JPH0818332A - Array antenna device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] The height of the device 10 can be reduced to be thin and compact, and the influence of air resistance when the device 10 is mounted on a moving body is reduced, and reflection is achieved. (EN) Provided is an array antenna device in which the plate 21 can be always opposed to the direction of the geostationary satellite S, and the transmission / reception efficiency of signal radio waves can be constantly improved. A plurality of antenna elements 13 are arranged in a straight line to form antenna element rows 14a, 14b, ..., And a reflector plate 21 having a predetermined inclination angle α is arranged in the antenna element rows 14a, 14b ,. Array antenna device installed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an array antenna device, and more particularly, to satellite broadcasting or M broadcasting on a TV or the like.
The present invention relates to an array antenna device used when transmitting and receiving a signal wave using a geostationary satellite such as data communication in a CA (Multi Channel Access) system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Parabolic antenna devices conventionally used for transmitting and receiving signal radio waves between a geostationary satellite and a transceiver have a relatively large bowl shape and a relatively large installation volume. However, there was a problem that it was easy to get in the way and installation was troublesome. When it is mounted on a moving body such as an automobile or a train, the loading volume and height are limited, so the mounting becomes more troublesome, the air resistance during running is large, and the moving body speed is adversely affected. There was a problem that it didn't look good.

In order to deal with these problems, the antenna device has been downsized and thinned. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a conventional array antenna device of this type, which is thinned. Reference numeral 51 in the drawing denotes a substantially flat base. A plurality of substantially circular antenna elements 52a, 52b, ... Are arranged on the base 51, and the antenna elements 52a, 52b, ... Are connected by feeder lines (not shown). The other end of the electric wire is connected to a transceiver (not shown) side through a converter (not shown) arranged on the back side of the base 51, and these antenna elements 52a, 52b are connected. The array antenna device 50 is configured to include the base 51 and the like.

By the way, as shown in the antenna element cross-sectional views of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the maximum intensity of the beams 53a and 53b formed on the antenna element 52b is usually close to the normal to the plane of the antenna element 52b. And the gain g _{1 in the} case (a) with one antenna element 52b is distributed.
On the other hand, for example, the gain g _{2 in the} case of (b) using three antenna elements 52a to 52c usually increases to about 3 times.

Therefore, generally, in the array antenna device 50, the antenna elements 52a,
A large number of 2b, ... Are arranged and the antenna element 52 is provided.
The base 51 is arranged at a predetermined angle α with respect to the horizontal plane so that the upper surfaces of a, 52b, ...

When transmitting a signal radio wave to the satellite S by using the array antenna device 50 configured as described above, after the antenna elements 52a, 52b, ... Face the satellite S,
A signal is output from the transmitter. Then, this signal is converted to a predetermined frequency by the converter, and a signal radio wave is directly transmitted from the antenna elements 52a, 52b, ... To the satellite S via the feeder line. Further, when receiving the signal radio wave, the signal radio wave from the satellite S is directly transmitted to the antenna element 52.
a, 52b, ..., Converted to a predetermined frequency by the converter through the power supply line, and received by the receiver through another power supply line.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing another conventional array antenna device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-199028), in which (a) shows the entire structure and (b) shows the lower structure. . A motor 63a is attached to the frame 62, and the motor 6a
A large gear 63c is connected to 3a via a small gear 63b, and a hollow shaft 63d and a connecting body 6 are provided on the large gear 63c.
3f is fixed, and a table 63e is fixed on the hollow shaft 63d (a). These motors 63
The turntable 63 includes a, gears 63b and 63c, a table 63e, and the like. Further, a rotation angle detection means (not shown) for detecting the horizontal angle of the satellite S and the array antenna device is connected to the turntable 63, and the motor 63a is based on the horizontal angle data detected by the rotation angle detection means. When is rotated, the gear 63b,
The table 63e and the reflection plate 66 are configured to rotate in a predetermined angle and in a predetermined direction via the 63c and the hollow shaft 63d. A base 64 is mounted on the table 63e, and a plurality of substantially disk-shaped antenna elements 65 are arranged at predetermined locations on the base 64. The antenna elements 65 are connected to a power supply line (not shown). Each is connected. The other end of the power supply line is connected to a transmitter / receiver (not shown) side via a converter, a rotary joint (not shown), etc. arranged in the hollow shaft 63d.

On the other hand, a substantially disc-shaped reflector 66 is disposed above the antenna element 65. The reflector 66 is rotatably supported at one end of the connecting member 63f, and the lower end of the reflector 66 is provided. A tooth portion 67a is extended from. In addition, the tooth portion 67a
A motor (not shown) is connected to the motor through a small gear 67b, and the drive means 67 is configured to include the tooth portion 67a, the small gear 67b, the motor, and the like. Further, the drive means 67 is connected with a reflection angle detection means (not shown) for detecting the satellite S direction and the inclination angle α of the reflection plate 66, and based on the angle data detected by the reflection angle detection means. Driving means 67 is driven to tilt angle α of reflector 66.
Is adjusted so that the signal radio wave from the satellite S is reflected by the reflection plate 66 and is vertically incident on the surface of the antenna element 65. Alternatively, signal radio waves radiated vertically upward from the surface of the antenna element 65 are reflected by the reflection plate 66 and transmitted toward the satellite S. The antenna element 65, the reflection plate 66, the rotation means 63, and the drive unit. The array antenna device 60 is configured to include the means 67 and the like.

When transmitting a signal radio wave to the satellite S by using the array antenna device 60 thus constructed, the turntable 63 and the driving means 67 cause the reflector 66 to move to the satellite S.
After facing each other with a predetermined inclination angle α, a signal is output from the transmitter. Then, this signal is converted into a predetermined frequency by the converter, the signal radio wave radiated from the antenna element 65 is reflected by the reflector 66, and is transmitted toward the satellite S. When receiving a signal radio wave, the turntable 63 and the drive means 67 cause the reflector 66 to face the satellite S with a predetermined inclination angle α, and then the receiver is turned on. Then, a signal radio wave from the satellite S is input to the converter via the reflector 66 and the antenna element 65, converted into a predetermined frequency by the converter, and received by the receiver via the rotary joint or the like.

[0010]

Array antenna device 5
When 0 is mounted on a moving body such as an automobile, when the traveling direction changes, the satellite S does not face the satellite S, or when the vehicle travels a long distance in the north-south direction or travels on a slope or the like, the elevation angle of the satellite S relative to the device is relatively large. Changes to. However, the array antenna device 50 described above is fixed, and when the satellite S direction relatively changes due to traveling, the antenna elements 52 a, 5
There is a problem that it is difficult to always face the satellites 2b, ... To the satellite S, and the transmission / reception efficiency of signal radio waves is likely to decrease. Further, since the base 51 is arranged at a predetermined angle α with respect to the moving body, the height H of the base 51 tends to be high, and it is difficult to reduce the size of the array antenna device 50. There were challenges.

A technique for transmitting and receiving signal radio waves in the same phase with respect to the direction of the satellite S and forming the beam 53c toward the satellite S (FIG. 6 (c)) has already been developed. In this case, the gain g ₃ has a problem that it is lower than that of the case shown in FIG. 6 (b).

In the array antenna device 60 described above, the height H of the reflection plate 66 is likely to be higher than the diameter D of the base 64 or higher, so that the array antenna device 6
There was a problem that it was difficult to make the product thinner and smaller.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to reduce the height of the device to make it thin and compact, and to reduce the air resistance when the device is mounted on a moving body. An object of the present invention is to provide an array antenna device that can reduce the influence and can always face the reflector in the direction of the geostationary satellite, and constantly improve the transmission and reception efficiency of signal radio waves.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, an array antenna device according to the present invention comprises a plurality of antenna element rows in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a straight line. It is characterized in that a reflector having a predetermined inclination angle is arranged for each predetermined element row of the row (1).

The array antenna device according to the present invention is
A plurality of antenna element rows in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a straight line are arranged, a reflecting plate is arranged for each predetermined element row of the antenna element row, and the reflecting plate is rotated by the reflecting plate. It is characterized in that a driving device for the is attached (2).

The array antenna device according to the present invention is
A plurality of antenna element rows in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a straight line are arranged, a reflecting plate is arranged for each predetermined element row of the antenna element row, and each supporting point of the reflecting plate has a different predetermined height. And a drive device for rotating the reflector is attached to the reflector (3).

The array antenna device according to the present invention is
The antenna element array and the reflector according to any one of the above items (1) to (3) are arranged on a turntable (4).

[0018]

According to the array antenna device (1) having the above construction, a plurality of antenna element rows in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a straight line are arranged, and a predetermined inclination is provided for each predetermined element row of the antenna element row. Since the reflectors having the corners are arranged, the gain of each beam formed by each antenna element array can be increased, and the height of each reflector is reduced to make the device thinner. -The size of the device can be reduced, the installation and installation of the device can be facilitated, and the influence of air resistance when mounted on a moving body can be reduced.

The array antenna device (2) having the above structure
According to this, a plurality of antenna element rows in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a straight line are arranged, a reflector is arranged for each predetermined element row of the antenna element rows, and the reflector is attached to the reflector. Since a drive device for rotating the antenna is additionally provided, the same operation as that of the array antenna device (1) described above can be obtained, and even if the relative elevation angle of the geostationary satellite with respect to the device fluctuates, each of the reflection plates is By adjusting the inclination angle of the radio wave, it is possible to match the radio wave transmission / reception direction with the elevation angle, and it is possible to enhance the transmission / reception efficiency of the signal radio wave when the radio wave is mounted on a constantly moving mobile body.

The array antenna device (3) having the above structure
According to this, a plurality of antenna element rows in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a straight line are arranged, and a reflecting plate is arranged for each predetermined element row of the antenna element rows, and each supporting point of the reflecting plate is arranged. Are set to different predetermined heights, and a drive device for rotating the reflector is attached to the reflector, so that the same operation as the array antenna device (2) can be obtained. , The relative height of the position where the signal wave is reflected by each of the reflectors can be changed,
Even if the relative angle of elevation of the geostationary satellite with respect to the device fluctuates and the path length difference between the antenna elements and the satellite S changes, the path length difference between the reflectors and the antenna element changes. It is possible to make up for it substantially, and therefore it is possible to transmit and receive signal radio waves in the same phase.

When the antenna element and the reflecting plate according to any one of the above items (1) to (3) are arranged on the turntable, the above array antenna devices (1) to (3) are provided. ) Is obtained, and
Since the reflector can be reliably and easily opposed to the geostationary satellite side, the transmission / reception efficiency of signal radio waves when mounted on a moving body can be further enhanced.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an array antenna device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing an embodiment (1) of an array antenna device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of a planar antenna portion of the device shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view, in which 11
Indicates a metal conductor plate. Dielectric plate 1 made of Teflon, polyethylene foam, etc. on metal conductor plate 11
2 is arranged, and the diameter or one side is about 5 to 10 mm, and the thickness is about 20 to 10 at a predetermined position on the dielectric plate 12.
A substantially circular or substantially rectangular antenna element 13 having a size of 40 μm is formed. A plurality of antenna elements 13 are arranged on a straight line to form an antenna element row 14a. Further, a plurality of antenna element rows 14b, 14c, which are substantially parallel to the antenna element row 14a and have a predetermined interval,
... is provided. The antenna element 13 has a feeding circuit 1
One end side of 5 is connected, and the other end side of the feeding circuit 15 is guided to a predetermined location 16a of the patch type planar antenna 16, and is etched at a predetermined location of, for example, a copper or aluminum film formed on the dielectric plate 12. By performing processing and the like, the antenna element 13 and the power feeding circuit 15 including the delay circuit are integrally formed. A patch type planar antenna 16 is configured by including the metal conductor plate 11, the dielectric plate 12, the antenna element arrays 14a, 14b, ... Further, on the patch type planar antenna 16, at predetermined locations near the antenna element rows 14a, 14b, ...
A substantially rectangular parallelepiped reflection plate 21 is arranged substantially parallel to the antenna element arrays 14a, 14b, .... The inclination angle of the reflection plate 21 with respect to the surface of the patch type planar antenna 16 is set to a predetermined angle α, and the signal radio wave from the satellite S is reflected on the surface of the reflection plate 21 and each of the antenna element arrays 14a, 14b, ... The light is incident on the surface of the antenna element 13 substantially vertically.

An opening 11 is provided at a predetermined position of the metal conductor plate 11.
a is formed, and the converter 1 is formed on the lower surface near the opening 11a.
7 is connected, and the converter 17 is connected to an external transceiver (not shown) side via a rotary joint 17a or the like. On the other hand, a large ring-shaped large gear 18b is attached to the lower surface of the patch type planar antenna 16 with a substantially hollow disk-shaped table 18a interposed therebetween.
A small gear 18c is arranged inside the b.
A motor 18d is connected to c. On the other hand, a casing 19 is arranged around the large gear 18b, and a plurality of rollers 18e and 18f are arranged on the upper surface of the outer peripheral portion of the casing 19,
The table 18a is supported by rollers 18e and 18f so as to be rotatable around a fixed center. Further, an angle detecting means (not shown) for detecting the relative horizontal angle of the patch type planar antenna 16 with respect to the satellite S is connected to the motor 18d, and these table 18a, large gear 18b, small gear 18c, motor 18d, The turntable 18 is configured to include rollers 18e and 18f. Then, when the motor 18d is rotated in a predetermined amount and in a predetermined direction based on the horizontal angle data detected by the angle detecting means, a large gear 18b, a small gear 18c, and a table 18a.
The orientation of the patch type planar antenna 16 is adjusted via the. These patch type planar antennas 16,
The array antenna device 10 is configured to include the reflection plate 21, the turntable 18, and the like.

When transmitting a signal radio wave to a geostationary satellite using the apparatus according to the embodiment (1) thus constructed, first, the turntable 18 is driven and rotated so that the reflector 21 faces the satellite S. Then, a signal is output from the transmitter.
Then, this signal is converted to a predetermined frequency by the converter 17, and the signal radio waves adjusted by the power feeding circuit 15 so as to eliminate the transmission path length difference are transmitted to the antenna element arrays 14a and 14a.
is emitted from b, ..., Reflected by the reflector 21, and transmitted toward the satellite S. Further, when receiving the signal radio wave, the signal radio wave from the satellite S is reflected by the reflector 21 and is incident on the antenna element arrays 14a, 14b, ... And adjusted by the power feeding circuit 15 so that the transmission path length difference is eliminated and the converter. 17
Is input to Then, this signal is converted into a predetermined frequency by the converter 17, and is received by the receiver via the rotary joint 17a or the like.

As is clear from the above description, in the array antenna device 10 according to the embodiment (1), the antenna element array 1 in which a plurality of antenna elements 13 are linearly arranged
A plurality of rows 4a, 14b, ... Are arranged to form the antenna element row 1
Reflector 2 having a predetermined inclination angle α for each of 4a, 14b, ...
1 is provided, each antenna element array 14a, 1
The gain g of each beam 21a formed by 4b, ... Can be increased, and the height of each reflection plate 21 can be lowered to reduce the thickness and size of the device 10, thereby reducing the device 1 size.
It is possible to facilitate the installation and installation of 0, and reduce the influence of air resistance when mounted on a moving body.

Further, in the array antenna device 10 according to the embodiment (1), since the antenna element arrays 14a, 14b, ... And the reflecting plate 21 are arranged on the turntable 18, the reflecting plate 21 is placed on the satellite S side. It is possible to reliably and easily face each other, and it is possible to further improve the transmission / reception efficiency of signal radio waves when mounted on a moving body. Further, since the converter 17 is connected to the lower surface of the predetermined location 16a of the patch type planar antenna 16 and the rotary joint 17a can be arranged in a relatively wide space inside the large gear 18b structurally, the rotary joint 17a and the rotary joint 17a can be rotated. The electrical connection with the converter 17 can be easily performed.

Although the patch type planar antenna 16 is used in the array antenna apparatus 10 according to the embodiment (1), in another embodiment, the planar antenna with slot plate 38 and the spiral conductor shown in FIG. 3 are arranged. A helical antenna (not shown) may be used.

The case where the patch type planar antenna 16 is arranged on the turntable 18 has been described.
The turntable 18 may be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view schematically showing the vicinity of a plane antenna with a slot plate of the array antenna device according to the embodiment (2), and 31 in the figure shows a metal conductor plate.
A dielectric plate 32 made of expanded polyethylene or the like is arranged on the metal conductor plate 31. At a predetermined position on the dielectric plate 32, the power feeding circuit 33 and the diameter or one side is about 5
Antenna element array 3 in which a plurality of substantially circular or substantially rectangular antenna elements 36 each having a size of 10 mm are arranged on a straight line
A plurality of rows of 7 are provided, and these are integrally formed by subjecting a polyimide film with a copper or aluminum film to etching treatment or the like. Further, the dielectric plate 3 is provided on the antenna element array 37 and the feeding circuit 33.
A dielectric plate 34 similar to that of FIG. 2 is arranged, a metal conductor plate 35 similar to the metal conductor plate 31 is arranged on the dielectric plate 34, and an antenna is provided on the metal conductor plate 35 above the antenna element 36. Slots 36a each having a shape larger than the element 36 by about 3 to 8 mm are formed. The other end of the feeding circuit 33 is provided at a predetermined position 38 of the slot type planar antenna 38.
A planar antenna 38 with a slot plate is constructed by including the metal conductor plates 31, 35, the dielectric plates 32, 34, the antenna element array 37, the feeding circuit 33, and the like.

At a predetermined position near the antenna element array 37 on the planar antenna 38 with slot plates, substantially rectangular parallelepiped reflecting plates 22 are arranged substantially parallel to the antenna element arrays 37, respectively. Is rotatably supported at a predetermined constant height (support point B). On the other hand, a column 23a is erected at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the table 18a,
A slide shaft 23b is slidably supported in a predetermined position of the support column 23a in the direction of arrow A, and a hydraulic cylinder 23d, for example, is connected to one end of the slide shaft 23b. A protrusion 23c is formed at a predetermined position on the slide shaft 23b, and the protrusion 23c is slidably engaged with an elongated hole 23e formed on one side surface of the reflection plate 22. Then, when the hydraulic cylinder 23d is driven in the direction of arrow A, the projections 23c of the slide shaft 23b push the reflection plate 22 in the direction of arrow A, and each reflection plate 22 rotates about the support point B as a center of rotation at the same time or counterclockwise. It is designed to rotate clockwise by the same angle. Further, an inclination angle detection means (not shown) for detecting the elevation angle β of the satellite S and the inclination angle α of the reflection plate 22 is connected to the hydraulic cylinder 23d, which includes the hydraulic cylinder 23d, the slide shaft 23b, and the like. The drive device 23 is constituted by. Since the other configurations are substantially the same as those shown in FIG. 1, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

When transmitting a signal radio wave to a geostationary satellite using the apparatus according to the embodiment (2) thus constructed, first, the turntable 18 (FIG. 1) is driven and rotated, and the tilt angle detecting means is used. The drive device 23 is driven based on the relative elevation angle of the satellite S detected by the device to adjust the tilt angle α of the reflector 22 and then a signal is output from the transmitter. Then, this signal is converted to a predetermined frequency by the converter 17, and the signal radio wave adjusted by the feeding circuit 33 to have a small difference in transmission path length is sent to each antenna element array 37.
And is emitted toward the satellite S via the reflector 22. When receiving a signal radio wave, the signal radio wave from the satellite S is reflected by the reflection plate 22 so that each antenna element array 37
Is input to the converter 17 after being adjusted to have a small difference in transmission path length by the power supply circuit 33. Then, this signal is converted into a predetermined frequency by the converter 17, and is received by the receiver via the rotary joint 17a or the like.

As is apparent from the above description, in the array antenna device according to the embodiment (2), a plurality of antenna element rows 37 in which a plurality of antenna elements 36 are linearly arranged are arranged, The reflecting plate 22 is provided for each row of 37 predetermined elements, and the driving device 23 for rotating these is attached to the reflecting plate 22, so that the same effect as that of the embodiment (1) is obtained. Further, even if the relative elevation angle β of the satellite S with respect to the device changes, the transmission / reception direction of the radio wave can be adjusted to the elevation angle β by adjusting the inclination angle α of each reflection plate 22, and the movement is always moving. The transmission and reception efficiency of signal radio waves when mounted on the body can be improved.

Although the planar antenna 38 with the slot plate is used in the array antenna apparatus according to the embodiment (2),
In another embodiment, the patch type planar antenna 16 shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the helical antenna described above may be used.

Although the hydraulic cylinder 23d is used as the drive source of the drive device 23, in another embodiment, an air cylinder may be used, or a rack and a pinion may be combined and driven by a motor or the like.

Although the case where the planar antenna 38 with the slot plate is arranged on the turntable 18 has been described, the turntable 18 may be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view for explaining the reflector of the array antenna device according to the embodiment (3), and FIG. 4 (a) shows the relationship between the supporting point and the inclination angle of the reflector. , (B) show the radio wave path length difference when the inclination angle of the reflector in (a) is relatively small, and (c) shows the radio wave path length when the inclination angle of the reflector is medium in (a). The difference is shown, and (d) shows the radio path length difference when the inclination angle of the reflector in (a) is large. Patch type planar antenna 1
Reference numeral 6 is formed in the same manner as that shown in FIG. 1, and at a predetermined position on the patch type planar antenna 16, reflection plates 24 and 25 each having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape are substantially parallel to the antenna element arrays 14a and 14b in plan view. Is provided. The reflectors 24 and 25 are rotatably supported by support points 240 and 250, respectively, and the support points 240 and 250 are set to different predetermined heights. A drive device (not shown) similar to that shown in FIG. 3 is connected to the reflectors 24 and 25,
The position of each protrusion in this drive device is the support point 240,
The distance is set to approximately the same distance from 250, and when the driving device is driven, the reflectors 24 and 25 rotate in the same direction and at the same speed (a). Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG. 1, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

In the following, when the array antenna device according to the embodiment (3) is used to receive, for example, a signal radio wave from a geostationary satellite whose elevation angle varies, the reflectors 24 and 25 are respectively arranged as shown in FIG.
The path length difference of the received radio waves when the reflectors 24a and 25a, the reflectors 24b and 25b, and the reflectors 24c and 25c shown in FIGS. When the elevation angle of the satellite S is β ₁ , the reflector 2 is based on the tilt angle data detected by the tilt angle detecting means described above.
The inclination angles of 4a and 25a are set to α ₁ . Then the received radio wave 26a which is reflected on the reflecting plate 24a is incident on the antenna element arrays 14a, the path length difference between the received radio wave 26b incident on the reflected an antenna element column 14b in the reflector 25a becomes L ₁ ( b). Further, when the elevation angle of the satellite S is β _{2 which} is larger than β ₁ , the inclination angles of the reflectors 24b and 25b are set to α ₂ . Then, the path length difference portion L ₂ before being incident on the reflection plate 25b becomes shorter than the path length difference L ₁ , while the path length difference portion L ₃ reflected from the reflection plate 25b is newly formed, and the inclination angle α the path length difference in the ₂ (L ₂ + L ₃₎ and approximates the path length difference L ₁ in the inclination angle α ₁ (c).
In addition, if the elevation angle of satellite S is β _{3 which} is larger than β ₁ ,
The inclination angles of the reflectors 24c and 25c are set to α ₃ . Then, the path length difference portion L ₄ until it enters the reflection plate 25c becomes shorter than the path length difference L ₁ while the reflection plate 25
path length difference portion L ₅ reflected from c is formed longer, it approximates the path length difference L ₁ path length difference in the inclination angle alpha ₃ and (L ₄ + L ₅₎ in the inclination angle α ₁ (d).

As is apparent from the above description, in the array antenna device according to the embodiment (3), the antenna element array 14 in which a plurality of antenna elements 13 are arranged in a straight line is provided.
a, 14b are arranged, and the antenna element rows 14a, 14b
Reflector plates 24 and 25 are provided for each
Since the respective support points 240 and 250 are set to different predetermined heights, and the reflecting plates 24 and 25 are provided with a drive device for rotating them, the embodiment (1) and the embodiment ( It is possible to obtain substantially the same effect as in the case of the device 2), and it is possible to change the relative height of the position where the signal wave is reflected by the reflectors 24 and 25, and the relative elevation angle of the satellite S with respect to the device is β. ₁ , β ₂ , β ₃ , and the path length difference between the antenna element 13 and the satellite S is L ₁ , L ₂ , L 3.
_{Even if} it changes to ₄ , the reflectors 24 and 25 and the antenna element 13
The changes in the path length difference between L and L can be substantially compensated by the changes in L ₃ and L ₅ , so that signal radio waves can be transmitted and received in substantially the same phase.

In the embodiment (3), the reflectors 24 and 25 are used.
Although the case where the number of the support points is two has been described, substantially the same effect can be obtained by setting the respective support points at different predetermined heights even when a plurality of points are provided.

Further, although the patch type planar antenna 16 is used in the embodiment (3), the planar antenna 38 with the slot plate or the helical antenna described above may be used in another embodiment.

Although the hydraulic cylinder 23d is used as the drive source of the drive unit 23, in another embodiment, an air cylinder may be used, or a rack and a pinion may be combined and driven by a motor.

The case where the patch type planar antenna 16 is arranged on the turntable 18 has been described.
The turntable 18 may be omitted.

Although the array antenna devices of the above embodiments are used for both transmission and reception, they may be used for transmission only or reception only.

[0044]

As described in detail above, in the array antenna device (1) according to the present invention, a plurality of antenna element rows in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a straight line are arranged, Since the reflector having the predetermined inclination angle is arranged for each predetermined element row of the element rows, the gain of each beam formed by each antenna element row can be increased, and the height of each reflector plate can be increased. It is possible to make the device thinner and downsized by reducing the height, to facilitate the installation and installation of the device, and to reduce the influence of air resistance when mounted on a moving body. it can.

Further, in the array antenna device (2) according to the present invention, a plurality of antenna element rows in which a plurality of antenna elements are linearly arranged are arranged, and each predetermined element row of the antenna element row is arranged. Since the reflection plate is provided in and the drive device for rotating the reflection plate is attached to the reflection plate, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the array antenna device (1) described above. Even when the relative elevation angle of the geostationary satellite with respect to the device changes, by adjusting the inclination angle of each of the reflectors, the transmitting and receiving directions of the radio waves can be adjusted to the elevation angle, and when mounted on a moving body that moves constantly. The transmission / reception efficiency of signal radio waves can be improved.

According to the array antenna device (3) of the present invention, a plurality of antenna element rows in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a straight line are arranged, and each predetermined element row of the antenna element rows is arranged. Since the reflecting plate is provided, the supporting points of the reflecting plate are set to different predetermined heights, and the driving device for rotating the reflecting plate is attached to the reflecting plate, The same effect as that of the array antenna device (2) can be obtained, and the relative height of the position where the signal wave is reflected by each of the reflectors can be changed, so that the relative elevation angle of the geostationary satellite with respect to the device changes. Even if the path length difference between each of the antenna elements and the satellite S changes, it can be substantially compensated by the change of the path length difference between each of the reflectors and the antenna element. Send and receive with It is possible.

Further, when the antenna element array and the reflecting plate according to any one of the above (1) to (3) are arranged on the turntable, the above array antenna devices (1) to (3) are provided. In addition to the above effect, the reflector can be reliably and easily opposed to the geostationary satellite side, and the transmission and reception efficiency of signal radio waves when mounted on a moving body can be further enhanced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an embodiment (1) of an array antenna device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a planar antenna portion of the array antenna device according to the embodiment (1).

FIG. 3 is a sectional view schematically showing the vicinity of a plane antenna of an array antenna device according to an embodiment (2).

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view shown for explaining a reflector of an array antenna device according to an embodiment (3), (a)
Indicates the relationship between the support point and the tilt angle on the reflector,
(B) shows the radio wave path length difference in the case where the reflector's inclination angle is relatively small in (a), and (c) shows the radio wave path length difference in the case where the reflector's inclination angle is medium in (a). Indicates
(D) shows the radio wave path length difference when the inclination angle of the reflector in (a) is large.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional array antenna device.

6A and 6B are schematic diagrams showing intensity distribution and gain of a radiated electromagnetic field on an antenna element, where FIG. 6A is a case where there is one antenna element, FIG. 6B is a case where there are three antenna elements,
(C) shows a case where a beam is formed toward a geostationary satellite and signal radio waves are transmitted and received in the same phase with respect to the geostationary satellite direction.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing another conventional array antenna device, in which (a) shows the overall structure and (b) shows the lower structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 array antenna device 13 antenna elements 14a, 14b, ... Antenna element array 21 reflector

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 27, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0023

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

An opening 11 is provided at a predetermined position of the metal conductor plate 11.
a is formed, and the converter 1 is formed on the lower surface near the opening 11a.
7 is connected to the converter 17 and the rotary joint.
The Into 17a is connected by a cable 17b, the converter 17 cable 17b and the rotary joint 17
It is connected to an external transceiver (not shown) side via a or the like. On the other hand, a substantially ring-shaped large gear 18b is attached to the lower surface of the patch type planar antenna 16 with a substantially hollow disk-shaped table 18a interposed therebetween, and a small gear 18c is arranged inside the large gear 18b. A motor 18d is connected to the gear 18c. On the other hand, a casing 19 is arranged around the large gear 18b, and a plurality of rollers 18e and 18f are arranged on the upper surface of the outer peripheral portion of the casing 19 so that the roller 1
The table 18a is rotatably supported by 8e and 18f at a fixed center. Further, an angle detecting means (not shown) for detecting a relative horizontal angle of the patch type planar antenna 16 with respect to the satellite S is connected to the motor 18d, and these table 18a, large gear 18b, small gear 18c,
The turntable 18 is configured to include a motor 18d, rollers 18e, 18f, and the like. When the motor 18d is rotated in a predetermined amount and in a predetermined direction based on the horizontal angle data detected by the angle detection means, the orientation of the patch type planar antenna 16 is changed via the large gear 18b, the small gear 18c and the table 18a. It is supposed to be adjusted. These patch type planar antenna 16, reflector 21,
Array antenna device 10 including a turntable 18 and the like
Is configured.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of antenna element rows in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a straight line are provided, and a reflector having a predetermined inclination angle is provided for each predetermined element row of the antenna element rows. An array antenna device characterized in that 2. A plurality of antenna element rows in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a straight line are arranged, a reflecting plate is arranged for each predetermined element row of the antenna element rows, and the reflecting plate An array antenna device characterized in that a drive device for rotating the plate is additionally provided. 3. A plurality of antenna element rows in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a straight line are arranged, and a reflector is arranged for each predetermined element row of the antenna element rows, and each support of the reflector is provided. An array antenna device, wherein points are set to different predetermined heights, and a driving device for rotating the reflector is attached to the reflector. 4. An array antenna device, wherein the antenna element array and the reflection plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3 are arranged on a turntable.