JP2008219281A - Transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a transmission device which transmits information used for broadcasting to detect momentary variation of a predetermined signal and then store and display a result thereof. <P>SOLUTION: A variation detecting means detects one or both of variation in local frequency and variation in transmission output level. When the variation detecting means detects variation, a variation processing means stores or/and outputs information regarding the variation. In an example in Fig., a detecting circuit for local frequency variation is shown, wherein variation detecting means 21 and 22 detect variation in local frequency and variation processing means 23 and 24 store and output information regarding variation when the variation detecting means 21 and 22 detect the variation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission apparatus of a broadcast system, for example, and more particularly to a transmission apparatus that detects instantaneous fluctuations of a predetermined signal and stores or displays the result.

For example, in a broadcasting system such as a digital television, a portable transmission device (FPU: Field Pickup Unit) is used as a wireless relay transmission device for broadcasting. By such a transmission device, video information and audio information are used. Is being transmitted. This video information and audio information are used as broadcast signals as they are or after being processed.
In such a transmission device, for example, an abnormality in a supply voltage drop, a transmission output power drop abnormality, or a channel lock abnormality is displayed on an operation panel provided on the front of the device as a warning of an abnormality occurring in the device. Is output.

  However, in the transmission apparatus as described above, even if the frequency of the local oscillator and the transmission output power fluctuate instantaneously and the occurrence of the abnormality is displayed on the front operation panel, the normal state is instantaneously restored. In some cases it was impossible to determine. Further, in the receiver, it is difficult to determine whether the abnormality that has occurred is a factor caused by a radio wave propagation situation or a factor caused by a failure or malfunction of the apparatus.

For example, when there is a factor on the radio wave transmission path, various types of measuring instruments and jigs are required to elucidate the factor, and it may take a long time. Similarly, even when a device malfunctions, it may be difficult to isolate the unit that is the cause when the device is built in.
Such device malfunctions may be caused by instantaneous local frequency fluctuations or instantaneous transmission output fluctuations.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a transmission apparatus capable of detecting a change in a predetermined signal and storing or displaying the result.
More specifically, for example, instantaneous local frequency fluctuations or instantaneous transmission output fluctuations are detected.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a transmission apparatus for transmitting information used for broadcasting has the following configuration.
That is, when the fluctuation detecting means detects one or both of the fluctuation of the local frequency and the fluctuation of the transmission output level, and the fluctuation processing means detects the fluctuation by the fluctuation detecting means, information on the fluctuation is displayed. One or both of storing and outputting information about the variation is performed.

  Therefore, for local frequency and transmission output level, signal fluctuation is detected and the result is stored and displayed. For example, instantaneous local frequency fluctuation or instantaneous transmission output fluctuation occurs. In such a case, the occurrence of the abnormality can be grasped by a person (user) or the like.

Here, as a transmission apparatus, you may apply to various apparatuses, such as a radio relay transmission apparatus (FPU) of a broadcasting system, for example. Moreover, it may be applied not only to a transmitter but also to a receiver.
As information used for broadcasting, for example, video information and audio information are used, and the information is used as it is or after being processed.
Moreover, as a level, levels, such as electric power, can be used, for example.

In addition, various information may be used as the information regarding the fluctuation of the local frequency and the information regarding the fluctuation of the transmission output level, for example, using information on the value of the fluctuation, Information indicating a result of comparison with a threshold value can be used, or information indicating that an abnormality has occurred based on a variation value can be used.
Moreover, as information regarding fluctuation, for example, the same information may be used for the stored information and the output information, or different information may be used.
In addition, as a mode for outputting information, for example, a mode for display output or a mode for print output can be used.

  As described above, according to the transmission apparatus of the present invention, for example, when an instantaneous local frequency change or an instantaneous transmission output change occurs, the occurrence of the abnormality is notified to a person (user) or the like. Thus, it is possible to identify one type of transmission error factor.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In addition, although the circuit which detects the fluctuation | variation of a local frequency is shown in 1st Example and the circuit which detects the fluctuation | variation of transmission output is shown in 2nd Example, for example, these circuits may be implemented separately, or Both of these circuits may be applied to the same device.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This example shows a case where the present invention is applied to a high-frequency unit of a transmitter or receiver of a video information and audio information transmission device (FPU) used as a portable relay device in a broadcasting system.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a transmission apparatus provided with a local frequency fluctuation detection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the peripheral components of the detection circuit are shown, and the illustration and description of the other components are omitted.
The transmission apparatus of this example includes an oscillator (local oscillator) 1, a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) unit 2, a circuit unit including a resistor 11 and a capacitor 12, a comparator 3, and a detection unit 4. Here, a resistor 11 is connected between the PLL unit 2 and the comparator 3, and a capacitor 12 is connected between the signal point on the comparator 3 side of the resistor 11 and the ground source.
The detection unit 4 includes a comparator 21, a latch unit 22, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 23, a display circuit 24, a power supply monitoring unit 25, and an adder 26.

An example of the operation performed in the transmission apparatus of this example is shown.
The oscillator 1 oscillates a signal having a predetermined frequency (local frequency). This local frequency signal is used for communication processing, for example, and a part of this signal is input to the PLL unit 2. The local frequency is controlled according to a control signal input from the PLL unit 2 to the oscillator 1.
The PLL unit 2 includes a PLL circuit configured by using, for example, a phase comparator, a charge pump, and the like, and the local frequency is set to a predetermined frequency (reference frequency) based on a signal input from the oscillator 1. A control signal for controlling to become is output to the oscillator 1.
As the PLL circuit, for example, a generally known circuit configuration can be used, and detailed description is omitted in this example.

In this example, the signal output from the output terminal of the charge pump of the phase comparator of the PLL unit 2 passes through the circuit unit including the resistor 11 and the capacitor 12 and is input to the comparator 3 and is input to the comparator 21. The
Here, the signal output from the output terminal of the charge pump of the phase comparator of the PLL unit 2 reflects, for example, an error (phase difference) between the local frequency and the reference frequency.

The comparator 3 compares the signal input from the PLL unit 2 through the circuit unit including the resistor 11 and the capacitor 12 with, for example, a preset comparison target value, and determines a signal corresponding to the result as the LD LD ( And outputs a signal corresponding to the result to the latch unit 22. This signal is used as a latch enable signal of the latch unit 22.
The comparator 21 compares the signal input from the PLL unit 2 with, for example, a preset comparison target value, and outputs the resultant signal to the latch unit 22.

  Here, as the processing by the comparators 3 and 21, for example, the input signal value is compared with the comparison target value by comparing the magnitude of the input signal value (for example, absolute value) and the comparison target value (for example, positive value). When it becomes above (or exceeds the comparison target value), a signal of a predetermined first value (for example, “0” value or “1” value) is output, and the input signal value is less than the comparison target value. When it becomes (or becomes equal to or less than the comparison target value), a process of outputting a signal of a predetermined second value (for example, “1” value or “0” value) can be used.

The latch unit 22 latches the signal input from the comparator 21 and outputs it to the CPU 23 and the display circuit 24.
Here, the latch output from the latch unit 22 is controlled using the signal input from the comparator 3 as a latch enable signal and the signal input from the adder 26 as a reset signal.

  The CPU 23 executes various processes according to a preset program, for example. In this example, the CPU 23 takes in the signal input from the latch unit 22 and stores (holds) the value of the signal as a log in the memory, or instantaneously at the local frequency of the oscillator 1 based on the value of the signal. When a determination is made as to whether or not a local fluctuation has occurred, or when it is determined that an instantaneous fluctuation has occurred in the local frequency of the oscillator 1, a warning is displayed on the display circuit 24, etc. A warning is issued to the user.

The display circuit 24 displays, for example, the value of a signal input from the latch unit 22 or displays warning information under the control of the CPU 23.
Here, as the display circuit 24, for example, a display function (for example, a display screen) is provided on an operation panel provided on the front surface of a device (in this example, a transmission device), or inside the device. It is configured by providing a display function using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like.

The power supply monitoring unit 25 monitors the power supply of the device, and outputs a control signal for resetting the latch output from the latch unit 22 to the adder 26 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Such power monitoring prevents indefinite operation when the initial power is turned on.
In this example, for example, the latch output from the latch unit 22 is reset at a timing at which a predetermined time has elapsed since the power supply was switched from off to on (a timing at which the operation is expected to be stable).

  When the video and audio channels to be transmitted are switched, the adder 26 receives a signal indicating that as a reset control signal. Thereby, the latch output from the latch unit 22 is reset every time the channel is switched. Note that a signal indicating channel switching is generated by a control unit (not shown) or the like when, for example, the channel is switched automatically by a human operation or by a device.

  The adder 26 adds the signal input from the power supply monitoring unit 25 and the signal input indicating channel switching, and outputs the resultant signal to the latch unit 22. As a result, the latch output from the latch unit 22 is reset when there is at least one of a signal indicating control or channel switching from the power supply monitoring unit 25.

  Further, as described above, in this example, a signal obtained by smoothing the charge pump output of the phase comparator of the PLL unit 2 is used as the latch enable signal of the latch unit 22, thereby controlling the local frequency. In the PLL circuit, the detection circuit operates only after the local frequency has converged to an arbitrary frequency. Specifically, after the local frequency has converged to an arbitrary frequency, the abnormal output is obtained as a latch output only when the frequency fluctuates from the convergence state and an instantaneous frequency fluctuation occurs, and is taken into the CPU 23. Thus, it is stored as a log or a warning or the like is displayed by the display circuit 24.

As described above, the video / audio information transmission device (FPU) of this example detects instantaneous local frequency fluctuations, holds the result as a log, and displays a warning indicating the abnormal result. To be done.
Therefore, in this example, instantaneous fluctuations in the local frequency can be detected and held or warned. For example, when a transmission error occurs, it is an influence of a problem on the radio wave transmission path, or Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the determination of whether or not the malfunction is due to internal malfunction.

Specifically, in the video / audio information transmission device (FPU) of this example, when a transmission error occurs, if the cause is an instantaneous local frequency fluctuation, this can be grasped. For example, it can be used as one tool for troubleshooting.
Moreover, in this example, it becomes possible to detect defects early in the manufacturing process, leading to a reduction in the defect rate.

  In the transmission apparatus of this example, the fluctuation detection means is configured by the function of the comparator 21 and the latch unit 22 detecting the instantaneous local frequency fluctuation, and the CPU 23 is information regarding the instantaneous local frequency fluctuation (for example, , A function for storing the output value from the latch unit 22 in the memory, a function for the CPU 23 to display and output information on instantaneous local frequency fluctuations (for example, warning information indicating that an abnormality has occurred) by the display circuit 24, The variation processing means is configured by the function that the display circuit 24 displays and outputs information related to instantaneous local frequency variation (for example, the output value from the latch unit 22 and warning information).

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In this example, a case is shown in which the present invention is applied to a high-frequency unit of a transmitter of a video information and audio information transmission device (FPU) used as a portable relay device in a broadcasting system.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a transmission apparatus provided with a transmission output fluctuation detection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the peripheral components of the detection circuit are shown, and the illustration and description of the other components are omitted.
The transmission apparatus of this example includes a gain variable circuit 31, an amplifier 32, a diode 41, a circuit unit including resistors 42 and 44, an amplifier 43 and a capacitor 45, and a detection unit 33. In this circuit unit, a resistor 42 is connected to one input terminal of the amplifier 43, and a resistor 44 and a capacitor 45 are connected between a signal point between the input terminal and the resistor 42 and an output terminal of the amplifier 43. Are connected in parallel.
The detection unit 33 includes a comparator 51, a latch unit 52, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 53, a display circuit 54, a power supply monitoring unit 55, and an adder 56.

An example of the operation performed in the transmission apparatus of this example is shown.
A signal to be transmitted is input to the variable gain circuit 31.
The gain variable circuit 31 changes the level (for example, power) of the input signal with a variable gain, and outputs it to the amplifier 32. Here, the gain of the variable gain circuit 31 is controlled by a signal output from the amplifier 32 and input via the diode 41 and the amplifier 43.
The gain variable circuit 31 can be configured using, for example, a variable amplifier.

The amplifier 32 amplifies the signal input from the gain variable circuit 31 and outputs the amplified signal. In this example, this output signal is wirelessly transmitted by an antenna (not shown).
A part of the signal output from the amplifier 32 is input to the diode 41.
The diode 41 outputs the signal input from the amplifier 32 to the amplifier 43 via the resistor 42 and outputs the signal to the comparator 51. Here, the diode 41 performs detection.

The amplifier 43 amplifies the signal input from the diode 41 via the resistor 42 and outputs the amplified signal to the variable gain circuit 31 and the latch unit 52. This signal controls the gain of the variable gain circuit 31. Further, this signal is used as a latch enable signal of the latch unit 52.
The comparator 51 compares and determines the signal input from the diode 41 and, for example, a comparison target value set from the outside, and outputs the resulting signal to the latch unit 52.

  Here, as the processing by the comparator 51, for example, the value of the input signal (for example, an absolute value) is compared with the comparison target value (for example, a positive value), and the input signal value is equal to or greater than the comparison target value. When it becomes (or exceeds the comparison target value), a signal of a predetermined first value (for example, “0” value or “1” value) is output, and the input signal value becomes less than the comparison target value. In the case where the signal is equal to (or less than the comparison target value), a process of outputting a signal of a predetermined second value (for example, “1” value or “0” value) can be used.

  Moreover, it is also possible to use a plurality of values as such a comparison target value. As an example, an upper limit value and a lower limit value are set, and an input signal value (absolute value) is set to an upper limit value (positive value). If it is between the lower limit (a positive value smaller than the upper limit), the first value is output, and if the input signal value exceeds the upper limit (or exceeds the upper limit) or input It is also possible to use a configuration that outputs the second value when the signal value is equal to or lower than the lower limit value (or less than the lower limit value).

In this example, each time the power required for the transmission output (output power) is switched, a signal that allows the comparator 51 to specify the power is input to the comparator 51. A value based on the power required for the transmission output is set as the comparison target value of the comparator 51.
As an example, as a comparison target value of the comparator 51, (power value required for transmission output + predetermined value) is set to an upper limit value, and (power value required for transmission output−predetermined value) is set to a lower limit value. It is possible to set.

The latch unit 52 latches the signal input from the comparator 51 and outputs it to the CPU 53 and the display circuit 54.
Here, the latch output from the latch unit 52 is controlled using the signal input from the amplifier 43 as a latch enable signal and the signal input from the adder 56 as a reset signal.

  The CPU 53 executes various processes according to a preset program, for example. In this example, the CPU 53 takes in the signal input from the latch unit 52 and stores (holds) the value of the signal as a log in the memory, or transmits output based on the value of the signal (in this example, It is determined whether or not a momentary fluctuation has occurred in the power) or a warning is displayed on the display circuit 54 when it is determined that a momentary fluctuation has occurred in the transmission output. A warning is issued to (user).

The display circuit 54 displays, for example, the value of a signal input from the latch unit 52 or displays warning information under the control of the CPU 53.
Here, as the display circuit 54, for example, a display function (for example, a display screen) is provided on an operation panel provided on the front surface of the device (in this example, a transmission device), or inside the device. It is configured by providing a display function using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like.

The power supply monitoring unit 55 monitors the power supply of the device, and outputs a control signal for resetting the latch output from the latch unit 52 to the adder 56 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Such power monitoring prevents indefinite operation when the initial power is turned on.
In this example, for example, the latch output from the latch unit 52 is reset at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the power supply was switched from off to on (a timing at which the operation is expected to be stable).

  When the video and audio channels to be transmitted are switched, the adder 56 receives a signal indicating that as a reset control signal. Thereby, the latch output from the latch unit 52 is reset every time the channel is switched. Note that a signal indicating channel switching is generated by a control unit (not shown) or the like when, for example, the channel is switched automatically by a human operation or by a device.

When the power required for the transmission output (output power) is switched, a signal indicating that is input to the adder 56 as a reset control signal. Thereby, the latch output from the latch unit 52 is reset each time the power required for the transmission output is switched. The signal indicating the switching of the power required for the transmission output is, for example, a control unit (not shown) when the power required for the transmission output is switched by a human operation or automatically by the device. Is generated.
Here, in this example, the signal input to the comparator 51 and the signal input to the adder 56 are made common as a signal at the time of switching the power required for the transmission output, but separate signals are used as these signals. May be used.

  The adder 56 adds the input of the signal from the power supply monitoring unit 55, the input of the signal indicating channel switching, and the input of the signal indicating switching of power required for the transmission output, and sends the resultant signal to the latch unit 52. Output. As a result, when there is at least one of a signal indicating control or channel switching from the power supply monitoring unit 55 or a signal indicating switching of power required for transmission output, the latch output from the latch unit 52 is reset. The

  Further, as described above, in this example, the transmission output (by controlling the gain of the gain variable circuit 31 using the signal (voltage) obtained by detecting the transmission output from the amplifier 32 and smoothing the detection voltage is obtained. For example, when the control is performed so that the electric power becomes a specified output level, a signal (control voltage) for controlling the gain of the gain variable circuit 31 is used as a latch enable signal of the latch unit 52. Thus, the detection circuit operates only after the transmission output has converged to a prescribed output level. Specifically, after the transmission output has converged to a specified output level, the abnormal output is obtained as a latch output only when there is a momentary transmission output fluctuation due to fluctuation from the convergence state, and the CPU 53 Are stored as a log, or a warning or the like is displayed by the display circuit 54.

As described above, in the high frequency unit of the transmitter of the video / audio information transmission apparatus (FPU) of this example, the instantaneous transmission output fluctuation is detected and the result is stored as a log, or the abnormal A warning indicating the result is displayed.
Therefore, in this example, instantaneous transmission output fluctuations can be detected and held or warned. For example, when a transmission error occurs, it is an influence of a problem on the radio wave transmission path, or Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the determination of whether or not the malfunction is due to internal malfunction.

Specifically, in the video / audio information transmission apparatus (FPU) of this example, when a transmission error occurs, when the cause is a change in transmission output, it is possible to grasp that, for example, It can be used as a tool for troubleshooting.
Moreover, in this example, it becomes possible to detect defects early in the manufacturing process, leading to a reduction in the defect rate.

  Note that in the transmission apparatus of this example, the diode 41, the comparator 51, and the latch unit 52 constitute a fluctuation detecting means by the function of detecting the instantaneous transmission output fluctuation, and the CPU 53 relates to the instantaneous transmission output fluctuation. A display circuit 54 displays and outputs a function for storing information (for example, an output value from the latch unit 52) in a memory and information on a change in instantaneous transmission output by the CPU 53 (for example, warning information indicating that an abnormality has occurred). The variation processing means is configured by the function to display and the information that the display circuit 54 displays and outputs information on the instantaneous variation of the transmission output (for example, the output value from the latch unit 52 and warning information).

Here, the configuration of the system and apparatus according to the present invention is not necessarily limited to the configuration described above, and various configurations may be used. The present invention can also be provided as, for example, a method or method for executing the processing according to the present invention, a program for realizing such a method or method, or a recording medium for recording the program. It is also possible to provide various systems and devices.
The application field of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described fields, and the present invention can be applied to various fields.
In addition, as various processes performed in the system and apparatus according to the present invention, for example, the processor executes a control program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) in hardware resources including a processor and a memory. A controlled configuration may be used, and for example, each functional unit for executing the processing may be configured as an independent hardware circuit.
The present invention can also be understood as a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD (Compact Disc) -ROM storing the control program, and the program (itself). The processing according to the present invention can be performed by inputting the program from the recording medium to the computer and causing the processor to execute the program.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the transmission apparatus which has a local frequency fluctuation | variation detection circuit based on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the transmission apparatus which has a transmission output fluctuation | variation detection circuit based on 2nd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1 ·· Oscillator 2 ·· PLL part 3, 21, 51 ·· Comparator 4, 33 ·· Detection part 11, 42, 44 ·· Resistance 12, 45 ·· Capacitor 22, 52 · Latch .., 23, 53... CPU, 24, 54 .. Display circuit, 25, 55 .. Power supply monitoring unit, 26, 56 .. Adder, 31 .. Gain variable circuit, 32, 43. ·diode,

Claims (1)

In a transmission device for transmitting information used for broadcasting,
Fluctuation detecting means for detecting one or both of fluctuation of the local frequency and fluctuation of the transmission output level;
A variation processing unit that performs one or both of storing information about the variation and outputting information about the variation when variation is detected by the variation detection unit;
A transmission apparatus comprising:

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