JPH0630407B2 - Electronic scanning antenna - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electronic scanning antenna, and more particularly to an electronic scanning antenna in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a ring shape (for example, a circular shape).

(Prior Art) As an electronic scanning antenna in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a circular shape, the one shown in FIG. 4 is conventionally known. This electronic scanning antenna includes 24 antenna elements 11-1 to 11-24 arranged in a circular shape and eight SP3T (Single Pole 3 Throw) switches 12-1.
~ Switch matrix 15 consisting of 12-8 and Butler matrix 14 and eight phase shifters 16-1
˜16-8, a power distributor 17, and a transmitter / receiver 18, and the switch matrix 15 and the phase shifters 16-1 to 16-8 are operated according to a command from a controller (not shown). Has become.

Here, the Butler matrix 14 includes a predetermined number (12 in the illustrated example) of transfer switches 13-1 to 13-1.
3-12. As shown in FIG. 5, in each transfer switch, the connection state of the two input lines and the two output lines is determined by the control signal 20 from the control unit, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). ) And either of the states are set and changed.

That is, the Butler matrix 14 is the power distributor 1
The output power of 7 is controlled to be connected to a predetermined antenna element. And the phase shifters 16-1 to 16-8 are
It is mainly used for correcting the phase distortion of the antenna aperture plane caused by the antenna elements 11-1 to 11-24 arranged in a circular shape, that is, for controlling the excitation phase. The power distributor 17 is for giving a uniform or desired power distribution to each antenna element.

As a result, SP3T switches 12-1 to 12-8
In the state shown in FIG. 4, the antenna elements 11-1 to 11-1
Since the same 11-8 is excited, the antenna elements 11-1 to 11-1
A single beam is formed in the radial direction passing through the center of 11-8.

When performing beam scanning, the SP3T switch 12
−1 to 12-8 are sequentially switched, and the connection states of the transfer switches 13-1 to 13-12 in the Butler matrix 14 are controlled to be switched, whereby the phase shifters 16-1 to 16-1 are connected. The beam forming direction can be moved in the circumferential direction and the azimuth direction can be scanned without changing the output order of 16-8.

That is, the conventional electronic scanning antenna excites a part of a circular array, forms one radiation beam by switch control, moves it in the circumferential direction, and scans in the azimuth direction.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the above-described conventional electronic scanning antenna,
There is a feature that the beam can be directed in an arbitrary azimuth direction and the beam can be scanned at a high speed, but since the antenna element excited at the same time is a part of the total aperture of the antenna, the utilization efficiency of the antenna aperture is low. There is.

In addition, for example, when applied to a radar system, it is possible to have a function of instantaneously directing a beam in an arbitrary azimuth direction and to have a function of searching while tracking. However, since there is a single beam, when searching the omnidirectional angle range, there is a limit to the improvement of the data rate (target information update time), and there is a problem that the high-speed beam scanning function cannot be fully utilized.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic scanning antenna capable of effectively utilizing an antenna aperture and improving a data rate.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the electronic scanning antenna of the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, the electronic scanning antenna of the present invention comprises a plurality of antenna elements arranged in a ring;
(M is a natural number) M power distributors arranged to distribute power to the respective antenna elements of the M antenna element groups obtained by division; and the M power distributors and 1: 1
And M switch matrices for switching and distributing the output of the corresponding power distributor to the M antenna element groups; provided in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of antenna elements. A plurality of switches for selecting one of the M switch matrices and transmitting the corresponding output of the selected switch matrix to one antenna element; each antenna element consisting of the same number as the plurality of antenna elements Between the plurality of antenna elements and the plurality of switches to control the excitation phase of
A plurality of power shifters and a plurality of phase shifters arranged anywhere between the M switch matrices; a control for controlling the M switch matrices, the plurality of switches, and the plurality of phase shifters, respectively. It is characterized by having means and ;.

(Operation) Next, the operation of the electronic scanning antenna of the present invention configured as described above will be described.

M is a natural number, for example, M = 3. Then, there are three power distributors and three switch matrices, respectively. Also, the plurality of switches provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of antenna elements are each composed of a switch of SP3T, and the corresponding output of the first switch matrix is input to the first input and the second input is input to the second input. Means that the corresponding output of the second switch matrix is supplied to the third input and the corresponding output of the third switch matrix is supplied to the third input, and the output of any one of the switch matrices is selected. For example, it is transmitted to the antenna element via the phase shifter.

Since the three switch matrices switch and distribute the corresponding outputs of the three power distributors to the respective antenna elements of the three antenna element groups, the respective output stages of the three switch matrices (the above-mentioned This means that SP3T switches are provided on the plurality of switch sides) by the number of antenna elements of one antenna element group.

Thus, the control means appropriately controls the three switch matrices, the plurality of switches, and the plurality of phase shifters to form one beam only by the first antenna element group. And forming two beams by the second antenna element group, first to third
It is possible to form three beams by the antenna element group of, and to direct these beams in any direction of the annular omnidirectional direction.

As described above, according to the electronic scanning antenna of the present invention, M transmitting / receiving systems (feeding systems) for supplying power to each of M antenna element groups obtained by dividing a plurality of antenna elements into M are provided, and one antenna element is provided. Since the feeding system can be selected for each of them, M beams can be formed at the same time, and the beams can be formed in any direction in all azimuth directions. Therefore, the antenna aperture can be effectively used, and the data rate can be improved, which is effective.

(Example) Hereinafter, the Example of this invention is described with reference to drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an electronic scanning antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that in FIG. 1, it is complicated to show the entire configuration in detail, and therefore, a part of the repeated configuration is omitted.

This electronic scanning antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements 1-1 to 1-N arranged in a circular shape, a phase shifter (2-1 to 2-N) provided on the feeding side of each antenna element, and its feeding. Side SP3T switch (3-1 to 3-N)
, And three switch matrices 4-1 to 4-3 having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 4 provided on the power supply side of the SP3T switches (3-1 to 3-N), and these three switches. Three power distributors 5-1 to 5-3 and three transmitting / receiving units 6-1 to 6-3 provided on the power supply side of the matrices 4-1 to 4-3 in a one-to-one correspondence. And a control unit 7 for controlling the three switch matrices 4-1 to 4-3, the plurality of SP3T switches 3-1 to 3-N, and the phase shifters 2-1 to 2-N, respectively. Is basically provided. The switch matrices 4-1 to 4-3, the power distributors 5-1 to 5-3, and the transmission / reception units 6-1 to 6-3 form a three-system power feeding system (transmission / reception system), and a plurality of antennas are provided. Element 1-1 to
A beam is formed on each of three antenna element groups obtained by dividing the same 1-N into three. That is, the total antenna aperture formed by the N antenna elements (1-1 to 1-N) is divided into three, and a beam is formed in each divided aperture as shown by reference numeral 9 in FIG.

Next, the beam forming operation will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that FIG. 2 shows one antenna element group (the number of antenna elements is eight) and one feeding system when the number N of antenna elements is 24 in an enlarged manner. 2-24) side SP3T switch (3-1 to 3-24) and switch matrix (4-1 to 4-3) SP3T switch (8)
-1 to 8-8) are illustrated so that the connection relationship with them can be understood.

SP3T switch (3) on the side of the phase shifter (2-1 to 2-24)
-1 to 3-24) can arbitrarily select one of the three switch matrices (4-1 to 4-3), and the SP3T switch (8-1) of the switch matrix (4-1 to 4-3) can be selected. 8-8) is an antenna element (1-1 to 1) arbitrarily
-24) can be selected, the control unit 7 controls the switching connection operation of these switch groups so as not to interfere with each other.

For example, all of the SP3T switches (3-1 to 3-24) on the phase shifter (2-1 to 2-24) side and the SP3T switch (8-1) of the switch matrix (4-1 to 4-3).
8-8), all the switch connection states are the states shown in FIG.
3, all select the antenna element group consisting of the antenna elements 1-1 to 1-8, but the antenna elements 1-1 to 1
SP3 switch related to antenna element group consisting of −8
Since 1 to 3-8 select the switch matrix 4-1, one antenna element group consisting of the antenna elements 1-1 to 1-8 is excited to form a single beam. Further, an antenna element group including the antenna elements 1-1 to 1-8 is provided in the switch matrix 4-1 and the antenna element 1
An antenna element group consisting of −9 to 1-16 is provided in the switch matrix 4-2, and antenna elements 1-17 to 1-2 are provided.
The antenna element group consisting of 4 is a switch matrix 4-
When controlled so as to be connected to each of the three beams, three beams 10 directed in the azimuth directions 120 ° apart from each other are simultaneously formed as shown in FIG. 3 (a). Similarly, by selectively forming two of the eight continuous antenna element groups, two beams 10 can be formed simultaneously in any azimuth direction as shown in FIG. 3 (b).

As described above, the electronic scanning antenna according to the present embodiment can arbitrarily form a single beam to a maximum of three beams. The beam directing direction can be arbitrarily changed and set by the control of the switch group. By using the switch group as the PIN diode switch group, the beam directing direction can be changed and set at high speed. That is, high-speed scanning can be performed.

In this embodiment, one third of the antenna opening is one opening. That is, although a plurality of antenna elements are divided into three antenna element groups and used, the SP3T switch on the antenna element side and the SP in the switch matrix are used.
3T switch is SPMT switch (M is a natural number),
By providing a transmission / reception system (feeding system) consisting of a switch matrix, a power distributor, and a transmission / reception unit with M systems,
M beams can be formed simultaneously, and a maximum of M from a single beam
It can be easily inferred from the above description that the beam of the book can be arbitrarily selected and formed.

Although the positions of the phase shifters 2-1 to 2-N are arranged, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
It is provided between the same 1-N and SP3T switches 3-1 to 3-N. This is similar to the conventional example shown in FIG. 4 in that the switch matrix (4-1 to 4-3) and the power distributor (5-1 to 5-1).
Of course, it may be provided between 5-3).

(Effects of the Invention) As described in detail above, according to the electronic scanning antenna of the present invention, M transmission / reception systems (power feeding) for supplying power to each of M antenna element groups obtained by dividing a plurality of antenna elements into M sections. Since a power supply system can be selected for each antenna element, M beams can be formed at the same time, and they can be formed in any direction in all azimuth directions.

Therefore, the antenna aperture can be effectively used, and the data rate can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an electronic scanning antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a beam forming operation, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of simultaneous formation of a plurality of beams, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional electronic scanning antenna, and FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of a transfer switch. 1-1 to 1-N, 11-1 to 11-24 ... Antenna element, 2-1 to 2-N, 16-1 to 16-8 ... Phase shifter,
3-1 to 3-N, 8-1 to 8-8, 12-1 to 12-8
...... SP3T switch, 4-1 to 4-3, 15 ... Switch matrix, 5-1 to 5-3, 17 ... Power distributor, 6-1 to 6-3, 18 ... Transmitting / receiving unit, 7 ... ... Control unit, 8-9, 14 ... Butler matrix, 9 ...
Excited antenna aperture, 10 ... formed beam, 13-1 to 13-12 ... transfer switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of antenna elements arranged in a ring;
M power distributors arranged to distribute power to the respective antenna elements of the M antenna element group obtained by dividing the plurality of antenna elements into M (M is a natural number); and the M powers. A switch matrix provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the distributor, and M switch matrices for switching and distributing the output of the corresponding power distributor to the M antenna element groups; A plurality of switches for selecting one of the M switch matrices and transmitting the corresponding output of the selected switch matrix to one antenna element; Between the plurality of antenna elements and the plurality of switches to control the excitation phase of each antenna element, or between the M power distributors and the M switch matrices. A plurality of phase shifters arranged in any of the spaces between the plurality of switches; a control means for controlling each of the M switch matrices, the plurality of switches and the plurality of phase shifters; Electronic scanning antenna.