Patent Application
20120176276
The present invention mainly relates to an antenna apparatus for use in mobile communication such as mobile phones, and relates to a wireless communication apparatus provided with the antenna apparatus.
The size and thickness of portable wireless communication apparatuses, such as mobile phones, have been rapidly reduced. In addition, the portable wireless communication apparatuses have been transformed from apparatuses to be used only as conventional telephones, to data terminals for transmitting and receiving electronic mails and for browsing web pages of WWW (World Wide Web), etc. Further, since the amount of information to be handled has increased from that of conventional audio and text information to that of pictures and videos, a further improvement in communication quality is required. In addition, the portable wireless communication apparatuses are required to handle various applications for voice calls as telephones, data communication for browsing web pages, viewing of television broadcasts, etc. In such circumstances, it is necessary to provide an antenna apparatus operable in a wide frequency range in order to perform wireless communications for the respective applications.
According to the prior art, there were antenna apparatuses covering a wide frequency band and adjusting the resonance frequency, including, for example, an antenna apparatus adjusting the resonance frequency by providing an antenna element portion with a slit as described in Patent Literature 1, and a notch antenna having a trap circuit at a slit as described in Patent Literature 2.
The antenna apparatus of Patent Literature 1 is configured to include: a planar radiating element (radiating plate); a ground plate opposing thereto in parallel; a feed section located nearly at the center of an edge of the radiating plate and supplying a high-frequency signal; a short-circuiting section shorts-circuiting the radiating plate and the ground plate near the feed section; and two resonators formed by providing a slit to an edge of the radiating plate nearly opposing to the feed section. The degree of coupling between the two resonators is optimized by adjusting the shape and dimensions of this slit, or by loading a reactance element or a conductor plate on the slit. Thus, it is possible to obtain a small and low-profile antenna with suitable characteristics.
According to the notch antenna of Patent Literature 2, the slit can be open for radio frequency signals at the position of the trap circuit when the antenna is to resonate in a low-frequency communication band, and the slit can be closed for radio frequency signals at the position of the trap circuit when the antenna is to resonate in a high-frequency communication band. Thus, it is possible to change the resonant length of the notch antenna in an appropriate manner according to a frequency communication band in which the antenna is to resonate.
In addition, an antenna apparatus of Patent Literature 3 is configured to include: a substrate; a plurality of antenna elements located on the substrate and fabricated in a planar shape; and at least one isolation element located on the substrate between the plurality of antenna elements and grounded to a ground portion. The isolation element fabricated between the antenna elements is used to prevent mutual interference between the antenna elements, thus advantageously preventing distortion of a radiation pattern. In addition, the isolation element can operate as a parasitic antenna by connecting the isolation element to a ground plane, thus advantageously increasing the output gain. In addition, the isolation element and the antenna elements can be fabricated by only etching metal films stacked on the substrate in a predetermined configuration. Therefore, the fabrication is facilitated, e.g., a metal film on the substrate forms the isolation element, thus capable of fabricating an antenna apparatus of a planar structure substantially close to two dimensions.
PATENT LITERATURE 1: PCT International Publication No. WO 2002/075853
PATENT LITERATURE 2: Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-32303
PATENT LITERATURE 3: Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2007-97167
In recent years, in order to increase communication capacity to implement high-speed communication, there have appeared antenna apparatuses adopting MIMO (Multi-Input Multi-Output) technology for simultaneously transmitting and/or receiving radio signals of a plurality of channels by spatial division multiplexing. An antenna apparatus performing MIMO communication needs to simultaneously transmit and/or receive a plurality of radio signals having a low correlation with each other, by preventing interference between antenna elements for high isolation therebetween, in order to obtain large communication capacity.
In addition, MIMO communication requires using a wide radio frequency band for, e.g., high-speed communication. For example, a frequency band over 20 MHz or more is used as an operating band for wireless LANs and 3GPP LTE, and a frequency band as wide as 100 MHz is used for IMT-Advanced, i.e., the fourth-generation mobile phones. In addition, although a radio frequency in the 2GHz-band is mainly used for MIMO wireless communication, there is a high possibility of using a 700-MHz band in the U.S. or using an 800-MHz band currently used for mobile phones in Japan. Since the wavelength of the 700-MHz band is as long as about 40 cm, it can be easily seen that the antenna size also increases. Further, a MIMO communication apparatus requires two or more antennas to be provided, and accordingly, if existing antennas are used as they are, then the volume of the antennas is doubled or more increased. However, since mobile phones are desired to be small, the size of MIMO antennas is desired to be further reduced. In addition, as the frequency decreases, the wavelength increases, and the electrical distance between antennas (the distance relative to the wavelength) is shortened, and accordingly, the coupling between the antennas becomes stronger, thus substantially reducing the power of radio waves to be radiated. Hence, it is strongly desired to provide a small array antenna having high isolation.
According to the prior art for increasing the isolation between antennas disposed close to each other in a low frequency band, there are known techniques such as: increasing the size of antenna elements; increasing the distance between antenna elements; and adding large electromagnetic coupling adjusting means for increasing the isolation. However, all of these techniques increase the size of an antenna apparatus. Since a space in a mobile phone available for embedding an antenna apparatus is decreasing year by year, it is necessary to achieve high isolation in a low frequency band while using a small antenna apparatus.
Although the configurations of Patent Literatures 1 and 2 can change the resonance frequency, they have only one feed portion. Accordingly, there is a problem that these configurations are not available for MIMO communication, communication using a diversity scheme, and adaptive array.
In addition, since the configuration of Patent Literature 3 has a plurality of feed portions, it is available for MIMO communication, communication using a diversity scheme, and adaptive array. However, this configuration has problems that it cannot achieve high isolation at low frequencies, and in addition, a space between antenna elements need to be λ/2, thus increasing the size of an antenna apparatus.
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide an antenna apparatus capable of providing an array antenna having low coupling in a low frequency band, and capable of simultaneously transmitting and/or receiving of a plurality of radio signals having low coupling to each other, while having a simple and small configuration, and to provide a wireless communication apparatus provided with such an antenna apparatus.
According to an antenna apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, an antenna apparatus is provided with first and second feed points provided at positions on a planar antenna element, respectively. The antenna element is simultaneously driven through the first and second feed points so as to simultaneously operate as first and second antenna portions associated with the first and second feed points, respectively. The antenna apparatus is further provided with: a extension conductor connected to a section of an outer perimeter of the antenna element and along an entire length of the section; and a slit extending from the antenna element to the extension conductor so as to intersect a portion between the first and second feed points on the antenna element, the slit having an open end on the extension conductor.
According to an antenna apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, an antenna apparatus is provided with first and second feed points provided at positions on a planar antenna element, respectively. The antenna element is simultaneously driven through the first and second feed points so as to simultaneously operate as first and second antenna portions associated with the first and second feed points, respectively. The antenna apparatus is further provided with: a extension conductor connected to a section of an outer perimeter of the antenna element and along an entire length of the section; and a slot extending from the antenna element to the extension conductor so as to intersect a portion between the first and second feed points on the antenna element.
In the antenna apparatus, the antenna element is provided on a ground conductor, and connected to the ground conductor through at least one connecting conductor.
According to a wireless communication apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, the wireless communication apparatus transmits and/or receives a plurality of radio signals, and is provided with the antenna apparatus of the first or second aspect of the present invention.
As described above, according to the antenna apparatus of the present invention, and the wireless communication apparatus using the antenna apparatus, it is possible to achieve MIMO antenna apparatuses capable of resonating the antenna element at a low operating frequency, achieving high isolation between the feed points, and operating with low coupling at a desired operating frequency, while keeping its size small. The resonance frequency of the antenna element is further decreased, in particular, by connecting the extension conductor to the antenna element such that the slit extends to the side of its open end. The slit serves to increase the isolation between the two feed points of the antenna element, and accordingly, it is possible to advantageously decrease not only the resonance frequency of the antenna apparatus, but also the frequency at which the isolation increases. Further, it is possible to decrease only the frequency at which the isolation increases, by connecting the extension conductor to the antenna element such that the slit extends to the side of its short-circuited end. Namely, by using this configuration, it is possible to advantageously adjust the frequency at which high isolation is achieved. The above-described configuration leads to size reduction of the antenna apparatus. The efficiency of each of the plurality of antenna portions is increased by preventing interference between the feed points for high isolation therebetween.
When performing communication using the plurality of feed points at the same time, the antenna element must resonate at a frequency at which the antenna element is to operate, and further, the isolation between the feed points must be high. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a small wireless communication apparatus capable of resonating the antenna element at a low operating frequency, achieving high isolation between two feed points at an operating frequency, and transmitting and/or receiving MIMO radio signals.
According to the present invention, while using only one antenna elements, it is possible to operate the antenna element as the plurality of antenna portions, and at the same time, achieve isolation between the plurality of antenna portions in a low frequency band. By achieving isolation and thus achieving low coupling between a plurality of antenna portions of a MIMO antenna apparatus, it is possible to simultaneously transmit and/or receive a plurality of radio signals having low coupling to each other, using the respective antenna portions.
a is a front view showing an exemplary implementation of the antenna apparatus 101 of
b is a side view showing the exemplary implementation of the antenna apparatus 101 of
a is a front view showing an exemplary implementation of the antenna apparatus 501 of
b is a side view showing the exemplary implementation of the antenna apparatus 501 of
c is a top view showing the exemplary implementation of the antenna apparatus 501 of
Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that like components are denoted by the same reference numerals.
In general, if providing a single antenna element with a plurality of feed ports (or feed points), it is not possible to achieve isolation between the feed ports, and accordingly, the electromagnetic coupling between different antenna portions increases, thus increasing correlation between signals. Therefore, for example, upon reception, identical received signals are outputted from the respective feed. ports. In such a case, good diversity or MIMO characteristics cannot be obtained. According to the present embodiment, a slit 105 is provided between the feed points 106a and 107a of the antenna element 102, and the length of the slit 105 is used to adjust the resonance frequency of the antenna element 102 and further adjust the frequency at which isolation can be achieved between the feed points 106a and 107a. Further, according to the present embodiment, the antenna apparatus 101 is characterized in that the antenna apparatus 101 further includes extension conductors 121a and 121a (hereinafter, collectively referred to using “121”) connected to the antenna element 102 in order to increase the resonant length of the antenna apparatus, and the slit 105 is provided so as to extend from the antenna element 102 to the extension conductor 121, and the slit has an open end on the extension conductor 121.
Referring to
The feed points 106a and 107a are respectively connected with feed lines F1 and F3, which penetrate through the ground conductor 103 from its backside. Each of the feed lines F1 and F3 is, for example, a coaxial cable having a characteristic impedance of 50Ω. Signal lines F1a and F3a as inner conductors of the feed lines F1 and F3 are connected to the feed points 106a and 107a, respectively, and signal lines F1b and F3b as outer conductors of the feed lines F1 and F3 are connected to the ground conductor 103 at connecting points 106b and 107b, respectively. The feed point 106a and the connecting point 106b act as one feed port of the antenna apparatus 101, and the feed point 107a and the connecting point 107b act as another feed port of the antenna apparatus 101. Further, the feed lines F1 and F3 are connected to impedance matching circuits (hereafter, referred to as “matching circuits”) 111 and 112, respectively. The matching circuits 111 and 112 are connected to a MIMO communication circuit 113 through feed lines F2 and F4, respectively. Each of the feed lines F2 and F4 also comprises, for example, a coaxial cable having a characteristic impedance of 50Ω. The MIMO communication circuit 113 transmits and/or receives radio signals of a plurality of channels according to a MIMO communication scheme (in the present embodiment, two channels) through the antenna element 102.
As shown in
Effects brought about by providing the antenna element 102 with the slit 105 are as follows. Since the resonance frequency of the antenna element 102 and the frequency at which isolation can be achieved (hereinafter, referred to as an “isolation frequency”) change depending on the length of the slit 105, the length of the slit 105 is determined so as to adjust these frequencies. Specifically, by providing the slit 105, the resonance frequency of the antenna element 102 itself decreases. Further, the slit 105 operates as a resonator according to the length of the slit 105. Since the slit 105 is electromagnetically coupled to the antenna element 102 itself, the resonance frequency of the antenna element 102 changes according to the resonance condition frequency of the slit 105, compared to the case with no slit 105. By providing the slit 105, it is possible to change the resonance frequency of the antenna element 102, and increase the isolation between the feed ports at a certain frequency. In general, the frequency at which high isolation can be achieved by providing the slit 105 is not identical to the resonance frequency of the antenna element 102. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the matching circuits 111 and 112 are provided between the feed ports and the MIMO communication circuit 113, in order to shift the operating frequency of the antenna element 102 (i.e., the frequency at which desired signals are transmitted and/or received) from the changed resonance frequency due to the slit 105, to an isolation frequency. As a result of providing the matching circuit 111, the impedance of the antenna element 102 seen from a terminal on the side of the MIMO communication circuit 113 (i.e., a terminal on the side connected to the feed line F2) matches the impedance of the MIMO communication circuit 113 seen from the same terminal (i.e., a characteristic impedance of 50Ω of the feed line F2). Likewise, as a result of providing the matching circuit 112, the impedance of the antenna element 102 seen from at a terminal on the side of the MIMO communication circuit 113 (i.e., a terminal on the side connected to the feed line F4) matches the impedance of the MIMO communication circuit 113 seen from the same terminal (i.e., a characteristic impedance of 50Ω of the feed line F4). Providing the matching circuits 111 and 112 affects both the resonance frequency and the isolation frequency, but mainly contributes to changing the resonance frequency.
Effects brought about by connecting the extension conductor 121 to the antenna element 102 are as follows. The resonant length of the antenna apparatus 101 increases by connecting the extension conductor 121 to the antenna element 101. Namely, the operating frequency of the antenna apparatus 101 decreases. This results in reduction of antenna size when designing an antenna apparatus 101 with the same operating frequency. Further, since the length of the slit 105 can be increased, there is another effect of decreasing the isolation frequency. Accordingly, in the case where the antenna size is limited and reduction of antenna size is strongly required, as in the case of small wireless terminals such as mobile phones, the antenna apparatus of the present invention can advantageously decrease both the operating frequency and the isolation frequency while maintaining the maximum outer dimensions.
a is a front view showing an exemplary implementation of the antenna apparatus 101 of
The shapes of the antenna element 102 and the ground conductor 103 are not limited rectangular, and may be of any shape according to desired radiation characteristics and the housing of a wireless communication apparatus. In addition, the antenna element 102 may be supported on the ground conductor 103 by a dielectric. The antenna element 102 and the ground conductor 103 are not limited to being connected by two connecting conductors 104a and 104b, and may be connected by at least one connecting conductor. In addition, instead of connecting the antenna element 102 to the ground conductor 103 by the plurality of connecting conductors 104a and 104b, the antenna element 102 and the ground conductor 103 may be connected to each other by a single conductive plate.
As described above, the antenna apparatus of the first embodiment is provided with the extension conductor 121 connected to the antenna element 102, and the slit 105 extending from the antenna element 102 to the extension conductor 121, thus decreasing the operating frequency and isolation frequency of the antenna apparatus, and further reducing antenna size.
Referring to
Effects brought about by connecting the extension conductor 122 to the antenna element 102 are as follows.
a is a front view showing an exemplary implementation of the antenna apparatus 501 of
As described above, the antenna apparatus of the second embodiment is provided with the extension conductor 122 connected to the antenna element 102, and the slit 105 extending from the antenna element 102 to the extension conductor 122 so as to intersect a portion between the connecting points of the respective connecting conductors 104a and 104b on the antenna element 102 and to intersect a portion ,between the feed points 106a and 107a on the antenna element 102, thus adjusting only the isolation frequency without changing the size of the antenna apparatus, and enhancing flexibility in the design of a MIMO antenna apparatus, while having a simple configuration. Particularly, the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment advantageously decrease only the isolation frequency. Thus, it is possible to advantageously achieve good MIMO wireless communication even at low frequencies, while keeping the size of a MIMO antenna apparatus small.
Referring to
Since the extension conductor 121 is connected to the antenna element 102 at the section closer to the feed points 106a and 107a than the connecting conductors 104a and 104b in a manner similar to that of the first embodiment, the operating frequency of the antenna apparatus 1001 can be decreased. Thus, it is possible to advantageously reduce antenna size when designing an antenna apparatus with the same operating frequency. Further, since the extension conductor 122 is connected to the antenna element 102 on the section closer to the connecting conductors 104a and 104b than the feed points 106a and 107a in a manner similar to that of the second embodiment, the isolation frequency can be advantageously adjusted by the length “b” of an extended portion of the slit 105 on the extension conductor 122. Therefore, according to the antenna apparatus 1001 of the third embodiment, it is possible to advantageously solve both the problem of reduction of antenna size which is difficult to achieve at a low operating frequency, and the problem of decrease of isolation caused by a closer distance between the feed points with respect to the wavelength.
As described above, according to the antenna apparatus of the third embodiment, it is possible to operate the single antenna element 102 as two antenna portions, and achieve isolation between the feed points at a low isolation frequency, while having a simple configuration, thus reducing the size of a MIMO antenna apparatus necessary for mobile terminals.
An antenna apparatus of
Also according to the antenna apparatuses 1101, 1201, 1301, and 1401 of
Antenna apparatuses and wireless communication apparatuses using the antenna apparatuses of the present invention can be implemented as, for example, mobile phones, or can also be implemented as apparatuses for wireless LANs. The antenna apparatuses can be mounted on, for example, wireless communication apparatuses performing MIMO communication. In addition to apparatuses for MIMO communication, the antenna apparatuses can also be mounted on array antenna apparatuses which use a plurality of antennas simultaneously, such as maximum ratio combining diversity, equiphase combining diversity, and adaptive array, and mounted on wireless communication apparatuses using any of those array antenna apparatuses.
101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001, 1101, 1201, 1301, and 1401: ANTENNA APPARATUS,
102: ANTENNA ELEMENT,
103: GROUND CONDUCTOR,
104
a and 104b: CONNECTING CONDUCTOR,
105: SLIT,
106
a and 107a: FEED POINT,
106
b and 107b: CONNECTING POINT,
111 and 112: IMPEDANCE MATCHING CIRCUIT,
113: MIMO COMMUNICATION CIRCUIT,
121
a,
121
b,
122, 131, and 133: EXTENSION CONDUCTOR,
132: SLOT,
F1, F2, F3, and F4: FEED LINE,
F1a, F1b, F3a, and F3b: SIGNAL LINE.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-152773 | Jul 2010 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2011/003115 | 6/2/2011 | WO | 00 | 3/7/2012 |
