JP6462434B2 - Weather radar equipment - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a weather radar apparatus.

  In recent years, extreme weather that causes major disasters such as guerrilla rainstorms and tornadoes frequently occurs, and countermeasures (prediction detection) are required. In order to realize this sign detection, it is indispensable to closely observe the three-dimensional observation of the development process and internal structure from the lower layer to the upper layer of the cumulonimbus that causes extreme weather. Moreover, since these extreme weather events are local meteorological phenomena that are generated, developed, and disappear in a very short time, in order to detect signs of extreme weather, in addition to the above-mentioned dense three-dimensional observations, a high temporal resolution is required. And observation with high spatial resolution.

  However, the conventional meteorological radar system aimed at observing the current state of extreme weather has insufficient time resolution for dense three-dimensional observation, and has not been able to perform necessary and sufficient observations to realize predictive detection. . On the other hand, an electronic scanning weather radar system using phased array / DBF (Digital Beam Forming) that can realize dense three-dimensional observation with high temporal resolution and high spatial resolution has recently been developed, and it is possible to detect signs of extreme weather. Expectations are growing.

  The radar antenna of this phased array weather radar apparatus has a large number of antennas arranged as antenna elements. Further, in the conventional weather radar apparatus, electronic scanning is realized by providing a single transmission / reception unit (RF unit) for the entire radar antenna by the number of these antenna elements. In addition, the following two points can be cited as advantages of electronic scanning when observation is performed for the purpose of detecting signs of extreme weather with a weather radar device. The first is realization of high-speed observation by being able to form many beams at the same time. Second, because the beam can be scanned freely at high speeds, weather observations are not performed continuously in time, but sparse observations with short time intervals that cannot be realized by mechanical drive are realized. It can be done.

JP 2001-203531 A

  Such electronic scanning radar antennas have been put into practical use, but they have a problem of high cost due to the fact that they have a large number of antenna elements and RF sections. In addition, radar antennas often rotate mechanically at high speeds in order to observe a target, and often change their attitude in various directions. For this reason, an accurate antenna beam pattern cannot be formed unless the rigidity is high, resulting in problems such as deterioration in target observation accuracy. Therefore, the cost is high due to severe restrictions such as high rigidity and high precision installation of the antenna for forming an accurate antenna beam pattern.

  In order to popularize such a phased array radar antenna as a weather radar device, it is necessary to reduce the cost of the individual antenna elements and the RF unit in order to solve the former problem. For the latter problem, it is necessary to realize the installation of a highly rigid and highly accurate antenna element at a low cost by a method different from the conventional method.

  In the conventional method for solving the latter problem, for example, the antenna element and the RF unit are integrated with high rigidity and are arranged on a high rigidity antenna frame. The reason for integrating in this way is to prevent the signal transmitted between the antenna element and the RF unit from being attenuated and the radar performance from being lowered. This method is highly rigid because the antenna element and the RF portion are integrated.

  However, not only the antenna element that should be installed with high accuracy but also the RF unit that does not require high-precision installation is similarly installed with high accuracy. This RF part is often larger and heavier than the antenna element due to the installation of a metal shield for circuit isolation, a metal heat sink for cooling, and the like. Therefore, if an antenna frame processed with high rigidity and high accuracy is not used, a structure in which the antenna element and the RF unit are integrated cannot be installed with high accuracy, resulting in high costs.

  Furthermore, the RF unit generally generates a large amount of heat. If the antenna element and the RF unit are integrated with high rigidity, the antenna element and the antenna frame are thermally expanded due to the influence of this heat, thereby improving the antenna installation accuracy. There is also the possibility of damage.

According to the embodiment, the weather radar apparatus includes a first fixed frame, a second fixed frame, and an array antenna. The second fixed frame is disposed so as to face and separate from the first fixed frame, and is fixed at a predetermined set interval by a support column. The array antenna has an antenna body formed by assembling a plurality of antenna modules each having an antenna element fixing member to which a plurality of antenna elements are fixed, and a circuit board having a transmission / reception unit corresponding to each antenna element. Yes. The antenna element fixing member is fixed to the first fixed frame, and the transmission / reception unit is fixed to the second fixed frame. The antenna element and the transmission / reception unit are connected by a flexible transmission path.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the weather radar apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating one antenna module of the weather radar apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the antenna module of FIG. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing a connecting portion between the antenna module, the first fixed frame, and the second fixed frame of the weather radar apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a modification of the weather radar apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
(Constitution)
1 to 4 show a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a weather radar device 1 according to the first embodiment. In the meteorological radar apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, an array antenna 3 in which a plurality of antenna elements 2 are arranged as shown in FIG. 1 is disposed inside a radome (not shown). In the array antenna 3, a plurality of antenna modules 4 shown in FIG. 2 are assembled to form an antenna body 3a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna module 4 includes an antenna element fixing plate 5 and a circuit board 6. A plurality of antenna elements 2 in the present embodiment are arranged in parallel on the antenna element fixing plate 5. The circuit board 6 includes a transmission / reception unit (RF unit) 7 and a connector unit 8 corresponding to each antenna element 2. Further, the antenna element 2 and the transmission / reception unit 7 are electrically connected with a short distance by a flexible substrate (flexible transmission line) 9 as shown in FIG. The flexible substrate 9 is formed of a plate material such as a highly flexible sheet or tape.

  The antenna body 3 a of the array antenna 3 includes a rectangular first fixed frame 10 that fixes the antenna element 2 and a rectangular second fixed frame 11 that fixes the transmission / reception unit 7. As shown in FIG. 4, the second fixed frame 11 is provided with a plurality of connector receiving portions 12 (the same number as the connector portions 8 of the antenna module 4) that are detachably connected to the connector portions 8 of the antenna modules 4. ing.

  Four antenna elements 2 on each antenna element fixing plate 5 of the plurality of antenna modules 4 are fixed to the first fixed frame 10 in a state of being positioned with high accuracy. Here, the antenna element fixing plate 5 and the circuit board 6 are arranged in a substantially orthogonal state. The flexible board 9 between the antenna element fixing plate 5 and the circuit board 6 is deformed so as to be bent at approximately 90 °.

  Further, struts 13 are provided at the corners of the first fixed frame 10 and the second fixed frame 11, respectively. A space between the first fixed frame 10 and the second fixed frame 11 is fixed by these support columns 13 at a predetermined set interval.

(Action / Effect)
In the meteorological radar apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a flexible substrate 9 is used to electrically connect each antenna element 2 of the plurality of antenna modules 4 constituting the array antenna 3 and the transmitting / receiving unit 7 corresponding to each antenna element 2. Connected at a short distance. By connecting the antenna element 2 and the transmission / reception unit 7 with the flexible substrate 9, the fixing destinations of the antenna element 2 and the transmission / reception unit 7 can be separated. Each antenna element 2 is fixed to the first fixed frame 10, and the transmission / reception unit 7 is fixed to the second fixed frame 11 through a connection portion between the connector portion 8 and the connector receiving portion 12.

  Thus, the first fixed frame 10 that fixes the antenna element 2 may hold only the antenna element 2 with high accuracy. Since the antenna element 2 and the antenna element fixing plate 5 are lighter in weight than the transmission / reception unit 7, the first fixing frame 10 does not require much rigidity and can be realized with a simple structure. Further, the antenna element 2 is not easily affected by heat from the transmission / reception unit 7.

  Furthermore, the flexible connection by the flexible substrate 9 increases the degree of freedom in the installation direction of the transmission / reception unit 7, and can flexibly cope with the specification change of the transmission / reception unit 7. For example, in order to change the observation distance of the radar, it is necessary to change the transmission power, which often affects the dimensions of the transmission / reception unit 7. In such a case, by arranging the transmitting / receiving unit 7 in the thickness direction of the radar antenna so that the direction in which the dimension changes is orthogonal to the antenna surface of the antenna element 2, the antenna interval and the opening area, which are important parameters of the radar antenna, are arranged. The transmission power and the like can be changed without changing the.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the flexible substrate 9 is provided as a flexible transmission line has been described, but a flexible flat cable may be used instead.

  Therefore, the weather radar apparatus 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration can provide a weather radar apparatus that can reduce the cost without impairing the antenna installation accuracy.

[Modification]
(Constitution)
FIG. 5 shows a modification of the antenna module 4 of the first embodiment. In this modification, the antenna element 2 and the transmission / reception unit 7 are connected by a flexible joint 21. The flexible joint 21 has a net tube such as a metal wire blade, and has a structure that can be bent and deformed in each direction.

  Also in this modified example, the antenna element 2 and the transmission / reception unit 7 of the antenna module 4 can be separated from each other, so that the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  According to these embodiments, it is possible to provide a weather radar device that can reduce the cost without impairing the installation accuracy of the antenna.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Weather radar apparatus, 2 ... Antenna element, 3 ... Array antenna, 3a ... Antenna main body, 4 ... Antenna module, 5 ... Antenna element fixing plate, 6 ... Circuit board, 7 ... Transmission / reception part, 8 ... Connector part, 9 ... Flexible substrate (flexible transmission path), 10... First fixed frame, 11... Second fixed frame, 12.

Claims (2)

A first fixed frame;
A second fixed frame that is spaced apart from the first fixed frame and fixed at a predetermined interval by a support;
An array antenna having an antenna body formed by assembling a plurality of antenna modules each having an antenna element fixing member to which a plurality of antenna elements are fixed, and a circuit board having a transmission / reception unit corresponding to each antenna element; Equipped,
The antenna element fixing member is fixed to the first fixed frame, and the transmitting / receiving unit is fixed to the second fixed frame,
A weather radar apparatus in which the antenna element and the transmission / reception unit are electrically connected at a short distance by a flexible transmission path that is a flexible substrate, a flexible flat cable, or a flexible joint . An array antenna in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged;
A transmitting / receiving unit corresponding to each of the antenna elements;
A first fixed frame for fixing the antenna element;
A second fixed frame for fixing the transmission / reception unit;
A flexible transmission line connecting between the antenna element and the transmission / reception unit,
The array antenna has a plurality of antenna modules assembled to form an antenna body.
The antenna module has an antenna element fixing member and a circuit board,
The antenna element is fixed to the antenna element fixing member,
The circuit board has the transmission / reception unit,
The flexible transmission path is a weather radar device disposed between the antenna element fixing member and the circuit board .