Integrated circuit, antenna unit, and antenna module

Abstract

This integrated circuit comprises: an integrated circuit body which has a rectangular outer shape in plan view and in which a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side are connected in an annular shape; and a plurality of first antenna connection terminals and a plurality of second antenna connection terminals arranged along each of the second side and the fourth side. The first antenna connection terminal disposed on the second side and the first antenna connection terminal disposed on the fourth side have a point-symmetric positional relationship with each other, with the center of the integrated circuit body as the point of symmetry. The second antenna connection terminal disposed on the second side and the second antenna connection terminal disposed on the fourth side 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. 2024-002273, 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 first antenna connection terminal arranged on the second side and the first antenna connection terminal arranged on the fourth side have a positional relationship that is point-symmetrical with each other, with the center of the integrated circuit body being the point of symmetry, and the second antenna connection terminal arranged on the second side and the second antenna connection terminal arranged on the fourth side have a positional relationship that is point-symmetrical with each other, with the center of the integrated circuit body being 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, each of the plurality of first antenna connection terminals and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals may be arranged symmetrically with respect to a bisector that bisects the second side and the fourth side.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is that, in the integrated circuit of any one of the first to third aspects, a first signal input / output from the first common terminal and a second signal input / output from the second common terminal may be two polarized waves that are orthogonal to each other.

[0011] An antenna unit according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes an integrated circuit according to any one of the first to fourth 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.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the present invention is an antenna unit according to the fifth 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.

[0013] The antenna module of the seventh aspect of the present invention is an antenna unit of the fifth or sixth aspect, comprising 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, and the integrated circuit of the first antenna unit and the integrated circuit of the second antenna unit are arranged in orientations rotated 180 degrees relative to each other with the center of the integrated circuit body as the point of symmetry.

[0014] An eighth aspect of the present invention is the antenna module of the seventh 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 in which, when moved parallel to the first direction, it overlaps with at least a portion of the pattern in the second antenna unit.

[0015] A ninth aspect of the present invention is an antenna module according to the seventh or eighth 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 such that they overlap with the group of contact points in the second antenna unit when moved parallel to the first direction.

[0016] A tenth aspect of the present invention is an antenna module according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, which may include a plurality of the first antenna units and the second antenna units 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.

[0017] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is an antenna module of the tenth 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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."

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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).

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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 "B, A, B, A, B, A, B, A, A", from the first side 11 side (-X side) to the third side 13 side (+X side).

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 1, the first antenna connection terminal 31 arranged on the second side 12 and the first antenna connection terminal 31 arranged on the fourth side 14 are positioned symmetrically with respect to each other, with the center C of the integrated circuit body 10 as the point of symmetry. In addition, the second antenna connection terminal 32 arranged on the second side 12 and the second antenna connection terminal 32 arranged on the fourth side 14 are positioned symmetrically with respect to each other, with the center C of the integrated circuit body 10 as the point of symmetry.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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).

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] The integrated circuits 1 are positioned point-symmetrically to each other in the first antenna unit 101 and the second antenna unit 102. Specifically, the integrated circuit body 10 of the integrated circuit 1 included in the first antenna unit 101 is arranged so that the marker M faces diagonally upward to the right on the paper in Fig. 2. On the other hand, the integrated circuit body 10 of the integrated circuit 1 included in the second antenna unit 102 is arranged so that the marker M faces diagonally downward to the left on the paper in Fig. 2.

[0044] That is, the integrated circuit 1 included in the first antenna unit 101 and the integrated circuit 1 included in the second antenna unit 102 are arranged in orientations rotated 180 degrees with the center C of the integrated circuit body 10 as the point of symmetry. For example, when the integrated circuit 1 included in the first antenna unit 101 is rotated 180 degrees with the center C1 of the integrated circuit body 10 as the point of symmetry, it will be oriented in the same direction as the integrated circuit 1 included in the second antenna unit 102. Furthermore, when the integrated circuit 1 included in the second antenna unit 102 is rotated 180 degrees with the center C2 of the integrated circuit body 10 as the point of symmetry, it will be oriented in the same direction as the integrated circuit 1 included in the first antenna unit 101.

[0045] On the other hand, 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 first antenna unit 101 has a positional relationship in which, when moved parallel to the X-axis direction (first direction), it overlaps with at least a portion of 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 second antenna unit 102.

[0046] That is, the pattern 160 of the first antenna unit 101 and the pattern 160 of the second antenna unit 102 are not rotated 180 degrees relative to each other but have the same orientation. Specifically, for example, a first pattern 161 formed in the first row and first column of the antenna formation region 111 of the first antenna unit 101 has a positional relationship in which it overlaps with a second pattern 162 formed in the first row and first column of the antenna formation region 111 of the second antenna unit 102 when translated in the X-axis direction (first direction).

[0047] In this embodiment, the pattern 160 of the first antenna unit 101 and the pattern 160 of the second antenna unit 102 completely overlap when moved parallel to the X-axis. However, a portion of the pattern 160 (for example, a portion of the first feed line 131 or the second feed line 132) may be slightly misaligned due to a relationship with the ground via 143 or a ground pattern (not shown), or other manufacturing reasons. However, even if a portion of the pattern 160 is misaligned, as long as most of the pattern 160 overlaps, it is easy to replicate the pattern 160.

[0048] On the other hand, it is preferable that the contact groups 150 of the patterns 160 have exactly the same arrangement so that the patterns 160 of each antenna unit 100 can be connected to the integrated circuits 1 when the integrated circuits 1 are arranged side by side rotated 180 degrees relative to each other. 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 overlap with the contact groups 150 (second contact groups 152) in the second antenna unit 102 when moved parallel to the X-axis direction.

[0049] 2, the second common signal line 122 connected to the integrated circuit 1 of the first antenna unit 101 and the second common signal line 122 connected to the integrated circuit 1 of the second antenna unit 102 are close to each other. Therefore, the same signal (the second signal S2 in the example of FIG. 2) can be transmitted through the second common signal line 122 of the first antenna unit 101 and the second common signal line 122 of the second antenna unit 102, which are close to each other.

[0050] FIG. 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 orientation of the integrated circuit 1 of the first antenna unit 101 and the orientation of the integrated circuit 1 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.

[0051] On the other hand, according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 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 have a positional relationship that is point-symmetrical with respect to each other, with the center C of the integrated circuit body 10 as the symmetry point.Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the integrated circuits 1 are arranged side by side in orientations rotated 180 degrees from each other, wiring can be performed so that the same signal (for example, the second signal S2) is input and output from adjacent common terminals (second common terminal 22).Therefore, even if the wiring to adjacent common terminals (second common signal line 122) is close to each other, signal crosstalk can be suppressed.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 5 is a configuration diagram of an integrated circuit 1A according to a second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the integrated circuit 1A according to the second embodiment differs from the above-described embodiment in that the plurality of first antenna connection terminals 31 and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals 32 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a second reference line L2 (bisector) that bisects the second side 12 and the fourth side 14.

[0057] 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, B, B, A, A" from the first side 11 side (-X side) to the third side 13 side (+X side).

[0058] 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, B, B, A, A" from the first side 11 side (-X side) to the third side 13 side (+X side).

[0059] In the second embodiment as well, the first antenna connection terminal 31 arranged on the second side 12 and the first antenna connection terminal 31 arranged on the fourth side 14 have a positional relationship that is point-symmetrical with respect to the center C of the integrated circuit body 10. Furthermore, the second antenna connection terminal 32 arranged on the second side 12 and the second antenna connection terminal 32 arranged on the fourth side 14 have a positional relationship that is point-symmetrical with respect to the center C of the integrated circuit body 10.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] In the second embodiment, the integrated circuits 1A are also arranged side by side in orientations rotated by 180 degrees in the first antenna unit 101A and the second antenna unit 102A. On the other hand, 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 is arranged side by side in the same orientation as 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.

[0063] According to this configuration, as in the first embodiment, when the integrated circuits 1A are arranged side by side, the same signal (e.g., second signal S2) can be input and output from adjacent common terminals (second common terminals 22), so that signal crosstalk can be suppressed even if the wiring (second common signal lines 122) to adjacent common terminals is close to each other.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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).

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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 outer shape in plan view with a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side connected annularly, a first common terminal arranged along the first side, a second common terminal arranged along the third side opposite to 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 first antenna connection terminal arranged on the second side and the first antenna connection terminal arranged on the fourth side have a point-symmetrical positional relationship with each other with the center of the integrated circuit body as the symmetry point, and the second antenna connection terminal arranged on the second side and the second antenna connection terminal arranged on the fourth side have a point-symmetrical positional relationship with each other with the center of the integrated circuit body as the symmetry point.

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

3. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first antenna connection terminals and the plurality of second antenna connection terminals is arranged symmetrically with respect to a bisector that bisects the second side and the fourth side into two equal parts.

4. The integrated circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a first signal input and output from the first common terminal and a second signal input and output from the second common terminal are two orthogonal polarization waves.

5. An antenna unit comprising: the integrated circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 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; a plurality of first power supply lines electrically connected one-to-one to the plurality of first antenna connection terminals of the integrated circuit; a plurality of second power supply lines electrically connected one-to-one to the plurality of second antenna connection terminals of the integrated circuit; a plurality of first antennas electrically connected one-to-one to the plurality of first power supply lines; and a plurality of second antennas electrically connected one-to-one to the plurality of second power supply lines.

6. The antenna unit according to claim 5, wherein the polarization directions of 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 side and the third side, or the second side and the fourth side of the integrated circuit body.

7. As the antenna unit according to claim 5 or claim 6, an antenna module comprising 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, wherein the integrated circuit included in the first antenna unit and the integrated circuit included in the second antenna unit are arranged in directions rotated 180 degrees with the center of the integrated circuit body as a symmetry point.

8. The antenna module according to claim 7, wherein a pattern including the plurality of first power supply lines, the plurality of second power supply lines, the plurality of first antennas, and the plurality of second antennas in the first antenna unit has a positional relationship overlapping at least a part of the pattern in the second antenna unit when translated in the first direction.

9. The antenna module according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein a contact group of the first common signal line, the second common signal line, the plurality of first power supply lines, and the plurality of second power supply lines with the integrated circuit in the first antenna unit has a positional relationship overlapping the contact group in the second antenna unit when translated in the first direction.

10. The antenna module according to any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising a plurality of the first antenna units and the second antenna units in at least one of the first direction and a second direction in which the second side and the fourth side of the integrated circuit body face each other.

11. In the first direction, the first antenna units and the second antenna units are alternately arranged. 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. The antenna module according to claim 10.

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