JP2012175223A - Communication apparatus, signal processing unit, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform communication by using multiple antennas.SOLUTION: A communication apparatus includes: multiple antennas 120; and a signal processing unit for processing signals to be exchanged via the respective antennas 120. The signal processing unit includes an output route switching part for switching the output routes of transmission signals to the respective antennas 120 thereby to allow a signal with higher transmission power to be transmitted in order from the antenna with an advantageous SAR (specific absorption rate) characteristic.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device, a signal processor, a control method, and a program. In particular, the present invention relates to a communication device that performs communication using a plurality of antennas, a signal processor that processes signals transmitted and received via the plurality of antennas, a control method that controls the signal processor, and the signal It relates to a program for a processor.

  Some mobile phone models have a plurality of antennas. In general, the antennas are arranged separately in the casing of the mobile phone. Therefore, the SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) characteristics of each antenna change depending on the use environment and how to hold the mobile phone. Therefore, when the SAR characteristic of the antenna is poor, transmission power may be limited, and communication quality may be deteriorated.

  As a technique made in view of such a problem, it is possible to shorten the development period, maintain the downsizing of the apparatus, and reduce the radio wave emission toward the human head without impairing the transmission quality. An antenna device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The antenna device described in Patent Literature 1 detects the transmission power of a portable wireless device. Then, the antenna device selects an antenna to be used from the antenna group according to the detected transmission power.

JP 2003-283393 A

  For example, the antenna device described in Patent Document 1 uses only an antenna having an advantageous SAR characteristic among two antennas and does not use the other antenna. Therefore, although the antenna device described in Patent Document 1 is a technique useful for a technique for transmitting and receiving only one signal using one antenna, a plurality of signals are simultaneously transmitted and received using a plurality of antennas. This method cannot be applied.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a communication apparatus that performs communication using a plurality of antennas, and processes signals transmitted / received via the plurality of antennas. The signal processor includes an output path switching unit that switches an output path of a transmission signal to each antenna so that a signal with high transmission power is transmitted in order from an antenna having advantageous SAR characteristics. .

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is a signal processor for processing signals transmitted / received via a plurality of antennas so that signals with higher transmission power are transmitted in order from antennas with advantageous SAR characteristics. And an output path switching unit that switches an output path of a transmission signal to each antenna.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for controlling a signal processor that processes signals transmitted / received via a plurality of antennas, wherein signals having higher transmission power are transmitted in order from antennas having advantageous SAR characteristics. As described above, an output path switching step of switching the output path of the transmission signal to each antenna is provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for a signal processor for processing signals transmitted and received via a plurality of antennas, wherein the signal processor is a signal having a higher transmission power in order from an antenna having an advantageous SAR characteristic. So that the output path of the transmission signal to each antenna is switched.

  In addition, as described above, the summary of the invention does not enumerate all necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  As is clear from the above description, in the present invention, a transmission signal is output to each antenna so that a signal with high transmission power is transmitted in order from an antenna having advantageous SAR characteristics. Therefore, according to the present invention, high communication quality can be maintained even when a plurality of signals are simultaneously communicated using a plurality of antennas.

It is a figure which shows an example of the mobile telephone 100 which concerns on one Embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a mobile phone 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the block configuration of CPU110. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation | movement flow of CPU110. It is a figure which shows an example of the use condition of the mobile telephone 100 during a telephone call. It is a figure which shows an example of the use condition of the mobile telephone 100 during communication. It is a figure which shows an example of the use condition of the mobile telephone 100 which concerns on other embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims, and are combinations of features described in the embodiments. Not all are essential to the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a mobile phone 100 according to an embodiment. The mobile phone 100 is a portable phone using wireless communication. The mobile phone 100 may be an example of the “communication device” in the present invention.

  The mobile phone 100 includes two antennas 120a and 120b (hereinafter collectively referred to as the antenna 120), a speaker 130, a microphone 140, and a touch screen 150.

  The antenna 120 is a device that radiates high-frequency energy as radio waves into the space or converts the radio waves in space into high-frequency energy. The speaker 130 is a device that generates electric sounds such as music and voice by changing electrical signals into physical vibrations. The microphone 140 is a device that converts sound into an electrical signal. The touch screen 150 is a display capable of operating the mobile phone 100 by touching the screen with a finger or a dedicated pen.

  In addition, in the mobile phone 100 according to the present embodiment, of the two antennas 120, one antenna 120a is disposed in the vicinity of the speaker 130, and the other antenna 120b is disposed in the vicinity of the microphone 140. Shall.

  FIG. 2 shows an exemplary hardware configuration of the mobile phone 100. The mobile phone 100 includes a CPU 110 (Central Processing Unit), two wireless communication circuits 160a and b (hereinafter collectively referred to as a wireless communication circuit 160), two transmission power measurement circuits 170a and b (hereinafter referred to as a transmission power measurement circuit 170). The antenna switching circuit 180 and the acceleration sensor 190 are further provided. The CPU 110 may be an example of the “signal processor” in the present invention. The transmission power measuring circuit 170 may be an example of the “transmission power measuring device” in the present invention. Further, the acceleration sensor 190 may be an example of the “attitude detector” in the present invention.

  The CPU 110 is one of the components that make up the mobile phone 100, and is a device that controls each device, calculates data, and processes the data. More specifically, the CPU 110 is electrically connected to the transmission power measurement circuit 170, the antenna switching circuit 180, and the acceleration sensor 190, respectively. Then, the CPU 110 processes a signal transmitted / received via the antenna 120.

  The wireless communication circuit 160 is a circuit used for wireless communication. More specifically, the wireless communication circuit 160 is electrically connected to the transmission power measurement circuit 170 and the antenna switching circuit 180, respectively.

  The transmission power measurement circuit 170 is a circuit that measures the transmission power of the signal transmitted from the antenna 120. More specifically, the transmission power measurement circuit 170 is electrically connected to the CPU 110 and the wireless communication circuit 160, respectively.

  The antenna switching circuit 180 is a circuit that switches the output path of transmission signals to the antennas 120 a and 120 b under the control of the CPU 110. More specifically, the antenna switching circuit 180 is electrically connected to the CPU 110 and the antenna 120, respectively.

  The acceleration sensor 190 is a device for measuring the acceleration of an object. More specifically, the acceleration sensor 190 is electrically connected to the CPU 110. The acceleration sensor 190 detects the direction of gravitational acceleration applied to the mobile phone 100. In addition, the direction of the gravitational acceleration applied to the mobile phone 100 may be an example of “the posture of the communication device” in the present invention.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a block configuration of the CPU 110. A program provided to the mobile phone 100 is installed in a memory via a network and is executed by the CPU 110. The programs installed in the memory and executed include the CPU 110, the simultaneous communication determination unit 111, the transmission power data input reception unit 112, the attitude data input reception unit 113, the call determination unit 114, the SAR characteristic order specification unit 115, and the output path. It functions as the switching unit 116. The function and operation of each component will be described below.

  The simultaneous communication determination unit 111 determines whether or not simultaneous communication is performed via the antennas 120a and 120b. More specifically, the simultaneous communication determination unit 111 determines whether or not simultaneous communication is being performed via the antennas 120a and 120b at predetermined time intervals during communication.

  The transmission power data input reception unit 112 receives input of data indicating transmission power of a signal transmitted from the antenna 120 measured by the transmission power measurement circuit 170. More specifically, the transmission power data input reception unit 112 is a signal transmitted from the antenna 120 when the simultaneous communication determination unit 111 determines that communication is simultaneously performed via the antennas 120a and 120b. The input of data indicating the transmission power is accepted.

  Posture data input reception unit 113 receives input of data indicating the direction of gravity acceleration of mobile phone 100 detected by acceleration sensor 190. More specifically, the attitude data input reception unit 113 is detected by the acceleration sensor 190 when the simultaneous communication determination unit 111 determines that simultaneous communication is performed via the antennas 120a and 120b. The input of data indicating the direction of gravity acceleration is accepted.

  The call determination unit 114 determines whether the mobile phone 100 is in a call.

  The SAR characteristic order specifying unit 115 specifies the order of antennas having advantageous SAR characteristics. More specifically, the SAR characteristic order specifying unit 115 determines the direction of the gravitational acceleration applied to the mobile phone 100 indicated by the data received by the posture data input receiving unit 113, and the call determination unit 114 determines Based on the determination result, the order of antennas having advantageous SAR characteristics is specified.

  The output path switching unit 116 switches the output path of the transmission signal to the antennas 120a and 120b so that a signal with high transmission power is transmitted in order from an antenna with advantageous SAR characteristics. More specifically, the output path switching unit 116 includes the transmission power of the signal transmitted from the antenna 120 indicated by the data received by the transmission power data input receiving unit 112 and the SAR characteristic order specifying unit 115. Based on the order of the advantageous antennas with the specified SAR characteristics, when signals with high transmission power are not transmitted in order from the antennas with advantageous SAR characteristics, the signals with the highest transmission power are sequentially transmitted from antennas with advantageous SAR characteristics. The output path of the transmission signal to the antennas 120a and 120b is switched so as to be transmitted.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation flow of the CPU 110. FIG. 5 shows an example of the usage state of the mobile phone 100 during a call. FIG. 6 shows an example of a usage state of the mobile phone 100 during communication. In the description of this operation flow, FIGS. 1 to 3, 5, and 6 will be referred to together.

  When communication is started, the simultaneous communication determination unit 111 of the CPU 110 determines whether or not communication is simultaneously performed via the antennas 120a and 120b (S101).

  When the simultaneous communication determination unit 111 determines that communication is simultaneously performed via the antennas 120a and 120b (S101: Yes), the transmission power data input reception unit 112 of the CPU 110 is transmitted from the antenna 120. Data input indicating the transmission power of the signal is received (S102). Further, the attitude data input receiving unit 113 of the CPU 110 receives input of data indicating the direction of gravity acceleration of the mobile phone 100 detected by the acceleration sensor 190 (S103).

  Then, the call determination unit 114 of the CPU 110 determines whether or not the mobile phone 100 is in a call (S104).

  Then, the SAR characteristic order specifying unit 115 of the CPU 110 determines the direction of the gravitational acceleration applied to the mobile phone 100 indicated by the data received by the posture data input receiving unit 113 and the determination result determined by the call determining unit 114. Based on this, an advantageous antenna order of the SAR characteristics is identified.

  For example, in the case of assuming a voice call state, as shown in FIG. 4, the receiving unit is closer to the human ear and the transmitting unit is closer to the mouth, but it is necessary to be closer to the human body than the receiving unit. Therefore, the antenna 120a in the direction opposite to the direction of the gravitational acceleration is closer to the human body, and the SAR characteristic is disadvantageous. Therefore, when the call determination unit 114 determines that the mobile phone 100 is in a call (S104: Yes), the SAR characteristic order specifying unit 115 sets the antenna order that is advantageous for the SAR characteristic to the antenna 120b after the antenna 120a. Specify (S105).

  On the other hand, in a state where voice communication is not included, it is assumed that the hand is held as shown in FIG. In this case, it is determined that the antenna 120b in the direction of gravitational acceleration is closest to the human body. Therefore, when the call determining unit 114 determines that the mobile phone 100 is not in a call (S104: No), the SAR characteristic order specifying unit 115 specifies the order of the antennas having advantageous SAR characteristics as the antenna 120a after the antenna 120b. (S106).

  Then, the output path switching unit 116 transmits the transmission power of the signal transmitted from the antenna 120 indicated by the data received by the transmission power data input receiving unit 112 and the SAR characteristic specified by the SAR characteristic order specifying unit 115. Based on the order of the advantageous antennas, when signals with high transmission power are not transmitted in order from the antennas with advantageous SAR characteristics (S107: Yes), signals with the highest transmission power are obtained in order from the antennas with advantageous SAR characteristics. The output path of the transmission signal to the antennas 120a and 120b is switched so as to be transmitted (S108).

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a usage state of the mobile phone 100 according to another embodiment. In the present embodiment, the mobile phone 100 is turned sideways and the microphone 140 side end is held with the right hand 400. The telephone 100 according to the present embodiment further includes an antenna 120c on the right side of the touch screen 150 when the speaker 130 is up and the microphone 140 is down. Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, a signal with high transmission power is transmitted from the antenna 120c that is determined to be the farthest from the human body.

  As described above, since the cellular phone 100 enables antenna switching according to transmission power, communication quality can be maintained without limiting transmission power even with an antenna that is disadvantageous to SAR.

  Further, since the cellular phone 100 transmits a signal with low transmission power using an antenna that is disadvantageous to the SAR, it is possible to simplify the radio circuit design that satisfies the SAR standard and the antenna design.

  Further, in the mobile phone 100, the output path of the transmission signal to the antenna 120 is switched by identifying the advantageous antenna order of the SAR characteristic according to the direction of the gravitational acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 190. Depending on the usage environment at that time, signals with higher transmission power can be transmitted in order from an antenna with advantageous SAR characteristics.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

100 Mobile phone 110 CPU
111 Simultaneous communication determination unit 112 Transmission power data input reception unit 113 Attitude data input reception unit 114 Call determination unit 115 SAR characteristic order specification unit 116 Output path switching unit 120 Antenna 130 Speaker 140 Microphone 150 Touch screen 160 Wireless communication circuit 170 Transmission power measurement Circuit 180 Antenna switching circuit 190 Acceleration sensor 200 Head 300 Left hand 400 Right hand

Claims (10)

A communication device that performs communication using a plurality of antennas,
Multiple antennas,
A signal processor for processing signals transmitted and received via each antenna,
The signal processor is
A communication apparatus having an output path switching unit that switches an output path of a transmission signal to each antenna so that a signal having a high transmission power is transmitted in order from an antenna having advantageous SAR characteristics. The signal processor is
A SAR characteristic order identifying unit that identifies the order of advantageous antennas of the SAR characteristic;
The output path switching unit is configured to transmit each signal having a high transmission power in order from an antenna having an advantageous SAR characteristic based on an order of the antenna having an advantageous SAR characteristic specified by the SAR characteristic order specifying unit. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein an output path of a transmission signal to the is switched. It further comprises an attitude detector that detects the attitude of the communication device,
The signal processor is
An attitude data input receiving unit that receives input of data indicating the attitude of the communication device detected by the attitude detector;
The communication according to claim 2, wherein the SAR characteristic order specifying unit specifies an advantageous antenna order of the SAR characteristic based on the attitude of the communication device indicated by data received by the attitude data input receiving unit. apparatus. The signal processor is
A call determination unit for determining whether or not the communication device is busy;
The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the SAR characteristic order specifying unit further specifies an advantageous antenna order of the SAR characteristic based further on a determination result determined by the call determination unit. A transmission power measuring device for measuring transmission power of a signal transmitted from each antenna;
The signal processor is
A transmission power data input receiving unit that receives an input of data indicating transmission power of a signal transmitted from each antenna measured by the transmission power measuring device;
The output path switching unit is advantageous in the transmission power of the signal transmitted from each antenna indicated by the data received by the transmission power data input receiving unit and the SAR characteristic specified by the SAR characteristic order specifying unit. Based on the order of the different antennas, when signals with high transmission power are not transmitted in order from antennas with advantageous SAR characteristics, signals with high transmission power are transmitted in order from antennas with advantageous SAR characteristics. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein an output path of a transmission signal to each antenna is switched. The signal processor is
Further comprising a simultaneous communication determination unit for determining whether or not simultaneous communication is performed via the plurality of antennas;
The attitude data input accepting unit is configured to store data indicating an attitude of the communication device detected by the attitude detector when the simultaneous communication determining unit determines that simultaneous communication is performed via the plurality of antennas. Accept input,
The transmission power data input reception unit is data indicating transmission power of signals transmitted from the antennas when the simultaneous communication determination unit determines that communication is simultaneously performed via the plurality of antennas. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the communication device accepts an input. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the simultaneous communication determination unit determines whether or not communication is being performed simultaneously via the plurality of antennas at predetermined time intervals during communication. A signal processor that processes signals transmitted and received via a plurality of antennas,
A signal processor including an output path switching unit that switches an output path of a transmission signal to each antenna so that a signal having high transmission power is transmitted in order from an antenna having advantageous SAR characteristics. A control method for controlling a signal processor that processes signals transmitted and received via a plurality of antennas,
A control method comprising an output path switching step of switching an output path of a transmission signal to each antenna so that a signal having a high transmission power is transmitted in order from an antenna having advantageous SAR characteristics. A program for a signal processor that processes signals transmitted and received via a plurality of antennas, the signal processor,
A program that functions as an output path switching unit that switches an output path of a transmission signal to each antenna so that a signal with high transmission power is transmitted in order from an antenna having advantageous SAR characteristics.

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