DIELECTRIC LENS ANTENNA AND RADIO APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME

摘要

PURPOSE: A radio apparatus including a dielectric lens antenna is provided to have a function of melting snow without deteriorating an efficiency of a lens. CONSTITUTION: A dielectric lens antenna(10) comprises a lens(2) made from a dielectric material, and a heating element(11) provided on a surface of the lens. The heating element includes a plurality of heating wires. The heating wires are disposed in a substantially perpendicular direction to a principal polarized wave of a radio wave passing through the lens. A cross section area of each heating wire and an interval between adjacent wires are dependent upon a disposition place. The dielectric lens antenna further comprises a sensor for measuring snowfall around the heating element, and a controller for controlling heat producing value of the heating element according to the snowfall. Thereby, snow does not pile up on the dielectric lens, and the deterioration of the efficiency is prevented even when snow falls.