Communication module for a means of transportation

• US 6,239,757 B1
• Filed: 04/22/1997
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Original Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Youhei, Tanizaki, Toru
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Hoanganh
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, THO GIA
• Application Number:
  US08/837,836
• Time in Patent Office: 1,498 Days
• Field of Search: 343/711, 343/770, 343/771, 343/776, 343/767, 343/700 MS, 343/713, 343/789
• US Class Current: 343/711
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/74 Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93275 in the bumper area
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/032 Constructional details for solid-state radar subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/28 comprising elements constituting electric discontinuities and spaced in direction of wave propagation, e.g. dielectric elements or conductive elements forming artificial dielectric
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0068 Dielectric waveguide fed arrays

Abstract

A communication module for a vehicle including an automobile, a vessel or the like, the communication module being disposed on a back side or inside of an identification plate of the means of transportation. The communication module is formed of a millimeter wave integrated circuit section and a plane antenna section. The millimeter wave integrated circuit section has two conductive plates arranged in parallel with each other, and a dielectric stripline and an electric element disposed between the conductive plates. The plane antenna section has two conductive plates arranged in parallel with each other, a dielectric stripline disposed between the conductive plates and a slot made in one of the conductive plates. At least a respective one of the conductive plates of the millimeter wave integrated circuit section and a respective one of the conductive plates of the plane antenna section are integrated in a plane. The identification plate is made of a material which transmits a millimeter wave with a small loss, for example, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polypropylene reinforced with glass fiber, ABS resin or the like.

Claims

1. A radiating system for a vehicle comprising:

a) a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate arranged substantially parallel to each other at a predetermined distance;

b) a millimeter wave integrated circuit (MMIC) section, said MMIC section comprising;

a first non-radiative dielectric (NRD) waveguide comprising a first dielectric strip line having a length direction, in combination with said first conductive plate and said second conductive plate; and

an electrical element connected to said first non-radiative dielectric waveguide for generating a millimeter wave signal to be propagated therein; and

c) a plane antenna section comprising;

a slot antenna; and

a second non-radiative dielectric (NRD) waveguide comprising a second dielectric strip line having a length direction, in combination with said first conductive plate, and said second conductive plate,

wherein said second non-radiative dielectric waveguide is coupled in an electromagnetic coupling arrangement with said first non-radiative dielectric waveguide;

wherein said radiating system is disposed on a supporting portion of said vehicle, said supporting portion being made of a material that allows transmission of millimeter waves with a low loss;

wherein the plane antenna section has a deflecting portion for deflecting a leaking and radiating millimeter wave in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of said second non-radiative dielectric waveguide; and

wherein said deflecting portion has a saw-tooth surface on a side thereof facing said second NRD waveguide and has a substantially flat surface on a side thereof facing away from said second NRD waveguide.

2. The radiating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting portion of said vehicle is a license plate.

3. The radiating system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said radiating system is disposed on a back of said license plate.

4. The radiating system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said radiating system is disposed inside of said license plate.

5. The radiating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting portion of said vehicle is a flat-shaped identifying device disposed on or inside said vehicle.

6. The radiating system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising

a partition conductor which separates said plane antenna section from said MMIC section.

7. The radiating system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said supporting portion of said vehicle is a license plate.

8. The radiating system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said radiating system is disposed on a back of said license plate.

9. The radiating system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said radiating system is disposed inside of said license plate.

10. A radiating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plane antenna section further comprises an additional NRD waveguide which is substantially perpendicular to and electromagnetically coupled with said second NRD waveguide.

11. A radiating system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said slot antenna is formed in said second conductive plate and comprises at least a pair of slot portions, one said slot portion being substantially parallel with said second NRD waveguide and another said slot portion being substantially parallel with said additional NRD waveguide.

12. A radiating system as claimed in claim 11, wherein millimeter waves propagated in said second NRD waveguide and millimeter waves propagated in said additional NRD waveguide have a 90°

phase difference.

13. A radiating system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said slot antenna is formed in said second conductive plate and comprises a first plurality of slot portions which are substantially parallel with said second NRD waveguide and a second plurality of slot portions which are substantially parallel with said additional NRD waveguide.

14. A radiating system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first and second pluralities of slot portions are interconnected with each other in a lattice arrangement.

15. A radiating system as claimed in claim 14, wherein millimeter waves propagated in said second NRD waveguide and millimeter waves propagated in said additional NRD waveguide have a 90°

phase difference.

16. A radiating system as claimed in claim 13, wherein millimeter waves propagated in said second NRD waveguide and millimeter waves propagated in said additional NRD waveguide have a 90°

phase difference.

17. The radiating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slot antenna is formed in said second conductive plate.

18. A radiating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said MMIC section is formed on a first portion of said first conductive plate such that said MMIC section faces said second conductive plate.

19. A radiating system for a vehicle comprising:

a) a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate arranged substantially parallel to each other at a predetermined distance;

b) a millimeter wave integrated circuit (MMIC) section, said MMIC section comprising;

a first non-radiative dielectric (NRD) waveguide comprising a first dielectric strip line having a length direction, in combination with said first conductive plate and said second conductive plate; and

an electrical element connected to said first non-radiative dielectric waveguide for generating a millimeter wave signal to be propagated therein; and

c) a plane antenna section comprising;

a slot antenna; and

a second non-radiative dielectric (NRD) waveguide comprising a second dielectric strip line having a length direction, in combination with said first conductive plate, and said second conductive plate,

wherein said second non-radiative dielectric waveguide is coupled in an electromagnetic coupling arrangement with said first non-radiative dielectric waveguide;

wherein one of the conductive plates of the plane antenna section has a step which contributes to leaking and radiation of said millimeter wave signal from said second NRD waveguide, said step being spaced away from and substantially parallel to said second NRD waveguide;

wherein said radiating system is disposed on a supporting portion of said vehicle, said supporting portion being made of a material that allows transmission of millimeter waves with a low loss;

wherein the plane antenna section has a deflecting portion for deflecting a leaking and radiating millimeter wave in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of said second non-radiative dielectric waveguide; and

wherein said deflecting portion has a saw-tooth surface on a side thereof facing said second NRD waveguide and has a substantially flat surface on a side thereof facing away from said second NRD waveguide.

20. The radiating system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said slot antenna is formed in said second conductive plate.

21. A radiating system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said MMIC section is formed on a first portion of said first conductive plate such that said MMIC section faces said second conductive plate.

22. The radiating system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said supporting portion of said vehicle is a license plate.

23. The radiating system as claimed in claim 22, wherein said radiating system is disposed on a back of said license plate.

24. The radiating system as claimed in claim 22, wherein said radiating system is disposed inside of said license plate.

25. The radiating system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said supporting portion of said vehicle is a flat-shaped identifying device disposed on or inside said vehicle.

26. The radiating system as claimed in claim 19, further comprising:

a partition conductor which separates said plane antenna section from said MMIC section.

27. The radiating system as claimed in claim 26, wherein said supporting portion of said vehicle is a license plate.

28. The radiating system as claimed in claim 27, wherein said radiating system is disposed on a back of said license plate.

29. The radiating system as claimed in claim 27, wherein said radiating system is disposed inside of said license plate.

30. A radiating system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said plane antenna section further comprises an additional NRD waveguide which is substantially perpendicular to and electromagnetically coupled with said second NRD waveguide.

31. A radiating system as claimed in claim 30, wherein said slot antenna is formed in said second conductive plate and comprises at least a pair of slot portions, one said slot portion being substantially parallel with said second NRD waveguide and another said slot portion being substantially parallel with said additional NRD waveguide.

32. A radiating system as claimed in claim 31, wherein millimeter waves propagated in said second NRD waveguide and millimeter waves propagated in said additional NRD waveguide have a 90°

phase difference.

33. A radiating system as claimed in claim 30, wherein said slot antenna is formed in said second conductive plate and comprises a first plurality of slot portions which are substantially parallel with said second NRD waveguide and a second plurality of slot portions which are substantially parallel with said additional NRD waveguide.

34. A radiating system as claimed in claim 33, wherein said first and second pluralities of slot portions are interconnected with each other in a lattice arrangement.

35. A radiating system as claimed in claim 34, wherein millimeter waves propagated in said second NRD waveguide and millimeter waves propagated in said additional NRD waveguide have a 90°

phase difference.

36. A radiating system as claimed in claim 33, wherein millimeter waves propagated in said second NRD waveguide and millimeter waves propagated in said additional NRD waveguide have a 90°

phase difference.

37. A radiating system for a vehicle comprising:

a) a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate arranged substantially parallel to each other at a predetermined distance;

b) a millimeter wave integrated circuit (MMIC) section, said MMIC section comprising;

a first non-radiative dielectric (NRD) waveguide comprising a first dielectric strip line having a length direction, in combination with said first conductive plate and said second conductive plate; and

an electrical element connected to said first non-radiative dielectric waveguide for generating a millimeter wave signal to be propagated therein; and

c) a plane antenna section comprising;

a slot antenna; and

a second non-radiative dielectric (NRD) waveguide comprising a second dielectric strip line having a length direction, in combination with said first conductive plate, and said second conductive plate,

wherein said second non-radiative dielectric waveguide is coupled in an electromagnetic coupling arrangement with said first non-radiative dielectric waveguide;

wherein one of the conductive plates of the plane antenna section has a step which contributes to leaking and radiation of said millimeter wave signal from said second NRD waveguide, said step being substantially parallel to said second NRD waveguide, and spaced away from said second NRD waveguide in a direction substantially parallel to said first and second conductive plates;

wherein said radiating system is disposed on a supporting portion of said vehicle, said supporting portion being made of a material that allows transmission of millimeter waves with a low loss.

38. The radiating system as claimed in claim 37, wherein said slot antenna is formed in said second conductive plate.

39. A radiating system as claimed in claim 37, wherein said MMIC section is formed on a first portion of said first conductive plate such that said MMIC section faces said second conductive plate.

40. The radiating system as claimed in claim 37, wherein said supporting portion of said vehicle is a license plate.

41. The radiating system as claimed in claim 40, wherein said radiating system is disposed on a back of said license plate.

42. The radiating system as claimed in claim 40, wherein said radiating system is disposed inside of said license plate.

43. The radiating system as claimed in claim 37, wherein said supporting portion of said vehicle is a flat-shaped identifying device disposed on or inside said vehicle.

44. The radiating system as claimed in claim 37, further comprising:

a partition conductor which separates said plane antenna section from said MMIC section.

45. The radiating system as claimed in claim 44, wherein said supporting portion of said vehicle is a license plate.

46. The radiating system as claimed in claim 45, wherein said radiating system is disposed on a back of said license plate.

47. The radiating system as claimed in claim 45, wherein said radiating system is disposed inside of said license plate.

48. The radiating system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the plane antenna section has a deflecting portion for deflecting a leaking and radiating millimeter wave in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of said second non-radiative dielectric waveguide.

49. A radiating system as claimed in claim 37, wherein said plane antenna section further comprises an additional NRD waveguide which is substantially perpendicular to and electromagnetically coupled with said second NRD waveguide.

50. A radiating system as claimed in claim 49, wherein said slot antenna is formed in said second conductive plate and comprises at least a pair of slot portions, one said slot portion being substantially parallel with said second NRD waveguide and another said slot portion being substantially parallel with said additional NRD waveguide.

51. A radiating system as claimed in claim 50, wherein millimeter waves propagated in said second NRD waveguide and millimeter waves propagated in said additional NRD waveguide have a 90°

phase difference.

52. A radiating system as claimed in claim 49, wherein said slot antenna is formed in said second conductive plate and comprises a first plurality of slot portions which are substantially parallel with said second NRD waveguide and a second plurality of slot portions which are substantially parallel with said addition NRD waveguide.

53. A radiating system as claimed in claim 52, wherein said first and second pluralities of slot portions are interconnected with each other in a lattice arrangement.

54. A radiating system as claimed in claim 53, wherein millimeter waves propagated in said second NRD waveguide and millimeter waves propagated in said additional NRD waveguide have 90°

phase difference.

55. A radiating system as claimed in claim 52, wherein millimeter waves propagated in said second NRD waveguide and millimeter waves propagated in said additional NRD waveguide have a 90°

phase difference.

56. A radiating system for a vehicle comprising:

a) a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate arranged substantially parallel to each other at a predetermined distance;

b) a millimeter wave integrated circuit (MMIC) section, said MMIC section comprising;

a first non-radiative dielectric (NRD) waveguide comprising a first dielectric strip line having a length direction, in combination with said first conductive plate and said second conductive plate; and

an electrical element connected to said first non-radiative dielectric waveguide for generating a millimeter wave signal to be propagated therein; and

c) a plane antenna section comprising;

a slot antenna; and

a second non-radiative dielectric (NRD) waveguide comprising a second dielectric strip line having a length direction, in combination with said first conductive plate, and said second conductive plate,

wherein said second non-radiative dielectric waveguide is coupled in an electromagnetic coupling arrangement with said first non-radiative dielectric waveguide;

wherein one of the conductive plates of the plane antenna sesction has a step which contributes to leaking and radiation of said millimeter wave signal from said second NRD waveguide, said step being substantially parallel to said second NRD waveguide, and spaced away from said second NRD waveguide in a direction substantially parallel to said first and second conductive plates;

wherein said radiating system is disposed on a supporting portion of said vehicle, said supporting portion being made of a material that allows transmission of millimeter waves with a low loss;

wherein the plane antenna section has a deflecting portion for deflecting a leaking and radiating millimeter wave in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of said second non-radiative dielectri waveguide; and

wherein said deflecting portion has a saw-tooth surface on a side thereof facing said second NRD waveguide and has a substantially flat surface on a side thereof facing away from said second NRD waveguide.