Antenna device and radio wave control board

Abstract

The antenna device includes a phased array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements, and a control unit that is provided in the transmission direction of radio waves transmitted by the phased array antenna and that controls the transmission radio waves so that a transmission phase differs depending on the position at which the transmission radio waves are incident and a predetermined beam pattern is formed. The plurality of antenna elements are arranged at intervals wider than half the wavelength of the transmission radio waves.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a phased array antenna having a plurality of subarrays is known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2019-503621 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The antenna device of the present disclosure includes a phased array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements, and a control unit that is arranged in the transmission direction of radio waves transmitted by the phased array antenna and is formed so that the transmission phase differs depending on the position at which the transmission radio waves are incident, and that controls the transmission radio waves to form a predetermined beam pattern, and the plurality of antenna elements are arranged at intervals wider than half the wavelength of the transmission radio waves.

[0005] The radio wave control plate of the present disclosure is arranged in the transmission direction of radio waves transmitted by a phased array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements, and includes a plurality of unit structures arranged two-dimensionally, and the phases of the plurality of unit structures have a distribution of transmission phases that diffuse the transmission radio waves according to the wavelength of the transmission radio waves. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a phased array antenna. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the signal level of the transmission radio wave transmitted by the phased array antenna. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the phased array antenna according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the signal level of the transmission radio wave transmitted by the phased array antenna according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the antenna device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the radio wave control board according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the transmission direction of radio waves transmitted by a phased array antenna according to a comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the transmission direction of the transmission radio wave of the antenna device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining simulation conditions for the antenna device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining simulation conditions for the antenna device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the conditions for calculating the transmission coefficient of the radio wave control plate according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining simulation conditions for the antenna device according to the first comparative example of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a simulation result of a transmission wave of an antenna device according to a first comparative example of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining simulation conditions for the antenna device according to the second comparative example of the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a simulation result of a transmission wave of an antenna device according to a second comparative example of the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining simulation conditions for the antenna device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17]FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a method for setting a phase distribution of a unit structure of the radio wave control plate according to the first embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a simulation result of a transmission wave of the antenna device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an antenna device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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

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

[0009] [overview] (Phased array antenna) An overview of a phased array antenna will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overview of a phased array antenna.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the phased array antenna 10a includes a substrate 11, a plurality of antenna elements 12, and a plurality of phase shifters 13.

[0011] The substrate 11 is, for example, a dielectric substrate on which a plurality of antenna elements 12 are arranged.

[0012] The multiple antenna elements 12 are arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array at equal intervals on the substrate 11 in the XY plane. The multiple antenna elements 12 transmit radio waves toward a predetermined direction in the +Z axis direction. The multiple antenna elements 12 receive radio waves arriving from a predetermined direction in the +Z axis direction. The interval D1 between the antenna elements 12 is λ / 2, where λ is the wavelength of the radio waves transmitted and received by the antenna elements 12. In the example shown in FIG. 1, for example, 32 antenna elements 12 are arranged one-dimensionally at intervals of λ / 2 along the X axis direction.

[0013] A plurality of phase shifters 13 are provided for each antenna element 12. Each of the plurality of phase shifters 13 controls the phase of the corresponding antenna element 12. The plurality of phase shifters 13 can change the directivity of the radio waves to be transmitted and received by controlling the phase of the corresponding antenna element 12. In the example shown in Fig. 1, for example, the phase difference between adjacent antenna elements 12 is controlled to be 90°.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining the signal level of a transmission wave transmitted by a phased array antenna. In Fig. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the direction (deg (degrees)) in which the transmission wave is transmitted, and the vertical axis indicates the array factor (dB (decibels)) normalized by the maximum value. A waveform 201 indicates the signal level of a transmission wave transmitted by the phased array antenna 10a shown in Fig. 1. In the example shown in Fig. 2, as shown in the waveform 201, the phased array antenna 10a is controlled to adjust the phase of each antenna element 12 and transmit the transmission wave in a direction of 30°. Therefore, the waveform 201 has a main lobe 201a in the direction of 30°.

[0015] [First embodiment] A configuration example of the phased array antenna according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the phased array antenna according to the first embodiment.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 3, the phased array antenna 10 includes a substrate 11, a plurality of antenna elements 12, and a plurality of RFIC chips 14. In Fig. 3, the plurality of phase shifters 13 are omitted.

[0017] As the frequency of radio waves transmitted and received by the phased array antenna 10 increases, the physical length of a half wavelength of the radio waves decreases. For example, when the frequency of the radio waves is 300 GHz (gigahertz), the half wavelength of the radio waves is 0.5. Therefore, considering a phased array antenna with the same number of antenna elements 12, the area becomes smaller as the frequency increases.

[0018] The phased array antenna 10 usually includes an RFIC (Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuits) chip 14 on the opposite side to the surface on which the antenna elements 12 are provided. It is difficult to miniaturize the RFIC chip 14 in proportion to the wavelength even if the frequency is high. Therefore, if the elements are arranged according to the size of the RFIC chip 14, the interval between the antenna elements 12 exceeds λ / 2. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the interval D2 between the antenna elements 12 is λ. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 3, 32 antenna elements 12 are arranged one-dimensionally at intervals of λ along the X-axis direction, and the phase difference between adjacent antenna elements 12 is controlled to 180°.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the signal level of a transmission wave transmitted by the phased array antenna according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis indicates the direction (deg (degrees)) in which the transmission wave is transmitted, and the vertical axis indicates the array factor (dB (decibels)) normalized by the maximum value. A waveform 202 indicates the signal level of a transmission wave transmitted by the phased array antenna 10 shown in FIG. 3. In the example shown in FIG. 4, as shown in the waveform 202, the phased array antenna 10 is controlled to adjust the phase of each antenna element 12 and transmit the transmission wave in a direction of 30°. However, when the interval between the antenna elements 12 exceeds λ / 2, a grating lobe 202b occurs in a direction of -30° in addition to a main lobe 202a in a direction of 30°.

[0020] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a phased array antenna having good characteristics even when the spacing between the antenna elements 12 of the phased array antenna 10 exceeds λ / 2.

[0021] [Antenna device] A configuration example of the antenna device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the antenna device according to the first embodiment.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5, the antenna device 100 includes a phased array antenna 10 and a radio wave control plate 20.

[0023] The radio wave control plate 20 is provided in the transmission direction of the transmission radio waves transmitted by the phased array antenna 10. The radio wave control plate 20 is configured to refract the transmission radio waves transmitted by the phased array antenna 10 in a predetermined direction. The radio wave control plate 20 is a type of control unit that refracts the transmission radio waves from the phased array antenna 10.

[0024] The radio wave control plate 20 includes a substrate 21 and a plurality of unit structures 30 .

[0025] [Radio wave control board] A configuration example of the radio wave control board according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the radio wave control board according to the first embodiment.

[0026] The radio wave control plate 20 is a plate-like member configured to transmit the transmission radio waves transmitted by the phased array antenna 10 and enable specific beam formation. The radio wave control plate 20 is configured, for example, to refract the transmission radio waves at a predetermined angle when it receives the transmission radio waves transmitted by the phased array antenna 10. The radio wave control plate 20 can be configured, for example, with a metasurface in which resonators that change the phase of the incident wave are arranged.

[0027] 6, radio wave control plate 20 may include, for example, substrate 21, unit structure 30a, unit structure 30b, unit structure 30c, and unit structure 30d. When there is no need to distinguish unit structures 30a to 30d, they will be collectively referred to as unit structures 30.

[0028] The unit structure 30a, the unit structure 30b, the unit structure 30c, and the unit structure 30d may be formed on a substrate 2. The substrate 21 may be, for example, a dielectric substrate made of a dielectric material. The substrate 21 may have, for example, a rectangular shape, but is not limited thereto. The unit structure 30a, the unit structure 30b, the unit structure 30c, and the unit structure 30d may be arranged two-dimensionally.

[0029] In the radio wave control plate 20, for example, a plurality of unit structures 30a are arranged along the X-axis direction in one stage. For example, a plurality of unit structures 30b are arranged along the X-axis direction in the stage above the stage on which the unit structures 30a are arranged. For example, a plurality of unit structures 30c are arranged along the X-axis direction in the stage above the stage on which the unit structures 30b are arranged. For example, a plurality of unit structures 30d are arranged along the X-axis direction in the stage above the stage on which the unit structures 30c are arranged. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the unit structures 30a, the unit structures 30b, the unit structures 30c, and the unit structures 30d are periodically arranged along the Y-axis direction.

[0030] The unit structure 30a, the unit structure 30b, the unit structure 30c, and the unit structure 30d are different in size. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the unit structure 30a is the largest, followed by the unit structure 30b, the unit structure 30c, and the unit structure 30d in order of size. That is, the radio wave control plate 20 has a structure in which a plurality of unit structures 30 of different sizes are periodically arranged.

[0031] The unit structures 30a to 30d each have a different amount of phase change when radio waves pass through them. That is, the unit structures 30a to 30d are periodically arranged so that there is a gradient in the amount of phase change. The unit structures 30a to 30d each have a rectangular shape, but are not limited to this. By changing the size and shape of the unit structures 30a to 30d, the amount of phase change of the radio waves passing through can be adjusted. In other words, the radio wave control plate 20 can refract the transmitted radio waves from the phased array antenna 10 in a desired direction or form a desired beam shape by changing the arrangement method and size of the unit structures 30a to 30d.

[0032] Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the transmission direction of a transmission radio wave of a phased array antenna according to a comparative example. As shown in Fig. 7, the phased array antenna 10 transmits a transmission radio wave 40 from each antenna element 12 in a direction of, for example, 30°. When the interval between the antenna elements 12 is λ, the interval D3 of the transmission radio wave 40 is λ. In this case, as described above, a grating lobe occurs in the transmission radio wave 40 in the direction of -30°.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the transmission direction of the transmission radio wave of the antenna device according to the first embodiment. The antenna device 100 is configured to refract the transmission radio wave 40 transmitted by the phased array antenna 10 in which the interval between the antenna elements 12 is λ, and emit the transmitted wave 50 in a direction of 30°. In this case, the phased array antenna 10 transmits the transmission radio wave 40 to the radio wave control plate 20 based on the phase gradient of the unit structure 30 of the radio wave control plate 20 so that the radio wave control plate 20 emits the transmitted wave 50 in a direction of 30°. In other words, the phased array antenna 10 controls the direction in which the transmission radio wave 40 is transmitted according to the phase gradient of the unit structure 30 of the radio wave control plate 20. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the interval D4 of the transmitted wave 50 is λ / 2. That is, by including the radio wave control plate 20, the antenna device 100 can transmit the transmission radio wave in which the interval between the antenna elements 12 of the phased array antenna 10 can be regarded as λ / 2. As a result, even if the interval between the antenna elements 12 is λ, the grating lobe can be suppressed.

[0034] [simulation] (Simulation conditions) In the first embodiment, a simulation was performed on the antenna device 100 to confirm the characteristics. Figures 9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the simulation conditions for the antenna device according to the first embodiment.

[0035] In the example shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the phased array antenna 10 includes a first antenna element 121, a second antenna element 122, a third antenna element 123, a fourth antenna element 124, a fifth antenna element 125, a sixth antenna element 126, a seventh antenna element 127, and an eighth antenna element 128. When it is not necessary to distinguish the first antenna element 121 to the eighth antenna element 128, they are collectively referred to as antenna elements 12. That is, the phased array antenna 10 includes M=8 antenna elements 12 (M is the number of elements of the phased array antenna). The antenna elements 12 are one-dimensionally arranged at equal intervals along the X-axis direction. The interval D between the antenna elements 12 is λ. The Y coordinate of the center of the phased array antenna 10 is set to 0.

[0036] The radio wave control plate 20 is arranged at a position z away from the phased array antenna 10 in the transmission direction of the transmission radio wave of the phased array antenna 10. m It is located at the z m is 10λ. On the radio wave control board 20, N=32×32=1024 unit structures 30 are arranged two-dimensionally at equal intervals (N is the number of elements of the metasurface). The interval between the unit structures 30 is λ / 2. The X and Y coordinates of the radio wave control board 20 are set to 0.

[0037] 10, a receiving point P indicates a receiving position of a radio wave transmitted by the antenna device 100. The receiving point P is located at a distance d from the origin on the ZX plane. 2,k It is set on the circle C of d 2,k is 100m.

[0038] (calculation conditions) The calculation conditions for the characteristics of the antenna device 100 will be described. The phased array antenna 10 is port 1. The receiving point P is port 2. The angle between the line connecting the origin and the receiving point P and the Z axis is θ. The transmission coefficient S21(θ) of the radio wave control plate 20 at this time is calculated using the following formula (1), and the radiation pattern is calculated by changing θ.

[0039]

number

[0040] Here, s i,k represents the transmission coefficient of a path from the i-th antenna element 12 of the phased array antenna 10 through the k-th unit structure 30 of the radio wave control plate 20 to the reception point P. i,k is calculated using the following formula (2).

[0041]

number

[0042] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the conditions for calculating the transmission coefficient of the radio wave control plate according to the first embodiment. Transmission point P1 indicates the position of antenna element 12 that transmits the transmission radio wave. Reception point P2 indicates the reception position of the transmitted wave emitted from radio wave control plate 20. Unit structure 30 is a square with one side having √A. Here, A is the area of ​​unit structure 30. φ i,k is the kth unit structure 30 k is the angle between the direction of the i-th antenna element 12 as seen from the Z axis. 2,k is the angle between the direction of the reception point P as seen from the kth unit structure 30 and the Z axis. i,k is the kth unit structure 30 k and the i-th antenna element 12 i is the distance between 2,k is the kth unit structure 30 k is the distance between the receiver point P and Φ k indicates the phase change of the kth unit structure, and λ is the wavelength of the transmission radio wave transmitted by the phased array antenna 10.

[0043] (calculation result) <First Comparative Example> A simulation result of a transmission wave of the antenna device according to the first comparative example will be described. Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining a simulation condition of the antenna device according to the first comparative example of the first embodiment. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a calculation result of |S21| of the antenna device according to the first comparative example of the first embodiment.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 12, an antenna device 100A includes a phased array antenna 10A and a radio wave control plate 20A.

[0045] The phased array antenna 10A includes a substrate 11, a first antenna element 121 to an eighth antenna element 128, and a plurality of phase shifters 13. The first antenna element 121 to the eighth antenna element 128 are arranged at equal intervals along the X-axis direction. A distance D5 between adjacent antenna elements 12 of the first antenna element 121 to the eighth antenna element 128 is λ / 2. A phase difference between each antenna element 12 is −90°. A plurality of phase shifters 13 is provided for each of the first antenna element 121 to the eighth antenna element 128.

[0046] In the radio wave control plate 20A, N=32×32=1024 unit structures 30 are arranged two-dimensionally at equal intervals. In the first comparative example, the transmission phases of the unit structures 30 arranged in the radio wave control plate 20A are all equal. Therefore, although the unit structures 30 are actually arranged in the radio wave control plate 20A, they are omitted in FIG. 12.

[0047] In Fig. 13, the horizontal axis indicates the direction (deg) in which the transmission radio wave is transmitted, and the vertical axis indicates the amplitude (dB) of S21 calculated by equation (1). Waveform 211 indicates the signal level of the transmission radio wave transmitted by antenna device 100A shown in Fig. 12. In the example shown in Fig. 13, as shown in waveform 211, antenna device 100A is controlled to adjust the phase of each antenna element 12 and transmit the transmission radio wave in a direction of 30°. As shown in waveform 211, there is a main lobe 211a in the 30° direction, but no grating lobe occurs.

[0048] <Second Comparative Example> A simulation result of a transmission wave of an antenna device according to a second comparative example will be described. Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining a simulation condition of an antenna device according to a second comparative example of the first embodiment. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a simulation result of a transmission wave of an antenna device according to a second comparative example of the first embodiment.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 14, an antenna device 100B includes a phased array antenna 10B and a radio wave control plate 20B.

[0050] The phased array antenna 10B differs from the phased array antenna 10A shown in Fig. 12 in that the interval D6 between adjacent antenna elements 12 from the first antenna element 121 to the eighth antenna element 128 is λ. In addition, in the phased array antenna 10B, the phase difference between each antenna element 12 is -180°. The configuration of the radio wave control plate 20B is the same as that of the radio wave control plate 20A shown in Fig. 12.

[0051] In Fig. 15, the horizontal axis indicates the direction (deg) in which the transmission radio wave is transmitted, and the vertical axis indicates the amplitude (dB) of S21 calculated by equation (1). Waveform 212 indicates the signal level of the transmission radio wave transmitted by antenna device 100B shown in Fig. 14. In the example shown in Fig. 15, as shown in waveform 212, antenna device 100B is controlled to adjust the phase of each antenna element 12 and transmit the transmission radio wave in a 30° direction. As shown in waveform 212, there is a main lobe 212a in the 30° direction, and a grating lobe 212b in the -30° direction.

[0052] First Embodiment A description will be given of a simulation result of a transmission wave of the antenna device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 16 is a diagram for explaining the simulation conditions of the antenna device according to the first embodiment.

[0053] 16, the antenna device 100C includes a phased array antenna 10C and a radio wave control plate 20C. The configuration of the phased array antenna 10C is the same as that of the phased array antenna 10B shown in FIG.

[0054] The radio wave control plate 20C includes a substrate 21 and a plurality of unit structures 30. In the radio wave control plate 20C, the plurality of unit structures 30 have a distribution of transmission phases that diffuse the radio waves transmitted from the phased array antenna 10C. Specifically, the phase distribution of the transmission phases of the plurality of unit structures 30 is set according to the wavelength of the transmitted radio waves.

[0055] 17 is a diagram for explaining a method for setting the phase distribution of the unit structure of the radio wave control plate according to the first embodiment. m In this case, the position of the focal point P3 is set to 2z from the radio wave control plate 20C. m Set it to the z position. m is, for example, 10 m. In this case, the phase distribution of each unit structure 30 is set according to the following formula (3).

[0056]

number

[0057] where x m is the X coordinate of the unit structure 30. m is the Y coordinate of the unit structure 30. Equation (3) indicates that the focal point of the concave lens is -2z m This is a formula for setting the phase distribution such that: With such a phase distribution, the radio wave control plate 20C diffuses radio waves from a distance toward the phased array antenna 10C, and conversely, it is possible to control the radio waves from the phased array antenna 10C so that a beam is formed in a predetermined direction. In other words, the presence of the radio wave control plate 20C allows an antenna device including the phased array antenna 10C and the radio wave control plate 20C to operate equivalently in the same way as a phased array antenna with a narrow spacing.

[0058] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a simulation result of the transmission radio wave of the antenna device according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 18, the horizontal axis indicates the direction (deg) in which the transmission radio wave is transmitted, and the vertical axis indicates the amplitude (dB) of S21 calculated by the formula (1). A waveform 213 indicates the signal level of the transmission radio wave transmitted by the antenna device 100C shown in FIG. 17. In the example shown in FIG. 17, as shown in the waveform 213, the antenna device 100C is controlled to adjust the phase of each antenna element 12 and transmit the transmission radio wave in a 30° direction. As shown in the waveform 213, there is a main lobe 213a in the 30° direction, but no grating lobe occurs. That is, the antenna device 100C can suppress the grating lobe 212b that occurs in FIG. 15.

[0059] As described above, in the first embodiment, by combining a phased array antenna and a radio wave control plate, it is possible to suppress grating lobes that occur when the spacing between antenna elements of the phased array antenna becomes equal to or longer than half the wavelength of the transmitted radio wave.

[0060] [Modification of the first embodiment] A modified example of the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, in the first embodiment, the antenna device 100 has been described as including the radio wave control plate 20 that refracts the transmission radio wave transmitted by the phased array antenna 10, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In the present disclosure, instead of the radio wave control plate, a dielectric (dielectric lens) having a concave lens shape with a thickness near the center being thinner than the periphery may be used. Or, a dielectric plate having a dielectric constant distribution (dielectric constant near the center is lower than the periphery). In the modified example of the first embodiment, the phased array antenna 10C and the antenna device including the dielectric lens can operate in the same manner as a phased array antenna with a narrow spacing equivalently, as in the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0061] As a result, in the modification of the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress grating lobes that occur when the spacing between antenna elements of a phased array antenna becomes equal to or greater than half the wavelength of a transmission radio wave.

[0062] [Second embodiment] Fig. 19 illustrates an example of the configuration of an antenna device according to the second embodiment. Fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an antenna device according to the second embodiment.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 19, the antenna device 100D includes a phased array antenna 10D, a radio wave control plate 20D, and a substrate 60.

[0064] The substrate 60 is, for example, a dielectric substrate. The substrate 60 has three regions: a first dielectric layer 61, a second dielectric layer 62, and a third dielectric layer 63.

[0065] The phased array antenna 10D includes a plurality of antenna elements 12, a plurality of phase shifters 13, and a third dielectric layer 63. The third dielectric layer 63 can be regarded as a dielectric substrate on which the plurality of antenna elements 12 are arranged. The configuration of the phased array antenna 10D is the same as the configuration of the phased array antenna 10C shown in FIG.

[0066] The radio wave control plate 20D includes a plurality of unit structures 30 and a first dielectric layer 61. The first dielectric layer 61 can be regarded as a dielectric substrate on which the plurality of unit structures 30 are arranged. The configuration of the radio wave control plate 20D is the same as that of the radio wave control plate 20C shown in FIG.

[0067] The second dielectric layer 62 is located between the first dielectric layer 61 and the third dielectric layer 63. The first dielectric layer 61, the second dielectric layer 62, and the third dielectric layer 63 can be regarded as an integrally formed dielectric substrate.

[0068] That is, the antenna device 100D is configured such that the phased array antenna 10D and the radio wave control plate 20D are integrated together. By integrating the phased array antenna 10D and the radio wave control plate 20D, the distance between the phased array antenna 10D and the radio wave control plate 20D is stabilized, so that grating lobes can be appropriately suppressed.

[0069] An antenna device 100 according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a phased array antenna 10 including a plurality of antenna elements 12, and a control unit that is provided in the transmission direction of radio waves transmitted by the phased array antenna 10 and that controls the transmission radio waves so that a predetermined beam pattern is formed by forming the transmission phase to differ depending on the position at which the transmission radio waves are incident, and the plurality of antenna elements 12 are arranged at intervals wider than half the wavelength of the transmission radio waves. According to the present disclosure, by providing a control unit in the transmission direction of the transmission radio waves of the phased array antenna 10, it is possible to suppress grating lobes.

[0070] The antenna device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is the antenna device 100 according to the first embodiment, in which the control unit is a radio wave control plate 20 including a plurality of unit structures 30 arranged two-dimensionally, and the plurality of unit structures 30 have a distribution of transmission phases that diffuse the transmission radio wave. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately suppress grating lobes.

[0071] The antenna device 100 according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the antenna device 100 according to the first or second aspect, in which the distribution of the transmission phase of the multiple unit structures 30 is set according to the wavelength of the transmission radio wave. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately suppress grating lobes.

[0072] In the antenna device 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, the control section is a dielectric body having a concave lens shape. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately suppress grating lobes.

[0073] In the antenna device 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, the phased array antenna 10 and the control unit are integrally configured. According to the present disclosure, the antenna device 100 can be configured as a single device.

[0074] A radio wave control plate 20 according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is provided in the transmission direction of radio waves transmitted by a phased array antenna 10 including a plurality of antenna elements 12, includes a plurality of unit structures 30 arranged two-dimensionally, and the phases of the plurality of unit structures 30 have a distribution of transmission phases that diffuse the transmission radio waves according to the wavelength of the transmission radio waves. According to the present disclosure, grating lobes occurring in the transmission radio waves of the phased array antenna 10 can be suppressed.

[0075] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the contents of these embodiments. The above-mentioned components include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-mentioned components can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the gist of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0076] 10, 10a, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D Phased array antenna 11,21,60 Board 12 Antenna elements 13 Phase shifter 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D Radio control board 30 Unit Structure 40 Transmitted Radio Waves 50 transmitted waves 61 First dielectric layer 62 Second dielectric layer 63 Third Dielectric Layer 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D Antenna device

Claims

1. A phased array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements, a control unit provided in a transmission direction of a transmission radio wave transmitted by the phased array antenna, configured to have different transmission phases depending on a position where the transmission radio wave is incident, and configured to diffuse the transmission radio wave so as to form a predetermined beam pattern, wherein the plurality of antenna elements are arranged at intervals wider than a half wavelength of the transmission radio wave, an antenna device.

2. The control unit is a radio wave control plate including a plurality of unit structures arranged two-dimensionally, wherein the plurality of unit structures have a distribution of transmission phases for diffusing the transmission radio wave, The antenna device according to claim 1.

3. The distribution of transmission phases of the plurality of unit structures is set according to the wavelength of the transmission radio wave, The antenna device according to claim 2.

4. The control unit is a dielectric having a concave lens shape, The antenna device according to claim 1.

5. The phased array antenna and the control unit are integrally configured, The antenna device according to claim 1.

6. A radio wave control plate provided in a transmission direction of a transmission radio wave transmitted by a phased array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements, including a plurality of unit structures arranged two-dimensionally, wherein phases of the plurality of unit structures have a distribution of transmission phases for diffusing the transmission radio wave according to the wavelength of the transmission radio wave, a radio wave control plate.

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