WO2019087514A1

WO2019087514A1 - Reradiation device and reradiation device system

Info

Publication number: WO2019087514A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/030092
Authority: WO
Inventors: 政彦大西
Original assignee: 住友電気工業株式会社
Priority date: 2017-11-01
Filing date: 2018-08-10
Publication date: 2019-05-09

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: a dielectric lens; a first antenna unit, the antenna surface of which is disposed facing the surface of the lens; a second antenna unit, which is disposed at a position different from the position at which the first antenna unit is disposed, and which is disposed facing the surface of the lens; and a connecting circuit that electrically connects the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit to each other.

Description

Re-radiator and re-radiator system

The present invention relates to re-emitters and re-emitter systems.
This application claims the priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-211985 filed on Nov. 1, 2017, and incorporates all the contents described in the aforementioned Japanese application.

In the fifth generation mobile communication system, utilization of a high frequency band of 10 GHz or more is being studied. (See Non-Patent Document 1).

The re-radiator according to one embodiment is disposed at a position different from the lens made of dielectric, the first antenna portion where the antenna surface is disposed to face the surface of the lens, and the first antenna portion. The second antenna unit includes an antenna surface facing the surface of the lens, and a connection circuit electrically connecting the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit.

Another embodiment of the re-emitter system includes a plurality of the above-described re-emitters.

Moreover, the re-radiator which is other embodiment is the 1st antenna part, the 2nd antenna part arrange | positioned so that a directivity direction may differ from the said 1st antenna part, the said 1st antenna part, and the said 2nd antenna And a connection circuit for electrically connecting to the part.

It is a figure which shows an example of the indoor passage in which the re-radiator which concerns on 1st Embodiment was installed. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the indoor passage. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the re-radiator. FIG. 4 is a view showing the cover and the circuit board in a state where the dielectric lens in FIG. 3 is removed. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a plurality of antenna elements. FIG. 6A is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the antenna elements when the cover is viewed in plan. FIG. 6B is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the first antenna element when the cover is viewed from the front. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of antenna elements when the cover in the re-radiator according to the modification of the first embodiment is viewed in plan. FIG. 8 is a plan view of an indoor passage in which the re-radiator system according to the second embodiment is installed. FIG. 9 is a front view of the indoor aisle where the re-radiator system according to the third embodiment is installed. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a re-radiator system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10B is a bottom view of the re-radiator system. FIG. 11 is a view showing a modification of the cover and the antenna element.

[Problems to be solved by the present disclosure]
For example, radio waves with a frequency of 20 GHz or more have larger shielding losses by the human body than radio waves with a frequency of 10 GHz or less. Furthermore, such high frequency radio waves are less likely to be diffracted, and thus rely on reflection by reflected waves.
For this reason, in a place where people are densely placed or in an indoor where paths are complicated, a shield or an obstacle may prevent the propagation of radio waves, and the reach of radio waves emitted by a base station or the like may be relatively narrow.
Therefore, base stations that emit radio waves with a frequency of 10 GHz or higher have high output levels to ensure coverage of radio waves when installed in a crowded area or in a complex indoor path. It is possible that you must do it. In this case, even if the distance is relatively short, the output level must be set high, which is not efficient.

Here, a reflector is disposed between the position of the base station and the shielding point shielded by the shielding object, and radio waves from the base station are reflected by the reflector to avoid the shielding object etc. It is conceivable to radiate radio waves to necessary places. In this way, it is possible to radiate radio waves to a necessary place without increasing the output level.

However, in a general reflector, the directivity direction of the outgoing wave with respect to the directivity direction of the incident wave is uniquely determined by the incident angle of the incident wave to the reflector, so the degree of freedom in setting is low, and It was difficult to respond flexibly according to the positional relationship with the environment and the environment.

This indication is made in view of such a situation, and aims at offer of art with a high degree of freedom of setting of a direction direction of an incidence wave, and a direction direction of an outgoing wave.

[Effect of the present disclosure]
According to the present disclosure, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in setting the directivity direction of the incident wave and the directivity direction of the emission wave.

[Description of the embodiment]
First, the contents of the embodiment will be listed and described.
(1) The re-radiator according to an embodiment is disposed at a position different from the first antenna portion where the antenna surface faces the surface of the lens and the first antenna portion, and the antenna surface is the one described above. A second antenna unit disposed to face the surface of the lens, and a connection circuit electrically connecting the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are provided.

According to the re-radiator of the above configuration, since the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are connected by the connection circuit, for example, when the first antenna unit receives an incident wave focused through a lens The incident wave is given to the second antenna unit as a signal through the connection circuit. The second antenna unit radiates an outgoing wave based on the given signal through the lens. The outgoing wave emitted through the lens is diverged by the lens and emitted (re-radiated). Thus, the present re-radiator emits an outgoing wave in response to the reception of the incoming radio wave.

In the above configuration, the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit can be set so that the directivity directions are different from each other by being arranged at mutually different positions, so that the emitted wave is independent of the directivity direction of the incident wave. You can set the pointing direction of As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in setting the directivity direction of the incident wave and the directivity direction of the emission wave.
Furthermore, since both antenna parts are disposed so that the antenna faces of both antenna parts face the same lens surface, the lens is provided with both functions of focusing the incident wave and diverging the outgoing wave. And the configuration can be simplified. In addition, since the attenuation of the incident wave can be suppressed by focusing the incident wave by the lens, an amplifier or the like is unnecessary.

(2) In the above-described re-radiator, the first antenna unit may be configured of a plurality of first antenna elements.
(3) In this case, it is preferable that the connection circuit includes a first switching unit that switches so that one of the plurality of first antenna elements is selectively connected to the second antenna unit.
In this case, the directional direction of the first antenna unit can be adjusted by selectively connecting one of the plurality of first antenna elements to the second antenna unit.

(4) In the above-mentioned re-radiator, the second antenna unit may be composed of a plurality of second antenna elements.
(5) In this case, it is preferable that the connection circuit includes a second switching unit that switches so that one of the plurality of second antenna elements is selectively connected to the first antenna unit.
In this case, the directivity direction of the second antenna unit can be adjusted by selectively connecting one of the plurality of second antenna elements to the first antenna unit.

(6) In the above-mentioned re-radiator, the first antenna unit is composed of a plurality of first antenna elements, the second antenna unit is composed of a plurality of second antenna elements, and the connection circuit is a plurality of the plurality A first connection portion for mutually connecting a first first antenna element of the first antenna elements and a first second antenna element of the plurality of second antenna elements; It is preferable to have a second connection portion that mutually connects a second first antenna element of the antenna elements and a second second antenna element of the plurality of second antenna elements.
In this case, providing a combination in which the first first antenna element and the first second antenna element are connected and a combination in which the second first antenna element and the second second antenna element are connected it can. Each of the two combinations can emit an outgoing wave in response to the reception of the incoming radio wave.
Therefore, two different transmission paths can be configured by combining these two sets. As a result, it is possible to support wireless communication by Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO).

(7) In the above-mentioned re-radiator, the lens may be spherical.

(8) The re-radiator system which is other embodiment is provided with two or more re-radiators as described in said (1) to (7).
According to this configuration, a plurality of different transmission paths can be configured via each re-radiator. As a result, it is possible to support MIMO wireless communication.

(9) The re-radiator according to another embodiment includes a first antenna unit, a second antenna unit disposed so as to have a different directivity direction from the first antenna unit, the first antenna unit, and the second antenna unit. And a connection circuit for electrically connecting the antenna unit.

(10) The re-radiator described above may further include an adjustment unit that changes the directivity direction of at least one of the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit.

(11) In the above-mentioned re-radiator, it is preferable that the antenna surfaces of the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit have dimensions that enable transmission and reception of radio waves with a frequency of 10 GHz or more.
Radio waves with frequencies lower than 10 GHz can be expected to wrap around due to reflection or diffraction even if there is a shield that shields the radio waves. However, in the case of radio waves with a frequency of 10 GHz or more, reflection and diffraction are unlikely to occur, and entrapment can not be expected. Therefore, when performing wireless communication by radio waves of a frequency of 10 GHz or more, by using this re-radiator, even if there is a shield between the target point indoors etc., the shield is avoided to avoid the target point It is possible to reach the radio wave.

(12) Furthermore, it is more preferable that the antenna surfaces of the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit have dimensions that enable transmission and reception of radio waves of a frequency of 20 GHz or more.
Radio waves with frequencies lower than 20 GHz are unlikely to be shielded by the human body. However, in the case of radio waves with a frequency of 20 GHz or more, the radio wave may be shielded by the human body. Therefore, when performing wireless communication by radio waves of a frequency of 20 GHz or more, by using this re-radiator, even if there are many passersby up to the target point in the indoor passage etc., it becomes a shield. A radio wave can be made to reach the target point while avoiding many passersby.

(13) Another embodiment of the re-radiator system includes a plurality of re-radiators described in (9) to (12) above.

Details of Embodiment
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
In addition, at least one part of each embodiment described below may be combined arbitrarily.

[About the first embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of an indoor passage in which the reradiator according to the first embodiment is installed, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the indoor passage.
In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the re-radiator 1 is fixed to the ceiling of the intersection C where the first passage R1 and the second passage R2 intersect.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, the direction parallel to the first passage R1 is taken as the X direction, and the direction parallel to the second passage R2 is taken as the Y direction. In the present embodiment, the first passage R1 and the second passage R2 are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, the X direction and the Y direction are also orthogonal.

The base station apparatus 2 is installed in the first path R1. Between the position of the base station apparatus 2 and the position away from the intersection C in the second passage R2, there is a passage wall R3 that constitutes both the passages R1 and R2. Therefore, the radio wave emitted by the base station apparatus 2 is shielded by the passage wall R3 and it is difficult to reach the position away from the intersection C directly in the second passage R2.

The re-radiator 1 is configured to re-radiate (reflect) a signal based on the incident radio wave toward the second path R2 when the radio wave emitted by the base station device 2 is incident. . Thereby, the re-radiator 1 can radiate the radio wave from the base station device 2 to the second path R2 to which the radio wave emitted by the base station device 2 is difficult to reach.

The base station device 2 is installed on the ceiling of the first passage R1. The base station apparatus 2 configures, for example, a node of a mobile communication system compliant with the fifth generation mobile communication system (5G).
The base station apparatus 2 forms a first communication area A1 around the first path R1. The base station apparatus 2 emits radio waves into the first communication area A1 or receives radio waves transmitted from within the first communication area A1 so that the passerby T1 located in the first communication area A1 is possessed. Wireless communication is performed with the mobile terminal 3.
The base station apparatus 2 performs wireless communication, for example, using radio waves whose frequency is in the 26 GHz band.

The base station apparatus 2 performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 3 located in the second path R2, in addition to wireless communication with the mobile terminal 3 located in the first communication area A1 of the first path R1.
The base station apparatus 2 emits radio waves toward the second path R2 via the re-emitter 1. Thus, the base station device 2 performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 3 held by the passerby T2 located in the second passage R2.

The base station apparatus 2 forms a beam B having directivity to the re-radiator 1 by beamforming. The beam B is formed along the bottom of the ceiling. As described above, the base station apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment uses radio waves with a frequency of 26 GHz band, so the shielding loss due to an obstacle or the like is relatively large. On the other hand, since the base station apparatus 2 forms the beam B for the re-radiator 1 along the bottom of the ceiling, it is possible to suppress the shielding loss as much as possible, for example, without obstacles such as passersby.

When the radio wave from the base station apparatus 2 is incident by the beam B from the base station apparatus 2, the re-radiator 1 directs a signal based on the incident radio wave to the second path R2 side as described above. Re-emit (reflect). Thereby, the re-radiator 1 forms a second communication area A2 in the second passage R2.
Here, re-radiation (reflection) refers to emitting an outgoing wave in response to the reception of an incident wave. In this case, the outgoing wave is a radio wave radiated based on the received signal obtained by receiving the incident wave.
Further, the re-radiator 1 is a device having a function of emitting an outgoing wave in a direction different from the direction of the incident wave by the above-described re-radiation.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the re-radiator 1. FIG. 3 shows a cross section passing substantially the center of the re-radiator 1 when viewed from the X direction. In other words, FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the re-radiator 1 when cut by a vertical plane parallel to the Y direction and passing through the center of the dielectric lens 15.

As shown in FIG. 3, the re-radiator 1 includes a spherical main body portion 10 and a fixing portion 11 that fixes the main body portion 10 to the ceiling of the passage.
The main body portion 10 includes a spherical dielectric lens 15 and a cover 16 that covers the entire surface of the dielectric lens 15.

The dielectric lens 15 is a lens formed in a spherical shape using a dielectric. Since the dielectric lens 15 is spherical, the same characteristics are always obtained regardless of the incident direction of the radio wave. The diameter of the dielectric lens 15 is set according to the wavelength of the incident wave. For example, in the present embodiment, radio waves (wavelength: approximately 10 mm) in the 26 GHz band are incident. The diameter of the dielectric lens 15 is set to about 100 mm, which is about 10 times the wavelength of the incident radio wave.

The cover 16 houses and protects the dielectric lens 15, and is a spherical shell-like member formed of a resin or the like that does not inhibit the passage of radio waves. Thus, the cover 16 forms a spherical space by the inner surface 16a.
The dielectric lens 15 is fixed inside the cover 16 by a rod-like fixing member 17 provided inside the cover 16.
The center of the dielectric lens 15 substantially coincides with the center of the spherical space inside the cover 16. The cover 16 is formed to have a substantially constant thickness. Therefore, the distance between the lens surface 15 a of the dielectric lens 15 and the inner surface 16 a of the cover 16 is substantially constant.

The circuit board 20 is fixed to the inner surface 16 a of the cover 16. The circuit board 20 is, for example, a flexible board, and is configured to include a dielectric film such as polyimide in which a signal line made of a conductor and a conductor line are formed by printing or the like.
The circuit board 20 formed of a flexible substrate is attached and fixed along the inner surface 16a.

A plurality of antenna elements 21 are mounted on the circuit board 20. The antenna element 21 is a planar antenna element.
The circuit board 20 includes, in addition to the plurality of antenna elements 21, a ground electrode, a dielectric layer interposed between the plurality of antenna elements 21 and the ground electrode, and the like. That is, the plurality of antenna elements 21 constitute a microstrip antenna together with the ground electrode and the dielectric layer.

The antenna surface 22 of the antenna element 21 is sized to transmit and receive radio waves in the 26 GHz band.
Here, the directivity direction of the microstrip antenna including the antenna element 21 is the normal direction to the antenna surface 22 of the antenna element 21 which is a flat antenna element.
The plurality of antenna elements 21 are arranged such that the pointing direction (the pointing direction of the microstrip antenna) is directed to the dielectric lens 15.

More specifically, the plurality of antenna elements 21 are disposed such that the antenna surface 22 faces the lens surface 15 a of the dielectric lens 15. Furthermore, the plurality of antenna elements 21 are arranged such that the directivity directions thereof pass through the center of the dielectric lens 15. Thereby, the dielectric lens 15 focuses the incident wave incident on the re-radiator 1 and applies it to the plurality of antenna elements 21, and diverges and radiates the emission wave emitted from the plurality of antenna elements 21. Can.

Further, since the plurality of antenna elements 21 are disposed to face the lens surface 15 a of the dielectric lens 15 and disposed so that the directivity direction passes through the center of the dielectric lens 15, the directivity of the plurality of antenna elements 21 is The directions are different from each other between the antenna elements 21.

The distance between the plurality of antenna elements 21 and the lens surface 15 a of the dielectric lens 15 is constant at a predetermined value set in advance. The distance between the surfaces of the plurality of antenna elements 21 and the lens surface 15 a of the dielectric lens 15 is appropriately set in accordance with the focal position of the dielectric lens 15.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the cover 16 and the circuit board 20 in a state where the dielectric lens 15 in FIG. 3 is removed.
The plurality of antenna elements 21 mounted on the circuit board 20 are disposed at positions where a plurality of latitudes L1 set at regular intervals on the inner surface 16a intersect with a plurality of longitudes L2. When the spherical space inside the cover 16 is regarded as a sphere, the parallel lines L1 and L2 pass through the center of the sphere (the center of the dielectric lens 15) and extend in the vertical direction with the inner surface 16a of the cover 16 It is a latitude line and a meridian line when two points which intersect are made into two poles.

As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of antenna elements 21 are arranged in the range from the equator line L1a included in the latitude line L1 to the upper hemisphere.
Three latitude lines L1 are set so that the latitude is at an interval of 30 degrees.
In addition, five longitudinal lines L2 are set so that the longitude is at an interval of 30 degrees.
The cross section shown in FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along a vertical plane parallel to the Y direction and passing the center of the dielectric lens 15. Thus, the cross-sectional line in FIG. 4 is along the meridian. The warp lines L2 in FIG. 4 are set to five including the first warp line L2a which is a warp line along the cross-sectional line.

The plurality of antenna elements 21 are disposed five by five along each of the parallel lines L1, and three by three along each of the meridians L2. Therefore, a total of 15 antenna elements 21 are arranged.

Of the plurality of antenna elements 21, the three first antenna elements 21a arranged along the first meridian L2a emit radio waves toward the second path R2 side, and radio waves from the second path R2 side The first antenna unit 23 for receiving the
Further, among the plurality of antenna elements 21, the second antenna element 21 b other than the first antenna element 21 a receives a radio wave from the base station apparatus 2 and outputs a radio wave toward the base station apparatus 2. The two antenna units 24 are configured.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the plurality of antenna elements 21. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the first antenna unit 23 and the second antenna unit 24 are connected to the connection circuit 25. The connection circuit 25 has a function of electrically connecting the first antenna unit 23 and the second antenna unit 24.
The connection circuit 25 includes a first switching circuit 26, a second switching circuit 27, and a connection line 28 connecting both switching circuits.

The first antenna unit 23 is connected to the first switching circuit 26. Therefore, three first antenna elements 21 a are connected to the first switching circuit 26. The first switching circuit 26 has a function of receiving an operation from the outside and switching so that one of the three first antenna elements 21 a is selectively connected to the second antenna unit 24.

The second antenna unit 24 is connected to the second switching circuit 27. Thus, twelve second antenna elements 21 b are connected to the second switching circuit 27. The second switching circuit 27 also has a function of receiving an operation from the outside and switching so that one of the twelve second antenna elements 21b is selectively connected to the first antenna unit 23.

The connection line 28 electrically connects the first antenna element 21 a selectively switched by the first switching circuit 26 to the second antenna element 21 b selectively switched by the second switching circuit 27.
Thereby, the connection circuit 25 is connected such that the received signal received by the first antenna unit 23 is given to the second antenna unit 24, and conversely, the received signal received by the second antenna unit 24 is the first antenna unit 23. Connect as given to

In the re-radiator 1 configured as described above, the connection circuit 25 electrically connects the (first antenna element 21 a of) the first antenna unit 23 and the (second antenna element 21 b of) the second antenna unit 24. Therefore, for example, when the first antenna unit 23 receives an incident wave focused through the dielectric lens 15, the incident wave is given to the second antenna unit 24 as a signal through the connection circuit 25. The second antenna unit 24 radiates an outgoing wave based on a given signal through the dielectric lens 15. An outgoing wave emitted through the dielectric lens 15 is diverged and emitted by the dielectric lens 15.
Conversely, when the second antenna unit 24 receives an incident wave focused through the dielectric lens 15, the incident wave is given to the first antenna unit 23 as a signal through the connection circuit 25. The first antenna unit 23 radiates an outgoing wave based on a given signal through the dielectric lens 15.

Therefore, reradiator 1 radiates a radio wave from base station apparatus 2 to second communication area A2, and radiates a radio wave from mobile terminal 3 located in second communication area A2 to base station apparatus 2. It can correspond to both.
As described above, the main reradiator 1 reradiates (reflects) the outgoing wave according to the reception of the incoming radio wave, even when the first antenna unit 23 or the second antenna unit 24 receives the radio wave. can do.

In addition, the re-radiator 1 can adjust the pointing direction of the first antenna unit 23 and the pointing direction of the second antenna unit 24. Therefore, the re-radiator 1 determines the pointing direction of the first antenna unit 23 and the second antenna unit 24 according to the position of the base station apparatus 2, the position of the second communication area A2, and the installation position of the re-radiator 1. The pointing direction of can be adjusted in an appropriate direction.

FIG. 6A is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the antenna element 21 when the cover 16 is viewed in plan.
In the present embodiment, among the three first antenna elements 21 a constituting the first antenna unit 23, in the first switching circuit 26, the hatched first antenna element 21 a 1 is connected to the second antenna unit 24 side. Switched to
Further, in the second switching circuit 27, the hatched second antenna element 21 b 1 of the twelve second antenna elements 21 b constituting the second antenna unit 24 is connected to the first antenna unit 23 side. Has been switched to
Therefore, the connection circuit 25 electrically connects the first antenna element 21a1 and the second antenna element 21b1.

Here, as described above, each of the antenna elements 21 is disposed so as to face the lens surface 15 a of the dielectric lens 15 such that the directivity direction thereof passes through the center of the dielectric lens 15. Therefore, the directivity directions of the twelve second antenna elements 21b are different from each other in the respective antenna elements 21b. The directivity directions of the twelve second antenna elements 21 b are different from each other among the first antenna elements 21 a constituting the first antenna unit 23.

Therefore, in the re-radiator 1 of the present embodiment, the second switching circuit 27 can selectively switch the second antenna element 21 b connected to the first antenna unit 23 out of the twelve second antenna elements 21 b. Thus, the pointing direction of the second antenna unit 24 can be adjusted.

For example, in FIG. 6A, in the second antenna element 21b1, the directivity direction in the horizontal plane is in the direction intersecting with the X direction.
The second antenna element 21b disposed at a longitude different from the longitude of the second antenna element 21b1 is directed in a direction different from that of the second antenna element 21b1 in the horizontal direction.
That is, if the second antenna element 21b having different longitudes is selected, the pointing direction of the second antenna unit 24 in the horizontal plane can be adjusted.

Further, since the second antenna element 21b1 is disposed along the equator line L1a (FIG. 4), the pointing direction is along the horizontal plane passing through the center of the dielectric lens 15.
In the second antenna element 21b arranged at a larger latitude with respect to the equator line L1a, the directivity direction in the vertical plane is obliquely downward.
That is, if the second antenna element 21b having different latitudes is selected, the pointing direction of the second antenna unit 24 in the vertical plane can be adjusted.

As described above, by switching the second antenna element 21b connected to the first antenna unit 23 among the twelve second antenna elements 21b, the directivity direction of the second antenna unit 24 in the horizontal plane and the vertical plane can be adjusted. Can.
Thereby, the directivity of the second antenna unit 24 can be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the position of the base station apparatus 2 that forms a beam toward the re-radiator 1.

In the case of this embodiment, both the base station apparatus 2 and the re-radiator 1 are installed on the ceiling, and the positional relationship between the base station apparatus 2 and the re-radiator 1 in the vertical plane is substantially horizontal.
Further, the position of the re-radiator 1 in plan view is approximately at the center of the intersection C (FIG. 2), and the position of the base station apparatus 2 in plan view is closer to the passage wall R3 in the first passage R1. Yes (Figure 2). Therefore, the positional relationship between the base station apparatus 2 and the re-radiator 1 in the horizontal plane is slightly inclined in the X direction.
For this reason, in the second switching circuit 27 of the present embodiment, the hatched second antenna element 21b1 among the twelve second antenna elements 21b constituting the second antenna unit 24 is on the first antenna unit 23 side. Has been switched to be connected to. Thereby, the pointing direction in the horizontal plane can be directed to the base station apparatus 2.

In FIG. 6A, the directivity directions of the three first antenna elements 21a included in the first antenna unit 23 are different from each other in the respective antenna elements 21a, similarly to the second antenna element 21b.

Therefore, in the re-radiator 1 of the present embodiment, the first switching circuit 26 capable of selectively switching the first antenna element 21a connected to the second antenna unit 24 among the three first antenna elements 21a is used. Since it is provided, the pointing direction of the first antenna unit 23 can be adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the directivity directions in the horizontal plane of the three first antenna elements 21a are parallel to the Y direction. Further, since the position of the re-radiator 1 in plan view is substantially at the center of the intersection point C, the pointing direction of the first antenna unit 23 in the horizontal plane is directed to the second passage R2.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the arrangement of the first antenna element 21a when the cover 16 is viewed from the front.
Also in the first antenna unit 23, the directivity direction in the vertical plane can be adjusted by selecting the first antenna elements 21a having different latitudes.
Thereby, when setting 2nd communication area A2 in 2nd channel | path R2, the directivity of the 1st antenna part 23 can be adjusted appropriately.

In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the directivity direction in the vertical plane of the first antenna element 21a1 is obliquely downward.
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the re-radiator 1 forms a second communication area A2 at a position which proceeds obliquely downward from the re-radiator 1 toward the second passage R2. be able to.

In the present embodiment, since the longitudes of the three first antenna elements 21 a are the same, the directivity direction of the first antenna unit 23 in the horizontal plane can not be adjusted, but among the plurality of first antenna elements 21 a If one having a different longitude is included, it is possible to adjust the pointing direction of the first antenna unit 23 in the horizontal plane by selecting them.

According to the re-radiator 1 having the above configuration, the first antenna unit 23 and the second antenna unit 24 can be set to have different directivity directions by being arranged at mutually different positions. The pointing direction of the outgoing wave can be set regardless of the pointing direction of the wave. As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in setting the directivity direction of the incident wave and the directivity direction of the emission wave.
Furthermore, since both

antennas

23 and 24 are disposed so that the antenna surfaces 22 of both

antennas

23 and 24 face the lens surface 15 a of the same dielectric lens 15, the function of focusing the incident wave and the divergence of the outgoing wave Both functions of the function to be performed can be provided to the dielectric lens 15, and the configuration can be simplified. In addition, since the attenuation of the incident wave can be suppressed by focusing the incident wave by the dielectric lens 15, an amplifier or the like for amplifying a signal based on the incident wave is unnecessary. Therefore, the configuration can be further simplified.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the antenna element 21 when the cover 16 in the re-radiator 1 according to the modification of the first embodiment is viewed in plan.
In this modification, the first antenna unit 23 is configured by six first antenna elements 21 a, and the second antenna unit 24 is configured by six second antenna elements 21 b, and the connection circuit 25 This is a point provided with two connection parts for connecting the first antenna element 21a and the second antenna element 21b.

In this modification, the six first antenna elements 21a are deviated by 15 degrees in one direction and the other direction around the polar axis with respect to the meridian L3 parallel to the Y direction when the cover 16 is viewed in plan Three are arranged at each position.
Further, the six second antenna elements 21b are positioned at positions where the longitude is shifted 15 degrees toward the one direction and the other direction around the polar axis with respect to the meridian L4 parallel to the X direction when the cover 16 is planarly viewed. It is arranged one by one.
As in the first embodiment, the

antenna elements

21a and 21b are arranged at an interval of 30 degrees in the latitude direction.

The connection circuit 25 of the present modification includes a first connection portion 30 and a second connection portion 31. The first connection portion 30 connects the first antenna portion 23 and the second antenna portion 24 and has the same configuration as the connection circuit 25 of the first embodiment.
The first connection unit 30 is switched so that one of the six first antenna elements 21 a of the first antenna unit 23 is connected to the second antenna unit 24, and the six second antenna elements of the second antenna unit 24 It has a switching function so that one of the terminals 21 b is connected to the first antenna unit 23. As a result, the first connection unit 30 includes one of the six first antenna elements 21 a (first antenna element 21 a) and six second antenna elements of the second antenna unit 24. The second antenna element 21b (first second antenna element) of the two 21b is electrically connected to each other.

The second connection portion 31 also has the same function as the first connection portion 30, and one first antenna element 21a (second first antenna element) of the six first antenna elements 21a. And one second antenna element 21b (second second antenna element) of the six second antenna elements 21b are electrically connected to each other.
In addition, the 1st connection part 30 and the 2nd connection part 31 do not switch to the same 1st antenna element 21a and the same 2nd antenna element 21b.

In FIG. 7, the first connection unit 30 is a hatched first antenna element 21 a 2 of six first antenna elements 21 a and a hatched one of six second antenna elements 21 b of the second antenna unit 24. The second antenna element 21b2 is electrically connected to each other.
In addition, the second connection portion 31 is hatched among the six first antenna elements 21 a 3 of the six first antenna elements 21 a and the six second antenna elements 21 b of the second antenna unit 24. The second antenna elements 21b3 are electrically connected to one another.

In this modification, two sets of combinations of antenna elements 21 electrically connecting different first and

second antenna elements

21a and 21b can be provided. Each of the two combinations can re-radiate (reflect) the outgoing wave in response to the reception of the incoming radio wave.
Therefore, in this modification, two different transmission paths of a transmission path via the first antenna element 21a2 and the second antenna element 21b2 and a transmission path via the first antenna element 21a3 and the second antenna element 21b3 are provided. It can be configured.
As a result, it is possible to support wireless communication by Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO).

In this modification, the two antenna elements 21 having different longitudes are used in both the first antenna unit 23 and the second antenna unit 24, but antenna elements 21 having different latitudes are used. May be

Moreover, although the case where the connection circuit 25 was provided with two connection parts (the 1st connection part 30 and the 2nd connection part 31) was illustrated by this modification, three or more connection parts are shown in the connection circuit 25. It may be provided. In this case, more different transmission paths can be configured, and wireless communication by more multiplexed MIMO can be supported.

[About the second embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a plan view of an indoor passage in which the re-radiator system 35 according to the second embodiment is installed.
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a re-radiator system 35 including a plurality (two in the illustrated example) of re-radiators 1 shown in the first embodiment is used.

The re-radiator system 35 comprises two re-radiators 1 as described above.
For this reason, two different transmission paths can be configured via each re-radiator 1. As a result, it is possible to support MIMO wireless communication.

About the third embodiment
FIG. 9 is a front view of an indoor passage in which the re-radiator system 50 according to the third embodiment is installed.
In FIG. 9, the re-radiator system 50 is fixed to the ceiling of the passage R4. Further, the base station apparatus 2 is installed at a position away from the re-radiator system 50 on the ceiling of the passage R4. The base station apparatus 2 forms a beam B1 having directivity to the re-emitter system 50 by beamforming. The beam B1 is formed along the bottom of the ceiling.

When the radio wave from the base station apparatus 2 is incident by the beam B1 from the base station apparatus 2, the reradiator system 50 re-emits the emitted wave based on the incident radio wave directly below the reradiator system 50. (reflect. Thereby, the re-radiator system 50 forms a third communication area A3 immediately below the re-radiator system 50 in the passage R4.

For example, in FIG. 9, when forming a beam B2 directed from the base station 2 to the mobile terminal 3 directly located in the third communication area A3, the traffic located between the base station 2 and the third communication area A3 The radio wave is blocked by the person T3 and the radio wave may not reach the target mobile terminal 3. In the present embodiment, since radio waves with a frequency of 26 GHz are used, shielding by the human body is remarkable.

In this respect, the re-radiator system 50 according to the present embodiment receives radio waves radiated from the base station apparatus 2 along the ceiling, and radiates the outgoing wave directly below the re-radiator system 50 in response to the reception. Therefore, the radio wave from the base station apparatus 2 can reach the target mobile terminal 3 without being blocked by a passerby or the like.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the re-radiator system 50 according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a bottom view of the re-radiator system 50.
As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the re-radiator system 50 includes a box-shaped case 51, and a plurality of first antenna units 52 (four in the illustrated example) provided on one side surface 51a of the case 51. And a plurality of second antenna portions 53 (four in the illustrated example) provided on the bottom surface 51 b of the housing 51.

The plurality of first antenna units 52 and the plurality of second antenna units 53 are configured by planar antenna elements. The plurality of first antenna units 52 and the plurality of second antenna units 53 are mounted on a dielectric substrate having a ground electrode, and constitute a microstrip antenna together with them.
The antenna surfaces of the plurality of first antenna units 52 and the plurality of second antenna units 53 are dimensioned to be capable of transmitting and receiving radio waves in the 26 GHz band.

The pointing direction of each of the first antenna units 52 provided on the one side surface 51 a is provided to be directed in the horizontal direction.
On the other hand, the pointing direction of each of the second antenna portions 53 provided on the bottom surface 51 b is provided to be directed downward in the vertical direction.
Therefore, the first antenna unit 52 and the second antenna unit 53 are arranged so that the directivity directions are different from each other.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the four first antenna units 52 and the four second antenna units 53 correspond to each other in a one-to-one relationship, and are connected by the connection circuit 55 housed inside the housing 51. It is done.
The connection circuit 55 only needs to be able to electrically connect the first antenna unit 52 and the second antenna unit 53, and can be connected by a cable, a circuit board, or the like. Moreover, when using a circuit board, it is preferable that it is a flexible substrate. This is because the handling in the case 51 is easy.

In the first antenna unit 52 and the second antenna unit 53 electrically connected to each other by the connection circuit 55, for example, when the first antenna unit 52 receives an incident wave, the incident wave is transmitted as a signal through the connection circuit 55 as a second signal. The antenna unit 53 is provided. The second antenna unit 53 radiates an outgoing wave based on a given signal. Thus, the present re-radiator 1 can re-radiate (reflect) the outgoing wave in response to the reception of the incoming radio wave.
That is, in the re-radiator system 50 of the present embodiment, the first antenna unit 52, the second antenna unit 53, and the connection circuit 55 constitute a re-radiator.

The re-radiator system 50 includes a rotating shaft 54 that protrudes from the bottom surface 51 b. The rotating shaft 54 is a shaft provided along the vertical direction, and the housing 51 of the re-radiator system 50 is configured to rotate around the axis of the rotating shaft 54.
Thus, the directivity directions of the four first antenna portions 52 provided on one side surface 51a can be adjusted to be arbitrary in a horizontal plane, while the four second antenna portions 53 provided on the bottom surface 51b can be adjusted. The pointing direction of can be maintained vertically downward.
As described above, the rotary shaft unit 54 and the mechanism for rotatably holding the housing 51 on the ceiling according to the present embodiment constitute an adjustment unit that changes the pointing direction of the first antenna unit 52.

The re-radiator system 50 maintains the third communication area A3 formed immediately below the re-radiator system 50 according to the position of the base station apparatus 2 by the rotation shaft 54 and the like that constitute the adjustment unit. The pointing direction of the first antenna unit 52 can be adjusted.

Moreover, the re-radiator system 50 of this embodiment is equipped with the four said re-radiators. Thus, four different transmission paths can be configured via each re-emitter. As a result, the re-radiator system 50 of the present embodiment can support wireless communication by MIMO.

[Others]
It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect.
In each of the above embodiments, the base station apparatus 2 performs wireless communication using radio waves in the 26 GHz band, and antennas of the first antenna unit 23 and the second antenna unit 24 (the first antenna unit 52 and the second antenna unit 53) Although the case has been illustrated where the plane is sized to transmit and receive radio waves in the 26 GHz band, the re-emitter disclosed in each of the above embodiments is also applicable to radio communication using radio waves in lower frequency bands. Re-emitter systems can be applied.

Note that radio waves with frequencies lower than 10 GHz can be expected to wrap around due to reflection or diffraction even if there is a shield that shields the radio waves. However, in the case of radio waves with a frequency of 10 GHz or more, reflection and diffraction are unlikely to occur, and entrapment can not be expected.
For this reason, it is preferable that the antenna surfaces of the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit have dimensions that enable transmission and reception of radio waves with a frequency of 10 GHz or more.
When performing wireless communication by radio waves of a frequency of 10 GHz or more, even if a shield is present between the target point and indoors, the shield is avoided by using this re-radiator and re-radiator system. This is because radio waves can reach the target point.

Furthermore, radio waves with frequencies lower than 20 GHz are unlikely to be shielded by the human body. However, in the case of radio waves with a frequency of 20 GHz or more, the radio wave may be shielded by the human body.
For this reason, it is preferable that the antenna surfaces of the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit have dimensions that enable transmission and reception of radio waves with a frequency of 20 GHz or more.
When performing wireless communication by radio waves of a frequency of 20 GHz or more, shielding is possible by using this re-radiator and re-radiator system even if there are many passersby in the indoor passage etc. up to the target point. A radio wave can be made to reach the target point while avoiding a large number of people passing by.

In the first and second embodiments, the spherical dielectric lens 15 is used. However, for example, a cylindrical dielectric lens may be used. When a cylindrical dielectric lens is used, the antenna element 21 is disposed such that the antenna surface 22 faces the cylindrical side surface of the dielectric lens. In this case, the directivity direction of the antenna element 21 can be set in a plane parallel to the cylinder bottom surface, but the directivity direction can not be set in the direction intersecting the cylinder bottom surface.

In the first and second embodiments, the case where the first antenna unit 23 is configured of the plurality of first antenna elements 21a and the second antenna unit 24 is configured of the plurality of second antenna elements 21b is exemplified. One of the first antenna unit 23 and the second antenna unit 24 may be configured by one antenna element 21, or both of the first antenna unit 23 and the second antenna unit 24 may be configured as one antenna element 21. It may consist of

In the first and second embodiments, the circuit board 20 on which the antenna element 21 is mounted is attached and fixed to the inner surface 16a of the cover 16. For example, as shown in FIG. A plurality of openings 60 are provided at 16 corresponding to the position of the antenna element 21, and a pair of box-shaped plug members 61 on which the antenna element 21 is mounted is inserted into the opening 60 from the outside of the cover 16 and fixed. The antenna element 21 may be provided on the inner surface 16 a of 16. The first antenna element 21a constituting the first antenna unit 23 is mounted on one of the pair of plug members 61, and the second antenna element 21b constituting the second antenna unit 24 is mounted on the other . The

antenna elements

21a and 21b mounted on the plug member 61 are electrically connected by a cable 62 connecting the pair of plug members 61 with each other.

In the third embodiment, although the case where four re-radiators are provided is illustrated, at least one first antenna unit 52, one second antenna unit 53, and a connection for connecting these are described. The re-emitter consisting of the circuit 55 may be rotatably held on the ceiling. Conversely, more re-emitters may be provided.

The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of the claims, not the meaning described above, and is intended to include the meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 re-radiator 2 base station apparatus 3 mobile terminal 10 body part 11 fixed part 15 dielectric lens 15a lens surface 16 cover 16a inner surface 17 fixed member 20 circuit board 21 antenna element 21a, 21a1, 21a2, 21a3 first antenna element 21b , 21b1, 21b2, 21b3 second antenna element 22 antenna plane 23 first antenna section 24 second antenna section 25 connection circuit 26 first switching circuit 27 second switching circuit 28 connection line 30 first connection section 31 second connection section 35 Re-radiator system 50 Re-radiator system 51 Case

51a Side surface

51b Bottom surface 52 First antenna unit 53 Second antenna unit 54 Rotating shaft unit 55 Connection circuit 60 Opening 61 Plug member 62 Cable A1 1st communication area A2 2nd communication Area A3 Third Communication Area B Beam B1 Beam L1 Latitude L1a Equatorial line L2 Meridian L2a First meridian L3 Meridian L4 Meridian R1 First passageway R2 Second passageway R3 Passage wall R4 Passage T1, T2, T3 Passerby

Claims

A lens made of dielectric,
A first antenna portion disposed so as to face the surface of the lens with an antenna surface;
A second antenna unit disposed at a position different from the first antenna unit and having an antenna surface facing the surface of the lens;
A connection circuit electrically connecting the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit;
Equipped with a re-radiator.
The re-radiator according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna unit is composed of a plurality of first antenna elements.
The re-radiator according to claim 2, wherein the connection circuit includes a first switching unit configured to switch one of the plurality of first antenna elements to be selectively connected to the second antenna unit.
The re-radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second antenna unit is configured of a plurality of second antenna elements.
The re-radiator according to claim 4, wherein the connection circuit includes a second switching unit configured to switch one of the plurality of second antenna elements to be selectively connected to the first antenna unit.
The first antenna unit comprises a plurality of first antenna elements,
The second antenna unit comprises a plurality of second antenna elements,
The connection circuit is
A first connection portion connecting a first first antenna element of the plurality of first antenna elements and a first second antenna element of the plurality of second antenna elements;
A second connection portion connecting the second first antenna element of the plurality of first antenna elements and the second second antenna element of the plurality of second antenna elements;
The re-radiator of claim 1 comprising:
The re-emitter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lens is spherical.
A re-radiator system comprising a plurality of re-radiators according to any one of the preceding claims.
A first antenna unit,
A second antenna unit disposed so as to be different in directivity direction from the first antenna unit;
A connection circuit electrically connecting the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit;
Equipped with a re-radiator.
The re-radiator according to claim 9, further comprising: an adjustment unit configured to change the directivity direction of at least one of the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit.
The re-radiator according to claim 9 or 10, wherein antenna planes of the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are sized to transmit and receive radio waves of a frequency of 10 GHz or more.
The re-radiator according to claim 11, wherein antenna planes of the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are sized to transmit and receive radio waves of a frequency of 20 GHz or more.
A re-radiator system comprising a plurality of the re-radiators according to claim 9.