JP4274309B2 - Software defined radio, signal processing unit - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a software defined radio and a signal processing unit that realize a communication function by executing processing based on software information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in-vehicle wireless devices mounted on mobile objects such as automobiles include navigation systems using GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites, terminal devices for ETC (Electronic Toll Collection), AM / FM radio receivers, and televisions. There are various devices such as a John broadcast receiver.
[0003]
In general, in an in-vehicle wireless device, an antenna is installed outside a vehicle or near a window in a vehicle so that a radio wave transmission / reception environment is good. In addition, the wireless device main body is usually installed in a storage unit provided on the dashboard or a place where it can be easily operated by a passenger. Accordingly, the radio main body and the antenna are connected via the cable.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the conventional in-vehicle wireless device, since the antenna is installed at a location away from the wireless device main body, such as outside the vehicle or inside the vehicle, it is necessary to connect the wireless device main body and the antenna via the cable.
[0005]
By the way, in recent years, a signal used for wireless communication has been increasingly used with a higher frequency. For this reason, in the configuration in which the radio main unit and the antenna are connected by a cable as described above, if the signal received by the antenna is transmitted to the radio main unit through the cable while maintaining the radio frequency, the signal is lost due to the loss in the cable. Will be attenuated. Similarly, when the transmission signal is transmitted from the wireless device main body to the antenna, the signal is attenuated in the cable.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and prevents deterioration of signals associated with transmission / reception of radio signals with a plurality of antennas corresponding to a plurality of communication functions, and digitizes received radio signals. It is an object of the present invention to provide a software defined radio and a signal processing unit capable of executing processing by a plurality of communication functions in a time division manner by storing them.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides a software defined radio to implement the communication function by executing the processing based on the software information including the program, for a plurality of wireless communication corresponding to a plurality of communication functions based on a plurality of software information performing an antenna, the signal processing for wireless communication through the antenna, and a plurality of transmitting and receiving circuits connected individually in correspondence to each of the plurality of antennas, and based on the plurality of software information more The signal processing means for executing the processing of the communication function and the signal output from the pre-transmission / reception circuit are digitized and output to the signal processing means, and the signal transmitted from the antenna is input from the signal processing means to be analogized a and outputs to the transmission and reception circuit, a plurality of conversion connected individually in correspondence with each of the plurality of transceiver circuits And road, output from each of the plurality of conversion circuits, and a storage means for storing the digitized signal to be processed by said plurality of communication functions, said signal processing means, the storage means A plurality of communication functions based on each of the plurality of pieces of software information are executed in a time-sharing manner for signals corresponding to the communication functions stored in the table .
[0008]
According to this structure, by providing the converter circuit for transmitting and receiving in addition to digitize the signal transmitting and receiving circuit and a signal processing means corresponding to each of the antennas and a plurality of antennas for a plurality of wireless communication, transmission and reception circuit Since a digitized signal is transmitted to and received from the signal processing means , it is not affected by signal degradation. Further, the signal processing main unit only needs to be provided with signal processing means capable of executing processing on a digitized signal transmitted / received to / from the wireless unit, so that the signal processing means is a highly integrated circuit. It can be downsized. Further, since the digitized signal is received from the conversion circuit, a plurality of communication functions (communication services) can be executed in a time division manner by storing this signal in the storage means.
[0013]
Further, the signal processing main unit acquires the software information by wireless communication.
[0014]
Thereby, the communication function which can be realized by the signal processing main unit can be expanded. In this case, the wireless unit corresponding to the extended communication function can be exchanged and used.
[0015]
The present invention is also a signal processing unit of a software defined radio that realizes a communication function by executing processing based on software information, and digitizes a signal for wireless communication via a wireless communication antenna. Connection means for connecting a wireless unit for transmission and reception, and signal processing means for executing processing based on software information on a digitized signal transmitted and received through the wireless unit connected by the connection means It is characterized by that.
[0016]
Thereby, the wireless unit corresponding to the communication function realized based on the software information can be connected and used. Since a digitized signal is transmitted to and received from the wireless unit, it is not affected by signal degradation or the like.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system to which a software defined radio according to this embodiment is applied. The software defined radio is configured for in-vehicle use, for example, and a communication function can be realized by executing processing based on software information. Also, the software defined radio can realize a plurality of communication functions based on a plurality of software information. For example, a radio (AM / FM) function and a TV function for receiving radio waves from the radio / TV broadcasting station 2 shown in FIG. 1 and outputting AM broadcasting, FM broadcasting, and television broadcasting, and signals from the GPS satellite 3 are received. Navigation function, such as measuring the current location and displaying it on a map, downloading data transmitted from the base station 4, for example, software information for realizing a communication function with a software defined radio, provided on a toll road A function of automatically paying a fee by communicating with an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) transmitter / receiver 5 installed at the gate is realized.
[0020]
The base stations 4 are distributed and arranged in a service area to form a radio area called a cell, and are connected via a radio channel to the software defined radio 1 mounted on a vehicle existing in the radio area. The base station 4 is connected to a communication switching center via, for example, a wired line (not shown), and further performs connection and communication control with a server provided on the Internet via a gateway. The server has a function for downloading software information to the software defined radio 1. The base station 4 transmits a signal for downloading data by, for example, a DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) method. The download data format is, for example, MDS (Message in ETC standard ARIB STD-T55 1.0 version).
data slot) format.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of mounting a software defined radio in an automobile in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the software defined radio 1 includes at least one radio unit for transmitting / receiving radio waves or transmitting / receiving signals to / from a signal processing main unit 10 (signal processing unit) that performs a communication function. 12 are connected. In the example shown in FIG. 2, an example in which three wireless units 12a, 12b, and 12c are connected is shown.
[0022]
The signal processing main unit 10 is installed at a predetermined location provided on a console in an automobile, for example. The wireless units 12a, 12b, and 12c are connected to the signal processing main unit 10 via a cable, and are in a place where the state of radio wave transmission / reception is good, for example, near the window on the dashboard in the vehicle, above the vehicle body, behind the rear seat in the vehicle It is installed at each window.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the software defined radio according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the software defined radio 1 in the present embodiment is configured by connecting a wireless unit 12 to a wireless unit connection portion 31 of a signal processing main unit 10 via a cable. In the example shown in FIG. 3, three wireless units 12 a, 12 b and 12 c are connected to the signal processing main unit 10.
[0024]
The radio unit 12 a is configured by an antenna 20 and an antenna radio unit 22. For example, a radio frequency signal transmitted from the base station 4 is received by the antenna 20 and then input to the transmission / reception circuit 24 (signal processing circuit). In the transmission / reception circuit 24, the radio frequency signal is input to the frequency conversion circuit 24a via the antenna duplexer (DUP), mixed with the reception local oscillation signal output from the frequency synthesizer, and converted to an intermediate frequency signal or a baseband signal. Is done. The frequency of the reception local oscillation signal generated from the frequency synthesizer is instructed by a control signal from the signal processing main unit 10 (control unit 32).
[0025]
The intermediate frequency signal or baseband signal converted by the frequency conversion circuit 24a is output to the A / D / D / A conversion circuit 26 (conversion circuit). The A / D / D / A conversion circuit 26 digitizes the analog signal of the intermediate frequency signal or the baseband signal, and sends it to the signal processing main unit 10 (signal processing unit 30) via the cable.
[0026]
On the other hand, when the wireless unit 12a is used for a signal by a communication function provided in the signal processing main unit 10, the A / D / D / A conversion circuit 26 is digitized from the signal processing main unit 10 (signal processing unit 30). The received signal is received, converted into an analog intermediate frequency signal or a baseband signal, and output to the transmission / reception circuit 24. In the transmission / reception circuit 24, the transmission signal input from the frequency conversion circuit 24a is combined with the transmission local oscillation signal generated from the frequency synthesizer and converted into a radio frequency signal, and only the effective portion of the radio frequency signal is based on the transmission data rate. Is amplified at a high frequency and output as a transmission radio frequency signal. This transmission radio frequency signal is supplied to the antenna 20 via the antenna duplexer and transmitted from the antenna 20 to the base station.
[0027]
The wireless units 12b and 12c are assumed to have the same configuration as the wireless unit 12a. However, the radio units 12a, 12b, and 12c are connected according to the communication function of the signal processing main unit 10, and the frequency bands of the target radio frequency signals are different.
[0028]
The signal processing main unit 10 includes a signal processing unit 30, a wireless unit connection unit 31, a control unit 32, a nonvolatile memory 34, a display unit 36, an input unit 37, an interface (I / F) 38, and a memory 39. .
[0029]
The signal processing unit 30 transmits / receives a digitized signal to / from the A / D / D / A conversion circuit 26 of the wireless unit 12 via the wireless unit connection unit 31 and the cable, and the digitized signal. On the other hand, processing corresponding to the communication function based on the software information set by the control unit 32 is executed. The signal processing unit 30 reproduces the received digital data based on the digitized signal representing the received intermediate frequency signal or the baseband signal converted by the wireless unit 12a. This received digital data is supplied to the control unit 32. In addition, the signal processing unit 30 executes a communication function based on software information set by the control unit 32, and executes processing on received digital data according to the communication function.
[0030]
The signal processing body unit 10 is provided with a wireless unit connection portion 31 and can be connected to the wireless unit 12 via a cable. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of wireless units 12 can be connected to the wireless unit connection unit 31.
[0031]
The signal processing unit 30 stores a digitized signal received from each of the wireless units 12a, 12b, and 12c in the memory 39 when the plurality of wireless units 12a, 12b, and 12c are connected by the wireless unit connection unit 31, and the control unit By the plurality of communication functions set by 32, processing for digitized signals corresponding to each is executed in a time-sharing manner.
[0032]
The control unit 32 stores the received digital data acquired through the signal processing unit 30 in the nonvolatile memory 34 and causes the display unit 36 to display a screen corresponding to the processing by the communication function for the received digital data. If necessary, the received digital data is output to a personal computer PC such as a portable information terminal or a notebook personal computer through an interface (I / F) 38. It is assumed that the received digital data includes downloaded software information for executing a communication function.
[0033]
The input unit 37 is used for inputting various instructions to the apparatus, and is provided with a key group such as a dial key, a call key, a power key, an end key, a volume control key, and a mode designation key.
[0034]
The control unit 32 executes a basic control function based on a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 34. As the basic control function, the control unit 32 executes wireless connection control according to outgoing / incoming calls, It has a communication control function that enables communication, a browser function that accesses the Internet and displays information such as a Web page, a system selection control function, a location registration control function, and the like. The control unit 32 reads various software information stored in the nonvolatile memory 34, sets a communication function based on the software information in the signal processing unit 30, and executes the communication function according to the software information. Examples of the communication function include a television function, a radio (AM / FM) function, a navigation function, and an ETC function.
[0035]
In addition to these basic control functions, a download execution control function 32a and a software management control function 32b are provided.
[0036]
The download execution control function 32a makes a request for establishing a data communication link with the server by dial-up to the communication switching center according to the request information input by the input unit 37. When the data communication link is established with the server, the request information is transmitted as a download request, software information corresponding to the request is downloaded from the server, and the downloaded software information is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 34. .
[0037]
The software management control function 32 b manages the software information recorded in the nonvolatile memory 34 by function, selectively reads out the software information according to the request information input by the input unit 37, and sets it in the signal processing unit 30. To do.
[0038]
Further, when a communication function is requested by the input unit 37, the software management control function 32b determines whether there is software information corresponding to the requested communication function on the non-volatile memory 34. Reads out the corresponding software information in the non-volatile memory 34 and sets it in the signal processing unit 30, and if there is none, causes the download execution control function 32a to download the corresponding software information.
[0039]
Further, the software management control function 32b can execute a full download that downloads software information at once and a partial download that is divided and downloaded in multiple times. The software management control function 32b links the downloaded software information to the corresponding software information on the nonvolatile memory 34 when performing partial download.
[0040]
The software management control function 32b writes a flag representing software information set in the signal processing unit 30 in a buffer (not shown) in the control unit 32 when power-off is instructed. When the power is turned on, the software management control function 32b refers to the buffer flag in the control unit 32, determines the software information set in the signal processing unit 30 when the power is turned off, and stores the corresponding software information in a nonvolatile manner. Read from the memory 34 and set in the signal processor 30.
[0041]
Next, operations and effects of the software defined radio 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
First, the management operation of the communication function of the software defined radio 1 will be described.
[0042]
When the power key is turned on and power supply is started from a power supply unit (not shown), the control unit 32 executes an activation process based on a flag written in a buffer (not shown) in the control unit 32. The software information set in the signal processing unit 30 when the power is turned off is read from the nonvolatile memory 34 and set in the signal processing unit 30.
[0043]
Subsequently, the control unit 32 determines whether or not a request for using software information has been input by the input unit 37, that is, whether or not a new communication function has been selected. Here, if a use request is not input, the control unit 32 shifts to a communication terminal operation control process based on software information already set in the signal processing unit 30.
[0044]
On the other hand, when a use request for software information is input through the input unit 37, the control unit 32 determines whether the requested software information is stored in the nonvolatile memory 34. If the corresponding software information is not stored, a wireless download screen is displayed on the display unit 36 to prompt the user to perform an input operation for sending a download request. In this state, when an acquisition instruction is input by the user to acquire software information in the input unit 37, the control unit 32 establishes a data communication link with the server via the base station 4, and the base station 4, download data, that is, software information is acquired and written in the nonvolatile memory 34.
[0045]
The software management control function 32b of the control unit 32 sets a communication function based on the software information written in the nonvolatile memory 34 in the signal processing unit 30, and executes a communication function for realizing a service desired by the user.
[0046]
As described above, the software defined radio 1 according to this embodiment can download software information and execute a communication function based on the software information.
[0047]
When performing a communication function based on software information, the software defined radio 1 is configured by connecting a wireless unit 12 corresponding to the communication function to a wireless unit connection unit 31 of the signal processing main unit 10 via a cable. Is done.
[0048]
The wireless unit 12 transmits and receives digital signals between the signal processing units 30 of the signal processing body unit 10 by the A / D / D / A conversion circuit 26. Therefore, even when a signal used for wireless communication with the outside by the wireless unit 12 has a high frequency, it is possible to reduce deterioration due to signal attenuation or the like through the cable. This eliminates the need for a signal amplifier for eliminating signal attenuation and a circuit for power control.
[0049]
As a result, the wireless unit 12 can be installed at an arbitrary position where the transmission and reception of radio waves is good, for example, at an arbitrary position such as outside the vehicle or near the window in the vehicle. For example, even if the cable connecting the signal processing body unit 10 and the wireless unit 12c becomes long by being installed in a place away from the signal processing body unit 10 like the wireless unit 12c shown in FIG. Not receive.
[0050]
In addition, since the signal processing main unit 10 receives a digitized signal from the wireless unit 12, only a function capable of digital processing is mounted. Therefore, the signal processor 30 can be highly integrated and downsized. For this reason, the freedom degree of the installation place of the signal processing main body unit 10 is also improved.
[0051]
In addition, the communication function realized in the signal processing main unit 10 can be easily added or updated by downloading software information. In accordance with this, the wireless unit 12 can be arbitrarily replaced with one corresponding to the communication function executed in the signal processing main unit 10. When a plurality of communication functions are executed based on a plurality of software information in the signal processing main unit 10, a plurality of wireless units 12 (12a, 12b, 12c) corresponding to the respective communication functions are connected. Each communication function can be executed.
[0052]
Further, when a plurality of communication functions are executed in parallel in the control unit 10, a digitized signal is received from each of the wireless units 12a, 12b, 12c corresponding to the respective communication functions, for example. The signal processing unit 30 stores the digitized signals received from the wireless units 12a, 12b, and 12c in the memory 39, and performs digitization corresponding to each by a plurality of communication functions set by the control unit 32. It is possible to process the processed signal in a time-sharing manner.
[0053]
In the above description, signals are transmitted and received between the wireless unit 12 and the signal processing main unit 10 via a cable. However, since signals are transmitted and received between the two by a digitized signal, Bluetooth or the like is used. It can also be set as the structure connected by short-distance wireless communication. In this case, since the modules necessary for short-range wireless communication are realized relatively small, the configuration of each of the wireless unit 12 and the signal processing main unit 10 is not increased.
[0054]
In the above description, the A / D / D / A conversion circuit 26 is provided in the wireless unit 12 so as to transmit / receive a digitized signal to / from the signal processing unit 30 of the signal processing main unit 10. However, when signals are transmitted / received via a cable, they may be converted into analog signals having a predetermined intermediate frequency with little deterioration and transmitted / received. In this case, the transmission / reception circuit 24 is configured to convert a signal for wireless communication with the outside into a signal having an intermediate frequency by the frequency conversion circuit 24 a and transmit the signal to the signal processing unit 30. The signal processing unit 30 of the signal processing main unit 10 is provided with a function of executing processing based on software information for a predetermined intermediate frequency analog signal transmitted to and received from the wireless unit 12. As a result, even if the communication function executed in the signal processing main unit 10 targets a signal of high-frequency radio communication, the loss in the cable connecting the signal processing main unit 10 and the radio unit 12 Can be reduced.
[0055]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention at the stage of implementation. Further, the embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, when the effect can be obtained even if several constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, a configuration from which the constituent requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention as described in detail above, it stores the degradation of the signal due to the transmission and reception of radio signals with a plurality of antennas corresponding to a plurality of communication functions proof technique, the received wireless signal and digitizes Thus, it is possible to execute processing by a plurality of communication functions in a time division manner .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system to which a software defined radio according to an embodiment is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of mounting a software defined radio in an automobile according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software defined radio according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Software defined radio 10 ... Signal processing main unit 12 (12a, 12b, 12c) ... Wireless unit 20 ... Antenna 22 ... Antenna radio unit 24 ... Transmission / reception circuit 24a ... Frequency conversion circuit 26 ... A / D / D / A conversion circuit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Signal processing part 32 ... Control part 32a ... Download execution control function 32b ... Software management control function 34 ... Non-volatile memory 36 ... Display part 37 ... Input part 38 ... Interface (I / F)
39 ... Memory PC ... Personal computer

Claims (3)

A software defined radio that realizes a communication function by executing processing based on software information including a program ,
A plurality of antennas for wireless communication corresponding to the plurality of communication functions based on a plurality of software information,
A plurality of transmission / reception circuits individually connected corresponding to each of the plurality of antennas for performing signal processing for wireless communication via the antenna;
Signal processing means for executing processing of a plurality of communication functions based on the plurality of software information,
A signal output from a pre-transmission / reception circuit is digitized and output to the signal processing means, and a signal to be transmitted from the antenna is input from the signal processing means to be analogized and output to the transmission / reception circuit. A plurality of conversion circuits connected individually corresponding to each of the transmission / reception circuits,
Storage means for storing digitized signals output from each of the plurality of conversion circuits and to be processed by the plurality of communication functions ;
The signal processing means executes a plurality of communication functions based on each of the plurality of software information in a time division manner on signals corresponding to the communication functions stored in the storage means. Software defined radio.   2. The software defined radio according to claim 1, further comprising control means for acquiring the software information by wireless communication through the signal processing means. A signal processing unit of a software defined radio that realizes a plurality of communication functions by executing processing based on a plurality of software information including a program ,
And connecting means for connecting a plurality of wireless units for transmitting and receiving digitized signals for wireless communication via a plurality of antennas for wireless communication corresponding to the plurality of communication functions,
Storage means for storing digitized signals to be processed by each of the plurality of communication functions, transmitted and received through the plurality of wireless units connected by the connection means;
And wherein the storage means to the stored signal corresponding to each of the plurality of communication functions, equipped with a signal processing means for performing a time division multiple communication function based on the plurality of software information Signal processing unit for software defined radio.

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