Antenna apparatus

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an antenna apparatus using a slot, and more specifically, relates to an antenna apparatus, which makes it possible to consolidate a plurality of slot antennas, has a polarization diversity function and a simple construction of feed means, and is small, sophisticated and highly efficient, and is capable of obtaining a broadband property.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Antenna elements can be constructed by forming a so-called straight-line slot exhibiting a straight line on a conductive plate, the face of which being overlapped on a dielectric plate. Then, by feeding power from a signal source (source) to the slot, the electromagnetic field resonates in the slot to thereby radiate radio wave. The slot antenna (antenna apparatus) having such a kind of straight-line slot has excellent electric characteristics, and hence is used in a wide range of application.

The slot antenna, however, is used functionally as a single antenna, and it is difficult to use it as a polarization diversity antenna.

It is also difficult to arrange a plurality of slot antennas close to each other, due to a restriction such as antenna size, etc.

If a plurality of slot antennas is arranged in a space as small as being occupied by only one slot antenna, the electrical effect between antennas increases. Therefore, practical use of such an antenna consolidating a plurality of slot antennas has been difficult.

Moreover, at the time of realizing an antenna consolidating a plurality of slot antennas, simple construction of the feed mean, miniaturization, improvement in the performance and efficiency, and obtaining broadband property are important.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an antenna apparatus, which solves the above problems, makes it possible to consolidate a plurality of slot antennas, has a polarization diversity function and a simple construction of the feed means, and is small, sophisticated and highly efficient, and is capable of obtaining a broadband property.

According to the first feature, an antenna apparatus comprises a pair of antenna elements constituted by forming a slot on a conductive plate overlapped on a dielectric plate, wherein the pair of antenna elements orthogonal of each other is constituted by forming a slot having a crossing at which two linear portions extending straight with a predetermined width cross at right angles, at the center in the longitudinal direction to each other, and having fan-shaped portions at opposite ends of each linear portion, expanding gradually than the width of the linear portion.

A first feeder line forming an angle of +45° with respect to one linear portion and a second feeder line forming an angle of −45° with respect to this linear portion are provided along the dielectric plate so as to pass through the crossing, respectively, and in the vicinity of the crossing, one feeder line may be arranged on one face of the dielectric plate and the other feeder line may be arranged on the opposite face of the dielectric plate.

A reflecting plate consisting of a conductor may be provided with a predetermined distance separated from a face opposite to the face of the dielectric plate where the conductive plate is overlapped.

An electric characteristic adjusting plate consisting of a conductor may be provided with a predetermined distance separated from a face opposite to the face of the conductive plate overlapping on the dielectric plate.

A slot may be formed in the electric characteristics adjusting plate.

A plurality of the pairs of antenna elements may be provided on the conductive plate.

The plurality of pairs of antenna elements provided on the conductive plate may be arranged in series.

A feeder line may be provided for feeding power in parallel to each of the plurality of pairs of antenna elements.

According to the second feature, an antenna apparatus comprises a pair of antenna elements constituted by forming a slot on a conductive plate overlapped on a dielectric plate, wherein the pair of antenna elements is constituted by forming a slot having a shape such that two linear portions extending straight with a predetermined width cross at right angles, at the center in the longitudinal direction of each other, and a first feeder line forming an angle of +45° with respect to one linear portion and a second feeder line forming an angle of −45° with respect to said linear portion are provided along said dielectric plate so as to pass through said crossing of said two linear portions, respectively, and in the vicinity of said crossing, one feeder line is arranged on one face of said dielectric plate and the other feeder line is arranged on the opposite face of said dielectric plate.

The present invention exhibits excellent effects as described below.

(1) Since slots are formed such that slots comprising a linear portion and a fan-shaped portion at the end thereof cross each other in a shape of a cross, the polarization diversity function can be provided.

(2) Since two feeder lines are arranged on the front face and on the back face of the dielectric plate at the crossing, the construction of the feed means becomes simple.

(3) Since two linear slot antennas are arranged so as to cross each other, two slot antennas are consolidated in the same space, thereby enabling space saving, that is, miniaturization.

(4) Since two linear slot antennas are arranged in a perpendicular alignment, thereby enabling improvement in performance, such that the influence to each other becomes small, high S/N ratio can be obtained, and directivity becomes wide.

(5) Since the reflecting plate is arranged, a highly efficient antenna can be realized.

(6) Since the electric characteristics adjusting plate is installed, broadband property can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a perspective view showing an antenna element in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2

is a plan view showing an antenna apparatus using the antenna element in

FIG. 1

;

FIG. 3

is a broken view showing the antenna apparatus in

FIG. 2

;

FIG. 4

is a broken view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13

is a plan view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14

is a broken view showing the antenna apparatus in

FIG. 13

;

FIG. 15

is a broken view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20

is a broken perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21

is a broken perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22

is a broken perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23

is a broken perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24

is a broken perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25

is a broken perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26

is a broken perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27

is a plan view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 29

is a perspective view showing an antenna apparatus in another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The antenna apparatus of the present invention uses an antenna element shown in FIG.

1

. This antenna element

1

is constructed by forming a slot

4

having a crossing

4

a

in a shape of a cross at which two linear portions

4

c

,

4

d

having the same length and extending straight with a predetermined width cross at right angles, at the center in the longitudinal direction to each other, and having fan-shaped portions at opposite ends of each linear portion

4

c

,

4

d

expanding gradually than the width of the linear portions

4

c

,

4

d

, on a conductive plate

3

overlapped on one face (referred to as “front face”) of a dielectric substrate

2

.

Describing the shape in detail, the dielectric substrate

2

is a square, and the conductive plate

3

is also a square having the same size. The slot

4

is provided so that the linear portions

4

c

,

4

d

are in parallel or at right angles with respect to each side of the dielectric substrate

2

, and the crossing

4

a

is located at the center of the dielectric substrate

2

. The fan-shaped portions

4

b

have such a shape that the sides have an opening angle of 90°, and the outer periphery is a circular arc. That is, the fan-shaped portions

4

b

are formed in a sector. Hereinafter, the fan-shaped portion

4

b

is referred to as “fan-shaped portions

4

b

”. The fan-shaped portions

4

b

is connected to the linear portions

4

c

,

4

d

. The side of the fan-shaped portions

4

b

has an inclination of ±45° with respect to the linear portion

4

c

. The conductive plate portion that separates the fan-shaped portions

4

b

is located in the diagonal line of the dielectric substrate

2

.

This fan-shaped portions

4

b

may be triangular rather than a sector.

The antenna apparatus using the antenna element shown in

FIG. 1

is provided with, as shown in

FIG. 2

, a linear first feeder line

5

forming an angle of +45° with respect to one linear section

4

c

, and a linear second feeder line

6

forming an angle of −45° with respect to this linear section

4

c

. These first and second feeder lines

5

,

6

are introduced at right angles with respect to each side from feeder terminals

8

,

9

provided on two sides of the dielectric substrate

2

, and bent at the diagonal line of the dielectric substrate

2

, so as to pass through the crossing

4

a

. For the feeder terminals

8

,

9

, for example, a coaxial connector is used, so that the internal conductor of the coaxial connector is connected to the feeder lines

5

,

6

and the outside conductor is connected to the conductive plate

3

.

As shown in

FIG. 3

, the first feeder line

5

and the second feeder line

6

are arranged along the dielectric substrate

2

on the face (referred to as “back face”) opposite to the face of the dielectric substrate

2

where the conductive plate

3

is overlapped. The first feeder line

5

is divided into a feeder line

5

a

and a feeder line

5

b

at the position of the crossing

4

a

, and the second feeder line

6

passes between these divided feeder lines

5

a

,

5

b

. On the dielectric substrate

2

, there are provided through holes

2

a

,

2

b

having a conductivity, at the position where the feeder lines

5

a

,

5

b

are divided, and on the conductive plate

3

, there is provided a conductive jumper

5

c

spanning over the through holes

2

a

,

2

b

. Actually, the conductive plate

3

, the dielectric substrate

2

and the feeder lines

5

a

,

5

b

,

6

closely overlap on each other, and hence the feeder line

5

a

, the through hole

2

a

, the jumper

5

c

, the through hole

2

b

and the feeder line

5

b

are conducted to thereby form the integral first feeder line

5

.

The specific manufacturing method of this antenna apparatus is such that a printed circuit board in which conductive plates (conductive foils)

3

,

7

comprising copper, aluminum or the like are formed on the opposite sides of the dielectric substrate

2

is used, the conductive foil

3

on the front face of this printed circuit board is etched to thereby form the slot

4

and the jumper

5

c

, and the conductive foil

7

on the back face thereof is also etched to thereby form the divided feeder lines

5

a

,

5

b

of the first feeder line

5

and the second feeder line

6

. Then, the through holes

2

a

,

2

b

are connected and the feeder terminals

8

,

9

are attached.

Next, the operation of this antenna apparatus will be described.

In this antenna apparatus, the slot

4

has a shape such that fan-shaped portions

4

b

are arranged at each end of the crossing

4

a

in a shape of a cross, and this slot shape is obtained by deforming a cross-shaped slot formed by making two long linear slots cross perpendicular to one another. Hence, two radio waves crossing perpendicular to one another and vibrating can be radiated. That is to say, the antenna element

1

serves as perpendicular two slot antennas.

Feeding to the slot

4

is performed by the first and second feeder lines

5

,

6

, which are located in the diagonal line of the dielectric substrate

2

and passes through the crossing

4

a

. These feeder lines

5

,

6

can be realized with a simple construction formed in a linear form.

Since these feeder lines

5

,

6

are located on the backside of the conductive plate portion separating the fan-shaped portions

4

b

, there is little influence provided to the radiated wave by the feeder lines

5

,

6

.

Another embodiment will now be described.

The feeder lines

5

,

6

are not limited to the one shown in

FIG. 3

, in which the conductive foils

3

,

7

on the whole face except of the portion of the feeder lines are removed by etching, and may be formed by a coplanar line where the feeder line portions are isolated from the conductive plates

3

,

7

by a thin groove. By using the antenna element

1

shown in

FIG. 1

having a slot

4

formed on the conductive plate

3

overlapped on the front face of the dielectric substrate

2

, coplanar lines

10

,

11

are arranged along the conductive plate portions separating the fan-shaped portions

4

b

, as shown in

FIG. 4

, so that respective coplanar lines

10

,

11

pass through the crossing

4

s

. The coplanar line

10

is divided into coplanar lines

10

a

,

10

b

so as not to come in contact with the coplanar line

11

at the crossing

4

a

, and these coplanar lines

10

a

,

10

b

are connected to the through holes

2

a

,

2

b

, to thereby form an integral coplanar line

10

via a jumper

10

c

formed on the back face of the dielectric substrate

2

. As a result, an antenna apparatus similar to that shown in

FIG. 2

is realized.

With the antenna apparatus having the structures shown in FIG.

3

and

FIG. 4

, the antenna element

1

radiates radio waves symmetrically in the frontal direction and in the backward direction (most part of the conductive plate

7

is removed in the production process). If it is desired to obtain a property of radiating radio wave only in the frontal direction, a reflecting plate may be arranged on the backside of the dielectric substrate

2

.

In the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 5

, a reflecting plate

12

is installed at a position separated with a predetermined space from the back face of the dielectric substrate

2

, on the backside of the above-described antenna element

1

. This reflecting plate

12

can work as a reflecting plate by forming a conductive plate in substantially the same shape as that of the dielectric substrate

2

and attaching it to the antenna element

1

via supports

13

so as to face the antenna element

1

.

With this antenna apparatus, since the reflecting plate

12

reflects the radio wave radiated in the backward direction from the antenna element

1

, radiation characteristics only in the frontal direction can be obtained, and radio wave can be radiated efficiently in the frontal direction.

In order to enlarge the band of the radio wave radiated from this antenna apparatus, an electric characteristics adjusting plate may be arranged on the front side of the antenna element

1

. In the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 6

, an electric characteristics adjusting plate

14

is installed at a position separated with a predetermined space from the front face of the conductive plate

3

, on the front side of the above-described antenna element

1

. This electric characteristics adjusting plate

14

can alleviate the frequency characteristics of the antenna element

1

by forming a conductive plate in an optional shape smaller than the antenna element

1

, for example in a circular shape, and attaching it to the antenna element

1

via supports

15

so as to face the slot

4

.

With this antenna apparatus, the radio wave from the antenna element

1

is radiated with directivity in the frontal direction. However, since the electric characteristics adjusting plate

14

is arranged on the front side of the antenna element

1

, not only the resonance by means of the antenna element

1

but also resonance by means of the electric characteristics adjusting plate

14

can be obtained, and hence radio wave can be radiated efficiently over the broadband.

In the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 7

, a slot

20

is formed on the electric characteristics adjusting plate

14

. The slot

20

comprises four linear slots located in the extended direction or in the orthogonal direction to each other, and these four slots are arranged in parallel to each linear portion

4

c

,

4

d

of the slot

4

.

With this antenna apparatus, influence with respect to each other can be can be suppressed between the two perpendicular slot antennas realized by the antenna element

1

.

Arranging a plurality of antenna elements in series in the perpendicular direction in order to enhance the transmission ability constitutes an antenna apparatus in a ground station in the mobile phone system. The present invention is applicable to this antenna apparatus having these pluralities of antenna elements.

Arranging a plurality of above-described slots

4

in the longitudinal direction, on a conductive plate

18

overlapped on an oblong dielectric substrate having a length for the plurality of antenna elements forms the antenna apparatus shown in FIG.

8

. Each slot

4

constitutes an antenna element

1

, and power is fed to each antenna element

1

in parallel from microstriplines

16

,

17

, to thereby constitute a composite antenna element. Etching the conductive plate

18

forms the microstriplines

16

,

17

. On the backside of this composite antenna element, there is installed a reflecting plate

19

having the same shape as that of the dielectric substrate

2

. On the front side of each slot

4

, an electric characteristics adjusting plate

14

is respectively installed.

If such a composite antenna element is used in a posture longer in the longitudinal direction, an antenna apparatus having a structure in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in series in the perpendicular direction can be realized.

Also as shown in

FIG. 9

, by arranging a plurality of composite antenna elements in series in the perpendicular direction in a posture longer in the longitudinal direction, and covering these with a cylindrical plastic cover

21

, multiple-string longitudinal antenna apparatus can be formed easily.

In embodiments shown in figures from

FIG. 1

to

FIG. 9

, by providing the linear portions

4

c

,

4

d

of the slot

4

horizontally or vertically, an antenna apparatus having the same function as the antenna apparatus having two long linear slots crossed each other horizontally and or vertically is realized. Hereinafter, there will be described an embodiment in which the slots

4

are formed in a state rotated by 45°.

An antenna element

31

of the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 10

is constructed by forming a slot

4

having a crossing

4

a

in a shape of a cross, at which two linear portions

4

c

,

4

d

having the same length and extending straight with a predetermined width cross at right angles, at the center in the longitudinal direction to each other, and having fan-shaped portions

4

b

at opposite ends of each linear portion, expanding gradually than the width of the linear portions

4

c

,

4

d

and fanning out, on a conductive plate

3

overlapped on a dielectric substrate (not shown).

The dielectric substrate is a square, and the conductive plate

3

is also a square having the same size. The slot

4

is provided so that the linear portions

4

c

,

4

d

have an inclination of ±45° with respect to each side of the dielectric substrate

2

, and the crossing

4

a

is located at the center of the dielectric substrate

2

. The linear portions

4

c

,

4

d

are located in the diagonal of the dielectric substrate

2

. The fan-shaped portions

4

b

are connected to the linear portions

4

c

,

4

d

. The side of the fan-shaped portions

4

b

has an inclination of ±45° with respect to the linear portion

4

c

, thereby the fan-shaped portions

4

b

has an opening angle of 90° and the outer periphery is a circular arc. Moreover, there are provided a linear first feeder line (a coplanar line

10

, herein) forming an angle of ±45° with respect to one linear portion

4

c

and a second feeder line (a coplanar line

11

) forming an angle of −45° with respect to the linear portion

4

c

. These first and second feeder lines

10

,

11

are introduced straightway from the feeder terminals

8

,

9

provided on two sides of the dielectric substrate

2

.

The antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 10

has substantially the same operation as that of the antenna apparatus shown in FIG.

5

.

A plurality of antenna elements

31

may be arranged on one conductive plate. As shown in

FIG. 11

, a plurality of slots

4

are formed in series in the longitudinal direction, on a conductive plate

18

overlapped on an oblong dielectric substrate having a length for the plurality of antenna elements. Power is fed to each antenna element

31

in parallel from microstriplines

16

,

17

, to thereby constitute a composite antenna element. On the backside of this composite antenna element

18

, there is installed a reflecting plate

19

having the same shape as that of the dielectric substrate

2

. On the front side of each slot

4

, an electric characteristics adjusting plate

14

is respectively installed.

If such a composite antenna element is used in a posture longer in the longitudinal direction, an antenna apparatus having a structure in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in series in the perpendicular direction can be realized.

Also as shown in

FIG. 12

, by arranging a plurality of composite antenna elements in series in the perpendicular direction in a posture longer in the longitudinal direction, and covering these with a cylindrical plastic cover

21

, multiple-string longitudinal antenna apparatus can be formed easily.

As shown in

FIG. 13

, The antenna apparatus of the present invention is such that a pair of antenna elements is constituted by forming a slot having such a shape that two linear portions

104

b

,

104

c

having the same length and extending straight with a predetermined width cross at right angles, at the center in the longitudinal direction of each other, on a conductive plate

103

overlapped on one face (referred to as “front face”) of a dielectric substrate

102

, and a first feeder line

105

forming an angle of +45° with respect to one linear portion and a second feeder line

106

forming an angle of −45° with respect to this linear portion are provided along the dielectric substrate

102

so as to pass through a crossing

104

a

of the two linear portions

104

b

and

104

c

, respectively, and in the vicinity of the crossing

104

a

, one feeder line

105

is arranged on one face of the dielectric substrate

102

and the other feeder line

106

is arranged on the opposite face of the dielectric substrate

102

.

The dielectric substrate

102

is a square, and the conductive plate

103

is also a square having the same size. The slot

104

is provided so that the linear portions

104

c

,

104

d

are in parallel or at right angles with respect to each side of the dielectric substrate

102

, and the crossing

104

a

is located at the center of the dielectric substrate

102

.

The first and second feeder lines

105

,

106

are introduced at right angles to each side from feeder terminals

108

,

109

provided on two sides of the dielectric substrate

102

, and bent at the diagonal line of the dielectric substrate

102

, so as to pass through the crossing

104

a

. For the feeder terminals

108

,

109

, for example, a coaxial connector is used, so that the internal conductor of the coaxial connector is connected to the feeder lines

105

,

106

and the outside conductor is connected to the conductive plate

103

.

As shown in

FIG. 14

, the first feeder line

105

and the second feeder line

106

are arranged along the dielectric substrate

102

on the face (referred to as “back face”) opposite to the face of the dielectric substrate

102

where the conductive plate

103

is overlapped. The first feeder line

105

is divided into a feeder line

105

a

and a feeder line

105

b

at the position of the crossing

104

a

, and the second feeder line

106

passes between these divided feeder lines

105

a

,

105

b

. On the dielectric substrate

102

, there are provided through holes

102

a

,

102

b

having a conductivity, at the position where the feeder lines

105

a

,

105

b

are divided, and on the conductive plate

103

, there is provided a conductive jumper

105

c

spanning over the through holes

102

a

,

102

b

. Actually, the conductive plate

103

, the dielectric substrate

102

and the feeder lines

105

a

,

105

b

,

106

closely overlap on each other, and hence the feeder line

105

a

, the through hole

102

a

, the jumper

105

c

, the through hole

102

b

and the feeder line

105

b

are conducted to thereby form the integral first feeder line

105

.

The specific manufacturing method of this antenna apparatus is such that a printed circuit board in which conductive plates (conductive foils)

103

,

107

comprising copper, aluminum or the like are formed on the opposite sides of the dielectric substrate

102

is used, the conductive plate

103

on the front face of this printed circuit board is etched to thereby form the slot

104

and the jumper

105

c

, and the conductive plate

107

on the back face thereof is also etched to thereby form the divided feeder lines

105

a

,

105

b

of the first feeder line

105

and the second feeder line

106

. Then, the through holes

102

a

,

102

b

are connected and the feeder terminals

108

,

109

are attached.

Next, the operation of this antenna apparatus will be described.

In this antenna apparatus, making two long linear slots cross at right angles, and hence two radio waves crossing perpendicular to one another forms the cross-like shape of the slot

104

and vibrating can be radiated. That is to say, the antenna element

101

serves as perpendicular two slot antennas.

Feeding to the slot

104

is performed by the first and second feeder lines

105

,

106

, which are located in the diagonal line of the dielectric substrate

102

and passes through the crossing

104

a

. These feeder lines

105

,

106

can be realized with a simple construction formed in a linear form.

Another embodiment will now be described.

The feeder lines

105

,

106

are not limited to the one shown in

FIG. 14

, in which the conductive foils

103

,

107

on the whole face except of the portion of the feeder lines are removed by etching, and may be formed by a coplanar line where the feeder line portions are isolated from the conductive plates

103

,

107

by a thin groove.

As shown in

FIG. 15

, by forming the cross-like slot

104

on the conductive plate

103

overlapped on the front face of the dielectric substrate

102

and arranging coplanar lines

110

,

11

in the diagonal of the dielectric substrate

102

, respective coplanar lines

110

and

111

can pass through the crossing

104

a

. The coplanar line

110

is divided into coplanar lines

110

a

,

110

b

so as not to come in contact with the coplanar line

11

at the crossing

104

a

, and these coplanar lines

110

a

,

110

b

are connected to the through holes

102

a

,

102

b

, to thereby form an integral coplanar line

110

via a jumper

110

c

formed on the back face of the dielectric substrate

102

. As a result, an antenna apparatus similar to that shown in

FIG. 14

is realized.

With the antenna apparatus having the structure shown in

FIG. 14

, the antenna element

1

radiates radio waves symmetrically in the frontal direction and in the backward direction (most part of the conductive plate

107

is removed in the production process, and hence does not interfere radiation). If it is desired to obtain a property of radiating radio wave only in the frontal direction, a reflecting plate may be arranged on the backside of the dielectric substrate

102

.

In the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 16

, a reflecting plate

112

is installed at a position separated with a predetermined space from the back face of the dielectric substrate

102

, on the backside of the above-described antenna element

101

. This reflecting plate

112

can work as a reflecting plate by forming a conductive plate in substantially the same shape as that of the dielectric substrate

102

and attaching it to the antenna element

101

via supports

113

so as to face the antenna element

101

.

With this antenna apparatus, since the reflecting plate

112

reflects radio wave radiated in the backward direction from the antenna element

1

, radiation characteristics only in the frontal direction can be obtained, and radio wave can be radiated efficiently in the frontal direction.

In order to enlarge the band of the radio wave radiated from this antenna apparatus, an electric characteristics adjusting plate may be arranged on the front side of the antenna element

101

. In the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 18

, an electric characteristics adjusting plate

114

is installed at a position separated with a predetermined space from the front face of the conductive plate

103

, on the front side of the above-described antenna element

101

. This electric characteristics adjusting plate

114

can alleviate the frequency characteristics of the antenna element

1

by forming a conductive plate in an optional shape smaller than the antenna element

101

, for example in a circular shape, and attaching it to the antenna element

101

via supports

115

so as to face the slot

104

.

With this antenna apparatus, the radio wave from the antenna element

101

is radiated with directivity in the frontal direction. However, since the electric characteristics adjusting plate

114

is arranged on the front side of the antenna element

101

, not only the resonance by means of the antenna element

101

but also resonance by means of the electric characteristics adjusting plate

114

can be obtained, and hence radio wave can be radiated efficiently over the broadband.

Arranging a plurality of antenna elements in series in the perpendicular direction in order to enhance the transmission ability constitutes an antenna apparatus in a ground station in the mobile phone system. The present invention is applicable to this antenna apparatus having these pluralities of antenna elements.

Arranging a plurality of above-described slots

104

in the longitudinal direction, on a conductive plate

118

overlapped on an oblong dielectric substrate having a length for the plurality of antenna elements forms the antenna apparatus shown in FIG.

18

. Each slot

104

constitutes an antenna element

101

, and power is fed to each antenna element

101

in parallel from microstriplines

116

,

117

, to thereby constitute a composite antenna element. Etching the conductive plate

118

forms the microstriplines

116

,

117

. On the backside of this composite antenna element, there is installed a reflecting plate

119

having the same shape as that of the dielectric substrate

102

. On the front side of each slot

104

, an electric characteristics adjusting plate

114

is respectively installed.

If such a composite antenna element is used in a posture longer in the longitudinal direction, an antenna apparatus having a structure in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in series in the perpendicular direction can be realized.

Also as shown in

FIG. 19

, by arranging a plurality of composite antenna elements in series in the perpendicular direction in a posture longer in the longitudinal direction, and covering these with a cylindrical plastic cover

120

, multiple-string longitudinal antenna apparatus can be formed easily.

The antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 20

to

FIG. 26

are obtained by variously changing the electric characteristics adjusting plate

114

of the antenna apparatus shown in FIG.

17

.

In the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 18

, a notch

114

a

is formed in each side of the electric characteristics adjusting plate

114

. By forming notches

114

a

in this manner, the frequency characteristics of the antenna apparatus can be changed.

In the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 21

, the electric characteristics adjusting plate

114

is constituted of a square main adjusting plate

114

b

located at the center and long and narrow supplementary adjusting plates

114

c

,

114

d

located outside of the opposing two sides of the main adjusting plate

114

b

. In this manner, by forming the electric characteristics adjusting plate

114

by dividing into several parts, the frequency characteristics of the antenna apparatus can be changed. The electric characteristics adjusting plate

114

of this antenna apparatus is formed by etching a conductive plate provided on one face of the dielectric substrate

114

c

. As described above, the electric characteristics adjusting plate

114

is not constituted of the conductive plate alone, but may be constituted by providing a conductor along the dielectric substrate

114

e.

In the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 22

, notches

114

f

are formed in each side of the main adjusting plate

114

b

of the antenna apparatus in FIG.

21

. In this manner, the frequency characteristics of the antenna apparatus can be changed by means of the main adjusting plate

114

b

having notches

114

f

, and long and narrow supplementary adjusting plates

114

c

,

114

d

located outside thereof.

In the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 23

, notches

114

g

,

114

h

are formed in each side of the supplementary adjusting plates

114

c

,

114

d

of the antenna apparatus in FIG.

22

. In this manner, the frequency characteristics of the antenna apparatus can be changed by forming notches

114

g

and

114

h

in each long side of the supplementary adjusting plates

114

c

,

114

d.

In the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 24

, long and narrow supplementary adjusting plates

114

i

,

114

j

are also provided outside of the remaining opposing two sides of the main adjusting plate

114

b

in the antenna apparatus in FIG.

21

. In this manner, forming supplementary adjusting plates

114

c

,

114

d

,

114

i

and

114

j

outside of the four sides of the main adjusting plate

114

b

can change, the frequency characteristics of the antenna apparatus.

In the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 25

, notches

114

f

are formed in each side of the main adjusting plate

114

b

of the antenna apparatus in FIG.

24

. In this manner, the frequency characteristics of the antenna apparatus can be changed by means of the main adjusting plate

114

b

having notches

114

f

, and long and narrow supplementary adjusting plates

114

c

,

114

d

,

114

i

and

114

j

located outside thereof.

In the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 26

, notches

114

g

,

114

h

,

114

m

,

114

n

are formed in each side of the supplementary adjusting plates

114

c

,

114

d

,

114

i

,

114

j

of the antenna apparatus in FIG.

25

. In this manner, the frequency characteristics of the antenna apparatus can be changed by forming notches

114

g

,

114

h

,

114

m

and

114

n

in each long side of the supplementary adjusting plates

114

c

,

114

d

,

114

i

and

114

j.

In the embodiments shown in the above-described figures, the linear portions

104

b

,

104

c

constituting the cross-like slot

104

are in parallel or at right angles with respect to each side of the dielectric substrate

102

, respectively, and are used with the linear portions

104

b

,

104

c

being in a horizontal or perpendicular posture. However, the linear portions

104

b

,

104

c

may be inclined with respect to the horizontal or perpendicular direction by rotating the slot

104

by 45°.

In the antenna apparatus in

FIG. 27

, the slot

104

of the antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 13

is rotated by 45°, and the linear portions

104

b

,

104

c

are located in the diagonal line of the dielectric substrate

102

to constitute the antenna element

131

. The coplanar lines (microstriplines)

110

,

111

are introduced from feeder terminals

108

,

109

provided in the vicinity of the end portion of the opposing two sides of the dielectric substrate

102

. One coplanar line (microstripline)

111

is extended in parallel to a side adjacent to the side where the feeder terminal

109

is provided, and bent at right angles at the midpoint position of that side so as to pass through the crossing

104

a

. The microstriplines

110

once goes out from the side where the feeder terminal

108

is provided and bent at right angles, then extended in parallel to the side where the feeder terminal

108

is provided, and then bent again at right angles at the midpoint position of that side so as to pass through the crossing

104

a

. In the vicinity of the crossing

104

a

, one coplanar line (microstriplines)

110

is arranged on one face of the dielectric substrate

102

, and the other coplanar line (microstriplines)

111

is arranged on the opposite face of the dielectric substrate

102

.

The antenna apparatus shown in

FIG. 28

is formed by arranging a plurality of slots

104

as shown in

FIG. 25

in the longitudinal direction, on a conductive plate overlapped on an oblong dielectric substrate having a length for a plurality of antenna elements. Each slot

104

constitutes the antenna element

101

, and power is fed to each antenna element

1

in parallel from microstriplines

116

,

117

, to thereby constitute a composite antenna element

141

. Etching the conductive plate forms the microstriplines

116

,

117

. On the backside of this composite antenna element

141

, there is installed a reflecting plate

119

having the same shape as that of the dielectric substrate

102

. On the front side of each slot

104

, an electric characteristics adjusting plate

114

is respectively installed.

If such a composite antenna element is used in a posture longer in the longitudinal direction, an antenna apparatus having a structure in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in series in the perpendicular direction can be realized.

Also as shown in

FIG. 24

, by arranging a plurality of composite antenna elements

141

in series in the perpendicular direction in a posture longer in the longitudinal direction, and covering these with a cylindrical plastic cover

121

, multiple-string longitudinal antenna apparatus can be formed easily.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiment for complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modification and alternative constructions that may be occurred to one skilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching here is set forth.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
2000-222393	Jul 2000	JP
2000-222394	Jul 2000	JP

Number	Name	Date	Kind
4922263	Dubost et al.	May 1990	A
5691734	Davies	Nov 1997	A

Antenna apparatus

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (2)

US Referenced Citations (2)