JPH1098437A - Speech path quality measuring system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To highly accurately confirm speech path quality before the start of communication by mutually transmitting measure signals to parties between confronted radio equipment and measuring speech quality corresponding to the correlation with returned measure signals. SOLUTION: A mobile station 1 originates the call of a call setting request to a base station and performs a conduction test after a call and a response from the base station and when the conduction is normal, the establishment of a speech channel is controlled. In this case, a measure signal transmitting means 2 generates a PN pattern for measurement, inserts that pattern into the prescribed slot of the speech channel through a TDMA processing circuit and transmits it to the base station. When it is detected the PN pattern for measurement is inserted to the prescribed slot, at the base station, that slot is transmitted back to the mobile station 1 as it is. A measuring means 3 checks the correlation between the PN pattern returned from the base station and the transmitted PN pattern, evaluates an error rate in comparison with a prescribed reference and reports it to a user as needed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a channel quality measuring method for measuring the channel quality of a radio line. In recent wireless communication systems, not only voice but also digital signals are transmitted and received, so that stable high-speed communication is required. One measure to meet this demand is to check the transmission quality of the wireless line. In particular, in a mobile communication system, the status of a wireless channel changes in various ways, so it is more important to check the transmission quality of the wireless channel. In most current wireless communication systems, a so-called continuity test is performed in setting a communication channel in wireless channel setting control. This is between opposing wireless devices,
In this method, the calling side transmits a confirmation request to the called side, and the called side returns a response to the request. If the continuity test is normal, a communication channel is established and communication is performed thereafter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An outline of conventional communication channel setting control will be described below by taking a mobile communication system as an example. FIG.
1 shows a configuration example of a conventional base station. FIG. 8 shows a configuration of a conventional mobile station. As shown in FIG. 7, the base station connected to the public network includes a line termination unit 10, a speed conversion unit 11, a TDMA processing unit 13b, a modulation / demodulation unit 14, a radio unit 15, and an antenna 16
Etc. are provided.

A mobile station connected to this base station via a radio line includes a microphone 20 and a speaker 2 as shown in FIG.
1, an audio processing unit 22, a speed conversion unit 23, a TDMA processing unit 27, a radio unit / modulation / demodulation unit 28, an antenna 29, and the like.

[0004] The outline of the operation after the communication channel is set is as follows. In the base station, the signal input from the public network is converted into the speed of the wireless line by the speed conversion unit 11 via the line termination unit 10, inserted into a predetermined slot by the TDMA processing unit 13b, and The signal becomes a predetermined modulated signal and is transmitted from the antenna 16 via the wireless unit 15 toward the wireless zone.

In the mobile station, the signal received by the antenna 29 is
The signal is converted into a predetermined demodulated signal by the radio / modulation / demodulation unit 28, and TD
The signal is separated into signals for each slot by the MA processing unit 27, converted into a baseband speed by the speed conversion unit 23, and sound is transmitted from the speaker 21 via the sound processing unit 22.
On the other hand, in the mobile station, the voice signal input from the microphone 20 is converted into the speed of the wireless line by the speed conversion unit 11 via the voice processing unit 22 and inserted into a predetermined slot by the TDMA processing unit 27. The signal is converted into a predetermined high-frequency modulated signal by the modulator / demodulator 28 and transmitted from the antenna 29 to the base station.

In the base station, the signal received by the antenna 16 is
The signal is converted into a predetermined demodulated signal by the modulation / demodulation unit 14 via the radio unit 15, is separated into a signal for each slot by the TDMA processing unit 13b, is converted by the speed conversion unit 11 to the speed of the public network,
The data is sent to the public network via the line termination unit 10. Between such a base station and a mobile station, the communication channel setting control is performed according to the procedure shown in FIGS. FIG. 9 shows a sequence of the communication channel setting control at the time of calling. FIG.
It is a sequence of a communication channel setting control at the time of an incoming call.

In FIG. 9, a mobile station transmits a call setup request to a base station using a control channel (1). On the other hand, the base station returns the acceptance of the call setup request to the calling mobile station using the control channel (2), and calls the called mobile station (3). Then, when a response is received from the called mobile station using the control channel (4), the base station performs the above-described continuity test with the calling mobile station (5), and communicates with the calling mobile station. When the continuity test is completed normally, the control of establishing a communication channel is performed (6), and the communication using the communication channel is enabled (11).

Next, in FIG. 10, when there is an incoming call from, for example, a public network, the base station selectively calls a mobile station in the radio zone using a control channel (21). On the other hand, if there is a response from the corresponding called mobile station using the control channel (22), the base station specifies the channel to the called mobile station using the control channel (23). Then, when the base station receives a response from the called mobile station using the control channel,
(24) The continuity test described above is performed with the called mobile station (5). After that, the communication channel establishment setting is performed.
(6) A call using the call channel is enabled.
(11).

[0009]

However, even if the continuity test is completed normally and the communication channel is established thereafter, communication may be difficult depending on a change in the state of the radio line. Particularly, in mobile communication, since a change in the status of a wireless line is inevitable, it is difficult to provide a highly reliable system only by a continuity test.

An object of the present invention is to provide a speech channel quality measuring method capable of accurately confirming the transmission quality of a radio channel.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention;
It is a principle block diagram of the invention as described in 4 and 5. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a speech channel quality measuring method.
Each of the wireless devices 1 facing each other via the wireless line transmits a measurement signal to the other wireless device using the communication channel captured in the process of setting the wireless channel; Means 3 for measuring the communication path quality by correlating the measurement signal transmitted to the wireless communication device with the measurement signal returned from the partner wireless device, and the return transmission for returning the measurement signal received from the partner wireless device to transmit. Means 4.

Therefore, each wireless device 1 can confirm the channel quality with high accuracy before starting communication. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the wireless communication system in which the master station 5 and the slave station 6 communicate with each other via a wireless channel, the master station 5 is captured in the process of controlling the setting of the wireless channel. A return transmitting means 4 for returning the measurement signal received from the slave station 6 to the slave station using the communication channel and transmitting the measurement signal to the slave station.
Is a measurement signal transmitting means 2 for transmitting a measurement signal to the master station using the communication channel captured in the process of setting control of the radio channel, and a measurement signal transmitted to the master station 5 and returned from the master station. And measuring means 3 for measuring the quality of the communication channel by taking a correlation with the incoming measurement signal.

The slave station 6 can check the communication path quality with high accuracy before starting communication. If the wireless communication system is a mobile communication system, the master station 5 corresponds to a base station and the slave station 6 corresponds to a mobile station. The communication channel quality measuring method according to claim 3 is the method according to claim 1 or claim 2.
The communication channel quality measurement method described in (1) is characterized by including a notifying unit 7 for notifying the measurement result to the outside.

Therefore, if the transmission quality is degraded, the operator can take appropriate measures such as restarting communication after waiting for recovery. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the channel quality measuring method according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a stopping means for interrupting communication when the channel quality is poor as a result of the measurement. It is characterized by.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent a signal from being wasted when the transmission quality is deteriorated. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the channel quality measuring method according to the first or second aspect, wherein the measurement signal transmitting means transmits the measurement signal in response to an external instruction. It is characterized by.

Therefore, the operator can select whether or not to check the communication channel quality before starting the communication.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of a base station that implements the communication channel quality measuring method of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of a mobile station that implements the channel quality measurement method of the present invention. That is,
This embodiment shows an example of application to the mobile communication system described in the conventional example (FIGS. 7 and 8). Therefore, the same components as in the conventional example (FIGS. 7 and 8) are denoted by the same reference numerals and names. This embodiment corresponds to claims 1 to 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, the base station is a conventional base station (FIG. 7) in which a TDMA processing unit 13a is added by adding a slight function to a TDMA processing unit 13b.
The data return unit 12 is provided between the processing unit 13a and the speed conversion unit 11. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the mobile station is different from the conventional mobile station (FIG. 8) in that the speed conversion unit 23 is used.
Between the communication path switching unit 24 and the PDMA
An N pattern generation unit 25 and an error rate measurement unit 26 are provided.

In the above configuration, the correspondence with the claims is as follows. The whole of the communication path switching unit 24 and the PN pattern generation unit 25 mainly correspond to the measurement signal transmission unit 2. The error rate measuring unit 26 corresponds to the measuring unit 3. The data return unit 12 mainly corresponds to the return transmission unit 4. Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
4 shows a sequence of speech channel quality measurement at the time of calling. FIG.
4 shows a sequence of speech channel quality measurement at the time of an incoming call. The same parts as those in the conventional example (FIGS. 9 and 10) are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, the portion according to this embodiment will be mainly described.

5 and 6, in this embodiment,
Measurement of speech channel quality between (6) and (11) (7) (8) (9)
Is performed. (7): The mobile station receives the transition to the communication channel establishment control (6), and outputs the timing signal b to the communication path switching unit 24. The communication path switching unit 24 connects the output terminal of the PN pattern generation unit 25 to the input terminal of the TDMA processing unit 27 and connects the output terminal of the TDMA processing unit 27 to the error rate measurement unit during the period when the timing signal b is on. 26 input terminals.

As a result, the TDMA processing unit 27
Since the PN pattern output from the pattern generation unit 25 is inserted into a predetermined slot of the communication channel as a measurement signal,
A measurement signal (PN pattern) is transmitted from the antenna 29 to the base station. (8): In the base station, the transmission signal of the mobile station is input to the TDMA processing unit 13a and separated into a demodulated signal for each slot.
At this time, in the TDMA processing unit 13a, when the measurement signal is included in the predetermined slot, the data return unit 1
2 to output a switching control signal a. As a result, the data folding section 12 performs an operation of directly connecting the output of the TDMA processing section 13a to its input side.

As a result, the measurement signal (PN pattern), which is a demodulated signal separated by the TDMA processing section 13a, is looped back by the data loop-back section 12 and again returned to the TDMA processing section 13a.
The signal is input to a predetermined slot of the communication channel, is modulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 14, and is transmitted from the antenna 16 via the radio unit 15 to the radio zone. In this way, the base station returns the measurement signal (PN pattern) received before the establishment of the communication channel and transmits it.

(9): In the mobile station, the measurement signal (PN pattern) returned from the base station is input to the error rate measurement unit 26 via the communication path switching unit 24. The error rate measurement unit 26 calculates the PN pattern and the PN
An autocorrelation with the output of the pattern generation unit 25 is obtained and compared with a predetermined value to measure an error rate.

(10): At the mobile station, when the measurement of the error rate is completed, the communication path switching unit 24 sends a return transmission end signal to the TDMA processing unit 27. And transmitted to the base station. In the mobile station, the timing signal b is turned off with the establishment of the communication channel, so that the communication path switching unit 24 directly connects the speed conversion unit 23 and the TDMA processing unit 27. That is, the mobile station is in a state where it is possible to make a call through the call channel (11).

On the other hand, in the base station, the TDMA processing unit 13a
However, when the demodulated signal is separated into signals for each slot, if a predetermined slot contains a return transmission end signal, the switching control signal a output to the data return unit 12 is turned off. As a result, the data folding unit 12
The speed converter 11 and the TDMA processor 13a are directly connected. That is, the base station is also in a state where it is possible to make a call using the call channel (11).

It is to be noted that a switching control signal a and a timing signal b for switching the transmission line to measure the error rate.
It is needless to say that the on-time is set to a time during which the call can be smoothly transferred. Here, in the measurement of the error rate, the transmission level of the PN pattern is lowered and the S /
Measures such as worsening N, distorting the waveform, and changing the bit rate may be taken. As a result, even when desired responsiveness cannot be obtained, highly accurate transmission path quality information that cannot be obtained only by the continuity test can be obtained, and communication service can be improved.

The measurement result of the error rate measuring section 26 is displayed on, for example, a display and notified to the operator. Further, as a result of the measurement, when the error rate is equal to or less than the predetermined value and the transmission quality is poor, the error rate measuring unit 26 can sound a buzzer to notify the operator. Therefore, when the error rate is equal to or less than the predetermined value and the transmission quality is poor, the operator can take measures such as temporarily stopping communication and waiting for recovery.

Further, the error rate measuring section 26 can output a signal for interrupting communication without connecting a communication channel when the error rate is less than a predetermined value and the transmission quality is poor. . This makes it possible to adopt a configuration in which communication is automatically stopped. In the above embodiment, the PN pattern is used as the measurement signal for measuring the error rate. However, a known bit pattern may be used. Further, the measurement signal does not need to be an independent signal, and a part of the signal transmitted to the base station may be used.

In the above embodiment, the measurement signal is automatically transmitted before the start of the call to measure the error rate. However, when the operator instructs, the measurement signal is transmitted to measure the error rate. It can also be configured to do so. In particular, in mobile communication, there is a case where the base station is an existing base station and does not have the function of return transmission. In this case, it is measured that the transmission quality has deteriorated. In such a case, the mobile station:
The characteristics of the base station can be known in advance.

Therefore, when the base station is an existing base station, the connection is automatically established by ignoring the measurement result in the automatic measurement method, and the measurement is performed by the instruction of the operator. In this case, the communication channel may be connected without performing the measurement. In this embodiment, the mobile communication system has been described as an example.
The present invention can be similarly applied to a wireless communication system that does not include a mobile object. That is, as described in the first aspect, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which each of the opposing wireless devices has the above-described speech channel quality measuring function. The applied wireless communication system can be applied not only to a digital system but also to an analog system.

[0033]

As described above, in the channel quality measuring method according to the first or second aspect, the channel quality can be measured with high accuracy using a measurement signal prior to the start of communication. The transmission quality of a wireless line, which cannot be obtained only by a continuity test, can be checked with high accuracy, and communication services can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the measurement result can be notified to the outside, if the transmission quality is degraded, the operator waits for recovery and restarts the communication. Action can be taken. According to the communication path quality measurement method of the present invention, the communication can be interrupted when the communication path quality is poor, so that it is possible to prevent the signal from being wasted when the transmission quality is deteriorated. In the channel quality measurement method according to the fifth aspect, the operator can select whether or not to check the channel quality before starting communication.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of the invention according to claims 1, 3, 4, and 5;

FIG. 2 is a principle block diagram of the invention according to claims 2, 3, 4, and 5;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration example of a base station that implements a communication channel quality measuring method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a configuration example of a mobile station that implements the channel quality measurement method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sequence of speech channel quality measurement at the time of calling.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sequence of speech channel quality measurement at the time of an incoming call.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a configuration example of a conventional base station.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a configuration example of a conventional mobile station.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sequence of a communication channel setting control at the time of calling.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence of a communication channel setting control at the time of an incoming call.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 wireless device 2 measurement signal transmission means 3 measurement means 4 return transmission means 5 master station 6 slave station 7 notification means 8 stop means 10 line termination section 11 speed conversion section 12 data return section 13a TDMA processing section 14 modem section 15 antenna 20 microphone Reference Signs List 21 speaker 22 voice processing unit 23 speed conversion unit 24 communication path switching unit 25 PN pattern generation unit 26 error rate measurement unit 27 TDMA processing unit 28 radio unit / modulation / demodulation unit 29 antenna

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A measuring signal transmitting means for transmitting a measuring signal to a partner wireless device using a communication channel captured in a process of wireless channel setting control, wherein each of the wireless devices facing each other via a wireless line includes: Measuring means for measuring the communication path quality by correlating the measurement signal transmitted to the wireless device with the measurement signal returned from the partner wireless device, and the aliasing for returning and transmitting the measurement signal received from the partner wireless device A communication channel quality measurement method, comprising: a transmission unit. 2. A wireless communication system in which a master station and a slave station communicate via a wireless line, wherein the master station receives a signal from the slave station using a communication channel captured in a process of wireless channel setting control. Return signal transmitting means for transmitting a measurement signal to the slave station by returning the measurement signal to the slave station, wherein the slave station transmits a measurement signal to the master station by using a communication channel captured in a process of wireless channel setting control. Means, and a measuring means for measuring a channel quality by correlating the measurement signal transmitted to the master station with the measurement signal returned from the master station. . 3. The channel quality measuring method according to claim 1, further comprising: a notifying unit for notifying the measurement result to the outside. 4. The channel quality measurement system according to claim 1, further comprising a stop unit for interrupting communication when the channel quality is poor as a result of the measurement. method. 5. The channel quality measurement method according to claim 1, wherein said measurement signal transmitting means transmits a measurement signal in response to an external instruction. Measurement method.