In-vehicle antenna apparatus and in-vehicle communication apparatus

Abstract

An antenna apparatus includes a substrate, a first antenna element, and a second antenna element. The first antenna element is disposed on the substrate and has first and second ends. The first end of the first antenna element is connected to a feed point. The second antenna element has a three-dimensional structure and has first and second ends. The first end of the second antenna element is connected to ground. The second end of the first antenna element and the second end of the second antenna element are electromagnetically coupled without touching.

Description

IN-VEHICLE ANTENNA APPARATUS AND IN-VEHICLE COMMUNICATION APPARATUS

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle antenna apparatus and an in-vehicle communication apparatus.

[0002] A wireless communication unit such as a telematics control unit (TCU) is known. The TCU is a wireless communication unit mounted on a mobile body such as an automobile. Conventionally, an antenna compatible with only the GPS (GNSS) L1 band is generally used as an in-vehicle antenna (for example, an antenna for obtaining position information of an in-vehicle apparatus). However, in recent years, in order to improve positional accuracy, it has been studied to use a multiband antenna compatible with other bands as an in-vehicle antenna.

[0003] JP 2019-114895 AJP 2018-61093 AJP 2014-75774 AJP 2017-60038 AJP 2016-10042 AWO 2012 / 053494 A

[0004] The in-vehicle antenna is desirably small while having high antenna performance (for example, high antenna radiation efficiency). However, it is difficult for a conventional in-vehicle antenna to satisfy this. For example, it is conceivable to use a patch antenna having a two-story structure as an antenna of the TCU. However, a mounting position of the patch antenna on the TCU is restricted. Therefore, when the patch antenna is used as the antenna of the TCU, the size of the TCU increases.

[0005] Thus, the present disclosure proposes an in-vehicle antenna apparatus that is small and has high antenna performance, and an in-vehicle communication apparatus including the in-vehicle antenna apparatus.

[0006] Note that the above problem or object is merely one of a plurality of problems or objects that can be solved or achieved by a plurality of embodiments disclosed in the present specification.

[0007] An antenna apparatus includes a substrate, a first antenna element, and a second antenna element. The first antenna element is disposed on the substrate and has first and second ends. The first end of the first antenna element is connected to a feed point. The second antenna element has a three-dimensional structure and has first and second ends. The first end of the second antenna element is connected to ground. The second end of the first antenna element and the second end of the second antenna element are electromagnetically coupled without touching.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing an outline of an embodiment.FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a terminal apparatus according to the embodiment.FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of antenna apparatuses.FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a base station according to the embodiment.FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating an example of a structure of the antenna apparatus according to the embodiment.FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating an example of a structure of the antenna apparatus according to the embodiment.FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a structure of the antenna apparatus according to the embodiment.FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating an example of a structure of the antenna apparatus according to the embodiment.FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating an example of a structure of the antenna apparatus according to the embodiment.FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a structure of a capacitive coupling part.FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of a fed antenna and a parasitic antenna.FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of a fed antenna and a parasitic antenna.FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing an interference reduction effect by adopting the technique of the embodiment.FIG. 13A is a diagram for describing an interference reduction effect by adopting the technique of the embodiment.FIG. 13B is a diagram for describing an interference reduction effect by adopting the technique of the embodiment.FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing a structure of an antenna apparatus according to a modification.FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frequency band supported by the antenna apparatus of the embodiment.FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a stereoscopic antenna is fixed with an auxiliary member.FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a vehicle control system.FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of sensing areas of sensors of an external recognition sensor of the vehicle control system of FIG. 17.FIG. 19 is a block diagram depicting an example of schematic configuration of a vehicle control system.FIG. 20 is a diagram of assistance in explaining an example of installation positions of an outside-vehicle information detecting section and an imaging section.

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below in detail on the basis of the drawings.

[0010] In the description / specification, the expression "at least one of" followed by a list of elements is understood as an expression of the listed elements as options. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" represents "(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C)". "At least one of A, B, or C" and the "at least one of A, B, and / or C" are also similar to "at least one of A, B, and C". Here, A, B, and C are all arbitrary expressions (for example, word, phrase, clause, term, or item).

[0011] One or a plurality of embodiments (including examples and modifications) described below can each be implemented independently. On the other hand, at least some of the plurality of embodiments described below may be implemented by being appropriately combined with at least some of other embodiments. The plurality of embodiments may include novel features different from each other. Accordingly, the plurality of embodiments can contribute to solving different objects or problems, and can exhibit different effects.

[0012] In addition, description will be given in the order described below. 1. Outline 2. Examples of electronic devices 　　2-1. Terminal apparatus 　　2-2. Base station 　　2-3. Other examples 3. Antenna apparatus 　　3-1. Structure of antenna apparatus 　　3-2. Modifications / Supplements 　　　3-2-1. Product group to which the technique of the present embodiment is applicable 　　　3-2-2. Antenna arrangement 　　　3-2-3. Antenna shape / type 　　　3-2-4. Downsizing of antenna 　　　3-2-5. Position of antenna on substrate 　　　3-2-6. Antenna forming material 　　　3-2-7. Supported frequency band 　　　3-2-8. Wider band / impedance matching 　　　3-2-9. Other modifications 4. Application example 　　4-1. Application Example 1 　　4-2. Application Example 2 5. Conclusion

[0013] <<1. Outline>> First, an outline of the present embodiment will be described.

[0014] A wireless communication unit such as a telematics control unit (TCU) is known. The TCU is a wireless communication unit mounted on a mobile body such as an automobile. Conventionally, an antenna compatible with only the GPS (GNSS) L1 band is generally used as an in-vehicle antenna (for example, an antenna for obtaining position information of an in-vehicle apparatus). However, in recent years, in order to improve positional accuracy, it has been studied to use a multiband antenna compatible with other bands as an in-vehicle antenna.

[0015] The in-vehicle antenna is desirably small while having high antenna performance (for example, high antenna radiation efficiency). However, it is difficult for a conventional in-vehicle antenna to satisfy this. For example, it is conceivable to use a patch antenna having a two-story structure as an antenna (for example, a GNSS Dual (L1 + L5) antenna) of the TCU. However, a mounting position of the patch antenna on the TCU is restricted. Therefore, when the patch antenna is used as the antenna of the TCU, the size of the TCU increases. That is, with the conventional technique, it is difficult to provide a small in-vehicle antenna while having high antenna performance (for example, high antenna radiation efficiency).

[0016] Therefore, the present embodiment solves the above problem as described below.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing an outline of the present embodiment. The antenna apparatus of the present embodiment is a multiband antenna compatible with the L5 band in addition to the GNSS L1 band. For example, the antenna apparatus is an in-vehicle antenna apparatus including a parasitic antenna (parasitic element) compatible with the GNSS L1 band and a fed antenna (fed element) compatible with the GNSS L5 band. Note that, in the present specification, the fed antenna can be replaced with a fed element, and the parasitic antenna can be replaced with a parasitic element.

[0018] In the example of FIG. 1, the fed antenna (fed element) is a meander line antenna provided on the substrate side on which the antenna is mounted. In addition, in the example of FIG. 1, the parasitic antenna (parasitic element) is a three-dimensionally shaped antenna (hereinafter, also referred to as a stereoscopic antenna) configured by one or a plurality of plate-shaped bodies having a thickness larger than that of the fed antenna. The parasitic antenna is provided near the fed antenna.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the tips of the two antenna elements (fed antenna and parasitic antenna) are electromagnetically coupled (or inductively coupled / capacitively coupled) to each other. In the example of FIG. 1, an end portion of the fed antenna (fed element) and an end portion of the parasitic antenna (parasitic element) are close to each other without contact. Therefore, the end portion of the fed antenna and the end portion of the parasitic antenna are capacitively coupled. By capacitively coupling the end portion of the fed antenna and the end portion of a parasitic antenna 122, a two-resonance multiband antenna (for example, a two-resonance multiband antenna compatible with the GNSS L1 and L5 bands) is achieved.

[0020] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to provide an antenna apparatus (multiband antenna) that is small (space-saving) and has high antenna performance (for example, high antenna radiation efficiency). Moreover, by adopting the configuration of the present embodiment, it is also possible to reduce interference with a surrounding close antenna.

[0021] <<2. Examples of electronic devices>> Although the outline of the present embodiment has been described above, before the structure of the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment is described in detail, an example of an electronic device that can include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

[0022] The electronic device of the present embodiment is typically a wireless communication unit (wireless communication apparatus) such as a telematics control unit (TCU). However, the electronic device of the present embodiment is not limited to the TCU. The communication apparatus electronic device of the present embodiment may be another wireless communication apparatus such as a terminal apparatus or a base station. Note that the TCU may be regarded as a type of terminal apparatus.

[0023] In the following description, first, a terminal apparatus 100 will be described as an electronic device that can include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment. Thereafter, a base station 200 will be described as another example of the electronic device. Note that the electronic device that can include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment is not limited to the terminal apparatus 100 and the base station 200. The electronic device may be another wireless communication apparatus including an antenna that transmits and / or receives radio waves.

[0024] <2-1. Terminal apparatus> First, the terminal apparatus 100 will be described.

[0025] The terminal apparatus 100 is a wireless communication apparatus that wirelessly communicates with another wireless communication apparatus (for example, the base station 200). The terminal apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is typically a communication apparatus mounted on a mobile body. For example, the terminal apparatus 100 is a communication apparatus (in-vehicle communication apparatus) mounted on a vehicle. At this time, the terminal apparatus 100 may be a telematics control unit (TCU) or a telematics box (T-BOX).

[0026] Here, the mobile body may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a mobile phone. The mobile body may be a mobile body (for example, a vehicle such as an automobile, a bicycle, a bus, a truck, a motorcycle, a train, or a linear motor car) that moves on land (ground in a narrow sense) or may be a mobile body (for example, a vehicle moving in a tunnel such as a subway) that moves in the ground. In addition, the mobile body may be a mobile body (for example, a ship such as a passenger ship, a cargo ship, or a hovercraft) that moves over water or a mobile body (for example, a submersible such as a submersible boat, a submarine, or an unmanned submersible) that moves under water. In addition, the mobile body may be a mobile body (for example, an aircraft such as an airplane, an airship, or a drone) that moves in the atmosphere. In addition, the mobile body may be a mobile body (for example, an artificial satellite or a spacecraft) that moves outside the atmosphere.

[0027] Note that the terminal apparatus 100 is not limited to the above-described communication apparatus. As the terminal apparatus 100, any form of information processing apparatus (computer) can be adopted. For example, the terminal apparatus 100 may be a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a smart device (smartphone or tablet), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a notebook PC, or a portable game machine. In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be a communication module that is connected to an information processing apparatus (for example, an imaging apparatus that does not have a wireless communication function) and provides the information processing apparatus with a wireless communication function. In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be an imaging apparatus (for example, a camcorder) having a wireless communication function. In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be a smart meter.

[0028] In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be a motorcycle, a moving relaying vehicle, or the like on which communication equipment such as a field pickup unit (FPU) is mounted. In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) device or an Internet of Things (IoT) device. In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be a wearable device such as a smart watch.

[0029] In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be an extended reality (XR) device such as an augmented reality (AR) device, a virtual reality (VR) device, or a mixed reality (MR) device. At this time, the XR device may be a glasses-type device such as AR glasses or MR glasses, or may be a head-mounted device such as a VR head-mounted display. In a case where the terminal apparatus 100 is an XR device, the terminal apparatus 100 may be a standalone device including only a user wearing portion (for example, an eyeglass portion). In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be a terminal interlocking device including a user wearing portion (for example, an eyeglass portion) and a terminal portion (for example, a smart device) interlocked with the portion.

[0030] The terminal apparatus 100 may be configured to connect to a network using a radio access technology (RAT) such as long term evolution (LTE), new radio (NR), beyond 5G (B5G), 6G, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth (registered trademark). At this time, the terminal apparatus 100 may be configured to be able to use different radio access technologies (radio communication schemes). For example, the terminal apparatus 100 may be configured to be able to use NR and Wi-Fi. In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be configured to be able to use different cellular communication technologies / cell-free communication technologies (for example, LTE, NR, B5G, or 6G). In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be capable of satellite communication.

[0031] LTE and NR are a type of cellular communication technology, and enable mobile communication of terminal apparatuses by arranging a plurality of areas in a cell shape covered by apparatuses (for example, a base station or a transmission and reception point (TRP)) having an electromagnetic wave transmission / reception function. B5G and 6G may be technologies that enable mobile communication of terminal apparatuses as a type of cellular communication technology / cell-free communication technology. The cell-free communication technology is a technology that eliminates a cell boundary in a conventional cellular network. Note that the cell-free communication technology may be regarded as a type of cellular communication technology. In this case, the description of "cellular" appearing in the following description can be appropriately replaced with "cell-free", or the description of "cell-free" can be appropriately replaced with "cellular".

[0032] Note that, in the following description, "LTE" includes LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Advanced Pro (LTE-A Pro), and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA). In addition, NR includes New Radio Access Technology (NRAT) and Further EUTRA (FEUTRA). Note that a single base station 200 may manage a plurality of cells. In the following description, a cell corresponding to LTE is referred to as an LTE cell, and a cell corresponding to NR is referred to as an NR cell.

[0033] NR is a radio access technology of a next generation (fifth generation) of LTE (fourth generation communication including LTE-Advanced and LTE-Advanced Pro). NR is a radio access technology that can support various use cases including enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC). NR was developed as a standard after Rel-15 of 3GPP (registered trademark) as a technical framework corresponding to use scenarios, requirement conditions, arrangement scenarios, and the like in these use cases. In addition, in 3GPP, next generation technologies including enhancement of the NR standard have been studied. For example, in Rel-19, standardization activities for 6G (B5G (Beyond 5G)), which is a next-generation communication standard, are being conducted.

[0034] 6G is a cellular communication technology / cell-free communication technology of a next generation of NR or 5GS (5G system) which is the fifth generation mobile communication. In 6G, it is required to simultaneously achieve a plurality of axes of high speed and large capacity, low delay / high reliability, and multiple simultaneous connection. 6G includes a radio access technology and a network technology between a base station, a core network, and a data network. In addition, 6G includes a technology for extreme connectivity of each of eMBB, mMTC, and URLLC, which are used as main use cases or requirement conditions in NR. In addition, 6G includes new technologies in new aspects. For example, 6G may include technologies related to AI (cognitive network, AI native Air Interface) and sensing (Rader / RF sensing, network as a sensor) terahertz communication.

[0035] Note that the above-described or later-described wireless network may correspond to at least one of radio access technologies (RAT) such as LTE, NR, B5G, and 6G. LTE, NR, B5G, and 6G are a type of cellular communication technology / cell-free communication technology. Note that the radio access scheme used by the terminal apparatus 100 is not limited to LTE, NR, B5G, or 6G, and may be another radio access scheme such as wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) or code division multiple access 2000 (cdma2000).

[0036] The terminal apparatus 100 may be able to perform Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) communication with the base station 200. Here, the NOMA communication is communication using a non-orthogonal resource (transmission, reception, or both). When communicating with the base station 200, the terminal apparatus 100 may be able to use an automatic retransmission technology such as hybrid automatic repeat reQuest (HARQ). The terminal apparatus 100 may be able to perform sidelink communication with another terminal apparatus 100. The terminal apparatus 100 may be able to use an automatic retransmission technology such as HARQ when performing sidelink communication. The terminal apparatus 100 may be able to perform NOMA communication when performing sidelink communication with another terminal apparatus 100. The terminal apparatus 100 may be capable of Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) communication with another wireless communication apparatus such as the base station 200. The wireless communication used by the terminal apparatus 100 may be wireless communication using radio waves including sidelink communication, or may be wireless communication using infrared rays or visible light, that is, optical wireless.

[0037] Note that the wireless communication used by the terminal apparatus 100 may be wireless communication using a millimeter wave band (30 GHz to 300 GHz band) or a quasi-millimeter wave band (for example, 20 GHz to 30 GHz band). In addition, the wireless communication used by the terminal apparatus 100 may be wireless communication using a frequency band of less than 6 GHz (for example, Sub6) or may be wireless communication using a frequency band of 6 GHz or more (for example, 6 GHz to 20 GHz band). In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be capable of wireless communication using a terahertz wave. In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be capable of wireless power transmission or radio wave sensing (for example, sensing of Ultra Wide Band (UWB) and / or millimeter wave band or the like).

[0038] In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be a mobile body apparatus. The mobile body apparatus is a mobile wireless communication apparatus. At this time, the terminal apparatus 100 may be a wireless communication apparatus installed in a mobile body, or may be a mobile body itself.

[0039] The terminal apparatus 100 may be able to communicate by being connected to a plurality of base stations 200 or a plurality of cells at the same time. In a case where one base station 200 supports a communication area via a plurality of cells (for example, pCell or sCell), the plurality of cells can be bundled to enable communication between the base station 200 and the terminal apparatus 100 by a carrier aggregation (CA) technology, a dual connectivity (DC) technology, a multi-connectivity (MC) technology, or the like. Alternatively, the terminal apparatus 100 and the plurality of base stations 200 can communicate by a coordinated multi-point transmission and reception (CoMP) technology via cells of different base stations 200.

[0040] In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may be a relay terminal that relays communication to a remote terminal.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the terminal apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The terminal apparatus 100 includes a signal processing unit 110, an antenna apparatus 120, a storage unit 130, and a control unit 140. The terminal apparatus 100 may not necessarily include all these configurations. In addition, the terminal apparatus 100 may include a configuration other than these configurations. Note that the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may be different from the functional configuration. In addition, the functions of the terminal apparatus 100 may be implemented in a distributed manner in a plurality of physically separated configurations.

[0042] The signal processing unit 110 processes a signal transmitted via the antenna apparatus 120 or a signal transmitted via the antenna apparatus 120. Here, the signal processing unit 110 may be a wireless communication unit that processes a signal for wireless communication, or may be a sensor unit that processes a signal for sensing.

[0043] The wireless communication unit is, for example, a signal processing unit for performing wireless communication with another wireless communication apparatus (for example, the base station 200 or another terminal apparatus 100). The wireless communication unit may be referred to as a radio transceiver or simply a transceiver. At this time, the wireless communication unit may be a transceiver (hereinafter, referred to as a 3GPP transceiver) of a standard defined in the 3GPP technical specifications. The 3GPP transceiver may be a 3G transceiver, a 4G (LTE) transceiver, a 5G (NR) transceiver, or a 5G or later generation transceiver. The wireless communication unit is controlled by the control unit 140, for example. The wireless communication unit corresponds to one or a plurality of radio access schemes. The wireless communication unit may correspond to at least one of wireless LAN, NR, LTE, B5G, and 6G. The wireless communication unit may support W-CDMA, cdma2000, and the like in addition to NR, LTE, B5G, and 6G. The wireless communication unit may support an automatic retransmission technology such as HARQ. A part or the whole of the processing executed by the wireless communication unit may be executed by the control unit 140.

[0044] The wireless communication unit is not limited to a 3GPP transceiver. The wireless communication unit may be, for example, a transceiver of another radio access technology such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or LPWA. When the wireless communication unit is a Wi-Fi transceiver, the wireless communication unit may support at least one of wireless communication using a 5 GHz band and wireless communication using a 2.4 GHz band. Of course, the wireless communication supported by the wireless communication unit is not limited to the wireless communication using these frequency bands. For example, when the wireless communication unit is a Wi-Fi transceiver, the wireless communication unit may support wireless communication using a 6 GHz band or may support wireless communication using a band of 6 GHz or more. In addition, the wireless communication unit may support a plurality of radio access technologies. For example, the wireless communication unit may function as a Wi-Fi transceiver in addition to a function as a 3GPP transceiver.

[0045] As described above, the signal processing unit 110 may be a sensor unit. The sensor unit is a sensor for detecting various types of information. For example, the sensor unit is a sensor that acquires information of an object around the apparatus. For example, the sensor unit is a sensor that acquires information such as a position, a shape, and a motion of another object. Note that the sensor unit is not limited to a sensor that acquires information of an object around the apparatus. The sensor unit may be a sensor for detecting a state (for example, the position, moving speed, inclination, vibration, rotation, and the like of the terminal apparatus 100) of the apparatus itself.

[0046] The sensor unit may be a radio frequency sensor (RF sensor) or a non-RF sensor. In addition, the sensor unit may be a sensor system (for example, a sensor unit or a sensor module) in which an RF sensor and a non-RF sensor are combined. The RF sensor is a sensor that performs measurement or the like using radio waves, and is a sensor that performs measurement or the like without using radio waves.

[0047] Examples of the RF sensor include a radar using radio waves such as millimeter waves. At this time, the radio wave used in the radar is not limited to the radio wave in the millimeter wave band (for example, 30 to 300 GHz band), and may be, for example, a radio wave in a microwave band (for example, 3 to 30 GHz band) or a quasi-millimeter wave band (for example, 20 to 30 GHz band).

[0048] Other examples of the RF sensor include wireless positioning sensors (wireless positioning systems). Examples of the wireless positioning sensor include a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) sensor. Here, the GNSS sensor may be a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, a GLONASS sensor, a Galileo sensor, or a quasi-zenith satellite system (QZSS) sensor. Note that the wireless positioning sensor is not limited to the GNSS sensor, and may be, for example, a sensor for 3GPP positioning or Wi-Fi / Bluetooth positioning.

[0049] Of course, the sensor unit is not limited to the sensors described above. In addition, the sensor unit may be a sensor system in which a plurality of sensors described above is combined.

[0050] The antenna apparatus 120 is an apparatus for transmitting or receiving radio waves. In the example of FIG. 2, the antenna apparatus 120 is connected to the signal processing unit 110. The antenna apparatus 120 transmits the received signal to the signal processing unit 110. Alternatively, the antenna apparatus 120 transmits the signal processed by the signal processing unit 110 to the outside.

[0051] Note that the antenna apparatus 120 may be regarded as the signal processing unit 110 itself. At this time, the signal processing unit 110 may include a plurality of antenna apparatuses 120. In a case where the signal processing unit 110 supports a plurality of radio access schemes, each unit of the signal processing unit 110 may be individually configured for each radio access scheme. The antenna apparatus 120 may include a plurality of antenna elements (for example, a plurality of patch antennas). The signal processing unit 110 may have a beamforming function. For example, the wireless communication unit may have a polarization beamforming function using vertically polarized waves (V-polarized waves) and horizontally polarized waves (H-polarized waves) (or a polarization beamforming function using dual polarization in polarization directions of 45 degrees and -45 degrees from the vertical direction).

[0052] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of antenna apparatuses 120. In the example of FIG. 3, the terminal apparatus 100 is a flat plate-shaped smart device, and an antenna apparatus 120a, an antenna apparatus 120b, an antenna apparatus 120c, and an antenna apparatus 120d are arranged at the upper end, the lower end, the left end, and the right end of the terminal apparatus 100, respectively. Each of the plurality of antenna apparatuses 120 transmits a radio wave in a predetermined direction and / or receives a radio wave from a predetermined direction.

[0053] The antenna apparatus 120 may be an antenna including one antenna element or an antenna including a plurality of antenna elements. In a case where the antenna apparatus 120 includes a plurality of antenna elements, the wireless communication unit may be configured to generate a directional beam by controlling the directivity of a radio signal using the plurality of antenna elements.

[0054] Antennas having various configurations can be adopted as the antenna apparatus 120. For example, an inverted-F antenna can be adopted as the antenna apparatus 120. The inverted-F antenna is a type of linear antenna, and includes, for example, an antenna element arranged around a housing and a ground (housing or the like). Of course, the antenna constituting the antenna apparatus 120 is not limited to the inverted-F antenna. For example, an inverted-L antenna / loop antenna / patch antenna can be adopted as the antenna apparatus 120. Additionally, the antenna apparatus 120 may be an array antenna using a patch antenna as an antenna element. The patch antenna is a rectangular microstrip antenna. The patch antenna includes, for example, an antenna element (patch) arranged on a dielectric substrate having a ground plane on the back surface.

[0055] The configuration of the antenna apparatus 120 will be described in detail below.

[0056] The storage unit 130 is a storage apparatus capable of reading and writing data, such as DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, or a hard disk.

[0057] The control unit 140 is a controller that controls each unit of the terminal apparatus 100. The control unit 140 may be implemented by, for example, a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU). The control unit 140 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. The control unit 140 may be implemented by a graphics processing unit (GPU).

[0058] <2-2. Base station> As described above, the electronic device of the present embodiment is not limited to the terminal apparatus 100. Hereinafter, the base station 200 will be described as another example of the electronic device of the present embodiment.

[0059] The base station 200 is a wireless communication apparatus that performs wireless communication with another wireless communication apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 100 or another base station 200). The base station 200 may perform wireless communication with the terminal apparatus 100 via a relaying station, or may perform wireless communication directly with the terminal apparatus 100.

[0060] The base station 200 is a type of communication apparatus. More specifically, the base station 200 is an apparatus corresponding to a wireless access point or a wireless base station (Node B, eNB, gNB, 6GNB, or the like). The base station 200 may be a wireless relay station. The base station 200 may be an optical remote apparatus called a remote radio head (RRH). The base station 200 may be a receiving station such as a field pickup unit (FPU). The base station 200 may be an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) donor node or an IAB relay node that provides radio access lines and radio backhaul lines in time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, or space division multiplexing.

[0061] The radio access technology used by the base station 200 may be a wireless LAN technology (IEEE802.11), may be LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U), may be NR Unlicensed (NR-U), may be Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), or may be MulteFire. Of course, the radio access technology used by the base station 200 may be a cellular communication technology. In addition, the radio access technology used by the base station 200 may be a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) communication technology. Of course, the radio access technology used by the base station 200 is not limited thereto.

[0062] The wireless communication used by the base station 200 may be wireless communication using a millimeter wave band (30 GHz to 300 GHz band) or a quasi-millimeter wave band (for example, 20 GHz to 30 GHz band). Of course, the wireless communication used by the base station 200 may be wireless communication using a frequency band of less than 6 GHz (for example, Sub6) or may be wireless communication using a frequency band of 6 GHz or more (for example, 6 GHz to 20 GHz band). In addition, the wireless communication used by the base station 200 may be wireless communication using terahertz waves.

[0063] In addition, the base station 200 may be capable of non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) communication with the terminal apparatus 100. Here, the NOMA communication is communication using a non-orthogonal resource (transmission, reception, or both). Note that the base station 200 may be able to perform NOMA communication with another base station 200.

[0064] The concept of the base station (also referred to as a "base station apparatus") includes not only a donor base station but also a relay base station (also referred to as a "relaying station"). The relay base station may be any one of RF Repeater, Smart Repeater, and Intelligent Surface. The concept of the base station includes not only a structure having a function of the base station but also an apparatus installed in the structure.

[0065] The structure is, for example, a building such as a high-rise building, a house, a steel tower, a station facility, an airport facility, a harbor facility, an office building, a school building, a hospital, a factory, a commercial facility, a live venue, or a stadium. The concept of the structure includes not only a building but also a construction (non-building structure) such as a tunnel, a bridge, a dam, a wall, and an iron pillar, and equipment such as a crane, a gate, and a windmill. The concept of the structure includes not only a structure on land (on the ground in a narrow sense) or in the ground, but also a structure over water such as a pier or a megafloat, and a structure under water such as an ocean observation facility. The base station may also be referred to as an information processing apparatus.

[0066] The base station 200 may be a donor station or a relay station (relaying station). In addition, the base station 200 may be a fixed station or a mobile station. The mobile station is a wireless communication apparatus (for example, a base station) configured to be movable. At this time, the base station 200 may be an apparatus installed in a mobile body, or may be a mobile body itself. For example, a relay station having mobile capability (mobility) can be regarded as the base station 200 as a mobile station. In addition, an apparatus that is an apparatus originally having a mobile capability and has a function of a base station (at least a part of the function of the base station), such as a vehicle, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) typified by a drone, or a smartphone, also corresponds to the base station 200 as a mobile station.

[0067] Here, the mobile body may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a mobile phone. The mobile body may be a mobile body (for example, a vehicle such as an automobile, a bicycle, a bus, a truck, a motorcycle, a train, or a linear motor car) that moves on land (ground in a narrow sense) or may be a mobile body (for example, a vehicle moving in a tunnel such as a subway) that moves in the ground. In addition, the mobile body may be a mobile body (for example, a ship such as a passenger ship, a cargo ship, or a hovercraft) that moves over water or a mobile body (for example, a submersible such as a submersible boat, a submarine, or an unmanned submersible) that moves under water. In addition, the mobile body may be a mobile body (for example, an aircraft such as an airplane, an airship, or a drone) that moves in the atmosphere. In addition, the mobile body may be a mobile body (for example, an artificial satellite or a spacecraft) that moves outside the atmosphere.

[0068] In addition, the base station 200 may be a ground base station (ground station) installed on the ground. For example, the base station 200 may be a base station arranged in a structure on the ground, or may be a base station installed in a mobile body moving on the ground. More specifically, the base station 200 may be an antenna installed in a structure such as a building and a signal processing apparatus connected to the antenna. Of course, the base station 200 may be a structure or a mobile body itself. The "ground" is not only land (ground in a narrow sense) but also a ground in a broad sense including in the ground, over water, and under water. Note that the base station 200 is not limited to the ground base station. For example, when a communication system including the base station 200 is a satellite communication system, the base station 200 may be an aircraft station. From the perspective of a satellite station, an aircraft station located on the earth is a ground station.

[0069] Note that the base station 200 is not limited to a ground station. The base station 200 may be a non-ground base station (non-ground station) capable of floating in the air or space. For example, the base station 200 may be an aircraft station or a satellite station.

[0070] Here, the satellite station is a satellite station capable of floating outside the atmosphere. The satellite station may be an apparatus mounted on a space mobile body such as an artificial satellite, or may be a space mobile body itself. A space mobile body is a mobile body that moves outside the atmosphere. The space mobile body may be at least one of an artificial satellite, a spacecraft, a space station, and a probe. Of course, the space mobile body may be an artificial astronomical object other than these. Note that the satellite serving as the satellite station may be any of a low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite, a medium earth orbiting (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbiting (GEO) satellite, or a highly elliptical orbiting (HEO) satellite. The satellite station may be an apparatus mounted on a low earth orbiting satellite, a medium earth orbiting satellite, a geostationary earth orbiting satellite, or a highly elliptical orbiting satellite.

[0071] In addition, the aircraft station is a wireless communication apparatus capable of floating in the atmosphere such as an aircraft or the like. The aircraft station may be an apparatus mounted on an aircraft or the like, or may be an aircraft itself. The concept of the aircraft includes not only heavier-than-air aircrafts such as airplanes or gliders, but also lighter-than-air aircrafts such as balloons or airships. The concept of the aircraft includes not only heavier-than-air aircrafts or lighter-than-air aircrafts, but also rotorcraft such as helicopters or autogyros. The aircraft station or the aircraft on which the aircraft station is mounted may be an unmanned aircraft such as a drone.

[0072] Note that the concept of the unmanned aircraft also includes an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and a tethered unmanned aircraft system (UAS). In addition, the concept of the unmanned aircraft also includes a lighter-than-air (LTA) UAS and a heavier-than-air (HTA) UAS. Additionally, the concept of the unmanned aircraft also includes high altitude unmanned aircraft system platforms (HAPs).

[0073] The size of the coverage of the base station 200 may be large such as a macro cell or small such as a pico cell. Of course, the size of the coverage of the base station 200 may be extremely small such as a femto cell. In addition, the base station 200 may have a beamforming capability. In this case, in the base station 200, a cell or a service area may be formed for each beam. In addition, the base station 200 may have a function of delivering a desired wave precisely to a predetermined point by further considering distance information from the antenna of the base station 200 in addition to beamforming that gives directivity to a beam. This function may be referred to as beam focusing or point forming.

[0074] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the base station 200 according to the present embodiment. The base station 200 includes a signal processing unit 210, an antenna apparatus 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 240. The base station 200 may not necessarily include all these configurations. In addition, the base station 200 may include a configuration other than these configurations. Note that the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may be different from the functional configuration. In addition, the functions of the base station 200 may be implemented in a distributed manner in a plurality of physically separated configurations.

[0075] The signal processing unit 210 processes a signal transmitted via the antenna apparatus 220 or a signal transmitted via the antenna apparatus 220. Here, the signal processing unit 210 may be a wireless communication unit that processes a signal for wireless communication, or may be a sensor unit that processes a signal for sensing.

[0076] The wireless communication unit is, for example, a signal processing unit for performing wireless communication with another wireless communication apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 100 and another base station 200). The configuration of the wireless communication unit may be similar to the configuration of the wireless communication unit included in the terminal apparatus 100.

[0077] The sensor unit is a sensor for detecting various types of information. For example, the sensor unit is a sensor that acquires information of an object around the apparatus. The configuration of the sensor unit may be similar to the configuration of the sensor unit included in the terminal apparatus.

[0078] The antenna apparatus 220 is an apparatus for transmitting or receiving radio waves. In the example of FIG. 4, the antenna apparatus 220 is connected to the signal processing unit 210. The antenna apparatus 220 transmits the received signal to the signal processing unit 210. Alternatively, the antenna apparatus 220 transmits the signal processed by the signal processing unit 210 to the outside.

[0079] Note that the antenna apparatus 220 may be regarded as the signal processing unit 210 itself. At this time, the signal processing unit 210 may include a plurality of antenna apparatuses 220. In a case where the signal processing unit 210 supports a plurality of radio access schemes, each unit of the signal processing unit 210 may be individually configured for each radio access scheme. The antenna apparatus 220 may include a plurality of antenna elements (for example, a plurality of patch antennas). The signal processing unit 210 may have a beamforming function. For example, the wireless communication unit may have a polarization beamforming function using vertically polarized waves (V-polarized waves) and horizontally polarized waves (H-polarized waves) (or a polarization beamforming function using dual polarization in polarization directions of 45 degrees and -45 degrees from the vertical direction).

[0080] The antenna apparatus 220 may be an antenna including one antenna element or an antenna including a plurality of antenna elements. In a case where the antenna apparatus 220 includes a plurality of antenna elements, the wireless communication unit may be configured to generate a directional beam by controlling the directivity of a radio signal using the plurality of antenna elements.

[0081] Antennas having various configurations can be adopted as the antenna apparatus 220. For example, an inverted-F antenna can be adopted as the antenna apparatus 220. The inverted-F antenna is a type of linear antenna, and includes, for example, an antenna element arranged around a housing and a ground (housing or the like). Of course, the antenna constituting the antenna apparatus 220 is not limited to the inverted-F antenna. For example, an inverted-L antenna / loop antenna / patch antenna can be adopted as the antenna apparatus 220. Additionally, the antenna apparatus 220 may be an array antenna using a patch antenna as an antenna element. The patch antenna is a rectangular microstrip antenna. The patch antenna includes, for example, an antenna element (patch) arranged on a dielectric substrate having a ground plane on the back surface.

[0082] The configuration of the antenna apparatus 220 may be similar to the configuration of the antenna apparatus 120 included in the terminal apparatus 100. The configuration of the antenna apparatus 120 will be described in detail below.

[0083] The storage unit 230 is a storage apparatus capable of reading and writing data, such as DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, or a hard disk.

[0084] The control unit 240 is a controller that controls each unit of the base station 200. The control unit 240 may be achieved by a processor such as a CPU or an MPU. The control unit 240 may be achieved by, for example, an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The control unit 240 may be achieved by a GPU.

[0085] Note that, in some embodiments, the base station 200 may be configured by a set of a plurality of physical or logical apparatuses. As an example, the base station 200 of the present embodiment may be separated into a plurality of apparatuses such as a baseband unit (BBU) and a radio unit (RU). The base station 200 may be interpreted as a set of the plurality of apparatuses. In addition, the base station may be either a BBU or an RU, or may be both. The BBU and the RU may be connected by a predetermined interface, for example, an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI).

[0086] The RU may be referred to as a remote radio unit (RRU) or a radio dot (RD). The RU may correspond to a gNB distributed unit (gNB-DU) described below. The BBU may correspond to a gNB central unit (gNB-CU) described below. The RU may be an apparatus integrally formed with the antenna. The antenna of the base station 200, for example, the antenna integrally formed with the RU, may adopt an Advanced Antenna System and support MIMO such as FD-MIMO or beamforming. The antenna of the base station 200 may include, for example, 64 transmission antenna ports and 64 reception antenna ports.

[0087] The antenna mounted on the RU may be an antenna panel including one or more antenna elements, and the RU may be mounted with one or more antenna panels. The RU may be mounted with two types of antenna panels: a horizontally polarized antenna panel and a vertically polarized antenna panel. The RU may be mounted with two types of antenna panels: a right-handed circularly polarized antenna panel and a left-handed circularly polarized antenna panel, or an antenna panel in a polarization direction of 45 degrees from the vertical direction and an antenna panel in a polarization direction of -45 degrees from the vertical direction. A plurality of antennas having the plurality of polarization directions may be mounted on one antenna panel. The RU may be controlled by forming an independent beam for each antenna panel.

[0088] A plurality of base stations 200 may be connected to each other. The one or plurality of base stations 200 may be included in a radio access network (RAN). At this time, the base station 200 may be simply referred to as a RAN, a RAN node, an access network (AN), an AN node, or the like. The RAN in LTE may be referred to as an enhanced universal terrestrial RAN (EUTRAN). The RAN in NR may be referred to as NGRAN. In addition, the RAN in 6G may be referred to as 6GRAN. The RAN in W-CDMA (UMTS) may be referred to as UTRAN.

[0089] The base station 200 in LTE may be referred to as an evolved node B (eNodeB) or an eNB. At this time, the EUTRAN includes one or more eNodeBs (eNBs). The base station 200 in NR may be referred to as a gNodeB or a gNB. At this time, the NGRAN includes one or more gNBs. The base station in 6G may be referred to as a 6GNodeB, a 6gNodeB, a 6GNB, or a 6gNB. At this time, the 6GRAN includes one or more 6GNBs. The EUTRAN may include a gNB (en-gNB) connected to a core network (EPC) in an LTE communication system (EPS). The NGRAN may include an ng-eNB connected to a core network 5GC in a 5G communication system (5GS).

[0090] When the base station 200 is an eNB, a gNB, a 6GNB, or the like, the base station 200 may be referred to as 3GPP access. When the base station 200 is a wireless access point, the base station 200 may be referred to as non-3GPP access. The base station 200 may be an optical remote apparatus called a remote radio head (RRH). When the base station 200 is a gNB, the base station 200 may be a combination of the gNB-CU and the gNB-DU described above, or may be either a gNB-CU or a gNB-DU.

[0091] <2-3. Other examples> Although the wireless communication apparatus has been described above as an example of the electronic device that can include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment, the electronic device is not limited to the wireless communication apparatus.

[0092] For example, the electronic device that can include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be an information processing apparatus / signal processing apparatus including an RF sensor. For example, the electronic device may be a positioning apparatus (for example, a GNSS apparatus such as a GPS apparatus) including a wireless positioning sensor (for example, a GNSS sensor such as a GPS sensor) as an RF sensor. Additionally, the electronic device may be a radar apparatus including a radar as an RF sensor. Here, the RF sensor may be similar to the RF sensor included in the sensor unit described above.

[0093] In addition, the electronic device that can include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be a broadcast receiving apparatus such as a television receiver.

[0094] Note that the electronic device does not necessarily have a wireless communication function as long as the electronic device has a radio wave reception / transmission function. Of course, the electronic device may have a wireless communication function as one radio wave reception / transmission function. For example, the electronic device may have a wireless communication function in addition to the reception function of a sensing radio wave (for example, a GNSS signal and / or a radar signal). Here, the configuration of the wireless communication function may be similar to that of the wireless communication unit described above. When the electronic device has a wireless communication function, the electronic device can be regarded as a wireless communication apparatus.

[0095] <<3. Antenna apparatus>> Although the electronic device that can include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment has been described above, the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0096] <3-1. Structure of antenna apparatus> First, the structure of the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0097] In the following description, the structure of the antenna apparatus 120 included in the terminal apparatus 100 will be described as an example of the structure of the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment. The structure of the antenna apparatus 120 described below is also applicable to an antenna apparatus (for example, the antenna apparatus 220 included in the base station 200) included in an electronic device other than the terminal apparatus 100.

[0098] When designing an L1 band and L5 band compatible global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antenna apparatus aiming at downsizing of the TCU, downsizing of the antenna itself is a problem in order to configure the antenna apparatus in a space-saving manner.

[0099] Therefore, in the present embodiment, a fed antenna (fed element) is provided on the substrate side on which the antenna is mounted, and a parasitic antenna (parasitic element) is newly formed in the vicinity thereof. Then, the antenna elements are electromagnetically coupled (for example, inductively coupled or capacitively coupled). Therefore, the antenna can be downsized.

[0100] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6 are perspective views illustrating an example of the structure of the antenna apparatus 120 according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating an example of the structure of the antenna apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating an example of the structure of the antenna apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0101] Note that, in the following description, an XYZ coordinate system may be used for description in order to facilitate understanding. Here, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are all directions determined with reference to the antenna apparatus 120. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are directions parallel to the surface of the substrate included in the antenna apparatus 120. The Z-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface.

[0102] The antenna apparatus 120 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of antennas (a plurality of antenna elements). In the examples of FIGS. 5A to 8, the antenna apparatus 120 includes a fed antenna 121 and a parasitic antenna 122.

[0103] The antenna apparatus 120 is, for example, an in-vehicle antenna. The antenna apparatus 120 is typically a GNSS antenna. However, the antenna apparatus 120 is not limited to the GNSS antenna, and may be, for example, an antenna for in-vehicle communication. Additionally, the antenna apparatus 120 may be an antenna for wireless communication with another communication apparatus. Another communication apparatus may be a ground station or a satellite station. Another communication apparatus may be a communication apparatus included in another vehicle, or may be another vehicle itself.

[0104] In the present embodiment, the fed antenna 121 can be replaced with the fed element 121, and the fed element 121 can be replaced with the fed antenna 121. In addition, in the present embodiment, the parasitic antenna 122 can be replaced with the parasitic element 122, and the parasitic element 122 can be replaced with the parasitic antenna 122.

[0105] The fed antenna 121 is an antenna electrically connected to a power feed unit. As described above, the fed antenna 121 may be rephrased as the fed element 121. In the examples of FIGS. 5A to 8, one end portion of the fed antenna 121 is electrically connected to a power feed unit F1. In the examples of FIGS. 5A to 8, the fed antenna 121 is a linear antenna located on a predetermined plane. More specifically, the fed antenna 121 is a meander line antenna located on a ground plane (X-Y plane).

[0106] Note that the configuration of the fed antenna 121 is not limited to the above configuration. As the fed antenna 121, various types of antennas can be adopted. For example, the fed antenna 121 may be a linear antenna other than the meander line antenna. Examples of the linear antenna include a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, an inverted-L antenna (ILA), and a loop antenna. In addition, the fed antenna 121 may be a planar antenna. Examples of the planar antenna include a patch antenna and a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA). In addition, the fed antenna 121 may be a chip antenna or a pattern antenna. Of course, the fed antenna 121 may be an antenna of a type other than these.

[0107] The parasitic antenna 122 is, for example, a conductive element / antenna element connected to the ground. As described above, the parasitic antenna 122 may be rephrased as the parasitic element 122. The ground (GND) is an electrical reference surface. In other words, the ground is an electrical reference point of the antenna system. The ground provides a zero potential point (or reference point) for the antenna to operate. The ground may be referred to as a ground plane.

[0108] As the parasitic antenna 122, various types of antennas can be adopted. For example, the parasitic antenna may be a linear antenna or a planar antenna. Examples of the linear antenna include a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, an inverted-L antenna (ILA), and a loop antenna. Examples of the planar antenna include a patch antenna and a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA). In addition, the parasitic antenna may be a chip antenna or a pattern antenna. Of course, the antenna may be an antenna of a type other than these.

[0109] The antenna apparatus 120 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of antenna elements (fed antenna 121 and parasitic antenna 122) that are electromagnetically coupled. FIGS. 5A to 8 illustrate an example in which tips of antenna elements are electromagnetically coupled to each other as an example of electromagnetic coupling of a plurality of antenna elements. In FIG. 5A, a portion surrounded by the broken line is an electromagnetic coupling (or inductive coupling / capacitive coupling) portion between the tips of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122. Note that FIGS. 5A to 8 are merely examples. The electromagnetic coupling is not limited to the example illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 8.

[0110] The electromagnetic coupling allows the transmission of signals via the electromagnetic field. In this case, a signal is transmitted by one conductor inducing a current to the other conductor due to a change in the magnetic field caused by a change in the current. The inductive coupling is an example of the electromagnetic coupling. In the case of inductive coupling, electromagnetic induction is used to transmit a signal. In the case of capacitive coupling, a signal is transmitted via the electric field, such as a capacitor.

[0111] Note that the capacitive coupling may occur even when a physical capacitor is not used. For example, capacitive coupling between antennas may occur due to an interaction of electric fields between antennas. That is, electromagnetic coupling (capacitive coupling) may occur as the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 are close to each other without contact. In other words, electromagnetic coupling (capacitive coupling) may occur when a part of the parasitic antenna 122 and a part of the fed antenna 121 are close to each other with a separation portion interposed therebetween.

[0112] In the examples of FIGS. 5A to 8, one end portion of the parasitic antenna 122 is connected to the ground. In addition, in the examples of FIGS. 5A to 8, one end portion of the fed antenna 121 is electrically connected to a power feed unit F1. Then, the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 are arranged such that the other end portion (end portion 121a) of the fed antenna 121 is adjacent (close) to the other end portion (end portion 122a) of the parasitic antenna 122 with a separation portion interposed therebetween. That is, in the examples of FIGS. 5A to 8, the other end portion (end portion 121a) of the fed antenna 121 is close to the other end portion (end portion 122a) of the parasitic antenna 122 without contact. Therefore, the end portion 121a of the fed antenna 121 and the end portion 122a of the parasitic antenna 122 are electromagnetically coupled.

[0113] In the present embodiment, a part where the end portion 122a of the parasitic antenna 122 and the end portion 121a of the fed antenna 121 are electromagnetically coupled is referred to as a capacitive coupling part. Note that although FIGS. 5A to 8 illustrate coupling between antenna tips as an example of electromagnetic coupling, the electromagnetic coupling is not limited to coupling between antenna tips.

[0114] FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a structure of a capacitive coupling part. The fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 are installed such that the end portion 121a and the end portion 122a are adjacent (close) to each other with a separation portion interposed therebetween. The fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be installed such that the end portion 121a and the end portion 122a are adjacent (close) to each other in parallel with a separation portion interposed therebetween. In the following description, a distance between the end portion 122a of the parasitic antenna 122 and the end portion 121a of the fed antenna 121 is referred to as a separation distance d1. In addition, a distance (that is, the length of the capacitive coupling part) of a location where the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 are installed adjacent to each other is referred to as a capacitive coupling distance d2.

[0115] Here, the separation portion may be a space in which the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 do not exist. The shape of the separation portion may be rectangular / square. For example, the shape of the separation portion may be a rectangle / square including the separation distance d1 and the capacitive coupling distance d2. Of course, the shape of the separation portion is not limited to the rectangular / square.

[0116] Here, the separation distance d1 may be 1 mm or less or 3 mm or less. In addition, the separation distance d1 may be 0.1 mm or more and 1 mm or less. In addition, the separation distance may be 0.2 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. The separation distance d1 may be interpreted as the shortest distance between the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 at the separation portion.

[0117] In addition, the capacitive coupling distance d2 (that is, the length of the capacitive coupling part) may be 3 mm or less, 5 mm or less, or 10 mm or less.

[0118] The end portion 121a of the fed antenna 121 is adjacent (close) to the end portion 122a of the parasitic antenna 122 with the separation portion interposed therebetween. As described above, the fed antenna 121 is located on the ground plane (X-Y plane). Here, the end portion 122a (end on the separation portion side) of the parasitic antenna 122 may be separated from the ground plane (X-Y plane) by the separation distance d1. Of course, the end portion 122a (end on the separation portion side) of the parasitic antenna 122 may be on the same plane as the ground plane (X-Y plane). Even in this case, the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 are installed with the separation portion interposed therebetween.

[0119] The parasitic antenna 122 may include a parasitic antenna portion that is a body portion of the parasitic antenna 122 and a capacitive coupling portion (also referred to as a capacitive coupling element portion) that is a portion capacitively coupled to the fed antenna 121. In the examples of FIGS. 5A to 9, the capacitive coupling portion is the end portion 122a, and the parasitic antenna portion is a portion other than the end portion 122a. Here, the shape of the capacitive coupling portion may be rectangular or square. In the examples of FIGS. 5A to 9, the end portion 121a of the fed antenna 121 and the end portion 122a of the parasitic antenna 122 are arranged in parallel. Here, the length of one side of the capacitive coupling portion may be 5 mm or less or 10 mm or less. In other words, the capacitive coupling distance d2 may be 5 mm or less or 10 mm or less. Of course, the length of one side of the capacitive coupling portion (capacitive coupling distance d2) is not limited thereto.

[0120] The capacitive coupling distance d2 may be less than 10% of the length of the parasitic antenna 122. In addition, the capacitive coupling distance d2 may be less than 10% of the length of the fed antenna 121. In the present embodiment, the fed antenna and the parasitic antenna may be installed so as not to be capacitively coupled at a portion other than the capacitive coupling part.

[0121] For example, the fed antenna 121 may be arranged such that a portion between the one end portion and the other end portion is not adjacent (close) to the parasitic antenna 122. That is, the antenna apparatus 120 may be configured such that a portion (that is, a portion other than the end portion 121a) other than the capacitive coupling part of the fed antenna 121 is not electromagnetically coupled to the parasitic antenna 122. For example, the fed antenna 121 may be arranged to be separated from the parasitic antenna 122 by the separation distance d1 at a portion other than the capacitive coupling part. Additionally, the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be arranged such that the direct effect of electromagnetic variations of the other is equal to or less than a certain amount at a portion other than the capacitive coupling part. For example, an object serving as an electromagnetic shield or an object that weakens an electromagnetic effect may be provided between the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 (other than the capacitive coupling part).

[0122] Note that the arrangement of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 is not limited to the above. When a part of the parasitic antenna 122 and a part of the fed antenna 121 are capacitively coupled, the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 can adopt various arrangements. FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating arrangement examples of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122. Specifically, FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams of the capacitive coupling part as viewed from above.

[0123] The shape of the fed antenna 121 may be a meander line shape. The fed antenna 121 may be configured on a predetermined plane (for example, on the X-Y plane). For example, the fed antenna 121 may be configured on a plane where the power feed unit F1 exists. At this time, the whole portion of the fed antenna 121 may be configured on the same plane. The fed antenna 121 may be configured in a bellows shape on a predetermined plane.

[0124] The fed antenna 121 may be electrically connected to the power feed unit F1 by a conductor. For example, the fed antenna 121 may be electrically connected to the power feed unit F1 by a microstrip line. The fed antenna 121 may be electrically connected to the power feed unit F1 by a 50Ω line. The fed antenna 121 may be connected to the ground at a portion different from the power feed unit F1.

[0125] Note that the power feed unit F1 may be referred to as an RF front end. In addition, the power feed unit F1 may be referred to as an RF IC. In addition, the power feed unit F1 may be referred to as an RF circuit. The RF circuit may be a 4G RF circuit, a 5G RF circuit, a DSRC RF circuit, or a GPS circuit. The fed antenna 121 may be supplied with power via a battery, a DC / DC converter, and an RF circuit.

[0126] The parasitic antenna 122 may be installed away from the power feed unit F1. The parasitic antennas 122 may be configured on the same plane. The shape of the parasitic antenna 122 may be a meander line shape. The parasitic antenna 122 may be configured in a bellows shape on a predetermined plane. The parasitic antenna 122 may be connected to the ground. The parasitic antenna 122 may be connected to the ground via a matching element.

[0127] The fed antenna 121 and / or the parasitic antenna 122 may be configured such that an antenna path thereof is linear.

[0128] In addition, the fed antenna 121 and / or the parasitic antenna 122 may be configured such that the antenna path thereof is bent one or more times. In other words, the fed antenna 121 and / or the parasitic antenna 122 may include one or more first portions in the antenna path thereof, and the path direction may change in the first portions. By designing the antenna path to be bent a plurality of times, the overall size can be reduced with respect to the antenna path length.

[0129] The fed antenna 121 and / or the parasitic antenna 122 may be configured such that the antenna path is bent at a right angle in the first portion. For example, like the parasitic antenna 122 illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 8, the fed antenna 121 and / or the parasitic antenna 122 may be configured such that the antenna path is bent a plurality of times in different plane directions. Therefore, the shape of the fed antenna 121 and / or the parasitic antenna 122 can be a three-dimensional shape. Note that the fed antenna 121 and / or the parasitic antenna 122 may have an L-shape bent only once.

[0130] The fed antenna 121 may be configured such that the number of times that the antenna path is bent is larger than the number of times that the antenna path of the parasitic antenna 122 is bent. In other words, the number of first portions of the fed antenna 121 may be greater than the number of first portions of the parasitic antenna 122. Here, the number of times of bending of the fed antenna 121 may be 8 times or more, or may be 15 times or more. That is, the number of first portions of the fed antenna 121 may be 8 or more, or may be 15 or more. In addition, the number of times of bending of the parasitic antenna 122 may be 10 times or less, or may be 5 times or less. That is, the number of first portions of the parasitic antenna may be 10 or less, or may be 5 or less.

[0131] In the examples of FIGS. 5A to 8, the fed antenna 121 is a meander line antenna the number of times of bending of which is 10 times or more. In addition, in the examples of FIGS. 5A to 8, the parasitic antenna 122 is a three-dimensionally-shaped antenna (hereinafter, also referred to as a stereoscopic antenna) the number of times of bending of which is 10 times or less.

[0132] Note that, in the examples of FIGS. 5A to 8, the fed antenna 121 is a meander line antenna, and the parasitic antenna 122 is a stereoscopic antenna. However, the fed antenna 121 may be a stereoscopic antenna, and the parasitic antenna 122 may be a meander line antenna. Both the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be meander line antennas. Both the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be stereoscopic antennas.

[0133] The whole portion of the fed antenna 121 is not necessarily located on the same plane. In this case, at least a part of the fed antenna 121 may be located on the same plane as the plane where the power feed unit F1 exists. The whole portion of the parasitic antenna 122 is not necessarily located on the same plane. In this case, at least a part of the parasitic antenna 122 may be located on the same plane as the plane where the ground exists.

[0134] The fed antenna 121 and / or the parasitic antenna 122 may include one antenna element or may include a plurality of antenna elements. In a case where the antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements, the antenna apparatus 120 may be configured to generate a directional beam by controlling the directivity of a radio signal using the plurality of antenna elements.

[0135] The antenna apparatus 120 (hereinafter, referred to as a first antenna apparatus) of the present embodiment may include a first antenna (first fed antenna) used for communication in a first frequency band. The first antenna may be the fed antenna 121. Near the antenna apparatus 120 (first antenna apparatus) of the present embodiment, a second antenna apparatus including a second antenna (second fed antenna) arranged close to the first antenna and used for communication in a second frequency band may be arranged. The antenna apparatus 120 (first antenna apparatus) of the present embodiment may include both the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0136] The first frequency band (first frequency) and the second frequency band (second frequency) may be different frequency bands (frequencies). For example, the first frequency band may be a frequency band used in the GNSS (for example, the L1 band and / or the L5 band), and the second frequency band may be a frequency band used in cellular communication (for example, 4G and / or 5G frequency band). Conversely, the first frequency band may be a frequency band used in cellular communication (for example, 4G and / or 5G frequency band), and the second frequency band may be a frequency band used in the GNSS (for example, the L1 band and / or the L5 band). In addition, the first frequency band may be one of the L1 band and the L5 band, and the second frequency band may be the other of the L1 band and the L5 band. Of course, the first frequency band and the second frequency band are not limited thereto.

[0137] The antenna apparatus 120 (first antenna apparatus) may include a first line arranged between the first antenna and an antenna duplexer / filter and directly or indirectly connected to the first antenna. The first line is typically a strip line (SL) or a microstrip line (MSL). However, the first line is not limited thereto. For example, the first line may be a coaxial cable or a flexible cable. In addition, the first line may be a combination of a plurality of types of lines (for example, a plurality of lines selected from among a strip line, a microstrip line, a coaxial cable, and a flexible cable).

[0138] Note that the first line may be a line having a length that makes the impedance in the second frequency band at the feed point of the first antenna four times or more (desirably six times or more) the magnitude of the impedance in the first frequency band at the feed point of the first antenna. Here, the magnitude of the impedance may be the square root of the sum of squares of the real part and the imaginary part of the complex impedance. In addition, the length of the first line may be a length of -100% to +200% of the 1 / 4 wavelength of the radio wave in the second frequency band. In addition, the length of the first line may be a length of -70% to +170% of the 1 / 4 wavelength of the radio wave in the second frequency band, or may be a length of -60% to +160% of the 1 / 4 wavelength of the radio wave in the second frequency band.

[0139] The length of the antenna path in the fed antenna 121 and / or the parasitic antenna 122 may be a length of -100% to +200% of the 1 / 4 wavelength of the radio wave in the first frequency band and / or the second frequency band. In addition, the length of the antenna path may be a length of -70% to +170% of the 1 / 4 wavelength of the radio wave in the first frequency band and / or the second frequency band, or may be a length of -60% to +160% of the 1 / 4 wavelength of the radio wave in the first frequency band and / or the second frequency band.

[0140] Note that the configuration of the antenna apparatus 120 is not limited to the above. For example, the antenna apparatus 120 may include a signal processor that is directly or indirectly connected to an antenna duplexer and / or filter and processes a transmission signal or a reception signal.

[0141] In addition, for example, it is assumed that both the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 are GNSS antennas. At this time, the resonance frequency of the fed antenna 121 may be configured to be a first frequency (for example, one of the L1 band and the L5 band), and the resonance frequency of the parasitic antenna 122 may be configured to be a second frequency (for example, the other of the L1 band and the L5 band) different from the first frequency. Then, an antenna open end (tip / one end) of the fed antenna 121 and an antenna open end (tip / one end) of the parasitic antenna 122 may be brought close to each other to be capacitively coupled (or electromagnetically coupled, inductively coupled).

[0142] Therefore, a small two-resonance multiband antenna can be configured. For example, a small GNSS antenna compatible with the L1 band and the L5 band can be configured. Usually, the antenna size needs to be increased to obtain high antenna radiation efficiency. However, by adopting the technique described in the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve an antenna apparatus having high antenna radiation efficiency (for example, antenna radiation efficiency equivalent to that of a conventional antenna) even when the antenna apparatus is small.

[0143] In addition, generally, when antennas are close to each other, interference occurs between the antennas. However, by adopting the above configuration, an interference reduction effect with a surrounding antenna can be expected. Here, the interference can be rephrased as radio wave interference, interference suppression, sensitivity suppression, self-poisoning, or the like.

[0144] FIGS. 12, 13A, and 13B are diagrams for describing an interference reduction effect by adopting the technique of the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an effect (interference) of the GNSS antenna having a conventional configuration on a cellular antenna. FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating an effect (interference) of the GNSS antenna (first antenna apparatus) having the configuration described in the present embodiment on a cellular antenna (second antenna apparatus). FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an effect (interference) of the cellular antenna (second antenna apparatus) on the GNSS antenna (first antenna apparatus) having the configuration described in the present embodiment.

[0145] As can be seen from FIGS. 12 to 13B, it can be seen that the interference between the antenna apparatuses is reduced by adopting the technique of the present embodiment. The value of interference is reduced from 6 dB to about 20 dB to 30 dB mainly in a cellular low band. Here, the value of interference can also be referred to as an isolation value between antennas.

[0146] By adopting the technique of the present embodiment, the effects described below can be obtained. (1) Multi-banding can be achieved while downsizing the antenna. (2) High antenna radiation efficiency can be achieved. (3) Radio wave interference with a close antenna can be reduced.

[0147] <3-2. Modifications / Supplements> Although the structure of the antenna apparatus 120 of the present embodiment has been described above, the antenna apparatus 120 of the present embodiment will be supplemented below. The following description (modification / supplement) is applicable not only to the antenna apparatus 120 included in the terminal apparatus 100 but also to an antenna apparatus (for example, the antenna apparatus 220 included in the base station 200) included in an electronic device other than the terminal apparatus 100.

[0148] <3-2-1. Product group to which the technique of the present embodiment is applicable> In the above-described embodiment, the antenna apparatus 120 is an antenna for an in-vehicle communication apparatus (for example, TCU or T-BOX). However, the application destination of the antenna apparatus 120 of the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, it is also applicable to an antenna included in a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop PC, an IoT device (smart watch, augmented reality (AR) glasses, virtual reality (VR) headset), or a smart meter. Additionally, the application destination of the antenna apparatus 120 may be a communication apparatus that performs wireless communication.

[0149] Note that the in-vehicle communication apparatus is not limited to the TCU and the T-BOX. Any communication apparatus mounted on a vehicle can be regarded as an in-vehicle communication apparatus.

[0150] <3-2-2. Antenna arrangement> In the above-described embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the fed antenna 121 of the meander line is arranged on the left side, and the parasitic antenna 122 is arranged on the right side. However, the arrangement of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 is not limited thereto. For example, the parasitic antenna 122 may be arranged on the left side, and the fed antenna 121 of the meander line may be arranged on the right side.

[0151] <3-2-3. Antenna shape / type> The shapes of the antennas (the fed antenna 121 and / or the parasitic antenna 122) included in the antenna apparatus 120 are not limited to the above-described shapes. For example, the antenna included in the antenna apparatus 120 may be a λ / 4 (1 / 4 wavelength) antenna. Additionally, antennas of any shape (for example, a meander line antenna, an inverted-F antenna, a straight antenna, a C-shaped antenna, or a U-shaped antenna) can be adopted.

[0152] In the present embodiment described above, the fed antenna 121 is an antenna having a meander line shape. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the parasitic antenna 122 may be an antenna having a meander line shape.

[0153] In the electronic device on which the antenna apparatus 120 is mounted, a slit for a metal antenna may be provided in the exterior as in, for example, recent smartphones. At this time, the antenna apparatus 120 may have a structure in which the tip of the fed antenna 121 and the tip of the parasitic antenna 122 are close to each other toward a slit open end.

[0154] <3-2-4. Downsizing of antenna> The antenna apparatus 120 may be configured to be able to adjust the electrical length using a matching constant for the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122. For example, a matching element may be present in a portion of at least one of the fed antenna 121 or the parasitic antenna 122. FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing a structure of an antenna apparatus according to a modification. In the example of FIG. 14, the antenna apparatus 120 is provided with a matching element 1231, a matching element 1232, and a matching element 1233as matching elements for adjusting the electrical length of the fed antenna 121. Therefore, the antenna apparatus 120 can be further downsized.

[0155] <3-2-5. Position of antenna on substrate> At least one of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be formed on one surface of the substrate. At this time, both the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be formed on the same surface of the substrate. In addition, one of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be formed on one surface of the substrate, and the other may be formed on the other surface of the substrate.

[0156] In addition, at least one of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be formed on both surfaces of the substrate. At this time, both the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be formed on both surfaces of the substrate. Of course, only one of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be formed on both surfaces of the substrate.

[0157] In addition, at least one of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be formed in an inner layer of the substrate. At this time, both the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be formed in the inner layer of the substrate. Of course, only one of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be formed in the inner layer of the substrate.

[0158] <3-2-6. Antenna forming material> At least one of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be made of one or a plurality of materials selected from a plurality of materials described below. Of course, the material forming the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 is not limited to the examples described below. Note that the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be made of the same material. In addition, the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be made of different materials. - Sheet metal - Metal - Sheet metal and resin component - Sheet metal and ceramic component - Laser direct structuring (LDS) and resin component - Flexible printed circuit (FPC) - FPC and resin component - Glass

[0159] The fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be formed using the same method (for example, laser direct structuring (LDS)). In addition, the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be formed using different methods.

[0160] Examples of materials that can be used to form the fed antenna 121 are described below. Of course, the material that can be used to form the fed antenna 121 is not limited to the following. - Sheet metal only - Sheet metal + resin component - Sheet metal + ceramic component - LDS + resin component - FPC - FPC + resin component - Glass

[0161] Examples of materials that can be used to form the parasitic antenna 122 are described below. Of course, the material that can be used to form the parasitic antenna 122 is not limited to the following. - Sheet metal only - Sheet metal + resin component - Sheet metal + ceramic component - LDS + resin component - FPC - FPC + resin component - Glass

[0162] The thickness of the fed antenna 121 may be 10 mm or less, 5 mm or less, or 1 mm or less. The thickness of the parasitic antenna 122 may be 10 mm or less, 5 mm or less, or 1 mm or less.

[0163] In the above-described embodiment, the fed antenna 121 is an antenna formed in a planar / linear shape on the substrate, and the parasitic antenna 122 is an antenna having a shape having a thickness. However, the configurations of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 are not limited thereto. For example, the fed antenna 121 may be an antenna having a shape having a thickness. At this time, the parasitic antenna 122 may be an antenna having a shape having a thickness larger than the thickness of the fed antenna 121. Of course, the fed antenna 121 may be an antenna having a shape having a thickness larger than the thickness of the parasitic antenna 122. Therefore, the empty space can be effectively used.

[0164] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the fed antenna 121 is a linear antenna located on a predetermined plane, and the parasitic antenna 122 is a three-dimensionally shaped antenna. However, the configurations of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 are not limited thereto. For example, the fed antenna 121 may be a three-dimensionally shaped antenna. In addition, the parasitic antenna 122 may be a linear antenna located on a predetermined plane.

[0165] The fed antenna 121 and / or the parasitic antenna 122 may be meander line antennas. At this time, the width of the meander line may be 3 mm or less, or may be 1 mm or less. The width of the meander line may be 1 mm or less and 0.05 mm or more.

[0166] <3-2-7. Supported frequency band> In the above-described embodiment, the frequency bands (the resonance frequencies of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122) supported by the antenna apparatus 120 are the GNSS L1 and L5 bands. However, the frequency bands supported by the antenna apparatus 120 are not limited thereto. For example, the frequency band supported by the antenna apparatus 120 may be a band newly allocated for a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) or a global positioning system (GPS).

[0167] The technique of the present embodiment is also applicable to an antenna other than the GNSS antenna. For example, the technique of the present embodiment is also applicable to a cellular antenna, a Bluetooth antenna, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) antenna, or a Wi-Fi antenna. At this time, the frequency band (the resonance frequency of the fed antenna 121 and / or the parasitic antenna 122) supported by the antenna apparatus 120 may be one of the frequency bands described below. Of course, the frequency band supported by the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment is not limited to the frequency bands described below.

[0168] <Frequency band of cellular communication> The antenna apparatus 120 of the present embodiment may support a frequency band (for example, 4G and / or 5G frequency band) of cellular communication. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frequency band supported by the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment. Of course, the frequency band supported by the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment is not limited to the frequency bands illustrated in FIG. 15.

[0169] For example, the frequency band supported by the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be at least one band of the 4G LTE frequency bands. For example, the frequency band supported by the antenna apparatus may be at least one of bands 1 to 108.

[0170] In addition, for example, the frequency band supported by the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be at least one of the 5G NR frequency bands. For example, the frequency band supported by the antenna apparatus may be at least one band of FR1 (410 MHz to 7125 MHz), at least one band of FR2-1 (24250 MHz to 52600 MHz), or at least one band of FR2-2 (52600 MHz to 71000 MHz).

[0171] In addition, for example, the frequency band supported by the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be the 6G frequency band.

[0172] <Frequency band of Wi-Fi> The antenna apparatus 120 of the present embodiment may support the frequency bands of Wi-Fi. Hereinafter, the frequency bands of Wi-Fi will be listed.

[0173] (1) 2.4 GHz Frequency range: 2.4 GHz (2400 MHz) to 2.4835 GHz (2483.5 MHz) Number of channels: 1 to 14 (different depending on country)

[0174] (2) 5 GHz Frequency range: 5.15 GHz (5150 MHz) to 5.825 GHz (5825 MHz) Number of channels: 23 (different depending on country)

[0175] (3) 6 GHz Frequency range: 5.925 GHz (5925 MHz) to 7.125 GHz (7125 MHz) Number of channels: 59 (maximum) Feature: Used in Wi-Fi 6E.

[0176] <Frequency band of GNSS> The antenna apparatus 120 of the present embodiment may support the frequency bands of GNSS. Hereinafter, a main system of the GNSS and frequency bands used in the system will be listed.

[0177] (1) GPS (USA) L1: 1575.42 MHz L2: 1227.60 MHz L5: 1176.45 MHz

[0178] (2) GLONASS (Russia) L1: 1602 MHz (frequency varies depending on the frequency band) L2: 1246 MHz L3: 1202 MHz L4: 1176 MHz L5: 1278 MHz

[0179] (3) Galileo (Europe) E1: 1575.42 MHz E5a: 1176.45 MHz E5b: 1207.14 MHz E6: 1278.75 MHz

[0180] (4) BeiDou (China) B1: 1561.098 MHz B2: 1207.14 MHz B3: 1268.52 MHz

[0181] (Frequency band of Bluetooth) The antenna apparatus 120 of the present embodiment may support the frequency bands of Bluetooth. Hereinafter, the frequency bands of Bluetooth (also referred to as Bluetooth Classic) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) will be listed.

[0182] (1) Bluetooth (Bluetooth Classic) Frequency range: 2.402 GHz to 2.480 GHz Number of channels: 79 channels (each channel has a width of 1 MHz)

[0183] (2) Frequency band of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Frequency range: 2.402 GHz to 2.480 GHz Number of channels: 40 channels (each channel has a width of 2 MHz) Among these channels, 37 channels are used for data communication, and among them, three channels: 37ch, 38ch, and 39ch are used at the time of advertising.

[0184] <3-2-8. Wider band / impedance matching> (Wider band) By adjusting the coupling amount at the capacitive coupling portion (for example, by adjusting the separation distance d1), the bandwidth in which the antenna functions can be widened. In addition, the impedance matching can also be achieved.

[0185] (Impedance matching in distant frequency bands) By adjusting the resonance frequency of each of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122, impedance matching can be achieved in distant frequency bands.

[0186] <3-2-9. Other modifications> As described above, the antenna apparatus 120 may be an in-vehicle antenna apparatus. For example, the antenna apparatus 120 may be an antenna apparatus included in an in-vehicle communication apparatus such as a TCU or a T-BOX. At this time, the antenna apparatus 120 may be incorporated in the in-vehicle communication apparatus (main body). That is, the antenna apparatus 120 may be an apparatus integrated with the in-vehicle communication apparatus. In addition, the antenna apparatus 120 may be an apparatus separate from the main body of the in-vehicle communication apparatus. At this time, the antenna apparatus 120 may be connected to the main body of the in-vehicle communication apparatus.

[0187] The in-vehicle communication apparatus may include a plurality of antenna apparatuses. For example, the in-vehicle communication apparatus may include the first antenna apparatus and the second antenna apparatus. As described above, the first antenna apparatus may be the antenna apparatus 120 including the fed antenna 121 (fed element 121) and the parasitic antenna 122. The second antenna apparatus may be an antenna apparatus having a resonance frequency different from a resonance frequency supported by the first antenna apparatus. For example, the first antenna apparatus may be a GNSS antenna apparatus including one or a plurality of GNSS antennas, and the second antenna apparatus may be a cellular antenna apparatus including one or a plurality of cellular antennas. For example, the first antenna apparatus may be the antenna apparatus 120 in which both the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 are GNSS antennas, and the second antenna apparatus may be an antenna apparatus including one or a plurality of cellular antennas compatible with the 4G and / or 5G frequency band.

[0188] Note that the in-vehicle communication apparatus (alternatively, the antenna apparatus 120) may be arranged on an instrument panel of a vehicle. In addition, the antenna apparatus 120 may be installed on a ceiling portion of the vehicle. This increases the effective angle of the antenna. When the antenna is a GNSS antenna, it is possible to improve accuracy in acquiring information from a plurality of satellite apparatuses.

[0189] The antenna apparatus 120 may receive signals and / or information for driving assistance. One of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may receive a signal and / or information for driving assistance. Both the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may receive a signal and / or information for driving assistance. At this time, the signal and / or information received by the fed antenna 121 and the signal and / or information received by the parasitic antenna 122 may be used for different usages, in different pieces of processing, or in different operations.

[0190] The antenna apparatus 120 may receive a signal and / or information for automatic driving processing. One of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may receive a signal and / or information for automatic driving processing. Both the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may receive a signal and / or information for automatic driving processing. At this time, the signal and / or information received by the fed antenna 121 and the signal and / or information received by the parasitic antenna 122 may be used for different usages, in different pieces of processing, or in different operations.

[0191] A plurality of antenna apparatuses may be installed in one vehicle. At this time, a plurality of antenna apparatuses 120 including the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be installed. For example, a plurality of antenna apparatuses 120 including the fed antenna 121 whose resonance frequency is the first frequency and the parasitic antenna 122 whose resonance frequency is the second frequency may be installed. A plurality of antenna apparatuses 120 having the same design may be installed, or antenna apparatuses having different designs may be installed. The plurality of antenna apparatuses 120 may be installed on a ceiling portion of the vehicle and a front panel of the vehicle. The plurality of antenna apparatuses 120 may be separately installed in a front half portion of the vehicle and a rear half portion of the vehicle. Therefore, diversity can be enhanced. By adopting the technique of the present embodiment, the size per antenna apparatus is reduced. Therefore, utilization of the plurality of antenna apparatuses is compatible with the present embodiment.

[0192] The antenna apparatus 120 may be installed on a mobile body. By installing the plurality of antenna apparatuses 120 or optimizing the installation location, it is possible to increase the speed and / or accuracy of positioning of the mobile body.

[0193] As described above, the interference between the antenna apparatuses can be reduced by adopting the technique of the present embodiment. For example, by adopting the technique of the present embodiment, interference with the antenna apparatus (second antenna apparatus) having a resonance frequency different from that of the antenna apparatus 120 (first antenna apparatus) of the present embodiment can be suppressed. Therefore, the first antenna apparatus (for example, GNSS antenna) and the second antenna apparatus (for example, cellular antenna) may be installed at close positions. At this time, the distance between the first antenna apparatus and the second antenna apparatus may be 10 mm or less, or may be 5 mm or less. Here, the distance between the first antenna apparatus and the second antenna apparatus indicates the shortest distance between the two antenna apparatuses. Note that the feed point of the first antenna apparatus and the feed point of the second antenna apparatus may be close to each other. At this time, the distance between the feed point of the first antenna apparatus and the feed point of the second antenna apparatus may be 40 mm or less, 30 mm or less, or 10 mm or less. The distance between the feed point of the first antenna apparatus and the feed point of the second antenna apparatus may be a linear distance between the two feed points or may be the length of a current path. By installing the two antenna apparatuses at close positions, the installation space of the antenna can be reduced.

[0194] The antenna apparatus 120 may be configured to support real time kinematic (RTK). The antenna apparatus 120 of the present embodiment may be configured to support precise point positioning RTK (PPP-RTK).

[0195] The wireless communication unit including the antenna apparatus 120 may be configured to acquire information for correcting the information from the antenna apparatus 120 from another communication apparatus. Another communication apparatus may be a ground station or a satellite station. In addition, another communication apparatus may be a communication apparatus included in another vehicle, or may be another vehicle itself. Therefore, more accurate processing can be achieved. For example, when the antenna included in the antenna apparatus 120 is a GNSS antenna, the antenna apparatus 120 can achieve more accurate positioning.

[0196] In the examples of FIGS. 5A to 8, the parasitic antenna 122 exists at a position by floating from the substrate surface by a predetermined distance (for example, about 1 mm). However, the configuration of the antenna apparatus 120 is not limited to this example.

[0197] For example, it is assumed that one of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 is a linear antenna located on a predetermined plane (for example, the ground plane). Then, it is assumed that the other of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 is a stereoscopic antenna in which at least a part thereof is located in a space different from the predetermined plane (for example, the ground plane). At this time, the stereoscopic antenna may be fixed with an auxiliary member. The auxiliary member may be the above-described object (the object installed between the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122). That is, the auxiliary member may function as an object serving as an electromagnetic shield or an object that weakens the electromagnetic effect described above.

[0198] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a stereoscopic antenna is fixed with an auxiliary member 124. In the example of FIG. 16, the parasitic antenna 122 is a stereoscopic antenna. Then, the parasitic antenna 122 is fixed to the substrate included in the antenna apparatus 120 by a substantially rectangular auxiliary member. As described above, the auxiliary member may function as an object serving as an electromagnetic shield or an object that weakens the electromagnetic effect described above.

[0199] In addition, FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate examples of the positional relationship between the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122. However, the positional relationship between the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 of the present embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the parasitic antenna 122 may not float and may land on the near side and / or the far side. Additionally, the capacitive coupling portion of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be substantially parallel. For example, one end portion of the fed antenna 121 and one end portion of the parasitic antenna 122 may be arranged in parallel.

[0200] <<4. Application example>> The technique according to the present disclosure can be applied to various products. For example, the technique according to the present disclosure can be implemented as apparatuses mounted on any type of mobile bodies such as automobiles, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, personal mobilities, airplanes, drones, ships, robots, construction machines, agricultural machines (tractors).

[0201] <4-1. Application Example 1> FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a vehicle control system 11, which is an example of a mobile body control system to which the technique according to the present disclosure can be applied.

[0202] The vehicle control system 11 is provided in a vehicle 1 and performs processing related to driving automation of the vehicle 1. This driving automation may include driving automation of levels 1 to 5, and may include remote assistance and / or remote driving of the vehicle 1 by a remote driver. The levels of driving automation may refer to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J3016TMAPL2021 Levels of Driving Automation, with SAE Level 0TMreferring to the lowest level of driving automation and SAE Level 5TMreferring to the highest level of driving automation. For example, SAE Level 1TM driving automation may include driver support features that provide steering or brake / acceleration support to a driver, and SAE Level 5TM driving automation may include automated driving features that can drive the vehicle under all conditions.

[0203] The vehicle control system 11 includes a vehicle control electronic control unit (ECU) 21, a communication unit 22, a map information accumulation unit 23, a position information acquisition unit 24, an external recognition sensor 25, an in-vehicle sensor 26, a vehicle sensor 27, a storage unit 28, a driving automation control unit 29, a driver monitoring system (DMS) 30, a human machine interface (HMI) 31, and a vehicle control unit 32.

[0204] Two or more (or, in some cases, all) of the vehicle control ECU 21, the communication unit 22, the map information accumulation unit 23, the position information acquisition unit 24, the external recognition sensor 25, the in-vehicle sensor 26, the vehicle sensor 27, the storage unit 28, the driving automation control unit 29, the DMS 30, the HMI 31, and the vehicle control unit 32 may be communicably connected to each other via a communication network 41. The communication network 41 may include, for example, an in-vehicle communication network, a bus, and / or the like compliant with a digital bidirectional communication standard such as a controller area network (CAN), a local interconnect network (LIN), a local area network (LAN), FlexRay (registered trademark), or Ethernet (registered trademark). In some embodiments, the communication network 41 may include two or more types of communication networks, and different types of communication networks may be selectively used depending on the type of data to be transmitted. For example, the CAN may be used for data related to vehicle control, and the Ethernet may be used for large-volume data. In some embodiments, two or more (or, in some cases, all) units of the vehicle control system 11 may be connected not via the communication network 41 but directly via wireless communication (e.g., for communication at a relatively short distance). In some embodiments, the wireless communication may use a short-range wireless communication technology. Non-limiting examples of short-range wireless communication technologies include near-field communication (NFC) and Bluetooth (registered trademark). In some embodiments, two or more (or, in some cases, all) units of the vehicle control system 11 may be connected via the communication network 41 and via a wireless communication technology (e.g., a short-range wireless communication technology).

[0205] Hereinafter, in embodiments where two or more units of the vehicle control system 11 communicate with each other via the communication network 41, the communication network 41 will not be described. For example, in an embodiment where the vehicle control ECU 21 and the communication unit 22 communicate with each other via the communication network 41, it is simply described that the vehicle control ECU 21 and the communication unit 22 communicate with each other.

[0206] The vehicle control ECU 21 may be implemented by, for example, various processors, such as a central processing unit (CPU) and / or a microprocessing unit (MPU). The vehicle control ECU 21 controls all or a part of the functions of the vehicle control system 11.

[0207] The communication unit 22 communicates with various devices inside the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as in-vehicle devices), various devices outside the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as external devices), other vehicles, servers, base stations, and / or the like, to transmit and receive various types of data. In some embodiments, the communication unit 22 may communicate using a plurality of communication technologies.

[0208] Non-limiting examples of communication between the communication unit 22 and one or more external devices will be schematically described. In some embodiments, the communication unit 22 communicates with a server or the like existing on an external network (hereinafter referred to as an external server) via a base station or an access point by a wireless communication technology. Examples of wireless communication technologies include, but are not limited to, 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), long term evolution (LTE), dedicated short range communications (DSRC), and the like. The external network with which the communication unit 22 can communicates may be, for example, the Internet, a cloud network, a company-specific network, or the like. The communication technology used by the communication unit 22 to communicate with the external network is not particularly limited as long as it is a wireless communication technology that enables digital bidirectional communication at a communication speed equal to or more than a predetermined speed and at a distance equal to or more than a predetermined distance.

[0209] In some embodiments, the communication unit 22 may communicate with terminals existing in the vicinity of the vehicle 1 using a peer-to-peer (P2P) technology. The terminals existing in the vicinity of the vehicle 1 may include, for example, a terminal worn by a body moving at a relatively low speed, such as a pedestrian or a bicycle, a terminal installed at a fixed position in a store or the like, and / or a machine type communication (MTC) terminal. In some embodiments, the communication unit 22 may perform vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. V2X communication generally refers to communication between a vehicle and another entity. Non-limiting examples of V2X communication include vehicle-to-vehicle communication with another vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure communication with a roadside device or the like, vehicle-to-home communication with a home, and vehicle-to-pedestrian communication with a terminal or the like carried or worn by a pedestrian.

[0210] In some embodiments, the communication unit 22 may receive a program for updating software for controlling the operation of the vehicle control system 11 from outside the vehicle 1 (e.g., over the air). In some embodiments, the communication unit 22 may receive map information, traffic information, information around the vehicle 1, and / or the like from outside the vehicle 1. In some embodiments, the communication unit 22 may transmit information regarding the vehicle 1, information around the vehicle 1, and / or the like to external devices or external networks. Examples of the information regarding the vehicle 1 that may be transmitted to external devices or external networks by the communication unit 22 include, but are not limited to, data indicating the state of the vehicle 1, a recognition result by a recognition unit 73, and the like. In some embodiments, the communication unit 22 may communicate with a vehicle emergency call system. A non-limiting example of a vehicle emergency call system is eCall.

[0211] In some embodiments, the communication unit 22 may receive an electromagnetic wave transmitted by a road traffic information communication system. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic wave may be transmitted using a radio wave beacon, an optical beacon, and / or FM multiplex broadcasting.

[0212] Non-limiting examples of communication between the communication unit 22 and one or more in-vehicle devices will be schematically described. In some embodiments, the communication unit 22 may communicate with one or more in-vehicle devices using wireless communication. For example, in some embodiments, the communication unit 22 may wirelessly communicate with an in-vehicle device by any wireless communication technology that enables digital bidirectional communication at a communication speed equal to or more than a predetermined speed. Non-limiting examples of wireless communication technologies include wireless LAN, Bluetooth, NFC, and wireless USB (WUSB). The communication unit 22 is not limited thereto, and the communication unit 22 may communicate with one or more in-vehicle devices using wired communication (in addition, or as an alternative, to wireless communication). For example, in some embodiments, the communication unit 22 may communicate with one or more in-vehicle devices by wired communication via a cable connected to a connection terminal (not illustrated). In some embodiments, the communication unit 22 may communicate with one or more in-vehicle devices by any wired communication technology that enables digital bidirectional communication at a communication speed equal to or more than a predetermined speed. Non-limiting examples of wired communication technologies include universal serial bus (USB), high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) (registered trademark), and mobile high-definition link (MHL).

[0213] Here, the in-vehicle devices refer to, for example, devices that are not connected to the communication network 41 in the vehicle 1. The in-vehicle devices are divided into devices that contain the vehicle control system 11 and devices that do not. Examples of in-vehicle devices that do not contain the vehicle control system 11 include, but are not limited to, a mobile device or a wearable device carried by a user in the vehicle 1 (e.g., a driver, a passenger), an information device temporarily installed in the vehicle 1, and the like. These devices may, for example, be moved outside the vehicle 1 and become external devices.

[0214] The map information accumulation unit 23 accumulates a map acquired from external devices or external networks and / or a map created by the vehicle 1. For example, the map information accumulation unit 23 may accumulate a three-dimensional high-precision map, a global map having lower precision than the high-precision map and covering a wide area, and / or the like.

[0215] The high-precision map may be, for example, a dynamic map, a point cloud map, a vector map, or the like. The dynamic map may be, for example, a map including four layers of dynamic information, semi-dynamic information, semi-static information, and static information, and may be provided to the vehicle 1 from an external server or the like. The point cloud map may be a map including a point cloud (point group data). The vector map may be, for example, a map in which traffic information such as positions of lanes and / or traffic lights is associated with a point cloud map, for adaptation to driving automation.

[0216] The point cloud map and the vector map may be, for example, provided from an external server or the like, or may be created by the vehicle 1 as a map to be matched with a local map to be described later based on sensing results by a camera 51, a radar 52, a LiDAR 53, and the like, and may be accumulated in the map information accumulation unit 23. Furthermore, in a case where a high-precision map is provided from an external server or the like, for example, map data of several hundred square meters regarding a planned path on which the vehicle 1 travels may be acquired from the external server or the like in order to reduce the amount of communication.

[0217] The position information acquisition unit 24 acquires position information of the vehicle 1. The acquired position information may be supplied to the driving automation control unit 29. In some embodiments, the position information acquisition unit 24 may receive a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal from a GNSS satellite. In some embodiments, the position information acquisition unit 24 may receive a signal from a beacon or the like.

[0218] The external recognition sensor 25 includes various sensors used for recognizing a situation outside the vehicle 1, and supplies sensor data from one or more (or, in some cases, all) sensors to one or more (or, in some cases, all) units of the vehicle control system 11. The external recognition sensor 25 may include any type and any number of sensors.

[0219] In some embodiments, the external recognition sensor 25 may include the camera 51, the radar 52, the Light Detection and Ranging / Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) 53, and an ultrasonic sensor 54. The external recognition sensor 25 is not limited thereto, and the external recognition sensor 25 may include one or more types of sensors among the camera 51, the radar 52, the LiDAR 53, and the ultrasonic sensor 54. The numbers of the cameras 51, the radars 52, the LiDAR 53, and the ultrasonic sensors 54 are not particularly limited as long as they can be practically installed in the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the type of sensor included in the external recognition sensor 25 is not limited to this example, and the external recognition sensor 25 may include another type of sensor. An example of the sensing area of each sensor included in the external recognition sensor 25 will be described later.

[0220] The camera 51 may use any suitable imaging method. In some embodiments, the camera 51 may use an imaging method capable of distance measurement. Non-limiting examples of cameras using imaging methods capable of distance measurement include a time of flight (ToF) camera, a stereo camera, a monocular camera, and an infrared camera. The camera 51 is not limited thereto and may be a camera for simply acquiring a captured image regardless of distance measurement.

[0221] In some embodiments, the external recognition sensor 25 may include an environment sensor for detecting one or more characteristics of the environment surrounding the vehicle 1. Non-limiting examples of characteristics of the environment that may be detected include weather, meteorological phenomenon, brightness, and the like. In some embodiments, the environment sensor includes various sensors, such as a rain drop sensor, a fog sensor, a sunshine sensor, a snow sensor, and / or an illuminance sensor.

[0222] In some embodiments, the external recognition sensor 25 may include a microphone used for detecting sound around the vehicle 1, a position of a sound source, and / or the like.

[0223] The in-vehicle sensor 26 includes various sensors for detecting information inside the vehicle 1, and supplies sensor data from one or more (or, in some cases, all) of the various sensors to one or more (or, in some cases, all) units of the vehicle control system 11. The type and number of the various sensors included in the in-vehicle sensor 26 are not particularly limited as long as the types and numbers allow practical installation of the sensors in the vehicle 1.

[0224] In some embodiments, the in-vehicle sensor 26 may include one or more of a camera, a radar, a seating sensor, a microphone, and a biological sensor. In some embodiments, the camera included in the in-vehicle sensor 26 may use an imaging method capable of measuring a distance. Non-limiting examples of cameras using imaging methods capable of measuring a distance include a ToF camera, a stereo camera, a monocular camera, and an infrared camera. The camera included in the in-vehicle sensor 26 is not limited thereto, and the camera may be a camera for simply acquiring a captured image regardless of distance measurement. The biological sensor included in the in-vehicle sensor 26 may be provided, for example, in a seat, a steering wheel, or the like, and may detect various types of biological information of a user.

[0225] The vehicle sensor 27 includes various sensors for detecting the state of the vehicle 1, and supplies sensor data from one or more (or, in some cases, all) of the various sensors to one or more (or, in some cases, all) units of the vehicle control system 11. The type and number of the various sensors included in the vehicle sensor 27 are not particularly limited as long as the types and numbers allow practical installation of the sensors in the vehicle 1.

[0226] In some embodiments, the vehicle sensor 27 may include a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor (gyro sensor), and / or an inertial measurement unit (IMU) integrating these sensors. In some embodiments, the vehicle sensor 27 may include a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of a steering wheel, a yaw rate sensor, an accelerator sensor that detects an operation amount (e.g., pedal force, pedal stroke) of an accelerator pedal, and / or a brake sensor that detects an operation amount (e.g., pedal force, pedal stroke) of a brake pedal. In some embodiments, the vehicle sensor 27 may include a rotation sensor that detects the rotation speed of an engine or a motor, an air pressure sensor that detects the air pressure of a tire, a slip rate sensor that detects the slip rate of a tire, and / or a wheel speed sensor that detects the rotation speed of a wheel. In some embodiments, the vehicle sensor 27 may include a battery sensor that detects a remaining amount and a temperature of a battery, and / or an impact sensor that can detect an external impact.

[0227] The storage unit 28 includes at least one of a nonvolatile storage medium and a volatile storage medium, and stores data and a program. Non-limiting examples of the storage medium include a magnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, and a magneto-optical storage device such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), and / or a hard disc drive (HDD). The storage unit 28 stores various programs and data used by one or more (or, in some cases, all) units of the vehicle control system 11. In some embodiments, the storage unit 28 includes an event data recorder (EDR) and / or a data storage system for automated driving (DSSAD), and may store information of the vehicle 1 before and after an event such as an accident and / or information acquired by the in-vehicle sensor 26.

[0228] The driving automation control unit 29 controls a driving automation function of the vehicle 1. In some embodiments, the driving automation control unit 29 may include an analysis unit 61, an action planning unit 62, and an operation control unit 63.

[0229] The analysis unit 61 performs analysis processing of the situation of the vehicle 1 and / or a situation around the vehicle 1. The analysis unit 61 includes a self-position estimation unit 71, a sensor fusion unit 72, and the recognition unit 73.

[0230] In some embodiments, the self-position estimation unit 71 may estimate the self-position of the vehicle 1 based on sensor data from the external recognition sensor 25 and a high-precision map accumulated in the map information accumulation unit 23. For example, the self-position estimation unit 71 may estimate the self-position of the vehicle 1 by generating a local map based on sensor data from the external recognition sensor 25 and matching the local map with the high-precision map. As the position of the vehicle 1, for example, the center of the rear wheel pair axle may be used as a reference.

[0231] In some embodiments, the local map may be a three-dimensional high-precision map created using a technology such as simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), an occupancy grid map, and / or the like. The three-dimensional high-precision map may be, for example, the above-described point cloud map or the like. The occupancy grid map may be a map in which a three-dimensional or two-dimensional space around the vehicle 1 is divided into grids of a predetermined size, and an occupancy state of an object is indicated for each grid. The occupancy state of an object may be indicated by, for example, the presence or absence or a presence probability of the object. In some embodiments, the local map may also be used for, for example, detection processing and / or recognition processing of a situation outside the vehicle 1 by the recognition unit 73.

[0232] In some embodiments, the self-position estimation unit 71 may estimate the self-position of the vehicle 1 based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 24 and / or the sensor data from the vehicle sensor 27.

[0233] The sensor fusion unit 72 performs sensor fusion processing of combining a plurality of different types of sensor data (for example, image data supplied from the camera 51 and sensor data supplied from the radar 52) to obtain information. Methods for combining different types of sensor data include, but are not limited to, composite, integration, fusion, association, and the like.

[0234] The recognition unit 73 performs detection processing of detecting a situation outside the vehicle 1 and / or recognition processing of recognizing a situation outside the vehicle 1.

[0235] For example, the recognition unit 73 may perform detection processing and / or recognition processing of a situation outside the vehicle 1 based on information from the external recognition sensor 25, information from the self-position estimation unit 71, information from the sensor fusion unit 72, and / or the like.

[0236] Specifically, for example, the recognition unit 73 may perform detection processing, recognition processing, and / or the like of an object around the vehicle 1. The detection processing of an object may, for example, include detecting the presence or absence, size, shape, position, movement, and / or the like of an object. The recognition processing of an object may, for example, include recognizing an attribute such as a type of an object and / or identifying a specific object. The detection processing and the recognition processing may not necessarily be clearly divided, and may be at least partially duplicative.

[0237] In some embodiments, the recognition unit 73 may detect an object around the vehicle 1 by performing clustering to classify a point cloud based on sensor data from the radar 52, the LiDAR 53, and / or the like into clusters of point groups. Therefore, the presence or absence, size, shape, and / or position of an object around the vehicle 1 may be detected.

[0238] In some embodiments, the recognition unit 73 may detect the movement of an object around the vehicle 1 by tracking the movement of the clusters of point groups classified by clustering. Therefore, the speed and / or the traveling direction (movement vector) of the object around the vehicle 1 may be detected.

[0239] In some embodiments, the recognition unit 73 may detect and / or recognize a vehicle (including a bicycle), a person, an obstacle, a structure, a road, a traffic light, a traffic sign, a road sign, and / or the like based on the image data supplied from the camera 51. In some embodiments, the recognition unit 73 may recognize the type of an object around the vehicle 1 by performing recognition processing such as semantic segmentation.

[0240] In some embodiments, the recognition unit 73 may perform recognition processing of traffic rules around the vehicle 1 based on a map accumulated in the map information accumulation unit 23, an estimation result of the self-position by the self-position estimation unit 71, and / or a recognition result of an object around the vehicle 1 by the recognition unit 73. Through this processing, the recognition unit 73 may recognize the position and / or the state of a traffic light, the contents of a traffic sign and / or a road sign, the contents of a traffic regulation, a travelable lane, and / or the like.

[0241] In some embodiments, the recognition unit 73 may perform recognition processing of the environment around the vehicle 1. In some embodiments, the recognition unit 73 may recognize one or more characteristics of the weather (e.g., temperature, humidity, brightness), the state of the road surface, and / or the like.

[0242] The action planning unit 62 creates an action plan of the vehicle 1. For example, the action planning unit 62 may create an action plan by performing path planning and path following.

[0243] In some embodiments, the path planning may include global path planning and local path planning. The global path planning may include planning a rough path from the start to the goal. The local path planning, which is also referred to as trajectory planning, may include generating a trajectory in the vicinity of the vehicle 1 through which the vehicle 1 can safely and smoothly travel along the planned path given the motion characteristics of the vehicle 1, the presence of any obstacles, and the like.

[0244] In some embodiments, the path following may include planning an operation for safe and accurate traveling on a path planned by the path planning within a planned time. For example, the action planning unit 62 may calculate a target speed and / or a target angular velocity of the vehicle 1 based on a result of the path following processing.

[0245] The operation control unit 63 controls the operation of the vehicle 1 in order to achieve the action plan created by the action planning unit 62.

[0246] For example, in some embodiments, the operation control unit 63 may control a steering control unit 81, a brake control unit 82, and / or a drive control unit 83 included in the vehicle control unit 32 to be described later to perform lateral vehicle motion control and / or longitudinal vehicle motion control such that the vehicle 1 travels on the trajectory calculated by the trajectory planning. For example, the operation control unit 63 may perform control (e.g., lateral vehicle motion control, longitudinal vehicle motion control) for the purpose of one or more driver assistance functions and / or driving automation. Non-limiting examples of driver assistance functions include collision avoidance or impact mitigation, inter-vehicle distance control (e.g., maintenance of a specified distance from a vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle 1), vehicle speed control (e.g., maintenance of a specified speed), vehicle collision warning, and lane departure warning. A non-limiting example of driving automation includes traveling without operation of a driver or a remote driver.

[0247] In some embodiments, the DMS 30 may perform authentication processing of the driver, recognition processing of the state of the driver, and / or the like based on sensor data from the in-vehicle sensor 26, input data input to the HMI 31 to be described later, and / or the like. Non-limiting examples of characteristics of the state of the driver that may be recognized include physical condition, arousal level, concentration level, fatigue level, line-of-sight direction, drunkenness level, driving operation, posture, and the like.

[0248] In some embodiments, the DMS 30 may perform authentication processing of a user other than the driver (e.g., a passenger) and / or recognition processing of the state of the user. In some embodiments, the DMS 30 may perform recognition processing of a situation inside the vehicle 1 based on sensor data from the in-vehicle sensor 26. Non-limiting examples of characteristics of the situation inside the vehicle 1 that may be recognized include temperature, humidity, brightness, odor, and the like.

[0249] The HMI 31 receives various types of data, instructions, and the like as input and presents various types of data to a user.

[0250] Data input to the HMI 31 will be schematically described. The HMI 31 includes an input device used by a person to input data, an instruction, and / or the like. The HMI 31 generates an input signal based on the data, instruction, and / or the like input by the input device, and supplies the input signal to one or more (or, in some cases, all) units of the vehicle control system 11. In some embodiments, the HMI 31 may include a touch panel, a button, a switch, and / or a lever as the input device. The HMI 31 is not limited thereto and may include an input device that enables inputting information by a method other than manual operation, such as voice, gesture, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the HMI 31 may include a remote control device using infrared rays and / or radio waves and / or an external connection device adaptive to the operation of the vehicle control system 11, as an input device. Non-limiting examples of the external connection device include a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone) and a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch).

[0251] Presentation of data by the HMI 31 will be schematically described. The HMI 31 generates visual information, auditory information, and / or tactile information for the user and / or one or more people outside of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the HMI 31 may perform output control for controlling output, output content, output timing, output method, and / or the like for each piece of generated information. Examples of visual information that may be generated and outputted by the HMI 31 include, but are not limited to, an operation screen, a state display of the vehicle 1, a warning display, an image such as a monitor image indicating a situation around the vehicle 1, and information indicated by light. Examples of auditory information that may be generated and outputted by the HMI 31 include, but are not limited to, voice guidance, a warning sound, a warning message, and the like. Examples of tactile information that may be generated and outputted by the HMI 31 include, but are not limited to, information given to the tactile sense of a user by force, vibration, movement, and / or the like.

[0252] In some embodiments, an output device to which the HMI 31 may output visual information may include a display device that presents the visual information by displaying an image by itself and / or a projector device that presents visual information by projecting an image. In some embodiments, the display device may include a device that displays visual information in the field of view of a user, such as a head-up display, a transmissive display, or a wearable device having an augmented reality (AR) function, in addition or as an alternative to a typical display. In some embodiments, an output device to which the HMI 31 may output visual information may include a display device included in a navigation device, an instrument panel, a camera monitoring system (CMS), an electronic mirror, a lamp, and / or the like provided in the vehicle 1.

[0253] In some embodiments, an output device to which the HMI 31 may output auditory information may include an audio speaker, a headphone, and / or an earphone.

[0254] In some embodiments, an output device to which the HMI 31 may output tactile information may include a haptic element using a haptic technology. The haptic element may be provided, for example, in a portion of the vehicle 1 with which the user is in contact, such as a steering wheel or a seat.

[0255] The vehicle control unit 32 controls one or more (or, in some cases, all) units of the vehicle 1. The vehicle control unit 32 includes the steering control unit 81, the brake control unit 82, the drive control unit 83, a body system control unit 84, a light control unit 85, and a horn control unit 86.

[0256] The steering control unit 81 performs detection, control, and / or the like of the state of the steering system of the vehicle 1. The steering system includes, for example, a steering mechanism including a steering wheel and the like, an electric power steering, and / or the like. The steering control unit 81 includes, for example, a steering ECU that controls the steering system, an actuator that drives the steering system, and / or the like.

[0257] The brake control unit 82 performs detection, control, and / or the like of the state of the brake system of the vehicle 1. The brake system includes, for example, a brake mechanism including a brake pedal and the like, an antilock brake system (ABS), a regenerative brake mechanism, and / or the like. The brake control unit 82 includes, for example, a brake ECU that controls the brake system, an actuator that drives the brake system, and / or the like.

[0258] The drive control unit 83 performs detection, control, and / or the like of the state of the drive system of the vehicle 1. The drive system includes, for example, an accelerator pedal, a driving force generation device for generating driving force for an internal combustion engine, a driving motor, or the like, a driving force transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force to wheels, and / or the like. The drive control unit 83 includes, for example, a drive ECU that controls the drive system, an actuator that drives the drive system, and / or the like.

[0259] The body system control unit 84 performs detection, control, and / or the like of the state of the body system of the vehicle 1. The body system includes, for example, a keyless entry system, a smart key system, a power window device, a power seat, an air conditioner, an airbag, a seat belt, a shift lever, and / or the like. The body system control unit 84 includes, for example, a body system ECU that controls the body system, an actuator that drives the body system, and / or the like.

[0260] The light control unit 85 performs detection, control, and / or the like of the states of various lights of the vehicle 1. Non-limiting examples of lights that may be controlled by the light control unit 85 include a headlight, a backlight, a fog light, a turn signal, a brake light, a projector light, a display of a bumper, and the like. The light control unit 85 includes a light ECU that controls a light, an actuator that drives the light, and / or the like.

[0261] The horn control unit 86 performs detection, control, and / or the like of the state of the car horn of the vehicle 1. The horn control unit 86 includes, for example, a horn ECU that controls the car horn, an actuator that drives the car horn, and / or the like.

[0262] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of sensing areas of the camera 51, the radar 52, the LiDAR 53, the ultrasonic sensor 54, and the like of the external recognition sensor 25 in FIG. 17. FIG. 18 schematically illustrates the vehicle 1 as viewed from above.

[0263] A sensing area 101F and a sensing area 101B indicate examples of the sensing area of the ultrasonic sensor 54. The sensing area 101F (e.g., the sensing area of a plurality of the ultrasonic sensors 54) covers the periphery of the front end of the vehicle 1. The sensing area 101B (e.g., the sensing area of a plurality of the ultrasonic sensors 54) covers the periphery of the rear end of the vehicle 1.

[0264] The sensing results in the sensing area 101F and / or the sensing area 101B may be used, for example, for parking assistance of the vehicle 1, and the like.

[0265] A sensing area 102F, a sensing area 102B, a sensing area 102L, and a sensing area 102R indicate examples of sensing areas of the radar 52 for a short distance or a middle distance. The sensing area 102F covers a position farther than the sensing area 101F in front of the vehicle 1. The sensing area 102B covers a position farther than the sensing area 101B behind the vehicle 1. The sensing area 102L covers the rear periphery of the left side of the vehicle 1. The sensing area 102R covers the rear periphery of the right side of the vehicle 1.

[0266] The sensing result in the sensing area 102F may be used, for example, for detection or the like of a vehicle, a pedestrian, or the like that is present on the front side of the vehicle 1. The sensing result in the sensing area 102B may be used, for example, for a collision prevention function or the like on the rear side of the vehicle 1. The sensing results in the sensing area 102L and / or the sensing area 102R may be used, for example, for detection or the like of one or more objects in blind spots on the left and / or right sides of the vehicle 1.

[0267] A sensing area 103F, a sensing area 103B, a sensing area 103L, and a sensing area 103R indicate examples of sensing areas of the camera 51. The sensing area 103F covers a position farther than the sensing area 102F in front of the vehicle 1. The sensing area 103B covers a position farther than the sensing area 102B behind the vehicle 1. The sensing area 103L covers the periphery of the left side of the vehicle 1. The sensing area 103R covers the periphery of the right side of the vehicle 1.

[0268] The sensing result in the sensing area 103F may be used, for example, for recognition of a traffic light and / or a traffic sign, a lane departure prevention assist system, and / or an automatic headlight control system. The sensing result in the sensing area 103B may be used, for example, for parking assistance and / or a surround view system. The sensing results in the sensing area 103L and / or the sensing area 103R may be used, for example, for a surround view system.

[0269] A sensing area 104 indicates an example of a sensing area of the LiDAR 53. The sensing area 104 covers a position farther than the sensing area 103F in front of the vehicle 1. On the other hand, the sensing area 104 has a narrower range in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1 than the sensing area 103F.

[0270] The sensing result in the sensing area 104 may be used, for example, for detecting an object such as a surrounding vehicle.

[0271] A sensing area 105 indicates an example of the sensing area of the radar 52 for a long distance. The sensing area 105 covers a position farther than the sensing area 104 in front of the vehicle 1. On the other hand, the sensing area 105 has a narrower range in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1 than the sensing area 104.

[0272] The sensing result in the sensing area 105 may be used for, for example, adaptive cruise control (ACC), emergency braking, collision avoidance, and / or the like.

[0273] In some embodiments, the sensing area of each sensor of the external recognition sensor 25 (e.g., the camera 51, the radar 52, the LiDAR 53, the ultrasonic sensor 54) may have various configurations other than those shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, in some embodiments, the ultrasonic sensor 54 may also sense the sides of the vehicle 1, and / or the LiDAR 53 may sense the rear of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the installation position of each sensor is not limited to each example described above. Furthermore, the number of each sensor may be one or more.

[0274] The communication unit 22 may include the antenna apparatus (for example, the antenna apparatus 120) of the present embodiment. Alternatively, the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be connected to the communication unit 22. The external recognition sensor 25 (for example, at least one of the radar 52, the LiDAR 53, and the ultrasonic sensor 54) may include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment. Alternatively, the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be connected to the external recognition sensor 25. The in-vehicle sensor 26 (for example, the radar) may include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment. Alternatively, the in-vehicle sensor 26 may be connected to the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0275] Each of these units / sections may include a plurality of antenna apparatuses of the present embodiment. Alternatively, a plurality of antenna apparatuses of the present embodiment may be connected to each of these units / sections. For example, each of these units / sections may include the first antenna apparatus and the second antenna apparatus described above. Alternatively, the first antenna apparatus and the second antenna apparatus described above may be connected to each of these units / sections.

[0276] <4-2. Application Example 2> Next, another example of the mobile body control system to which the technique according to the present disclosure can be applied will be described.

[0277] FIG. 19 is a block diagram depicting an example of schematic configuration of a vehicle control system 7000 as an example of a mobile body control system to which the technology according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied. The vehicle control system 7000 includes a plurality of electronic control units connected to each other via a communication network 7010. In the example depicted in FIG. 19, the vehicle control system 7000 includes a driving system control unit 7100, a body system control unit 7200, a battery control unit 7300, an outside-vehicle information detecting unit 7400, an in-vehicle information detecting unit 7500, and an integrated control unit 7600. The communication network 7010 connecting the plurality of control units to each other may, for example, be a vehicle-mounted communication network compliant with an arbitrary standard such as controller area network (CAN), local interconnect network (LIN), local area network (LAN), FlexRay (registered trademark), or the like.

[0278] Each of the control units includes: a microcomputer that performs arithmetic processing according to various kinds of programs; a storage section that stores the programs executed by the microcomputer, parameters used for various kinds of operations, or the like; and a driving circuit that drives various kinds of control target devices. Each of the control units further includes: a network interface (I / F) for performing communication with other control units via the communication network 7010; and a communication I / F for performing communication with a device, a sensor, or the like within and without the vehicle by wire communication or radio communication. A functional configuration of the integrated control unit 7600 illustrated in FIG. 19 includes a microcomputer 7610, a general-purpose communication I / F 7620, a dedicated communication I / F 7630, a positioning section 7640, a beacon receiving section 7650, an in-vehicle device I / F 7660, a sound / image output section 7670, a vehicle-mounted network I / F 7680, and a storage section 7690. The other control units similarly include a microcomputer, a communication I / F, a storage section, and the like.

[0279] The driving system control unit 7100 controls the operation of devices related to the driving system of the vehicle in accordance with various kinds of programs. For example, the driving system control unit 7100 functions as a control device for a driving force generating device for generating the driving force of the vehicle, such as an internal combustion engine, a driving motor, or the like, a driving force transmitting mechanism for transmitting the driving force to wheels, a steering mechanism for adjusting the steering angle of the vehicle, a braking device for generating the braking force of the vehicle, and the like. The driving system control unit 7100 may have a function as a control device of an antilock brake system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), or the like.

[0280] The driving system control unit 7100 is connected with a vehicle state detecting section 7110. The vehicle state detecting section 7110, for example, includes at least one of a gyro sensor that detects the angular velocity of axial rotational movement of a vehicle body, an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the vehicle, and sensors for detecting an amount of operation of an accelerator pedal, an amount of operation of a brake pedal, the steering angle of a steering wheel, an engine speed or the rotational speed of wheels, and the like. The driving system control unit 7100 performs arithmetic processing using a signal input from the vehicle state detecting section 7110, and controls the internal combustion engine, the driving motor, an electric power steering device, the brake device, and the like.

[0281] The body system control unit 7200 controls the operation of various kinds of devices provided to the vehicle body in accordance with various kinds of programs. For example, the body system control unit 7200 functions as a control device for a keyless entry system, a smart key system, a power window device, or various kinds of lamps such as a headlamp, a backup lamp, a brake lamp, a turn signal, a fog lamp, or the like. In this case, radio waves transmitted from a mobile device as an alternative to a key or signals of various kinds of switches can be input to the body system control unit 7200. The body system control unit 7200 receives these input radio waves or signals, and controls a door lock device, the power window device, the lamps, or the like of the vehicle.

[0282] The battery control unit 7300 controls a secondary battery 7310, which is a power supply source for the driving motor, in accordance with various kinds of programs. For example, the battery control unit 7300 is supplied with information about a battery temperature, a battery output voltage, an amount of charge remaining in the battery, or the like from a battery device including the secondary battery 7310. The battery control unit 7300 performs arithmetic processing using these signals, and performs control for regulating the temperature of the secondary battery 7310 or controls a cooling device provided to the battery device or the like.

[0283] The outside-vehicle information detecting unit 7400 detects information about the outside of the vehicle including the vehicle control system 7000. For example, the outside-vehicle information detecting unit 7400 is connected with at least one of an imaging section 7410 and an outside-vehicle information detecting section 7420. The imaging section 7410 includes at least one of a time-of-flight (ToF) camera, a stereo camera, a monocular camera, an infrared camera, and other cameras. The outside-vehicle information detecting section 7420, for example, includes at least one of an environmental sensor for detecting current atmospheric conditions or weather conditions and a peripheral information detecting sensor for detecting another vehicle, an obstacle, a pedestrian, or the like on the periphery of the vehicle including the vehicle control system 7000.

[0284] The environmental sensor, for example, may be at least one of a rain drop sensor detecting rain, a fog sensor detecting a fog, a sunshine sensor detecting a degree of sunshine, and a snow sensor detecting a snowfall. The peripheral information detecting sensor may be at least one of an ultrasonic sensor, a radar device, and a LIDAR device (Light detection and Ranging device, or Laser imaging detection and ranging device). Each of the imaging section 7410 and the outside-vehicle information detecting section 7420 may be provided as an independent sensor or device, or may be provided as a device in which a plurality of sensors or devices are integrated.

[0285] FIG. 20 depicts an example of installation positions of the imaging section 7410 and the outside-vehicle information detecting section 7420. Imaging sections 7910, 7912, 7914, 7916, and 7918 are, for example, disposed at at least one of positions on a front nose, sideview mirrors, a rear bumper, and a back door of the vehicle 7900 and a position on an upper portion of a windshield within the interior of the vehicle. The imaging section 7910 provided to the front nose and the imaging section 7918 provided to the upper portion of the windshield within the interior of the vehicle obtain mainly an image of the front of the vehicle 7900. The imaging sections 7912 and 7914 provided to the sideview mirrors obtain mainly an image of the sides of the vehicle 7900. The imaging section 7916 provided to the rear bumper or the back door obtains mainly an image of the rear of the vehicle 7900. The imaging section 7918 provided to the upper portion of the windshield within the interior of the vehicle is used mainly to detect a preceding vehicle, a pedestrian, an obstacle, a signal, a traffic sign, a lane, or the like.

[0286] Incidentally, FIG. 20 depicts an example of photographing ranges of the respective imaging sections 7910, 7912, 7914, and 7916. An imaging range a represents the imaging range of the imaging section 7910 provided to the front nose. Imaging ranges b and c respectively represent the imaging ranges of the imaging sections 7912 and 7914 provided to the sideview mirrors. An imaging range d represents the imaging range of the imaging section 7916 provided to the rear bumper or the back door. A bird's-eye image of the vehicle 7900 as viewed from above can be obtained by superimposing image data imaged by the imaging sections 7910, 7912, 7914, and 7916, for example.

[0287] Outside-vehicle information detecting sections 7920, 7922, 7924, 7926, 7928, and 7930 provided to the front, rear, sides, and corners of the vehicle 7900 and the upper portion of the windshield within the interior of the vehicle may be, for example, an ultrasonic sensor or a radar device. The outside-vehicle information detecting sections 7920, 7926, and 7930 provided to the front nose of the vehicle 7900, the rear bumper, the back door of the vehicle 7900, and the upper portion of the windshield within the interior of the vehicle may be a LIDAR device, for example. These outside-vehicle information detecting sections 7920 to 7930 are used mainly to detect a preceding vehicle, a pedestrian, an obstacle, or the like.

[0288] Referring back to FIG. 19, the description will be continued. The outside-vehicle information detecting unit 7400 makes the imaging section 7410 image an image of the outside of the vehicle, and receives imaged image data. In addition, the outside-vehicle information detecting unit 7400 receives detection information from the outside-vehicle information detecting section 7420 connected to the outside-vehicle information detecting unit 7400. In a case where the outside-vehicle information detecting section 7420 is an ultrasonic sensor, a radar device, or a LIDAR device, the outside-vehicle information detecting unit 7400 transmits an ultrasonic wave, an electromagnetic wave, or the like, and receives information of a received reflected wave. On the basis of the received information, the outside-vehicle information detecting unit 7400 may perform processing of detecting an object such as a human, a vehicle, an obstacle, a sign, a character on a road surface, or the like, or processing of detecting a distance thereto. The outside-vehicle information detecting unit 7400 may perform environment recognition processing of recognizing a rainfall, a fog, road surface conditions, or the like on the basis of the received information. The outside-vehicle information detecting unit 7400 may calculate a distance to an object outside the vehicle on the basis of the received information.

[0289] In addition, on the basis of the received image data, the outside-vehicle information detecting unit 7400 may perform image recognition processing of recognizing a human, a vehicle, an obstacle, a sign, a character on a road surface, or the like, or processing of detecting a distance thereto. The outside-vehicle information detecting unit 7400 may subject the received image data to processing such as distortion correction, alignment, or the like, and combine the image data imaged by a plurality of different imaging sections 7410 to generate a bird's-eye image or a panoramic image. The outside-vehicle information detecting unit 7400 may perform viewpoint conversion processing using the image data imaged by the imaging section 7410 including the different imaging parts.

[0290] The in-vehicle information detecting unit 7500 detects information about the inside of the vehicle. The in-vehicle information detecting unit 7500 is, for example, connected with a driver state detecting section 7510 that detects the state of a driver. The driver state detecting section 7510 may include a camera that images the driver, a biosensor that detects biological information of the driver, a microphone that collects sound within the interior of the vehicle, or the like. The biosensor is, for example, disposed in a seat surface, the steering wheel, or the like, and detects biological information of an occupant sitting in a seat or the driver holding the steering wheel. On the basis of detection information input from the driver state detecting section 7510, the in-vehicle information detecting unit 7500 may calculate a degree of fatigue of the driver or a degree of concentration of the driver, or may determine whether the driver is dozing. The in-vehicle information detecting unit 7500 may subject an audio signal obtained by the collection of the sound to processing such as noise canceling processing or the like.

[0291] The integrated control unit 7600 controls general operation within the vehicle control system 7000 in accordance with various kinds of programs. The integrated control unit 7600 is connected with an input section 7800. The input section 7800 is implemented by a device capable of input operation by an occupant, such, for example, as a touch panel, a button, a microphone, a switch, a lever, or the like. The integrated control unit 7600 may be supplied with data obtained by voice recognition of voice input through the microphone. The input section 7800 may, for example, be a remote control device using infrared rays or other radio waves, or an external connecting device such as a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like that supports operation of the vehicle control system 7000. The input section 7800 may be, for example, a camera. In that case, an occupant can input information by gesture. Alternatively, data may be input which is obtained by detecting the movement of a wearable device that an occupant wears. Further, the input section 7800 may, for example, include an input control circuit or the like that generates an input signal on the basis of information input by an occupant or the like using the above-described input section 7800, and which outputs the generated input signal to the integrated control unit 7600. An occupant or the like inputs various kinds of data or gives an instruction for processing operation to the vehicle control system 7000 by operating the input section 7800.

[0292] The storage section 7690 may include a read only memory (ROM) that stores various kinds of programs executed by the microcomputer and a random access memory (RAM) that stores various kinds of parameters, operation results, sensor values, or the like. In addition, the storage section 7690 may be implemented by a magnetic storage device such as a hard disc drive (HDD) or the like, a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, a magneto-optical storage device, or the like.

[0293] The general-purpose communication I / F 7620 is a communication I / F used widely, which communication I / F mediates communication with various apparatuses present in an external environment 7750. The general-purpose communication I / F 7620 may implement a cellular communication protocol such as global system for mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX (registered trademark)), long term evolution (LTE (registered trademark)), LTE-advanced (LTE-A), or the like, or another wireless communication protocol such as wireless LAN (referred to also as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. The general-purpose communication I / F 7620 may, for example, connect to an apparatus (for example, an application server or a control server) present on an external network (for example, the Internet, a cloud network, or a company-specific network) via a base station or an access point. In addition, the general-purpose communication I / F 7620 may connect to a terminal present in the vicinity of the vehicle (which terminal is, for example, a terminal of the driver, a pedestrian, or a store, or a machine type communication (MTC) terminal) using a peer to peer (P2P) technology, for example.

[0294] The dedicated communication I / F 7630 is a communication I / F that supports a communication protocol developed for use in vehicles. The dedicated communication I / F 7630 may implement a standard protocol such, for example, as wireless access in vehicle environment (WAVE), which is a combination of institute of electrical and electronic engineers (IEEE) 802.11p as a lower layer and IEEE 1609 as a higher layer, dedicated short range communications (DSRC), or a cellular communication protocol. The dedicated communication I / F 7630 typically carries out V2X communication as a concept including one or more of communication between a vehicle and a vehicle (Vehicle to Vehicle), communication between a road and a vehicle (Vehicle to Infrastructure), communication between a vehicle and a home (Vehicle to Home), and communication between a pedestrian and a vehicle (Vehicle to Pedestrian).

[0295] The positioning section 7640, for example, performs positioning by receiving a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal from a GNSS satellite (for example, a GPS signal from a global positioning system (GPS) satellite), and generates positional information including the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the vehicle. Incidentally, the positioning section 7640 may identify a current position by exchanging signals with a wireless access point, or may obtain the positional information from a terminal such as a mobile telephone, a personal handyphone system (PHS), or a smart phone that has a positioning function.

[0296] The beacon receiving section 7650, for example, receives a radio wave or an electromagnetic wave transmitted from a radio station installed on a road or the like, and thereby obtains information about the current position, congestion, a closed road, a necessary time, or the like. Incidentally, the function of the beacon receiving section 7650 may be included in the dedicated communication I / F 7630 described above.

[0297] The in-vehicle device I / F 7660 is a communication interface that mediates connection between the microcomputer 7610 and various in-vehicle devices 7760 present within the vehicle. The in-vehicle device I / F 7660 may establish wireless connection using a wireless communication protocol such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), near field communication (NFC), or wireless universal serial bus (WUSB). In addition, the in-vehicle device I / F 7660 may establish wired connection by universal serial bus (USB), high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI (registered trademark)), mobile high-definition link (MHL), or the like via a connection terminal (and a cable if necessary) not depicted in the figures. The in-vehicle devices 7760 may, for example, include at least one of a mobile device and a wearable device possessed by an occupant and an information device carried into or attached to the vehicle. The in-vehicle devices 7760 may also include a navigation device that searches for a path to an arbitrary destination. The in-vehicle device I / F 7660 exchanges control signals or data signals with these in-vehicle devices 7760.

[0298] The vehicle-mounted network I / F 7680 is an interface that mediates communication between the microcomputer 7610 and the communication network 7010. The vehicle-mounted network I / F 7680 transmits and receives signals or the like in conformity with a predetermined protocol supported by the communication network 7010.

[0299] The microcomputer 7610 of the integrated control unit 7600 controls the vehicle control system 7000 in accordance with various kinds of programs on the basis of information obtained via at least one of the general-purpose communication I / F 7620, the dedicated communication I / F 7630, the positioning section 7640, the beacon receiving section 7650, the in-vehicle device I / F 7660, and the vehicle-mounted network I / F 7680. For example, the microcomputer 7610 may calculate a control target value for the driving force generating device, the steering mechanism, or the braking device on the basis of the obtained information about the inside and outside of the vehicle, and output a control command to the driving system control unit 7100. For example, the microcomputer 7610 may perform cooperative control intended to implement functions of an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) which functions include collision avoidance or shock mitigation for the vehicle, following driving based on a following distance, vehicle speed maintaining driving, a warning of collision of the vehicle, a warning of deviation of the vehicle from a lane, or the like. In addition, the microcomputer 7610 may perform cooperative control intended for automated driving, which makes the vehicle to travel automatedly without depending on the operation of the driver, or the like, by controlling the driving force generating device, the steering mechanism, the braking device, or the like on the basis of the obtained information about the surroundings of the vehicle.

[0300] The microcomputer 7610 may generate three-dimensional distance information between the vehicle and an object such as a surrounding structure, a person, or the like, and generate local map information including information about the surroundings of the current position of the vehicle, on the basis of information obtained via at least one of the general-purpose communication I / F 7620, the dedicated communication I / F 7630, the positioning section 7640, the beacon receiving section 7650, the in-vehicle device I / F 7660, and the vehicle-mounted network I / F 7680. In addition, the microcomputer 7610 may predict danger such as collision of the vehicle, approaching of a pedestrian or the like, an entry to a closed road, or the like on the basis of the obtained information, and generate a warning signal. The warning signal may, for example, be a signal for producing a warning sound or lighting a warning lamp.

[0301] The sound / image output section 7670 transmits an output signal of at least one of a sound and an image to an output device capable of visually or auditorily notifying information to an occupant of the vehicle or the outside of the vehicle. In the example of FIG. 19, an audio speaker 7710, a display section 7720, and an instrument panel 7730 are illustrated as the output device. The display section 7720 may, for example, include at least one of an on-board display and a head-up display. The display section 7720 may have an augmented reality (AR) display function. The output device may be other than these devices, and may be another device such as headphones, a wearable device such as an eyeglass type display worn by an occupant or the like, a projector, a lamp, or the like. In a case where the output device is a display device, the display device visually displays results obtained by various kinds of processing performed by the microcomputer 7610 or information received from another control unit in various forms such as text, an image, a table, a graph, or the like. In addition, in a case where the output device is an audio output device, the audio output device converts an audio signal constituted of reproduced audio data or sound data or the like into an analog signal, and auditorily outputs the analog signal.

[0302] Incidentally, at least two control units connected to each other via the communication network 7010 in the example depicted in FIG. 19 may be integrated into one control unit. Alternatively, each individual control unit may include a plurality of control units. Further, the vehicle control system 7000 may include another control unit not depicted in the figures. In addition, part or the whole of the functions performed by one of the control units in the above description may be assigned to another control unit. That is, predetermined arithmetic processing may be performed by any of the control units as long as information is transmitted and received via the communication network 7010. Similarly, a sensor or a device connected to one of the control units may be connected to another control unit, and a plurality of control units may mutually transmit and receive detection information via the communication network 7010.

[0303] The general-purpose communication I / F 7620 may include the antenna apparatus (for example, the antenna apparatus 120) of the present embodiment. Alternatively, the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be connected to the general-purpose communication I / F 7620. The dedicated communication I / F 7630 may include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment. Alternatively, the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be connected to the dedicated communication I / F 7630. The positioning section 7640 may include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment. Alternatively, the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be connected to the positioning section 7640. The beacon receiving section 7650 may include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment. Alternatively, the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be connected to the beacon receiving section 7650. The in-vehicle device I / F 7660 may include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment. Alternatively, the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be connected to the in-vehicle device I / F 7660. The vehicle-mounted network I / F 7680 may include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment. Alternatively, the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be connected to the vehicle-mounted network I / F 7680. The input section 7800 may include the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment. Alternatively, the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment may be connected to the input section 7800.

[0304] Each of these units / sections / interfaces may include a plurality of antenna apparatuses of the present embodiment. Alternatively, a plurality of antenna apparatuses of the present embodiment may be connected to each of these units / sections / interfaces. For example, each of these units / sections / interfaces may include the first antenna apparatus and the second antenna apparatus described above. Alternatively, the first antenna apparatus and the second antenna apparatus described above may be connected to each of these units / sections / interfaces.

[0305] <<5. Conclusion>> The antenna apparatus 120 of the present embodiment is an in-vehicle antenna apparatus including the fed antenna 121 (fed element 121) and the parasitic antenna 122 (parasitic element 122). One end portion of the fed antenna 121 is electrically connected to the power feed unit F1. The other end portion (end portion 121a) of the fed antenna 121 is close to the one end portion (end portion 122a) of the parasitic antenna 122 without contact. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 9, the end portion 121a of the fed antenna 121 is installed adjacent to (close to) the end portion 122a of the parasitic antenna 122 with the separation portion interposed therebetween.

[0306] Therefore, it is possible to provide an antenna apparatus (multiband antenna) that is small (space-saving) and has high antenna performance (for example, high antenna radiation efficiency). In addition, interference to a surrounding close antenna can also be reduced.

[0307] The fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be arranged such that the end portion 121a of the fed antenna 121 and the end portion 122a of the parasitic antenna 122 are parallel.

[0308] Therefore, the end portion 121a of the fed antenna 121 and the end portion 122a of the parasitic antenna 122 can be efficiently capacitively coupled.

[0309] An object serving as an electromagnetic shield or that weakens the electromagnetic effect may be provided between the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 so that a portion other than the capacitively coupled portion is not capacitively coupled.

[0310] Therefore, desired antenna performance (for example, high antenna radiation efficiency) can be obtained.

[0311] One of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be a linear antenna located on a predetermined plane. Then, the other of the fed antenna 121 and the parasitic antenna 122 may be a stereoscopic antenna in which at least a part thereof is located in a space different from this plane. Then, the object (object serving as an electromagnetic shield or that weakens the electromagnetic effect) may be an auxiliary member for fixing the stereoscopic antenna.

[0312] Therefore, desired antenna performance (for example, high antenna radiation efficiency) can be obtained while reliably fixing the antenna.

[0313] At least one of the parasitic antenna 122 and the fed antenna 121 is a linear antenna or a planar antenna.

[0314] Therefore, desired antenna performance (for example, high antenna radiation efficiency) can be obtained.

[0315] One of the parasitic antenna 122 and the fed antenna 121 may be a linear antenna located on a predetermined plane. Then, the other of the parasitic antenna 122 and the fed antenna 121 may be a stereoscopic antenna in which at least a part thereof is located in a space different from this plane.

[0316] Therefore, the antenna apparatus 120 can be downsized.

[0317] At least one of the parasitic antenna 122 and the fed antenna 121 may be an antenna whose antenna path is bent one or more times.

[0318] Therefore, the antenna apparatus 120 can be downsized.

[0319] At least one of the parasitic antenna 122 and the fed antenna 121 may be a meander line antenna.

[0320] Therefore, the antenna apparatus 120 can be downsized.

[0321] The separation distance d1 between the end portion 121a of the fed antenna 121 and the end portion 122a of the parasitic antenna 122 may be 3 mm or less. Alternatively, the separation distance d1 between the end portion 121a of the fed antenna 121 and the end portion 122a of the parasitic antenna 122 may be 1 mm or less.

[0322] Therefore, desired antenna performance (for example, high antenna radiation efficiency) can be obtained.

[0323] The capacitive coupling distance between the end portion 121a of the fed antenna 121 and the end portion 122a of the parasitic antenna 122 may be 10 mm or less. Alternatively, the capacitive coupling distance between the end portion 121a of the fed antenna 121 and the end portion 122a of the parasitic antenna 122 may be 5 mm or less.

[0324] Therefore, desired antenna performance (for example, high antenna radiation efficiency) can be obtained.

[0325] The fed antenna 121 may be an antenna whose resonance frequency is the first frequency. Then, the parasitic antenna 122 may be an antenna whose resonance frequency is the second frequency different from the first frequency.

[0326] Therefore, it is possible to provide a multiband antenna that is small and has high antenna performance.

[0327] Both the parasitic antenna 122 and the fed antenna 121 are GNSS antennas.

[0328] Therefore, it is possible to provide a GNSS antenna that is small and has high antenna performance.

[0329] One of the parasitic antenna 122 and the fed antenna 121 may be a GNSS antenna compatible with the L1 band. Then, the other of the parasitic antenna 122 and the fed antenna 121 is a GNSS antenna compatible with the L5 band.

[0330] Therefore, it is possible to provide a two-resonance multiband antenna compatible with the GNSS L1 and L5 bands.

[0331] At least one of the parasitic antenna 122 and the fed antenna 121 may include a matching element for adjusting the electrical length.

[0332] This facilitates manufacturing / maintenance of the antenna apparatus 120.

[0333] The communication apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 100) of the present embodiment is the in-vehicle communication apparatus including the first antenna apparatus and the second antenna apparatus having a resonance frequency different from the resonance frequency supported by the first antenna apparatus. Here, the first antenna apparatus may be the antenna apparatus 120 of the present embodiment.

[0334] By using the first antenna apparatus as the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment, interference between the antenna apparatuses can be reduced.

[0335] Both the parasitic antenna 122 and the fed antenna 121 constituting the first antenna apparatus may be GNSS antennas. The second antenna apparatus may include at least a cellular antenna.

[0336] Since the interference between the GNSS antenna and the cellular antenna is small, the communication apparatus can exhibit high positioning performance and high communication performance.

[0337] The in-vehicle communication apparatus may be a telematics control unit or a telematics box.

[0338] A telematics control unit or a telematics box that is small and has high antenna performance can be provided.

[0339] Although each embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. In addition, components of different embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined.

[0340] In addition, the effects of each embodiment described in the present specification are merely examples and are not limitative, and there may be other effects.

[0341] Note that the present technique can also have the following configurations. (1)An antenna apparatus, comprising: a substrate; a first antenna element disposed on the substrate, the first antenna element having first and second ends, the first end of the first antenna element being connected to a feed point; a second antenna element having a three-dimensional structure, the second antenna element having first and second ends, the first end of the second antenna element being connected to ground, wherein the second end of the first antenna element and the second end of the second antenna element are electromagnetically coupled without touching. (2) The antenna apparatus according to (1), wherein the second end of the first antenna element and the second end of the second antenna element are capacitively coupled. (3) The antenna apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the three-dimensional structure of the second antenna element extends in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the substrate. (4) The antenna apparatus according to (2) or (3), wherein a coupling length, which is a length over which the second end of the first antenna and the second end of the second antenna are capacitively coupled, is 10 mm or less. (5) The antenna apparatus according to (4), wherein the coupling length is 5 mm or less. (6) The antenna apparatus according to (5), wherein the coupling length is 3 mm or less. (7) The antenna apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the second end of the first antenna element and the second end of the second antenna element are inductively coupled. (8) The antenna apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the first antenna element is a linear antenna element. (9) The antenna apparatus according to (8), wherein the first antenna element is one of a dipole antenna element, a monopole antenna element, an inverted-L antenna (ILA) element, or a loop antenna. (10) The antenna apparatus according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the first antenna element is a planar antenna element. (11) The antenna apparatus according to (10), wherein the first antenna element is one of a patch antenna element or a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) element. (12) The antenna apparatus according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the first antenna element has a meandering shape. (13) The antenna apparatus according to any one of (1) to 12), wherein the second antenna element is a linear antenna element. (14) The antenna apparatus according to (13), wherein the second antenna element is one of a dipole antenna element, a monopole antenna element, an inverted-L antenna (ILA) element, or a loop antenna. (15) The antenna apparatus according to any one of (1) to (14), wherein the second antenna element is a planar antenna element. (16) The antenna apparatus according to (15), wherein the second antenna element is one of a patch antenna element or a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) element. (17) The antenna apparatus according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the first antenna element is compatible with GNSS L1 band and the second antenna element is compatible with GNSS L5 band. (18) The antenna apparatus according to any one of (1) to (17), wherein a separation distance between the second end of the first antenna element and the second end of the second antenna element is 3 mm or less. (19) The antenna apparatus according to (18), wherein the separation distance is 1 mm or less. (20) The antenna apparatus according to (19), wherein the separation distance is between 0.1 mm and 1 mm. (21) The antenna apparatus according to (20), wherein the separation distance is between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm. (22) The antenna apparatus according to any one of (1) to (21), wherein a portion of the second end of the second antenna element that is electromagnetically coupled to the second end of the first antenna element is parallel to the plane of the substrate. (23) The antenna apparatus according to any one of (1) to (22), wherein at least a portion of the second antenna element overlaps the first antenna element when viewed in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. (24) The antenna apparatus according to any one of (1) to (23), wherein a width of the second end of the second antenna element is greater than a width of other portions of the second antenna element. (25) The antenna apparatus according to any one of (1) to (24), wherein a width of the conductor that forms the second antenna element is greater than a width of the conductor that forms the first antenna element. (26) A communication apparatus, comprising: the antenna apparatus according to any one of (1) to (25); and circuitry configured to communicate wirelessly via the antenna apparatus. (27) The communication apparatus according to (26), wherein the communication apparatus is a telematics apparatus installed in a vehicle. (28) The communication apparatus according to (26), wherein the communication apparatus is one of a mobile phone, a personal data assistant, or a computer.

[0342] 100 Terminal apparatus 200 Base station 110, 210 Signal processing unit 120, 220 Antenna apparatus 130, 230 STORAGE UNIT 140, 240 Control unit 121 Fed antenna 122 Parasitic antenna 121a, 122a End portion 123 Matching element d1 Separation distance d2 Capacitive coupling distance F1 Power feed unit

Claims

1. An antenna apparatus, comprising: 　　a substrate; 　　a first antenna element disposed on the substrate, the first antenna element having first and second ends, the first end of the first antenna element being connected to a feed point; 　　a second antenna element having a three-dimensional structure, the second antenna element having first and second ends, the first end of the second antenna element being connected to ground, 　　wherein the second end of the first antenna element and the second end of the second antenna element are electromagnetically coupled without touching.

2. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the first antenna element and the second end of the second antenna element are capacitively coupled.

3. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional structure of the second antenna element extends in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the substrate.

4. The antenna apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a coupling length, which is a length over which the second end of the first antenna and the second end of the second antenna are capacitively coupled, is 10 mm or less.

5. The antenna apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the coupling length is 5 mm or less.

6. The antenna apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the coupling length is 3 mm or less.

7. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the first antenna element and the second end of the second antenna element are inductively coupled.

8. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna element is a linear antenna element.

9. The antenna apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first antenna element is one of a dipole antenna element, a monopole antenna element, an inverted-L antenna (ILA) element, or a loop antenna.

10. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna element is a planar antenna element.

11. The antenna apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first antenna element is one of a patch antenna element or a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) element.

12. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna element has a meandering shape.

13. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second antenna element is a linear antenna element.

14. The antenna apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the second antenna element is one of a dipole antenna element, a monopole antenna element, an inverted-L antenna (ILA) element, or a loop antenna.

15. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second antenna element is a planar antenna element.

16. The antenna apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the second antenna element is one of a patch antenna element or a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) element.

17. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna element is compatible with GNSS L1 band and the second antenna element is compatible with GNSS L5 band.

18. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a separation distance between the second end of the first antenna element and the second end of the second antenna element is 3 mm or less.

19. The antenna apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the separation distance is 1 mm or less.

20. The antenna apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the separation distance is between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.

21. The antenna apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the separation distance is between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm.

22. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the second end of the second antenna element that is electromagnetically coupled to the second end of the first antenna element is parallel to the plane of the substrate.

23. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second antenna element overlaps the first antenna element when viewed in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate.

24. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width of the second end of the second antenna element is greater than a width of other portions of the second antenna element.

25. The antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width of the conductor that forms the second antenna element is greater than a width of the conductor that forms the first antenna element.

26. A communication apparatus, comprising: 　　the antenna apparatus according to claim 1; and 　　circuitry configured to communicate wirelessly via the antenna apparatus.

27. The communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the communication apparatus is a telematics apparatus installed in a vehicle.

28. The communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the communication apparatus is one of a mobile phone, a personal data assistant, or a computer.

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