CN111697995B

CN111697995B - Communication module

Info

Publication number: CN111697995B
Application number: CN202010587251.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 程鑫轶
Original assignee: BOE Technology Group Co Ltd
Current assignee: BOE Technology Group Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-24
Filing date: 2020-06-24
Publication date: 2022-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-24
Also published as: CN111697995A

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication module, relates to the technical field of electronic information, and mainly aims to solve the problem that the existing communication module has single function and cannot meet the requirements for realizing various different functions. The module of the invention mainly comprises: the system comprises a radio frequency module, an antenna connector, an interface expansion module, an external data interface and a functional component; the interface expansion module is respectively connected with the radio frequency module and the functional component through a first link, and the interface expansion module is connected with the external data interface through a second link; the radio frequency module is connected with the antenna connector so as to be connected with an external antenna through the antenna connector; the radio frequency module and the functional component are respectively connected with the external data interface through a VCC power supply link, and the power supply functions of the radio frequency module and the functional component are realized. The invention is suitable for realizing the multiple functions of the communication module of the electronic equipment.

Description

Communication module

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of electronic information, in particular to a communication module.

Background

As society develops, the level of productivity also gradually increases. Under the current age, electronic products or devices are becoming more powerful, both in terms of functional effect and in terms of functional variety. In order to implement the communication function, a communication module is generally connected to the device or apparatus, and the communication function of the device or apparatus is implemented through the communication module.

At present, a communication module connected or mounted in a device generally includes a radio frequency module, an antenna interface, and a data interface, and corresponding data is received through the data interface and then transmitted to the antenna interface through the radio frequency module, and then transmitted by an external antenna, so that the device or apparatus connected to the communication module realizes a communication function. However, in practical applications, electronic devices or apparatuses often need other functions during communication to meet the needs of different usage scenarios, such as expanding capacity or collecting some external data during communication. However, the existing communication module can only realize the communication function, and when the user has the needs of other extended functions, the existing communication module has a single function, and the needs of realizing other functions on the basis of the communication function cannot be met, so that how to realize a communication module which can meet different needs of the user and adapt to various use scenes becomes a problem to be solved urgently in the field.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, the present invention provides a communication module, which can satisfy various functional requirements and application scenarios of a user.

The purpose of the invention is realized by adopting the following technical scheme:

in a first aspect, the present invention provides a communication module, comprising:

the system comprises a radio frequency module, an antenna connector, an interface expansion module, an external data interface and a functional component;

the interface expansion module is respectively connected with the radio frequency module and the functional component through a first link, and the interface expansion module is connected with the external data interface through a second link;

the radio frequency module is connected with the antenna connector so as to be connected with an external antenna through the antenna connector;

the radio frequency module and the functional component are respectively connected with the external data interface through a VCC power supply link, and the power supply functions of the radio frequency module and the functional component are realized.

Optionally, the interface extension module is specifically a USB-HUB module;

the first link is a downlink of the USB-HUB module, and the second link is an uplink of the USB-HUB module;

the interface expansion module is connected with the radio frequency module and the functional component through a first link respectively, and the interface expansion module is connected with the external data interface through a second link, including:

the USB-HUB module is respectively connected with the radio frequency module and the functional component through a downlink, and the USB-HUB module is connected with the external data interface through an uplink.

Optionally, the functional component includes a camera module and a USB expansion module;

the assembly further comprises a SIM card connector;

the camera module and the USB expansion module are respectively connected with the interface expansion module through a first link;

the SIM card connector is connected with the radio frequency module through a USIM line.

Optionally, the module further includes a control module, and the control module is configured to control the radio frequency module and a conduction function of a VCC power supply link of the functional component.

Optionally, the control module includes: a controller and at least one power supply switch;

the power supply switch is arranged in a VCC power supply link of the radio frequency module and a VCC power supply link of the functional component, the power supply switch is connected with the controller, and the power supply switch is used for controlling whether the VCC power supply link is conducted or not based on a control signal sent by the controller;

the controller is connected with the interface expansion module through the first link; the controller is connected with the external data interface module through a VCC power supply link.

Optionally, the external data interface includes a miniPCI interface and a USB interface.

Optionally, when the external data interface is a miniPCI interface;

the interface expansion module is connected with the miniPCI interface through a second link and used for transmitting USB protocol data;

the radio frequency module is connected with the miniPCIE interface through a third link, and the third link comprises a RESET module restarting link, a UART control instruction receiving and transmitting link, a PCM voice transmission link and a USIM communication link;

the RESET module restarting link is used for transmitting a RESET module restarting signal, and the RESET module restarting signal is used for controlling the communication module restarting function;

the UART control instruction transceiving link is used for transmitting UART control instructions, and the UART control instructions are used for controlling data transceiving of a target device and transceiving of control instructions;

the PCM voice transmission link is used for transmitting the PCM voice transmission signal, and the PCM voice transmission signal is a voice digital signal;

the USIM communication link is used for transmitting USIM communication signals, and the USIM communication signals are used for supplying power to and reading the SIM card.

Optionally, when the external data interface is a USB interface;

the interface extension module is connected with the USB interface through a second link, and the second link is used for transmitting a RESET module restart signal, a UART control command transceiving signal, a voice signal, a USIM communication signal and USB protocol data.

Optionally, the antenna connector is provided with an IPEX interface, and the antenna connector is connected to the external antenna through the IPEX interface.

Optionally, the module further includes: a path selection module;

the path selection module is used for controlling the signal of the radio frequency module to be transmitted through the interface extension module or directly transmitted to the external data interface through the path selection module when the signal is transmitted based on a signal instruction of the controller.

Optionally, the path selecting module includes: a first path submodule and a second path submodule;

the first path sub-module is connected with the second path sub-module;

the second path submodule is connected with the controller;

the interface expansion module is directly connected with the functional component, the interface expansion module is connected with the radio frequency module through the second path submodule, and the interface expansion module is connected with the external data interface through the first path submodule.

By means of the technical scheme, the communication module provided by the invention has the advantages that the problem that the existing communication module can only realize the communication function, so that the function is single and the requirements of various functions of a user cannot be met is solved; the interface expansion module is respectively connected with the radio frequency module and the functional component through a first link, and the interface expansion module is connected with the external data interface through a second link; the radio frequency module is connected with the antenna connector so as to be connected with an external antenna through the antenna connector; the radio frequency module and the functional component are connected with the external data interface through a VCC power supply link respectively, and the power supply function of the radio frequency module and the functional component is realized, so that a communication module with multiple functions is realized. The communication module is provided with the interface extension module and the functional component, so that the communication module can have other functions on the basis of ensuring the communication function, and the requirements of a user on various functions in the communication process are met. Meanwhile, the functional component is arranged in the communication module, so that the communication module does not need to change the external structure of the module under the condition of multiple functions. In addition, can customize according to user's needs based on functional block, for example when needs image processing function, then can set up corresponding image processing module in this functional block for this communication module can satisfy different needs of different users, has better adaptability.

The foregoing description is only an overview of the technical solutions of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention are described below in order to make the technical means of the present invention more clearly understood and to make the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more clearly understandable.

Drawings

Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Also, like reference numerals are used to refer to like parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a composition of another communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating another communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4-a is a schematic composition diagram of a communication module using miniPCI IE according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4-b is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication module using a USB interface according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a composition of another communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a communication module, as shown in fig. 1, the communication module includes:

a radio frequency module 11, an antenna connector 12, an interface extension module 13, an external data interface 14 and a functional component 15; the radio frequency module 11, the antenna connector 12, the interface expansion module 13, and the functional component 15 are all disposed inside the communication module.

The interface expansion module 13 is connected to the rf module 11 and the functional component 15 through a first link 101, respectively, and the interface expansion module 13 is connected to the external data interface 14 through a second link 102;

the functional component 15 may include a plurality of modules with different functions, so as to implement a plurality of different functions of the communication module, for example, when the functional component 15 includes a USB expansion module, the function of capacity expansion of the communication module may be implemented based on the USB expansion module. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first link and the second link do not refer to only one link, and may be understood as a type of line having the same transmission protocol or standard.

In addition, the interface expansion module 13 may be connected to the radio frequency module 11 and the external data interface 14 through a USB link, that is, the first link and the second link may both be USB links. Among them, the USB (Universal Serial Bus, abbreviated as USB) is an emerging data communication mode gradually replacing other interface standards, and is jointly established in 1995 by computer companies and communication companies such as Intel, Compaq, Digital, IBM, Microsoft, NEC, and Northern Telecom, and gradually forms an industry standard. As a high-speed serial bus, the USB bus has extremely high transmission speed which can meet the application environment requirement of high-speed data transmission, and has the advantages of simple power supply (bus power supply), convenient installation and configuration (supporting plug and play and hot plug), simple expansion port (127 peripheral devices can be expanded at most through a concentrator), diversified transmission modes (4 transmission modes), good compatibility (downward compatibility after product upgrading) and the like.

The radio frequency module 11 is connected with the antenna connector 12 so as to connect an external antenna through the antenna connector 12;

the radio frequency module 11 and the functional component 15 are respectively connected with the external data interface 14 through a VCC power supply link, and realize the power supply function of the radio frequency module 11 and the functional component 15.

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication module, which aims at the problem that the existing communication module can only realize the communication function, so that the function is single and the requirements of various functions of a user cannot be met; the interface expansion module is respectively connected with the radio frequency module and the functional component through a first link, and the interface expansion module is connected with the external data interface through a second link; the radio frequency module is connected with the antenna connector so as to be connected with an external antenna through the antenna connector; the radio frequency module and the functional component are connected with the external data interface through a VCC power supply link respectively, and the power supply function of the radio frequency module and the functional component is realized, so that a communication module with multiple functions is realized. The communication module is provided with the interface extension module and the functional component, so that the communication module can have other functions on the basis of ensuring the communication function, and the requirements of a user on various functions in the communication process are met. Meanwhile, the functional component is arranged in the communication module, so that the communication module does not need to change the external structure of the module under the condition of multiple functions. In addition, can customize according to user's needs based on functional block, for example when needs image processing function, then can set up corresponding image processing module in this functional block for this communication module can satisfy different needs of different users, has better adaptability.

Further, in some embodiments, the interface expansion module 13 may be specifically a USB-HUB module 131; the USB-HUB is a universal serial bus HUB, and the function of expanding any line or interface to a plurality of lines can be realized through the USB-HUB. In addition, the USB-HUB as an extended function device has an uplink and a downlink, wherein the uplink is used for connecting with an interface or a link that needs to be extended, and the downlink represents a plurality of extended links.

Therefore, when the interface extension module 13 in the embodiment of the present invention is the USB-HUB module 131, the first link 101 is a downlink of the USB-HUB module 131, and the second link 102 is an uplink of the USB-HUB;

in the foregoing embodiment, the interface expansion module 13 is respectively connected to the radio frequency module 11 and the functional component 15 through a first link 101, and the interface expansion module 13 is connected to the external data interface 14 through a second link 102, which specifically includes: the USB-HUB module 131 is connected to the rf module 11 and the functional module 15 through a downlink, and the USB-HUB module 131 is connected to the external data interface 14 through an uplink.

Further, in some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2, the functional component 15 may include a camera module 151, a USB expansion module 152; the communication module may further comprise a SIM card connector;

the camera module 151 and the USB expansion module 152 are connected to the interface expansion module 13 through a first link 101, respectively; the camera module 151 and the USB expansion module 152 are connected to the external data interface 14 through their VCC power supply links, respectively, to supply power to these two modules.

The SIM card connector is connected to the rf Module 11 through a USIM line, where the USIM is an abbreviation of Universal Subscriber Identity Module (global Subscriber Identity card). A Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), also called an upgraded SIM, is a component of a UMTS (Universal Mobile telecommunications System — Universal wireless communication System) 3G network. Besides supporting multiple applications, the USIM card also upgrades the algorithm in terms of security, and increases the authentication function of the card to the network, and the bidirectional authentication can effectively prevent hackers from attacking the card. Therefore, the radio frequency module is connected with the SIM card connector through the USIM circuit supporting the USIM card function, so that the communication module disclosed by the embodiment of the invention has the function of reading the SIM card data while ensuring the communication function, and can realize the image acquisition function based on the camera module and the capacity amplification function based on the USB expansion module.

Further, in some embodiments, the module further includes a control module 16, and the control module 16 is configured to control a conducting function of the radio frequency module 11 and the VCC power supply link of the functional component 15.

Specifically, the control module 16 includes: a controller 161 and at least one power switch 162; specifically, as shown in fig. 3, when the communication module needs to perform power supply control on the camera module 151 and the radio frequency module 11, the power supply switch 162 is disposed in a VCC power supply link of the radio frequency module 11 and a VCC power supply link of the camera module 151, and the power supply switch 162 is connected to the controller 161, where the power supply switch 162 is configured to control whether the VCC power supply link is turned on based on a control signal sent by the controller 161;

the controller 161 is connected to the interface expansion module 13 through the first link, and is configured to receive a control instruction sent from the outside through the interface expansion module 13; the controller 161 is connected to the external data interface 14 module through a VCC power supply link, which ensures that the controller 161 is in a normally powered state. Like this, be used for controlling the power supply switch that whether VCC power supply link switched on through the setting to and be used for controlling power supply switch's controller, can realize the control of opening and closing each module function of communication module, make this communication module can adjust whether every module works in real time based on user's needs in the course of the work, have nimble effect of controlling.

Further, in some embodiments, the external data interface 14 includes a miniPCI interface 141 and a USB interface 142.

Further, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4-a, when the external data interface 14 is a miniPCI interface 141; the MINI PCI-E is an interface based on a PCI-E bus and is mainly used for notebooks and digital equipment. It employs the current popular point-to-point serial connection in the industry, and each device or apparatus has its own dedicated signal transmission channel, as compared to the shared parallel architecture of PCI and earlier computer buses.

The interface expansion module 13 is connected to the miniPCI interface 141 through a second link, and is configured to transmit USB protocol data; the radio frequency module 11 transmits USB protocol data through a first link.

The radio frequency module 11 is connected with the miniPCIE interface 141 through a third link 103, and the third link 103 includes a RESET module restart link, a UART control instruction transceiving link, a PCM voice transmission link and a USIM communication link;

Further, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4-b, when the external data interface 14 is a USB interface 142; the USB interface 142 has good compatibility, and can be used for transmitting various signals including a RESET module restart signal, a UART control command transceiver signal, a voice signal, and a USIM communication signal.

Therefore, when the USB interface 142 is selected as the external data interface, it is not necessary to use a separate link to transmit various signals such as a RESET module restart signal, a UART control command transceiver signal, a voice signal, and a USIM communication signal, and a USB transmission link can be used to transmit the above signals, so that the link composition of the communication module can be simplified, and the design of the communication module is simplified.

Thus, in the communication module, the interface extension module 13 may be connected to the USB interface 142 through a second link, where the second link is used for transmitting a RESET module restart signal, a UART control command transceiver signal, a voice signal, a USIM communication signal, and USB protocol data.

Further, in some embodiments, the antenna connector is provided with an IPEX interface, through which the antenna connector is connected with the external antenna. Like this, through set up the dedicated IPEX interface of installation external antenna in the communication module, can realize external antenna's function, mainboard interference's problem when having avoided board to carry the antenna to there is better communication directive property.

Further, in some embodiments, since the main function of the module is to ensure the communication function of the video module, and in some cases, since the USB-HUB module may affect the signal transmission of the rf module due to the bandwidth problem when transmitting the data of the functional module and the data of the rf module simultaneously, a path selection module may be further disposed in the communication module during the implementation process to determine whether the signal of the rf module passes through the control function of the USB-HUB module.

As shown in fig. 5, the module may further include: a path selection module 17;

the path selection module 17 may be configured to control the signal of the radio frequency module 11 to be transmitted through the interface extension module 13 during transmission based on a signal instruction of a controller, or to be directly transmitted to the external data interface 14 through the path selection module 17.

Wherein the path selection module 17 includes: a first path submodule 171 and a second path submodule 172;

the first path submodule 171 is connected to the second path submodule 172;

the second path sub-module 172 is connected to the controller 161;

the interface expansion module 13 is directly connected to the functional component 15, the interface expansion module 13 is connected to the radio frequency module 11 through the second path submodule 172, and the interface expansion module 13 is connected to the external data interface 14 through the first path submodule 171.

Further, during the use of the communication module, the operation process of the passing module can be as follows:

after the communication module is connected with the target device, the target device identifies an interface extension module (for example, USB-HUB) arranged in the communication module through an external data interface (such as miniPCIe interface or USB interface) of the communication module, and then interacts with a plurality of modules (including a radio frequency module and a plurality of different functional components arranged as required) in the communication module through the interface extension module after successful identification, so that control and operation of different modules are realized, and functions (for example, image data acquisition, data reading in a flash memory, reading of SIM card data and the like) corresponding to the plurality of different functional components including the communication function are realized.

Based on the content recorded in the above embodiment, the communication module provided by the present invention can only implement a communication function for an existing communication module, which results in a problem that the communication module has a single function and cannot meet the needs of multiple functions of a user, and the communication module includes a radio frequency module, an antenna connector, an interface extension module, an external data interface, and a functional component; the interface expansion module is respectively connected with the radio frequency module and the functional component through a first link, and the interface expansion module is connected with the external data interface through a second link; the radio frequency module is connected with the antenna connector so as to be connected with an external antenna through the antenna connector; the radio frequency module and the functional component are connected with the external data interface through a VCC power supply link respectively, and the power supply function of the radio frequency module and the functional component is realized, so that a communication module with multiple functions is realized. The communication module is provided with the interface extension module and the functional component, so that the communication module can have other functions on the basis of ensuring the communication function, and the requirements of a user on various functions in the communication process are met. Meanwhile, the functional component is arranged in the communication module, so that the communication module does not need to change the external structure of the module under the condition of multiple functions. In addition, can customize according to user's needs based on functional block, for example when needs image processing function, then can set up corresponding image processing module in this functional block for this communication module can satisfy different needs of different users, has better adaptability.

In the foregoing embodiments, the descriptions of the respective embodiments have respective emphasis, and for parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference may be made to related descriptions of other embodiments.

It will be appreciated that the relevant features of the method and apparatus described above are referred to one another. In addition, "first", "second", and the like in the above embodiments are for distinguishing the embodiments, and do not represent merits of the embodiments.

It is clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. It is understood, however, that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the embodiments of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. However, the disclosed method should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that: that is, the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of an embodiment of this invention.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the modules in the device in an embodiment may be adaptively changed and disposed in one or more devices different from the embodiment. The modules or units or components of the embodiments may be combined into one module or unit or component, and furthermore they may be divided into a plurality of sub-modules or sub-units or sub-components. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and all of the processes or elements of any method or apparatus so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or processes or elements are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, rather than other features, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of and form different embodiments of the invention. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the embodiments of the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in a claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Embodiments of the invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the unit claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The usage of the words first, second and third, etcetera do not indicate any ordering. These words may be interpreted as names.

Claims

1. A communication module, the module comprising: the system comprises a radio frequency module, an antenna connector, an interface expansion module, an external data interface and a functional component; the radio frequency module, the antenna connector, the interface expansion module and the functional component are all arranged in the communication module;

replacing and setting modules in the functional assembly according to the requirements of users, wherein the modules arranged in the functional assembly are an image processing module, a camera module or a USB expansion module;

2. The module according to claim 1, wherein the interface expansion module is specifically a USB-HUB module;

3. The module of claim 1, wherein the functional components include a camera module, a USB expansion module;

the module also comprises an SIM card connector;

4. The module according to claim 1, further comprising a control module, wherein the control module is configured to control a conducting function of the radio frequency module and the VCC power supply link of the functional component.

5. The module of claim 4, wherein the control module comprises: a controller and at least one power supply switch;

6. The module according to claim 5, wherein when the external data interface is a miniPCI interface;

7. The module according to claim 5, wherein when the external data interface is a USB interface;

8. The die set of claim 5, further comprising: a path selection module;

9. The module according to claim 8,

the path selection module comprises: a first path submodule and a second path submodule;

the first path sub-module is connected with the second path sub-module;

the second path submodule is connected with the controller;

10. A module according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the antenna connector is provided with an IPEX interface, through which the antenna connector is connected with the external antenna.