JP2011030232A - Wireless communication system and elevator system having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless communication system for providing a radio frequency (RF) link between an enclosed environment that is at least substantially shielded from RF signals, and the outside of the enclosed environment. <P>SOLUTION: The wireless communication system includes at least one gateway antenna 12 arranged at an entrance point of the enclosed environment. The gateway antenna 12 radiates downlink RF signals into and receives uplink RF signals from the enclosed environment. The wireless communication system also includes at least one auxiliary repeater 14 arranged within the enclosed environment, a donor antenna 16, and a server antenna 18. The donor antenna 16 and the server antenna 18 are coupled to the auxiliary repeater 14. The auxiliary repeater 14 relays the downlink RF signals and the uplink RF signals using the donor antenna 16 and the server antenna 18. An elevator system 2 using the wireless communication system is also disclosed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates generally to wireless communication systems that provide wireless coverage in a closed environment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wireless communication system for providing wireless coverage to an elevator car inside an elevator shaft.

  Attenuation of radio frequency (RF) band radio waves inside a building is a normal phenomenon. This attenuation occurs because the propagation of radio waves is hindered by obstacles existing inside the building such as walls, columns, partitions, and the like. As a result, the quality of RF signal coverage inside the building is reduced compared to open spaces. Designing systems that enhance RF signal coverage indoors has been a difficult problem for many years for wireless design engineers.

  It is impractical to design an outdoor base transceiver station (BTS) capable of RF signal coverage indoors or inside buildings. Usually, indoor RF signal coverage is realized using an indoor BTS. When indoor BTS is used, uniform radio signal coverage can be provided at each location on each floor of the building. Another way to provide RF signal coverage indoors is to employ one or more distributed antenna systems, including the use of coaxial cables and fiber optic cables. Both indoor BTS and distributed antenna systems enhance RF signal coverage inside buildings, but reasonably good RF signal coverage in closed environments such as elevator shafts, elevator cars installed in elevator shafts, underground mines, and tunnels. Unfortunately, neither is sufficient in terms of realizing and cost-effective.

US Pat. No. 5,603,080

  For example, one solution for extending RF signal coverage to the interior of an elevator car is to install distributed antennas in all elevator lobbies on each floor of the building. Such a solution has some effect on RF signal coverage inside the elevator car, but it does not provide a seamless cover, especially when the elevator car is between floors. I can't. In addition, such a design is limited in that the cost is relatively high because antennas must be installed in all elevator lobbies.

  Another solution is disclosed in Patent Document 1, in which a leaky coaxial cable is laid over the entire length of the tunnel. However, when the cable breaks, a part of the cable malfunctions, and serious fading occurs in the vicinity. Further, when the leaking coaxial cable becomes longer, an amplifier or a repeater device corresponding to the length becomes necessary. These amplifiers and repeater devices are expensive solutions.

  In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a wireless communication system is provided that provides an RF link between a closed environment that is at least substantially shielded from radio frequency (RF) signals and the exterior of the closed environment. The wireless communication system includes at least one gateway antenna located at an entrance point of the closed environment for transmitting downlink RF signals to the closed environment and receiving uplink RF signals from the environment. An entrance point of a closed environment refers to a reliable access place where a gateway antenna can be installed and a downlink RF signal can be transmitted to the closed environment. The entry point should not be construed as meaning an entrance for humans to enter the enclosed environment. If the downlink RF signal is weak, the downlink RF signal may be amplified by the main repeater before transmitting from the gateway antenna. The wireless communication system also includes at least one auxiliary repeater fixed in the enclosed environment, and a donor antenna and a server antenna respectively coupled to the auxiliary repeater. The auxiliary repeater uses the donor antenna and the server antenna to relay the downlink RF signal and the uplink RF signal to expand the RF signal coverage into the enclosed environment. According to such an embodiment of the present invention, RF signal coverage can be provided and expanded into a closed environment including, but not limited to, elevator shafts, tunnels, and mines where RF fading occurs.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, RF signal coverage is provided in a mobile carrier that is movable within an enclosed environment, such as an elevator car in an elevator shaft or a train vehicle passing through a tunnel. The auxiliary repeater is mounted on the mobile carrier, the donor antenna is installed outside the mobile carrier, the server antenna is installed inside the mobile carrier, and the RF signal coverage is expanded inside the mobile carrier. The auxiliary repeater may be mounted either on the inside or outside of the mobile transporter. The server antenna may be integrated with the auxiliary repeater, and this is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the number of parts, particularly when the auxiliary repeater is mounted inside the mobile carrier. When using with an elevator shaft, a gateway antenna can be installed in the ceiling part which is the opening part for access to an elevator shaft, and this can be made into the entrance point of RF signal. When used in a tunnel or mine, a gateway antenna can be installed at the entrance of the tunnel or tunnel, and this can be used as the RF signal entrance point.

  Regardless of whether the auxiliary repeater is fixed or mounted on a mobile transporter, the auxiliary repeater has a bidirectional amplifier that maintains its output signal strength within a predetermined limit by adjusting the gain by feedback control. It is desirable to include. When the auxiliary repeater is fixed, feedback control is effective in maintaining the output signal strength of the bidirectional amplifier within a predetermined limit under the situation where the strength of the signal transmitted from the gateway antenna varies in various ways. . When the auxiliary repeater is mounted on the mobile carrier, the gain of the bidirectional amplifier may be adjusted based on the distance between the mobile carrier and the gateway antenna instead of or in addition to the above. When the distance is small, the gain is decreased. When the distance is increased, the gain is increased accordingly. In the case of a mobile carrier such as an elevator car, the distance from the elevator car to the gateway antenna may be determined by the position in the elevator shaft.

  According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, if the environment is a closed environment, such as in a tunnel longer than a predetermined length, and one auxiliary repeater cannot provide sufficient RF signal coverage, the wireless communication In the system, a plurality of auxiliary repeaters can be cascaded apart from each other in the enclosed environment. In other words, the plurality of auxiliary repeaters are arranged in one or more chains so as to be sequentially away from the gateway antenna. The RF signal transmitted from the gateway antenna is received by the first auxiliary repeater on the chain closest to the gateway antenna. This first auxiliary repeater amplifies the RF signal and retransmits it. The second auxiliary repeater that is the next most distant on the chain similarly receives, amplifies, and retransmits the RF signal from the first auxiliary repeater. In this way, the RF signal is transmitted by a plurality of auxiliary repeaters to provide RF signal coverage over a wide range. This is called multi-section relaying of RF signals, and each section is a distance between two auxiliary repeaters. In order to prevent RF signal transmission from being lost in the auxiliary repeater chain, if one auxiliary repeater fails, the adjacent auxiliary repeaters extend the transmission range to increase RF signal coverage. It is good to keep it.

  According to a further embodiment of the invention, if the transporter moving in the enclosed environment requires a plurality of auxiliary repeaters, the plurality of auxiliary repeaters may comprise first and second auxiliary repeater groups. A first group of auxiliary repeaters are connected to each of the mobile transporters connected in a train and movable in the closed environment, and a second group of auxiliary repeaters are separated from the mobile transporters in the closed environment. It is fixed at the place. The donor antenna coupled to at least the first auxiliary repeater or the last auxiliary repeater of the first group of auxiliary repeaters is installed outside the mobile carrier. A donor antenna coupled to the other auxiliary repeaters of the first group of auxiliary repeaters and a server antenna coupled to the first group of auxiliary repeaters are arranged in each mobile carrier. Such a configuration is suitable, for example, when RF signal coverage is provided both inside and outside a train vehicle passing through a tunnel. Each auxiliary repeater in such a multi-auxiliary repeater wireless communication system includes a bidirectional amplifier that maintains its output signal strength within a predetermined limit by adjusting the gain by feedback control under conditions where the RF signal varies. Good.

  For any of the embodiments described above, the wireless communication system may include one or more gateway antennas, and may constitute a redundant system in which a gateway antenna is installed at each entry point in a closed environment. Even if one gateway antenna breaks down, another gateway antenna can be used in the closed environment.

  According to another further embodiment of the invention, the wireless communication system further includes first and second interfaces and first and second combiners / decombiners coupled to the first and second interfaces, respectively. The uplink and downlink RF signals provide RF signal coverage having a frequency different from that of the uplink and downlink RF signals. This RF signal coverage with different frequencies can be used to form a wireless communication link between, for example, a control station and a signaling and driving system. This signaling and driving system can then be used to control and / or monitor certain parameters of the enclosed environment and / or mobile carriers in such an enclosed environment. Examples of such parameters include, but are not limited to, temperature, pressure, and gas level.

  The first interface is coupled to a control station and converts downlink control data into a corresponding downlink control RF signal and converts an uplink signaling RF signal from a signaling / driving system into corresponding uplink signaling data. . The first combiner / decombiner combines the downlink RF signal and the downlink control RF signal to be transmitted from the gateway antenna, and separates the uplink RF signal from the uplink signaling RF signal received by the gateway antenna. The second interface is coupled to a signaling and driving system, and converts the downlink control RF signal into a driving signal or a control signal, and converts a signaling signal, for example, a signal from a sensor, into an uplink signaling RF signal. The second combiner / decombiner combines the uplink RF signal and the uplink signaling RF signal and transmits the combined signal from the donor antenna of the auxiliary repeater and transmits the downlink from the downlink control RF signal received by the donor antenna of the auxiliary repeater. Separate RF signals. In this manner, one wireless communication system can provide RF signal coverage, for example, for two disparate systems.

  The signaling and driving system may be deployed on one or more mobile carriers in a closed environment. The signaling and driving system may include a driver that controls the mobile carrier based on the driving signal, and a sensor that generates a signaling signal based on the state of the mobile carrier. Such a control station and signaling and drive system can be used, for example, in the elevator system described above to monitor and control the function of the elevator car. Such a system can also be used to monitor and control unmanned trucks for transporting coal, for example in mines. In an elevator system, sensors can be used to obtain information about the position of the elevator car in a closed environment. The sensor is connected to the auxiliary repeater and the information is used for gain adjustment of the bidirectional amplifier of the auxiliary repeater, and is connected to the first interface and is connected to the first interface to control the elevator car in the elevator shaft. This information is used to control the position of the camera. In the elevator system, the signaling and driving system may further include a signal generator operable by an elevator car operator, such as one that generates a signal when a floor button or emergency button in the elevator car is pressed. Good.

  The signaling and drive system may also be fixed in a closed environment such as a mine and used for remote monitoring and control of parameters such as temperature, pressure, gas level, etc. in the mine.

The invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings.
It is an illustration figure of the elevator system which has a radio | wireless communications system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the main repeater of the radio | wireless communications system of FIG. It is a block diagram of the auxiliary repeater of the radio | wireless communications system of FIG. 2 is a message sequence chart illustrating message exchange between a control station of the elevator system of FIG. 1 and a signaling and driving system. It is an illustration figure which shows the case where the radio | wireless communications system by another embodiment of this invention is used in the tunnel which a train vehicle passes. FIG. 6 is an illustrative view when the wireless communication system of FIG. 5 is used for operation and maintenance purposes. FIG. 6 is an illustrative view when one gateway antenna is added to the wireless communication system of FIG. 5. It is an illustration figure which shows the case where the radio | wireless communications system by another embodiment of this invention mounts and uses many auxiliary repeaters inside a train vehicle. FIG. 9 is an illustrative view in the case of using one additional gateway antenna in the wireless communication system of FIG. 8.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described for a case where a radio communication system is used for an elevator shaft and an elevator car that can move in the elevator shaft. The system is intended to extend radio frequency range (RF) signal coverage, abbreviated as radio coverage, from the exterior of the elevator shaft to the interior of the elevator car. However, the present invention should not be construed as limited to use in such a closed environment, and the present invention is at least substantially shielded from external RF signals, such as inside a tunnel or mine. It can also be used in a closed environment.

  FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of an elevator or elevator system 2 including a radio communication system 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention that provides radio frequency (RF) signal coverage in an elevator car 6 movable within an elevator shaft 8. . The wireless communication system 4 includes a main repeater 10 and a gateway antenna 12 coupled to the main repeater 10. The wireless communication system 4 further includes an auxiliary repeater 14, a donor antenna 16 and a server antenna 18, both antennas being coupled to the auxiliary repeater 14. 2 and 3 are block diagrams of the main repeater 10 and the auxiliary repeater 14, respectively.

  The installation place of the main repeater 10 may be outside or inside the elevator shaft 8. The main repeater 10 may be connected to a suitable source external to the elevator shaft 8, such as a BTS (not shown), an amplifier (not shown), or a combiner 20 (FIG. 2) via a coaxial cable (not shown). To receive a downlink RF signal. The gateway antenna 12 is installed at the entrance point of the elevator shaft 8, for example, the ceiling of the elevator shaft 8. The installation location of the gateway antenna 12 is not limited to this, and may be another location in the elevator shaft 8 as long as the downlink RF signal can be directed, that is, concentrated in the elevator shaft 8. Unlike the conventional example in which a leaking cable is laid along the entire length of the elevator shaft 8, the gateway antenna 12 is provided at one point on the elevator shaft 8. The gateway antenna 12 is a directional antenna such as a panel antenna or a Yagi antenna, but is not limited thereto. The donor antenna 16 is usually a directional antenna, and the server antenna 18 is usually an omnidirectional antenna. The auxiliary repeater 14 is installed on the roof of the elevator car 6, and the donor antenna 16 and the server antenna 18 are installed outside and inside the elevator car 6, respectively. The donor antenna 16 is arranged so as to be on the same line of sight as the gateway antenna 12. Alternatively, the auxiliary repeater 14 may be mounted on the ceiling of the elevator car 6. In such a case, the server antenna 18 may be integrated with the auxiliary repeater 14.

  Next, the main repeater 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The main repeater 10 includes a first bidirectional amplifier 22, a first combiner / decombiner 24, and a first interface 26. The first bidirectional amplifier 22 amplifies both the mobile communication downlink RF signal from the outside of the elevator shaft 8 and the mobile communication uplink RF signal from the inside of the elevator shaft 8. The first interface 26 is coupled to the control station 28, converts the downlink control data from the control station 28 into a corresponding downlink control RF signal, and converts the uplink signaling RF signal for the control station 28. To corresponding uplink signaling data. By providing such an interface to the control station 28, the operation of the elevator car 6 can be remotely monitored and controlled using a common RF link provided by the main repeater 10. The first combiner / decombiner 24 is coupled to the first interface 26 so that the downlink RF signal and the downlink control RF signal can be combined and transmitted from the gateway antenna 12, and the uplink received by the gateway antenna 12. The uplink RF signal is separated from the signaling RF signal. Note that the mobile communication uplink and downlink RF signals may be signals from one or more mobile communication systems. When the uplink and downlink RF signals are signals from one or more mobile communication systems, the RF signals are combined by the combiner 20 and then input to the main repeater 10. Examples of mobile communication systems include GSM900, DCS1800, and UMTS systems.

  Next, the auxiliary repeater 14 will be described with reference to FIG. 3, which is very similar to the main repeater 10. The auxiliary repeater 14 includes a second bidirectional amplifier 30, a second combiner / decombiner 32, and a second interface 34. The second bidirectional amplifier 30 amplifies both the downlink RF signal from the outside of the elevator car 6 and the uplink RF signal from the inside of the elevator car 6. The second interface 34 is coupled to the signaling and driving system 36, converts the downlink control RF signal into a driver signal for the signaling and driving system 36, and converts the signaling signal from the signaling and driving system 36 to the uplink signaling. Convert to RF signal. The second combiner / decombiner 32 is coupled to the second interface 34 so that the uplink RF signal can be combined with the uplink signaling RF signal and transmitted from the donor antenna 16, and the downlink received by the donor antenna 16. The downlink RF signal is separated from the line control RF signal.

  The signaling / driving system 36 is arranged in the elevator car 6, and at least one driver (not shown) for controlling the elevator car 6 based on the driving signal and the signaling signal based on the state of the elevator car 6. And at least one sensor (not shown) that occurs. One of the sensors may provide information about the position of the elevator car 6 in the elevator shaft 8 so that the distance of the elevator car 6 from the gateway antenna 12 can be determined. This sensor may be connected to the auxiliary repeater 14 to take in information and control the gain of the bidirectional amplifier 30 of the auxiliary repeater 14. Alternatively, the sensor may be connected to the first interface 26 and the information may be used by the control station 28 to control the position of the elevator car 6 in the elevator shaft 8. The signaling and drive system 36 may further include a signal generator (not shown) that can be operated by a user of the elevator car 6. Examples of such a signal generator include a device that generates a signal when a floor button or an emergency button inside the elevator car 6 is pressed, but is not limited thereto.

  The wireless communication system 4 is used for all mobile stations 40 (FIG. 1) having a wireless access function such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile computer, etc., when these mobile stations 40 are inside the elevator car 6, respectively. This establishes access to the mobile communication system outside the elevator shaft 8 as the communication destination. By the wireless communication system 4, the downlink RF signal from the outside of the elevator shaft 8 is amplified by the main repeater 10, transmitted from the gateway antenna 12 to the inside of the elevator shaft 8, and relayed to the inside of the elevator car 6 by the auxiliary repeater 14. Then, the mobile station 40 can receive the data. In the uplink direction, the uplink RF signal from the mobile station 40 is received by the server antenna 18, amplified by the auxiliary repeater 14, and transmitted from the elevator car 6 to the interior of the elevator shaft 8 via the donor antenna 16. The uplink RF signal of the elevator shaft 8 is received by the gateway antenna 12 and channeled or relayed to the outside of the elevator shaft 8. In this way, the mobile station 40 can establish a wireless communication link with the mobile communication system, and can maintain a state where it can be connected to the outside world.

  In addition to providing wireless communication access to the mobile station 40 in the elevator car 6, according to the wireless communication system 4, the state and function of the elevator car 6 are monitored from a remote control station 28, respectively. It is also possible to control. The control station 28 can establish a wireless communication link with the signaling and driving system 36 and exchange data between them. The data exchanged between the control station 28 and the signaling and driving system 36 will be briefly described.

  First, the components 30, 32, and 34 of the auxiliary repeater 14 will be described in detail. The bidirectional amplifier 30 includes a downlink power amplifier 40 and an uplink power amplifier 42. The input of the downlink power amplifier 30 is sent to the donor antenna 16 via the first transceiver filter 44. The output of the uplink power amplifier 42 is sent to the donor antenna 16 via the first transceiver filter 44. The output of the downlink power amplifier 40 is sent to the control filter 46 of the second combiner / decombiner 32. The control filter 46 is a bandpass filter that extracts a downlink control RF signal from a signal received by the donor antenna 16. The control filter 46 is connected to a second transceiver filter 48, into which a downlink RF signal is input. The control filter 46 is also connected to the first mixer 50 of the second interface 34, and the downlink control RF signal enters here. The second transceiver filter 48 is coupled to the server antenna 18. The second transceiver filter 48 is also connected to the combiner 52 of the second combiner / decombiner 32, where the uplink RF signal received by the server antenna 18 enters here. The combiner 52 is also connected to the second mixer 54 of the second interface 34, from which it receives the uplink signaling RF signal. The combiner 52 combines the uplink RF signal and the uplink signaling RF signal, and sends the combined signal to the input of the uplink power amplifier 42.

  The auxiliary repeater 14 also includes an automatic power control circuit 56 that receives output signals from the power amplifiers 40, 42 and information from the sensor regarding the position of the elevator car 6 in the elevator shaft 8. The automatic power control circuit 56 processes these signals and position information to generate respective feedback control signals, controls the gains of the power amplifiers 40 and 42 for the downlink and uplink, and controls the intensity of the output signals of these amplifiers. Is maintained within predetermined limits.

  The first mixer 50 receives a carrier signal from a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 58 in addition to receiving a downlink control RF signal. The first mixer 50 mixes the downlink control RF signal and this carrier signal into a downlink control baseband signal, and sends this to the modem 60 of the second interface 34. The modem 60 demodulates the downlink control baseband signal and uses it as a drive signal for the signaling / drive subsystem 36.

  The modem 60 also modulates the signaling signal into an uplink signaling baseband signal. The second mixer 54 receives the uplink signaling baseband signal and the carrier signal from the VCO 58, and generates an uplink signaling RF signal. For error protection of the signaling signal, the modem 60 may add a header to the signaling signal. Similarly, modem 60 may remove a similar header from the drive signal before providing the drive signal to signaling and drive system 36.

  Next, operations of the bidirectional amplifier 30 and the second combiner / decombiner 32 will be briefly described. The RF signal from the donor antenna 16 includes a combined downlink control RF signal and downlink RF signal, and is sent from the first transceiver filter 44 to the downlink power amplifier 40 where it is amplified. After amplification, the signal is sent to the control filter 46 where the downlink control RF signal is separated from the downlink RF signal. The downlink RF signal is transmitted to the server antenna 18 via the second transceiver filter 48 and transmitted from the server antenna 18. The uplink RF signal from server antenna 18 is sent from second transceiver filter 48 to combiner 52 where it is combined with the uplink signaling RF signal. The combined signal is amplified by the uplink power amplifier 42, sent to the donor antenna 16 through the first transceiver filter 44, and transmitted from the donor antenna 16. The constituent devices 22, 24, and 26 of the main repeater 10 are substantially the same as the constituent devices of the auxiliary repeater 14, and their functions are also substantially the same. Generally, in the main repeater 10, the downlink RF signal and the downlink control RF signal are transmitted from the gateway antenna 12 by combining the combiner 52 of the first combiner / decombiner 24, and the uplink RF signal from the gateway antenna 12 is transmitted. The uplink signaling RF signal is separated by the control filter 46 of the first combiner / decombiner 24.

  Next, data exchange between the control station 28 and the signaling / driving system 36 will be described with reference to the message sequence chart of FIG. Data exchange may be initiated by the control station 28 or the signaling / driving system 36. Examples of starting data exchange from the control station 28 include inquiring about the status of sensors in the elevator system 2 and exchanging data for controlling specific functions of the elevator system 2. . When inquiring about the state of the sensor, the control station 28 sends a “remote_initiate” message (downlink control data) to the signaling and driving system 36 via the above-described wireless communication link. This “remote_initiate” message is processed, for example, by the main repeater 10, more specifically by its modem 60, and a header is added as described above. The message subjected to this processing becomes a “remote_initiate_req” message (driving signal) and is sent to the signaling / driving system 36. When the driver / sensor system 36 receives a “remote_initiate” or “remote_initiate_req” message, the driver / sensor system 36 executes a process for acquiring the sensor state, and sends a “remote_enabled” message (signaling signal) to inform the control station 28 of the sensor state Make a response. Information regarding the position of the elevator car 6 in the elevator shaft 8 may also be transmitted to the control station 28 in this manner.

  In order to control the function of the elevator system 2, for example, the function of slightly raising and lowering the elevator car 6 by the specified number of steps, the control station 28 sends a “control_initiate” message (downlink control) to the signaling and driving system 36. Data) is transmitted. The main repeater 10 adds a header to this “control_initiate” message and sends it to the signaling / drive system 36 as a “control_initiate_req” message (drive signal). Upon receiving this “control_initiate_req” message, the driver / sensor system 36 performs processing for controlling the driver indicated in this message in accordance with one or more parameters indicated in the message. Thereafter, the driver / sensor system 36 responds to the command by informing the control station 28 through a “control_enabled” message (signaling signal) whether the control operation was successfully performed.

  The driver / sensor system 36 may have an intercom function. If the intercom function is provided, the user of the elevator car 6 can operate the signal generator to communicate with the control station 28. Such a feature is very useful when, for example, the elevator system 2 breaks down, that is, when the elevator car cannot be moved up and down or the door of the elevator car cannot be opened. When communicating with the control station 28 using intercom, an “emergency_req” message (signaling signal) is sent from the signaling and driving system 36 to the control station 28. As an acknowledgment of the “emergency_req” message, the control system 28 sends an “emergencycall_connected” message (downlink control data) to the signaling / drive system 36. This pair of messages enables an intercom call. The emergency call may be a normal phone calling a predetermined phone number, a method of sending a short text message to a predetermined mobile communication device number via a short message service (SMS), or a pocket It may be a report by bell or email. The signaling / driving system 36 may also include an automatic failure detection function that notifies the control station 28 using this message pair when a failure occurs. In that case, for example, it is possible to correct the malfunction by the remote method from the control station 28 using the above-described control operation.

  According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communication system 4 can enjoy the effect of expanding the RF signal coverage inside the elevator car that was substantially an RF signal non-transmission region before the present invention. Such a system makes it possible to access the mobile communication system from a mobile communication station inside the elevator car. When a call using the mobile station is made outside the elevator car and the mobile station moves into the elevator car, to another base transceiver station (BTS) having an RF signal accessible inside the elevator car Communication can be seamlessly relayed. In addition to enabling mobile communication via an RF link, the wireless communication system allows remote operation and maintenance of the elevator system using the same RF link. In other words, in the wireless communication system, two essentially different systems use one RF access point. Therefore, such a wireless communication system is lower in cost than a case where two different systems are supported by two separate wireless communication systems.

  Although the present invention has been described with respect to application to an elevator system, this should not be construed as limiting. For example, as another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the RF signal coverage can be expanded into a tunnel 70 through which a mobile carrier such as a train car 72 passes. In such a case, the gateway antenna 12 is provided at the entrance of the tunnel 70 so that the RF signal from the gateway antenna 12 is radiated toward the inside of the tunnel 70. In the case of such use, especially when the tunnel is long, a plurality of auxiliary repeaters 14 may be arranged in cascade inside the tunnel 70 at intervals. In this way, the weakened RF signal can be received by the auxiliary repeater 14 and retransmitted. In other words, the plurality of auxiliary repeaters 14 boost the RF signal over the entire length of the tunnel 70 to cover the entire tunnel 70. Thereby, substantially uniform RF signal coverage is realized for the entire inside of the tunnel 70. The auxiliary repeater 14 can receive RF communication from the mobile station 40 in the tunnel 70 or the train vehicle 72 passing through the tunnel 70. As shown in FIG. 6, similar to the embodiment in the elevator car and the elevator shaft, transmission of control data and reception of signaling data using the auxiliary repeater 14 are performed in operation and maintenance (OAM = Operations and Maintenance) in the tunnel 70. It may be performed with the system 74. The OAM system 74 can also be used for remote monitoring and control of temperature, pressure, gas levels, for example in a mine. In addition, a control station can be installed outside the mine, and by using such an OAM system 74, it is possible to realize remote control of a mobile transporter such as an unmanned truck for transporting coal operating in the mine.

  In any of the above-described embodiments, the second gateway antenna 12 is installed at another entrance point, for example, the second entrance of the tunnel 70, and is used as a backup for the first gateway antenna 12 when the first gateway antenna fails. As good as FIG. 7 shows a configuration with such redundancy. Alternatively, the RF signal of the mobile communication system of a different system from the first gateway antenna 12 may be transmitted from the second gateway antenna 12 toward the tunnel 70. In this way, two or more mobile communication system RF signal coverages can be realized within the tunnel 70.

  In the embodiment in which a plurality of auxiliary repeaters are used together with the mobile transporter, as shown in FIG. 8, the auxiliary repeater 14 is mounted in the mobile transporter, for example, in the train car 72 to increase the RF signal intensity inside the train car 72. You may do it. The donor antenna 16 coupled to the first auxiliary repeater 14 is mounted outside the first train vehicle 72. The donor antenna 16 coupled to the other auxiliary repeaters 14 and the server antenna 18 coupled to each auxiliary repeater 14 are attached to the inside of each train vehicle 72. The first auxiliary repeater 14 becomes a main repeater or a gateway repeater, and the server antenna 16 coupled thereto becomes a gateway antenna. The last auxiliary repeater 14 also functions as a main repeater. This auxiliary repeater is also mounted on the final vehicle 72 of the train as shown in FIG. 9 to form a redundant system or another system RF signal coverage as described above. May be provided. In addition, the auxiliary repeater 14 may be installed other than the train car 72, that is, inside the tunnel 70, so that a strong RF signal can be used both inside and outside the train car.

Claims (16)

A wireless communication system comprising an RF link between an enclosed environment at least substantially shielded from radio frequency (RF) signals and the exterior of the enclosed environment,
At least one gateway antenna installed at an entrance point of the closed environment for transmitting a downlink RF signal to the closed environment and receiving an uplink RF signal from the closed environment;
At least one auxiliary repeater installed in the enclosed environment;
A donor antenna coupled to the auxiliary repeater, and a server antenna coupled to the auxiliary repeater,
The auxiliary repeater relays the downlink RF signal and the uplink RF signal using the donor antenna and the server antenna.   The auxiliary repeater is mounted on a mobile carrier that can move in the closed environment, the donor antenna is installed outside the mobile carrier, and the server antenna is installed inside the mobile carrier. The wireless communication system according to 1.   The wireless communication system according to claim 2, wherein the closed environment is in an elevator shaft, the mobile carrier is an elevator car, and the gateway antenna is installed on a ceiling of the elevator shaft.   4. The wireless communication system according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary repeater includes a bidirectional amplifier capable of gain adjustment based on a distance between the mobile carrier and the gateway antenna. 5.   The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of auxiliary repeaters are cascaded apart from each other in the closed environment.   The plurality of auxiliary repeaters include first and second auxiliary repeater groups, and the first group of auxiliary repeaters are connected to each other in a train-like manner and installed in each mobile transporter that can move in the closed environment, A donor antenna coupled to at least the first auxiliary repeater or the last auxiliary repeater of the first group of auxiliary repeaters is installed outside the mobile carrier, and the first group of auxiliary repeaters A donor antenna coupled to an auxiliary repeater other than the above and a server antenna coupled to each auxiliary repeater of the first group are installed in each mobile carrier, and the auxiliary repeater of the second group is installed in the enclosed environment. The wireless communication system according to claim 5, wherein the wireless communication system is fixedly installed at a location different from the mobile carrier.   The wireless communication system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the closed environment is in a tunnel.   The wireless communication system according to claim 5, wherein a gateway antenna is installed at each entrance point of the closed environment. A first interface coupled to the control station for converting downlink control data to a corresponding downlink control RF signal and converting an uplink signaling RF signal to corresponding uplink signaling data;
The downlink RF signal is coupled to the first interface, and the downlink RF signal and the downlink control RF signal are combined and transmitted from the gateway antenna, and from the uplink signaling RF signal received by the gateway antenna, the uplink RF First combiner / decombiner to separate the signals,
Coupled to a signaling and driving system, converting the downlink control RF signal to a driving signal, and converting a signaling signal to the uplink signaling RF signal; and coupling to the second interface; The uplink RF signal and the uplink signaling RF signal are combined and transmitted from the donor antenna of the auxiliary repeater, and the downlink RF signal is received from the downlink control RF signal received by the donor antenna of the auxiliary repeater. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a second combiner / decombiner separating the two.   The signaling / driving system includes a driver that is installed in the mobile carrier and controls the mobile carrier based on the drive signal, and a sensor that generates the signaling signal based on a state of the mobile carrier. Item 10. The wireless communication system according to Item 9.   11. The wireless communication system of claim 10, wherein the signaling and driving system further includes a signal generator operable by an operator of the mobile carrier. Elevator shaft,
An elevator car movable within the elevator shaft;
At least one gateway antenna installed on a ceiling of the elevator shaft for transmitting a downlink RF signal into the elevator shaft and receiving an uplink RF signal from within the elevator shaft;
An auxiliary repeater mounted in the elevator car,
A donor antenna coupled to the auxiliary repeater and installed outside the elevator car; and a server antenna coupled to the auxiliary repeater and installed inside the elevator car;
The auxiliary repeater relays the uplink RF signal and the downlink RF signal between the inside and outside of the elevator car using the donor antenna and the server antenna. A first interface coupled to the control station for converting downlink control data to a corresponding downlink control RF signal and converting an uplink signaling RF signal to corresponding uplink signaling data;
The downlink RF signal is coupled to the first interface, and the downlink RF signal and the downlink control RF signal are combined and transmitted from the gateway antenna, and from the uplink signaling RF signal received by the gateway antenna, the uplink RF First combiner / decombiner to separate the signals,
Coupled to a signaling and driving system, converting the downlink control RF signal to a driving signal, and converting a signaling signal to the uplink signaling RF signal; and coupling to the second interface; The uplink RF signal and the uplink signaling RF signal are combined and transmitted from the donor antenna of the auxiliary repeater, and the downlink RF signal is received from the downlink control RF signal received by the donor antenna of the auxiliary repeater. The elevator system of claim 12, further comprising a second combiner / decombiner separating the two.   The signaling and driving system is installed in the elevator car, and includes a driver that controls the elevator car based on the driving signal, and a sensor that generates the signaling signal based on a state of the elevator car. The described elevator system.   15. The elevator system of claim 14, wherein the signaling and drive system further includes a signal generator operable by an operator of the elevator car.   The sensor provides information about the position of the elevator car in the elevator shaft, and the sensor is connected to the auxiliary repeater and the information is used for gain adjustment of the amplifier of the auxiliary repeater. 16. The elevator system according to claim 15, wherein the information is used for position control of the elevator car in the elevator shaft by the control station, connected to the first interface.

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