Patent Publication Number: US-2022231426-A1

Title: Antenna, wireless communication module, and wireless communication device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an antenna, a wireless communication module, and a wireless communication device. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Electromagnetic waves emitted from an antenna are reflected by a metal conductor. A 180-degree phase shift occurs in the electromagnetic waves reflected by the metal conductor. The reflected electromagnetic waves combine with the electromagnetic waves emitted from the antenna. The amplitude may decrease as a result of the electromagnetic waves emitted from the antenna combining with the phase-shifted electromagnetic waves. As a result, the amplitude of the electromagnetic waves emitted from the antenna decreases. The effect of the reflected waves is reduced by the distance between the antenna and the metal conductor being set to ¼ of the wavelength λ of the emitted electromagnetic waves. 
     To address this, a technique for reducing the effect of reflected waves using an artificial magnetic wall has been proposed. This technology is described, for example, in Non-Patent Literature (NPL) 1 and 2. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Non-Patent Literature 
     NPL 1: Murakami et al., “Low-Profile Design and Bandwidth Characteristics of Artificial Magnetic Conductor with Dielectric Substrate”, IEICE Transactions on Communications (B), Vol. J98-B No. 2, pp. 172-179 
     NPL 2: Murakami et al., “Optimum Configuration of Reflector for Dipole Antenna with AMC Reflector”, IEICE Transactions on Communications (B), Vol. J98-B No. 11, pp. 1212-1220 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     However, the techniques described in NPL 1 and 2 require a large number of resonator structures to be aligned. 
     The present disclosure is directed at providing a novel antenna, wireless communication module, and wireless communication device. 
     Solution to Problem 
     An antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a housing made of a resin, a first conductor group, and a power supply line, wherein the housing includes a first surface and a second surface facing each other in a first direction, a third surface extending in the first direction and connecting the first surface and the second surface, a fourth surface facing the third surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a housing portion surrounded by the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface; the first conductor group includes a first conductor located closer to the first surface than the second surface, a second conductor located closer to the second surface than to the first surface, a second conductor group extending along the third surface capacitively coupling the first conductor and the second conductor, and a third conductor extending along the fourth surface electrically connecting the first conductor and the second conductor; and the power supply line is connected to any one portion of the second conductor group. 
     An antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a housing that is made of a resin and that includes a housing portion; and a first conductor group including a first end portion and a second end portion separated from each other in a first direction, the first conductor group surrounding a front surface of the housing, wherein the first conductor group includes a first inner conductor and a second inner conductor capacitively coupled to each other, at least a portion of the first inner conductor and at least a portion of the second inner conductor being exposed to the housing portion, a first conductor set electrically connecting a region near the first end portion of the first conductor group and the first inner conductor, and a second conductor set electrically connecting a region near the second end portion of the first conductor group and the second inner conductor. 
     A wireless communication module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: the antenna described above; and a radio frequency (RF) module located within the housing portion of the housing. 
     A wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: the wireless communication module described above; and a sensor located within the housing portion. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a novel antenna, wireless communication module, and wireless communication device can be provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the wireless communication device taken along L-L illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a housing illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the wireless communication device illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication device illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the wireless communication device illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a wireless communication device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In the present disclosure, each requirement is configured to perform an executable operation. Thus, in the present disclosure, the operation executed by a requirement may mean that the requirement is configured to be able to execute the operation. In the present disclosure, a case where a requirement executes an operation may be paraphrased as the requirement is configured to be able to execute the operation. In the present disclosure, the operation able to be executed by the requirement may be paraphrased as the operation is able to be executed by a requirement provided or included in the requirement. In the present disclosure, in a case where one requirement causes another requirement to execute an operation, it may mean that the one requirement is configured to be able to cause the other requirement to execute the operation. In the present disclosure, a case where one requirement causes another requirement to execute an operation may be paraphrased as the one requirement is configured to control the other requirement so that the other requirement is caused to execute the operation. In the present disclosure, an operation executed by a requirement that is not described in the claims may be understood as being a non-essential operation. 
     In the present disclosure, each requirement has a functional enabled state. Thus, the functional state of a requirement may mean that the requirement is configured to be functional. In the present disclosure, a case where each requirement has a functional enabled state may be paraphrased as the requirement is configured to be in a functional state. 
     In the present disclosure, “dielectric material” may include a composition of either a ceramic material or a resin material. Examples of the ceramic material include an aluminum oxide sintered body, an aluminum nitride sintered body, a mullite sintered body, a glass ceramic sintered body, crystallized glass yielded by precipitation of a crystal component in a glass base material, and a microcrystalline sintered body such as mica or aluminum titanate. Examples of the resin material include an epoxy resin, a polyester resin, a polyimide resin, a polyamide-imide resin, a polyetherimide resin, and resin materials yielded by curing an uncured liquid crystal polymer or the like. 
     The “electrically conductive material” in the present disclosure may include a composition of any of a metal material, an alloy of metal materials, a cured metal paste, and a conductive polymer. Examples of the metal material include copper, silver, palladium, gold, platinum, aluminum, chrome, nickel, cadmium lead, selenium, manganese, tin, vanadium, lithium, cobalt, and titanium. The alloy includes a plurality of metallic materials. The metal paste includes the result of kneading a powder of a metal material with an organic solvent and a binder. Examples of the binder include an epoxy resin, a polyester resin, a polyimide resin, a polyamide-imide resin, and a polyetherimide resin. Examples of the conductive polymer include a polythiophene polymer, a polyacetylene polymer, a polyaniline polymer, and a polypyrrole polymer. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, a Cartesian coordinate system of an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis is used. Hereinafter, in cases where the positive direction of the X-axis and the negative direction of the X-axis are not particularly distinguished, the positive direction of the X-axis and the negative direction of the X-axis are collectively referred to as the “X direction”. In cases where the positive direction of the Y-axis and the negative direction of the Y-axis are not particularly distinguished, the positive direction of the Y-axis and the negative direction of the Y-axis are collectively referred to as the “Y direction”. In cases where the positive direction of the Z-axis and the negative direction of the Z-axis are not particularly distinguished, the positive direction of the Z-axis and the negative direction of the Z-axis are collectively referred to as the “Z direction”. 
     Hereinafter, a first direction represents the X direction. A second direction represents the Z direction. A third direction represent the Y direction. However, the first direction and the second direction need not be orthogonal. The first direction and the second direction only need to intersect. Furthermore, the third direction does not need to be orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The third direction only needs to intersect the first direction and the second direction. 
     First Embodiment 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a wireless communication device  1  is roughly a square prism. The wireless communication device  1  includes two surfaces that are substantially parallel to the XY plane. The two surfaces are roughly square. The wireless communication device  1  includes an antenna  2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the wireless communication device  1  may include a circuit board  80 . 
     As described below, the antenna  2  exhibits an artificial magnetic conductor character with respect to a predetermined frequency of electromagnetic waves incident on the XY plane included in the wireless communication device  1  from the positive Z-axis side. In the present disclosure, “artificial magnetic conductor character” means a characteristic of a surface where the phase difference between incident waves and reflected waves becomes 0 degrees. On the surface having the artificial magnetic conductor character, the phase difference between the incident waves and reflected waves in the frequency band ranges from −90 degrees to +90 degrees. By the antenna  2  exhibiting such an artificial magnetic conductor character, the emission efficiency of the antenna  2  can be maintained even when a metal plate  4  is positioned on the negative Z-axis side of the wireless communication device  1 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the antenna  2  includes a housing  10 , a first conductor group  20 , and a power supply line  70 . The antenna  2  is configured with the housing  10  of the wireless communication device  1 . The antenna  2  may include a dielectric substrate  50 . 
     Various components of the wireless communication device  1  are housed in the housing  10 . The housing  10  is made of a resin. That is, the housing  10  includes a dielectric material. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the housing  10  is roughly a square prism. The corner portions of the housing  10 , which is roughly a square prism, may have a rounded shape. However, the corner portions of the housing may have an angular shape. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the housing  10  includes a first surface  11 , a second surface  12 , a third surface  13 , a fourth surface  14 , a fifth surface  15 , and a sixth surface  16 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the housing  10  includes a housing portion  17 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first surface  11  and the second surface  12  face each other in the X direction. Each of the first surface  11  and the second surface  12  may extend along the YZ plane. Each of the first surface  11  and the second surface  12  may be, for example, roughly rectangular and have the same shape. 
     The third surface  13  extends along the X direction and connects the first surface  11  and the second surface  12 . The third surface  13  may extend along the Y direction and connect the fifth surface  15  and the sixth surface  16 . The third surface  13  may extend along the XY plane. The third surface  13  may be roughly square. 
     The fourth surface  14  faces the third surface  13  in the Z direction. The fourth surface  14  extends along the X direction and connects the first surface  11  and the second surface  12 . The fourth surface  14  may extend along the Y direction and connect the fifth surface  15  and the sixth surface  16 . The fourth surface  14  may extend along the XY plane. The fourth surface  14  may be roughly square and, for example, have the same shape as the third surface  13 . 
     The fifth surface  15  and the sixth surface  16  face each other in the Y direction. Each of the fifth surface  15  and the sixth surface  16  may extend along the XZ plane. Each of the fifth surface  15  and the sixth surface  16  may be roughly rectangular and, for example, have the same shape. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a component such as an RF module  90  described below is located inside the housing portion  17 . The housing portion  17  is surrounded by the first surface  11 , the second surface  12 , the third surface  13 , and the fourth surface  14 . The housing portion  17  may be defined as the region surrounded by the first surface  11 , the second surface  12 , the third surface  13 , the fourth surface  14 , the fifth surface  15 , and the sixth surface  16 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first conductor group  20  surrounds the front surface of the housing  10 . For example, the first conductor group  20  surrounds the front surface of the housing  10  except for a portion of the fifth surface  15  on the negative Y-axis side and a portion of the sixth surface  16  on the positive Y-axis side within the front surface of the housing  10 . The first conductor group  20  may be formed on the front surface of the housing  10  by curing uncured electrically conductive material applied to the top surface of the housing  10 . 
     The first conductor group  20  includes a first end portion  21  and a second end portion  22 . The first end portion  21  and the second end portion  22  are separated from each other in the X direction. The first end portion  21  and the second end portion  22  are located separated by a gap S 1  in the X direction. The width of the gap S 1  in the X direction may be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the frequency used in the wireless communication device  1 . The first end portion  21  and the second end portion  22  are capacitively coupled via the gap S 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first conductor group  20  includes a first conductor  30 , a second conductor  31 , a second conductor group  40 , and a third conductor  60 . Each of the first conductor  30 , the second conductor  31 , the second conductor group  40 , and the third conductor  60  may be formed of the same electrically conductive material or may be formed of different electrically conductive materials. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first conductor  30  is located closer to the first surface  11  of the housing  10  as opposed to the second surface  12  of the housing  10 . The second conductor  31  is located closer to the second surface  12  of the housing  10  than the first surface  11  of the housing  10 . With the first conductor  30  being located on the first surface  11  side and the second conductor  31  being located on the second surface  11  side, the first conductor  30  and the second conductor  31  face each other in the X direction. The first conductor  30  and the second conductor  31  may be respectively located on the front surfaces of the first surface  11  and the second surface  12  corresponding to outward-facing surfaces of the housing  10 . The first conductor  30  and the second conductor  31  may extend along the first surface  11  and the second surface  12 , respectively. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the second conductor group  40  extends along the third surface  13  of the housing  10 . The second conductor group  40 , for example, capacitively couples the first conductor  30  and the second conductor  31  via the first end portion  21  and the second end portion  22 . The second conductor group  40  is located between the first conductor  30  and the second conductor  31 . By the second conductor group  40  being located between the first conductor  30  and the second conductor  31 , as seen from the second conductor group  40 , the first conductor  30  is treated as an electrical wall extending in the YZ plane on the negative X-axis side, and the second conductor  31  is treated as an electrical wall extending in the YZ plane on the positive X-axis side. Moreover, no conductor or the like is disposed on the end of the second conductor group  40  on the positive Y-axis side and the end of the second conductor group  40  on the negative Y-axis side. In other words, the end of the second conductor group  40  on the positive Y-axis side and the end of the second conductor group  40  on the negative Y-axis side are electrically open. Because the end of the second conductor group  40  on the positive Y-axis side and the end of the second conductor group  40  on the negative Y-axis side are electrically open, as seen from the second conductor group  40 , the XZ plane on the positive Y-axis side and the XZ plane on the negative Y-axis side are treated as magnetic walls. The second conductor group  40  is surrounded by these two electrical walls and two magnetic walls, thus the antenna  2  exhibits artificial magnetic conductor specification with respect to a predetermined frequency of electromagnetic waves incident on the wireless communication device  1  from the positive Z-axis side. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the second conductor group  40  includes a first connection conductor  41 , a second connection conductor  42 , a first inner conductor  43 , a second inner conductor  44 , a first conductor set  45 , and a second conductor set  47 . The second conductor group  40  may include a third inner conductor  49 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , each of the first connection conductor  41  and the second connection conductor  42  extend along the third surface  13  of the housing  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , at least a portion of each of the first connection conductor  41  and the second connection conductor  42  may be exposed to outside of the housing  10 . Each of the first connection conductor  41  and the second connection conductor may be located on the front surface of the third surface  13  corresponding to the outward-facing surface of the housing  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first connection conductor  41  is located on the negative X-axis side of the third surface  13  substantially parallel to the XY plane. The second connection conductor  42  is located on the positive X-axis side of the third surface  13  substantially parallel to the XY plane. The portion of the first connection conductor  41  on the negative X-axis side is electrically connected to the first conductor  30 . The portion of the second connection conductor  42  on the positive X-axis side is electrically connected to the second conductor  31 . 
     The first connection conductor  41  and the second connection conductor  42  are capacitively coupled via the gap S 1  between the first end portion  21  and the second end portion  22 . The first end portion  21  is a portion on the positive X-axis side of the first connection conductor  41 . The second end portion  22  is a portion on the negative X-axis side of the second connection conductor  42 . 
     The first connection conductor  41  and the second connection conductor  42  may be roughly rectangular and, for example, have the same shape. The long sides of each of the first connection conductor  41  and the second connection conductor  42  that are roughly rectangular may be substantially parallel to the Y direction. The short sides of each of the first connection conductor  41  and the second connection conductor  42  that are roughly rectangular may be substantially parallel to the X direction. 
     Each of the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44  extend along the third surface  13  of the housing  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first inner conductor  43  faces the first connection conductor  41 . The first inner conductor  43  is located closer to the housing portion  17  of the housing  10  than the first connection conductor  41 . The second inner conductor  44  faces the second connection conductor  42 . The second inner conductor  44  is located closer to the housing portion  17  of the housing  10  than the second connection conductor  42 . At least a portion of each of the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44  may be exposed to the housing portion  17  of the housing  10 . Each of the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44  may be located on the front surface of the third surface  13  corresponding to the inward-facing surface of the housing  10 . 
     The first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44  are located separated in the X direction. For example, the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44  are located separated in the X direction by a gap S 2 . The first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44  are capacitively coupled via the gap S 2 . The width of the gap S 2  in the X direction may be appropriately adjusted in consideration of the desired magnitude of the capacitive coupling between the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44 . 
     A capacitor may be connected between the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44 . The capacitor may be used to bring the magnitude of the capacitive connection between the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44  to a desired value. The capacitor is connected between the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  43 , allowing the capacitive connection between the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44  to be increased. 
     The first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44  may be, for example, roughly rectangular and have the same shape. The long sides of each of the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44  that are roughly rectangular may be substantially parallel to the Y direction. The short sides of each of the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44  that are roughly rectangular may be substantially parallel to the X direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first conductor set  45  electrically connects the first connection conductor  41  and the first inner conductor  43 . In other words, the first conductor set  45  electrically connects a region near the first end portion  21  of the first conductor group  20  and the first inner conductor  43 . The first conductor set  45  includes at least one third connection conductor  46 . In the present embodiment, the first conductor set  45  includes a plurality of the third connection conductors  46 . 
     The plurality of third connection conductors  46  are located separated in the X direction. The plurality of third connection conductors  46  may be located separated in the Y direction. One end of the third connection conductor  46  is electrically connected to the first connection conductor  41 . The other end of the third connection conductor  46  is electrically connected to the first inner conductor  43 . The third connection conductor  46  may extend along the Z direction. At least a portion of the third connection conductor  46  may be located within the first surface  13  of the housing  10 . The third connection conductor  46  may be a through hole conductor, a via conductor, or the like. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the second conductor set  47  electrically connects the second connection conductor  42  and the second inner conductor  44 . In other words, the second conductor set  47  electrically connects a region near the second end portion  22  of the first conductor group  20  and the second inner conductor  44 . The second conductor set  47  includes at least one fourth connection conductor  48 . In the present embodiment, the second conductor set  47  includes a plurality of the fourth connection conductors  48 . 
     The plurality of fourth connection conductors  48  are located separated in the X direction. The plurality of fourth connection conductors  48  may be located separated in the Y direction. One end of the fourth connection conductor  48  is electrically connected to the second connection conductor  42 . The other end of the fourth connection conductor  48  is electrically connected to the second inner conductor  44 . The fourth connection conductor  48  may extend along the Z direction. At least a portion of the fourth connection conductor  48  may be located within the first surface  13  of the housing  10 . The fourth connection conductor  48  may be a through hole conductor, a via conductor, or the like. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the third inner conductor  49  faces the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44 . The third inner conductor  43  may be located more to the negative Z-axis side than the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44 . 
     The third inner conductor  49  capacitively couples the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44 . The third inner conductor  49  capacitively connects the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44 , allowing the capacitive connection between the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44  to be increased. The dielectric substrate  50  may be located between the third inner conductor  49  and the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44 . The dielectric material included in the dielectric substrate  50  can be the same as or different from the dielectric material included in the housing  10 . The dielectric constant of the dielectric substrate  50  may be appropriately adjusted in consideration of the desired magnitude of the capacitive coupling between the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44 . The third inner conductor  49  may be roughly square. The area of the third inner conductor  49  may be appropriately adjusted in consideration of the desired magnitude of the capacitive coupling between the first inner conductor  43  and the second inner conductor  44 . 
     The third conductor  60  expands along the fourth surface  14  of the housing  10 . The third conductor  60  may be configured to surround the periphery of the fourth surface  14 . In other words, the fourth surface  14  may be included within the third conductor  60 . By including the fourth surface  14  within the third conductor  60 , the overall weight of the wireless communication device  1  can be reduced compared with a case where the interior of the third conductor  60  is composed of a conductor. The electric potential of the third conductor  60  may be used as a reference potential of the wireless communication device  1 . 
     The third conductor  60  electrically connects the first conductor  30  and the second conductor  31 . For example, a portion of the third conductor  60  on the negative X-axis side is electrically connected to the first conductor  30 . A portion of the third conductor  60  on the positive X-axis side is electrically connected to the second conductor  31 . 
     The power supply line  70  is electrically connected to any one portion of the second conductor group  40 . In the present disclosure, an “electromagnetic connection” may be an electrical connection or a magnetic connection. In the present embodiment, one end of the power supply line  70  is electrically connected to the third inner conductor  49  of the second conductor group  40 . The other end of the power supply line  70  is electrically connected to the RF module  90  described below. The power supply line  70  is located within the housing portion  17  of the housing  10 . The power supply line  70  may extend along the Z direction. The power supply line  70  may be a through hole conductor, a via conductor, or the like. 
     When the antenna  2  emits electromagnetic waves, the power supply line  70  supplies power from the RF module  90  described below to the second conductor group  40 . When the antenna  2  receives electromagnetic waves, the power supply line  70  supplies power from the second conductor group  40  to the RF module  90  described below. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the circuit board  80  is located within the housing portion  17  of the housing  10 . The circuit board  80  may be a printed circuit board (PCB). Components such as the RF module  90  described below may be disposed on the circuit board  80 . The circuit board  80  includes an insulation substrate  81 , a conductor layer  82 , and a conductor layer  83 . The insulation substrate  81  is substantially parallel to the XY plane. The conductor layer  82  is located on the surface on the positive Z-axis side of the two surfaces that are substantially parallel to the XY plane included in the insulation substrate  18 . The conductor layer  82  electrically connects various components disposed on the circuit board  80 . The conductor layer  82  is also referred to as a wiring layer. The conductor layer  83  is located on the surface on the negative Z-axis side of the two surfaces that are substantially parallel to the XY plane included in the insulation substrate  18 . The conductor layer  83  is electrically connected to the third conductor  60  by, for example, an electrically conductive adhesive. The conductor layer  83  is also referred to as a ground layer. The conductor layer  83  may be integrally formed with the third conductor  60 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the wireless communication device  1  includes a wireless communication module  3 , a sensor  91 , a battery  92 , a memory  93 , and a controller  94 . The wireless communication module  3  includes the antenna  2  and the RF module  90 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the RF module  90  is located within the housing portion  17  of the housing  10 . The RF module  90  is located on the circuit board  80 . The RF module  90  is electrically connected to the power supply line  70 . The RF module  90  is electrically connected to the antenna  2  via the power supply line  70 . 
     The RF module  90  may control the electrical power supplied to the antenna  2 . The RF module  90  modulates the baseband signal and generates an RF signal. RF signals generated by the RF module  90  may be emitted from the antenna  2 . The RF module  90  may modulate an electrical signal received by the antenna  2  into a baseband signal. The RF module  90  outputs a baseband signal to the controller  94 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the sensor  91  is located within the housing portion  17  of housing  10 . The sensor  91  may be located on the circuit board  80 . The sensor  91  may, for example, include at least one of a speed sensor, a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a rotation angle sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a magnetic sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a light sensor, an illuminance sensor, a UV sensor, a gas sensor, a gas density sensor, an atmospheric sensor, a level sensor, an odor sensor, a pressure sensor, an air pressure sensor, a contact sensor, a wind sensor, an infrared sensor, a human sensor, a displacement sensor, an image sensor, a weight sensor, a smoke sensor, a leak sensor, a vital sensor, a battery level sensor, an ultrasound sensor, a global positioning system (GPS) signal receiver, or the like. The sensor  91  outputs the detection result to the controller  94 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the battery  92  is located more to the negative Z-axis side than the third conductor  60 . The battery  92  may be located outside the housing  10 . The battery  92  is capable of supplying electrical power to the components of the wireless communication device  1 . The battery  92  may provide electrical power to at least one of the RF module  90 , the sensor  91 , the memory  93 , or the controller  94 . The battery  92  may include at least one of a primary battery or a secondary battery. The negative pole of the battery  92  is electrically connected to the third conductor  60  of the antenna  2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the memory  93  is located within the housing portion  17  of the housing  10 . The memory  93  may be located on the circuit board  80 . The memory  93  may include, for example, a semiconductor memory or the like. The memory  93  may function as a working memory for the controller  94 . The memory  93  may be included in the controller  94 . The memory  93  stores programs describing processing contents for implementing the functions of the wireless communication device  1 , information used for processing in the wireless communication device  1 , and the like. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the controller  94  is located within the housing portion  17  of the housing  10 . The controller  94  may be located on the circuit board  80 . 
     The controller  94  may include a processor, for example. The controller  94  may include one or more processors. The processor may include a general-purpose processor that reads a specific program in order to execute a specific function, and a dedicated processor dedicated to specific processing. A dedicated processor may include an application-specific IC. The application-specific IC is also referred to as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The processor may include a programmable logic device. The programmable logic device is also called a Programmable Logic Device (PLD). The PLD may include a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The controller  94  may be either a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) or a System In a Package (SiP) that cooperates with one or more processors. The controller  94  may store various information and programs for causing the memory  93  to operate the components of the wireless communication device  1 . 
     The controller  94  generates a baseband signal. For example, the controller  94  obtains the detection result of the sensor  91 . The controller  94  generates a baseband signal according to the obtained detection result. The controller  94  outputs the generated baseband signal to the RF module  90 . 
     The controller  94  may obtain a baseband signal from RF module  90 . The controller  94  executes processing according to the obtained baseband signal. 
     As described above, in the wireless communication device  1  according to the first embodiment, even if there are no rows of resonator structures, the antenna  2  can emit electromagnetic waves without reducing emission efficiency. Furthermore, the antenna  2  includes the housing  10  made of a resin and the first conductor group  20  surrounding the front surface of the housing  10 . In other words, in the present embodiment, the antenna  2  can be configured with the housing  10  of the wireless communication device  1 . Configuring the antenna  2  with the housing  10  can reduce the number of components composing the antenna  2  in the wireless communication device  1 . Thus, according to the present embodiment, the antenna  2 , wireless communication module  3 , and wireless communication device  1 , which are novel, can be provided. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a wireless communication device  101  according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the wireless communication device  101  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the wireless communication device  101  includes an antenna  102 . The wireless communication device  101  may include the circuit board  80  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the wireless communication device  101  includes the wireless communication module  3 , the sensor  91 , the battery  92 , the memory  93 , and the controller  94 . The wireless communication module  3  included in the wireless communication device  101  includes the antenna  102  and the RF module  90  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the antenna  102  includes the housing  10 , a first conductor group  120 , and the power supply line  70 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the first conductor group  120  includes a first conductor  130 , a second conductor  131 , the second conductor group  40 , and the third conductor  60 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first conductor  130  is located closer to the first surface  11  of the housing  10  as opposed to the second surface  12  of the housing  10 . The first conductor  130  includes a conductor  32  and a conductor  33  of a first connection pair (electrical conductive first connection pair). The conductor  32  and the conductor  33  may be located at the two end portions of the first surface  11  of the housing  10  in the Y-direction. For example, the conductor  32  may be located between the first surface  11  and the fifth surface  15  of the housing  10 . Also, the conductor  33  may be located between the first surface  11  and the sixth surface  16  of the housing  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the second conductor  131  is located closer to the second surface  12  of the housing  10  than the first surface  11  of the housing  10 . The second conductor  131  includes a conductor  34  and a conductor  35  of a second connection pair (electrical conductive second connection pair). The conductor  34  and the conductor  35  may be located at the two end portions of the second surface  12  of the housing  10  in the Y-direction. For example, the conductor  34  may be located between the first surface  12  and the fifth surface  15  of the housing  10 . Also, the conductor  35  may be located between the second surface  12  and the sixth surface  16  of the housing  10 . 
     The second conductor group  40  is located between the conductors  32 ,  33  of the first connection pair and the conductors  34 ,  35  of the second connection pair. When sympathetic vibration occurs in the first connection conductor  41  and the second connection conductor  42  in the X direction across the gap S 1 , as seen from the second conductor group  40 , the negative X-axis side where the conductors  32 ,  33  of the first connection pair are located is treated as an electrical wall extending in the YZ plane. At this time, as seen from the second conductor group  40 , the positive X-axis side where the conductors  34 ,  35  of the second connection pair are located is treated as an electrical wall extending in the YZ plane. Also, as in the first embodiment, the end of the second conductor group  40  on the positive Y-axis side and the end of the second conductor group  40  on the negative Y-axis side are electrically open. Thus, when sympathetic vibration occurs in the first connection conductor  41  and the second connection conductor  42  in the X direction across the gap S 1 , as seen from the second conductor group  40 , the XZ plane on the positive Y-axis side and the XZ plane on the negative Y-axis side are treated as magnetic walls. The second conductor group  40  is surrounded by these two electrical walls and two magnetic walls in this manner, thus the antenna  102  exhibits artificial magnetic conductor specification with respect to a predetermined frequency of electromagnetic waves incident on the wireless communication device  101  from the negative Y-axis side. 
     The other configuration and effect of the antenna  102  according to the second embodiment is the same as the antenna  2  according to the first embodiment. 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a wireless communication device  201  according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. The shape of the wireless communication device  201  may be similar to the shape of the wireless communication device  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The wireless communication device  101  may include the circuit board  80  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the wireless communication device  101  includes the wireless communication module  3 , the sensor  91 , the battery  92 , the memory  93 , and the controller  94 . The wireless communication module  3  included in the wireless communication device  101  includes an antenna  102  and the RF module  90  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     The antenna  202  includes the first conductor group  20 , a power supply line  70   a,  and a power supply line  70   b.  Similar to antenna  2  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the antenna  202  includes the housing  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Instead of the first conductor group  20 , the antenna  202  may include the first conductor group  120  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     The power supply line  70   a  and the power supply line  70   b  are electrically connected to any one portion of the second conductor group  40  included in the first conductor group  20 . The signal propagating in the power supply line  70   a  and the signal propagating in the power supply line  70   b  correspond to differential signals. In the present embodiment, one end of the power supply line  70   a  and one end of the power supply line  70   b  are connected to the third inner conductor  49  of the second conductor group  40 . The power supply line  70   a  and the power supply line  70   b  may be connected to positions at different portions of the third inner conductor  49 . The other end of the power supply line  70   a  and the other end of the power supply line  70   b  are electrically connected to the RF module  90  included in the wireless communication device  201 . The power supply line  70   a  and the power supply line  70   b  are located within the housing portion  17  of the housing  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The power supply line  70   a  and the power supply line  70   b  may extend along the Z direction. The power supply line  70   a  and the power supply line  70   b  may each be a through hole conductor, a via conductor, or the like. 
     The other configuration and effect of the antenna  202  according to the third embodiment is the same as the antenna  2  according to the first embodiment. 
     The configurations according to the present disclosure are not limited only to the embodiments described above, and some variations or changes can be made. For example, the functions and the like included in each of the components and the like can be rearranged as long as logically inconsistencies are avoided, and multiple components can be combined into one or divided. 
     For example, the above-described shape of the wireless communication device  1 ,  101  is roughly a square prism. However, the shape of the wireless communication device  1 ,  101  is not limited to being roughly a square prism. For example, the shape of the wireless communication device  1 ,  101  can be roughly rectangular. For example, in a case where the shape of the wireless communication device  1  is roughly rectangular, the antenna  2  can emit at least one of electromagnetic waves at a frequency corresponding to the length of the long sides of the rectangular parallelepiped and electromagnetic waves at a frequency corresponding to the length of the short sides of the rectangular parallelepiped. 
     For example, the wireless communication device  1 ,  101 ,  201  described above includes the battery  92 . However, the wireless communication device  1 ,  101 ,  201  may not include the battery  92 . In this case, the wireless communication device  1 ,  101  may include an energy harvesting device. Examples of an energy harvesting device include a type that converts sunlight into electrical power, a type that converts vibration into electrical power, a type that converts heat into electrical power, and the like. 
     The drawings for describing the configuration according to the present disclosure are schematic. The dimensional proportions and the like in the drawings do not necessarily coincide with the actual values. 
     In the present disclosure, “first”, “second”, “third”, and the like are examples of identifiers for distinguishing the configurations. Configurations distinguished in the description by “first”, “second”, and the like in the present disclosure are interchangeable in terms of the number of the configuration. For example, the first conductor can exchange the identifiers, “first” and “second” with the second conductor. The identifiers are interchanged simultaneously. The configurations are distinguished after the identifiers are interchanged. The identifiers may be deleted. Configurations with deleted identifiers are distinguished by reference signs. No interpretation of the order of the configurations, no grounds for the presence of an identifier of a lower value, and no grounds for the presence of an identifier of a higher value shall be given based solely on the description of identifiers such as “first” and “second” in the present disclosure. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           1 ,  101 ,  201  Wireless communication device 
           2 ,  102 ,  202  Antenna 
           3  Wireless communication module 
           4  Metal plate 
           10  Housing 
           11  First surface 
           12  Second surface 
           13  Third surface 
           14  Fourth surface 
           15  Fifth surface 
           16  Sixth surface 
           17  Housing portion 
           20 ,  120  First conductor group 
           21  First end portion 
           22  Second end portion 
           30 ,  130  First conductor 
           31 ,  131  Second conductor 
           32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35  Conductor 
           40  Second conductor group 
           41  First connection conductor 
           42  Second connection conductor 
           43  First inner conductor 
           44  Second inner conductor 
           45  First conductor set 
           46  Third connection conductor 
           47  Second conductor set 
           48  Fourth connection conductor 
           49  Third inner conductor 
           50  Dielectric substrate 
           60  Third conductor 
           70 ,  70   a,    70   b  Power supply line 
           80  Circuit board 
           81  Insulation substrate 
           82 ,  83  Conductor layer 
           90  RF module 
           91  Sensor 
           92  Battery 
           93  Memory 
           94  Controller