JP2003044301A - Radio communication equipment for realizing radio communication function by software - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a software radio equipment in which the structure of an application program can be simplified. SOLUTION: The software radio equipment is provided with the application program 4 describing functional definition to realize radio functions, a library 102 to store control programs and control commands to control hardware and a library managing part 3 to investigate the control program and the control command required for functional realization by analyzing the functional definition described in the application program 4 and to instruct download of a lacking control program and control command when the required control program and control command are not stored in the library 102 and an external library downloader 1 to download the specified control program and control command from the external library 2 to the library 102.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless communication device that realizes a wireless communication function by software, and more particularly to a wireless communication device that can simplify the configuration of an application program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional radio communication device (hereinafter referred to as a software radio device) which realizes a radio communication function by software will be described below. As a conventional software defined radio, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 11-341889 describes "a radio that realizes a wireless function by software,
There are receivers and transmitters ".

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the conventional software defined radio described above. In FIG. 6, 100 is an application program (Ap
replication), and 101 is a library management unit (Libra
ry management), and 102 is a library (librar
y), 103 is an O / S (operating system), and 104 is a device driver (Device Drive).
r), 105 is a CPU, and 106 is an amplifier (A
mp.), 107 is a mixer (Mixer), 108
Is a synthesizer (Synth), 109 is a D / A converter (DAC), 110 is an A / D converter (ADC), and 111 is an ASIC (Application Specific Integrator).
ted circuit), and 112 is an FPGA (Field Progr
It is an ammable gate array, and 113 is a DSP (Digita).
Signal Processor), and 114 is an I / O.

The application program 100
Is a control program (H / W control program) for the individual hardware (H / W) that needs to be downloaded, in addition to the operation description of the entire system and the programs and commands implemented in the initial state of the library 102. A control command (H / W control command) is included. The H / W control program and the H / W control command included in the application program 100 are individual programs for controlling the above H / W.

The library management unit 101 manages an H / W control program and an H / W control command mounted in a library 102 described later or downloaded and stored previously.

The library 102 is the H of the FPGA 112.
DL (Hardware Description Language) program,
Amplifier 106, mixer 107, synthesizer 108, D
/ A converter 109, A / D converter 110, and ASIC 11
1 and I / O 114, H / W control commands for setting / controlling individual functions, and DSP 113 and CPU 10
The H / W control program of 5, which is frequently used, is stored in advance. Further, the library 102 also has a function of absorbing the difference in individual hardware and distributing and executing the instructions of the application program 100 related to the configuration of the entire wireless unit to each hardware. Note that 105 to 114 are hardware that realizes a wireless communication function.

The O / S 103 is a program for controlling the entire operation on the CPU 105. The device driver 104 is software that controls individual hardware. Further, the library management unit 101 and the O / S
103 is realized by software on the CPU 105.

FIG. 7 shows an application program 10.
It is a figure which shows the execution form of 0. The operation of the software defined radio will be described with reference to FIG. In the software defined radio, the application program 100
, A functional description such as an operation algorithm indicating what kind of function is to be implemented, and an H / W for controlling individual H / W
A control program, H / W control command, etc. are included. The software defined radio realizes the function of the wireless communication device according to the application program 100.

The software defined radio refers to the library 102 when compiling or reading the application program 100. At this time, in the library management unit 101, the H / W control program and the H / W control command installed in the library 102 in advance, and the H / W control program and the H / W control command previously downloaded and stored in the library 102 are stored. Is managed (understood).

Further, in the library management unit 101, the H / W control program and H required for realizing the wireless communication function in the application program 100.
/ W control command is analyzed and, for example, the library 10
If an H / W control program or H / W control command that does not exist in 2 is required, the application program 1
From 00, the H / W control program and H / W control command necessary for realizing the function are loaded into the library 102.

By the operation of the library management unit 101, the H / W control program and the H / W control command necessary for realizing the wireless communication function are stored in the library 10.
Stored in 2. Further, since the state of the library 102 is managed, the necessary H / W control program and H / W can be executed without loading unnecessary programs and commands.
Only control commands can be loaded.

After the completion of the loading of the insufficient programs and commands, the software defined radio uses the H / W control program and H / W control commands stored in the library 102 to execute the instructions of the application program 100, and Translate into control commands to programs or other hardware.

By loading the converted program and control command into each hardware, each hardware operates as a functional block of the software defined radio. In addition,
The application program 100 is executed (read) on the O / S 103, and since the device driver 104 controls each hardware via the O / S 103, the application program 100 directly commands the hardware. There is no. With this configuration, the application program 10
0 becomes available as a general-purpose program that does not depend on hardware. Then, the function of the wireless communication device can be realized as the entire hardware.

As described above, in the conventional software defined radio, the H / W control program and the H / W control command are prepared in advance in the initial state of the library 102, and the library management is performed by analyzing the application program 100. The unit 101 downloads the lacking H / W control program and H / W control command to the library 102. Therefore, even if there are a plurality of software defined radios and the H / W control programs and H / W control commands installed in the library 102 or downloaded and saved in the past are different in each software defined radio, the software H / W control program and H / W for each radio
There is no need to manage W control commands.

Further, in each software defined radio, it is not necessary to change the application program 100 according to the state of the library 102, so that the same application program 100 can be used in all software defined radios. In addition, since the library management unit 101 is provided and only the H / W control program and the H / W control command that are lacking in the library 102 are downloaded, the size of the downloaded program does not include the library management unit 101. It will be smaller than the case.

[0016]

However, there are a plurality of software defined radios, and the H / W control program is installed in the library 102 by each software defined radio or downloaded and saved in the past. And the H / W control command is different, in the above-described conventional software defined radio, it is necessary for the application program 100 to include all of the H / W control program and the H / W control command required by each. . Therefore, from the application program 100 to the library 1 inside the software defined radio
The size itself of the program etc. downloaded to 02 is
The size of the application program 100 itself increases, although it decreases due to the operation of the library management unit 101.
There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a software defined radio capable of simplifying the configuration of an application program, that is, reducing the size of the application program itself. The purpose is to get.

[0018]

[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the object, a wireless communication device according to the present invention is configured to realize a wireless communication function by software, and for example, an application program for realizing the wireless communication function (application of an embodiment described later) Library management means (library management) that analyzes the function definition described in (corresponding to program 4), investigates the control program and control command for controlling the hardware, and instructs the download of the insufficient control program and control command. (Corresponding to the unit 3) and download execution means (corresponding to the external library downloader 1) for downloading the designated control program and control command from the external library.

In a wireless communication device according to the next invention,
The library management means compares the analysis function of the application program, the control program and the control command requested by the application program obtained by the analysis, with the control program and the control command pre-installed in the internal library. And a detection function for detecting a control program or a control command to perform.

In a wireless communication device according to the next invention,
The download execution means connects to an external library after receiving an instruction from the library management means,
The control program or control command in the designated external library is downloaded to the internal library.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a software defined radio according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a software defined radio according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an external library downloader (Ext. Library D
ownload), 2 is an external library (Ext. Librar
y), and 3 is the Library management department.
t), 4 is an application program (Application) for realizing the wireless communication function, and 102
Is a library, 103 is an O / S (operating system), 104 is a device driver (Device Driver), 105 is a CPU, 106 is an amplifier (Amp.), And 107 is a mixer. (Mixer), 108 is a synthesizer (Synth), 109 is a D / A converter (DAC), and 110 is A
Is an A / D converter (ADC), 111 is an ASIC,
112 is an FPGA, 113 is a DSP, 11
4 is an I / O. The same components as those of the above-described conventional technique are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The external library 2 is downloaded by the external library downloader 1. External library 2
Does not exist in the software defined radio, but exists on the server connected to the software defined radio. In this embodiment, the external library 2 is connected to the software defined radio when the function definition of the software defined radio (analysis and reading of the application program 4) is performed. After the analysis and reading of the program of the application program 4 is completed, the external library 2
It can be separated from the software defined radio.

In the library management unit 3, the library 10
2 manages the H / W control program and the H / W control command that are implemented on the computer 2 or downloaded and stored. In the application program 4, only the function definition of the software defined radio is shown. The application program 4 does not include the H / W control command and the H / W control program, unlike the application program 100 used in the conventional software defined radio.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an execution form of the application program 4. The operation of the software defined radio will be described with reference to FIG. The library management unit 3 analyzes the function definition of the software defined radio described in the application program 4 at the time of compiling or executing the application program 4, and when executing the application program 4, what H / W control program and H / W Investigate if W control command is required. Then, it is investigated whether or not the necessary H / W control program and H / W control command are installed in advance in the library 102 managed by the library management unit 3. Here, as a result of the analysis of the application program 4, an unimplemented H / W control program or H / W control program
When the W control command is required to execute the application program 4, the library management unit 3 downloads the H / W control program or the H / W control command that does not exist in the library 102 to the external library downloader 1. Give instructions.

The external library downloader 1 searches the external library 2 for the individual H / W control program and H / W control command instructed by the library management unit 3 and downloads them to the library 102.

When the download to the library 102 is completed, the O / S 103 loads an individual H / W control command and H / W control program into each hardware (105 to 114) via the device driver 104.
As a result, each hardware functions and the function as a software defined radio is realized.

The operations of the library management section 3 and the external library downloader 1 will now be described in detail with reference to the flow chart. FIG. 3 shows the library management unit 3.
3 is a diagram showing an operation flowchart of an external library downloader 1. FIG. In FIG. 3, step S
1 to step S6 are processing contents of the library management unit 3, and steps S7 to S9 are processing contents of the external library downloader 1. Further, the library management unit 3 has an H that is provided in the library 102 in advance.
A list of / W control programs and H / W control commands is held.

The library management unit 3 analyzes what kind of H / W control program and H / W control command are required in the application program 4 to be executed (step S1). Then, based on the analysis result, H required for executing the application program 4
A list of / W control programs and H / W control commands is generated (step S2).

Next, in the library management section 3, the list and the library 102 generated in the process of the above step S2 are generated.
Compared with the list already implemented in
The H / W control program and the H / W control command which are not installed in 02 in advance are specified (step S3). For example, when the H / W control program or the H / W control command necessary for executing the application program 4 does not exist in the library 102 (step S4, Ye
s), the library management unit 3 requests the download of the missing H / W control program or H / W control command (step S5). On the other hand, the H / W control program and H necessary for executing the application program 4
If the / W control command has already been implemented in the library 102 (step S4, No), the process is terminated in that state.

In the process of step S5, the library management unit 3 notifies the external library downloader 1 of the insufficient H / W control program or H / W control command, and requests the download thereof.

Upon receiving this request, the external library downloader 1 connects to the external library 2 (step S7), and requests the H / W control program or H / W.
A control command is retrieved (step S8). Then, the requested H / W control program or H / W control command is downloaded to the library 102 (step S
9) The library management unit 3 is notified of the completion of the download.

Finally, the library management section 3 notified of the completion of the download updates the list of H / W control programs and H / W control commands stored in the library 102 (step S6). In the present embodiment, the operation of the library management unit 3 and the external library downloader 1 has been described using the above operation flowchart, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the H / W control program and the H / W control command can be executed by the external library. The operation flowchart different from the above may be applied as long as it is the operation of downloading from 2.

As described above, in the software defined radio according to the present embodiment, the application program 4 has only the function definition for realizing the wireless communication function, and other individual H / W control programs and H / W control commands are provided. Uses an internal library 102 or an externally connected external library 2. This allows
Even if there are multiple software defined radios,
The application program 4 has only a common function definition. Differences in H / W between software defined radios and differences in the H / W control programs and control commands stored in the respective libraries 102 cause the library management unit 3 and the external library downloader 1 to operate. Can be absorbed by Also, the H / W required for the application program 4
If the external library 2 equipped with all control programs and H / W control commands is prepared, the library 10
Even if there are a plurality of software defined radios in different states, one application program 4
With, you can define the functions of all software defined radios.

The software defined radio shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is one specific example of the present embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, although each hardware (105 to 114) is used in the figure, the wireless communication function of the present embodiment can be realized even if some of these are missing. Further, even when other hardware controlled by software (a program or a command) other than the above is added, the wireless communication function of the present embodiment can be realized. Further, even when a part of each of the above hardware (105 to 114) is lacking and other hardware that is not controlled by software is added, the wireless communication function of the present embodiment can be realized. Further, even when other hardware controlled by software other than the above is added and other hardware not controlled by software is added, the wireless communication function of the present embodiment can be realized.

In the present embodiment, the method of connecting to the external library 2 in the software defined radio is not mentioned, but the method of connecting to the external library 2 is as follows: H / W stored in the external library 2. As long as the control program and the H / W control command can be downloaded to the library 102, they may be connected in any form.

Embodiment 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a receiver that realizes a wireless communication function by software to which the configuration of the first embodiment is applied. The same components as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The operation of the receiver will be described below. In this embodiment, the application program 4
Defines the function as a receiver. Also, CPU
In 105, a library 102, a library management unit 3, an O / S 103, and a device driver 104 are realized.

First, the CPU 105 receives the function definition contents of the receiver described in the application program 4, and analyzes what programs and commands are required to realize the functions of the receiver. In the library management unit 3, necessary programs and commands, H / W control programs installed in the library 102 in advance, H / W control commands, and H / W control downloaded to the library 102 in the past and still stored Comparing the program and H / W control command, H /
Search for W control programs and H / W control commands.

Further, the library management section 3 notifies the external library downloader 1 of the above-mentioned insufficient H / W control program and H / W control command. The external library downloader 1 downloads the lacking H / W control program and H / W control command from the external library 2 connected to the receiver and stores them in the library 102.

After that, in the CPU 105, the function definition described in the application program 4 is stored in the library 102 as the H / W control program and the H / W.
Convert to control command. The converted H / W control program is executed by each hardware (106 to 108, 110).
~ 114). Moreover, each hardware is controlled via the device driver 104 using the converted H / W control command.

The H / W control program and the H / W
All control by the control command is performed via the O / S 103. In addition, in the present embodiment, for example, the gain setting of the amplifier 106, the ASIC 111 setting, the mixer 107 setting, the oscillation frequency setting of the synthesizer 108, the A / D converter 110 and the I / O 114 setting are performed by the device. It is controlled via the driver 104. Also, FPG
A112, DSP113, device driver 104
The program is downloaded via. As a result, each hardware (106-108, 110-114)
It operates as an individual functional block that constitutes the receiver, and realizes the function of the receiver as a whole hardware.

As described above, in the receiver according to the present embodiment, the application program 4 has only the function definition for realizing the receiving function, and other individual H /
The W control program and the H / W control command are executed by the internal library 102 or the externally connected external library 2
Use what is in. As a result, even if there are a plurality of receivers, the application program 4
H / W between receivers is only common function definition
And the difference between the H / W control program and the H / W control command stored in each library 102 can be absorbed by the library management unit 3 and the external library downloader 1. In addition, if the external library 2 including all H / W control programs and H / W control commands necessary for the application program 4 is prepared, there may be a case where a plurality of receivers having different states of the library 102 exist. However, all the receiving functions can be defined by one application program 4.

The receiver shown in FIG. 4 is a specific example of the present embodiment, and various modifications can be made as in the first embodiment. Further, even if the connection order of the above hardware is different, the same receiving function can be realized.

Further, in this embodiment, the CPU 105
In the above description, the library 102, the library management unit 3, the external library downloader 1, the O / S 103, and the device driver 104 are described. However, even if these functions are implemented in hardware other than the CPU, the same applies. The reception function of can be realized.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the library management unit 3 analyzes the application program 4 and detects a shortage of the programs or commands stored in the library 102, the shortage of programs or commands from the external library 2 is detected. However, it is also possible to output a read request for a missing program or command to the outside and read the missing program or command from other than the external library 2, for example.

Embodiment 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a transmitter that realizes a wireless communication function by software to which the configuration of the first embodiment is applied. The same components as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Here, the operation of the transmitter will be described. In this embodiment, the application program 4
Defines the function as a transmitter. Also, CPU
In 105, a library 102, a library management unit 3, an O / S 103, and a device driver 104 are realized.

First, the CPU 105 receives the function definition contents of the transmitter described in the application program 4, and analyzes what programs and commands are required to realize the functions of the transmitter. In the library management unit 3, necessary programs and commands, H / W control programs installed in the library 102 in advance, H / W control commands, and H / W control downloaded to the library 102 in the past and still stored Comparing the program and H / W control command, H /
Search for W control programs and H / W control commands.

Further, the library management section 3 notifies the external library downloader 1 of the above-mentioned insufficient H / W control program and H / W control command. The external library downloader 1 downloads the lacking H / W control program and H / W control command from the external library 2 connected to the transmitter and stores them in the library 102.

Thereafter, the CPU 105 stores the function definition described in the application program 4 in the H / W control program and the H / W stored in the library 102.
Convert to control command. The converted H / W control program is executed by each hardware (106 to 108, 110).
~ 114). Moreover, each hardware is controlled via the device driver 104 using the converted H / W control command.

The above H / W control program and H / W
All control by the control command is performed via the O / S 103. Further, in the present embodiment, for example, the gain setting of the amplifier 106, the ASIC 111 setting, the mixer 107 setting, the oscillation frequency setting of the synthesizer 108, the D / A converter 109 and the I / O 114 setting are performed by the device. It is controlled via the driver 104. Also, FPG
The A112 and the DSP 113 include the device driver 1
The program is downloaded via 04. As a result, each hardware (106-109, 111-11
4) operates as individual functional blocks constituting the transmitter, and realizes the function of the transmitter as a whole hardware.

As described above, in the transmitter according to the present embodiment, the application program 4 has only the function definition for realizing the transmission function, and other individual H /
The W control program and the H / W control command are executed by the internal library 102 or the externally connected external library 2
Use what is in. As a result, even if there are a plurality of receivers, the application program 4
H / W between receivers is only common function definition
And the difference between the H / W control program and the H / W control command stored in each library 102 can be absorbed by the library management unit 3 and the external library downloader 1. In addition, if the external library 2 including all H / W control programs and H / W control commands necessary for the application program 4 is prepared, there may be a case where a plurality of receivers having different states of the library 102 exist. However, all the receiving functions can be defined by one application program 4.

The transmitter shown in FIG. 5 is a specific example of the present embodiment, and various modifications can be made as in the first embodiment. Further, even if the connection order of the above hardware is different, the same transmission function can be realized.

Further, in this embodiment, the CPU 105
In the above description, the library 102, the library management unit 3, the external library downloader 1, the O / S 103, and the device driver 104 are described. However, even if these functions are implemented in hardware other than the CPU, the same applies. The transmission function of can be realized.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the library management unit 3 analyzes the application program 4 and detects a shortage of the program or command stored in the library 102, the shortage of the program or command from the external library 2 is detected. However, it is also possible to output a read request for a missing program or command to the outside and read the missing program or command from other than the external library 2, for example.

If an external library having all the control programs and control commands required by the application program is prepared, even if there are a plurality of wireless communication devices having different states of the internal library, One application program can define all wireless communication functions. As a result, the configuration of the application program can be greatly simplified.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, an application program serves as a function definition for realizing a wireless communication function, and other individual control programs and control commands are connected to an internal library or externally connected. Use what is in the external library. As a result, even when there are multiple wireless communication devices,
The application program has a common function definition,
Differences in hardware with other wireless communication devices and differences in control programs and control commands stored in the internal library can be absorbed by the library management means and the download execution means, and the configuration of the application program can be simplified. Has the effect.

According to the next invention, the library management means compares the control program and control command obtained by analysis of the application program with the control program and control command pre-installed in the internal library. did. As a result, it is possible to efficiently detect the lacking control program or control command.

According to the next invention, the download execution means performs the wireless communication with the external library after receiving the instruction regarding the necessary control program or control command. Thus, it is possible to reliably download the instructed control program or control command in the external library to the internal library.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a software defined radio according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an execution form of an application program.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation flowchart of a library management unit and an external library downloader.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a receiver that realizes a wireless communication function by software.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a transmitter that realizes a wireless communication function by software.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional software defined radio.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an execution form of an application program.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 External library downloader (Ext. Library Downl
oad), 2 external library (Ext. Library), 3 library management section (Library management), 4 application program (Application), 102 library (library), 103 O / S (operating system), 104 device driver (Device Drive)
r), 105 CPU, 106 amplifier (Amp.), 10
7 Mixer, 108 Synthesizer (Synt)
h), 109 D / A converter (DAC), 110 A / D converter (ADC), 111 ASIC, 112 FPGA,
113 DSP, 114 I / O.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. In a wireless communication device that realizes a wireless communication function by software, by analyzing a function definition written in an application program (software) for realizing the wireless communication function, a request is made by the application program. Library control means for investigating control programs and control commands for controlling the hardware, and instructing the internal library to download the missing control program or control command, and downloading the instructed control program or control command from the external library. A wireless communication device, comprising: 2. The library management means includes an analysis function of an application program, a control program and a control command required by the application program obtained by the analysis, a control program and a control command pre-installed in an internal library, The wireless communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a detection function of comparing the control program and the control command to detect a shortage. 3. The download execution means, after receiving an instruction from the library management means, connects to an external library and downloads the instructed control program or control command in the external library to the internal library. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 or 2.