Array antenna apparatus for use in spread spectrum communications with a particular interval between antenna elements

摘要

An array antenna apparatus for use in spread spectrum communications is provided including a plurality of antenna elements aligned on a straight line. The array antenna apparatus is used in a receiving station for receiving spread-spectrum modulated radio signals having a wavelength of a predetermined carrier frequency transmitted from transmitting stations using a two-dimensional RAKE receiving method, and for performing spread spectrum communications in code division multiple access. The plurality of antenna elements are aligned such that an interval between antenna elements adjacent to each other among the plurality of antenna elements is set to a value which is larger than one half the wavelength of the carrier frequency and which is equal to or smaller than sixteen times the wavelength of the carrier frequency so as to generate grating lobes. In this case, the interval is preferably set to a value which is an integer or fractional (decimal) multiple of one half the wavelength of the carrier frequency which is greater than unity.