JP6207550B2 - Control device, antenna and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device, an antenna, and a program.

  For example, in an antenna such as a frequency sharing antenna or a multi-beam antenna, there are increasing cases in which a plurality of phase shifters related to one antenna are required. In addition, in order to form a flexible area, it is necessary to adjust the area by frequently controlling the tilt angle. To achieve this, for example, a tilt control system based on the AISG (Antenna Interface Standards Group) standard is adopted. Is done. In the AISG standard, for example, in accordance with a command from a primary station (master unit) such as a radio device, a secondary station (slave unit) attached to the antenna operates to control the tilt angle and the like.

  In Patent Document 1, in an antenna transmission control apparatus including a multiplexer circuit on a base station side or an antenna side, a protocol transmission for controlling a component close to an antenna is used between two multiplexer circuits using the AISG standard. The signal generated at the antenna side port of the multiplexer circuit, which is performed alternately and provided on the antenna side, can be measured or detected by the multiplexer circuit and injected into the transmission line along with connection-dependent or consumer-dependent protocols Is described.

International Publication No. 2010/049094

The AISG standard includes a communication method (single-antenna elementary procedures) in which processing devices are assigned to phase shifters in a one-to-one relationship. If the transmitter supports only this single communication method, normally, the same number of processing devices as the phase shifters are required due to the limitation on the specification of the communication method.
An object of the present invention is to reduce the number of processing units made of hardware in a control system that receives a signal from a transmitter employing a single communication method.

For this purpose, a control device to which the present invention is applied is a control device that controls a plurality of phase shifters by connecting a plurality of phase shifters that shift the phases of transmission and reception signals transmitted and received by a plurality of antenna elements. Receiving means for receiving a plurality of control signals for a plurality of phase shifters from a transmitter adopting a communication method on the assumption that one processing device is assigned to one phase shifter, and receiving from the transmitter The processing execution means for executing the processing for each of the plurality of phase shifters of the plurality of phase shifters in one processing device for the plurality of control signals for the plurality of phase shifters.
In addition, when a plurality of response signals to the transmitter are generated by the processing of the processing execution unit, a response unit that performs a process for recognizing that the transmitter is an abnormal response signal and responds to the transmitter is further provided. Can be characterized.
Further, the process execution means determines for each phase shifter whether the control signal received from the transmitter is a control signal addressed to any of the plurality of phase shifters, and controls the phase shifter. If it is a signal, a command included in the control signal can be executed.

From another viewpoint, the antenna to which the present invention is applied includes a plurality of array antennas each having a plurality of antenna elements, and a phase of a transmission / reception signal transmitted and received by the plurality of antenna elements. A plurality of phase shifters to be shifted, and a control device to which the plurality of phase shifters are connected and control the plurality of phase shifters, and the control device assigns one processing device to one phase shifter. Receiving a plurality of control signals for a plurality of phase shifters from a transmitter adopting a premised communication method, and for each of the received plurality of control signals, each phase shifter of a plurality of phase shifters in one processing device It is characterized in that the process is executed.
From another point of view, a program to which the present invention is applied is a control device that controls a plurality of phase shifters by connecting a plurality of phase shifters that shift the phases of transmission and reception signals transmitted and received by a plurality of antenna elements. A function of receiving a plurality of control signals for a plurality of phase shifters from a transmitter that employs a communication method on the assumption that one processing device is assigned to one phase shifter, and a plurality of signals received from the transmitter A function of executing a process for each of the phase shifters of the plurality of phase shifters with a single processing device is realized with respect to the plurality of control signals for the phase shifters.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the number of the processing apparatuses consisting of hardware can be reduced in the control system which receives a signal from the transmitter which employ | adopted the single communication system.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the antenna which concerns on this Embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the antenna which concerns on this Embodiment. (B) is a figure which shows the structural example of the conventional antenna at the time of employ | adopting a single communication system. (A), (b) is a figure for demonstrating an example of the frame format of the signal transmitted with respect to an antenna from a main | base station. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of the processing apparatus part which concerns on this Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the process sequence of the processing apparatus part which concerns on this Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the process sequence of the processing apparatus part in the structure of a comparative example. (A)-(c) is the figure which showed the other structural example of the antenna which concerns on this Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<Hardware configuration of antenna>
First, the hardware configuration of the antenna 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an antenna 100 according to the present embodiment. The antenna 100 is connected to a parent device 300 that is a device that transmits a control command according to the AISG standard. The base unit 300 is, for example, a wireless device or a dedicated control device in a mobile phone base station, and can be said to be a transmitter for transmitting a control command to the processing unit 120 in the present embodiment. The antenna 100 performs processing such as tilt control in accordance with a control command from the parent device.

  The antenna 100 includes an array antenna 180-1, an array antenna 180-2, a phase shifter 110a, a phase shifter 110b, and a processing unit 120. When there is no need to distinguish between the array antenna 180-1 and the array antenna 180-2, they may be referred to as the array antenna 180. Further, when there is no need to distinguish between the phase shifter 110a and the phase shifter 110b, the phase shifter 110 may be referred to.

  First, the array antenna 180-1 includes antenna elements 181a to 181d, and the array antenna 180-2 includes antenna elements 182a to 182d. The antenna elements 181a to 181d and the antenna elements 182a to 182d are arranged on a straight line at equal intervals, and different frequency band antenna elements (for example, the antenna elements 181a to 181d are high frequency band antenna elements and antenna elements). 182a to 182d are used as antenna elements for a low frequency band. Thus, the plurality of antenna elements are connected to one phase shifter 110 for each array antenna 180. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the antenna elements 181a to 181d are connected to the phase shifter 110a, and the antenna elements 182a to 182d are connected to the phase shifter 110b.

  Next, the phase shifter 110 controls the phase of the input signal supplied to each antenna element (antenna elements 181a to 181d, antenna elements 182a to 182d) of the array antenna 180 or the output signal received by each antenna element. Then, the directivity of the array antenna 180 is set. In other words, the phase shifter 110 changes the phase of radio waves transmitted from the antenna elements 181a to 181d and the antenna elements 182a to 182d, thereby changing the transmission direction and reception direction (directivity) of the radio waves (beams) from the horizontal plane. Tilt in the direction or sky direction to set the tilt angle. Here, the phase shifter 110 includes, for example, a plurality of arc-shaped conductors having the same center, and linear conductors extending from the center and intersecting these arc-shaped conductors. Then, by rotating the linear conductor around the center, the position where it intersects the arc-shaped conductor changes, and the length of the path through which the signal propagates changes, so that the phase of the signal (the amount of phase shift) is changed. Change. That is, in such a phase shifter 110, the amount of phase shift is set by the rotation angle of the linear conductor, and a desired tilt angle is realized.

The phase shifter 110a has a position detector 111a and a motor 112a, and the phase shifter 110b has a position detector 111b and a motor 112b.
The position detection unit 111a and the position detection unit 111b detect the rotation angle of the linear conductor as a position indicating the amount of phase shift.
The motors 112a and 112b rotate the linear conductors to control the amount of phase shift.

  Next, the processing unit 120 has a function as a slave unit that processes a signal from the master unit 300, and includes a communication interface unit (hereinafter, communication IF unit) 130, a power supply unit 140, a processing device unit 150, and a motor control circuit 161. , A position detection auxiliary circuit 162, a switching circuit 170a, and a switching circuit 170b. Hereinafter, the motor control circuit 161 and the position detection auxiliary circuit 162 may be collectively referred to as a motor control / position detection auxiliary circuit 160. Further, the switching circuit 170a and the switching circuit 170b may be collectively referred to as a switching circuit 170.

The communication IF unit 130 is a circuit that mediates a signal between the parent device 300 and the processing device unit 150.
The power supply unit 140 supplies power to each unit and each circuit in the processing unit 120.

  The motor control circuit 161 is a circuit composed of an electronic member (electronic component) such as a semiconductor element, and is a circuit for controlling the phase shifter 110 controlled by the processing unit 150. For example, when the motor control circuit 161 receives a signal designating a tilt angle from the processing unit 150, the motor control circuit 161 controls the phase shifter 110 so that the designated tilt angle is obtained.

  The position detection auxiliary circuit 162 is a circuit for receiving a position detection signal indicating the rotation angle of the linear conductor from the phase shifter 110 and preprocessing the received position detection signal so that it can be easily amplified and detected. Here, when the position detection signal is corrected by software in the processing unit 150, the position detection auxiliary circuit 162 need not be provided.

  The switching circuit 170 performs signal switching between the motor control circuit 161 and the position detection auxiliary circuit 162 and the phase shifter 110a and the phase shifter 110b to be controlled.

  The processing device unit 150 executes software for processing communication according to the AISG standard. Here, the processing device unit 150 receives the position detection signal via the position detection auxiliary circuit 162 and detects the rotation angle of the linear conductor in the phase shifter 110. Further, the processing device unit 150 generates a signal designating the tilt angle of the phase shifter 110 based on the tilt control command from the parent device 300 and transmits the signal to the phase shifter 110 via the motor control circuit 161. The processing unit 150 is realized by, for example, a microprocessor, but may be a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device).

  The processing unit 150 includes a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) 151, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 152, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 153, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 154, an I / O (Input / Output). Output) 155a and I / O 155b.

  The UART 151 is an integrated circuit for mutually converting serial transfer type data and parallel transfer type data. The RAM 153 is used as a work area when the CPU 152 executes software or the like. The ROM 154 stores software executed by the CPU 152. Then, the CPU 152 loads software or the like from the ROM 154 to the RAM 153 and executes it. Various functions of the processing device unit 150 are realized by executing software and the like.

The I / O 155a and I / O 155b are connection terminals that receive signals from the outside and send signals to the outside. When the position detection in the phase shifter 110 is realized by the resistance ratio of the potentiometer, an A / D converter (analog-digital conversion circuit) is required in addition to the I / O 155b.
The RAM 153, ROM 154, A / D converter, and the like may be provided outside the processing unit 150.

  The software executed by the CPU 152 may be stored in the processing unit 150 in advance, or another storage device (for example, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read- (Only Memory) or Flash memory) may be loaded into the RAM 153. Further, software or the like may be downloaded to the processing device unit 150 using a communication unit.

With such a configuration, the antenna 100 controls the tilt angle of the phase shifter 110 according to a tilt control command from the parent device 300. Here, the AISG standard includes a communication method (hereinafter referred to as a single communication method) in which the processing unit 120 (child device function) and the phase shifter 110 are connected one-to-one, and the processing unit 120 (child device function). ) And the phase shifter 110 are connected in a one-to-many manner (multi-antenna elementary procedures, hereinafter referred to as a multi-communication method).
In the present embodiment, the base unit 300 supports only the single communication method, and the software executed by the processing unit 120 (that is, the processing device unit) in a situation where the single unit is requested to use the single communication method. With the software executed by 150, a plurality of slave unit functions are virtually provided, and an operation equivalent to the plurality of slave units is realized while being one processing unit 120.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the antenna 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a configuration of the conventional antenna 200 when a single communication method is employed as a comparative example. It is a figure which shows an example.

The configuration shown in FIG. 2A is a simplification of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and the array antenna 180 is omitted. As described above, two phase shifters 110 are connected to one processing unit 120.
On the other hand, in the configuration of the comparative example shown in FIG. 2B, the processing units 220 (processing unit 220a and processing unit 220b) corresponding to the two phase shifters 210 (phase shifter 210a and phase shifter 210b) are provided. Exists. That is, the processing unit 220 needs the same number as the phase shifter 210. Each processing unit 220 includes a communication IF unit 230 (communication IF unit 230a and communication IF unit 230b), a power supply unit 240 (power supply unit 240a and power supply unit 240b), and a processing device unit 250 (processing device unit 250a and processing device unit 250b). ), A motor control / detection auxiliary circuit 260 (motor control / detection auxiliary circuit 260a, motor control / detection auxiliary circuit 260b). In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2B, the array antenna is omitted as in FIG.

Here, in the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A, two phase shifters 110 are shown, but in this embodiment, three or more phase shifters 110 are connected to one processing unit 120. You may do it.
In the present embodiment, the processing device unit 150 is used as an example of a control device. Furthermore, the processing unit 120 or the processing device unit 150 has a function as an example of a processing device. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the processing unit 120 can be regarded as having a function as an example of a control device.
As described above, in the present embodiment, even if the single communication method is used, the single processing unit 120 can control the antenna 100, so that the antenna 100 can be reduced in size and cost.

<Description of frame format>
Next, in the present embodiment, a frame format of a signal transmitted from base unit 300 to antenna 100 will be described. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining an example of a frame format of a signal transmitted from the parent device 300 to the antenna 100. FIG.

  The AISG standard is based on HDLC (High-Level Data Link Control), which is a data link layer protocol of the OSI reference model established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). FIG. 3A shows a frame format in the data link layer of the AISG standard. As illustrated, the frame area of the AISG standard is divided into “header”, “address”, “frame type”, “command data body”, “CRC”, and “footer” types.

  The “header” is a bit string indicating the start of the frame, and is one octet (the first octet from the beginning of the frame). “Address” is the address of the slave unit and is one octet (second octet from the beginning of the frame). The address of the child device is added by the parent device 300 for each child device (that is, for each phase shifter 110). “Frame type” indicates a frame type defined in HDLC, and is one octet (third octet from the head of the frame). There are three types of frames: S frame, U frame, and I frame.

  The “command data body” is command data including a control instruction, and the data length is arbitrary (variable length). “CRC” is used for detecting transmission errors of bits of the address, frame type, and command data body, and is 2 octets. In other words, when the total data length of a frame is N octets, the CRC corresponds to a region of N-2 to N-1 octets from the top of the frame. “Footer” is a bit string indicating the end of the frame, and is one octet (Nth octet from the beginning of the frame).

  Here, in the AISG standard, a unique ID (hereinafter referred to as a unique ID) is assigned in advance to each child device, and the parent device 300 designates the unique ID of the child device and performs a command such as tilt control. . In general, the unique ID is a character string represented by a character code of 19 octets. The first two octets are unique to the manufacturer, and the remaining 17 octets are uniquely determined by each manufacturer, and the unique ID is unique as a whole.

  In the AISG that is the prior art, the parent device 300 establishes a link using a unique ID when performing an instruction such as tilt control to each child device. Therefore, when the unique ID is not already known by manual input or the like, a process called device scan for specifying the unique ID of each slave unit is performed before the link is established. The device scan is one of broadcasts, which is an instruction to be performed on all connected slave units, and is a signal having an HDLC U frame structure shown in FIG.

  In the area of the command data body, for example, a command for requesting “respond when the last 1 bit of the unique ID is 0” to each slave unit is stored. Since device scan is transmitted as a broadcast, a special value (FF in hexadecimal) is stored and transmitted as an address. The AISG stipulates that all slave units confirm the frame contents of a frame sent as a broadcast and respond as necessary. When the slave unit matches the condition for the unique ID, the slave unit returns a response including the unique ID to the master unit 300. If the conditions are met by a plurality of slave units, signals are transmitted from the plurality of slave units as a response to the device scan. Therefore, the signals collide on the communication path, and the master unit 300 normally receives a normal signal. Can not do it. As described above, when the base unit 300 cannot receive a normal signal, it is determined that there are a plurality of slave units having unique IDs that match the conditions, and the base unit 300 further sets the condition range to be narrower. Then, for example, a command requesting “response when the last 2 bits of the unique ID is 00” is stored and transmitted to each slave unit. By narrowing the conditions in this way, when only one slave unit finally becomes a condition, the master unit 300 can receive a correct signal and can recognize the unique ID of the slave unit. .

In this way, base device 300 narrows the condition range little by little, and specifies the unique ID of the handset based on the response signal when the unique ID that meets the condition becomes one. When the unique ID of the child device is specified, the parent device 300 allocates an address to the specified unique ID and notifies the child device of the address.
In the present embodiment, processing device section 150 stores a unique ID corresponding to each slave unit and the address notified from master unit 300 in association with each other, and sets each slave unit for each phase shifter 110. Realize the function.

  Next, when the unique ID of the child device is specified, the parent device 300 designates the address of each child device and transmits a signal such as tilt control. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a frame when a control command is issued by designating the address of the slave unit. Here, the frame when performing the control command by designating the address of the slave unit has an HDLC I frame structure, and the area of the command data body includes “AISG command type”, “actual data length”, “actual data length”. Data ".

  The “AISG command type” stores a command number which is an instruction to the slave unit. This number includes a single communication method, a multi-communication method, and a method common to the single communication method and the multi-communication method. The communication method is determined based on this number. The For example, number 33 indicates a command (Set Tilt) for setting the tilt angle in the single communication method, and number 81 indicates a command (Antenna Set Tilt) for setting the tilt angle in the multi-communication method. As other commands, for example, there are commands that acquire the tilt angle of the phase shifter 110 and report it to the parent device 300, and commands that store information on the base station and the antenna 100 or report it to the parent device 300. To do. The “real data length” indicates the length of the real data, and the command data and the like are stored in the “real data”.

  In this embodiment, for example, when setting the tilt angle of phase shifter 110a, base unit 300 sets the AISG command type to “Set Tilt”, which is a single communication method command, and sets the tilt angle value to be set. Store in real data. Then, base unit 300 transmits a frame to antenna 100 with the address assigned to the slave unit corresponding to phase shifter 110a as the destination.

<Functional configuration of processing unit>
Next, a functional configuration of the processing device unit 150 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the processing device unit 150 according to the present embodiment. The processing device unit 150 includes a reception processing unit 191 that receives a signal from the parent device 300, a command processing unit 192 that executes a command of the received signal, and a response execution unit 193 that makes a response to the parent device 300. Prepare.

  The reception processing unit 191 receives a signal from the parent device 300 via the communication IF unit 130.

  When the command processing unit 192 receives a command from the parent device 300, the command processing unit 192 determines whether each child device is a command addressed to the child device, that is, to which phase shifter 110 of the plurality of phase shifters 110. It is determined for each phase shifter 110 whether or not this is a command. Specifically, the command processing unit 192 sequentially compares the address of the frame received from the parent device 300 with the address assigned to each child device, and determines whether or not there is a child device serving as a destination. judge. If there is a slave unit that is the destination of the command, the command processing unit 192 executes the command and processes the command for the destination slave unit, that is, the phase shifter 110 corresponding to the destination slave unit. The command processing is executed for this. The command processing unit 192 generates a response signal for responding to the parent device 300 that the command processing has been performed.

When the command processing unit 192 generates a response signal, the response execution unit 193 transmits the generated response signal to the parent device 300 via the communication IF unit 130.
Here, in the AISG standard, for example, as described above, a plurality of slave units may respond, for example, when the master unit 300 broadcasts a frame to identify the unique ID of the phase shifter 110. In this case, in the conventional configuration, since the response signals are transmitted simultaneously and the response signals collide with each other, a normal signal does not reach the primary station (master unit). For example, in the configuration of the comparative example of FIG. 2B, when the processing device unit 250a and the processing device unit 250b respond, the response signals collide after passing through the communication IF unit 230. Since the primary station identifies that an abnormal signal has been received and performs a process corresponding thereto, there is no problem with such an operation.

  However, in the present embodiment, even when a plurality of response signals are generated, since there is only one communication IF unit 130, a plurality of signals cannot be transmitted simultaneously. That is, the response signals do not actually collide with each other. Therefore, when a plurality of response signals are generated, the response execution unit 193 performs processing so that the parent device 300 can recognize that the signal is not “normal”. Specifically, for example, the response execution unit 193 destroys the data of the response signal or generates specific data that is recognized as an illegal signal or data that violates the communication protocol. Respond to. The response processing here may be any processing as long as the parent device 300 can recognize that the signal is not normal.

  In the present embodiment, the reception processing unit 191 has a function as an example of a receiving unit. Further, the command processing unit 192 has a function as an example of a process execution unit. Further, the response execution unit 193 has a function as an example of response means. When the processing unit 120 is regarded as having a function as an example of a control device, for example, the communication IF unit 130 has a function as an example of a reception unit, and the processing device unit 150 is a processing execution unit and It can be understood that it has a function as an example of a response means.

<Processing procedure of processing unit>
Next, a processing procedure of the processing device unit 150 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the processing device unit 150 according to the present embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 5 is repeatedly executed.

  The reception processing unit 191 waits for reception of a command from the parent device 300. Here, the reception processing unit 191 receives a signal from the parent device 300 (step 101), and determines whether a signal (command) is received (step 102). If it is not determined that a command has been received (No in step 102), the processing flow ends, and the reception processing unit 191 continues to wait for reception of a command.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that a command has been received (Yes in step 102), then command processing by the command processing unit 192 is performed. Here, the command processing unit 192 repeatedly executes the processing from step 103 to step 107 described later for the number (n) of valid child devices that virtually operate in the processing unit 120. First, the command processing unit 192 selects one valid slave unit, and determines whether or not the received signal is a signal addressed to the selected slave unit (step 103). Here, the command processing unit 192 determines whether or not the address that is the destination of the signal matches the address assigned to the selected slave unit, and the two addresses match or an address that indicates broadcast If so, it is determined that the signal is addressed to the selected slave unit.

If it is determined that the signal is not addressed to the selected slave unit (No in step 103), the command processing unit 192 selects one next valid slave unit.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the signal is addressed to the selected slave unit (Yes in step 103), the command processing unit 192 determines whether the communication method of the command is a common method or a single communication method, a multi-communication method, It is determined whether it is undefined in the AISG standard (step 104). Here, for example, a frame transmitted by broadcast in order to specify the unique ID of the child device is determined to be of the common method. Further, for example, the command “Set Tilt” is determined to be a single communication method.

When it is determined in step 104 that the command communication method is the common method or the single communication method, the command processing unit 192 executes the command and processes the command to the destination child device (step 104). 105). On the other hand, when it is determined that the command communication method is the multi-communication method or undefined, the command processing unit 192 determines an error (step 106). After step 105 or step 106, the command processing unit 192 generates a response signal (step 107). However, some commands, such as a reset command for all the slave units, are terminated without generating a response signal. After step 107, the command processing unit 192 selects one other slave unit that has not yet been selected.
In this way, the command processing unit 192 executes the processing from step 103 to step 107 by the number (n) of valid child devices. When the processing is completed for all the slave units, the process proceeds to the next step 108.

  Next, the response execution unit 193 determines whether there is a response signal generated by the command processing unit 192 (step 108). If it is determined that there is no response signal (No in step 108), the process flow ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a response signal (Yes in step 108), the response execution unit 193 determines whether or not a plurality of slave units have responded, that is, whether or not a plurality of response signals have been generated. (Step 109).

  When it is determined in step 109 that a plurality of slave units are not responding (No in step 109), the generated response signal is one, and the response execution unit 193 communicates the generated response signal with the communication. The data is transmitted to base unit 300 via IF unit 130 (step 110). Then, this processing flow ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that a plurality of slave units have responded (Yes in step 109), the generated response signals are plural, and the response execution unit 193 recognizes that the master unit 300 is an abnormal signal. Then, processing is performed on the generated response signal (step 111). Then, the process proceeds to step 110, where the response execution unit 193 transmits the response signal processed in step 111 to the parent device 300, and this processing flow ends.

  Next, processing of the processing device unit 250 in the configuration of the comparative example illustrated in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the processing device unit 250 in the configuration of the comparative example. The processing illustrated in FIG. 6 is repeatedly executed by each processing device unit 250 (processing device unit 250a and processing device unit 250b).

  The processing device unit 250 waits for reception of a command from the parent device 300. Here, the processor unit 250 receives a signal from the parent device 300 (step 201), and determines whether or not a signal (command) is received (step 202). If it is not determined that a command has been received (No in step 202), the process flow ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that a command has been received (Yes in step 202), then the command processing by the processing unit 250 is performed. Here, the processor unit 250 determines whether or not the received signal is a signal addressed to itself (step 203). Here, the processor unit 250 determines whether or not the address that is the destination of the command matches the address assigned to its own handset, and if both addresses match or indicates an address indicating broadcast. For example, it is determined that the signal is addressed to itself.

  If it is determined that the signal is addressed to itself (Yes in step 203), the processing unit 250 determines whether the communication method of the command is a common method or a single communication method, or is undefined in the multi-communication method or the AISG standard. (Step 204). When it is determined that the command communication method is the common method or the single communication method, the processing unit 250 executes the command (step 205). On the other hand, if it is determined that the command communication method is the multi-communication method or undefined, the processing unit 250 determines an error (step 206). After step 205 or step 206, the processing unit 250 generates a response signal (step 207).

  When it is determined in step 203 that the signal is not addressed to itself (No in step 203), or after step 207, the processing device unit 250 determines whether there is a generated response signal (step 208). If a response signal is generated in step 207, an affirmative determination (Yes) is made in step 208, and the processing unit 250 transmits the response signal to the parent device 300 (step 209). Here, if response signals are generated by a plurality of processing device units 250, the response signals collide on the transmission path to base unit 300, so that a normal signal does not reach base unit 300. After step 209 or when it is determined that there is no response signal (No in step 208), this processing flow ends.

Thus, in the configuration of the comparative example, when a signal is transmitted from base unit 300, each processing unit 220 provided for each phase shifter 210 determines whether or not the signal is addressed to itself and executes the process. . Further, when a plurality of response signals are generated, the response signals collide with each other, and a normal signal does not reach the base unit 300.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when a signal is transmitted from the parent device 300, as shown in FIG. 5, whether or not the processing device unit 150 is a signal addressed to the child device is sequentially determined for each child device, If it is a signal addressed to the corresponding slave unit, the command is executed and a response signal is generated. When there are a plurality of response signals, the processing unit 150 performs a process for recognizing that the signal is not normal, and responds to the parent device 300. By responding in this way, base unit 300 receives an abnormal signal, and an operation equivalent to the configuration of the comparative example in which the response signals actually collide is realized.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a plurality of phase shifters 110 are connected to one processing unit 120 in a situation where the parent device 300 supports only a single communication method, and the parent device 300 The processing is executed in accordance with the control command from. By using the antenna 100 according to the present embodiment, for example, the number of processing units 120 is reduced compared to the configuration of the comparative example in which the processing units 120 are assigned to the phase shifters 110 on a one-to-one basis. Cost reduction is realized. In addition, this contributes to the miniaturization of the antenna 100.

<Another configuration example of the antenna 100>
Next, another configuration example of the antenna 100 according to this embodiment will be described. FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams showing another configuration example of the antenna 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The configuration shown in FIG. 7A is the same number of communication IF units 130 as the phase shifter 110 compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 2A (in the example shown in FIG. 7A, the communication IF unit 130a). The communication IF unit 130b) is provided. In such a configuration, when a plurality of response signals are generated, the response signals are transmitted to the parent device 300 via the communication IF unit 130 for each slave device that is the destination (that is, for each phase shifter 110). Is done. Therefore, the response signals actually collide after passing through the communication IF unit 130. That is, the processing device unit 150 does not need to perform processing for causing the parent device 300 to recognize that the signal is not normal, and thus the processing of Step 109 and Step 111 in FIG. 5 is not necessary.

  In addition, the configuration shown in FIG. 7B is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 2A, but has the same number of motor control / position detection auxiliary circuits 160 as the phase shifters 110, instead of providing the switching circuit 170. (In the example shown in FIG. 7B, the motor control / position detection auxiliary circuit 160a and the motor control / position detection auxiliary circuit 160b) are provided. Here, the motor control / position detection auxiliary circuit 160 cannot control a plurality of phase shifters 110 simultaneously. Therefore, when the switching circuit 170 is provided as in the configuration shown in FIG. 2A, a control command is issued from the master unit 300 to another slave unit during the control of the motor control / position detection auxiliary circuit 160. Then, the processor unit 150 responds with a “Busy” return code indicating that the command cannot be received. For this reason, the base unit 300 does not issue a control command at the same time, or when receiving a “Busy” return code, performs processing to issue the next control command as soon as one control command is completed. Will be done.

  On the other hand, when the same number of motor control / position detection auxiliary circuits 160 as the phase shifters 110 are provided as in the configuration shown in FIG. 7B, the processing unit 120 controls a plurality of phase shifters 110 simultaneously. Will be able to. In the case of such a configuration, the processing device unit 150 transmits a signal to the motor control / position detection auxiliary circuit 160 connected to the phase shifter 110 serving as a signal destination.

  Furthermore, the configuration shown in FIG. 7C is a combination of the configurations shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. That is, the same number of communication IF units 130 as the phase shifters 110 are provided, and the same number of motor control / position detection auxiliary circuits 160 as the phase shifters 110 are provided instead of the switching circuit 170. In the case of such a configuration as well, as in the case of FIG. 7B, a plurality of response signals actually collide, and therefore the processing of step 109 and step 111 in FIG. 5 is not necessary.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which a plurality of phase shifters 110 are connected to the processing unit 120 has been described. However, the processing of FIG. 5 can be performed even when the number of phase shifters 110 connected to the processing unit 120 is one. Processing is performed according to the procedure. That is, the processing unit 120 having the same configuration may be used regardless of whether one or more phase shifters 110 are connected to the processing unit 120.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the form of array antenna 180 is not limited to one in which antenna elements for different frequency bands are arranged in a straight line, for example, a plurality of array antennas composed of a plurality of antenna elements in the same frequency band, in different directions. You may arrange in. Further, for example, the antenna elements 181a to 181d and the antenna elements 182a to 182d may be a subarray having a plurality of antenna elements. Furthermore, as the phase shifter 110 for setting the directivity of the array antenna 180, other forms of phase shifters such as a phase shifter that mechanically changes the line length or a dielectric material may be used. .

  Although the present invention has been described using the embodiment, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternative embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Antenna, 110, 110a, 110b ... Phase shifter, 120 ... Processing part, 130 ... Communication IF part, 140 ... Power supply part, 150 ... Processing apparatus part, 160 ... Motor control / position detection auxiliary circuit, 161 ... Motor control Circuit, 162 ... Position detection auxiliary circuit, 170, 170a, 170b ... Switching circuit, 180, 180-1, 180-2 ... Array antenna, 181a-181d, 182a-182d ... Antenna element, 191 ... Reception processing unit, 192 ... Command processing unit, 193... Response execution unit, 300.

Claims (3)

A plurality of phase shifters for shifting the phases of transmission / reception signals transmitted / received by a plurality of antenna elements are connected, and one unit having a plurality of slave unit function units for controlling the plurality of phase shifters based on a control signal from a transmitter A control device,
The control signal in accordance with the single communication method includes an address for designating the destination slave unit function unit and a command indicating the processing content to be executed by the destination slave unit function unit.
Each of the plurality of handset function units is a handset function unit capable of processing a command included in a control signal in accordance with a single communication method in which only one phase shifter is assigned to one handset function unit. , Provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase shifters,
Receiving means for receiving a control signal in accordance with the single communication method from a transmitter operating in the single communication method;
By comparing the address included in the control signal according to the single communication method and the address assigned to each of the plurality of slave unit function units, the destination of the control signal in the plurality of slave unit function units Processing execution means for distributing a command included in the control signal to a certain handset function unit and executing the processing of the command;
When a plurality of response signals to the transmitter are generated by distributing commands included in the control signal to a plurality of slave unit function units, instead of responding to the transmitter with the plurality of response signals, the transmitter generates a response signal recognizes that it is not the signal is normal, to respond to the transmitter by the generated the response signal
A control device characterized by . A plurality of array antennas each having a plurality of antenna elements;
A plurality of phase shifters that are provided for each of the plurality of array antennas and shift the phases of transmission and reception signals transmitted and received by the plurality of antenna elements;
A plurality of phase shifters connected to each other, and one control device having a plurality of slave unit function units for controlling the plurality of phase shifters based on a control signal from a transmitter;
The control signal in accordance with the single communication method includes an address for designating the destination slave unit function unit and a command indicating the processing content to be executed by the destination slave unit function unit.
Each of the plurality of handset function units is a handset function unit capable of processing a command included in a control signal in accordance with a single communication method in which only one phase shifter is assigned to one handset function unit. , Provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase shifters,
The controller is
Receiving means for receiving a control signal in accordance with the single communication method from a transmitter operating in the single communication method;
By comparing the address included in the control signal according to the single communication method and the address assigned to each of the plurality of slave unit function units, the destination of the control signal in the plurality of slave unit function units distributes the commands contained in the control signal have a a process execution means for executing the processing of the command for a handset function unit,
When a plurality of response signals to the transmitter are generated by distributing commands included in the control signal to a plurality of slave unit function units, instead of responding to the transmitter with the plurality of response signals, An antenna characterized by generating a response signal for recognizing that the transmitter is an abnormal signal and responding to the transmitter with the generated response signal . A plurality of phase shifters for shifting the phases of transmission / reception signals transmitted / received by a plurality of antenna elements are connected, and one unit having a plurality of slave unit function units for controlling the plurality of phase shifters based on a control signal from a transmitter A program used in a control device,
The control signal in accordance with the single communication method includes an address for designating the destination slave unit function unit and a command indicating the processing content to be executed by the destination slave unit function unit.
Each of the plurality of handset function units is a handset function unit capable of processing a command included in a control signal in accordance with a single communication method in which only one phase shifter is assigned to one handset function unit. , Provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase shifters,
A function of receiving a control signal in accordance with the single communication method from a transmitter operating in the single communication method;
By comparing the address included in the control signal according to the single communication method and the address assigned to each of the plurality of slave unit function units, the destination of the control signal in the plurality of slave unit function units A function for distributing a command included in the control signal to a certain slave unit function unit and executing the processing of the command is realized in the control device ,
When a plurality of response signals to the transmitter are generated by distributing commands included in the control signal to a plurality of slave unit function units, instead of responding to the transmitter with the plurality of response signals, Generate a response signal that the transmitter recognizes as an abnormal signal and respond to the transmitter with the generated response signal
A program characterized by

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