JP3569665B2 - Transmitter / receiver with array antenna and method of adjusting this array antenna - Google Patents

Description

【０００８】
式（１）では素子アンテナ１ａ〜１Ｍのそれぞれから、受信アンテナ７の位置までの距離の違いを考慮している。
式（１）において、
ｄ_１ｍは素子アンテナ１ｍ（１ｍ＝１ａ〜１Ｍ）から、近傍界に於ける零点を形成すべき地点までのベクトル、
ｅ_１ｍは素子アンテナ１ｍから近傍界にある零点を形成すべき観測点を見た方向の素子電界強度、
Ｋは波数、
ｒ_ｍ は素子アンテナ１_ｍ の位置ベクトル、
ｄ_０ は素子アンテナ１_ｍ の主ビーム方向の単位ベクトル、
Ｅ_０ｍは素子アンテナ１ｍの単位方向ベクトルｄ_０方向の遠方素子放射電界強度 、
Ｇ_０ は主ビーム方向の所望利得である。
φ_ｍ は送信移相器２ｍの調整位相角である。
【０００９】
式（１）の右辺第１項は、主ビーム方向の電界強度が所望の利得に達しているか否かを評価する項、右辺第２項は所定地点に対する干渉波の放射を評価する項である。
第１近傍界干渉波抑圧手段２０ｂにより評価係数Ｆが算出される。
評価関数Ｆが最小となるように、各素子アンテナごとの励振位相φ_ｍ をφ_２ａ〜φ_２Ｍについて算出し、移相器制御手段２０ａにより位相調整することによって、結果的に近傍界に於ける零点を形勢すべき地点での振幅と位相を調整することができ、近傍界の所定の地点（即ち受信アンテナ７の位置に）に零点を形成することができる。
【００１０】
次に、図２７の送受信装置のアレーアンテナの調整方法について図２８の調整手順説明図により説明する。なお、図２８の（ａ）〜等の符号は、単に調整手順の順番を示す符号ではなく、調整作業の作業内容を示すものとする。即ち、以下の実施の形態での説明に於いて図２８の（ａ）〜（ｅ）の符号を呼ぶ場合には、同じ作業内容を示すものである。
まず、図２８の（ａ）に示すように、送信移相器２ａ〜を調整して、送信アレーアンテナ1に遠方界アンテナパタン１７を形成させる。
次に、（ｂ）に示すように、受信移相器３ａ〜を調整して、受信アレーアンテナ７に遠方界アンテナパタン１８を形成させる。
次に（ｃ）により、前述の説明に基づき、受信アレーアンテナ７の方向への式（１）の評価式Ｆが最小となるようなアンテナパタン送信零点１９を形成する送信アレーアンテナ１の位相を演算で求める。
【００１１】
次に（ｄ）のように、上記と同様の手順により、送信アレーアンテナ１の方向への感度が零点となるアンテナパタン受信零点２０を形成する受信アレーアンテナ７の位相を演算で求める。
最後に、図２８の（ｅ）のように、送信アレーアンテナ１にアンテナパタン１９を形成する位相を、受信アレーアンテナ７にアンテナパタン２０を形成する位相をそれぞれ同時に設定する。このとき、送信アレーアンテナ１及び受信アレーアンテナ７が共に、互いのアレーアンテナの向きへアンテナパタンの零点を形成することとなり、結果として互いの電波干渉を抑制することができる。
【００１２】
しかし、以上の調整方法では、送信・受信アンテナ間に相互作用があるために、例えば図２８の（ａ）で送信アンテナ１は一旦最適値に調整されるが、（ｂ）で受信アンテナ７を調整したとき、既に調整済の送信アンテナ１のパターン特性１７が若干ずれてしまう。また図２８の（ｅ）で送信、受信アンテナ１、７を調整したとき、互いのアンテナパターン特性１７、１８、１９、２０がそれぞれ若干ずれてしまう。そのため複数回の試行によっても、なかなか両者が共に最適値に到達するということにならず、調整に長い時間を必要とするという問題がある。これはどちらの側から先に実施しても同じである。
【００１３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来の送受信装置のアレーアンテナの調整は以上のように行われているので、送信及び受信アレーアンテナにおいて、一方のアレーアンテナのアンテナパタンの零点は、他方のアレーアンテナのアンテナパタンを調整するまでの間、一旦、満足できるレベルに形成されるにもかかわらず、送信及び受信アレーアンテナ共にアンテナパタンの零点を形成する位相を設定するときに、他方のアレーアンテナのアンテナパタンが変化することとなるため、零点の深度の劣化、または方向性の不正確さが生じ、結果として、調整に時間がかかるとか、電波干渉の抑制の効果が充分には得られなくなってしまうという問題があった。
【００１４】
この発明は、上記のような課題を解消するためになされたもので、送信及び受信アレーアンテナにおいて互いの干渉方向へアンテナパタンの零点を形成するとき、一旦調整した零点の深度や方向性が劣化しないようなアレーアンテナを備えた送受信装置、およびこのアレーアンテナの調整方法を提供することを目的とする。
【００１５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この発明によるアレーアンテナの調整方法は、複数の送信素子アンテナを有する送信アレーアンテナから送信した信号を、送信アレーアンテナに近接して配置され複数の受信素子アンテナを有する受信アレーアンテナで受信してその受信強度を測定する手順と、
複数の受信素子アンテナのそれぞれに接続された受信移相器の内の１個の位相を、あらかじめ定めた所定の角度にわたって移相させ、この移相変化に対応する受信強度の変化を記憶したのち移相させた角度をもとにもどす手順と、
受信移相器の内の１個に実施した手順を残りの全ての受信移相器に実施する手順と、
１個の受信移相器と残りの全ての受信移相器との内、記憶した受信強度が最も小さくなったものを抽出し、抽出した受信移相器に、受信強度が最も小さくなった位相角を設定する手順とを含むものである。
【００１６】
また、複数の送信素子アンテナを有する送信アレーアンテナから送信した信号を、送信アレーアンテナに近接して配置され複数の受信素子アンテナを有する受信アレーアンテナで受信してその受信強度を測定する手順と、
複数の送信素子アンテナのそれぞれに接続された送信移相器の内の１個の位相を、あらかじめ定めた所定の角度にわたって移相させ、この位相変化に対応する受信強度の変化を記憶したのち移相させた角度をもとにもどす手順と、
送信移相器の内の１個に実施した手順を残りの全ての送信移相器に実施する手順と、
１個の送信移相器と残りの全ての送信移相器との内、記憶した受信強度が最も小さくなったものを抽出し、抽出した送信移相器に、受信強度が最も小さくなった位相角を設定する手順とを含むものである。
【００１７】
また、請求項１に記載のアレーアンテナの調整方法を実施した後に、請求項１に記載のアレーアンテナの調整方法の手順の全てを繰り返し実施するものである。
【００１８】
また、請求項１に記載のアレーアンテナの調整方法を実施した後に、請求項２に記載のアレーアンテナの調整方法の手順の全てを実施するものである。
【００１９】
また、請求項２に記載のアレーアンテナの調整方法を行った後に、、請求項１に記載のアレーアンテナの調整方法の手順の全てを実施するものである。
【００２０】
また、送信アレーアンテナに遠方界アンテナパターンを設定する第１準備手順と、
受信アレーアンテナに遠方界アンテナパターンを設定する第２準備手順と、
前記送信アレーアンテナから送信した信号を、前記送信アレーアンテナに近接して配置され、複数の受信素子アンテナを有する受信アレーアンテナで受信して、その評価係数を求める手順と、
前記評価係数に従い、前記受信アレーアンテナ上に前記送信アレーアンテナに向かう方向の感度が極小となる零点パターンを形成するための前記複数の受信素子アンテナのそれぞれの位相角を求める手順と、
前記求めた位相角を前記複数の受信素子アンテナのそれぞれに設けた受信移相器に設定する手順とを事前に実施した後に、請求項１に記載のアレーアンテナの調整方法の全ての手順を実施するものである。
【００２１】
この発明によるアレーアンテナを備えた送受信装置は、互いに近接して配置され、互いの方向に向かう方向の送信強度または受信感度が極小となる零点パターンを形成するように、それぞれの位相が調整された複数の素子アンテナをそれぞれに有する送信アレーアンテナ及び受信アレーアンテナ、
受信アレーアンテナの受信信号強度を測定する受信機、
受信アレーアンテナの各素子アンテナごとに設けられその位相を制御する受信移相器、
受信移相器のそれぞれの位相角をあらかじめ定めた所定の角度にわたって移相させ、この位相変化に対応する受信信号強度の変化を記憶する記憶装置とを備え、受信信号強度の変化が最も大きい受信移相器の位相を受信信号強度が最も小さくなった位相に設定したものである。
【００２２】
また、互いに近接して配置され、互いの方向に向かう方向の送信強度または受信感度が極小となる零点パターンを形成するように、それぞれの位相が調整された複数の素子アンテナをそれぞれに有する送信アレーアンテナ及び受信アレーアンテナ、
受信アレーアンテナの受信信号強度を測定する受信機、
送信アレーアンテナの各素子アンテナごとに設けられその位相を制御する送信移相器、
送信移相器のそれぞれの位相角をあらかじめ定めた所定の角度にわたって移相させ、この位相変化に対応する受信信号強度の変化を記憶する記憶装置とを備え、受信信号強度の変化が最も大きい送信移相器の位相を受信信号強度が最も小さくなった位相に設定したものである。
【００２３】
また、送信アレーアンテナの各素子アンテナごとに設けられその位相を制御する送信移相器、
送信移相器のそれぞれの位相角をあらかじめ定めた所定の角度にわたって移相させ、この位相変化に対応する受信信号強度の変化を記憶する記憶装置とを備え、
受信信号強度の変化が最も大きい送信移相器の位相を受信信号強度が最も小さくなった位相に設定したものである。
【００２４】
また、素子電界強度測定装置は、測定した素子電界強度が予め定めた所定のレベルを越えたか否かを判定する判定装置を備え、所定のレベルを越えた素子アンテナの移相器についてのみ、干渉波抑圧装置が算出した位相を設定するものである。
【００２５】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面を参照してこの発明の実施の形態について説明する。尚、各図において共通する要素には、同一の符号を付して重複する説明を省略する。
実施の形態１．
図１はこの発明の実施の形態１による送受信装置１００のブロック構成図を示す。図１に示すように送受信装置１００は、送信部９８と受信部９８とからなる。
送信部９８は送信アレーアンテナ１を備えている。送信アレーアンテナ１は複数の素子アンテナ１ａ〜１Ｍ、これら素子アンテナ１ａ〜１Ｍのそれぞれに接続された送信移相器２ａ〜２Ｍ、及び送信移相器２ａ〜２Ｍへ送信信号を分配する分配器４とから構成され、これらを調整することにより所望のアンテナパタンを形成して電波を放射する機能を備えている。素子アンテナ１ａ〜１Ｍは送信移相器２ａ〜２Ｍによる位相でそれぞれ電波を空間へ放射する。送信移相器２ａ〜２Ｍは素子アンテナ１ａ〜１Ｍから放射する電波の位相を変化させる機能を備えている。分配器４は後述する送信機５から送信電力の供給を受けこれを送信移相器２ａ〜２Ｍに所定の分配率（例えば等分）で分配する、位相制御装置２は送信移相器２ａ〜２Ｍを介して素子アンテナ１ａ〜１Ｍへ、任意の位相で電力を分配させる機能を備えている。送信機５は分配器４に送信波電力を供給する機能を備えている。
【００２６】
受信部９９は受信アレーアンテナ７を備えている。受信アレーアンテナ７は受信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍの調整により所望のアンテナパタンを形成して電波を受信する機能を備えている。受信アレーアンテナ７は、複数の素子アンテナ７ａ〜７Ｍ、受信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍ、及び合成器３とから構成されている。受信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍは素子アンテナ７ａ〜７Ｍで受信した電波の位相をそれぞれ独立に変化させる機能を備えている。合成器８は受信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍを介して素子アンテナ７ａ〜７Ｍで受信した電波を合成し、後述する受信機９へ供給する機能を備えている。
【００２７】
受信部９９は合成器８に接続された受信機９を備えている。受信機９は合成器８から供給された電波の、少なくとも電力を測定する機能を有する。
位相制御装置３は受信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍの位相値を任意に設定する機能を持つ。
受信部９９は受信機９及び位相制御装置３に接続された受信制御装置１０を備えている。受信制御装置１０は、位相制御装置３を介して受信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍに所定の位相値を設定すると同時に、受信機９の受信電力値を記録して前記受信電力値が最小となるときの各受信移相器の位相値を決定する機能を備えている。
受信制御装置１０には記憶装置１１が接続されている。記憶装置１１は受信制御装置１０からの位相設定値及び受信電力値を記憶する機能を備えている。
【００２８】
次に、上述した送受信装置１００の動作について、図１及び調整手順説明図の図２、フローチャート図３に基づき説明する。
図２の（ａ）から（ｅ）までは、従来の調整手順、図２８の（ａ）から（ｅ）までと同じであるので詳細な説明を省略する。即ち、送受信装置１００が起動すると、位相制御装置２及び３は、前述した従来技術の動作によって、あらかじめ求めてある受信アレーアンテナ７の方向にアンテナパタン１８の零点１９を形成する位相を送信アレーアンテナ１の移相器２ａ〜２Ｍに設定し、また、送信アレーアンテナ１の方向にアンテナパタン１９の零点２０を形成する位相を受信アレーアンテナ７の移相器３ａ〜３Ｍにそれぞれ設定する。従来例で説明したとおり、これら調整は最終的に相互干渉により狂い、零点が大まかにしか設定されていない。
【００２９】
この実施の形態での調整の特徴は、図２の（ｆ）の操作を加えることである。
図２の（ｆ）の操作をより詳しく説明するため、この操作のフローを図３に示す。
図３のＳＴ３１は図２の（ａ）〜（ｅ）の操作（従来と同じ）に相当する。
次に、送信機５より送信波を送信し、送信アレーアンテナ１より電波を空間へ放射し、受信アンテナ７で受信する。前述のとおり、この段階では各アンテナパターンは大まかにしか調整されておらず、お互いの方向への感度はかなり残っているから、当然強い電波が受信される。（ステップＳＴ３２）
受信制御装置１０は位相制御装置３を介して、受信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍのうち１個だけ（例えば、先ず３ａ）の位相値をプラス又はマイナスの向きに、あらかじめ定めた所定の幅（例えば±９０度）で変化させる。すると、受信アレーアンテナ７のアンテナパタン１８が変化するため、受信機９で測定される受信電力値（受信強度とも言う）は変動する。受信制御装置１０は受信機９で測定した受信電力値（受信強度）が最小となるときの前記受信電力値及び位相値を記憶装置１１へ送出し記憶させる。その後、前記位相値を変化させた１個の移相器３ａを元の設定値に戻す。（ＳＴ３３）
この動作を全ての受信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍについてすべて実施する。（ＳＴ３４）
その後、受信制御装置１０は記憶装置１１から、受信電力値（受信強度）が最小となる最も効果の高い１個の移相器と、その設定値を選択する。（ＳＴ３５）
受信制御装置１０は位相制御装置３を介して前記選択した１個の受信移相器に前記の位相値を設定する。（ＳＴ３６）
【００３０】
上記のステップＳＴ３６の調整によって、本来の受信アンテナパターン１８が大きく変わってしまうということも、送信アンテナのパターン１７が変わってしまうということもない、その理由は、素子アンテナ数が極めて多いのに対して、調整を変更するのはただ１個にすぎないからである。
上述のように、本実施形態の送受信装置１００によれば、受信機９の受信電力値を最小とすることができる受信移相器を１個抽出し、さらに、この１個の移相器の設定値を微調整することによって、アンテナパタン１８の零点２０をより最適なものとする。従って、受信アレーアンテナ７をその主ビーム１８に大きな影響を与えることなく零点２０の深度をより深くすることが出来る。
以上の操作を手動で行うのならば、勿論記憶装置１１は必要なく、手書き記録すればよい。また、移相指令を直接に位相制御装置３に手動入力するのなら受信制御装置１０も必要ない。
【００３１】
実施の形態２．
次に、この発明の実施の形態２を図４〜６について説明する。
本実施形態の送受信装置１００は、送信アンテナパタン１７の零点１９を最適にするため、送信制御装置１２を使用して、送信アレーアンテナ１の移相器２ａ〜２Ｍを微調整する点に特徴を有する。
【００３２】
図４は本実施形態の送受信装置のブロック構成図を示す。図４に示すように、送信部９８は送信制御装置１２と記憶装置１１とを備えている。送信制御装置１２は、送信機５、位相制御装置２、受信機９に接続されており、送信機５の動作を制御し、また、位相制御装置２を介して移相器２ａ〜２Ｍに所定の位相値を設定すると同時に、受信機９の受信電力値を記録して前記受信電力値が最小となる移相器２ａ〜２Ｍの位相値を決定する機能を備えている。
【００３３】
次に、上述した送受信装置１００の動作について図４乃至図６に基づき説明する。
図６のＳＴ３１において、従来例の操作で説明した下記の調整が行われる。即ち、送信アレーアンテナ１の移相器２ａ〜２Ｍには、受信アレーアンテナ７の方向に零点１９を有するアンテナパタン１７を形成する位相が設定され、受信アレーアンテナ７の移相器３ａ〜３Ｍには、送信アレーアンテナ１の方向に零点２０を有するアンテナパタン１８を形成する位相が設定されている。ただし、これらは前述のとおりそれぞれいくらか狂った大まかなものとなっている。（ＳＴ３１）
送信制御装置１２は送信機５を介して電波を空間へ放射させ、受信機９に受信される電力を測定する。（ＳＴ３２）
【００３４】
位相制御装置２を介して送信移相器２ａ〜２Ｍのうち１個だけ位相値をプラス及びマイナスの向きにあらかじめ定めた所定の幅で変化させる。すると、送信アレーアンテナ１の零点アンテナパタン１９は変化するため、受信機９で測定される受信電力値は変動する。送信制御装置１２は受信機９で測定した受信電力値（受信強度とも言う）を記憶し、前記受信電力値が最小となるときの前記受信電力値及び位相値を記憶装置１１へ送出し記憶させる。その後、前記位相値を変化させた１個の送信移相器を元の設定値に戻す。（ＳＴ６３）
この動作を送信移相器２ａ〜２Ｍについてすべて実施する。（ＳＴ６４）
その後、送信制御装置１２は記憶装置１１から、受信電力値が最小となる最も効果の高い１個の送信移相器とその設定値を選択する。（ＳＴ６５）
移相器の微調整のため、送信制御装置１２は位相制御装置２を介して前記選択した１個の送信移相器に前記記憶している位相値を設定する。（ＳＴ６６）
これによって、受信機９の受信電力値が最小となるように、送信アレーアンテナ１の移相器２ａ〜２Ｍを微調整し、主ビーム１７に大きな影響をあたえることなくアンテナパタンの零点１９の深度をより深く設定することができる。
【００３５】
実施の形態３．
次に、この発明の実施の形態３を図について説明する。
実施の形態１及び２では、受信移相器３ｍ、送信移相器２ｍの微調整は１度のみ実施していた。本実施形態の送受信装置では、微調整を繰り返し実施する点に特徴を有する。
【００３６】
図７は本実施形態の送受信装置のブロック構成を、図８はパターン調整の手順を、図９は図８の手順をフローチャートとして示す図である。図７に示すように、送受信装置１００は受信部９９の受信制御装置１０に接続された制御処理装置１３を備えている。制御処理装置１３は、受信制御装置１０の動作を制御する機能を備える。
【００３７】
次に、上述した受信部９９の動作について図７、８、９に基づき説明する。
本実施形態の送受信装置１００によれば、実施の形態１の動作（図８の（ａ）〜（ｅ）〜（ｆ）までは実施の形態１の調整と同じである）が終了すると、制御処理装置１３は、受信制御装置１０からの受信電力値を記憶した状態に、また、選択された１つの受信移相器の位相が調整前とは異なった値に設定されている。
次に、制御処理装置１３は受信制御装置１０へ制御信号を送り、再度、実施の形態１と同様にして受信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍを変化させて微調整を行い、最も効果の高いものを抽出するための動作を繰り返す、そしてあらかじめ設定したスレッショルド値（希望値でもよい）より受信電力値が小さくなるか（図９のＳＴ９１）、又は、あらかじめ設定した繰り返し回数と一致するまで、微調整の繰り返しを実施する。（図９のＳＴ９２）
これにより、零点形成がより深い、最適なアンテナパタン１８が得られる。
【００３８】
繰り返しの度毎に、選択された受信移相器の位相の設定が変わるのであるから、得られる結果は繰り返し毎に異なり、同じ受信移相器が選択されるとは限らないのは言うまでもない。なお、以上の説明では、受信アレーアンテナ７の調整を繰り返すと説明したが、実施の形態２で説明した送信アレーアンテナ１の調整を繰り返すこととしてもよい。
【００３９】
実施の形態４．
次に、この発明の実施の形態４を図について説明する。
図１０に示すように、本実施形態の送受信装置では送信制御装置１２及び受信制御装置１０が制御処理装置１３に接続され、送信アレーアンテナ１及び受信アレーアンテナ７の微調整を繰り返し実施する点に特徴を有する。
【００４０】
次に、上述した送受信装置の動作について図１０〜１２に基づき説明する。
図１１は手順を、図１２はフローを示す。
本実施形態の送受信装置によれば、制御処理装置１３は、送信制御装置１２及び受信制御装置１０に制御信号を送り、実施の形態１及び実施の形態２にあるように受信移相器２ａ〜２Ｍ及び送信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍを変化させて両アンテナパタンの両零点を微調整させることができる。
図１１の個々のステップの操作については、図１１の（ａ）〜（ｅ）と（ｆ）〔図１２のＳＴ１２１とＳＴ１２２〕は、実施の形態１の図２、図３と同じであり、また、図１１の（ａ）〜（ｅ）と（ｇ）〔図１２のＳＴ１２３〕は、実施の形態２の図５、図６と同じなので、詳細な説明は省略する。
制御処理装置１３は、あらかじめ設定したスレッショルド値（希望値）より受信電力値が小さくなる（ＳＴ１２４）か、又は、あらかじめ設定した繰り返し回数と一致する（ＳＴ１２５）まで、受信移相器２ａ〜２Ｍ及び送信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍの微調整を交互に繰り返し実施させる。
これにより、送信アレーアンテナ１及び受信アレーアンテナ７の両方のアンテナパタンの零点が、それぞれ相手アンテナが最適に調整し直した状態で、再度調整されるので、より確実に最適となるよう送信移相器２ｍ及び受信移相器３ｍを交互に微調整することができ、より最適なアンテナパタンの零点形成が可能となる。
【００４１】
実施の形態５．
次に、この発明の実施の形態５を図１３の構成図、図１４の調整手順説明図、図１５のフローチャートについて説明する。
本実施形態の送受信装置は、送信アレーアンテナ１には受信アレーアンテナ７の方向へ零点１９が形成されるアンテナパタン１７を大まかに設定し、受信アレーアンテナ７には送信アレーアンテナ１の方向に零点２０が形成されていない状態で、受信アレーアンテナ７に送信アレーアンテナ１の方向へ零点１９が形成されるアンテナパタン１８を、評価係数を用いて求める点に特徴を有する。
【００４２】
図１３は本実施形態の送受信装置のブロック構成図を示す。図に示すように、
送受信装置１００は受信部９９に素子電界測定装置１４及び干渉波抑圧装置１５を備えている。素子電界測定装置１４は受信機９より出力される受信電力から各素子アンテナ７ａ〜７Ｍのそれぞれの素子電界強度を測定する機能を有する。干渉波抑圧装置１５はアンテナパタンの零点を形成するために受信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍに設定する位相を決定する機能を有する。
【００４３】
次に、上述した送受信装置１００の調整方法について図１３及び図１４、１５に基づき説明する。図１４は調整手順を、図１５はフローを示す。
本実施形態の送受信装置によれば、図１４の（ａ）〜（ｃ）に示すごとく、まず送信アレーアンテナ１に遠方界アンテナパターン１７を設定する（第１準備手順という）。次に受信アレーアンテナ７に遠方界アンテナパターン１８を設定する（第２準備手順という）。次に、受信アレーアンテナ７の方向に零点１９が形成されるアンテナパタンを設定する、ここで、受信アンテナ７には主パターン１８のみ設定する（図１５のＳＴ１５１）。ここまでの調整は従来例の図２８の（ａ）〜（ｃ）と同じである。
次に、図２８の（ｄ）を実行しないで、図１４の（ｉ）に示すように、送受信装置を作動させた状態で、受信制御装置１０は素子電界測定装置１４へ制御信号を送り受信機９より出力される受信電力に基づき、各素子アンテナ７ａ〜７Ｍそれぞれの素子電界強度を求め、干渉波抑圧装置１５へ通知する。干渉波抑圧装置１５は、上記素子電界強度の測定結果を用いて、式（１）にもとづき評価係数Ｆを求める。（ステップＳＴ１５２）
【００４４】
次に、受信アンテナ７に、送信アレーアンテナ１の方向へ零点２０を形成したアンテナパタン１８を得るための受信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍの位相値（即ち、評価式（１）のＦを最小とする位相値）を求める。（ステップＳＴ１５３）
次に、位相制御装置３は、干渉波抑圧装置１５から通知された上記零点を形成する位相値を移相器３ａ〜３Ｍへ設定する。
なお、上記素子電界強度及び上記零点を形成する位相値を求める方法については、従来例の説明中で式（１）を用いて説明している。
【００４５】
これにより、送信アレーアンテナ１に、受信アレーアンテナ７の方向に零点１９を形成するアンテナパタン１７を設定した条件において算出された最適の結果でもって、受信アレーアンテナ７に送信アレーアンテナ1 の方向に零点２０が形成されたアンテナパタン１８を設定できるようになり、送信及び受信アレーアンテナ共により正確で最適なアンテナパタンの零点を形成させることができる。
【００４６】
実施の形態６．
次に、この発明の実施の形態６を図について説明する。
実施の形態５では、先に送信アレーアンテナ１の概略調整を行ったのち、受信アレーアンテナ７のアンテナパタンの零点を求めていたが、本実施形態の送受信装置は、先に受信アレーアンテナ７の概略調整を行って、送信アレーアンテナ１の零点形成は未実施の状態で、送信アレーアンテナ１のアンテナパタンの零点を評価係数を用いて求める点に特徴を有する。
【００４７】
図１６は本実施形態の送受信装置のブロック構成図を示す。図１６に示すように、送受信装置１００は送信部９８の位相制御装置２に接続された干渉波抑圧装置１５を備えている。
次に、上述した送受信装置の動作について図１６及び図１７、１８に基づき説明する。図１７は調整の順序説明図、図１８は調整フローを示す。
本実施形態の送受信装置では、まず送信、受信アンテナのそれぞれに遠方界アンテナパターンを設定する。（第１、第２準備手順という）。次に、受信アレーアンテナ７に送信アレーアンテナ１の方向に向かう零点２０を有するアンテナパタン１８を大まかに設定する。（図１７の（ａ）（ｂ）（ｄ）（ｅ）、図１８のステップＳＴ１８１）
図１７の（ａ）（ｂ）（ｄ）は従来の図２８の（ａ）（ｂ）（ｄ）と同じ、また、（ｅ）は受信アンテナだけに設定しているという程度の違いなので詳細な説明は省略する。
【００４８】
次に、送受信装置１００を作動させ、送信制御装置１２は素子電界測定装置１４へ制御信号を送り、受信機９より出力される受信電力に基づき、各素子アンテナ７ａ〜７Ｍの素子電界強度を求め、干渉波抑圧装置１５へ通知する。干渉波抑圧装置１５は、上記素子電界強度の測定結果を用いて、評価係数Ｆを求める。（図１８のステップＳＴ１８２） 送信アンテナ１の受信アレーアンテナ７の向きへアンテナパタンの零点１９を形成するような移相器２ａ〜２Ｍの位相値を求める。（ステップＳＴ１８３） なお、上記素子電界強度及び上記零点を形成する位相値を評価係数を用いて求める方法については、実施の形態５と同様であるので説明を省略する。
【００４９】
位相制御装置２は、干渉波抑圧装置１５から通知された上記零点を形成する位相値を移相器２ａ〜２Ｍへ設定する。（ステップＳＴ１８４） これにより、受信アレーアンテナ７に送信アレーアンテナ１の方向に零点２０を形成したアンテナパタンを設定したまま、送信アレーアンテナ１に受信アレーアンテナ７の向きが零点となるアンテナパタン１９を設定することができるようになり、より最適に送信及び受信アレーアンテナ共にアンテナパタンの零点を形成させることができる。
【００５０】
実施の形態７．
次に、この発明の実施の形態７を図１９〜図２１により説明する。 本実施形態の送受信装置は、受信制御装置１０が位相制御装置３及び受信機９に接続されており、実施の形態５の動作を実施後、実施の形態１の調整、即ち、受信アレーアンテナ７の移相器３ａ〜３Ｍを微調整する点に特徴がある。
【００５１】
図１９の構成は、実施の形態１の図１の構成と、実施の形態５の図１３の構成とを合わせ持つ構成であり、実施の形態１の調整手順と、実施の形態５の調整手順とを、ともに実施することができる。各要素は各実施の形態で説明しているので説明を省略する。
本実施形態の送受信装置１００によれば、まず、実施の形態５の動作を実施して、受信アレーアンテナ７のアンテナパタン１８の零点２０を、評価係数を用いて算出し、設定する。（図２０の（ａ）‥（ｃ）‥（ｉ））
次に、受信制御装置１０は位相制御装置６ｂを介して、実施の形態１と同様の方法で、受信移相器３ａ〜３Ｍの微調整を行う。これにより、更に確実に零点の深度を深く設定することができる。
【００５２】
理解を助けるため、図２１に本実施形態での調整のフローを示す。図中に示しているとおり、図２１のフローは実施の形態５のフロー（ＳＴ１５１〜ＳＴ１５４）の後に、実施の形態１の微調整のフロー（ＳＴ３２〜ＳＴ３６）を実施するものであるので、詳細な説明は省略する。
【００５３】
実施の形態８．
次に、この発明の実施の形態８を図について説明する。
実施の形態５では送信アレーアンテナ１について、又実施の形態６では受信アレーアンテナ７について、アンテナパタンの零点を評価係数を利用して形成していた。本実施形態の送受信装置は、実施の形態５の調整と実施の形態６の調整とを交互に行う、即ち、送信アレーアンテナ１及び受信アレーアンテナ７のアンテナパタンの零点を交互に形成する点に特徴を有する。
【００５４】
この送受信装置１００の構成と動作について図２２及び図２３に基づき説明する。
図２２の構成は実施の形態５の図１３の構成と、実施の形態６の図１６の構成とを合わせ持つものである。制御処理装置１３は送信制御装置１２と受信制御装置１０に接続されており、調整を行う順序（後述）に従ってそれぞれに調整開始指令を送信する。これ以外の各構成要素についての説明は各実施の形態で行っているので省略する。
図２３の調整項目（ａ）（ｂ）（ｃ）（ｅ）（ｉ）は実施の形態５の図１４と同じであり、まず（ａ）、（ｂ）で、送信アンテナ１と受信アンテナ７に大まかにパターン１７、１８を設定する（第１、第２準備手順）。次に、（ｃ）（ｅ）で送信アンテナ１からの送信を受信アンテナ７で受信して評価係数を求め、送信アンテナ１に零点１９を設定する。
【００５５】
次に、（ｉ）で、評価係数を求めて受信アンテナ７に零点２０を形成する位相角を求める。
（ｊ）で、受信アンテナ７に零点２０を設定し、再び送信アンテナ１からの送信を受信アンテナ７で受信して評価係数を求め、送信アンテナ１に零点１９を形成する位相角を求める。
（ｋ）で、送信アンテナ１に零点１９を設定するとともに、再び送信アンテナ１からの送信を受信アンテナ７で受信して評価係数を求め、受信アンテナ７に零点２０を再設定する。
本実施形態の送受信装置によれば、実施の形態５と実施の形態６で述べたアンテナパタンの零点を形成する処理を、送信アレーアンテナ１及び受信アレーアンテナ７に交互に実施するので、これによって、更に確実にアンテナパタンの零点を最適に求めることが可能となる。
【００５６】
実施の形態９．
次に、この発明の実施の形態９を図について説明する。
実施の形態８では、受信アレーアンテナ７と送信アレーアンテナ１の全ての受信移相器、全ての送信移相器を使用してアンテナパタンの零点を形成した。しかし、移相器の数は一般に多数であるため、これでは一通りのデータをとるのにも大変長時間を必要とする。
本実施の形態では、図２４に示すように、素子電界測定装置１４に判定装置１６を備えて、素子電界強度の高い、即ち、アンテナパタンの零点の形成に影響の大きい移相器のみを調整の対象とすることにより調整時間を短縮することを特徴とするものである。
【００５７】
上述した送受信装置の構成を図２４に示し、動作について図に基づき説明する。
本実施形態の送受信装置によれば、実施の形態８に示した送信及び受信アレーアンテナ交互にアンテナパタンの零点を形成する動作において、素子電界強度を測定する際に、判定装置１６により素子電界強度があらかじめ定めた所定のレベルより大きかった送信素子アンテナ１ｍ（又は７ｍ）に接続された移相器２ｍ（又は３ｍ）を記憶する。即ち、図２５に示すようにあらかじめ定めたレベル２５１より電界強度が高いもののみを記憶する。ここでｍはａ〜Ｍである。
そして、次回から素子電界強度を測定するときには、判定装置１６は前回記憶した受信電界強度の大きい素子アンテナ１ｍ（または７ｍ）に接続された移相器２ｍ（又は３ｍ）のみ制御して素子電界強度を測定する。これにより、素子電界強度を測定するとき、移相器２ｍ（又は３ｍ）は、アンテナパタンの零点の形成に影響の大きいものに限定することができ、処理時間の短縮が可能となる。
【００５８】
実施の形態１０．
次に、この発明の実施の形態１０を図について説明する。
実施の形態９では、アンテナパタンの零点を形成するための位相を求める際、影響の大きい移相器のみ制御していたが、本実施形態の送受信装置は、影響のない移相器から使用をやめて減らすことにより、調整作業を効率化することを特徴とするものである。
【００５９】
次に、上述した送受信装置の動作について図２６に基づき説明する。
図２６の構成は実施の形態９の図２４の構成に記憶装置１１を追加したものなので構成の詳細な説明を省略する。
本実施形態によれば、実施の形態９の動作において、素子電界強度を求めるさい、素子電界測定装置１４は判定装置１６を介して、あらかじめ設定した値よりも素子電界強度が小さかった素子アンテナ１ｍ（又は７ｍ）に接続された移相器２ｍ（又は３ｍ）を記憶装置１１へ順次記憶する。
次回から素子電界強度を測定するとき、判定装置１６は、記憶装置１１に記憶されている移相器２ｍ（又は３ｍ）を制御しないようにする。これにより、アンテナパタンの零点の形成に影響のない移相器２ｍ（又は３ｍ）の使用を減らすことができ、処理時間の短縮が可能となる。
【００６０】
【発明の効果】
この発明のアレーアンテナの調整方法および自動調整装置、およびこの自動調整装置を備えた送受信装置は、以上に説明したように構成されているので、以下に示すような効果を奏する。
本発明のアレーアンテナの調整方法によれば、受信アレーアンテナの受信移相器の内、最も効果の高い１個の受信移相器の設定値を、受信電力値が最小となるように微調整することによって、アンテナパタンの零点をより最適なものとすることができ、受信アレーアンテナのアンテナパタンの零点の深度の劣化を防止できる。
【００６１】
また、送信アレーアンテナの送信移相器の内、最も効果の高い１個の送信移相器の設定値を、受信機の受信電力値が最小となるように微調整することによって、アンテナパタンの零点をより最適なものとすることができ、送信アレーアンテナのアンテナパタンの零点の深度の劣化を防止できる。
【００６２】
また、受信電力値があらかじめ定めた所定のレベルを下回るか、または所定の繰り返し回数に達するまで、受信アレーアンテナの受信移相器の内最も効果の高い１個の受信移相器の設定値を微調整し、繰り返し微調整を実施するので、より最適なアンテナパタンの零点形成が可能となる。
【００６３】
また、受信電力値があらかじめ定めた所定のレベルを下回るか、または所定の繰り返し回数に達するまで、送信及び受信アレーアンテナを交互に１個の移相器の設定値を微調整し、繰り返し微調整を実施するので、より最適なアンテナパタンの零点形成が可能となる。
【００６４】
また、受信アレーアンテナの向きに零点を形成するよう、送信アレーアンテナにアンテナパタンを大まかに設定した状態で、受信アレーアンテナにその評価係数を利用して、送信アレーアンテナの向きが零点となるアンテナパタンを設定できるので、より最適に受信アレーアンテナにアンテナパタンの零点を形成させることができる。
【００６５】
また、送信（又は受信）アレーアンテナの向きは零点を形成するよう、受信（又は送信）アレーアンテナにアンテナパタンを設定したまま、送信（又は受信）アレーアンテナに、受信（又は送信）アレーアンテナの向きが零点となるアンテナパタンを交互に設定したので、送信及び受信アレーアンテナ共にアンテナパタンの零点を最適に形成させることができる。
【００６６】
この発明のアレーアンテナを備えた送受信装置によれば、受信移相器のそれぞれの位相角をあらかじめ定めた所定の角度幅変更し、この間の位相角と受信信号強度の変化とを記憶する記憶装置とを備え、受信信号強度の変化が最も大きい受信移相器の位相角を受信信号強度が最も小さくなる位相角に設定したので、受信アレーアンテナのアンテナパタンの零点を最適に形成することができる。
【００６７】
また、送信移相器のそれぞれの位相角をあらかじめ定めた所定の角度幅変更し、この間の位相角と受信信号強度の変化とを記憶する記憶装置とを備え、受信信号強度の変化が最も大きい送信移相器の位相角を受信信号強度が最も小さくなる位相角に設定したので、送信アレーアンテナのアンテナパタンの零点を最適に形成することができる。
【００６８】
また、受信移相器のそれぞれの位相角をあらかじめ定めた所定の角度幅変更し、この間の位相角と受信信号強度の変化とを記憶する記憶装置、
送信移相器のそれぞれの位相角をあらかじめ定めた所定の角度幅変更し、この間の位相角と受信信号強度の変化とを記憶する記憶装置とを備え、受信信号強度の変化が最も大きい受信移相器の位相角を受信信号強度が最も小さくなる位相角に設定し、受信信号強度の変化が最も大きい送信移相器の位相角を受信信号強度が最も小さくなる位相角に設定したので、送信及び受信アレーアンテナのアンテナパタンの零点を、共に最適に形成することができる。
【００６９】
また、素子電界強度測定装置は、測定した素子電界強度が予め定めた所定のレベルを越えたか否かを判定する判定装置を備え、所定のレベルを越えた素子アンテナについてのみ調整を行うので、調整時間を短縮することができる。
【００７０】
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態１の送受信装置のブロック図である。
【図２】図１の送受信装置の調整手順説明図である。
【図３】図１の送受信装置の調整手順フローチャートである。
【図４】本発明の実施の形態２の送受信装置のブロック図である。
【図５】図４の送受信装置の調整手順説明図である。
【図６】図４の送受信装置の調整手順フローチャートである。
【図７】本発明の実施の形態３の送受信装置のブロック図である。
【図８】図７の送受信装置の調整手順説明図である。
【図９】図７の送受信装置の調整手順フローチャートである。
【図１０】本発明の実施の形態４の送受信装置のブロック図である。
【図１１】図１０の送受信装置の調整手順説明図である。
【図１２】図１０の送受信装置の調整手順フローチャートである。
【図１３】本発明の実施の形態５の送受信装置のブロック図である。
【図１４】図１３の送受信装置の調整手順説明図である。
【図１５】図１３の送受信装置の調整手順フローチャートである。
【図１６】本発明の実施の形態６の送受信装置のブロック図である。
【図１７】図１６の送受信装置の調整手順説明図である。
【図１８】図１６の送受信装置の調整手順フローチャートである。
【図１９】本発明の実施の形態７の送受信装置のブロック図である。
【図２０】図１９の送受信装置の調整手順説明図である。
【図２１】図１９の送受信装置の調整手順フローチャートである。
【図２２】本発明の実施の形態８の送受信装置のブロック図である。
【図２３】図２２の送受信装置の調整手順説明図である。
【図２４】本発明の実施の形態９の送受信装置のブロック図である。
【図２５】図２４の送受信装置の動作説明図である。
【図２６】本発明の実施の形態１０の送受信装置のブロック図である。
【図２７】従来の送受信装置装置のブロック図である。
【図２８】図２７の従来の送受信装置の調整手順説明図である。
【図２９】従来の送受信装置の送信部の詳細図である。
【図３０】評価係数についての説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 送信アレーアンテナ １ａ、１ｂ‥１Ｍ 送信アレーアンテナの素子アンテナ、
２ 位相制御装置、 ２ａ、２ｂ‥２Ｍ 送信移相器、 ４ 分配器、 ５ 送信機、 ７ 受信アレーアンテナ、 ３ 位相制御装置、 ３ａ、３ｂ、‥３Ｍ 受信移相器、 ７ａ、７ｂ、‥ ７Ｍ 受信アレーアンテナの素子アンテナ、 ８ 合成器、 ９ 受信機、 １０ 受信制御装置、 １１ 記憶装置、 １２ 送信制御装置、 １３ 制御処理装置、 １４ 素子電界測定装置、 １５ 干渉波抑圧装置、
１６ 判定装置、
１７ 送信アレーアンテナの遠方界アンテナパタン、
１８ 受信アレーアンテナの遠方界アンテナパタン、
１９ 送信アレーアンテナの零点パタン、
２０ 受信アレーアンテナの零点パタン、
９８ 送信部、 ９９ 受信部、 １００ 送受信装置。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transmitting / receiving apparatus in which an array antenna is used as both a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, and these antennas are arranged close to each other. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a transmission / reception device provided with an array antenna for more reliably performing adjustment toward the antenna, and a method for adjusting the array antenna.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A wireless transmission / reception device (hereinafter, referred to as a transmission / reception device) having a transmission line and a reception line with a specific partner station is generally used. In order to be able to perform transmission and reception at the same time, there is a type provided with a transmission antenna used exclusively for transmission and a reception antenna used exclusively for reception only.
In many cases, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna provided in the transmitting and receiving equipment must be arranged very close to each other, so that the transmitting frequency and the receiving frequency are selected so as to have a frequency relationship with little influence on each other. Although it is large, sidebands and high and low harmonics of radio waves transmitted from the transmitting antenna are received from the receiving antenna, and it is likely to hinder reception of the original received radio wave.
Therefore, in general, each antenna is set so that the intensity of radio waves radiated from the transmitting antenna toward the receiving antenna is minimized, and the receiving sensitivity of the receiving antenna toward the transmitting antenna is minimized. Is adjusted.
[0003]
According to the present invention, a plurality of phased array element antennas (hereinafter referred to as array element antennas or element antennas) are arranged in a plane or three-dimensionally as antennas, and in the case of transmission, feed power distributed to each element and its phase (transmission Case), and in the case of reception, the reception power phase from each element is adjusted and combined, and as described above, an array antenna that can control the radiation pattern and directivity as a whole is used. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an antenna pattern adjustment method, an automatic adjustment device that automates the adjustment method, and a transmission / reception device including the automatic adjustment device.
[0004]
A conventional adjustment method using an array antenna will be described. FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a conventional transmitting / receiving device, and FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of an adjusting procedure for explaining a method of adjusting the transmitting / receiving device of FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a transmitting / receiving device, which comprises a transmitting unit 98 and a receiving unit 99.
In the transmission section 98, 5 is a transmitter, 4 is a distributor for distributing output power of the transmitter 5, 2a to 2m to 2M are transmission phase shifters, and 1a to 1m to 1M are transmission element antennas (also referred to as element antennas). 1) A transmission array antenna includes the distributor 4, the transmission phase shifters 2a to 2m to 2M, and the transmission element antennas 1a to 1m to 1M. 2 is a transmission phase controller for changing the phase of the transmission phase shifters 2a to 2m to 2M, 17 is the directivity (referred to as a far-field antenna pattern) of the transmission array antenna 1 described for explanation, and 19 is the direction of the reception antenna 7. , Transmission zero points (points where the transmission power is particularly weak, also simply referred to as zero points) generated in the far-field antenna pattern 17 are shown somewhat exaggeratedly for convenience of explanation.
[0005]
In the receiving unit 99, 9 is a receiver, 8 is a combiner that combines the outputs of the receiving element antennas 7a to 7m to 7M, 3a to 3m to 3M are receiving phase shifters, and 7a to 7m to 7M are receiving element antennas (elements). And 7, a receiving array antenna including a combiner 8, receiving phase shifters 3a to 3m to 3M, and receiving element antennas 7a to 7m to 7M. 3 is a reception phase control device that changes the phases of the reception phase shifters 3a to 3m to 3M,
Reference numeral 18 denotes the directivity (referred to as a far-field antenna pattern) of the reception array antenna 7 described for the sake of explanation, and reference numeral 20 denotes a reception zero point formed in the far-field antenna pattern 18 toward the transmission antenna 1 (reception sensitivity is particularly low). (Low point), for the sake of explanation, the illustration is somewhat exaggerated.
As described above, the adjustment is performed so that the transmission zero 19 and the reception zero 20 are in the directions of the antennas of each other. It is assumed that a transmitting / receiving partner station (not shown) exists on the left hand side as viewed in the figure, and the transmitting array antenna 1 and the receiving array antenna 7 are located near a line connecting the partner station and the transmitting / receiving apparatus 100. It is assumed that they are arranged within a distance close enough to cause mutual influence. The shapes of the far-field antenna patterns 17 and 18 are merely examples, and may take various shapes depending on the number, arrangement, adjustment method, and the like of the element antennas.
[0006]
Before describing the method of adjusting the transmission array antenna and the reception array antenna of the transmission / reception apparatus 100 having the above configuration, a method for forming the transmission zero point 19 and the reception zero point 20 disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-36636 will be described. explain. FIG. 29 shows in detail the configuration of only the transmitting section 98 in FIG. 27 for the purpose of explanation, and FIG. 30 is a diagram defining the distance between the antennas.
In FIG. 29, each element of the transmitting antenna 1 for forming a zero point at the point of the receiving antenna 7 (not simply in the direction of the antenna 7 but at the point of the antenna 7) arranged in the near field of the transmitting antenna 1 The phases and amplitudes of the antennas 1a to 1M are determined by an evaluation coefficient F shown in the following evaluation formula (1).
[0007]
(Equation 1)

[0008]
Equation (1) takes into account the difference in distance from each of the element antennas 1a to 1M to the position of the receiving antenna 7.
In equation (1),
d_1mIs a vector from the element antenna 1m (1m = 1a to 1M) to a point at which a zero is to be formed in the near field,
e_1mIs the element electric field strength in the direction from the element antenna 1 m to the observation point at which a zero in the near field should be formed,
K is the wave number,
r_mIs the element antenna 1_mPosition vector,
d₀Is the element antenna 1_mUnit vector in the main beam direction of
E_0mIs the unit direction vector d of the element antenna 1m₀Distant element radiation field strength in the direction
G₀Is the desired gain in the main beam direction.
φ_mIs an adjustment phase angle of the transmission phase shifter 2m.
[0009]
The first term on the right side of Expression (1) is a term for evaluating whether or not the electric field strength in the main beam direction has reached a desired gain, and the second term on the right side is a term for evaluating the emission of an interference wave to a predetermined point. .
The evaluation coefficient F is calculated by the first near-field interference wave suppressing means 20b.
Excitation phase φ for each element antenna so that the evaluation function F is minimized._mIs φ_2a~ Φ_2MIs calculated and the phase is adjusted by the phase shifter control means 20a. As a result, the amplitude and the phase at the point where the zero point in the near field should be formed can be adjusted, and the predetermined point ( That is, a zero point can be formed at the position of the receiving antenna 7).
[0010]
Next, a method of adjusting the array antenna of the transmitting / receiving apparatus of FIG. 27 will be described with reference to the adjustment procedure explanatory diagram of FIG. Note that reference numerals such as (a) to (a) in FIG. 28 do not merely indicate the order of the adjustment procedure but indicate the contents of the adjustment work. That is, in the description of the following embodiment, the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 28A to 28E indicate the same work contents.
First, as shown in FIG. 28A, the transmission phase shifters 2a to 2d are adjusted so that the transmission array antenna 1 forms the far-field antenna pattern 17.
Next, as shown in (b), the reception phase shifters 3a to 3a are adjusted so that the reception array antenna 7 forms the far-field antenna pattern 18.
Next, based on (c), based on the above description, the phase of the transmission array antenna 1 that forms the antenna pattern transmission zero 19 such that the evaluation formula F of the expression (1) in the direction of the reception array antenna 7 is minimized. Obtained by calculation.
[0011]
Next, as shown in (d), the phase of the receiving array antenna 7 forming the antenna pattern receiving zero 20 at which the sensitivity in the direction of the transmitting array antenna 1 becomes zero is calculated by the same procedure as described above.
Finally, as shown in FIG. 28 (e), the phase for forming the antenna pattern 19 in the transmission array antenna 1 and the phase for forming the antenna pattern 20 in the reception array antenna 7 are simultaneously set. At this time, both the transmission array antenna 1 and the reception array antenna 7 form a zero point of the antenna pattern in the direction of the mutual array antenna, and as a result, mutual radio interference can be suppressed.
[0012]
However, in the above adjustment method, since there is an interaction between the transmitting and receiving antennas, for example, the transmitting antenna 1 is once adjusted to an optimum value in (a) of FIG. When the adjustment is made, the pattern characteristic 17 of the transmission antenna 1 already adjusted slightly shifts. Further, when the transmission and reception antennas 1 and 7 are adjusted in (e) of FIG. 28, the antenna pattern characteristics 17, 18, 19, and 20 are slightly shifted from each other. Therefore, even when a plurality of trials are performed, it is difficult for both of them to reach the optimum value, and there is a problem that a long time is required for adjustment. This is true no matter which side is implemented first.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the adjustment of the array antenna of the conventional transmission / reception apparatus is performed as described above, in the transmission and reception array antennas, the zero point of the antenna pattern of one array antenna is adjusted until the antenna pattern of the other array antenna is adjusted. In the meantime, even though the antenna pattern is once formed to a satisfactory level, the antenna pattern of the other array antenna changes when setting the phase forming the zero point of the antenna pattern for both the transmitting and receiving array antennas. In addition, there is a problem that the depth of the zero point is degraded or the direction is inaccurate, and as a result, it takes a long time to adjust or the effect of suppressing the radio wave interference is not sufficiently obtained.
[0014]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. When a zero point of an antenna pattern is formed in a transmitting and receiving array antenna in the interference direction of each other, the depth and directionality of the once adjusted zero point deteriorate. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transmission / reception device provided with an array antenna that does not use such an antenna and a method for adjusting the array antenna.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The method for adjusting an array antenna according to the present invention includes the steps of: receiving a signal transmitted from a transmission array antenna having a plurality of transmission element antennas, receiving the signal transmitted by a reception array antenna having a plurality of reception element antennas arranged close to the transmission array antenna; A procedure for measuring the reception strength;
The phase of one of the reception phase shifters connected to each of the plurality of reception element antennas is shifted over a predetermined angle,This phase changeA procedure of storing the change in the reception intensity corresponding to the above, and then restoring the phase-shifted angle, and
Performing the procedure performed on one of the receive phase shifters on all remaining receive phase shifters;
Of the one receiving phase shifter and all the remaining receiving phase shifters, the one having the lowest stored reception intensity is extracted, and the extracted reception phase shifter is provided with the phase having the lowest reception intensity. Setting a corner.
[0016]
Also, a signal transmitted from a transmission array antenna having a plurality of transmission element antennas, a procedure of receiving the reception array antenna having a plurality of reception element antennas arranged close to the transmission array antenna and measuring the reception intensity thereof,
The phase of one of the transmission phase shifters connected to each of the plurality of transmission element antennas is shifted over a predetermined angle, the change in the reception intensity corresponding to this phase change is stored, and then the phase shift is performed. The procedure to return the phase angle to the original,
Performing the procedure performed on one of the transmission phase shifters on all the remaining transmission phase shifters;
Of the one transmission phase shifter and all the remaining transmission phase shifters, the one having the lowest received reception intensity is extracted, and the extracted transmission phase shifter is provided with the phase having the lowest reception intensity. Setting a corner.
[0017]
After the array antenna adjusting method according to the first aspect is performed, all the procedures of the array antenna adjusting method according to the first aspect are repeatedly performed.
[0018]
Further, after the array antenna adjusting method described in claim 1 is performed, all the procedures of the array antenna adjusting method described in claim 2 are performed.
[0019]
Further, after performing the array antenna adjusting method according to the second aspect, all the procedures of the array antenna adjusting method according to the first aspect are performed.
[0020]
A first preparation procedure for setting a far-field antenna pattern for the transmission array antenna;
A second preparation procedure for setting a far-field antenna pattern for the receiving array antenna;
A signal transmitted from the transmission array antenna is arranged in close proximity to the transmission array antenna, and is received by a reception array antenna having a plurality of reception element antennas, and a procedure for obtaining an evaluation coefficient thereof,
According to the evaluation coefficient, a procedure for determining the phase angle of each of the plurality of receiving element antennas for forming a zero-point pattern on the receiving array antenna in which the sensitivity in the direction toward the transmitting array antenna is minimal,
Setting the obtained phase angle in the reception phase shifter provided for each of the plurality of reception element antennas in advance.After the application, all the steps of the method for adjusting an array antenna according to claim 1 are performed.
[0021]
The transmitting and receiving devices provided with the array antenna according to the present invention are arranged close to each other, and their phases are adjusted so as to form a zero-point pattern in which the transmission intensity or the reception sensitivity in the direction toward each other is minimized. A transmission array antenna and a reception array antenna each having a plurality of element antennas,
A receiver for measuring the reception signal strength of the reception array antenna,
A reception phase shifter provided for each element antenna of the reception array antenna and controlling the phase thereof;
A storage device that shifts the phase angle of each of the reception phase shifters over a predetermined angle, and stores a change in received signal strength corresponding to the phase change. The phase of the phase shifter is set to the phase at which the received signal strength becomes minimum.
[0]022]
In addition, a transmission array having a plurality of element antennas arranged in close proximity to each other and having respective phases adjusted so as to form a zero-point pattern in which transmission intensity or reception sensitivity in the direction toward each other is minimized. Antenna and receiving array antenna,
A receiver for measuring the reception signal strength of the reception array antenna,
A transmission phase shifter provided for each element antenna of the transmission array antenna and controlling the phase thereof;
A storage device that shifts the phase angle of each of the transmission phase shifters over a predetermined angle, and stores a change in received signal strength corresponding to the phase change. The phase of the phase shifter is set to the phase at which the received signal strength becomes minimum.
[0]023]
Further, a transmission phase shifter provided for each element antenna of the transmission array antenna and controlling the phase thereof,
A storage device that shifts the phase angle of each of the transmission phase shifters over a predetermined angle, and stores a change in received signal strength corresponding to the phase change,
The phase of the transmission phase shifter with the largest change in the received signal strength is set to the phase with the smallest received signal strength.
0024]
Further, the device electric field strength measuring device includes a determining device for determining whether or not the measured device electric field strength exceeds a predetermined level, and only the phase shifter of the element antenna which exceeds the predetermined level has an interference. The phase calculated by the wave suppression device is set.
0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, common elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a transmitting / receiving apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the transmission / reception device 100 includes a transmission unit 98 and a reception unit 98.
The transmission section 98 includes the transmission array antenna 1. The transmission array antenna 1 includes a plurality of element antennas 1a to 1M, transmission phase shifters 2a to 2M connected to the element antennas 1a to 1M, and a distributor 4 for distributing a transmission signal to the transmission phase shifters 2a to 2M. And a function of emitting a radio wave by forming a desired antenna pattern by adjusting these. The element antennas 1a to 1M radiate radio waves to space with the phases of the transmission phase shifters 2a to 2M, respectively. The transmission phase shifters 2a to 2M have a function of changing the phase of radio waves radiated from the element antennas 1a to 1M. The distributor 4 receives supply of transmission power from a transmitter 5 described later and distributes the transmission power to the transmission phase shifters 2a to 2M at a predetermined distribution ratio (for example, equal division). A function of distributing power at an arbitrary phase to the element antennas 1a to 1M via the 2M is provided. The transmitter 5 has a function of supplying transmission wave power to the distributor 4.
0026]
The receiving section 99 includes the receiving array antenna 7. The reception array antenna 7 has a function of forming a desired antenna pattern by adjusting the reception phase shifters 3a to 3M and receiving a radio wave. The receiving array antenna 7 includes a plurality of element antennas 7a to 7M, receiving phase shifters 3a to 3M, and a combiner 3. The reception phase shifters 3a to 3M have a function of independently changing the phases of radio waves received by the element antennas 7a to 7M. The synthesizer 8 has a function of synthesizing radio waves received by the element antennas 7a to 7M via the reception phase shifters 3a to 3M and supplying the radio waves to a receiver 9 described later.
0027]
The receiving unit 99 includes a receiver 9 connected to the synthesizer 8. The receiver 9 has a function of measuring at least the power of the radio wave supplied from the synthesizer 8.
The phase control device 3 has a function of arbitrarily setting the phase values of the reception phase shifters 3a to 3M.
The receiving section 99 includes a receiver 9 and a reception controller 10 connected to the phase controller 3. The reception control device 10 sets a predetermined phase value in the reception phase shifters 3a to 3M via the phase control device 3 and simultaneously records the reception power value of the receiver 9 to minimize the reception power value. Has the function of determining the phase value of each reception phase shifter.
The storage device 11 is connected to the reception control device 10. The storage device 11 has a function of storing the phase setting value and the reception power value from the reception control device 10.
[0]028]
Next, the operation of the transmitting / receiving apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS.
2A to 2E are the same as the conventional adjustment procedure and FIGS. 28A to 28E, and therefore, detailed description is omitted. That is, when the transmission / reception device 100 is activated, the phase control devices 2 and 3 change the phase forming the zero point 19 of the antenna pattern 18 in the direction of the reception array antenna 7 determined in advance by the operation of the related art described above. 1, and the phase forming the zero point 20 of the antenna pattern 19 in the direction of the transmission array antenna 1 is set to the phase shifters 3a to 3M of the reception array antenna 7, respectively. As explained in the conventional example, these adjustments are finally disturbed by mutual interference, and the zero point is set only roughly.
[0]029]
The feature of the adjustment in this embodiment is to add the operation of FIG.
In order to explain the operation of FIG. 2F in more detail, FIG. 3 shows a flow of this operation.
ST31 in FIG. 3 corresponds to the operations (a) to (e) in FIG.
Next, a transmission wave is transmitted from the transmitter 5, a radio wave is radiated from the transmission array antenna 1 into space, and is received by the reception antenna 7. As described above, at this stage, each antenna pattern is only roughly adjusted, and the sensitivity in each direction is considerably left, so that a strong radio wave is naturally received. (Step ST32)
The reception control device 10 sets the phase value of only one (for example, 3a first) of the reception phase shifters 3a to 3M via the phase control device 3 in a plus or minus direction to a predetermined width (for example, a predetermined width). (± 90 degrees). Then, since the antenna pattern 18 of the reception array antenna 7 changes, the reception power value (also referred to as reception intensity) measured by the receiver 9 changes. The reception control device 10 sends the reception power value and the phase value when the reception power value (reception intensity) measured by the receiver 9 is minimum to the storage device 11 for storage. Thereafter, one phase shifter 3a having changed the phase value is returned to the original set value. (ST33)
This operation is performed for all the reception phase shifters 3a to 3M. (ST34)
Thereafter, the reception control device 10 selects, from the storage device 11, one phase shifter with the highest effect that minimizes the reception power value (reception intensity) and its set value. (ST35)
The reception control device 10 sets the above-described phase value in the selected one reception phase shifter via the phase control device 3. (ST36)
[0]030]
The adjustment in step ST36 does not significantly change the original reception antenna pattern 18 or change the transmission antenna pattern 17, because the number of element antennas is extremely large. This is because only one adjustment needs to be changed.
As described above, according to the transmission / reception apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, one reception phase shifter that can minimize the reception power value of the receiver 9 is extracted, and furthermore, this one phase shifter By finely adjusting the set value, the zero point 20 of the antenna pattern 18 is made more optimal. Therefore, the depth of the zero point 20 can be further increased without greatly affecting the main beam 18 of the receiving array antenna 7.
If the above operation is performed manually, the storage device 11 is, of course, not necessary, and may be handwritten. In addition, if the phase shift command is manually input directly to the phase control device 3, the reception control device 10 is not required.
[0031]
Embodiment 2 FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The transmission / reception apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is characterized in that the transmission control apparatus 12 is used to finely adjust the phase shifters 2a to 2M of the transmission array antenna 1 in order to optimize the zero point 19 of the transmission antenna pattern 17. Have.
[0032]
FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the transmission / reception device of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission unit 98 includes a transmission control device 12 and a storage device 11. The transmission control device 12 is connected to the transmitter 5, the phase control device 2, and the receiver 9, controls the operation of the transmitter 5, and controls the phase shifters 2a to 2M via the phase control device 2. And the function of recording the received power value of the receiver 9 and determining the phase value of the phase shifters 2a to 2M that minimize the received power value.
[0033]]
Next, the operation of the transmitting / receiving apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
In ST31 of FIG. 6, the following adjustment described in the operation of the conventional example is performed. That is, the phase forming the antenna pattern 17 having the zero point 19 in the direction of the receiving array antenna 7 is set in the phase shifters 2a to 2M of the transmitting array antenna 1, and the phase shifters 3a to 3M of the receiving array antenna 7 are set. Are set to form an antenna pattern 18 having a zero 20 in the direction of the transmission array antenna 1. However, each of these is somewhat crazy as described above. (ST31)
The transmission control device 12 emits a radio wave to the space via the transmitter 5 and measures the power received by the receiver 9. (ST32)
[0]034]
The phase value of one of the transmission phase shifters 2a to 2M is changed via the phase control device 2 in the plus and minus directions at a predetermined width. Then, since the zero-point antenna pattern 19 of the transmission array antenna 1 changes, the received power value measured by the receiver 9 changes. The transmission control device 12 stores the reception power value (also referred to as reception intensity) measured by the receiver 9, and sends the reception power value and the phase value when the reception power value becomes minimum to the storage device 11 for storage. . Thereafter, one transmission phase shifter having changed the phase value is returned to the original set value. (ST63)
This operation is performed for all the transmission phase shifters 2a to 2M. (ST64)
After that, the transmission control device 12 selects, from the storage device 11, one transmission phase shifter with the highest effect that minimizes the received power value and its set value. (ST65)
For fine adjustment of the phase shifter, the transmission controller 12 sets the stored phase value to the selected one transmission phase shifter via the phase controller 2. (ST66)
Thereby, the phase shifters 2a to 2M of the transmission array antenna 1 are finely adjusted so that the reception power value of the receiver 9 is minimized, and the depth of the zero point 19 of the antenna pattern is not greatly affected on the main beam 17. Can be set deeper.
[0]035
Embodiment 3 FIG.
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the first and second embodiments, the fine adjustment of the reception phase shifter 3m and the transmission phase shifter 2m is performed only once. The transmitting and receiving apparatus of the present embodiment is characterized in that fine adjustment is repeatedly performed.
0036]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the block configuration of the transmission / reception apparatus of the present embodiment, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of pattern adjustment, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the transmission / reception device 100 includes a control processing device 13 connected to the reception control device 10 of the reception unit 99. The control processing device 13 has a function of controlling the operation of the reception control device 10.
0037]
Next, the operation of the above-described receiving unit 99 will be described with reference to FIGS.
According to the transmitting and receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when the operation of the first embodiment (the adjustments of FIG. 8A to FIG. 8E to FIG. 8F are the same as those of the first embodiment) is completed, The processing device 13 stores the received power value from the reception control device 10 and sets the phase of one selected reception phase shifter to a value different from that before adjustment.
Next, the control processing device 13 sends a control signal to the reception control device 10, again performs fine adjustment by changing the reception phase shifters 3a to 3M in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and determines the most effective one. The operation for extraction is repeated, and fine adjustment is performed until the received power value becomes smaller than a preset threshold value (may be a desired value) (ST91 in FIG. 9) or until the received power value matches the preset number of repetitions. Perform repetition. (ST92 in FIG. 9)
As a result, an optimum antenna pattern 18 having a deeper zero point formation can be obtained.
0038]
Since the phase setting of the selected receiving phase shifter changes every time the repetition is performed, it goes without saying that the obtained result differs for each repetition, and that the same receiving phase shifter is not always selected. In the above description, the adjustment of the reception array antenna 7 is repeated. However, the adjustment of the transmission array antenna 1 described in the second embodiment may be repeated.
0039]
Embodiment 4 FIG.
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 10, in the transmitting / receiving device of the present embodiment, the transmission control device 12 and the reception control device 10 are connected to the control processing device 13, and the fine adjustment of the transmission array antenna 1 and the reception array antenna 7 is repeatedly performed. Has features.
0040]
Next, the operation of the above-described transmitting / receiving apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 11 shows the procedure, and FIG. 12 shows the flow.
According to the transmission / reception device of the present embodiment, the control processing device 13 sends a control signal to the transmission control device 12 and the reception control device 10, and performs the reception phase shifters 2a to 2a as described in the first and second embodiments. By changing the 2M and the transmission phase shifters 3a to 3M, both zero points of both antenna patterns can be finely adjusted.
Regarding the operation of each step in FIG. 11, (a) to (e) and (f) in FIG. 11 (ST121 and ST122 in FIG. 12) are the same as those in FIG. 2 and FIG. Further, (a) to (e) and (g) of FIG. 11 (ST123 of FIG. 12) are the same as FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 of the second embodiment, and thus detailed description will be omitted.
The control processor 13 controls the reception phase shifters 2a to 2M until the received power value becomes smaller than a preset threshold value (desired value) (ST124) or until the received power value matches the preset number of repetitions (ST125). The fine adjustment of the transmission phase shifters 3a to 3M is alternately and repeatedly performed.
As a result, the zeros of the antenna patterns of both the transmission array antenna 1 and the reception array antenna 7 are adjusted again in a state where the other antennas have been optimally adjusted, respectively. The shifter 2m and the receiving phase shifter 3m can be finely adjusted alternately, and a more optimal zero point formation of the antenna pattern can be performed.
0041]
Embodiment 5 FIG.
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the configuration diagram of FIG. 13, the adjustment procedure explanatory diagram of FIG. 14, and the flowchart of FIG.
In the transmitting and receiving apparatus of the present embodiment, the transmitting array antenna 1 roughly sets an antenna pattern 17 in which a zero 19 is formed in the direction of the receiving array antenna 7, and the receiving array antenna 7 has a zero in the direction of the transmitting array antenna 1. It is characterized in that the antenna pattern 18 in which the zero point 19 is formed in the receiving array antenna 7 in the direction of the transmitting array antenna 1 is obtained by using the evaluation coefficient in a state where 20 is not formed.
0042]
FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of the transmission / reception apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure,
The transmitting / receiving device 100 includes the element electric field measuring device 14 and the interference wave suppressing device 15 in the receiving unit 99. The element electric field measuring device 14 has a function of measuring the element electric field strength of each of the element antennas 7a to 7M from the received power output from the receiver 9. The interference wave suppression device 15 has a function of determining phases to be set in the reception phase shifters 3a to 3M in order to form a zero point of the antenna pattern.
0043]
Next, a method for adjusting the above-described transmitting / receiving apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 shows an adjustment procedure, and FIG. 15 shows a flow.
According to the transmitting and receiving apparatus of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, first, the far-field antenna pattern 17 is set in the transmission array antenna 1 (referred to as a first preparation procedure). Next, the far-field antenna pattern 18 is set to the receiving array antenna 7 (referred to as a second preparation procedure). Next, an antenna pattern in which a zero point 19 is formed in the direction of the receiving array antenna 7 is set. Here, only the main pattern 18 is set for the receiving antenna 7 (ST151 in FIG. 15). The adjustment up to this point is the same as in the conventional example shown in FIGS.
Next, without performing (d) of FIG. 28, as shown in (i) of FIG. 14, the reception control device 10 sends a control signal to the element electric field measurement device 14 in a state where the transmission / reception device is operated, and receives the signal. The element electric field strength of each of the element antennas 7 a to 7 M is obtained based on the reception power output from the device 9 and is notified to the interference wave suppressing device 15. The interference wave suppression device 15 obtains the evaluation coefficient F based on the expression (1) using the measurement result of the element electric field strength. (Step ST152)
0044]
Next, the phase values of the reception phase shifters 3a to 3M for obtaining the antenna pattern 18 having the zero 20 formed in the direction of the transmission array antenna 1 in the direction of the transmission array antenna 1 (that is, F of the evaluation formula (1) is minimized). Phase value). (Step ST153)
Next, the phase control device 3 sets the phase value forming the zero point notified from the interference wave suppression device 15 to the phase shifters 3a to 3M.
The method of obtaining the element electric field intensity and the phase value forming the zero point has been described using Expression (1) in the description of the conventional example.
0045]
Thus, the transmission array antenna 1 is moved in the direction of the transmission array antenna 1 to the reception array antenna 7 with the optimum result calculated under the condition that the antenna pattern 17 forming the zero point 19 in the direction of the reception array antenna 7 is set. The antenna pattern 18 in which the zero 20 is formed can be set, so that the transmitting and receiving array antennas can more accurately and optimally form the antenna pattern zero.
0046]
Embodiment 6 FIG.
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the fifth embodiment, the zero point of the antenna pattern of the receiving array antenna 7 is obtained after the rough adjustment of the transmitting array antenna 1 is performed first. The feature is that the rough adjustment is performed, and the zero point of the transmission array antenna 1 is obtained by using the evaluation coefficient in a state where the zero point formation of the transmission array antenna 1 has not been performed.
0047]
FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the transmission / reception device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the transmission / reception device 100 includes an interference wave suppression device 15 connected to the phase control device 2 of the transmission unit 98.
Next, the operation of the above-described transmitting / receiving apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the order of adjustment, and FIG. 18 shows an adjustment flow.
In the transmitting / receiving device of the present embodiment, first, a far-field antenna pattern is set for each of the transmitting and receiving antennas. (Referred to as first and second preparation procedures). Next, an antenna pattern 18 having a zero point 20 directed toward the transmission array antenna 1 is roughly set on the reception array antenna 7. ((A), (b), (d), and (e) of FIG. 17, Step ST181 of FIG. 18)
FIGS. 17 (a), (b), and (d) are the same as those of FIGS. 28 (a), (b), and (d), and FIG. 17 (e) is different in that only the receiving antenna is set. Detailed description is omitted.
0048]
Next, the transmission / reception device 100 is operated, the transmission control device 12 sends a control signal to the element electric field measurement device 14, and calculates the element electric field strength of each of the element antennas 7a to 7M based on the reception power output from the receiver 9. , To the interference wave suppression device 15. The interference wave suppression device 15 obtains the evaluation coefficient F using the measurement result of the element electric field strength. (Step ST182 in FIG. 18) The phase values of the phase shifters 2a to 2M that form the zero point 19 of the antenna pattern in the direction of the receiving array antenna 7 of the transmitting antenna 1 are obtained. (Step ST183) The method of obtaining the element electric field intensity and the phase value forming the zero point by using the evaluation coefficient is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, and thus the description is omitted.
0049]
The phase control device 2 sets the phase value forming the zero point notified from the interference wave suppression device 15 to the phase shifters 2a to 2M. (Step ST184) With this, while the antenna pattern in which the zero point 20 is formed in the direction of the transmission array antenna 1 is set in the reception array antenna 7, the antenna pattern 19 in which the direction of the reception array antenna 7 is zero is set in the transmission array antenna 1. This makes it possible to more optimally form the zero point of the antenna pattern for both the transmitting and receiving array antennas.
0050]
Embodiment 7 FIG.
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the transmission / reception device of the present embodiment, the reception control device 10 is connected to the phase control device 3 and the receiver 9, and after performing the operation of the fifth embodiment, the adjustment of the first embodiment, that is, the reception array antenna 7 Is characterized in that the phase shifters 3a to 3M are finely adjusted.
0051]
The configuration of FIG. 19 is a configuration having both the configuration of FIG. 1 of the first embodiment and the configuration of FIG. 13 of the fifth embodiment, and an adjustment procedure of the first embodiment and an adjustment procedure of the fifth embodiment. And can be implemented together. Each component has been described in each embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
According to the transmitting / receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, first, the operation of the fifth embodiment is performed to calculate and set the zero 20 of the antenna pattern 18 of the receiving array antenna 7 using the evaluation coefficient. ((A) ‥ (c) ‥ (i) in FIG. 20)
Next, the reception control device 10 finely adjusts the reception phase shifters 3a to 3M via the phase control device 6b in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Thereby, the depth of the zero point can be set more reliably.
0052]
FIG. 21 shows a flow of adjustment in the present embodiment to facilitate understanding. As shown in the figure, the flow of FIG. 21 is the one in which the fine adjustment flow (ST32 to ST36) of the first embodiment is performed after the flow (ST151 to ST154) of the fifth embodiment. Detailed description is omitted.
0053]
Embodiment 8 FIG.
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the fifth embodiment, the transmission array antenna 1 is used, and in the sixth embodiment, the reception pattern antenna 7 is used to form the antenna pattern zero using the evaluation coefficient. The transmitting and receiving apparatus of the present embodiment alternately performs the adjustment of the fifth embodiment and the adjustment of the sixth embodiment, that is, alternately forms the zero points of the antenna patterns of the transmission array antenna 1 and the reception array antenna 7. Has features.
0054]
The configuration and operation of the transmitting / receiving apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The configuration of FIG. 22 has both the configuration of FIG. 13 of the fifth embodiment and the configuration of FIG. 16 of the sixth embodiment. The control processing device 13 is connected to the transmission control device 12 and the reception control device 10, and transmits an adjustment start command to each in accordance with the order of adjustment (described later). The description of the other components is omitted in the description of each embodiment.
The adjustment items (a), (b), (c), (e), and (i) in FIG. 23 are the same as those in FIG. 14 of the fifth embodiment. First, in (a) and (b), the transmitting antenna 1 and the receiving antenna 7 Are roughly set (first and second preparation procedures). Next, in (c) and (e), the transmission from the transmitting antenna 1 is received by the receiving antenna 7, an evaluation coefficient is obtained, and a zero 19 is set to the transmitting antenna 1.
0055]
Next, in (i), an evaluation coefficient is obtained, and a phase angle for forming the zero point 20 in the receiving antenna 7 is obtained.
In (j), the zero point 20 is set in the receiving antenna 7, the transmission from the transmitting antenna 1 is again received by the receiving antenna 7, an evaluation coefficient is obtained, and a phase angle for forming the zero point 19 in the transmitting antenna 1 is obtained.
In (k), the transmission antenna 1 is set to the zero point 19, and the transmission from the transmission antenna 1 is again received by the reception antenna 7 to obtain an evaluation coefficient, and the zero point 20 is reset to the reception antenna 7.
According to the transmitting and receiving apparatus of the present embodiment, the process of forming the zero point of the antenna pattern described in the fifth and sixth embodiments is performed alternately on the transmission array antenna 1 and the reception array antenna 7, and thereby, In addition, the zero point of the antenna pattern can be more optimally obtained.
0056]
Embodiment 9 FIG.
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the eighth embodiment, the zero point of the antenna pattern is formed by using all the reception phase shifters and all the transmission phase shifters of the reception array antenna 7 and the transmission array antenna 1. However, since the number of phase shifters is generally large, it takes a very long time to acquire one set of data.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the element electric field measuring device 14 is provided with the determination device 16 to adjust only the phase shifter having a high element electric field strength, that is, having a large influence on the formation of the zero point of the antenna pattern. , The adjustment time is reduced.
0057]
FIG. 24 shows the configuration of the transmitting / receiving apparatus described above, and the operation will be described with reference to the drawings.
According to the transmitting and receiving apparatus of the present embodiment, in the operation of alternately forming the zero point of the antenna pattern in the transmitting and receiving array antennas shown in Embodiment 8, when the element electric field strength is measured, Stores the phase shifter 2m (or 3m) connected to the transmitting element antenna 1m (or 7m) which is higher than a predetermined level. That is, as shown in FIG. 25, only those having an electric field strength higher than a predetermined level 251 are stored. Here, m is a to M.
Then, when measuring the element electric field intensity from the next time, the determination device 16 controls only the phase shifter 2m (or 3m) connected to the element antenna 1m (or 7m) having the large received electric field intensity stored last time to control the element electric field intensity. Is measured. Thereby, when measuring the element electric field strength, the phase shifter 2m (or 3m) can be limited to the one that greatly affects the formation of the zero point of the antenna pattern, and the processing time can be reduced.
0058]
Embodiment 10 FIG.
Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the ninth embodiment, when determining the phase for forming the zero point of the antenna pattern, only the phase shifter having a large influence is controlled. However, the transmitting and receiving apparatus according to the present embodiment uses the phase shifter having no influence. The feature is that the adjustment work is made more efficient by stopping and reducing the number.
0059]
Next, the operation of the above-described transmitting / receiving apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
The configuration of FIG. 26 is obtained by adding the storage device 11 to the configuration of FIG. 24 of the ninth embodiment, and thus a detailed description of the configuration is omitted.
According to the present embodiment, in the operation of the ninth embodiment, when determining the element electric field intensity, the element electric field measuring device 14 transmits, via the determination device 16, the element antenna 1m having the element electric field intensity smaller than a preset value. The phase shifter 2m (or 3m) connected to (or 7m) is sequentially stored in the storage device 11.
When measuring the element electric field intensity from the next time, the determination device 16 does not control the phase shifter 2m (or 3m) stored in the storage device 11. Thus, the use of the phase shifter 2m (or 3m) which does not affect the formation of the zero point of the antenna pattern can be reduced, and the processing time can be reduced.
0060]
【The invention's effect】
The array antenna adjustment method and automatic adjustment device of the present invention, and the transmission / reception device provided with this automatic adjustment device are configured as described above, and thus have the following effects.
According to the array antenna adjustment method of the present invention, among the reception phase shifters of the reception array antenna, the setting value of one of the most effective reception phase shifters is finely adjusted so that the reception power value is minimized. By doing so, the zero point of the antenna pattern can be made more optimal, and the deterioration of the depth of the zero point of the antenna pattern of the receiving array antenna can be prevented.
0061]
Also, by finely adjusting the setting value of one of the most effective transmission phase shifters of the transmission array antenna so that the reception power value of the receiver is minimized, the antenna pattern can be reduced. The zero point can be made more optimal, and the deterioration of the depth of the zero point of the antenna pattern of the transmission array antenna can be prevented.
0062]
Also, until the received power value falls below a predetermined level or reaches a predetermined number of repetitions, the set value of one of the most effective reception phase shifters of the reception array antenna of the reception array antenna is changed. Since the fine adjustment is performed repeatedly and finely adjusted, it is possible to form a more optimum zero point of the antenna pattern.
0063]
Also, until the received power value falls below a predetermined level or reaches a predetermined number of repetitions, the transmitting and receiving array antennas are alternately fine-tuned to the set value of one phase shifter and repeatedly fine-tuned. Therefore, it is possible to form a more optimal zero point of the antenna pattern.
0064]
Also, with the antenna pattern roughly set in the transmitting array antenna so as to form a zero point in the direction of the receiving array antenna, the antenna in which the direction of the transmitting array antenna becomes zero using the evaluation coefficient for the receiving array antenna. Since the pattern can be set, the receiving array antenna can more optimally form the zero point of the antenna pattern.
0065]
Also, the transmission (or reception) array antenna is set to the transmission (or reception) array antenna while the antenna pattern is set to the reception (or transmission) array antenna so that the direction of the transmission (or reception) array antenna forms a zero point. Since the antenna patterns having the directions of the zero points are alternately set, the zero points of the antenna patterns can be optimally formed for both the transmitting and receiving array antennas.
0066]
According to the transmission / reception device provided with the array antenna of the present invention, the storage device that changes the phase angle of each of the reception phase shifters to a predetermined angle width, and stores the phase angle and the change in the received signal strength during this period Since the phase angle of the reception phase shifter having the largest change in the received signal strength is set to the phase angle at which the received signal strength is the smallest, the zero point of the antenna pattern of the reception array antenna can be optimally formed. .
0067]
Also, a storage device for changing the phase angle of each of the transmission phase shifters to a predetermined angle width and storing the phase angle and the change in the received signal strength during the change is provided, and the change in the received signal strength is the largest. Since the phase angle of the transmission phase shifter is set to the phase angle at which the received signal strength becomes minimum, the zero point of the antenna pattern of the transmission array antenna can be optimally formed.
0068]
Further, a storage device that changes the phase angle of each of the reception phase shifters by a predetermined angle width, and stores the phase angle and the change in the received signal strength during this period.
A storage device for changing the phase angle of each of the transmission phase shifters to a predetermined angle width and storing the phase angle and the change in the received signal strength during the change, the reception phase having the largest change in the received signal strength. Since the phase angle of the phase shifter is set to the phase angle at which the received signal strength becomes the smallest, and the phase angle of the transmission phase shifter at which the received signal strength change is the largest is set at the phase angle at which the received signal strength becomes the smallest, In addition, the zero point of the antenna pattern of the receiving array antenna can be optimally formed.
0069]
In addition, the device electric field strength measuring device includes a determination device that determines whether the measured device electric field intensity exceeds a predetermined level, and performs adjustment only for an element antenna exceeding a predetermined level. Time can be reduced.
0070]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a transmitting / receiving device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an adjustment procedure of the transmitting / receiving device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an adjustment procedure of the transmitting and receiving apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a transmitting / receiving device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an adjustment procedure of the transmitting / receiving device in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an adjustment procedure of the transmission / reception device of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a transmitting / receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
8 is an explanatory diagram of an adjustment procedure of the transmission / reception device of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an adjustment procedure of the transmitting / receiving apparatus of FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a transmitting / receiving device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an adjustment procedure of the transmitting / receiving device in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an adjustment procedure of the transmission / reception device of FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a transmitting / receiving device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an adjustment procedure of the transmission / reception device in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an adjustment procedure of the transmission / reception apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a transmitting / receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.
17 is an explanatory diagram of an adjustment procedure of the transmission / reception device of FIG.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an adjustment procedure of the transmission / reception device of FIG.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a transmission / reception device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of an adjustment procedure of the transmitting / receiving device in FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a flowchart of an adjustment procedure of the transmitting / receiving apparatus of FIG. 19;
FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a transmitting / receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.
23 is an explanatory diagram of an adjustment procedure of the transmission / reception device of FIG. 22.
FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a transmitting / receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention.
FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the transmitting / receiving device in FIG. 24.
FIG. 26 is a block diagram of a transmitting / receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a conventional transmitting / receiving apparatus.
FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of an adjustment procedure of the conventional transmitting / receiving apparatus of FIG. 27;
FIG. 29 is a detailed view of a transmitting section of a conventional transmitting / receiving apparatus.
FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of an evaluation coefficient.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 transmission array antenna 1a, 1b ‥ 1M element antenna of transmission array antenna,
2 phase control device, 2a, 2b 2M transmission phase shifter, 4 distributor, 5 transmitter, 7 receiving array antenna, 3 phase control device, 3a, 3b, 3M reception phase shifter, 7a, 7b, 7M Element antenna of receiving array antenna, 8 combiner, 9 receiver, 10 reception control device, 11 storage device, 12 transmission control device, 13 control processing device, 14 element electric field measurement device, 15 interference wave suppression device,
16 judging device,
17 Far-field antenna pattern of the transmitting array antenna
18 Far-field antenna pattern of the receiving array antenna
19 Zero pattern of transmitting array antenna
20 Zero pattern of the receiving array antenna,
98 transmitting unit, 99 receiving unit, 100 transmitting / receiving device.

Claims (11)

A signal transmitted from a transmission array antenna having a plurality of transmission element antennas, a step of receiving the reception array antenna having a plurality of reception element antennas arranged close to the transmission array antenna and measuring the reception intensity thereof,
The phase of one of the reception phase shifters connected to each of the plurality of reception element antennas is shifted over a predetermined angle, and the change in the reception intensity corresponding to the change in phase is stored. And then returning the phase-shifted angle to its original position,
Performing the procedure performed on one of the receive phase shifters on all the remaining receive phase shifters;
Of the one reception phase shifter and all the remaining reception phase shifters, the one with the smallest stored reception intensity is extracted, and the extracted reception phase shifter has the reception intensity Setting the smallest phase angle. A signal transmitted from a transmission array antenna having a plurality of transmission element antennas, a step of receiving the reception array antenna having a plurality of reception element antennas arranged close to the transmission array antenna and measuring the reception intensity thereof,
The phase of one of the transmission phase shifters connected to each of the plurality of transmission element antennas is shifted over a predetermined angle, and the change in the reception intensity corresponding to the phase change is stored. A procedure for returning the phase-shifted angle to the original, and
Performing the procedure performed on one of the transmission phase shifters on all the remaining transmission phase shifters;
Of the one transmission phase shifter and all the remaining transmission phase shifters, the one with the smallest stored reception intensity is extracted, and the extracted transmission phase shifter has the reception intensity Setting the smallest phase angle. 2. The array antenna adjustment according to claim 1, wherein after performing the array antenna adjustment method according to claim 1, all the procedures of the array antenna adjustment method according to claim 1 are repeatedly performed. Method. The method for adjusting an array antenna according to claim 1, wherein after performing the method for adjusting an array antenna according to claim 1, all the procedures of the method for adjusting an array antenna according to claim 2 are performed. . The method of adjusting the array antenna according to claim 2, wherein after performing the method of adjusting the array antenna according to claim 2, all the procedures of the method of adjusting the array antenna according to claim 1 are performed. Method. A first preparation procedure for setting a far-field antenna pattern for the transmission array antenna;
  A second preparation procedure for setting a far-field antenna pattern for the receiving array antenna;
  A signal transmitted from the transmission array antenna is arranged in close proximity to the transmission array antenna, and is received by a reception array antenna having a plurality of reception element antennas, and a procedure for obtaining an evaluation coefficient thereof,
  According to the evaluation coefficient, a procedure for determining the phase angle of each of the plurality of receiving element antennas for forming a zero-point pattern on the receiving array antenna in which the sensitivity in the direction toward the transmitting array antenna is minimal,
  A step of setting the obtained phase angle in a reception phase shifter provided in each of the plurality of reception element antennas, and thereafter, performing each of the procedures according to claim 1. The method for adjusting an array antenna according to claim 1. A transmission array antenna having a plurality of element antennas, each of which is adjusted in phase, so as to form a zero-point pattern in which transmission intensity or reception sensitivity in directions toward each other is minimized. Receiving array antenna,
A receiver for measuring the received signal strength of the receiving array antenna,
A reception phase shifter provided for each of the element antennas of the reception array antenna and controlling the phase thereof;
A storage device for shifting the phase angle of each of the reception phase shifters over a predetermined angle, and storing a change in the reception signal strength corresponding to the phase change, wherein the change in the reception signal strength is A transmission / reception device comprising an array antenna, wherein the phase of the largest reception phase shifter is set to the phase at which the reception signal strength is the smallest. A transmission array antenna having a plurality of element antennas, each of which is adjusted in phase, so as to form a zero-point pattern in which transmission intensity or reception sensitivity in directions toward each other is minimized. Receiving array antenna,
A receiver for measuring the received signal strength of the receiving array antenna,
A transmission phase shifter provided for each of the element antennas of the transmission array antenna to control the phase thereof;
A storage device that shifts the phase angle of each of the transmission phase shifters over a predetermined angle, and stores a change in the received signal strength corresponding to the phase change. A transmission / reception device comprising an array antenna, wherein the phase of the largest transmission phase shifter is set to the phase at which the received signal strength is the smallest. A transmission phase shifter provided for each element antenna of the transmission array antenna and controlling the phase thereof;
A storage device that shifts the phase angle of each of the transmission phase shifters over a predetermined angle, and stores a change in the received signal strength corresponding to the phase change,
The transmission / reception device according to claim 7, wherein the phase of the transmission phase shifter having the largest change in the received signal strength is set to the phase having the smallest received signal strength. A transmission array antenna having a plurality of element antennas, each of which is adjusted in phase, so as to form a zero-point pattern in which transmission intensity or reception sensitivity in directions toward each other is minimized. Receiving array antenna,
A receiver for measuring the received signal strength of the receiving array antenna,
An element electric field intensity measurement device having a determination device for measuring the electric field intensity of each element antenna of the receiving array antenna and determining whether the measured element electric field intensity has exceeded a predetermined level ,
An interference wave suppression device that calculates an evaluation coefficient (F) of the reception array antenna and a phase of each element antenna that minimizes the evaluation coefficient based on a measurement result of the element electric field measurement device;
Of the receiving array antennas, only the element antennas whose electric field intensity measured by the element electric field intensity measuring device has exceeded the predetermined level, a receiving phase shifter in which the phase calculated by the interference wave suppressing device is set. transceiver having an array antenna, characterized in that it includes. A transmission array antenna having a plurality of element antennas, each of which is adjusted in phase, so as to form a zero-point pattern in which transmission intensity or reception sensitivity in directions toward each other is minimized. Receiving array antenna,
A receiver for measuring the received signal strength of the receiving array antenna,
An element electric field intensity measurement device having a determination device for measuring the electric field intensity of each element antenna of the receiving array antenna and determining whether the measured element electric field intensity has exceeded a predetermined level ,
An interference wave suppression device that calculates an evaluation coefficient (F) of the transmission array antenna and a phase of each element antenna that minimizes the evaluation coefficient based on a measurement result of the element electric field measurement device;
Of the transmission array antennas, only the element antennas whose electric field strength measured by the element electric field strength measurement device has exceeded the predetermined level, a transmission phase shifter in which the phase calculated by the interference wave suppression device is set. transceiver having an array antenna, characterized in that it includes.

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