JP2010103598A - Radio communication system and radio communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely detect an abnormality of an antenna connection state and an abnormality of a signal line connecting a radio communication device to the antenna at a radio device side without using a special device in advance. <P>SOLUTION: One end and the other end of a resistor R1 are connected to a predetermined power voltage and a line for connecting a bias circuit 13 to a coaxial cable 4, respectively. A voltage detection circuit 15 detects the potential of a line for connecting the resistor R1 to the coaxial cable 4. An antenna 21 and the bias circuit 13 are connected to each other through the coaxial cable 4. One end of a resistor R2 and the other end of the resistor R2 are connected to a line for connecting the antenna device 3 to the coaxial cable 4 and GND, respectively. A communication control part 11 determines whether an abnormality of the coaxial cable 4 or the antenna 21 is present or not based on the detection value of the voltage detection circuit 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and a wireless communication apparatus such as an ETC vehicle-mounted device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting a connection state of an antenna by detecting a reflected wave from the antenna when the ETC on-board device wirelessly transmits.
JP 2004-192512 A

  According to the technique of Patent Literature 1, it is possible to detect the connection state of the antenna, which indicates whether or not the antenna that should be connected to the ETC vehicle-mounted device is normally connected.

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since the connection state of the antenna cannot be detected unless a radio signal is transmitted from the ETC on-board unit, a car equipped with the ETC on-board unit enters the toll gate of the expressway and enters the ETC roadside. If you do not communicate with the machine or use a test machine such as an ETC OBE checker, you will not know the connection status of the antenna, and you cannot determine the connection status of the antenna without using a special device in advance. .

  Also, when detecting the antenna connection state, instead of recognizing the antenna connection state by the user's vision, the ETC on-board device automatically detects the antenna connection state and reliably notifies the user. Want to.

  Furthermore, not only can the connection state of the antenna be detected, but also an abnormality in a signal line such as a coaxial cable connecting the antenna and the ETC on-board unit should be detected.

  An object of the present invention is to enable a wireless device to reliably detect an abnormality in an antenna connection state and an abnormality in a signal line connecting a wireless communication device and an antenna without using a special device in advance. .

  (1) The present invention includes an antenna that performs wireless transmission or reception, a transmission or reception device that performs wireless transmission or reception via the antenna, and a signal line that connects the antenna and the transmission or reception device. A bias circuit for superimposing a direct current on a transmission signal or reception signal transmitted or received by the transmission or reception device, and one end side connected to a predetermined power supply voltage and the other end side connected to the signal line on the transmission or reception device side A first resistor provided on the antenna side, one end connected to the signal line and the other end connected to the GND side, and the potential of the signal line detected on the transmitting or receiving device side A voltage detection circuit that detects the presence or absence of abnormality of the antenna or the signal line based on a potential that is provided on the transmission or reception device side and that is detected by the voltage detection circuit. And that is a wireless communication system.

  (2) In this case, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality presence / absence determination means, a notification means for notifying the occurrence of the abnormality may be further provided.

  (3) Further, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality presence / absence determining means, an antenna type determining means for determining the type of the antenna based on the potential detected by the voltage detection circuit, and the antenna type determined by the antenna type determining means You may make it further provide the setting change means which changes the setting of the parameter required for the said transmission or reception according to a classification.

  (4) Another aspect of the present invention is a transmission or reception device that performs wireless transmission or reception via an antenna, and a bias circuit that superimposes a direct current on a transmission signal or reception signal transmitted or received by the transmission or reception device. A first resistor connected at one end to a predetermined power supply voltage and the other end connected to a signal line connecting the antenna and the transmitting or receiving device; and a voltage detection circuit detecting the potential of the signal line; An abnormality presence / absence determination unit that determines whether the antenna or the signal line is abnormal based on a potential detected by the pressure detection circuit.

  (5) In this case, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality presence / absence determination means, a notification means for notifying the occurrence of the abnormality may be further provided.

  (6) In addition, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality presence / absence determination unit, an antenna type determination unit that determines the type of the antenna based on the potential detected by the repression detection circuit; and the antenna type determined by the antenna type determination unit You may make it further provide the setting change means which changes the setting of the parameter required for the said transmission or reception according to a classification.

  (1) According to the invention of (4), the power supply voltage is divided by the first resistor and the second resistor connected in series via the signal line, and the divided voltage becomes the potential of the signal line. The potential can be detected by the voltage detection circuit, and the abnormal connection state of the antenna and the abnormal signal line can be detected by the potential.

  In addition, this detection can be performed by automatic detection on the transmission or reception device (wireless communication device) side, and an abnormality can be reliably detected.

  Furthermore, such detection can be performed without using a special device before actually performing wireless communication.

  (2) According to the invention of (5), when an abnormality in the connection state of the antenna or an abnormality in the signal line is detected, the abnormality can be notified.

  (3) According to the invention of (6), it is determined whether an appropriate antenna is connected to the transmitting or receiving device (wireless communication device), and when an inappropriate antenna is connected, transmission or Appropriate wireless communication can be performed by automatically changing parameter settings necessary for reception.

  Below, the radio | wireless communications system as a comparative example is demonstrated first, and the radio | wireless communications system of this Embodiment is demonstrated next.

<Description of Comparative Example>
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing an electrical connection of a wireless communication system as a comparative example.

  The wireless communication system 101 is, for example, an ETC vehicle-mounted device, a wireless communication device 102, an antenna device 103, a coaxial cable 104 that is a signal line connecting the wireless communication device 102 and the antenna device 103, and information Display device 105 and a speaker 106 for outputting sound.

  The wireless communication apparatus 102 includes a communication control unit 111 that centrally controls the entire wireless communication system 101, a modulation / demodulation unit 112 that modulates a signal to be transmitted or demodulates a reception signal, and a predetermined direct current to the transmission / reception signal RF. A bias circuit 113 that superimposes current and a self-diagnosis unit 114 that diagnoses occurrence of a predetermined abnormality in the wireless communication apparatus 102 are provided.

  The antenna device 103 includes an antenna 121 that transmits a transmission signal and receives a reception signal. The antenna 121 and the bias circuit 113 of the wireless communication apparatus 102 are connected by a coaxial cable 104. The antenna device 103 is provided with a light emitting diode 122. The anode side of the light emitting diode 122 is connected to the line connecting the antenna device 103 and the coaxial cable 104, and the cathode side of the light emitting diode 122 is connected to GND.

  With the configuration as described above, a direct current superimposed on the transmission / reception signal RF flows through the coaxial cable 104, and the direct current is supplied to the antenna device 103. This direct current flows through the light emitting diode 122 and causes the light emitting diode 122 to emit light. At this time, the circuit configuration does not adversely affect the transmission / reception signal RF.

  In this way, if the light emitting diode 122 is lit, it can be determined that the coaxial cable 104 is not disconnected or short-circuited. On the other hand, if the light emitting diode 122 is turned off, it can be determined that the coaxial cable 104 is disconnected or short-circuited. These determinations are made visually on the antenna device 103 side.

<Description of this embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an electrical connection of the wireless communication system of the present embodiment.

  The wireless communication system 1 includes a wireless communication device 2, an antenna device 3, a coaxial cable 4 that is a signal line connecting the wireless communication device 2 and the antenna device 3, a display device 5 that displays information, and audio. And a speaker 6 for outputting sound.

  The wireless communication device 2 includes a communication control unit 11 that centrally controls the entire wireless communication system 1, a modulation / demodulation unit 12 that modulates a signal to be transmitted or demodulates a reception signal, and a transmission / reception signal (transmission signal or reception signal). A bias circuit 13 that superimposes a predetermined DC current on the signal (RF) and a self-diagnosis unit 14 that diagnoses the occurrence of a predetermined abnormality are provided.

  The wireless communication device 2 includes a resistor R 1, one end of the resistor R 1 is connected to a power supply voltage of, for example, 5 V, and the other end is connected to a line connected to the coaxial cable 4 via the bias circuit 13. Further, the wireless communication device 2 includes a voltage detection circuit 15 that detects a voltage of a line connecting the resistor R1 and the coaxial cable 4.

  The antenna device 3 includes an antenna 21 that transmits a transmission signal and receives a reception signal. The antenna 21 and the bias circuit 13 of the wireless communication device 2 are connected by a coaxial cable 4. The antenna device 3 is provided with a resistor R2. One end of the resistor R2 is connected to the line connecting the antenna device 3 and the coaxial cable 4, and the other end of the resistor R2 is connected to GND.

  The communication control unit 11 includes a CPU that centrally controls each unit, a ROM that stores programs executed by the CPU and various fixed data, a RAM that is a work area of the CPU, a dedicated logic circuit, and the like.

  With the configuration as described above, a direct current superimposed on the transmission / reception signal RF flows from the bias circuit 13 through the coaxial cable 4 to the antenna device 3. This direct current flows through the resistor R2 and is transmitted to the transmission / reception signal RF. The circuit configuration is not affected.

  For example, a power supply voltage of 5 V is divided by a resistor R1 and a resistor R2 connected in series via the coaxial cable 4. Since the coaxial cable 4 is interposed between the resistor R1 and the resistor R2, the voltage divided by the resistor R1 and the resistor R2 becomes the potential of the core wire of the coaxial cable 4.

  Next, processing executed by the communication control unit 11 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing executed by the communication control unit 11.

  First, when the power of the wireless communication apparatus 102 is turned on (Y in step S1), the communication control unit 11 determines whether the antenna 21 or the coaxial is determined by the self-diagnosis unit 14 based on the potential of the coaxial cable 4 detected by the voltage detection circuit 15. The presence / absence of abnormality of the cable 4 is determined (step S2).

  Specifically, this determination is performed by comparing the detected potential value with the two threshold values t1 and t2 (t1 <t2). That is, even if there is no abnormality in the antenna 21 or the coaxial cable 4, there can be some error in the potential of the coaxial cable 4.

  (1) Therefore, if the detected value of the potential of the coaxial cable 4 is within the numerical range between the two threshold values t1 and t2, the detected value is normal and there is no disconnection or short circuit of the coaxial cable 4. It is determined that the antenna 21 suitable for the wireless communication apparatus 102 is connected.

  (2) On the other hand, when the detected value of the potential of the coaxial cable 4 is larger than the threshold value t2, it is determined to be abnormal. That is, it is determined that the coaxial cable 4 is disconnected, the antenna 21 is abnormal, or an incompatible antenna 21 is connected, or the antenna 21 is not connected in the first place.

  (3) Further, when the detected value of the potential of the coaxial cable 4 is smaller than the threshold value t1, it is determined to be abnormal. That is, it is determined that the coaxial cable 4 is short-circuited, or that the antenna 21 is abnormal or incompatible antenna 21 is connected.

  If the antenna 21 and the coaxial cable 4 are normal according to the determination in step S2 (Y in step S3), a message indicating that the antenna 21 and the coaxial cable 4 are normal is displayed on the display device 5, or from the speaker 6 A sound is output (the LED or the like may be lit), and the user is notified (step S4).

  If the antenna 21 and the coaxial cable 4 are abnormal according to the determination in step S2 (N in step S3), the detection is performed by the self-diagnosis unit 14 based on the potential of the coaxial cable 4 detected by the voltage detection circuit 15. The potential level is determined (step S5). Specifically, in the above example, the power supply voltage connected to the resistor R1 is 5V, so that the potential of the coaxial cable 4 is 4.5V, 4.0V, 3.5V, 3.0V, 2 Nine thresholds of .5V, 2.0V, 1.5V, 1.0V, and 0.5V are set, and the range of 5.0V to 0V is divided by these nine thresholds, and 10 thresholds every 0.5V. The voltage range is set to level 10 to level 1 from the highest voltage, and it is determined whether the detected potential of the coaxial cable 4 is in level 10 to level 1.

  Then, the type of the antenna 21 is determined based on whether the detected potential of the coaxial cable 4 is at level 10 to level 1 (step S6). For example, when R1 and R2 have the same resistance value, the potential of the coaxial cable 4 detected by the voltage detection circuit 15 is approximately 2.5 V, and when it deviates from this value, the antenna 21 does not conform to the wireless communication apparatus 102. It can be an antenna. Then, it is possible to determine which type of antenna the antenna 21 is based on whether the detected potential of the coaxial cable 4 is at level 10 to level 1.

  Thereafter, based on the determination in step S6 as to which type of antenna the antenna 21 is, the setting in the wireless communication apparatus 102 is changed to match the antenna 21 (step S7). That is, such setting changes include (1) the value of power supplied to the antenna 21 and (2) a carrier sense level that varies with the gain of the antenna 21.

  By performing such a setting change, even if the antenna 21 is changed, the wireless communication apparatus 102 can be set to an appropriate state and appropriate wireless communication can be performed.

  Then, a message to the effect that such setting has been changed is displayed on the display device 5, or a sound is output from the speaker 6 (the LED or the like may be lit) to notify the user (step S8).

  Further, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 may be performed instead of the process of FIG.

  That is, when the power of the wireless communication apparatus 102 is turned on (Y in step S1), the communication control unit 11 determines the antenna 21 or the coaxial according to the determination of the self-diagnosis unit 14 based on the potential of the coaxial cable 4 detected by the voltage detection circuit 15. The presence / absence of abnormality of the cable 4 is determined (step S2).

  Specifically, this determination is performed by comparing the detected potential value with the two threshold values t1 and t2 (t1 <t2). That is, even if there is no abnormality in the antenna 21 or the coaxial cable 4, there can be some error in the potential of the coaxial cable 4.

  (1) Therefore, if the detected value of the potential of the coaxial cable 4 is within the numerical range between the two threshold values t1 and t2, the detected value is normal and there is no disconnection or short circuit of the coaxial cable 4. It is determined that the antenna 21 suitable for the wireless communication apparatus 102 is connected.

  (2) On the other hand, when the detected value of the potential of the coaxial cable 4 is larger than the threshold value t2, it is determined to be abnormal. That is, it is determined that the coaxial cable 4 is disconnected, the antenna 21 is abnormal, or an incompatible antenna 21 is connected, or the antenna 21 is not connected in the first place.

  (3) Further, when the detected value of the potential of the coaxial cable 4 is smaller than the threshold value t1, it is determined to be abnormal. That is, it is determined that the coaxial cable 4 is short-circuited, or that the antenna 21 is abnormal or incompatible antenna 21 is connected.

  If the antenna 21 and the coaxial cable 4 are normal according to the determination in step S2 (Y in step S3), a message indicating that the antenna 21 and the coaxial cable 4 are normal is displayed on the display device 5, or from the speaker 6 A sound is output (the LED or the like may be lit), and the user is notified (step S4).

  If the antenna 21 and the coaxial cable 4 are abnormal according to the determination in step S2 (N in step S3), the detection is performed by the self-diagnosis unit 14 based on the potential of the coaxial cable 4 detected by the voltage detection circuit 15. The potential level is determined (step S5). Specifically, in the above example, the power supply voltage connected to the resistor R1 is 5V, so that the potential of the coaxial cable 4 is 4.5V, 4.0V, 3.5V, 3.0V, 2 Nine thresholds of .5V, 2.0V, 1.5V, 1.0V, and 0.5V are set, and the range of 5.0V to 0V is divided by these nine thresholds, and 10 thresholds every 0.5V. The voltage range is set to level 10 to level 1 from the highest voltage, and it is determined whether the detected potential of the coaxial cable 4 is in level 10 to level 1.

  Then, the type of the antenna 21 is determined based on whether the detected potential of the coaxial cable 4 is at level 10 to level 1 (step S6). For example, when R1 and R2 have the same resistance value, the potential of the coaxial cable 4 detected by the voltage detection circuit 15 is approximately 2.5 V, and when it deviates from this value, the antenna 21 does not conform to the wireless communication apparatus 102. It can be an antenna. Then, it is possible to determine which type of antenna the antenna 21 is based on whether the detected potential of the coaxial cable 4 is at level 10 to level 1.

  Thereafter, a message indicating that the coaxial cable 4 is disconnected or short-circuited, or that there is an abnormality that the incompatible antenna 21 is connected to the wireless communication apparatus 102, and a message for informing the type of the antenna 21 determined in step S6 are displayed. 5 or a sound output from the speaker 6 (the LED or the like may be lit) to notify the user (step S9).

  As described above, the difference between the process of FIG. 3 and the process of FIG. 4 is that the setting of the wireless communication apparatus 102 is changed so that the wireless communication apparatus 102 is adapted to the antenna 21 in the process of FIG. In S7), there is an abnormality in the process of FIG. 4 and only the type of the antenna 21 is notified (step S9). The process of FIG. 3 is performed in the manufacturing factory of the wireless communication system 1, and the process of FIG. 4 is performed when the user uses the wireless communication system 1 after shipment. Use different processes.

  According to the wireless communication system 1 described above, a power supply voltage of, for example, 5 V is divided by the resistors R1 and R2 connected in series via the coaxial cable 4, and the divided voltage becomes the potential of the coaxial cable 4. The potential can be detected by the voltage detection circuit 15, and the abnormality of the connection state of the antenna 21 and the abnormality of the coaxial cable 4 can be detected by the potential.

  In the comparative example described above, the user must detect abnormality by visually confirming whether or not the light emitting diode 122 emits light on the antenna device 103 side. Therefore, there is a possibility that the abnormality cannot be found due to oversight by the user. .

  On the other hand, according to the wireless communication system 1, an abnormality is automatically detected on the wireless communication device 2 side and notified to the user by display on the display device 5, sound output from the speaker 6, and the like. Can be reliably detected and transmitted to the user.

  Furthermore, according to the wireless communication system 1, it is possible to detect an abnormality in advance without using a special device and without communicating with a communication destination.

It is a circuit diagram which shows the electrical connection of the radio | wireless communications system which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process which a communication control part performs. It is a flowchart of the other example of the process which a communication control part performs. It is a circuit diagram which shows the electrical connection of the radio | wireless communications system which is a comparative example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wireless communication system 2 Wireless communication apparatus 3 Antenna apparatus 4 Coaxial cable 11 Communication control part 12 Modulation / demodulation part 13 Bias circuit 14 Self-diagnosis part 15 Voltage detection circuit 21 Antenna R1 Resistance R2 Resistance

Claims (6)

An antenna for wireless transmission or reception;
A transmitting or receiving device that performs wireless transmission or reception via the antenna; and
A signal line connecting the antenna and the transmitting or receiving device;
A bias circuit for superimposing a direct current on a transmission signal or reception signal transmitted or received by the transmission or reception device;
A first resistor provided on the transmitting or receiving device side and having one end connected to a predetermined power supply voltage and the other end connected to the signal line;
A second resistor provided on the antenna side and having one end connected to the signal line and the other end connected to the GND side;
A voltage detection circuit for detecting the potential of the signal line on the transmission or reception device side;
Abnormality presence / absence determining means for determining whether the antenna or the signal line is abnormal based on the potential detected by the voltage detection circuit provided on the transmitting or receiving device side;
A wireless communication system comprising:   The wireless communication system according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying the occurrence of an abnormality when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality presence / absence determination means. An antenna type determination unit that determines the type of the antenna based on the potential detected by the voltage detection circuit when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality presence determination unit;
A setting changing unit that changes a setting of a parameter necessary for the transmission or reception according to the type of the antenna determined by the antenna type determining unit;
The wireless communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: A transmission or reception device that performs wireless transmission or reception via an antenna; and
A bias circuit for superimposing a direct current on a transmission signal or reception signal transmitted or received by the transmission or reception device;
A first resistor having one end connected to a predetermined power supply voltage and the other end connected to a signal line connecting the antenna and the transmitting or receiving device;
A voltage detection circuit for detecting the potential of the signal line;
Abnormality presence / absence determining means for determining whether the antenna or the signal line is abnormal based on the potential detected by the pressure detection circuit;
A wireless communication device comprising:   The wireless communication device according to claim 4, further comprising notification means for notifying the occurrence of the abnormality when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality presence / absence determination means. When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality presence / absence determining means, an antenna type determining means for determining the type of the antenna based on the potential detected by the repression detection circuit;
A setting changing unit that changes a setting of a parameter necessary for the transmission or reception according to the type of the antenna determined by the antenna type determining unit;
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

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