Multilayer substrate antenna and electronic device

Abstract

A multilayer substrate antenna 103 comprises a first radiation conductor 11 which is located in the upper layer of a multilayer substrate, a second radiation conductor 21 which is located in the inner layer of the multilayer substrate, first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c which are formed at positions such that the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c surround the first radiation conductor 11, and second annular ground conductors 22a, 22b which are formed at positions such that the second annular ground conductors 22a, 22b are closer to the second radiation conductor 21 than the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c and such that the second annular ground conductors 22a, 22b surround the second radiation conductor 21. The first radiation conductor 11 and the second radiation conductor 21 are superposed as viewed in the lamination direction. The peripheral length of the first radiation conductor 11 is shorter than the peripheral length of the second radiation conductor 21. The area of an opening formed by each of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c is smaller than the area of an opening formed by each of the second annular ground conductors 22a, 22b. The second radiation conductor 21 and the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c do not overlap as viewed in the lamination direction.

Description

Multilayer substrate antenna and electronic device

[0001] The present invention relates to a multilayer substrate antenna configured by a multilayer substrate in which a plurality of insulating layers, including an insulating layer on which a conductor pattern is formed, are stacked, and to an electronic device equipped with the same.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a multilayer substrate in which a patch antenna is formed by a conductor pattern and an insulator layer. This multilayer substrate is a substrate in which multiple insulator layers are stacked, including an insulator layer on which a conductor pattern is formed. The patch antenna includes two radiation conductors of different sizes, and these two radiation conductors are arranged at different positions in the stacking direction of the insulator layers.

[0003] International Publication No. 2023 / 210198

[0004] As described above, in a patch antenna in which two radiation conductors of different sizes are arranged at different positions in the stacking direction of the insulator layers, the radiation conductor and a ground conductor surrounding the radiation conductor are formed on the upper surface of the multilayer substrate, and a planar ground conductor facing the radiation conductor in parallel with the stacking direction is formed on the lower surface of the multilayer substrate. Furthermore, the ground conductor surrounding the radiation conductor is electrically connected to the planar ground conductor via an interlayer connecting conductor.

[0005] In a patch antenna in which the main electric field is generated between the radiating conductor and the ground conductor that surrounds the same layer as the radiating conductor, it is difficult to maintain a constant ground potential of the ground conductor due to unwanted resonance of the ground conductor. In other words, the ground conductor acts as a noise source. This makes it difficult to obtain an antenna with stable antenna characteristics.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multilayer substrate antenna having good antenna characteristics in an antenna having a ground conductor around a radiation conductor, and an electronic device equipped with the same.

[0007] (a) An example of a multilayer substrate antenna according to the present disclosure is configured as follows: the multilayer substrate antenna is configured by stacking a plurality of insulator layers including an insulator layer on which a conductor pattern is formed; the multilayer substrate antenna comprises: a first radiation conductor formed by the conductor pattern located toward an upper layer of the multilayer substrate; a second radiation conductor formed by the conductor pattern located in a layer of the multilayer substrate inner than the upper layer; a first annular ground conductor formed by the conductor pattern at a position surrounding the first radiation conductor; and a second annular ground conductor formed by the conductor pattern at a position closer to the second radiation conductor than the first annular ground conductor and surrounding the second radiation conductor; the first radiation conductor and the second radiation conductor overlap when viewed in the stacking direction; a circumferential length of the first radiation conductor is shorter than a circumferential length of the second radiation conductor; an area of ​​an opening formed by the first annular ground conductor is smaller than an area of ​​an opening formed by the second annular ground conductor; and the second radiation conductor and the first annular ground conductor do not overlap when viewed in the stacking direction.

[0008] (b) An electronic device as an example of the present disclosure includes a multilayer substrate antenna and another substrate on which the multilayer substrate antenna is mounted.

[0009] (c) An electronic device as an example of the present disclosure includes a multilayer substrate antenna and a housing that houses the multilayer substrate antenna.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a multilayer substrate antenna having good antenna characteristics in an antenna having a ground conductor around a radiation conductor, and an electronic device including the same.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multilayer substrate antenna 101 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the multilayer substrate antenna 101 as viewed in a direction along the Z axis shown in FIG. 1. The upper part of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along X1-X1 in FIG. 2, the middle part of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along X2-X2 in FIG. 2, and the lower part of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along X3-X3 in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the multilayer substrate antenna 101. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the vector of a composite wave resulting from the synthesis of a traveling wave and a reflected wave. The upper part of FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the gain directivity of the multilayer substrate antenna 101 with reduced side lobes. The lower part of FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the gain directivity of a comparative multilayer substrate antenna in which unwanted side lobes are generated. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a multilayer substrate antenna 102 according to a second embodiment. The upper part of FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along X1-X1 in FIG. 7, the middle part of FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along X2-X2 in FIG. 7, and the lower part of FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along X3-X3 in FIG. 7. The upper part of Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the multilayer substrate antenna 103 according to the third embodiment. The lower part of Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the multilayer substrate antenna 103. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the multilayer substrate antenna 103. The upper part of Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along X1-X1 in Fig. 10, the middle part of Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along X2-X2 in Fig. 10, and the lower part of Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along X3-X3 in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the relationship between the wide spacing portions WSx1 and WSy1 and the polarization plane. Fig. 13 is a plan view of other multilayer substrate antennas 103A and 103B according to the third embodiment. Fig. 14 is a plan view of a multilayer substrate antenna as a comparative example.

[0012] Hereinafter, several specific examples will be given with reference to the drawings to illustrate several embodiments for carrying out the present invention. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts in each drawing. To facilitate explanation and understanding of the main points, the embodiments for carrying out the present invention are shown divided into several embodiments for the sake of convenience. However, partial omission, substitution, or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments is possible. From the second embodiment onwards, descriptions of matters common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the differences will be described. In particular, similar effects resulting from similar configurations will not be mentioned in each embodiment.

[0013] First Embodiment In the first embodiment, an example of the structure and characteristics of a multilayer substrate antenna will be described.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multilayer substrate antenna 101 according to a first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the insulating layers are made transparent to clearly show the internal state of the multilayer substrate antenna 101. Although FIG. 1 shows a single multilayer substrate antenna, during the manufacturing process of such a multilayer substrate antenna, the multilayer substrate is a continuous body in which multiple multilayer substrate antennas are arranged and formed, and the continuous body is cut into single bodies in the final stage of the manufacturing process or just before the final stage. This relationship between the continuous body and the single bodies is similar in other figures.

[0015] This multilayer substrate antenna 101 is composed of a multilayer substrate in which multiple insulator layers are stacked, including an insulator layer on which a conductor pattern is formed. Each insulator layer is, for example, a layer of a resin substrate (resin sheet) such as a liquid crystal polymer resin or polyimide, or a ceramic layer (a layer formed by firing a ceramic green sheet). Furthermore, each conductor pattern is a conductor layer (conductor foil) itself whose main component is Cu or Ag, or a patterned conductor layer.

[0016] 1, a first radiation conductor 11 and a first annular ground conductor 12a, each formed by a conductor pattern, are formed on the upper surface of an insulator layer 31a. In this example, the first radiation conductor 11 is square-shaped, and the first annular ground conductor 12a has a square outer shape with a square opening formed therein. As a result, the first annular ground conductor 12a is formed in a position surrounding the first radiation conductor 11.

[0017] A first annular ground conductor 12b made of a conductor pattern is formed on the upper surface of the insulator layer 31b. Similarly, a first annular ground conductor 12c made of a conductor pattern is formed on the upper surface of the insulator layer 31c.

[0018] A second annular ground conductor 22a formed by a conductor pattern is formed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 32a. Similarly, a second annular ground conductor 22b formed by a conductor pattern is formed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 32b.

[0019] A planar ground conductor 3a formed by a conductor pattern is formed on the lower surface of the insulating layer 33a. A second signal conductor SL2 and the like formed by a conductor pattern are formed on the lower surface of the insulating layer .

[0020] A planar ground conductor 3b made of a conductor pattern is formed on the lower surface of the insulating layer 33b.

[0021] In each of the insulator layers 31a, 31b, 31c, 32a, 32b, and 33a, a plurality of interlayer connection conductors VG are formed, electrically connecting the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c, the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b, and the planar ground conductor 3a. To avoid cluttering the drawings, the symbol VG is not attached to all interlayer connection conductors electrically connected to the planar ground conductor 3a. This also applies to the subsequent drawings.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a plan view of multilayer substrate antenna 101 as viewed in a direction along the Z axis shown in Fig. 1. The upper part of Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along X1-X1 in Fig. 2, the middle part of Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along X2-X2 in Fig. 2, and the lower part of Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along X3-X3 in Fig. 2. All of these are cross-sectional views taken along the Z axis.

[0023] 3, a first radiation conductor 11 and a first annular ground conductor 12a, each formed by a conductor pattern, are formed on the upper surface of the insulator layer 31a. A first annular ground conductor 12b, also formed by a conductor pattern, is formed on the upper surface of the insulator layer 31b. Similarly, a first annular ground conductor 12c, also formed by a conductor pattern, is formed on the upper surface of the insulator layer 31c.

[0024] Furthermore, a second radiation conductor 21 and a second annular ground conductor 22a are formed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 32a, each of which is formed by a conductor pattern.

[0025] 2, the width of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c is represented by W1, and the width of the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b is represented by W2. Thus, the width W1 of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c is greater than the width W2 of the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b.

[0026] A second annular ground conductor 22b formed by a conductor pattern is formed on the upper surface of the insulator layer 32b. A planar ground conductor 3a formed by a conductor pattern is formed on the lower surface of the insulator layer 33a. And a planar ground conductor 3b formed by a conductor pattern is formed on the lower surface of the insulator layer 33b.

[0027] 3, a first signal conductor SL1 and a second signal conductor SL2, each formed by a conductor pattern, are formed on the underside of the insulator layer 34. A first stripline is formed by the planar ground conductors 3a and 3b, the first signal conductor SL1, and the insulator layers 34 and 33b present between the planar ground conductors 3a and 3b and the first signal conductor SL1. Similarly, a second stripline is formed by the planar ground conductors 3a and 3b, the second signal conductor SL2, and the insulator layers 34 and 33b present between the planar ground conductors 3a and 3b and the second signal conductor SL2.

[0028] 2 , the first radiation conductor 11 is fed at a first feed point PP1, and the second radiation conductor 21 is fed at a second feed point PP2. The first feed point PP1 is a connection point of the interlayer connection conductor VS1 to the first radiation conductor 11. The second feed point PP2 is a connection point of the interlayer connection conductor VS2 to the second radiation conductor 21.

[0029] The interlayer connection conductor VS1 is formed not only on the insulator layer 31a but also on the insulator layers 31b, 31c, 32a, 32b, 33a, and 34. These interlayer connection conductors VS1 are electrically connected via conductor patterns formed on the insulator layers 31b, 31c, 32a, 32b, and 33a, forming a signal path in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the insulator layers. That is, the tip of the first signal conductor SL1 is led to the first feeding point PP1 of the first radiation conductor 11. Note that openings are formed in the second radiation conductor 21 and the planar ground conductor 3a to allow the signal path to pass through.

[0030] Similarly, the interlayer connection conductor VS2 is formed not only on the insulator layer 32a but also on the insulator layers 32b, 33a, and 34. These interlayer connection conductors VS2 are electrically connected via conductor patterns formed on the insulator layers 32b, 33a, and 34, thereby forming a signal path in the stacking direction of the insulator layers (Z-axis direction). That is, the tip of the second signal conductor SL2 is led to the second feeding point PP2 of the second radiation conductor 21. An opening through which the signal path passes is formed in the planar ground conductor 3a.

[0031] In the multilayer substrate antenna 101 according to this embodiment, the first radiating conductor 11, the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c, the second radiating conductor 21, the insulator layers between the first radiating conductor 11 and the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c, and the insulator layers between the first radiating conductor 11 and the second radiating conductor 21 function as a first patch antenna. Note that an electric field is also generated between the first radiating conductor 11 and the planar ground conductor 3a, and this planar ground conductor 3a also functions as part of the first patch antenna. However, because the area of ​​the second radiating conductor 21 is larger than that of the first radiating conductor 11 and, as described below, the first radiating conductor 11 and the second radiating conductor 21 overlap in the stacking direction of the insulator layers (the Z-axis direction), the second radiating conductor 21 functions as a high-frequency ground conductor facing the first patch antenna. The resonant frequency of the first patch antenna is, for example, in the 40 GHz band.

[0032] In the multilayer substrate antenna 101 according to this embodiment, the second radiating conductor 21, the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b, the planar ground conductor 3a, the insulating layer between the second radiating conductor 21 and the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b, and the insulating layer between the second radiating conductor 21 and the planar ground conductor 3a function as a second patch antenna. An electric field is also generated between the second radiating conductor 21 and the first annular ground conductor, particularly between the first annular ground conductor 12c closest to the second radiating conductor 21 and the second radiating conductor 21. Therefore, the first annular ground conductor 12c also functions as part of the second patch antenna. To reduce the electric field strength between the first annular ground conductor and the second radiating conductor 21, the first annular ground conductor 12c may be eliminated, and only the first annular ground conductors 12a and 12b may be provided as annular ground conductors for the first patch antenna. The resonant frequency of the second patch antenna is, for example, in the 27 GHz band.

[0033] In the multilayer substrate antenna 101 according to this embodiment, the first radiation conductor 11 is located near the upper layer of the multilayer substrate, and the second radiation conductor 21 is located in an inner layer relative to the upper layer of the multilayer substrate. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first radiation conductor 11 and the second radiation conductor 21 overlap when viewed in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the insulator layers. This results in a compact multilayer substrate antenna that functions as both a first patch antenna and a second patch antenna.

[0034] Furthermore, in the multilayer substrate antenna 101 according to this embodiment, the circumferential length of the first radiation conductor 11 (the total length along the periphery of the first radiation conductor 11) is shorter than the circumferential length of the second radiation conductor 21 (the total length along the periphery of the second radiation conductor 21). Therefore, the first radiation conductor 11 hardly blocks radiation from the second radiation conductor 21. In other words, the first radiation conductor 11 hardly impairs the characteristics of the second patch antenna including the second radiation conductor 21. This allows both the first patch antenna and the second patch antenna to be small multilayer substrate antennas with predetermined characteristics. In the first embodiment, both the first radiation conductor 11 and the second radiation conductor 21 are simple squares, but they may have slits or notches at predetermined locations. In these cases, the "circumferential length" refers to the total length along the periphery of each radiation conductor.

[0035] Furthermore, in the multilayer substrate antenna 101 according to this embodiment, the area of ​​the opening AA1 formed by the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c is smaller than the area of ​​the opening AA2 formed by the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b. These symbols AA1 and AA2 represent locations rather than dimensions. This allows the distance between the first radiation conductor 11 and the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c, as described below, to be maintained, and the distance between the second radiation conductor 21 and the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b, as described below, to be maintained.

[0036] Furthermore, in the multilayer substrate antenna 101 according to this embodiment, the second radiation conductor 21 and the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c do not overlap when viewed in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the insulator layers, which prevents radiation from the second radiation conductor 21 from being blocked by the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c, thereby maintaining antenna characteristics such as the radiation efficiency of the second patch antenna.

[0037] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the area of ​​the openings formed by the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c is smaller than the area of ​​the openings formed by the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b, so the width W1 (see FIG. 2 ) of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c can be increased. This allows for more interlayer connection conductors VG electrically connected to the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c. This further stabilizes the ground potential of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c. That is, the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c are ground conductors located near the first radiation conductor 11, and the stable ground potential of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c results in stable characteristics of the first patch antenna. Furthermore, unnecessary resonance is suppressed in the conductor portion formed by the first annular ground conductors 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c and the interlayer connecting conductor VG that connects them electrically, and this unnecessary resonance is prevented from becoming a noise source. In particular, since the first patch antenna is an antenna for higher frequencies (40 GHz band) than the second patch antenna, it is effective in stabilizing the characteristics of the high-frequency band antenna by making the width W1 of the first annular ground conductors 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c wider than the width W2 of the second annular ground conductors 22 a, 22 b.

[0038] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the multilayer substrate antenna 101. The upper part of Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the first patch antenna, and the lower part is an explanatory diagram of the second patch antenna, which will be described later.

[0039] As shown in the upper part of Figure 4 and as shown in Figure 2, the distance S1 between the inner peripheral parts of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c and the outer peripheral part of the first radiation conductor 11 is 1 / 4, approximately 1 / 4, or more than 1 / 4 of the resonant wavelength of the first radiation conductor 11.

[0040] In the upper diagram of Figure 4, the traveling wave about to be radiated from the first radiation conductor 11 is reflected by the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c. A phase difference (phase shift) of 90° occurs between the wave resulting from this reflection (reflected wave) and the traveling wave. In Figure 4, the thick solid arrows represent part of the traveling wave. Meanwhile, a phase difference (phase shift) of 90° also occurs between the wave reflected from the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c and the traveling wave. In Figure 4, the thick dashed arrows represent part of the reflected wave.

[0041] 5 is a diagram showing the vector of a composite wave resulting from the synthesis of the traveling wave and the reflected wave. When the resonant wavelength of the first radiation conductor 11 is represented by λ1, λ1 / 4 is 90°. The phase difference between the traveling wave and the reflected wave is 90°, and when these reflected waves are synthesized at the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor 11, the reflected wave (backward wave) is delayed by 180° relative to the traveling wave. The reflected waves from the inner peripheries of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c are synthesized at the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor 11. Therefore, the amplitude of the composite wave is essentially zero, and unwanted radiation (side lobes) in the lateral direction (the surface direction of the insulator layer) or in the vicinity thereof is reduced.

[0042] When the distance S1 between the inner peripheries of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c and the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor 11 is λ1 / 4, the amplitude of the composite wave becomes substantially zero, which is effective in canceling out the influence of the reflected wave, but the side lobe suppression effect can also be obtained even when the distance S1 between the inner peripheries of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c and the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor 11 exceeds λ1 / 4. This is because both the electric field and the magnetic field propagate in the layer direction (side direction) of the insulator layer between the inner peripheries of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c and the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor 11, and therefore the components propagating in the side direction (side lobes) become smaller as the distance S1 between the inner peripheries of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c and the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor 11 becomes wider. Furthermore, the larger the spacing S1, the lower the electric field strength at that location (between the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductor 12a, 12b, 12c and the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor 11), and since it becomes a far field at λ1 / 2 or more, it becomes less susceptible to the adverse effects of reflected waves due to the combination of traveling waves and reflected waves.

[0043] Incidentally, if the width W1 of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c becomes large and the distance between the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c and the outer periphery of the first radiating conductor 11 becomes less than λ1 / 4, the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c may hide the outer periphery of the second radiating conductor 21, which is also undesirable.

[0044] The upper part of Fig. 6 shows the gain directivity of the multilayer substrate antenna 101 in which the side lobes are reduced. The lower part of Fig. 6 shows the gain directivity of a comparative multilayer substrate antenna in which the unwanted side lobes are generated. In Fig. 6, the symbol MR represents the main lobe. In the lower part of Fig. 6, the distance S1 between the first radiation conductor 11 and the first annular ground conductor 12a is shorter than ¼ of the resonant wavelength of the first radiation conductor 11. Therefore, the amplitude due to the combination of the traveling wave and the reflected wave is not canceled, and a side lobe SR is generated. In contrast, in the multilayer substrate antenna 101 according to this embodiment, only the main lobe MR is generated, and the gain in the main lobe is increased while the gain in the unwanted direction is suppressed.

[0045] The second patch antenna is illustrated in the lower part of Fig. 4. As shown in the lower part of Fig. 4 and as shown in Fig. 2, the distance S2 between the inner periphery of the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b and the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor 21 is ¼, approximately ¼, or equal to or greater than ¼ of the resonant wavelength of the second radiation conductor 21.

[0046] 4, the traveling wave radiated from the second radiation conductor 21 is reflected by the inner peripheries of the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b. A phase difference (phase shift) of 90° occurs between the wave resulting from this reflection (reflected wave) and the traveling wave. Meanwhile, a phase difference (phase shift) of 90° also occurs between the wave reflected from the inner peripheries of the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b and the traveling wave.

[0047] 5 and 6, in the second patch antenna as well, the reflected waves from the inner peripheries of the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b are combined at the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor 21. Therefore, the amplitude of the combined wave becomes substantially zero, and unnecessary radiation (side lobes) in the lateral direction (the surface direction of the insulator layer) or in the vicinity thereof is reduced.

[0048] Second Embodiment In a second embodiment, a multilayer substrate antenna in which the widths of the first and second annular ground conductors are different from those in the example shown in the first embodiment will be illustrated.

[0049] Fig. 7 is a plan view of the multilayer substrate antenna 102 according to the second embodiment. The upper part of Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along X1-X1 in Fig. 7, the middle part of Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along X2-X2 in Fig. 7, and the lower part of Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along X3-X3 in Fig. 7. All of these are cross-sectional views taken along the Z-axis.

[0050] The main components of the multilayer substrate antenna 102 are the same as the main components of the multilayer substrate antenna 101 shown in the first embodiment. That is, like the multilayer substrate antenna 101, the multilayer substrate antenna 102 includes insulator layers 31a, 31b, 31c, 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b, and 34, first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c, second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b, a first radiation conductor 11, a second radiation conductor 21, and planar ground conductors 3a and 3b. Also like the multilayer substrate antenna 101, the multilayer substrate antenna 102 includes a first signal conductor SL1 and a second signal conductor SL2, and interlayer connection conductors VS1 and VS2.

[0051] The multilayer substrate antenna 102 differs from the multilayer substrate antenna 101 mainly in the following points.

[0052] - Distance S1 between the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c and the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor 11; - Distance S2 between the inner periphery of the second annular ground conductors 22a, 22b and the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor 21; - Width W1 of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c; - Width W2 of the second annular ground conductors 22a, 22b; - Number of interlayer connection conductors VG that electrically connect the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c, the second annular ground conductors 22a, 22b and the planar ground conductor 3a In the multilayer substrate antenna 102 of the second embodiment, two rows of interlayer connection conductors VG are formed in the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c, and one row of interlayer connection conductors VG is formed in the second annular ground conductors 22a, 22b.

[0053] In this way, the number of rows of the interlayer connection conductors VG electrically connecting the first annular ground conductors 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, the second annular ground conductors 22 a, 22 b, and the planar ground conductor 3 a is arbitrary. However, as in the multilayer substrate antenna 101 shown in the first embodiment, since the width W1 of the first annular ground conductors 12 a, 12 b, 12 c is larger than the width W2 of the second annular ground conductors 22 a, 22 b, the number of rows of the interlayer connection conductors VG electrically connecting the first annular ground conductors 12 a, 12 b, 12 c can be relatively large.

[0054] Third Embodiment In a third embodiment, a multilayer substrate antenna in which wide gap portions are formed in the first annular ground conductor and the second annular ground conductor will be exemplified.

[0055] 9 is a perspective view of a multilayer substrate antenna 103 according to a third embodiment, and the lower part of FIG.

[0056] The main components of the multilayer substrate antenna 103 are the same as the main components of the multilayer substrate antenna 101 shown in the first embodiment and the multilayer substrate antenna 102 shown in the second embodiment.

[0057] The first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c included in the multilayer substrate antenna 103 have a first wide spacing portion WSx1 where the spacing between the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c and the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor 11 is partially widened in the X direction. Similarly, the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c have a first wide spacing portion WSy1 where the spacing between the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c and the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor 11 is partially widened in the Y direction.

[0058] The second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b included in the multilayer substrate antenna 103 have second wide spacing portions WSx2 in which the spacing between the inner peripheries of the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b and the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor 21 is partially widened in the X direction. Similarly, the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b have wide spacing portions WSy2 in which the spacing between the inner peripheries of the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b and the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor 21 is partially widened in the Y direction.

[0059] Fig. 10 is a plan view of the multilayer substrate antenna 103. The upper part of Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along X1-X1 in Fig. 10, the middle part of Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along X2-X2 in Fig. 10, and the lower part of Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along X3-X3 in Fig. 10. All of these are cross-sectional views taken along the Z-axis direction.

[0060] 9, 10, and 11, a distance S1w between the outer periphery of the first radiating conductor 11 and the first wide spacing portion WSx1 of the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductor 12a is wider than a distance S1n between the outer periphery of the first radiating conductor 11 and a portion of the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductor 12a other than the first wide spacing portion WSx1. The distance S1w between the outer periphery of the first radiating conductor 11 and the wide spacing portion WSy1 of the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductor 12a is the same as the distance S1w. In addition, the distance S1n between the outer periphery of the first radiating conductor 11 and a portion of the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductor 12a other than the wide spacing portion WSy1 is the same as the distance S1n.

[0061] 9, 10, and 11, the distance S2w between the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor 21 and the second wide spacing portion WSx2 of the inner periphery of the second annular ground conductor 22a is wider than the distance S2n between the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor 21 and the portion of the inner periphery of the second annular ground conductor 22a other than the second wide spacing portion WSx2. The distance between the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor 21 and the wide spacing portion WSy2 of the inner periphery of the second annular ground conductor 22a is the same as S2w. The distance between the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor 21 and the portion of the inner periphery of the second annular ground conductor 22a other than the wide spacing portion WSy2 is the same as S2n.

[0062] In this embodiment, the provision of the first wide spacing portions WSx1 and WSy1 can reduce the capacitive coupling between the first radiation conductor 11 and the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c, thereby achieving high electromagnetic wave radiation efficiency for the first patch antenna and the second patch antenna.

[0063] 9, E1 simply represents the electric field of the first patch antenna, i.e., the electric field generated between the first radiation conductor 11 and the second radiation conductor 21. E2 simply represents the electric field of the second patch antenna, i.e., the electric field generated between the second radiation conductor 21 and the planar ground conductor 3a.

[0064] If the resonant wavelength of the first patch antenna including the first radiation conductor 11 is represented by λ1, it is preferable that the spacing S1w between the inner peripheral portion of the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c and the outer peripheral portion of the first radiation conductor 11 at the first wide spacing portions WSx1, WSy1 in the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c is λ1 / 4 or more.

[0065] The dimensions of the first wide spacing portions WSx1, WSy1 affect not only the first patch antenna including the first radiation conductor 11 but also the second patch antenna (the radiation wave from the second patch antenna passes through these wide spacing portions WSx1, WSy1). Therefore, by setting the dimension of the spacing S1w to satisfy the above relationship, the adverse effect of the reflected wave resulting from the combination of the traveling wave and the reflected wave (the occurrence of side lobes) can be effectively suppressed for both the first patch antenna and the second patch antenna.

[0066] Furthermore, if the resonant wavelength of the second patch antenna including the second radiation conductor 21 is represented by λ2, it is preferable that the spacing S2w between the inner peripheral portion of the second annular ground conductors 22a, 22b and the outer peripheral portion of the second radiation conductor 21 at the second wide spacing portions WSx2, WSy2 in the second annular ground conductors 22a, 22b is λ2 / 4 or more.

[0067] By determining the dimension of the spacing S2w in accordance with the above relationship, the adverse effects of reflected waves (the generation of side lobes) due to the combination of forward and reflected waves can be effectively suppressed for the second patch antenna. However, in order to reduce the size of the multilayer substrate antenna, it is not necessary to satisfy the condition that the spacing S2w is λ2 / 4 or more.

[0068] As shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, it is not possible to form multiple interlayer connecting conductors VG that electrically connect the planar ground conductor 3a in the narrow portions of the annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, 12c, 22a, and 22b. Therefore, as shown by the electric fields E1 and E2 in the upper part of Figure 9, it is important to take care to suppress unnecessary resonance and electric field leakage in these portions.

[0069] If the longitudinal dimension L1 (see FIG. 10 ) of the first wide spacing portions WSx1, WSy1 is less than half the resonant frequency of the first patch antenna, unwanted resonance and electric field leakage in the operating frequency band are suppressed, similar to the principle of a waveguide. Similarly, if the longitudinal dimension L2 of the second wide spacing portions WSx2, WSy2 is less than half the resonant frequency of the second patch antenna, unwanted resonance and electric field leakage in the operating frequency band are suppressed, similar to the principle of a waveguide.

[0070] On the other hand, if the longitudinal dimension L1 of the first wide spacing portions WSx1, WSy1 is too short, the provision of the first wide spacing portions WSx1, WSy1 will not result in high electromagnetic wave radiation efficiency of the first patch antenna. Similarly, if the longitudinal dimension L2 of the second wide spacing portions WSx2, WSy2 is too short, the provision of the second wide spacing portions WSx2, WSy2 will not result in high electromagnetic wave radiation efficiency of the second patch antenna. Therefore, it is preferable that the longitudinal dimension L1 of the first wide spacing portions WSx1, WSy1 be larger than the distance between the interlayer connection conductors VG (the gap between adjacent interlayer connection conductors VG). This prevents the electric field of the first patch antenna from being shielded by the first wide spacing portions WSx1, WSy1. Similarly, it is preferable that the longitudinal dimension L2 of the second wide spacing portions WSx2, WSy2 be larger than the distance between the interlayer connection conductors VG (the gap between adjacent interlayer connection conductors VG). This prevents the electric field of the second patch antenna from being blocked by the second wide spacing portions WSx2 and WSy2.

[0071] 12 is a plan view showing the relationship between the positional relationship of the first wide spacing portion WSx1 and the polarization plane. In this Fig. 12, multiple arrows pointing from the first radiation conductor 11 to the first annular ground conductor 12a indicate the direction of the electric field generated at a certain phase (polarity) between the first radiation conductor 11 and the first annular ground conductor 12a. Furthermore, the thick arrow with double arrowheads indicates the polarization plane of the electromagnetic wave radiated from the first patch antenna (a plane including the direction of electric field oscillation and the propagation direction of the electromagnetic wave).

[0072] In this way, when the electric field is oriented in the spacing direction between the first wide spacing portion WSx1 of the first annular ground conductor 12a and the first radiation conductor 11 (when the feeding point for the first radiation conductor 11 is determined in this manner), the electric field tends to spread in the area where the spacing between the first wide spacing portion WSx1 of the first annular ground conductor 12a and the first radiation conductor 11 is wide, so in the example shown in Figure 12, a horizontally polarized electromagnetic wave is radiated (having directivity with the electric field vibration plane in the X direction).

[0073] 14 is a plan view of a multilayer substrate antenna as a comparative example. This multilayer substrate antenna is asymmetric in the left-right direction (X direction, which is the polarization direction). Therefore, the electric field component in the horizontal direction (X direction) is reduced.

[0074] Fig. 13 is a plan view of another multilayer substrate antenna 103A according to the third preferred embodiment. In the multilayer substrate antenna 103A shown in Fig. 13, the wide spacing portion WSx1 formed in the first annular ground conductor 12a is shifted in the Y direction compared to the multilayer substrate antenna 103 shown in Fig. 12.

[0075] The multilayer substrate antenna 103A is also symmetrical with respect to the left-right direction (the X direction, which is the polarization direction). Therefore, similar to the example shown in Fig. 12, horizontally polarized electromagnetic waves are radiated (having directivity with the electric field vibration plane in the X direction).

[0076] The above-described relationship has been described for the first patch antenna which is composed of the first radiation conductor 11, the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c, the second radiation conductor 21, the insulator layers present between the first radiation conductor 11 and the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c, and the insulator layer present between the first radiation conductor 11 and the second radiation conductor 21. This relationship also applies to the second patch antenna which is composed of the second radiation conductor 21, the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b, the planar ground conductor 3a, the insulator layers present between the second radiation conductor 21 and the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b, and the insulator layer present between the second radiation conductor 21 and the planar ground conductor 3a.

[0077] Fourth Embodiment In a fourth embodiment, an electronic device according to the present invention will be illustrated.

[0078] In the fourth embodiment, an electronic device including another substrate on which the multilayer substrate antenna shown in any one of the first to third embodiments is mounted will be exemplified.

[0079] The multilayer substrate antenna 101 shown in Fig. 1 and the multilayer substrate antenna 103 shown in Fig. 9 are provided with a planar ground conductor 3b on their undersides. The multilayer substrate antenna is mounted on another substrate by soldering this planar ground conductor 3b to the ground electrode of the other substrate, for example.

[0080] Fifth Embodiment In a fifth embodiment, an electronic device including a housing will be exemplified.

[0081] The electronic device according to this embodiment includes any one of the multilayer substrate antennas shown in the first to third embodiments, and a housing that houses the multilayer substrate antenna.

[0082] The housing that houses the multilayer substrate antenna has a size and shape that allows the multilayer substrate antenna to be housed (built-in).

[0083] Various embodiments of the present invention have been presented so far, but these are all examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention. Embodiments with such omissions, substitutions, and modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the present invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims of this application.

[0084] For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the first radiation conductor 11 and the second radiation conductor 21 are each provided with a single feed point, but the number of feed points for one radiation conductor is not limited to one.

[0085] In each of the above-described embodiments, the feed points are provided near the center of one side of the square first radiation conductor 11 and second radiation conductor 21. However, the feed points may be provided at positions closer to the corners of one or both of the square first radiation conductor 11 and second radiation conductor 21. Note that the positions of the feed points do not need to be symmetrical for two radiation conductors operating in different frequency bands.

[0086] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, examples have been shown in which the first radiation conductor 11 and the second radiation conductor 21 are provided, each of which is square. However, the radiation conductor is not limited to a square. For example, it may be rectangular, circular, elliptical, or the like. It may also have a shape with trimmed corners. The radiation conductor may also have a shape in which a slit is formed in part. The position of the feed point may be determined according to the impedance matching between the patch antenna and the transmission line. It may also be determined according to the direction of the polarization plane.

[0087] In the above-described embodiments, the first annular ground conductors 12a, 12b, and 12c and the second annular ground conductors 22a and 22b have square outer and inner peripheries, respectively, but the annular shapes of the first and second annular ground conductors are not limited to squares and may be, for example, rectangular, circular, or elliptical.

[0088] Furthermore, although a single patch antenna is shown in each of the drawings of each embodiment, a plurality of patch antennas may be arranged to form an array antenna using patch antennas.

[0089] In addition, in each embodiment, an example has been shown in which all insulator layers are insulator layers on which conductor patterns are formed, but the substrate may also be composed of a multilayer substrate in which multiple insulator layers are stacked, including insulator layers on which no conductor patterns are formed.

[0090] The multilayer substrate antenna and electronic device of the present invention may be provided in the following aspects.

[0091] <1> A multilayer substrate antenna including a multilayer substrate on which a plurality of insulator layers including an insulator layer on which a conductor pattern is formed is stacked, the multilayer substrate antenna comprising: a first radiation conductor formed by the conductor pattern located toward an upper layer of the multilayer substrate; a second radiation conductor formed by the conductor pattern located in a layer of the multilayer substrate inner than the upper layer; a first annular ground conductor formed by the conductor pattern at a position surrounding the first radiation conductor; and a second annular ground conductor formed by the conductor pattern at a position closer to the second radiation conductor than the first annular ground conductor and surrounding the second radiation conductor, wherein the first radiation conductor and the second radiation conductor overlap when viewed in the stacking direction, a perimeter of the first radiation conductor is shorter than a perimeter of the second radiation conductor, an area of ​​an opening formed by the first annular ground conductor is smaller than an area of ​​an opening formed by the second annular ground conductor, and the second radiation conductor and the first annular ground conductor do not overlap when viewed in the stacking direction.

[0092] <2> The multilayer substrate antenna described in <1>, wherein the distance between the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductor and the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor is equal to or greater than 1 / 4 of the resonant wavelength of the first radiation conductor, and the distance between the inner periphery of the second annular ground conductor and the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor is equal to or greater than 1 / 4 of the resonant wavelength of the second radiation conductor.

[0093] <3> The multilayer substrate antenna described in <1> or <2>, wherein the first annular ground conductor has a first wide spacing portion in which the spacing between the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductor and the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor is partially widened.

[0094] <4> The multilayer substrate antenna described in <3>, wherein, when a resonant wavelength of a patch antenna including the first radiation conductor is represented by λ1 and a resonant wavelength of a patch antenna including the second radiation conductor is represented by λ2, a spacing between an inner peripheral portion of the first annular ground conductor and an outer peripheral portion of the first radiation conductor in the first wide spacing portion is between λ1 / 4 and λ2 / 4.

[0095] <5> The multilayer substrate antenna according to <3> or <4>, further comprising: a planar ground conductor in a lower layer of the multilayer substrate, the planar ground conductor facing the first radiation conductor and the second radiation conductor; a plurality of interlayer connection conductors arranged in a ring direction of the first annular ground conductor, the first annular ground conductor being electrically connected to the planar ground conductor; and a longitudinal dimension of the first wide spacing portion being larger than a gap between adjacent interlayer connection conductors among the plurality of interlayer connection conductors and less than 1 / 2 of a resonant wavelength of a patch antenna including the first radiation conductor.

[0096] <6> A multilayer substrate antenna described in any one of <3> to <5>, wherein the first annular ground conductor is rectangular when viewed in the stacking direction, and a line connecting the centers of the first wide spacing portions formed on two opposing sides of the first annular ground conductor is perpendicular to a line connecting the centers of the first wide spacing portions formed on two other opposing sides.

[0097] <7> The multilayer substrate antenna described in any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the second annular ground conductor has a second wide spacing portion in which the spacing between the inner periphery of the second annular ground conductor and the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor is partially widened.

[0098] <8> The multilayer substrate antenna described in <7>, wherein, when the resonant wavelength of the patch antenna including the first radiation conductor is represented by λ1 and the resonant wavelength of the patch antenna including the second radiation conductor is represented by λ2, the spacing between the inner peripheral portion of the second annular ground conductor and the outer peripheral portion of the second radiation conductor in the second wide spacing portion is between λ1 / 4 and λ2 / 4.

[0099] <9> The multilayer substrate antenna described in <7> or <8>, further comprising: a planar ground conductor in a lower layer of the multilayer substrate, the planar ground conductor facing the first radiation conductor and the second radiation conductor; a plurality of interlayer connection conductors arranged in a ring direction of the second annular ground conductor, the second annular ground conductor being electrically connected to the planar ground conductor; and a longitudinal dimension of the second wide spacing portion being larger than a gap between adjacent interlayer connection conductors among the plurality of interlayer connection conductors and less than 1 / 2 of a resonant wavelength of a patch antenna including the second radiation conductor.

[0100] <10> A multilayer substrate antenna described in any one of <7> to <9>, wherein the second annular ground conductor is rectangular when viewed in the stacking direction, and a line connecting the centers of the second wide spacing portions formed on two opposing sides of the second annular ground conductor is perpendicular to a line connecting the centers of the second wide spacing portions formed on the other two opposing sides.

[0101] <11> An electronic device comprising the multilayer substrate antenna according to any one of <1> to <10> and another substrate on which the multilayer substrate antenna is mounted.

[0102] <12> An electronic device comprising the multilayer substrate antenna according to any one of <1> to <10> and a housing incorporating the multilayer substrate antenna.

[0103] AA1, AA2...Apertures E1, E2...Electric field L1...First wide-spacing longitudinal dimension L2...Second wide-spacing longitudinal dimension MR...Main lobe PP1...First feeding point PP2...Second feeding point S1, S2...Spacing S1n, S1w...Spacing S2n, S2w...Spacing SL1...First signal conductor SL2...Second signal conductor SR...Side lobe VG...Interlayer connecting conductor VS1, VS2...Interlayer connecting conductor W1, W2...Width WSx1, WSy1...First wide-spacing portion WSx2, WSy2...Second wide-spacing portion 3a, 3b...Planar ground conductor 11...First radiation conductor 12a, 12b, 12c...First annular ground conductor 21...Second radiation conductor 22a, 22b...Second annular ground conductor 31a, 31b, 31c, 32a, 32b, 33a, 34...insulator layers 101, 102, 103, 103A, 103B...multilayer substrate antenna

Claims

1. A multilayer substrate antenna comprising a multilayer substrate on which a plurality of insulator layers including an insulator layer on which a conductor pattern is formed are laminated, the multilayer substrate comprising: a first radiation conductor formed of the conductor pattern located near an upper layer of the multilayer substrate; a second radiation conductor formed of the conductor pattern located in a layer of the multilayer substrate inner than the upper layer; a first annular ground conductor formed of the conductor pattern at a position surrounding the first radiation conductor; and a second annular ground conductor formed of the conductor pattern at a position closer to the second radiation conductor than the first annular ground conductor and surrounding the second radiation conductor, wherein the first radiation conductor and the second radiation conductor overlap when viewed in the stacking direction, the perimeter of the first radiation conductor is shorter than the perimeter of the second radiation conductor, the area of ​​an opening formed by the first annular ground conductor is smaller than the area of ​​an opening formed by the second annular ground conductor, and the second radiation conductor and the first annular ground conductor do not overlap when viewed in the stacking direction.

2. A multilayer substrate antenna as described in claim 1, wherein the distance between the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductor and the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor is equal to or greater than 1 / 4 of the resonant wavelength of the first radiation conductor, and the distance between the inner periphery of the second annular ground conductor and the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor is equal to or greater than 1 / 4 of the resonant wavelength of the second radiation conductor.

3. A multilayer substrate antenna as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first annular ground conductor has a first wide spacing portion in which the spacing between the inner periphery of the first annular ground conductor and the outer periphery of the first radiation conductor is partially widened.

4. A multilayer substrate antenna as described in claim 3, wherein, when the resonant wavelength of the patch antenna including the first radiation conductor is represented by λ1 and the resonant wavelength of the patch antenna including the second radiation conductor is represented by λ2, the spacing between the inner peripheral part of the first annular ground conductor and the outer peripheral part of the first radiation conductor in the first wide spacing portion is between λ1 / 4 and λ2 / 4.

5. A multilayer substrate antenna as claimed in claim 3 or 4, further comprising a planar ground conductor located on a lower layer of the multilayer substrate and facing the first radiation conductor and the second radiation conductor, the first annular ground conductor being electrically connected to the planar ground conductor and a plurality of interlayer connection conductors arranged in the annular direction of the first annular ground conductor, the longitudinal dimension of the first wide spacing portion being larger than the gap between adjacent interlayer connection conductors among the plurality of interlayer connection conductors and being less than 1 / 2 the resonant wavelength of a patch antenna including the first radiation conductor.

6. A multilayer substrate antenna as described in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first annular ground conductor is rectangular when viewed in the direction of lamination, and a line connecting the centers of the first wide spacing portions formed on each of two opposing sides of the first annular ground conductor is perpendicular to a line connecting the centers of the first wide spacing portions formed on each of the other two opposing sides.

7. A multilayer substrate antenna as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second annular ground conductor has a second wide spacing portion in which the spacing between the inner periphery of the second annular ground conductor and the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor is partially widened.

8. The multilayer substrate antenna according to claim 7, wherein the resonant wavelength of the patch antenna including the first radiation conductor is represented by λ1 and the resonant wavelength of the patch antenna including the second radiation conductor is represented by λ2, and the spacing between the inner periphery of the second annular ground conductor and the outer periphery of the second radiation conductor in the second wide spacing portion is between λ1 / 4 and λ2 / 4.

9. A multilayer substrate antenna as claimed in claim 7 or 8, further comprising a planar ground conductor located on a lower layer of the multilayer substrate and facing the first radiation conductor and the second radiation conductor, the second annular ground conductor being electrically connected to the planar ground conductor and a plurality of interlayer connection conductors arranged in the annular direction of the second annular ground conductor, the longitudinal dimension of the second wide spacing portion being larger than the gap between adjacent interlayer connection conductors among the plurality of interlayer connection conductors and being less than 1 / 2 the resonant wavelength of a patch antenna including the second radiation conductor.

10. A multilayer substrate antenna as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the second annular ground conductor is rectangular when viewed in the direction of lamination, and a line connecting the centers of the second wide spacing portions formed on each of two opposing sides of the second annular ground conductor is perpendicular to a line connecting the centers of the second wide spacing portions formed on each of the other two opposing sides.

11. An electronic device comprising the multilayer substrate antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and another substrate on which the multilayer substrate antenna is mounted.

12. An electronic device comprising the multilayer substrate antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a housing that houses the multilayer substrate antenna.

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