JP2013109573A - Radio communication device for transportation system and transmission failure detection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio communication device for transportation system and a transmission failure detection method which facilitate identifying a failure point in the radio communication device for transportation system.SOLUTION: A radio communication device 1 for transportation system for transmitting a radio signal including transportation data in a transportation system for controlling transportation equipment on the basis of the transportation data, comprises: a housing 27; an RF section 23 placed in the housing 27, for transmitting the radio signal including the transportation data to the outside of the housing 27; an internal antenna 25 placed in the housing 27, for acquiring the radio signal transmitted from the RF section 23; and a determination section 26 for determining whether a failure occurs in the RF section 23 or not on the basis of a reception level of the radio signal acquired by the internal antenna 25.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication device for a traffic system and a transmission abnormality detection method, and more particularly to a wireless communication device for a traffic system and a transmission abnormality detection method for determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in a transmission unit of the wireless communication device for a traffic system. About.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a traffic system that transmits and receives traffic data between a plurality of traffic control devices is known in order to control traffic facilities such as traffic signals. For example, a traffic system is connected to a central device installed in a traffic control center, a communication device connected to a traffic signal controller that controls a traffic light signal lamp, and a vehicle sensor control device that acquires traffic data. Communication equipment.

  In recent years, communication between traffic control devices has been shifted from wired to wireless for the purpose of reducing the cost of installation work and facilitating maintenance. However, wireless communication between traffic control devices performs data transmission over several hundred meters outdoors, and thus may be affected by multipath. In such a case, it is difficult to perform stable communication. . For this reason, a traffic system for performing stable wireless communication between traffic control devices has been developed.

  As such a traffic system, for example, in communication between a plurality of communication devices in a wireless communication system by time division multiplex communication, each communication device has a communication path for each communication route with a communication device of a communication partner. There is a communication system configured to be able to select different communication frequency channels according to the communication environment (Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-066681 A

  By the way, when a communication device connected to the traffic control device is installed or when maintenance information is acquired, the reception level of the radio signal in the communication device on the reception side may be reduced due to an abnormality of the communication device on the transmission side or an external factor such as multipath. May decrease. If the reception level of the radio signal is reduced in this way, it may interfere with the control of the traffic light signal lamp. Therefore, it is important to clarify the cause of the decrease in the reception level and to respond immediately.

  Here, as the communication device on the transmission side, for example, a housing provided near the road, a transmitting unit provided in the housing, and an external antenna outside the housing installed above the road are provided. Consider the configuration. In such a communication device, even when it is found that an abnormality has occurred in the communication device on the transmission side, it is difficult to distinguish between an abnormality in the transmission unit and an abnormality in the external antenna. For this reason, when an abnormality has occurred in the communication device on the transmission side, complicated processing such as blocking the road to replace the entire communication device including the transmitter and the external antenna with an aerial work vehicle is necessary. Therefore, there is a risk of hindering smooth traffic.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a traffic system wireless communication apparatus and transmission abnormality detection that can easily identify an abnormal location in the traffic system wireless communication apparatus. Is to provide a method.

(1) In order to solve the above-described problem, a wireless communication device for a traffic system according to an aspect of the present invention is a traffic system for controlling traffic facilities based on traffic data. A wireless communication device for a traffic system for performing transmission, provided in a housing, the housing, a transmitter for transmitting the wireless signal to the outside of the housing, and provided in the housing, Based on the acquisition unit for acquiring the radio signal transmitted from the transmission unit and the reception level of the radio signal acquired by the acquisition unit, for determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the transmission unit A determination unit.

  As described above, since the transmission unit and the acquisition unit are provided in the same housing, they are transmitted from the transmission unit without changing the configuration of the transmission unit itself that is generally standardized and often used as a module chip. Radio signals can be directly acquired within the housing, and based on the acquired reception level of the radio signal, it can be determined whether an abnormality has occurred in the transmitter, and the location of the abnormality in the wireless communication device for a traffic system can be determined. Identification can be facilitated.

  In addition, since it is possible to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the transmission unit of the communication device when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the communication device on the transmission side in the traffic system, the communication device including the transmission unit and the external antenna For example, it is sufficient to replace only the transmission unit without performing complicated processing such as exchanging the whole. In addition, since only the transmission unit needs to be replaced, there is no need to use an aerial work vehicle, and there is no need to block the road.

(2) Preferably, the transmission unit transmits the wireless signal to the outside of the housing by transmitting the wireless signal to an external antenna provided outside the housing, and the acquisition unit It is an internal antenna provided inside the housing for receiving the radio signal transmitted from the transmitting unit inside the housing.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to acquire a radio signal transmitted from the transmission unit without providing new wiring to the transmission unit.

  Further, the wireless communication device for a traffic system according to the present invention for directly acquiring a radio signal in a housing in which the transmitting unit is stored and determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the transmitting unit transmits to an external antenna provided outside the housing. This is more effective in a configuration in which the unit transmits a radio signal.

(3) Preferably, the determination unit outputs a determination result obtained by determination to the transmission unit, and the transmission unit further transmits a radio signal indicating the determination result received from the determination unit to another Send to device.

  With such a configuration, for example, it is possible to perform maintenance management of determination results in an external device convenient for maintenance management of a wireless communication device for a traffic system.

  More preferably, the other device is a device for receiving the radio signal including the traffic data.

  As described above, the traffic data transmitted from one or a plurality of communication devices is received, and the determination result is transmitted to a device that collectively manages the traffic data. Can be managed collectively.

  In addition, with such a configuration, even when the transmission-side communication device and the determination result management device are installed far apart, they do not move to the transmission-side communication device for confirmation of the determination result. The determination result can be confirmed in the determination result management apparatus.

(4) Preferably, the transmitting unit transmits a radio signal based on the IEEE 802.11 specification.

  Since outdoor wireless communication based on the IEEE 802.11 specification is highly likely to be disturbed by external factors such as multipath, it is possible to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the transmitter. The system wireless communication device is more effective in a traffic system using a wireless LAN.

(5) In order to solve the above-described problem, a transmission abnormality detection method according to an aspect of the present invention is a traffic system for controlling traffic equipment based on traffic data, and transmits a radio signal including the traffic data. A transmission abnormality detection method for detecting an abnormality of a transmission unit of a wireless communication device for a traffic system for performing the transmission unit, wherein the transmission unit is provided in a housing, transmits the wireless signal to the outside of the housing, and In the housing, the method includes a step of acquiring the radio signal transmitted from the transmitter, and a step of determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the transmitter based on the received reception level of the radio signal. .

  By such a method, the wireless signal transmitted from the transmission unit is directly acquired in the housing without changing the configuration of the transmission unit itself that is generally standardized and often used as a module chip, and the acquired wireless signal Based on the reception level, it is possible to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the transmission unit, and it is possible to easily identify an abnormal part in the wireless communication device for a traffic system.

  In addition, since it is possible to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the transmission unit of the communication device when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the communication device on the transmission side in the traffic system, the communication device including the transmission unit and the external antenna For example, it is sufficient to replace only the transmission unit without performing complicated processing such as exchanging the whole. In addition, since only the transmission unit needs to be replaced, there is no need to use an aerial work vehicle, and there is no need to block the road.

  According to the traffic system wireless device and the transmission abnormality detection method of the present invention, it is possible to easily identify an abnormal location in the traffic system wireless communication device.

It is a figure for demonstrating the traffic system containing the communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of RF part of the communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on the console of a transmission side, when it determines with the determination part not having abnormality in RF part, (b) is an RF part by a determination part. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on the transmission side console, when it determines with the abnormality having occurred. (A) is a figure which shows the example of lighting of LED controlled by the LED lighting control part of a transmission side, when it determines with the determination part not having abnormality in RF part, (b) is a figure. It is a figure which shows the example of lighting of LED controlled by the LED lighting control part by the side of transmission, when it determines with abnormality having produced in the RF part by the determination part. (A) is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on the console of a receiving side, when it determines with abnormality not having arisen in RF part by the determination part, (b) is RF part by a determination part. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on the console of a receiving side, when it determines with the abnormality having arisen. (A) is a figure which shows the example of lighting of LED controlled by the LED lighting control part of a receiving side, when it determines with the determination part not having abnormality in RF part, (b) is a figure. It is a figure which shows the example of lighting of LED controlled by the LED lighting control part by the side of reception, when it determines with abnormality having arisen in RF part by the determination part. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of abnormality determination of RF part by the communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication apparatus which concerns on the modification of embodiment of this invention.

[Configuration and basic operation]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

(Transport system configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a traffic system including a traffic system wireless communication device (hereinafter referred to as “communication device”) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a traffic system including a communication device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a transmission-side communication device 1, a reception-side communication device 2, and a central device 3 provided in a traffic control center. And.

  The communication device 1 on the transmission side is connected to a control device 5 of the vehicle sensor 4 such as an ultrasonic vehicle sensor, a far-infrared vehicle sensor, or an optical beacon. The vehicle detector 4 detects, for example, a vehicle that passes directly under a sensor installed above the road, and outputs the detection result to the control device 5.

  Based on the detection result received from the vehicle detector 4, the control device 5 calculates traffic data such as a road occupancy rate by the vehicle, converts the calculated traffic data into a serial signal as necessary, and converts the communication device 1. Output to. The communication device 1 transmits the traffic data received from the control device 5 from the external antenna 13 provided in the communication device 1 to the communication device 2 on the reception side by a radio signal.

  The traffic data may be the detection result itself detected by the vehicle detector 4. In such a case, for example, the communication device 1 transmits the detection result detected by the vehicle detector 4 to the communication device 2 as traffic data, and the communication device 2 controls the detection result received from the communication device 1 by traffic signal control. To the machine 7. Then, the traffic signal controller 7 can calculate the occupation ratio of the road by the vehicle based on the detection result received from the communication device 2. The traffic signal controller 7 transmits the detection result received from the communication device 2 to the central device 3, and the central device 3 occupies the road by the vehicle based on the detection result received from the traffic signal controller 7. Etc. may be calculated.

  The traffic signal device (traffic equipment) includes a signal light device 6 and a traffic signal control device 7 that controls lighting of the signal light device 6, and the communication device 2 on the receiving side is connected to the traffic signal control device 7. . The communication device 2 receives the traffic data transmitted from the external antenna 13 of the communication device 1 by the external antenna 8 provided in the communication device 2. In addition, the communication device 2 transmits the traffic data received from the communication device 1 to the traffic signal controller 7. The traffic signal controller 7 is connected to the central device 3 through a dedicated line, and transmits traffic data received from the communication device 2 to the central device 3.

  The central device 3 of the traffic control center determines signal control parameters based on the traffic data received from the traffic signal controller 7. Further, the central device 3 outputs the determined signal control parameter to the traffic signal controller 7.

  The traffic signal controller 7 that has received the signal control parameter from the central device 3 controls the lighting of the signal lamp 6 based on the signal control parameter received from the communication device 2.

  The wireless communication performed between the communication device 1 on the transmission side and the communication device 2 on the reception side uses the 2.4 GHz band that is an ISM band (Industrial Scientific Medical Band), that is, 2.4000 to 2.4835 GHz. To do. The communication frequency channel uses the same frequency band as the frequency for the wireless LAN device based on IEEE802.11a / b / g.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the communication device 1 on the transmission side is connected to the control device 5 of the vehicle detector 4 will be described. However, the communication device 1 may be another type such as a traffic signal controller 7. It may be connected to a traffic control device. Moreover, although the case where the communication device 2 on the receiving side is connected to the traffic signal controller 7 will be described, similarly to the communication device 1, it may be connected to other traffic control devices. The communication device 2 may be formed integrally with a traffic control device including the traffic signal controller 7.

(Configuration of traffic system radio equipment)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the RF unit 23 (transmission unit) of the communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the communication device 1 includes a connection unit 11, a radio control unit 12, and an external antenna 13. The connection unit 11 is connected to the control device 5, acquires the traffic data acquired by the vehicle detector 4 via the control device 5, and outputs the acquired traffic data to the wireless control unit 12.

  The wireless control unit 12 includes a digital processing unit 21, a check unit 22, an RF unit 23, a transmission terminal 24, an internal antenna 25 (acquisition unit), a determination unit 26, and a housing 27. The digital processing unit 21, the check unit 22, the RF unit 23, the transmission terminal 24, the internal antenna 25, and the determination unit 26 are stored inside the housing 27.

  The digital processing unit 21 performs processing such as time slot conversion for storing the traffic data received from the connection unit 11 in a predetermined time slot, and outputs the processed traffic data to the check unit 22.

  The check unit 22 confirms whether the signal is correctly output from the digital processing unit 21 or the determination unit 26 based on the traffic data received from the digital processing unit 21 or the data indicating the determination result received from the determination unit 26. Then, the check unit 22 outputs traffic data received from the digital processing unit 21 and data indicating the determination result received from the determination unit 26 to the RF unit 23.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the RF unit 23 includes a signal conversion circuit 31, a quadrature modulator 32, an oscillator 33, and an amplifier 34.

  The signal conversion circuit 31 performs a conversion process such as converting a digital signal, which is traffic data received from the check unit 22, into an analog signal, and outputs the converted signal to the quadrature modulator 32. The quadrature modulator 32 generates a radio signal by multiplying the signal received by the signal conversion circuit 31 and the carrier wave generated by the oscillator 33, and outputs the generated radio signal to the amplifier 34.

  The amplifier 34 amplifies the radio signal received from the quadrature modulator 32 and transmits it to the external antenna 13 via the transmission terminal 24 by wire.

  Referring to FIG. 2 again, the external antenna 13 is provided outside the casing 27 in which the RF unit 23 is stored. Thereby, a radio signal is transmitted from the external antenna 13, and the external antenna 8 provided in the communication device 2 on the receiving side receives the radio signal.

  Note that the radio signal transmitted from the external antenna 13 is a radio signal of traffic data acquired by the vehicle detector 4 or a radio signal indicating the determination result received from the determination unit 26. And the communication apparatus 2 will output this traffic data to the traffic signal controller 7, if the radio signal of traffic data is received.

  The internal antenna 25 is provided in the vicinity of the transmission terminal 24, receives a radio signal leaked from the transmission terminal 24, and outputs the received radio signal to the determination unit 26.

  The determination unit 26 determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 based on the radio signal received from the internal antenna 25. Specifically, the determination unit 26 compares the reception level of the radio signal received from the internal antenna 25 with a threshold value, and determines whether or not the reception level of this radio signal is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

  Then, the determination unit 26 determines that no abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 when the reception level of the wireless signal is equal to or higher than the threshold value, and on the other hand, when the reception level of the wireless signal is less than the threshold value, It is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23. The threshold is determined in advance based on, for example, the reception level of the radio signal at the internal antenna 25 measured at the time of shipment of the communication device 1.

  Moreover, the determination part 26 can determine whether abnormality has arisen in the RF part 23 using another method. For example, the determination unit 26 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 when a large change occurs in the reception level, such as when the reception level of the radio signal received from the internal antenna 25 is rapidly reduced.

  The determination unit 26 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23, and then transmits a signal indicating the determination result to the console 41 connected to the determination unit 26 and the LED lighting control connected to the determination unit 26. The data is output to the unit 42 and the check unit 22.

  The console 41 displays the determination result received from the determination unit 26 on the screen. Here, FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the console 41 when the determination unit 26 determines that there is no abnormality in the RF unit 23, and FIG. These are figures which show the example of the screen displayed on the console 41, when it determines with abnormality having produced in the RF part 23 by the determination part 26. FIG.

  For example, when the reception level of the radio signal at the internal antenna 25 measured at the time of shipment of the communication device 1 is “−30.7 dBm” and the threshold is set to “−40.0 dBm”, the internal antenna 25 receives the signal. When the reception level of the received radio signal is “−30.6 dBm”, the determination unit 26 determines that no abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 and outputs the determination result to the console 41. And the console 41 displays the screen which shows that abnormality has not arisen in the RF part 23 of the communication apparatus 1, as shown to Fig.4 (a).

  On the other hand, when the threshold is set to “−40.0 dBm” and the reception level of the radio signal received by the internal antenna 25 is “−50.2 dBm”, the determination unit 26 determines that the RF unit 23 is abnormal. It is determined that it has occurred, and this determination result is output to the console 41. And the console 41 displays the screen which shows that abnormality has arisen in the RF part 23 of the communication apparatus 1, as shown in FIG.4 (b). Note that “poutlvlv m” on the screen indicates that the determination result of whether there is an abnormality in the RF unit 23 of the communication apparatus 1 to which the console 41 is connected, that is, the RF unit 23 of the own station, is displayed on the screen. ing.

  The LED lighting control unit 42 controls LED lighting based on the determination result received from the determination unit 26. Here, Fig.5 (a) is a figure which shows the example of lighting of LED controlled by the LED lighting control part 42, when it determines with the abnormality in the RF part 23 having arisen by the determination part 26, FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of LED lighting controlled by the LED lighting control unit 42 when the determination unit 26 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the LED lighting control unit 42 includes a rotary switch SW1, LED1, and LED2. For example, when the rotary switch SW1 is switched so as to turn rightward on the paper surface, the LED lighting control unit 42 indicates the determination result of the presence or absence of abnormality in the RF unit 23 of its own station by lighting the LED1 or LED2.

  That is, when the determination unit 26 determines that no abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 and outputs the determination result to the LED lighting control unit 42, the LED lighting control unit 42 displays the LED 2 as shown in FIG. Is turned on to indicate that no abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 of the communication device 1.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 26 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 and outputs the determination result to the LED lighting control unit 42, the LED lighting control unit 42, as shown in FIG. The lighting control unit 42 turns on the LED 1 to indicate that no abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 of the communication device 1.

  Referring to FIG. 2 again, when the check unit 22 receives the signal indicating the determination result from the determination unit 26, the signal is correctly output from the determination unit 26 based on the signal received from the determination unit 26 as described above. Make sure that Then, the check unit 22 outputs the signal received from the determination unit 26 to the RF unit 23. Then, the RF unit 23 outputs a radio signal including the determination result received from the check unit 22 to the external antenna 13 via the transmission terminal 24.

  The radio signal indicating the determination result from the RF unit 23 is transmitted from the external antenna 13 to the communication device 2 on the reception side, and on the reception side, the external antenna 8 of the communication device 2 receives the radio signal, and the communication device 2 outputs the determination result included in the wireless signal to the console 43 and the LED lighting control unit 44 connected to the communication device 2.

  As with the console 41, the console 43 displays the determination result on the screen. Here, FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the console 43 when the determination unit 26 determines that no abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23, and FIG. These are figures which show the example of the screen displayed on the console 43, when it determines with abnormality having produced in the RF part 23 by the determination part 26. FIG.

  For example, when the determination unit 26 determines that no abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23, the console 43 displays a screen as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the determination unit 26 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23, the console 43 displays a screen as shown in FIG. Note that “poutlvl 3” on the screen indicates the presence / absence of abnormality in the RF unit 23 of the other station different from the RF unit 23 of the communication device 1 on the transmission side, that is, the communication device 2 to which the console 43 is connected. It is displayed on the screen.

  Similar to the LED lighting control unit 42, the LED lighting control unit 44 controls the lighting of the LEDs based on the determination result. Here, FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of LED lighting controlled by the LED lighting control unit 44 when the determination unit 26 determines that no abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of LED lighting controlled by the LED lighting control unit 44 when the determination unit 26 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the LED lighting control unit 44 includes a rotary switch SW2, an LED 3, and an LED 4. For example, when the rotary switch SW1 is switched so that the rotary switch SW1 is directed upward on the paper surface, the LED lighting control unit 44 determines whether there is an abnormality in the RF unit 23 of the communication device 1 on the transmission side, which is another station, of the LED3 or LED4. Illustrated by lighting.

  That is, when it is determined by the determination unit 26 that there is no abnormality in the RF unit 23, the LED lighting control unit 44 turns on the LED 4 and turns on the RF unit 23 of the communication device 1 as shown in FIG. Indicates that no abnormality has occurred.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 26 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 and outputs the determination result to the LED lighting control unit 44, the LED lighting control unit 44, as shown in FIG. Is turned on to indicate that an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 of the communication device 1.

  In some cases, the RF unit 23 cannot output a radio signal at all due to an abnormality in the RF unit 23. In such a case, an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 by checking the screen display by the console 41 connected to the communication device 1 on the transmission side or the lighting of the LED controlled by the LED lighting control unit 42. I can confirm that.

[Operation]
Next, the abnormality determination operation of the RF unit 23 by the communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of abnormality determination of the RF unit 23 by the communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The communication device 1 reads and executes a program including each step of the flowchart from a memory (not shown). This program can be installed externally. The installed program is distributed in a state stored in a recording medium, for example.

  With reference to FIG. 8, first, the vehicle detector 4 acquires traffic data using a sensor (step S1). Then, the vehicle detector 4 outputs the acquired traffic data to the communication device 1 via the control device 5. At this time, the control device 5 converts the traffic data acquired from the vehicle detector 4 into a serial signal as necessary and outputs the serial signal to the communication device 1.

  Next, the connection unit 11 of the communication device 1 outputs the traffic data acquired from the vehicle detector 4 to the wireless control unit 12. Then, the digital processing unit 21 of the wireless control unit 12 performs time slot conversion on the serial signal acquired from the connection unit 11 and outputs the serial signal to the RF unit 23 via the check unit 22. Then, the RF unit 23 generates a radio signal including traffic data, and transmits the generated radio signal to the communication device 2 on the receiving side via the transmission terminal 24 and the external antenna 13 (step S2).

  Next, the internal antenna 25 receives the radio signal leaked from the transmission terminal 24, and outputs the received radio signal to the determination unit 26 (step S3).

  Next, the determination unit 26 compares the reception level of the radio signal from the RF unit 23 acquired by the internal antenna 25 with a threshold value, and determines whether the reception level of the radio signal is equal to or higher than the threshold value. Thus, it is determined whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 (step S4).

  Next, the determination unit 26 outputs the determination result to the console 41, the LED lighting control unit 42, and the check unit 22 (step S5).

  Next, the RF unit 23 generates a radio signal based on the signal indicating the determination result received from the determination unit 26 via the check unit 22, and receives this radio signal via the transmission terminal 24 and the external antenna 13. To the communication device 2 on the side (step S6).

  Next, on the transmission side, based on the determination result received from the determination unit 26, the console 41 displays the determination result on the screen as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), for example. Further, the LED lighting control unit 42 indicates the determination result by lighting the LED as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, for example (step S7).

  On the receiving side, the communication device 2 receives a wireless signal indicating the determination result and outputs the wireless signal indicating the determination result to the console 43 and the LED lighting control unit 44. Based on the received determination result, the console 43 displays the determination result on the screen as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, for example. Further, the LED lighting control unit 44 indicates the determination result by lighting the LED, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B (step S8).

  By the way, as a communication device on the transmission side, for example, a configuration provided with a housing provided in the vicinity of a road, a transmitting unit provided in the housing, and an external antenna outside the housing installed above the road think of. In such a communication device, even when it is found that an abnormality has occurred in the communication device on the transmission side, it is difficult to distinguish between an abnormality in the transmission unit and an abnormality in the external antenna. For this reason, when an abnormality has occurred in the communication device on the transmission side, complicated processing such as blocking the road to replace the entire communication device including the transmitter and the external antenna with an aerial work vehicle is necessary. Therefore, there was a risk of hindering smooth traffic.

  In contrast, the communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 27 and an RF unit 23 provided in the housing 27 for transmitting a radio signal including traffic data to the outside of the housing 27. And an internal antenna 25 for acquiring a radio signal transmitted from the RF unit 23, and the RF unit 23 has an abnormality based on the reception level of the radio signal acquired by the internal antenna 25. And a determination unit 26 for determining whether or not it has occurred.

  Thus, since the RF unit 23 and the internal antenna 25 are provided in the same casing 27, the configuration of the RF unit 23 itself that is generally standardized and often used as a module chip is not changed. A radio signal transmitted from the RF unit 23 can be directly acquired in the casing 27, and it can be determined whether an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 based on the received level of the acquired radio signal. It is possible to easily identify an abnormal location within 1.

  Furthermore, when it is found out that an abnormality has occurred in the communication device 1 on the transmission side in the traffic system, it is possible to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the RF unit 23 of the communication device 1, so that the RF unit 23 and the external antenna For example, it is sufficient to replace only the RF unit 23 without performing complicated processing such as exchanging the entire communication device 1 including 13. In addition, since only the RF section 23 needs to be replaced, it is not necessary to use an aerial work vehicle and it is not necessary to block the road.

  The RF unit 23 transmits a wireless signal to the outside of the housing 27 by transmitting the wireless signal to the external antenna 13 provided outside the housing 27 by wire. The internal antenna 25 is provided in the housing 27 and receives a radio signal transmitted from the RF unit 23 inside the housing 27.

  With such a configuration, a radio signal transmitted from the RF unit 23 can be acquired without providing new wiring to the RF unit 23.

  In addition, the communication device 1 according to the present invention that directly acquires a radio signal in the housing 27 in which the RF unit 23 is stored and determines whether there is an abnormality in the RF unit 23 is an external antenna provided outside the housing 27. The configuration in which the RF unit 23 transmits a radio signal to 13 is even more effective.

  Further, the determination unit circuit unit 26 outputs the determination result obtained by the determination to the RF unit 23 via the check unit 22, and the RF unit 23 further wirelessly indicates the determination result received from the determination unit 26. Send the signal to another device.

  With such a configuration, for example, maintenance management of determination results can be performed in an external device convenient for maintenance management of the communication device 1.

  Another device to which the determination result is transmitted is the receiving-side communication device 2 for receiving a radio signal including traffic data.

  As described above, the traffic data transmitted from one or a plurality of communication devices 1 is received, and the determination result is transmitted to the communication device 2 on the receiving side that collectively manages the traffic data. The determination result regarding the communication apparatus 1 can be managed collectively.

  Further, with such a configuration, even when the communication device 1 on the transmission side and the communication device 2 on the reception side, which is a management device for the determination result, are installed far apart, the communication device 1 on the transmission side is connected. The determination result can be confirmed in the communication apparatus 2 on the receiving side without moving for confirmation of the determination result.

  The RF unit 23 transmits a radio signal based on the IEEE802.11 specification.

  Since outdoor wireless communication based on the IEEE 802.11 specification is highly likely to be disturbed by external factors such as multipath, it is possible to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 according to the present invention. The communication device 1 is more effective in a traffic system using a wireless LAN.

(Modification)
Hereinafter, modifications of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

  Compared with communication apparatus 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, communication apparatus 1 according to the modification of the embodiment of the present invention replaces internal antenna 25 and determination unit 26 with directional coupler 51 ( The acquisition unit) and the detector 52 (determination unit) are different. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the communication device 1 according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the directional coupler 51 is provided between the transmission terminal 24 and the external antenna 13. The directional coupler 51 branches the radio signal received from the transmission terminal 24 and outputs it to the external antenna 13 and the detector 52.

  The detector 52 detects a radio signal received from the directional coupler 51 to obtain a received signal strength indication (RSSI) signal indicating a reception level, that is, power or amplitude of the radio signal. And the detector 52 determines whether abnormality has arisen in the RF part 23, for example by determining whether the reception level of a radio signal is more than a threshold value based on acquired RSSI. Then, the detector 52 outputs the determination result to the console 41 connected to the detector 52, the LED lighting control unit 42, and the check unit 22.

  As described above, even when the directional coupler 51 and the detector 52 are provided in place of the internal antenna 25 and the determination unit 26, the RF unit 23 itself that is generally standardized and often used as a module chip. Without changing the configuration, the wireless signal transmitted from the RF unit 23 is directly acquired in the housing 27, and it is determined whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the RF unit 23 based on the reception level of the acquired wireless signal. Therefore, it is possible to easily identify an abnormal location in the communication device 1.

  Furthermore, when it is found out that an abnormality has occurred in the communication device 1 on the transmission side in the traffic system, it is possible to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the RF unit 23 of the communication device 1, so that the RF unit 23 and the external antenna For example, it is sufficient to replace only the RF unit 23 without performing complicated processing such as exchanging the entire communication device 1 including 13. In addition, since only the transmission unit needs to be replaced, there is no need to use an aerial work vehicle, and there is no need to block the road.

  The above embodiment should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 Communication device (wireless communication device for transportation system)
2 Communication device (wireless communication device for transportation system)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Central apparatus 4 Vehicle detector 5 Control apparatus 6 Signal lamp 7 Traffic signal controller 8 External antenna 11 Connection part 12 Wireless control part 13 External antenna 21 Digital processing part 22 Check part 23 RF part (transmission part)
24 Transmission terminal 25 Internal antenna (acquisition part)
26 Determination Unit 27 Case 31 Signal Conversion Circuit 32 Quadrature Modulator 33 Oscillator 34 Amplifier 35 Radio Signal Output Unit 41 Console 42 LED Lighting Control Unit 43 Console 44 LED Lighting Control Unit 51 Directional Coupler (Acquisition Unit)
52 Detector (judgment part)

Claims (5)

In a traffic system for controlling traffic equipment based on traffic data, a radio communication device for a traffic system for transmitting a radio signal including the traffic data,
A housing,
A transmission unit provided in the casing and configured to transmit the wireless signal to the outside of the casing;
An acquisition unit provided in the housing for acquiring the radio signal transmitted from the transmission unit;
A wireless communication device for a traffic system, comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the transmission unit based on a reception level of the wireless signal acquired by the acquisition unit. The transmitter transmits the wireless signal to the outside of the housing by transmitting the wireless signal to an external antenna provided outside the housing,
The traffic system radio according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit is an internal antenna that is provided inside the housing and receives the radio signal transmitted from the transmission unit inside the housing. Communication device. The determination unit outputs a determination result obtained by determination to the transmission unit,
The wireless communication device for a traffic system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit further transmits a wireless signal indicating the determination result received from the determination unit to another device.   The said transmission part is a radio | wireless communication apparatus for traffic systems of any one of Claim 1 to 3 which transmits the radio signal based on the specification of IEEE802.11. In a traffic system for controlling traffic facilities based on traffic data, a transmission abnormality detection method for detecting an abnormality in a transmission unit of a wireless communication device for a traffic system for transmitting a radio signal including the traffic data There,
The transmission unit is provided in a housing, transmits the wireless signal to the outside of the housing,
Obtaining the wireless signal transmitted from the transmitter in the housing;
And determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the transmission unit based on the acquired reception level of the radio signal.

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