JP2005328363A - Radio communications module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio communications module capable of making the data transfer speed of a USB interface 14 equal to the radio communication speed of a base station, on the basis of communication rate information from the base station at radio communication with the base station. <P>SOLUTION: The radio communication module is provided with a radio signal transmitting/receiving part 12 for transmitting/receiving a radio signal by mutual frequency conversion between a base-band signal and the radio signal, a base-band processing part 13 for processing the base band signal; a USB interface 14 for transferring base-band data between the base-band processing part 13 and a posterior terminal device 16; and a transfer speed switching part 13(1) included in the base-band processing part 13 and capable of switching the data transfer speed of the USB interface 14. When radio communication is carried out with the base station, the transfer speed switching part 13(1) switches the data transfer speed of the USB interface 14 to the data transfer speed suited to the radio communication speed of the base station, corresponding to the radio communication speed of the base station on the basis of communication rate information transmitted from the base station. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication module, and in particular, when performing wireless communication with a base station, the data transfer rate of the USB interface is determined based on the communication rate information transmitted from the base station. It is related with the radio | wireless communication module switched so that it may become the same.

  In general, the wireless communication module performs wireless communication with a base station and transmits information signals such as a call signal and a data signal to each other. A large number of base stations are provided in various locations, and each base station has a communication area. The wireless communication module performs wireless communication with a base station in a region where the wireless communication module is located when performing wireless communication with the base station, and the user moves while holding the wireless communication module. When moving with a moving body such as an automobile, the communication area of the base station in which wireless communication with the wireless communication module is performed changes sequentially with the movement of the wireless communication module.

  Here, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a state when the wireless communication module sequentially moves in the communication areas of a plurality of base stations, and the case where the wireless communication systems of the plurality of base stations are the same. It is shown.

  In FIG. 5, 51 is an automobile equipped with a wireless communication module (not shown), 52 and 53 are base stations having communication areas 52a and 53a, respectively, and these communication areas 52a and 53a partially overlap. This shows a state in which the vehicle 51 has a communication area 54a and is moving in the direction of the communication area 53a of the base station 53 from the communication area 52a of the base station 52 through the communication area 54a. In this case, each of the base stations 52 and 53 is of the same wireless communication system, that is, the wireless communication speed (data rate) when performing wireless communication with the wireless communication module is set to be the same.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the automobile 51 is moving in the communication area 52 a of the base station 52, wireless communication is performed between the wireless communication module mounted on the automobile 51 and the base station 52. Such a wireless communication state is basically the same when moving in the area 54a where the communication area 52a of the base station 52 and the communication area 53a of the base station 53 overlap. When the automobile 51 moves away from the area 54 a and moves within the communication area 53 a of the base station 53, wireless communication is performed between the wireless communication module and the base station 53.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a main part used in a known wireless communication module of this type.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the wireless communication module 60 includes a transmission / reception antenna 61, a wireless signal transmission / reception unit 62, a baseband processing unit 63, a USB interface 64, and a USB terminal connected to the rear terminal device 66. It consists of 65. In this case, the USB terminal 65 has four connection terminals D +, D−, Vbus, and GND. The terminals D +, D−, and Vbus are connected to the USB interface 64 by three lines, and the terminal GND is connected. Connected to a point. As will be described later, a pull-up resistor 67 is selectively connected to a line connected to the terminal D + or a line connected to the terminal D−. The rear terminal device 66 includes a personal computer (PC), a PDA (personal digital assistant), and the like, and the USB terminal 65 and the rear terminal device 66 are connected to each other by a USB cable (not shown) when used.

  The radio signal transmission / reception unit 62 performs mutual frequency conversion between a baseband signal and a radio signal, necessary signal amplification, and the like, and is connected to a transmission / reception antenna 61 that transmits / receives a radio signal to / from a base station. . The baseband processing unit 63 performs predetermined processing on the transmitted baseband data and supplies the baseband data to the wireless signal transmission / reception unit 62, and performs predetermined processing on the received baseband data and supplies it to the USB interface 64. The USB interface 64 transfers the baseband data supplied from the baseband processing unit 63 to the rear terminal device 66, and transfers the baseband data supplied from the rear terminal device 66 to the baseband processing unit 63. is there.

  In this case, the transfer rate of the baseband data in the USB interface 64 is set to be a fixed transfer rate determined according to the type of the wireless communication system because the wireless communication systems of the base stations 52 and 53 are the same. Has been. For example, in the wireless communication module 60 used for mobile wireless communication, the wireless communication speed (data rate) is about several hundred kbps, for example, 9.6 kbps for PDC, 128 kbps for PHS, 144 kbps for CDMA2000 1 ×, and 144 kbps for W-CDMA. Since it is 384 kbps, the transfer speed of the baseband data in the USB interface 64 is fixedly set to either 1.5 Mbps Low-Speed (low speed) or 12 Mbps Full-Speed (full speed). Since the wireless communication module 60 used in the wireless LAN has a wireless communication speed (data rate) of several tens of Mbps, the transfer speed of baseband data in the USB interface 64 is Full-Speed (full speed). Fixed).

By the way, when the transfer rate of the baseband data in the USB interface 64 is fixedly set, it is necessary to select a line to which the pull-up resistor 67 is connected. In this case, when the pull-up resistor 67 is connected to the line connected to the terminal D +, a pull-up voltage is supplied to the terminal D + through the pull-up resistor 67, and the pull-up voltage supplied to the terminal D + is connected to the rear terminal through the USB cable. Is supplied to the device 66, whereby the transfer rate of the baseband data is fixedly set to Full-Speed. On the other hand, when the pull-up resistor 67 is connected to the line connected to the terminal D-, a pull-up voltage is supplied to the terminal D- through the pull-up resistor 67, and the pull-up voltage supplied to the terminal D- is passed through the USB cable. The baseband data transfer rate is fixedly set to Low-Speed (low speed).
No literature to use

  In recent years, communication methods that transmit a large amount of information by high-speed communication have been used in various places, and even in this type of wireless communication, wireless communication using the conventional wireless communication speed (data rate). In addition to a base station of a system (hereinafter referred to as a low-speed wireless communication system), a new wireless communication system (hereinafter referred to as a high-speed wireless communication) adopting a higher wireless communication speed (data rate). The base station of the low-speed radio communication system and the base station of the high-speed radio communication system are mixed as a large number of base stations.

  And even if the base station of the low-speed wireless communication system and the base station of the high-speed wireless communication system are mixed, each wireless communication module 60 performs handoff between these wireless communication systems, that is, the communication state. It can be easily interconnected, and even if it moves from within the communication area of the base station of the low-speed wireless communication system to the communication area of the base station of the high-speed wireless communication system, Even when moving from within the communication area of the base station of the wireless communication system to the communication area of the base station of the low-speed wireless communication system, wireless communication can be performed in the same manner. In the wireless communication module 60 used in such a state, the transfer rate of the baseband data of the USB interface 64 is normally fixedly set to Full-Speed (full speed).

  However, in the wireless communication module 60, when the transfer rate of the baseband data of the USB interface 64 is fixedly set to Full-Speed (full speed), the wireless communication module 60 communicates with the base station of the high-speed wireless communication system. When moving from within the area into the communication area of the base station of the low-speed wireless communication system, the transfer rate of the baseband data of the USB interface 64 is still maintained in the Full-Speed (full speed) state, The operating state of the spec is reached, and the current consumption increases accordingly. Incidentally, as an example, the current consumption of one USB interface 64 is about 5 mA when set to Low-Speed (low speed), and about 10 mA when set to Full-Speed (full speed). There is a difference of about 2 times.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a technical background, and its purpose is to determine the data transfer rate of the USB interface based on the communication rate information from the base station during wireless communication with the base station. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication module that can switch to a speed suitable for the wireless communication speed.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication module according to the present invention is a wireless communication module that performs wireless communication with a base station, performs mutual frequency conversion between a baseband signal and a wireless signal, and converts the wireless signal to A radio signal transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving, a baseband processing unit for processing a baseband signal, a USB interface for transferring baseband data between the baseband processing unit and a subsequent terminal device, and a baseband processing unit A transfer speed switching means for switching the data transfer speed of the USB interface, and when performing wireless communication with the base station, the transfer speed switching means is based on the communication rate information transmitted from the base station. The data transfer speed corresponds to the radio communication speed of the base station, and the data transfer speed suitable for the radio communication speed of the base station. Comprising means to switch to.

  The transfer speed switching means in the means includes first constituent means for stepwise switching the data transfer speed of the USB interface.

  Further, the wireless communication module in the means is a mobile phone device, and the base station includes a second constituent means that is a mobile phone base station.

  As described above, according to the wireless communication module of the present invention, when performing wireless communication with a base station, the data transfer rate of the USB interface is set based on the communication rate information transmitted from the base station. Since switching to a speed suitable for the wireless communication speed of the station is made, there is an effect that the current consumption corresponding to the data transfer speed can be achieved without increasing the current consumption of the USB interface.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the wireless communication module sequentially moves in communication areas of a plurality of base stations, and illustrates a case where the wireless communication systems of the plurality of base stations are different. is there.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is an automobile equipped with a wireless communication module (not shown), 2 is a base station having a communication area 2a, 3 is a base station having a communication area 3a, and the communication area 2a and the communication area 3a are A part of them has a communication area 4a that overlaps, and represents a state in which the automobile 1 is moving from the communication area 2a of the base station 2 to the communication area 3a of the base station 3 through the communication area 4a. Is. In this case, each of the base station 2 and the base station 3 is of a different wireless communication system, that is, the wireless communication speed (data rate) of the base station 2 is set to be several Mbps. The communication speed (data rate) is set to be several hundred kbps.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the automobile 1 is moving in the communication area 2 a of the base station 2, a wireless communication speed of several Mbps between the wireless communication module mounted on the automobile 1 and the base station 2. (Data rate) wireless communication is performed, and the state of such wireless communication may be in the case of moving in an area 4a where the communication area 2a of the base station 2 and the communication area 3a of the base station 3 overlap each other. Wireless communication is basically performed in the same state. When the automobile 1 moves away from the area 4a and moves in the communication area 3a of the base station 3, wireless communication at a wireless communication speed (data rate) of several hundred kbps is performed between the wireless communication module and the base station 3. Will be done.

  Next, FIG. 2 relates to one embodiment of the wireless communication module according to the present invention, and is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main part thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communication module 10 according to this embodiment includes a transmission / reception antenna 11, a wireless signal transmission / reception unit 12, a baseband processing unit 13 incorporating a transfer rate switching unit 13 (1), a USB It comprises an interface 14 and a USB terminal 15 connected to the rear terminal device 16. In this case, the USB terminal 15 has four connection terminals D +, D−, Vbus, and GND, and the terminals D +, D−, and Vbus are respectively connected to the lines 17 (1), 17 (2), and 17 (3 ) Is connected to the USB interface 14, and the terminal GND is connected to the ground point through the line 17 (4). The baseband processing unit 13 and the USB interface 14 are connected by a line 18, and a first pull-up resistor 18 (1) is connected between the line 17 (1) and the line 18, and the line 17 (2) Between the line 18, a second pull-up resistor 18 (2) and an inverting amplifier 19 are connected in series. The rear terminal device 16 is again composed of a personal computer (PC), a PDA (personal digital assistant), and the like, and when used, the USB terminal 15 and the rear terminal device 16 are connected via the USB terminal 15 via the USB cable ( (Not shown).

  The radio signal transmission / reception unit 12 performs mutual frequency conversion between a baseband signal and a radio signal, necessary signal amplification, and the like, and is connected to a transmission / reception antenna 11 that transmits / receives a radio signal to / from a base station. . The baseband processing unit 13 performs predetermined processing on the transmitted baseband data and supplies the baseband data to the wireless signal transmission / reception unit 12, performs predetermined processing on the received baseband data, and supplies it to the USB interface 14. The transfer rate switching unit 13 (1) built in the baseband processing unit 13 is based on the communication rate information (status message) of the base station included in the radio signal transmitted from the base station. 14 generates a transfer rate switching signal for switching the data transfer rate. The USB interface 14 transfers the baseband data supplied from the baseband processing unit 13 to the rear terminal device 16 and transfers the baseband data supplied from the rear terminal device 16 to the baseband processing unit 13. The data transfer rate is switched stepwise by the transfer rate switching signal output from the transfer rate switching unit 13 (1).

  In this case, as for the relationship between the wireless communication speed of the base station and the data transfer speed of the USB interface 14, there is a data transfer speed that can be selected by the USB interface 14 that matches the wireless communication speed of the base station. For example, the data transfer speed of the USB interface 14 is switched to match the wireless communication speed of the base station, but the selectable data transfer speed of the USB interface 14 and the wireless communication speed of the base station do not necessarily match. In this case, in principle, the data transfer speed of the USB interface 14 is switched to a speed faster and closer than the wireless communication speed of the base station, and this corresponds to the data transfer speed of the USB interface 14. When there is no data transfer speed to be The data transfer speed of the USB interface is changed in accordance with the wireless communication speed of the base station, by switching the data transfer speed to a speed that is slower and closer than the wireless communication speed of the base station. It is expressed as switching to a data transfer rate suitable for the wireless communication speed of the base station.

  Next, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are flowcharts showing the operation history executed in the wireless communication module 10, FIG. 3 is the operation history immediately after the power is turned on, and FIG. 4 shows the wireless communication module moving. This is how it works.

  First, the operation immediately after power-on to the wireless communication module 10 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S1, the wireless communication module 10 transmits a wireless communication signal (hereinafter referred to as a signal in a high-speed communication area) at a wireless communication speed (data rate) of several Mbps from each base station in the vicinity. Receive.

  Next, in step S2, the wireless communication module 10 determines whether or not the signal of the high speed communication area has been received. When it is determined that the signal of the high-speed communication area has not been received (N), the process proceeds to the next step S3. On the other hand, when it is determined that the signal of the high-speed communication area has been received (Y), the other steps are performed. The process proceeds to S5.

  Next, in step S3, the wireless communication module 10 receives a wireless communication signal (hereinafter, this signal is referred to as a low-speed communication area signal) at a wireless communication speed (data rate) of several hundred kbps from each nearby base station. To do.

  In subsequent step S4, the wireless communication module 10 determines whether or not the signal of the low-speed communication area has been received. When it is determined that the signal of the low-speed communication area has been received (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S6. On the other hand, when it is determined that the signal of the low-speed communication area has not been received (N), other steps are performed. The process proceeds to S9.

  Next, in step S <b> 5, the wireless communication module 10 stores information on signals in the high-speed communication area, for example, communication rate information (status message) in the internal memory of the baseband processing unit 13.

  In step S <b> 6, the wireless communication module 10 stores information on signals in the low-speed communication area, for example, communication rate information (status message) in the internal memory of the baseband processing unit 13.

  Next, in step S7, the wireless communication module 10 causes the baseband processing unit 13 to generate a positive level control voltage on the line 18 based on the information stored in the internal memory of the baseband processing unit 13, and this positive level control. A voltage is supplied to the line 17 (1) through the first pull-up resistor 18 (1), and a pull-up voltage is supplied to the terminal D +.

  On the other hand, in step S8, the wireless communication module 10 causes the baseband processing unit 13 to generate a zero level control voltage on the line 18 based on information stored in the internal memory of the baseband processing unit 13, and this zero level control. After the voltage is converted to a positive level control voltage by the inverting amplifier 19, the voltage is supplied to the line 17 (2) through the second pull-up resistor 18 (2), and the pull-up voltage is supplied to the terminal D−.

  In step S9, the wireless communication module 10 cannot receive either the high-speed communication area signal or the low-speed communication area signal. (Not shown). When this display is performed, the process returns to step S1, and the operations after step S1 are repeated.

  Next, using the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the wireless communication module 10 is moving from the communication area of one base station (source base station) toward the communication area of the next base station (destination base station). The operation at that time will be described.

  First, in step S10, the wireless communication module 10 receives a high-speed communication area signal transmitted by the movement-destination base station.

  Next, in step S11, the wireless communication module 10 determines whether or not the signal of the high speed communication area has been received. When it is determined that the signal of the high speed communication area has been received (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S3. On the other hand, when it is determined that the signal of the high speed communication area has not been received (N), the other steps are performed. The process proceeds to S15.

  Next, in step S12, the wireless communication module 10 determines whether a signal in the high speed communication area is being communicated. When it is determined that the signal of the high speed communication area is being communicated (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S13, and when it is determined that the signal of the high speed communication area is not being communicated (N), the other steps are performed. The process proceeds to S14.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 13, the wireless communication module 10 stores information related to signals in the high-speed communication area, for example, communication rate information (status message) in the internal memory of the baseband processing unit 13.

  In step S14, when the wireless communication speed (data rate) of the source base station is different from the wireless communication speed (data rate) of the destination base station, the wireless communication module 10 and the USB interface 14 are rearranged. Disconnect from the terminal device 16, output a positive level control signal from the baseband processing unit 13 to the line 18 to switch the data transfer rate of the USB interface 14 to high speed, and supply a pull-up voltage to the terminal D + The rear terminal apparatus 16 is notified that the data transfer speed has been switched to a high speed. On the other hand, when the wireless communication speed (data rate) of the source base station and the wireless communication speed (data rate) of the destination base station are the same, the state of each unit is maintained as before.

  In step S15, the wireless communication module 10 receives the low-speed communication area signal transmitted by the movement-destination base station.

  Next, in step S <b> 16, the wireless communication module 10 determines whether or not the low-speed communication area signal has been received. When it is determined that the signal of the low-speed communication area has been received (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S16. On the other hand, when it is determined that the signal of the low-speed communication area has not been received (N), the previous step Returning to S10, the operations after Step S10 are repeated.

  Next, in step S <b> 17, the wireless communication module 10 determines whether a signal in the low speed communication area is being communicated. When it is determined that the signal of the low-speed communication area is being communicated (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S18, and when it is determined that the signal of the low-speed communication area is not being communicated (N), other steps are performed. The process proceeds to S19.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 18, the wireless communication module 10 stores information on signals in the low-speed communication area, for example, communication rate information (status message) in the internal memory of the baseband processing unit 13.

  In step S19, if the wireless communication speed (data rate) of the source base station and the wireless communication speed (data rate) of the destination base station are different from each other, the wireless communication module 10 Disconnect from the terminal device 16, output a zero level control signal from the baseband processing unit 13 to the line 18, switch the data transfer rate of the USB interface 14 to a low speed, and supply a pull-up voltage to the terminal D-. Then, the rear terminal device 16 is notified that the data transfer speed has been switched to the low speed. On the other hand, when the wireless communication speed (data rate) of the source base station and the wireless communication speed (data rate) of the destination base station are the same, the state of each unit is maintained as before.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state at the time of a radio | wireless communication module moving sequentially the communication area of a some base station, Comprising: It is the case where it is moving between the base stations which differ in a radio | wireless communications system. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part according to one embodiment of a wireless communication module according to the present invention. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement history immediately after power activation performed by a wireless communication module. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement history when the radio | wireless communication module performed with a radio | wireless communication module is moving. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state at the time of a wireless communication module moving sequentially in the communication area of a some base station, Comprising: It is the case where it is moving between the base stations of the same wireless communication system. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the principal part structure used for a known radio | wireless communication module.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car 2, 3 Base station 2a, 3a, 4a Communication area 10 Wireless communication module 11 Transmission / reception antenna 12 Wireless signal transmission / reception part 13 Baseband process part 13 (1) Transfer speed switching part 14 USB interface 15 USB terminal 16 Back terminal apparatus 17 (1), 17 (2), 17 (3), 17 (4), 18 line 18 (1) First pull-up resistor 18 (2) Second pull-up resistor 19 Inverting amplifier

Claims (3)

A wireless communication module that performs wireless communication with a base station, performs a mutual frequency conversion between a baseband signal and a wireless signal, transmits and receives the wireless signal, and a base that processes the baseband signal A band processing unit, a USB interface for transferring baseband data between the baseband processing unit and a subsequent terminal device, and a transfer rate switching means for switching the data transfer rate of the USB interface in the baseband processing unit And when performing wireless communication with the base station, based on communication rate information transmitted from the base station, the transfer rate switching means sets the data transfer rate of the USB interface to the base station. Switching to a data transfer rate suitable for the wireless communication speed of the base station corresponding to the wireless communication speed of Wireless communication module that. The wireless communication module according to claim 1, wherein the transfer speed switching means switches the data transfer speed of the USB interface in a stepwise manner. The wireless communication module according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module is a mobile phone device, and the base station is a mobile phone base station.

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