JP2021005789A - Waveguide structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the degree of freedom in arranging an opening of a millimeter wave module and an antenna in a communication terminal using a millimeter wave band. According to the present disclosure, a waveguide 31 that transmits an electromagnetic wave output from an antenna 2 integrated on a millimeter-wave module 1 and radiates it to the outside, and an antenna integrated on the millimeter-wave module 1. The reflection of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 arranged between the arrangement position of 2 and the waveguide 31 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 to the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 is reflected. The waveguide structure 3 is characterized by including a matching portion 32 to be reduced. [Selection diagram] Fig. 3

Description

The present disclosure relates to an antenna built into a smartphone that uses the millimeter wave band.

An antenna built in a smartphone using a microwave band is disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like. The antenna is located near the edge of the smartphone case. Electromagnetic waves pass through the smartphone case. The thickness and shape of the smartphone case are optimized according to the relative permittivity of the case such as resin and the frequency band used by the smartphone.

JP-A-2018-125734

Antennas built into smartphones that use the millimeter wave band are required for fifth-generation mobile communication systems (5G), touchless gates (application examples of "TransferJet X" (IEEE802.1.3e), etc.). Here, the antenna is formed on the surface of the millimeter wave module and integrated with the millimeter wave module. Therefore, the millimeter-wave module and the antenna are restricted in the degree of freedom of arrangement. That is, the circuit arrangement of Patent Document 1 or the like in which the millimeter wave module is arranged at an arbitrary position on the substrate of the smartphone and the antenna is arranged near the end of the case of the smartphone cannot be adopted.

Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present disclosure to increase the degree of freedom in arranging the openings of the millimeter wave module and the antenna in the communication terminal using the millimeter wave band.

In order to solve the above problems, an antenna integrated with the millimeter wave module is arranged at an arbitrary position on the smartphone substrate, and an opening of the waveguide structure is arranged near the end of the smartphone case. Therefore, it was decided to arrange the waveguide structure between the antenna and the opening. Here, the size of the opening is reduced so that the electromagnetic wave of the basic mode of the waveguide is radiated from the opening while the electromagnetic wave of the higher mode of the waveguide is not radiated from the opening. Be constrained. Therefore, it was decided to absorb the size difference between the antenna and the opening by arranging a matching portion between the antenna and the opening so that the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna is not reflected to the antenna. ..

Specifically, in the present disclosure, a waveguide that transmits an electromagnetic wave output from an antenna and radiates it to the outside is arranged between the position of the antenna and the waveguide, and is output from the antenna. It is a waveguide structure characterized by including a matching portion for reducing reflection of electromagnetic waves to the antenna.

According to this configuration, the degree of freedom in arranging the millimeter wave module and the opening of the antenna can be increased, and the reflection of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna to the antenna can be reduced.

Further, the present disclosure is a waveguide structure characterized in that the matching portion extends in a horn shape from the side of the waveguide portion to the side of the arrangement position of the antenna.

According to this configuration, the matching portion can be easily manufactured at low cost.

Further, the present disclosure further includes a waveguide that is arranged between the matching portion and the waveguide and that rotates the plane of polarization of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna. It is a structure.

According to this configuration, even when there are restrictions on the arrangement method of the antenna integrated with the millimeter wave module, by rotating the plane of polarization of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna, the direction of the long side of the opening and The short side direction can be oriented in the desired side direction, and the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna can be controlled to the desired beam width in various directions.

Further, the present disclosure is a waveguide structure characterized in that the waveguide portion, the matching portion and the polarization plane rotating portion have a rectangular cross section, and the polarization plane rotating portion has a twisted shape. is there.

According to this configuration, the plane rotating portion can be easily manufactured at low cost.

Further, the present disclosure is a waveguide structure characterized in that the waveguide and the matching portion are filled with a dielectric material inside these tube walls.

According to this configuration, the waveguide structure can be manufactured in a small size.

As described above, the present disclosure can increase the degree of freedom in arranging the openings of the millimeter wave module and the antenna in the communication terminal using the millimeter wave band.

It is a figure which shows the structure in the smartphone of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the use of the touchless gate of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the waveguide structure of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the antenna directivity of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the waveguide structure of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the antenna directivity of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the antenna directivity of the prior art. It is a figure which shows the antenna directivity of the 2nd Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are examples of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments.

(Overview of the smartphone disclosed in this disclosure)
The structure of the smartphone of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. A millimeter-wave module 1, an antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter-wave module 1, and a waveguide structure 3 are arranged on a smartphone substrate S arranged inside the smartphone outer housing B.

The antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 is arranged at an arbitrary position on the substrate S of the smartphone, and the opening of the waveguide structure 3 is arranged near the end of the outer housing B of the smartphone. As described above, the waveguide structure 3 is arranged between the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 and the opening.

Here, the size of the opening is reduced so that the electromagnetic wave of the basic mode of the waveguide is radiated from the opening while the electromagnetic wave of the higher mode of the waveguide is not radiated from the opening. Be constrained. Therefore, the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 is integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 so as not to be reflected by the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. By arranging the matching portion 32 (described later in FIGS. 3 and 5) between the antenna 2 and the opening, the size difference between the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 and the opening is absorbed. .. Since the waveguide structure 3 is arranged inside the case of the smartphone, it cannot be manufactured in a large size. Therefore, the opening is formed as a disconnection opening of the waveguide, and further forms an external horn for controlling the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. It has not been.

In FIGS. 1 to 8, the X-axis direction of the smartphone is the short side direction in the operation surface of the smartphone and the extension direction of the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. The Y-axis direction of the smartphone is the long side direction in the operation surface of the smartphone, the extension direction of the waveguide structure 3, and the front direction of the opening. The Z-axis direction of the smartphone is the direction perpendicular to the operation surface of the smartphone.

The application of the touchless gate (application example of “TransferJet X” (IEEE802.1.3e)) of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. The touchless gates G are arranged on the left and right sides when viewed from a person passing through each lane. The gate antenna A is arranged on the ceiling side when viewed from a person passing through each lane. A plurality of lanes are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction.

In the left column of FIG. 2, a person passing through each lane operates the smartphone P while walking. The front direction of the opening faces the traveling direction of the touchless gate G. Therefore, in order for the gate antenna A of each lane to detect a person passing through each lane for a long time, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the smartphone P is set to the Y of the smartphone P in the YZ plane of the smartphone P. It is desirable that it is wide around the axial direction. On the other hand, in order for the gate antenna A of each lane not to detect a person passing through the adjacent lane by spillover, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the smartphone P is set to the Y of the smartphone P in the XY plane of the smartphone P. It is desirable that it is narrow around the axial direction.

In the right column of FIG. 2, a person passing through each lane stores the smartphone P in a pocket. The front direction of the opening faces the ceiling of the touchless gate G. However, in order for the gate antenna A of each lane to detect a person passing through each lane for a long time, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the smartphone P is set in the YZ plane of the smartphone P. It is desirable that the width is wide, centered on the Y-axis direction of. On the other hand, in order for the gate antenna A of each lane not to detect a person passing through the adjacent lane by spillover, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the smartphone P is set to the Y of the smartphone P in the XY plane of the smartphone P. It is desirable that it is narrow around the axial direction.

(Waveguide structure of the first embodiment)
The waveguide structure of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. The waveguide structure 3 of the first embodiment includes a waveguide 31 and a matching portion 32, similarly to the waveguide structure 3 shown in FIG. The waveguide 31 transmits the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 and radiates it to the outside. The matching unit 32 is arranged between the arrangement position of the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 and the waveguide 31, and is an electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. The reflection to the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 is reduced.

The waveguide 31 and the matching portion 32 have a rectangular cross section. The matching portion 32 extends in a horn shape from the side of the waveguide portion 31 to the side of the arrangement position of the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. Here, the matching portion 32 expands in the X-axis direction of the smartphone in order to absorb the size difference between the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter-wave module 1 extending in the X-axis direction of the smartphone and the opening. .. The horn shape can include, for example, a flare shape. The inside of the waveguide portion 31 and the matching portion 32 is filled with the dielectric D. Here, the dielectric D is, for example, a resin such as Teflon. Then, the waveguide 31 and the matching portion 32, for example, after forming the dielectric D into these shapes, the surface of the dielectric D (excluding the portion corresponding to the opening of the waveguide 31 and the matching portion 32). It can be manufactured by arranging a metal plating on the surface.

The extension direction of the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 faces the X-axis direction of the smartphone. Then, the electric field direction of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 faces the X-axis direction of the smartphone. Then, the waveguide 31 maintains the plane of polarization of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. Then, the electric field direction at the opening faces the X-axis direction of the smartphone. Therefore, the short side direction (electric field surface) of the opening needs to face the X-axis direction of the smartphone. On the other hand, the long side direction (magnetic field surface) of the opening needs to face the Z-axis direction of the smartphone.

Then, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the opening becomes wider in the XY plane of the smartphone centering on the Y-axis direction of the smartphone. Therefore, the gate antenna A in each lane can easily detect a person passing through the adjacent lane by spillover. On the other hand, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the opening becomes narrower in the YZ plane of the smartphone centering on the Y-axis direction of the smartphone. Therefore, the gate antenna A in each lane cannot detect a person passing through each lane for a long time.

The antenna directivity of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. In the simulation result of FIG. 4, electromagnetic waves are not radiated from other than the opening by virtually applying the case of the metal smartphone.

In FIG. 4, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the opening is 157 ° in the XY plane of the smartphone with the Y-axis direction of the smartphone as the center. On the other hand, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the opening is 68 ° in the YZ plane of the smartphone with the Y-axis direction of the smartphone as the center.

In this way, the degree of freedom in arranging the openings of the millimeter wave module 1 and the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 can be increased, and the output is output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. It is possible to reduce the reflection of the electromagnetic waves to the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. Then, the matching portion 32 spreads in a horn shape from the side of the waveguide portion 31 to the side of the arrangement position of the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1, so that the matching portion 32 can be manufactured easily and at low cost. can do. Further, since the waveguide portion 31 and the matching portion 32 are filled with the dielectric D inside these tube walls, the waveguide structure 3 can be manufactured in a small size.

(Waveguide structure of the second embodiment)
The waveguide structure of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. Unlike the waveguide structure 3 shown in FIG. 1, the waveguide structure 3 of the second embodiment includes a waveguide portion 31, a matching portion 32, and a polarization plane rotating portion 33. The waveguide 31 transmits the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 and radiates it to the outside. The matching unit 32 is arranged between the arrangement position of the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 and the waveguide 31, and is an electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. The reflection to the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 is reduced. The polarization plane rotating portion 33 is arranged between the matching portion 32 and the waveguide portion 31, and rotates the polarization plane of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1.

The waveguide portion 31, the matching portion 32, and the polarization plane rotating portion 33 have a rectangular cross section. The matching portion 32 extends in a horn shape from the side of the waveguide portion 31 to the side of the arrangement position of the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. Here, the matching portion 32 expands in the X-axis direction of the smartphone in order to absorb the size difference between the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter-wave module 1 extending in the X-axis direction of the smartphone and the opening. .. The horn shape can include, for example, a flare shape. The waveguide portion 31, the matching portion 32, and the polarization plane rotating portion 33 are filled with a dielectric D inside the tube walls. Here, the dielectric D is, for example, a resin such as Teflon. Then, the waveguide 31, the matching portion 32, and the polarization plane rotating portion 33, for example, after forming the dielectric D into these shapes, the surface of the dielectric D (the waveguide portion 31, the matching portion 32, and the polarization plane rotating portion 33). It can be manufactured by arranging the metal plating in the portion (excluding the portion corresponding to the opening of the portion 33). The polarization plane rotating unit 33 has a smooth twist shape, and rotates the polarization plane of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 by 90 °.

The extending direction of the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 faces the X-axis direction of the smartphone. Then, the electric field direction of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 faces the X-axis direction of the smartphone. Then, the polarization plane rotating unit 33 rotates the polarization plane of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 by 90 °. Then, the electric field direction at the opening faces the Z-axis direction of the smartphone. Therefore, the short side direction (electric field surface) of the opening needs to face the Z-axis direction of the smartphone. On the other hand, the long side direction (magnetic field surface) of the opening needs to face the X-axis direction of the smartphone.

Then, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the opening becomes narrower in the XY plane of the smartphone centering on the Y-axis direction of the smartphone. Therefore, the gate antenna A in each lane is difficult to detect a person passing through the adjacent lane by spillover. On the other hand, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the opening becomes wider in the YZ plane of the smartphone centering on the Y-axis direction of the smartphone. Therefore, the gate antenna A in each lane can detect a person passing through each lane for a long time.

The antenna directivity of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. In the simulation result of FIG. 6, the electromagnetic wave is not radiated from other than the opening by virtually applying the case of the metal smartphone.

In FIG. 6, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the opening is 107 ° in the XY plane of the smartphone with the Y-axis direction of the smartphone as the center. On the other hand, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the opening is 129 ° in the YZ plane of the smartphone with the Y-axis direction of the smartphone as the center.

In this way, the degree of freedom in arranging the openings of the millimeter wave module 1 and the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 can be increased, and the output is output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. It is possible to reduce the reflection of the electromagnetic waves to the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. Then, the matching portion 32 spreads in a horn shape from the side of the waveguide portion 31 to the side of the arrangement position of the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1, so that the matching portion 32 can be manufactured easily and at low cost. can do. Further, since the waveguide portion 31, the matching portion 32, and the polarization plane rotating portion 33 are filled with the dielectric D inside these tube walls, the waveguide structure 3 can be manufactured to a small size. .. Then, even when there are restrictions on the arrangement method of the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 integrated with the millimeter wave module 1, the output is output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. By rotating the polarization plane of the electromagnetic wave to be generated, the long side direction and the short side direction of the opening can be oriented in the desired side direction, and the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 outputs the electromagnetic wave. The beam width of the electromagnetic wave can be controlled to a desired beam width in various directions. Further, since the polarization plane rotating portion 33 has a rectangular cross section and a twist shape, the polarization plane rotating portion 33 can be manufactured easily and at low cost.

(Comparison between the prior art and the second embodiment)
The antenna directivity of the prior art is shown in FIG. In the simulation result of FIG. 7, by applying the resin smartphone case in the same manner as the product, electromagnetic waves can be radiated from the resin smartphone case even though there is no opening.

In FIG. 7, electromagnetic waves can be radiated from the case of the resin smartphone, and since the case of the resin smartphone is thicker than the other positions at the corner position, the directionality of the electromagnetic waves output from the case of the resin smartphone Is considered to be lower than the neighboring direction in a specific direction. In fact, according to the simulation results, the directivity of the electromagnetic wave output from the resin smartphone case in the XY and YZ planes of the smartphone is lower than that in the vicinity in a specific direction.

The antenna directivity of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. In the simulation result of FIG. 8, by applying the resin smartphone case in the same manner as the product, electromagnetic waves can be radiated from the resin smartphone case even though there is an opening.

In FIG. 8, although the electromagnetic wave can be radiated from the case of the resin smartphone, it is considered that the electromagnetic wave is mainly radiated from the opening. Therefore, the directivity of the electromagnetic wave output from the opening is in the vicinity thereof in a specific direction. It is considered that it does not fall from the direction. Actually, in the simulation result, in the XY and YZ planes of the smartphone, the directivity of the electromagnetic wave output from the opening is not lower than that in the vicinity thereof in a specific direction.

(Vibration example waveguide structure)
In the first and second embodiments, the matching portion 32 extends in a horn shape from the side of the waveguide portion 31 to the side of the arrangement position of the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. As a modification of the first and second embodiments, it is possible to reduce the reflection of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 to the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1. If so, the shape of the matching portion 32 may be any shape.

In the second embodiment, the waveguide portion 31, the matching portion 32, and the polarization plane rotating portion 33 have a rectangular cross section, and the polarization plane rotating portion 33 has a smooth twist shape. As a first modification of the second embodiment, the waveguide portion 31, the matching portion 32, and the polarization plane rotating portion 33 may have a rectangular cross section, and the polarization plane rotating portion 33 may have a step twist shape. As a second modification of the second embodiment, if the plane of polarization of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna 2 integrated on the millimeter wave module 1 can be rotated, what is the shape of the plane of polarization 33? Shape may be used.

In the second embodiment, it is assumed that a person passing through each lane operates the smartphone while walking and stores the smartphone in a pocket. Therefore, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the smartphone is integrated on one millimeter-wave module 1 so as to be wider / narrower in the YZ / XY plane of the smartphone with the Y-axis direction of the smartphone as the center. One opening is oriented in the Y-axis direction of the smartphone with respect to the antenna 2.

In the modified example of the second embodiment, it may be assumed that a person passing through each lane stores the smartphone in the bag in various directions. Therefore, a plurality of openings are provided for the antenna 2 integrated on one millimeter-wave module 1 so that the beam width of the electromagnetic wave output from the smartphone becomes omnidirectional in various directions of the smartphone. You may point it in various directions on your smartphone.

The waveguide structure of the present disclosure can increase the degree of freedom in arranging the millimeter wave module and the opening of the antenna in the communication terminal using the millimeter wave band.

B: Smartphone outer housing S: Substrate G: Touchless gate A: Gate antenna P: Smartphone D: Dielectric 1: Millimeter wave module 2: Antenna 3: Waveguide structure 31: Waveguide 32: Matching section 33 : Polarized plane rotating part

Claims (5)

A waveguide that transmits electromagnetic waves output from the antenna and radiates it to the outside.
A matching portion, which is arranged between the arrangement position of the antenna and the waveguide and reduces the reflection of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna to the antenna,
A waveguide structure comprising. The waveguide structure according to claim 1, wherein the matching portion extends in a horn shape from the side of the waveguide to the side of the arrangement position of the antenna. A plane rotating portion, which is arranged between the matching portion and the waveguide and rotates the plane of polarization of the electromagnetic wave output from the antenna.
The waveguide structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising. The waveguide structure according to claim 3, wherein the waveguide, the matching portion, and the polarization plane rotating portion have a rectangular cross section, and the polarization plane rotating portion has a twisted shape. .. The waveguide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the waveguide and the matching portion are filled with a dielectric material inside these tube walls.

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