Antenna module and communication device equipped with same

Abstract

This antenna module comprises radiation elements (121, 126), an RFIC (110), a switch (105) for selecting one of the radiation elements, and power feeding wires (141, 142, 143, 145, 210). The radiation element (126) receives a high-frequency signal in a first frequency band and radiates radio waves. The radiation element (121) receives a high-frequency signal in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band and radiates radio waves. The RFIC converts the high-frequency signal in the first frequency band into the high-frequency signal in the second frequency band. The power feeding wires (143, 210) transmit the high-frequency signal in the first frequency band to the switch. The power feeding wire (145) transmits the high-frequency signal in the first frequency band from the switch to the radiation element (126). The power feeding wire (142) transmits the high-frequency signal in the first frequency band from the switch to the RFIC. The power feeding wire (141) transmits the high-frequency signal in the second frequency band converted by the RFIC to the radiation element (121).

Description

Antenna module and communication device equipped with same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an antenna module and a communication device equipped with the same, and more particularly to a structure for miniaturizing an antenna device capable of emitting radio waves in different frequency bands.

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-364037 (Patent Document 1) discloses an antenna device that switches between and outputs high-frequency signals of different frequencies using a switch.

[0003] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0119461 (Patent Document 2) discloses an antenna capable of emitting radio waves in two frequency bands, microwave and millimeter wave. The antenna disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses a monopole antenna for microwave band radio waves and an array antenna composed of patch antennas for millimeter wave band radio waves.

[0004] Furthermore, Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 117117518 (Patent Document 3) discloses a planar sleeve monopole antenna capable of radiating radio waves in two frequency bands, that is, the fundamental frequency and the second harmonic.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-364037, US Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0119461, Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 117117518

[0006] In recent years, advances in communications technology and further developments in IoT have led to the development of communications technology aimed at 5G-Advanced or 6G, which are an enhancement of the existing fifth-generation (5G) communications standard. In addition to the millimeter wave frequency band (24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz) used by 5G (FR2), the use of radio waves in the lower frequency band (6 GHz to 24 GHz) (FR3) is being considered.

[0007] However, the difference in center frequencies between the two frequency bands is relatively large, making it difficult to radiate the two high-frequency signals from the same radiating element, and therefore requiring the use of separate radiating elements for each frequency band.

[0008] On the other hand, if a power supply wiring for transmitting high-frequency signals is provided for each radiating element corresponding to each frequency band, the size of the antenna module and the communication device equipped with it will increase, which may be a factor hindering the miniaturization of the device.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to reduce the size of the antenna module.

[0010] The antenna module according to the present disclosure comprises a first radiating element, a second radiating element, a conversion circuit, a switching circuit, and first to fourth power supply lines. The first radiating element receives a high-frequency signal in a first frequency band and radiates a radio wave. The second radiating element receives a high-frequency signal in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band and radiates a radio wave. The conversion circuit is configured to convert the high-frequency signal in the first frequency band into a high-frequency signal in the second frequency band. The switching circuit selects either the first radiating element or the second radiating element. The first power supply line transmits the high-frequency signal in the first frequency band to the switching circuit. The second power supply line transmits the high-frequency signal in the first frequency band from the switching circuit to the first radiating element. The third power supply line transmits the high-frequency signal in the first frequency band from the switching circuit to the conversion circuit. The fourth power supply line transmits the high-frequency signal in the second frequency band converted by the conversion circuit to the second radiating element.

[0011] In the antenna module according to the present disclosure, the intermediate frequency of a high-frequency signal in a relatively high frequency band (second frequency band) is set to a relatively low frequency band (first frequency band). Therefore, the power supply wiring for transmitting the high-frequency signal in the first frequency band can be used as the power supply path when transmitting the high-frequency signal in the second frequency band. By sharing some of the power supply wiring for the high-frequency signals in two different frequency bands in this way, the wiring space required within the communication device can be reduced compared to when separate power supply paths are provided for the radiating elements in each frequency band. Therefore, the antenna module can be made smaller.

[0012] 13 is a block diagram of a communication device equipped with an antenna module according to embodiment 1. FIG. 14 is a side view of the antenna module according to embodiment 1. FIG. 15 is a side view of the antenna module according to modification 1. FIG. 16 is a plan view of another example of the dielectric substrate 130 of FIG. 3. FIG. 17 is a side view of the antenna module according to modification 2. FIG. 18 is a side view of the antenna module according to modification 3. FIG. 19 is a side view of the antenna module according to embodiment 2. FIG. 19 is a side view of the antenna module according to embodiment 3. FIG. 19 is a side view of the antenna module according to modification 4. FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a communication device to which the antenna module according to embodiment 4 is applied. FIG. 19 is a side view of the antenna module according to embodiment 5. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the second dielectric substrate in the antenna module of FIG. 11. FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the second dielectric substrate in the antenna module according to modification 5. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 13. FIG. 19 is a side view of the antenna module according to modification 6. FIG. 20 is a side view of the antenna module according to modification 7. FIG. 21 is a side view of the antenna module according to embodiment 6. FIG. 22 is a side view of the antenna module according to modification 8. FIG. 23 is a side view of the antenna module according to modification 9.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0014] 1 is an example of a block diagram of a communication device 10 equipped with an antenna module 100 according to embodiment 1. The communication device 10 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet, a personal computer with a communication function, or a base station.

[0015] 1 , a communication device 10 includes an antenna module 100 and a BBIC 200 that constitutes a baseband signal processing circuit. The antenna module 100 includes a switch 105, an RFIC 110, and antenna devices 120 and 125. In general, the communication device 10 radiates high-frequency signals transmitted from the BBIC 200 to the antenna module 100 from the antenna devices 120 and 125, and transmits high-frequency signals received by the antenna devices 120 and 125 to the BBIC 200.

[0016] The antenna module 100 according to the first embodiment is configured to emit high-frequency signals in two different frequency bands. High-frequency signals in a relatively low frequency band (hereinafter also referred to as the "first frequency band") are radiated by the antenna device 125, and high-frequency signals in a relatively high frequency band (hereinafter also referred to as the "second frequency band") are radiated by the antenna device 120. In the first embodiment, the first frequency band is, for example, a 6 GHz to 24 GHz band called "FR3," and the second frequency band is, for example, a 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz band called "FR2."

[0017] The switch 105 is a single-pole double-throw (2PST) switch, and transmits an intermediate frequency (IF) signal from the BBIC 200 to either the antenna device 120 or the antenna device 125. The switch 105 corresponds to the "switching circuit" in this disclosure.

[0018] In the antenna module 100 of the first embodiment, the frequency of the IF signal from the BBIC 200 is set to a first frequency band to be radiated from the antenna device 125. Therefore, when a high-frequency signal in a second frequency band is radiated from the antenna device 120, the IF signal from the BBIC 200 is upconverted to the second frequency band by the RFIC 110 and radiated from the antenna device 120. Furthermore, the high-frequency signal received by the antenna device 120 is downconverted to an IF signal in the first frequency band by the RFIC 110 and transmitted to the BBIC 200. The RFIC 110 corresponds to the "conversion circuit" in this disclosure.

[0019] On the other hand, when a high-frequency signal in the first frequency band is emitted from the antenna device 125, the high-frequency signal from the BBIC 200 is transmitted to the antenna device 125 via the switch 105. In addition, the high-frequency signal received by the antenna device 125 is transmitted to the BBIC 200 via the switch 105.

[0020] Each of the antenna devices 120 and 125 includes at least one radiating element. The radiating element included in the antenna device 120 is, for example, a patch antenna having a flat plate shape. The radiating element included in the antenna device 125 is, for example, a linear antenna such as a monopole antenna or a dipole antenna.

[0021] In the example of FIG. 1, the antenna device 120 includes four radiating elements 121A to 121D (hereinafter collectively referred to as "radiating elements 121"). Note that while FIG. 1 shows an example of a configuration in which the radiating elements 121 are arranged in a line in a one-dimensional array, there does not necessarily need to be multiple radiating elements 121; the antenna device 120 may also be formed by a single radiating element. The radiating elements 121 may also be arranged two-dimensionally. In the first embodiment, the radiating element 121 is described as a patch antenna having a substantially square plate shape, but the shape of the radiating element 121 may also be circular, elliptical, or another polygonal shape such as a hexagon.

[0022] The RFIC 110 includes switches 111A to 111D, 113A to 113D, and 117, power amplifiers 112AT to 112DT, low-noise amplifiers 112AR to 112DR, attenuators 114A to 114D, phase shifters 115A to 115D, a signal combiner / demultiplexer 116, a mixer 118, and an amplifier circuit 119.

[0023] Switches 111A to 111D are connected to radiating elements 121A to 121D, respectively.

[0024] When a high-frequency signal is to be radiated from the antenna device 120, the switches 111A to 111D and 113A to 113D are switched to the side of the power amplifiers 112AT to 112DT, and the switch 117 is connected to the transmitting amplifier of the amplifier circuit 119. When a high-frequency signal is to be received, the switches 111A to 111D and 113A to 113D are switched to the side of the low-noise amplifiers 112AR to 112DR, and the switch 117 is connected to the receiving amplifier of the amplifier circuit 119.

[0025] The IF signal transmitted from BBIC 200 via switch 105 is amplified by amplifier circuit 119 and up-converted by mixer 118. The up-converted high-frequency signal, or transmission signal, is split into four by signal combiner / splitter 116, passes through four signal paths, and is fed to radiating elements 121A-121D. At this time, the directivity of antenna device 120 can be adjusted by individually adjusting the phase shift of phase shifters 115A-115D arranged on each signal path. Furthermore, attenuators 114A-114D adjust the strength of the transmission signal.

[0026] The received signals, which are high-frequency signals received by the radiating elements 121, pass through four different signal paths and are combined by the signal combiner / demultiplexer 116. The combined received signal is down-converted by the mixer 118, amplified by the amplifier circuit 119, and transmitted to the BBIC 200.

[0027] The RFIC 110 is formed as, for example, a one-chip integrated circuit component including the above circuit configuration. Alternatively, the devices (switches, power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, attenuators, phase shifters) corresponding to the respective radiating elements 121 in the RFIC 110 may be formed as one-chip integrated circuit components for each corresponding radiating element 121.

[0028] (Configuration of Antenna Module) Fig. 2 is a side perspective view showing the antenna module 100 of embodiment 1. In addition to the elements shown in Fig. 1, the antenna module 100 includes dielectric substrates 130 and 250, power feed lines 141A to 141D (hereinafter also collectively referred to as "power feed line 141"), 142, 143, 145, and 210, a connector 160, and ground electrodes GND1 and GND2.

[0029] The dielectric substrate 130 is a flat substrate including two opposing main surfaces 131 and 132. The radiating element 121 included in the antenna device 120 and the radiating element 126 included in the antenna device 125 are arranged on the main surface 131 of the dielectric substrate 130. The switch 105 and the RFIC 110 are arranged on the main surface 132 of the dielectric substrate 130.

[0030] The dielectric substrate 250 is a flat substrate including two main surfaces 251 and 252 facing each other. The dielectric substrate 250 is connected to the main surface 132 of the dielectric substrate 130 by a connector 160 arranged on the main surface 251. The dielectric substrate 250 is a so-called baseband substrate, and the BBIC 200 is arranged on the main surface 252 of the dielectric substrate 250. The connector 160 is a multi-polar connector having a plurality of terminals. Note that the dielectric substrates may be connected to each other by soldering instead of using a connector.

[0031] The dielectric substrates 130 and 250 may be, for example, low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) multilayer substrates, multilayer resin substrates formed by stacking multiple resin layers made of resins such as epoxy and polyimide, multilayer resin substrates formed by stacking multiple resin layers made of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) with a lower dielectric constant, multilayer resin substrates formed by stacking multiple resin layers made of fluorine-based resin, multilayer resin substrates formed by stacking multiple resin layers made of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), or ceramic multilayer substrates other than LTCC. The dielectric substrates 130 and 250 do not necessarily have a multilayer structure and may be single-layer substrates. The dielectric substrates 130 and 250 may also be flexible substrates.

[0032] In the following description, the normal direction to the principal surfaces of the dielectric substrates 130 and 250 is referred to as the Z-axis direction. The arrangement direction of the radiating elements 121A to 121D on the dielectric substrate 130 is referred to as the X-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Z-axis is referred to as the Y-axis direction. In each figure, the positive direction of the Z-axis may also be referred to as the upper side, and the negative direction may also be referred to as the lower side.

[0033] Radiating elements 121A to 121D are arranged in the X-axis direction on main surface 131 of dielectric substrate 130. Furthermore, radiating element 126 is arranged at a position spaced apart from radiating elements 121A to 121D on main surface 131 of dielectric substrate 130. Note that while the example in FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which each radiating element is arranged on main surface 131, each radiating element may also be arranged on an inner layer of dielectric substrate 130 close to main surface 131.

[0034] In the dielectric substrate 130, a ground electrode GND1 is arranged over the entire surface of one dielectric layer between the main surface 131 and the main surface 132. In the dielectric substrate 250, a ground electrode GND2 is arranged over the entire surface of one dielectric layer between the main surface 251 and the main surface 252. When the dielectric substrate 250 is a single-layer substrate, the ground electrode GND2 is arranged on the surface of the dielectric substrate 250.

[0035] The ground electrode GND1 faces each of the radiating elements 121A to 121D. Each of the radiating elements 121A to 121D and the ground electrode GND1 form a microstrip antenna. The area between the ground electrode GND1 and the main surface 132 is used as a wiring layer. The ground electrode GND1 functions as a shield to prevent unnecessary coupling between each wire in the wiring layer and the radiating elements 121, 126. Furthermore, each wire in the wiring layer and the ground electrode GND1 form a microstrip line.

[0036] A power feed wiring 210 is arranged on the dielectric substrate 250. One end of the power feed wiring 210 is connected to the BBIC 200, and the other end is connected to the connector 160. The power feed wiring 210 is connected to one end of a power feed wiring 143 in the dielectric substrate 130 via a terminal in the connector 160. The other end of the power feed wiring 143 is connected to the switch 105. Therefore, a high-frequency signal output from the BBIC 200 is transmitted to the switch 105 via the power feed wiring 210, the connector 160, and the power feed wiring 143. The power feed wirings 143 and 210 correspond to the "first power feed wiring" in this disclosure.

[0037] The power supply wiring 145 passes through the ground electrode GND1 from the switch 105 and is connected to the radiating element 126. When the switch 105 is switched to the antenna device 125, the high-frequency signal supplied from the BBIC 200 is transmitted to the radiating element 126 through the power supply wiring 145. The power supply wiring 145 corresponds to the "second power supply wiring" in this disclosure.

[0038] The power supply line 142 is connected to the switch 105 and the RFIC 110. When the switch 105 is switched to the antenna device 120, a high-frequency signal supplied from the BBIC 200 is transmitted to the RFIC 110 through the power supply line 142. The power supply line 142 corresponds to a “third power supply line” in the present disclosure.

[0039] The high-frequency signal upconverted by the RFIC 110 is transmitted to the radiating elements 121A to 121D by the power supply lines 141A to 141D, respectively. The power supply lines 141A to 141D run from the RFIC 110 through the ground electrode GND1 and are connected to the radiating elements 121A to 121D, respectively. In the example of FIG. 2, each of the power supply lines 141A to 141D is connected to a position offset in the positive direction of the X-axis from the center of the corresponding radiating element. Therefore, when a high-frequency signal is supplied to the radiating element 121, a radio wave polarized in the X-axis direction is radiated from each radiating element 121 in the positive direction of the Z-axis. Each power supply line 141 corresponds to a "fourth power supply line" in this disclosure.

[0040] In recent years, with the advancement of communication technology and further development of IoT, efforts are underway to develop communication technology for 5G-Advanced or 6G, which are enhancements to the existing 5G communication standard. As part of this effort, consideration is being given to using radio waves in the FR3 frequency band, which is lower than the FR2 frequency band used by 5G.

[0041] However, the difference in center frequencies between the two frequency bands is relatively large, making it difficult to radiate the two high-frequency signals from the same radiating element, and therefore requiring the use of separate radiating elements for each frequency band.

[0042] On the other hand, if a power supply wiring for transmitting a high-frequency signal is provided for each radiating element corresponding to each frequency, the size of the antenna module increases, which may be a factor preventing the miniaturization of the device.

[0043] In the antenna module 100 of the first embodiment, as described above, the frequency band of the IF signal for the high-frequency signal radiated from the antenna device 120 corresponding to the FR2 frequency band is set to the FR3 frequency band radiated from the antenna device 125. Furthermore, the power supply wiring from the BBIC 200 to the switch 105 is therefore shared by the IF signal and the FR3 high-frequency signal. Therefore, in the antenna module 100, the required wiring space within the communication device 10 can be reduced compared to when separate power supply wiring for the IF signal and power supply wiring for the FR3 signal are provided. Therefore, the antenna module 100 can be made smaller.

[0044] Furthermore, by using the FR3 frequency band as the frequency band of the IF signal and sharing the power supply wiring, it is possible to more easily adjust the frequency characteristics of the connector 160 than when a different frequency band is used.

[0045] The transmission of the high frequency signal from the power supply wiring to the radiating element is not limited to a direct connection, but may be performed using capacitive coupling.

[0046] The "radiating element 126" in the first embodiment corresponds to the "first radiating element" in the present disclosure. Each of the "radiating elements 121A to 121D" in the first embodiment corresponds to the "second radiating element" in the present disclosure. The "dielectric substrate 130" and the "dielectric substrate 250" in the first embodiment correspond to the "first substrate" and the "second substrate" in the present disclosure, respectively.

[0047] (Modification 1) In Modification 1, a configuration will be described in which the antenna device 125, which is a linear antenna, is a dipole antenna.

[0048] Fig. 3 is a side see-through view showing an antenna module 100A of Modification 1. In antenna module 100A, radiating element 126 in antenna module 100 of Embodiment 1 is replaced with radiating element 128. In Fig. 3, descriptions of elements that overlap with antenna module 100 in Fig. 2 will not be repeated.

[0049] 3, in antenna module 100A, radiating element 128 is positioned on dielectric substrate 130 in the negative direction of the X-axis relative to radiating elements 121A to 121D. Radiating element 128 is a dipole antenna, with two linear electrodes extending in the X-axis direction connected by a phase-shift line disposed within the substrate. Power supply wiring 145 from switch 105 is connected to this phase-shift line.

[0050] In this way, even when a dipole antenna is used instead of a monopole antenna, the frequency band of the IF signal of the high frequency signal radiated from antenna device 120 corresponding to the FR2 frequency band can be adapted to the frequency band of the high frequency signal radiated from device 125 corresponding to the FR3 frequency band, thereby making it possible to share the power supply wiring from BBIC 200 to switch 105. Therefore, the antenna module can be made smaller.

[0051] Unlike monopole antennas, dipole antennas are antennas that have directivity in a specific direction. Therefore, as in the antenna module 100B shown in the plan view of Figure 4, the radiating element 128 on the dielectric substrate 130 can be positioned so that its position in the X-axis direction overlaps with the position of the radiating element 121 in the X-axis direction. In the case of Figure 4, radio waves are emitted from the radiating element 121 in the positive direction of the Z-axis, and from the radiating element 128 in the negative direction of the Y-axis. Therefore, there is little interference between the radio waves emitted from the radiating element 121 and the radio waves emitted from the radiating element 128.

[0052] 4, it is possible to reduce the dimension of the dielectric substrate 130 in the X-axis direction, thereby enabling the overall size of the antenna module to be reduced.

[0053] The "radiating element 128" in Modification 1 corresponds to the "first radiating element" in the present disclosure.

[0054] (Modification 2) In Modification 2, a case will be described in which the antenna device 120 is a so-called dual-band type antenna device that can emit radio waves in two different frequency bands.

[0055] 5 is a side perspective view showing an antenna module 100C of Modification 2. The antenna module 100C includes radiating elements 122A to 122D in addition to the configuration of the antenna module 100 shown in FIG.

[0056] Each of the radiating elements 122A to 122D has a flat plate shape similar to the radiating elements 121A to 121D. The radiating elements 122A to 122D are disposed on the dielectric layer between the radiating elements 121A to 121D and the ground electrode GND1, facing the radiating elements 121A to 121D, respectively.

[0057] When viewed in a plan view from the normal direction of the dielectric substrate 130, the center of the radiating element 121A overlaps with the center of the radiating element 122A. Similarly, the center of the radiating element 121B overlaps with the center of the radiating element 122B, the center of the radiating element 121C overlaps with the center of the radiating element 122C, and the center of the radiating element 121D overlaps with the center of the radiating element 122D.

[0058] The power feed wiring 141A extends from the RFIC 110, passing through the ground electrode GND1 and the radiating element 122A, and is connected to the radiating element 121A. The power feed wiring 141B extends from the RFIC 110, passing through the ground electrode GND1 and the radiating element 122B, and is connected to the radiating element 121B. The power feed wiring 141C extends from the RFIC 110, passing through the ground electrode GND1 and the radiating element 122C, and is connected to the radiating element 121C. The power feed wiring 141D extends from the RFIC 110, passing through the ground electrode GND1 and the radiating element 122D, and is connected to the radiating element 121D.

[0059] The size of the radiating elements 122A to 122D is larger than the size of the radiating elements 121A to 121D. Therefore, the frequency of the radio waves radiated from the radiating elements 122A to 122D is lower than the frequency of the radio waves radiated from the radiating elements 121A to 121D. For example, the frequency band of the radio waves radiated from the radiating elements 121A to 121D is the 39 GHz band in FR2, and the frequency band of the radio waves radiated from the radiating elements 122A to 122D is the 28 GHz band in FR2.

[0060] When a high-frequency signal in the 39 GHz band is supplied from RFIC 110, radio waves are radiated from radiating elements 121A to 121D. When a high-frequency signal in the 28 GHz band is supplied from RFIC 110, radio waves are radiated from radiating elements 122A to 122D. Note that the frequency bands of the IF signals for the high-frequency signals in the 28 GHz band and 39 GHz band are set to the frequency band of the high-frequency signal radiated from radiating element 126 of antenna device 125, as in the first embodiment.

[0061] In this way, even when the antenna device 120 is a dual-band type antenna device, the power supply wiring from the BBIC 200 to the switch 105 can be shared by adapting the frequency band of the IF signal of the high-frequency signal radiated from the antenna device 120 to the frequency band of the high-frequency signal radiated from the antenna device 125. Therefore, the antenna module can be made smaller.

[0062] In Modification 2, the frequency band of radio waves radiated from radiating elements 122A to 122D corresponds to the "second frequency band" in this disclosure, and the frequency band of radio waves radiated from radiating elements 121A to 121D corresponds to the "third frequency band" in this disclosure. In Modification 2, radiating elements 122A to 122D correspond to the "second radiating element" in this disclosure, and radiating elements 121A to 121D correspond to the "third radiating element" in this disclosure.

[0063] (Modification 3) In Modification 3, a configuration will be described in which a power supply signal and / or a control signal (hereinafter also collectively referred to as a "DC signal") to the switch 105 and the RFIC 110 is transmitted through the same path as the IF signal.

[0064] 6 is a side see-through view showing an antenna module 100D of Modification 3. The antenna module 100D has a configuration in which, in addition to the configuration of the antenna module 100 of Embodiment 1, wiring 260 and 146 for transmitting DC signals are provided.

[0065] In the example of Figure 6, in the dielectric substrate 250, the power supply wiring 210 extends between the ground electrode GND2 and the lower main surface 252, and the wiring 260 for DC signals extends between the ground electrode GND2 and the upper main surface 251.

[0066] The wiring 260 is connected to the wiring 146 arranged on the dielectric substrate 130 at the connector 160. The wiring 146 is connected to the switch 105 and the RFIC 110. The wiring 260 and the wiring 146 each include a plurality of signal lines, through which a control signal for switching the switch, a power supply signal for the amplifier, etc. are transmitted.

[0067] Such DC signals are generally supplied to each device using individual cables from outside the board. However, as in Modification 3, by using dielectric board 250 that supplies IF signals and supplying DC signals to each device via dielectric board 130, the individual cables used in the past are no longer necessary.

[0068] In addition, by disposing the ground electrode GND2 between the wiring 260 for DC signals and the power supply wiring 210 for high-frequency signals in the dielectric substrate 250, the ground electrode GND2 functions as a shield, thereby preventing unnecessary coupling between the wiring 260 and the power supply wiring 210.

[0069] Second Embodiment In a second embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the radiating element of the antenna device 125 is arranged on a different substrate from that of the antenna device 120.

[0070] Fig. 7 is a side perspective view showing an antenna module 100E according to embodiment 2. In the antenna module 100E, a radiating element 127 is provided instead of the radiating element 126 of the antenna device 125 in Fig. 1, and further, a dielectric substrate 135 is provided on which the radiating element 127 is disposed.

[0071] The dielectric substrate 135 is connected to the main surface 132 of the dielectric substrate 130 via connectors 161 and 162 and a flexible substrate 170. More specifically, the dielectric substrate 135 is connected to a first end of the flexible substrate 170 by the connector 162. The second end of the flexible substrate 170 is connected to the dielectric substrate 130 via the connector 161.

[0072] The high frequency signal transmitted from BBIC 200 to switch 105 is transmitted to radiating element 127 via power supply wiring 145A, connector 161, power supply wiring 147 in flexible substrate 170, connector 162, and power supply wiring 148 in dielectric substrate 135.

[0073] Even in such a configuration, by adapting the frequency band of the IF signal of the high-frequency signal radiated from the antenna device 120 to the frequency band of the high-frequency signal radiated from the antenna device 125, it is possible to share the power supply wiring from the BBIC 200 to the switch 105. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the antenna module.

[0074] Furthermore, by separating radiating element 127 on the low frequency side from radiating element 121 on the high frequency side and arranging it on a different substrate in this way, it is possible to increase the antenna size of radiating element 127, thereby increasing the antenna gain and improving the antenna characteristics of radiating element 127. Furthermore, by using flexible substrate 170, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in the arrangement of radiating element 127, making it easy to change and expand the radiation direction of radio waves.

[0075] The "radiating element 127" in the second embodiment corresponds to the "first radiating element" in the present disclosure. The "dielectric substrate 135" in the second embodiment corresponds to the "third substrate" in the present disclosure.

[0076] [Embodiment 3] In embodiment 3, a configuration will be described in which antenna device 120 is a dual-polarized type antenna device capable of radiating radio waves in two different polarization directions, and antenna device 125 is a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) type antenna device including multiple radiating elements.

[0077] 8 is a side perspective view showing an antenna module 100F according to embodiment 3. In antenna module 100F, antenna device 125 includes radiating element 127 in addition to radiating element 126. Radiating element 126 is disposed on dielectric substrate 130 as in antenna module 100 according to embodiment 1, and radiating element 127 is disposed on dielectric substrate 135 as in antenna module 100E according to embodiment 2.

[0078] Similarly to the first embodiment, the antenna device 120 also has four radiating elements 121A to 121D. High frequency signals are supplied to each of the radiating elements 121A through two power feed lines from the RFIC 110. Specifically, power feed lines 141A1 and 141A2 are connected to the radiating element 121A. Power feed lines 141B1 and 141B2 are connected to the radiating element 121B. Power feed lines 141C1 and 141C2 are connected to the radiating element 121C. Power feed lines 141D1 and 141D2 are connected to the radiating element 121D.

[0079] The power supply wirings 141A1 to 141D1 are connected to positions offset in the X-axis direction from the centers of the corresponding radiating elements, and the power supply wirings 141A2 to 141D2 are connected to positions offset in the Y-axis direction from the centers of the corresponding radiating elements.

[0080] As a result, when a high frequency signal is supplied using the power supply wirings 141A1 to 141D1, radio waves polarized in the X-axis direction are radiated in the positive direction of the Z-axis from each radiating element 121. Furthermore, when a high frequency signal is supplied using the power supply wirings 141A2 to 141D2, radio waves polarized in the Y-axis direction are radiated in the positive direction of the Z-axis from each radiating element 121.

[0081] As described above, in the antenna module 100F, two systems of high-frequency signals are required for each antenna device. Therefore, the high-frequency signals are supplied from the BBIC 200 to the dielectric substrate 130 using two power supply lines 210 and 220. Furthermore, a switch 105 (SW1) and a switch 106 (SW2) are provided individually corresponding to the high-frequency signals of each system.

[0082] The high-frequency signal supplied to the power feed line 210 is transmitted to the switch 105 via the connector 160 and the power feed line 143. Then, from the switch 105, the high-frequency signal is transmitted to the radiating element 126 via the power feed line 145, and the high-frequency signal (IF signal) is transmitted to the RFIC 110 via the power feed line 142.

[0083] The high-frequency signal supplied to power feed line 220 is transmitted to switch 106 via connector 160 and power feed line 143A. From switch 106, the high-frequency signal is transmitted to radiating element 126 via power feed line 145A, connector 161, power feed line 147, connector 162, and power feed line 148, and the high-frequency signal (IF signal) is transmitted to RFIC 110 via power feed line 142A.

[0084] In the configuration of antenna module 100F, two systems of signals can be supplied, and the combination of radio waves to be radiated can be changed by setting switches 105 and 106. For example, radio waves in two polarization directions can be radiated simultaneously from antenna device 120 on the high-frequency side. Alternatively, radio waves can be radiated simultaneously from both radiating elements 126 and 127 of antenna device 125. Furthermore, radio waves can be radiated from one of the radiating elements of antenna device 125, and radio waves in one polarization direction can be radiated from antenna device 120.

[0085] In this way, even in a configuration in which two systems of high-frequency signals can be radiated in each of the high-frequency side antenna device and the low-frequency side antenna device, the frequency band of the IF signal of the high-frequency signal radiated from antenna device 120 can be adapted to the frequency band of the high-frequency signal radiated from antenna device 125, so that the power supply wiring from BBIC 200 to switches 105 and 106 can be shared. This makes it possible to miniaturize the antenna module.

[0086] The "radiating element 126" and the "radiating element 127" in the third embodiment correspond to the "first electrode" and the "second electrode" in the present disclosure, respectively. The "switch 105" and the "switch 106" in the third embodiment correspond to the "first switch" and the "second switch" in the present disclosure, respectively. The "power supply wiring 210" and the "power supply wiring 143" in the third embodiment correspond to the "first wiring" in the present disclosure. The "power supply wiring 220" and the "power supply wiring 143A" in the third embodiment correspond to the "second wiring" in the present disclosure. The "power supply wiring 145" in the third embodiment corresponds to the "third wiring" in the present disclosure. The "power supply wiring 145A", "power supply wiring 147", and "power supply wiring 148" in the third embodiment correspond to the "fourth wiring" in the present disclosure. The "power supply wiring 142" and the "power supply wiring 142A" in the third embodiment correspond to the "fifth wiring" and the "sixth wiring," respectively, in the present disclosure. Each of the "power supply wiring 141A1" to the "power supply wiring 141D1" in the third embodiment corresponds to the "seventh wiring" in the present disclosure. Each of the "power supply wiring 141A2" to the "power supply wiring 141D2" in the third embodiment corresponds to the "eighth wiring" in the present disclosure.

[0087] (Modification 4) In Modification 4, a configuration in which one of the switches in the configuration of Embodiment 3 is replaced with a diplexer will be described.

[0088] 9 is a side perspective view showing an antenna module 100G of Modification 4. In the antenna module 100G, the switch 106 in the antenna module 100F of Embodiment 3 is replaced with a diplexer 108.

[0089] In Modification 4, the frequency of the high frequency signal supplied to radiating element 127 and the frequency of the IF signal supplied to radiating element 121 are both in the FR3 frequency band, but are set to different frequency bands. Specifically, the frequency band of the high frequency signal supplied to radiating element 127 is set to 12 GHz to 15 GHz, and the frequency band of the IF signal supplied to radiating element 121 is set to 8 GHz to 10 GHz.

[0090] Diplexer 108 includes a first filter having a passband of 8 GHz to 10 GHz and a second filter having a passband of 12 GHz to 15 GHz. The first filter is connected to radiating element 127 via feed line 145A. The second filter is connected to RFIC 110 via feed line 142A.

[0091] Note that switch 105 may also be replaced with a diplexer. In this way, by setting the frequency band of the signal supplied to the FR3 radiating element and the frequency band of the IF signal of the FR2 radiating element to different bands within the FR3 frequency band and using a diplexer instead of a switch, it is possible to share the power supply wiring from the BBIC without controlling switching by a switch. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the wiring for switch control and to make the antenna module smaller.

[0092] Fourth Embodiment In a fourth embodiment, a configuration will be described in which an amplifier circuit provided for an antenna device 125 on the low frequency side is disposed on a signal transmission path from a switch to a radiating element.

[0093] 10 is a block diagram of a communication device 10H to which an antenna module 100H according to embodiment 4 is applied. In the antenna module 100H, in addition to the configuration of the antenna module 100 in FIG. 1 , an amplifier circuit 107 for amplifying a transmission signal to an antenna device 125 and a reception signal from the antenna device 125 is arranged in a signal transmission path connecting the switch 105 and the antenna device 125.

[0094] Such a signal transmission path corresponds to the power supply wiring 145 in the case of the antenna module 100 in Fig. 2. In addition, when the radiating element of the antenna device 125 is arranged on a separate substrate as in the antenna module 100E in Fig. 7, the signal transmission path corresponds to the power supply wirings 145A, 147, and 148.

[0095] Amplification circuit 107 includes switches 171 and 173, a power amplifier 172T, and a low-noise amplifier 172R. When a high-frequency signal is to be emitted from antenna device 125, switches 171 and 173 are switched to the side of power amplifier 172T. On the other hand, when a high-frequency signal is to be received by antenna device 125, switches 171 and 173 are switched to the side of low-noise amplifier 172R.

[0096] Generally, the higher the frequency of a signal, the greater the loss in the signal transmission path. Therefore, when radiating a high-frequency signal, it is preferable to amplify the signal using a power amplifier located as close as possible to the radiating element.

[0097] Furthermore, when receiving a high frequency signal, if the signal received by the radiating element is transmitted as is, the signal components to be received will be attenuated and buried in noise components, which may result in a decrease in the S / N ratio of the received signal. Therefore, in order to prevent a decrease in the S / N ratio of the received signal and to improve the NF (Noise Figure) characteristics, it is preferable to amplify the signal using a low noise amplifier located close to the radiating element.

[0098] Therefore, by providing the amplifier circuit 107 between the antenna device 125 and the switch 105 in the antenna module, the antenna characteristics can be improved compared to when the amplifier circuit is provided on the baseband board.

[0099] Fifth Embodiment In a fifth embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the radiating element for FR3 is configured as an antenna with a sleeve, thereby improving the antenna characteristics.

[0100] Fig. 11 is a side perspective view showing an antenna module 100I according to embodiment 5. In addition to the configuration of antenna module 100 shown in Fig. 2, antenna module 100I further includes a ground wiring 265 and an auxiliary electrode 270. In describing antenna module 100I, descriptions of elements that overlap with those of antenna module 100 in Fig. 2 will not be repeated.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 11, in the antenna module 100I, the ground electrode GND2 of the dielectric substrate 250 is connected to the ground electrode GND1 by a ground wiring 265 that extends from the dielectric substrate 250 to the dielectric substrate 130 via the connector 160.

[0102] An auxiliary electrode 270 is connected to the ground wiring 265 on the dielectric substrate 250. As shown in the perspective view of Fig. 12, the auxiliary electrode 270 is a strip-shaped flat electrode arranged along the ground electrode GND2 on the dielectric layer closer to the main surface 251 than the ground electrode GND2. The auxiliary electrode 270 extends in the negative direction of the X-axis from a connection point CP with the ground wiring 265 that is connected to the ground electrode GND2. The end of the auxiliary electrode 270 opposite the connection point CP is an open end.

[0103] The power supply wiring 210 includes a wiring pattern 211 extending in the X-axis direction in the dielectric layer closer to the main surface 252 than the ground electrode GND2, and a connection electrode 212 extending from the wiring pattern 211 in the stacking direction of the dielectric substrate 250. That is, the auxiliary electrode 270 is folded back from the connection point CP in the transmission path of the power supply wiring 210 and extends along the power supply wiring 210. Note that the power supply wiring 210 does not necessarily have to be arranged parallel to the X-axis, and may be configured to extend in a direction oblique to the X-axis or be bent midway when viewed in a plan view from the Z-axis direction.

[0104] If the wavelength of the center frequency of the radio wave radiated from radiating element 126 is λ, the length of auxiliary electrode 270 is set to be ¼ wavelength (=λ / 4). Such auxiliary electrode 270 allows radiating element 126 to function as a monopole antenna with a sleeve. By making a sleeve such as auxiliary electrode 270 function, unnecessary current flowing through ground electrode GND2 can be suppressed, thereby improving the antenna characteristics compared to a monopole antenna without a sleeve.

[0105] The starting point of the sleeve is the position where the auxiliary electrode 270 separates from the power supply wiring 210 extending parallel to the ground electrode GND2, and in the antenna module 100I of FIG. 11, this is the position of the connection point CP of the ground wiring 265.

[0106] As described above, when radio waves of two different frequency bands are used in combination, it may be necessary to use a separate radiating element for each frequency band.

[0107] In this regard, in the antenna module 100I of the fifth embodiment, as described above, the frequency band of the IF signal for the high-frequency signal radiated from the antenna device 120 corresponding to the FR2 frequency band is set to the frequency band of the FR3 high-frequency signal radiated from the antenna device 125. Furthermore, the power supply wiring from the BBIC 200 to the switch 105 is therefore shared by the IF signal and the FR3 high-frequency signal. Therefore, in the antenna module 100I, the wiring space required within the communication device 10 can be reduced compared to when separate power supply wiring for the IF signal and power supply wiring for the FR3 signal are provided. Therefore, the antenna module 100I can be made smaller.

[0108] Furthermore, by providing an auxiliary electrode 270 electrically connected to the ground electrode GND2 on the dielectric substrate 250, the radiating element 126 can function as a monopole antenna with a sleeve, thereby improving the antenna characteristics compared to a monopole antenna without a sleeve while suppressing the increase in size of the device.

[0109] (Variation 5) Next, a different configuration example of the dielectric substrate 250 will be described with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. Fig. 13 is a plan view of the dielectric substrate 250 in the antenna module of Variation 5. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 13. Note that, for ease of explanation, the dielectric of the dielectric substrate 250 is omitted from the plan view of Fig. 13, and only the internal electrodes are shown.

[0110] 13 and 14 , the wiring pattern 211 of the power supply wiring 210 extends in the X-axis direction in a dielectric layer closer to the main surface 251 than the ground electrode GND2. Ground electrodes GND3 are arranged along the wiring pattern 211 on both sides of the wiring pattern 211 and spaced apart from each other in the same dielectric layer as the wiring pattern 211. The ground electrode GND3 is connected to the ground electrode GND2 by a plurality of ground vias VG. With this configuration, the power supply wiring 210 forms a coplanar line.

[0111] An auxiliary electrode 270 is connected to the end of each ground electrode GND3 in the positive direction of the X-axis. The auxiliary electrode 270 is disposed on the opposite side of the wiring pattern 211 with respect to the corresponding ground electrode GND3, and extends in the X-axis direction along the ground electrode GND3. That is, in the fifth modification as well, the auxiliary electrode 270 is folded back from the connection point CP with the ground electrode GND3 in the transmission path of the power supply wiring 210 and extends along the power supply wiring 210.

[0112] Even in the configuration of this modification 5, the auxiliary electrode 270 allows the radiating element 126 to function as a monopole antenna with a sleeve. Therefore, the antenna module of modification 5 can also radiate high-frequency signals in two different frequency bands, FR2 and FR3, while suppressing an increase in the size of the device, and can improve the antenna characteristics compared to a monopole antenna without a sleeve.

[0113] (Modification 6) In Modification 6, a configuration will be described in which an auxiliary electrode functioning as a sleeve is disposed across two dielectric substrates.

[0114] Fig. 15 is a side see-through view showing an antenna module 100J of Modification 6. Antenna module 100J has a configuration in which auxiliary electrode 270 of antenna module 100I of Embodiment 5 shown in Fig. 11 is replaced with auxiliary electrode 270A. In Fig. 15, descriptions of elements that overlap with Fig. 11 will not be repeated.

[0115] 15 , the auxiliary electrode 270A in the antenna module 100J extends from the dielectric substrate 250 through the connector 160 to the dielectric substrate 130. Then, on the dielectric substrate 130, the auxiliary electrode 270A is connected to a ground wiring 265 that connects the ground electrode GND1 and the ground electrode GND2. In other words, in the antenna module 100J, the connection point CP is located on the dielectric substrate 130.

[0116] At this time, in connector 160, auxiliary electrode 270A is connected to a terminal different from the terminals to which power supply wiring 210 and ground wiring 265 are connected. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 15 , power supply wiring 210 is connected to terminal T1 (first terminal) of connector 160, ground wiring 265 is connected to terminal T2 (second terminal), and auxiliary electrode 270A is connected to terminal T3 (third terminal).

[0117] Auxiliary electrode 270A and ground wiring 265 are connected to different terminals of connector 160, so that the starting point of auxiliary electrode 270A as a sleeve is located at connection point CP on dielectric substrate 130. In antenna module 100J of Fig. 15, the starting point of the sleeve is formed in the portion of feed wiring 145 that connects switch 105 and radiating element 126.

[0118] In this way, by providing the connection point CP, which is the starting point of the sleeve, on the dielectric substrate 130 on which the radiating element 126 is arranged, it is possible to prevent the IF signal from leaking from the connection point CP in the feed wiring 210 from the BBIC 200 to the switch 105. Therefore, the IF signal can be transmitted to the RFIC 110 while reducing loss.

[0119] (Seventh Modification) In the seventh modification, a configuration in which the switches in the fifth embodiment are replaced with diplexers will be described.

[0120] 16 is a side perspective view showing an antenna module 100K of Modification 7. In the antenna module 100K, the switch 105, which is the "switching circuit" in the antenna module 100I of Embodiment 5, is replaced with a diplexer 108.

[0121] In the seventh modification, the frequency of the high frequency signal supplied to the radiating element 126 and the frequency of the IF signal supplied to the radiating element 121 are both in the FR3 frequency band, but are set to different frequency bands. Specifically, as an example, the frequency band f1 of the high frequency signal supplied to the radiating element 126 is set to 12 GHz to 15 GHz, and the frequency band f2 of the IF signal supplied to the radiating element 121 is set to 8 GHz to 10 GHz (f1>f2).

[0122] Diplexer 108 includes a first filter having a passband of 12 GHz to 15 GHz frequency band and a second filter having a passband of 8 GHz to 10 GHz frequency band. The first filter is connected to radiating element 126 via feed line 145. The second filter is connected to RFIC 110 via feed line 142.

[0123] In this way, by setting the frequency band of the signal supplied to the FR3 radiating element and the frequency band of the IF signal of the FR2 radiating element to different bands within the FR3 frequency band and using a diplexer instead of a switch, it is possible to share the power supply wiring from the BBIC 200 without performing control for switching with a switch. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the wiring for switch control and to make the antenna module smaller.

[0124] Furthermore, by making the frequency f1 of the high frequency signal of FR3 higher than the frequency f2 of the IF signal of FR2, the wavelength of the IF signal of FR2 can be made longer than the wavelength of the high frequency signal of FR3. As described above, the auxiliary electrode 270 functions as a sleeve of the radiating element 126, so the length of the auxiliary electrode 270 from the connection point CP is set to approximately 1 / 4 wavelength of the high frequency signal of FR3. Therefore, if the frequency f1 of the high frequency signal of FR3 is made higher than the frequency f2 of the IF signal of FR2, the length of the auxiliary electrode 270 becomes shorter than 1 / 4 wavelength of the IF signal of FR2. In this way, the auxiliary electrode 270 does not resonate with the IF signal of FR2, thereby reducing power leakage at the connection point CP when the IF signal of FR2 is transmitted.

[0125] [Embodiment 6] In embodiment 5 and variants 5 to 7, an example was described in which, in a dual-band antenna module having radiating element 121 for FR2 and radiating element 126 for FR3 as radiating elements, radiating element 126 for FR3 is configured as a monopole antenna with a sleeve.

[0126] In the sixth embodiment and the eighth modification described below, an example will be described in which an antenna module using a radiating element 126 for FR3 alone is configured as a monopole antenna with a sleeve.

[0127] Figure 17 is a side perspective view showing an antenna module 100L according to the sixth embodiment. In the antenna module 100L, the radiating element 121 in the antenna module 100I shown in Figure 11 has been removed, and only the radiating element 126 is disposed on the dielectric substrate 130. More specifically, the radiating elements 121A to 121D, the power feed lines 141A to 141D, 142, and 143, the ground electrode GND1, the RFIC 110, and the switch 105 in the antenna module 100I have been removed. Note that the power feed line 210 in the dielectric substrate 250 is connected to the power feed line 145 of the dielectric substrate 130 via the connector 160.

[0128] One end of the auxiliary electrode 270 is connected to the end of the ground electrode GND2 in the positive direction along the X axis via a via, and is folded back at a connection point CP to extend in the negative direction along the X axis. The other end of the auxiliary electrode 270 is an open end. In the antenna module 100L, the length of the auxiliary electrode 270 from the connection point CP is also set to ¼ wavelength of the center frequency of the radio wave to be radiated.

[0129] In this way, even in an antenna module in which the FR3 radiating element 126 is placed alone on the dielectric substrate 130, by placing an auxiliary electrode 270 that functions as a sleeve, the antenna characteristics can be improved compared to a monopole antenna without a sleeve.

[0130] In the antenna module 100L of Figure 17, an example has been described in which the frequency band of the radiating element 126 arranged on the dielectric substrate 130 is FR3. However, in embodiment 6, the frequency band of the radiating element 126 of the antenna module 100L may be a frequency band other than FR3.

[0131] (Variant 8) In variant 8, in an antenna module in which a radiating element 126 for FR3 is used alone, a configuration is described in which an auxiliary electrode functioning as a sleeve is arranged across two dielectric substrates, similar to the antenna module 100J of variant 6.

[0132] 18 is a side perspective view showing an antenna module 100M of Modification 8. In the antenna module 100M, similar to the antenna module 100L of Embodiment 6, only a radiating element 126 is arranged on a dielectric substrate 130 as a radiating element.

[0133] A ground wiring 265A that reaches the dielectric substrate 130 via the connector 160 is connected to the end of the ground electrode GND2 in the positive direction of the X axis. The ground wiring 265A is arranged on the dielectric substrate 130 along the power supply wiring 145 up to the middle of the power supply wiring 145.

[0134] The auxiliary electrode 270A extends along the ground wiring 265A from the dielectric substrate 250 to the dielectric substrate 130 via the connector 160, and is connected to the end of the ground wiring 265A. That is, the connection point CP between the ground wiring 265A and the auxiliary electrode 270A is the starting point of the sleeve.

[0135] In the antenna module 100M as well, the auxiliary electrode 270A is connected to a terminal of the connector 160 that is different from the terminals to which the power supply wiring 210 and the ground wiring 265A are connected.

[0136] In this way, in an antenna module in which the FR3 radiating element 126 is arranged alone on the dielectric substrate 130, by arranging the auxiliary electrode 270A, which functions as a sleeve, across the dielectric substrate 250 and the dielectric substrate 130, the antenna characteristics can be improved compared to a monopole antenna without a sleeve.

[0137] (Modification 9) In Modification 9, a case where the dielectric substrate 250 is a flexible substrate will be described.

[0138] 19 is a side perspective view showing an antenna module 100N of Modification 9. The antenna module 100N corresponds to the antenna module 100I shown in FIG. 11 in a state where the dielectric substrate 250 is bent.

[0139] In this way, even when dielectric substrate 250 is a flexible substrate, auxiliary electrode 270 functions as a sleeve, being folded back from connection point CP in the transmission path of power supply wiring 210 and extending along power supply wiring 210. Therefore, radiating element 126 can be made to function as a monopole antenna with a sleeve, and therefore the antenna characteristics can be improved compared to a monopole antenna without a sleeve, while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

[0140] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0141] 10, 10H Communication device, 100, 100A to 100N Antenna module, 105, 106, 111A to 111D, 113A to 113D, 117, 171, 173 Switch, 107, 119 Amplification circuit, 108 Diplexer, 110 RFIC, 112AR to 112DR, 172R Low noise amplifier, 112AT to 112DT, 172T Power amplifier, 114A to 114D Attenuator, 115A to 115D Phase shifter, 116 Signal combiner / demultiplexer, 118 Mixer, 120, 125 Antenna device, 121, 121A to 121D, 122A to 122D, 126 to 128 Radiating element, 130, 135, 250 Dielectric substrate, 131, 132, 251, 252 main surfaces, 141 to 143, 141A to 141D, 141A1 to 141D1, 141A2 to 141D2, 142A, 143A, 145, 145A, 147, 148, 210, 220 power supply wiring, 146, 260 wiring, 160 to 162 connector, 170 flexible substrate, 200 BBIC, 211 wiring pattern, 212 connection electrode, 265, 265A ground wiring, 270, 270A auxiliary electrode, CP connection point, GND1 to GND3 ground electrodes, T1 to T3 terminals, VG ground via.

Claims

1. An antenna module comprising: a first radiating element that receives a high-frequency signal in a first frequency band and radiates radio waves; a second radiating element that receives a high-frequency signal in a second frequency band that is higher than the first frequency band and radiates radio waves; a conversion circuit configured to convert the high-frequency signal in the first frequency band into a high-frequency signal in the second frequency band; a switching circuit for selecting either the first radiating element or the second radiating element; a first power supply wiring that transmits the high-frequency signal in the first frequency band to the switching circuit; a second power supply wiring that transmits the high-frequency signal in the first frequency band from the switching circuit to the first radiating element; a third power supply wiring that transmits the high-frequency signal in the first frequency band from the switching circuit to the conversion circuit; and a fourth power supply wiring that transmits the high-frequency signal in the second frequency band converted in the conversion circuit to the second radiating element.

2. The antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the first radiating element is a linear antenna.

3. The antenna module according to claim 2, wherein the first radiating element is a monopole antenna or a dipole antenna.

4. The antenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second radiating element is a patch antenna having a flat plate shape.

5. The antenna module according to claim 4, wherein the second radiating element is configured to be capable of radiating radio waves in two different polarization directions.

6. The antenna module according to claim 4, further comprising a third radiating element that receives a high-frequency signal in a third frequency band higher than the second frequency band and emits radio waves, and the conversion circuit is configured to be able to convert a high-frequency signal in the first frequency band into a high-frequency signal in the third frequency band.

7. The antenna module according to claim 4, wherein said second radiating element includes a plurality of radiating electrodes arranged in an array.

8. The antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the switching circuit is a switch.

9. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein the switching circuit is a diplexer.

10. The antenna module according to claim 9, wherein, in the first frequency band, a high frequency signal for the first radiating element is transmitted in the first band, and a high frequency signal for the second radiating element is transmitted in a second band.

11. An antenna module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: a first substrate on which the first radiating element is arranged; a second substrate connected to the first substrate; a connecting member connecting the first substrate and the second substrate; a ground electrode arranged on the second substrate along a transmission path of a high frequency signal by the first power supply wiring; and an auxiliary electrode electrically connected to the ground electrode, wherein the first power supply wiring extends from the second substrate via the connecting member to the first substrate, and the auxiliary electrode is folded back from the connection point with the ground electrode in the transmission path of the first power supply wiring to extend along the first power supply wiring.

12. The antenna module according to claim 11, wherein the second radiating element is disposed on the first substrate.

13. The antenna module according to claim 11, wherein the connection point is disposed on the first substrate.

14. The antenna module according to claim 11, wherein the connection point is disposed on the second substrate.

15. The antenna module according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the connecting member is a multi-pole connector.

16. The antenna module described in claim 13, further comprising a ground wiring extending from the second substrate to the first substrate via the connection member, the connection member being a multi-polar connector having a plurality of terminals, and the auxiliary electrode being connected to a first terminal in the multi-polar connector to which the first power supply wiring is connected and a third terminal different from the second terminal to which the ground wiring is connected.

17. The antenna module according to claim 16, wherein the second radiating element, the conversion circuit, the switching circuit, the second feed wiring, the third feed wiring, and the fourth feed wiring are arranged on the first substrate, the first feed wiring transmits a high-frequency signal of the first frequency band to the switching circuit, the second radiating element is configured to receive a high-frequency signal of the second frequency band and emit radio waves, the conversion circuit is configured to convert the high-frequency signal of the first frequency band into a high-frequency signal of the second frequency band, the switching circuit is configured to select either the first radiating element or the second radiating element, the second feed wiring is configured to transmit the high-frequency signal of the first frequency band from the switching circuit to the first radiating element, the third feed wiring is configured to transmit the high-frequency signal of the first frequency band from the switching circuit to the conversion circuit, and the fourth feed wiring is configured to transmit the high-frequency signal of the second frequency band converted in the conversion circuit to the second radiating element, and the connection point is arranged at a position along the second feed wiring.

18. An antenna module as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: a first substrate on which the second radiating element is arranged; a second substrate connected to the first substrate and on which a first power supply wiring is arranged; and a third substrate connected to the first substrate and on which the first radiating element is arranged.

19. An antenna module as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: a first substrate on which the second radiating element is arranged; a second substrate connected to the first substrate and on which a first power supply wiring is arranged; and a third substrate connected to the first substrate, wherein the first radiating element includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode being arranged on the first substrate, and the second electrode being arranged on the third substrate.

20. A radio wave receiving device further comprising: a first substrate on which the second radiating element is arranged; a second substrate connected to the first substrate and on which the first feed wiring is arranged; and a third substrate connected to the first substrate, wherein the first radiating element includes a first electrode and a second electrode, each of the first electrode and the second electrode being a linear antenna, the first electrode being arranged on the first substrate, and the second electrode being arranged on the third substrate, the second radiating element being a patch antenna having a flat plate shape, the second radiating element being configured to be able to radiate radio waves in a first polarization direction and a second polarization direction which are different from each other, the switching circuit including a first switch and a second switch, the first feed wiring including: a first wiring for transmitting a first signal to the first switch; and a second wiring for transmitting a second signal to the second switch, the second feed wiring including: a third wiring for transmitting the first signal from the first switch to the first electrode; and a fourth wiring for transmitting the second signal from the second switch to the second electrode, 2. The antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the third power supply wiring includes a fifth wiring that transmits the first signal from the first switch to the conversion circuit and a sixth wiring that transmits the second signal from the second switch to the conversion circuit, and the fourth power supply wiring has a seventh wiring that transmits the first signal converted by the conversion circuit to the second radiating element as a high-frequency signal for the first polarization direction, and an eighth wiring that transmits the second signal converted by the conversion circuit to the second radiating element as a high-frequency signal for the second polarization direction.

21. The antenna module according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the second substrate is a flexible substrate having flexibility.

22. The antenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 21, further comprising an amplifier circuit disposed on the second power supply wiring.

23. A communication device equipped with an antenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

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