EP-4742448-A1 - SUB-ARRAY ANTENNA DEVICE

Abstract

A sub-array antenna device includes an antenna array formed by a plurality of sub-arrays including a plurality of radiating elements, an IC that supplies RF signals to the plurality of sub-arrays, and a substrate on which the plurality of sub-arrays and the IC are provided. The sub-array antenna device is capable of tilting a peak direction of electromagnetic waves radiated from the antenna array with respect to a direction orthogonal to the substrate.

Inventors

• KAUSHAL, SHAILENDRA
• GUAN, NING

Assignees

• Fujikura Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240619

Claims (5)

1. A sub-array antenna device comprising: an antenna array formed by a plurality of sub-arrays including a plurality of radiating elements; an IC configured to supply RF signals to the plurality of sub-arrays; and a substrate on which the plurality of sub-arrays and the IC are provided, wherein a peak direction of electromagnetic waves radiated from the antenna array is capable of tilting with respect to a direction orthogonal to the substrate.
2. The sub-array antenna device according to Claim 1, wherein phases of RF signals supplied from the IC to two or more of the plurality of radiating elements constituting the sub-array are different from each other.
3. The sub-array antenna device according to Claim 2, wherein the plurality of radiating elements constituting the plurality of sub-arrays are electrically connected to the IC via a first signal line and a second signal line, and a length of the first signal line is different from a length of the second signal line.
4. The sub-array antenna device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of sub-arrays include a first sub-array and a second sub-array different from the first sub-array, the first sub-array is configured such that phases of RF signals supplied from the IC to two or more of the plurality of radiating elements are different, and the second sub-array is configured such that phases of RF signals supplied from the IC to two or more of the plurality of radiating elements are the same.
5. The sub-array antenna device according to Claim 4, wherein the plurality of sub-arrays are arranged in a rectangular grid pattern, and a plurality of the second sub-arrays are arranged along a diagonal line of the antenna array, which has a rectangular grid pattern.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a sub-array antenna device. Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-111795, filed July 6, 2023, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND ART In the field of high-speed wireless communication, antenna devices provided to enable beam forming have been used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an array antenna device that forms a directional beam in which the direction can be controlled. The array antenna device is installed, for example, on a ceiling, a wall, or the like. Citation List Patent Document Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2023-39310 SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem In the array antenna device, it may be difficult to set a radiation direction of a beam with a large inclination. An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a sub-array antenna device capable of setting a radiation direction of a beam with a large inclination. Solution to Problem According to a first aspect of the present invention, a sub-array antenna device includes: an antenna array formed by a plurality of sub-arrays including a plurality of radiating elements; an IC configured to supply RF signals to the plurality of sub-arrays; and a substrate on which the plurality of sub-arrays and the IC are provided. A peak direction of electromagnetic waves radiated from the antenna array is capable of tilting with respect to a direction orthogonal to the substrate. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the peak direction of the electromagnetic waves radiated from the antenna array is a direction inclined with respect to the direction orthogonal to the substrate. Therefore, the sub-array antenna device can radiate a beam inclined at a sufficient angle even when installed parallel to an installation surface. Accordingly, according to the usage environment, usage mode, and the like of the sub-array antenna device, the inclination angle of the radiation direction of the beam can be freely set over a wide range. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the sub-array antenna device of the first aspect, phases of RF signals supplied from the IC to two or more of the plurality of radiating elements constituting the sub-array may be different from each other. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the sub-array antenna device of the second aspect, the plurality of radiating elements constituting the plurality of sub-arrays may be electrically connected to the IC via a first signal line and a second signal line, and a length of the first signal line may be different from a length of the second signal line. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the sub-array antenna device of any one of the first to third aspects, the plurality of sub-arrays may include a first sub-array and a second sub-array different from the first sub-array. The first sub-array may be configured such that phases of RF signals supplied from the IC to two or more of the plurality of radiating elements are different. The second sub-array may be configured such that phases of RF signals supplied from the IC to two or more of the plurality of radiating elements are the same. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the sub-array antenna device of the fourth aspect, the plurality of sub-arrays may be arranged in a rectangular grid pattern, and a plurality of the second sub-arrays may be arranged along a diagonal line of the antenna array, which has a rectangular grid pattern. Advantageous Effects of Invention One aspect of the present invention provides a sub-array antenna device capable of setting a radiation direction of a beam with a large inclination. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [FIG. 1] A plan view of a sub-array antenna device according to a first embodiment.[FIG. 2] A schematic view showing a first example of a sub-array of the sub-array antenna device according to the first embodiment.[FIG. 3] A schematic view showing a second example of the sub-array of the sub-array antenna device according to the first embodiment.[FIG. 4] A schematic view showing a first installation example of the sub-array antenna device according to the first embodiment.[FIG. 5] A schematic view showing a second installation example of the sub-array antenna device according to the first embodiment.[FIG. 6] A graph showing a radiation pattern of a sub-array antenna device of Comparative Examples.[FIG. 7] A graph showing a radiation pattern of the sub-array antenna device of Examples.[FIG. 8] A plan view of a sub-array antenna device according to a second embodiment.[FIG. 9] A schematic view showing a sub-array of the sub-array antenna device according to the second embodiment.[FIG. 10] A schematic view showing an installation example of the sub-array antenna device according to the second embodiment.[FIG. 11] A plan view of a sub-array antenna de