Integrated circuit, antenna unit, and antenna module

Abstract

This integrated circuit is provided with: an integrated circuit body having a rectangular outer shape in a plan view in which a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side are connected in a ring shape; and a plurality of first antenna connection terminals and a plurality of second antenna connection terminals disposed along each of the second side and the fourth side. The plurality of first antenna connection terminals and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals are line-symmetric with respect to a first reference line passing through a center in the plan view of the integrated circuit body and extending parallel to one of the second side and the fourth side. Furthermore, the plurality of first antenna connection terminals and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals have a point-symmetric positional relationship with each other with the center of the integrated circuit body as the point of symmetry.

Description

Integrated circuit, antenna unit, and antenna module

[0001] The present invention relates to an integrated circuit, an antenna unit, and an antenna module.This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-002263, filed on January 11, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a phased array antenna that achieves beamforming. This phased array antenna includes an integrated circuit (BFIC: Beam Forming Integrated Circuit) that controls the phase of radio signals fed to multiple antenna elements, and combines radio waves emitted from each antenna element to strengthen the signal in the desired direction. This integrated circuit includes one common terminal and four antenna connection terminals for each of two orthogonal polarized waves.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 7243483

[0004] To achieve higher antenna performance, it is necessary to arrange multiple integrated circuits to operate as a large antenna. However, when multiple integrated circuits are arranged, wiring with different polarizations is close to the common terminal, which can cause signal crosstalk.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to suppress crosstalk of signals when integrated circuits are arranged side by side.

[0006] An integrated circuit according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an integrated circuit body having a rectangular outer shape in a planar view, with a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side connected in a ring shape; a first common terminal arranged along the first side; a second common terminal arranged along the third side opposite the first side; a plurality of first antenna connection terminals arranged along each of the second side and the fourth side and electrically connected to the first common terminal; and a plurality of second antenna connection terminals arranged along each of the second side and the fourth side and electrically connected to the second common terminal, wherein the plurality of first antenna connection terminals and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals are line-symmetrical with respect to a first reference line that passes through the center of the integrated circuit body in a planar view and extends parallel to either the second side or the fourth side, and the plurality of first antenna connection terminals and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals have a positional relationship that is point-symmetrical with each other, with the center of the integrated circuit body as the point of symmetry.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present invention, when integrated circuits having common terminals for different signals arranged along the first and third sides of the integrated circuit body are moved in parallel and arranged side by side, the wiring can be performed so that the same signal is input and output from adjacent common terminals, thereby suppressing signal crosstalk even if the wiring to adjacent common terminals is close to each other.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is an integrated circuit according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of first antenna connection terminals and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals may be arranged alternately along each of the second side and the fourth side.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is that, in the integrated circuit of the first aspect, the plurality of first antenna connection terminals and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals may be arranged in a staggered pattern along each of the second side and the fourth side.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention may be an integrated circuit according to any one of the first to third aspects, having a first mode in which, when a first signal is input / output from the first common terminal, a second signal different from the first signal is input / output from the second common terminal, and a second mode in which, when the second signal is input / output from the first common terminal, the first signal is input / output from the second common terminal.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention may be such that, in the integrated circuit of the fourth aspect, the first signal and the second signal are two polarized waves that are orthogonal to each other.

[0012] An antenna unit according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes an integrated circuit according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, which controls the phase of a signal; a first common signal line electrically connected to the first common terminal of the integrated circuit; a second common signal line electrically connected to the second common terminal of the integrated circuit; a plurality of first feed lines electrically connected in a one-to-one relationship to the plurality of first antenna connection terminals of the integrated circuit; a plurality of second feed lines electrically connected in a one-to-one relationship to the plurality of second antenna connection terminals of the integrated circuit; a plurality of first antennas electrically connected in a one-to-one relationship to the plurality of first feed lines; and a plurality of second antennas electrically connected in a one-to-one relationship to the plurality of second feed lines.

[0013] A seventh aspect of the present invention is an antenna unit according to the sixth aspect, wherein the polarization direction of the radio waves input and output from the plurality of first antennas and the plurality of second antennas may be inclined at 45 degrees and 135 degrees with respect to the first side and the third side, or the second side and the fourth side of the integrated circuit body.

[0014] The antenna module of the eighth aspect of the present invention is an antenna unit of the sixth or seventh aspect, and comprises a first antenna unit and a second antenna unit adjacent to each other in a first direction in which the first side and the third side of the integrated circuit body face each other.

[0015] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the antenna module of the eighth aspect, wherein a pattern in the first antenna unit including the plurality of first feed lines, the plurality of second feed lines, the plurality of first antennas, and the plurality of second antennas may have a positional relationship that is approximately point-symmetric with the pattern in the second antenna unit, with the center of the antenna module as the point of symmetry.

[0016] A tenth aspect of the present invention is an antenna module according to the eighth or ninth aspect, wherein a group of contact points between the first common signal line, the second common signal line, the plurality of first feed lines, and the plurality of second feed lines and the integrated circuit in the first antenna unit may have a positional relationship that is point-symmetrical with the group of contact points in the second antenna unit, with the center of the antenna module as the point of symmetry.

[0017] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is an antenna module according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, wherein the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit may be provided in multiple numbers in at least one of the first direction and the second direction in which the second side and the fourth side of the integrated circuit body are opposed to each other.

[0018] A twelfth aspect of the present invention is an antenna module of the eleventh aspect, wherein in the first direction, the first antenna units and the second antenna units are arranged alternately, and in the second direction, the first antenna units are arranged adjacent to each other and the second antenna units are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0019] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress crosstalk of signals when integrated circuits are arranged side by side.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an integrated circuit according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an antenna module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an antenna module according to a comparative example. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an antenna module according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an integrated circuit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an antenna module according to a modified example of the second embodiment.

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an integrated circuit 1 according to a first embodiment. The integrated circuit 1 shown in Fig. 1 is, for example, a BFIC (Beam Forming Integrated Circuit) that realizes beamforming in a phased array antenna and controls the phase of a high-frequency signal such as a millimeter wave. The integrated circuit 1 includes an integrated circuit body 10 having a rectangular shape in a plan view, with a first side 11, a second side 12, a third side 13, and a fourth side 14 connected in a ring shape. Note that a marker M indicating the orientation of the integrated circuit body 10 is attached to the corner between the second side 12 and the third side 13.

[0023] In the following description, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is set, and the positional relationship of each component is sometimes described with reference to this XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. As shown in Figure 1, the X-axis direction is set as a first direction in which the first side 11 and the third side 13 of the integrated circuit body 10 face each other. The Y-axis direction is set as a second direction in which the second side 12 and the fourth side 14 of the integrated circuit body 10 face each other. The Z-axis direction is set as a third direction when the integrated circuit body 10 is viewed from above. In addition, the side toward which the arrows of the XYZ orthogonal axes point is defined as the "+ side," and the opposite side is defined as the "- side."

[0024] The first side 11 extends in the Y-axis direction on the -X side of the integrated circuit body 10. The first common terminal 21 of the integrated circuit 1 is arranged along the first side 11. The first common terminal 21 is arranged on a first reference line L1 that passes through the center C of the integrated circuit body 10 in a plan view and extends in the X-axis direction. In FIG. 1, the flow of a first signal S1 input / output to / from the first common terminal 21 is indicated by a dotted line.

[0025] The third side 13 extends in the Y-axis direction parallel to the first side 11 on the +X side of the integrated circuit body 10. The second common terminal 22 of the integrated circuit 1 is arranged along the third side 13. The second common terminal 22 is arranged on the first reference line L1, just like the first common terminal 21. In FIG. 1 , the flow of the second signal S2 input / output to / from the second common terminal 22 is indicated by a solid line.

[0026] The second side 12 extends in the X-axis direction on the +Y side of the integrated circuit body 10. The second side 12 connects the +Y side end of the first side 11 and the +Y side end of the third side 13. The first antenna connection terminal 31 and the second antenna connection terminal 32 of the integrated circuit 1 are arranged along the second side 12.

[0027] The first antenna connection terminals 31 are electrically connected to the first common terminal 21, and four of them are arranged along the second side 12. The second antenna connection terminals 32 are electrically connected to the second common terminal 22, and four of them are arranged along the second side 12. The first antenna connection terminals 31 and the second antenna connection terminals 32 are arranged alternately along the second side 12.

[0028] Specifically, when the first antenna connection terminal 31 is designated as "A" and the second antenna connection terminal is designated as "B", the first antenna connection terminal 31 and the second antenna connection terminal 32 are arranged along the second side 12 in the order of "A, B, A, B, A, B, A, B" from the first side 11 side (-X side) toward the third side 13 side (+X side).

[0029] The fourth side 14 extends in the X-axis direction parallel to the second side 12 on the -Y side of the integrated circuit body 10. The fourth side 14 connects the -Y side end of the first side 11 and the -Y side end of the third side 13. The first antenna connection terminal 31 and the second antenna connection terminal 32 are arranged not only along the second side 12 but also along the fourth side 14.

[0030] The first antenna connection terminals 31 are electrically connected to the first common terminal 21, and four of them are arranged along the fourth side 14. The second antenna connection terminals 32 are electrically connected to the second common terminal 22, and four of them are arranged along the fourth side 14. The first antenna connection terminals 31 and the second antenna connection terminals 32 are arranged alternately along the fourth side 14.

[0031] Specifically, when the first antenna connection terminal 31 is designated as "A" and the second antenna connection terminal is designated as "B", the first antenna connection terminal 31 and the second antenna connection terminal 32 are arranged along the fourth side 14 in the order of "A, B, A, B, A, B, A, B" from the first side 11 side (-X side) toward the third side 13 side (+X side).

[0032] The first common terminal 21 is electrically connected to a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) first antenna connection terminals 31 via a first combining / dividing circuit 41. The first combining / dividing circuit 41 branches in a tournament fashion so that the distances from the first common terminal 21 to each of the first antenna connection terminals 31 are equal, and may be serpentine as necessary.

[0033] The second common terminal 22 is electrically connected to a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) second antenna connection terminals 32 via a second combining / dividing circuit 42. The second combining / dividing circuit 42 branches in a tournament fashion so that the distances from the second common terminal 22 to the second antenna connection terminals 32 are equal, and may be serpentine as necessary.

[0034] For example, a first signal S1 is input to the first common terminal 21 during transmission. Furthermore, for example, a second signal S2 is input to the second common terminal 22 during transmission. In this embodiment, the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 are two orthogonal polarized waves of a high-frequency signal. During transmission, the integrated circuit 1 not only distributes the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 to the first antenna connection terminal 31 and the second antenna connection terminal 32, but also combines the high-frequency signals received at the respective antenna connection terminals and outputs the combined signals from the first common terminal 21 and the second common terminal 22.

[0035] The integrated circuit 1 has a first mode in which the signal input / output from the first common terminal 21 is the first signal S1 and the signal input / output from the second common terminal 22 is the second signal S2, and a second mode in which the signal input / output from the first common terminal 21 is the second signal S2 and the signal input / output from the second common terminal 22 is the first signal S1. As a result, when multiple integrated circuits 1 are controlled simultaneously, it is not necessary to send individual commands to each of the integrated circuits 1 to control the first common terminal 21 side and the second common terminal 22 side, but rather by sending a control command for the first signal S1 to all of the integrated circuits 1 simultaneously, it becomes possible for each integrated circuit 1 to perform the necessary circuit operation on the first common terminal 21 side or the second common terminal 22 side.

[0036] The setting of the first mode or the second mode can be realized, for example, by setting the value of a specific register in the integrated circuit 1, or it can also be controlled by the connection state (applied voltage) of a specific control input / output terminal of the integrated circuit 1.

[0037] 1 , the multiple first antenna connection terminals 31 are positioned symmetrically with the multiple second antenna connection terminals 32, with the center C of the integrated circuit body 10 as the point of symmetry. The multiple second antenna connection terminals 32 are also positioned symmetrically with the multiple first antenna connection terminals 31, with the center C of the integrated circuit body 10 as the point of symmetry. In other words, the multiple first antenna connection terminals 31 and the multiple second antenna connection terminals 32 are positioned symmetrically with each other, with the center C of the integrated circuit body 10 as the point of symmetry.

[0038] In other words, the plurality of first antenna connection terminals 31 and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals 32 are positioned in an axisymmetric relationship with respect to a first reference line L1 that passes through the center C of the integrated circuit body 10. On the other hand, the first antenna connection terminals 31 and the second antenna connection terminals 32 are positioned in an axisymmetric relationship with respect to a second reference line L2 that is perpendicular to the first reference line L1 at the center C of the integrated circuit body 10.

[0039] 2 is a configuration diagram of an antenna module 200 according to the first embodiment. The antenna module 200 includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) antenna units 100 each including the above-described integrated circuit 1. The antenna module 200 includes, as the antenna units 100, a first antenna unit 101 and a second antenna unit 102 adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction.

[0040] The antenna unit 100 includes the above-mentioned integrated circuit 1 that controls the phase of a signal, a first common signal line 121 electrically connected to the first common terminal 21 of the integrated circuit 1, a second common signal line 122 electrically connected to the second common terminal 22 of the integrated circuit 1, a plurality of first feed lines 131 electrically connected in a one-to-one relationship to a plurality of first antenna connection terminals 31 of the integrated circuit 1, a plurality of second feed lines 132 electrically connected in a one-to-one relationship to a plurality of second antenna connection terminals 32 of the integrated circuit 1, a plurality of first antennas 141 electrically connected in a one-to-one relationship to the plurality of first feed lines 131, and a plurality of second antennas 142 electrically connected in a one-to-one relationship to the plurality of second feed lines 132. Here, although each antenna is described as a linear pattern, in reality, it is desirable to use a pattern designed according to the required characteristics.

[0041] The first common signal line 121, the second common signal line 122, the first feed line 131, the second feed line 132, the first antenna 141, and the second antenna 142 are formed on the antenna substrate 110. The antenna substrate 110 is provided with a plurality of antenna formation areas 111. The antenna formation areas 111 are provided in a 2x4 array for one antenna unit 100, with two antenna formation areas 111 arranged in the X-axis direction and four antenna formation areas 111 arranged in the Y-axis direction.

[0042] The first signal S1 and the second signal S2 are two orthogonal polarized waves of a high-frequency signal. The first antenna 141 and the second antenna 142 intersect at the center of the antenna forming region 111. The first antenna 141 and the second antenna 142 are disposed at angles of 45 degrees and 135 degrees with respect to the first side 11 and the third side 13, or the second side 12 and the fourth side 14 of the integrated circuit body 10. In other words, the first antenna 141 and the second antenna 142 can independently emit or receive radio waves in two polarized directions, 45 degrees (for example, the first signal S1) and 135 degrees (for the second signal S2).

[0043] In this embodiment, the first common signal line 121, the second common signal line 122, the first feed line 131, the second feed line 132, the first antenna 141, and the second antenna 142 are illustrated in a form that allows them to be wired on the same layer. Wiring of different polarizations does not necessarily have to be routed on the same layer, but routing wiring of the same polarization on the same layer is preferable because it reduces variations compared to when wiring of the same polarization is not routed on the same layer. Furthermore, particularly when a layer optimized for high-frequency wiring is provided within the antenna substrate 110, it is preferable to accommodate both polarizations on a single layer because it is only necessary to provide one optimized layer.

[0044] The first feed lines 131 connect the eight first antenna connection terminals 31 of the integrated circuit 1 to the eight first antennas 141 of the corresponding antenna units 100. The second feed lines 132 connect the eight second antenna connection terminals 32 of the integrated circuit 1 to the eight second antennas 142 of the corresponding antenna units 100.

[0045] The length of each first feed line 131 is formed to be equal to the length of each second feed line 132. A plurality of ground vias 143 are formed around the first antenna 141 and the second antenna 142, and each first feed line 131 and each second feed line 132 is routed so as to avoid these vias. Note that a ground pattern (not shown) is also formed around the first feed line 131 and the second feed line 132.

[0046] The antenna module 200 includes a first antenna unit 101 and a second antenna unit 102 adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction as the antenna unit 100. In other words, the antenna module 200 includes a total of 4 x 4 antenna formation areas 111, and can strengthen signals in desired directions by combining radio waves radiated from each antenna formation area 111.

[0047] The integrated circuits 1 are arranged side by side, moving in parallel without changing their orientation, in the first antenna unit 101 and the second antenna unit 102. On the other hand, a pattern 160 including a plurality of first feed lines 131, a plurality of second feed lines 132, a plurality of first antennas 141, and a plurality of second antennas 142 in the first antenna unit 101 has a positional relationship that is point-symmetrical with the pattern 160 including a plurality of first feed lines 131, a plurality of second feed lines 132, a plurality of first antennas 141, and a plurality of second antennas 142 in the second antenna unit 102, with respect to the center C0 of the antenna module 200.

[0048] Specifically, for example, the first pattern 161 formed in the first row and first column of the antenna forming area 111 of the first antenna unit 101 is point-symmetric with the second pattern 162 formed in the fourth row and second column of the antenna forming area 111 of the second antenna unit 102, with the center C0 of the antenna module 200 as the point of symmetry.

[0049] Conversely, for example, the second pattern 162 formed in the fourth row and second column of the antenna formation region 111 of the second antenna unit 102 is point-symmetric with the first pattern 161 formed in the first row and first column of the antenna formation region 111 of the first antenna unit 101, with the center C0 of the antenna module 200 as the point of symmetry. The other antenna formation regions 111 have similar positional relationships.

[0050] In this embodiment, the pattern 160 of the first antenna unit 101 and the pattern 160 of the second antenna unit 102 are completely point-symmetric with respect to the center C0 of the antenna module 200. However, some of the patterns 160 (for example, some of the first feed line 131 and the second feed line 132) may be slightly misaligned due to relationships with the ground via 143 and a ground pattern (not shown), or other manufacturing reasons. However, even if some of the patterns 160 are misaligned, as long as most of the patterns 160 overlap, it is easy to replicate the patterns 160.

[0051] In other words, the pattern 160 in the first antenna unit 101, which includes a plurality of first feed lines 131, a plurality of second feed lines 132, a plurality of first antennas 141, and a plurality of second antennas 142, may have a positional relationship that is approximately point-symmetric (preferably point-symmetric) with the pattern 160 in the second antenna unit 102, with the center C0 of the antenna module 200 as the point of symmetry.

[0052] On the other hand, it is preferable that the contact groups 150 of the patterns 160 have a positional relationship that is point-symmetric rather than approximately point-symmetric so that the patterns 160 of each antenna unit 100 can be connected to the integrated circuits 1 when the integrated circuits 1 are moved in parallel and arranged side by side. That is, it is preferable that the contact groups 150 (first contact groups 151) between the first common signal line 121, the second common signal line 122, the plurality of first feed lines 131, and the plurality of second feed lines 132 in the first antenna unit 101 and the integrated circuits 1 and the contact groups 150 (second contact groups 152) in the second antenna unit 102 have a positional relationship that is point-symmetric with respect to the center C0 of the antenna module 200.

[0053] 2, the second common signal line 122 connected to the integrated circuit 1 of the first antenna unit 101 and the first common signal line 121 connected to the integrated circuit 1 of the second antenna unit 102 are adjacent to each other. Here, the integrated circuit 1 can transmit the same signal (the second signal S2 in the example of FIG. 2) to the second common signal line 122 of the first antenna unit 101 and the first common signal line 121 of the second antenna unit, which are adjacent to each other.

[0054] 3 is a configuration diagram of an antenna module 300 according to a comparative example. The antenna module 300 shown in FIG. 3 is an example in which the pattern 160 of the first antenna unit 101 and the pattern 160 of the second antenna unit 102 are the same. In this case, a second signal S2 is input to the second common terminal 22 of the integrated circuit 1 arranged in the first antenna unit 101. Furthermore, a first signal S1 is input to the first common terminal 21 of the integrated circuit 1 arranged in the second antenna unit 102. In this case, between the antenna units 100, the second common signal line 122 to which the second signal S2 is input and the first common signal line 121 to which the first signal S1 is input are close to each other, and signal leakage between the polarized waves makes signal crosstalk more likely to occur.

[0055] 1, common terminals (first common terminal 21, second common terminal 22) for different signals are arranged on the first side 11 and the third side 13 of the integrated circuit body 10, and antenna connection terminals (first antenna connection terminal 31, second antenna connection terminal 32) for different signals are arranged on the second side 12 and the fourth side 14 of the integrated circuit body 10 so as to overlap when rotated 180 degrees with the center C of the integrated circuit body 10 as the point of symmetry. As a result, when the integrated circuits 1 are translated and arranged side by side as shown in FIG. 2, wiring can be performed so that the same signal (e.g., second signal S2) is input and output from adjacent common terminals (first common terminal 21 and second common terminal 22). Therefore, even if the wiring to adjacent common terminals (first common signal line 121 and second common signal line 122) is close to each other, signal crosstalk can be suppressed.

[0056] Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram of an antenna module 200' according to a modified example of the first embodiment. The antenna module 200' shown in Fig. 4 is an example in which the antenna module 200 shown in Fig. 2 is expanded, and includes a plurality of first antenna units 101 and a plurality of second antenna units 102 (two in this embodiment) arranged in the Y-axis direction.

[0057] Near the center of the four antenna units 100 (i.e., near the center C0 of the antenna module 200′), a first distribution device 211 and a second distributor 212 are provided to combine signals from the four integrated circuits 1 (or distribute signals to the four integrated circuits 1). The first distributor 211 transmits a first signal S1 between the four integrated circuits 1. The second distributor 212 transmits a second signal S2 between the four integrated circuits 1.

[0058] The driving IC 210 may be, for example, a frequency conversion IC that converts the frequency of a signal to a lower frequency, or a baseband IC that converts between baseband and radio signals. Although not shown, a larger antenna module 200' may be formed by arranging even more integrated circuits 1 (antenna units 100). In this case, it is desirable to arrange the first antenna units 101 and the second antenna units 102 alternately in the X-axis direction and to arrange the first antenna units 101 so that they are adjacent to each other and the second antenna units 102 so that they are adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction, thereby enabling wiring to common terminals for different polarizations to be spaced farther apart.

[0059] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same or equivalent components as those in the above-described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0060] 5 is a configuration diagram of an integrated circuit 1A according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the integrated circuit 1A according to the second embodiment differs from the above-described embodiment in that a plurality of first antenna connection terminals 31 and a plurality of second antenna connection terminals 32 are arranged alternately along each of the second side 12 and the fourth side 14, with a plurality of terminals (two in the second embodiment).

[0061] Specifically, when the first antenna connection terminal 31 is designated as "A" and the second antenna connection terminal is designated as "B", the first antenna connection terminal 31 and the second antenna connection terminal 32 are arranged along the second side 12, and are arranged in the order of "A, A, B, B, A, A, B, B" from the first side 11 side (-X side) to the third side 13 side (+X side).

[0062] Furthermore, when the first antenna connection terminal 31 is designated as "A" and the second antenna connection terminal is designated as "B", the first antenna connection terminal 31 and the second antenna connection terminal 32 are arranged along the fourth side 14, and are arranged in the order of "A, A, B, B, A, A, B, B" from the first side 11 side (-X side) toward the third side 13 side (+X side).

[0063] In the second embodiment as well, the multiple first antenna connection terminals 31 have a positional relationship that is point-symmetrical with the multiple second antenna connection terminals 32, with the center C of the integrated circuit body 10 as the symmetrical point. Furthermore, the multiple second antenna connection terminals 32 have a positional relationship that is point-symmetrical with the multiple first antenna connection terminals 31, with the center C of the integrated circuit body 10 as the symmetrical point.

[0064] In other words, the multiple first antenna connection terminals 31 and the multiple second antenna connection terminals 32 have a positional relationship that is line-symmetrical with respect to a first reference line L1 that passes through the center C of the integrated circuit body 10. On the other hand, the first antenna connection terminals 31 and the second antenna connection terminals 32 have a positional relationship that is not line-symmetrical with respect to a second reference line L2 that is orthogonal to the first reference line L1 at the center C of the integrated circuit body 10.

[0065] 6 is a configuration diagram of an antenna module 200A according to the second embodiment. The antenna module 200A includes a plurality of antenna units 100A (two in this embodiment) each including the above-described integrated circuit 1A. The antenna module 200A includes, as the antenna units 100A, a first antenna unit 101A and a second antenna unit 102A adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction.

[0066] The antenna unit 100A includes the above-mentioned integrated circuit 1A, the above-mentioned first common signal line 121, second common signal line 122, a plurality of first power feed lines 131, a plurality of second power feed lines 132, a plurality of first antennas 141, and a plurality of second antennas 142, which are electrically connected to the integrated circuit 1A.

[0067] In the second embodiment, the integrated circuits 1A are also arranged side by side by translating them without changing their orientation in the first antenna unit 101A and the second antenna unit 102A. Meanwhile, the pattern 160 including the plurality of first feed lines 131, the plurality of second feed lines 132, the plurality of first antennas 141, and the plurality of second antennas 142 in the first antenna unit 101A has a positional relationship that is point-symmetrical with the pattern 160 including the plurality of first feed lines 131, the plurality of second feed lines 132, the plurality of first antennas 141, and the plurality of second antennas 142 in the second antenna unit 102A with respect to the center C0 of the antenna module 200A.

[0068] According to this configuration, as in the first embodiment, when the integrated circuits 1A are moved in parallel and arranged side by side, the same signal (e.g., the second signal S2) can be input and output from adjacent common terminals (the first common terminal 21 and the second common terminal 22). Therefore, even if the wiring to adjacent common terminals (the first common signal line 121 and the second common signal line 122) is close to each other, signal crosstalk can be suppressed.

[0069] Fig. 7 is a configuration diagram of an antenna module 200A' according to a modified example of the second embodiment. The antenna module 200A' shown in Fig. 7 is an example in which the antenna module 200A shown in Fig. 6 is expanded, and includes a plurality of first antenna units 101A and a plurality of second antenna units 102A (two in this embodiment) arranged in the Y-axis direction.

[0070] Although not shown in the second embodiment, a larger antenna module 200A' may be formed by arranging even more integrated circuits 1A (antenna units 100A). In this case, it is desirable to arrange the first antenna units 101A and the second antenna units 102A alternately in the X-axis direction and arrange the first antenna units 101A adjacent to each other and the second antenna units 102A adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction, thereby enabling wiring to common terminals for different polarizations to be spaced farther apart. In other words, a plurality of first antenna units 101A and a plurality of second antenna units 102A may be provided in at least one of the X-axis direction (first direction) and the Y-axis direction (second direction).

[0071] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, it should be understood that they are illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention should not be deemed limited by the foregoing description, but rather by the scope of the claims.

[0072] In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and variations may be combined as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0073] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress crosstalk of signals when integrated circuits are arranged side by side.

[0074] 1 Integrated circuit 1A Integrated circuit 10 Integrated circuit body 11 First side 12 Second side 13 Third side 14 Fourth side 21 First common terminal 22 Second common terminal 31 First antenna connection terminal 32 Second antenna connection terminal 41 First combining / dividing circuit 42 Second combining / dividing circuit 100 Antenna unit 100A Antenna unit 101 First antenna unit 101A First antenna unit 102 Second antenna unit 102A Second antenna unit 110 Antenna substrate 111 Antenna forming area 121 First common signal line 122 Second common signal line 131 First power supply line 132 Second power supply line 141 First antenna 142 Second antenna 143 Ground via 150 Contact group 151 First contact group 152 Second contact group 160 Pattern 161 First pattern 162 Second pattern 200 Antenna module 200A Antenna module 210 Driving IC 211 First divider 212 Second divider 300 Antenna module C Center C0 Center C1 First center C2 Second center L1 First reference line L2 Second reference line M Marker S1 First signal S2 Second signal

Claims

1. An integrated circuit body having a rectangular shape in plan view, in which the first, second, third, and fourth sides are connected in a ring shape, A first common terminal arranged along the first side, A second common terminal is arranged along the third side opposite to the first side, A plurality of first antenna connection terminals are arranged along the second and fourth sides respectively and are electrically connected to the first common terminal, It comprises a plurality of second antenna connection terminals arranged along the second and fourth sides respectively and electrically connected to the second common terminal, The plurality of first antenna connection terminals and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals are symmetrical with respect to a first reference line that passes through the center of the integrated circuit body in a plan view and extends parallel to either the second side or the fourth side. and, The plurality of first antenna connection terminals and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals have a point-symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the center of the integrated circuit body. Integrated circuit.

2. The plurality of first antenna connection terminals and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals are arranged alternately along the second side and the fourth side, respectively. The integrated circuit according to claim 1.

3. The plurality of first antenna connection terminals and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals are arranged in alternating pairs along the second and fourth sides, in groups of multiples. The integrated circuit according to claim 1.

4. The system has a first mode in which a first signal is input / output from the first common terminal and a second signal different from the first signal is input / output from the second common terminal, and a second mode in which a second signal is input / output from the second common terminal when the second signal is input / output from the first common terminal. The integrated circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The first signal and the second signal are two polarizations that are orthogonal to each other. The integrated circuit according to claim 4.

6. An integrated circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for controlling the phase of a signal, A first common signal line electrically connected to the first common terminal of the integrated circuit, A second common signal line electrically connected to the second common terminal of the integrated circuit, Multiple first feed lines electrically connected one-to-one with the multiple first antenna connection terminals of the integrated circuit, Multiple second feed lines electrically connected one-to-one with the multiple second antenna connection terminals of the integrated circuit, Multiple first antennas electrically connected one-to-one with the aforementioned multiple first power supply lines, The system comprises a plurality of second antennas electrically connected one-to-one with the plurality of second power supply lines, Antenna unit.

7. The polarization directions of the radio waves input and output from the plurality of first antennas and the plurality of second antennas are inclined at 45 degrees and 135 degrees with respect to the first and third sides, or the second and fourth sides, of the integrated circuit body. The antenna unit according to claim 6.

8. The antenna unit according to claim 6 comprises a first antenna unit and a second antenna unit adjacent to each other in a first direction where the first side and the third side of the integrated circuit body face each other. Antenna module.

9. The pattern in the first antenna unit, which includes the plurality of first feed lines, the plurality of second feed lines, the plurality of first antennas, and the plurality of second antennas, has a positional relationship with the pattern in the second antenna unit that is approximately point-symmetric with respect to the center of the antenna module. The antenna module according to claim 8.

10. The group of contacts between the first common signal line, the second common signal line, the plurality of first feed lines, and the plurality of second feed lines and the integrated circuit in the first antenna unit has a point-symmetric positional relationship with the group of contacts in the second antenna unit, with respect to the center of the antenna module as the point of symmetry. The antenna module according to claim 8.

11. The first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are provided in multiples in at least one of the first direction and the second direction in which the second side and the fourth side of the integrated circuit body face each other. The antenna module according to claim 8.

12. In the first direction, the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are arranged alternately. In the second direction, the first antenna units are arranged so that they are adjacent to each other, and the second antenna units are arranged so that they are adjacent to each other. The antenna module according to claim 11.