Method for controlling radio wave control plate, device for controlling radio wave control plate, and program

Abstract

Provided is a method for controlling a radio wave control plate configured by arranging a plurality of unit structures on a surface, wherein: the unit structure has a plurality of resonators, for which the resonance frequency can be dynamically changed, in a direction intersecting the surface; and the method includes a step for setting the resonance frequencies of the plurality of resonators to a first resonance frequency so as to operate in a transmission mode in which the radio wave control plate transmits radio waves, and a step for shifting the resonance frequency of at least one resonator among the plurality of resonators from the first resonance frequency when switching from the transmission mode to a reflection mode in which the radio waves are reflected.

Description

Radio wave control board control method, radio wave control board control device and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a radio wave control board, a control device for a radio wave control board, and a program.

[0002] There are known techniques for controlling radio waves without using a dielectric lens. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for refracting radio waves by changing the parameters of each element in a structure in which resonator elements are arranged.

[0003] JP 2015-231182 A

[0004] The control method for a radio wave control board disclosed herein is a control method for a radio wave control board constructed by arranging a plurality of unit structures on a surface, wherein the unit structures have a plurality of resonators capable of dynamically changing their resonant frequency in a direction intersecting the surface, and includes the steps of setting the resonant frequencies of the plurality of resonators to a first resonant frequency so that the radio wave control board operates in a transmission mode that transmits radio waves, and when switching from the transmission mode to a reflection mode that reflects the radio waves, shifting the resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonators from the first resonant frequency.

[0005] The control device for a radio wave control board disclosed herein is a control device that controls a radio wave control board, wherein the radio wave control board is constructed by arranging a plurality of unit structures on a surface, and the unit structures have a plurality of resonators that can dynamically change their resonant frequency in a direction intersecting the surface, and when the control device switches the radio wave control board from a transmission mode that transmits radio waves to a reflection mode that reflects the radio waves, it shifts the resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonators whose resonant frequency is set to a first resonant frequency from the first resonant frequency.

[0006] The program disclosed herein is a program that causes a computer to control a radio wave control board, wherein the radio wave control board is constructed by arranging a plurality of unit structures on a surface, and the unit structures have a plurality of resonators that are capable of dynamically changing their resonant frequency in a direction intersecting the surface, and the program causes the computer to execute the following steps when switching the radio wave control board from a transmission mode that transmits radio waves to a reflection mode that reflects the radio waves: shifting the resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonators whose resonant frequency is set to a first resonant frequency from the first resonant frequency.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a radio wave control plate. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a unit structure according to a comparative example. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining characteristics of a resonator according to a comparative example. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining characteristics of a resonator according to a comparative example. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a unit structure according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the coupling topology of the unit structure according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in a transmission mode according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in a transmission mode according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in a reflection mode according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in a reflection mode according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a method of switching between the transmission mode and the reflection mode according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in a reflection mode according to a first condition of the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing phase characteristics of a reflection amplitude according to a first condition of the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in a reflection mode according to a second condition of the second embodiment. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing phase characteristics of reflection amplitude according to the first condition of the second embodiment. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a change in reflection phase according to the second embodiment. Fig. 17 is a diagram for explaining the change in reflection phase according to the first condition of the second embodiment. Fig. 18 is a diagram for explaining the change in reflection phase according to the first condition of the second embodiment. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a unit structure according to the third embodiment. Fig. 20 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in a transmission mode according to the third embodiment. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in a reflection mode according to the third embodiment.

[0008] 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 redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0009] [Outline] (Radio wave control board) An outline of the radio wave control board will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the radio wave control board.

[0010] The radio wave control board 1 is a plate-shaped member configured to be able to reflect or transmit (refract) radio waves transmitted from a base station. For example, when receiving radio waves transmitted from a base station, the radio wave control board 1 is configured to reflect or refract the radio waves at a predetermined angle. The radio wave control board 1 can be configured, for example, from a metamaterial that changes the phase of the incident wave.

[0011] 1, the radio wave control plate 1 may include, for example, a substrate 2 and unit structures 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d. When there is no need to distinguish between the unit structures 10a to 10d, they will be collectively referred to as unit structures 10. The unit structures 10 are also called metasurface elements.

[0012] The unit structures 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d may be formed on a substrate 2. The substrate 2 may be, for example, a dielectric substrate made of a dielectric material. The substrate 2 may have, for example, but is not limited to, a rectangular shape. The unit structures 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d may be arranged on a plane.

[0013] In the radio wave control board 1, a plurality of unit structures 10a are arranged along the X-axis direction on one tier. A plurality of unit structures 10b are arranged along the X-axis direction on the tier above the tier on which unit structures 10a are arranged. A plurality of unit structures 10c are arranged along the X-axis direction on the tier above the tier on which unit structures 10b are arranged. A plurality of unit structures 10d are arranged along the X-axis direction on the tier above the tier on which unit structures 10c are installed. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , unit structures 10a, unit structures 10b, unit structures 10c, and unit structures 10d are arranged periodically along the Y-axis direction.

[0014] Unit structure 10a, unit structure 10b, unit structure 10c, and unit structure 10d are all different in size. In the example shown in Fig. 1, unit structure 10a is the largest, followed by unit structure 10b, unit structure 10c, and unit structure 10d in order of size. That is, radio wave control board 1 has a structure in which a plurality of unit structures 10 of different sizes are periodically arranged.

[0015] The unit structures 10a to 10d may each have a different amount of phase change in the received radio waves. That is, the unit structures 10a to 10d are periodically arranged so as to have a gradient in the amount of phase change. The unit structures 10a to 10d each have a rectangular shape, but are not limited to this. By changing the size and shape of the unit structures 10a to 10d, the frequency band and amount of phase change of the radio waves to be reflected or refracted can be adjusted.

[0016] 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a unit structure according to a comparative example, in which the unit structure 10 includes only a single resonator 20.

[0017] The unit structure 10 including the resonator 20, for example, reflects radio waves 31 input from outside and emits reflected waves 32. The unit structure 10 including the resonator 20, for example, transmits radio waves 31 input from outside and emits transmitted waves 33. The unit structure 10 including the resonator 20 reflects or transmits radio waves 31 depending on the set resonance frequency. In other words, the radio wave control plate 1 made up of the unit structures 10 is configured to be switchable between a transmission mode that transmits radio waves 31 and a reflection mode that reflects radio waves 31.

[0018] The resonator 20 has a structure that allows the resonant frequency to be dynamically changed. The resonator 20 may include, for example, a liquid crystal. In this case, the relative dielectric constant of the resonator 20 changes depending on the magnitude of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal, thereby dynamically changing the resonant frequency. The resonator 20 may include, for example, a varactor diode. In this case, the resonant frequency of the resonator 20 changes dynamically when a voltage is applied to the varactor diode. Note that the configuration of the resonator 20 is not limited to these.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the characteristics of a resonator according to a comparative example. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents frequency [GHz] and the vertical axis represents signal level [dB]. Graph 101 represents the signal level of S parameter S11, which indicates reflection characteristics. Graph 102 represents the signal level of S parameter S21, which indicates transmission characteristics. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the resonant frequency of the resonator 20 is set to 28 [GHz]. As shown in graphs 101 and 102, the resonator 20 transmits radio waves 31 in the example shown in FIG. 3.

[0020] FIG. 4 is also a diagram for explaining the characteristics of a resonator according to a comparative example. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents frequency [GHz] and the vertical axis represents signal level [dB]. Graph 103 represents the signal level of S parameter S11, which indicates the reflection characteristic. Graph 104 represents the signal level of S parameter S21, which indicates the transmission characteristic. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the resonant frequency of resonator 20 is set to 19 [GHz]. As shown in graphs 103 and 104, in the example shown in FIG. 4, resonator 20 reflects radio wave 31.

[0021] 3 and 4, radio wave control board 1 can be switched from a transmission mode in which radio waves 31 are transmitted to a reflection mode in which radio waves 31 are reflected by switching the resonance frequency of resonator 20. However, in a radio wave control board configured from unit structures 10 having only a single resonator 20, as in the comparative example, the resonance frequency of resonator 20 needs to be changed relatively greatly in order to switch the characteristics.

[0022] [First Embodiment] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a unit structure according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the unit structure 10 includes a resonator 20 and a resonator 21. Specifically, the unit structure 10 has a multi-stage structure in which a plurality of resonators are stacked in a direction intersecting with a plane on which the unit structures are arranged (for example, the XY plane in Fig. 1). The "direction intersecting with the plane" is, for example, the Z direction in Fig. 1, but is not limited to a direction perpendicular to the plane.

[0023] The resonators 20 and 21 have a structure that allows the resonant frequency to be dynamically changed. The configuration examples of the resonators 20 and 21 are the same as the configuration example of the resonator 20 described in the comparative example, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0024] In the example shown in FIG. 5 , resonator 20 is a resonator provided on the input side of the radio wave. Resonator 21 is a resonator provided on the output side of the radio wave. Control device 40 controls resonant frequency f1 of resonator 20 and resonant frequency f2 of resonator 21. For example, control device 40 controls resonant frequency f1 and resonant frequency f2 by applying voltage to resonator 20 and resonator 21. Control device 40 pre-sets resonant frequency f1 and resonant frequency f2 to, for example, 28 GHz. The frequency pre-set in the resonator by control device 40 is sometimes referred to as the first resonant frequency. An example of the first resonant frequency is 28 GHz. Note that, in the present disclosure, the first resonant frequencies set in each resonator do not need to be completely identical. That is, the first resonant frequencies set in each resonator may be different values ​​within a predetermined range. For example, in the above example, the resonant frequencies f1 and f2 are not limited to being set exactly at 28 GHz, and the resonant frequencies f1 and f2 may deviate from 28 GHz within a predetermined range. In the following description of the present disclosure, for convenience, it is assumed that the first resonant frequencies set in the respective resonators are all the same value.

[0025] The control device 40 includes, for example, a computer having a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk drive (HDD), input / output ports, and various other circuits. The CPU of such a computer functions as the control device 40 by, for example, reading and executing a program stored in the ROM. The control device 40 may be configured with hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The control device 40 may also be configured with a combination of software and hardware.

[0026] The resonators 20 and 21, for example, reflect radio waves 34 input from outside and emit reflected waves 35. The resonators 20 and 21, for example, transmit radio waves 34 input from outside and emit transmitted waves 36. The resonators 20 and 21 reflect or transmit the radio waves 34 according to the set resonance frequency. The radio wave control plate having the resonators 20 and 21 is configured to be switchable between a transmission mode in which the radio waves 34 are transmitted and a reflection mode in which the radio waves 34 are reflected. That is, the control device 40 can switch between the transmission mode and the reflection mode by controlling the resonance frequency f1 and the resonance frequency f2.

[0027] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the coupling topology of the unit structure according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the coupling topology according to the first embodiment shows the resonator 20, the resonator 21, the input 50, and the output 51. The coupling topology is described by a directly coupled resonator filter in which the resonator 20 and the resonator 21 are connected in series. The input 50 and the output 51 are free space. When the resonator 20 and the resonator 21 are set to the transmission mode, the coupling matrix M of the coupling topology shown in Fig. 6 is expressed by the following equation (1).

[0028]

[0029] The diagonal terms M of the coupling matrix M ｉｉ(i is an integer from 1 to 4) indicates the coupling of the resonator itself. Specifically, the diagonal terms of the coupling matrix indicate the normalized resonant frequency of each resonator. When the frequency characteristics of the S-parameter S11 and the S-parameter S21 are calculated using equation (1), the characteristics of a band-pass filter are obtained at 28 GHz.

[0030] 7 and 8 are diagrams showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in the transmission mode according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 7, the horizontal axis represents frequency [GHz] and the vertical axis represents signal level [dB]. Graph 105 represents the signal level of S parameter S11, which indicates the reflection characteristic. Graph 106 represents the signal level of S parameter S21, which indicates the transmission characteristic.

[0031] Table TB1 shown in FIG. 8 includes items such as "frequency," "signal level of S11," and "signal level of S21." "Frequency" indicates the frequency of the radio wave. "Signal level of S11" indicates the signal level of the S parameter S11. "Signal level of S21" indicates the signal level of the S parameter S21.

[0032] As shown in Table TB1, when the frequency is 27.8 GHz, the signal level of the S parameter S11 is −8.37 dB and the signal level of the S parameter S21 is −0.05 dB. When the frequency is 28.0 GHz, the signal level of the S parameter S11 is −8.21 dB and the signal level of the S parameter S21 is −0.05 dB. When the frequency is 28.2 GHz, the signal level of the S parameter S11 is −8.37 dB and the signal level of the S parameter S21 is −0.05 dB.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the resonance frequency f1 and the resonance frequency f2 are set to 28 GHz, the resonators 20 and 21 transmit the radio wave 34.

[0034] The control device 40 shifts at least one of the resonant frequencies f1 and f2 to switch from the transmission mode to the reflection mode. For example, the control device 40 shifts the resonant frequency f2 from 28 GHz to 27.26 GHz to switch from the transmission mode to the reflection mode. In this case, the coupling matrix M is expressed by the following equation (2).

[0035]

[0036] As shown in equation (2), M ３３ is 0.3, and the self-coupling of the resonator 21 is broken.

[0037] 9 and 10 are diagrams showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in the reflection mode according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 9, the horizontal axis represents frequency [GHz] and the vertical axis represents signal level [dB]. Graph 107 represents the signal level of S parameter S11, which indicates the reflection characteristic. Graph 108 represents the signal level of S parameter S21, which indicates the transmission characteristic.

[0038] Table TB2 shown in FIG. 10 includes items such as "frequency," "signal level of S11," and "signal level of S21."

[0039] As shown in Table TB2, when the frequency is 27.8 GHz, the signal level of the S parameter S11 is −1.41 dB and the signal level of the S parameter S21 is −1.61 dB. When the frequency is 28.0 GHz, the signal level of the S parameter S11 is −1.45 dB and the signal level of the S parameter S21 is −1.56 dB. When the frequency is 28.2 GHz, the signal level of the S parameter S11 is −1.47 dB and the signal level of the S parameter S21 is −1.54 dB.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the resonant frequency f1 is set to 28 [GHz] and the resonant frequency f2 is set to 27.26 [GHz], the resonators 20 and 21 reflect the radio wave 34.

[0041] 11 is a diagram illustrating a method for switching between the transmission mode and the reflection mode according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis represents the resonant frequency shift [GHz], and the vertical axis represents the difference [dB] between the transmission amplitude and the reflection amplitude. Graph 109 shows the relationship between the resonant frequency shift and the transmission amplitude and the reflection amplitude according to a comparative example in which the unit structure 10 is composed only of the resonator 20. Graph 110 shows the relationship between the resonant frequency shift and the transmission amplitude and the reflection amplitude according to an embodiment in which the unit structure 10 has a two-stage configuration of the resonator 20 and the resonator 21.

[0042] In graphs 109 and 110, if the difference between the transmission amplitude and the reflection amplitude is 0 or more, the mode is the transmission mode, and if the difference between the transmission amplitude and the reflection amplitude is less than 0, the mode is the reflection mode. As graph 109 shows, in the comparative example, the resonance frequency needs to be shifted by approximately ±1 GHz to switch from the transmission mode to the reflection mode. As graph 110 shows, in the first embodiment, the resonance frequency needs to be shifted by approximately ±0.4 GHz to switch from the transmission mode to the reflection mode. That is, in the embodiment, the amount of resonance frequency shift can be made smaller than in the comparative example, making it easy to switch between the transmission mode and the reflection mode. The amount of resonance frequency shift required to switch from the transmission mode to the reflection mode is preferably approximately 15% of the design bandwidth of the bandpass filter, centered around the set resonance frequency (e.g., 28 GHz). This allows appropriate switching between the transmission mode and the reflection mode.

[0043] When switching from the reflection mode to the transmission mode, the control device 40 shifts the resonance frequency of the resonator whose resonance frequency has been shifted from the first resonance frequency to the first resonance frequency. In the example shown in Figures 9 and 10, the control device 40 switches from the reflection mode to the transmission mode by shifting the resonance frequency f2 from 27.26 [GHz] to 28 [GHz]. In this case, the control device 40 may shift the resonance frequency f2 so that the frequency falls within 15% of the design bandwidth of the bandpass filter, with the set resonance frequency (e.g., 28 [GHz]) as the center.

[0044] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the resonant frequency f2 of the resonator 21 is shifted to switch between the transmission mode and the reflection mode, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the present disclosure, the resonant frequency f1 of the resonator 20 may be shifted to switch between the transmission mode and the reflection mode. In the present disclosure, both the resonant frequency f1 and the resonance frequency f2 may be shifted to switch between the transmission mode and the reflection mode. When shifting both the resonant frequency f1 and the resonance frequency f2, the amount of resonant frequency shift can be reduced by shifting the resonant frequencies f1 and f2 in directions away from each other when switching from the transmission mode to the reflection mode. On the other hand, when shifting both the resonant frequency f1 and the resonance frequency f2, the amount of resonant frequency shift can be reduced by shifting the resonant frequencies f1 and f2 in directions toward each other when switching from the reflection mode to the transmission mode.

[0045] As described above, in the first embodiment, the unit structure can easily switch between the reflection mode and the transmission mode by shifting the resonance frequency of at least one of the multiple resonators.

[0046] [Second Embodiment] There is a case where one of the resonators 20 and 21 is used as a resonator for switching between a transmission mode and a reflection mode, and the other is used as a resonator for phase adjustment. In this case, there is a possibility that the phase cannot be adjusted appropriately. Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described.

[0047] (Method of Switching Between Reflection Mode and Transmission Mode Under First Condition) A method of switching between reflection mode and transmission mode under the first condition of the second embodiment will be described. Under the first condition, the resonator 20 on the input side of the radio wave 34 is used as a resonator for switching between transmission mode and reflection mode, and the resonator 21 on the output side of the radio wave 34 is used as a resonator for phase adjustment. In this case, the control device 40 controls the resonance frequency f1 to 23.9 [GHz] and the resonance frequency f2 to 28 [GHz]. In this case, the coupling matrix M is expressed by the following equation (3).

[0048]

[0049] As shown in equation (3), M ２２ is 3.0, and the self-coupling of the resonator 20 is broken.

[0050] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in the reflection mode according to the first condition of the second embodiment. In Fig. 12, the horizontal axis represents frequency [GHz] and the vertical axis represents signal level [dB]. Graph 111 represents the signal level of S parameter S11, which indicates the reflection characteristic. Graph 112 represents the signal level of S parameter S21, which indicates the transmission characteristic. As shown in graphs 111 and 112, resonators 20 and 21 reflect radio waves 34.

[0051] 13 is a diagram showing the phase characteristics of the reflection amplitude under the first condition of the second embodiment. In FIG. 13, the vertical axis represents the phase [deg] and the horizontal axis represents the frequency [GHz]. Graph 113 shows the phase characteristics under the first condition. As shown in graph 113, under the first condition, the phase remains constant even when the frequency changes.

[0052] (Method of Switching Between Reflection Mode and Transmission Mode Under Second Condition) A method of switching between reflection mode and transmission mode under the second condition of the second embodiment will be described. Under the first condition, the resonator 20 on the input side of the radio wave 34 is a resonator for phase adjustment, and the resonator 21 on the output side of the radio wave 34 is a resonator for switching between transmission mode and reflection mode. In this case, the control device 40 controls the resonance frequency f1 to 28 [GHz] and the resonance frequency f2 to 23.9 [GHz]. In this case, the coupling matrix M is expressed by the following equation (4).

[0053]

[0054] As shown in equation (4), M ３３ is 3.0, and the self-coupling of the resonator 21 is broken.

[0055] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in the reflection mode according to the second condition of the second embodiment. In Fig. 14, the horizontal axis represents frequency [GHz] and the vertical axis represents signal level [dB]. Graph 114 represents the signal level of S parameter S11, which indicates the reflection characteristic. Graph 115 represents the signal level of S parameter S21, which indicates the transmission characteristic. As shown in graphs 114 and 115, resonators 20 and 21 reflect radio waves 34.

[0056] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the phase characteristics of the reflection amplitude under the first condition of the second embodiment. In Fig. 15, the vertical axis represents the phase [deg] and the horizontal axis represents the frequency [GHz]. Graph 116 shows the phase characteristics under the first condition. As shown in graph 116, under the second condition, the phase changes depending on the frequency.

[0057] (Phase Adjustment Method for First Condition) A phase adjustment method for the first condition of the second embodiment will be described. The control device 40 controls the resonance frequency f1 to 23.9 [GHz] and the resonance frequency f2 to 28±Δf [GHz]. Δf is an amount smaller than the amount by which the resonance frequency f1 is shifted from 28 [GHz] to 23.9 [GHz]. Δf may be changed arbitrarily depending on the design. In this case, the coupling matrix M is expressed by the following equation (5).

[0058]

[0059] As shown in equation (5), M ２２ is 3.0, and M ３３ becomes ΔM22(Δf), and the self-coupling of the resonators 20 and 21 is broken.

[0060] (Phase Adjustment Method for Second Condition) A phase adjustment method for the second condition of the second embodiment will be described. The control device 40 controls the resonant frequency f1 to 28±Δf [GHz] and the resonant frequency f2 to 23.9 [GHz]. In this case, the coupling matrix M is expressed by the following equation (6).

[0061]

[0062] As shown in equation (6), M ３３ is 3.0, and M２２ becomes ΔM11(Δf), and the self-coupling of the resonators 20 and 21 is broken.

[0063] (Comparison between First Condition and Second Condition) FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the amount of change in the reflection phase according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 16, the horizontal axis represents the amount of shift [GHz] of the resonant frequency of the phase adjustment resonator, and the vertical axis represents the amount of change [deg] of the reflection phase. Graph 117 represents the amount of change in the reflection phase under the first condition. Graph 118 represents the amount of change in the reflection phase under the second condition. As shown in graph 117, under the first condition, the reflection phase does not change even if the resonant frequency of the phase adjustment resonator 21 is shifted. As shown in graph 118, under the second condition, the reflection phase can be changed by shifting the resonant frequency of the phase adjustment resonator 20.

[0064] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the amount of change in the reflection phase under the first condition of the second embodiment. FIG. 17 shows the coupling topology of the resonator 20 and the resonator 21 under the first condition of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17 , under the first condition, the control device 40 outputs a reflection / transmission switching signal to the resonator 20 to switch between the reflection mode and the transmission mode, and outputs a phase adjustment signal to the resonator 21 to control the reflection phase. As shown in FIG. 17 , under the first condition, the radio wave 34 is reflected by the resonator 20 before reaching the resonator 21, and a reflected wave 35 is emitted. Therefore, under the first condition, the radio wave 34 does not reach the resonator 21 for phase adjustment, and therefore the phase cannot be adjusted.

[0065] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the amount of change in the reflection phase under the first condition of the second embodiment. FIG. 18 shows the coupling topology of the resonator 20 and the resonator 21 under the second condition of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18 , under the second condition, the control device 40 controls the reflection phase by outputting a phase adjustment signal to the resonator 20, and switches between the reflection mode and the transmission mode by outputting a reflection-transmission switching signal to the resonator 21. As shown in FIG. 18 , under the second condition, the radio wave 34 passes through the resonator 20, is reflected by the resonator 21, and a reflected wave 35 is emitted. Therefore, under the second condition, the radio wave 34 passes through the resonator 21 for phase adjustment, so that the phase can be adjusted. That is, when controlling the reflection phase, it is preferable that, of the multiple resonators included in the unit structure 10, the resonator provided on the input side be used as a resonator for controlling the reflection phase, and the resonator provided on the output side be used as a resonator for switching between the transmission mode and the reflection mode.

[0066] As described above, in the second embodiment, of the multiple resonators included in the unit structure, the resonator provided on the input side is used as a resonator for controlling the reflection phase, and the resonator provided on the output side is used as a resonator for switching between the transmission mode and the reflection mode. This makes it possible to easily switch between the reflection mode and the transmission mode of the radio wave and to control the reflection phase.

[0067] In the second embodiment, the reflection phase is controlled by controlling the resonance frequency of the resonator provided on the input side of the radio wave, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the second embodiment, the transmission phase can be controlled by controlling the resonance frequency of the resonator provided on the input side of the radio wave in the transmission mode.

[0068] Third Embodiment A third embodiment will be described. In the first and second embodiments, the unit structure 10 has been described as including two resonators, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In the present disclosure, the unit structure 10 may include three or more resonators.

[0069] Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a unit structure according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 19, the unit structure 10 includes a resonator 20, a resonator 21, a resonator 22, and a resonator 24. That is, in the third embodiment, the unit structure 10 includes four resonators.

[0070] The resonators 20 to 24 have a structure that allows the resonant frequency to be dynamically changed. The configuration example of the resonators 20 to 24 is the same as the configuration example of the resonator 20 described in the comparative example, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] The control device 40 controls the resonance frequency f1 of the resonator 20, the resonance frequency f2 of the resonator 21, the resonance frequency f3 of the resonator 22, and the resonance frequency f4 of the resonator 23. The resonance frequencies f1 to f4 are each 28 GHz in the transmission mode. The control device 40 controls the resonance frequencies f1 to f4 to switch between the transmission mode and the reflection mode and to control the reflection phase. For example, when switching from the transmission mode to the reflection mode, the control device 40 sets the resonance frequency f1 to 27.26 GHz, the resonance frequency f2 to 28.76 GHz, the resonance frequency f3 to 28 GHz, and the resonance frequency f4 to 28 GHz. That is, the control device 40 switches from the transmission mode to the reflection mode by shifting, for example, the resonance frequency f1 and the resonance frequency f2. In this case, the shift amounts of the resonance frequencies f1 and f2 may be the same or different.

[0072] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in the transmission mode according to the third embodiment. In Fig. 20, the horizontal axis represents frequency [GHz] and the vertical axis represents signal level [dB]. Graph 119 represents the signal level of S parameter S11, which indicates reflection characteristics. Graph 120 represents the signal level of S parameter S21, which indicates transmission characteristics. As shown in Fig. 20, resonators 20 to 24 transmit radio waves 34 in the 28 [GHz] band.

[0073] Fig. 21 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of S parameters in the reflection mode according to the third embodiment. In Fig. 21, the horizontal axis represents frequency [GHz] and the vertical axis represents signal level [dB]. Graph 121 represents the signal level of S parameter S11, which indicates the reflection characteristic. Graph 122 represents the signal level of S parameter S21, which indicates the transmission characteristic. In the example shown in Fig. 21, resonators 20 to 24 reflect radio waves 34 in the 28 [GHz] band.

[0074] When switching from the transmissive mode to the reflective mode, the procedure for switching from the reflective mode to the transmissive mode can be reversed.

[0075] In the third embodiment, the control device 40 is described as switching between the transmission mode and the reflection mode by shifting the resonance frequencies of the resonators 20 and 21. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the control device 40 may switch between the transmission mode and the reflection mode by shifting the resonance frequency of at least one of the resonators 20 to 24 from 28 GHz.

[0076] In the third embodiment, the control device 40 preferably shifts the resonance frequency of at least one resonator on the output side among the resonators 20 to 24 from 28 GHz to switch between the transmission mode and the reflection mode. In this case, the control device 40 preferably controls the reflection phase by shifting the resonance frequency of at least one resonator on the input side among the resonators 20 to 24 by a smaller amount than the amount by which the resonance frequency of the resonator on the input side is shifted to switch from the transmission mode to the reflection mode. In the example shown in FIG. 19 , for example, the resonators 20 to 22 may be the input-side resonators, and the resonator 23 may be the output-side resonator. For example, the resonator 20 may be the input-side resonator, and the resonators 21 to 23 may be the output-side resonators.

[0077] The present disclosure can also be configured as follows: (1) A method for controlling a radio wave control board configured by arranging a plurality of unit structures on a surface, wherein the unit structures have a plurality of resonators capable of dynamically changing their resonant frequencies in a direction intersecting the surface, the method including: setting the resonant frequencies of the plurality of resonators to a first resonant frequency so that the radio wave control board operates in a transmission mode that transmits radio waves; and, when switching from the transmission mode to a reflection mode that reflects the radio waves, shifting the resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonators from the first resonant frequency. (2) The method for controlling a radio wave control board described in (1), when switching from the reflection mode to the transmission mode, including: shifting the resonant frequency of one of the plurality of resonators whose resonant frequency has shifted from the first resonant frequency to the first resonant frequency. (3) The method for controlling a radio wave control board according to (1) or (2), comprising the steps of: shifting the resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonators that is provided on the output side of the radio waves from the first resonant frequency; and shifting the resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonators that is provided on the input side of the radio waves by an amount smaller than the amount by which the resonant frequency of the resonator provided on the output side of the radio waves is shifted from the first resonant frequency. (4) The method for controlling a radio wave control board according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein in the step of shifting the resonant frequency of at least one of the resonators from the first resonant frequency, the resonant frequency is shifted so that it deviates from the first resonant frequency by 15% or more of a bandwidth centered on the first resonant frequency. (5) The method for controlling a radio wave control board according to (2), wherein in the step of shifting the resonant frequency of the resonator whose resonant frequency is shifted from the first resonant frequency to the first resonant frequency, the resonant frequency is shifted so that it is within 15% of a bandwidth centered on the first resonant frequency.(6) A control device for controlling a radio wave control plate, wherein the radio wave control plate is configured by arranging a plurality of unit structures on a surface, and the unit structures have a plurality of resonators capable of dynamically changing their resonant frequencies in a direction intersecting the surface, and when the control device switches the radio wave control plate from a transmission mode that transmits radio waves to a reflection mode that reflects the radio waves, the control device shifts the resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonators whose resonant frequency is set to a first resonant frequency from the first resonant frequency. (7) A program for causing a computer to control a radio wave control board, wherein the radio wave control board is configured by arranging a plurality of unit structures on a surface, and the unit structures have a plurality of resonators capable of dynamically changing their resonance frequencies in a direction intersecting the surface, and the program causes the computer to execute the following steps when switching the radio wave control board from a transmission mode that transmits radio waves to a reflection mode that reflects the radio waves: shifting the resonance frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonators whose resonance frequency is set to a first resonance frequency from the first resonance frequency.

[0078] 1 Radio wave control board 10 Unit structure 20, 21, 22, 23 Resonator 40 Control device 50 Input 51 Output

Claims

1. A method for controlling a radio wave control board constructed by arranging a plurality of unit structures on a surface, wherein the unit structures have a plurality of resonators capable of dynamically changing their resonant frequency in a direction intersecting the surface, the method comprising: a step of setting the resonant frequencies of the plurality of resonators to a first resonant frequency so that the radio wave control board operates in a transmission mode that transmits radio waves; and a step of shifting the resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonators from the first resonant frequency when switching from the transmission mode to a reflection mode that reflects the radio waves.

2. A method for controlling a radio wave control panel as described in claim 1, which includes, when switching from the reflection mode to the transmission mode, a step of shifting the resonance frequency of one of the plurality of resonators whose resonance frequency is shifted from the first resonance frequency to the first resonance frequency.

3. A method for controlling a radio wave control board as described in claim 1, comprising the steps of: shifting the resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonators that is provided on the output side of the radio waves from the first resonant frequency; and shifting the resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonators that is provided on the input side of the radio waves by an amount smaller than the amount by which the resonant frequency of the resonator that is provided on the output side of the radio waves is shifted from the first resonant frequency.

4. A method for controlling a radio wave control panel as described in claim 1, wherein in the step of shifting the resonant frequency of at least one of the resonators from the first resonant frequency, the resonant frequency is shifted so as to deviate from the first resonant frequency by 15% or more of the bandwidth.

5. A method for controlling a radio wave control panel as described in claim 2, wherein in the step of shifting the resonant frequency of the resonator whose resonant frequency is shifted from the first resonant frequency to the first resonant frequency, the resonant frequency is shifted so as to fall within 15% of a bandwidth centered on the first resonant frequency.

6. A control device for a radio wave control board, wherein the radio wave control board is configured by arranging a plurality of unit structures on a surface, and the unit structures have a plurality of resonators capable of dynamically changing their resonance frequency in a direction intersecting with the surface, and when the control device switches the radio wave control board from a transmission mode that transmits radio waves to a reflection mode that reflects the radio waves, the control device shifts the resonance frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonators whose resonance frequency is set to a first resonance frequency from the first resonance frequency.

7. A program for causing a computer to control a radio wave control board, wherein the radio wave control board is configured by arranging a plurality of unit structures on a surface, and the unit structures have a plurality of resonators capable of dynamically changing their resonance frequency in a direction intersecting with the surface, and the program causes the computer to execute the following steps when switching the radio wave control board from a transmission mode that transmits radio waves to a reflection mode that reflects the radio waves: shifting the resonance frequency of at least one of the plurality of resonators whose resonance frequency is set to a first resonance frequency from the first resonance frequency.

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