JPH05129981A - Radio communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the power consumption by controlling transmission power to a proper value corresponding to the communication state. CONSTITUTION:The communication equipment is provided with a tone signal generating section 14 to generate a reception state signal representing the reception state of a high frequency signal from the result of reception of the high frequency signal sent from a communication opposite party and with a modulation section 13 to superimpose the reception state signal generated thereby onto a transmission signal. Moreover, transmission power control in response to the reception state signal is attained by realizing a control means to increase/ decrease the transmission power with a control section 113 in a function way based on the reception state signal included in the high frequency signal sent from the communication opposite party.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radio communication device, and further to a transmission power control technique for the radio device, for example, a technique effective when applied to a mobile radio communication device using a battery as a power source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A mobile radio communication device includes a transmission system for transmitting a high frequency signal to a communication partner and a reception system for receiving a high frequency signal sent from the communication partner, and a battery. Most of them can be operated by. In this way, when using the battery as the power source,
It is extremely important to extend the operation time by suppressing the power consumption of the wireless communication device as much as possible. Generally, the power consumption of a wireless communication device and the transmission power are in a close relationship, and the higher the transmission power, the higher the power consumption.
Therefore, in order to extend the operating time of the wireless communication device, it is desirable to communicate with the minimum required transmission power. As for the transmission power of wireless communication devices, most of those with very low power specifications are fixed, but most of the devices capable of high power output to some extent can adjust the transmission power stepwise. There is. The adjustment of the transmission power of such a device can be performed by operating a switch provided in the device, and normally the switch operation is left to an operator.

As an example of a document describing a wireless communication device, there is JP-A-62-104228.

[0004]

According to the above-mentioned prior art, since the transmission power is manually switched, it is often the case that the transmission power is set unnecessarily even in the case of short-distance communication. It has been found by the present inventor that there is a problem that the use time of the mobile wireless communication device becomes extremely short due to the above.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing power consumption by controlling transmission power to an appropriate value in response to a communication state.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0007]

The outline of a typical one of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.

That is, the signal generation means for generating a reception state signal indicating the reception state of the high frequency signal from the reception result of the high frequency signal sent from the communication partner, and the reception state generated by this signal generation means. A signal transmission control means for superimposing a signal on a transmission signal output from the transmission system, and further, transmission from the transmission system based on a reception state signal included in a high frequency signal transmitted from the communication partner. A control means for increasing or decreasing the electric power is provided.

[0009]

According to the above-mentioned means, the control means controls the transmission power according to the reception state signal transmitted from the communication partner, which eliminates the radio communication with the transmission power more than necessary, Achieve optimization of transmission power and power consumption.

[0010]

FIG. 1 shows a mobile radio communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile radio communication device shown in the figure is not particularly limited, but it uses a battery as a power source and is roughly classified into a transmission section 111, a reception section 112 and a control section 11.
It consists of three.

The transmitting unit 111 includes a microphone 11 for converting voice into an electric signal and a voice amplifying unit 12 for amplifying the voice signal.
A tone signal generator 14 that generates tone signals of several frequencies as a reception state signal indicating the reception state of the high frequency signal from the reception result of the high frequency signal sent from the communication partner; A modulator 13 for modulating a high-frequency signal by the output, the tone signal output from the tone signal generator 14, and the like, and the modulator 13
A power amplifier 15 for amplifying a weak high-frequency signal output from the antenna, and a power detector 16 for detecting the SWR (standing wave ratio) of the antenna 114 and the output power. Reference numeral 7 denotes a duplexer 17, which separates a transmission signal and a reception signal and switches transmission / reception according to an instruction from the control unit 113.

The receiving section 112 includes a duplexer 17
RF that selectively amplifies the high-frequency received signal separated by
(Radio frequency) amplifier 18, demodulator 19 for demodulating the high frequency signal amplified by amplifier 18 into a voice band or digital data, and a tone signal included in the signal demodulated by demodulator 19 is detected. The tone signal detection unit 20 and the audio amplification unit 21 for driving the speaker 22 by amplifying the weak signal output from the demodulation unit 19 are included.

The control unit 113 has a function of increasing or decreasing the transmission power from the transmission system based on the reception state signal included in the high frequency signal sent from the communication partner, and is not particularly limited, but is a central processing unit. CPU2 which is a device
3, a keyboard 24 for inputting transmission mode settings, frequency settings, etc., a memory 25 for storing programs executed by the CPU 23 and key input information of the keyboard 23, and a timer for managing time such as transmission time. 26, and a display unit 27 for displaying various information such as transmission / reception frequency and transmission power. The CPU 23 is
After the power is turned on, a program stored in the memory 25 is executed to enable display on the display unit 27 and key input from the keyboard 24, and controls the operation of each unit of the communication device.
Note that data transfer between the CPU and the memory 25 keyboard 24 is performed via the data bus 102.

The transmission mode (normal transmission and transmission power control mode by tone signal) and the initial transmission power value are preset as defaults in the program of the memory 25, but after the power is turned on, key operation from the keyboard 24 is performed. Can be changed easily.

Next, a method of controlling the transmission power by the tone signal in the apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the frequency Fto of the tone signal with respect to the output request of the transmission power, and FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the transmission power control by the tone signal in the simplex transmission system.

First, when data is transmitted from the correspondent 1 to the correspondent 2 (step 201), the correspondent 2 determines that the correspondent 1
Received the high frequency signal of (step 211), and CP
U23 is an AGC (automatic gain control) voltage V1 of the RF amplifier 18 output from the demodulator 19 of the communication device of the correspondent 2.
(103 in FIG. 1) is analyzed (step 212) and compared with a preset reference voltage Vref (step 2).
13). In this comparison, if Vref is larger than V1 (Vref> V1), in other words, if the reception strength is sufficiently strong, a request is made to reduce the transmission power of the other party, so that the next transmission is performed. The frequency Fto of the tone signal to be transmitted is set to 90 Hz (step 21).
4).

When Vref≈V1, that is, when the reception strength is appropriate and the current state of the transmission power of the other party is required to be maintained, the frequency Fto of the tone signal to be transmitted at the next transmission is set to 85 Hz (step). 215).

When Vref <V1, that is, when the reception strength is weak and thus it is necessary to increase the transmission power of the other party, the frequency Fto of the tone signal to be transmitted next time is set to 80 Hz. (Step 21
6). The analysis result is stored in the memory 25, and the data of the correspondent 1 is received in parallel with the execution of the above steps.

Next, the data transmission of the correspondent 1 is finished (step 202), and this time, the data transmission from the correspondent 2 to the correspondent 1 is started.

The communication device of the correspondent 1 outputs the signal of the previously set tone frequency from the tone signal generator 14 and transmits it (step 218). Next, the correspondent 1 receives the tone signal transmitted from the correspondent 2 (step 203). The tone signal demodulated by the demodulation unit 19 of the communication device of the correspondent 1 is detected by the tone signal detection unit 20, and the frequency of the signal is output to the CPU 23. CP
The U23 associates the tone frequency with the transmission power request item of the other party and stores the result in the memory 25 (step 205). Specifically, when Fto = 90 Hz, it is determined that the power is down (step 206), and Fto = 85.
In the case of Hz, it is judged that the current state is maintained (step 207), and F
When to = 80 Hz, it is determined that the power is up (step 208). The output power setting of the power amplification unit 16 is changed in the transmission unit 3 on the side of the correspondent 1 based on the analysis result (step 209).

While the power of the transmitter 3 of the correspondent 1 is being set, the transmission data of the correspondent 2 is received, and the reception intensity of the correspondent 2 is analyzed in the same manner as the correspondent 2 in the phase 1. Be seen. Next, when the data transmission of the correspondent 2 is completed (step 219), the data transmission of the correspondent 1 is started (step 210). At the start of the transmission, the transmission power request of the correspondent 2 analyzed last time is output by the tone signal. The transmission in this case is performed by the newly set transmission power, and the reception intensity of the correspondent 1 is again analyzed on the side of the correspondent 2. After phase 2, such an operation is repeatedly executed.

FIG. 6 shows an example of transition of the transmission power of the correspondent 1 according to the flowchart of FIG. In this example, a case where short-range communication is performed is shown. The transmission power is set to the maximum value of 3 at the start of communication, but the transmission power is changed to the minimum value of 1 every time the steps of transmission 2 and transmission 3 are performed. Therefore, the transmission power in the case of short-distance communication is reduced, so that the power consumption is reduced and the utilization time of the communication device is increased.

FIG. 7 shows a transition when requests of the same content are consecutive. This state is the RF amplification unit 1 of the reception unit.
8 or the failure of the demodulation unit 19 causes the AGC signal (10 in FIG. 1).
This may occur when an abnormality occurs in 3).

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart for the abnormality of FIG. First, after turning on the power (step 71),
In the mode setting, the CPU 23 sets the number N of times when a request of the same content continues, by the key input instruction of the memory 25 or the keyboard 24 (step 72). When the transmission power request is received from the other side after the transmission is started and the power-up is requested, Fto (n + 1) = 80 is input. Here, in Fto (n + 1), the number of transmission requests is n +
The frequency of the first tone signal is set (step 7).
4). When Fto (n + 1) = Fto (n),
That is, when the previously received tone frequency matches the currently received tone frequency, Nfo is incremented by 1 (step 76). If the tone frequencies do not match, Nfo is cleared (step 77). When this operation is repeated and Nfo becomes N or more, a warning message is displayed on the display unit 27 (steps 78, 7).
9). When it is determined to cancel the transmission power request mode, the mode is canceled and the normal transmission is resumed (steps 80 and 81). By repeating this, abnormal power consumption due to a failure of the receiving unit 112 is prevented.

FIG. 9 shows a transition when the power control of the transmission unit 111 is disabled. Although the power down request from the other party is recognized after the nth transmission, and the CPU 1 sets the transmission power setting to 2, the power detection unit 16
When the detection result from is transmission power 3, the display unit 27
A warning message will be displayed on and the next transmission will be stopped. As a result, it is possible to prevent abnormal power consumption due to a failure of the transmitting unit 111 of its own.

4 and 5 show specific examples of the transmission power control method of the transmission section 111.

Shown in FIG. 4 is a dual gate MO.
The ALC signal 101 is applied to the gate input on one side of the SFET 201.
Is a circuit configuration that enables control of the transmission power by inputting. FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration in which the transmission power can be controlled by controlling the power supply voltage of the power amplification section 15. Figure 5
In, a voltage control unit 31 for controlling the power supply voltage VCC supplied to the power amplification unit 15 is provided, and the power supply voltage VCC is controlled thereby. That is, the CPU 23 fetches the transmission power request via the data bus 102 and analyzes it to set the transmission power value in the power detection unit 16. The power detection unit 16 gives a command to the voltage control unit 31 so that the transmission power becomes as requested while detecting the transmission power, and the voltage control unit 31 thereby controls the transmission power.

According to the above embodiment, the following operational effects are obtained.

(1) A tone signal generator 14 for generating a reception status signal indicating the reception status of the high frequency signal from the reception result of the high frequency signal sent from the communication partner,
A modulation unit 13 for superimposing the reception status signal generated by the tone signal generation unit 14 on the transmission signal is provided, and the transmission power is adjusted based on the reception status signal included in the high frequency signal transmitted from the communication partner. By functionally implementing the control means for increasing / decreasing by the control unit 113, in communication using such a wireless communication device, transmission power control can be performed according to a reception state signal transmitted from a communication partner. As a result, radio communication with unnecessary transmission power is eliminated, and optimization of transmission power and power consumption is achieved.

(2) By using the reception state signal as a tone signal and assigning the frequency of the signal to the request for increasing the transmission power, maintaining the current status, or decreasing the transmission power, the signal content can be easily discriminated on the receiving side. ..

(3) Abnormal power consumption due to a failure of the receiving unit 111 can be prevented by counting the content and the number of times of the transmission request, and further, the transmission power setting of itself and the detection result from the power detection unit 16 are performed. It is possible to prevent abnormal power consumption due to a failure of its own transmitting unit by collating with.

The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto and needless to say, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Yes.

For example, in the above embodiment, the case of the simplex communication system has been described, but in the case of the duplex system, the transmission power of the other party can be controlled as in the case of the above embodiment. Since the duplex method is full-duplex communication in which transmission and reception are performed at the same time, during transmission, mutual signal strength or transmission power power increase / decrease requests are sequentially output. Therefore, detailed transmission power control can be performed with each other. In addition, the tone signal in the above embodiment is used as a DTM which is often used in telephones and the like.
It can also be an F (dual tone multi frequency) signal. Further, in the above embodiment, the tone signals requesting the transmission power of the other party are distinguished by frequency.
You may make it distinguish the request | requirement of increase of transmission power, the present condition maintenance, and reduction by the burst pattern of a tone. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the receiving side can identify the increase of the transmission power, the maintenance of the current status, and the decrease of the transmission power according to the combination pattern of the period in which the tone signal is output and the period in which the tone signal is stopped with the frequency kept constant.

In the above description, the case where the invention made by the present inventor is mainly applied to the mobile radio communication device which is the background field of application has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It can also be applied to a fixed wireless communication device.

The present invention can be applied on condition that at least a transmission system for transmitting a high frequency signal and a reception system for receiving a high frequency signal sent from a communication partner are included.

[0038]

The effects obtained by the typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.

That is, by controlling the control means, the transmission power control is performed according to the reception status signal transmitted from the communication partner, whereby wireless communication with unnecessary transmission power is eliminated, so that the transmission power and Optimization of power consumption is achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of transmission power control based on a tone signal.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of transmission power control by a tone signal.

FIG. 4 is a specific circuit diagram of a transmission power control system.

FIG. 5 is another specific circuit diagram of transmission power control.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of state transition due to transmission power control.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of transition of transmission power in case of failure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation in an abnormal state.

FIG. 9 is a state transition explanatory diagram when power control of a transmission unit is disabled.

FIG. 10 is an example waveform diagram when a tone burst signal is used for transmission power control.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 reception section 3 control section 13 modulation section 14 tone signal generation section 15 power amplification section 16 power detection section 17 power duplexer 18 RF amplification section 19 demodulation section 20 tone signal detection section 23 CPU 24 keyboard 25 memory 27 display section 111 transmission section 112 reception Section 113 control section 114 antenna

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A wireless communication device including a transmission system for transmitting a high frequency signal to a communication partner and a receiving system for receiving a high frequency signal sent from the communication partner, the wireless communication device transmitting from the communication partner. From the reception result of the received high frequency signal, a signal generation means for generating a reception state signal indicating the reception state of the high frequency signal, and a reception state signal generated by this signal generation means are output from the transmission system. Signal transmission control means for superimposing on a transmission signal,
A wireless communication device comprising: a control unit for adjusting transmission power from the transmission system based on a reception state signal included in a high frequency signal sent from the communication partner. 2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the reception status signal is a tone signal. 3. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the tone signal is a tone burst signal that enables a request for increase, a current state maintenance, and a reduction in transmission power to be identified by a tone burst pattern. 4. The wireless communication device according to claim 2, wherein the tone signal is a DTMF signal that enables a request for increase in transmission power, a request for maintaining the current status, and a request for decrease to be identified by a combination of frequencies.