EP0266567B1 - Method for the surveillance and control of an antenna selector, and an antenna selector for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to the field of high-performance radio transmitters.

• (a) der Antennenwähler die Form einer Hochfrequenz-Verteilungs-Matrix hat;
• (b) die Elemente dieser Matrix von Umschaltknoten gebildet werden;
• (c) den Zeilen dieser Matrix eine entsprechende Anzahl von Sendern zugeordnet ist;
• (d) den Spalten dieser Matrix eine entsprechende Anzahl von Antennen zugeordnet ist; und
• (e) in den Umschaltknoten jeweils Leistungsschalter angeordnet sind, mit deren Hilfe wahlweise Verbindungen zwischen den Sendern und den Antennen geschaltet werden können;

It relates in particular to a method for monitoring and controlling an antenna selector, wherein

• (a) the antenna selector is in the form of a radio frequency distribution matrix;
• (b) the elements of this matrix are formed by switching nodes;
• (c) a corresponding number of transmitters is assigned to the rows of this matrix;
• (d) a corresponding number of antennas is assigned to the columns of this matrix; and
• (e) circuit breakers are arranged in the switchover nodes, with the aid of which connections between the transmitters and the antennas can be switched;

The invention further relates to an antenna selector for performing the method, which has the features listed above.

STATE OF THE ART

In a short-wave broadcasting center, the signals from m different transmitters (typically: m = 3 ... 10) are usually to be switched to the appropriate antenna systems in accordance with the requirements of the program plan and the propagation conditions that fluctuate with the time of day and season, whereby n different antennas are available (typical: n = 5 ... 100).

In principle, each of the m transmitters must be able to be connected to each of the n antennas. The group of switches required for this forms an (m x n) matrix with m rows and n columns, which as the antenna selector matrix e.g. from Brown Boveri Mitt. 5/6 (1983), pp. 244-247.

The elements of this matrix are formed by switching nodes, which usually contain two high-frequency circuit breakers, with which - depending on the switch position - the row and column lines crossing in the node are connected from the transmitter to the antenna via a corner, or - each line by itself - be switched through in a straight line. Suitable circuit breakers (with corresponding microswitches for monitoring) are known, for example, from DE-OS 17 76 367.

Since the antennas generally only cover part of the shortwave range, switching outside the specific frequency range is not permitted. A suitable antenna selector control must therefore not only record the positions of the individual circuit breakers and compare them with the specified target scheme, but also the selected one based on a table of the permitted frequencies and the frequency message from the transmitter concerned Enable or disable the connection between the transmitters and the antennas.

This test must also be carried out continuously while the transmission center is in operation, since it is possible to change the frequency of a transmitter without changing the antenna. The circuit breakers are also usually equipped with manual operation for emergency operation. Based on these conditions, a control system must continuously record and check the switch position (positions) of the circuit breakers.

The circuit breakers of the high-frequency distribution or antenna selector matrix are now simulated for monitoring by leading or trailing microswitches which represent a monitoring matrix corresponding to the high-frequency distribution matrix.

In order to monitor the switched connections between the m transmitters and the n antennas, the switch positions of the microswitches were previously recorded individually in the monitoring matrix in the prior art. With two possible positions per switch and two switches per switch node, these are separate signals for the entire matrix in the case of a matrix with m rows and n columns (4 xmxn), each of which has its own signal lines from the location of the high-frequency distribution matrix to the command room or Control center must be transferred.

It can be seen immediately that this cabling requires a correspondingly high outlay given the large number of signal lines, especially since there is a need to filter the detected signals against the interference of high frequency when they enter the control system.

In the same way, it means a great effort if the switch motors for the circuit breakers (analogous to the detection of the switch position) are also individually and directly, i.e. via (m x n) control lines.

From the article by G. Forcina et al., 6th International Conference on Digital Satellite Communications, Phoenix, 19-23. September 1983, pp. X-1 - X-8, it is known that in a microwave switch matrix (MSM), which is used in a communications satellite, the switching connections including the associated preamplifiers by sequentially feeding a high-frequency test signal into the Check the input rows of the matrix and detection at the output columns for their HF functionality. The switch position itself, i.e. the respective switching status of the entire matrix is not monitored.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the object of specifying a method for monitoring and controlling an antenna selector and an antenna selector for carrying out the method, with which the circuitry outlay can be drastically reduced.

• (f) zur Überwachung und Steuerung des Schaltzustandes der Matrix die Umschaltknoten sequentiell durch die Auswahl der zugehörigen Zeilen und Spalten angewählt werden; wobei
• (g) in einer Ueberwachungsmatrix, die der Hochfrequenz-Verteilungs-Matrix entspricht und deren Umschaltknoten Mikroschalter enthalten, welche den Leistungsschaltern zugeordnet sind, deren Schalterstellung jeweils nachbilden und so miteinander verbunden sind, dass sie den Weg des Hochfrequenzsignals in der Hochfrequenz-Verteilungs-Matrix naturgetreu nachbilden, die geschalteten Verbindungen erfasst werden, indem die Ueberwachungsmatrix entweder über entsprechende Zeilenleitungen zyklisch zeilenweise angesteuert wird und über entsprechende Spaltenleitungen spaltenweise abgefragt wird, oder über die Spaltenleitungen zyklisch spaltenweise angesteuert und über die Zeilenleitungen zeilenweise abgefragt wird.

The object is achieved in a method of the type mentioned in that

• (f) to monitor and control the switching state of the matrix, the switching nodes are selected sequentially by selecting the associated rows and columns; in which
• (g) in a monitoring matrix that corresponds to the high-frequency distribution matrix and its switching node Contain microswitches, which are assigned to the circuit breakers, the switch positions of which simulate and are connected to each other in such a way that they faithfully reproduce the path of the high-frequency signal in the high-frequency distribution matrix, the switched connections are detected by the monitoring matrix either cyclically line by line via corresponding row lines is controlled and queried column-wise via corresponding column lines, or cyclically column-wise controlled via the column lines and queried row-wise via the row lines.

• (f) Mittel vorgesehen sind, um die Umschaltknoten sequentiell über die zugehörigen Zeilen und Spalten anzuwählen; wobei
• (g) jedem der Leistungsschalter ein Mikroschalter zugeordnet ist, der stets zusammen mit dem zugehörigen Leistungsschalter geschaltet wird und die Schalterstellung des Leistungsschalters nachbildet;
• (h) die Mikroschalter in den Umschaltknoten einer Ueberwachungsmatrix angeordnet sind, welche der Hochfrequenz-Verteilungs-Matrix entspricht;
• (i) die Mikroschalter in der Ueberwachungsmatrix so miteinander verbunden sind, dass sie den Weg des Hochfrequenzsignals in der Hochfrequenz-Verteilungs-Matrix naturgetreu nachbilden; und
• (k) zum Erfassen der geschalteten Verbindungen zwischen den Sendern und den Antennen die Ueberwachungsmatrix über entsprechende Zeilenleitungen zeilenweise zyklisch ansteuerbar und über entsprechende Spaltenleitungen spaltenweise abfragbar ist, oder über die Spaltenleitungen spaltenweise zyklisch ansteuerbar und über die Zeilenleitungen zeilenweise abfragbar ist.

The antenna selector of the type mentioned is characterized according to the invention in that

• (f) means are provided to select the switching nodes sequentially via the associated rows and columns; in which
• (g) a microswitch is assigned to each of the circuit breakers, which is always switched together with the associated circuit breaker and simulates the switch position of the circuit breaker;
• (h) the microswitches are arranged in the switching nodes of a monitoring matrix which corresponds to the high-frequency distribution matrix;
• (i) the microswitches in the monitoring matrix are connected to one another in such a way that they faithfully reproduce the path of the high-frequency signal in the high-frequency distribution matrix; and
• (k) to detect the switched connections between the transmitters and the antennas, the monitoring matrix can be cyclically controlled line by line via corresponding row lines and can be queried column by column via corresponding column lines, or can be cyclically activated column by column via the column lines and can be queried line by line via the row lines.

• (a) werden die Leistungsschalter von entsprechenden Schaltermotoren mit zugehörigen Motorschützen angetrieben;
• (b) sind die Motorschützeinnerhalb einer Matrix nach Spalten und Zeichen so zusammengefasst sind, dass alle Motorschütze einer Zeile eine gemeinsame Signalrückleitung haben, und alle Motorschütze einer Spalte über je eine Diode an einer gemeinsamen Speiseleitung hängen; und
• (c) werden zum Schalten von Verbindungen zwischen den Sendern und den Antennen die entsprechenden Motorschütze sequentiell durch Anwahl der zugehörigen Zeilen und Spalten angesteuert.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention

• (a) the circuit breakers are driven by corresponding switch motors with associated motor contactors;
• (b) the motor contactors are grouped together in a matrix according to columns and characters so that all motor contactors in a row have a common signal return and all motor contactors in a column are connected to a common feed line via a diode; and
• (c) to switch connections between the transmitters and the antennas, the corresponding motor contactors are activated sequentially by selecting the associated rows and columns.

Further exemplary embodiments result from the subclaims.

Brief description of the drawing

Fig. 1

das Prinzipschaltbild eines Sendezentrums mit einer Mehrzahl von Sendern und Antennen und einer dazwischenliegenden Hochfrequenz-Verteiler-Matrix (Antennenwähler-Matrix);

Fig. 2

den inneren Aufbau eines einzelnen Umschaltknotens aus der Matrix nach Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

ein Ausführungsbeispiel für eine zu der Matrix nach Fig. 1 gehörende Ueberwachungsmatrix;

Fig. 4

die Matrixanordnung von Motorschützen der Schaltermotore für eine Matrix nach Fig. 1 mit vereinfachter Ansteuerung;

Fig. 5

im Ausschnitt den Schaltplan für einen Schaltermotor der Matrix nach Fig. 1, wie er gemäss einem vorteilhaften Ausführungsbeispiel zur Reduzierung der Antennenwählzeiten benötigt wird; und

Fig. 6

eine Variante zu Fig. 5 für 380 V-Dreiphasenmotoren.

The invention will be explained in more detail below in connection with the drawing using exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

the basic circuit diagram of a transmission center with a plurality of transmitters and antennas and an intermediate high-frequency distribution matrix (antenna selector matrix);

Fig. 2

the internal structure of a single switch node from the matrix of FIG. 1;

Fig. 3

an exemplary embodiment of a monitoring matrix belonging to the matrix according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 4

the matrix arrangement of motor contactors of the switch motors for a matrix according to Figure 1 with simplified control.

Fig. 5

1 shows the circuit diagram for a switch motor of the matrix according to FIG. 1, as is required according to an advantageous exemplary embodiment to reduce the antenna selection times; and

Fig. 6

a variant of Fig. 5 for 380 V three-phase motors.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

1 shows the basic circuit diagram of a transmission center. The transmission center comprises a plurality of m transmitters S1, ..., Sm and a plurality of n antennas A1, ..., An. The transmitters S1, ..., Sm are the rows, and the antennas A1, ..., An assigned to the columns of a high-frequency distribution matrix HVM, which has the task of enabling any connection between one of the transmitters S1, ..., Sm and one of the antennas A1, ..., An.

For this purpose, the high-frequency distribution matrix HVM has a total of (m × n) switchover nodes U11,..., Umn, which are arranged at the crossing points (nodes) of the row and column lines and either over the respective row and column lines Can connect corners or switch the lines individually in a straight line.

Any switching node Uxy has the basic internal structure shown in FIG. 2. A circuit breaker 1 or 2 is inserted into the horizontal row line and the vertical column line, which is designed as a changeover switch in the examples given.

If the two circuit breakers 1 and 2 are in the switch position shown in FIG. 2, the straight line passage of the row and column line is interrupted. The two lines are connected at the same time via a corner, so that the signals from the transmitter Sx connected to the row line reach the antenna Ay connected to the column line.

In contrast, if the circuit breakers 1 and 2 are in their other switch position, shown in broken lines in FIG. 2, the row or column line is connected in a straight line to the next node in each case.

1 shows that the row lines on the side opposite the transmitters S1, ..., Sm and the column lines on the side opposite the antennas A1, ..., On are terminated by terminating resistors R. that lead to a common earth.

The terminating resistors R assigned to the column and row lines have the task of working in the unused, i.e. to derive the antennas and cables of the matrix that are not connected to a transmitter and to induce voltages against earth.

As already mentioned at the beginning, the actual switching state, i.e. the switch positions of the circuit breakers 1, 2 in the switchover nodes U11, ..., Umn are constantly monitored in order to avoid malfunctions and malfunctions in the transmission mode. It is known to assign corresponding microswitches to the circuit breakers 1, 2, which are switched either before or afterwards together with the circuit breakers belonging to them and thus simulate the circuit breakers for monitoring purposes in the small signal range.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, these microswitches - in the same way as the circuit breakers themselves - are arranged in a monitoring matrix UM (FIG. 3), which is similar to the high-frequency distribution matrix HVM and also in m rows and n columns (m × n) switch node U 11, ..., U has mn. Each of the switch nodes U 11, ..., U mn has the same internal structure as the switching node Uxy shown in FIG. 2 of the high-frequency distribution matrix HVM, with the difference that instead of the power switches 1, 2 there, the associated microswitches are now seated.

The m rows and n columns of the monitoring matrix UM are correspondingly assigned m row lines Z1, ..., Zm and n column lines C1, ..., Cn. In contrast to the prior art, in which the switch positions of the microswitches for each switch were queried via separate signal lines, the switching nodes UM are explained in the monitoring matrix UM explained here U 11, ..., U mn selected sequentially by activating the associated rows and columns and queried regarding their switching status. That way directly determine whether a particular transmitter is connected to a particular antenna or not.

The principle of sequential line control is indicated in FIG. 3 by the line selector 20 shown there, which successively switches a control signal to the line lines Z1,..., Zm. The entire process control for monitoring can e.g. in the context of an electronic programmable logic controller (PLC).

The microswitches are thus connected to one another in the monitoring matrix UM in such a way that they faithfully reproduce the path of the high-frequency signal in the high-frequency distribution matrix HVM. With the row lines Z1, ..., Zm and the column lines C1, ..., Cn alone, however, it is not possible to detect those switching states of the high-frequency distribution matrix HVM or the monitoring matrix UM in which a row or a column in a straight line is complete is switched through, ie in which a transmitter S1, ..., Sm or an antenna A1, ..., An is grounded via one of the terminating resistors R. However, it is precisely this information that is important in order to know whether the switches in the respective switchover nodes have been correctly reset when a connection between the transmitter and antenna is broken.

In order to be able to detect these cases as well, a column end line CE is provided as an additional row line and a row end line ZE is provided as an additional column line and is linked to the monitoring matrix UM in the manner shown in FIG. 3, the terminating resistors R from FIG conductive connections are simulated. The column end line CE is included in the sequential (cyclic) row control, while the row end line ZE is arranged in the row of the other column lines C1, ..., Cn.

In summary, the function of the circuit according to FIG. 3 can be described as follows: The (m + 1) row lines Z1, ..., Zm and CE receive the signal voltage used on the system alternately (e.g. + 24V), while the (n + 1) Column lines C1, ..., Cn and ZE are queried. The cyclical feeding of the row lines (multiplex operation) ensures that the assignment of the transmitters to the antennas can be clearly recorded. The query via the end of line ZE allows in particular to determine that a certain transmitter is "connected" to the outer end of the line, i.e. whether the changeover node connected at the corner was correctly reset when changing the antenna. The column end line CE allows to determine which antennas are grounded via the terminating resistors R. As you can easily see, the principle described does not change significantly if, instead of the row lines Z1, ..., Zm and CE, the column lines C1, ..., Cn and ZE are cyclically alternately fed with the signal voltage and the row lines Z1, ..., Zm and CE are queried instead of the column lines C1, ..., Cn and ZE.

The (4 × m × n) signal lines in a conventional antenna selector control (4 signal lines per node for 2 switches each with 2 switch positions) are now only compared to (m + 1 + n + 1) signal lines in the control according to the invention, which leads to considerable savings in terms of wiring effort, particularly for matrices with a high number of rows and columns.

The principle described and implemented in the invention makes it possible to obtain the information relevant to the operation of the transmission center with a sampling rate given by the number of transmitters and the processing speed of the programmable logic controller used (generally approximately 100 Hz). Although the positions of all switches are not recorded during operation, the required safety is fully guaranteed, since at least all of them absolutely necessary position reports are delivered with a sufficient sampling rate.

At this point it should be pointed out that the control described fully supports an automatic self-test of the high-frequency distribution matrix, which is useful, for example, as an aid for commissioning and after major revisions. In particular, the correct wiring of the control and feedback lines and the function of the switch motors driving the circuit breakers can be checked automatically with the available information.

With regard to the control of such switch motors, of which there are at least one, but usually two, per switch node, the principle of matrix selection according to the invention can also be used in order to reduce the wiring effort here as well. In this way, the original (m × n) control lines can be replaced by (m + n) lines.

According to a preferred embodiment, to which the illustration in FIG. 4 relates, the motor contactors M11, ..., Mmn or their holder relays H11, ..., Hmn necessary for the switch motors are arranged in a matrix in the wiring according to columns and rows summarized in such a way that all motor contactors in a row have a common signal return line (connected in Fig. 4 via appropriate switches and OV potential), and all motor contactors in a column are connected to a common supply line via a diode D (in Fig. 4 via corresponding switches) connected to 24 V potential).

To switch any connections between the transmitters S1, ..., Sm and the antennas A1, ..., An, the corresponding motor contactors are sequentially selected by selecting the associated rows and columns (by closing the associated switches) in the construction according to FIG. 4 ) controlled.

The type of control described up to this point requires the sequential execution of the individual switching processes in the switching nodes. In a broadcasting center, however, the antenna changes usually take place frequently at certain times (approximately every hour), so that the sequential execution would cause noticeable delays.

According to a further development of the control system according to the invention, this time limitation in the switching operations can be avoided. The prerequisite for this is the use of switch motors which are equipped with a limit switch in the end position of each direction of rotation. Under this condition, each of the motor contactors M11,..., Mn can then be equipped with a self-holding device that detects a given vehicle. Shift command lasts as long as another command about the direction of travel is pending.

5 shows a section of a corresponding circuit as it applies to a selected switch motor 12 from the matrix. The switch motor 12 is e.g. a 220 V single-phase motor with two different windings for the two different directions of rotation. Each direction of rotation is assigned a corresponding limit switch 10, 11 which interrupts the power supply to the motor on one side when the end position associated with the switching of the circuit breakers 1, 2 has been reached. A corresponding circuit variant with 380 V three-phase motors is shown in sections in FIG. 6, the same elements being provided with the same reference numerals.

The two directions of rotation of the switch motor 12 are referred to below as the switching direction and the corner direction, the switching direction being given with reference to FIG. 2 when the circuit breakers 1, 2 are switched from the position indicated there to the dashed position, if the row and column are "switched through" in a straight line.

5 includes the limit switch 10 and the switch supply 4. The corner direction includes the limit switch 11 and the corner supply 5. Both supplies branch off from a common 220 V supply line 3 and are each connected via a switch relay 8 or corner relay 9 switched on, which are controlled with 24 V signals via lines 6 or 7 for the direction command "through" or "corner".

In Fig. 6, depending on the direction command "through" (6) or "corner" (7), the supply to the switch motor 12 is switched through a phase exchanger 21 with a different order of the phases R, S, T.

It is immediately apparent that the direction of travel of the switch motor 12 is currently being determined via the lines 6 and 7, respectively. However, since the supplies 4 and 5 are not only responsible for the selected switch motor 12, but for all switch motors of the matrix, the direction commands for 6 and 7 determine the direction of travel for all switch motors simultaneously.

The other supply line 18 of the switch motor 12 is switched individually for each switch motor by a motor contactor contact 13c of the associated motor contactor Mxy. Two further motor contactor contacts 13a and 13b are part of the self-holding device already mentioned, the motor contactor contact 13a connecting the motor contactor winding via a holding voltage terminal 19 common to all contactors and two diodes D1, D2, with lines 6 and 7 for the direction command "through" and “Eck” connects while the other motor contactor contact 13b switches the connection of the motor contactor winding to a common ground line 14.

The motor contactor Mxy is simultaneously connected to a column controller 15 (24 V) and a row controller 16 (0 V) via two further diodes D3, D4, as is shown for the entire matrix in FIG. 4. The circuit parts arranged within the two vertical, dash-dotted lines are accommodated in a control cabinet 17, from which the high-frequency distribution matrix HVM is controlled.

• a) In der ersten Etappe werden alle Umschaltknoten der Hochfrequenz-Verteilungs-Matrix, die nicht gesetzt bleiben sollen (d.h. die nicht über Eck geschaltet bleiben sollen), zurückgesetzt. Dazu wird zunächst der Dauerbefehl "Fahrrichtung Durch" gesetzt (24 V-Signal an 6; Durchschalt-Relais 8 eingeschaltet), dieser Befehl steht bis zum Ende der ersten Etappe an.
  Dann werden mit sequentiellen Impulsen ausreichender Länge (etwa 100 ms, je nach Relais-Anzugs-bzw. Abfallzeit) über die entsprechenden Zeilen- bzw. Spaltensteuerungen 15,16 die Motorschütze bzw. Halterelais der betroffenen Umschaltknoten gesetzt (eingeschaltet), wobei pro Zeile je eine Leitung 15 und pro Spalte je eine Leitung 16 vorhanden ist. Diese halten sich über die beschriebene Selbsthaltevorrichtung selbst solange, bis der Dauerbefehl "Fahrrichtung Durch" (keine Spannung an Leitung 6) zurückgenommen wird. Die Schaltermotoren der gesetzten Motorschütze laufen solange, bis sie ihre Endposition in Durchschaltrichtung erreicht haben und schalten dann mittels der entsprechenden Endabschalter selbstätig ab, auch wenn der Motorschütz gesetzt bleibt.
  Nachdem sequentiell die Motorschütze aller betroffenen Umschaltknoten gesetzt sind, bleibt der Befehl "Fahrrichtung Durch" noch solange anstehen, wie ein Schaltermotor maximal zum Erreichen seiner Endposition brauchen darf (mit einer geeigneten Sicherheitsmarge). Die erste Etappe endet mit der Rücknahme des Fahrrichtungs-Befehls.
• b) In der zweiten Etappe werden alle Umschaltknoten gesetzt, die neu zu setzen sind (d.h. über Eck geschaltet werden sollen). Nach Ablauf einer kurzen, auf die erste Etappe folgenden Pause, deren Länge durch die Abfallzeit der selbstgehaltenen Motorschütze bzw. Halterelais bestimmt wird, wird der Dauerbefehl "Fahrrichtung Eck" (24 V-Signal an Leitung 7; Eck-Relais 9 eingeschaltet) gesetzt; dieser Befehl steht bis zum Ende der zweiten Etappe an.
  Wie in der ersten Etappe werden dann die Motorschütze bzw. Halterelais der betroffenen Umschaltknoten angewählt und gesetzt und halten sich selbst solange, wie der Befehl ansteht. Die Schaltermotore laufen nun in Eck-Richtung, bis sie ihre Endposition erreicht haben und mittels der Endabschalter selbsttätig abschalten.

With the circuit arrangement according to FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, an antenna change takes place in two stages:

• a) In the first stage, all switching nodes of the high-frequency distribution matrix that should not remain set (that is, should not remain connected in a corner) are reset. For this purpose, the permanent command "Direction of travel through" is set (24 V signal at 6; switching relay 8 switched on). This command is pending until the end of the first stage.
  Then the motor contactors or holding relays of the changeover nodes concerned are set (switched on) with sequential pulses of sufficient length (about 100 ms, depending on the relay pick-up or fall time) via the corresponding row or column controls 15, 16, with each row being switched on one line 15 and one line 16 per column is present. These hold themselves over the self-holding device described until the permanent command "direction of travel through" (no voltage on line 6) is withdrawn. The switch motors of the set motor contactors run until they have reached their end position in the switching direction and then switch off automatically using the corresponding limit switches, even if the motor contactor remains set.
  After the motor contactors of all of the changeover nodes concerned have been set sequentially, the command "Direction of travel through" remains active as long as a switch motor is only allowed to reach its end position (with one suitable safety margin). The first stage ends with the withdrawal of the direction command.
• b) In the second stage, all changeover nodes are set that are to be newly set (ie should be switched over a corner). After a short pause following the first stage, the length of which is determined by the fall time of the self-held motor contactors or holding relays, the permanent command "Direction of travel corner" (24 V signal on line 7; corner relay 9 switched on) is set; this command is pending until the end of the second stage.
  As in the first stage, the motor contactors or holding relays of the changeover nodes concerned are then selected and set and hold themselves as long as the command is pending. The switch motors now run in the corner direction until they have reached their end position and switch off automatically using the limit switches.

The advantage of this type of control is that only the relatively short control pulses for the motor contactors actually have to be sequential, while the times in which the individual switch motors run can overlap. This saves a considerable amount of time compared to a completely sequential switching of the individual switching nodes.

Overall, a drastically simplified antenna selector control can be implemented with the method and the device according to the invention.

Claims (8)

1. Method for monitoring and controlling an antenna selector, in which

   a) the antenna selector has the form of a radio frequency distribution matrix (HVM);

   b) the elements of this matrix are formed by switching points (Uxy, U11, ..., Umn);

   c) the rows of this matrix are associated with a corresponding number of transmitters (S1, ..., Sm);

   d) the columns of this matrix are associated with a corresponding number of antennas (A1, ..., An); and

   e) at the switching points (Uxy, U11, ..., Umn) circuit breakers (1, 2) are arranged in each case with the aid of which connections between the transmitters (S1, ..., Sm) and the antennas (A1, ..., An) can be optionally switched; wherein

   f) the switching points (Uxy, U11, ..., Umn) are sequentially selected by selecting the associated rows and columns for monitoring and controlling the switching state of the matrix; where

   g) the switched connections in a monitoring matrix (UM) which corresponds to the radio frequency distribution matrix (HVM) and the switching points (U11, ..., Umn) of which contain microswitches which are associated with the circuit breakers (1, 2) and in each case simulate their breaker position and are connected in such a way that they truly simulate the path of the radio frequency signal in the radio frequency distribution matrix (HVM), are sensed by the monitoring matrix (UM) either being cyclically selected row by row via corresponding row lines (Z1, ..., Zm) and interrogated column by column by corresponding column lines (C1, ..., Cn) or cyclically selected column by column by the column lines (C1, ..., Cn) and interrogated row by row by the row lines (Z1, ..., Zm).
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that

   a) the columns of the radio frequency distribution matrix (HVM) are grounded at the end opposite to the antennas (A1, ..., An) via terminating resistors (R);

   b) the terminating resistors (R) are simulated in the monitoring matrix (UM) by conductive connections which lead to a common column end line (CE), and

   c) the column end line (CE), together with the row lines (Z1, ..., Zm), is cyclically selected or interrogated.
3. Method according to Claim 2, characterised in that

   a) the row lines (Z1, ..., Zm) in the monitoring matrix (UM) are connected to a common row end line (ZE) at the end opposite to the selection side; and

   b) the row end line (ZE), together with the column lines (C1, ..., Cn), is interrogated or cyclically selected.
4. Method according to Claim 3, characterised in that

   a) the circuit breakers (1, 2) are operated by corresponding breaker motors (12) with associated motor contactors (Mxy, M11, ..., Mmn);

   b) the motor contactors (Mxy, M11, ..., Mmn) are combined by columns and rows within a matrix, in such a manner that all motor contactors of one row have a common signal return line and all motor contactors of one column are attached to a common feedline by one diode (D) each; and

   c) the corresponding motor contactors for switching connections between the transmitters (S1, ..., Sm) and the antennas (A1, ..., An) are sequentially selected by selection of the associated rows and columns.
5. Method according to Claim 4, characterised in that

   a) breaker motors (12) are used which can optionally operate in both directions of rotation and are in each case equipped with a limit trip (10, 11) at the end position of each direction of rotation,

   b) motor contactors (Mxy, M11, ..., Mmn) with a self-holding device or a preceding holding relay are used;

   c) the switching points which are not to remain set are reset in a first stage in that firstly the direction of rotation necessary for the resetting is selected jointly for all breaker motors (12) and then the motor contactors of the switching points concerned are set by means of sequential selection pulses via the corresponding row and column lines so that the associated breaker motors run until they have reached one limit position and automatically switch off by means of the limit trips (10, 11); and

   d) the switching points which are to be newly set are set in a second stage in that firstly the direction of rotation necessary for the setting is selected for all breaker motors (12) and then the motor contactors of the switching points concerned are set by means of sequential selection pulses via the corresponding row and column lines so that the associated breaker motors run until they have reached their other limit position and automatically switch off by means of the limit trips (10, 11).
6. Antenna selector for carrying out the method as claimed in claim 1, having the following features:

   a) the antenna selector has the form of a radio frequency distribution matrix (HVM);

   b) the elements of this matrix are formed by switching points (Uxy, U11, ..., Umn);

   c) the rows of this matrix are associated with a corresponding number of transmitters (S1, ..., Sm);

   d) the columns of this matrix are associated with a corresponding number of antennas (A1, ..., An); and

   e) at the switching points (Uxy, U11, ..., Umn), circuit breakers (1, 2) are arranged in each case with the aid of which connections between the transmitters (S1, ..., Sm) and the antennas (A1, ..., An) can be optionally switched;
   characterised in that

   f) means are provided for sequentially selecting the switching points (Uxy, U11, ..., Umn) via the associated rows and columns; where

   g) each of the circuit breakers (1, 2) is associated with a microswitch which is always switched together with the associated circuit breaker (1, 2) and simulates the breaker position of the circuit breaker (1, 2) and simulates the breaker position of the circuit breaker (1, 2);

   h) the microswitches are arranged at the switching points (U11, ... Umn) of a monitoring matrix (UM), which corresponds to the radio frequency distribution matrix (HVM);

   i) the microswitches in the monitoring matrix (UM) are connected with one another in such a way that they truly simulate the path of the radio frequency distribution matrix (HVM); and

   k) for sensing the switched connections between the transmitters (S1, ... Sm) and the antennas (A1, ... An), the monitoring matrix (UM) can be cyclically selected row by row via corresponding row lines (Z1, ..., Zm) and interrogated column by column via corresponding column lines (C1, ..., Cn), or can be cyclically selected column by column via the column lines (C1, ..., (n) and interrogated row by row via the row lines (Z1, ..., Zm).
7. Antenna selector according to Claim 6, characterised in that

   a) breaker motors (12) with corresponding motor contactors(Mxy, M11, ..., Mmn) are provided at the switching points (Uxy, U11, ..., Umn) of the radio frequency distribution matrix (HVM) for operating the circuit breakers (1, 2);

   b) for selecting the breaker motors (12), the motor contactors (Myx, M11, ..., Mmn) are arranged in the form of a matrix which corresponds to the radio frequency distribution matrix (HVM); and

   c) the motor contactors (Mxy, M11, ..., Mmn) are combined by rows and columns within the matrix, in such a manner that all motor contactors of one row have a common signal return line whilst the motor contactors of one column are attached to a common feedline via one diode (D) each.
8. Antenna selector according to Claim 7, characterised in that

   a) the breaker motors (12) are equipped with limit trips (10, 11) for one limit position in each direction of rotation;

   b) the motor contactors (Mxy, M11, ..., Mmn) of the breaker motors (12) are in each case equipped with a self-holding device;

   c) the direction of rotation can be jointly selected for all breaker motors (12); and

   d) the limit trips (10, 11) and motor contactors (Mxy, M11, ..., Mmn) with the corresponding motor contactor contacts (13a, b, c) are connected to the supply lines (3, 18) of the breaker motors (12) in such a manner that, in order to set up particular connections in the radio frequency distribution matrix (HVM), the motor contactors of the corresponding breaker motors (12) can be sequentially set by means of selection pulses, are self-held in the set state and supply the associated breaker motors with current until they are switched off by the corresponding limit trip when one limit position is reached.

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