JPH08274699A - Reception equipment for satellite and moving body communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To direct an array antenna toward the coming direction of a radio wave from a satellite with a high follow up ability by outputting control signals, which don't change the extents of phase shift to phases of carriers of modulated carrier signal, as plural variable phase shifter control signals indicating the directed direction of the array antenna. CONSTITUTION: First or second modulated carrier signals based on the radio wave of the modulated carrier signal from a satellite are outputted from m antenna elements A1 , A2 ...Am respectively and are outputted to a synthesizing circuit M through variable phase shifters P1 , P2 ...Pm . This circuit M synthesizes third or fourth modulated carrier signals from variable phase shifters P1 to Pm to output a composite modulation carrier signal. At this time, control signals which don't change the extents of phase shift to phases of carriers of first or second modulated carrier signals are outputted as m variable phase shifter control signals indicating the directed direction of the array antenna.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention receives radio waves of a modulated carrier signal from a satellite, in which the frequency or phase of the carrier is modulated by a signal to be communicated, on a mobile body, and The present invention relates to a satellite / mobile communication system receiving device mounted on a mobile body, which outputs a modulated carrier wave signal based on a modulated carrier wave signal from a satellite.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a mobile communication system receiving apparatus described below with reference to FIG. 3 has been proposed.

That is, a plurality of m antenna elements A ₁ and A _{2 which} receive a radio wave of a modulated carrier signal having a mode in which the frequency or phase of a carrier wave is modulated by a signal to be communicated from a satellite. ......... with the a _m.

In this case, a plurality of m antenna elements A ₁ ,
A ₂ ......... A _m is on both mobile, so as to constitute an array antenna AA, are arranged while maintaining appropriate intervals.

In addition, a plurality of antenna elements A₁, A₂
……… A_mFrom a plurality m of antenna elements A₁,
A₂……… A_mThey are output as the output of
Multiple meters based on the received modulated carrier wave
Number of modulated carrier signals SA₁ , SA₂……… SA_mEnter
Force and shift the phase of those carriers respectively
m known variable phase shifters P₁, P₂……… P_m
Having.

Further, a plurality of m variable phase shifters P ₁ and P _{2 are provided.}
………… A combination of a plurality of m modulated carrier signals SP ₁ , SP ₂ output from P _m , ... SP _m, and outputs the combined signal as a combined modulated carrier signal SM. It has a circuit M.

Further, a plurality of m variable phase shifters P ₁ , P _2, ...
.. .. .. _{m m} modulated carrier signals SP ₁ , SP ₂ .. .. SP _m respectively inputted and outputted from the synthesizing circuit M.
, And variable m phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ...
... respectively of the plurality of m modulated carrier signal SP _1, SP ₂ ......... SP _m of carrier phases to be outputted from the P _m, the carrier of the composite modulated carrier signal SM output from the combining circuit M The difference from the phase is detected as a plurality m of phase difference detection signals SC ₁ , SC ₂ ... SC _m , respectively, and a plurality of m phase difference detection signals SC ₁ , SC ₂ ...
...... it has a plurality of m phase difference detecting circuit C _1, C ₂ ......... C _m to output the SC _m.

Further, a plurality of m phase difference detection circuits C ₁ ,
C ₂ to enter ......... C plurality of m phase difference detection signal SC ₁ respectively output from the _m, SC ₂ ......... SC _m, they also Ki not a preparative, a plurality of m variable phase shifter control Signal SH ₁ ,
Generates SH ₂ ......... SH _m, a plurality of m variable phase shifter control signal _{SH 1, SH 2 ......... SH m} , more m-number of variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... It has a variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit H for outputting to each P _m .

In this case, the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit H
Is a plurality of m phase difference detection signals SC ₁ , SC ₂ , ...
SC _m are respectively input, and the m noise-removed signals from the _m phase difference detection signals SC ₁ , SC ₂ , ...
Multiple m variable phase shifter control signals SH ₁ , SH ₂ , ...
A plurality of m low-pass filters F _1, F ₂ generated as respectively signal SH _m, having ......... F _m. A plurality of m variable phase shifter control signals SH ₁ , SH ₂ ... SH
_m is a plurality of m variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ...
P _m output to each of the m variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ... P _m , the _m modulated carrier signals SA ₁ and S respectively input to them.
A ₂ ......... SA amount of phase shift relative to the phase of the carrier wave of _m, a plurality of m phase difference detecting circuit C _1, C ₂ ......... plurality of m phase difference detection signal SC ₁ which is output from C _m , SC
₂ ......... SC _m is generated as a mutually equal appointment, for example, each signal for controlled to be zero value.

The above is the configuration of the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiver.

According to the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiving apparatus having such a configuration, it is mounted on a moving body, and a plurality of m antennas are mounted while the moving body is stopped. all elements a ₁ to a _m is the wave of the modulated carrier signal from a satellite are received at the direct optimum state or a state close thereto, in the state that a plurality of m variable phase shifter P ₁ , P ₂ ....., in P _m , a plurality of m antenna elements A ₁ and A ₂ which are respectively input to them.
The phase shift amount with respect to a plurality of m modulated carrier signal SA _1, SA ₂ ......... SA _m of the carrier phases to be outputted from the A _m, more m-number of the phase difference detecting circuit C _1, C ₂ ... …
... plurality of m phase difference detection signal SC _1, SC ₂ ......... SC _m respectively outputted from the C _m is mutually equal expected value, for example, so that the zero value or near the preset If used, a plurality of m variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ...
... _{m m} modulated carrier signals SP ₁ and SP ₂ output from P _m , respectively, and each of the carrier phases of SP _m , and these m modulated carrier signals SP ₁ and S 2.
P ₂ ..... The synthesized modulated carrier wave signal S of SP _m
The difference between the phase of the carrier wave of M and the phase of the carrier wave of M is respectively m phase difference detection signals SC ₁ , SC ₂ ... SC _m by _m phase difference detection circuits C ₁ , C ₂ ... And the plurality m of phase difference detection signals S detected
Based on C ₁ , SC ₂ ...... SC _m , a plurality of variable phase shifter control signals SH ₁ , SH ₂ ... SH _m output from the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit H , M of the variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ..... P _m , and _m of the modulated carrier signals SA ₁ and SA respectively inputted to them.
₂ ......... SA phase shift relative to the phase of the carrier wave of _m is, the plurality of m phase difference detecting circuit C _1, C ₂ ......... plurality of m phase difference detection signal SC ₁ which is output from C _m, SC ₂
......... Since the feedback loops for the combined circuit M are controlled such that SC _m are controlled so that they are equal to each other, for example, zero values, the moving body moves,
Array antenna A, even if its orientation changes with respect to the satellite
The directional azimuth of A (viewed from the reference line (direction) on the moving body) can be automatically tracked to the arrival azimuth of the radio wave from the satellite.

[0012] In this case, a plurality of m antenna elements A _1, A ₂ ......... A from _m, Telecommunications based on mutual agreement of the modulated carrier signal from a satellite plurality of m modulated carrier signal SA
₁ , SA ₂ ......... SA _m are output respectively, and
They, multiple of m variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... P _m
Are output to the synthesizing circuit M, and the synthesizing circuit M synthesizes the modulated carrier signals SP _{1 to} AP _m output from the variable phase shifters P _{1 to} P _m. , And the combined modulated carrier signal SM is output as the output of the satellite / mobile communication system receiver.
_{One of} a plurality of m antenna elements A _{1 to} A _m unless all of the antenna elements A ₁ , A ₂ ... A _m cannot receive the radio wave of the modulated carrier signal from the satellite. Or even if a plurality of antenna elements cannot receive the modulated carrier wave signal from the satellite instantaneously due to a radio wave obstacle, that is, even if the so-called momentary interruption of the electric wave occurs, the modulated carrier wave signal from the satellite Therefore, the modulated carrier signal can be output from the synthesizing circuit M as the output of the satellite / mobile communication system receiver.

[0013]

In the case of the conventional mobile communication system receiver shown in FIG. 3, in the variable phase shifter control signal generating circuit H, a plurality of m low-pass filters F ₁ , F ₂ , ...
... Using F _m , a plurality of m phase difference detection signals SC ₁ , S
A plurality of m signals for removing noises respectively associated therewith from C ₂ , ..... SC _m are changed to a plurality of m variable phase shifter control signals SH ₁ , SH ₂ , ..... SH _m because be generated as a signal composed of a plurality of m low-pass filters F _1, F _2, the more you narrow the bandwidth of ......... F _m, a plurality of m variable phase shifter control using Signal SH
_1, SH _2, the ......... SH _m, can be more of m phase difference detection signal SC _1, SC _2, obtained by those less of that influence of noise with the ......... SC _m.

However, a plurality of m variable phase shifters P are provided.
_1, P _2, ......... of P _m, more m-number of the modulated carrier signal SA _1, SA _2, the constant to reduce the minimum change amount of the phase shift amount with respect to the phase of the carrier wave of ......... SA _m Since there is a limit, it is thus possible to have a plurality of m variable phase shifters P ₁ ,
P ₂ , P _m , a plurality m of modulated carrier signals SA
_When the minimum change amount of the phase shift amount with respect to the phase of the carrier wave of ₁ , SA ₂ , ..., SA _m is relatively large, the array antenna A
Oriented direction of A, depending on the direction of change in the moving body, when the relatively large changes with respect to the arrival direction of a radio wave from a satellite, a plurality of m phase difference detecting circuit _{C 1, C 2, ......... C} m
M phase difference detection signals SC respectively obtained from
_{Since 1} , SC ₂ , ..., SC _m are obtained as those which change discontinuously, a plurality of m low-pass filters F ₁ , F ₂ ,
If the bandwidth of F _m is narrow, a plurality of m variable phase shifter control signals SH generated from the _m low pass filters F ₁ , F ₂ , ... ₁ , SH ₂ , ...
A plurality m signals as ...... SH _m to become signal, a plurality of m phase difference detection signal SC _1, SC _2, not obtained as faithfully changes discontinuous change in ......... SC _m Therefore, according to this, a plurality m of variable phase shifter control signals SH ₁ and SH generated by the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit H are generated.
_2, ......... SH _m is not obtained as a suitable control signal.

From the above, the conventional satellite shown in FIG.
The mobile communication system receiver has a drawback in that the directional azimuth of the array antenna AA has a certain limit in tracking the azimuth of arrival of radio waves from the satellite with high tracking.

Therefore, the present invention does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks.
It proposes a new satellite / mobile communication system receiver.

[0017]

A satellite / mobile communication system receiver according to the present invention is similar to the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiver shown in FIG. A plurality of m arranged so as to form an array antenna for receiving the electric wave of the modulated carrier signal having a mode in which the frequency or phase is modulated by the signal to be communicated.
And number of antenna elements _{A 1, A 2 ......... A m} , ( b) said plurality of m antenna elements A _1, A ₂ ......... plurality of m first modulated respectively outputted from the A _m A plurality of m variable phase shifters P ₁ and P ₂ for inputting a carrier signal or a plurality m of second modulated carrier signals respectively based on the carrier signals and respectively shifting the phases of the carrier waves are output. P
_m , and (c) the above m variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ...
... All or a part of the plurality m of the third modulated carrier signals output from P _m or the plurality m of the fourth modulated carrier signals respectively derived from them are input, and they are combined. A composite circuit that outputs the combined modulated carrier signal as an output of a satellite / mobile communication system receiver,
(D) said plurality of m variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... P _m
A plurality of m modulated third carrier signals respectively output from the above or a plurality of m modulated fourth carrier signals respectively based on them, and a combined modulated carrier output from the above combining circuit enter the signal together, said plurality of m variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... P _m multiple of m third modulated carrier signal or respectively to their original Nuisance respectively outputted from a plurality m The difference between each of the phases of the carrier waves of the fourth modulated carrier wave signals and the phase of the carrier wave of the combined modulated carrier wave signals output from the combining circuit is detected as a plurality of m phase difference detection signals. a plurality of m phase difference detecting circuit C _1, C ₂ ......... C _m for outputting the plurality of m phase difference detection signal, respectively,
(E) The plurality m of phase difference detection circuits C ₁ , C ₂ ...
A plurality of m phase difference detection signals respectively output from C _m are input, and based on them, a plurality of m phase shifter control signals representing the directional direction of the array antenna are generated, And a variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit for outputting the _m variable phase shifter control signals to the _m variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ...

However, in the satellite / mobile communication system receiver according to the present invention, in the satellite / mobile communication system receiver, the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit is
(F) (a) The plurality of m phase difference detection circuits C ₁ and C ₂
...... Using the plurality of m phase difference detection signals respectively output from C _m and the azimuths of the array antennas known by the control signal generating means described later, the azimuth of arrival of radio waves from the satellites is used. From the satellite estimated by the radio wave arrival direction / radio wave arrival direction change rate estimating means, and (b) the radio wave arrival direction / radio wave arrival direction change rate estimating means for sequentially estimating the radio wave arrival direction and the change rate thereof at scheduled intervals. Using the arrival direction of the radio wave and the rate of change thereof, the predicted arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite is sequentially predicted at the above-mentioned scheduled cycle by the radio wave arrival direction prediction means and (c) the control signal generation means described later. Using the directional azimuth of the known array antenna and the predicted azimuth of arrival of the radio wave from the satellite predicted by the radio wave azimuth azimuth predicting means, the difference between them is the scheduled cycle, as a tracking azimuth error, Sequential calculation And the tracking direction error calculation means that,
(D) Using the tracking azimuth error calculated by the tracking azimuth error calculating means, it is determined whether or not it exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
Determination means for sequentially determining at the scheduled cycle, (e) predicted arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite predicted by the radio wave arrival direction prediction means, and the tracking direction error calculation determined by the determination means And a determination result of whether or not the tracking direction error calculated by the means exceeds the predetermined threshold value, (i)
In the case where the determination result is in a state in which the tracking azimuth error indicates that the tracking azimuth error does not exceed the predetermined threshold value, the tracking azimuth error exceeds the predetermined threshold value. Multiple m variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ...
... The phase shift amount of P _m with respect to the phase of the plurality of m first or second modulated carrier signals is changed in such a direction that the tracking azimuth error does not exceed the predetermined threshold value. As can be obtained, a plurality of m control signals, each of which has the content of being sequentially changed at the above-mentioned predetermined cycle, are used as a plurality of m variable phase shifter control signals representing the directivity of the array antenna. As a result, the tracking azimuth error is generated from the state where the tracking azimuth error is sequentially generated at the scheduled cycle and is output, and (ii) the determination result indicates that the tracking azimuth error exceeds the scheduled threshold. In the case of a state indicating that the predetermined threshold is not exceeded, the m m first or second m phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ... P _m . The phase of the carrier wave of the modulated carrier signal A plurality of m control signals each having a content that the amount of phase shift is not sequentially changed are represented by a plurality of m representing the directivity of the array antenna.
The variable phase shifter control signal includes control signal output means for sequentially outputting the control signal at the predetermined cycle.

[0019]

According to the satellite / mobile communication system receiver of the present invention, the satellite / mobile communication system receiver is mounted on a mobile body as described in the case of the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiver shown in FIG. and, then, received in a state where the moving body is stopped, all of the plurality of m antenna elements a ₁ to a _m is the wave of the modulated carrier signal from a satellite directly in an optimal state or a state close thereto are waves, in a state that, in a plurality of m variable phase shifter _{P 1, P 2 ......... P m} , more m-number of antenna elements a ₁ to which they are respectively input, a ₂ .........
FIG. 3 shows the amount of phase shift with respect to the phase of the plurality of m first modulated carrier signals output from A _m or the plurality m of the second modulated carrier signals respectively derived from them. According to the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiver, the tracking azimuth error calculated by the tracking azimuth error calculating means of the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit does not exceed the predetermined threshold value. As described above, or if the determination result of the determination means is set in advance so that the tracking azimuth error calculated by the tracking azimuth error calculation means does not exceed the predetermined threshold, , Multiple m
Carriers of a plurality m of third modulated carrier signals output from the respective variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ..... P _m or a plurality m of a fourth modulated carrier signals thereof. And the phase of the carrier wave of the composite modulated carrier wave signal obtained by combining the plurality m of the third or fourth modulated carrier wave signals, the phase difference detecting circuits C
₁ , C ₂ ... C _m are respectively detected as a plurality of m phase difference detection signals, and based on the plurality of m phase difference detection signals, the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit outputs a plurality of m variable phase shifter control signal output, a plurality of m variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... P _m
Of the plurality of m first or second modulated carrier signals respectively inputted to them are calculated by the tracking azimuth error calculating means included in the variable phase shifter control signal generating circuit. The tracking azimuth error is such that the tracking azimuth error does not exceed the planned threshold value, or the judgment result of the judgment means indicates that the tracking azimuth error calculated by the tracking azimuth error calculation means does not exceed the planned threshold value. Since the feedback loop for the combined circuit that is controlled respectively so that the moving body moves, the moving body moves,
Even if the orientation changes with respect to the satellite, as in the case of the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiver shown in FIG. 3, the azimuth of the array antenna AA (as seen from the reference line (direction) on the mobile) It can automatically track the direction of arrival of radio waves from the satellite.

In this case, the conventional satellite shown in FIG.
As with the mobile communication system receiving apparatus, a plurality of m antenna elements _{A 1, A 2 ......... A m} , the modulated carrier signal from a satellite radio waves based on mutual agreement first or second to-be output modulated carrier signal, respectively, and they are, through variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... P _m, respectively, are outputted to the synthesis circuit and the synthesis circuit, which variable phase shifters The third or fourth modulated carrier signal output from P _{1 to} P _m is combined as a combined modulated carrier signal, and the combined modulated carrier signal is output as the output of the satellite / mobile communication system receiver. Therefore, as in the case of the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiver shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of m antenna elements A ₁ , A ₂ are moved by the movement of the mobile body.
………… Unless all A _m cannot receive the radio wave of the modulated carrier signal from the satellite, one or more of the _m antenna elements A _{1 to} A _m have an obstacle. Even if the radio wave of the modulated carrier wave signal from the satellite cannot be received instantaneously, that is, even if there is a momentary interruption of the radio wave, the modulated carrier wave signal based on the radio wave of the modulated carrier wave signal from the satellite is , From the synthesis circuit M,
It can be output as the output of the satellite / mobile communication system receiver.

However, in the case of the mobile communication system receiver according to the present invention, in the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit, a plurality of m phase difference detection circuits C ₁ are provided by the radio wave arrival direction / radio wave arrival direction change rate estimating means. , C ₂ , ……… C _m
Using a plurality of m phase difference detection signals from the above and the directivity of the array antenna known by the control signal generating means,
The arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite and its rate of change are estimated, and the arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite and its rate of change are estimated by the radio wave arrival direction prediction means to arrive at the radio wave from the satellite. Predicting the predicted azimuth, and the tracking azimuth error calculating means calculates the difference between the predicted azimuth of arrival of the radio wave from the satellite and the azimuth of the array antenna known by the control signal generating means. And the determination means determines whether or not the tracking heading error exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and the control signal generation means further determines that the tracking heading error does not exceed the predetermined threshold value. Did the state representing that exceeds the state indicates that, depending on whether became vice versa, a plurality of m variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... P _m
Of the plurality of m first or second modulated carrier signals with respect to the phase of the carrier wave, so that the tracking azimuth error is changed to a value not exceeding a predetermined threshold value. A plurality of m control signals, each of which has the content to be changed or not to be changed as such, are output as a plurality m of variable phase shifter control signals representing the directivity of the array antenna.

Then, a plurality of m phase difference detection circuits C ₁ are provided by the radio wave arrival direction / radio wave arrival direction change rate estimating means.
The arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite and its rate of change are calculated by using the plurality of m phase difference detection signals from C ₂ , ..., C _m and the directional direction of the array antenna known by the control signal generating means. In order to obtain the estimated arrival directions of the radio waves from the satellites and their rate of change as if they were not affected by the noise accompanying the m phase difference detection signals, in practice, The arrival direction of the radio wave from and the rate of change are obtained using a low-pass filter. Also,
When predicting the predicted arrival direction of a radio wave from a satellite by using the arrival direction of a radio wave from a satellite and its change rate estimated by the radio wave arrival direction / radio wave arrival direction change rate estimation means by the radio wave arrival direction prediction means However, in practice, the predicted arrival direction is obtained using the same low-pass filter used to estimate the estimated arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite and its rate of change. Therefore, the estimated radio wave arrival direction, its rate of change, and the narrower the bandwidth of the low-pass filter used to obtain the predicted radio wave arrival predicted direction, the more the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit The generated m variable phase shifter control signals can be obtained as being less affected by noise associated with the m phase difference detection signals.

By the way, in this case, as mentioned in the case of a conventional satellite-mobile communications system receiving apparatus shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of m variable phase shifter P _1, P _2, of ......... P _m Since there is a certain limit for reducing the minimum change amount of the phase shift amount with respect to the phase of the carrier of the plurality m of the first or second modulated carrier signals, the plurality m of variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ , ...
... When the minimum change amount of the phase shift amount with respect to the phase of the carrier of the plurality m of the first or second modulated carrier signals of P _m is relatively large, the pointing direction of the array antenna is a change, relatively large changes with respect to the arrival direction of a radio wave from a satellite, in response thereto, a plurality of m phase difference detecting circuit C _1, C _2, a plurality m of from ......... C _m
Even if each phase difference detection signal is obtained as a signal that changes discontinuously, the direction of arrival and the rate of change of the radio wave from the satellite obtained using the above low-pass filter, and the arrival prediction of the radio wave from the satellite Since the azimuth is obtained as if the azimuth changes only continuously, even if the low-pass filter used to obtain the arrival direction of the radio wave and its change rate and the expected arrival direction of the radio wave is narrow, the arrival direction of the radio wave And the rate of change thereof and the predicted arrival direction of the radio wave can be obtained almost unaffected by the bandwidth of the low-pass filter. Therefore, a plurality of m variable phase shifters generated by the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit can be obtained. The control signal can be obtained as a more appropriate control signal as compared with the case of the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiver shown in FIG.

From the above, in the satellite / mobile communication system receiver according to the present invention, the directivity of the array antenna is set to the arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite, and the conventional satellite shown in FIG.
Tracking can be performed with a high tracking property as compared with the case of a mobile communication system receiving device.

[0025]

[Embodiment 1] Next, referring to FIG.
A first embodiment of the mobile communication system receiver will be described.

In FIG. 1, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The satellite / mobile communication system receiver according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of m antenna elements A similar to those of the conventional mobile communication system receiver described above with reference to FIG.
_1, A ₂ ......... A _m and, similar to the variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ...
.. P _m , a similar synthesizing circuit M, a plurality of similar m phase difference detection circuits C ₁ , C ₂ ... C _m, and a similar variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit H.

However, in the case of the satellite / mobile communication system receiver according to the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the variable phase shifter control signal generating circuit H is (a) a plurality of m phase differences as shown in FIG. A plurality of m phase difference detection signals SC ₁ , SC ₂ , ..., respectively output from the detection circuits C ₁ , C _2, ..., C _m.
SC _m and the azimuth of the array antenna AA, which is known by the control signal generating means (e) described later, are used to determine the arrival azimuth of the radio wave from the satellite and its change rate at a predetermined cycle T. , A radio wave arrival direction / radio wave arrival direction change rate estimating means for sequentially estimating, and (b) a radio wave arrival direction from a satellite estimated by the radio wave arrival direction / radio wave arrival direction change rate estimating means of (a) and its direction. It is known by the radio wave arrival direction predicting means for sequentially predicting the arrival direction of the radio waves from the satellite at the scheduled period T by using the change rate, and (c) the control signal generating means of (e) described later. The difference between the directional azimuth of the array antenna AA and the predicted azimuth of arrival of the radio wave from the satellite predicted by the above-described radio wave arrival azimuth prediction unit (b) is calculated as a predetermined period T
Then, as the tracking azimuth error, the tracking azimuth error calculating unit that sequentially calculates, and (d) the tracking azimuth error calculated by the tracking azimuth error calculating unit of (c) described above is used, and it exceeds the predetermined threshold G. Whether or not there is a predetermined cycle, the determination means for sequentially determining, (e) the arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite predicted by the radio wave arrival direction prediction means of (b) described above, and (d) described above. And (i) the determination result of whether the tracking orientation error calculated by the tracking orientation error calculation means of (c) above exceeds a predetermined threshold value, which is determined by the determination means of From the state in which the tracking direction error of (c) described above does not exceed the planned threshold value, the state becomes that in which the tracking direction error of (c) described above exceeds the planned threshold value G. In this case, a plurality of m variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ... a plurality of m modulated carrier signal S _m
A ₁ , SA ₂ , ... SA _{m is} the amount of phase shift with respect to the phase of the carrier wave, and the tracking direction error in (c) above is a predetermined threshold G.
A plurality of m control signals, each of which has the content of being sequentially changed at a predetermined period T so as to be obtained by changing the obtained direction with a value that does not exceed, represent the directional direction of the array antenna AA. The plurality of variable phase shifter control signals SH ₁ , SH ₂ , ..., SH _m that are present are sequentially generated at a predetermined cycle T and are output, and (ii) the determination result of (e) described above. Indicates that the tracking direction error of (c) described above does not exceed the planned threshold value G from the state where the tracking direction error of (c) described above exceeds the planned threshold value G. If the state, a plurality of m variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... P multiple of m modulated carrier signal SA _1, SA ₂ of _m, move relative to the phase of the carrier of ......... SA _m Each has the content that the phase amount is not changed sequentially. A plurality of m control signals, a plurality of m variable phase shifter control signal SH _1, SH ₂ representing the directivity direction of the array antenna AA, as ......... SH _m, with a period T of the appointment, and outputs sequentially Control signal output means.

The above is the configuration of the embodiment of the satellite / mobile communication system receiving apparatus according to the present invention.

According to the satellite / mobile communication system receiver of the present invention having such a configuration, the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit H includes a plurality of m low-pass filters F ₁ , F ₂ , ...
... Instead of the case of the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiver having F _m shown in FIG. 3, the above-mentioned (a) radio wave arrival direction / radio wave arrival direction change rate estimating means and (b) radio wave arrival are used. Azimuth prediction means, and tracking azimuth error calculation means of (c),
Since it has the same configuration as that of the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiving apparatus shown in FIG. 3 except that it has the determining means of (d) and the control signal outputting means of (e), it will be described in detail. Although omitted, the satellite / mobile communication system receiver according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a mobile body in the same manner as described in the case of the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiver shown in FIG. ,
In a state where the moving body is stopped, all of the plurality of m antenna elements A ₁ to A _m are, and reception of radio waves of the modulated carrier signal from a satellite directly in an optimal state or a state close thereto and which, in the state that, in a plurality of m variable phase shifter _{P 1, P 2 ......... P m} , more m-number of antenna elements a ₁ to which they are respectively input, a ₂ ......... a _m
M modulated carrier signals S respectively output from
The phase shift amount with respect to the phase of the carrier wave of _{A 1, SA 2 ......... SA m} , in accordance with the conventional satellite-mobile communications system receiving apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the variable phase-shifter control signal generating circuit H The tracking azimuth error calculated by the tracking azimuth error calculating unit has such that the tracking azimuth error does not exceed the predetermined threshold G, or
The determination result of the determination means, so that the tracking azimuth error calculated by the tracking azimuth error calculation means is in a state indicating that it does not exceed the predetermined threshold, if set in advance, if used,
A plurality of m variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... P multiple of m modulated carrier wave output from _m signal SP _1, SP
₂ ......... SP respectively of the phase of the carrier wave of _m, the plurality of m modulated carrier signal SP _1, SP ₂ ......... SP _m
The difference from the phase of the carrier wave of the combined modulated carrier wave signal SM is calculated by a plurality of m phase difference detection circuits C ₁ , C ₂ ...
Depending on C _m , a plurality of m phase difference detection signals S
C ₁ , SC ₂ ..... SC _m respectively detected, and a plurality of m phase difference detection signals SC ₁ , SC _{2 are} detected.
……… Based on SC _m , a plurality of m variable phase shifter control signals S output from the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit M
H ₁ , SH ₂ ... SH _m , the plurality m of variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ... P _m are respectively input to the plurality m of modulated carrier signals SA ₁ , SA. ₂ ………
The phase shift amount of SA _m with respect to the phase of the carrier wave is set so that the tracking azimuth error calculated by the tracking azimuth error calculating means of the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit H does not exceed the predetermined threshold G. Alternatively, the determination result of the determination means may be such that the tracking orientation error calculated by the tracking orientation error calculation means does not exceed the predetermined threshold G.
Since the feedback loop for the combination circuit M that is controlled respectively is formed, even if the moving body moves and its direction changes with respect to the satellite, the conventional satellite / mobile communication shown in FIG. As in the case of the system receiver, the array antenna A
The directional azimuth of A (viewed from the reference line (direction) on the moving body) can be automatically tracked to the arrival azimuth of the radio wave from the satellite.

In this case, the conventional satellite shown in FIG.
As with the mobile communication system receiving apparatus, a plurality of m antenna elements A _1, A ₂ ......... from A _m, based on mutual agreement modulated radio wave of the modulated carrier signal from a satellite carrier signal SA _1,
SA ₂ ......... SA _m are outputted respectively, and they are, through variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... P _m, respectively, are outputted to the synthesis circuit M and, a synthesis circuit M
Satellite but to synthesize the modulated carrier signal SP _1, SP ₂ ......... SP _m outputted therefrom variable phase shifter P ₁ to P _m as a synthetic modulated carrier signal SM, the combined modulated carrier signal SM -Because it is output as the output of the mobile communication system receiver, a plurality of m antenna elements are moved by the movement of the mobile body as in the case of the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiver shown in FIG. As _long as all of A ₁ , A ₂ ..... Am cannot receive the radio wave of the modulated carrier signal from the satellite, a plurality of m antenna elements A ₁ -A
_{Even if} one or more antenna elements in _m cannot receive the radio wave of the modulated carrier wave signal from the satellite due to the radio wave obstacle, that is, even if the so-called momentary interruption of the radio wave occurs, A modulated carrier signal based on the modulated carrier wave can be output from the synthesizing circuit M as an output of the satellite / mobile communication system receiver.

However, in the case of the mobile communication system receiver according to the present invention, in the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit H, a plurality of m phase difference detection circuits C are calculated by the radio wave arrival direction / radio wave arrival direction change rate estimating means. ₁ , C ₂ , ……… C _m
M phase difference detection signals SC ₁ , SC _{2 from}
SC _m and the azimuth of the array antenna AA known by the control signal generator are used to estimate the arrival azimuth of the radio wave from the satellite and its rate of change. Using the estimated arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite and its change rate, the predicted arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite is predicted, and further, by the tracking direction error calculation means,
The difference between the predicted direction of arrival of the radio wave from the predicted satellite and the directional direction of the array antenna AA known by the control signal generation means is calculated as a tracking azimuth error, and the tracking azimuth error is determined by the determination means. Is above a predetermined threshold G, and further, by the control signal generating means,
Depending on whether the determination result is a state in which the tracking azimuth error does not exceed the planned threshold value G, a state in which the tracking azimuth error exceeds the planned threshold value G, or vice versa. Variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ..... P _m The number of phase-shifted amounts of the _m modulated carrier signals SA ₁ , SA ₂ ..... G
A plurality of m control signals, each of which has the content of being changed so as to be obtained by changing the obtained direction with a value that does not exceed or not being changed, are indicative of the directivity of the array antenna AA. A plurality of m variable phase shifter control signals are output.

Then, a plurality of m phase difference detection circuits C ₁ , are provided by the radio wave arrival direction / radio wave arrival direction change rate estimating means.
C ₂ , ......... _{m m} phase difference detection signals SC from C _m
1, SC ₂ ......... using the directional orientation of the SC _m and the control signal generating means is determine known an array antenna AA, when estimating the arrival direction of a radio wave from a satellite and its rate of change,
Practically, the estimated arrival directions of the radio waves from the satellites and the rate of change thereof are calculated for a plurality of m phase difference detection signals SC ₁ , SC _2, ...
The arrival directions of radio waves from these satellites and their rate of change are obtained using a low-pass filter in order to obtain those that are not affected by the noise associated with SC _m .
In addition, the direction of arrival of radio waves
Using the arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite and its change rate estimated by the radio wave arrival direction change rate estimation means, even when predicting the predicted arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite, in practice, the predicted arrival direction is The same low-pass filter as that used to estimate the arrival direction of the radio wave from the estimated satellite and its change rate is used to obtain it.

Therefore, the narrower the bandwidth of the low-pass filter used to obtain the estimated radio wave arrival direction and its change rate and the predicted radio wave arrival predicted direction, the more the variable phase shifter control signal can be obtained. a plurality of m variable phase shifter control signal SH _1, SH ₂ ......... SH _m generated by the generating circuit H, in association with a plurality of m phase difference detection signal SC _1, SC ₂ ......... SC _m Can be obtained as less affected by noise.

By the way, in this case, as mentioned in the case of a conventional satellite-mobile communications system receiving apparatus shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of m variable phase shifter P _1, P _2, of ......... P _m Since a plurality of m modulated carrier wave signals SA ₁ , SA ₂ ..... SA _m have a certain limit for reducing the minimum change amount of the phase shift amount with respect to the carrier phase, a plurality of m variable phase shift signals are provided. Bowl P
₁ , P ₂ , ... P _m, a plurality of m modulated carrier signals S
When the minimum change amount of the phase shift amount with respect to the phase of the carrier wave of A ₁ , SA ₂ ..... SA _m is relatively large, the azimuth of the array antenna AA changes the direction of the moving body so that the radio wave from the satellite changes. It changes relatively greatly with respect to the arrival direction, and accordingly, a plurality of m phase difference detection circuits C ₁ ,
C ₂ , ......... _{m m} phase difference detection signals SC from C _m
1 , SC ₂ ............ Even if SC _m is obtained as a discontinuous change, the direction of arrival and the rate of change of the radio wave from the satellite obtained by using the above-mentioned low-pass filter and the change rate of the radio wave from the satellite are obtained. Since both the predicted arrival direction and the predicted arrival direction of the radio wave are obtained, the low-pass filter used to obtain the arrival direction of the radio wave and its change rate and the predicted arrival direction of the radio wave is narrow. The direction of arrival of the radio wave and its rate of change and the expected arrival direction of the radio wave can be obtained almost unaffected by the bandwidth of the low-pass filter in this case. Therefore, the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit H generates Multiple m
Number of variable phase shifter control signals SH ₁ , SH ₂ ... SH
_m can be obtained as a more appropriate control signal as compared with the case of the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiver shown in FIG.

From the above, in the case of the satellite / mobile communication system receiver according to the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the array antenna A is used.
It is possible to track the directional azimuth of A with the azimuth of arrival of radio waves from the satellite with a high tracking property as compared with the case of the conventional satellite / mobile communication system receiver shown in FIG.

[0037] In the embodiment of the satellite-mobile communications system receiving apparatus according to the present invention described above, a plurality of m variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... P _m is a plurality of m antenna elements the a _1, a ₂ ......... a plurality of m modulated carrier signal SA ₁ respectively output from the _m, SA ₂ ......... SA _m, viewed in the frequency of the carrier wave, as is, to enter each However, as shown by the dotted line in the figure, m m modulated carrier signals SA ₁ and SA output from _{m m} antenna elements A ₁ , A ₂ ...
The ₂ ......... SA _m respectively input them, a plurality of m for each converted to a plurality of m modulated carrier signal having a carrier with a lower frequency than those of the carrier wave (carrier wave having the intermediate frequency) Frequency conversion circuit Y ₁ , Y
The ₂ ......... Y _m provided, and the plurality of m frequency converting circuit Y _1, Y ₂ ......... Y _m multiple modulated carrier signals respectively output from the plurality of m antenna elements A
_1, A ₂ ......... as a plurality of m modulated carrier signal SA _1, SA _2, respectively based on mutual agreement modulated carrier signal to ......... SA _m respectively outputted from the A _m, more m-number variable phase vessels as P _1, P ₂ ......... P _m is input, it is also possible to obtain the same effects as described above.

In the embodiment of the satellite / mobile communication system receiving apparatus according to the present invention described above, the synthesizing circuit M outputs from each of a plurality m of variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ... P _m. M modulated carrier signals SP ₁ , SP ₂
Although the SP _m in terms of the frequency of the carrier wave can be input as it is, the SP _m can be input as it is. However, as shown by the dotted line in the figure, a plurality of m variable phase shifters P ₁ and P ₂ can be input.
......... enter multiple of m modulated carrier signal SP _1, SP ₂ ......... SP _m respectively outputted from the P _m, them, the carrier (intermediate frequency having a lower frequency than those of the carrier wave M frequency conversion circuits Y ₁ ′, Y ₂ ′ ... Y _m ′ (in this case, the above-mentioned frequency conversion circuit Y ₁ to Y _m and need not be provided) is provided, and, the plurality of m frequency converting circuit Y ₁ ', Y _2' a plurality of modulated carrier signals output from ......... Y _m ', a plurality m As modulated carrier signals which are respectively derived from a plurality of m modulated carrier signals SP ₁ , SP ₂ ... SP _m output from the respective variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ... P _m , As described above, the synthesis circuit M can be input. It is also possible to obtain the same operational effect as. However, in this case, the frequency converting circuit _{Y 1 ', Y 2' .........} Y m modulated carrier signals output from the 'satellite mobile communications system receiving apparatus according to the invention shown in Figure 1, Phase difference detection circuit C
Input C ₁ , C ₂ ………… C _m respectively.

Besides, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic system diagram showing an embodiment of a satellite / mobile communication system receiver according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram functionally showing a variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit of the satellite / mobile communication system receiver according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic system diagram showing a conventional mobile communication system receiver.

[Explanation of symbols]

A ₁ to A _m antenna elements C ₁ -C _m phase difference detection circuit D ₁ to D _m-level detecting circuit P ₁ to P _m variable phase shifter H variable phase shifter control signal generating circuit M synthesizing circuit Y ₁ to Y _m , Y ₁ ′ to Y _m ′ frequency conversion circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of m antennas arranged so as to form an array antenna for receiving a radio wave of a modulated carrier signal having a mode in which the frequency or phase of a carrier wave from a satellite is modulated by a signal to be communicated. antenna and elements _{a 1, a 2 ......... a m} , the plurality of m antenna elements a _1, a ₂ ......... a _m from the first plurality of m respectively output modulated carrier signal or their M second phase-modulated phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ..... P for respectively inputting a plurality m of second modulated carrier signals respectively and shifting the phases of these carrier waves.
_m and, said plurality of m variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... P _m from the plurality of m 3 respectively output modulated carrier signal or the original Nuisance plurality of m respectively their first 4, a composite circuit for inputting all or a part of the modulated carrier wave signals of 4 and outputting the combined composite modulated carrier wave signals as the output of the satellite / mobile communication system receiving device; A plurality of m third modulated carrier signals output from the phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ..... P _m respectively or a plurality m fourth modulated carrier signals respectively based on them are input. and and said together enter the synthesized modulated carrier signal output from the combining circuit, the plurality of m variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... P _m from the plurality of m third output respectively Modulated carrier signals or multiple m based on each of them Fourth respectively in the phase of the carrier of the modulated carrier signal, the difference between the phase of the carrier of the composite modulated carrier signal outputted from the combining circuit,
A plurality of m signals that are detected as a plurality of m phase difference detection signals and that output a plurality of m phase difference detection signals.
Pieces of the phase difference detecting circuit C _1, C ₂ ......... C _m and said plurality of m phase difference detecting circuit C _1, C ₂ ......... C _m multiple of m phase difference detection signal output from each of , And based on them, generate a plurality of m variable phase shifter control signals representing the directivity of the array antenna,
A plurality of m variable phase shifter control signals, satellite movement having a variable phase shifter control signal generating circuit for outputting each of said plurality of m variable phase shifter P _1, P ₂ ......... P _m In the receiver for a body communication system, the variable phase shifter control signal generation circuit includes: (a) a plurality of m phase difference detection circuits C ₁ , C ₂ ...
Using the plurality m of phase difference detection signals respectively output from C _m and the directional azimuth of the array antenna known by the control signal generating means described later, the azimuth of arrival of radio waves from the satellite and its change. And the radio wave arrival direction / radio wave arrival direction change rate estimating means for sequentially estimating the rate and the radio wave arrival direction / radio wave arrival direction change rate estimating means. Using the arrival direction and the rate of change thereof, the arrival direction prediction means for sequentially predicting the arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite at the above-mentioned scheduled cycle, and (c) it is known by the control signal generation means described later. Using the directional azimuth of the array antenna and the predicted arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite predicted by the radio wave arrival direction prediction means,
The difference between them is calculated as a tracking direction error in the above-mentioned scheduled cycle by using a tracking direction error calculating unit that sequentially calculates the tracking direction error, and (d) a tracking direction error calculated by the tracking direction error calculating unit is used. Whether or not
Determination means for sequentially determining at the scheduled cycle; and (e) predicted arrival direction of the radio wave from the satellite predicted by the radio wave arrival direction prediction means, and the tracking direction error calculation determined by the judgment means. Using the determination result of whether or not the tracking heading error calculated by the means exceeds the predetermined threshold value, (i) the judgment result indicates that the tracking heading error does not exceed the predetermined threshold value. If the tracking azimuth error exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the plurality of m variable phase shifters P are moved.
_1, the phase shift amount with respect to the phase of the carrier of P ₂ ......... P _m said plurality of m first or second modulated carrier signal, resulting in values that the tracking azimuth error does not exceed the threshold value of the expected In the above-mentioned scheduled period,
A plurality of m control signals each having the content of being sequentially changed are sequentially generated at the predetermined cycle as a plurality m of variable phase shifter control signals representing the directivity of the array antenna, Output it, (ii)
In the case where the determination result is in a state in which the tracking azimuth error indicates that the tracking azimuth error does not exceed the predetermined threshold, the state indicates that the tracking azimuth error exceeds the predetermined threshold. Multiple m variable phase shifters P ₁ , P ₂ ...
... The array of the plurality m of control signals, each of which has the content that the phase shift amount of P _m with respect to the phase of the carrier of the plurality m of the first or second modulated carrier signals is not sequentially changed, A satellite / mobile communication system receiver, comprising: a control signal output unit that sequentially outputs a plurality of m variable phase shifter control signals representing the directional direction of the antenna at the predetermined cycle.