KR100915205B1 - RF Repeater including communication modem and Operation Method of the RF Repeater - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a wireless repeater having a communication modem and a method of operating the wireless repeater. Wireless repeater of the present invention is a mobile communication wireless repeater having a modem for controlling and monitoring the operation of the wireless repeater through the communication with the base station, the first antenna for transmitting and receiving a radio signal with the base station; A second antenna for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal with the terminal; A downlink signal processor for amplifying a first signal received through the first antenna; An uplink signal processor configured to amplify a second signal received through the second antenna; A detector for detecting a level of a first downlink signal (one signal on a downlink path of a wireless repeater); A controller configured to generate a first selection signal based on the detected level; And a first switch configured to provide one of an input signal of the downlink signal processor and an output signal of the downlink signal processor as an input signal of the modem in response to the first selection signal. Automatic switching / modification of the output signal ensures that the modem's input / output signals remain in good condition.

Description

Wireless repeater having a communication modem and an operation method of the wireless repeater {RF Repeater including communication modem and Operation Method of the RF Repeater}

The present invention relates to a wireless repeater for mobile communication, and more particularly, to a wireless repeater having a modem for controlling and monitoring the operation of the wireless repeater through communication with a base station and a method of operating the wireless repeater.

In general, a repeater is a device that enables a mobile communication service by providing a good signal in an area where a radio wave is weak or unreachable between a base station and a terminal.

For example, the repeater is located between the base station and the terminal to convert the weak signal generated from the base station into a good signal to transmit to the terminal (hereinafter referred to as 'forward transmission' or 'downward transmission'), or weak generated from the terminal A signal may be converted into a good signal and transmitted to a base station (hereinafter referred to as 'reverse transmission' or 'uplink transmission').

Therefore, repeaters are installed and operated in service-vulnerable areas where radio waves do not reach in underground spaces and apartment complexes, large buildings, hills, basements, etc., which are blind spots of radio waves in urban areas. In addition, in order to provide high quality mobile communication services at low cost in areas such as highways, national roads, open areas and mountain barriers where traffic is low but coverage is important, repeaters are installed instead of base stations, which are expensive to install and maintain. It is operating.

However, when any one of the above-described repeater is installed, there is a problem that users in the area of the repeater do not receive the service. Therefore, efficient management and control of repeaters is important.

Typically, a repeater embeds a communications modem to manage the repeater. Typically, the modem embedded in the repeater communicates with the base station to report the repeater status and receives signals for managing / controlling the repeater. That is, it is possible to efficiently manage the repeater by obtaining the state information of the repeater through the repeater modem and transmitting a control signal (or command) for controlling and managing the repeater to the repeater.

Therefore, in order to properly monitor the condition of the repeater and control and manage the repeater, the input / output signal of the repeater modem should be good. A weak or faulty signal to / from the repeater modem may cause relay status information to not be properly transmitted or control signals to the repeater.

Accordingly, a technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to automatically change or switch the input / output signal path of the modem so that the modem can perform its normal function by maintaining the input / output signal of the wireless repeater management modem in a good state. It is to provide a wireless repeater and a method of operating the same.

The wireless repeater for achieving the technical problem is a wireless repeater for a mobile communication having a modem for controlling and monitoring the operation of the wireless repeater through communication with a base station, a first antenna for transmitting and receiving a radio signal with the base station; A second antenna for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal with the terminal; A downlink signal processor for amplifying a first signal received through the first antenna; An uplink signal processor configured to amplify a second signal received through the second antenna; A detector detecting a level of the first downlink signal; A controller configured to generate a first selection signal based on the detected level; And a first switch configured to provide one of an input signal of the downlink signal processor and an output signal of the downlink signal processor as an input signal of the modem in response to the first selection signal.

The wireless repeater may include a first coupler for distributing the first signal to the first uplink signal processor and the first switch; And a second coupler coupling the output signal of the downlink signal processor to the first switch.

The detector converts the first downlink signal into a digital signal, and measures the channel power of the converted digital signal, and the controller outputs the downlink signal processor when the channel power measured by the detector is equal to or less than a preset reference value. The first switch may be controlled such that a signal becomes the modem input signal.

The detector may further generate a second selection signal based on the detected level, and the wireless repeater may switch the output signal of the modem to be input to the uplink signal processor or in response to the second selection signal. The display device may further include a second switch configured to switch to merge with an output signal of the signal processor.

The wireless repeater operating method for achieving the technical problem relates to a method of operating a wireless repeater for a mobile communication having a modem for controlling and monitoring the operation of the wireless repeater through communication with the base station, and transmits and receives a radio signal with the base station Receiving a first signal via a first antenna for transmitting; Amplifying and outputting the first signal by a downlink signal processor; Detecting a level of the first downlink signal; Based on the detected level, generating a first selection signal; Providing one of an input signal of the downlink signal processor and an output signal of the downlink signal processor as an input signal of the modem in response to the first selection signal; And the modem receiving the modem input signal and interpreting the received signal.

The first downlink signal is a signal on a downlink path of the wireless repeater and may be an input signal or an output signal of one component constituting the downlink signal processor.

According to the present invention, the input / output signal of the modem can be maintained in a good state by detecting a signal received through the donor antenna and automatically switching / modifying the modem input signal and / or the modem output signal. As a result, the modem input signal and / or the modem output signal may be weak so that the modem may not function properly or the communication with the base station may be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to better understand the drawings cited in the detailed description of the invention, a brief description of each drawing is provided.

1 is a configuration block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a management system of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of a wireless repeater according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the amplification processing unit shown in FIG.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a modem operating method of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram of a wireless repeater according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

1 is a configuration block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a management system of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless repeater management system includes a base station 12 for supporting a mobile communication service, a wireless repeater 20 for wirelessly receiving a signal from the base station 12, and a wireless repeater ( 20 and a modem 23 for transmitting status information of the wireless repeater 20 and the state of the wireless repeater 20 receiving the relay status information transmitted from the modem 23 through the mobile communication network 10. And a repeater management server 14 for transmitting a control signal for controlling the wireless repeater 20 to the modem 230 of the corresponding wireless repeater 20 through the mobile communication network 10.

The repeater modem 23 may perform a message (short message and / or multimedia message) transmission / reception function, a function for transmitting / receiving packet data, and a call processing function as a mobile communication terminal, and an identifier (telephone) for identifying the repeater modem. Number and / or ESN, etc.). The repeater modem 23 also functions as an interface with other components of the repeater (eg, the control unit) to monitor the status of the repeater and to control and manage the repeater. When the repeater modem 23 generates and transmits the repeater status information as a short message, it is received by the SMS server 13 and when the status information of the wireless repeater 20 is transmitted to the repeater management server through the mobile communication network 10 ( By transmitting to 14), the repeater management server 14 may analyze the state of the radio repeater 20 and take appropriate measures when necessary.

2 is a block diagram of a wireless repeater according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the amplification processing unit shown in FIG.

2 and 3, the wireless repeater 20 includes first and second antennas 31 and 32, a controller 21, a detector 22, a modem 23, a switch 24, and an amplification processor ( 25), first and second couplers 26, 27.

The first antenna 31 is an antenna for transmitting and receiving a radio signal with a base station (not shown), may also be referred to as a donor antenna. A first signal (or a downlink signal) received through the first antenna 31 is input to the detector 22 and the first coupler 26 through the first port 33.

The detector 22 detects the level of the first downlink signal and provides the detected signal level information to the controller 21. The first downlink signal is a signal on a down path (forward path, ie, a path from the base station to the terminal) of the repeater, and may be an output signal or an input signal of one component of the downlink signal processor 40 of the amplification processor 25. . The control unit 21 generates a selection signal CON1 for controlling the switch 24 based on the signal level information detected by the detection unit 22.

In response to the selection signal CON1, the switch 24 is a signal IS1 before being input to the downlink signal processing unit 40 of the amplification processing unit 25, that is, a signal not amplified by the downlink signal processing unit 40 ( The IS1 is provided as the modem input signal IS, or the output signal IS2 amplified by the downlink signal processing section 40 of the amplification processing section 25 is provided as the modem input signal IS. The structure and operation of the amplification processing unit 25 will be described later.

For example, the detector 22 detects the level of the first downlink signal, and sets the flag signal to "1" when the detected signal level is below or below a preset reference value (for example, -80 dbm or -60dbm). It can output to (21). On the other hand, when the level of the first downlink signal exceeds or exceeds the preset reference value (eg, -80 dbm or -60dbm), the detector 22 may set the flag signal to "0" and output the flag signal to the controller 21. have. As shown in FIG. 3, when the first downlink signal is the output signal of the first low noise amplifier 42, the reference value may be preset to −60 dbm, and unlike the first downlink signal illustrated in FIG. In the case of the input signal of the first low noise amplifier 42, that is, the output signal of the first bandpass filter 41, the reference value may be preset to −80 dbm. However, the first downlink signal is not limited to the output signal of the first low noise amplifier 42 or the output signal of the first bandpass filter 41, but is an output signal or an input of another component of the downlink signal processor 40. May be a signal.

In this case, the controller 21 may generate the control signal CON1 in response to the flag signal output from the detector 22. For example, when the flag signal is "1", the controller 21 controls the switch 24 so that the output signal IS2 of the downlink signal processor 40 is provided as the modem input signal IS, and the flag signal is "". In case of “0”, the switch 24 may be controlled such that the input signal IS1 of the downlink signal processor 40 is provided as the modem input signal IS. Here, the output signal IS2 of the downlink signal processor 40 may be a signal for coupling the signal output from the downlink signal processor 40 by the second coupler 27, and an input signal of the downlink signal processor 40. IS1 may be a signal for coupling the signal input through the first port 33 by the first coupler 26.

That is, the first coupler 26 distributes the downlink signal input through the first port 33 to the amplification processor 25 and the switch 24, and the second coupler 27 of the downlink signal processor 40. The output signal can be coupled and provided to the switch 24.

The detector 22 may measure the channel power of the first downlink signal through spectral analysis of the first downlink signal. For spectral analysis of the first downlink signal, the detector 22 may convert the first downlink signal into a digital signal, and also convert the digital signal into a fast fourier transform (FFT).

When the detector 22 measures the channel power as the level of the first downlink signal, the detector 22 determines that the measured channel power is within a predetermined range (eg, between -105 dbm and -80 dbm or between -85 dbm and By setting the flag signal to " 1 " and outputting to the control unit 21 when the reference signal is between -60 dbm or less than a preset reference value (for example, -80 dbm or -60 dbm), the control unit 21 controls the switch 24. Allows for automatic switching of modem input signals.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the amplification processor 25 includes a downlink signal processor 40 and an uplink signal processor 50. The downlink signal processor 40 includes a first bandpass filter 41 for bandpass filtering the downlink signal received through the first antenna 31, a first low noise amplifier 42 for low noise amplifying the bandpass filtered signal, A first amplifier 43 for amplifying the output signal of the first low noise amplifier 42, by mixing the output signal of the first amplifier 43 with a predetermined reference frequency signal of the first low noise amplifier 42 A first mixer 44 for converting the frequency of the output signal, a first saw filter 45 for bandpass filtering the output signal of the first mixer 44, and a first saw filter 45. And a second bandpass filter 47 for bandpass filtering the output signal of the second amplifier 46.

Similarly to the downlink signal processor 40, the uplink signal processor 50 also uses a third bandpass filter 51 for bandpass filtering a second signal (or an uplink signal) received through the second antenna 33. A second low noise amplifier 52 for low noise amplifying the bandpass filtered signal, a third amplifier 53 for amplifying the output signal of the second low noise amplifier 52, and an output signal of the third amplifier 53. A second mixer 54 for converting the frequency of the output signal of the second low noise amplifier 52 by mixing with a predetermined reference frequency signal, and a second band-pass filtering the output signal of the second mixer 54. Fourth amplifier 56 for amplifying the output signal of the SAW filter 55, the second SAW filter 55, and a fourth band for bandpass filtering the output signal of the fourth amplifier 56. And a pass filter 57.

Of course, the components of the wireless repeater 20 may be added or subtracted or changed depending on the embodiment, or the connection relationship between the components may vary. For example, although not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wireless repeater 20 may include a local oscillator for generating reference frequency signals (eg, local oscillation signals) input to the first and second mixers 44 and 54; An interference cancellation module for canceling an interference signal inputted through one antenna (eg, the first antenna 31) directly or reflected and fed back to another antenna (eg, the second antenna 32). This may be further included.

In addition, as described above, the position where the first downlink signal is output may also vary. Of course, the preset reference value may also vary according to the output position of the first downlink signal.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 to 4, a wireless repeater operating method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, a first signal is received through a donor antenna (first antenna) 31 (S10), a level of the received first signal is detected (S20), and the detected signal level is compared with a preset reference level ( S30). If the signal level detected as a result of the comparison is greater than or equal to the reference level, the first signal received from the base station is in a good state, and thus a repeater input signal (that is, the input signal of the downlink signal processor) is provided as a modem input signal (S40). Since the first signal received from the base station is not in a good state, a repeater output signal (that is, a signal in which the first signal is amplified by the downlink signal processor) is provided as a modem input signal (S50).

The modem 23 may receive the modem input signal, analyze and interpret the received signal, and provide the analyzed / interpreted information to the controller 21. Then, the controller 21 may control the wireless repeater 20 based on the information provided from the modem 23, or transmit a result of controlling or monitoring the wireless repeater 20 to the base station through the modem 23.

5 is a block diagram of a wireless repeater according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The wireless repeater 21 ′ shown in FIG. 5 includes first and second antennas 31 and 32, a controller 21, a detector 22, a modem 23, an amplification processor 25, and a switch 61. And third and fourth couplers 62 and 63. The wireless repeater 21 shown in FIG. 2 has a configuration for automatically switching the modem input signal, while the wireless repeater 21 'shown in FIG. 5 has a configuration for automatically switching the modem output signal, The configuration and operation are similar to the configuration and operation of the wireless repeater 21 shown in FIG. Therefore, in order to avoid duplication of description, overlapping description in configuration and operation is omitted.

The controller 21 generates a second selection signal CON2 for controlling the switch 61 based on the signal level information detected by the detector 22.

The switch 61 switches the output signal OS of the modem 23 to be input to the upstream signal processing unit 50 of the amplification processing unit 25 in response to the second selection signal CON2 or the upstream signal processing unit. Switch to match the output signal of 50.

When the output signal OS of the modem 23 is combined with the output signal of the upstream signal processor 50, the third coupler 62 is the modem output signal OS1 and the upstream signal output from the switch 61. By adding the output signals of the processing unit 50, a signal in which the modem output signal not amplified by the uplink signal processing unit 50 and the uplink signal amplified by the uplink signal processing unit 50 are combined through the first port 33. To be transmitted to the first antenna 31.

The fourth coupler 63 outputs the modem output signal OS2 output from the switch 61 when the output signal OS of the modem 23 is input to the upstream signal processor 50 of the amplification processor 25. ) And the second signal received through the second port 34 are summed and provided to the uplink signal processor 50 of the amplification processor 25 so that both the modem output signal and the uplink signal are amplified by the uplink signal processor 50. Be sure to

Of course, the components necessary for automatically switching the modem input signal shown in FIG. 2 and the components necessary for automatically switching the modem output signal shown in FIG. 5 may be implemented in one wireless repeater.

In this case, the controller 21 may generate the first and second selection signals CON1 and CON2 for controlling the switches 24 and 61 based on the signal level information detected by the detector 22. have.

For example, when the signal level detected by the sensing unit 22 is equal to or less than a preset reference value, the base station and the relay period wireless environment may be poor. In this case, the controller 21 may control the switches 24 and 61 such that both the modem input signal IS and the modem output signal OS may be amplified by the amplification processing unit 25. In addition, when the signal level detected by the sensing unit 22 increases above the preset reference value, the control unit 21 does not pass both the modem input signal IS and the modem output signal OS through the amplification processing unit 25. It is possible to control the switches 24 and 61 so as not to.

As described above, according to the present invention, the modem input signal and / or by automatically switching the modem input signal and / or the modem output signal by detecting the level of the downlink signal which is always input through the donor antenna and output through the service antenna. Or, the modem output signal is weak and prevents the modem from functioning properly or communicating with the base station properly.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims (8)

In the wireless repeater for mobile communication having a modem for controlling and monitoring the operation of the wireless repeater through communication with the base station, A first antenna for transmitting and receiving a radio signal with the base station; A second antenna for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal with the terminal; A downlink signal processor for amplifying a first signal received through the first antenna; An uplink signal processor configured to amplify a second signal received through the second antenna; A detector detecting a level of the first downlink signal; A controller configured to generate a first selection signal based on the level detected by the detector; And A first switch configured to provide one of an input signal and an output signal of the downlink signal processor as an input signal of the modem in response to the first selection signal, The first downlink signal is a wireless repeater, characterized in that one signal on the downlink path of the wireless repeater. The wireless repeater of claim 1, wherein the wireless repeater A first coupler for distributing the first signal to the uplink signal processor and the first switch; And And a second coupler coupling the output signal of the downlink signal processor to the first switch. According to claim 1, The detector converts the first downlink signal into a digital signal, and measures channel power of the converted digital signal. And the controller controls the first switch so that the output signal of the downlink signal processor becomes the modem input signal when the channel power measured by the detector is equal to or less than a preset reference value. The method of claim 3, wherein The sensing unit further generates a second selection signal based on the detected level, The wireless repeater And a second switch configured to switch the output signal of the modem to be input to the upstream signal processor or to merge with the output signal of the upstream signal processor in response to the second selection signal. The method of claim 4, wherein the control unit And controlling the second switch such that the output signal of the modem is input to the uplink signal processor when the output signal of the downlink signal processor is the modem input signal. The method of claim 1, wherein the first downlink signal is And an input signal or an output signal of one component constituting the downlink signal processor. In the operating method of a wireless repeater for mobile communication having a modem for controlling and monitoring the operation of the wireless repeater through communication with a base station, Receiving a first signal through a first antenna for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal with the base station; Amplifying and outputting the first signal by a downlink signal processor; Detecting a level of the first downlink signal; Based on the detected level, generating a first selection signal; Providing one of an input signal and an output signal of the downlink signal processor as an input signal of the modem in response to the first selection signal; And The modem receiving the modem input signal and interpreting the received signal, And the first downlink signal is a signal on a downlink path of the wireless repeater. The method of claim 7, wherein the operating method of the wireless repeater Receiving a second signal through a second antenna for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal with a terminal; Amplifying and outputting the second signal by an uplink signal processor; Generating a second selection signal based on the detected level; And in response to the second selection signal, inputting an output signal of the modem to the uplink signal processor or combining the uplink signal with an output signal of the uplink signal processor.