Dielectric Waveguide Device, Phase Shifter, High Frequency Switch, and Attenuator Provided with Dielectric Waveguide Device, High Frequency Transmitter, High Frequency Receiver, High Frequency Transceiver, Radar Device, Array Antenna, and Method of Manufacturing Dielectric Waveguide Device

• US 20090174499A1
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Sagala, Djuniadi A., Kishino, Tetsuya, Hiramatsu, Nobuki
• Granted Patent: US 8,013,694 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 333/139
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/03 Details of HF subsystems specially adapted therefor, e.g. common to transmitter and receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/18 Phase-shifters H01P1/165 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/165 Non-radiating dielectric waveguides
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or in base

Abstract

The invention relates to a small and low-voltage operable dielectric waveguide device. First and second electrode are embedded in a dielectric part and are formed to be thinner than a skin depth for a frequency of electromagnetic wave propagating along a first dielectric part included in the dielectric part. Thereby, even if the first and second electrodes are arranged to be in contact with the first dielectric part, the propagating electromagnetic wave can transmit the first and second electrodes, and therefore the electromagnetic wave can propagate without being cut off and there is no influence on waveguide modes of the electromagnetic wave. Further, in a state where a transmission loss due to the embedded of the electrode is suppressed, an electric field with large electric field strength can be applied to the first dielectric part by the first and second electrodes, and a small and low-voltage operable dielectric waveguide device can be achieved.

Claims

1. A dielectric waveguide device comprising:

a transmission line that has a dielectric part including a variable part which varies at least one of dielectric constant and dimension of the variable part in accordance with an applied electric field, and that propagates electromagnetic wave; and

an electrode that is formed to be thinner than a skin depth for the frequency of the electromagnetic wave propagating along the transmission line, and that is embedded in the dielectric part, the electrode being for applying the electric field to the variable part.

2. The dielectric waveguide device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric part includes second dielectric parts between which the variable part is sandwiched and which have a lower dielectric constant than the variable part,

the transmission line has a pair of plate conductor parts between which the dielectric part is sandwiched in a direction perpendicular to a lamination direction of the variable part and the second dielectric parts, and to a propagation direction of electromagnetic wave propagating along the transmission line, and

the electrode is provided between the variable part and the second dielectric parts.

3. The dielectric waveguide device of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of electrodes that are embedded in the variable part, and are provided at predetermined intervals in the direction perpendicular to the lamination direction of the variable part and the plate conductor part, and the propagation direction of the electromagnetic wave propagating along the transmission line,

wherein the transmission line has a pair of plate conductor parts between which the dielectric part is sandwiched, and

adjacent electrodes are connected to a different plate conductor part out of the pair of plate conductor parts.

4. The dielectric waveguide device of claim 3, wherein the dielectric part includes second dielectric parts that have a dielectric constant lower than the dielectric constant of the variable part, and between which the variable part is sandwiched in a direction perpendicular to a lamination direction of the variable part and the plate conductor parts, and the propagation direction of the electromagnetic wave propagating along the transmission line.

5. The dielectric waveguide device of claim 2 or 4, wherein an interval between the pair of plate conductor parts is set to be half or less of the wavelength of electromagnetic wave propagating along the second dielectric parts.

9. A phase shifter comprising:

the dielectric waveguide device of claim 1 or 7, or the dielectric waveguide tube device of claim 6,

the phase shifter changing the phase of electromagnetic wave propagating along the transmission line by varying at least dielectric constant and dimension of the variable part in accordance with an applied electric field.

10. The phase shifter of claim 9, wherein fc and f are set to satisfy the condition 1.03<

f/fc<

1.5, in which fc is a cutoff frequency and f is the frequency of electromagnetic wave propagating along the dielectric waveguide in a case where a prescribed voltage is applied to the pair of electrodes.

11. A high frequency switch comprising:

the dielectric waveguide device of claim 1,

the transmission line having cutoff characteristics, the high frequency switch being operable to be switched between a propagation state in which the cutoff frequency in the transmission line becomes lower than the frequency of electromagnetic wave propagating along the transmission line, and a cutoff state in which the cutoff frequency becomes higher than the frequency of electromagnetic wave by varying at least one of dielectric constant and dimension of the variable part in accordance with the applied electric field.

12. An attenuator comprising:

the dielectric waveguide device of claim 1,

the attenuator attenuating electromagnetic wave propagating along the transmission line by varying at least one of dielectric constant and dimension of the variable part in accordance with the applied electric field.

13. A high frequency transmitter comprising:

a high frequency oscillator that generates a high frequency signal;

a high frequency transmission line that is connected to the high frequency oscillator, and transmits the high frequency signal from the high frequency oscillator;

an antenna that is connected to the high frequency transmission line, and radiates the high frequency signal;

the phase shifter of claim 9 that is inserted into the high frequency transmission line such that the high frequency signal passes through the dielectric part; and

a stub that is provided in the high frequency transmission line on at least one of upstream and downstream sides of the phase shifter in a transmission direction of the high frequency signal.

14. A high frequency receiver comprising:

an antenna that receives a high frequency signal;

a high frequency transmission line that is connected to the antenna, and transmits the high frequency signal received by the antenna;

a high frequency detector that is connected to the high frequency transmission line, and detects the high frequency signal to be transmitted to the high frequency transmission line;

the phase shifter of claim 9 that is inserted into the high frequency transmission line such that the high frequency signal passes through the dielectric part; and

a stub that is provided in the high frequency transmission line on at least one of upstream and downstream sides of the phase shifter in a transmission direction of the high frequency signal.

15. A high frequency transceiver comprising:

a high frequency oscillator that generates a high frequency signal;

a first high frequency transmission line that is connected to the high frequency oscillator, and transmits the high frequency signal;

a branch that has first, second and third terminals, and selectively outputs to one of the second terminal and the third terminal the high frequency signal which is supplied to the first terminal connected to the first high frequency transmission line;

a second high frequency transmission line that is connected to the second terminal, and transmits a high frequency signal from the second terminal;

a splitter that has fourth, fifth and sixth terminals, outputs to the fifth terminal the high frequency signal which is supplied to the fourth terminal through the second high frequency transmission line, and outputs to the sixth terminal a high frequency signal which is supplied to the fifth terminal;

a third high frequency transmission line that is connected to the fifth terminal, transmits the high frequency signal outputted from the fifth terminal, and transmits the high frequency signal to the fifth terminal;

an antenna that is connected to the third high frequency transmission line, and radiates and receives the high frequency signal;

a fourth high frequency transmission line that is connected to the third terminal, and transmits a high frequency signal outputted from the third terminal;

a fifth high frequency transmission line that is connected to the sixth terminal, and transmits the high frequency signal outputted from the sixth terminal;

a mixer that is connected to the fourth and fifth high frequency transmission lines, and mixes the high frequency signals supplied from the fourth and fifth high frequency transmission lines to output an intermediate frequency signal; and

the phase shifter of claim 9 that is inserted into at least one of the first to fifth high frequency transmission lines such that the high frequency signal passes through the dielectric part.

16. A high frequency transmitter comprising:

a high frequency oscillator that generates a high frequency signal;

a high frequency transmission line that is connected to the high frequency oscillator, and transmits the high frequency signal from the high frequency oscillator;

an antenna that is connected to the high frequency transmission line, and radiates the high frequency signal; and

the high frequency switch of claim 11 that is inserted into the high frequency transmission line, wherein

the high frequency switch allows to be transmitted the high frequency signal to be transmitted along the high frequency transmission line when the high frequency switch is set in the propagation state, and allows to be cut off the high frequency signal to be transmitted along the high frequency transmission line when the high frequency switch is set in the cutoff state.

17. A high frequency transceiver comprising:

a high frequency oscillator that generates a high frequency signal;

a first high frequency transmission line that is connected to the high frequency oscillator, and transmits the high frequency signal;

a branch that has first, second and third terminals, and selectively outputs to one of the second terminal and the third terminal the high frequency signal which is supplied to the first terminal connected to the first high frequency transmission line;

a second high frequency transmission line that is connected to the second terminal, and transmits a high frequency signal supplied from the second terminal;

a splitter that has fourth, fifth and sixth terminals, outputs to the fifth terminal the high frequency signal which is supplied to the fourth terminal through the second high frequency transmission line, and outputs to the sixth terminal a high frequency signal, which is supplied to the fifth terminal;

a third high frequency transmission line that is connected to the fifth terminal, transmits the high frequency signal outputted from the fifth terminal, and transmits the high frequency signal to the fifth terminal;

an antenna that is connected to the third high frequency transmission line, and radiates and receives the high frequency signal;

a fourth high frequency transmission line that is connected to the third terminal, and transmits a high frequency signal outputted from the third terminal;

a fifth high frequency transmission line that is connected to the sixth terminal, and transmits the high frequency signal outputted from the sixth terminal; and

a mixer that is connected to the fourth and fifth high frequency transmission lines, and mixes the high frequency signals supplied from the fourth and fifth high frequency transmission lines to output an intermediate frequency signal,

the branch including two pieces of the high frequency switches of claim 11, a first high frequency switch allowing the high frequency signal to be transmitted between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first frequency switch is set in the propagation state, and allowing the high frequency signal to be cut off between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first frequency switch is set in the cutoff state, and a second high frequency switch allowing the high frequency signal to be transmitted between the first terminal and the third terminal when the second frequency switch is set in the propagation state, and allowing the high frequency signal to be cut off between the first terminal and the third terminal when the second frequency switch is set in the cutoff state.

18. A high frequency transceiver comprising:

a high frequency oscillator that generates a high frequency signal;

a first high frequency transmission line that is connected to the high frequency oscillator, and transmits the high frequency signal;

a branch that has first, second, and third terminals, and selectively outputs to one of the second terminal and the third terminal the high frequency signal which is supplied to the first terminal connected to the first high frequency transmission line;

a second high frequency transmission line that is connected to the second terminal, and transmits a high frequency signal supplied from the second terminal;

a splitter that has fourth, fifth and sixth terminals, outputs to the fifth terminal the high frequency signal which is supplied to the fourth terminal through the second high frequency transmission line, and outputs to the sixth terminal a high frequency signal which is supplied to the fifth terminal;

a third high frequency transmission line that is connected to the fifth terminal, transmits the high frequency signal outputted from the fifth terminal, and transmits the high frequency signal to the fifth terminal;

an antenna that is connected to the third high frequency transmission line, and radiates and receives the high frequency signal;

a fourth high frequency transmission line that is connected to the third terminal, and transmits a high frequency signal outputted from the third terminal;

a fifth high frequency transmission line that is connected to the sixth terminal, and transmits the high frequency signal outputted from the sixth terminal; and

a mixer that is connected to the fourth and fifth high frequency transmission lines, and mixes the high frequency signals supplied from the fourth and fifth high frequency transmission lines to output an intermediate frequency signal,

the splitter including two pieces of the high frequency switches of claim 11, a third high frequency switch allowing the high frequency signal to be transmitted between the fourth terminal and the fifth terminal when the third high frequency switch is set in the propagation state, and allowing the high frequency signal to be cut off between the fourth terminal and the fifth terminal when the third high frequency switch is set in the cutoff state, and a fourth high frequency switch allowing the high frequency signal to be transmitted between the fifth terminal and the sixth terminal when the fourth high frequency switch is set in the propagation state, and allowing the high frequency signal to be cut off between the fifth terminal and the sixth terminal when the fourth high frequency switch is set in the cutoff state.

19. A high frequency transceiver comprising:

a high frequency oscillator that generates a high frequency signal;

a first high frequency transmission line that is connected to the high frequency oscillator, and transmits the high frequency signal;

a branch that has first, second, and third terminals, and selectively outputs to one of the second terminal and the third terminal the high frequency signal which is supplied to the first terminal connected to the first high frequency transmission line;

a second high frequency transmission line that is connected to the second terminal, and transmits a high frequency signal supplied from the second terminal;

a splitter that has fourth, fifth, and sixth terminals, outputs to the fifth terminal the high frequency signal which is supplied to the fourth terminal through the second high frequency transmission line, and outputs to the sixth terminal a high frequency signal which is supplied to the fifth terminal;

a third high frequency transmission line that is connected to the fifth terminal, transmits the high frequency signal outputted from the fifth terminal, and transmits the high frequency signal to the fifth terminal;

an antenna that is connected to the third high frequency transmission line, and radiates and receives the high frequency signal;

a fourth high frequency transmission line that is connected to the third terminal, and transmits a high frequency signal outputted from the third terminal;

a fifth high frequency transmission line that is connected to the sixth terminal, and transmits the high frequency signal outputted from the sixth terminal;

a mixer that is connected to the fourth and fifth high frequency transmission lines, and mixes the high frequency signals supplied from the fourth and fifth high frequency transmission lines to output an intermediate frequency signal; and

the high frequency switch of claim 11 that is inserted into at least one of the first to third transmission lines such that the high frequency signal passes through the dielectric part in the propagation state.

20. A high frequency transceiver comprising:

a high frequency oscillator that generates a high frequency signal;

a first high frequency transmission line that is connected to the high frequency oscillator, and transmits the high frequency signal;

a branch that has first, second, and third terminals, and selectively outputs to one of the second terminal and the third terminal the high frequency signal which is supplied to the first terminal connected to the first high frequency transmission line;

a second high frequency transmission line that is connected to the second terminal, and transmits a high frequency signal supplied from the second terminal;

a splitter that has fourth, fifth, and sixth terminals, outputs to the fifth terminal the high frequency signal which is supplied to the fourth terminal through the second high frequency transmission line, and outputs to the sixth terminal a high frequency signal which is supplied to the fifth terminal;

a third high frequency transmission line that is connected to the fifth terminal, transmits the high frequency signal outputted from the fifth terminal, and transmits the high frequency signal to the fifth terminal;

an antenna that is connected to the third high frequency transmission line, and radiates and receives the high frequency signal;

a fourth high frequency transmission line that is connected to the third terminal, and transmits a high frequency signal outputted from the third terminal;

a fifth high frequency transmission line that is connected to the sixth terminal, and transmits the high frequency signal outputted from the sixth terminal;

a mixer that is connected to the fourth and fifth high frequency transmission lines, and mixes the high frequency signals supplied from the fourth and fifth high frequency transmission lines to output an intermediate frequency signal; and

the attenuator of claim 12 that is inserted into at least one of the first to fifth high frequency transmission lines such that the high frequency signal passes through the dielectric part.

21. The high frequency transceiver of claim 15, wherein the splitter is formed by a hybrid circuit or is formed by a circulator.

22. The high frequency transceiver of claim 17, wherein the splitter is formed by a hybrid circuit or is formed by a circulator.

23. The high frequency transceiver of claim 19, wherein the splitter is formed by a hybrid circuit or is formed by a circulator.

24. A radar device comprising:

the high frequency transceiver of claim 15; and

a distance detector that detects a distance from the high frequency transceiver to an object to be detected on the basis of the intermediate frequency signal from the high frequency transceiver.

25. A radar device comprising:

the high frequency transceiver of claim 17; and

a distance detector that detects a distance from the high frequency transceiver to an object to be detected on the basis of the intermediate frequency signal from the high frequency transceiver.

26. A radar device comprising:

the high frequency transceiver of claim 18; and

a distance detector that detects a distance from the high frequency transceiver to an object to be detected on the basis of the intermediate frequency signal from the high frequency transceiver.

27. A radar device comprising:

the high frequency transceiver of claim 19; and

a distance detector that detects a distance from the high frequency transceiver to an object to be detected on the basis of the intermediate frequency signal from the high frequency transceiver.

28. A radar device comprising:

the high frequency transceiver of claim 20; and

a distance detector that detects a distance from the high frequency transceiver to an object to be detected on the basis of the intermediate frequency signal from the high frequency transceiver.

29. An array antenna comprising:

a plurality of phase shifter-equipped antennas that are arranged in line, each antenna having an antenna element and the phase shifter of claim 9.

30. A radar device comprising:

the array antenna of claim 29; and

a high frequency transceiver that is connected to the array antenna, supplies a high frequency signal to the array antenna, and receives a high frequency signal trapped by the array antenna.

6. A dielectric waveguide tube device comprising:

a dielectric part that includes a variable part which varies at least one of dielectric constant and dimension of the variable part in accordance with an applied electric field, and that propagates electromagnetic wave; and

a conductor part that includes a pair of electrodes for applying the electric field to the variable part, and surrounds the dielectric part to form a waveguide tube.

7. A dielectric waveguide tube device comprising:

a dielectric part that comprises

a first dielectric part including a variable part which varies at least one of dielectric constant and dimension of the variable part in accordance with an applied electric field, and

second dielectric parts which have a dielectric constant lower than the first dielectric part and between which the first dielectric part is sandwiched;

a pair of plate conductor parts between which the dielectric part is sandwiched in a direction perpendicular to a propagation direction of electromagnetic wave propagating along the dielectric part and a lamination direction of the first and second dielectric parts; and

a pair of electrodes between which the dielectric part is sandwiched in the lamination direction, and which are spaced from each other at an interval smaller than an interval between the pair of plate conductor parts, the electrodes being for applying the electric field to the variable part.

8. The dielectric waveguide tube device of claim 7, wherein an interval between the pair of plate conductor part is set to be half or less of the wavelength of electromagnetic wave propagating along the second dielectric parts.

31. A method of manufacturing a dielectric waveguide device comprising:

forming on a substrate a first dielectric film made of a dielectric having a dielectric constant;

forming on the first dielectric film a laminate in which an electrode film, and a second dielectric film is alternatively laminated such that adjacent electrode films partially overlap each other to lean toward a first direction and a second direction in a predetermined direction perpendicular to a lamination direction of the electrode film and the second dielectric film, the electrode film being thinner than a skin depth for a prescribed frequency of electromagnetic wave, the second dielectric film having a dielectric constant higher than the first dielectric film, and the second dielectric film varying dielectric constant thereof in accordance with an applied voltage;

forming on the laminate a third dielectric film which has a dielectric constant lower than that of the second dielectric film;

etching the first dielectric film, the laminate and the third dielectric film to form a convex portion having a first end face and a second end face opposed to the first end face in a direction perpendicular to the lamination direction, the electrode film formed to lean toward the first direction of the predetermined direction being exposed from the first end face, and the electrode film to lean toward the second direction of the predetermined direction being exposed from the second end face; and

forming a plate conductor part on each of the first and second end faces of the convex portion.