Patent Publication Number: US-7903031-B2

Title: Antenna apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Ser. No. 11/581,376, filed Oct. 17, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,737,908 now allowed. This application is also based upon and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese application nos. 2006-094429, filed Mar. 30, 2006, and 2006-242016, filed Sep. 6, 2006, the contents of the foregoing applications all of being incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present invention generally relates to an antenna apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly to a flat antenna apparatus using UWB (ultra-wide band) and a manufacturing method thereof. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, radio communication technologies using UWB have attracted attention due to capability of radar positioning and communication with large capacity of transmission. Regarding the UWB, the FCC (federal communication commission) in the United States allowed the use of frequency bandwidth from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz in 2002. 
     The UWB is a communication method in which pulse signals are used in an ultra-wide band. Thus, an antenna used for the UWB is required to have a structure enabling transmission and reception of in the ultra-wide band. 
     An antenna made of a base board and a power feeder has been proposed as an antenna used in a bandwidth from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz allowed by the FCC (Non-patent Document 1) 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show conventional antenna apparatuses. An antenna apparatus  10  shown in  FIG. 1A  includes a base board  11  and a power feeder  12  disposed thereon, the power feeder  12  having an inverted conical shape. The cone constituting the power feeder  12  is set such that a side face thereof forms an angle θ relative to an axis. In accordance with the angle θ, it is possible to obtain desired capability characteristics. 
     An antenna apparatus  20  shown in  FIG. 1B  includes the base board  11  and a teardrop-shaped power feeder  22  disposed thereon, the power feeder  22  being made of a cone  22   a  and a sphere  22   b  inscribed therein.
     Non-patent Document 1: “An omnidirectional and low-VSWR antenna for the FCC-approved UWB frequency band” Takuya Taniguchi and Takehiko Kobayashi (Tokyo Denki University), The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, B-1-133, 2003, (presented on March 22, at room B201)   Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2000-196327   

     Conventional wide-band antenna apparatuses include a tabular base board and a power feeder having a conical or teardrop shape disposed thereon, so that such apparatuses are large in size and thin type antenna apparatuses have been desired. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a UWB flat antenna apparatus  30  disclosed in the specification and the drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-91602 previously submitted by the inventors of the present invention. The UWB flat antenna apparatus  30  includes a dielectric base  31  having a top face  31   a , on which an antenna element pattern  32 , a strip line  33 , and two ground patterns  34  and  35  are disposed, and a coaxial connector  50  mounted on an end of the base  31 . In accordance with this, the apparatus is made to be smaller and thinner in comparison with conventional antenna apparatuses. 
     The strip line  33 , the two ground patterns  34  and  35  on both sides of the strip line  33 , and the base  31  constitute a coplanar microwave transmission line  40 . The coaxial connector  50  is soldered and fixed to the strip line  33  and the ground patterns  34  and  35  at a terminal end of the coplanar microwave transmission line  40  extending from the antenna element pattern  32 . 
     The UWB flat antenna apparatus  30  requires the dielectric base  31  and requires deposition steps and etching steps in order to form the antenna element pattern  32 , the strip line  33 , and the two ground patterns  34  and  35 . Further, both deposition steps and etching steps require man-hours, so that it is difficult to reduce manufacturing costs thereof. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved and useful antenna apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof in which the above-mentioned problems are eliminated. 
     A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an antenna apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof that can reduce the manufacturing costs thereof. 
     According to the present invention there is provided an antenna apparatus comprising: a punched out antenna element made of a sheet metal; a punched out ground element made of a sheet metal, the ground element facing the antenna element; and a surface mount type coaxial connector mounted across the antenna element and the ground element. 
     Both antenna element and ground element are prepared by punching out from a sheet metal, so that neither time-consuming deposition steps nor etching steps are required. Thus, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs. 
     Further, a dielectric base is not necessary, so that it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs in this respect. 
     Other objects, features and advantage of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a configuration diagram as an example of a conventional antenna apparatus; 
         FIG. 1B  is a configuration diagram as another example of a conventional antenna apparatus; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view showing a configuration of a UWB flat antenna apparatus previously applied by the applicants of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is another perspective view showing a configuration of a UWB flat antenna apparatus previously applied by the applicants of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a UWB flat antenna apparatus according to example 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a plan view showing the UWB flat antenna apparatus in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the UWB flat antenna apparatus taken along line B-B in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a plan view showing a socket-type coaxial connector; 
         FIG. 5B  is a side view showing a socket-type coaxial connector; 
         FIG. 5C  is a plan view showing a socket-type coaxial connector; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing steps for manufacturing the UWB flat antenna apparatus in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a step of press working in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an antenna with link bars; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an antenna with link bars on which a socket-type coaxial connector is mounted; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing an antenna body; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating a step of insert molding; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing a UWB flat antenna apparatus according to example 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing a UWB flat antenna apparatus according to example 3 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view showing the UWB flat antenna apparatus in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram showing steps for manufacturing the UWB flat antenna apparatus in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram showing when a resin molding step in  FIG. 15  is completed; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view showing a UWB flat antenna apparatus according to example 4 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram showing first steps for manufacturing the UWB flat antenna apparatus in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram showing each step in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20A  is a diagram illustrating a step of insert molding; 
         FIG. 20B  is a cross-sectional view of the UWB flat antenna apparatus taken along line B-B in  FIG. 20A ; 
         FIG. 21  is a diagram showing second steps for manufacturing the UWB flat antenna apparatus in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a diagram showing each step in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a diagram illustrating a step of insert molding; 
         FIG. 24  is a diagram showing third steps for manufacturing the UWB flat antenna apparatus in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a diagram showing each step in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a diagram illustrating a step of molding a rear face; 
         FIG. 27  is a diagram illustrating a step of molding a front face; 
         FIG. 28A  is a perspective view showing a UWB flat antenna apparatus according to example 5 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 28B  is a cross-sectional view of the UWB flat antenna apparatus taken along line B-B in  FIG. 28A ; 
         FIG. 28C  is a cross-sectional view of the UWB flat antenna apparatus taken along line C-C in  FIG. 28A ; 
         FIG. 29  is a diagram showing steps for manufacturing the UWB flat antenna apparatus in  FIG. 28A ; 
         FIG. 30  is a diagram showing when a step of press punching in  FIG. 29  is completed; 
         FIG. 31A  is a diagram showing when a step of press cutting and bending in  FIG. 29  is completed; 
         FIG. 31B  is a diagram showing when a step of insert molding in  FIG. 29  is completed; 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view showing a UWB flat antenna apparatus according to example 6 of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 33  is a diagram showing when a step of insert molding is completed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Example 1 
       FIGS. 3 ,  4 A, and  4 B show a UWB flat antenna apparatus  100  according to example 1 of the present invention. 
     The antenna apparatus  100  includes an antenna element  101  made of a copper plate and a ground element  102  also made of a copper plate, a socket-type coaxial connector  200  of a surface mount type, and a synthetic resin portion  210  such as ABS covering the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 . 
     The antenna element  101  is manufactured by punching out from a copper plate using a press. The antenna element  101  has a home plate-like shape and an opening angle θ at a protrusion (feeding point)  101   a  is about 60 degrees (refer to  FIG. 8 ). 
     The ground element  102  is manufactured by punching out from a copper plate using a press. The ground element  102  has a quadrangular shape and a concave portion  102   a  (refer to  FIG. 8 ). 
     The antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are manufactured at once by punching out from a copper plate using a press. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C, the socket-type coaxial connector  200  is of a surface mount type. The socket-type coaxial connector  200  is molded including a shield portion  200   a  and a signal line connecting portion  200   b  in an integrated manner using an insulation portion  200   c.    
     The shield portion  200   a  is made of a conductive material and includes a connecting portion  200   d  and contact portions  200   e   1 ,  200   e   2 , and  200   e   3 . The connecting portion  200   d  has a substantially cylindrical shape, extends in a Y 1  direction indicated by an arrow, and is engaged with the shield of the plug connector. The contact portions  200   e   1 ,  200   e   2 , and  200   e   3  are connected to the connecting portion  200   d  and exposed at a bottom of an insulation portion  200   c  in a Y 2  direction indicated by an arrow. 
     The signal line connecting portion  200   b  is made of a conductive material and includes a connection pin  200   f  and a contact portion  200   g . The connection pin  200   f  as a central conductor extends from the insulation portion  200   c  to an inner periphery of the connecting portion  200   d  in the Y 1  direction and is connected to a signal line of the plug connector when the plug connector is mounted. The contact portion  200   g  is connected to the central conductor  200   f  and exposed at the bottom of the insulation portion  200   c  in the Y 2  direction indicated by the arrow. 
     The antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are in co-planar relationship and disposed closely such that the protrusion  101   a  is spaced by a gap from, and faces, the concave portion  102   a . The socket-type coaxial connector  200  is mounted at respective positions on the protrusion  101   a  and on the concave portion  102   a  such that the socket-type coaxial connector  200  is disposed across (i.e., spanning the gap between, and interconnecting) the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 . The contact portion  200   g  is soldered to the protrusion  101   a  of the antenna element  101  and the contact portions  200   e   1  and  200   e   2  are soldered to portions of the concave portion  102   a  of the ground element  102 . 
     The synthetic resin portion  210  is formed by insert molding such that an antenna body  140 , described later, is wrapped therein. The synthetic resin portion  210  covers the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  except a position of the socket-type coaxial connector  200  and has a plate-like shape. The socket-type coaxial connector  200  is exposed from a window portion  211  of a top face  212  of the synthetic resin portion  210 . 
     The UWB flat antenna apparatus  100  is used in a frequency bandwidth of 3 to 6 GHz. In practice, the antenna apparatus  100  is used when a coaxial connector at an end of a coaxial cable (neither is shown in the drawings) extending from a device is connected to the socket-type coaxial connector  200 . High-frequency signals are supplied to the antenna element  101 , the ground element  102  is for ground potential, and electric lines of force are formed between the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 . 
     In addition, in terms of function, the antenna apparatus  100  functions as a UWB flat antenna apparatus without the synthetic resin portion  210 , namely, using the antenna element  101 , the ground element  102 , and the socket-type coaxial connector  200 . 
     In the following, a method for manufacturing the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100  is described. 
     The UWB flat antenna apparatus  100  is manufactured without time-consuming deposition steps and etching steps. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100  is manufactured through a step  300  of press working, a step  301  of mounting the socket-type coaxial connector  200 , a step  302  of removing link bars, and a step  303  of insert molding. 
     [Step  300  of Press Working] 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , multiple antennas  120  with link bars are punched out by pressing a copper plate  110 . 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a single antenna  120  with link bars. In the antenna  120  with link bars, the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are linked by F-shaped link bars  121  and  122 . Due to the F-shaped link bars  121  and  122 , the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are brought close to each other and maintained in a relationship such that the protrusion  101   a  and the concave portion  102   a  are positioned in an opposing manner. 
     In addition, boundaries between the link bars  121  and  122  and the antenna element  101  and boundaries between the link bars  121  and  122  and the ground element  102  are made to be half-cut portions  123 . 
     [Step  301  of Mounting Socket-Type Coaxial Connector  200 ] 
     The socket-type coaxial connector  200  is mounted at the positions of the protrusion  101   a  and the concave portion  102   a  such that the socket-type coaxial connector  200  is disposed across the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 . In accordance with this, it is possible to obtain an antenna  130  with link bars on which a socket-type coaxial connector is mounted as shown in  FIG. 9   
     [Step  302  of Removing Link Bars] 
     The antenna body  140  as shown in  FIG. 10  is obtained from the antenna  130  with link bars on which a socket-type coaxial connector is mounted, by removing the link bars  121  and  122 . 
     The removal of the link bars  121  and  122  is readily made due to the presence of the half-cut portions  123 . In other words, by bending the link bars  121  and  122  relative to the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 , the half-cut portions  123  are readily cut and the link bars  121  and  122  are easily removed. 
     When the link bars  121  and  122  are removed, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are linked by the socket-type coaxial connector  200 . This is referred to as the antenna body  140 . 
     [Step  303  of Performing Insert Molding] 
     The antenna body  140  shown in  FIG. 10  is set in metal molds  150  and  151  with the socket-type coaxial connector  200  being exposed as shown in  FIG. 11  and ABS resin is injected into a cavity  152 . 
     In accordance with this, the plate-like synthetic resin portion  210  shown in  FIG. 3  is formed, the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are wrapped and fixed in the synthetic resin portion  210 , thereby completing the manufacture of the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100  in which the socket-type coaxial connector  200  is exposed from the window portion  211 . 
     As mentioned above, the manufacture of the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100  requires neither time-consuming deposition steps nor etching steps. Thus, it is possible to manufacture the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100  at a lower cost in comparison with the UWB flat antenna apparatus  30  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Example 2 
       FIG. 12  shows a UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 A according to example 2 of the present invention. The UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 A includes the antenna body  140  of  FIG. 10  inserted into a molded case of an electronic device  400 . 
     The electronic device  400  of this structure does not need to have a thin space or the like for mounting the antenna body  140 , so that it is possible to construct the electronic device  400  as a smaller device. 
     Example 3 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show a UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 B according to example 3 of the present invention. The UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 B includes the antenna body  140  of  FIG. 10  and a synthetic resin portion  500  formed limitedly on the periphery of the socket-type coaxial connector  200 . The synthetic resin portion  500  covers the periphery of the socket-type coaxial connector  200  of the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 . The synthetic resin portion  500  fixes the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 . Large portions of the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are exposed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 B is manufactured through the step  300  of press working, the step  301  of mounting the socket-type coaxial connector  200 , a step  303 A of performing resin molding, and the step  302  of removing link bars. 
       FIG. 16  shows when the resin molding step  303 A is completed. The antenna  130  with link bars on which a socket-type coaxial connector is mounted as shown in  FIG. 9  is set in a mold and the synthetic resin portion  500  is limitedly formed on the periphery of the socket-type coaxial connector  200 . 
     When the antenna element  101  is firmly connected to the ground element  102  by the synthetic resin portion  500  in this manner, the link bars  121  and  122  are removed. Thus, the step of removing link bars is stably performed without a possibility of changing the relative position of the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 . 
     Example 4 
       FIG. 17  shows a UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C according to example 4 of the present invention. 
     The UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C is different from the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 3  in that the antenna element  101  has rungs  601 ,  602 ,  611 , and  612  on both sides thereof, the rungs extending to side faces of the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C, and the ground element  102  has rungs  621 ,  622 ,  631 , and  632  on both sides thereof, the rungs extending to the side faces of the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C. Other structure is the same as the structure of the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 . These rungs extend in X 1 -X 2  directions. In the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C, the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  both made of a copper plate are positioned closely to each other, the socket-type coaxial connector  200  is mounted across the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 , and the plate-like synthetic resin portion  210  covers the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 . Numeral  640  designates an end of the rung  601 , for example, and the end of the rung  601  is exposed on the side face of the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 , namely, on a side face  213  of the synthetic resin portion  210 . 
     In the following, first, second, and third method for manufacturing the above-mentioned UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C are described. 
     (First Manufacturing Method) 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C is manufactured through a step  700  of punching out using a press, a step  701  of insert molding, a step  702  of press cutting, and a step  703  of mounting a coaxial connector. 
     [Step  700  of Punching Out Using Press] 
     As shown in FIG.  19 -( a ), a frame member  713  in which plural antenna bodies  712  are formed in a row is manufactured by punching out from a belt-like copper plate  711  in press working, the belt-like copper plate  711  having a width of W 1  fed from a coiled body  710 . 
     The antenna body  712  includes the antenna element  101 , the ground element  102 , frames  650  and  651 , and the rungs  601 ,  602 ,  611 ,  612 ,  621 ,  622 ,  631 , and  632 . The antenna element  101  is supported by the rungs  601 ,  602 ,  611 , and  612  between the frames  650  and  651 . And the ground element  102  is supported by the rungs  621 ,  622 ,  631 , and  632  between the frames  650  and  651 . The positions of the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are the same as in the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C. 
     In the frame member  713 , a large number of antenna bodies  712  are arranged. 
     [Step  701  of Insert Molding] 
     As shown in  FIGS. 20A and 20B , a single antenna body  712  from the frame member  713  is set between metal molds  720  and  721 , and synthetic resin is injected into a cavity  722 . The synthetic resin wraps the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  except positions where the elements are brought close to each other and the synthetic resin portion  210  is formed by insert molding as shown in FIG.  19 -( b ). In accordance with this, the antenna body  712  is made to be a semifinished antenna apparatus  100 Ca. 
     The rungs  601  and the like protrude from both side faces the synthetic resin portion  210 . Further, the window portion  211  is formed on the top face  212  of the synthetic resin portion  210  and a portion of the antenna element  101  and a portion of the ground element  102  are positioned in an opposite manner in the window portion  211 . 
     In accordance with this, the frame member  713  is made to be a frame member  713 A with semifinished antenna apparatuses in which semifinished antenna apparatuses  100 Ca are arranged. 
     [Step  702  of Press Cutting] 
     The frame member  713 A with semifinished antenna apparatuses is set in a pressing machine and all the rungs  601  and the like are cut on the side faces of the synthetic resin portion  210 , thereby separating the semifinished antenna apparatus  100 Ca. 
     FIG.  19 -( c ) shows the separated semifinished antenna apparatus  100 Ca. 
     [Step  703  of Mounting Coaxial Connector] 
     The socket-type coaxial connector  200  is mounted at the positions of the protrusion  101   a  and the concave portion  102   a  by fitting the socket-type coaxial connector  200  in the window portion  211  such that the socket-type coaxial connector  200  is disposed across the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 . 
     In accordance with this, the manufacture of the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C shown in  FIG. 17  is completed. 
     In this case, if positional accuracy of the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  in the synthetic resin portion  210  is reduced, characteristics of the UWB flat antenna apparatus are deteriorated. However, in the present example, the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are each supported at two positions on an X 1  side and an X 2  side by the rungs  601  and the like between the frames  650  and  651 . In accordance with this, when external force is applied from the synthetic resin injected upon insert molding, the relative position of the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  is not likely to be changed. Thus, the positional accuracy of the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are preferably determined in the synthetic resin portion  210  and the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C has desired characteristics. 
     In addition, the order of the step  702  of press cutting and the step  703  of mounting a coaxial connector may be reversed. In other words, the socket-type coaxial connector  200  may be mounted on each of the semifinished antenna apparatuses  100 Ca in the frame member  713 A with semifinished antenna apparatuses. Thereafter, the frame member  713 A with semifinished antenna apparatuses may be set in the pressing machine and all the rungs  601  and the like may be cut on the side faces of the synthetic resin portion  210 . In accordance with this, the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C shown in  FIG. 17  is separated and the manufacture thereof is completed. 
     (Second Manufacturing Method) 
     As shown in  FIG. 21 , the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C is manufactured through a step  730  of punching out using a press, a step  731  of mounting a coaxial connector, a step  732  of insert molding, and a step  733  of press cutting. 
     [Step  730  of Punching Out Using Press] 
     As shown in FIG.  19 -( a ), the frame member  713  in which plural antenna bodies  712  are formed in a row is manufactured by punching out from the copper plate  711  in press working. 
     [Step  731  of Mounting Coaxial Connector] 
     First, as shown in FIG.  22 -( a ), the protrusion  101   a  and the concave portion  102   a  are coated with cream solder as shown in numeral  740  in each of the antenna bodies  712  of the frame member  713 . 
     Next, the socket-type coaxial connector  200  is mounted at the positions of the protrusion  101   a  and the concave portion  102   a  such that the socket-type coaxial connector  200  is disposed across the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 . And the frame member  713  is passed through a reflow oven. In accordance with this, the socket-type coaxial connector  200  is mounted on each antenna body  712  as shown in FIG.  22 -( b ), and a frame member  713 B with mounted socket-type coaxial connectors is manufactured. 
     [Step  732  of Insert Molding] 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , the frame member  713 B with the mounted socket-type coaxial connector is set between metal molds  750  and  751 , and synthetic resin is injected into a cavity  752 . The synthetic resin wraps the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  except a position of the mounted socket-type coaxial connector  200  and the synthetic resin portion  210  as shown in  FIG. 17  is formed by insert molding. 
     In accordance with this, the frame member  713  is made to be a frame member  713 C with completed antenna apparatuses in which completed antenna apparatuses are arranged as shown in FIG.  22 -( c ). 
     [Step  733  of Press Cutting] 
     The frame member  713 C with completed antenna apparatuses is set in a pressing machine and all the rungs  601  and the like are cut on the side faces of the synthetic resin portion  210 , thereby separating the antenna apparatus  100 C as shown in FIG.  22 -( d ). 
     (Third Manufacturing Method) 
     In a third manufacturing method, the step  701  of insert molding in the first manufacturing method is divided in two steps. As shown in  FIG. 24 , the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C is manufactured through a step  760  of punching out using a press, a step  761  of molding a rear face, a step  762  of molding a front face, a step  763  of press cutting, and a step  764  of mounting a coaxial connector. 
     [Step  760  of Punching Out Using Press] 
     As shown in FIGS.  25 -( a ) and  19 -( a ), the frame member  713  in which plural antenna bodies  712  are formed in a row is manufactured by punching out from the copper plate  711  in press working. 
     [Step  761  of Molding Rear Face] 
     As shown in FIG.  26 -( a ), the frame member  713  is set between metal molds  770  and  771  and synthetic resin is injected into a cavity  772 . The synthetic resin covers rear faces of the antenna element  101  and ground element  102  and a plate-like rear face synthetic resin portion  780  is molded as shown in FIG.  26 -( b ). In accordance with this, a frame member  713 D with a rear face synthetic resin portion shown in FIG.  25 -( b ) is manufactured. 
     As shown in FIG.  26 -( b ), the rear face synthetic resin portion  780  also covers an end face  101   b  of the antenna element  101  and an end face  102   b  of the ground element  102 , and the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are integrated with the rear face synthetic resin portion  780 . 
     In this case, when the frame member  713  is set between the metal molds  770  and  771 , entire areas of the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are positioned at an undersurface of the metal mold  770 . In accordance with this, when the synthetic resin is injected into the cavity  772 , the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are stably held without causing positional displacement. 
     [Step  762  of Molding Front Face] 
     As shown in FIG.  27 -( a ), the frame member  713 D with a rear face synthetic resin portion is set between metal molds  790  and  791  and synthetic resin is injected into a cavity  792 . As shown in FIG.  27 -( b ), the synthetic resin covers top faces of the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  except a position on which a coaxial connector is to be mounted, and a plate-like front face synthetic resin portion  800  is molded. A plate-like synthetic resin portion  801  is prepared by integrating the front face synthetic resin portion  800  with the rear face synthetic resin portion  780 . The synthetic resin portion  801  covers the top faces and rear faces of the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  except the position on which the coaxial connector is to be mounted. In addition, the synthetic resin portion  801  has no pin hole generated by pulling out a pin as will be described in the following. 
     The frame member  713 D with a rear face synthetic resin portion is made to be the frame member  713 A with semifinished antenna apparatuses in which semifinished antenna apparatuses  100 Cb are arranged. 
     [Step  763  of Press Cutting] 
     The frame member  713 A with semifinished antenna apparatuses is set in a pressing machine and all the rungs  601  and the like are cut on side faces of the synthetic resin portion  801 , thereby separating the semifinished antenna apparatus  100 Cb. FIG.  25 -( d ) shows the semifinished antenna apparatus  100 Cb obtained as a result of the separation. 
     [Step  764  of Mounting Coaxial Connector] 
     The socket-type coaxial connector  200  is mounted at the positions of the protrusion  101   a  and the concave portion  102   a  by fitting the socket-type coaxial connector  200  in the window portion  211  such that the socket-type coaxial connector  200  is disposed across the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 . 
     In accordance with this, the manufacture of the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C shown in  FIG. 17  is completed. 
     In this case, in the above-mentioned first or second manufacturing method, namely, in the insert molding for wrapping the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  in a single molding, positions of the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  may be displaced upon insert molding. Thus, the positions of the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are generally fixed by disposing plural pressure pins on the metal molds in a protruding manner and holding the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  using the pressure pins. Thus, upon manufacturing in the first or second manufacturing method, pin holes are left on the plate-like synthetic resin portion wrapping the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  and the pin holes are exposed to the outside. This is not preferable when the UWB flat antenna apparatus is embedded in an electronic device so as to be seen in appearance thereof. 
     However, according to the third example, the pressure pins are not necessary for the metal molds and no pin holes are left on the synthetic resin portion  801 , so that it is possible to embed the UWB flat antenna apparatus in an electronic device at such positions that are seen in appearance without the above-mentioned problem. 
     Example 5 
       FIGS. 28A to 28C  show a UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 D according to example 5 of the present invention. 
     The UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 D is different in rungs from the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     The UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 D has no rungs extending in the X 1  direction from the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 . 
     Rungs  602   a ,  612   a ,  622   a , and  632   a  extending in the X 2  direction from the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are extremely short and bent in the Y 1  direction. Further, ends  640   a  thereof are exposed on the top face  212  of the synthetic resin portion  210 . 
     In accordance with this, the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 D experiences no degradation of antenna characteristics resulting from the rungs and has preferable characteristics in comparison with the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 C shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 29 , the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 D is manufactured through a step  810  of punching out using a press, a step  811  of press cutting and bending, a step  812  of insert molding, a step  813  of press cutting, and a step  814  of mounting a coaxial connector. 
     [Step  810  of Punching Out Using Press] 
     As shown in  FIG. 30 , a frame member  820  in which plural antenna bodies  712  are formed in a row is manufactured by punching out from the belt-like copper plate  711  having a width of W 1  in press working. 
     The antenna body  712  includes the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102 . 
     Differing from the frame member  713  shown in FIG.  19 -( a ), the antenna element  101  and the ground element  102  are positioned on the X 1  side relative to a center thereof. 
     [Step  811  of Press Cutting and Bending] 
     The frame member  820  is set in a pressing machine and the rungs  601   a  and the like on the X 1  side are cut and removed. The rungs  602   a  and the like on the X 2  side are cranked in the Y 2  direction 
     In accordance with this, the frame member  820  is made to be a processed frame member  820 A as shown in  FIG. 31A . The antenna body  712  is positioned on the Y 2  side relative to the frames  650  and  651 . 
     [Step  812  of Insert Molding] 
     The antenna body  712  of the processed frame member  820 A is set between metal molds and synthetic resin is injected into a cavity. In accordance with this, as shown in  FIG. 31B , the plate-like synthetic resin portion  210  is formed by insert molding. The rungs  602   a  and the like protrude from the top face  212  of the plate-like synthetic resin portion  210 . 
     The processed frame member  820 A is made to be a frame member  820 B with semifinished antenna apparatuses in which semifinished antenna apparatuses  100 Da are formed in a row. 
     [Step  813  of Press Cutting] 
     The frame member  820 B with semifinished antenna apparatuses is set in a pressing machine and all the rungs  602   a  and the like are cut on the top face of the synthetic resin portion  210 , thereby separating the semifinished antenna apparatuses  100 Da. 
     [Step  814  of Mounting Coaxial Connector] 
     The socket-type coaxial connector  200  is fitted in the window portion  211  and mounted. 
     In accordance with this, the manufacture of the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 D shown in  FIG. 28  is completed. 
     Example 6 
       FIG. 32  shows a UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 E according to example 6 of the present invention. 
     The UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 E is different from the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 D shown in  FIG. 28  in that a length of a synthetic resin portion  210 E is longer in the X 1 -X 2  direction. The UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 E is applied to an electronic device when there is a wide area for a location on which the UWB flat antenna apparatus is disposed. 
     The UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 E is also manufactured using the belt-like copper plate  711  having the width of W 1  as shown in  FIG. 30  instead of using a belt-like copper plate having a wide width. Thus, although a size of the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 E is large, manufacturing costs thereof are not increased. 
     In other words, first, the frame member  820  shown in  FIG. 30  is manufactured. Then, as shown in  FIG. 31A , the processed frame member  820 A in which the antenna body  712  is positioned on the Y 2  side relative to the frames  650  and  651  is manufactured by cutting and removing or cranking the rungs. 
     Next, the antenna body  712  of the processed frame member  820 A is set between metal molds and synthetic resin such as ABS is injected into a cavity, thereby forming the plate-like synthetic resin portion  210 E by insert molding as shown in  FIG. 33 . 
     Thereafter, through a step  803  of press cutting and a step  804  of mounting a coaxial connector in the same manner as mentioned above, the manufacture of the UWB flat antenna apparatus  100 E as shown in  FIG. 32  is completed. 
     The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment, and variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The present application is based on Japanese priority application No. 2006-094429 filed Mar. 30, 2006 and Japanese priority application No. 2006-242016 filed Sep. 6, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.