JP6901679B2 - Wireless communication device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wireless communication device.

As a wireless communication device, wireless communication provided with an antenna dedicated to receiving wireless signals (hereinafter referred to as "reception-only antenna") in addition to an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals (hereinafter referred to as "transmission / reception antenna"). A device has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 has a first mode for wireless communication by CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) 2000 and a second mode for wireless communication by GSM (Global System for Mobile communications: registered trademark). A mobile phone terminal has been proposed in which both a transmission / reception antenna and a reception-only antenna are used in the first mode, and a transmission / reception antenna is used in the second mode. As a wireless communication device equipped with a receive-only antenna in this way, in addition to the above-mentioned mobile phone terminal, for example, a weather radar for detecting a channel in use in the surroundings and realizing a DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) function. Examples include a wireless LAN access point device equipped with a receive-only antenna for detecting the interference wave of the device and searching the surrounding wireless communication environment.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-272907

However, when the transmission of the radio signal using the transmission / reception antenna and the reception of the radio signal using the reception-only antenna are performed at the same time, the wireless communication device transmits the radio signal output by itself to a high level by the reception-only antenna. It will be received as a signal of. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to accurately receive and demodulate a radio signal that should be received (detected) by a reception-only antenna, for example, a radio signal output by another wireless communication device or a weather radar signal. .. Therefore, in a wireless communication device having a reception-only antenna separately from the transmission / reception antenna, a technique capable of suppressing a decrease in reception accuracy of a wireless signal by the reception-only antenna is desired.

The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following forms.
[Form 1] When the wireless communication device is one or more wireless communication units having a wireless transmission unit and a first wireless reception unit, and the wireless transmission unit transmits a wireless signal. , A wireless communication unit that outputs a transmission execution signal indicating that the transmission is being performed, one or more first antennas that transmit and receive radio waves for wireless communication by the wireless communication unit, and transmission of wireless signals. Of the radio signal transmission and the radio signal reception, the second radio reception unit that receives the radio signal and the radio wave transmission and the radio wave reception for the radio signal reception by the second radio reception unit. When the second antenna for reception and the transmission execution signal or the invalidation execution signal generated based on the transmission execution signal are input, the reception of the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the second antenna is invalidated. A reception disabling unit, a plurality of the wireless communication units, and an OR circuit that inputs the transmission execution signal output by each of the plurality of wireless communication units and outputs the disabling execution signal. Further provided, the reception invalidation unit is a wireless communication device that inputs the invalidation execution signal output from the OR circuit.
[Form 2] When the wireless communication device is one or more wireless communication units having a wireless transmission unit and a first wireless reception unit, and the wireless transmission unit transmits a wireless signal. , A wireless communication unit that outputs a transmission execution signal indicating that the transmission is being performed, one or more first antennas that transmit and receive radio waves for wireless communication by the wireless communication unit, and transmission of wireless signals. Of the radio signal transmission and the radio signal reception, the second radio reception unit that receives the radio signal and the radio wave transmission and the radio wave reception for the radio signal reception by the second radio reception unit. When the second antenna for reception and the transmission execution signal or the invalidation execution signal generated based on the transmission execution signal are input, the reception of the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the second antenna is invalidated. The reception disabling unit includes a reception disabling unit, and the reception disabling unit connects the first lead wire for electrically connecting the second radio receiving unit to the second antenna and the second radio receiving unit. 1 A first switch for selectively connecting a second lead wire for electrically connecting to a terminal resistor and the second wireless receiver to either the first lead wire or the second lead wire. A wireless communication device having a circuit and operating the first switch circuit so that the second wireless receiving unit and the second conducting wire are electrically connected when the invalidation execution signal is input. ..

(1) According to one embodiment of the present invention, a wireless communication device is provided. This wireless communication device is one or more wireless communication units having a wireless transmission unit and a first wireless reception unit, and when the wireless transmission unit transmits a wireless signal, the transmission is performed. A wireless communication unit that outputs a transmission execution signal indicating that the wireless communication unit is used; one or more first antennas that transmit and receive radio waves for wireless communication by the wireless communication unit; transmission of a wireless signal and reception of a wireless signal Of the second radio receiving unit that receives the radio signal; the second radio receiving unit that receives the radio wave among the radio wave transmission and the radio wave receiving for the radio signal reception by the second radio receiving unit. With the antenna; reception invalidation that invalidates the reception of the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the second antenna when the transmission execution signal or the invalidation execution signal generated based on the transmission execution signal is input. It has a part and;

According to the wireless communication device of this form, when the transmission execution signal or the invalidation execution signal generated based on the transmission execution signal is input to the reception invalidation unit, the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the second antenna Since the reception of the radio wave is invalidated, the reception of the radio wave based on the radio wave received by the second antenna can be invalidated while the radio signal is being transmitted by the radio transmission unit. In other words, since the radio signal is received based on the radio wave received by the second antenna while the radio signal is not being transmitted by the radio transmission unit, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reception accuracy of the radio signal by the second antenna.

(2) In the wireless communication device of the above embodiment, a plurality of the wireless communication units; and an OR circuit that inputs the transmission execution signal output by the plurality of wireless communication units and outputs the invalidation execution signal; Further prepared; The reception invalidation unit may input the invalidation execution signal output from the OR circuit. According to the wireless communication device of this form, since the reception invalidation unit inputs the invalidation execution signal output from the OR circuit, the wireless communication unit is transmitted in any one of the plurality of wireless communication units. While the radio signal is received, the reception of the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the second antenna can be invalidated, and the deterioration of the reception accuracy of the radio signal by the second antenna can be suppressed more reliably.

(3) In the wireless communication device of the above-described embodiment, the wireless communication unit may execute wireless communication by half-duplex communication. According to the wireless communication device of this form, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reception accuracy of the wireless signal by the second antenna in the configuration of performing half-duplex communication.

(4) In the wireless communication device of the above embodiment, the wireless transmission unit includes a signal output unit, an amplifier that amplifies an output signal from the signal output unit, and a transmission control unit that instructs an amplification operation by the amplifier. The transmission execution signal may coincide with a signal for the transmission control unit to instruct the amplifier to perform the amplification operation. According to this form of wireless communication device, since the transmission execution signal matches the signal for the transmission control unit to instruct the amplifier to perform the amplification operation, a dedicated configuration for outputting the transmission execution signal (for signal output). (Dedicated function and dedicated wiring) can be omitted, and the manufacturing cost of the wireless communication device can be suppressed.

(5) In the wireless communication device of the above-described embodiment, the reception disabling unit is a first conductor for electrically connecting the second wireless receiving unit to the second antenna; the second wireless receiving unit is connected to the second wireless receiving unit. 1 With a second conductor for electrical connection to the termination resistor; a first switch for selectively connecting the second radio receiver to either the first conductor or the second conductor. The first switch circuit may be operated so that the second radio receiving unit and the second conducting wire are electrically connected to each other when the invalidation execution signal is input. According to this form of wireless communication device, when an invalidation execution signal is input, the first switch circuit is operated so that the second wireless receiver and the second conductor are electrically connected, so that the wireless signal The second radio receiver can be electrically connected to the first termination resistor while the radio signal is being transmitted, and the reception of the radio signal can be invalidated.

(6) In the wireless communication device of the above embodiment, the reception disabling unit has a third conducting wire for electrically connecting the second antenna to the second terminating resistor; and the second antenna is connected to the first conducting wire. And a second switch circuit for selectively connecting to any of the third conductors; and the second antenna and the third conductor when the invalidation execution signal is input. The second switch circuit may be operated so that the second switch circuit is electrically connected. According to this form of wireless communication device, when the invalidation execution signal is input, the second switch circuit is operated so that the second antenna and the third conductor are electrically connected, so that the wireless signal is transmitted. While this is done, the second antenna can be electrically connected to the second terminating resistor. Therefore, even if the radio wave output from the first antenna is input to the second antenna, it is possible to prevent the radio wave from being received by the second radio receiving unit. In addition, even if the radio wave output from the first antenna is input to the second antenna, the energy of the input radio wave can be absorbed by the second terminating resistor, and there is a concern if the wire is simply broken. "Output from the second antenna" can be suppressed.

(7) In the wireless communication device of the above embodiment, the second wireless receiving unit receives a wireless signal using the second antenna for confirming the surrounding wireless communication environment for wireless communication by the wireless communication unit. May be done. According to this type of wireless communication device, the wireless communication environment around the wireless communication device can be confirmed with high accuracy.

The present invention can also be realized in various forms related to a wireless device including a transmitting / receiving device and a receiving device that utilize the same frequency band. For example, wireless LAN devices such as wireless LAN access point devices and wireless LAN client devices, methods for sending and receiving wireless signals, computer programs for realizing such methods, and non-temporary computer readability that records such computer programs. It can be realized in the form of a various recording medium or the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the function of the wireless communication apparatus as one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of a wireless communication device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the wireless communication apparatus at the time of transmission of a wireless signal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the wireless communication apparatus at the time of receiving a wireless signal. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the wireless communication apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the wireless communication apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the wireless communication apparatus of 4th Embodiment.

A. First Embodiment:
A1. Device configuration:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a function of a wireless communication device as an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication device 100 functions as a wireless LAN access point device. The wireless communication device 100 includes two wireless communication units 10 and 20, a second wireless reception unit 30, a reception invalidation unit 40, an application processor 50, two first antennas 91 and 92, and a second antenna 93. And.

The wireless communication unit 10 includes a wireless transmission unit 11 and a first wireless reception unit 12. When the wireless transmission unit 11 receives data from various applications such as a Web server application executed by the application processor 50 and an application for a user interface, it creates MAC (Media Access Control) data, and further, based on the MAC data. A radio signal is generated and output via the first antenna 91. The first radio receiving unit 12 forms MAC data from radio waves received via the first antenna 91, and further generates application data based on the MAC data and outputs the application data to the application processor 50. The wireless communication unit 20 has the same configuration as the wireless communication unit 10. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 20 includes a wireless transmission unit 21 having the same function as the wireless transmission unit 11 and a first wireless reception unit 22 having the same function as the first wireless reception unit 12. In the present embodiment, the two wireless communication units 10 and 20 both perform wireless communication using the 2.4 GHz band frequency band defined in IEEE802.11n. In the present embodiment, the two radio communication units 10 and 20 are both configured as a part of a single RF (Radio Frequency) circuit.

The second wireless receiving unit 30 transmits a wireless signal in order to detect the wireless communication environment around the wireless communication device 100, specifically, the presence or absence of other communication using each channel in the 2.4 GHz band. Among the reception of wireless signals, the wireless signals are received. The second radio receiving unit 30 notifies a main control unit (not shown) of the channels used in other detected communications. Upon receiving such a notification, the main control unit notifies the wireless communication units 10 and 20 of the change of the channel used. The wireless communication units 10 and 20 set other channels other than the notified used channel as channels used for wireless communication. The control unit (not shown) described above is realized by a functional unit other than the application processor 50 in the wireless communication device 100, and controls the entire function as a wireless LAN access point.

The reception invalidation unit 40 invalidates the reception of the radio signal by the second radio reception unit 30 under a predetermined condition. In other words, the reception invalidation unit 40 invalidates the reception of the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the second antenna 93, which will be described later, under predetermined conditions. A specific method for disabling the radio signal and conditions for executing the disabling will be described later.

The application processor 50 provides an additional function to the function as a wireless LAN access point provided by the wireless communication device 100. For example, a function for realizing a user interface such as creating a menu screen to be displayed on a display unit (not shown), a function as a Web server, and the like are realized.

The first antenna 91 is electrically connected to the wireless communication unit 10 and transmits / receives radio waves for wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 10. The first antenna 92 is electrically connected to the wireless communication unit 20 and transmits / receives radio waves for wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 20. The second antenna 93 is electrically connected to the second radio receiving unit 30, and for receiving the radio signal by the second radio receiving unit 30, the radio wave is received out of the radio wave transmission and the radio wave reception. I do.

In this embodiment, the first antenna 91 and the first antenna 92 are used to realize MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output). That is, in the wireless communication device 100, the communication speed can be improved by simultaneously outputting radio signals based on different data from the first antennas 91 and 92, respectively. Further, each of the wireless communication units 10 and 20 executes wireless communication by half-duplex communication. Therefore, for example, in the wireless communication unit 10, the reception of the wireless signal by the wireless transmission unit 11 via the first antenna 91 and the reception of the wireless signal by the first wireless reception unit 12 via the first antenna 91 are short. It is executed while switching during the time.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the wireless communication device 100. FIG. 2 shows a specific device configuration of other functional units other than the application processor 50, unlike FIG. 1.

The wireless communication device 100 includes two transmission / reception changeover switches 103 and 203, two amplifiers 101 and 201, two low noise amplifiers 102 and 202, and a first baseband processor (hereinafter referred to as “first BB processor”) 150. The second baseband processor (hereinafter referred to as "second BB processor") 160, the OR circuit 61, the NOT circuit 62, the first conductor 41, the second conductor 42, the third conductor 43, and the second conductor. It includes a 1-switch circuit 44, a second switch circuit 45, and the above-mentioned three antennas 91-93.

The transmission / reception changeover switch 103 selectively switches the connection destination of the first antenna 91 to either the amplifier 101 or the low noise amplifier 102. Similarly, the transmission / reception changeover switch 203 selectively switches the connection destination of the first antenna 92 to either the amplifier 201 or the low noise amplifier 202. The transmission / reception changeover switches 103 and 203 are connected to the first BB processor 150 by a conductor (not shown). The switching of the connection destinations of the transmission / reception changeover switches 103 and 203 is executed according to the instruction from the first BB processor 150.

The amplifier 101 corresponds to a so-called high frequency power amplifier. The amplifier 101 is electrically connected to the first BB processor 150 and the transmission / reception changeover switch 103, amplifies the radio signal output from the first BB processor 150, and outputs the radio signal to the transmission / reception changeover switch 103. The amplifier 101 amplifies the radio signal when it receives the enable signal output by the transmission control unit 152, which will be described later. In other words, the enable signal can be said to be a signal for the transmission control unit 152, which will be described later, to instruct the amplifier 101 to perform an amplification operation. Similarly, the amplifier 201 also corresponds to a power amplifier, is electrically connected to the first BB processor 150 and the transmission / reception changeover switch 203, amplifies the radio signal output from the first BB processor 150, and outputs the radio signal to the transmission / reception changeover switch 203. To do. The amplifier 201 amplifies the radio signal when it receives the enable signal output by the transmission control unit 156, which will be described later.

The low noise amplifier 102 is electrically connected to the transmission / reception changeover switch 103 and the first BB processor 150, and among the wireless signals received via the first antenna 91, the signal of a predetermined frequency band is amplified and the first BB processor Output to 150. Similarly, the low noise amplifier 202 is electrically connected to the transmission / reception changeover switch 203 and the first BB processor 150, and amplifies a signal in a predetermined frequency band among the radio signals received via the first antenna 92. Output to the first BB processor 150.

The first BB processor 150 executes a control program stored in advance in a memory (not shown) to execute a signal output unit 151, a transmission control unit 152, a reception control unit 153, a signal output unit 155, a transmission control unit 156, and a reception unit. Each functions as a control unit 157. The signal output unit 151 outputs the data to be transmitted as an analog signal. The transmission control unit 152 amplifies the output signal from the signal output unit 151 using the amplifier 101 and outputs it from the first antenna 91. At this time, the transmission control unit 152 instructs the amplifier 101 to amplify the signal by transmitting the enable signal to the amplifier 101. The reception control unit 153 controls the reception of the radio signal via the first antenna 91. Specifically, when the reception control unit 153 intends to receive a radio signal via the first antenna 91, the reception control unit 153 transmits an enable signal to the low noise amplifier 102 and amplifies the radio signal received from the first antenna 91. Let me. The reception control unit 153 that has received the amplified radio signal filters the radio signal in a predetermined frequency band. Since the signal output unit 155 has the same function as the signal output unit 151 described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the transmission control unit 156 has the same function as the transmission control unit 152 described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the reception control unit 157 has the same function as the reception control unit 153 described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted. The transmission control unit 152 and the amplifier 101 correspond to the above-mentioned wireless transmission unit 11. Further, the reception control unit 153 and the low noise amplifier 102 are connected to the above-mentioned first wireless reception unit 12, the transmission control unit 156 and the amplifier 201 are connected to the above-mentioned wireless transmission unit 21, and the reception control unit 157 and the low noise amplifier 202 are described above. Corresponds to the first radio receiving unit 22 of the above.

The second BB processor 160 functions as the above-mentioned second radio receiving unit 30 by executing a control program stored in advance in a memory (not shown).

The input terminal of the OR circuit 61 is electrically connected to a lead wire between the first BB processor 150 and the amplifier 101, and a lead wire between the first BB processor 150 and the amplifier 201. Therefore, the OR circuit 61 inputs an enable signal transmitted from the first BB processor 150 to the amplifier 101, in other words, an enable signal output from the transmission control unit 152. Similarly, the OR circuit 61 inputs an enable signal transmitted from the first BB processor 150 to the amplifier 201, in other words, an enable signal output from the transmission control unit 156. Therefore, the output signal from the OR circuit 61 becomes HI when at least one of the transmission control unit 152 and the transmission control unit 156 is transmitting the enable signal, and the transmission control unit 152 and the transmission control unit 156 If neither of them transmits an enable signal, the result is LO. The output terminal of the OR circuit 61 is electrically connected to the NOT circuit 62, the first switch circuit 44, and the second switch circuit 45. The enable signal transmitted from the first BB processor 150 to the two amplifiers 101 and 201 corresponds to a subordinate concept of the transmission execution signal in the means column for solving the problem. Further, the HI signal output from the OR circuit 61 corresponds to a subordinate concept of the invalidation execution signal in the means column for solving the problem.

The input terminal of the NOT circuit 62 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the OR circuit 61. Therefore, when at least one of the transmission control unit 152 and the transmission control unit 156 is transmitting the enable signal, the result is LO, and neither the transmission control unit 152 nor the transmission control unit 156 is transmitting the enable signal. In that case, it becomes HI. The output terminal of the NOT circuit 62 is electrically connected to the first switch circuit 44 and the second switch circuit 45.

The first conductor 41 is a conductor for connecting the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiving unit 30) to the second antenna 93. In the present embodiment, the first conductor 41 electrically connects the first switch circuit 44 and the second switch circuit 45. The second conductor 42 is a conductor for electrically connecting the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiving unit 30) to the first terminating resistor 401. The third conductor 43 is a conductor for electrically connecting the second antenna 93 to the second terminating resistor 402. The two terminating resistors 401 and 402 have a terminating function instead of an antenna, and are a non-inductive resistor (a resistor devised so as not to have L or C property even at high frequencies) and a dummy load (pseudo load, It is composed of a pseudo load resistor).

The first switch circuit 44 is electrically connected to the second BB processor 160 via the low noise amplifier 31. Further, the first switch circuit 44 is electrically connected to the first conductor 41 and the second conductor 42. The first switch circuit 44 selectively connects the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiving unit 30) to either the first conductor 41 or the second conductor 42. Further, the first switch circuit 44 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the OR circuit 61 and the output terminal of the NOT circuit 62, respectively, and switches the above-mentioned connection state based on the signals input from these. .. Specifically, in the first switch circuit 44, when the input signal from the OR circuit 61 is LO and the input signal from the NOT circuit 62 is HI, the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiver) 30) is connected to the first conductor 41. Further, the first switch circuit 44 uses the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiver 30) when the input signal from the OR circuit 61 is HI and the input signal from the NOT circuit 62 is LO. Connect to the second conductor 42. The first switch circuit 44 is connected to the OR circuit 61 and the NOT circuit 62, respectively, in the connection state between the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiver 30) and the first conductor 41, and the second BB processor 160. This is to ensure that the connection state between the (second radio receiving unit 30) and the second conducting wire 42 is switched.

The second switch circuit 45 is electrically connected to the second antenna 93, the first conductor 41, and the third conductor 43, and the second antenna 93 is connected to the first conductor 41 and the third conductor 43. Selectively connect to one of them. Further, the second switch circuit 45 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the OR circuit 61 and the output terminal of the NOT circuit 62, respectively, like the first switch circuit 44, and the signals input from these are connected to each other. The above connection state is switched based on. Specifically, similarly to the first switch circuit 44, the second switch circuit 45 is the first when the input signal from the OR circuit 61 is LO and the input signal from the NOT circuit 62 is HI. 2 The antenna 93 is connected to the first lead wire 41. Further, the second switch circuit 45 connects the second antenna 93 to the third conductor 43 when the input signal from the OR circuit 61 is HI and the input signal from the NOT circuit 62 is LO. The reason why the second switch circuit 45 is connected to the OR circuit 61 and the NOT circuit 62, respectively, is the same as the reason in the first switch circuit 44 described above.

In FIG. 2, the first switch circuit 44 connects the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiving unit 30) and the first conducting wire 41 via the low noise amplifier 31. Further, the second switch circuit 45 electrically connects the second antenna 93 and the first conducting wire 41. Therefore, in the state of FIG. 2, the radio signal received by the second antenna 93 is input to the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiving unit 30).

A2. Operation at the time of transmission:
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of the wireless communication device 100 at the time of transmitting a wireless signal. When transmitting a wireless signal from the wireless transmission unit 11 and the wireless transmission unit 21, in the wireless transmission unit 11, the transmission control unit 152 outputs the enable signal S1 to the amplifier 101, and the amplifier 101 is output from the signal output unit 151. Amplifies the signal. Then, the amplified radio signal is output from the first antenna 91. At the same time, in the wireless transmission unit 21, the transmission control unit 156 outputs the enable signal S2 to the amplifier 201, and the amplifier 201 amplifies the signal output from the signal output unit 155. Then, the amplified radio signal is output from the first antenna 92.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the enable signal S1 output from the transmission control unit 152 and the enable signal S2 output from the transmission control unit 156 are simultaneously input to the OR circuit 61. Therefore, the output signal S10 from the OR circuit 61 becomes HI and is input to the two switch circuits 44 and 45. Further, the NOT circuit 62 that inputs the output signal S10 outputs the LO output signal S11. Therefore, the LO output signal S11 is input from the NOT circuit 62 to the two switch circuits 44 and 45. Therefore, the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiver 30) is connected to the second conductor 42 via the low noise amplifier 31, and further, the first terminating resistor 401 via the low noise amplifier 31 and the second conductor 42. Will be connected to. Therefore, when transmitting a wireless signal from the wireless transmitting unit 11 and the wireless transmitting unit 21, the second wireless receiving unit 30 is not electrically connected to the second antenna 93 and is based on the radio wave received by the second antenna 93. Does not receive radio signals. In this way, reception of the radio signals output from the first antenna 91 and the first antenna 92 via the second antenna 93 is suppressed. At this time, the second antenna 93 is connected to the third conductor 43, and further connected to the second terminating resistor 402 via the third conductor 43. Therefore, the radio signal received by the second antenna 93 is absorbed by the second terminating resistor 402, and the "output of the reflected wave from the second antenna 93 to the outside", which is a concern when the wire is simply disconnected, is suppressed. ..

A3. Operation when receiving:
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of the wireless communication device 100 when receiving a wireless signal. When the first radio receiving unit 12 and the first radio receiving unit 22 receive the radio signal, the reception control unit 153 in the first radio receiving unit 12 makes the enable signal (enable signal S3) for enabling the amplification function low noise. Output to the amplifier 102, the low noise amplifier 102 amplifies the radio signal received via the first antenna 91 and outputs it to the first BB processor 150. At the same time, in the first radio reception unit 22, the reception control unit 157 outputs the enable signal S4 to the low noise amplifier 202, and the low noise amplifier 202 amplifies the radio signal received via the first antenna 92 and the first BB processor 150. Output to.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the above-mentioned enable signals S1 and S2 are not transmitted from the transmission control unit 152 and the transmission control unit 156. Therefore, the output signal S20 from the OR circuit 61 becomes LO and is input to the two switch circuits 44 and 45. Further, the NOT circuit 62 that inputs the LO output signal S20 outputs the HI output signal S21. Therefore, the HI output signal S21 is input from the NOT circuit 62 to the two switch circuits 44 and 45. Therefore, the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiving unit 30) is connected to the first conductor 41 via the low noise amplifier 31, and the second antenna 93 is connected to the first conductor 41. That is, the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiving unit 30) and the second antenna 93 are electrically connected. Therefore, when the first radio receiving unit 12 and the first radio receiving unit 22 receive the radio signal, the second radio receiving unit 30 receives the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the second antenna 93. At this time, since the radio transmission unit 11 and the radio transmission unit 21 do not transmit the radio signal, the radio signal output from the first antenna 91 and the first antenna 92 cannot be received via the second antenna 93. There is no. Therefore, the second radio receiving unit 30 can accurately receive and demodulate the radio signal via the second antenna 93.

According to the wireless communication device 100 of the first embodiment described above, the output signal (HI signal) of the OR circuit 61 generated based on the enable signals S1 and S2 is the reception invalidation unit 40 (the first switch circuit 44 and the first switch circuit 44). When input to the second switch circuit 45), reception of the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the second antenna 93 is invalidated, so that while the radio signals are being transmitted by the radio transmitters 11 and 21. In addition, the reception of the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the second antenna 93 can be invalidated. In other words, since the radio signal is received based on the radio wave received by the second antenna 93 while the radio transmission units 11 and 21 are not transmitting the radio signal, the reception accuracy of the radio signal by the second antenna 93 is lowered. Can be suppressed.

Further, since the reception disabling unit 40 inputs the output signal from the OR circuit 61, the second wireless communication unit of the two wireless transmission units 11 or 21 is in the second while the radio signal is being transmitted. The reception of the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the antenna 93 can be invalidated, and the deterioration of the reception accuracy of the radio signal by the second antenna 93 can be suppressed more reliably. Further, in the configuration of performing half-duplex communication, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reception accuracy of the radio signal by the second antenna 93.

Further, since the enable signals S1 and S2 input to the OR circuit 61 match the signals for the transmission control units 152 and 156 to instruct the amplifiers 101 and 201 to perform the amplification operation, they are separated from the enable signals S1 and S2. A dedicated configuration (dedicated function for signal output and dedicated wiring) for outputting a signal indicating that the wireless transmitters 11 and 12 are transmitting a wireless signal can be omitted, and the manufacturing cost of the wireless communication device 100 can be reduced. It can be suppressed.

Further, when the HI output signal output from the OR circuit 61 is input, the first switch circuit 44 is operated so that the second radio receiving unit 30 and the second conducting wire 42 are electrically connected. While the radio signal is being transmitted, the second radio receiving unit 30 can be electrically connected to the first terminating resistor 401, and the reception of the radio signal can be invalidated.

Further, when the HI output signal output from the OR circuit 61 is input, the second switch circuit 45 is operated so that the second antenna 93 and the third conductor 43 are electrically connected, so that the radio signal is obtained. Can be electrically connected to the second terminating resistor 402 while the second antenna 93 is being transmitted. Therefore, even if the radio waves output from the first antennas 91 and 92 are input to the second antenna 93, it is possible to suppress the reception of such radio waves by the second radio receiving unit 30. In addition, even if the radio wave output from the first antenna 92 is input to the second antenna 93, the energy of the input radio wave can be absorbed by the second terminating resistor 402, and there is concern if the wire is simply disconnected. The output of the reflected wave from the second antenna 93 to the outside can be suppressed.

Further, since the second wireless receiving unit 30 receives the wireless signal using the second antenna 93 for confirming the surrounding wireless communication environment for the wireless communication by the wireless communication units 10 and 20, such wireless communication. You can check the environment accurately.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the wireless communication device 100a of the second embodiment. The first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in that the wireless communication device 100a of the second embodiment includes a second conductor 47 instead of the second conductor 42 and a third conductor 48 instead of the third conductor 43. It is different from the wireless communication device 100 of the form. Since the other configurations of the wireless communication device 100a of the second embodiment are the same as those of the wireless communication device 100 of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. ..

As shown in FIG. 5, both the second conductor 47 and the third conductor 48 are electrically connected to the attenuator 300. Then, a conductive path in which the second conductor 47, the attenuator 300, and the third conductor 48 are arranged in this order is configured. The attenuator 300 attenuates the input signal. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the attenuator 300 attenuates the radio waves received by the second antenna 93 to a degree that cannot be demodulated. The degree of attenuation is not limited to a degree that cannot be demodulated, and may be an arbitrary degree that can suppress a decrease in reception accuracy.

When the first radio receiving unit 12 and the first radio receiving unit 22 receive the radio signal, as shown in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, the first switch circuit 44 receives the LO output signal from the OR circuit 61. S20 and the HI output signal S21 from the NOT circuit 62 are input. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the first switch circuit 44 connects the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiving unit 30) and the first conducting wire 41. At the same time, the second switch circuit 45 connects the second antenna 93 and the first conductor 41. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the second radio receiving unit 30 receives the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the second antenna 93.

On the other hand, when a wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless transmission unit 11 and the wireless transmission unit 21, the HI output from the OR circuit 61 is output to the first switch circuit 44 as shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. The signal S10 and the LO output signal S11 from the NOT circuit 62 are input. Therefore, the first switch circuit 44 connects the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiving unit 30) and the second conducting wire 47. Further, the second switch circuit 45 connects the second antenna 93 and the third conductor 48. Therefore, the second antenna 93 and the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiving unit 30) are electrically connected via the attenuator 300. However, since the radio signal received by the second antenna 93 is attenuated by the attenuator 300 and input to the second radio receiving unit 30, the surrounding radio is compared with the case where the attenuator 300 is absent and is received without being attenuated. The impact on the confirmation of the communication environment is small. Therefore, even in the wireless communication device 100a of the second embodiment, the second wireless receiving unit 30 can accurately receive and demodulate the wireless signal via the second antenna 93.

The wireless communication device 100a of the second embodiment described above has the same effect as the wireless communication device 100 of the first embodiment. As can be understood from the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the radio wave received by the second antenna 93 is not received by the second radio receiving unit 30, or the radio wave received by the second antenna 93 is attenuated. Receiving by the second radio receiving unit 30 corresponds to the subordinate concept of "invalidating the reception of the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the second antenna" in the means column for solving the problem.

C. Third Embodiment:
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the wireless communication device 100b according to the third embodiment. The wireless communication device 100b of the third embodiment is different from the wireless communication device 100a of the second embodiment in that the low noise amplifier 49 is provided instead of the low noise amplifier 31. Since the other configurations of the wireless communication device 100b of the third embodiment are the same as those of the wireless communication device 100b of the second embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. ..

The wireless communication device 100b of the third embodiment having such a configuration has the same effect as the wireless communication device 100a of the second embodiment.

D. Fourth Embodiment:
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the wireless communication device 100c according to the third embodiment. The wireless communication device 100c of the fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. 2 in that it includes a reception invalidation unit 40a instead of the reception invalidation unit 40 and that the two terminating resistors 401 and 402 are omitted. It is different from the wireless communication device 100 of one embodiment. Since the other configurations of the wireless communication device 100c of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the wireless communication device 100 of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. ..

The reception disabling unit 40a of the fourth embodiment is composed of only the low noise amplifier 31. The output signals S11 and S21 output from the NOT circuit 62 are both input to the low noise amplifier 31 as enable signals.

As described with reference to FIG. 3, when transmitting the radio signal, the output signal S10 from the OR circuit 61 is input to the NOT circuit 62, so that the NOT circuit 62 outputs the LO output signal S11 to the low noise amplifier 31. To do. Therefore, in this case, since the low noise amplifier 31 does not amplify, the signal received by the second antenna 93 is not received as a valid signal by the second radio receiving unit 30.

On the other hand, as described with reference to FIG. 4, when the radio signal is received, the output signal S20 from the OR circuit 61 is input to the NOT circuit 62, so that the NOT circuit 62 receives the HI output signal S21. Output to the low noise amplifier 31. Therefore, in this case, the low noise amplifier 31 executes amplification, and the signal received by the second antenna 93 is received as a valid signal by the second radio receiving unit 30.

The wireless communication device 100c of the fourth embodiment having the above configuration has the same effect as the wireless communication device 100 of the first embodiment. In addition, since the reception invalidation unit 40a can be realized with a simple configuration, the manufacturing cost of the wireless communication device 100c can be suppressed.

E. Modification example:
E1. Modification 1:
The wireless communication devices 100 and 100a of each embodiment include two wireless communication units 10 and 20, but may include one wireless communication device or any number of three or more wireless communication units. .. In the configuration including one wireless communication device, the OR circuit 61 may be omitted and the enable signal may be input to the switch circuits 44 and 45, respectively.

E2. Modification 2:
In each embodiment, the signals input to the OR circuit 61 are the enable signals S1 and S2, but wireless communication by the wireless transmitters 11 and 21 in place of or in addition to these signals. Any signal indicating that the transmission of is being performed may be input to the OR circuit 61.

E3. Modification 3:
The detailed configuration of the first switch circuit 44 and the second switch circuit 45 is not limited to the configuration of each embodiment. For example, in the first embodiment, when transmitting a wireless signal from the wireless transmission unit 11 and the wireless transmission unit 21, the second antenna 93 and the second BB processor 160 (second wireless reception unit 30) are electrically isolated. , Arbitrary configuration in which the second antenna 93 and the second BB processor 160 (second wireless receiver 30) can be electrically connected when the first wireless receiver 12 and the first wireless receiver 22 receive a wireless signal. May be adopted. Further, in the second embodiment, when the wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless transmission unit 11 and the wireless transmission unit 21, the second antenna 93 and the second BB processor 160 (second wireless reception unit 30) are connected to the attenuator 300 via the attenuator 300. When the first radio receiving unit 12 and the first radio receiving unit 22 are electrically connected and receive a radio signal, the second antenna 93 and the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiving unit 30) are connected via an attenuator 300. Any configuration that can be electrically connected without using it may be adopted.

E4. Modification 4:
In the first embodiment, the third conductor 43 and the second switch circuit 45 may be omitted. That is, the second antenna 93 and the first conducting wire 41 may be connected electrically at all times. Also in this configuration, when transmitting a wireless signal from the wireless transmission unit 11 and the wireless transmission unit 21, the second BB processor 160 (second wireless reception unit 30) is transmitted by the first switch circuit 44 via the second conductor 42. When connected to the first termination resistor 401 and the first radio receiving unit 12 and the first radio receiving unit 22 receive the radio signal, the first switch circuit 44 causes the second BB processor 160 (second radio receiving unit). 30) can be connected to the second antenna 93 via the first conductor 41, and has the same effect as the wireless communication device 100 of the first embodiment.

E5. Modification 5:
In each embodiment, the second wireless receiving unit 30 receives a wireless signal using the second antenna 93 for confirming the wireless communication environment around the wireless communication devices 100 and 100a. Not limited to this. For example, as a result of negotiation of the communication mode with the communication partner in MIMO, when the wireless communication devices 100 and 100a are 2x2 and the other party is 3x3, the communication mode in the wireless communication devices 100 and 100a is changed to 2x3. The radio signal may be received using the second antenna 93 in order to modify and support demodulation. Even with such a configuration, for example, when the wireless transmission units 11 and 21 do not output the wireless signal as in the first embodiment, the wireless signal is received via the second antenna 93. As a result, the same effect as that of the wireless communication device 100 of the first embodiment is obtained. Further, for example, by performing the same operation as that of the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the wireless communication device 100a of the second embodiment can be obtained.

E6. Modification 6:
In each embodiment, the two wireless communication units 10 and 20 both perform wireless communication using the 2.4 GHz band frequency band specified in IEEE802.11n, but instead of the 2.4 GHz band, Wireless communication may be performed using any other frequency band, for example, a frequency band of 5 GHz. Further, wireless communication using a plurality of frequency bands may be performed. For example, the wireless transmission unit 11 may use the frequency band of the 2.4 GHz band, and the wireless transmission unit 21 may use the frequency band of the 5 GHz band. When performing wireless communication using a plurality of frequency bands in this way, it is necessary to provide one second wireless receiving unit 30 for each frequency band. For example, as described above, when the radio transmission unit 11 uses the frequency band of the 2.4 GHz band and the radio transmission unit 21 uses the frequency band of the 5 GHz band, the second radio for the frequency band of the 2.4 GHz band It is necessary to provide a total of two second radio receiving units 30, a receiving unit 30 and a second radio receiving unit 30 for the frequency band of the 5 GHz band.

E7. Modification 7:
In each embodiment, the wireless communication devices 100 and 100a function as wireless LAN access point devices, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may function as an arbitrary device that performs wireless communication, such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a mobile phone terminal.

E8. Modification 8:
In the first embodiment, the first terminating resistor 401 and the second terminating resistor 402 are both provided by the wireless communication device 100, but may be configured not to be provided by the wireless communication device 100. Even in this case, by connecting the second conductor 42 and the third conductor 43 to a terminating resistor prepared separately from the wireless communication device 100, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. ..

E9. Modification 9:
In each embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by the hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by the software may be replaced with hardware. Further, when a part or all of the functions of the present invention are realized by software, the software (computer program) can be provided in a form stored in a computer-readable recording / printing medium. As "hardware", for example, an integrated circuit, a discrete circuit, or a module in which these circuits are combined can be used. The "computer-readable recording / printing medium" is not limited to a portable recording / printing medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, but also an internal storage device in a computer such as various RAMs or ROMs, or a computer such as a hard disk. It also includes an external storage device that is fixed to. That is, the "computer-readable recording / printing medium" has a broad meaning including any recording / printing medium in which data can be fixed rather than temporarily.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can be realized with various configurations within a range not deviating from the gist thereof. For example, the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each of the embodiments described in the column of the outline of the invention, the technical features in the modified examples are used to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems, or the above-mentioned above. It is possible to replace or combine them as appropriate to achieve some or all of the effects. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

10 ... Wireless communication unit 11 ... Wireless transmission unit 12 ... 1st wireless reception unit 20 ... Wireless communication unit 21 ... Wireless transmission unit 22 ... 1st wireless reception unit 30 ... 2nd wireless reception unit 31 ... Low noise amplifier 40 ... Reception invalidation Part 41 ... 1st lead wire 42 ... 2nd lead wire 43 ... 3rd lead wire 44 ... 1st switch circuit 45 ... 2nd switch circuit 47 ... 2nd lead wire 48 ... 3rd lead wire 50 ... Application processor 61 ... OR circuit 62 ... NOT circuit 91 ... 1st antenna 92 ... 1st antenna 93 ... 2nd antenna 100 ... Wireless communication device 100a ... Wireless communication device 100b ... Wireless communication device 100c ... Wireless communication device 101 ... Amplifier 102 ... Low noise amplifier 103 ... Transmission / reception changeover switch 150 ... No. 1 baseband processor (1st BB processor)
151 ... Signal output unit 152 ... Transmission control unit 153 ... Reception control unit 155 ... Signal output unit 156 ... Transmission control unit 157 ... Reception control unit 160 ... Second baseband processor (second BB processor)
201 ... Amplifier 202 ... Low noise amplifier 203 ... Transmission / reception selector switch 300 ... First termination resistor 402 ... Second terminating resistor S1 ... Enable signal S10 ... Output signal S11 ... Output signal S2 ... Enable signal S20 ... Output signal S21 ... Output Signal S3 ... Enable signal S4 ... Enable signal

Claims (6)

It ’s a wireless communication device,
It is one or more wireless communication units having a wireless transmission unit and a first wireless reception unit, and when the wireless signal is transmitted by the wireless transmission unit, it indicates that the transmission is performed. A wireless communication unit that outputs a transmission execution signal,
One or more first antennas that transmit and receive radio waves for wireless communication by the wireless communication unit, and
Of the radio signal transmission and the radio signal reception, the second radio receiver that receives the radio signal and
In order to receive the radio signal by the second radio receiver, the second antenna that receives the radio wave among the transmission of the radio wave and the reception of the radio wave and
When the transmission execution signal or the invalidation execution signal generated based on the transmission execution signal is input, the reception invalidation unit that invalidates the reception of the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the second antenna, and the reception invalidation unit.
Equipped with a,
With the plurality of wireless communication units
An OR circuit that inputs the transmission execution signal output by each of the plurality of wireless communication units and outputs the invalidation execution signal.
Further prepare
The reception invalidation unit inputs the invalidation execution signal output from the OR circuit.
Wireless communication device. It ’s a wireless communication device,
It is one or more wireless communication units having a wireless transmission unit and a first wireless reception unit, and when the wireless signal is transmitted by the wireless transmission unit, it indicates that the transmission is performed. A wireless communication unit that outputs a transmission execution signal,
One or more first antennas that transmit and receive radio waves for wireless communication by the wireless communication unit, and
Of the radio signal transmission and the radio signal reception, the second radio receiver that receives the radio signal and
In order to receive the radio signal by the second radio receiver, the second antenna that receives the radio wave among the transmission of the radio wave and the reception of the radio wave and
When the transmission execution signal or the invalidation execution signal generated based on the transmission execution signal is input, the reception invalidation unit that invalidates the reception of the radio signal based on the radio wave received by the second antenna, and the reception invalidation unit.
Equipped with a,
The reception invalidation unit
A first conductor for electrically connecting the second radio receiver to the second antenna,
A second conductor for electrically connecting the second radio receiver to the first terminating resistor,
A first switch circuit for selectively connecting the second radio receiver to either the first conductor or the second conductor.
When the invalidation execution signal is input, the first switch circuit is operated so that the second radio receiving unit and the second conducting wire are electrically connected to each other.
Wireless communication device. In the wireless communication device according to claim 2,
The reception invalidation unit
A third conductor for electrically connecting the second antenna to the second terminating resistor,
A second switch circuit for selectively connecting the second antenna to any one of the first conductor and the third conductor.
The second switch circuit is operated so that the second antenna and the third conductor are electrically connected when the invalidation execution signal is input.
Wireless communication device. In the wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The wireless communication unit executes wireless communication by half-duplex communication.
Wireless communication device. In the wireless communication device according to claim 4,
The wireless transmission unit includes a signal output unit, an amplifier that amplifies an output signal from the signal output unit, and a transmission control unit that instructs an amplification operation by the amplifier.
The transmission execution signal coincides with a signal for the transmission control unit to instruct the amplifier to perform the amplification operation.
Wireless communication device. In the wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The second wireless receiving unit receives a wireless signal using the second antenna in order to confirm the surrounding wireless communication environment for wireless communication by the wireless communication unit.
Wireless communication device.

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