetermined value α, i.e., whether the first condition is met.

[0131] If the change in RSSI is less than or equal to the predetermined value α (NO at S210), BBIC200 determines that there is no obstacle on the radiating element of the board, skips the subsequent steps, terminates the processing, and continues normal transmission and reception processing.

[0132] If the change in RSSI is greater than the predetermined value α (YES in S210), the process proceeds to S220, where the BBIC 200 determines that there is an obstacle on one of the radiating elements of the board currently receiving.The BBIC 200 then stops radiating radio waves from the board currently receiving radio waves and switches to radiating radio waves from the other board.

[0133] Although not shown in Figure 25, if an obstacle is detected on the radiating element of the other board to be switched, radio waves may be radiated by switching to another antenna module located in another position, or the radiation of radio waves from the radiating element where the obstacle is located may be stopped and radio waves may be radiated using the remaining radiating elements.

[0134] By performing control according to the above-described processing, it is possible to reduce unnecessary power consumption due to obstacles in a multi-faceted antenna module and suppress a decrease in radiation efficiency.

[0135] The "substrate 130A" and the "substrate 130B" in the fourth embodiment correspond to the "first substrate" and the "second substrate" in the present disclosure, respectively. The "radiating element 123" in the fourth embodiment corresponds to the "third radiating element" in the present disclosure.

[0136] [Aspects] (Item 1) An antenna module according to one aspect includes a first radiating element including a first element and a second element, and a radio-frequency circuit, and exchanges signals with a baseband circuit. The radio-frequency circuit includes a transmitting circuit for supplying radio-frequency signals to the first radiating element and a receiving circuit for receiving the radio-frequency signals from the first radiating element. The radio-frequency circuit exchanges intermediate frequency signals with the baseband circuit. A first intermediate signal is used for communication between the transmitting circuit and the baseband circuit. A second intermediate signal different from the first intermediate signal is used for communication between the receiving circuit and the baseband circuit. The radio-frequency circuit stops emitting radio waves from the first element when a first condition is met, in which a change in the reception level of a radio-frequency signal received by the receiving circuit while the radio-frequency signal is being transmitted from the transmitting circuit exceeds a predetermined value.

[0137] (2) In the antenna module described in 1, when the first condition is met, the high-frequency circuit distributes at least a portion of the power corresponding to the high-frequency signal to be transmitted to the first element to the second element.

[0138] (Item 3) In the antenna module described in Items 1 or 2, the first element and the second element of the first radiating element have a flat plate shape. The first element has a first feed point for radiating radio waves in a first polarization direction and a second feed point for radiating radio waves in a second polarization direction. When a transmitting circuit is connected to the first feed point of the first element and a receiving circuit is connected to the second feed point of the first element, radiation of radio waves from the first element is stopped if the first condition is met.

[0139] (4) The antenna module described in paragraph 1 or 2 further includes a first hybrid coupler and a second hybrid coupler, each including a first input terminal and a second input terminal, and a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The first and second elements of the first radiating element have a flat plate shape. Each of the first and second elements has a first feed point for radiating radio waves in a first polarization direction and a second feed point for radiating radio waves in a second polarization direction. The first and second input terminals of the first hybrid coupler are connected to a transmitting circuit. The first output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to the first feed point of the first element. The second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to the first feed point of the second element. The first and second input terminals of the second hybrid coupler are connected to a receiving circuit. The first output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to the second feed point of the first element. The second output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to the second feed point of the second element.

[0140] (Item 5) In the antenna module described in any one of Items 1 to 4, the first element and the second element of the first radiating element have a flat plate shape. The antenna module further includes a second radiating element provided corresponding to the first radiating element and including a plurality of flat plate-shaped elements. The second radiating element includes a third element provided corresponding to the first element and is capable of radiating radio waves in a frequency band lower than the radio waves radiated from the first radiating element. The first element is disposed spaced apart from the third element in the direction of radio wave radiation.

[0141] (Item 6) In the antenna module described in any one of items 1 to 5, a determination is made sequentially as to whether the first condition is met for each of the multiple elements included in the first radiating element.

[0142] (Clause 7) In the antenna module described in paragraph 1, when a transmitting circuit is connected to the second element and a receiving circuit is connected to the first element, an obstacle on the first element and the second element is detected when the change in the receiving level of the high-frequency signal received by the receiving circuit is greater than a predetermined value.

[0143] (Item 8) The antenna module described in item 1 further includes a Butler matrix circuit including third to sixth hybrid couplers, a first delay circuit, and a second delay circuit. The first and second elements of the first radiating element have a flat plate shape. The first radiating element further includes third and fourth elements, each of which is flat plate-shaped. Each of the third to sixth hybrid couplers includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal, and a first and second output terminal. The first and second input terminals of each of the third and fourth hybrid couplers are connected to corresponding ports of the transmitting circuit. The first output terminal of the third hybrid coupler is connected to the first input terminal of the fifth hybrid coupler via the first delay circuit. The second output terminal of the third hybrid coupler is connected to the first input terminal of the sixth hybrid coupler. The first output terminal of the fourth hybrid coupler is connected to the second input terminal of the fifth hybrid coupler. The second output terminal of the fourth hybrid coupler is connected to the second input terminal of the sixth hybrid coupler via the second delay circuit. The first and second output terminals of the fifth hybrid coupler are connected to the first and second elements, respectively. The first and second output terminals of the sixth hybrid coupler are connected to the third and fourth elements, respectively.

[0144] (Item 9) In the antenna module described in item 8, the power supplied to the first element to the fourth element is adjusted by adjusting the power and phase of the high-frequency signal supplied to each input terminal of the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler.

[0145] (Clause 10) The antenna module described in Clause 1 further includes a first substrate and a second substrate having different normal directions, and a third radiating element provided corresponding to the first radiating element and including a plurality of flat-plate-shaped elements. The first and second elements of the first radiating element have a flat-plate shape. The first radiating element is disposed on the first substrate. The third radiating element is disposed on the second substrate. When the first condition is met, the high-frequency circuit radiates radio waves from the third radiating element.

[0146] (Item 11) A communication device comprising the antenna module according to items 1 to 10 and a baseband circuit.

[0147] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0148] 10, 10A, 10B Communication device, 11A to 11D Position, 15 Housing, 30 Case, 40 Display screen, 100, 100A, 100B Antenna module, 105, 130 Dielectric substrate, 110, 110A, 110B RFIC, 111A to 111H, 113A to 113H, 117A, 117B Switch, 112AR to 112HR Low noise amplifier, 112AT to 112HT Power amplifier, 114A to 114H Attenuator, 115A to 115H, 140, 140A to 140D, 145, 146 Phase shifter, 116A, 116B Signal combiner / divider, 118A, 118B Mixer, 119A, 119B Amplifier circuit, 120, 120A, 120B Antenna device, 121, 121A to 121D, 122, 122A to 122D, 123, 123A to 123D Radiating element, 125 SiP module, 130A, 130B Substrate, 133 Protrusion, 134 Boundary, 135 Bending portion, 136 Notch, 150, 150A to 150D, 152A to 152D, 155, 156 Hybrid coupler, 152 Butler matrix circuit, 160A, 160B Delay circuit, 171, 172 Power supply wiring, 1501, 1502 Line, 200 BBIC, IF1 to IF4 Intermediate frequency signal, IN1, IN2 Input terminal, OUT1, OUT2 Output terminal, P1 to P8 Output ports, RF1, RF2: high frequency signals, SP1A, SP1B, SP2B, SP2A: power supply points.

Claims

1. An antenna module for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a baseband circuit, a first radiating element including a first element and a second element; a transmission circuit for supplying a high-frequency signal to the first radiating element, and a reception circuit for receiving the high-frequency signal from the first radiating element; and a high-frequency circuit for transmitting and receiving an intermediate frequency signal between the baseband circuit and the high-frequency circuit; a first intermediate signal is used for communication between the transmitting circuit and the baseband circuit; a second intermediate signal different from the first intermediate signal is used for communication between the receiving circuit and the baseband circuit; The antenna module, wherein the high-frequency circuit stops emitting radio waves from the first element when a first condition is met in which a change in the reception level of the high-frequency signal received by the receiving circuit while the high-frequency signal is being transmitted from the transmitting circuit exceeds a predetermined value.

2. The antenna module according to claim 1 , wherein the high-frequency circuit distributes at least a portion of the power corresponding to the high-frequency signal to be transmitted to the first element to the second element when the first condition is satisfied.

3. The first element and the second element of the first radiating element have a flat plate shape, The first element is provided with a first feed point for emitting radio waves in a first polarization direction and a second feed point for emitting radio waves in a second polarization direction; 2. The antenna module according to claim 1, wherein when the first condition is satisfied in a state in which the transmitting circuit is connected to a first feed point of the first element and the receiving circuit is connected to a second feed point of the first element, radiation of radio waves from the first element is stopped.

4. further comprising a first hybrid coupler and a second hybrid coupler, each of which includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal, and a first output terminal and a second output terminal; The first element and the second element of the first radiating element have a flat plate shape, Each of the first element and the second element is provided with a first feed point for emitting radio waves in a first polarization direction and a second feed point for emitting radio waves in a second polarization direction; a first input terminal and a second input terminal of the first hybrid coupler are connected to the transmission circuit; a first output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to a first feed point of the first element; a second output terminal of the first hybrid coupler is connected to a first feed point of the second element; a first input terminal and a second input terminal of the second hybrid coupler are connected to the receiving circuit; a first output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to a second feed point of the first element; The antenna module of claim 1 , wherein a second output terminal of the second hybrid coupler is connected to a second feed point of the second element.

5. The first element and the second element of the first radiating element have a flat plate shape, the antenna module further includes a second radiating element including a plurality of flat-plate-shaped elements provided in correspondence with the first radiating element, The second radiating element includes a third element provided corresponding to the first element, and is capable of radiating radio waves in a frequency band lower than the radio waves radiated from the first radiating element; The antenna module according to claim 1 , wherein the first element is disposed spaced apart from the third element in a radiation direction of radio waves.

6. 6. The antenna module according to claim 1, wherein a determination as to whether or not the first condition is satisfied is made sequentially for a plurality of elements included in the first radiating element.

7. 2. The antenna module according to claim 1, wherein when the transmitting circuit is connected to the second element and the receiving circuit is connected to the first element, an obstacle is detected on the first element and the second element when a change in the receiving level of a high-frequency signal received by the receiving circuit is greater than a predetermined value.

8. The first element and the second element of the first radiating element have a flat plate shape, The first radiating element further includes a third element and a fourth element each having a flat plate shape; the antenna module further comprises a Butler matrix circuit including third to sixth hybrid couplers, a first delay circuit and a second delay circuit; each of the third hybrid coupler to the sixth hybrid coupler includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal, and a first output terminal and a second output terminal; a first input terminal and a second input terminal of each of the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler are connected to a corresponding port of the transmission circuit; a first output terminal of the third hybrid coupler is connected to a first input terminal of the fifth hybrid coupler via the first delay circuit; a second output terminal of the third hybrid coupler is connected to a first input terminal of the sixth hybrid coupler; a first output terminal of the fourth hybrid coupler is connected to a second input terminal of the fifth hybrid coupler; a second output terminal of the fourth hybrid coupler is connected to a second input terminal of the sixth hybrid coupler via the second delay circuit; a first output terminal and a second output terminal of the fifth hybrid coupler are connected to the first element and the second element, respectively; The antenna module of claim 1 , wherein a first output terminal and a second output terminal of the sixth hybrid coupler are connected to the third element and the fourth element, respectively.

9. 9. The antenna module according to claim 8, wherein the power supplied to the first element to the fourth element is adjusted by adjusting the power and phase of a high-frequency signal supplied to each input terminal of the third hybrid coupler and the fourth hybrid coupler.

10. A first substrate and a second substrate having normal directions different from each other; a third radiating element provided in correspondence with the first radiating element and including a plurality of flat-plate-shaped elements; The first element and the second element of the first radiating element have a flat plate shape, the first radiating element is disposed on the first substrate; the third radiating element is disposed on the second substrate; The antenna module according to claim 1 , wherein the high-frequency circuit radiates a radio wave from the third radiating element when the first condition is satisfied.

11. An antenna module according to claim 1; and the baseband circuit.