DE102017217672A1 - Vehicle-to-X communication system and use - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle-to-X communication system having a vehicle-to-X communication module, an antenna connection and a 4-port directional coupler. The invention further relates to a use of a 4-port directional coupler for connecting an antenna to a vehicle-to-X communication module. This can provide more opportunities for monitoring.

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle-to-X communication system and an associated use.

Vehicle-to-X communication systems are known in the art and typically serve to enable vehicles to exchange vehicle-to-X messages. This can be used, for example, to exchange messages about the position and course of vehicles as well as about danger events.

Known vehicle-to-X communication systems have in particular a vehicle-to-X communication module and an antenna connection. The vehicle-to-X communication module is typically designed to send and receive various vehicle-to-X messages. To the antenna connector, an antenna can be connected, which can radiate and receive vehicle-to-X messages.

Since vehicle-to-X communication is a safety-critical system, it is typically desired to provide various options for verification. For example, it is known to check the correct connection of an antenna based on DC voltage measurements. For example, a pull-down resistor is incorporated into the antenna and a pull-up structure is used within the vehicle-to-X electronics. In this case, vehicle-to-X electronics may mean, for example, a vehicle-to-X-ECU or a vehicle-to-X compensator. This can detect whether the antenna has a short circuit to ground, has a short circuit to the positive supply voltage or whether it is not or not correctly connected. These are typical fault conditions.

In prior art embodiments, however, it is not possible to detect whether the antenna is well matched to the antenna port. In addition, it can not be checked whether a sufficient part of the transmission power is transmitted to the antenna. Such a transmission may be affected, for example, if the antenna is poorly matched and thus power is reflected.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a vehicle-to-X communication system which is improved in terms of monitoring capabilities. It is further an object of the invention to provide an associated use.

This is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle-to-X communication system and use according to the respective main claims. Advantageous embodiments can be taken, for example, the respective subclaims. The content of the claims is made by express reference to the content of the description.

The invention relates to a vehicle-to-X communication system having a vehicle-to-X communication module and an antenna port. The vehicle-to-X communication module is typically designed to transmit and receive vehicle-to-X messages via an antenna to be connected to the antenna port.

According to the invention, the vehicle-to-X communication system comprises a 4-port directional coupler. A first connection pole of the directional coupler is connected to the vehicle-to-X communication module. A second connection pole of the directional coupler is connected to the antenna connection. The directional coupler has a connecting line between the first terminal pole and the second terminal pole. Furthermore, the directional coupler has a first measuring pole and a second measuring pole, which are coupled to the connecting line.

By means of the connecting line, a signal can be conducted between the first connection pole and the second connection pole, so that signals, in particular high-frequency signals with vehicle-to-X messages, can be transmitted between the vehicle-to-X communication module and the antenna connection. By means of the first measuring pole and the second measuring pole, it is possible to pick up signals which are indicative or characterizing for a signal running in the connecting line. This allows monitoring in a manner that is not possible with prior art designs.

According to one embodiment, the 4-port directional coupler is a bi-directional coupler.

The first measuring pole and the second measuring pole can in particular be connected by means of a measuring line, wherein the measuring line is coupled to the connecting line.

The 4-port connector may be a dual-directional coupler according to one embodiment. It can also be referred to as a 4-port dual-message coupler or designed accordingly.

The first measuring pole can, for example, be connected to ground by means of a first measuring line and the second measuring pole can be connected by means of a be connected to ground second measuring line. The measuring lines can be coupled to the connecting line. This design allows better customization of components in some applications.

The coupling can be carried out in particular field-wise, capacitive and / or inductive. This allows a suitable decoupling of the desired signals.

If the described measuring lines are used, in particular the coupling of the measuring poles with the connecting line can be established via the measuring line or the measuring lines.

According to a preferred embodiment, the vehicle-to-X communication system has an evaluation circuit which is connected to the measuring pole.

• - ob an den Antennenanschluss eine Antenne angeschlossen ist, und/oder
• - ob eine an den Antennenanschluss angeschlossene Antenne einen Kurzschluss zu Masse hat, und/oder
• - ob eine an den Antennenanschluss angeschlossene Antenne einen Kurzschluss zu einer Versorgungsspannung hat, und/oder
• - ob eine an den Antennenanschluss angeschlossene Antenne korrekt angeschlossen ist, und/oder
• - ob eine an den Antennenanschluss angeschlossene Antenne korrekt angepasst ist, und/oder
• - welche Leistung in den ersten Anschlusspol eingekoppelt wird, und/oder
• - welche Leistung aus dem zweiten Anschlusspol ausgekoppelt wird, und/oder
• - welche Leistung von dem Antennenanschluss reflektiert wird, und/oder
• - welcher Anteil einer in den ersten Anschlusspol eingekoppelten Leistung über den zweiten Anschlusspol ausgekoppelt wird, und/oder
• - ob der Antennenanschluss, eine an den Antennenanschluss angeschlossene Antenne oder ein zum Anschluss der Antenne verwendetes Antennenkabel gealtert sind.

The evaluation circuit is preferably configured to determine based on signals obtained from the measuring poles,

• - Whether an antenna is connected to the antenna connection, and / or
• - whether an antenna connected to the antenna connector has a short to ground, and / or
• whether an antenna connected to the antenna connection has a short circuit to a supply voltage, and / or
• - whether an antenna connected to the antenna connection is correctly connected, and / or
• - whether an antenna connected to the antenna connector is correctly adjusted, and / or
• - Which power is coupled into the first terminal pole, and / or
• - Which power is decoupled from the second terminal pole, and / or
• which power is reflected by the antenna port, and / or
• - Which proportion of coupled into the first terminal pole power is coupled via the second terminal pole, and / or
• - whether the antenna connector, an antenna connected to the antenna connector or an antenna cable used to connect the antenna have aged.

This makes it possible to detect typical errors, in particular also those which are not detectable with designs according to the prior art. It should be understood that the mentioned points can be combined in any combination and sub-combination, i. the evaluation circuit can be designed to configure any combination or subcombination of the mentioned recognition functions.

The evaluation circuit may have a first input, which is connected to the first measuring pole. In addition, the evaluation circuit may have a second input which is connected to the second measuring pole. This allows an immediate tap of the signals present at the measuring poles or in the directional coupler by the evaluation circuit. Thus, for example, the evaluation functions mentioned above can be executed.

According to one embodiment, the vehicle-to-X communication system has a switch, wherein the evaluation circuit has an input which is selectively connectable via the switch with the first measuring pole or the second measuring pole. Even so, the signals can be tapped, in each case only one of the signals can be evaluated by the evaluation circuit, which in turn can be selected with the switch.

According to a preferred embodiment, the evaluation circuit is integrated in the vehicle-to-X communication module. This allows a simple and compact design.

Preferably, the vehicle-to-X communication system has an antenna connected to the antenna port. As a result, the described functionality of transmitting and receiving vehicle-to-X messages can be realized in an advantageous manner. However, it should be understood that the vehicle-to-X communication system may exist even when the antenna is not connected, that is, separately therefrom.

The antenna preferably has no connection to ground or to a supply voltage. Corresponding losses, which may arise through such compounds are avoided by a design without such compounds. Such connections are typically not necessary when using the vehicle-to-X communication system according to the invention, since the diagnostic functions that have been performed via such connections to ground or a supply voltage can be performed by means of the inventive embodiment without such compounds.

The vehicle-to-X communication module may preferably be a vehicle-to-X-ECU or a To be a vehicle-to-X compensator. These are typical components used in vehicle-to-X communication.

The invention further relates to the use of a 4-port directional coupler for connecting an antenna to a vehicle-to-X communication module. With regard to the exact configuration of the use, all embodiments and variants described with reference to the vehicle-to-X communication system can be used.

It should be noted that, for example, a 4-port bi-directional coupler may be used on an RF output terminal or an antenna terminal of a vehicle-to-X electronics, in particular instead of a 3-port unidirectional connectors or couplers as used in the prior art. This allows to measure the incoming power that can come from a power amplifier and also to measure the reflected power, which is in particular the power reflected from a cable and / or an antenna. Both the incoming and the reflected power are preferably measured by a dedicated detection device, which may for example be part of a radio-chip.

By using these power values, it can be determined, if necessary, whether the required transmit power or Tx power is passed into the antenna and thus ultimately the Tx power is converted into radio waves.

Another alternative is to use a 4-port dual-directional coupler. Such an embodiment makes it possible to better match two ports. Thus, the accuracy of the monitoring may be better than when using a 4-port bi-directional coupler.

• - Die diagnostische Abdeckung der Sendeleistung (Tx power), der HF-Verbinder bzw. RF-Verbinder, von Kabeln und Antennen wird erhöht. Dies kann insbesondere wichtig werden, wenn zukünftige Fahrzeug-zu-X-Anwendungen einen höheren Sicherheitslevel benötigen.
• - Es kann bestimmt werden, ob eine 11p-Antenne bzw. ein zugehöriges Kabel ordnungsgemäß angepasst ist.
• - Es kann überwacht werden, ob der benötigte Teil der Sendeleistung in die Antenne ausgekoppelt wird.
• - Es können Alterungseffekte von HF-Verbindern, Kabeln und/oder Antennen erkannt werden.

The embodiment described herein achieves in particular the following advantages:

• - The diagnostic coverage of the transmission power (Tx power), the RF connector or RF connector, of cables and antennas is increased. This can be particularly important if future vehicle-to-X applications require a higher level of security.
• - It can be determined whether an 11p antenna or a corresponding cable is properly adapted.
• - It can be monitored whether the required part of the transmission power is decoupled into the antenna.
• - Aging effects of RF connectors, cables and / or antennas can be detected.

It should be noted that the embodiments described herein are preferably used in the context of vehicle-to-X communication, but in principle can also be used in other high-frequency applications.

• 1: eine Ausführung gemäß dem Stand der Technik,
• 2: ein Fahrzeug-zu-X-Kommunikationssystem gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, und
• 3: ein Fahrzeug-zu-X-Kommunikationssystem gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

Further features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Showing:

• 1 a version according to the prior art,
• 2 a vehicle-to-X communication system according to a first embodiment of the invention, and
• 3 A vehicle-to-X communication system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

1 shows a typical embodiment for connecting an antenna A for a vehicle-to-X communication according to the prior art. In this case, an RF_RxTx signal which originates, for example, from a vehicle-to-X communication module or is routed to it, is indicated as the input signal. This is passed to a connector V, which has a first terminal pole AP1 and a second terminal pole AP2 having. The second terminal pole AP2 is connected to the antenna A, which may be, for example, a 5G antenna.

The connector V further has a measuring pole MP on, which with an evaluation circuit AS connected is. In this way, a signal can be coupled, which is indicative of a in the connector V between the two terminal poles AP1 . AP2 flowing RF signal.

The antenna A has an antenna resistor RA, which is connected to ground.

Between the second connection pole AP2 and the antenna A is connected to a measuring circuit M, which can detect whether a current through the antenna resistance RA can drain to ground. As a result, it can be detected, for example, whether the antenna A is connected correctly. In this case, for example, a signal V_Diag_Ant_5G is generated, which can be used further.

On the upper side, the measuring circuit M is connected to a supply voltage VCC, which may be, for example, 3, 3 V or 5 V. The signal V_Diag_Ant_5G can be supplied, for example, to an AD converter.

At a node K1 In particular, a DC voltage is applied, which depends on whether the antenna is in order, is connected, has a short to ground or a short circuit to the supply voltage.

The evaluation circuit AS can in particular measure an incoming power. As a result, although some evaluation functions can be realized, it has been found that these are not sufficient for many applications.

The connector V is in particular a 3-port uni-directional coupler, wherein a defined part of the incoming power can be measured at the measuring pole MP. As a result, for example, a closed-loop Tx power control can be implemented.

However, a reflected RF power, which can occur especially in the case of a mismatch between connector, cable and / or antenna, can not be measured with it. In the case of a gross mismatch, only little power is transmitted to the antenna A. This can significantly reduce the radius at which emitted signals can be received without this being detectable.

2 shows a vehicle-to-X communication system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The vehicle-to-X communication system includes a communication module KM configured to send and receive vehicle-to-X messages. The vehicle-to-X communication system includes a 4-port directional coupler RK on, which has a first terminal pole AP1 , a second terminal pole AP2 , a first pole MP1 and a second measuring pole MP2 having. The first connection pole AP1 is with the second terminal pole AP2 through a connecting line L connected. Thus, an RF signal between the two connection poles AP1 . AP2 be transmitted. The two measuring poles MP1 . MP2 are connected by means of a measuring line, which is coupled to the connecting line L. Thus lie at the measuring poles MP1 . MP2 Signals which are indicative of a signal flowing in the connection line L signal.

The second terminal pole AP2 is via a capacitor with an antenna output AA connected to which in turn an antenna A is connected.

The vehicle-to-X communication system according to the embodiment of 2 also has a switch U, which at the two measuring poles MP1 . MP2 connected. The switch U also has an input for a signal S, which indicates how the switch U is to be switched.

The vehicle-to-X communication system further comprises an evaluation circuit AS, which is connected to the switch U. The signal S indicates which of the two measuring poles MP1 . MP2 with the evaluation circuit AS is connected.

The embodiment described makes it possible for the evaluation circuit AS, both from the communication module KM to the antenna A running signal as well as to measure a running in the opposite direction signal. For this purpose, the switch U can be set accordingly. As a result, for example, incorrect adjustments or age-related problems of the antenna A can be detected, which can not be detected with embodiments of the prior art. To carry out appropriate diagnostics, the evaluation circuit AS is configured.

3 shows a vehicle-to-X communication system according to a second embodiment of the invention. In the following description, only the differences from the first embodiment will be discussed.

In contrast to the first embodiment, the 4-port directional coupler RK is designed as a dual-directional coupler. The two measuring poles MP1 . MP2 are not connected to each other, but rather are each connected to ground, with a first measuring line M1 or a second measuring line M2 , This may allow a better adaptation of the antenna A in certain situations. The test leads M1 . M2 are coupled to the connection line L.

Otherwise, with regard to the functionality of the description of the 2 directed.

It should be understood that in the remarks of 2 and 3 Instead of the switch U, a configuration can be used in which the evaluation circuit AS has two inputs. This allows a simultaneous evaluation of the two measuring poles MP1, MP2. Switching is not required in this case.

By means of the described embodiments according to the invention, both incoming powers PI and reflected powers PR can be measured. This takes place in particular in the case of the dedicated evaluation circuit, which can be arranged, for example, within a radio chip. By evaluating the measured performances, in particular PI and PR For example, it may be determined whether the antenna A or an antenna cable is connected or not, whether the antenna A or the antenna cable is shorted to ground, shorted to a supply voltage Vbat, or excessively mismatched. It can also be detected if there is a significant increase or decrease in the expected communication range.

The switch U is used in particular when the evaluation circuit AS has only one input for the relevant measurements here.

By using the designs after 3 can be the adaptation especially of the two measuring poles MP1 . MP2 compared to versions after 2 be improved. Poor matching may decrease the accuracy of the measurement, which may be due to the design shown 3 can be avoided.

In general, it should be pointed out that vehicle-to-X communication in particular means direct communication between vehicles and / or between vehicles and infrastructure facilities. For example, this may be vehicle-to-vehicle communication or vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. If, in the context of this application, reference is made to communication between vehicles, this can in principle be carried out, for example, in the context of vehicle-to-vehicle communication, which typically takes place without being mediated by a mobile radio network or a similar external infrastructure and which is therefore the result of other solutions which, for example, build on a mobile network, is to be distinguished. For example, vehicle-to-X communication may be performed using the IEEE 802.11p or IEEE 1609.4 standards. Vehicle-to-X communication may also be referred to as C2X communication. The subareas can be referred to as C2C (Car-to-Car) or C2I (Car-to-Infrastructure). However, the invention explicitly does not exclude vehicle-to-X communication with switching, for example via a mobile radio network.

The claims belonging to the application do not constitute a waiver of the achievement of further protection.

If, in the course of the procedure, it turns out that a feature or a group of features is not absolutely necessary, it is already desired on the applicant side to formulate at least one independent claim which no longer has the feature or the group of features. This may, for example, be a subcombination of a claim present at the filing date or a subcombination of a claim limited by further features of a claim present at the filing date. Such newly formulated claims or feature combinations are to be understood as covered by the disclosure of this application.

It should also be noted that embodiments, features and variants of the invention, which are described in the various embodiments or embodiments and / or shown in the figures, can be combined with each other as desired. Single or multiple features are arbitrarily interchangeable. Resulting combinations of features are to be understood as covered by the disclosure of this application.

Recoveries in dependent claims are not to be understood as a waiver of obtaining independent, objective protection for the features of the dependent claims. These features can also be combined as desired with other features.

Features that are disclosed only in the specification or features that are disclosed in the specification or in a claim only in conjunction with other features may, in principle, be of independent significance to the invention. They can therefore also be included individually in claims to distinguish them from the prior art.

Claims (15)

A vehicle-to-X communication system, comprising - a vehicle-to-X communication module (KM), and - an antenna connection (AA), characterized in that - the vehicle-to-X communication system comprises a 4-port directional coupler (RK ), - wherein a first terminal pole (AP1) of the directional coupler (RK) is connected to the vehicle-to-X communication module (KM), - wherein a second terminal pole (AP2) of the directional coupler (RK) to the antenna terminal (AA) connected is, - wherein the directional coupler (RK) has a connection line (L) between the first connection pole (AP1) and the second connection pole (AP2), and - wherein the directional coupler (RK) has a first measurement pole (MP1) and a second measurement pole (MP2), which are coupled to the connecting line (L). Vehicle-to-X communication system after Claim 1 , characterized in that - the 4-port directional coupler (RK) is a bi-directional coupler. Vehicle-to-X communication system after Claim 2 , characterized in that - the first measuring pole (MP1) and the second measuring pole (MP2) are connected by means of a measuring line (M), wherein the measuring line (M) is coupled to the connecting line (L). Vehicle-to-X communication system after Claim 1 , characterized in that - the 4-port directional coupler (RK) is a dual-directional coupler. Vehicle-to-X communication system after Claim 4 , characterized in that - the first measuring pole (MP1) is connected to ground by means of a first measuring line (M1) and the second measuring pole (MP2) is connected to ground by means of a second measuring line (M2), wherein the measuring lines (M1, M2) are coupled to the connecting line (V). Vehicle-to-X communication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the coupling takes place field-wise, capacitively and / or inductively. Vehicle-to-X communication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the vehicle-to-X communication system has an evaluation circuit (AS), which is connected to the measuring poles (MP1, MP2). Vehicle-to-X communication system after Claim 7 , characterized in that - the evaluation circuit (AS) is configured to determine based on signals received from the measuring poles (MP1, MP2), - whether an antenna (A) is connected to the antenna connection (AA), - whether an antenna (A) connected to the antenna connection (A) has a short to ground, - whether an antenna (A) connected to the antenna connection (A) has a short circuit to a supply voltage, - if an antenna (A ) is correctly connected, - whether an antenna (A) connected to the antenna connection (AA) is correctly adapted, - which power is coupled into the first connection pole (AP1), - which output is coupled out of the second connection pole (AP2), - which power is reflected by the antenna connection (AA), - which part of a power coupled into the first connection pole (AP1) is coupled out via the second connection pole (AP2), and / or whether the Ant A (A) antenna, an antenna (A) connected to the antenna connector (A), or an antenna cable used to connect the antenna (A) have aged. Vehicle-to-X communication system according to one of Claims 7 or 8th , characterized in that - the evaluation circuit (AS) has a first input, which is connected to the first measuring pole (MP1), and - the evaluation circuit (AS) has a second input, which is connected to the second measuring pole (MP2). Vehicle-to-X communication system according to one of Claims 7 or 8th , characterized in that - the vehicle-to-X communication system comprises a switch (U), and - the evaluation circuit (AS) has an input which via the switch (U) selectively with the first measuring pole (MP1) or the second Messpol (MP2) is connectable. Vehicle-to-X communication system according to one of Claims 7 to 10 , characterized in that - the evaluation circuit (AS) in the vehicle-to-X communication module (KM) is integrated. Vehicle-to-X communication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the vehicle-to-X communication system comprises an antenna (A) which is connected to the antenna terminal (AA). Vehicle-to-X communication system after Claim 12 , characterized in that - the antenna (A) has no connection to ground or a supply voltage. Vehicle-to-X communication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the vehicle-to-X communication module (KM) is a vehicle-to-X-ECU or a vehicle-to-X compensator. Use of a 4-port directional coupler (RK) to connect an antenna (A) to a vehicle-to-X communication module (KM).

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