KR102013360B1

KR102013360B1 - Self calibration system and window antenna device having the same

Info

Publication number: KR102013360B1
Application number: KR1020130015993A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 이현재; 김무겸
Original assignee: 삼성디스플레이 주식회사
Priority date: 2013-02-14
Filing date: 2013-02-14
Publication date: 2019-08-23
Also published as: KR20140102532A

Abstract

The window antenna device includes an antenna for receiving an RF signal, a decoding integrated circuit for demodulating information transmitted from the received RF signal, and checking a quality or strength of the RF signal to generate a reference signal, and active matching based on the reference signal. An active matching block for generating a value, an active matching block and an application processor for controlling the decoding integrated circuit, and a switching block connected between the antenna and the decoding integrated circuit to change the path of the reference signal.

Description

Self-calibration system and window antenna device having same {SELF CALIBRATION SYSTEM AND WINDOW ANTENNA DEVICE HAVING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a window antenna device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a self-calibration system and a window antenna device having the same.

In a wireless communication system, a communication channel through which a communication signal is transmitted is a wireless channel. Radio channels are defined above the region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Wireless communication systems do not require a wired connection to establish a communication channel between a transmitting station and a receiving station.

The satellite reception antenna uses an active antenna that requires power supply, and the base station antenna uses a passive antenna.

In general, an active antenna used in a mobile communication system uses an antenna in which an active element such as a transmit / receive amplifier is embedded to improve performance of an existing antenna. However, unlike a passive antenna that does not require a power supply, an active antenna must be supplied with external power. At this time, the active antenna has a problem in that repair or replacement of the antenna is required if a defect occurs due to a change in signal reception performance or quality due to a change in the external environment or a change in the assembly state due to device aging.

An object of the present invention is to provide a self-calibration system capable of performing a self-calibration function for the window antenna device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a window antenna device having the self-calibration system.

However, the problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above-described problems, and may be variously expanded within a range without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, the window antenna apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention, an antenna for receiving an RF signal, demodulates the information transmitted from the received RF signal, the quality of the RF signal Or a decoding integrated circuit (IC) that checks for strength to generate a reference signal, and an active matching block that generates an active matching value based on the reference signal. And a switching block that is connected between the antenna and the decoding IC to control the active matching block and the decoding IC and changes a path of the reference signal.

In example embodiments, the decoding IC may transmit information about the quality or the strength of the RF signal to the application processor.

In example embodiments, the active matching block may transfer the RF signal to a decoding IC.
According to an embodiment, the application processor may change the path of the switching block to transmit the reference signal from the decoding IC when the quality or the strength of the RF signal transmitted from the decoding IC is less than or equal to a predetermined level. The components of the active matching block may be varied based on the quality of the reference signal received from the active matching block via an antenna.

According to an embodiment, the components of the active matching block may include non-volatile memory, a tunable capacitor, a tunable resistance, and a tunable inductor.

According to an embodiment, the application processor may store an active matching value in the nonvolatile memory when the decoding IC recognizes an optimal sensitivity or an optimal strength of the reference signal.

In example embodiments, the active matching value may be obtained by the application processor varying the variable capacitor, the variable resistor, and the variable inductor.

According to one embodiment, the switching block has a first switch and a second switch, the first switch is connected between the antenna and the second switch, and the second switch is the first switch and the decoding. Can be connected between the ICs.

In order to achieve another object of the present invention, an antenna for receiving an external reference signal according to embodiments of the present invention. A decoding integrated circuit (IC) that demodulates information transmitted in the received external reference signal and checks the quality or strength of the external reference signal, and an active matching block that connects the external reference signal to a decoding IC (active matching block), an application processor for controlling the active matching block and the decoding IC and a switching block connected between the antenna and the decoding IC to change the path of the external reference signal. It may include.

In example embodiments, the antenna may transmit the external reference signal to the active matching block.

In example embodiments, the decoding IC may transmit information about the quality or the strength of the external reference signal and the RF signal to the application processor.

In example embodiments, the active matching block may transfer the external reference signal and the RF signal to the decoding IC.

According to an embodiment, when the quality or strength of the external reference signal is less than or equal to a predetermined level, the application processor may vary a component of the active matching block with respect to the external reference signal received from the active matching block. can do.

According to an embodiment, when the decoding IC recognizes an optimal sensitivity or strength of the external reference signal, the application processor may store an active matching value in a non-volatile memory. Can be.

According to an embodiment, the external reference signal may be transmitted from a base station.

According to one embodiment, the external reference signal may be transmitted from a small reference signal generator.

The self-calibration system according to embodiments of the present invention generates a reference signal by checking the quality or strength of the RF signal, generates an active matching value based on the reference signal, and performs a self-calibration on the reference signal. In addition, the self-calibration function may be provided to the window antenna device.

The window antenna device according to the embodiments of the present invention includes the self-calibration system, thereby reducing the sensitivity or strength of signal reception from a change in the external environment, or overcoming a defect in a change in the assembly state due to device aging. Can be.

However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and may be variously expanded within a range without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a window antenna apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a self-calibration system included in the window antenna device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first path formed by the operation of the first switch and the second switch in the self-calibration system of FIG. 2.
4 is a diagram illustrating a second path formed by the operation of the first switch and the second switch in the self-calibration system of FIG. 2.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a self-calibration method according to embodiments of the present invention.
6 is a block diagram illustrating a window antenna device according to embodiments of the present invention.
7 is a block diagram illustrating a window antenna device according to embodiments of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a window antenna device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and has ordinary skill in the art. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In this specification, specific structural to functional descriptions are merely illustrated for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in various forms and are limited to the embodiments described herein. It is not to be understood that the present invention is to be construed as including all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. When a component is described as being "connected" or "contacted" to another component, it is to be understood that it may be directly connected to or in contact with another component, but there may be another component in between. something to do. In addition, when a component is described as being "directly connected" or "directly contacted" with another component, it may be understood that there is no other component in between. Other expressions describing the relationship between the components, such as "between" and "directly between" or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to", may be interpreted as well.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprise", "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate that there is a feature, number, step, action, component, part, or combination thereof that is practiced, and that one or the same. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art and shall not be construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. Does not.

Terms such as first, second, and third may be used to describe various components, but such components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used to distinguish one component from another component. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second or third component, and similarly, the second or third component may be alternatively named.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a window antenna apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a self-calibration system provided in the window antenna apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a self-calibration system of FIG. 2. Is a view showing a first path formed by the operation of the first switch and the second switch, Figure 4 shows a second path formed by the operation of the first switch and the second switch in the self-calibration system of FIG. Drawing.

1 to 4, the window antenna device 100 may include an antenna 120 and a self-calibration system 140. In this case, the self-calibration system 140 may include switching blocks 141a and 141b, an application processor 142, an active matching block 143, and a decoding integrated circuit 144. As shown in FIG. 1, the self-calibration system 140 may be connected to the antenna 120.

As shown in FIG. 2, the switching blocks 141a and 141b may include a first switch 141a and a second switch 141b. In detail, the first switch 141a may be connected between the antenna 120 and the second switch 141b, and the second switch 141b may be connected between the first switch 141a and the decoding IC 144. . As shown in FIG. 3, the first switch 141a and the second switch 141b may basically provide a first path corresponding to a path blocking state (that is, a state in which self calibration is not performed). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the first switch 141a and the second switch 141b may provide a second path that is in a path connection state when performing self-calibration. That is, the first switch 141a and the second switch 141b may connect the antenna 120 and the decoding IC 144 to each other by providing the second path. In this case, operations of the first switch 141a and the second switch 141b (that is, turn-on operation and turn-off operation) may be controlled by the application processor 142. . On the other hand, in the case of one switch in general, since the signal is not isolated when it is in the turn-off state, it is difficult to obtain an accurate active matching value. In the present invention, the switching blocks 141a and 141b are used. ) Is provided with a first switch 141a and a second switch 141b to implement an isolated system.

The application processor 142 may be connected to the active matching block 143 and the decoding IC 144. In one embodiment, the application processor 142 continuously monitors the decoding IC 144 receiving the RF signal, and from the decoding IC 144 when the quality or strength of the RF signal falls below a predetermined level. A reference signal may be sent, and the first switch 141a and the second switch 141b may be provided to provide a second path. At this time, the existing RF signal is no longer used, and the reference signal generated from the decoding IC 144 is used. In addition, the application processor 142 may vary the components of the active matching block 143 based on the reference signal received from the active matching block 143, the application processor 142 from the decoding IC 144 Upon recognizing the optimal sensitivity or the optimal strength of the reference signal, an active matching value (ie, a variable value of the components of the active matching block 113) is converted into a non-volatile memory. ) Can be stored.

The active matching block 143 may be connected to the antenna 120, the decoding IC 144, and the application processor 142. In one embodiment, the active matching block 143 may receive the reference signal from the antenna 120, and may transmit the reference signal to the decoding IC 144 or the application processor 142. In addition, the internal components of the active matching block 143 may include the nonvolatile memory, a tunable capacitor, a tunable resistance, and a tunable inductor. The application processor 142 controls the variable capacitor, the variable resistor, and the variable inductor as active elements to decode the intrinsic value of the active element from the decoding IC 144 so that the application processor 142 obtains an optimum sensitivity or an optimum intensity. The reference signal can be varied until it is found. Finally, the application processor 142 may store the active matching value in the nonvolatile memory when the decoding IC 144 recognizes the optimal sensitivity or the optimal strength of the reference signal.

The decoding IC 144 may be connected to the active matching block 143, the application processor 142, and the second switch 141b. In one embodiment, the decoding IC 144 may receive the reference signal from the active matching block 143, and transmit the reference signal to the second switch 141b or the application processor 142. In addition, the decoding IC 144 may include a function for generating the reference signal therein.

As such, the self-calibration system 140 may have one available signal (e.g., one source signal transmitted on a channel) and the signal may be generated by the user. When received by the window antenna device 100 below a level defined by environmental factors, there is no other available signal, so the decoding IC 144 generates the reference signal therein, and the application processor 142 generates an active matching block. The values of the components of 143 may vary until an optimal signal is obtained. In addition, the self-calibration system 140 may operate even in a situation in which the window antenna device 100 operates. The reference signal may have an arbitrary frequency capable of generating an operating frequency of the antenna system, such as an operating frequency of the antenna or a 1 / N frequency of the operating frequency.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a self-calibration method according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the self-calibration method of FIG. 5, the application processor monitors the quality or strength of the RF signal (Step S110), and when the quality or the strength of the RF signal falls below a preset level, the application processor performs self-calibration. Can be executed (Step S120). Accordingly, the decoding IC generates and transmits a reference signal, which is received by the active matching block. In addition, the application processor may vary the components of the active matching block to obtain an optimal sensitivity or optimal strength of the reference signal received from the active matching block. When the application processor varies the components of the active matching block, the self-calibration method of FIG. 5 stores the active matching value in a nonvolatile memory after recognizing the optimal sensitivity and the optimal strength of the reference signal from a decoding IC. (Step S130). Thereafter, the self-calibration method of FIG. 5 may end self-calibration (Step S140).

6 is a block diagram illustrating a window antenna device according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the window antenna device 200 may include a self-calibration system 240 and an antenna 220. In addition, the self calibration system 240 may include a switching block, an application processor, an active matching block, and a decoding IC.

The base station 300 may include a high power control channel, such as a pilot channel or a becon channel. In addition, since the pilot signal is always transmitted in the case of the base station 300, the window antenna device 200 is different from the window antenna device 100 of FIG. 1 in that it does not use the internal reference signal transmitted by the decoding IC. (Ie, the window antenna device 200 is replaced with a pilot signal instead of using an internal reference signal). However, other operations of the window antenna device 200 may be the same as the window antenna device 100 of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the self-calibration system 240 may be connected to the antenna 220.

The switching block may include a first switch and a second switch. Specifically, the first switch may be connected between the antenna 220 and the second switch, and the second switch may be connected to the first switch and the decoding IC. In one embodiment, the first switch and the second switch can provide a first path corresponding to a path blocking state (ie, a state in which self-calibration is not performed). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the first switch 141a and the second switch 141b may provide a second path that is in a path connection state when performing self-calibration, that is, the first switch and the second switch. The switch may connect the antenna 120 and the decoding IC to each other by providing the second path. The operation of the first switch and the second switch (ie, turn-on operation and turn-off operation) may be controlled by the application.

The application processor may be connected to the active matching block and the decoding IC. In one embodiment, the application processor continuously monitors the decoding IC receiving the pilot signal, and causes the first switch and the second switch to cause the second switch to become second when the quality or strength of the pilot signal falls below a preset level. You can provide a path. In addition, the application processor may vary the components of the active matching block based on the pilot signal received from the active matching block, and if the decoding IC recognizes the optimum sensitivity or the optimal strength of the active matching value (active matching value) can be stored in non-volatile memory.

The active matching block may be connected to the antenna 220, the decoding IC or the application processor. In one embodiment, the active matching block may receive the pilot signal from the antenna 220, and transmit the pilot signal to the decoding IC. In addition, internal components of the active matching block may include a nonvolatile memory, a tunable capacitor, a tunable resistance, and a tunable inductor. By controlling the variable capacitors, variable resistors, and variable inductors that are active elements, the application processor may vary the intrinsic value of the active element until the optimum sensitivity or the optimal strength of the pilot signal is obtained from the decoding IC.

Finally, the application processor may store the active matching value in the nonvolatile memory when the decoding IC recognizes the optimal sensitivity or the optimal strength of the pilot signal.

The decoding IC can be coupled to the active matching block, the application processor and the second switch. In one embodiment, the decoding IC may receive the pilot signal from an active matching block, and deliver the pilot signal to a second switch or an application processor.

7 is a block diagram illustrating a window antenna device according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the window antenna apparatus 500 may include a self-calibration system 540 and an antenna 530. Self-calibration system 540 may also include a switching block, an application processor, an active matching block, or a decoding integrated circuit.

The small reference signal generator 400 may be installed by a business operator or a manufacturer in a space such as a convenience store or a large restaurant, and may be a user-installed reference signal generator similar to a femtocell. In addition, the self-calibration procedure using the small reference signal generator 400 may be mounted in the user terminal and the signal generator in the form of a profile. The window antenna device 500 differs from the window antenna device 100 of FIG. 1 in that the window antenna device 500 does not use the internal reference signal transmitted from the decoding IC (that is, the window antenna device 500 may be used instead of using the internal reference signal. Reference signal). However, other operations of the window antenna device 500 may be the same as the window antenna device 100 of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 7, the self-calibration system 540 may be connected to the antenna 530.

The switching block may include a first switch and a second switch. Specifically, the first switch may be connected between the antenna 530 and the second switch, and the second switch may be connected to the first switch and the decoding IC. In one embodiment, the first switch and the second switch can provide a first path corresponding to a path blocking state (ie, a state in which self-calibration is not performed). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the first switch 141a and the second switch 141b may provide a second path that is in a path connection state when performing self calibration. That is, the first switch and the second switch can connect the antenna 120 and the decoding IC to each other by providing the second path. The operations of the first switch and the second switch (ie, turn-on and turn-off operations) can be controlled by the application processor.

The application processor may be connected to the active matching block and the decoding IC. In one embodiment, the application processor continuously monitors a decoding IC that receives the small reference signal and causes the first switch and the second switch to activate when the quality or strength of the small reference signal falls below a predetermined level. You can provide two paths. In addition, the application processor may vary the components of the active matching block based on the quality of the small reference signal received at the decoding IC via the active matching block, and the optimal sensitivity or optimal of the small reference signal at the decoding IC. Once the strength is recognized, the active matching value can be stored in non-volatile memory.

The active matching block may be connected to the antenna 530, the decoding IC and the application processor. In one embodiment, the active matching block 543 may receive the small reference signal from the antenna 530, and may deliver the small reference signal to a decoding IC or an application processor. In addition, internal components of the active matching block may include a nonvolatile memory, a tunable capacitor, a tunable resistance, and a tunable inductor. By controlling the variable capacitors, variable resistors, and variable inductors of the active elements, the application processor can vary the unique values of the active elements from the decoding IC until the application processor finds the small reference signal with the best sensitivity or best strength. . Finally, the application processor may store the active matching value in the nonvolatile memory when the decoding IC recognizes the optimal sensitivity or the optimal strength of the small reference signal.

The decoding IC can be coupled to the active matching block, the application processor and the second switch. In one embodiment, the decoding IC may receive the small reference signal from an active matching block and may deliver the small reference signal to a second switch or application processor.

As mentioned above, although the self-calibration system and the window antenna device for implementing the same according to embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the above description is illustrative and is not limited to the technical spirit of the present invention. Modifications and variations may be made by those skilled in the art.

The present invention can be applied to any system having a wireless communication device using a window antenna. For example, the present invention can be applied to a notebook, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, a navigation, a GPS, and the like.

Although the above has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art may vary the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. It will be understood that modifications and changes can be made.

100: window antenna device
120: antenna
140: self-calibration system
141a: first switch
141b: second switch
142: application processor
143: active matching block
144: decoding IC
300: base station
400: small reference signal generator

Claims

An antenna for receiving an RF signal;
A decoding integrated circuit (IC) that demodulates information transmitted from the received RF signal and checks the quality or strength of the RF signal to generate a reference signal;
An active matching block to generate an active matching value based on the reference signal;
An application processor controlling the active matching block and the decoding IC; And
And a switching block connected between the antenna and the decoding IC to change a path of the reference signal.

The window antenna apparatus of claim 1, wherein the decoding IC transmits information about the quality or the strength of the RF signal to the application processor.

The window antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the active matching block transfers the RF signal to a decoding IC.

The method of claim 1, wherein the application processor changes the path of the switching block to send the reference signal from the decoding IC when the quality or the strength of the RF signal transmitted from the decoding IC falls below a predetermined level. ,
And varying a component of the active matching block based on the reference signal received from the active matching block via an antenna.

The method of claim 4, wherein the components of the active matching block include non-volatile memory, a tunable capacitor, a tunable resistance, and a tunable inductor. Window antenna device.

The window antenna device of claim 5, wherein when the application processor recognizes the reference signal having a sensitivity or strength greater than or equal to a predetermined level in the decoding IC, the active matching value is stored in the nonvolatile memory. .

7. The window antenna apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the active matching value is obtained by the application processor varying the variable capacitor, the variable resistor and the variable inductor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switching block includes a first switch and a second switch, the first switch is connected between the antenna and the second switch, and the second switch is the first switch and the decoding. A window antenna device, characterized in that connected between the IC.

An antenna for receiving an external reference signal;
A decoding integrated circuit (IC) for demodulating information transmitted from the received external reference signal and checking for quality or strength of the external reference signal;
An active matching block for coupling the external reference signal to a decoding IC;
An application processor controlling the active matching block and the decoding IC; And
And a switching block connected between the antenna and the decoding IC to change a path of the external reference signal.

10. The window antenna apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the antenna transmits the external reference signal to the active matching block.

The window antenna apparatus of claim 10, wherein the decoding IC transmits information about the quality or the strength of the external reference signal to the application processor.

10. The window antenna apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the active matching block transfers the external reference signal to the decoding IC.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the application processor is further configured to vary a component of the active matching block based on the external reference signal received from the active matching block when the quality or strength of the external reference signal is less than or equal to a predetermined level. Window antenna device, characterized in that.

The non-volatile memory of claim 13, wherein when the application processor recognizes the external reference signal having a sensitivity or strength greater than or equal to a predetermined level in the decoding IC, an active matching value is set to a non-volatile memory. Window antenna device, characterized in that stored in.

10. The window antenna apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the external reference signal is transmitted from a base station.

10. The window antenna apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the external reference signal is transmitted from a small reference signal generator.