JP3393133B1 - Satellite broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost satellite broadcast receiver capable of performing an elevation angle adjustment operation smoothly and adjusting an azimuth angle during traveling. SOLUTION: The satellite broadcast receiving device 1 includes an antenna 5;
An azimuth adjustment mechanism 110, an elevation adjustment mechanism 50, and a control unit 100 are provided. The control unit 100 performs azimuth angle adjustment and elevation angle adjustment using the azimuth angle adjustment mechanism 110 and the elevation angle adjustment mechanism 50 based on information on the radio wave signal received by the antenna 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile satellite broadcast receiving apparatus mounted on an automobile or the like for receiving satellite broadcasts. In particular, the present invention relates to a satellite broadcast receiving device which has an advantage that the elevation angle adjustment operation can be performed smoothly, or that the azimuth angle can be adjusted while traveling, but the manufacturing cost is low.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many proposals have been made for satellite broadcast receiving devices for receiving satellite broadcasts on mobile bodies such as automobiles and ships.

As a satellite broadcast receiving apparatus for automobiles, there is known one in which an antenna having a constant elevation angle is attached to a rotary shaft portion for adjusting an azimuth angle (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-162833). It is also known that a beam tilt type antenna is used, in which the elevation angle cannot be adjusted and only the azimuth angle can be adjusted by the rotation of one drive motor.

In this type of vehicle device, the elevation angle of the antenna cannot be adjusted (elevation angle is constant and not variable), so that the reception state may deteriorate and a lot of noise (ghost) may occur depending on the receiving location. .

On the other hand, many satellite broadcast receivers for ships are capable of adjusting the azimuth and elevation of the antenna (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-84681). This type of device can adjust the azimuth angle and the elevation angle freely, so that a preferable reception state can be obtained.

By the way, the present applicants proposed the satellite broadcast receiving device of Japanese Patent No. 3207191 as a technique capable of imparting a simple elevation angle adjusting function to a satellite broadcast receiving device for automobiles. Actual device corresponding to the same patent (example)
The main features of are listed.

(1) Reception range (reception area) This device can set two kinds of antenna elevation angles, and one of the two elevation angles having the strongest received radio wave is automatically selected by the peak hold logic. You can Therefore, the receiving sensitivity is better than that of the conventional receiving device for automobiles, which has a constant elevation angle (constant receiving angle), and the receiving range can be doubled to the conventional one.

(2) Direction Tracking Mechanism and Elevation Angle Tracking Mechanism Since the direction tracking mechanism of the conventional device copes with the rotational twist of the high frequency signal line, a rotary joint (a joint component for passing a high frequency signal in the rotating part) is usually used. There is. However, this rotary joint may lead to higher cost and lower reliability. On the other hand, in the direction tracking mechanism of this device, rotary bearing joints are arranged in the antenna part and the base (base) respectively, and a high-frequency signal line is passed through the air core parts of these two rotary bearing joints to rotate the torsional twist. It can be adapted to. Therefore, the structure is simple and it can be manufactured at low cost. Furthermore, the elevation tracking mechanism of this device can switch between two elevation angles simply by changing the rotation direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) of the antenna.

(3) Drive unit This device applies the rotational force of the actuator for adjusting the azimuth angle to
It can be transmitted to the elevation angle adjusting mechanism via the cam. Therefore, one motor can drive both the azimuth angle and the elevation angle. Alternatively, the elevation angle can be adjusted to various angles with only minor changes in the cam design.

(4) Auto offset logic This device is provided with an auto offset logic for received radio waves. Therefore, the detection pre-rotation is performed with the same logic,
The electric field strength of the received radio wave is sampled at 5 ms intervals, and 1
The relative voltage can be adjusted to the vicinity of 0 v while sequentially comparing the previous data and the current data. Then, it is possible to automatically perform the offset adjustment based on the preset gain, and obtain the optimum reception condition.

As described above, the device according to Japanese Patent No. 3207191 can adjust the azimuth and elevation of the antenna with a simple mechanism and can detect the received radio wave to determine the antenna position. Therefore, turn the power on
Only by setting to N, it is possible to automatically adjust the azimuth angle and the two-step elevation angle of the antenna to obtain an optimum reception state.

[0012]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Patent No. 3207191
As described above, the satellite broadcast receiving device according to No. 1 has superior performance to the conventional device. However, recently, further improvement in performance of the device has been demanded. In particular,
The request is to make the vertical movement of the antenna when adjusting the elevation angle smoother and more smoothly, or to realize automatic azimuth adjustment while the vehicle is running without raising the manufacturing cost of the device. is there.

The present invention has been made in order to meet such a requirement, and the elevation angle can be adjusted smoothly, or the azimuth angle can be adjusted while the vehicle is running, but the manufacturing cost is low. It is an object of the present invention to provide a satellite broadcast receiving device having the advantages of.

[0014]

In order to solve the above problems, a first satellite broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention comprises an antenna, an azimuth angle adjusting mechanism for changing the azimuth angle of the antenna,
A satellite broadcast receiving apparatus and a elevation adjustment mechanism for changing the elevation angle of the antenna rotation, the azimuth adjusting mechanism and the elevation angle adjusting mechanism comprises a rotary base which rotates in supporting the antenna, together with the rotation base And a slider that slides up and down with respect to the base and imparts an elevation angle to the antenna, wherein the slider is provided with a ring-shaped engaging portion. A plurality of distributable members, which are rotatable and slidably arranged in the circumferential direction and which do not rotate together with the rotating base, are engaged, and the slider is moved up and down by vertically moving the disengager. To do.

In this first satellite broadcast receiving apparatus, the sliders are moved up and down by vertically moving a plurality of dispersively arranged engaging elements, and an elevation angle is given to the antenna. Since the engaging element is rotatable and slidable with respect to the engaging portion of the slider, a smooth operation can be realized without increasing a frictional force between them.

In the first satellite broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of engaging elements are mounted on one arm, and the arms are arranged around an axis intersecting the vertical movement axis of the slider. It can be rotatable.

In this case, even if there is a slight error in the accuracy of the parts, only one of the plurality of engaging elements will not make a one-sided contact. Therefore, high processing accuracy of parts is not required,
Does not cause cost increase.

A second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention comprises an antenna, an azimuth angle adjusting mechanism for changing the azimuth angle of the antenna, and an elevation angle adjusting mechanism for changing the elevation angle of the antenna.
Comprising a high-sensitivity antenna position detecting means for detecting a detection and high sensitivity antenna position to receive radio waves of the antenna, and a satellite broadcast receiving apparatus mounted on a mobile body, the high
Sensitive antenna position detection means determines the directivity angle of the antenna.
When performing detection of received radio waves while changing
Received signal strength at three directivity angles that are continuous at the intervals
Degree and obtains the intermediate position of the three directivity angles and the intermediate position
To the front position with respect to the
Between the middle position of the two directivity angles and the rear position with respect to the middle position
The difference between the received signal strength between
Is a high-sensitivity antenna position
Is detected .

According to this second satellite broadcast receiving device, 2
Judge the high-sensitivity antenna position only from the received signal strength at a point
More sensitive and sensitive antenna position detection
The antenna can be pointed at the satellite with high accuracy.
You can

In this second satellite broadcast receiving device,
In the adjusting operation of the azimuth angle and the elevation angle of the antenna (both are collectively referred to as directivity angle), a plurality of provisional elevation angles are preset, and when it is necessary to adjust the elevation angle of the antenna, for each provisional elevation angle, The detection of the received radio waves when the azimuth angle by the antenna is changed can be sequentially executed to perform the primary directivity angle adjustment of the antenna.

Here, in the second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus, for example, when the azimuth angle of the antenna is changed in a state where the elevation angle of the antenna is set to any of the provisional elevation angles, the high sensitivity antenna is used. The position detecting means detects the position of the high-sensitivity antenna from the waveform of the received field strength of the antenna.
The provisional elevation angles may be mutually spaced so that they can be detected .

In this case, when the orientation of the antenna deviates from the satellite and adjustment is required, the azimuth angle of the antenna is simply rotated for each of the above-mentioned provisional elevation angles, that is, azimuth rotation is performed several times. Roughly but quickly, the antenna can be aimed almost at the satellite. Then, if highly accurate adjustment is performed after this, the entire adjustment can be completed in a short time.

Further, in this second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus, when a highly sensitive antenna position above a predetermined level is detected when the azimuth angle of the antenna is changed at the one provisional elevation angle, the following The detection at the provisional elevation angle may be omitted.

In this case, since an appropriate provisional elevation angle for directing the antenna to the vicinity of the satellite has already been confirmed, it is possible to avoid wasteful rotation operation in the azimuth direction at the next provisional elevation angle. As a result, the low precision adjustment that roughly directs the antenna near the satellite can be completed more quickly.

Further, in this second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus, after the primary directivity angle adjustment of the antenna, a further highly sensitive antenna position is detected from the waveform of the received radio wave intensity of the antenna, and the antenna position of the antenna is detected . A secondary directivity angle adjustment for finely adjusting the direction may be performed.

In this case, after the temporary directivity angle adjustment for roughly directing the antenna to the vicinity of the satellite, fine adjustment for further directing the antenna to the satellite can be performed from the peak waveform of the received radio wave intensity of the antenna. Therefore, the directional angle adjustment of the antenna can be switched from low precision to high precision and completed quickly.

Further, in the second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus, in the secondary directivity angle adjustment of the antenna, the antenna is moved toward the high-sensitivity antenna position detected by the primary directivity angle adjustment of the antenna. While acquiring the received radio field intensity while rotating, when the acquired received radio field intensity reaches a value near the maximum value of the received radio field intensity in the primary directivity angle adjustment, stop the rotation of the antenna,
After that, the antenna can be rotated in the opposite direction to acquire the waveform of the received radio wave intensity, and the position of the highly sensitive antenna can be detected from this waveform.

In this case, when the antenna is rotated until the strength near the top of the peak waveform of the received radio wave is detected and the rotation of the antenna is stopped after the detection, the position of the antenna already exceeds the peak of the peak waveform. Since it is rotating up to, the antenna is immediately rotated in the opposite direction without performing the determination process, and the orientation of the antenna is finely adjusted. As a result, the antenna can be rotated from the beginning toward the top of the peak waveform of the received radio field intensity without rotating the antenna away from the top of the peak waveform of the received radio field intensity. The angle can be adjusted quickly (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 9).

[0029]

[0030]

Further, in the second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention, in the primary directivity angle adjustment of the antenna, the front position, the intermediate position, and the rear position of the three directivity angles are peaks of the received radio wave intensity. The intervals of the three directivity angles may be set so as to correspond substantially to the front hem, the top, and the rear hem of the waveform.

In this case, the antenna can be rotated so as to detect the received radio wave for each of the three broader directional angles that substantially match the peak waveform width of the received radio wave intensity. Therefore, it is possible to quickly complete the low-precision temporary pointing angle adjustment of the antenna.

Further, in this second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus, in the secondary directivity angle adjustment of the antenna, the intervals of the three directivity angles are received from the front position to the rear position of the three directivity angles. It may be set so as to fall within the range from the skirt to the peak of the peak waveform of the radio field intensity.

In this case, the antenna can be rotated so as to detect the received radio wave for every three directivity angles narrower than half the peak waveform width of the received radio wave intensity. Therefore, it is possible to perform secondary directional angle adjustment with high accuracy.

Further, in the second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus, in the secondary directivity angle adjustment of the antenna, the interval of the three directivity angles is changed from a wide angle to a narrow angle, and the secondary directivity angle is adjusted. The directivity angle adjustment can be repeated.

In this case, the antenna can be directed to the top of the peak waveform of the received radio wave intensity as accurately as possible by repeating the adjustment of the directivity angle by changing the directivity angle at finer intervals. Therefore, the antenna can be aimed at the satellite with high accuracy by simple adjustment.

In the second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention, when the moving body is stopped, the antenna is stopped for each directivity angle to acquire the received radio wave intensity, and one or both of the azimuth angle adjustment and the elevation angle adjustment are adjusted. When the moving body is in motion, it is possible to acquire the received radio field intensity without stopping the antenna for each directional angle and only adjust the azimuth angle to cause the antenna to track the satellite.

[0038] In this case, while the moving body is stopped, the reception radio field intensity can be obtained after the antennas are sequentially stopped at each directivity angle to eliminate the influence of shaking and the like, and the antennas are accurately aimed at the satellite. Can receive radio waves.
On the other hand, during the movement of the moving body, the elevation angle of the antenna does not greatly shift immediately, so the adjustment of the elevation angle of the antenna is omitted, and only the azimuth angle of the antenna that changes according to the movement of the moving body is omitted. It is possible to adjust, and at this time, it is possible to sequentially acquire the received radio wave intensity without stopping the antenna at each directivity angle (without delay).
Therefore, the antenna directivity angle can be adjusted as accurately as possible according to the situation of the moving body, and the satellite can be tracked by simple adjustment while avoiding the antenna directivity angle adjustment becoming impossible. .

In the second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention, the time for delaying the start of the adjustment of the antenna directional angle is preset, and when it becomes necessary to adjust the antenna directional angle, The necessity of adjusting the directivity angle of the antenna can be confirmed again after the delay time has elapsed.

In this case, even if it is determined that the strength of the radio wave received by the antenna is lowered and it is necessary to adjust the direction of the antenna, the direction of the antenna should be adjusted when the strength of the received radio wave is recovered after a short time. It will not start. A specific example of such a case is a case where the direction of the antenna is not displaced from the satellite, but the radio waves are merely blocked by the viaduct. In such a case, since the direction of the antenna itself is in a proper state in which radio waves can be efficiently received, it is possible to avoid changing the direction of the antenna unnecessarily for readjustment.

In the second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention, when it is necessary to adjust the azimuth angle of the antenna during the movement of the moving body, the antenna is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise in one direction. The azimuth angle of the antenna can be adjusted to the high-sensitivity antenna position by rotating the azimuth angle of the antenna to the high-sensitivity antenna position by rotating the azimuth angle of the antenna to the high-sensitivity antenna position. When it is not possible, the azimuth angle adjustment may be performed by rotating the antenna in the opposite direction to bring the azimuth angle of the antenna to the high sensitivity antenna position.

In this case, when it is determined that the strength of the radio wave received by the antenna is lowered due to the movement of the moving body and the azimuth angle of the antenna needs to be adjusted, first,
The azimuth angle of the antenna is adjusted within a certain set angle range in the left-right direction centered on the current antenna directivity angle. Normal,
Immediately after the direction of the satellite has changed and the received signal strength has dropped, the new high-sensitivity antenna position should be near the original position.Therefore, quickly adjust the azimuth angle of the antenna by doing the above. You can

Further, in the second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention, the threshold value for adjustment end is a threshold value for adjustment start, as the threshold value of the received radio wave intensity for judging the start and end of the antenna directional angle adjustment. It can be set to a smaller value.

In this case, even if the orientation of the antenna is adjusted, the intensity of the received radio wave cannot be recovered more than when the adjustment was started for some reason, and the adjustment of the orientation of the antenna cannot be ended. It can be avoided. Therefore, the orientation of the antenna can be stabilized in an appropriate state in which radio waves can be efficiently received.

Further, in the second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention, the reception radio field intensity of the antenna is obtained by measuring the reception radio field intensity twice consecutively and adopting the low intensity side as a measurement value. It can be

In this case, it is possible to avoid adjusting the orientation of the antenna by adopting a value of noise or the like that happens to be high as the normal received radio wave intensity. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the orientation of the antenna with high reliability.

Further, in the second satellite broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention, the received radio wave intensity of the antenna is obtained by continuously acquiring the received radio wave intensity three times and using the intermediate intensity thereof as a representative value. can do.

In this case, even if the received radio wave intensity of the antenna fluctuates to some extent, the intermediate value can be used as the received radio wave intensity to adjust the orientation of the antenna. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the orientation of the antenna with high reliability.

[0049]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A description will be given below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a directivity angle adjusting mechanism of a satellite broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a configuration of a directivity angle adjusting mechanism of the satellite broadcast receiving device. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration of a directivity angle adjusting mechanism of the satellite broadcast receiving device. FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining the operation of the elevation angle adjusting mechanism of the satellite broadcast receiving device. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a reception control system of the satellite broadcast receiving device. FIG. 6 is a graph for explaining the reception state of the satellite broadcast receiving device.
7 to 16 are flowcharts for explaining reception control of the satellite broadcast receiving apparatus.

At the bottom of FIGS. 1 and 3, a roof 3 of an automobile or the like is shown. On the roof 3, a base 10 of the satellite broadcast receiving device 1 is placed. This base 10 is
It has a disk portion 11 (see FIG. 2) and a leg portion 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). As shown in FIG. 1, a hole 11a is opened in the center of the disc portion 11. The rotary base 20 is arranged in the hole 11 a via a bearing 15. The rotation base 20 is a cylindrical member having a flange-shaped gear 21 on the lower end edge. A supporter 17 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) is attached to the lower surface of the disk portion 11 of the base 10 below the gear 21 of the rotation base 20. The supporter 17 is a cover member that also serves to position a cable 47 described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the gear 21 of the rotary base 20 meshes with the pinion gear 23 connected to the drive motor 25 and the speed reducer 26. The drive motor 25 is
It is installed on the disk portion 11 of the base 10 with the output shaft (not shown) facing downward. The speed reducer 26 is connected below the drive motor 25 and reduces the rotation speed of the motor 25. The output shaft 26 a of the speed reducer 26 projects below the disk portion 11 of the base 10. The above-mentioned pinion gear 23 is fitted on the output shaft 26a.

As shown in FIG. 1, a slider 30 is fitted on the outer side of the upper sleeve portion 20K of the rotary base 20 so as to be vertically slidable. Since the rotation of the sleeve portion 20K is transmitted to the slider 30 via the bracket 40, both of them rotate synchronously. A groove 30K is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the slider 30 along the circumferential direction. This groove 3
A roller 65 of a U-shaped arm 61 described later is engaged in 0K. The upper ends 20a and 30a of the rotary base 20 and the slider 30, respectively, are portions where a part of the circumference is projected.

A bracket 40 is connected to the upper end 20a of the rotary base 20 and the upper end 30a of the slider 30. On the left side of the bracket 40 in FIG.
There is a rotation fulcrum 40y on the right side of FIG. The operating point 40x of the bracket 40 is the upper end portion 30 of the slider 30.
It is rotatably attached by a pin 30b of a. The rotation fulcrum 40y of the bracket 40 is the rotation base 2
It is rotatably attached by the pin 20b of the upper end portion 20a of 0. Rotational movement of the rotary base 20 and vertical movement of the slider 30 are transmitted to the antenna via the bracket 40.

The antenna frame 7 is rotatably installed on the bracket 40 via a bearing 45. The antenna 5 is fixed to the front surface of the frame 7 (the upper left of FIG. 1; the front surface of FIG. 3). In addition, frame 7
A converter 9 is internally provided in the. A cable 47 inserted in the protection tube 46 is connected to the converter 9. The cable 47 is guided from the rear surface of the frame 7 to the outside of the satellite broadcast receiving apparatus 1 through the hole 40a of the bracket 40 (see FIG. 3), the inside of the rotation base 20, the hole 17a of the supporter 17 (see FIG. 1). ing.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the slider 30
A drive motor 35 and a speed reducer 36 are arranged on the disk portion 11 of the base 10 at the side portion (on the left side in FIGS. 1 and 2). The drive motor 35 is placed with the output shaft (not shown) oriented horizontally. The speed reducer 36 is connected next to the drive motor 35 and reduces the rotation speed of the motor 35. The cam 31 is fitted into the output shaft 36a of the speed reducer 36.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer periphery of the cam 31 has an upper flat part 31a, a lower arc part 31b, and two inclined parts 31 between the flat part 31a and the arc part 31b.
It consists of c and. One end of the cam 31 (left end of FIG. 1)
Is in contact with a limit switch 39 attached to the speed reducer 36. Further, a pin 33 is projectingly provided on the front surface of the cam 31 near the arc portion 31b. The pin 33 is provided in the long hole 5 of the connecting arm 57 of the elevation angle adjusting mechanism 50, which will be described in detail later.
7a is engaged.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slider 30
At the side portion (right side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the above, the leg portion 51 of the elevation angle adjusting mechanism 50 stands up on the disk portion 11 of the base 10. A support shaft 53 is fixed near the upper end of the leg portion 51. A block 55 is swingably attached to the support shaft 53. The connecting arm 57 is fixed to one side portion (the lower side of FIG. 2) of the block 55. The connecting arm 57 extends from the side portion of the block 55 (arm base end side) to the cam 31 (arm tip end side). A long hole 57a is formed at the tip of the connecting arm 57. The pin 33 of the cam 31 is slidably engaged in the elongated hole 57a.

As best shown in FIG. 2, block 55.
A base end portion 62 of a U-shaped arm 61 is inserted in the.
The U-shaped arm 61 has a base end portion 62 and a fork portion 63 at the tip thereof. The base end 62 of the U-shaped arm 61 is rotatably inserted in the block 55. Screw 64
Is for preventing the arm base end portion 62 from coming off, and does not prevent rotation of the same portion 62. This U-shaped arm 6
The action and effect associated with the rotation of 1 will be described later. The fork portion 63 is formed in a semicircular shape along the half circumference of the slider 30 described above. Rollers 65 are rotatably attached to both ends of the fork 63, respectively. As described above, both rollers 65 are engaged with the groove 30K of the slider 30 so as to be rotatable and slidable.

Next, the basic operation (antenna elevation angle adjustment and azimuth angle adjustment) of the satellite broadcast receiving apparatus 1 will be described.

First, the operation when adjusting the antenna elevation angle will be described. To adjust the antenna elevation angle of the satellite broadcast receiving apparatus 1, first, in order to receive the satellite broadcast, the satellite broadcast receiving apparatus 1 is turned on and the drive motor 35 is rotationally driven. The rotational driving force of the drive motor 35 is reduced by the speed reducer 36 and transmitted to the cam 31. When the cam 31 rotates,
The pin 33 of the cam 31 moves while sliding in the long hole 57a of the connecting arm 57. Then, the connecting arm 57 is rotated so as to be lifted upward with the support shaft 53 of the leg portion 51 of the elevation angle adjusting mechanism 50 as a fulcrum (see the connecting arm 57 indicated by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 4).

Simultaneously with the upward rotation of the connecting arm 57, the U-shaped arm 61 fixed to the block 55 is also lifted up. Then, the roller 65 at the end of the fork portion 63 of the U-shaped arm 61 hits the upper edge of the groove 30K of the slider 30 and lifts the slider 30 upward (see the upper end 30a of the slider 30 shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 4). . At this time, the slider 30 moves upward while sliding on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation base 20. When the slider 30 moves to the upper side, the bracket 40 rotates about the fulcrum 40y as a fulcrum (see the bracket 40 shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 4). Then, the antenna 5 fixed to the tip of the bracket 40 tilts in the direction of "large elevation angle" shown in FIG. 1, and the antenna elevation angle increases.

Here, the fork portion 63 of the U-shaped arm 61
When the slider 30 lifts the slider 30, the arm base end portion 62
Rotates with the block 55, and the rollers 65 at both ends of the fork 63 slightly swing up and down in the groove 30K of the slider 30. In this way, since the manufacturing error of the groove 30K and the assembly error of each component are absorbed, only one of the rollers 65 at the tip of the fork portion 63 hits the groove 30K and the U-shaped arm 61 is twisted. Without slider 3
You can move 0 smoothly.

The drive motor 35 stops when the contact portion of the cam 31 with the limit switch 39 moves from the inclined portion 31c to the circular arc portion 31b. At the same time, the rotation of the cam 31 is stopped.

On the other hand, when the antenna elevation angle is to be decreased, the drive motor 35 is rotated in the reverse direction so that the reverse operation to the above occurs.

Next, the operation when adjusting the antenna azimuth will be described. To adjust the antenna azimuth of the satellite broadcast receiving apparatus 1, the drive motor 25 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is driven to rotate. Then, the rotational driving force of the drive motor 25 is reduced by the speed reducer 26 and transmitted to the pinion gear 23 fitted in the output shaft 26a. This is Pinion Gear 2
3 rotates, the gear 21 of the rotation base 20 meshing with the pinion gear 23 rotates, and the rotation base 20
Rotates with respect to the base 10 via the bearing 15.
With the rotation of the rotation base 20, the slider 30 and the bracket 40 also rotate, and the antenna 5 rotates in the horizontal direction. At this time, when the slider 30 rotates, the groove 30
The roller 65 of the U-shaped arm 61 engaged with K rotates (rotates) due to friction, but the roller 65 itself does not rotate (revolves) together with the rotation base 20 but smoothly rotates relative to the groove 30K. To slide.

The cable 47 and the protective tube 46 are twisted due to the rotation of the rotary base 20.
However, the twist is released by the rotation of the antenna 5 and the like via the bearing 45.

The operation control of the satellite broadcast receiving apparatus having the above-mentioned structure will be described below. As shown in FIG.
The satellite broadcast receiving apparatus 1 includes an azimuth angle adjusting mechanism 1 for an antenna 5.
10, a control unit 100 that controls the drive of the elevation angle adjustment mechanism 50.
Have. The control unit 100 controls the drive / stop and drive direction of the drive motor 25 (see FIG. 2) of the azimuth angle adjustment mechanism 110 and the drive motor 35 (see FIG. 2) of the elevation angle adjustment mechanism 50 to control the azimuth angle adjustment mechanism 110. And an azimuth angle and an elevation angle (hereinafter, one or both of the azimuth angle and the elevation angle are also referred to as a directivity angle) that determines the orientation of the antenna 5 connected to the elevation angle adjustment mechanism 50. In addition, the control unit 100 controls the antenna 5
The cable 47 for transmitting the radio signal received by the device to the BS tuner 200 is pulled inside, and the received radio signal of the antenna 5 is branched and acquired by the branching device 101 interposed in the middle of the cable 47. In FIG. 5, the DC power source 300
Supplies electric power for driving the control unit 100 and the drive motors 25 and 35.

The control unit 100 includes a CPU 103 and a memory 1 at a stage subsequent to the branch unit 101 via an A / D converter 102.
04 is connected. Based on a control program stored in advance, the CPU 103 uses the memory 104 as a work area and uses parameters stored and prepared in the memory 104 to acquire and process various information. To do. Along with that, CP
U103 detects the radio wave received by the antenna 5, determines whether or not it is at the high-sensitivity antenna position, and controls the driving of the azimuth angle adjusting mechanism 110 and the elevation angle adjusting mechanism 50.

Then, the CPU 103 of this control unit 100
Is an azimuth sensor, angular acceleration sensor, GPS (Glob
al Positioning System) or a gyro, etc., without collecting various information regarding movement (motion) of an automobile or the like, and by using only information obtained from a radio signal received by the antenna 5, the azimuth angle adjustment mechanism 110 and the elevation angle adjustment mechanism 50 Control the drive. Then, the azimuth angle adjustment and the elevation angle adjustment are performed so that the pointing direction (direction) of the antenna 5 can be directed to the satellite and the radio waves from the satellite can be received in the optimum state. Therefore, the antenna 5 is provided by using an inexpensive DC motor without providing an expensive GPS or the like.
It is possible to optimally adjust the reception state of.

Here, when the satellite broadcast receiving apparatus 1 is used in Japan, for example, the BS broadcast satellite is stationary at an elevation angle of about 27 ° to 48 ° when viewed from the range from Hokkaido to Kyushu. The provisional elevation angle of the antenna 5 is set accordingly. For example, by changing the elevation angle of the antenna 5 in steps of 8 ° (by setting the interval between a plurality of provisional elevation angles to be 8 °), the reception level (strength) of the radio wave transmitted from the BS broadcasting satellite is increased. The sensitive antenna position can be roughly specified.

For example, the elevation angle is 25.5 °, 33.5 °,
When the antenna 5 is rotated in the azimuth direction while being set to 41.5 ° and 49.5 °, the radio field intensity received from the BS broadcasting satellite is as shown in FIG. 6 (note that in FIG. The horizontal axis is the azimuth direction and the vertical axis is the reception level). In FIG. 6, the peak waveform of the received radio signal (strength) can be recognized at an elevation angle of 41.5 °, and it can be understood that the BS broadcasting satellite is stationary in the elevation angle / azimuth direction. .

Therefore, the satellite broadcast receiving apparatus 1 is designed so that the antenna 5 can be adjusted within the range of the elevation angle of 25 ° to 50 °. The control unit 100 controls the elevation angles of 25.5 °, 33.
The provisional elevation angles of 5 °, 41.5 °, and 49.5 ° are set and prepared, and the orientation of the antenna 5 is adjusted.

Then, the control unit 100 makes the B as clear as possible during stoppage and running (including running on a highway).
The elevation angle and the azimuth angle are adjusted so that the antenna 5 is directed to the BS broadcasting satellite with high accuracy so that the S satellite broadcasting can be displayed and output. In the satellite broadcast receiving device 1, various driving conditions for performing the elevation angle adjustment and the azimuth angle adjustment are set as follows.

Design speed (vehicle running speed): 100 k
m / hour Curvature radius of minimum curve (on expressway): 380 m Distance of one round (360 °) of minimum curve: 2388 m Distance per 1 ° on minimum curve of 6.6 m Distance traveled per second at this time: 27 0.8 m / sec Running angle per second at this time: 4.2 deg / sec
(Angular velocity) Standard size of signs on the road: 3 m Time to block radio waves by this: 0.1 sec Time required for one rotation in the azimuth direction: 5.5 sec When the antenna faces the satellite Pulse width of peak waveform: 0.3 sec Pulse angle of peak waveform when antenna is facing the satellite: 19.6 ° Time when pulse becomes “0” in curve: 2.3 sec Elevation angle adjusting cam 31 is half rotation Time: 5.7 sec Elevation range: 25 ° Step time for fine adjustment of elevation: 40 ms (rough at rest) Step angle for fine adjustment of elevation: 0.2 ° (rough at rest) Step time for fine adjustment of elevation : 20 ms (Fine at rest) Step angle for fine adjustment of elevation angle: 0.1 ° (Fine at rest) Step time for fine adjustment of azimuth angle: 15 ms (Rough at rest, tracking) Fine adjustment of azimuth angle Step angle at time: 1.0 ° (Rough at rest, tracking) Step time at fine adjustment of azimuth angle: 7.5 ms (Fine at rest) Step angle at fine adjustment of azimuth angle: 0.5 ° (At rest) fine)

Specifically, the control unit 100, for example, when the DC power supply 300 of the satellite broadcast receiving apparatus 1 is turned on when the vehicle is parked in the parking area of the automobile, or when the antenna 5 is turned on again. When the directivity angle adjustment request is input, the adjustment mode for directing the antenna 5 to the BS broadcasting satellite is executed as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 7, when the adjustment mode is started, the control section 100 carries out an initialization process for clearing the data and the like in the memory 104 stored and held in the previous operation. (Step S1).

Next, the control unit 100 performs bottom reference offset adjustment so that the received radio wave signal falls within the range of 0V to 5V. After this adjustment, the control unit 100 keeps the antenna 5 at the current elevation angle and rotates clockwise in the azimuth direction (CW).
The received signal strength is acquired at three timings in the time axis direction of the received signal at that time while performing one rotation, and the received signal time axis difference detection process is performed (step S
2).

In this received signal time axis difference detection processing, the difference value between the respective timings of the acquired received radio wave intensity is calculated, and the peak waveform (see FIG. 6) when the antenna 5 faces the satellite is shown. This is a process of detecting the presence or absence. Control unit 1
00 indicates a peak waveform is formed in the received radio wave intensity at an azimuth angle of a certain antenna 5 in the received signal time axis difference detection process, and when it is detected that the antenna 5 is headed near the satellite at that azimuth angle, The satellite detection flag prepared in the memory 104 is turned on.

Here, in the received signal time axis difference detection processing, the control unit 100 calculates the difference value of the received radio wave signal level in three consecutive azimuth angles by using the following equation, and sets it in advance. Antenna 5 when the value is above
Is in the position of the high-sensitivity antenna pointed near the satellite. Difference value (V) = [Vx−V (x−Δt)] + [Vx−V (x + Δt)] ... Δt = 120 ms

In the above equation, since the pulse width of the peak waveform of the received radio wave intensity when the antenna 5 is oriented near the satellite is 0.3 sec, Δt is set to 120 ms. That is, the azimuth angle interval (hereinafter also referred to as an included angle) for acquiring the received radio wave signal is a position at an intermediate timing of the three directivity angles (intermediate position) and a position at a timing before the intermediate position (previous angle). Position) and a position at a timing after the intermediate position (rear position) reach the top of the peak waveform when the antenna 5 faces the satellite, the hem before reaching the top, and the top thereof. It is set to correspond approximately to the rear hem. In short, the control unit 10
0 is set so that the received radio wave signal can be acquired at three timings within the pulse width corresponding to the peak waveform of the received radio wave intensity, and the difference value with which the presence or absence of the peak waveform can be determined. .

From this, the control unit 100 rotates the antenna 5 in the azimuth angle direction, and at every Δt time, the difference value (V) of the received radio wave intensity at the intermediate position and the previous position of the three directivity angles. Then, the difference value of the received radio field intensity at the intermediate position and the subsequent position is calculated. The control unit 100 determines that the antenna 5 is at the high-sensitivity antenna position when a difference value of 4 V or more, which indicates that the intermediate position is on the top side in the peak waveform of the received radio wave intensity, is calculated. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the control unit 100 from erroneously determining that the antenna 5 is at the high-sensitivity antenna position only by a gentle change in the received radio wave signal even though the antenna 5 is not facing the vicinity of the satellite. it can.

Next, the control unit 100 confirms whether or not the satellite detection flag is ON (step S3).
When the satellite detection flag is ON, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S26 in FIG. 9 and performs the next process. Therefore, it is possible to skip the confirmation at other elevation angles and proceed with the processing promptly.

On the other hand, the control unit 100, when the satellite detection flag is not turned on, has an elevation angle of 25.5 °, 33.5 °, 41.5 °, which covers the range from Hokkaido to Kyushu.
Confirm the high-sensitivity antenna position in 4 steps of 49.5 °. For this reason, the control unit 100 sets the antenna 5 to 25 ° to 25 °.
It is driven by a DC motor in the range of 50 °, and the time required for the drive motor 35 to position each provisional elevation angle is calculated and stored (step S4).

Next, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the control unit 100 first sets the antenna 5 to an elevation angle of 25.
It is set to 5 ° (θ1) (step S5). Thereafter, the control unit 100 performs a process of storing and holding the maximum value (S1) of the received radio wave intensity while performing the received signal time axis difference detection process by rotating the antenna 5 once clockwise in the azimuth direction (( Step S6).

Next, the control section 100 confirms whether or not the satellite detection flag is ON in the received signal time axis difference detection processing (step S7). When the satellite detection flag is ON, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S26 in FIG. 9 and performs the next process. On the other hand, the control unit 100
Similarly, when the satellite detection flag is not turned on, the subsequent setting of elevation angle 33.5 ° (θ2), the reception signal time axis difference detection process, and the maximum value of the reception radio signal (S2) are similarly performed.
Memory retention and confirmation of satellite detection flag ON (steps S8 to S10), setting of the next elevation angle 41.5 ° (θ3), reception signal time axis difference detection processing and storage of maximum value of reception radio signal (S3) Holding and confirmation of satellite detection flag ON (steps S11 to S13), next elevation angle 49.5 ° (θ
4) setting, reception signal time axis difference detection processing, storage and retention of maximum value (S4) of reception radio wave signal, and confirmation of satellite detection flag ON (steps S14 to S16) are sequentially performed.

That is, here, the control unit 100 first confirms the necessity of adjusting the directivity angle of the antenna 5 with the current elevation angle of the antenna 5, and then determines the azimuth angle with each of the four stages of temporary elevation angles θ1 to θ4. Change it and perform low-precision elevation angle adjustment. Therefore, the control unit 100 can quickly adjust the elevation angle to roughly direct the antenna 5 toward the satellite.

Note that the satellite detection flag is normally turned on unless it is hidden behind an object. However, when the satellite detection flag is not turned on by chance in any of the elevation angles θ1 to θ4, the control unit 100 resets the reverse rotation time of the drive motor 35 in the elevation direction as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Step S17), each elevation angle θ1
The maximum values S1 to S4 of the received radio signal at θ4 are compared (step S18). Next, when the maximum value S4 of the elevation angle θ4 is the largest, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S26 as it is, while when the maximum value S4 of the elevation angle θ4 is not the largest, the control unit 100 takes the elevation angle θ4 from the elevation angle θ4. The time required to set θ3 is set as the reverse rotation time t of the drive motor 35 (step S19). Similarly thereafter, when the maximum value S3 of the elevation angle θ3 is the largest, the control unit 100 directly proceeds to step S
24, if the maximum value S3 of the elevation angle θ3 is not the largest, the time required to set the antenna 5 from the elevation angle θ3 to the elevation angle θ2 is the reverse rotation time t of the drive motor 35.
To (steps S20 and S21). If the maximum value S2 of the elevation angle θ2 is the largest, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S24 as it is, and if the maximum value S2 of the elevation angle θ2 is not the largest, the control unit 100 changes the antenna 5 from the elevation angle θ2 to the elevation angle θ1. The time required for setting is added to the reverse rotation time t of the drive motor 35 (step S22,
S23). Then, when the maximum value of the received radio wave signal is shown at a position other than the elevation angle θ4, the control unit 100 determines the corresponding elevation angle θ.
The drive motor 35 is driven for the reverse rotation time t required to set the antenna 5 to any of 1 to θ3, and the antenna 5 is set to the elevation angle indicating the maximum value of the received radio wave signal (step S24). After that, the control unit 100 performs the processing mode of detecting the maximum value of the received radio signal again while rotating the antenna 5 once in the clockwise direction of the azimuth direction,
The maximum value of the received radio signal at the elevation angle of the antenna 5 is detected and acquired again (step S25).

Then, the control unit 100 keeps the orientation of the antenna 5 at its elevation angle and rotates counterclockwise in the azimuth direction (CC
The process mode of starting the rotation to W) and performing the processing mode of stopping the drive motor 25 when it reaches 88% of the maximum value of the previously received radio wave signal is performed (step S26).

That is, here, the antenna 5 is set to a temporary elevation angle and the azimuth angle is changed to adjust the elevation angle and the azimuth angle with low accuracy, and the antenna 5 is roughly oriented near the satellite.

After that, the control unit 100 adjusts the elevation angle and the azimuth angle so that the antenna 5 is accurately aimed at the satellite. The control unit 100 first sets the fine adjustment mode to "rough (coarse)" and sets the presence or absence of antenna shake to "present" (step S27). At this time,
Since the process of setting the antenna wobbling “with” is a process while the vehicle is stopped, the processing time can be taken. Therefore, a sufficient amount of time elapses until the wobbling of the antenna 5 due to the change in direction is stopped. This is because the reception radio field intensity is acquired after waiting for the operation. Therefore, the antenna 5
The orientation of the antenna 5 can be adjusted with high accuracy without being affected by the shaking caused by changing the orientation.

Next, the control unit 100 rotates the antenna 5 by a preset fine adjustment angle and stops it at that position, acquires the received radio wave signal, and directs the antenna 5 to the satellite in the optimum state. The fine adjustment processing is sequentially performed for azimuth and elevation (steps S28 and S29). After that, the control unit 100 confirms whether or not the fine adjustment mode is set to "rough" (step S30), and when the fine adjustment mode is not "rough" (when fine has already ended). Completes the fine adjustment process while the vehicle is stopped. On the other hand, when the fine adjustment mode is "rough", the control unit 100 sets the fine adjustment mode to "fine" (step S31), and then sequentially performs the same fine adjustment processing on the azimuth angle and the elevation angle. (Steps S28, S29),
This fine adjustment process is completed. Therefore, the adjustment of the orientation of the antenna 5 can be swiftly performed by sequentially switching from low accuracy to high accuracy.

In the fine adjustment processing at this time, step S26
Since the antenna 5 is stopped when the value reaches 88% of the maximum value of the received radio wave signal, the antenna 5 is rotated to a position beyond the top of the peak waveform of the received radio wave intensity. From this, the control unit 100 makes a so-called hill-climbing adjustment in which the antenna 5 is directed to the top of the peak waveform of the received radio field intensity by rotating the antenna 5 in the opposite direction by the fine adjustment angle. Therefore, the antenna 5 can be immediately rotated toward the top of the peak waveform of the received radio wave intensity and adjusted without performing a process for determining in which direction the antenna 5 should be rotated.

Further, in this fine adjustment processing, the front position to the rear position of the three directivity angles for performing the difference processing of the received radio field intensity should be at least from the skirt to the top of the peak waveform of the received radio field intensity. In addition, the fine adjustment angle is set to a narrower interval than the satellite detection process (received signal time axis difference detection process) described above. Further, the fine adjustment angle itself is set to be narrower in the fine adjustment mode “fine” than in the fine adjustment mode “rough”.

Therefore, in this fine adjustment processing, the directivity angle of the antenna 5 is sequentially changed by the fine adjustment angle, and the third
By acquiring the received radio wave intensities P1 to P3 for each of the two fine adjustment angles and calculating the difference, it is determined whether the received radio wave intensities P1 to P3 are in the increasing tendency or the decreasing tendency, and the reception of the intermediate position is performed. Radio wave intensity P2 is other received radio wave intensity P
1, it is possible to determine whether it is higher than P3. As a result, the position of the antenna 5 in the peak waveform of the received radio signal
It is possible to determine whether or not it is facing, so that the intermediate position at the three fine adjustment angles has the highest received radio field strength (being on the top side of the peak waveform of the received radio signal), the directivity angle of the antenna 5 The adjustment of will be repeated.

Therefore, while the automobile is stopped, the orientation of the antenna 5 can be adjusted from low accuracy to high accuracy by only changing the acquisition angle of the reception radio field intensity of the antenna 5 by the reception signal time axis difference detection processing or the fine adjustment processing. Switch to the antenna 5
It is possible to quickly adjust the pointing direction of the antenna to the high-sensitivity antenna position.

Next, after the fine adjustment processing for pointing the antenna 5 to the satellite with high accuracy is completed while the vehicle is stopped, the control unit 100 drives the vehicle as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. When started, a tracking mode for causing the antenna 5 to track the satellite is executed.

First, the control unit 100 is controlled by
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, after the fine adjustment processing of the antenna 5 is completed while the vehicle is stopped, the radio wave signal received by the antenna 5 is input and acquired (step S32),
The received radio wave signal is stored and held as the maximum signal (strength) (step S33). At the same time, the control unit 100 stores and holds 88% of the maximum signal as the search level (threshold level) (step S34), and also subtracts 12% of the maximum signal with background noise canceled from the maximum signal. Is stored and held as a tracking start level (step S35), and a threshold level obtained by subtracting 25% of the maximum signal with background noise canceled from the maximum signal is stored and held as a tracking completion level (step S36).
Next, as the initialization processing, the control unit 100 turns off the invalid signal detection flag and the tracking start level detection flag, and sets the number of tracking searches to "0" (steps S37 to S39).

Thereafter, the control unit 100 inputs and acquires the radio wave signal received by the antenna 5 (step S40),
It is confirmed whether or not the received signal (strength) exceeds a preset effective signal level (for example, 1.3 V) (step S41). When the input reception signal exceeds the effective signal level (reception with the minimum reception intensity), the control unit 100 causes the antenna 5 to move to an adjacent portion or the like in the peak waveform of the reception radio signal. If it is determined that they have not come off, the invalid signal detection flag is turned off, and the changing process or the overwriting process for setting the number of tracking searches to "0" is performed (steps S42 and S43).

Then, the control section 100 confirms whether or not the received radio wave signal exceeds the previously set tracking start level (step S44). When the input reception signal exceeds the tracking start level, the control unit 100 determines that the antenna 5 is not displaced from the direction of the top of the peak waveform of the reception radio signal, and turns off the tracking start level detection flag. Change processing or overwrite processing is performed (step S45).

Next, the control unit 100 confirms whether the received radio wave signal exceeds the maximum signal stored and held previously (step S46). If the input reception signal does not exceed the maximum signal, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S40.
Return to and repeat the same processing. In addition, the control unit 100
If the input reception signal exceeds the maximum signal, the input reception signal is stored and held as the maximum signal (strength) (step S47), and then the process returns to step S33 to repeat the same processing.

On the other hand, if the received radio wave signal input and obtained in step S41 does not exceed the effective signal level because the automobile has started running (exercising), the control unit 100 causes the antenna 5 to receive the radio wave signal. It is determined that the peak waveform of the antenna 5 is deviated to the adjacent portion (deviated from the direction of the satellite), and whether the deviation from the peak waveform of the antenna 5 is the first time or not is determined by whether the invalid signal detection flag is OFF or not. Confirm (step S48). The control unit 100
If the invalid signal detection flag remains OFF and the received radio wave signal has just become lower than the valid signal level, the invalid signal detection flag is turned ON (step S4).
9) Since the strength may be reduced by some kind of obstacle such as an overpass, after waiting for the recovery of the received signal for 2 seconds (step S50), the process returns to step S40 and the same processing is performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the adjustment of the direction of the antenna 5 from being started because the strength of the received radio wave is temporarily reduced due to an overpass or the like.

At this time, the control section 100 determines the step S
If the invalid signal detection flag is already turned on and does not remain off at 48, the process proceeds to step S61 to start the process of searching a satellite again. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the direction of the antenna 5 again and direct it toward the satellite.

On the other hand, the control section 100 determines in step S4.
In FIG. 4, if the received radio wave signal input and received exceeds the effective signal level but does not exceed the tracking start level set previously, the antenna 5 deviates from the top of the peak waveform of the received radio wave signal. The tracking start level detection flag is turned off to determine whether the deviation of the peak waveform of the antenna 5 from the top is judged for the first time (from the satellite).
It is confirmed whether or not (step S51). Control unit 10
In the case of 0, the tracking start level detection flag remains OFF, and when the received radio wave signal is just below the tracking start level, the tracking start level detection flag is turned ON (step S52), and a shield such as a signboard 105msec because the strength may be momentary and should be ignored due to
After waiting for the recovery of the received signal (step S53),
Returning to step S40, the same processing is performed. Therefore, when the strength of the received radio wave is momentarily reduced due to a sign or the like, it can be ignored and the adjustment of the orientation of the antenna 5 can be prevented from being unnecessarily started.

At this time, the control section 100 determines the step S
In 51, if the tracking start level detection flag has already been turned on and remains off, the process proceeds to step S81 to start the processing for tracking the satellite. Therefore,
The direction of the antenna 5 can be finely adjusted again to receive satellite broadcasting.

When it is determined in step S48 that it is necessary to start the satellite search processing, the control unit 100 sets the antenna 5 to the azimuth direction 1 as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The drive time of the drive motor 25 for / 8 rotation is set as the search time (step S61). After this, the control unit 100 controls the antenna 5
Start to rotate in the azimuth direction opposite to the rotation direction in the previous fine adjustment process, and when the maximum position is detected in the received radio signal above the search level during the search time, drive at that position. A processing mode for stopping the motor 25 is performed (step S62). At this time,
The reason why the antenna 5 is rotated only in the azimuth direction is that it is necessary to make a quick adjustment while the vehicle is traveling, and the elevation angle is not so necessary for a vehicle traveling on the ground.

Then, the control unit 100 causes the drive motor 25 to rotate the antenna 5 once in the azimuth direction as the search time.
Drive time is set and returned (step S63). After that, the control unit 100 confirms whether or not the satellite detection flag is turned on by the same received signal time axis difference processing as that performed when the vehicle is stopped during the previous 1/8 rotation (step S64). . When the satellite detection flag is ON, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S69 and performs the process when the signal strength is low but the antenna 5 faces the vicinity of the satellite. In addition, when the satellite detection flag is not turned on, the control unit 100 confirms whether or not the received electric wave signal of the exploration level or higher is detected and the drive motor 25 is stopped during the previous ⅛ rotation. Yes (step S6
5). Then, if the received radio wave signal of the exploration level or higher is detected and the control unit 100 is stopped, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S81 to perform a process of tracking the satellite.

On the other hand, the control unit 100 controls the satellite detection flag O
If there is no N, and the received radio signal above the exploration level is not detected and is not stopped, the antenna 5 is
A process of starting rotation in the azimuth direction opposite to the direction of eight rotations, and similarly stopping the drive motor 25 at the position when the maximum position is detected by the received radio signal above the search level. Mode (step S6)
6). Therefore, since the high-sensitivity antenna position should be near the original position, the direction of the antenna 5 can be quickly adjusted.

Then, the control unit 100 confirms that the satellite detection flag is ON by the received signal time axis difference process (step S67), and drives the motor 25 by detecting the received radio wave signal at the exploration level or higher, as in the previous confirmation process. If the satellite detection flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S69 to perform the process when the antenna 5 is facing the satellite, and the drive motor is in the middle of rotation. If 25 is stopped, step S
If the satellite tracking flag is turned on and the drive motor 25 is not stopped during rotation while proceeding to 81, the processing for proceeding to step S74 and re-adjusting the orientation of the antenna 5 is performed. I do.

Then, when the control section 100 determines in steps S64 and S67 that the strength of the received radio wave signal is low but the antenna 5 is directed to the vicinity of the satellite, first, the presence or absence of the antenna shake is set to "none". While setting (step S69), 88% of the current maximum signal (intensity) acquired, detected and stored in the previous search processing is set as the search level (step S70). At this time, the reason why the antenna shake is “none” is that extra processing time cannot be taken in the processing while the vehicle is running.

Next, the control unit 100 starts rotating the antenna 5 in the azimuth direction opposite to the rotation direction performed in the immediately preceding search processing, and at the same time, the received radio wave signal having the reset level or higher. When the maximum position is detected at, the processing mode for stopping the drive motor 25 at that position is performed (step S71). Therefore, it is possible to continue the adjustment of the orientation of the antenna 5 while avoiding that the acquisition of the received radio wave signal is delayed and the orientation of the antenna 5 cannot be adjusted because the automobile is running.

After that, the control unit 100 returns the search level to the setting when the vehicle was stopped (step S7).
2), it is confirmed whether the drive motor 25 is stopped during the rotation by detecting the received radio wave signal of the exploration level or more reset in the previous process (step S73), and if it is stopped, the step is performed. Proceed to S81 to perform processing for tracking the satellite.

On the other hand, the control unit 100 cannot detect the received radio wave signal higher than the search level, and the drive motor 25
If is not stopped, the process of assuming a decrease in the strength of the received radio signal due to traveling in the tunnel is repeated, and the process of directing the antenna 5 to the satellite is continued.

More specifically, the control unit 100 waits for 2 seconds set as the waiting time before repeating the same processing (step S74), and then searches for 88% of the recovered search level. The level is changed and set again (step S75). Next, the control unit 100 confirms whether or not the number of tracking searches is less than 100 times which is set in advance in consideration of the passage time of the tunnel (step S7).
6). Then, the control unit 100 determines that the number of tracking searches is 100.
If it is less than the number of times, the number of tracking searches is incremented (“1” is added) and the process returns to step S66 to repeat the same processing.

Further, the control unit 100 determines that the number of tracking searches is 1
If the number of times reaches 00, it is confirmed whether the driving time of the motor required to set the antenna 5 to four elevation angles is calculated and stored in step S4 of the processing while the vehicle is stopped (step S78). ). Then, the control unit 100 returns to step S4 if the motor drive time has not been calculated, while it returns the antenna 5 to the origin when the elevation angle adjustment is started if the motor drive time has been calculated. After the drive motor 35 is driven (step S79), the process returns to step S5 to restart the elevation angle adjustment.

When it is determined in steps S51, S68, and S73 that satellite tracking processing is necessary, the control unit 100 sets the presence / absence of antenna swing to "none" as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The changing process or the overwriting process is performed (step S81), and the fine adjustment mode is reset to "rough" (step S82). After that, the control unit 100 starts only driving the drive motor 25 to rotate the antenna 5 in the azimuth direction at a constant speed (step S83), and adjusts only the azimuth direction while the vehicle is running. Fine adjustment processing for causing the antenna 5 to track the satellite is performed (step S84). Therefore,
It is possible to cause the antenna 5 to track the satellite only by adjusting the azimuth angle without adjusting the elevation angle that does not greatly deviate.

The tracking fine-tuning process at this time is such that when the azimuth of the antenna 5 coincides with the fine-tuning angles that are continuous at the set intervals, the received signal is input and acquired, and thereafter, the vehicle is stopped. Similar to the processing, the received radio wave intensity P2 at the intermediate position among the acquired three received radio wave intensities P1 to P3.
The antenna 5 can be aimed at the satellite with high accuracy by repeating the adjustment of the directivity angle of the antenna 5 so as to have the highest received radio wave intensity (on the top side of the peak waveform of the received radio wave signal). Since this tracking fine adjustment processing is an adjustment while the automobile is running, the orientation of the antenna 5 is adjusted only by the fine adjustment mode "rough".

After that, the control unit 100 inputs and acquires the radio wave signal received by the antenna 5 as in the previous process (step S85). Next, the control unit 100 confirms whether or not the intensity of the acquired received radio wave signal exceeds the effective signal level (step S86), and whether the received radio wave signal exceeds the previously set tracking completion level. Confirmation (step S87) is performed. Then, the control unit 100
Indicates that the received signal strength exceeds both the effective signal level and the tracking completion level (the antenna 5 has received at the minimum reception strength and has recovered to a level exceeding the tracking completion level). Stores and holds the received signal as the maximum signal (strength) (step S88),
Returning to step S32, the same processing is repeated, and the processing for causing the antenna 5 to track the satellite is continued. At this time, since the received radio wave signal exceeds the tracking completion level set to a level lower than the tracking start level, this tracking operation can be completed, and the tracking operation is repeated more than necessary and reception by the antenna 5 is performed. It is possible to avoid becoming unable to stabilize.

Further, when the acquired received radio signal does not exceed the tracking completion level, the control unit 100 performs steps S64 and S6 of the search process during traveling of the automobile.
It is confirmed at 7 whether the satellite detection flag is turned on (step S89). Then, the control unit 100 turns on the satellite detection flag (the signal strength is low but the antenna 5
Is not out of the direction of the peak waveform of the received radio signal)
In this case, the process proceeds to step S88, the received signal is stored and held as the maximum signal as it is, and then the step S88 is performed.
Returning to step 32, the same process is repeated and the process of causing the antenna 5 to track the satellite is continued.

On the other hand, if the acquired received radio wave signal does not exceed the effective signal level, the control unit 100
If the received radio wave signal does not exceed the tracking completion level and the satellite detection flag is not turned on at the same time, the process returns to step S61 to restart the process of searching the satellite again.

Therefore, even while the automobile is running, the direction of the antenna 5 can be quickly and error-free adjusted to the high-sensitivity antenna position only by changing the acquisition angle of the received radio wave intensity by the antenna 5 by tracking fine adjustment processing or the like. it can.

Here, when the control unit 100 inputs and acquires the radio wave signal received by the antenna 5, the control unit 100 shown in FIG.
The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is performed to determine and acquire the received signal strength from a plurality of received radio signals.

First, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 15, the control unit 100 inputs and acquires the received radio wave signal at one azimuth angle and elevation angle of the antenna 5 and performs A / D conversion (step S101). The value is stored and held as Val1 (step S102). After this, the control unit 1
00 is delayed by 10 μsec (step S
103), similarly, again inputting and acquiring the received signal and A / D
The converted converted value is stored and held as Val2 (steps S104 and S105).

After this, the control unit 100 makes the Val1
And Val2 are compared, and the lower value is used as the received radio wave signal.
That is, the control unit 100 outputs Val1 as a reception signal when Val1 is lower than Val2 (steps S106 and S107). In addition, the control unit 10
0 is Val2 when Val2 is less than or equal to Val1.
Is output as a reception signal (steps S106 and S10).
8). Therefore, it is possible to avoid adjusting the direction of the antenna 5 with an erroneous received signal such as noise.

Further, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 16, the control section 100 performs input acquisition of the received radio wave signal by the processing shown in the flow chart of FIG. 15 at one azimuth angle and elevation angle of the antenna 5 (step S11).
1), the received radio signal is stored and held as Tmp0 (step S112). After this, the control unit 100 delays by 10 msec while the vehicle is stopped, or without delay while the vehicle is running (step S11).
3) Similarly, the input of the received radio signal is acquired again (step S114), and the received radio signal is stored and stored as Tmp1 (step S115). Further, similarly, the control unit 100 similarly obtains the input of the received radio signal (step S117) and performs the Tmp of the received signal after the delay process (step S116) according to the stop / run of the vehicle.
The storage and holding as 2 (step S118) is performed.

After that, the control unit 100 determines that these Tmp
0 to Tmp2 are compared and an intermediate value is used as a received radio wave signal. That is, the control unit 100 determines that Tmp1 is Tmp1.
If 0 or more and less than Tmp2 (steps S119 and S1)
20), the Tmp1 is output as a received signal (step S121). Further, the control unit 100 determines that Tmp1 is Tmp0 or more and Tmp2 or more at the same time as Tmp1.
When 0 is less than Tmp2 (steps S119 and S12)
0, S122) or when Tmp1 is less than Tmp0 and at the same time Tmp0 is greater than or equal to Tmp2 (step S11).
9, Tmp2 is output as a reception signal to S123) (step S124). Furthermore, the control unit 100
When Tmp1 is Tmp0 or more and Tmp2 or more and Tmp0 is Tmp2 or more (step S11)
9, S120, S122) or when Tmp1 is less than Tmp0 and Tmp0 is less than Tmp2 (steps S119 and S123), Tmp0 is output as a reception signal (step S125). Therefore, the direction of the antenna 5 can be adjusted by reducing the influence of the variation of the received radio wave intensity by the antenna 5.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the rotary base 20 for rotating the antenna 5 is connected to the slider 30 which gives the antenna 5 an elevation angle. Also,
The slider 30 is rotatably and slidably engaged with a groove 30K in which a pair of rollers 65 of a U-shaped arm 61 that is swingably attached to a block 55 is engraved in the circumferential direction. The slider 30 adjusts the elevation angle of the antenna 5 in conjunction with the vertical movement of the roller 65 of the U-shaped arm 61. Therefore, the frictional force at the engaging portion between the slider 30 and the U-shaped arm 61 does not increase and the smooth operation is not hindered. Further, it is also possible to avoid one-sided contact at the engaging portion and eliminate the need for highly accurate processing. As a result, the elevation angle of the antenna 5 can be comfortably adjusted with a low-cost and simple mechanism.

The azimuth angle and elevation angle of the antenna 5 are
Antenna 5 regardless of the direction and position of the car
Adjust only by the information of the received radio wave signal. Therefore, the orientation sensor and the like can be eliminated. As a result, the azimuth angle and the elevation angle of the antenna 5 can be adjusted with a low cost and a simple mechanism.

At this time, when the directional angle of the antenna 5 is adjusted, the azimuth angle is changed at several temporary elevation angles and the antenna 5 is roughly aimed at the satellite. Start the adjustment. Therefore, the adjustment of the directivity angle of the antenna 5 can be completed in a short time.

When adjusting the directivity angle of the antenna 5, the position of the high-sensitivity antenna is determined using the received radio wave signals at the three positions. Therefore, the antenna 5 can be adjusted to an appropriate pointing direction by a simple process, and the radio waves from the satellite can be received in the optimum state.

[0130]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the elevation angle can be adjusted smoothly, or the azimuth angle can be adjusted during traveling, but the manufacturing cost is low. It is possible to provide a satellite broadcast receiving device having.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a directivity angle adjusting mechanism of a satellite broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a configuration of a directivity angle adjusting mechanism of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration of a directivity angle adjusting mechanism of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining the operation of the elevation angle adjusting mechanism of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a reception control system of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a reception state of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating reception control of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating reception control of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating reception control of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating reception control of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating reception control of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating reception control of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating reception control of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating reception control of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating reception control of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating reception control of the satellite broadcast receiving device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Satellite Broadcasting Receiver 5 Antenna 7 Antenna Frame 9 Converter 10 Base 11 Disk Part 11a Hole 12 Legs 15, 45 Bearing 17 Supporter 20 Rotation Base 20K Sleeve Part 21 Gear 23 Pinion Gear 25, 35 Drive Motor 26, 36
Speed reducer 30 Slider 30K Groove 31 Cam 33 Pin 39 Limit switch 40 Bracket 46 Protective tube 47 Cable 50 Elevation angle adjusting mechanism 51 Leg portion 53 Spindle 55 Block 57 Connecting arm 57a Long hole 61 U-shaped arm 62 Base end portion 63 Fork portion 64 Screw 100 Control unit 103 C
PU 104 memory 200 B
S tuner 300 DC power supply

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-6-97721 (JP, A) JP-A-11-46110 (JP, A) JP-A-8-162833 (JP, A) JP-A-7- 38323 (JP, A) JP 10-145128 (JP, A) JP 6-177792 (JP, A) Patent 3207191 (JP, B2) Patent 2561349 (JP, B2) Patent 2586385 (JP, B2) Kohei 5-84681 (JP, B2) Japanese Patent Kohei 7-70900 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01Q 3/02-3/08

Claims (17)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A antenna, a satellite broadcast receiving apparatus having an azimuth angle adjusting mechanism for changing the azimuth angle of the antenna, the elevation angle adjusting mechanism for changing the elevation angle of the antenna, and the azimuth adjusting mechanism and the elevation angle An adjusting mechanism includes a rotating base that supports and rotates the antenna, and a slider that rotates together with the rotating base and slides up and down with respect to the base to give an elevation angle to the antenna. A ring-shaped engaging portion is provided on the slider, and a plurality of engaging elements, which are rotatable and slidable with respect to the engaging portion and are distributed in the circumferential direction, do not rotate together with the rotating base. The satellite broadcast receiving apparatus, wherein the slider is moved up and down by moving the engaging element up and down. 2. The plurality of engaging elements are mounted on a single arm, and the arm is rotatable about an axis intersecting a vertical movement axis of the slider. Item 1. A satellite broadcast receiving device according to item 1. 3. An antenna, an azimuth angle adjusting mechanism for changing the azimuth angle of the antenna, an elevation angle adjusting mechanism for changing the elevation angle of the antenna, and a high sensitivity for detecting a radio wave received by the antenna to detect a highly sensitive antenna position. An antenna position detecting means, which is mounted on a mobile body and is a satellite broadcast receiving device, wherein the high-sensitivity antenna position detecting means is the antenna.
While changing the position angle and elevation angle (both are collectively referred to as directivity angle)
When performing detection of received radio waves,
Acquires the received signal strength at three consecutive angles
The intermediate positions of the three directivity angles and the intermediate position
Receiving a difference of the radio wave intensity, those wherein three oriented between the front position
Reception between an intermediate position of a corner and a rear position relative to the intermediate position
Calculate the difference in radio field intensity, and the obtained difference is greater than or equal to a specified value
The antenna is in the high sensitivity antenna position when
A satellite broadcast receiving device characterized by detecting the following . 4. A plurality of provisional elevation angles are preset in an adjusting operation of an azimuth angle and an elevation angle (both are collectively referred to as a directivity angle) of the antenna, and when the elevation angle of the antenna needs to be adjusted, 4. The satellite broadcast reception according to claim 3, wherein the primary directivity angle adjustment of the antenna is performed by sequentially performing detection of received radio waves when the azimuth angle by the antenna is changed for each temporary elevation angle. apparatus. 5. When the azimuth angle of the antenna is changed in a state where the elevation angle of the antenna is set to any one of the provisional elevation angles, the high-sensitivity antenna position detecting means determines from the waveform of the received radio wave intensity of the antenna The satellite broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the intervals between the provisional elevation angles are set so that the positions of the high-sensitivity antennas can be detected . 6. When detecting a high-sensitivity antenna position of a predetermined level or more when changing the azimuth angle of the antenna at the one provisional elevation angle, skip detection at the next provisional elevation angle. The satellite broadcast receiving device according to claim 4 or 5. 7. A secondary directivity angle for finely adjusting the orientation of the antenna by detecting a further highly sensitive antenna position from the waveform of the received radio wave intensity of the antenna after the primary directivity angle adjustment of the antenna. The satellite broadcast receiving device according to claim 4, wherein adjustment is performed. 8. In the secondary directional angle adjustment of the antenna, the received radio field intensity is acquired while rotating the antenna toward the high-sensitivity antenna position detected by the primary directional angle adjustment of the antenna. , When the obtained received radio field intensity reaches a value near the maximum value of the received radio field intensity in the primary directivity angle adjustment, the rotation of the antenna is stopped, and then the antenna is rotated in the opposite direction to receive the radio wave. The satellite broadcast receiving device according to claim 7, wherein a waveform of intensity is acquired, and the position of the highly sensitive antenna is detected from this waveform. 9. In the primary directivity angle adjustment of the antenna, the front position, the middle position, and the rear position of the three directivity angles are the front skirt, the top, and the rear skirt of the peak waveform of the received radio wave intensity. claim 4 8 of the spacing of substantially compatible in the three directional angle, respectively, characterized in that it is set to
Satellite broadcasting receiving apparatus according to. 10. In the secondary directional angle adjustment of the antenna, the intervals of the three directional angles are from the skirt to the top of the peak waveform of the received radio wave intensity from the front position to the rear position of the three directional angles. The satellite broadcast receiving device according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the satellite broadcast receiving device is set to fall within the range. 11. In the secondary directional angle adjustment of the antenna, the intervals of the three directional angles are changed from a wide angle to a narrow angle, and the secondary directional angle adjustment is repeated. The satellite broadcast receiving device according to claim 10 . 12. When the moving body is stopped, the antenna is stopped for each directivity angle to acquire the received radio field intensity to perform one or both of azimuth angle adjustment and elevation angle adjustment. satellite according to any one of claims 3, characterized in that to track the satellite to obtain the received signal strength to the antenna performs only the azimuth angle adjustment without stopping the antenna for each directional angle 11 apparatus. 13. The time for delaying the start of the antenna directional angle adjustment is set in advance, and when it becomes necessary to adjust the directional angle of the antenna,
Claims 3, characterized in that to check the necessity of orientation angle adjusting again the antenna after lapse of the delay time 12
The satellite broadcast receiving device according to any one of 1. 14. When it is necessary to adjust the azimuth angle of the antenna during movement of the moving body, the antenna is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by a preset angle. Adjust the azimuth angle of the antenna to the high-sensitivity antenna position, and when the azimuth angle of the antenna cannot be changed to the high-sensitivity antenna position by rotation in the one direction, move the antenna in the opposite direction. satellite receiver according to any one of the rotate the azimuth of the antenna from claim 3, characterized in that the azimuth angle adjustment for the highly sensitive antenna position 13 of the. 15. The threshold value for adjustment end is set to a value smaller than the threshold value for adjustment start as the threshold value of the received radio wave intensity for judging the start and end of the antenna directional angle adjustment. Item 15. The satellite broadcast receiving device according to any one of Items 3 to 14 . 16. RSSI of the antenna, according to claim 3 in which the received signal strength measured twice consecutively, and acquires employing low intensity side of which the measure
16. The satellite broadcast receiving device according to any one of 1 to 15 . 17. RSSI of the antenna 1 the received signal strength to obtain three consecutive claim 3, wherein the use of intermediate strength of which as a representative value
6. The satellite broadcast receiving device according to any one of 6 .