Electronic device

This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-199527 filed on Sep. 30, 2014 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-115913 filed on Jun. 8, 2015 and is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2015/075676 filed on Sep. 10, 2015. The entire contents of each application are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a high-frequency transmission line member that defines a high-frequency transmission line, and an electronic device.

2. Description of the Related Art

A stripline or micro stripline high-frequency transmission line may be provided in or on a flexible substrate or a flat cable having flexibility. A conventional stripline high-frequency transmission line (see, e.g., Japanese Patent No. 4962660) includes a signal conductor disposed at an intermediate position in the thickness direction of an insulating substrate; and two ground conductors disposed with the signal conductor interposed therebetween in the thickness direction of the insulating substrate. The micro stripline high-frequency transmission line includes a signal conductor disposed on one principal surface of an insulating substrate; and one ground conductor disposed at the other principal surface side of the insulating substrate.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are able to reduce a thickness of a high-frequency transmission line member defining a high-frequency transmission line, and an electronic device including the thinned high-frequency transmission line member.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device includes a high-frequency transmission line member and a metallic member. The high-frequency transmission line member includes a substrate including an insulating layer, a planar signal conductor provided on a surface of the insulating layer and that transmits a high-frequency signal, and a planar ground conductor along the signal conductor and connected to a ground potential. The metallic member is defined by a member separate from the high-frequency transmission line member and located at one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member. The high-frequency transmission line member includes a first portion disposed along the metallic member so as to face the metallic member, and a second portion spaced apart from the metallic member more than the first portion. The ground conductor is not provided at the one principal surface side of the signal conductor in the first portion and is provided at least in the second portion. The signal conductor generates a capacitance together with the metallic member at least in the first portion.

In this configuration, in the second portion of the high-frequency transmission line member, a high-frequency transmission line is defined by the signal conductor extending along the ground conductor. In addition, in the first portion of the high-frequency transmission line member, a high-frequency transmission line is defined by the metallic member located at least at the one principal surface side of the signal conductor and the metallic member defining and functioning as a ground conductor. Since it is not necessary to provide a ground conductor at the one principal surface side of the signal conductor in the first portion of the high-frequency transmission line member, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the high-frequency transmission line member.

In an electronic device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the signal conductor preferably includes a narrower conductor width in the first portion than in the second portion. Thus, it is possible to prevent a capacitance in the first portion from being excessive as compared to a capacitance in the second portion. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a characteristic impedance of the first portion from being significantly different from that of the second portion, so that it is possible to prevent transmission loss from increasing.

In an electronic device and a high-frequency transmission line member according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the ground conductor is preferably provided at the other principal surface side of the signal conductor in both the first portion and the second portion, and an interval between the signal conductor and the ground conductor provided at the other principal surface side of the signal conductor is narrower in the second portion than in the first portion. With this configuration as well, it is possible to prevent the capacitance in the first portion from being excessive as compared to the capacitance in the second portion.

In an electronic device and a high-frequency transmission line member according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the ground conductor is preferably provided at the one principal surface side and the other principal surface side of the signal conductor in the second portion. With this configuration as well, it is possible to prevent the capacitance in the first portion from being excessive as compared to the capacitance in the second portion.

Preferably, an electronic device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a facing member facing the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member, the high-frequency transmission line member being attached to the facing member, and the first portion and the metallic member face each other with a space therebetween. With this configuration, it is possible to make the interval between the signal conductor and the metallic member in the first portion less likely to vary.

Preferably, an electronic device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes an attaching member attached between the first portion and the metallic member, and the attaching member has a structure that partially defines a space between the first portion and the metallic member. With this configuration as well, it is possible to keep the interval between the signal conductor and the metallic member constant, and it is possible to reduce a capacitance generated between the signal conductor and the metallic member by providing the attaching member with a space. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the line width of the signal conductor to reduce transmission loss.

A high-frequency transmission line member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a high-frequency transmission line member including a substrate including an insulating layer, a planar signal conductor provided on a surface of the insulating layer and that transmits a high-frequency signal, and a planar ground conductor facing the signal conductor and connected to a ground potential. The high-frequency transmission line member includes a first portion and a second portion in which arrangement of at least one of the signal conductor and the ground conductor is different in a cross-section seen from a direction in which the signal conductor extends, and the ground conductor is not provided at the one principal surface side of the signal conductor in the first portion and is provided at least in the second portion.

In this configuration, when the metallic member of the electronic device is disposed at the one principal surface side of the first portion of the high-frequency transmission line member, it is possible to provide a high-frequency transmission line in the first portion and the second portion. Since it is not necessary to provide a ground conductor at the one principal surface side of the signal conductor in the first portion of the high-frequency transmission line member, it is possible to reduce the thickness.

According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a stripline or micro stripline high-frequency transmission line by using the thinned high-frequency transmission line member and the metallic member of the electronic device.

The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an external perspective view of one principal surface side of a high-frequency transmission line member according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is an external perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2C is an exploded perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are cross-sectional views of the high-frequency transmission line member according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen from a length direction.

FIG. 4A is an external perspective view of one principal surface side of a high-frequency transmission line member according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is an external perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4C is an exploded perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the high-frequency transmission line member according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen from a length direction.

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a boundary in the high-frequency transmission line member according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen from the length direction.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of one principal surface side of a high-frequency transmission line member according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is an external perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6C is an exploded perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of the high-frequency transmission line member according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen from a length direction.

FIG. 8A is an external perspective view of one principal surface side of a high-frequency transmission line member according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is an external perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9A is an external perspective view of one principal surface side of a high-frequency transmission line member according to a modification of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is an external perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member according to the modification of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10A is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10B is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to a modification of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12A is an exploded perspective view of one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member according to the sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12B is an exploded perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member according to the sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a plurality of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. The configuration of each portion shown in each preferred embodiment may be interchanged with the configuration of each portion in another preferred embodiment.

First Preferred Embodiment

First, an electronic device 9 and a high-frequency transmission line member 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device 9 .

The electronic device 9 preferably includes a housing 1 , a built-in module 2 , built-in substrates 3 and 4 , an attaching member 5 , and the high-frequency transmission line member 10 .

The built-in module 2 and the built-in substrates 3 and 4 are arranged within the housing 1 so as to be aligned in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to an inner wall of the housing 1 and each face the inner wall of the housing 1 . The built-in module 2 is disposed between the built-in substrate 3 and the built-in substrate 4 . The high-frequency transmission line member 10 is preferably defined by a flat cable (flexible substrate) having flexibility, is disposed in a gap between the inner wall of the housing 1 and the built-in module 2 and the built-in substrates 3 and 4 , and is connected to the built-in substrate 3 and the built-in substrate 4 in a state where both end portions of the frequency transmission line member 10 are bent. The attaching member 5 is attached to the high-frequency transmission line member 10 and the built-in module 2 to fix the high-frequency transmission line member 10 to the built-in module 2 .

The housing 1 is preferably made of a metallic material and is disposed at one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 . Therefore, the housing 1 defines a metallic member. In addition, the built-in module 2 is disposed at the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 . Therefore, the built-in module 2 defines a facing member.

In the high-frequency transmission line member 10 , a portion facing the built-in module 2 preferably extends in the direction parallel or substantially parallel to the inner wall of the housing 1 , portions before both end portions are bent in the direction away from the housing 1 , and both end portions extend in the direction parallel or substantially parallel to the inner wall of the housing 1 again. The high-frequency transmission line member 10 installed in the electronic device 9 in this manner includes a first portion 111 , second portions 121 and 122 , and third portions 131 and 132 as a plurality of portions whose bent states are different from each other.

The first portion 111 is a portion that is disposed between the inner wall of the housing 1 and the built-in module 2 to be adjacent to the inner wall of the housing 1 and extending parallel or substantially parallel to the inner wall of the housing 1 . The second portion 121 is a portion that is connected to one end side (an end side connected to the built-in substrate 3 ) of the first portion 111 and is bent from the first portion 111 to the other principal surface side (the built-in module 2 side) to be greatly separated from the inner wall of the housing 1 . The second portion 122 is a portion that is connected to the other end side (an end side connected to the built-in substrate 4 ) of the first portion 111 and is bent from the first portion 111 to the other principal surface side (the built-in module 2 side) to be greatly separated from the inner wall of the housing 1 . The third portion 131 is a portion that is connected to one end side (an end side connected to the built-in substrate 3 ) of the second portion 121 , extends parallel or substantially parallel to the inner wall of the housing 1 at a position greatly separated from the inner wall of the housing 1 , and is connected to the built-in substrate 3 . The third portion 132 is a portion that is connected to the other end side (an end side connected to the built-in substrate 4 ) of the second portion 122 , extends parallel or substantially parallel to the inner wall of the housing 1 at a position greatly separated from the inner wall of the housing 1 , and is connected to the built-in substrate 4 .

Next, the detailed configuration of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 in a single body state will be described.

FIG. 2A is an external perspective view of the one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 . FIG. 2B is an external perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 . FIG. 2C is an exploded perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 .

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the first portion 111 as seen from the length direction. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the second portion 121 as seen from the length direction. FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the third portion 131 as seen from the length direction.

The high-frequency transmission line member 10 preferably includes a flexible substrate 11 , a signal conductor 21 , a ground conductor 31 , land conductors 41 and 42 , inter-layer connection conductors 51 and 52 , and connectors 61 and 62 .

The flexible substrate 11 preferably includes a single electrically insulating layer and has a strip shape that is thin in the thickness direction, is long in the length direction, is narrow in the width direction, and extends in the length direction with a uniform width or substantially uniform width. As the material of the insulating layer, a resin material having flexibility, such as a liquid crystal polymer resin or a polyethylene terephthalate resin, may be used. Each of the signal conductor 21 , the ground conductor 31 , and the land conductors 41 and 42 is preferably made of a planar conductor provided on the surface of the insulating layer of the flexible substrate 11 . As the material of the planar conductor, for example, a copper foil may be used.

The signal conductor 21 extends in the length direction on one principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 and transmits a high-frequency signal. The ground conductor 31 extends in the length direction on the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 so as to face the entire surface of the signal conductor 21 and is connected to a ground potential. The inter-layer connection conductors 51 and 52 are connected to both ends of the signal conductor 21 and penetrate the flexible substrate 11 in the thickness direction. The land conductors 41 and 42 are provided on the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 and are connected to both ends of the signal conductor 21 via the inter-layer connection conductors 51 and 52 . The connector 61 is mounted at one end of the flexible substrate 11 in the length direction and on the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 in the thickness direction and is electrically and mechanically connected to the land conductor 41 and the ground conductor 31 . The connector 62 is mounted at the other end of the flexible substrate 11 in the length direction and on the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 in the thickness direction and is electrically and mechanically connected to the land conductor 42 and the ground conductor 31 .

The signal conductor 21 preferably includes a first conductor portion 211 in the first portion 111 . The first conductor portion 211 has an elongated shape extending in the length direction with a uniform conductor width. In addition, the signal conductor 21 includes second conductor portions 221 and 222 in the second portions 121 and 122 . Each of the second conductor portions 221 and 222 preferably has an elongated shape extending in the length direction with a uniform conductor width larger than the conductor width of the first conductor portion 211 . Moreover, the signal conductor 21 preferably includes third conductor portions 231 and 232 in the third portions 131 and 132 . Each of the third conductor portions 231 and 232 has a quadrangular shape whose side dimensions are each larger than the conductor width of each of the second conductor portions 221 and 222 . Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C , in the signal conductor 21 the shapes and the positions of the first portion 111 , the second portion 121 , and the third portion 131 are different from each other in a cross-section seen from the length direction.

The ground conductor 31 has an elongated shape extending in the length direction in the first portion 111 and the second portions 121 and 122 with a uniform conductor width larger than the conductor width of the signal conductor 21 that the ground conductor 31 faces. In addition, the ground conductor 31 preferably has a rectangular or substantially rectangular ring shape provided with cavities surrounding the land conductors 41 and 42 in the third portions 131 and 132 .

The high-frequency transmission line member 10 according to the present preferred embodiment is defined as described above, and the ground conductor 31 is not provided at the one principal surface side of the signal conductor 21 but is provided only at the other principal surface side of the signal conductor 21 . Therefore, in the high-frequency transmission line member 10 , no ground conductor is provided at the one principal surface side of the signal conductor 21 , and it is possible to form the flexible substrate 11 from a single electrically insulating layer, so that it is possible to reduce the thickness as a whole.

Since the ground conductor 31 faces only the other principal surface side of the signal conductor 21 in the high-frequency transmission line member 10 , the high-frequency transmission line member 10 , as a single body, defines a so-called micro stripline high-frequency transmission line that is contiguous over the first portion 111 , the second portions 121 and 122 , and the third portions 131 and 132 . Since the ground conductor 31 is disposed on the other principal surface in the high-frequency transmission line member 10 , it is possible to inhibit high-frequency noise from being radiated to the outside of the other principal surface side, or inhibit external noise from entering through the other principal surface side.

Since the high-frequency transmission line member 10 is disposed within the electronic device 9 in a state where the first portion 111 is partially close and adjacent to the housing 1 made from a metallic material as shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 1 defines and functions as a ground conductor at the one principal surface side of the signal conductor 21 in the first portion 111 , so that the high-frequency transmission line member 10 substantially defines a so-called stripline high-frequency transmission line.

Therefore, the configuration of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 is discontinuous between the first portion 111 and the second portions 121 and 122 , so that the characteristic impedances of the first portion 111 and the second portions 121 and 122 may be different from each other. Thus, in the above configuration, by defining the first conductor portion 211 , which is provided in the first portion 111 closer to the housing 1 , to have a narrow conductor width and defining the second conductor portions 221 and 222 , which are provided in the second portions 121 and 122 farther from the housing 1 , to have a wide conductor width, a capacitance per unit length generated between the ground conductor 31 and the first conductor portion 211 in the first portion 111 is lower than a capacitance per unit length generated between the ground conductor 31 and the second conductor portions 221 and 222 in the second portions 121 and 122 . Thus, even when the housing 1 is close to the first portion 111 , the capacitance per unit length generated in the first conductor portion 211 is prevented from being excessive as compared to the capacitance per unit length generated in the second conductor portions 221 and 222 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the characteristic impedance of the first portion 111 from being significantly different from those of the second portions 121 and 122 , so that it is possible to enhance impedance matching between the first portion 111 and the second portions 121 and 122 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent transmission loss from increasing in the high-frequency transmission line member 10 .

In the present preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the high-frequency transmission line member 10 is attached to the built-in module 2 , which faces the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 , via the attaching member 5 , and a gap with respect to the housing 1 is provided at the one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 at a uniform interval. Thus, a dielectric having a relative dielectric constant of about 1 is present between the high-frequency transmission line member 10 and the housing 1 , so that it is possible to reduce the capacitance per unit length generated in the first conductor portion 211 , even when the housing 1 is close to the first portion 111 . Because of this as well, it is possible to prevent the characteristic impedance of the first portion 111 from being significantly different from those of the second portions 121 and 122 . Therefore, in the case where a gap is provided at a uniform interval at the one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 , it is made possible to set the conductor width of the first conductor portion 211 to a larger width, so that it is possible to form the signal conductor 21 to have a lower resistance. Accordingly, in the case where a gap is provided at a uniform interval at the one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 , the conductor width of the first conductor portion 211 does not necessarily need to be narrower than the conductor width of each of the second conductor portions 221 and 222 .

In the present preferred embodiment, the configuration example has been shown in which the second portions 121 and 122 and the third portions 131 and 132 are provided at both ends of the first portion 111 in the length direction, respectively. However, the second portion and the third portion may be provided only at one end side of the first portion 111 in the length direction, one of the connectors 61 and 62 may be mounted in the first portion 111 , and the high-frequency transmission line member 10 may be bent only at the one end side.

In the present preferred embodiment, the configuration example has been shown in which the high-frequency transmission line member 10 is a flexible cable. However, the high-frequency transmission line member 10 may alternatively be defined by a plate-shaped general flexible substrate. In addition, the high-frequency transmission line member 10 may be defined by a rigid substrate having a bent shape in a portion thereof.

In the present preferred embodiment, the configuration example has been shown in which the one principal surface of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 faces the inner wall of the housing 1 , which is made of a metallic material, and the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 faces the built-in module 2 . Reversely, the one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 may face the built-in module 2 including a metallic member, and the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 may face the inner wall of the housing 1 .

In the present preferred embodiment, the configuration example has been shown in which the ground conductor 31 is provided at the other principal surface side in the second portions 121 and 122 . Reversely, the ground conductor 31 may be provided at the one principal surface side in the second portions 121 and 122 .

Second Preferred Embodiment

Next, a high-frequency transmission line member 10 A according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4A is an external perspective view of one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 A. FIG. 4B is an external perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 A. FIG. 4C is an exploded perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 A.

The high-frequency transmission line member 10 A according to the present preferred embodiment preferably includes a first portion 111 A, second portions 121 A and 122 A, and third portions 131 A and 132 A.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the first portion 111 A as seen from the length direction. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the second portion 121 A as seen from the length direction. FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the boundary between the first portion 111 A and the second portion 121 A as seen from the length direction. The arrangement of ground conductors 31 A and 32 A and a ground conductor 33 A in a cross-section seen from the length direction in the first portion 111 A is different from that in the second portions 121 A and 122 A.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C , the high-frequency transmission line member 10 A preferably includes a flexible substrate 11 A, a signal conductor 21 A, the ground conductors 31 A, 32 A, and 33 A, land conductors 41 and 42 , inter-layer connection conductors 51 , 52 , 53 A, and 54 A, and connectors 61 and 62 .

The flexible substrate 11 A includes a first insulating layer 12 A and a second insulating layer 13 A and is defined such that the second insulating layer 13 A is stacked at the other principal surface side of the first insulating layer 12 A. The first insulating layer 12 A has a shape that is contiguous over the first portion 111 A, the second portions 121 A and 122 A, and the third portions 131 A and 132 A. Meanwhile, the second insulating layer 13 A has a shape that overlaps almost only the first portion 111 A. The total thickness of the first insulating layer 12 A and the second insulating layer 13 A is preferably equal or substantially equal to the thickness of the flexible substrate in the first preferred embodiment. That is, the thickness of the first portion 111 A (see FIG. 5A ) is equal or substantially equal to the thickness of the flexible substrate in the first preferred embodiment, but the thickness of the second portions 121 A and 122 A and the third portions 131 A and 132 A (see FIG. 5B ) is smaller than the thickness of the flexible substrate in the first preferred embodiment.

The signal conductor 21 A is provided on one principal surface of the first insulating layer 12 A and has a shape extending in the length direction over the first portion 111 A, the second portions 121 A and 122 A, and the third portions 131 A and 132 A with a uniform width or a substantially uniform width.

The ground conductor 31 A is provided on the other principal surface of the first insulating layer 12 A and over substantially the entire surfaces of the third portion 131 A and the second portion 121 A. The ground conductor 32 A is provided on the other principal surface of the first insulating layer 12 A and over substantially the entire surfaces of the third portion 132 A and the second portion 122 A. The ground conductor 33 A is preferably provided over substantially the entirety of the other principal surface of the second insulating layer 13 A, that is, over substantially the entire surface of the first portion 111 A.

In the vicinity of the boundary between the first portion 111 A and the second portion 121 A (see FIG. 5C ), the ground conductor 31 A and the ground conductor 33 A partially overlap each other in the thickness direction. In addition, in the vicinity of the boundary between the first portion 111 A and the second portion 122 A, the ground conductor 32 A and the ground conductor 33 A partially overlap each other in the thickness direction.

In the vicinity of the boundary between the first portion 111 A and the second portion 121 A (see FIG. 5C ), the inter-layer connection conductor 53 A penetrates the second insulating layer 13 A to electrically connect the ground conductor 31 A and the ground conductor 33 A to each other. In the vicinity of the boundary between the first portion 111 A and the second portion 122 , the inter-layer connection conductor 54 A penetrates the second insulating layer 13 A to electrically connect the ground conductor 32 A and the ground conductor 33 A to each other.

Also in the high-frequency transmission line member 10 A of the present preferred embodiment defined as described above, the ground conductors 31 A, 32 A, and 33 A are preferably not provided at the one principal surface side of the signal conductor 21 A but are provided only at the other principal surface side of the signal conductor 21 A. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 A.

In the high-frequency transmission line member 10 A of the present preferred embodiment, by making the thickness of the second portions 121 A and 122 A and the third portions 131 A and 132 A smaller than the thickness of the first portion 111 A, it is possible to increase the flexibility of the second portions 121 A and 122 A and the third portions 131 A and 132 A. Accordingly, it is possible to enhance workability in mounting the connectors 61 and 62 to the flexible substrate 11 A or in externally connecting the connectors 61 and 62 , which allows mounting work or external connection work to be easily performed.

In the high-frequency transmission line member 10 A of the present preferred embodiment, by making the interval between the signal conductor 21 A and the ground conductors 31 A and 32 A in the second portions 121 A and 122 A and the third portions 131 A and 132 A narrower than the interval between the signal conductor 21 A and the ground conductor 33 A in the first portion 111 A, a capacitance per unit length generated in the second portions 121 A and 122 A and the third portions 131 A and 132 A is increased. Thus, in a state where a metallic member of an electronic device is close to the one principal surface side of the first portion 111 A, a capacitance per unit length generated in the first portion 111 A is prevented from being excessive as compared to the capacitance per unit length generated in the second portions 121 A and 122 A. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the characteristic impedance of the first portion 111 A from being significantly different from those of the second portions 121 A and 122 A, so that it is possible to enhance matching between the first portion 111 A and the second portions 121 A and 122 A. Therefore, it is possible to prevent transmission loss from increasing in the high-frequency transmission line member 10 A. In the case where the intervals between the signal conductor 21 A and the ground conductors 31 A, 32 A, and 33 A are made different between the first portion 111 A and the second portions 121 A and 122 A, it is possible to cause the conductor width of the signal conductor 21 A to be a relatively large uniform width, and this enables the signal conductor 21 A to have a low resistance.

In the present preferred embodiment, the configuration example has been shown in which the signal conductor has a uniform conductor width. However, also in the present preferred embodiment, similarly to the first preferred embodiment, the conductor width of the signal conductor in the first portion may be different from that in the second portions.

Third Preferred Embodiment

Next, a high-frequency transmission line member 10 B according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6A is an external perspective view of one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 B. FIG. 6B is an external perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 B. FIG. 6C is an exploded perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 B.

The high-frequency transmission line member 10 B according to the present preferred embodiment preferably includes a first portion 111 B, second portions 121 B and 122 B, and third portions 131 B and 132 B.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the first portion 111 B as seen from the length direction. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the second portion 121 B as seen from the length direction. The arrangement of ground conductors 31 B, 32 B, and 33 B in a cross-section seen from the length direction in the first portion 111 B is different from that in the second portions 121 B and 122 B.

As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C , the high-frequency transmission line member 10 B includes a flexible substrate 11 B, a signal conductor 21 B, the ground conductors 31 B, 32 B, and 33 B, land conductors 41 and 42 (not shown), inter-layer connection conductors 51 , 52 , 53 B, 54 B, 55 B, and 56 B, and connectors 61 and 62 .

The flexible substrate 11 B preferably includes a first insulating layer 12 B and second insulating layers 13 B and 14 B and is structured such that the second insulating layers 13 B and 14 B are stacked on both end portions of the first insulating layer 12 B at one principal surface side thereof. The first insulating layer 12 B has a shape that is contiguous over the first portion 111 B, the second portions 121 B and 122 B, and the third portions 131 B and 132 B. Meanwhile, the second insulating layers 13 B and 14 B have a shape that overlaps substantially only the second portions 121 B and 122 B and the third portions 131 B and 132 B.

The signal conductor 21 B is provided on one principal surface of the first insulating layer 12 B and has a shape extending in the length direction over the first portion 111 B, the second portions 121 B and 122 B, and the third portions 131 B and 132 B with a uniform width or substantially uniform width.

The ground conductor 31 B is preferably provided on substantially the entirety of the other principal surface of the first insulating layer 12 B. The ground conductor 32 B is provided on one principal surface of the second insulating layer 13 B and over substantially the entire surfaces of the third portion 131 B and the second portion 121 B. The ground conductor 33 B is provided on one principal surface of the second insulating layer 14 B and over substantially the entire surfaces of the third portion 132 B and the second portion 122 B.

In the second portion 121 B and the third portion 131 B, the ground conductor 31 B and the ground conductor 32 B overlap each other in the thickness direction. In addition, in the second portion 122 B and the third portion 132 B, the ground conductor 31 B and the ground conductor 33 B overlap each other in the thickness direction.

In the second portion 121 B or the third portion 131 B, the inter-layer connection conductors 53 B penetrate the second insulating layer 13 B. In the second portion 121 B or third portion 131 B, the inter-layer connection conductors 55 B penetrate the first insulating layer 12 B. The inter-layer connection conductors 53 B and the inter-layer connection conductors 55 B electrically connect the ground conductor 31 B and the ground conductor 32 B to each other. In the second portion 122 B or the third portion 132 B, the inter-layer connection conductors 54 B penetrate the second insulating layer 14 B. In the second portion 122 B or the third portion 132 B, the inter-layer connection conductors 56 B penetrate the first insulating layer 12 B. The inter-layer connection conductors 54 B and the inter-layer connection conductors 56 B electrically connect the ground conductor 31 B and the ground conductor 33 B to each other.

In the high-frequency transmission line member 10 B of the present preferred embodiment defined by described above, the ground conductors 31 B, 32 B, and 33 B are not provided at the one principal surface side of the signal conductor 21 B in the first portion 111 B but are instead provided only at the other principal surface side of the signal conductor 21 B in the first portion 111 B. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the first portion 111 B of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 B.

In the high-frequency transmission line member 10 B of the present preferred embodiment, by making the thickness of the second portions 121 B and 122 B and the third portions 131 B and 132 B larger than the thickness of the first portion 111 B, it is possible to enhance the robustness of the second portions 121 B and 122 B and the third portions 131 B and 132 B. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the strength of joining the connectors 61 and 62 to the flexible substrate 11 B, so that it is preferably possible to prevent a joining failure or the like from occurring in the connectors 61 and 62 .

In the high-frequency transmission line member 10 B of the present preferred embodiment, it is possible to structure the second portions 121 B and 122 B and the third portions 131 B and 132 B as a so-called stripline high-frequency transmission line. Accordingly, a capacitance per unit length generated in the second portions 121 B and 122 B is increased. Therefore, in a state where a metallic member of an electronic device is close to the one principal surface side of the first portion 111 B, it is possible to prevent a capacitance per unit length generated in the first portion 111 B from being excessive as compared to the capacitance per unit length generated in the second portions 121 B and 122 B. Thus, it is possible to prevent the characteristic impedance of the first portion 111 B from being significantly different from those of the second portions 121 B and 122 B, so that it is possible to enhance matching between the first portion 111 B and the second portions 121 B and 122 B. Therefore, it is possible to prevent transmission loss from increasing in the high-frequency transmission line member 10 B. In the case where the second portions 121 B and 122 B are defined by a stripline high-frequency transmission line as described above, it is possible to cause the conductor width of the signal conductor 21 B to be a relatively large uniform width, and this enables the signal conductor 21 B to have a low resistance. In addition, the need to make the facing interval between the signal conductor and the ground conductor in the first portion 111 B different from that in the second portions 121 B and 122 B is reduced, so that it is possible to make the high-frequency transmission line member 10 B thin as a whole. Moreover, since the second portions 121 B and 122 B are defined by a stripline high-frequency transmission line, the high-frequency transmission line member 10 B has the ground conductors 32 B and 33 B also at the one principal surface side in the second portions 121 B and 122 B. Thus, it is possible to prevent (suppress) occurrence of unnecessary radiation from the second portions 121 B and 122 B to the one principal surface side.

In the present preferred embodiment, the configuration example has been shown in which the signal conductor preferably has a uniform conductor width or substantially uniform conductor width. However, also in the present preferred embodiment, similarly to the first preferred embodiment, the conductor width of the signal conductor in the first portion may be different from that in the second portions. In addition, in the present preferred embodiment, similarly to the second preferred embodiment, the flexible substrate may be formed with a plurality of insulating layers in the first portion, and the interval between the signal conductor and the ground conductors may be increased. In addition to the above, a capacitance adjustment insulating layer covering the one principal surface side of the signal conductor 21 B may be additionally provided at a position between the second insulating layer 13 B and the second insulating layer 14 B.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment

Next, a high-frequency transmission line member 10 C according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8A is an external perspective view of one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 C. FIG. 8B is an external perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 C.

The high-frequency transmission line member 10 C according to the present preferred embodiment preferably includes a first portion 111 C, second portions 121 C and 122 C, and third portions 131 C and 132 C. In addition, the high-frequency transmission line member 10 C includes a flexible substrate 11 C, a signal conductor 21 C, ground conductors 31 C and 32 C, land conductors 41 and 42 (not shown), inter-layer connection conductors 51 and 52 , and connectors 61 and 62 .

The flexible substrate 11 C is preferably made of a single electrically insulating layer. The signal conductor 21 C has a shape extending in the length direction over the first portion 111 C, the second portions 121 C and 122 C, and the third portions 131 C and 132 C with a uniform width or substantially uniform width. The ground conductor 31 C is provided on the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 and preferably over substantially the entire surfaces of the third portion 131 C and the second portion 121 C. The ground conductor 32 C is provided on the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 and over substantially the entire surfaces of the third portion 132 C and the second portion 122 C.

In the high-frequency transmission line member 10 C of the present preferred embodiment defined by described above, the ground conductors 31 C and 32 C are not provided at both the one principal surface side and the other principal surface side of the signal conductor 21 C in the first portion 111 C but are provided only at the other principal surface side of the signal conductor 21 C in the second portions 121 C and 122 C and the third portions 131 C and 132 C. Therefore, the arrangement of the ground conductors in a cross-section seen from the length direction in the first portion 111 C is preferably different from that in the second portions 121 C and 122 C. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 C as a whole.

In the high-frequency transmission line member 10 C of the present preferred embodiment, the second portions 121 C and 122 C are defined by a so-called stripline high-frequency transmission line, but only the signal conductor 21 C is provided in the first portion 111 C, the high-frequency transmission line member 10 C, as a single body, does not define a high-frequency transmission line, and a stripline high-frequency transmission line is substantially defined by a metallic member of an electronic device being close to the one principal surface side of the first portion 111 C. With such a configuration, in a state where the metallic member of the electronic device is close to the one principal surface side of the first portion 111 C, a capacitance per unit length generated in the first portion 111 C is prevented from being excessive as compared to a capacitance per unit length generated in the second portions 121 C and 122 C. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the characteristic impedance of the first portion 111 C from being significantly different from those of the second portions 121 C and 122 C, so that it is possible to enhance matching between the first portion 111 C and the second portions 121 C and 122 C. Therefore, it is possible to prevent transmission loss from increasing in the high-frequency transmission line member 10 C. In the case where the ground conductors 31 C and 32 C are not provided in the first portion 111 C but are provided in the second portions 121 C and 122 C as described above, it is possible to cause the conductor width of the signal conductor 21 C to be a relatively large uniform width, and this enables the signal conductor 21 C to have a low resistance. Moreover, the need to make the facing interval between the signal conductor and the ground conductor in the first portion 111 C different from that in the second portions 121 C and 122 C, and the need to dispose the ground conductors at both principal surface sides of the signal conductor in the second portions 121 C and 122 C, are reduced. Thus, it is possible to make a whole of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 C thin.

In the present preferred embodiment, the configuration example has been shown in which the signal conductor preferably has a uniform conductor width or substantially uniform conductor width. However, also in the present preferred embodiment, similarly to the first preferred embodiment, the conductor width of the signal conductor in the first portion may be different from that in the second portions. In addition, similarly to the second preferred embodiment, a stripline high-frequency transmission line may be provided in the second portions.

Modifications of First Through Fourth Preferred Embodiments

Next, modifications of the first to fourth preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, a high-frequency transmission line member 10 D according to the modification of the fourth preferred embodiment will be described. FIG. 9A is an external perspective view of one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 D. FIG. 9B is an external perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 D.

The high-frequency transmission line member 10 D according to the present modification of a preferred embodiment preferably includes a first portion 111 D, second portions 121 D and 122 D, and third portions 131 D and 132 D. In addition, the high-frequency transmission line member 10 D includes a flexible substrate 11 D, a signal conductor 21 D, ground conductors 31 D and 32 D, inter-layer connection conductors 51 , 52 , 53 D, and 54 D, and connectors 61 and 62 . Here, in the third portions 131 D and 132 D and the second portions 121 D and 122 D, the ground conductors 31 D and 32 D are disposed on one principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 D and at both sides of the signal conductor 21 D in the width direction, not on the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 D, so as to face the signal conductor 21 D with a certain interval therebetween in the width direction. The inter-layer connection conductors 53 D and 54 D electrically connect the ground conductors 31 D and 32 D to the connectors 61 and 62 in the third portions 131 D and 132 D.

In the high-frequency transmission line member 10 D defined by described above, the second portions 121 D and 122 D and the third portions 131 D and 132 D are preferably defined by a so-called coplanar high-frequency transmission line. As described above, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second portions may be defined by a coplanar high-frequency transmission line. In this case, it is possible to produce a high-frequency transmission line member by merely providing a copper foil only on a single surface of a flexible substrate and defining a pattern. Thus, it is made easy to produce the high-frequency transmission line member.

Fifth Preferred Embodiment

Next, an electronic device 9 E according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 10A and 10B are partial cross-sectional views of the electronic device 9 E.

The electronic device 9 E preferably includes a housing 1 , a built-in module 2 , built-in substrates 3 and 4 , an attaching member 5 E, and a high-frequency transmission line member 10 . The high-frequency transmission line member 10 preferably has the same configuration as shown in the first preferred embodiment, but may have the configuration shown in each of the second to fourth preferred embodiments. Here, the attaching member 5 E is attached to the high-frequency transmission line member 10 E and an inner wall of the housing 1 to fix the high-frequency transmission line member 10 to the inner wall of the housing 1 . In addition, a plurality of cavities 6 E are provided in the attaching member 5 E so as to penetrate the attaching member 5 E in the thickness direction and be dispersed in the width direction and the length direction. The attaching member 5 E may be attached to the high-frequency transmission line member 10 and the inner wall of the housing 1 as a plurality of small-area attaching members being spaced apart from each other.

As described above, the high-frequency transmission line member 10 may be attached to the inner wall of the housing that is a metallic member. In this case, by using the attaching member 5 E including the cavities 6 E, it is possible to provide a gap between the high-frequency transmission line member 10 and the inner wall of the housing 1 . Thus, a dielectric having a relative dielectric constant of about 1 is present between the high-frequency transmission line member 10 and the housing 1 , so that it is possible to reduce the capacitance per unit length generated in the first portion 111 . Because of this as well, it is possible to prevent the characteristic impedance of the first portion 111 from being significantly different from those of the second portions 121 and 122 . Therefore, it is possible to set the conductor width in the first portion 111 to be thicker to provide the signal conductor 21 with a low resistance. Moreover, the need to make the facing interval between the signal conductor and the ground conductor in the first portion 111 different from that in the second portions 121 and 122 , and the need to dispose the ground conductors at both principal surface sides of the signal conductor in the second portions 121 and 122 , are reduced. Thus, it is possible to make the high-frequency transmission line member 10 thin as a whole.

In the case where the high-frequency transmission line member 10 is attached to the metallic member as described above, the attached surface of the metallic member may not be flat. FIG. 10B is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device 9 F according to a modification of the fifth preferred embodiment. The electronic device 9 F preferably includes a housing 1 E made from a metallic material having a shape with a recess in a portion thereof. In the high-frequency transmission line member 10 , the first portion 111 is attached to a projecting portion of the inner wall facing the recess of the housing 1 F, with the attaching member 5 E interposed therebetween.

An electronic device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be defined by described above. In this case, by attaching the one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 directly to the metallic member, it is possible to cause the interval between the signal conductor and the metallic member to be uniform or substantially uniform at the attaching position. Therefore, it is possible to cause the characteristic impedance of the first portion 111 corresponding to the attaching position to be uniform or substantially uniform.

Sixth Preferred Embodiment

Next, an electronic device 9 G according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The electronic device 9 G according to the present preferred embodiment has a wireless communication function.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device 9 G. The electronic device 9 G includes a housing 1 G, a built-in substrate 3 G, an attaching member 5 G, and a high-frequency transmission line member 10 G. The housing 1 G preferably has a box shape having an internal space and inner walls, and is preferably made from a resin material here. The built-in substrate 3 G, the attaching member 5 G, and the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G are housed in the housing 1 G. The built-in substrate 3 G is preferably mounted on the housing 1 G via a mounting fitting 69 G, and a principal surface thereof faces one of the inner walls of the housing 1 G with a space therebetween.

On the inner wall of the housing 1 G that the built-in substrate 3 G faces, an antenna pattern 6 G and a ground pattern 8 G each made of a planar conductor are provided. The antenna pattern 6 G transmits and receives wireless communication signals. The ground pattern 8 G corresponds to a metallic member. In addition, the built-in substrate 3 G preferably includes a frequency separator, a filter, and the like for wireless communication signals and defines an antenna front end circuit.

On the inner wall of the housing 1 G that the built-in substrate 3 G faces, a connector 63 G is provided so as to be connected to the antenna pattern 6 G. On the built-in substrate 3 G, a connector 64 G is provided. On the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G, connectors 65 G and 66 G are provided at both ends thereof, respectively. The connector 65 G on the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G is connected to the connector 63 G, which is provided on the inner wall of the housing 1 G. The connector 66 G on the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G is connected to the connector 64 G on the built-in substrate 3 G. Therefore, the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G electrically connects the antenna pattern 6 G and the built-in substrate 3 G. Here, passive element 67 G are further provided on the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G. The passive elements 67 G defines a portion or the entirety of a matching circuit with the antenna pattern 6 G.

The high-frequency transmission line member 10 G also preferably includes a first portion 111 G extending from one end connected to the antenna pattern 6 G, along the inner wall of the housing 1 G that the built-in substrate 3 G faces, a third portion 131 G extending from the other end connected to the built-in substrate 3 G, along the principal surface of the built-in substrate 3 G, and a second portion 121 G bent between the first portion 111 G and the third portion 131 G. A portion of the first portion 111 G of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G and a portion of the ground pattern 8 G of the housing 1 G overlap each other, and the attaching member 5 G is attached to the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G and the ground pattern 8 G at this overlapping position.

In the electronic device 9 G defined by described above, similarly to each of the other preferred embodiments, it is possible to provide a stripline or micro stripline high-frequency transmission line by using the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G and a metallic member of the electronic device. In addition, in the electronic device 9 G, the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G is connected to the antenna pattern 6 G, which is provided on the housing 1 G, and the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G is connected directly to the built-in substrate 3 G, whereby it is possible to set a relative positional relationship between the antenna pattern 6 G and the built-in substrate 3 G with high flexibility in design. Moreover, even with any positional relationship between the antenna pattern 6 G and the built-in substrate 3 G, it is possible to cause the line length of the high-frequency transmission line connecting the antenna pattern 6 G and the built-in substrate 3 G to be close to a shortest line length. Thus, it is possible to reduce transmission loss occurring in the high-frequency transmission line, so that it is possible to obtain favorable communication gain in the electronic device 9 G, which is a wireless communication device.

Next, the detailed configuration of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G will be described.

FIG. 12A is an exploded perspective view of one principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G in a single body state. FIG. 12B is an exploded perspective view of the other principal surface side of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G in a single body state.

The high-frequency transmission line member 10 G preferably includes a flexible substrate 11 G, a resist film 12 G, a signal conductor 21 G, ground conductors 31 G and 32 G, land conductors 41 G, 42 G, and 43 G, a plurality of inter-layer connection conductors 51 G, and the connectors 65 G and 66 G.

The flexible substrate 11 G has a strip shape extending in the length direction with a uniform width and is made of a single electrically insulating layer. The signal conductor 21 G is made of a line-shaped planar conductor provided on one principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 G. The ground conductor 31 G is made of a planar conductor provided on substantially the entirety of the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 G. The ground conductor 32 G is made of a plurality of pad-shaped planar conductors provided on the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 G and at portions at a position where the connector 65 G is mounted. The land conductor 41 G is made of a pad-shaped planar conductor provided on the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 G and at a portion at the position where the connector 65 G is mounted. The land conductor 42 G is preferably made of a pad type planar conductor provided on the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 G and at a portion at a position where the connector 66 G is mounted. The land conductor 43 G is preferably made of planar pad conductors provided on the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 G and at portions at a position where the passive elements 67 G are mounted. The resist film 12 G is provided on substantially the entirety of the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 G and has cavities provided so as to overlap mounting electrodes of the passive elements 67 G.

The connector 65 G is mounted at one end of the flexible substrate 11 G in the length direction and on the one principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 G in the thickness direction and is electrically and mechanically connected to the land conductor 41 G and the ground conductor 32 G. The connector 66 G is mounted at the other end of the flexible substrate 11 G in the length direction and on the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 G in the thickness direction and is electrically and mechanically connected to the land conductor 42 G and the ground conductor 31 G. The passive elements 67 G are mounted at the one end of the flexible substrate 11 G in the length direction and on the other principal surface of the flexible substrate 11 G in the thickness direction and are electrically and mechanically connected to the land conductors 43 G and the ground conductor 31 G. The plurality of inter-layer connection conductors 51 G penetrate the flexible substrate 11 G to electrically connect the planar conductor at one principal surface side of the flexible substrate 11 G and the planar conductor at the other principal surface side of the flexible substrate 11 G.

A ground connection end of the connector 65 G is connected to the ground conductor 31 G. A ground connection end of the connector 66 G is connected to the ground conductor 32 G. The ground conductor 31 G and the ground conductor 32 G are electrically connected to each other via the inter-layer connection conductors 51 G. A signal line connection end of the connector 65 G is connected to the land conductor 41 G. A signal line connection end of the connector 66 G is connected to the land conductor 42 G. The passive elements 67 G are connected to the land conductor 43 G. The land conductor 41 G and the land conductor 43 G are connected to each other via the inter-layer connection conductors 51 G. The land conductor 41 G and another end of the signal conductor 21 G are connected to each other via the inter-layer connection conductor 51 G. One end of the signal conductor 21 G and the land conductor 43 G are connected to each other via the inter-layer connection conductor 51 G. The two land conductors 43 G are connected to each other via the passive element 67 G. In this manner, the connector 65 G and the connector 66 G are electrically connected to each other via the signal conductor 21 G and the passive element 67 G or via the ground conductors 31 G and 32 G.

The signal conductor 21 G includes a first conductor portion 211 G in the first portion 111 G. The first conductor portion 211 G has an elongated shape extending in the length direction with a uniform conductor width. In addition, the signal conductor 21 G includes a second conductor portion 221 G in the second portion 121 G and the third portion 131 G. The second conductor portion 221 G has an elongated shape extending in the length direction with a uniform conductor width larger than the conductor width of the first conductor portion 211 G.

By providing the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G of the present preferred embodiment as described above, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G without providing a ground conductor at the one principal surface side of the signal conductor 21 G. In addition, the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G, as a single body, defines a micro stripline high-frequency transmission line over the first portion 111 G, the second portion 121 G, and the third portion 131 G. Since the first portion 111 G is close to the ground pattern 8 G within the electronic device 9 G as shown in FIG. 11 , the first portion 111 G substantially defines a stripline high-frequency transmission line. Therefore, by defining the first conductor portion 211 G provided in the first portion 111 G to have a narrow conductor width and form the second conductor portion 221 G provided in the second portion 121 G to have a wide conductor width, it is possible to prevent the characteristic impedance of the first portion 111 G from being significantly different from that of the second portion 121 G, thus providing impedance matching therebetween. Accordingly, in a state where the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G is connected to the electronic device 9 G, even with a configuration in which a micro stripline high-frequency transmission line and a stripline high-frequency transmission line are connected to each other, it is possible to reduce transmission loss, and thus it is also possible to obtain favorable communication gain in the electronic device 9 G, which is a wireless communication device.

In the present preferred embodiment, the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G preferably has the same configuration as in the first preferred embodiment or the third preferred embodiment, that is, has a configuration in which a micro stripline high-frequency transmission line and a stripline high-frequency transmission line are connected to each other. However, the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G may have the same configuration as in the second preferred embodiment or the fourth preferred embodiment, that is, have a configuration in which micro stripline high-frequency transmission lines having different characteristic impedances are connected to each other. In addition, the high-frequency transmission line member 10 G may have the same configuration as in the modification, that is, have a configuration in which a signal line and a coplanar high-frequency transmission line are connected to each other.

In the present preferred embodiment, the attaching member 5 G preferably does not include any cavity. However, the attaching member 5 G may have the same configuration as in the fifth preferred embodiment, that is, may be provided with a cavity.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.