JPH09232847A - Receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily adjust a reception direction of an antenna with directivity in a short time by controlling a drive direction and a drive speed of a driver for an antenna depending on a comparison result of a signal level comparator section. SOLUTION: A reception signal detected by a frequency set by a demodulation section 21 is given to a signal level measurement section 23. A signal level measured by the signal level measurement section 23 is given to a signal level comparison section 24. In this case, the signal level measured by the signal level measurement section 23 is displayed on a display section 27 via a control section 26 and the user confirms a change in the signal level in the case of adjusting the direction of antenna. Then a drive voltage is outputted by an input operation from an operation input section 28 via the control section 26 and an amplifier 25, a drive motor 14 in the horizontal direction and a drive motor 15 in the vertical direction are driven to change the elevating angle and azimuth angle of an antenna 11. The drive direction and the drive speed of the driver are adjusted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus that adjusts the receiving direction of a directional antenna according to the sender.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when mounting a directional antenna, a radio signal demodulator having a signal input level measuring function is used to determine the receiving direction.
While observing the displayed signal input level, the antenna was moved in the horizontal and vertical directions to adjust the direction of the antenna so that the signal input level was maximized. Normal,
A demodulator of a receiving device that receives a radio signal is installed indoors, and a directional antenna is installed outdoors such as on a roof. In order to adjust the receiving direction of the directional antenna, the horizontal angle of the antenna and the vertical angle of the antenna can be adjusted while checking the signal input level displayed on the demodulator by the signal input level measuring unit built into the demodulator. Adjust the direction angle.

[0003]

In order to receive radio signals having different directions from different sources in the optimum directions, the direction of the antenna must be adjusted according to the respective sources. When receiving broadcasting from one direction with one antenna, once the direction of the antenna is determined, there is no need to move. However, when receiving multiple broadcasting stations with completely different directions of transmission source, it is necessary to use them according to each direction. Therefore, a device for rotating the outdoor antenna is installed together with the demodulation device. , There is a device that adjusts the direction of the antenna outdoors while watching the signal input level indoors. However, it takes time and effort to adjust the receiving direction each time the receiving frequency and the broadcasting station are switched. The present invention makes it possible to easily adjust the reception direction of a directional antenna in a short time.

[0004]

A receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes an antenna having directivity for receiving a radio signal, a horizontal driving unit for rotationally driving the antenna in a horizontal direction, and a rotational driving for the antenna in a vertical direction. A vertical drive unit, a frequency setting unit that sets the frequency of the received signal, a signal level measurement unit that measures the received signal level at the set frequency, and the signal when the antenna is rotationally driven by the horizontal drive unit or the vertical drive unit. A signal level comparison unit for comparing the signal levels measured by the level measurement unit, and a drive control unit for controlling the drive direction and drive speed of the drive device according to the comparison result of the signal level comparison unit are provided. Further, in the receiving device according to the present invention, the drive control unit reverses the driving direction of the driving device and lowers the driving speed when the signal level measured by the signal level measuring unit decreases when the antenna is rotationally driven. . Further, in the receiving device according to the present invention, when the drive control unit rotationally drives the antenna, the rotational drive of the antenna is stopped when the signal level measured by the signal level measuring unit reaches a peak. Further, the receiving device according to the present invention has an angle detection unit that detects the direction angle of the antenna, and a storage unit that stores the angle detected by the angle detection unit, and the storage unit measures the signal level measurement unit. The angle at which the signal level reaches its peak and the frequency are associated and stored. Further, the receiving device according to the present invention sets the direction of the antenna at an angle corresponding to the reception frequency stored in the storage unit according to the reception frequency set by the frequency setting unit. Further, in the receiving device according to the present invention, the drive control unit is rotationally driven by the horizontal drive unit or the vertical drive unit over the entire range in the measurement direction to measure the angle at which the signal level reaches a peak, and the peak angle is plural In some cases, the angle at which the maximum level is detected is detected, and the antenna is rotationally driven in the range before and after the maximum signal level, and the antenna is rotationally driven when the signal level measured by the signal level measuring unit reaches a peak. Is to stop.

A drive unit for adjusting the horizontal angle and the vertical angle of the antenna of the receiving device for receiving the radio signal is provided, and the radio signal demodulation unit adjusts the voltage according to the rise and fall of the signal input level. By providing the drive control unit for supplying, the direction of the antenna can be adjusted toward the position where the signal input level reaches the peak. The antenna is driven to rotate in the horizontal and vertical directions, the level reading is completed at the position where the reception level reaches its peak, and the antenna direction is determined. First, the vertical direction is fixed and the horizontal direction is rotationally driven to read the reception level for each unit coordinate. When the reception level decreases, the rotation direction is reversed and the drive speed is decreased to make the unit coordinates finer, and the reception level is read in the same manner. This continues until the reception level does not change. After setting the horizontal direction, the horizontal direction is fixed next, and the antenna is rotationally driven until the reception level does not change even in the vertical direction. If the vertical direction is determined here, that position is the position where the reception level reaches a peak.

An angle at which the signal level measured by the signal level measuring unit reaches a peak and a reception frequency are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit.
Since it is stored in (memory), the result of one measurement can be retained. Also, this measurement result can be used for the next antenna direction adjustment. When rotating the antenna for direction adjustment, first rotate the entire range to detect the angle at which the signal level reaches its peak, and if there are multiple peak points, use that maximum level. Since fine measurement is performed in the angle range to detect peak points, this may occur when signals are transmitted from multiple directions at the same frequency or when there are multiple peak signal levels due to the effects of reflection. However, the adjustment can be performed in the direction of the desired reception frequency.

[0007]

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a receiving apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of an antenna direction adjusting operation by the receiving apparatus according to the present invention. Radio signal receiver 1 usually installed outdoors
Includes a signal receiving unit (antenna) 11, a horizontal rotation driving mechanism 12, a vertical rotation driving mechanism 13, drive motors 14 and 15, and a rotation direction changing mechanism 16. A radio signal demodulator 2 that can be installed indoors by connecting to the radio signal receiver 1 includes a signal demodulation unit 21, a signal level measurement unit 23, a signal level comparison unit 24, an amplifier 25, and a control unit 2.
6, a display unit 27, an operation input unit 28, and a memory 29 that is a storage unit.

Input the reception frequency from the operation input unit 28,
The reception frequency is set in the demodulation unit 21 via the control unit 26. For the setting operation of the reception frequency, in addition to the method of directly inputting the frequency, selective input by channels such as TV broadcasting
A method of (tuning) or a method of selecting and inputting with the input key of the operation unit associated with the frequency set and stored (preset) in the memory can be appropriately used. The demodulator 21 detects a signal of a set frequency from the signal received by the antenna 11, demodulates it into a video or audio signal, etc., and outputs it to the output terminal 2
Output to 2. The output signal from the output terminal 22 can be connected to a video output device, an audio output device, or the like to obtain a desired video output, audio output, or the like.

The received signal detected at the frequency set by the demodulation section 21 is input to the signal level measuring section 23. The signal level measured by the signal level measuring unit 23 is
It is input to the signal level comparison unit 24. Further, the signal level measured by the signal level measuring unit 23 is displayed on the display unit 27 via the control unit 26, and the user can confirm the change in the signal level when adjusting the antenna direction.
By the input operation from the operation input unit 28, the drive voltage is output via the control unit 26 and the amplifier 25, the horizontal drive motor 14 and the vertical drive motor 15 are driven, and the direction of the antenna 11 is increased. You can move the angle.

The control unit 2 is operated by the operation input unit 28.
When the automatic adjustment of the receiving direction of the antenna 11 is started at 6 (S1), the drive motor 14 is rotated by the voltage output from the signal level comparison unit 24 via the amplifier 25,
The horizontal rotation drive mechanism 12 moves to start the horizontal rotation, and the signal level measuring unit 23 measures the signal level (S2). Here, the measurement interval time of the signal level is t (sec), the time from the measurement start to the nth measurement is t (n) [sec], and the signal level measured at the time t (n) is Lt (n ) (N = 1,2,3 ...).

The signal level comparing section 24 compares the signal levels output from the signal level measuring section 23 at regular intervals (S3, S4), and as a result of the comparison, the signal level Lt.
(n) is larger than the previous signal level Lt (n-1), that is, the signal level rises with time (N in S3
If YES in O and S4), the voltage output from the amplifier 25 is not changed and the rotation speed of the drive motor 14 is maintained as it is.

When the signal level Lt (n) is smaller than the previous signal level Lt (n-1), that is, when the signal level decreases with the lapse of time (YES in S3), the rotating direction changing mechanism 16 causes the antenna 11 to operate. The rotation speed of the drive motor 14 is reduced by switching the rotation direction of the drive motor, rotating the rotary drive mechanism 12 in the horizontal direction in the reverse direction (S5), and reducing the voltage output from the amplifier 25 (S6). . The above operations (S3 to S6) are repeated until it is determined that the signal levels in the signal level comparison unit 23 are equal, that is, not changed (NO in S3, NO in S4). This determination that the signal levels are equal can be determined to be equal if the difference in signal levels is small enough to be practically equal to zero even if they are not numerically equal.

When it is determined that the signal level does not change, the voltage output from the amplifier 25 to the drive motor 14 is stopped, and the rotation of the rotary drive mechanism 12 in the horizontal direction is stopped (S
7) The signal level does not change, that is, the antenna is directed to the horizontal angle determined to be the peak level. Next, amplifier 2
A voltage is output from 5 to the vertical rotation drive motor 15, the vertical rotation drive mechanism 13 moves, and vertical rotation starts (S8).

The signal level comparison unit 24 compares the signal levels output from the signal level measurement unit 23 at regular intervals (S9, S10), and as a result of the comparison, the signal level Lt.
(n) is larger than the previous signal level Lt (n-1), that is, the signal level rises over time (N in S9
When YES in S and S10), the voltage output from the amplifier 25 is not changed and the rotation speed of the drive motor 15 is maintained as it is.

When the signal level Lt (n) is smaller than the previous signal level Lt (n-1), that is, when the signal level decreases with time (YES in S9), the rotation direction changing mechanism 16 causes the antenna 11 to operate. By rotating the vertical rotation drive mechanism 13 in the opposite direction (S11),
Further, by decreasing the voltage output from the amplifier 25 (S12), the rotation speed of the drive motor 15 is reduced.
The above operation (S9 to S12) is repeated until it is determined that the signal levels in the signal level comparison unit 23 are equal, that is, not changed (NO in S9, NO in S10).

When it is determined that the signal level does not change in the vertical rotation drive, the voltage output from the amplifier 25 to the drive motor 15 is stopped and the rotation of the vertical rotation drive mechanism 13 is stopped (S13). The antenna is directed to the vertical angle at which the signal level does not change, that is, the peak level is determined, and the direction adjustment ends (S14).

In the present embodiment, the data for comparing the signal levels is the data measured one before, but the number of interval data between the two data to be compared depends on the conditions such as the rotational driving speed and the processing speed of the control unit. It can be appropriately set and implemented accordingly.

Further, in the present invention, as shown in the block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 1, an angle detecting section 17 for detecting the horizontal angle of the antenna from the rotation angle of the horizontal rotary drive mechanism 12 is provided. An angle detector 18 for detecting the vertical angle of the antenna from the rotation angle of the vertical rotation drive mechanism 13 is provided. The respective angle signals detected by the horizontal angle detection unit 17 and the vertical angle detection unit 18 are input to the control unit 26, and can be displayed on the display unit 27 and stored in the memory 29.

A signal of the angle at which the horizontal rotation is stopped is input from the horizontal angle detector 17 to the controller 26 and stored in the memory 29. A signal of the angle at which the vertical rotation is stopped is input from the vertical angle detector 18 to the controller 26 and stored in the memory 29. The memory 29 stores the angle data and the reception frequency data at which these signal levels have peaked.

When a reception frequency is input from the operation input unit 28 during new reception, the control unit 26 searches whether or not the angle data corresponding to the frequency is stored in the memory 29. If it is stored in the memory 29, it is read and displayed on the display unit 27. When an instruction operation for adjusting the antenna direction angle to the display angle is performed from the operation input unit 28, the antenna direction is adjusted to that angle.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the operation of adjusting the antenna direction by the receiving apparatus of the present invention. When the control unit 26 starts the automatic adjustment of the receiving direction of the antenna by the operation from the operation input unit 28 (ST1), the recording area of the memory, the angle data and the like are initialized (ST2), and the signal level comparison unit 24 causes the amplifier to operate. The drive motor 14 is rotated by the voltage output via the 25, and the horizontal rotation drive mechanism 12 is rotated.
Moves, the horizontal rotation starts, and the signal level measuring unit 23 measures the signal level (ST3). Horizontal angle data corresponding to the measurement point is stored in the memory 29 in association with the reception frequency. Here, the measurement interval time of the signal level is t (sec), the time from the measurement start to the nth measurement is t (n) [sec], and the signal level measured at the time t (n) is Lt (n ) (N = 1,2,3 ...).

The signal level comparing section 24 compares the signal levels output from the signal level measuring section 23 at regular intervals (ST4), and as a result of the comparison, the signal level Lt (n)
Is larger than the previous signal level Lt (n-1), that is, the signal level rises with the passage of time (YE in ST4).
In S), horizontal angle data corresponding to the measurement signal level Lt (n) is updated and stored in the memory 29 in association with the reception frequency (ST5).

When the signal level Lt (n) is smaller than the previous signal level Lt (n-1), that is, when the signal level decreases with the lapse of time (NO in ST4, YES in ST6), the memory 29 is stored. The storage area is switched (ST7), and the angle data corresponding to the measurement signal level Lt (n) is stored in the memory 29 in association with the reception frequency (ST7). As a result, the angle data at the peak of the previous signal level is left in the memory 29, and the measurement of the angle at which the next signal level reaches the peak is started. Until the entire movable range in the horizontal direction is rotationally driven (YES in ST8), the above operation (ST
4, ST6) is repeated.

Here, the entire movable range in the horizontal direction is set,
This movable range can be implemented as a configuration that can be set as necessary. In some cases, the movable range may be limited by the mechanism of the device, but at that time, the limited movable range or a desired movable range is set and rotationally driven. When setting the movable range,
The angle values (start angle and end angle) that determine the movable range are input from the operation input unit 28, stored in the memory 29, and the control unit 26 limits the movable range to this angle range, and the angle detection unit 17, The rotation drive control of the antenna is performed while referring to the angle signal from 18.

After the rotation drive in the horizontal direction is completed, the control unit compares the direction angle data that is the peak of the measurement signal level stored in the memory, and the direction angle data that maximizes the measurement signal level is detected (ST9). . The angle of the maximum measured signal level detected here is centered, and the antenna direction is finely adjusted toward the angle at which the signal level reaches its peak. Therefore, first, the antenna direction is adjusted to an angular position before the angle at which the measurement signal level becomes the maximum and after the angle at which the previous measurement signal level reaches the peak (ST1
0). At this time, a value that determines how much the previous angle should be adjusted is stored in the memory 29 in advance, and the control unit 2
It is possible to automatically rotate the antenna from 6 to match the direction.

The control unit 26 starts fine adjustment of the receiving direction of the antenna, the drive motor 14 is rotated by the voltage output from the signal level comparison unit 24 through the amplifier 25, and the horizontal rotation drive mechanism 12 is moved. It moves and starts rotating in the horizontal direction, and the signal level measuring unit 23 measures the signal level (ST11).

The signal level comparison unit 24 compares the signal levels output from the signal level measuring device 22 at regular intervals (ST12, ST13), and as a result of the comparison, the signal level Lt (n) is the previous one. Above the signal level Lt (n-1), that is, when the signal level rises over time
(NO in ST12, YES in ST13), amplifier 25
The voltage output from is not changed and the rotation speed of the drive motor 14 is maintained as it is.

When the signal level Lt (n) is smaller than the previous signal level Lt (n-1), that is, when the signal level decreases with the passage of time (YES in ST12), the antenna 11 is changed by the rotation direction changing mechanism 16. Switch the rotation direction of
Rotate the horizontal rotation drive mechanism 12 in the opposite direction (ST
14) At the same time, the voltage output from the amplifier 25 is reduced (ST15) to reduce the rotation speed of the drive motor 14. It is determined that the signal levels in the signal level comparison unit 23 are equal, that is, they do not change (NO in S12, S
Up to the above operation (ST12 to ST1)
Repeat 5). This determination that the signal levels are equal can be determined to be equal if the difference in signal levels is small enough to be practically equal to zero even if they are not numerically equal.

When it is determined that the signal level does not change, the voltage output from the amplifier 25 to the drive motor 14 is stopped, and the rotation of the rotary drive mechanism 12 in the horizontal direction is stopped (S
T16), the signal level does not change, that is, the antenna is directed to the horizontal angle determined to be the peak level. Next, a voltage is output from the amplifier 25 to the vertical rotation driving motor 15, the vertical rotation driving mechanism 13 moves, and vertical rotation starts (ST17).

The signal level comparing section 24 compares the signal levels output from the signal level measuring section 23 at regular intervals (ST18, ST19), and as a result of comparison, the signal level Lt (n) is the previous one. Greater than the signal level Lt (n-1) of
That is, if the signal level rises over time (ST
If NO in 18 and YES in ST19), the voltage output from the amplifier 25 is not changed and the rotation speed of the drive motor 15 is maintained as it is.

When the signal level Lt (n) is smaller than the previous signal level Lt (n-1), that is, when the signal level decreases with the lapse of time (YES in ST18), the rotating direction changing mechanism 16 causes the antenna 11 to move. Switch the rotation direction of
Rotate the vertical rotation drive mechanism 13 in the opposite direction (ST
20) By further reducing the voltage output from the amplifier 25 (ST21), the rotation speed of the drive motor 15 is reduced. It is determined that the signal levels in the signal level comparison unit 23 are equal, that is, they do not change (NO in ST18, S
Up to the above operation (ST18 to ST2)
Repeat 1).

When it is determined that the signal level does not change in the vertical rotation drive, the voltage output from the amplifier 25 to the drive motor 15 is stopped, and the rotation of the vertical rotation drive mechanism 13 is stopped (ST22). The antenna is directed to the vertical angle at which the signal level does not change, that is, the peak level is determined, and the direction adjustment ends (ST23).

Since the antenna is rotationally driven by searching for a direction in which the reception level increases, it is possible to automatically adjust the antenna in a short time. While confirming the signal input level with the wireless signal demodulator installed indoors, the receiving direction of the directional antenna installed outdoors such as on the roof can be adjusted, and the operation can be performed by the indoor operator 1
Can be done by people.

When the direction of the antenna is adjusted, the signal level is measured in the entire movable range or the desired movable range, and then the direction in which the signal level reaches the peak is adjusted.
The receiving direction of the antenna can be adjusted accurately in a short time. Since the radio signals having different directions of the transmission source are received in the respective optimum directions, the direction of the antenna can be adjusted and used in a short time according to each transmission source.

Since the signal level is displayed during the automatic adjustment of the receiving direction of the antenna, the operator can know whether the automatic adjustment is operating properly while monitoring the signal level. it can. Since the angle at which the signal level measured by the signal level measuring unit has a peak and the reception frequency are stored in the storage unit (memory) in association with each other, the result of one measurement can be recorded. Also,
This measurement result can be used for the next antenna direction adjustment.

Even when signals are transmitted from a plurality of directions at the same frequency, or when there are a plurality of points at which the signal level has a peak due to the influence of reflection or the like, adjustment can be performed in a desired receiving direction. it can. When the angle at which the signal level corresponding to the reception frequency input from the operation unit reaches a peak is stored in the storage unit, the angle before and after including the angle at which the signal level reaches the peak by the horizontal drive unit or the vertical drive unit. Since the antenna is rotationally driven in the range and the angle at which the signal level reaches the peak is detected, the direction adjustment according to the reception frequency once the direction adjustment is performed can be performed in a shorter time. Further, if the angle at which the signal level reaches the peak is deviated depending on the reception state, the adjustment can be performed.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, the receiving direction of a directional antenna can be automatically adjusted.
Also, the required time can be shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a receiving apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the operation of the receiving device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the operation of the receiving device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Radio signal receiver 11 Signal receiving part (antenna) 12,13 Rotation drive mechanism 14,15 Driving motor 16 Rotation direction changing mechanism 17,18 Angle detection part 2 Radio signal demodulator 21 Signal demodulation part 22 Output terminal 23 Signal level Measuring unit 24 Signal level comparing unit 25 Amplifier 26 Control unit 27 Display unit 28 Operation input unit 29 Memory

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An antenna having directivity for receiving a radio signal, a horizontal drive section for rotationally driving the antenna in a horizontal direction, and a vertical drive section for rotationally driving the antenna in a vertical direction,
A frequency setting unit that sets the frequency of the received signal, a signal level measuring unit that measures the received signal level at the set frequency, and a signal level measuring unit when the antenna is rotationally driven by the horizontal drive unit or the vertical drive unit. A receiving device comprising: a signal level comparing unit for comparing the signal levels, and a drive control unit for controlling a driving direction and a driving speed of the driving device according to a comparison result of the signal level comparing unit. 2. The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the drive control unit inverts the drive direction of the drive device when the signal level measured by the signal level measuring unit is lowered when the antenna is rotationally driven, and the drive speed is set. A receiving device characterized by lowering. 3. The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the drive control unit rotationally drives the antenna when the signal level measured by the signal level measuring unit reaches a peak when rotationally driving the antenna. A receiving device characterized by stopping. 4. The receiving device according to claim 1, further comprising an angle detection unit that detects a direction angle of the antenna, and a storage unit that stores the angle detected by the angle detection unit. The receiving device is characterized in that the angle and frequency at which the signal level measured by the signal level measuring unit has a peak are associated with each other and stored. 5. The receiving device according to claim 4, wherein the direction of the antenna is set at an angle corresponding to the reception frequency stored in the storage unit according to the reception frequency set by the frequency setting unit. Receiving device. 6. The receiving device according to claim 3, wherein the drive control unit is rotationally driven by the horizontal drive unit or the vertical drive unit over the entire range in the measurement direction, and the angle at which the signal level reaches a peak is set. If there are multiple peak angles, the angle with the maximum level is detected, and the antenna is driven to rotate in the range before and after the maximum signal level, and the signal level measured with the signal level measurement unit. A receiving device, characterized in that the rotational drive of the antenna is stopped at a peak of.