JP2018207571A - Electric-power acquisition device and radio communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

To gain an auxiliary power using radio wave energy more effectively than ever.SOLUTION: A first main antenna (100AM) among a plurality of antennas (100) for smart phones (1) transmits a radio wave (RW) as a transmitting antenna. A sub antenna (100AS), a second main antenna (100BM), and a second sub antenna (100BS) among the plurality of antennas (100) receive a radio wave (RW) transmitted from the transmitting antenna as receiving antennas, respectively. An electric power that a receiving antenna gains by receiving the radio wave (RW) denotes a received power. A smart phone (1) that can connect to each of the plurality of antennas (100) comprises a smoothing and boosting circuit (80) for generating an electric power after converting the received power.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a power acquisition device that acquires auxiliary power using radio wave energy.

  In recent years, various technologies using a wireless communication function provided in an electronic device such as a smartphone (particularly, a portable electronic device) have been proposed.

  As an example, Patent Document 1 aims to use energy of radio waves (electromagnetic waves) flying in the air in order to acquire auxiliary power (auxiliary power) for charging a storage battery in the electronic device. A power supply apparatus is disclosed.

  Specifically, the power supply device of Patent Document 1 captures radio waves by a resonance circuit and rectifies a voltage (resonance voltage) output from the resonance circuit. The power supply apparatus of patent document 1 charges the said storage battery by supplying the voltage after rectification to a storage battery.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-295043 (published on November 4, 1998)

  However, as described below, there is room for improvement in the configuration for acquiring auxiliary power using radio wave energy. An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to acquire auxiliary power using radio wave energy more effectively than in the past.

  In order to solve the above problems, a power acquisition device according to an aspect of the present invention includes (i) one or more main antennas that are provided as a plurality of antennas in a wireless communication device, and that can transmit and receive radio waves; (Ii) One or more sub-antennas capable of receiving the radio wave, and a power acquisition device that acquires power from the main antenna, wherein the antenna that transmits the radio wave among the main antennas is a transmission antenna, the main antenna, and Among the sub-antennas, the antenna that receives the radio wave transmitted from the transmitting antenna is a receiving antenna, and the power obtained by the receiving antenna receiving the radio wave is received power. A power conversion unit that generates post-conversion power, and the power conversion unit is connectable to each of the plurality of antennas.

  According to the power acquisition device according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to acquire auxiliary power more effectively than in the past using radio wave energy.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the smart phone which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the more specific structure of the radio | wireless communication part and communication control part in the smart phone of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation | movement in the smart phone of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the smart phone which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation | movement in the smart phone of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the smart phone which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 1st main matching switching circuit in the smart phone of FIG. 6, and its periphery. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation | movement in the smart phone of FIG.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a smartphone 1 (wireless communication apparatus, power acquisition apparatus) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a more specific configuration of the wireless communication unit 10 and the communication control unit 16 shown in FIG.

  Note that in the first embodiment, the smartphone 1 (portable electronic device) is illustrated as an example of the wireless communication device, but the wireless communication device according to one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the portable electronic device. The wireless communication device may be an electronic device that is used in a state of being installed in a predetermined facility. The wireless communication device only needs to have a wireless communication function.

  Further, in the following description, descriptions of matters not related to the first embodiment are omitted as appropriate. About the matter which abbreviate | omitted description about each member of the smart phone 1, it may be understood that it is the same as that of a well-known technique.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, a device that acquires power from an antenna (eg, a main antenna and a sub antenna described later) provided in a wireless communication device is referred to as a power acquisition device. The power acquisition device may be provided in the wireless communication device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In other words, the wireless communication device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the power acquisition device and the antenna. The power acquisition device according to one embodiment of the present invention may be understood as a device obtained by removing the antenna from the wireless communication device.

(Smartphone 1)
First, an outline of the smartphone 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The smartphone 1 includes a wireless communication unit 10, a control unit 15, a smoothing / boosting circuit 80 (power conversion unit), a power supply target 81, and a storage unit 90. The power supply target 81 generically represents devices to which the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 supplies voltage (power). As will be described below, the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 outputs a DC voltage (DC power), for example.

  In the first embodiment, a case where the power storage target 81 includes the power storage device 810 and the light emitting element 811 is illustrated. However, the member (device) included in the power supply target 81 is not particularly limited as long as it is a member that operates by a DC voltage supplied from the smoothing / boosting circuit 80.

  The control unit 15 comprehensively controls each unit of the smartphone 1. The storage unit 90 stores various data and programs used for the processing of the control unit 15. The function of the control unit 15 may be realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program stored in the storage unit 90.

  The control unit 15 includes a communication control unit 16. The communication control unit 16 comprehensively controls the wireless communication function in the smartphone 1. The communication control unit 16 includes a baseband signal processing unit 160 (switching control unit) and an RF (Radio Frequency) processing unit 161. The operations of the baseband signal processing unit 160 and the RF processing unit 161 will be described later.

  The wireless communication unit 10 includes an antenna 100, a switching unit 110, and a transmission / reception unit 120. The antenna 100 generically represents a plurality of antennas that transmit and receive radio waves (wireless signals). The antenna 100 receives a radio wave and converts the radio wave into a wired signal (electric signal) (for example, a reception signal Rx described later). The antenna 100 converts a wired signal (eg, a transmission signal Tx described later) into a radio wave and transmits the radio wave.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the first embodiment, as the antenna 100, (i) two main antennas (first main antenna 100AM and second main antenna 100BM) and (ii) two sub antennas (first sub antenna) The case where antenna 100AS and 2nd subantenna 100BS) are provided is illustrated.

  The main antenna is an antenna that can transmit and receive radio waves (both transmission and reception). A sub-antenna is an antenna that can only receive radio waves. The first main antenna 100AM and the first sub antenna 100AS are collectively referred to as a first antenna. The second main antenna 100BM and the second sub antenna 100BS are collectively referred to as a second antenna.

  However, the smartphone 1 may be provided with only one main antenna or may be provided with only one sub antenna. That is, the smartphone 1 only needs to be provided with one or more main antennas and one or more sub antennas.

  The transmission / reception unit 120 includes (i) a transmission unit (e.g., a first main TDD transmission unit) that supplies a transmission signal Tx to the antenna 100, and (ii) a reception unit (e.g., first) that acquires the reception signal Rx from the antenna 100. Main TDD receiver) (see also FIG. 2). The transmission signal Tx is a wired signal (for example, a voltage signal) to be converted into radio waves in the antenna 100. The reception signal Rx is a wired signal (eg, voltage signal) generated by converting radio waves in the antenna 100. The reception signal Rx may be referred to as reception voltage or reception power.

  The transmission unit generates a transmission signal Tx by performing processing (for example, multiplexing processing) based on a predetermined communication method for a transmission RF signal (described later) supplied from the RF processing unit 161. The reception unit generates a reception RF signal by performing processing based on a predetermined communication method on the reception signal Rx supplied from the antenna 100.

  In the first embodiment, as the predetermined communication method, (i) TDD (Time Division Duplex) method or (ii) GSM (registered trademark) (Global System for Mobile Communications) method is used. Illustrate. However, the predetermined communication method is not limited to the above-described one, and a known wireless communication method (wireless communication standard) may be used.

  It is assumed that the TDD scheme in the first embodiment is a 3G (Generation) / 4G TDD scheme. Hereinafter, the TDD system (3G / 4G TDD) is also simply referred to as “TDD”. The GSM system is also simply expressed as “GSM”.

  Switching section 110 switches the connection state (connection relationship) between each antenna 100 and transmission / reception section 120. That is, the switching unit 110 switches ON (conduction) / OFF (open) of each communication line of the antenna 100 in the smartphone 1. The switching unit 110 may be realized by a known switching circuit (see also FIG. 2).

  As will be described later, the switching unit 110 can connect at least a part of the antenna 100 to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80. That is, the switching unit 110 switches the connection state between the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 and the antenna 100. According to the switching unit 110, a predetermined antenna (for example, at least one of the receiving antennas described later) among the antennas 100 can be connected to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80.

  The RF processing unit 161 demodulates the reception RF signal acquired from the reception unit of the transmission / reception unit 120 to generate a reception baseband signal. Further, the RF processing unit 161 modulates the transmission baseband signal acquired from the baseband signal processing unit 160 to generate a transmission RF signal.

  For example, the baseband signal processing unit 160 modulates predetermined data stored in the storage unit 90 to generate a transmission baseband signal. In addition, the baseband signal processing unit 160 demodulates the received baseband signal acquired from the RF processing unit 161 and acquires predetermined data carried by the received radio wave.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the baseband signal processing unit 160 also functions as a functional unit that causes the switching unit 110 to switch the connection state. That is, the baseband signal processing unit 160 also functions as a switching control unit that controls the switching unit 110. The baseband signal processing unit 160 outputs a signal (control signal) for controlling the connection state of the switching unit 110. However, in the smartphone 1, the switching control unit may be provided as a function unit separate from the baseband signal processing unit 160.

  The smoothing / boosting circuit 80 converts the reception signal Rx and generates a voltage (electric signal) suitable for the operation of the power supply target 81. The smoothing / boosting circuit 80 may be realized by a combination of a known smoothing circuit (eg, rectifier circuit, low-pass filter) and boosting circuit (DC / DC converter). In the first embodiment, the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 converts the reception signal Rx (RF voltage AC voltage) to generate a DC voltage (hereinafter, voltage VDD).

  As an example, the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 generates a DC voltage as the voltage VDD. The voltage VDD is a signal (voltage) generated by converting the received signal Rx in the smoothing / boosting circuit 80, and is also referred to as a converted electric signal (converted voltage). Embodiment 1 illustrates the case where the converted voltage is a DC voltage, but the converted voltage may be an AC voltage.

  In the first embodiment, the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 is a voltage conversion circuit, but the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 may be a current conversion circuit. The smoothing / boosting circuit 80 may be a power conversion circuit (a circuit that converts at least one of voltage and current) that converts the reception signal Rx as reception power.

  From this, the above-mentioned converted electric signal may also be referred to as converted electric power. The voltage VDD is an aspect of the converted power. As an example, the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 may be an AC / DC conversion circuit that converts received power (received signal Rx) as high-frequency AC power into DC power.

  In the first embodiment, the power storage device 810 in the power supply target 81 is, for example, a storage battery (eg, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery). However, an electric double layer capacitor can also be used as the electricity storage device 810. The power storage device 810 only needs to have a function of storing electric power (charging function). The electric power stored in the electricity storage device 810 is used to operate each part of the smartphone 1.

  By supplying the voltage VDD (converted electric signal) from the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 to the power storage device 810, the power storage device 810 can be charged by the voltage VDD. That is, electric power (auxiliary power) for charging the power storage device 810 can be acquired using radio wave energy. The auxiliary power means power that can be supplied to the smartphone 1 by a method other than the main charging method (for example, power supply from a wired external power source (commercial power source)). As described below, according to the smartphone 1, auxiliary power can be effectively acquired from radio waves.

  The light emitting element 811 in the power supply target 81 may be, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light emitting element 811 can be driven (light emission) by supplying the voltage VDD from the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 to the light emitting element 811. As described above, the use of the auxiliary power is not limited only to the charging of the power storage device 810.

(Wireless communication unit 10 and communication control unit 16)
Next, the configuration of the wireless communication unit 10 and the communication control unit 16 will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the switching unit 110 includes a plurality of switching units that correspond one-to-one with the antenna 100. Specifically, the switching unit 110 includes a first main switching unit 110AM, a first sub switching unit 110AS, a second main switching unit 110BM, and a second sub switching unit 110BS as the switching unit. The configuration of each main switching unit and sub switching unit will be described later.

  Of the plurality of switching units, a switching unit corresponding to one main antenna is also referred to as a main switching unit. In the first embodiment, the first main switching unit 110AM is a main switching unit corresponding to the first main antenna 100AM, and the second main switching unit 110BM is a main switching unit corresponding to the second main antenna 100BM.

  A switching unit corresponding to one sub-antenna among the plurality of switching units is also referred to as a sub-switching unit. In the first embodiment, the first sub switching unit 110AS is a sub switching unit corresponding to the first sub antenna 100AS, and the second sub switching unit 110BS is a sub switching unit corresponding to the second sub antenna 100BS.

  The first main switching unit 110AM and the first sub switching unit 110AS are also collectively referred to as a first switching unit. Similarly, the second main switching unit 110BM and the second sub switching unit 110BS are collectively referred to as a second switching unit.

  The transmission / reception unit 120 includes a first main TDD transmission unit 120AMST, a first TDD reception unit 120AMRT, a first main GSM transmission unit 120AMSG, a first main GSM reception unit 120AMRG, a first sub reception unit 120ASR, and a second main transmission as transmission units. Unit 120BMS, second main receiver 120BMR, and second sub receiver 120BSR.

  The first main TDD transmitter 120AMST, the first TDD receiver 120AMRT, the first main GSM transmitter 120AMSG, and the first main GSM receiver 120AMRG are also collectively referred to as a first main transmitter / receiver. The second main transmission unit 120BMS and the second main reception unit 120BMR are also collectively referred to as a second main transmission / reception unit.

  Furthermore, among the respective units of the first main transmission / reception unit, the first main TDD transmission unit 120AMST and the first main GSM transmission unit 120AMSG are collectively referred to as a first main transmission unit. The first TDD receiver 120AMRT and the first main GSM receiver 120AMRG are also collectively referred to as a first main receiver.

  The “TDD transmission unit (reception unit)” is a transmission unit (reception unit) for data transmission (reception) by TDD. The “GSM transmission unit (reception unit)” is a transmission unit (reception unit) for data transmission (reception) by GSM. Therefore, the first main antenna 100AM can transmit and receive data by either TDD or GSM. It should be noted that the number of “TDD transmission units (reception units)” and “GSM transmission units (reception units)” in the smartphone 1 is not limited to the example of FIG.

  On the other hand, the second main transmission unit 120BMS is a transmission unit for data transmission by TDD. For this reason, the second main antenna 100BM transmits and receives data only by TDD. In this respect, the second main antenna 100BM is different from the first main antenna 100AM.

  Also, both the first sub receiver 120ASR and the second sub receiver 120BSR are receivers for receiving data by TDD. For this reason, each of the first sub-antenna 100AS and the second sub-antenna 100BS receives data only by TDD.

  The RF processing unit 161 includes a first RF processing unit 161A and a second RF processing unit 161B. The first RF processing unit 161 </ b> A is connected to the first transmission / reception unit and the first sub reception unit 120 </ b> ASR among the units of the transmission / reception unit 120. The first RF processing unit 161A is a functional unit provided corresponding to the first antenna (the first main antenna 100AM and the first sub antenna 100AS) in the RF processing unit 161.

  The second RF processing unit 161B is connected to the second transmitting / receiving unit and the second sub-receiving unit 120BSR among the units of the transmitting / receiving unit 120. The second RF processing unit 161B is a functional unit provided corresponding to the second antenna (the second main antenna 100BM and the second sub antenna 100BS) in the RF processing unit 161.

  Hereinafter, the switching unit 110 will be specifically described. First, the first main switching unit 110AM will be described. The first main switching unit 110AM includes a switch SW0 that switches a connection destination (connection state) of the first main antenna 100AM. The switch SW0 may be a known switching element. The same applies to other switching elements described below. By switching the switch SW0, the connection destination of the first main antenna 100AM can be switched.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first main switching unit 110AM has a terminal (hereinafter referred to as an antenna side terminal) connected to the first main antenna 100AM. Further, the first main switching unit 110AM includes (i) a terminal connected to each functional unit of the first main transmission / reception unit (hereinafter referred to as transmission / reception side terminal) and (ii) a terminal connected to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80. (Hereinafter referred to as a power receiving side terminal). SW0 connects the antenna side terminal to one of the transmission / reception side terminal and the power reception side terminal.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, in the first main switching unit 110AM,
・ Antenna side terminal: Terminal N0
Terminal connected to first TDD main transmitter 120AMST: terminal N1
Terminal connected to first TDD main receiver 120AMRT: terminal N2
Terminal connected to second TDD main transmission unit 120AMSG: terminal N3
Terminal connected to second TDD main receiver 120AMRG: terminal N4
-Power receiving side terminal: Terminal N5
It shall be called.

  By connecting the terminal N0 to any one of the terminals N1 to N4 with the switch SW0, the first main antenna 100AM can transmit or receive data in a predetermined manner. For example, when the terminal N0 is connected to the terminal N1, the first main antenna 100AM can be connected to the first TDD main transmission unit 120AMST. Therefore, it is possible to cause the first main antenna 100AM to perform data transmission by TDD.

  Further, the first main antenna 100AM can be connected to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 by connecting the terminal N0 to the terminal N5 by the switch SW0. Therefore, when the first main antenna 100AM receives radio waves, the reception signal Rx can be supplied from the first main antenna 100AM to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80. Therefore, auxiliary power can be acquired from radio waves by the smoothing / boosting circuit 80.

  As described above, the switch S0 of the first main switching unit 110AM specifies the connection destination of the first main antenna 100AM as follows: (i) the first main TDD transmission unit 120AMST, (ii) the first main TDD reception unit 120AMRT, (iii) 1) the first main GMS transmitter 120AMSG, (iv) the first main GMS receiver 120AMRG, or (v) the smoothing / boosting circuit 80.

  The baseband signal processing unit 160 supplies a signal for controlling the switch SW0 (that is, a signal for setting a terminal to which the terminal N0 is connected) S0 to the first main switching unit 110AM. The connection destination of the first main antenna 100AM can be selected by the signal S0.

  Subsequently, the first sub switching unit 110AS, the second main switching unit 110BM, and the second sub switching unit 110BS will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first sub switching unit 110AS includes a switch SW1 that switches a connection destination of the first sub antenna 100AS. The switch SW1 switches the connection destination of the first sub antenna 100AS to either (i) the first sub reception unit 120ASR or (ii) the smoothing / boosting circuit 80.

  The second main switching unit 110BM includes a switch SW2 that switches a connection destination of the second main antenna 100BM. The switch SW2 connects the connection destination of the second main antenna 100BM to any one of (i) the second main transmission unit 120BMS, (ii) the second main reception unit 120BMR, or (iii) the smoothing / boosting circuit 80. Switch.

  The second sub switching unit 110BS includes a switch SW3 that switches a connection destination of the second sub antenna 100BS. The switch SW3 switches the connection destination of the second sub antenna 100BS to either one of (i) the second sub reception unit 120BSR or (ii) the smoothing / boosting circuit 80.

  The baseband signal processing unit 160 supplies signals S1 to S3 for controlling the switches SW1 to SW3 to the first sub switching unit 110AS, the second main switching unit 110BM, and the second sub switching unit 110BS, respectively. By the signals S1 to S3, the connection destinations of the first sub switching unit 110AS, the second main switching unit 110BM, and the second sub switching unit 110BS (that is, the first sub antenna 100AS, the second main antenna 100BM, and the second sub switching unit 110BS). The connection destination of each of the two sub antennas 100BS can be selected.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the first main antenna 100AM is connected to the first main TDD transmission unit 120AMST. That is, the first main antenna 100AM is selected as the antenna that transmits radio waves. Hereinafter, an antenna selected as an antenna for transmitting radio waves is also referred to as a transmission antenna. The radio wave transmitted by the transmission antenna is also referred to as radio wave RW. Since the radio wave RW is a radio wave transmitted from the smartphone 1 itself, it may be referred to as a self-transmitted radio wave.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the first sub antenna 100AS, the second main antenna 100BM, and the second sub antenna 100BS all receive the radio wave RW transmitted from the transmission antenna (first main antenna 100AM). Hereinafter, the antenna that receives the radio wave RW transmitted from the transmission antenna is also referred to as a reception antenna.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 2, the receiving antennas (first sub antenna 100AS, second main antenna 100BM, and second sub antenna 100BS) are all connected to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80. For this reason, each receiving antenna can receive the radio wave RW transmitted from the transmitting antenna and supply the received signal Rx to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80.

  Thus, according to the smartphone 1, the radio wave RW transmitted from the transmission antenna can be received (feedback) by the reception antenna. That is, self-resource power (power obtained from self-transmitted radio waves) can be acquired as auxiliary power.

(Example of operation in the smartphone 1)
FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of the operation in the smartphone 1. FIG. 3 exemplifies switching of the communication state when wireless communication (for example, telephone call) is performed in the smartphone 1. As shown in FIG. 3, in the smartphone 1, switching of the communication state from “transmission” to “reception” and switching of the communication state from “reception” to “transmission” are alternately performed by signals S0 to S3. To be done.

  In the example of FIG. 3 as well, as described above, the case where the first main antenna 100AM is used as a transmission antenna and the other antennas are used as reception antennas is illustrated. Further, as described above, it is assumed that the transmission antenna performs data transmission by TDD.

  In the state “transmission” shown in FIG. 3, the connection destination of the first main antenna 100AM is selected (set) in the first main TDD transmission unit 120AMST by the signal S0. Accordingly, the first main antenna 100AM functions as a transmission antenna that transmits the radio wave RW.

  On the other hand, the connection destinations of the first sub antenna 100AS, the second main antenna 100BM, and the second sub antenna 100BS are selected by the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 by the signals S1 to S3.

  Accordingly, the first sub antenna 100AS, the second main antenna 100BM, and the second sub antenna 100BS function as reception antennas that receive the radio wave RW and acquire auxiliary power. As described above, when the first main antenna 100AM transmits the radio wave RW, auxiliary power can be acquired by other antennas (all receiving antennas).

  In the state “reception” shown in FIG. 3, the connection destination of the first main antenna 100AM is selected by the first main TDD reception unit 120AMSR by the signal S0. Accordingly, the first main antenna 100AM functions as an antenna that receives external radio waves.

  Further, the connection destinations of the first sub antenna 100AS, the second main antenna 100BM, and the second sub antenna 100BS are (i) the first sub reception unit 120ASR and (ii) the second main reception by signals S1 to S3. 120BMR and (iii) second sub-receiving unit 120BSR. For this reason, each antenna other than the first main antenna 100AM also functions as an antenna that receives radio waves from the outside.

  Thus, when the first main antenna 100AM receives an external radio wave, the other main antenna can receive the radio wave. Therefore, the communication speed at the time of data reception (data amount that can be received per unit time) can be improved. In addition, external radio waves can be received more reliably. Since TDD supports transmission / reception of data by MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output), a plurality of antennas can be operated as antennas for receiving radio waves from the outside as described above.

  In the above example, the case where the first main antenna 100AM is used as a transmission antenna is illustrated. However, the second main antenna 100BM may be used as a transmission antenna instead of the first main antenna 100AM. That is, the second main antenna 100BM may be connected to the second main transmission unit 120BMS by the second main switching unit 110BM.

  In this case, instead of the second main antenna 100BM, the first main antenna 100AM may function as a reception antenna. That is, the first main antenna 100AM may be connected to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 by the first main switching unit 110AM.

  Or in communication by TDD, you may use both 1st main antenna 100AM and 2nd main antenna 100BM as a transmission antenna. By using two (plural) main antennas as transmission antennas, the communication speed (data amount that can be transmitted per unit time) during data transmission can be improved.

  When first main antenna 100AM and second main antenna 100BM are used as transmission antennas, first sub antenna 100AS and second sub antenna 100BS are used as reception antennas.

(Example of communication using GSM)
In the above example, communication by TDD has been illustrated and described. However, according to the configuration of the smartphone 1, GSM communication can also be performed. Specifically, if the connection destination of the first main antenna 100AM is selected by the signal S0 to the first main GSM transmission unit 120AMSG, data transmission by GSM becomes possible.

  Similarly to the example of FIG. 3 described above, when the first main antenna 100AM (transmission antenna) transmits the radio wave RW, the other antennas (the first sub antenna 100AS, the second main antenna 100BM, and the second sub antenna). 100BS) may be connected to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 by signals S1 to S3. That is, other antennas may be operated as receiving antennas. Thus, even in GSM communication, the self-resource power can be acquired as auxiliary power by the receiving antenna.

  Further, if the connection destination of the first main antenna 100AM is selected by the first main GSM receiver 120AMRG by the signal S0, data can be received by GSM.

  However, at the time of data reception by GSM, the connection destinations of the other antennas (first sub antenna 100AS, second main antenna 100BM, and second sub antenna 100BS) are maintained in the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 as in the case of data transmission. May be.

  This is because GSM often does not support transmission / reception of data by MIMO. Therefore, in GSM, data transmission / reception with the outside may be performed using only the first main antenna 100AM. That is, data transmission / reception may be performed by SISO (Single Input Single Output).

  However, also in GSM, at the time of data transmission, the connection destinations of other antennas (first sub antenna 100AS, second main antenna 100BM, and second sub antenna 100BS) may be set in the same manner as in the example of FIG. . If transmission / reception of data by MIMO is supported in GSM, the other antennas may be further used to receive radio waves from the outside.

  In GSM communication, one or a plurality of frequency bands of 850 MHz band, 900 MHz band, 1800 MHz band, and 1900 MHz band are generally used.

(Effect of smartphone 1)
As described above, also in the technique of Patent Document 1 (hereinafter, conventional technique), auxiliary power is acquired by capturing radio waves with a resonance circuit. However, in the prior art, the radio waves to be captured are radio waves (external radio waves) flying from the outside of a wireless communication device (eg, a smartphone). That is, in the prior art, the idea that the radio wave transmitted from the wireless communication device itself (self-transmitted radio wave) is a target to be captured has not been considered at all.

  For this reason, in the prior art, in order to stably capture external radio waves, it is necessary to adjust the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit as needed. Therefore, it is not easy for the conventional technology to stably capture external radio waves. In addition, when the intensity of the external radio wave is small, sufficient auxiliary power cannot be acquired. The inventors of the present application have conceived the configuration of the smartphone 1 based on such problems of the prior art.

  In normal wireless devices, not all self-transmitted radio waves are effectively used, and radio waves that exist in a range that does not contribute to communication are radiated from the antenna as part of the self-transmitted radio waves. The smartphone 1 acquires power from such radio waves (radio waves that exist in a range that does not contribute to communication). Therefore, according to the smartphone 1, it is possible to acquire (collect) power from radio waves without affecting communication performance.

  As described above, according to the smartphone 1, when at least one of the plurality of main antennas (for example, the first main antenna 100AM) functions as a transmission antenna (antenna for transmitting the radio wave RW), At least one of the examples (for example, the first sub antenna 100AS, the second main antenna 100BM, and the second sub antenna 100BS) can function as a reception antenna (antenna that receives the radio wave RW).

  Therefore, since the radio wave RW (self-transmitted radio wave) transmitted from the transmitting antenna can be received by the receiving antenna, the self-resource power (power obtained from the self-transmitted radio wave) is used as auxiliary power by using the smoothing / boosting circuit 80. You can get it. The power storage device 810 can be charged by supplying auxiliary power from the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 to the power supply target 81.

  In addition, since the frequency (frequency band) of the radio wave RW is known, it is not necessary to adjust the resonance frequency for capturing the radio wave RW in the receiving antenna as needed. This is because the resonance frequencies of a plurality of patterns may be set in advance. Furthermore, since the radio wave RW is a radio wave used for data transmission to the outside, it has a sufficiently large intensity. For this reason, sufficient auxiliary power can be acquired by capturing the radio wave RW.

  As described above, according to the smartphone 1, it is possible to acquire auxiliary power using radio wave energy more effectively than before. Note that the wireless communication device (power acquisition device) according to one embodiment of the present invention is particularly used for a portable electronic device that can be used for a long time (for example: one day) without being connected to an external power supply by wire. Is preferred. This is because the wireless communication device can charge the power storage device 810 using auxiliary power as described above.

  In the first embodiment, the case where all the receiving antennas are connected to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 when the transmitting antenna is transmitting the radio wave RW is exemplified. However, only a part of the receiving antenna may be connected to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80. When the transmission antenna is transmitting the radio wave RW, at least a part of the reception antenna may be connected to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80.

  However, from the viewpoint of acquiring more auxiliary power, it is preferable to connect more receiving antennas to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 when the transmitting antenna transmits the radio wave RW. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 described above, when the transmitting antenna is transmitting the radio wave RW, the auxiliary power can be maximized by connecting all of the receiving antennas to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80.

(Supplementary information)
In addition, it is preferable that each antenna (example: four antennas) of the smartphone 1 is arranged so that the radio wave RW transmitted from the transmission antenna can be received as effectively as possible by the reception antenna. However, the arrangement of the antenna is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately determined by the designer of the smartphone 1.

  As an example, each of the four antennas of the smartphone 1 may be provided inside a housing (not shown) of the smartphone 1 so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the four corners of the smartphone 1.

[Embodiment 2]
Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the smartphone 2 (wireless communication device, power acquisition device) according to the second embodiment. The smartphone 2 has a configuration in which a first antenna switching circuit 210A and a second antenna switching circuit 210B are added to the smartphone 1 of the first embodiment.

  The first antenna switching circuit 210A and the second antenna switching circuit 210B are collectively referred to as an antenna switching circuit 210 (antenna switching unit). In order to distinguish from the wireless communication unit 10 of the first embodiment, the wireless communication unit of the second embodiment is referred to as a wireless communication unit 20. The antenna switching circuit 210 is provided in the wireless communication unit 20.

  The first antenna switching circuit 210A is provided corresponding to the first antenna (the first main antenna 100AM and the first sub antenna 100AS). The first antenna switching circuit 210A switches the connection state between the first antenna and the first switching unit (the first main switching unit 110AM and the first sub switching unit 110AS). The first antenna switching circuit 210A may be realized as a known switching circuit in which a plurality of switches (switching elements) (not shown) are cross-coupled.

  Specifically, the first antenna switching circuit 210A switches the connection destination of the first main antenna 100AM to one of the first main switching unit 110AM (main switching unit) or the first sub switching unit 110AS (sub switching unit). . Also, the first antenna switching circuit 210A switches the connection destination of the first sub antenna 100AS to the other of the first main switching unit 110AM or the first sub switching unit 110AS.

  By providing the first antenna switching circuit 210A, the first main antenna 100AM can be connected to the first sub switching unit 110AS. Also, the first sub antenna 100AS can be connected to the first main switching unit 110AM.

  In the second embodiment, the baseband signal processing unit 160 outputs a signal S4 for controlling the first antenna switching circuit 210A (more specifically, each switch in the first antenna switching circuit 210A) to the first antenna switching circuit. Supply to 210A. The connection destination of the first main antenna 100AM and the first sub antenna 100AS can be selected by the signal S4.

  Hereinafter, the “first main antenna 100AM is connected to the first main switching unit 110AM and the first sub antenna 100AS is connected to the first sub switching unit 110AS” by the first antenna switching circuit 210A (the embodiment) 1 is referred to as a normal state (normal connection state).

  On the other hand, the first antenna switching circuit 210A reverses “the state in which the first main antenna 100AM is connected to the first sub switching unit 110AS and the first sub antenna 100AS is connected to the first main switching unit 110AM”. This is referred to as a state (inverted connection state).

  Next, the second antenna switching circuit 210B will be described. Second antenna switching circuit 210B is provided corresponding to the second antenna (second main antenna 100BM and second sub antenna 100BS). The configuration of the second antenna switching circuit 210B is the same as that of the first antenna switching circuit 210A.

  The second antenna switching circuit 210B switches the connection destination of the second main antenna 100BM to one of the second main switching unit 110BM (main switching unit) or the second sub switching unit 110BS (sub switching unit). The second antenna switching circuit 210B switches the connection destination of the second sub antenna 100BS to the other of the second main switching unit 110BM or the second sub switching unit 110BS.

  The baseband signal processing unit 160 supplies a signal S5 for controlling the second antenna switching circuit 210B to the second antenna switching circuit 210B. The connection destination of the second main antenna 100BM and the second sub antenna 100BS can be selected by the signal S5.

  Hereinafter, the “second main antenna 100BM is connected to the second main switching unit 110BM and the second sub antenna 100BS is connected to the second sub switching unit 110BS” by the second antenna switching circuit 210B (FIG. 2). The same connection state) is referred to as a normal state.

  On the other hand, the second antenna switching circuit 210B inverts “the state in which the second main antenna 100BM is connected to the second sub switching unit 110BS and the second sub antenna 100BS is connected to the second main switching unit 110BM”. This is called a state.

(Example of operation in the smartphone 2)
FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of the operation in the smartphone 2. FIG. 5 is a table in which items indicating the states of the first antenna switching circuit 210A and the second antenna switching circuit 210B are added to FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the first antenna switching circuit 210 </ b> A is maintained in a normal state at both data transmission and reception. Therefore, both the first main antenna 100AM and the first sub antenna 100AS operate in the same manner as in the example of FIG.

  On the other hand, the state of the second antenna switching circuit 210B is alternately switched between an inverted state when data is transmitted and a normal state when data is received. Hereinafter, operations of the second main antenna 100BM and the second sub antenna 100BS in the inverted state will be described.

  In the inverted state, the second main antenna 100BM is connected to the second sub switching unit 110BS via the second antenna switching circuit 210B. For this reason, the second main antenna 100BM can be connected to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 via the second sub switching unit 110BS.

  In the inverted state, the second sub-antenna 100BS is connected to the second main switching unit 110BM via the second antenna switching circuit 210B. Therefore, the second sub antenna 100BS can be connected to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 via the second main switching unit 110BM.

  As described above, according to the smartphone 2, by providing the antenna switching circuit 210, the connection state of a plurality of receiving antennas with respect to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80 can be switched. For this reason, for example, a receiving antenna present at a position where the radio wave RW can be efficiently received can be connected to the smoothing / boosting circuit 80.

  Therefore, even when the transmission direction or directivity of the radio wave RW is changed at the transmission antenna, the radio wave RW can be effectively received by the reception antenna. Thus, according to the smartphone 2, auxiliary power can be acquired more effectively.

[Embodiment 3]
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the smartphone 3 (wireless communication device, power acquisition device) according to the third embodiment. The smartphone 3 has a configuration in which a first main matching switching circuit 310AM, a first sub matching switching circuit 310AS, a second main matching switching circuit 310BM, and a second sub matching switching circuit 310BS are added to the smartphone 1 of the first embodiment. It is.

  The first main matching switching circuit 310AM, the first sub-matching switching circuit 310AS, the second main matching switching circuit 310BM, and the second sub-matching switching circuit 310BS are also collectively referred to as a matching switching circuit 310 (matching switching unit). In order to distinguish from the wireless communication unit 10 of the first embodiment, the wireless communication unit of the third embodiment is referred to as a wireless communication unit 30. The matching switching circuit 310 is provided in the wireless communication unit 30.

  First, the first main matching switching circuit 310AM will be described. The first main matching switching circuit 310AM is provided corresponding to the first main antenna 100AM. The first main matching switching circuit 310AM switches (changes) the impedance of the first main antenna 100AM.

  In the third embodiment, the baseband signal processing unit 160 supplies a signal S6 for controlling the first main matching switching circuit 310AM (more specifically, a switch SW6 described below) to the first main matching switching circuit 310AM. To do. The impedance of the first main antenna 100AM can be switched by the signal S6.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the first main matching switching circuit 310AM and its periphery. As shown in FIG. 7, the first main antenna 100AM is connected to the first main switching unit 110AM via the matching circuit 305 and the first main matching switching circuit 310AM.

  The matching circuit 305 may be a known circuit used for antenna impedance matching (impedance matching). The matching circuit 305 is similarly provided to other antennas other than the first main antenna 100AM. Although not described in the first and second embodiments, the matching circuit 305 is also provided in the smartphones 1 and 2. Hereinafter, the impedance of the matching circuit 305 is expressed as Z0.

  The first main matching switching circuit 310AM includes a switch SW6, a first impedance element IMP1, and a second impedance element IMP2. Hereinafter, the respective impedances of the first impedance element IMP1 and the second impedance element IMP2 are represented as Z1 and Z2. The impedances Z1 and Z2 are set to different values. In the third embodiment, a case where Z1 <Z2 is illustrated.

  The switch SW6 switches the connection destination of the matching circuit 305 to one of the first impedance element IMP1 and the second impedance element IMP2. In other words, the matching circuit 305 switches its own impedance (hereinafter referred to as ZP) to either Z1 or Z2.

  Hereinafter, the combined impedance of the matching circuit 305 and the first main matching switching circuit 310AM is expressed as ZT = Z0 + ZP. In the configuration of the smartphone 3, this ZT is the impedance of the first main antenna 100AM.

  As an example, consider a case where the matching circuit 305 is connected to the first impedance element IMP1 via the switch SW6. In this case, since ZP = Z1, ZT = Z0 + Z1 = ZT1. Hereinafter, a state where the matching circuit 305 is connected to the first impedance element IMP1 by the first main matching switching circuit 310AM (that is, a state where ZT = ZT1) is referred to as an impedance normal state. When Z1≈0, ZT1≈Z0 can be established.

  On the other hand, consider the case where the matching circuit 305 is connected to the second impedance element IMP2 via the switch SW6. In this case, since ZP = Z2, ZT = Z0 + Z2 = ZT2. Hereinafter, a state where the matching circuit 305 is connected to the second impedance element IMP2 by the first main matching switching circuit 310AM (that is, a state where ZT = Z2) is referred to as an impedance switching state.

  The impedance switching state is a state where ZT is larger than that in the normal impedance state. Thus, according to the first main matching switching circuit 310AM, the impedance of the first main antenna 100AM can be switched to either ZT1 or ZT2.

  Therefore, when the first main antenna 100AM is used as a receiving antenna, impedance matching can be performed using two kinds of impedances. That is, the impedance of the receiving antenna can be changed according to the radio wave reception environment. Therefore, the gain (gain) of the receiving antenna can be improved more effectively than in the first and second embodiments. As a result, it is possible to acquire auxiliary power more effectively.

  In the third embodiment, the case where the first main matching switching circuit 310AM switches its own impedance in two ways is illustrated for the sake of simplicity of explanation. However, the first main matching switching circuit 310AM may be configured to switch its own impedance in N ways (N is an integer of 2 or more).

  By providing N different impedance elements having different impedances in the first main matching switching circuit 310A, the first main matching switching circuit 310A capable of switching the impedance in N ways can be realized. That is, the impedance of the first main antenna 100AM can be switched in N ways.

  Alternatively, in the first main matching switching circuit 310AM, an element whose impedance is variable (hereinafter, impedance variable element) may be provided as the impedance element. The impedance variable element may be, for example, a variable capacitor capable of continuously changing the capacitance (in other words, impedance). By continuously changing the impedance of the variable impedance element, the impedance of the first main matching switching circuit 310A (in other words, the impedance of the first main antenna 100AM) can be continuously changed.

  Next, the first sub-matching switching circuit 310AS, the second main matching switching circuit 310BM, and the second sub-matching switching circuit 310BS will be described. First sub-matching switching circuit 310AS, second main matching switching circuit 310BM, and second sub-matching switching circuit 310BS are provided corresponding to first sub-antenna 100AS, second main antenna 100BM, and second sub-antenna 100BS, respectively. It has been.

  First sub-matching switching circuit 310AS, second main matching switching circuit 310BM, and second sub-matching switching circuit 310BS each have the same configuration as first main matching switching circuit 310AM in FIG. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the switch provided in the first sub-matching switching circuit 310AS is SW7, the switch provided in the second main matching switching circuit 310BM is SW8, and the switch provided in the second sub-matching switching circuit 310BS is SW9. Called.

  The baseband signal processing unit 160 supplies signals S7 to S9 for controlling the switches SW7 to SW9 to the first sub-matching switching circuit 310AS, the second main matching switching circuit 310BM, and the second sub-matching switching circuit 310BS, respectively. The impedances of the first sub antenna 100AS, the second main antenna 100BM, and the second sub antenna 100BS can be switched by the signals S7 to S9.

  The definition of the normal impedance state and the impedance switching state of the first sub-matching switching circuit 310AS, the second main matching switching circuit 310BM, and the second sub-matching switching circuit 310BS is the same as that of the first main matching switching circuit 310AM. is there. Thus, the matching switching circuit 310 can switch the impedance of each antenna 100.

  Similarly to the first main matching switching circuit 310AM, the first sub matching switching circuit 310AS, the second main matching switching circuit 310BM, and the second sub matching switching circuit 310BS may be provided with an impedance variable element as an impedance element. Good. Thus, the impedances of the first sub-matching switching circuit 310AS, the second main matching switching circuit 310BM, and the second sub-matching switching circuit 310BS may be continuously changed.

  Alternatively, the first sub-matching switching circuit 310AS, the second main matching switching circuit 310BM, and the second sub-matching switching circuit 310BS are configured to switch their own impedances in N ways, similar to the first main matching switching circuit 310AM. Also good.

(Example of operation in the smartphone 3)
FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of the operation in the smartphone 3. FIG. 8 shows items indicating respective states of the first main matching switching circuit 310AM, the first sub matching switching circuit 310AS, the second main matching switching circuit 310BM, and the second sub matching switching circuit 310BS with respect to FIG. It is an added table.

  In the example of FIG. 8, the first main matching switching circuit 310AM is maintained in the normal impedance state both when data is transmitted and when it is received. On the other hand, the first sub-matching switching circuit 310AS, the second main matching switching circuit 310BM, and the second sub-matching switching circuit 310BS are alternately switched between an impedance switching state when transmitting data and an impedance normal state when receiving data. It has been.

  Therefore, in the receiving antenna (first sub antenna 100AS, second main antenna 100BM, and second sub antenna 100BS), ZT1 has an impedance suitable for reception of the radio wave RW, and ZT2 is a radio wave from the outside. The values of Z0, Z1, and Z2 may be appropriately set in advance so that the impedance is suitable for reception.

  According to Z1 set as described above, the radio wave RW transmitted from the transmission antenna (first main antenna 100AM) can be effectively acquired. Also, according to Z2 set as described above, it is possible to effectively acquire external radio waves when receiving data. As described above, according to the smartphone 3, by providing the matching switching circuit 310, auxiliary power can be acquired more effectively.

[Example of software implementation]
The control blocks (particularly the control unit 15 and the like) of the smartphones 1 to 3 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or using a CPU (Central Processing Unit). It may be realized by software.

  In the latter case, the smartphones 1 to 3 include a CPU that executes instructions of a program that is software that realizes each function, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which the program and various data are recorded so as to be readable by the computer (or CPU). Alternatively, a storage device (these are referred to as “recording media”), a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program, and the like are provided. And the objective of this invention is achieved when a computer (or CPU) reads the said program from the said recording medium and runs it. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. The program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. Note that one embodiment of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[Summary]
The power acquisition device (smart phone 1) according to the first aspect of the present invention includes (i) one or more main antennas (as a plurality of antennas (100)) that can transmit and receive radio waves (RW). Example: first main antenna 100AM and second main antenna 100BM), and (ii) one or more sub-antennas (eg, first sub-antenna 100AS and second sub-antenna 100BS) capable of receiving the radio wave. A power acquisition device for acquiring power, wherein the antenna that transmits the radio wave among the main antennas is a transmission antenna (e.g., the first main antenna 100AM), and the transmission antenna is the main antenna and the sub antenna. The antenna that receives the transmitted radio wave is a receiving antenna (eg, the second main antenna 100BM, Sub-antenna 100AS and second sub-antenna 100BS), and power obtained by receiving the radio waves by the receiving antenna is received power (received signal Rx), and the received power is converted and converted power (example) : Power converter (smoothing / boosting circuit 80) for generating voltage VDD), and the power converter can be connected to each of the plurality of antennas.

  According to said structure, in a radio | wireless communication apparatus, the electromagnetic wave (self-transmitting electromagnetic wave) transmitted from the transmission antenna can be received with a receiving antenna. For this reason, the converted power can be acquired from the received power by connecting at least a part of the receiving antenna to the power conversion unit of the power acquisition device. That is, converted power that is self-resource power (power obtained from self-transmitted radio waves) can be acquired as auxiliary power. Therefore, it is possible to acquire auxiliary power using radio wave energy more effectively than in the past.

  In the power acquisition device according to aspect 2 of the present invention, it is preferable that the power acquisition apparatus according to aspect 1 further includes a switching unit (110) that switches a connection state between the power conversion unit and each of the plurality of antennas.

  According to said structure, the predetermined | prescribed antenna (for example, at least 1 of a receiving antenna) among several antennas can be connected with a power converter.

  The power acquisition device according to aspect 3 of the present invention further includes a switching control unit (baseband signal processing unit 160) that controls the switching unit in the aspect 2, and the switching control unit includes the transmission antenna. When transmitting the radio wave, it is preferable to operate the switching unit so that at least one of the reception antennas is connected to the power conversion unit.

  According to said structure, the receiving power obtained when a receiving antenna received the electromagnetic wave (self-transmitting electromagnetic wave) can be supplied to a power converter more reliably. That is, auxiliary power can be acquired more reliably.

  In the power acquisition device according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in the aspect 3, the switching control unit connects all of the reception antennas to the power conversion unit when the transmission antenna transmits the radio wave. It is preferable to operate the switching unit.

  According to said structure, more auxiliary power can be acquired from a receiving antenna.

  The power acquisition device according to aspect 5 of the present invention is the power acquisition device according to any one of the aspects 2 to 4, wherein the switching unit includes a plurality of switching units (for example, a first main unit) corresponding to the plurality of antennas on a one-to-one basis. Switching unit 110AM and first sub switching unit 110AS), and the switching unit corresponding to one main antenna among the plurality of switching units is a main switching unit (eg, first main switching unit 110AM), The switching unit corresponding to one sub-antenna is defined as a sub-switching unit (eg, first sub-switching unit 110AS), and (i) one main antenna is connected to one of the main switching unit or the sub-switching unit. And (ii) one sub antenna is connected to the other of the main switching unit and the sub switching unit, respectively. Preferably further comprises an antenna switching unit (antenna switching circuit 210).

  According to the above configuration, for example, when the transmission direction or directivity of radio waves is changed in the transmission antenna, the connection state of the plurality of reception antennas can be switched by the antenna switching unit. For this reason, for example, the receiving antenna which exists in the position which can receive an electromagnetic wave efficiently can be connected to a power converter. Therefore, radio waves can be received more effectively by the receiving antenna.

  In any one of the first to fifth aspects, the power acquisition device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention may further include a matching switching unit (matching switching circuit 310) that switches impedances of the plurality of antennas. preferable.

  According to said structure, the impedance matching of a receiving antenna can be performed by switching the impedance using a matching switching part. Therefore, radio waves can be received more effectively by improving the antenna gain of the receiving antenna.

  The power acquisition device according to aspect 7 of the present invention further includes, in any one of the above aspects 1 to 6, a power storage device (810) that stores electric power, wherein the power conversion unit converts the converted electric power into the above-described electric power. It is preferable to supply the electricity storage device.

  According to said structure, an electrical storage device can be charged with the converted electric power (auxiliary electric power). For this reason, the power acquisition device according to one embodiment of the present invention can be used for a portable electronic device (eg, a smartphone) that can be used for a long time (eg, one day) without being connected to an external power supply by wire. Particularly preferred.

  The power acquisition device according to aspect 8 of the present invention is the power acquisition device according to any one of the aspects 1 to 7, wherein the power conversion unit converts the received power as AC power and converts the converted power as DC power. It is preferable to produce.

  According to said structure, DC power can be acquired as converted electric power (auxiliary electric power). Therefore, for example, an electricity storage device can be charged with DC power.

  The wireless communication device (smartphone 1) according to the ninth aspect of the present invention preferably includes the power acquisition device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects and a plurality of the antennas.

  According to said structure, there exists an effect similar to the electric power acquisition apparatus which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention.

[Additional Notes]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a new technical feature can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

1, 2, 3 Smartphone (wireless communication device, power acquisition device)
80 Smoothing / Boosting circuit (Power converter)
100 antenna 100AM first main antenna (main antenna, transmitting antenna)
100AS 1st sub antenna (sub antenna, receiving antenna)
100BM 2nd main antenna (main antenna, receiving antenna)
100BS 2nd sub-antenna (sub-antenna, receiving antenna)
110 switching unit 110AM first main switching unit (main switching unit, switching unit)
110AS 1st sub switching part (sub switching unit, switching unit)
110BM Second main switching section (main switching unit, switching unit)
110BS second sub switching unit (sub switching unit, switching unit)
160 Baseband signal processing unit (switching control unit)
210 Antenna switching circuit (antenna switching unit)
310 Matching switching circuit (matching switching unit)
810 Power storage device Rx Received signal (Received power)
RW radio wave VDD voltage (converted power, DC power, DC voltage)

Claims (9)

The wireless communication apparatus is equipped with a plurality of antennas, (i) one or more main antennas capable of transmitting / receiving radio waves, and (ii) one or more sub-antennas capable of receiving the radio waves A power acquisition device for acquiring,
Among the main antennas, an antenna that transmits the radio wave is a transmission antenna,
Of the main antenna and the sub antenna, an antenna that receives the radio wave transmitted from the transmission antenna is a reception antenna,
The power obtained by the reception antenna receiving the radio wave is defined as reception power,
A power conversion unit that converts the received power and generates converted power;
The power conversion device can be connected to each of the plurality of antennas.   The power acquisition device according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit that switches a connection state between the power conversion unit and each of the plurality of antennas. A switching control unit for controlling the switching unit;
The switching control unit operates the switching unit to connect at least one of the reception antennas to the power conversion unit when the transmission antenna is transmitting the radio wave. 2. The power acquisition device according to 2.   The switching control unit operates the switching unit to connect all of the reception antennas to the power conversion unit when the transmission antenna transmits the radio wave. The power acquisition device described. The switching unit includes a plurality of switching units corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of antennas,
Among the above switching units,
The switching unit corresponding to one main antenna is referred to as a main switching unit,
The switching unit corresponding to one of the sub antennas is a sub switching unit,
(I) an antenna for connecting one main antenna to one of the main switching unit or the sub switching unit, and (ii) an antenna for connecting one sub antenna to the other of the main switching unit or the sub switching unit. The power acquisition device according to claim 2, further comprising a switching unit.   The power acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a matching switching unit that switches impedances of the plurality of antennas. It further includes an electricity storage device that stores power,
The power acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein the power conversion unit supplies the converted power to the power storage device.   The power acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the power conversion unit converts the received power as AC power and generates the converted power as DC power. The power acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A wireless communication device comprising a plurality of the antennas.

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