JP2009225134A - Signal distributor, radio equipment and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal distributor, radio equipment and a communication system by which an antenna and an interface are shared to reduce investment cost and running cost when different base station systems are overlaid. <P>SOLUTION: The signal distributor is provided with: a signal input means for inputting a signal which first radio equipment receives from an external terminal by an antenna from the first equipment; a signal separation means for separating, based on a preset first frequency used in a first base station system and a preset second frequency used in a second base station system, the signals input by the signal input means into a signal for the first base station system and a signal for the second base station system; a first signal output means for outputting the signal for the first base station system, separated by the signal separation means to a first controller; and a second signal output means for outputting the signal for the second base station, separated by the signal separation means to the second radio equipment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system that communicates with a mobile communication terminal or the like, and relates to a signal distribution device, a radio device, and a communication system for overlaying different base station systems.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a mobile communication system related to the present invention. Generally, installation of base station systems (base station apparatuses) is required in many places as countermeasures for the blind areas. However, the installation conditions of the base station system are strict, and outdoor and small space are issues. For this reason, in the base station system, a configuration is employed in which a control unit (base station control device) and a radio unit (base station radio device, projecting radio device) are separated. In FIG. 4, the base station control device 3 and the overhanging radio device 10 are referred to as a base station system A. When installing the base station system A having such a configuration, the overhanging radio apparatus 10 having an antenna is placed outdoors or in a small space. On the other hand, the base station control device 3 is often installed in a place where the installation conditions have a relatively high degree of freedom. The overhanging radio apparatus 10 and the base station control apparatus 3 are often separated by several km units, and the optical line 100 with little loss is often used for the interface. Therefore, for example, in the transition period from the base station system A to another base station system B (the base station control device 4 and the overhanging radio device 30), different base station systems A and B are operated in the same cell range (overlay). ), It is necessary to install the overhanging radio device 30 in the same place as the overhanging radio device 10. That is, in such a case, there arises a problem that it is difficult to install two or more overhanging devices due to the installation space. Another problem is that it is necessary to prepare a new antenna and optical line. As a specific example of the system transition period, a transition period from a 3G system to an LTE system is assumed.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, there is a method for implementing overlay by sharing different base station systems as described below.

  As a first example, there is a method of reducing the investment cost of an antenna by sharing the antenna between two different base station systems. In this method, as shown in FIG. 5, an amplifier distribution device 6 including an amplifier and a distributor is provided between the antenna unit 5 and the overhanging wireless devices 10 and 30. And the signal received with the antenna part 5 is input with respect to each overhang | projection apparatus 10 and 30. FIG.

As a second example, there is a method of suppressing the running cost of an optical line by connecting two different base station systems in cascade using an optical cable or the like. In this method, as shown in FIG. 6, the interface between the overhanging radio apparatuses 10 and 30 is connected in a cascade with an optical cable 104. Further, the interfaces of the base station control devices 3 and 4 are connected in cascade with the optical cable 105. The system shown in Patent Document 1 is also close to this method.
JP 11-234724 A

  However, in the method of the first example, there is a problem of installation in which additional installation of the amplifier distribution device 6 and installation of the two overhanging devices 10 and 30 must be performed. On the other hand, the method of the second example described above has a demerit that it is necessary to provide a function of performing cascade connection in either base station system, and general-purpose devices cannot be connected to each other. In this method, transmission paths can be shared, but antennas cannot be shared.

  As described above, in the first example, there is a problem that the investment cost is increased due to duplexing (sharing) of the antenna, and in the second example, the running cost is increased due to duplexing (sharing) of the interface. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in the case of overlaying different base station systems, an antenna and an interface can be shared, and a signal distribution device, a wireless device, and a wireless device that can reduce investment costs and running costs An object is to provide a communication system.

  In order to achieve such an object, a signal distribution device according to the present invention includes a first base station system having a first control device and a first radio device, a second control device and a second radio device. A signal distribution device connected to a second base station system having a signal input means for inputting, from the first wireless device, a signal received by the first wireless device from an external terminal via an antenna; Based on the first frequency used in the first base station system set in advance and the second frequency used in the second base station system, the signal input by the input means is A signal separation means for separating the signal for the station system and the signal for the second base station system, and the signal for the first base station system separated by the signal separation means is output to the first control device First signal output means for The signal for the second base station system that is separated by means, characterized in that it comprises a second signal output means for outputting to the second wireless device.

  The signal distribution apparatus of the present invention further comprises a format means for adding a dummy signal to the signal for the first base station system separated by the signal separation means and converting it to a format according to the interface. May be.

  In the signal distribution device of the present invention, the signal for the second base station system separated by the signal separation means is modulated based on the second frequency used in the preset second base station system. It is also possible to provide modulation means for

  In the signal distribution device of the present invention, it may be connected to the first wireless device using an optical line.

  Further, in the signal distribution device of the present invention, it may be connected to the first control device using an optical cable.

  In the signal distribution device of the present invention, the second wireless device may be connected using a coaxial cable.

  The wireless device of the present invention is connected to the signal distribution device of the present invention.

  The wireless device of the present invention includes an antenna unit that is connected to the signal distribution device through an optical line, receives a signal from an external terminal, processes the signal received from the antenna unit, and transmits the processed signal through the optical line. Then, it may be transmitted to the signal distribution device.

  In the present invention, the signal distribution device may be connected to the signal distribution device via a coaxial cable, and the signal processed by the signal distribution device may be received via the coaxial cable.

  The communication system of the present invention includes the signal distribution device of the present invention and the wireless device of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, when overlaying different base station systems, the antenna and the interface can be shared, and the investment cost and running cost can be reduced.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  One embodiment of the communication system of the present invention is shown in FIG. The communication system of this embodiment is a mobile communication system for communicating with a mobile terminal 7 such as a mobile phone. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication system according to this embodiment includes two different base station systems A and B and a separation card 20. The base station system A includes a base station control device 3 and an overhanging radio device 10. The base station system B includes a base station control device 4 and an overhanging radio device 30.

  In the base station system B, the base station control device 4 and the overhanging radio device 30 are connected by an optical cable 103.

  The separation card 20 is connected to the overhanging radio device 30 via a coaxial cable 102 and is connected to the base station control device 3 via an optical cable 101. The separation card 20 is connected to the overhanging radio apparatus 10 through an optical line 200.

  In such a configuration, the signals of the base station systems A and B are received by one antenna included in the overhanging radio apparatus 10. Next, the overhanging radio apparatus 10 converts the received signal into an optical signal, and then transmits it to the separation card 20 through the optical line 100. Next, the separation card 20 returns the optical signal to an electrical signal, and sends the returned electrical signal to the base station systems A and B. That is, one of the electrical signals is sent to the base station control device 3 via the optical cable 101, and the other is sent to the overhanging radio device 30 via the coaxial cable 102. As described above, when overlaying the base station systems A and B, by using the separation card, the antenna and the interface are shared, and the investment cost and the running cost are suppressed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the overhanging radio apparatus 10 which is an embodiment of the radio apparatus of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the overhanging radio apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the overhanging radio apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes an antenna unit 11, a reception amplifier (LNA) 12, an AD converter unit 13, a separation unit 14, a demodulation unit 15, a filter 16, a parallel-serial conversion unit 17, a format. Unit 18, electrical / optical conversion unit 19, and setting unit 50.

  The setting unit 50 sets the frequency (frequency information, carrier) and band (band information) sent from the base station control device 3 via the separation card 20 to the demodulation unit 15 and the filter 16. The frequency (frequency information) is set in the demodulator 15 and the band (band information) is set in the filter 16. The frequency and band set here are the frequency and band used in the base station system A. The antenna unit 11 receives a signal from the mobile terminal 7. The LNA 12 amplifies the signal from the antenna unit 11. The AD converter unit 13 converts the RF signal from the LNA 12 into a digital signal. The separation unit 14 distributes the digital signal from the AD converter unit 13 into four for each carrier, and generates four carrier signals. The demodulator 15 demodulates the four carrier signals from the separator 14 based on the setting of the setting unit 50. Note that there are four demodulation units 15 to 15-1 to 15-4. The filter 16 limits the band of the four demodulated signals from the demodulator 15 based on the setting of the setting unit 50. The number of filters 16 is four, 16-1 to 16-4. The parallel-serial conversion unit 17 combines the four parallel demodulated signals from the filter 16 into one to make a serial signal. The format unit 18 converts the serial signal from the parallel-serial conversion unit 17 into a format along the interface. The electrical / optical conversion unit 19 converts the electrical signal from the formatting unit 18 into an optical signal.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the separation card 20 which is one embodiment of the signal distribution device of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the separation card 20.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the separation card 20 of the present embodiment includes an optical / electrical conversion unit 21, a separation unit 22, a formatting unit 23, an electrical / optical conversion unit 24, a modulation unit 25, a combining unit 26, and a DA converter unit 27. , An amplifier unit 28 and a setting unit 29.

  The setting unit 29 sets at least one of a frequency (frequency information) and a band (band information) transmitted from the base station control device 3 in the separation unit 22, the format unit 23, and the modulation unit 25. The setting unit 29 sets at least the system A frequency (carrier) and the system B frequency (carrier) for the separation unit 22, and the system B frequency (carrier) for the modulation unit 25. Set. The optical / electrical conversion unit 21 receives an optical signal transmitted from the wireless device 10 via the optical line 100 and converts it into an electrical signal. Based on the setting of the setting unit 29, the separation unit 22 separates the electric signal from the optical / electrical conversion unit 21 into a signal of the base station system A and a signal of the base station system B. The format unit 23 adds a dummy signal (based on the setting of the setting unit 29) to the data portion of the base station system B of the signal of the base station system A separated by the separation unit 22 and converts it to a format according to the interface. To do. The electrical / optical converter 24 converts the signal of the base station system A from the format unit 23 into an optical signal and outputs the optical signal to the base station controller 3. The modulation unit 25 modulates the signal of the base station system B separated by the separation unit 22 for each carrier based on the setting of the setting unit 29. Note that there are four modulation units 25, 25-1 to 25-4. The synthesizer 26 combines the four modulated signals from the modulator 25 into one. The DA converter unit 27 converts the digital signal from the synthesis unit 26 into an RF signal. The amplifier unit 28 amplifies the RF signal from the DA converter unit 27 and outputs the amplified signal to the wireless device 30.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the overhang radio apparatus 30 which is an embodiment of the radio apparatus of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the overhanging radio apparatus 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the overhanging radio apparatus 30 of this embodiment includes an LNA 32, an AD converter unit 33, a separation unit 34, a demodulation unit 35, a filter 36, a parallel-serial conversion unit 37, a format unit 38, and an electrical / optical conversion unit 39. The setting unit 40 is provided.

  The setting unit 40 sets the frequency (frequency information) and the band (band information) transmitted from the base station control device 4 to the demodulation unit 35 and the filter 36. The frequency (frequency information) is set in the demodulator 35 and the band (band information) is set in the filter 36. The frequency and band set here are the frequency and band used in the base station system B. The LNA 32 inputs an RF signal sent from the separation card 20 via the coaxial cable 102 and amplifies the input RF signal. The AD converter unit 33 converts the RF signal from the LNA 32 into a digital signal. The separation unit 34 distributes the digital signal from the AD converter unit 33 into four for each carrier, and generates four carrier signals. The demodulator 35 demodulates each of the four carrier signals from the separator 34 based on the setting of the setting unit 40 to obtain four demodulated signals. Note that there are four demodulation units 35-1 to 35-4. The filter 36 limits the band of the four demodulated signals from the demodulator 35 based on the setting of the setting unit 40. There are four filter units 36, 36-1 to 36-4. The parallel-serial conversion unit 37 combines the four parallel demodulated signals from the filter 36 into a serial signal. The format unit 38 converts the serial signal from the parallel-serial conversion unit 37 into a format along the interface. The electrical / optical converter 39 converts the electrical signal from the format unit 38 into an optical signal.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the operation | movement in the communication system of this embodiment is demonstrated in detail.

  First, in the base station controller 4 of the base station system B shown in FIG. 3, the operator sets the frequency (carrier) and band used in the base station system B. The base station control device 4 notifies the overhanging radio device 30 of the frequency (frequency information, carrier information) and band (band information) set by the operator via the optical cable 103. In the overhang radio apparatus 30, the setting unit 40 sets the notified frequency and band of the base station system B to the demodulation unit 35 and the filter 36.

  Next, the operator sets the frequency and band of the base station system B and the frequency and band of the system A in the base station control device 3 of the base station system A. As the frequency and band of the base station system A, frequencies and bands that are not used in the base station system B are set. The base station control device 3 notifies the separation card 20 of the frequency and band of the base station system A and the frequency and band of the system B via the optical cable 101. In the separation card 20, the setting unit 29 sets the notified frequency and band of the base station system A and the frequency and band of the system B to the separation unit 22, the format unit 23, and the modulation unit 25.

  Further, the separation card 20 (setting unit 29) notifies the overhanging radio apparatus 10 of the frequency and band of the base station system A via the optical line 100. In the overhang radio apparatus 10, the setting unit 50 sets the notified frequency and band of the base station system A to the demodulation unit 15 and the filer 16.

  The overhanging radio apparatus 10 receives a signal from the mobile terminal 7. Since the received signal is weak, it is amplified by the LNA 12. The amplified signal is converted from an RF signal to a digital signal by the AD converter unit 13. This digital signal is distributed into four by the separator 14. The four distributed signals are orthogonally demodulated by the demodulator 15 for each frequency of the set base station system A. The four demodulated signals are band-limited by the filter unit 16 in the set band of the base station system A. The four band-limited signals are combined into one by the parallel-serial converter 17. The synthesized serial signal is converted by the format unit 18 into a format according to the interface method to be used. The formatted signal is converted into an optical signal by the electrical / optical converter 19. The converted optical signal is sent to the optical line 100.

  The separation card 20 inputs an optical signal via the optical line 100. This optical signal is converted into an electrical signal by the optical / electrical converter 21. The converted electrical signal is separated into the base station system A and the base station system B for each set frequency (carrier) by the separation unit 22.

  When the separated signal is a signal of the base station system A, the format unit 23 adds dummy data to the data portion of the base station system B and converts it into a format according to the interface. The converted signal is converted into an optical signal by the electrical / optical converter 24 and sent to the base station control device 3 via the optical cable 101.

  On the other hand, when the separated signal is a signal of the base station system B, the signal is modulated for each carrier by the modulation unit 25. The modulated signals are combined into one by the combining unit 26. The combined signal is converted from a digital signal to an RF signal by the DA converter unit 27. The converted signal is amplified by the amplifier unit 28 and sent to the overhanging radio apparatus 30 via the coaxial cable 102. The overhang radio apparatus 30 receives this signal, performs the same processing as the series of signal processing in the overhang radio apparatus 10 described above, and then sends the signal to the base station control apparatus 4.

  Hereinafter, the above operation will be described using a specific example. In this example, the base station system A (system A) is an LTE system, and the base station system B (system B) is a 3G system. The standard of the optical interface is CPRI (Common Public Radio Interface). Further, it is assumed that the system A uses f1 and f2 and uses the 10 MHz band, and the system B uses f3 and f4 by 5 MHz band.

  The operator sets carrier information (f3, f4) and band information (5 MHz) of the system B in the base station control device 4. These pieces of information are transmitted from the base station control device 4 and set in the demodulation unit 35 and the filter unit 36 of the overhanging radio device 30.

  In addition, the operator sets carrier information and band information of system B, carrier information (f1 + f2) and band information (10 MHz) of system A in base station control device 3. These pieces of information are transmitted from the base station control device 3 and set in the separation unit 22 and the modulation unit 25 of the separation card 20. These pieces of information are transmitted from the separation card 20 and set in the demodulator 15 and the filer unit 16 of the overhanging radio apparatus 10. When the number of carriers is less than 4, only necessary circuits are set.

  The overhanging radio apparatus 10 receives a signal from the mobile terminal 7. This signal passes through the LNA 12 and the AD converter unit 13 and is distributed to four by the separation unit 14. Here, it is assumed that there are three demodulation units 15, 15-1 to 15-3. The demodulation unit 15-1 demodulates a 10 MHz LTE signal, and the demodulation units 15-2 and 15-3 demodulate a 5 MHz 3G signal. Thereafter, for each demodulated signal, the filter 16-1 performs band limitation of 10 MHz, and the filters 16-2 and 16-3 perform band limitation of 5 MHz. The band-limited three signals are arranged in the order of 10 MHz, 5 MHz, and 5 MHz (f1 + f2, f3, f4) by the parallel-serial conversion unit 17, and converted into the format of the CPRI interface by the formatting unit 18. The formatted signal is converted into an optical signal by the electrical / optical converter 19 and input to the separation card 20 via the optical line 100.

  In the separation card 20, the input optical signal is converted into an electrical signal by the optical / electrical conversion unit 21, and separated into carriers f 1 + f 2 and f 3 and f 4 by the separation unit 22. Here, the carriers f1 + f2 are sent to the format unit 23, while the carriers f3 and f4 are sent to the modulation unit 25.

  The carrier f1 + f2 is reconstructed into a CPRI format by adding dummy signals to f3 and f4 in the formatting unit 23. This signal is converted into an optical signal by the electrical / optical converter 24 and sent to the base station controller 3 via the optical cable 101. Thereby, uplink communication can be performed.

  Carriers f3 and f4 are modulated for each carrier in modulators 25-1 and 25-2, and the modulated signals are combined by combining unit 29. The synthesized signal is converted from a digital signal to an RF signal by the DA converter unit 27 and amplified by the amplifier unit 28. The amplified signal is transmitted to the overhanging radio apparatus 30 via the coaxial cable 102. As a result, the signals f3 and f4 return to substantially the same signals received by the antenna unit 11. Therefore, uplink communication can be performed by transmitting this signal from the overhanging radio apparatus 30 to the base station control apparatus 4.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a different base station system is overlaid, by using a separation card, the antenna and the interface (optical line) can be shared, and the investment cost and the running cost can be reduced. Can do. Further, by providing the separation card independently, the system can be combined (overlay) simply by connecting the overhanging wireless devices that do not have a shared circuit.

  In the above-described embodiment, the modulation unit 25 of the separation card 20 does not need to have four in consideration of overlays of different systems, and may be up to three.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, it is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

  For example, the operations in the above-described embodiments can be executed by hardware, software, or a combined configuration of both.

  When executing processing by software, a program in which a processing sequence is recorded may be installed and executed in a memory in a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Or you may install and run a program in the general purpose computer which can perform various processes.

  For example, the program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk or a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program is temporarily or permanently stored on a removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto optical) disc, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic disc, or a semiconductor memory. It can be stored (recorded). Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software.

  The program may be wirelessly transferred from the download site to the computer in addition to being installed on the computer from the removable recording medium as described above. Alternatively, the data may be transferred to the computer by a wire via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The computer can receive the transferred program and install it on a recording medium such as a built-in hard disk.

  In addition to being executed in time series in accordance with the processing operations described in the above embodiment, the processing capability of the apparatus that executes the processing, or to be executed in parallel or individually as necessary Is also possible.

  In addition, the system described in the above embodiment can be configured to have a logical set configuration of a plurality of devices or to mix the functions of each device.

  The present invention can be applied to a mobile communication system in which different systems are overlaid and used in a mobile object such as an automobile, a ship, and an aircraft.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the communication system which is embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless apparatus (with an antenna) which is embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the signal distribution apparatus which is embodiment of this invention, and a radio | wireless apparatus (without an antenna). It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the communication system relevant to this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example (first example) of an overlay configuration in which the communication system illustrated in FIG. 4 is improved. It is a figure which shows typically an example (2nd example) of the overlay structure which improved the communication system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

3 Base station control device (first control device) of base station system A
4 Base station control device (second control device) of base station system B
5, 11 Antenna section 6 Amplifier distribution device 7 Mobile terminal (external terminal)
10 Overhang wireless device of base station system A (first wireless device)
12, 32 Receiving amplifier (LNA)
13, 33 AD converter unit 14, 22, 34 Separating unit 15, 15-1 to 15-4, 35, 35-1 to 35-4 Demodulating unit 16, 16-1 to 16-4, 36, 36-1 36-4 Filter 17, 37 Parasiri conversion unit 18, 23, 38 Format unit 19, 24, 39 Electrical / optical conversion unit 20 Separation card (signal distribution device)
21 Optical / Electric Conversion Unit 25, 25-1 to 25-4 Modulation Unit 26 Synthesis Unit 27 DA Converter Unit 28 Amplifier Unit 29, 40, 50 Setting Unit 30 Overhang Radio Device (Second Radio Device) of Base Station System B
100 Optical line 101, 103, 104, 105 Optical cable 102 Coaxial cable

Claims (10)

A signal distribution device connected to a first base station system having a first control device and a first radio device, and a second base station system having a second control device and a second radio device. There,
A signal input means for inputting, from the first wireless device, a signal received by the first wireless device from an external terminal via an antenna;
Based on the first frequency used in the first base station system and the second frequency used in the second base station system set in advance, the signal input by the signal input means, Signal separating means for separating the signal for the first base station system and the signal for the second base station system;
First signal output means for outputting the signal for the first base station system separated by the signal separation means to the first control device;
Second signal output means for outputting the signal for the second base station system separated by the signal separation means to the second radio apparatus;
A signal distribution device comprising:   The format means which adds a dummy signal with respect to the signal for said 1st base station systems isolate | separated by the said signal isolation | separation means, and converts it into the format according to an interface. Signal distribution device.   Modulation means for modulating the signal for the second base station system separated by the signal separation means based on a second frequency set in the second base station system set in advance. 3. The signal distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the signal distribution device is a signal distribution device.   4. The signal distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the signal distribution device is connected to the first wireless device using an optical line. 5.   The signal distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the signal distribution device is connected to the first control device using an optical cable.   The signal distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the signal distribution device is connected to the second wireless device using a coaxial cable.   A wireless device connected to the signal distribution device according to claim 1. Connected to the signal distribution device by an optical line;
Having antenna means for receiving signals from an external terminal;
8. The radio apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a signal received from the antenna means is processed, and the processed signal is transmitted to the signal distribution apparatus via the optical line. Connected to the signal distribution device by a coaxial cable;
The radio apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the signal processed by the signal distribution apparatus is received via the coaxial cable. The signal distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A wireless device according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
A communication system comprising:

Images