KR101102713B1 - Signal amplifying circuit, Transmission antenna, Input signal watching program and Method of control for output level of thereof, and Gap filler device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to improve the reliability of the signal amplification circuit and the quality of the amplified signal, as a means for this, and the amplifier (7) formed by connecting the signal amplification circuit 50 and the four stages of the amplifier elements (71 to 74) The GC 6 that adjusts the amount of attenuation of the transmission signal by the control signal input from the CPU 22 to the adjustment control terminal 6a and outputs it to the amplifier 7 and the switching control terminal 4c from the CPU 22. RF switch 4 for switching the transmission signal inputted to the input terminal 4a1 by the control signal input to the pass contact 4a2 for passing the GC 6 to the non-pass contact 4a3 that does not pass It consists of. During the initialization processing period of the signal amplification circuit 50 at the time of power-on and at random, the pull-down resistor at the adjustment control terminal 6a so as to maximize the attenuation amount of the transmission signal output from the GC 6 to the amplifier 7. 5d is connected, and the pull-down resistor 5c is connected to the switching control terminal 4c so that the RF switch 4 may be switched to the non-passing contact 4a3.

 Input terminals, pass contacts, non-pass contacts, changeover control terminals, termination resistors

Description

Signal amplifying circuit, transmission antenna, input signal watching program and method of control for output level of Technical, and Gap filler device}             

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a gap filler device having a signal amplifying circuit according to the first invention.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a transmitting antenna having a signal amplifying circuit according to the first invention, wherein (a) is a block diagram and (b) is a simplified circuit diagram of the amplifying means.

Fig. 3 shows a signal amplifying circuit according to the first invention, (a) is a block diagram of an ALC circuit, and (b) is a block diagram of a power supply unit.

4 is a flowchart showing an initialization process of a signal amplifying circuit according to the first invention.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing ALC transient processing of the signal amplifying circuit according to the first invention.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a GC rising process of the signal amplifying circuit according to the first invention.                 

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an output stop processing of the signal amplifying circuit according to the first invention.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an output return process of the signal amplifying circuit according to the first invention.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a gap filler device having a signal amplifying circuit according to a second invention.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a transmission antenna provided with a signal amplifying circuit according to the second invention.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram of an ALC circuit of the signal amplifier circuit according to the second invention.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of a signal amplifying circuit output level control method according to the second invention.

13 is a flowchart showing a flow of a temperature compensation process.

14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a GC control process.

Fig. 15 is a block diagram showing a gap filler device including a signal amplifying circuit according to a third invention.

Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of a transmission antenna provided with a signal amplifier circuit according to the third invention.

Fig. 17 is a block diagram of an ALC circuit of a signal amplifier circuit according to the third invention.

18 is an address map showing an adjustment output value corresponding to a reference output value and a threshold and a temperature during adjustment.                 

Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing a flow of a method for controlling the output level of a signal amplifying circuit and a transmitting antenna according to the third invention.

20 is a flowchart showing a flow of a temperature compensation process.

21 is a flowchart showing a flow of a GC control process.

Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing a flow of an upper threshold determination process.

Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing the flow of the lower threshold determination process.

Fig. 24 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a transmitting antenna according to the third invention.

Fig. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of installation of a gap filler apparatus provided with a transmitting antenna according to the third invention.

Fig. 26 is a block diagram showing an example of an automatic level control circuit section of an amplifier circuit for executing an input signal monitoring program of the amplifier circuit according to the fourth invention.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing the flow of the automatic level control in FIG.

Fig. 28 is a flowchart showing an example of an input signal monitoring program of the amplifier circuit of the fourth invention.

29 is a flowchart of an input monitoring program continued from FIG. 28.

30 is an explanatory diagram of another example of a digital control signal for controlling the variable attenuator;

Fig. 31 is a circuit block diagram showing an example of embodiment of a gap filler device according to the fifth invention.

32 is a block diagram of an oscillation detection circuit of FIG. 31;                 

33 is a circuit block diagram showing another example of the gap filler device.

34 is a circuit block diagram showing a first embodiment of the gap filler device according to the sixth invention.

35 is a block diagram of the controller of FIG. 34;

36 is a circuit block diagram showing a second embodiment of the gap filler device according to the sixth invention.

Fig. 37 is a circuit block diagram showing a third embodiment of the gap filler device according to the sixth invention.

(Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing)

(Hereinafter, description of symbols applied to FIGS. 1 to 8)

4: RF switch 4a1 as switching means: input terminal

4a2: Passing contact 4a3: Non-passing contact

4c: switching control terminal 5a, 5b: termination resistor

5c: pull-down resistor as switching potential fixing circuit

5d: pull-down resistor as the circuit for fixing the fixed potential

6: GC as gain adjustment means 6a: adjustment control terminal

7: amplifier as amplification means

15a: ALC circuit as automatic level control means

22: CPU 33: output level setting switch

50: signal amplification circuit 54: transmitting antenna                 

54a: antenna element 71 to 74: amplification element

(Hereinafter, description of symbols applied to FIGS. 9 to 14)

7: amplifier as amplification means

9: coupler as output level measuring means

15a: ALC circuit as automatic level control means

22: CPU

28: temperature sensor as a temperature measuring means

50: signal amplification circuit 54: transmitting antenna

54a: antenna element

(Hereinafter, description of symbols applied to FIGS. 15 to 25)

7: amplifier as amplification means

8, 82: bandpass filter as a filter element

9: coupler as output level measuring means

15a: ALC circuit as automatic level control means

22: CPU

28: temperature sensor as a temperature measuring means

29 flash memory as storage means

50, 150: signal amplification circuit 54, 154: transmission antenna

54a: antenna element

80: adjustment circuit                 

(Hereinafter, description of symbols applied to FIGS. 26 to 30)

1: automatic level control unit 2: variable attenuator

3: output level detection circuit 4: amplifier circuit

5: CPU

(Hereinafter, description of symbols applied to FIGS. 31 to 33)

1: reception antenna 2: retransmission antenna

4: second amplifying circuit 10: first variable attenuation circuit

11 second variable attenuation circuit 14 coupler

15: detection circuit 16: oscillation detection circuit (control unit)

17: notification means 17b: transmission unit (wireless transmission means)

18: receiving device (remote monitoring device)

(Hereinafter, description of symbols applied to FIGS. 34 to 37)

1: input terminal 2: output terminal

3: control part 4b: variable amplifier circuit (amplification circuit)

6a, 6b: Variable attenuator 8a: First coupler (input signal detecting means)

8b: second coupler (output signal detecting means)

11 receiving antenna 12 retransmitting antenna

14: notification means 14a: display unit

14b: transmitter 15: receiver (remote monitoring device)

17: CPU

The first invention according to claims 1 to 3 relates to a signal amplifying circuit for amplifying a high frequency signal such as a broadcast signal by means of an amplifying element, and in particular, preventing destruction of the amplifying element due to an excessive input signal. The second invention according to claim 4 and 5 relates to a signal amplifying circuit and an output level control method thereof, and in particular, a temperature compensation process of the output level, the third invention according to claims 6 to 11. The present invention relates to a signal amplification circuit, a transmission antenna, and an output level control method thereof, and particularly to temperature compensation processing of a threshold value, and the fourth invention according to claim 12, which monitors an input signal level of an amplification circuit. In particular, the program relates to detecting occurrence of an input level abnormality when an input level abnormality occurs in an amplifier circuit having an automatic level control circuit. 5th invention is the gap filler apparatus which retransmits the received signal with respect to the dead zone where radio waves from a satellite etc. do not arrive directly, and the 6th invention of Claims 14-16 aims at eliminating a dead zone. It relates to a gap filler device.

(Background art of the first invention)

Conventionally, in the signal amplification circuit which connects an amplification element in multiple stages, the means of preventing destruction of the amplification element with respect to an excessive input signal is devised. For example, the high frequency power amplifier described in Patent Document 1 is formed by assembling a field effect transistor in multiple stages as an amplifying element, and is configured by connecting a Zener diode as a voltage limiting element to a gate bias circuit of each amplifying element. According to this high frequency power amplifier, when an excessive gate voltage is applied to the gate bias circuit, the excessive current flows to the ground through the zener diode to become a constant voltage, and device destruction of each amplifying element can be prevented.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-242128

(Problems to be Solved by the First Invention)

However, it is known that a Zener diode originally has a characteristic in which temperature stability is poor, and a Zener voltage changes with the fluctuation of a use environment temperature, and, in addition, it becomes an element which originates in noise generation. Therefore, in the destruction prevention means using the zener diode, since the operating point of the excessive input protection function varies, the reliability of the excessive input signal of the high frequency power amplifier is lowered, and the gate of the amplifying element is directly connected to the zener diode directly connected. Unnecessary noise signals tend to be superimposed on the terminals, and therefore, amplified signals are deteriorated.

In view of these problems, the first invention according to Claims 1 to 3 relates to a signal amplifying circuit provided with means for preventing destruction of an amplifying element with respect to an excessive input signal. Let it be a 1st subject to improve.

(2 Background of the Invention)

Next, conventionally, in the technique of controlling the signal output level, a technique of correcting an output variation accompanying a temperature change has been proposed. As an example, it relates to a signal radiated from an antenna element of a transmitting antenna, and stores in a storage means the detected voltage of a level detecting means corresponding to a maximum value, a standard value and a minimum value of a predetermined power of a desired level of transmission power transmitted from the antenna in advance. There is a transmission power control circuit. This controls the reference voltage generating means so that the reference voltage of the reference voltage generating means is closest to the value corresponding to the standard value of the prescribed electric power when the detected voltage of the level detecting means is out of the range of the prescribed electric power. Then, the voltage set value of the reference voltage generating means at this time is configured to be stored in the storage means in correspondence with the condition of the ambient temperature detected by the temperature detecting means (see Patent Document 2). In this circuit, the transmission power can always be contained within the standard range by correcting the change in the convergence point due to the temperature change.

As another example, there is an automatic power control circuit that sends a portion of the output to the coupling circuit and inputs a signal sent from the coupling circuit to an impedance converter whose output impedance is set large relative to the input impedance. This amplifies the output voltage of the impedance converter with respect to the input voltage, detects the output signal of the impedance converter with the detection circuit, and controls the amplification degree of the transmission power amplifier with respect to the output and the command power of the detection circuit (patent document). 3). By amplifying a voltage signal at an input impedance before input of a detection circuit, this circuit can be made into the value which can ignore the output variation of the transmission power amplifier by the temperature characteristic of the diode used for the detection circuit.

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-212254                         

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-291854

(Problems to be Solved by the Second Invention)

However, since the former stores in advance the storage means the detection voltage of the level detecting means corresponding to the maximum value, the standard value and the minimum value of the transmission power for each desired level transmitted from the antenna, for these plural kinds of data, It requires a large amount of memory and becomes costly.

In addition, the latter suppresses only the output fluctuation due to the temperature characteristic of the diode to be negligible and cannot cope with the output fluctuation factors generated from the entire configuration such as the heat generating portion of the circuit, so that it is still easy to deviate from the desired output level. There is a problem.

In view of these problems, the second invention of Claims 4 and 5 reduces the memory area to be secured by minimizing the use of various reference data necessary for output level control of the signal amplifying circuit, and further reduces the signal. Keeping the output level at high stability is a second problem.

(Background art of the third invention)

Next, conventionally, in the technique of controlling the signal output level, a technique of correcting an output variation accompanying a temperature change has been proposed. As an example, it relates to a signal radiated from an antenna element of a transmitting antenna, and stores in a storage means the detected voltage of a level detecting means corresponding to a maximum value, a standard value and a minimum value of a predetermined power of a desired level of transmission power transmitted from the antenna in advance. There is a transmission power control circuit. This controls the reference voltage generating means so that the reference voltage of the reference voltage generating means is closest to the value corresponding to the standard value of the prescribed electric power when the detected voltage of the level detecting means is out of the range of the prescribed electric power. And it is comprised so that the voltage setting value of the reference voltage generation means at this time may be memorize | stored in the memory | storage means corresponding to the conditions of the ambient temperature which the temperature detection means detected (refer patent document 4). In this circuit, the transmission power can always be contained within the standard range by correcting the change in the convergence point due to the temperature change.

[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-212254

(Problems to be solved by the third invention)

However, this transmission power control circuit stores in advance the detection voltage of the level detecting means corresponding to the maximum value, standard value and minimum value of the specified power of the transmission power in the storage means for each desired level transmitted from the antenna. It requires a large amount of memory for the data, which leads to an increase in cost.

In view of such a problem, the third invention according to Claims 6 to 11 provides a signal output level while reducing the memory area to be secured by minimizing the use of various reference data necessary for output level control of the signal amplifier circuit. It is a third subject to provide a signal amplifying circuit, a transmitting antenna, and an output level control method for controlling the control to match the reference output value with high accuracy within a threshold range.

(Background art of the fourth invention)

Next, the amplifying circuit having an automatic level control circuit (hereinafter referred to as an ALC circuit) and automatically controlling the output signal level includes an output level detecting circuit that detects an output signal level of the amplifying circuit. Some amplifier circuits include an input signal level detection circuit for detecting an input signal level of the amplifier circuit in order to perform specific processing when the amplifier circuit input signal value is out of a preset range. (See, eg, FIG. 2 of Patent Document 5)

[Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-517931

(Problem to solve by the fourth invention)

However, the conventional input signal level detection circuit has a coupler, an attenuator, a detection diode, and the like, and in the case of an ALC circuit under CPU control, an operational amplifier for performing impedance conversion to the operation of the A / D converter. A filter circuit and the like are required, and the circuit configuration is complicated and a large circuit space is required.

By the way, when the ALC circuit does not function correctly, the input signal level information that the maintenance person wants to know is whether or not the input signal level is within an appropriate range, and it is not necessary to understand the specific input signal level. Therefore, a complicated circuit such as the input signal level detection circuit is not necessary.

In view of the above problems, the fourth invention of claim 12 uses the operation of the CPU provided in the ALC circuit to determine whether the input signal level is in an appropriate range in the amplification circuit having the ALC circuit. It is a 4th subject to provide the input signal monitoring program of the amplifying circuit which made it possible to monitor by a simple circuit.                         

(Background art of the fifth invention)

Next, broadcasting or communication using satellites is widely used. As a frequency used in such a large-scale broadcasting, for example, a high frequency straight line such as S band (2.6 to 4 GHz) is used, if there is an obstacle such as a building, radio waves cannot reach the opposite side, and a so-called dead zone is generated. do. Therefore, when such satellite broadcasting is to be used for a moving object such as a vehicle, it is necessary to eliminate the existence of the dead zone, and as a countermeasure, a gap filler device is provided in each dead zone. This gap filler apparatus is intended to solve the dead zone by providing a reception antenna in a place where radio waves from the satellite can be satisfactorily received, and reradiating the received signal at a retransmission antenna provided in the dead zone. (For example, patent document 6).

[Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-230718

(Problem to solve by the fifth invention)

Such a gap filler apparatus has a method of retransmitting at the same frequency as the transmission frequency from a satellite, for example. In such a case, for the space separated from the ground such as an underground mall or underground parking lot where no satellite signal is reached, sufficient retransmission is ensured between the receiving antenna and the retransmitting antenna since the retransmission signal does not return. It can work and it can work well.

However, it is difficult to secure the isolation between the receiving antenna and the retransmitting antenna in a place such as a building shade or a ring bottom, and the radio wave radiated by the gap filler device may reflect and invade the receiving antenna. An oscillation phenomenon occurs and adversely affects a gap filler device or another receiving device. Therefore, in such an environment, sufficient attention is paid to the arrangement and direction of both antennas, but it is difficult to predict the reflection of radio waves, and it is provided while checking the presence or absence of oscillation using a separate measuring instrument.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problem, it is a fifth subject to provide the gap filler apparatus which can ensure sufficient isolation between a receiving antenna and a retransmission antenna without using a separate measuring device in view of the said problem. .

(Background art of the sixth invention)

Next, broadcast or communication systems using satellites are widely used because they can send signals to a large area without constructing a large-scale transmission facility. As the frequency used in such satellite broadcasting is used, for example, an S-band (2.6 to 4 GHz) high straight frequency, a dead zone where radio waves do not reach the other side of an obstacle such as a building is generated. .

In order to enable reception even in such dead zones, the CATV system is effective and implemented. However, when attempting to receive satellite broadcasts by a mobile object such as a vehicle, the CATV system cannot be used, and for example, the use of a gap filler device as shown in Patent Document 7 or Patent Document 8 is indispensable and practical use is in progress.                         

The gap filler device is a system in which a reception antenna is installed in a place where radio waves from a satellite or the like can be satisfactorily received, and the radiation signal is reradiated with a retransmission antenna provided toward a dead zone. It is configured to retransmit at the same frequency as, and in Patent Document 8, the transmission from the satellite to the new frequency band (for example, Ka band (12.5 to 18 GHz)) for the gap filler, and in the gap filler device, the receiving terminal can directly receive The frequency is converted into frequency (for example, S band) and retransmitted.

[Patent Document 7] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-230718

[Patent Document 8] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-308765

(Problems to be Solved by the Sixth Invention)

By the way, the frequency bands of the S-band and the Ka-band as described above are easily affected by the weather. For example, in a large snow environment, the signal from the satellite is blocked by the clouds and greatly attenuated. On the other hand, in the gap filler device, since a gain control circuit is incorporated in order to keep the output signal constant, an operation of increasing the gain is performed when the signal from the satellite is attenuated. Therefore, when a satellite signal cannot be received, a problem is performed in which an operation of maximizing gain is amplified and only retransmitted, which adversely affects the receiving device or surrounding radio equipment.

In addition, in recent years, the use of the gap filler device has been considered for the elimination of the dead zone, but in the case of the terrestrial wave, the reception antenna of the gap filler device is limited due to the construction of a large signboard. There may be cases where a sudden signal cannot be received. Also in this case, the operation to maximize the gain is made, and only the noise is amplified and retransmitted, causing inconvenience to the user.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems, the sixth invention of Claims 14 to 16 provides a gap filler apparatus in which only a noise component is not amplified and transmitted when there is no input signal, and there is no reception signal. It is a 6th subject to provide the gap filler apparatus which can be made to promptly recognize to an administrator.

In order to solve the first problem, the signal amplifying circuit according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises amplifying means formed by connecting amplifying elements for amplifying a transmission signal in multiple stages, and an output level of a transmission signal output from the amplifying means in advance. Gain adjustment means for controlling the convergence at a prescribed prescribed output level, the gain adjustment means for adjusting attenuation of the transmission signal by an adjustment control signal input from the automatic level control means to an adjustment control terminal and outputting the attenuation amount to the amplification means; A signal amplification circuit comprising: an adjustment potential fixing circuit for fixing a potential of the adjustment control signal to the adjustment control terminal, and after the initializing process of the signal amplification circuit at power-on and at arbitrary times, The gain by the adjustment potential fixing circuit connected to the adjustment control terminal. The amount of attenuation of the transmission signal output from the deciding means to the amplifying means is adjusted to be a maximum attenuation value or an attenuation value not exceeding the absolute maximum rated value of the amplifying means, thereby preventing excessive transmission signal from being input to the amplifying means. To prevent destruction of the amplification element.

The signal amplifying circuit according to claim 2 controls amplifying means formed by connecting amplifying elements for amplifying a transmission signal in multiple stages, and converges the output level of the transmission signal output from the amplifying means to a predetermined prescribed output level. Either of the pass contact which has an automatic level control means, which passes the transmission signal input to the input terminal by the switch control signal input from the automatic level control means to the switch control terminal, and the non-pass contact which does not pass. A signal amplifying circuit comprising a switching means for switching to a switch, wherein a switching potential fixing circuit for fixing a potential of the switching control signal is connected to the switching control terminal, and the signal amplifying circuit is initialized at power-on and at arbitrary times. After the start of processing, the switching potential connected to the switching control terminal. The fixing circuit switches the switching means so as to be switched to a non-passing contact which does not pass the transmission signal through the amplifying means, thereby preventing the excessive transmission signal from being input to the amplifying means to prevent destruction of the amplifying element. It is comprised with destruction prevention means.

The signal amplifying circuit according to the invention of claim 3 is a signal amplifying circuit comprising the gain adjusting means according to claim 1 and the switching means according to claim 2, and is provided by an adjustment potential fixing circuit connected to an adjustment control terminal. And a switching potential fixing circuit connected to the switching control terminal by adjusting the attenuation amount of the transmission signal output from the gain adjusting means to the amplifying means so as to be the maximum attenuation value or the attenuation value not exceeding the absolute maximum rated value of the amplifying means. By means of switching the switching means so as to be switched to a non-passing contact which does not pass the transmission signal through the amplifying means, thereby preventing destruction of the amplifying element by preventing excessive transmission signal from being input to the amplifying means. It is configured by.

In order to solve the second problem, the signal amplification circuit according to the invention of claim 4 includes: amplifying means for amplifying a signal, automatic level control means for controlling an output level of the signal by a CPU, and measuring a temperature. A signal amplifying circuit having a temperature measuring means and an output level measuring means for measuring an output level of an amplified signal, wherein the CPU controls the CPU to match the output level with a required reference output level stored in advance. The reference temperature corresponding to the reference output level is measured and stored in advance, and the difference between the reference temperature and the measured current temperature is obtained. When the difference is not zero, the difference is derived from the temperature measuring means. Estimating a temperature compensated reference output level based on the difference using a calculation formula, wherein the CPU estimates the reference output level as the reference output level. Control is configured to match the output level to the device.

A signal amplifying circuit output level control method according to the invention of claim 5 includes: amplifying means for amplifying a signal, automatic level control means for controlling an output level of the signal by a CPU, a temperature measuring means for measuring temperature, and amplifying A signal amplifying circuit output level control method comprising: an output level measuring means for measuring an output level of a given signal; A calculation formula including a coefficient derived from the temperature measuring means, in which the reference temperature corresponding to the output level is measured and stored in advance, the difference between the reference temperature and the measured current temperature is obtained, and the difference is not zero. Estimate a temperature compensated reference output level based on the difference using the The control is configured to match the output level to an existing estimate.

In order to solve the third problem, the signal amplifying circuit according to the sixth aspect of the invention includes an amplifying means for amplifying a signal, an automatic level control means for controlling an output level of the signal by a CPU, and a temperature inside the circuit. And a temperature measuring means for measuring a signal and an output level measuring means for measuring an output level of the amplified signal, wherein the CPU is within a range of a required threshold value stored in advance in a required reference output value preset and stored by the CPU. A signal amplifying circuit for controlling the output level to coincide, comprising: storage means for storing a reference temperature measured in advance so as to correspond to the reference output value, and the difference between the reference temperature and the current temperature measured by the CPU If the difference is not zero, the threshold value is calculated using the equation including a coefficient derived from the temperature measuring means. And control based on temperature compensation and matching the output level to the reference output value within a range of the temperature compensated threshold.

An output level control method of a signal amplifying circuit according to claim 7 includes: amplifying means for amplifying a signal, automatic level control means for controlling an output level of the signal by a CPU, and a temperature measurement for measuring a temperature inside the circuit. Means and an output level measuring means for measuring the output level of the amplified signal, wherein the CPU outputs the output level to a required reference output value preset and stored within the range of the required threshold value preset and stored. An output level control method of a signal amplifying circuit for controlling to match, wherein a reference temperature corresponding to the reference output value is measured in advance and stored in a storage means, and the CPU calculates a difference between the reference temperature and the measured current temperature. If the difference is not zero, the difference is determined by using a calculation formula including a coefficient derived from the temperature measuring means. Temperature compensation based on the control, and control to match the output level to the reference output value within a range of the temperature compensated threshold.

The transmitting antenna according to the invention of claim 8 includes the signal amplifying circuit according to claim 6 and an antenna element formed so as to emit a signal output from the signal amplifying circuit, and is adapted to a radiation level of the signal radiated from the antenna element. Based on this, the CPU is configured to control the output level to match the reference output value within the range of the temperature compensated threshold.

An output level control method for a transmission antenna according to the invention of claim 9 includes: amplifying means for amplifying a signal, automatic level control means for controlling an output level of the signal by a CPU, and a temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature inside a circuit. And an output level measuring means for measuring the output level of the amplified signal, and matching the output level with the required reference output value preset by the CPU within a range of the required threshold value stored in advance. A method of controlling the output level of a transmitting antenna, which is made by connecting an antenna element formed so as to radiate a signal output from the signal amplifying circuit to a signal amplifying circuit which is controlled so as to be controlled. Stored in the means, the CPU calculates a difference between the reference temperature and the measured current temperature, and the difference is zero. If not, based on the radiation level of the signal radiated from the antenna element, the threshold value is compensated for temperature based on the difference using an arithmetic expression including coefficients derived from the temperature measuring means, and the temperature compensation. And to control the output level to match the reference output value within a range of a predetermined threshold.

The transmitting antenna according to the invention of claim 10 is provided so that the signal amplifying circuit according to claim 6, an adjusting circuit for adjusting the output level of the signal amplified by the signal amplifying circuit, and a signal adjusted by the adjusting circuit are radiated. And an antenna element, and based on the radiation level of the signal emitted from the antenna element, the CPU is configured to control the output level to match the reference output value within a range of a temperature compensated threshold.

An output level control method for a transmission antenna according to the invention of claim 11 includes amplifying means for amplifying a signal, automatic level control means for controlling an output level of the signal by a CPU, and a temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature inside a circuit. And an output level measuring means for measuring the output level of the amplified signal, and matching the output level with the required reference output value preset by the CPU within a range of the required threshold value stored in advance. An output level control of a transmitting antenna formed by connecting an adjustment circuit for adjusting the output level of the signal amplified by the signal amplifying circuit and an antenna element capable of radiating the signal adjusted by the adjusting circuit; As a method, the reference temperature corresponding to the reference output value is measured in advance and stored in the storage means, and the CPU causes the If the difference between the reference temperature and the measured current temperature is obtained and the difference is not zero, the threshold value is based on the radiation level of the signal emitted from the antenna element, and the threshold value is at least one of the temperature measuring means or the adjusting circuit. Temperature compensation based on the difference using an equation including a coefficient derived from the equation, and the coefficient of the equation is obtained by a function based on at least one of the temperature characteristics of the temperature measuring means or the adjustment circuit, And control the CPU to match the output level to a reference output value within a range of temperature compensated thresholds.

In order to solve the said 4th subject, the input signal monitoring program of the amplifier circuit of Claim 12 is provided with the variable attenuator interposed in the signal input part of an amplifier circuit, and the CPU which controls this variable attenuator, An input signal monitoring program of an amplifying circuit having an automatic level control circuit for automatically controlling an amplifying circuit output by controlling an attenuation amount of the variable attenuator, wherein the variable attenuator control signal of the CPU is configured to maximize or reduce the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator. Even with the minimum signal, when the amplifying circuit output does not reach a target output value, the CPU determines that the input signal is abnormal and outputs an input level abnormality occurrence signal.

In order to solve the said 5th subject, the gap filler apparatus by 13th invention receives a satellite signal or a terrestrial signal, and sends it to the gap filler apparatus which retransmits to the area which cannot be directly received at the same frequency as a reception frequency. A signal processing unit including an amplifying circuit for processing a received signal, an attenuation circuit, and the like, a control unit for controlling the signal processing unit, and a detection circuit for detecting a retransmission signal and a magnitude of a detection signal of the detection circuit. And an oscillation detection circuit for detecting oscillation, and notification means for notifying generation of oscillation when the oscillation detection circuit detects oscillation.

With this configuration, the presence or absence of oscillation can be known without using a separate measuring instrument, and the reception and retransmission antennas can be isolated, and the reception and retransmission antennas without oscillation can be easily arranged. Can be.

In order to solve the sixth problem, the gap filler device according to the invention according to claim 14 includes a receiving antenna for receiving a satellite signal or a terrestrial signal, an amplifying circuit for amplifying the received signal, and controlling and retransmitting the amplifying circuit. A gap filler device having a control unit for transmitting a signal and a retransmission antenna for radiating a retransmission signal, comprising: an input signal detection unit for detecting a reception signal level, an output signal detection unit for detecting a retransmission signal level, and a notification unit And the control unit has an input level reference value for comparing the signal level detected by the input signal detecting means, and an output level reference value for comparing the signal level detected by the output signal detecting means, and the detected input signal level is an input level reference value. Even if the gain of the amplification circuit is lowered, the detected retransmission signal level does not exceed the output level reference value. At the time of not taking matching, and also is configured to inform the operation informing means with the gain of the amplifier circuit to a minimum.

With this configuration, since both of the input signal level and the output signal level are judged, it is possible to reliably determine that there is no input signal, and to determine the state without the input signal reliably. This eliminates amplification and retransmission of only noise components, and does not adversely affect surrounding radio wave equipment and receivers. In addition, it can be known that there is no reception signal by the notification means, and the manager can cope with it quickly, and also helps in adjusting the reception antenna.

The gap filler device according to the invention of claim 15 includes a receiving antenna for receiving a satellite signal or a terrestrial signal, an amplifying circuit for amplifying the received signal, a controller for controlling the amplifying circuit to output a retransmitted signal, and a retransmitted signal. A gap filler device having a radiating retransmission antenna, comprising: an input signal detecting means for detecting a received signal level and a notification means, wherein the control unit has an input level reference value for comparing the signal level detected by the input signal detecting means. And when the detected signal level is lower than the input level reference value, the gain of the amplifying circuit is minimized and the notification means is operated to notify the operation.

According to this configuration, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of an input signal by setting the input level reference value to a value slightly larger than the noise level. When determining that there is no input signal level, the gain of the amplifying circuit is minimized, so that only the noise component The amplification and retransmission are eliminated, and there is no adverse effect on the surrounding radio wave equipment and the receiving apparatus. In addition, it can be known that there is no reception signal by the notification means, and it is possible to cope quickly, and also helps in adjusting the reception antenna.

The gap filler device according to the invention of claim 16 includes a receiving antenna for receiving a satellite signal or a terrestrial signal, an amplifying circuit for amplifying the received signal, a control unit for controlling the amplifying circuit to output a retransmitted signal, and a retransmitted signal. A gap filler device having a radiating retransmission antenna, comprising: an output signal detection means for detecting a retransmission signal level and a notification means, wherein the control unit outputs a reference level for comparing the signal level detected by the output signal detection means; And when the gain of the amplifying circuit is changed, when the detected signal level cannot obtain a state nearly identical to the output level reference value, the gain of the amplifying circuit is minimized and the notification means is operated to notify the operation. do.

According to this configuration, when the output level reference value is set to the desired output level, it is possible to determine that there is no input signal when the retransmission signal cannot make a state nearly identical to the output level reference value. Due to the minimum, only the noise component is amplified and never transmitted. Therefore, it does not adversely affect surrounding radio wave equipment and a receiving apparatus. In addition, it can be known that there is no reception signal by the notification means, and the manager can cope with it quickly, and also helps in adjusting the reception antenna.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, embodiment of 1st invention is described based on FIG.

The signal amplifying circuit according to the present invention is, for example, one element constituting a gap filler device for reradiating a broadcast signal from a satellite in a mobile broadcasting system using a satellite scheduled to start broadcasting in spring 2004. As best used. As shown in FIG. 1, the gap filler device 60 includes a reception antenna 51, a signal processor 52, a divider 53, a signal amplifying circuit 50, and an antenna for receiving broadcast signals from satellites. It consists of the transmission antenna 54 which retransmits the broadcast signal integrally formed by the element 54a.

To the input terminal of the signal amplifying circuit 50, a receiving antenna 51 configured to receive a broadcast signal of 12 GHz band from a satellite is connected via a distributor 53. Here, the divider 53 is provided with three branch lines so as to distribute broadcast signals so that three transmit antennas can be connected to one receive antenna. In addition, an antenna element 54a formed to radiate broadcast signals in the 2.6 GHz band is connected to the output terminal.

2A is a block diagram of a transmission antenna 54 incorporating a signal amplifying circuit 50 according to the present invention. The input terminal 1 is supplied with a broadcast signal (transmission signal) and a driving power supply from the distributor 53, and a capacitor 2 for passing only the broadcast signal is connected. At the output end of the capacitor 2, an RF switch 4 as a switching means configured to switch whether or not to pass the broadcast signal to the rear end, and a gain controller as gain adjusting means configured to control the attenuation amount of the broadcast signal (adjustable output control hereinafter) Amplifier 7 as an amplification means formed by connecting four field effect transistors (hereinafter referred to as "FETs") in four stages as the amplification elements 71 to 74 for a broadcast signal, and harmonics. The bandpass filter 8 which removes a spurious component is connected in series. In addition, between the output terminal 10 of the band pass filter 8 and the output terminal 10 connected to the antenna element 54a, a coupler configured to detect traveling wave power and reflected wave power of the broadcast signal output to the antenna element 54a ( 9) is provided.

Moreover, the control part 15 is connected to the input terminal 1 by the power supply line 3a through the low pass filter 3 which passes only the power supply component supplied from the distributor 53. As shown in FIG. As shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, the control unit 15 controls the output level of the broadcast signal radiated from the antenna element 54a to converge and maintain the output level at a predetermined prescribed output level. It consists of an automatic level control circuit (hereinafter, referred to as an "ALC circuit") 15a as a control means, and a power supply unit 15b for supplying power supplied from the distributor 53 to each circuit by the power supply line 19. .

The RF switch 4 comprises two switching circuits of one input and two outputs, and uses two switching circuits 4a using an RF relay operated by a switching control signal input to the switching control terminal 4c. 4b) is configured to be interlockable. The CPU 22 of the ALC circuit 15a is connected to the switching control terminal 4c of the RF switch 4 via the control line 16 and inputted to the input terminal by the switching control signal of the CPU 22. It is comprised so that switching is possible to either the pass contact which passes a broadcast signal through the GC 6 to the amplifier 7, and the non-pass contact which does not pass.

The input terminal 4a1 of one switching circuit 4a is connected to the capacitor 2, the output terminal 4a2 as a pass contact is connected to the GC 6, and the output terminal 4a3 as a non-pass contact is a termination resistor. It is connected to GND which becomes a reference electric potential via 5b, respectively. The input terminal 4b1 of the other switching circuit 4b is connected to GND via the termination resistor 5a, the output terminal 4b2 is opened, and the output terminal 4b3 is connected to the GC 6 have. The switching control terminal 4c is connected to a pull-down resistor 5c having the other end connected to GND as a switching potential fixing circuit for fixing the potential of the switching control signal.

Here, as the RF switch 4, when the switching control signal of the power supply potential is input to the switching control terminal 4c, the two switching circuits 4a and 4b are interlocked, The input terminal 4a1 and the output terminal 4a2 are switched to be connected, and the input terminal 4b1 and the output terminal 4b2 of the other switching circuit 4b are switched to be connected. In addition, the RF switch 4 is switched so that the input terminal 4a1 and the output terminal 4a3 are connected when the switching control signal of the GND potential is input to the switching control terminal 4c, and the input terminal 4b1. ) And the output terminal 4b3 are switched to be connected.

The GC 6 inputs the adjustment control signal output from the CPU 22 to the adjustment control terminal 6a, thereby adjusting the amount of attenuation of the broadcast signal passing through the pass-side contact of the RF switch 4, so that the amplifier of the rear stage is provided. It is comprised so that output to (7) is possible. Here, in the GC 6, the attenuation amount of the broadcast signal becomes the minimum attenuation value when the voltage of the adjustment control signal input to the adjustment control terminal 6a is the maximum voltage, and the attenuation amount is the maximum attenuation when the voltage is the minimum voltage. It is used to have the gain characteristic which becomes a value.

The adjustment control signal input to the adjustment control terminal 6a of the GC 6 converts the gain control information of the CPU 22 into a voltage signal by a D / A converter (hereinafter referred to as "DAC") 35. will be. The adjustment control terminal 6a is connected to the DAC 35 via the control line 17. In addition, a pull-down resistor 5d whose other end is connected to GND is connected to the adjustment control terminal 6a as an adjustment potential fixing circuit for fixing the potential of the adjustment control signal. In the signal amplifying circuit 50, 50? Is optimally used as the resistance of the termination resistors 5a and 5b, and 4.7 k? Is used as the resistance of the pull-down resistors 5c and 5d.

The amplifier 7 (refer to FIG. 2 (b)) connects the matching circuit 75 and the matching circuit 79 at the foremost end and the last end to match the front and back end circuits, and the amplification elements 71 to 74 The drain terminal and the gate terminal which are adjacent to each other are connected through matching circuits 76-78. Further, each drain terminal and each gate terminal of the amplifying elements 71 to 74 are connected to the power supply section 15b by a bias line 18 via a bias resistor.

The coupler 9 detects the traveling wave power of the broadcast signal and outputs the traveling wave power waveform to the control unit 15. The coupler 9 detects the reflected wave power of the broadcast signal and reflects the reflected wave to the control unit 15. It is connected to the reflected wave power detection circuit 14 formed so that a power waveform can be output, and comprises the output level measuring means. In addition, between the coupler 9 and the traveling wave power detection circuit 12, a traveling wave attenuator 11 for adjusting the input level of traveling wave power input to the traveling wave power detection circuit 12 to a required value is provided, and the coupler is further provided. Between the 9 and the reflected wave power detection circuit 14, an attenuator 13 for reflected waves is similarly connected.

The ALC circuit 15a is provided with a CPU 22 that controls various operations of the signal amplification circuit 50, and this A / D converter (hereinafter referred to as "ADC") converts an analog voltage into a digital value. The multiplexer 24 is connected via (23). The multiplexer 24 includes a traveling wave power detection circuit 12 through the detection line 12a, a reflected wave power detection circuit 14 through the detection line 14a, and a detection line 27a for detecting voltage values of the power supply unit 15b. The device for signal detection, such as the voltage sensor 27 and temperature sensor 28 as a temperature measuring means connected to (), is connected. The multiplexer 24 is configured to input only one selected data among these plural types into the CPU 22.

The CPU 22 is also connected with a data flash memory 29 for storing various parameters and a program flash memory 30 for storing a program of the CPU 22. The CPU 22 also stores variables used during program execution. The SRAM 31 is connected. In addition, a serial communication port 32 used for recording a program or displaying monitoring information, an output level setting switch 33 for detecting a specified output level from the CPU 22, and an LED for externally displaying the state of the device. 34 is connected. In addition, the CPU 22 is connected to the power supply unit 15b by a control line 20 in order to supply and stop control the bias power supplied from the power supply unit 15b to the amplifier 7.

The CPU 22 detects the state of the output level setting switch 33, reads the prescribed prescribed output level, the specified output level data, and the traveling wave power data measured by the ADC 23, that is, the amplifier ( The output level data of 7) is compared, and the attenuation amount is adjusted by adjusting the control voltage of the adjustment control signal of the GC 6 so as to converge the output level of the broadcast signal to the specified output level.

In addition, the signal amplifying circuit 50 includes output state changing means for changing the output state of the broadcast signal at any time in a state in which the broadcast signal is stably output while maintaining the specified output level constant from the amplifier 7. have. In other words, the output state changing means outputs the output stop processing for forcibly output-adjusting the broadcast signal of the specified output level to zero level and the broadcast signal output adjusted to zero level by the output stop process to return to the specified output level for output. The output state change switch 36 is configured to perform the output return process to be adjusted, and the two output states of the output stop state generated by the output stop process and the output return state generated by the output return process can be changed. It is composed. This output state change switch 36 is connected to the CPU 22 and is configured to be capable of outputting a control signal for changing the output stop state and the output return state to the CPU 22.

This output state changing means is, for example, in the gap filler apparatus 60, when installing the apparatus, the gap filler apparatus so that a broadcast signal is not radiated from the transmission antenna 54 at an output level equal to or higher than an applied level. Emission of the broadcast signal temporarily while stopping the emission of the broadcast signal until the setting operation or adjustment operation of 60 is completed or during the maintenance management work after the installation of the device, while checking the output level of the broadcast signal. It is used for stopping the motor. As the output state change switch 36, for example, a push type two-stage switching type in which ON-OFF is switched each time a button is pressed is used.

The operation of the initialization processing S1 of the signal amplifying circuit 50 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 4.

The CPU 22 is incapable of self-standing control during the period from immediately after the power supply from the distributor 53 to the end of the reset operation of the CPU 22 by the power supply, or from the start of the reset operation at any time to the end. It is in a state. Therefore, the control signal of an indefinite state is input to the control terminal 4c of the RF switch 4. However, since the switching control terminal 4c of the RF switch 4 is connected to GND by the pull-down resistor 5c (the RF switch is set to OFF), the switching operation is performed to a non-passing contact that does not pass the broadcast signal. I confirm it. At this time, the RF switch 4 connects the input terminal 4a1 to the non-pass contact 4a3 which does not pass the broadcast signal, and connects the input terminal 4b1 to the output terminal 4b3. Therefore, the output terminal of the distributor 53 of the front end is forcibly connected to GND through the terminating resistor 5b, and the input terminal of the GC 6 is forcibly connected to GND via the terminating resistor 5a (S1-). One).

Similarly, during the above-described period, an adjustment control signal in an indefinite state is input to the adjustment control terminal 6a of the GC 6. However, since the adjustment control terminal 6a of the GC 6 is connected to GND by the pull-down resistor 5d, it is determined that the minimum voltage is applied to the adjustment control terminal 6a. Therefore, the attenuation amount of the GC 6 is set to the initial value which becomes the maximum attenuation value (S1-2). In this initial state, the broadcast signal appearing at the output end of the GC 6 is sufficiently attenuated, and the broadcast signal exceeding the absolute maximum rated value of each amplification element is not input to the amplifier 7 at the rear end.

After the completion of the reset operation, the initialization program stored in the program flash memory 30 is executed, and the CPU 22 is in an independent controllable state, and the setting items for each circuit are set by the CPU 22 to the initial state. Is processed. The switching state of the RF switch 4 at this time is a state where the input terminal 4a1 is connected to the non-passing contact 4a3 which does not let a broadcast signal pass. Therefore, the RF switch 4 is controlled by the CPU 22 so that the connection between the input terminal 4a1 and the non-passing contact 4a3 is maintained by the CPU 22 so as not to pass the broadcast signal, and is set to an initial state. S1-3).

The setting process is also performed so as to be in the initial state for the other control terminals. For example, immediately after the power supply is turned on, the lighting state of the LED 34 is indefinite and the setting process is turned off once, or the output state changing function of the output state changing means is set to an invalid state. Further, a control signal for controlling the supply and stop of the bias power supply is output from the CPU 22 to the power supply unit 15b via the control line 20, and the power supply unit 15b has a constant value from the power supply unit 15b to the amplification elements 71 to 74. Supply bias power. When it takes time for the bias power supplies of the amplification elements 71 to 74 to stabilize, weight processing of the required time is put in (S1-3). All initial settings are executed to complete the initialization process.

After the completion of the initialization processing, the control program of the ALC circuit 15a is executed, and the transient processing for raising the output level of the broadcast signal to around the specified output level (hereinafter referred to as "ALC transient processing"), and then the broadcast signal is Normal processing (hereinafter referred to as " ALC normal processing ") to stably maintain the specified output level is performed.

The operation of the ALC transient processing S2 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 5.

First, the RF switch 4 is connected by the CPU 22 so that the input terminal 4a1 and the pass contact 4a2 of the RF switch 4 are connected, and the input terminal 4b1 and the output terminal 4b2 are connected at the same time. Is switched control (set the RF switch to ON). By this switching control, the termination process of the distributor 53 is canceled, the broadcast signal is input to the signal amplifying circuit 50, the broadcast signal is terminated at the output terminal at the optimal transmission level, and the broadcast signal is released. Passes through the GC 6 to the amplifier 7 (S2-1). At this time, the amplifier 7 is already supplied with a constant bias voltage and is operating in a stable state.

The broadcast signal whose attenuation amount is adjusted by the GC 6 is input to the gate terminal of the amplifying element 71 of the amplifier 7. However, immediately after the start of this ALC transient processing, the attenuation amount of the GC 6 is set to the maximum attenuation value by the adjustment potential fixing circuit connected to the adjustment control terminal 6a of the GC 6, and the GC 6 The broadcast signal does not appear at the output terminal. Therefore, the output level of the broadcast signal output from the amplifier 7 is zero level. A GC raising process S3 is performed to adjust and control the attenuation amount of the GC 6 to raise the output level of the broadcast signal to around the specified output level.

The operation of the GC raising process S3 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 6.

First, the prescribed output level data detected by the output level setting switch 33 in the state is set in the register of the CPU 22 (S3-1). The traveling wave power data (current output level data of the amplifier 7) acquired by the ADC 23 through the coupler 9 connected to the output terminal of the amplifier 7 is set in the register of the CPU 22 (S3-2). ). The CPU 22 calculates the difference between the prescribed output level data and the traveling wave power data (S3-3).

During the ALC transient processing period, the output level of the broadcast signal does not match the specified output level and the difference is not zero. Therefore, the magnitude relation is examined by comparing the prescribed output level data with the traveling wave power data (S3-4). . Since the traveling wave power data is smaller than the prescribed output level data, the CPU 22 controls the adjustment of the GC 6 in the direction of increasing the output level, that is, in the direction of decreasing the attenuation amount of the GC 6 by the amount of change dQ. The control voltage of the signal is adjusted (S3-5).

The GC raising process is an intermediate output obtained by multiplying the processing of (S3-1) to (S3-5) by the constant output level data by the constant A (= 1-e-1 = 0.63). N (= 1, 2 ...) is repeated until the level data and the output level data coincide. At this time, the temporal change of the output level can be plotted as a first-order function line whose slope is determined by n execution times T and constants A of the GC raising process. By this GC rising process, the output level of a broadcast signal rises non-vibrally from zero level to an intermediate output level, without exceeding a rising regulation output level. The ALC transient processing ends with the end of the GC raising process.

After the end of the ALC transient processing S2, the ALC normal processing S4 (not shown) is performed, and by this ALC normal processing, the ALC circuit 15a sets the output level of the broadcast signal to the ALC transient processing (GC rising process). ) The output level value at the end, i.e., the intermediate output level is further raised, the GC 6 is controlled to converge on the specified output level, and maintained to match the specified output level. Then, the function of the output state changing means set to the invalid state in the initialization processing of the signal amplifying circuit 50 is set to the valid state.

The operation of the output stop processing S5 of the output state changing means will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 7.

During the ALC normal processing period, the output state change switch 36 is pressed once to operate the interrupt request to the CPU 22 for execution of the output stop processing program of the broadcast signal (S5-1). The output stop processing program is called from the flash memory 30 and executed (S5- 2). The control voltage of the adjustment control signal input to the adjustment control terminal 6a of the GC 6 is reduced to the minimum voltage, and the attenuation amount of the GC 6 is set to the maximum attenuation value (S5-3). Therefore, the output level of the broadcast signal output from the amplifier 7 is set to zero level.

The switching control signal is output by the CPU 22 to the switching control terminal 4a of the RF switch 4, the input terminal 4a1 is connected to the non-passing contact 4a3, and the input terminal 4b1 is output to the output terminal ( 4b3) (switch the RF switch to OFF) (S5-4). At this time, the output terminal of the divider 53 is connected to GND through the terminating resistor 5b, and the input terminal of the GC 6 is connected to GND through the terminating resistor 5a. Therefore, the potential of the output terminal of the divider 53 is fixed to the GND potential and the broadcast signal is not input to the GC 6, and the input terminal of the GC 6 is fixed to the GND potential, and the broadcast signal is the amplifier 7. Is not entered. A supply stop signal of the bias power supply is output from the CPU 22 to the power supply unit 15b, and the supply of the bias power supply to the amplifier 7 is stopped (S5-5). The output stop state of the signal amplifier 50 is produced in the above procedure, and the output stop process is complete | finished.

According to this output stop processing S5, the isolation with the front end circuit of the signal amplifier circuit 50, ie, the divider 53, can be enlarged. Therefore, in the output stop processing of the broadcast signal, the input of the broadcast signal or noise leaked from the front end circuit can be cut off, and these unnecessary signals can be prevented from radiating from the antenna 54.

In addition, the operation of the output return processing S6 of the output state changing means will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 8.

During the output stop processing period, the output state change switch 36 is pressed once to operate, and an interrupt request is made to the CPU 22 to execute the output return processing program of the broadcast signal (S6-1). The CPU 22 calls and executes the output return processing program from the flash memory 30 (S6-2). Further, a bias power supply start signal is output from the CPU 22 to the power supply unit 15b, and a bias power of a constant value is supplied from the power supply unit 15b to the amplification elements 71 to 74 (S6-3). When it takes time for the bias power supply of the amplification elements 71-74 to stabilize, it puts in the weight process of a required time, and operates in a stable state.

The RF switch 4 switches control so that the input terminal 4a1 and the pass contact 4a2 of the RF switch 4 are connected by the CPU 22, and the input terminal 4b1 and the output terminal 4b2 are connected at the same time. (Set the RF switch 4 to ON). By this switching control, the termination process of the output terminal of the distributor 53 is canceled, and the broadcast signal output from the distributor 53 can pass through the GC 6 to the amplifier 7 (S6-4). .

The broadcast signal whose attenuation amount is adjusted by the GC 6 is input to the gate terminal of the amplifying element 71 of the amplifier 7. However, immediately after the start of this output return processing, the attenuation amount of the GC 6 is set to the maximum attenuation value by the CPU 22, and no broadcast signal appears at the output end of the GC 6. Therefore, the output level of the broadcast signal output from the amplifier 7 is zero level. The GC raising process for adjusting and controlling the attenuation of the GC 6 to raise the output level of the broadcast signal to around the specified output level is performed. The output return state of the signal amplifier 50 is generated in the above procedure, and the output return process ends with the end of the GC raising process.

After the end of the output return processing S6, the ALC normal processing S4 is performed, and the output level of the broadcast signal is maintained at the same level as the convergence to the specified output level under the control of the GC 6.

According to the signal amplifying circuit 50 according to the present invention as described above, GND is connected to the adjustment control terminal 6a via the pull-down resistor 5d so as to fix the potential of the adjustment control signal, and after the start of the initialization process, the GC ( Since the attenuation prevention means for adjusting the attenuation amount of 6) to be the maximum attenuation value is provided, even if an overcast signal is input to the GC 6, the broadcast signal input to the amplifier 7 in the rear stage is sufficiently attenuated, There is no fear of exceeding the absolute maximum ratings of each of the amplifying elements 71 to 74. Therefore, it is possible to reliably cut off an excessive broadcast signal without using a zener diode as in the prior art, to prevent device destruction, to improve the reliability of the signal amplification circuit 50, and to reduce noise and the like. By suppressing the generation of unnecessary signals, the quality of the amplified signal can be improved.

In addition, a pull-down resistor 5c for fixing the potential of the switching control signal is connected to the switching control terminal 4c, and after the start of the initialization process, a non-passing contact 4a3 which does not pass the broadcast signal through the amplifier 7 is provided. Since a breakdown prevention means for switching the switching means to be switched is provided, even if an over-broadcast signal is input to the RF switch 4, a broadcast signal is not input to the amplifier 7 at the rear stage, and the amplifying element 71 is provided. There is no fear of exceeding each of the absolute maximum ratings of the reference. Therefore, it is possible to reliably block an excessive broadcast signal without using a zener diode as in the prior art, to prevent device destruction, to improve the reliability of the signal amplification circuit 50, and to reduce noise compared to the conventional art. It is possible to suppress the generation of unnecessary signals such as the like and to improve the quality of the amplified signal.

In addition, the RF switch 4 and the GC 6 are provided at the same time, and as described above, the RF switch 4 is switched to the non-pass contact 4a3 by connecting the pull-down resistor 5c, and the pull-down resistor ( By adjusting the attenuation amount of the GC 6 to the maximum attenuation value by connecting 5d), it is possible to more reliably prevent the excessive input signal from being input to the amplifier 7 and further improve the reliability of the signal amplification circuit 50. Can improve.

In addition, since the ALC circuit 15a converges the output level of the broadcast signal to the specified output level in a non-vibrating manner, the amplification element 71 can be prevented from outputting the broadcast signal at a level higher than the specified output level even at one instant. It is possible to prevent the input of an excessive input signal to).

In addition, since the bias signal is supplied to the amplifying elements 71 to 74 of the amplifier 7 after the reset operation of the CPU 22 is finished, a broadcast signal is input to the amplifying elements 71. It is possible to prevent the destruction of 74).

In addition, since the pull-down resistor 5c is connected to the control terminal 4c of the RF switch 4 in advance, even if the CPU 22 is out of control during the reset period of the CPU 22 at the time of power-on, The broadcast signal can be determined by switching to the non-pass contact 4a3 that does not pass through the rear-end circuit. For example, the broadcast signal can be determined by switching to the non-pass contact 4a3, and the non-pass contact 4a3 is connected to the termination resistor 5b. By terminating by this, even when a signal is input from the front end circuit of the signal amplifying circuit 50, the isolation can be increased to prevent unnecessary broadcasting signal input from the non-passing contact 4a3, and the adjacent pattern can be prevented. In addition, it is possible to block the input of noise to the component, and to prevent the emission of unnecessary signals from the antenna element 54a.

In addition, since the output state changing means is provided, the output state of the broadcast signal can be changed at any time after the initialization process. For example, the output state of the broadcast signal is changed to the output stop state, and the setting adjustment work or maintenance is performed. By performing the management work, it is possible to prevent the wrong output of a broadcast signal of an excessive output level due to a setting operation error or the like at a later stage.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, As shown below, it is also possible to change and implement the shape and structure of each part suitably in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

(1) The present invention is not limited to the gap filler device of a mobile broadcast system, but can be used for transmission antennas such as other satellite communication systems and wireless LANs.

(2) The present invention can be used not only for the transmitting antenna but also for signal output devices of wired communication systems such as CATV.

(3) The present invention is not limited to broadcast signals but can be used to amplify other transmission signals that require signal amplification.

(4) The amplifying means may be configured not only by connecting the amplifier elements in four stages, but also in other stages such as two stages, three stages, and five stages.

(5) The amplifying elements 71 to 74 are not limited to FETs, but may use bipolar transistors (HBTs) using heterojunctions.                     

(6) It is also possible to use the GC 6 having the characteristic that the amount of attenuation becomes the maximum attenuation value when the applied control voltage of the adjustment control terminal 6a is maximum. In that case, instead of the pull-down resistor 5d, the pull-up process is applied to the adjustment control terminal 6a by the pull-up resistor.

(7) When the applied control voltage of the switching control terminal 4c is equal to the circuit power supply, the RF switch 4 may be used to switch to a non-passing contact that does not pass the broadcast signal. In that case, instead of the pull-down resistor 5c, a pull-up process is applied to the switching control terminal 4c using a pull-up resistor.

(8) The RF switch 4 is not limited to built-in two circuits, but the non-contact contact 4a3 connected to the input terminal 4a1 of the broadcast signal, the terminating resistor 5b, and the GC 6 It may be configured to include only a circuit composed of a pass contact 4a2 connected to the circuit.

(9) It is preferable to use 0.63 as the constant A used in the GC raising process of the ALC transient processing. However, this is not limited to this. If the output level of the broadcast signal does not exceed the prescribed output level, another value is used. Also good.

(10) The temporal change in the output level of the GC rising process is not limited to the first-order function line, but changes to conform to other function curves such as an exponential function, if the procedure is performed in a non-vibrating manner without exceeding the specified output level. It may be.

(11) Not only one type of change is used for the change amount dQ of the GC increase processing, but also the change amount in the first half of the GC increase processing, for example, from the output level to the 60% of the specified output level. Another change amount dQ2 may be used in the second half of the same, for example, from 60% of the specified output level to the intermediate output level. In this case, by setting the change amount dQ1 to a value smaller than the change amount dQ2, it is possible to change the rise from the zero level steeply after the GC rise processing is executed, and the output level of the broadcast signal can be changed to the specified output level in a short time. We can procedure.

(12) The adjustment potential fixing circuit and the switching potential fixing circuit are not limited to the resistance element, but may be fixed to the potential.

(13) The adjustment potential fixing circuit of the GC 6 not only adjusts the attenuation amount of the transmission signal output to the amplifier 7 to the maximum attenuation value, but also, for example, the amplification elements 71 to 74 of each stage. It may be adjusted so that the damping value does not exceed the absolute maximum rated value. In this case as well, element destruction can be similarly prevented and the reliability of the signal amplification circuit 50 can be improved.

(14) The signal amplifying circuit 50 may be provided separately from the antenna element 54a to configure the transmitting antenna 54.

(15) The band pass filter 8 may be provided at the stage immediately before the output terminal 10.

(16) Removing the multiplexer 24 by connecting the ADCs 23 to the traveling wave power detection circuit 12, the reflected wave power detection circuit 14, the voltage sensor 27, and the temperature sensor 28, respectively. It is possible.

About invention other than description of a claim which can be grasped | ascertained from the said embodiment, it describes with the effect below.                     

(i) In the invention according to claim 1 or 3, when the output level of the transmission signal is converged to the specified output level after completion of the initialization processing of the signal amplifying circuit, the attenuation amount of the transmission signal is the maximum attenuation value, or The gain adjusting means is controlled by the automatic level control means so as to gradually decrease from the attenuation value not exceeding the absolute maximum rated value of the amplifying means, and the output level of the transmission signal is converged non-vibrally to the specified output level.

In this case, the output level of the transmission signal can be prevented from outputting a level higher than the specified output level even at one instant, and the input of an excessive input signal to the amplifying element can be prevented.

(Ii) In the invention according to claim 2 or 3, a terminating resistor is connected to a non-passing contact of the switching means.

In this case, since the terminating resistor is connected to the non-passing contact of the switching means, it is possible to increase the isolation to prevent the input of unnecessary transmission signals from the non-passing contact, and to block the input of noise to the adjacent pattern or component. It becomes possible.

(Iii) In the invention according to any one of items 1 to 3, (i) or (ii), the transmission signal is input to the amplifying means after the bias power is supplied.

In this case, since the transmission signal is input to the amplifying element of the amplifying means after the bias power is supplied, it is possible to prevent destruction of the amplifying element.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, embodiment of 2nd invention is described based on FIG. 9-14.                     

The signal amplification circuit using the present invention is, for example, one element constituting a gap filler device for reradiating a broadcast signal from a satellite in a mobile broadcasting system using a satellite scheduled to start broadcasting in spring 2004. As best used. Here, the mobile broadcasting system is a system for allowing digital broadcasting to be received in mobile devices such as mobile phones and automobiles in addition to homes. This system consists of a geostationary satellite, a terrestrial broadcasting center station, and a gap filler device which is an auxiliary terrestrial radio facility. As shown in FIG. 9, the gap filler device 60 includes a reception antenna 51, a signal processor 52, a divider 53, a signal amplifier circuit 50, and an antenna element for receiving broadcast signals from satellites. And a transmission antenna 54 for retransmitting a broadcast signal.

In this system, a broadcast signal of 12 GHz band is sent up to a satellite once from a broadcasting center station, and then broadcast signals of two frequency bands of 2.6 GHz band and 12 GHz band are transmitted from the satellite to the entire service area. The moving object directly receives the 2.6 GHz broadcast signal from the satellite at the place where the broadcast signal arrives. On the other hand, in a place where radio waves are shielded in a building or a tunnel, the gap filler device 60 converts the 12 GHz band broadcast signal received by the reception antenna 51 into 2.6 GHz and is installed at a position capable of receiving radio waves. The broadcast signal retransmitted from the transmitting antenna 54 is received.

The gap filler device 60 of the present system enables the service to be received even in an area where the broadcast signal is blocked, and also enables stable broadcast reception even during high-speed movement. By providing the signal amplification circuit 50 using the present invention, the transmission antenna 54 enables the transmission of the broadcast signal to be transmitted stably at a desired transmission output level.

10 is a block diagram of a transmission antenna 54 incorporating a signal amplifying circuit 50 according to the present invention. In the gap filler device 60 of the mobile broadcasting system, the transmitting antenna 54 includes an antenna element 54a formed to re-radiate a 2.6 GHz broadcast signal and a signal amplifying circuit for amplifying the broadcast signal to an appropriate output level ( 50).

In the input terminal 1 of the signal amplifying circuit 50, a receiving antenna for gap filler (hereinafter referred to as a "receiving antenna") 51 configured to be able to receive a broadcast signal of 12 GHz band from a satellite is provided with a distributor 53. It is connected via communication (see Fig. 9). Here, the divider 53 is provided with three branch lines so as to distribute broadcast signals so that three transmit antennas can be connected to one receive antenna. In addition, an antenna element 54a of the transmitting antenna 54 is connected to the output terminal 10.

To the input terminal 1, a broadcast signal and driving power are supplied from the distributor 53, and a capacitor 2 for passing only the broadcast signal is connected. At the output end of the capacitor 2, a switching RF switch 4 configured to switch control whether or not to transmit a broadcast signal to a rear end, and a gain controller configured to control output control with a desired amount of attenuation (hereinafter referred to as "GC"). 6, an amplifier 7 as an amplification means composed of broadcast signal amplification elements such as FETs, and a bandpass filter 8 for removing harmonics and spurious components are connected in series. In addition, between the output terminal 10 of the band pass filter 8 and the output terminal 10 connected to the antenna element 54a, a coupler configured to detect traveling wave power and reflected wave power of the broadcast signal output to the antenna element 54a ( 9) is provided. In addition, the bandpass filter 8 may be provided in front of the output terminal 10.

In addition, the input terminal 1 is connected to the control part 15 by the power supply line 3a via the low pass filter 3 which passes only the power supply component supplied from the distributor 53. As shown in FIG. The control unit 15 automatically maintains the transmission level of the broadcast signal radiated from the power generating circuit (not shown) for supplying the power supply power supplied from the divider 53 to each circuit and the broadcast signal emitted from the transmission antenna 54 at a constant value. It consists of an automatic level control circuit (hereinafter referred to as an "ALC circuit") 15a (shown in FIG. 11) as a level control means. The terminating resistor 5 is connected to the RF switch 4 so that the output terminal of the branch line of the divider 53 is terminated when it is switched so as not to transmit a broadcast signal. In the signal amplifying circuit 50, 50? Is optimally used as the resistance value of the terminating resistor 5.

The coupler 9 detects the traveling wave power of the broadcast signal and outputs the traveling wave power waveform to the control unit 15. The coupler 9 detects the reflected wave power of the broadcast signal and reflects the reflected wave to the control unit 15. It is connected to the reflected wave power detection circuit 14 formed so that a power waveform can be output, and comprises the output level measuring means. In addition, between the coupler 9 and the traveling wave power detection circuit 12, an attenuator for traveling waves that adjusts the input level of traveling wave power input to the traveling wave power detection circuit 12 to a required value (hereinafter referred to as an "advancing wave ATT"). 11 is provided, and between the coupler 9 and the reflected wave power detection circuit 14, a reflected wave attenuator (hereinafter referred to as ATT for reflective wave) 13 is similarly connected. In addition, the amplifier 7 is connected to the power supply line 18 so as to enable power supply from the control unit 15.

The ALC circuit 15a of FIG. 11 is provided with the CPU 22 which performs various control operations of the signal amplification circuit 50, and this is an A / D converter which converts an analog voltage into a digital value ("ADC" hereafter). The multiplexer 24 is connected via the (23). The multiplexer 24 includes a voltage sensor for detecting a voltage value of the traveling wave power detection circuit 12 through the detection line 12a, the reflected wave power detection circuit 14 through the detection line 14a, and the power generation circuit (not shown). (27) and a signal detecting device such as a temperature sensor 28 as the temperature measuring means are connected. The multiplexer 24 is configured to input only one selected data among these plural types into the CPU 22. It is also possible to remove the multiplexer 24 by connecting the ADC 23 to each of these plural kinds of devices.

The CPU 22 is also connected with a data flash memory 29 for storing various parameters and a program flash memory 30 for storing a program of the CPU 22. The CPU 22 also stores variables used during program execution. The SRAM 31 is connected. In addition, a serial communication port 32 used for recording a program or displaying monitoring information, various switches 33 for performing output level setting, flash memory initialization, and the like, and LEDs for externally displaying the state of the device ( 34) is connected. The RF switch 4 is connected via the control line 16 and the GC 6 is connected to the output terminal of the D / A converter (hereinafter referred to as "DAC") 35 connected to the control line 17. It is.

In the signal amplification circuit 50 of the transmitting antenna 54 having the above-described configuration, the required reference output level is stored in advance in the flash memory 29, and the reference temperature corresponding to each reference output level is previously obtained by the temperature sensor 28. It is measured and stored in the flash memory 29. Then, the absolute value of the difference between the reference temperature and the measured current temperature is obtained as a difference, and based on this difference, the temperature compensated reference output level is estimated using a calculation formula.

Here, in the signal amplifying circuit 50, the calculation expression is expressed by (absolute value as coefficients and coefficients). Moreover, the coefficient contained in a calculation formula is derived from the function based on the temperature characteristic of the temperature sensor 28. FIG. In this function, a first-order function having different slopes is defined for each required output level, and temperature and output level are used as variables. Each coefficient corresponds to these inclinations. These coefficients are previously described in the program as temperature compensation coefficients corresponding to the required output levels.

The CPU 22 adjusts the control voltage of the GC 6 to match the measured output level with the estimated value of the reference output level, and performs a control operation to maintain the desired output level at a constant value.

An output level control method (automatic level control S9) of the signal amplifying circuit 50 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In the nonvolatile memory, that is, the flash memory 29, the temperature at the time of output power adjustment is previously stored as reference temperature data. At the system startup, the stored reference temperature data is copied to the SRAM 31. Furthermore, it sets from the SRAM 31 to the register of the CPU 22 (S15). Here, the reference temperature data of the internal temperature is the temperature data inside the transmission antenna 54 when the level of the signal amplification circuit 50 is adjusted in the production line. In the production line, the output level of the correct transmission antenna 54 is adjusted. The current temperature data collected by the ADC 23 is copied to the SRAM 31. Furthermore, it sets from the SRAM 31 to the register of the CPU 22 (S16). The CPU 22 calculates the difference between the reference temperature data and the current temperature data (S17).

It is checked whether the difference is zero (S108). If zero, the temperature compensation process S19 (see Fig. 13) is not performed in the same temperature state as when the signal amplifying circuit 50 is adjusted in the production line. If it is not zero, the temperature compensation process is performed because it is not in the same temperature as when adjusted in the production line. The reference output level data for matching the output level is appropriately processed in accordance with the difference c, and a process of varying the reference output level data with temperature compensation is performed (S19). The CPU 22 controls the DAC 35 that generates the control voltage of the GC 6 so that the ADC data value of the traveling wave power measured by the ADC 23 matches the temperature compensated reference output level data value (S20). . End automatic level control.

The operation of the temperature compensation process S19 of the signal amplifying circuit 50 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 13.

The temperature at the time of output power adjustment is previously stored in the nonvolatile memory, that is, the flash memory 29 as reference temperature data. After the temperature compensation process starts, the stored reference temperature data is set in the register of the CPU 22. Next, the current temperature data collected by the ADC 23 is set in the register of the CPU 22. Find the absolute value of the difference between them. The sign bit (original value is government information) is stored in the flag (S21). Here, the reference temperature data of the internal temperature is the temperature data inside the transmission antenna 54 when the level of the signal amplification circuit 50 is adjusted in the production line. In the production line, the output level of the correct transmission antenna 54 is adjusted.

By detecting the state of the output level setting switch 33, the GC control process (see Fig. 14) checks which dBm the output level should be made (S22). The temperature compensation coefficient corresponding to each output level is described in the program. The temperature compensation coefficient corresponding to the output level of the output level setting switch 33 is selected and set in the register of the CPU 22 (S23). When the output level change is linear with respect to the temperature change, the absolute value data of the temperature difference obtained in the process S21 is divided by the selected temperature compensation coefficient (calculation process), the quotient is obtained, and the quotient is the compensation amount. (S24) The calculated compensation amount is added (or subtracted) to the reference output level data set in the manufacturing line. This calculation result data becomes estimated temperature compensated reference output level data (S25). The temperature compensation process ends.

The operation of the GC control process S20 of the signal amplifying circuit 50 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 14.

After the start of the GC control process, the temperature compensated reference output level data obtained in the process S25 of FIG. 13 is set in the register of the CPU 22 (S26). The traveling wave power data (the current output level measured) obtained by the ADC 23 is set in the register of the CPU 22 (S27). The difference between the temperature compensated reference output level data and the traveling wave power data is calculated (S28). It is checked whether the difference obtained is zero (S29). In the case of zero, since it is in a state consistent with the prescribed output level, the control voltage value of the GC 6 (the data of the DAC 35 sets the same data as before) as before, and the GC control process is terminated. . If it is not zero, the state does not match the prescribed output level, and the flow proceeds to process S30.

Compare the temperature compensated reference output data and the traveling wave power data to investigate the magnitude relationship (S30). If the traveling wave power data is smaller than the reference output data, the processing proceeds to process S31. The control voltage of the GC 6 is adjusted in a direction of increasing the output level (reducing the attenuation amount of the GC 6) (S31). If the traveling wave power data is larger than the reference output data, the processing proceeds to process S32. The control voltage of the GC 6 is adjusted in a direction of decreasing the output level (increasing the amount of attenuation of the GC 6) (S32). Ends the GC control process.

According to the same signal amplification circuit 50 according to the present invention, the use of various reference data required for temperature compensation of the output level is suppressed to two types of reference temperature and reference output level, and a small memory area is provided for these reference data. Based on this, high level output control can be realized. In addition, the difference between the reference output level and the current output level is used to control the increase and decrease of the output level, shorten the procedure time to the reference output level, and maintain the output level with high stability.

In addition, since the coefficient of the calculation formula is obtained by a function based on the temperature characteristic of the temperature measuring means, if the function is prepared in accordance with the temperature characteristic such as the material of the temperature sensor, temperature compensation within the operating temperature range can be performed more accurately. . In addition, since the function is defined as a first-order function whose temperature and output level are variables, more stable output level control can be achieved by using a cheap general-purpose temperature sensor.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, As shown below, it is also possible to change and implement the shape and structure of each part suitably in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

(1) The present invention is not limited to the gap filler device of a mobile broadcast system, but can be used for transmission antennas such as other satellite communication systems and wireless LANs.

(2) The present invention can be used not only for the transmitting antenna but also for signal output devices of wired communication systems such as CATV.

(3) The present invention can be used not only for communication signals but also for amplifying other signals that require signal amplification.

(4) Coefficients used in the expression may be obtained not only by the linear function but also by linear functions such as quadratic functions, exponential functions, and other nonlinear functions.

(5) The signal amplifying circuit 50 may be provided separately from the antenna element 54a to configure the transmitting antenna 54.

About invention other than description of a claim which can be grasped | ascertained from the said embodiment, it describes with the effect below.

(i) In the invention according to claim 5, the difference between the temperature compensated reference output level and the measured current output level is obtained, and the difference is not zero, and the output level is smaller than the reference output level. In this case, the CPU is controlled to increase the output level, and when the output level is larger than the reference output level, the CPU is controlled to decrease the output level.

In this case, the increase and decrease of the output level can be controlled by the difference obtained from the reference output level and the current output level, the procedure time to the reference output level can be shortened, and the output level can be maintained with high stability.

(Ii) In the invention according to claim 5 or (i), the coefficient of the calculation formula is obtained by a function based on the temperature characteristic of the temperature measuring means.

In this case, if the function is prepared in accordance with the temperature characteristic of the temperature measuring means, temperature compensation can be performed more accurately.

(Iii) In the invention described in (ii), the function includes a first-order function whose temperature and output level are variables.

In this case, the stable high output level can be maintained by using a cheap general-purpose temperature sensor whose temperature characteristic is represented by the first function.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, embodiment of 3rd invention is described based on FIG. 15-25.

The signal amplifying circuit and the transmitting antenna according to the present invention, for example, in a mobile broadcasting system using a satellite scheduled to start broadcasting in spring 2004, in particular, constitute a gap filler device for reradiating a broadcast signal from a satellite. It is optimally used as an element. Here, the mobile broadcasting system is a system for allowing digital broadcasting to be received in mobile devices such as mobile phones and automobiles in addition to homes. This system consists of a geostationary satellite, a terrestrial broadcasting center station, and a gap filler device which is an auxiliary terrestrial radio facility. As shown in FIG. 15, the gap filler device 60 includes a receiving antenna 51, a signal processor 52, a divider 53, a signal amplifying circuit 50, and an antenna element for receiving broadcast signals from satellites. A transmission antenna 54 having a 54a and retransmitting a broadcast signal.

In this system, a broadcast signal of 12 GHz band is sent up to a satellite once from a broadcasting center station, and is then transmitted from the satellite to the entire service area as a broadcast signal of two frequency bands of 2.6 GHz band and 12 GHz band. In a service area, where a broadcast signal arrives from a satellite, a service user such as a mobile object receives a 2.6 GHz broadcast signal directly from the satellite. On the other hand, in a place where radio waves from satellites, such as inside a building or a tunnel, are shielded, the 12 GHz broadcast signal transmitted from the satellite is once received by the reception antenna 51 of the gap filler device 60, and the 2.6 GHz broadcast signal is received. Is converted to. The service user receives the broadcast signal converted into the 2.6 GHz band from the transmitting antenna 54 provided in the shielded place.

The gap filler device 60 of the present system enables the user to receive a service even in a place where the broadcast signal is blocked in the service area, and enables stable broadcast reception even during high-speed movement. And the transmission antenna 54 provided with the signal amplification circuit 50 which uses this invention makes it possible to transmit the retransmitted broadcast signal stably at the desired transmission output level.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, embodiment of this invention is described based on drawing. Fig. 16 is a block diagram of a transmission antenna 54 incorporating a signal amplifying circuit 50 according to the present invention. In the gap filler device 60 of the mobile broadcasting system, the transmission antenna 54 is an antenna element 54a formed so as to radiate a broadcast signal of 2.6 GHz band and an "output level" in which the broadcast signal is appropriately applied to the antenna element 54a. And a signal amplifying circuit 50 for amplifying and outputting "                     

In the input terminal 1 of the signal amplifying circuit 50, a receiving antenna for gap filler (hereinafter referred to as a "receiving antenna") 51 configured to be able to receive a broadcast signal of 12 GHz band from a satellite is provided with a distributor 53. It is connected via (see FIG. 15). Here, the divider 53 is provided with three branch lines so as to distribute broadcast signals so that three transmit antennas 54 can be connected to one receive antenna 51. In addition, an antenna element 54a of the transmitting antenna 54 is connected to the output terminal 10.

The input terminal 1 is supplied with a broadcast signal and a driving power supply from the distributor 53, and a capacitor 2 for passing only the broadcast signal to the rear stage is connected. At the output end of the condenser 2, an RF switch 4 configured to switch control whether or not to transmit a broadcast signal to a rear end, and a gain controller configured to enable adjustment output control to a desired amount of attenuation of the broadcast signal (hereinafter referred to as "GC"). (6), an amplifier 7 as an amplification means composed of a broadcast signal amplification element such as an FET, and a spurious such as harmonics as an example of a filter element for attenuating the signal amplified by the amplifier 7 to a required frequency band. The bandpass filter 8 which removes a component is connected in series. A coupler 9 is provided between the output terminal of the band pass filter 8 and the output terminal 10 so as to detect traveling wave power and reflected wave power of the broadcast signal output to the antenna element 54a. The input / output end of the bandpass filter 8 is connected to the amplifier 7 and the coupler 9 at the front and rear ends by a semirigid coaxial cable made of a metal tube such as seamless copper as an external conductor. Connected.

In addition, the input terminal 1 is connected to the control part 15 by the power supply line 3a via the low pass filter 3 which passes only the power supply component supplied from the distributor 53. As shown in FIG. The control part 15 maintains the transmission level of the broadcast signal radiated | emitted from the power generation circuit (not shown) and the transmission antenna 54 which supply the driving power supply power supplied from the divider 53 to each circuit at a fixed value. It consists of an automatic level control circuit (hereinafter referred to as an "ALC circuit") 15a (shown in FIG. 17) as an automatic level control means. The terminating resistor 5 is connected to the RF switch 4 so that the output terminal of the branch line of the divider 53 is terminated when it is switched so as not to transmit a broadcast signal. In the signal amplifying circuit 50, 50? Is optimally used as the resistance value of the terminating resistor 5.

The coupler 9 detects the traveling wave power of the broadcast signal and outputs the traveling wave power waveform to the control unit 15. The coupler 9 detects the reflected wave power of the broadcast signal and reflects the reflected wave to the control unit 15. It is connected to the reflected wave power detection circuit 14 formed so that a power waveform can be output, and the output level measuring means which measures the "output level" of the broadcast signal output from the output terminal 10 is comprised. In addition, between the coupler 9 and the traveling wave power detection circuit 12, an attenuator for traveling waves that adjusts the traveling wave power input to the traveling wave power detection circuit 12 to a required value (hereinafter referred to as an ATT for traveling waves) (11) ) And a reflected wave attenuator (hereinafter referred to as "ATT for reflective wave") 13 is similarly connected between the coupler 9 and the reflected wave power detection circuit 14. The amplifier 7 is also supplied with power from the power generation circuit (not shown) of the control unit 15 via the power supply line 18.

The ALC circuit 15a of FIG. 17 includes a CPU 22 that performs various control operations of the signal amplifying circuit 50, and an A / D converter (hereinafter referred to as "ADC") that converts an analog voltage into a digital value. The multiplexer 24 is connected via the (23). The multiplexer 24 includes a voltage sensor for detecting a voltage value of the traveling wave power detection circuit 12 through the detection line 12a, the reflected wave power detection circuit 14 through the detection line 14a, and the power generation circuit (not shown). (27) and a signal detecting device such as a temperature sensor 28 as the temperature measuring means are connected. The multiplexer 24 is configured to input only one selected data among these plural types into the CPU 22. It is also possible to remove the multiplexer 24 by connecting the ADC 23 to each of these plural kinds of devices.

The CPU 22 is also connected with a data flash memory 29 for storing various parameters and a program flash memory 30 for storing a program of the CPU 22. The CPU 22 also stores variables used during program execution. The SRAM 31 is connected. In addition, the serial communication port 32 used for recording a program or displaying monitoring information, an output level setting switch 33 for setting an "output level", initialization of a flash memory, etc. The LED 34 for displaying on is connected. The RF switch 4 is connected via the control line 16 and the GC 6 is connected to the output terminal of the D / A converter (hereinafter referred to as "DAC") 35 connected to the control line 17. It is.

In the transmission antenna 54 having the above-described configuration, the CPU 22 of the signal amplifying circuit 50 is, for example, "+23.0 dBm" and "+30.5 dBm" from "+24.0 dBm" in the production line. Up to 15 types of "adjusted output values" prescribed for each "0.5 dBm" are adjusted in advance so as to match the "output level" of the broadcast signal output from the output terminal 10, respectively. The "output level" during this adjustment is counted for each "adjustment output value" and stored in advance in the flash memory 29 as a storage means. In addition, the temperature at the time of adjustment corresponding to these "output levels" is also measured by the temperature sensor 28. The measured temperature is counted and stored in advance in the flash memory 29 as "temperature at adjustment". These "adjusted output values" and "adjusted temperature" are stored in the flash memory 29 as shown in the address maps of Figs. 18A and 18B.

In Fig. 18A, for example, the "output level" adjusted to "+24.0 dBm" is counted as "0x039B" as the "adjusted output value" and stored in the address "0x10D". The same is also stored for the "adjusted output value". In FIG. 18B, the "adjustment temperature (at 18 ° C)" is counted as "0x03ED" and stored in the address "0x10F".

In addition, when the transmission antenna 54 is operated at the installation site, the requirements for the preset " reference output value " are determined by the CPU 22 of the signal amplifying circuit 50 in advance. Within the range of "threshold value", control is made to match "output level". Seven types of this "reference output value" are specified for every "1dBm" from "+ 24dBm" to "+ 30dBm", and "threshold value" is a "upper threshold value" of "reference output value + 0.5dBm", and a "reference" It is prescribed | regulated by the "lower threshold value" of output value -1.0dBm. " And the "standard output value" corresponds to the "adjusted output value" for every "1 dBm" from "+24 dBm" to "+30 dBm", and the "threshold value" is "the upper threshold value" is "the reference output value + 0.5 dBm". , "Lower threshold value" corresponds to "adjusted output value" of "reference output value -1.0 dBm". In addition, "the temperature at the time of adjustment" is used for the "reference temperature" corresponding to the "reference output value".

The output level control method (automatic level control process S9) by the CPU 22 of this transmission antenna 54 at the time of operation | movement in an installation place is demonstrated based on the flowchart of FIG.

First, at system startup, the counted "adjustment temperature" stored in the flash memory 29 is copied to the SRAM 31. In addition, the "temperature during adjustment" is set from the SRAM 31 to the register of the CPU 22 (S15). The "current temperature" obtained by counting the current temperature is collected from the temperature sensor 28 via the ADC 23 and copied to the SRAM 31. Furthermore, it sets from the SRAM 31 to the register of the CPU 22 (S16). The CPU 22 calculates the "temperature difference c" between the "adjustment temperature" and the "present temperature" (S17). It is checked whether or not the "temperature difference" is zero (S18).

In the case of zero, since it is in the same temperature state as when the signal amplification circuit 50 was adjusted in the manufacturing line, it ends without performing "temperature compensation process S19 (refer FIG. 20)".

If it is not zero, the temperature compensation process (S19) is performed because it is not in the same temperature state as when adjusted in the production line. In the temperature compensation process, the "reference output value" is appropriately processed in response to the "temperature difference (c)", and is corrected to the "temperature compensated reference output value", and the "upper and lower threshold values" of the "reference output value". Correction is made to "temperature compensated upper and lower threshold values".

Next, the "progression wave power value (measured current" output level ")" measured by the ADC 23 and the "temperature compensated reference output value" coincide within the range of "temperature compensated upper and lower threshold values". The DAC 35 is controlled by the CPU 22 to generate the control voltage of the GC 6 (S20). The automatic level control process ends.

The operation of the temperature compensation process S19 of the signal amplifying circuit 50 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 20.

After the temperature compensation process starts, the " adjustment temperature " stored in the flash memory 29 is set in the register of the CPU 22 in advance. Next, the "current temperature" collected by the ADC 23 is set in the register of the CPU 22. The absolute value of the "temperature difference c" is calculated as the difference between them. The sign bit (original value is government information) is stored in the sign flag (S21).

By detecting the state of the output level setting switch 33, it is checked whether the reference output value and the upper and lower threshold values are set to dBm (S22). In accordance with the "reference output value" detected from the state of the output level setting switch 33, three "coefficients" of "reference output value" and "upper and lower threshold value" corresponding to the "adjusted output value" of FIG. The selection is made in the register of the CPU 22 (S23). In the case where the output level change has a linear characteristic with respect to the temperature change, the absolute value of the "temperature difference" obtained in "Process S21" is divided into three selected "coefficients" (calculation processing), and the three shares Then, the share is taken as "temperature compensation amount" (S24). The obtained "temperature compensation amount" is added (or subtracted) to "reference output value" and "upper and lower threshold value", respectively. This calculation result data becomes "temperature compensated reference output value" and "temperature compensated upper and lower threshold values" 0 (S25). The temperature compensation process ends.                     

In this manner, in the signal amplifying circuit 50, the "calculation formula" is expressed by "the absolute value ÷ coefficient of the temperature difference". The "coefficient" included in the "calculation formula" is derived from the "function" based on the temperature characteristic of the temperature sensor 28. "Function" is described in the program, and a first-order function whose slope is different for each required output level is optimally used, and "present temperature" and "output level" are used as variables. In this case, each "coefficient" corresponds to the slope of the first-order function that is the ratio of both.

The operation of the GC control process S20 of the signal amplifying circuit 50 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 21.

After the start of the GC control process, the "temperature compensated reference output value" and "temperature compensated upper and lower threshold values" obtained in the process S25 of FIG. 20 are set in the register of the CPU 22 (S26). The "progression wave power value (measured current" output level ")" obtained by the ADC 23 is set in the register of the CPU 22 (S27). The "output difference" between the "temperature compensated reference output value" and the "travel wave power value" is calculated (S28). It is checked whether or not the obtained "output difference" is zero (S29).

In the case of zero, since the "output level" is in a state consistent with the "temperature compensated reference output value", the same control voltage value of the GC 6 as in the previous time (the data of the DAC 35 sets the same data as before). To end the GC control process.

If it is not zero, since the "output level" does not match the "temperature compensated reference output value", the process proceeds to process S30.

The magnitude relation is examined by comparing the "temperature compensated reference output value" with the "travel wave power value" (S30). When the "going wave power value" is larger than the "reference output value", the process proceeds to the upper threshold determination process (S40). If small, it proceeds to lower threshold determination processing (S50).

Here, the operation of the upper threshold determination process S40 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 22. The magnitude relation is examined by comparing the "temperature-compensated upper threshold value" with the "travel wave power value" (S41). When the "going wave power value" is larger than the "upper threshold value" (S42), the upper threshold error flag is turned ON (S43) and the determination processing is terminated. If it is small, the upper threshold error flag is turned OFF (S44) and the determination processing is finished.

In addition, the operation of the lower threshold determination processing (S50) will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The magnitude relation is examined by comparing the "temperature-compensated lower threshold value" with the "travel wave power value" (S51). When the "going wave power value" is smaller than the "lower threshold value" (S52), the lower threshold error flag is turned ON (S53) and the determination processing is finished. If large, the lower threshold error flag is turned OFF (S54), and the determination process ends.

In FIG. 21, it is checked whether the upper threshold error flag is in an ON state after the upper threshold determination process (S40) in FIG. 22 (S31). In the ON state, the control voltage of the GC 6 is adjusted in the direction of decreasing the required output level (increasing the attenuation amount of the GC 6) (S32). The upper threshold value determination process (S40) is again performed to check whether the upper threshold error flag is in an ON state (S31). Processing S32, processing S40, and processing S31 are repeated until the upper threshold error flag is turned off.                     

When the upper threshold error flag is turned OFF, the control voltage of the GC 6 is adjusted in a direction of decreasing the output level (increasing the amount of attenuation of the GC 6) (S35), and the GC control process is performed. Quit.

On the other hand, after the lower threshold determination processing (S50), it is checked whether the lower threshold error flag is in the ON state (S33). In the ON state, the control voltage of the GC 6 is adjusted in the direction of increasing the required output level (reducing the attenuation amount of the GC 6) (S34). After performing the lower threshold determination process (S50) again, it is checked whether the lower threshold error flag is in the ON state (S33). The processes S34, S50, and S33 are repeated until the lower threshold error flag is turned off.

When the lower threshold error flag is turned OFF, the control voltage of the GC 6 is adjusted in the direction of increasing the output level (reducing the attenuation amount of the GC 6) (S36), and the GC control process is performed. Quit.

According to the signal amplification circuit 50 according to the present invention, when performing temperature compensation of the "output reference value" and "threshold value", three types of values of "reference output value", "lower threshold value", and "upper threshold value" are used. It is good to store in advance four kinds of values of "output value at adjustment" corresponding to and the "temperature at adjustment" at the time of adjustment, so that the output level with high stability based on each of these values is small in the memory area. Control can be realized with high accuracy. In addition, when only one of "lower threshold" or "upper threshold" is used as the threshold value, the memory area can be further reduced. In addition, the "output difference" obtained from the "reference output value" and the current "output level" can control the increase and decrease of the "output level", while reducing the procedure time to the "reference output value", "Output level" can be maintained by stability. In addition, since the temperature compensation is performed for the "lower threshold value" and "upper threshold value," the fluctuation range of the "threshold value" accompanying the change in the environmental temperature can be suppressed small, and the variation allowable range of the "output level" can be greatly expanded by that much. Can be. Therefore, it becomes possible to lower the performance of each component for keeping a "output level" constant, and it can manufacture relatively inexpensively.

In addition, since the temperature of the output reference value is compensated for by using a calculation equation such as the threshold value, if the variable of the calculation equation uses the same threshold value, the temperature can be compensated with the same fluctuation range. High precision output level can be obtained.

In addition, since the "coefficient" of the "calculation" is obtained by the "function" based on the temperature characteristic of the temperature sensor 28, the "function" is prepared in accordance with the temperature characteristic of the material of the temperature sensor 28 and the like. The temperature compensation within the operating temperature range can be performed more accurately. In addition, since "function" is defined as a primary function whose temperature and output level are variables, reliable output level control can be performed using a cheap general-purpose temperature sensor.

24 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a transmission antenna according to the present invention. The transmitting antenna 154 includes a signal amplifying circuit 150, an adjusting circuit for adjusting the output level of the signal amplified by the signal amplifying circuit 150, and an antenna element capable of radiating the signal adjusted by the adjusting circuit. It is equipped with. The adjusting circuit is configured to include the band pass filter 82 as an example. The bandpass filter 82 is connected in series between the output terminal 10 of the signal amplifier circuit 50 and the antenna element 54a using semi-rigid coaxial cables 84 as input / output cables, respectively. This adjustment circuit attenuates the signal amplified by the signal amplification circuit 150 by the band pass filter 82 to a required frequency band, and adjusts the output level of the signal. In addition, the transmitting antenna 154 only detects the reflected wave power and the traveling wave power between the amplifier 7 and the coupler 9 in the signal amplification circuit 150 by the coupler 9 in one direction only. It is comprised by inserting the isolator 81 which transmits a signal. In addition, among the components of the transmitting antenna 154, the same code | symbol as the transmitting antenna 54 of FIG. 16 is abbreviate | omitted these description.

In this transmission antenna 154, in the manufacturing line, the CPU 22 totals prescribed | regulated every "0.5dBm" from "+ 23.0dBm" and "+ 24.0dBm" to "+ 30.5dBm," for example. The "output" of the broadcast signal output from the output terminal 10 in advance so as to match each of 15 kinds of "adjusted output values" based on the "emission level" of the broadcast signal emitted from the antenna element 54a. Level ”is adjusted. The "output level" at this time is counted for each "adjustment output value" similarly to the transmission antenna 54 of FIG. 16, and stored in advance in the flash memory 29 as a storage means. Moreover, the temperature at the time of adjustment corresponding to these "output levels" is also measured by the temperature sensor 28 and the other temperature sensor (not shown) built in the bandpass filter 82, and numerical processing, such as an average value calculation, is carried out. Later, it is digitized and stored in advance in the flash memory 29 as "temperature during adjustment".

In addition, the transmission antenna 154, at the time of operation at the installation place, matches the "output level" with the required "reference output value" within the range of the required "threshold value" preset and stored. To control. The output level control of this transmission antenna 154 is performed in the same procedure as the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 19 to 23. "Reference output value" and "threshold value (upper and lower threshold value)" at this time are based on a difference using a calculation formula including coefficients derived from the temperature sensor of the temperature sensor 28 and the bandpass filter 82. Temperature compensated to obtain the " temperature compensated reference output value " and " temperature compensated upper and lower threshold values ". In addition, the coefficient of a calculation formula is calculated | required by the function based on the temperature characteristic of the temperature sensor of the temperature sensor 28 and the bandpass filter 82.

That is, in the present transmission antenna 154, when the temperature sensor 28 and the temperature sensor of the bandpass filter 82 have linear temperature characteristics, the absolute value of the "temperature difference" / "coefficient" is obtained. "Coefficient" contained in the displayed "calculation formula" is derived from the "function" based on the temperature characteristic of the temperature sensor of the temperature sensor 28 and the bandpass filter 82. FIG. Each " function " is described in the program, and a first function or the like having different slopes is applied for each required output level, and " present temperature " and " output level " are used as variables. At this time, the "function" may be integrated into one "function" by numerical processing such as approximation.

In addition, the "reference output value" and the "threshold value (upper and lower threshold value)" use the "calculation formula" including the coefficient derived from either the temperature sensor 28 or the temperature sensor of the bandpass filter 82. The transmission antenna 154 may be configured such that the temperature compensation is performed so that the coefficient of the calculation equation can be obtained by the " function " based on any one of the corresponding temperature characteristics. In this case, when the signal amplification circuit 150 and the band pass filter 82 are separately provided, even when the environmental temperature of these installation places differs significantly, one circuit which is optimal for output level control can be selected.

As described above, the transmission antenna 154 adjusts the output level of the signal amplifier circuit 50 with respect to the adjustment output value based on the radiation level of the broadcast signal emitted from the antenna element 54a. The temperature compensation is performed in consideration of all circuit components from the input terminal 1 of the 150 to the antenna element 54a, and the radiation level of the transmitting antenna 154 is matched with the required reference output value with high accuracy. It can be done.

In addition, since an adjustment circuit including a filter element such as a bandpass filter 82 whose output characteristics change due to temperature change is added between the signal amplifying circuit 150 and the antenna element 54a, the signal amplifying circuit 50 The output level can be adjusted more precisely, temperature compensation can be performed including the output change by the band pass filter 82, and the broadcast signal can be stably radiated with higher accuracy. In addition, since the adjusting circuit is configured to include a bandpass filter 82 which attenuates the signal amplified by the signal amplifying circuit 150 to the required frequency band, the quality of the signal radiated from the transmitting antenna 154 can be improved. have.

In addition, since the bandpass filter 82 is separately provided at the rear end of the signal amplifier circuit 150, the bandpass filter 8 is provided to the transmission antenna 54 of FIG. In comparison, it is possible to reduce the constraint of the arrangement position by the circuit elements at the front and rear ends, and to increase the degree of freedom of the arrangement position. Therefore, even in the case where a semi-rigid coaxial cable is used as the input / output cable 84 of the bandpass filter 82, for example, the wires meandered in order to ensure the minimum bending radius of the metal tube as the outer conductor are more straightforward. The selection range of the arrangement position can be extended so that it can be connected by the in-wiring, the wiring length can be further shortened, the transmission loss can be reduced, and the use cost of the relatively expensive cable can be reduced to reduce the manufacturing cost.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, As shown below, it is also possible to change and implement the shape and structure of each part suitably in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

(1) The present invention is not limited to the gap filler device of a mobile broadcast system, but can be used for transmission antennas such as other satellite communication systems and wireless LANs.

(2) The present invention can be used not only for the transmitting antenna but also for signal output devices of wired communication systems such as CATV.

(3) The present invention can be used not only for communication signals but also for amplifying other signals that require signal amplification.

(4) The threshold is not limited to the upper threshold value and the lower threshold value, but may be defined on either of the reference output values.

(5) Coefficients used in the expression may be determined not only by the linear function but also by linear functions such as quadratic functions, exponential functions, and other nonlinear functions.

(6) The signal amplifying circuit 50 may be provided separately from the antenna element 54a to configure the transmitting antenna 54.                     

(7) In the GC control process (S20) of FIG. 21, when the upper or lower threshold error flag is turned on (S31, S33), for example, the abnormal flag secured in another area of the flash memory 29 is turned on. A process of blinking the LED 34 to notify the abnormality based on this abnormality flag, or a process of controlling the RF switch 4 to block an excessive signal transmitted to the rear end to protect the amplifier 7 or the like. You can also do

(8) The reference output value is not limited to a plurality of seven types and the like, and may be defined only one type in accordance with the required output level.

(9) The transmitting antenna 54 is not limited to one antenna element, but divides the broadcast signal output from the signal amplifying circuit 50 into a plurality of dividers 91, and divides each distributed signal. May be configured to be radiated from a plurality of antenna elements, respectively. For example, when the transmitting antenna 254 is configured to have two antenna elements 54a and 54b as in the gap filler device 260 of FIG. 25, the satellite 101 is constructed by a building 101 formed by a cross. The broadcast signal whose output level is controlled by the common signal amplifier circuit 50 can be radiated again from the antenna elements 54a and 54b installed on the roof of the building 101 for two roads where the broadcast signal of the broadcast signal is shielded. And service areas A and B capable of receiving broadcast signals of equal high quality. In addition, since the signal amplifying circuit 50 is not connected to each antenna element like the gap filler device 60 of FIG. 15, maintenance and inspection work can be easily performed by only managing the common signal amplifying circuit 50. It can be done. Similarly, the transmitting antenna 154 can be configured with a distributor and a plurality of antenna elements.                     

About invention other than description of a claim which can be grasped | ascertained from the said embodiment, it describes with the effect below.

(i) In the invention according to claim 7, the reference output value is temperature compensated based on the difference using a calculation formula including coefficients derived from the temperature measuring means.

In this case, if the variable of the expression is also the same as the threshold, temperature compensation can be performed with the same fluctuation range, and the required output level can be obtained with higher precision.

(Ii) In the invention according to claim 7 or (i), the difference between the temperature-compensated reference output value and the measured current output level is obtained, and the difference is not zero. When the level is smaller, the CPU is controlled to increase the output level. When the output level is larger than the reference output value, the CPU is controlled to decrease the output level.

In this case, the increase and decrease of the output level can be controlled by the difference obtained from the reference output value and the current output level, the procedure time to the reference output value can be shortened, and the output level can be maintained with high stability.

(Iii) In the invention according to any one of claims 7, (i) or (ii), the coefficient of the calculation formula is obtained by a function based on the temperature characteristic of the temperature measuring means.

In this case, if the function is prepared in accordance with the temperature characteristic of the temperature measuring means, temperature compensation can be performed more accurately.

(Iii) In the invention described in (iii), the function includes a first-order function whose temperature and output level are variables. In this case, high-reliability output level control can be achieved by using a cheap general-purpose temperature sensor whose temperature characteristic is represented by a first order function.

(Iii) In the invention according to claim 10, the adjustment circuit includes a filter element that attenuates the signal amplified by the signal amplification circuit to a required frequency band.

In this case, the quality of the signal radiated from the transmitting antenna can be improved.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, embodiment of 4th invention is described based on FIGS. 26-30.

Fig. 26 is a block diagram showing an example of an ALC circuit for executing an input signal monitoring program of an amplifying circuit according to the present invention, 1 is an ALC control unit, 2 is a variable attenuator controlled by an ALC control unit, and 3 is an amplification circuit. An output level detection circuit for detecting the output power of (4).

The ALC control unit 1 has a CPU 5, 6 is a memory for storing various parameters and CPU operation programs, 7 is an operation unit for operation such as output level setting, 8 is a program recording or operation of the ALC circuit. Serial communication port used for status display, 9 is an A / D converter, 10 is a D / A converter, and 11 is a light emitting display LED. The detection value of the output level detection circuit 3 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 9 and input to the CPU 5. The CPU 5 outputs a control signal (variable attenuator control value) to the variable attenuator 2 via the D / A converter 10 based on the information. The control signal is converted into the voltage value in the D / A converter 10, and the variable attenuator 2 is controlled by the voltage control.

When the CPU 5 determines that an input level error has occurred, the CPU 5 outputs an input level error occurrence signal, and lights or flashes the LED 11 according to the signal to notify the occurrence of an abnormality and from the serial communication port 8. For example, display information such as "input level short" or "input level over" is output.

FIG. 27 shows the flow of gain control processing by the CPU 5 of the ALC circuit in FIG. In order to explain, the gain control process first sets the output level reference data of the amplifier circuit 4 to a register in step 1 (S1) to set the output signal level of the amplifier circuit 4. Then, the data of the output signal of the amplifier circuit 4 detected by the output level detection circuit 3 at S2 is set in a register, and the difference between the reference data set at S3 and the output data of the amplifier circuit 4 detected at S3 is determined. It calculates and determines whether there is no difference in S4. If there is no difference, the gain control process ends. If there is a difference, the process proceeds to S5, and compares whether or not the output data of the detected amplification circuit 4 is larger than the reference data, and if it is large, proceeds to S7, and the control to reduce the output signal, specifically, the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator. The control signal is adjusted so as to become large, and the gain control control ends. If it is not determined that the reference data is larger than the reference data, that is, if it is determined that the reference data is smaller than the reference data, the process proceeds to S6 to output a control signal in which the attenuation amount decreases and to adjust the control voltage, thereby increasing the output level and ending the gain control process. .

The input signal level monitoring of the amplifying circuit 4 is performed in each step of S6 and S7 of the flowchart of FIG. 27, and the CPU 5 controls specifically, according to the flow of FIG. 28 and FIG. If it is determined in S5 that the amplifying circuit output is not larger than the reference data, the process proceeds to S6-1, where the next control signal is calculated (a calculation to reduce the attenuation amount to increase the output level).                     

Next, in S6-2, it is determined whether the control signal is not overflowed. If it is overflowed, the flow advances to S6-5, the control signal is set to the maximum (the attenuation amount is set to the minimum), and the upper limit is then set in S6-6. A gain control disable flag (first flag) is set. In addition, "0xFFFF" is a digital control signal of the CPU 5 output to the D / A converter 10, indicating that it is a signal for setting the amplifying circuit output to the maximum.

This flag set becomes an input level abnormality generation signal, turns on the LED 11, for example, and outputs display data of "input level short" from the serial communication port 8.

If it does not overflow, the flow advances to S6-3 to change the control signal to increase the output of the amplifier circuit 4. If the gain control disable flag is set in S6-4, it is cleared and the procedure goes to S8.

If it is determined in S5 that the amplifying circuit output signal is larger than the reference data, the process proceeds to S7-1 to calculate the next control signal (the operation of increasing the amount of attenuation to decrease the output level) and proceeds to S7-2. In S7-2, it is determined whether the control signal does not underflow. If it is underflow, the process proceeds to S7-5. After setting the control signal to the minimum value (setting the attenuation maximum), the process proceeds to S7-6 to obtain the lower limit gain. The uncontrollable flag (second flag) is set. In addition, "0x0000" is a digital control signal of the CPU 5 output to the D / A converter 10, indicating that it is a signal for setting the amplifying circuit output to a minimum.

This flag set becomes an input level abnormality occurrence signal, and the CPU 5 causes the LED 11 to blink, for example, and outputs display data of "input level over" from the serial communication port 8.

If not underflow, the process proceeds to S7-3 to change the control signal to reduce the output of the amplifier circuit 4. If the gain control disable flag is set in S7-4, it is cleared and the procedure goes to S8.

In S8, the state of the upper limit gain control unit disable flag is determined, and if it is set, that is, if the output of the amplifying circuit 4 is set to maximum, the process proceeds to S9. . In S9, it is judged whether the detection data of the output level detection circuit 3 is larger than the reference data, and if it is large, the flow advances to S10, and if it is small, the gain control processing of one cycle is terminated. In S10, the gain control process of one cycle is terminated by setting the variable attenuator control value to the minimum. Then, in the subsequent gain control process, the output of the amplifier circuit 3 gradually returns to the reference value.

In this way, since the CPU 5 of the automatic level control circuit detects abnormality in the input level of the amplifying circuit 4 by the state of a control signal which is a variable attenuator control value by a program, a coupler or an attenuator In addition, it is possible to monitor the input signal of the amplifying circuit with a simple circuit without providing a new amplifier or filter circuit.

In addition, since two flags are provided to create an input level abnormality generating signal, an input level abnormality occurrence signal is different in an underflow state and an overflow state, so that an input level abnormality signal is easily generated. It can be helpful and effective in making repairs.

Further, when the input signal level suddenly recovers when the upper limit gain control flag is set and the attenuation amount is controlled to be the minimum, since the variable attenuator control value is set to the minimum, that is, the amplifying circuit output is set to the minimum, this control By setting the time constant of the operation to the minimum and setting the variable attenuator control value to the minimum in an instant, it is possible to prevent the amplification circuit output from exceeding a desired output value and to prevent the occurrence of a rear end circuit caused by an excessive output of the amplification circuit. The bad influence to the surrounding environment etc. can be prevented. After that, if a given time constant is given and control is performed to approach the target value gradually from the small output value, the return can be satisfactorily restored.

In the above embodiment, two flags are provided to monitor the input level abnormality, but only one flag makes it difficult to recognize whether the input level abnormality is overflow or underflow, but the input level abnormality can be detected. .

In addition, although the example which used the digital control signal of the variable attenuator 2 which CPU5 outputs as 0000-FFFF is shown, as shown in FIG. 30, even if it uses 2's complement, it controls. good.

About invention other than description of a claim which can be grasped | ascertained from the said embodiment, it describes with the effect below.

(i) In the invention as set forth in claim 12, if two flags are set and the CPU performs control to maximize the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator, one flag if the amplifying circuit output is larger than the desired output value. Even if control is performed to minimize the amount of attenuation, the other flag is operated when the amplifying circuit output is smaller than the target output value to determine which input level is abnormal.

In this case, since the maximum value and the minimum value of the digital control signal output from the CPU as the variable attenuator control signal when the input level abnormality occurs are different, it is possible to easily determine which state the input level abnormality is, and to be effective in repairing. Can be.

(Ii) In the invention according to claim 12 or (i), the CPU recovers from the situation in which the amplifying circuit output is smaller than the target output value to recover to the target output value or more, even when the control to minimize the attenuation amount is performed. First, the attenuation amount controlled to the minimum is controlled to the maximum, and then the attenuation amount is controlled so that the amplification circuit output becomes the target output value.

In this case, even when the input signal level suddenly recovers when the attenuation amount is controlled to be the minimum, it is possible to prevent the amplification circuit output from generating a state exceeding the desired output value and gradually approaching the target value from the small output value. Can be controlled.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, embodiment of 5th invention is described based on FIG. 31-33.

Fig. 31 shows a circuit block diagram of a gap filler device main body according to the present invention, where 1a is a signal input portion for connecting a satellite signal reception antenna 1, and 2a is a signal for connecting a retransmission antenna 2 for radiating a retransmission signal. It is an output part, and the signal processing part which processes a received signal is provided in the meantime.                     

Specifically, the signal processing unit includes first to fifth amplifying circuits 3 to 7 (a second amplifying circuit 4 is a variable amplifier circuit) for amplifying a signal, and a bandpass filter for removing out-of-band noise. (8, 9), the first and second variable attenuation circuits 10, 11, and the attenuator 12 are provided. In addition, a coupler (branch circuit) 14 for extracting an output signal is provided immediately before the signal output unit 2, 15 is a detection circuit for converting a signal from the coupler into a DC voltage, and 16 is a detection circuit 15. The oscillation detection circuit 17 which detects oscillation from the output of XIII), 17 is a notification means which performs a notification operation at the time of oscillation detection, and a light emitting diode is provided. However, the oscillation detection circuit 16 has a control part which controls the said signal processing part.

32 shows a block diagram of the oscillation detection circuit 16. The oscillation detection circuit 16 is comprised mainly on the CPU 20 provided in the control part, changes the control program of the CPU 20, and adds functions, such as oscillation detection. In this way, since the control unit also functions as the oscillation detection circuit 16, the CPU 20 inputs the output signal of the detection circuit 15 through the A / D conversion circuit 21, and informs the unit 17. In addition to having a notification signal output section 17a for manipulating the gain, the gains of the control signal output sections 10a and 11a and the second amplifying circuit 4 for controlling the first and second variable attenuation circuits 10 and 11 are obtained. The control signal output part 4a to control is provided. The first and second variable attenuation circuits 10 and 11 and the second amplifier circuit 4 are connected via the D / A conversion circuits 22, 23, and 24, respectively.

The output signal of the detection circuit 15 converted into the digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 21 is input to the CPU 20, and the presence or absence of oscillation is judged. The CPU 20 then performs the oscillation detection operation as follows.

When the CPU 20 determines that there is oscillation by comparing the input signal with a set reference value, the CPU 20 first operates the notification means 17, and the light emitting diode is turned on or blinks. The reference value is programmed to a maximum value that may be in operation of the retransmission signal, or a slightly larger value. The maximum value is obtained by minimizing the amount of attenuation of the first and second variable attenuation circuits 10 and 11, and the maximum gain of the second amplification circuit 4, which is a variable amplifier circuit, and the maximum input level. Value, and also expected temperature fluctuation. In addition, the notification means 17 may be a buzzer which outputs a notification sound, and it is effective to combine both light and sound.

When it is judged that the oscillation has occurred, a circuit protection operation is performed in which the operating power supply of the second amplifying circuit 4 is turned off and the attenuation amounts of the first and second variable attenuation circuits 10 and 11 are maximized. Then, after the circuit protection operation, it is programmed to return operation after a predetermined time (for example, after 50 mS) to start the retransmission operation. Moreover, the notification means 17 continues a notification operation | movement until it confirms oscillation stop.

In this way, since the oscillation detection circuit is provided, the presence or absence of oscillation can be known without using a separate measuring device, and the isolation of the reception antenna and the retransmission antenna can be easily performed.

In addition, since the reference value is set to the maximum value that can be operational, there is no malfunction such as detecting a signal as oscillation, and the operator can reliably secure the isolation by relying on the operation of the notification means.                     

In addition, by changing the CPU control program of the control unit and using the control unit as the oscillation detection circuit, the gap filler device of the present invention can be configured with a simple change by simply providing a notification means. By performing the circuit protection operation | movement which turns off, it does not adversely affect an internal circuit or the surrounding radio apparatus. And even if it performs a circuit protection operation, since it automatically returns after a predetermined time, the installation work of the gap filler device can be performed smoothly.

In addition, when the satellite signal to be received is 2.6 GHz, which is an S-band, the detection circuit 15 makes it possible to detect a band from direct current to 3 GHz. In addition, when the gain of the amplification circuit is high, noise rises, so that the bandpass filter 9 is provided in front of the coupler 14 so that the power of the signal component can be measured as accurately as possible. In addition, in the said embodiment, although the oscillation detection circuit is combined with the control part of the processing circuit of an input signal, you may provide an oscillation detection circuit separately.

33 shows another example of the gap filler apparatus of the present invention. The configuration of the notification means is different from that of Fig. 31, and the radio transmission means is provided. As shown in FIG. 33, the notifying means 17 is provided with the display part 17a provided with display means, such as a light emitting diode, and the transmitting part 17b which is equipped with the transmission antenna 17c, receives a signal from a CPU, and performs a wireless transmission operation. It is comprised so that the notification signal of the notification part 17 can be received remotely by the receiving apparatus 18 as a monitoring apparatus provided separately. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component like FIG. 31, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

In this way, by providing a transmission unit as a wireless transmission means to notify the occurrence of oscillation by radio and enabling the reception of the notification at a remote location, the plurality of gap filler devices can be centrally managed in one place, and the occurrence of oscillation can be early. It can also be recognized with certainty. In particular, when a large signboard or the like is installed in the retransmission area, sudden oscillation may occur in the gap filler device due to the reflected wave. In such a case, rapid response can be achieved by wireless monitoring.

In the wireless transmission mode, a public telephone line may be used. In this case, when the transmitter is a cellular phone and a receiver is a portable information terminal (PDA), remote monitoring can be performed using an existing device.

In addition, although the above embodiment has been described with respect to satellite reception, it is also effective for terrestrial broadcasting, and can be effectively used for eliminating the dead zone, particularly for terrestrial digital broadcasting.

About invention other than description of a claim which can be grasped | ascertained from the said embodiment, it describes with the effect below.

(i) In the invention according to claim 13, the oscillation detection circuit judges that oscillation occurs when the detection signal of the detection circuit exceeds a reference value, and the operation value may be operational in the state where the reference value is maximized. It was set as the maximum value or the value slightly larger than the maximum value.

In this case, since the reference value is set on the basis of the maximum value that may be operational, there is no malfunction such as detecting the received signal as oscillation, and the operator can reliably secure the isolation by relying on the operation of the notification means. .                     

(Ii) In the invention according to claim 13 or (i), the oscillation detection circuit is a control unit which controls the signal processing unit, and when the CPU of the control unit detects the oscillation, it notifies the notification means, and further operates the power supply of the amplification circuit. Is programmed to perform at least one circuit protection operation or to turn off or maximize the attenuation of the attenuation circuit.

In this case, the present invention can be configured without providing a new circuit and changing the program of the controller, and the oscillation does not adversely affect the internal circuits or the surrounding wireless devices.

(Iii) In the invention described in (ii), the oscillation detection circuit automatically cancels the circuit protection operation after a predetermined time elapses after the circuit protection operation, and performs the output operation of the retransmission signal.

In this case, even if the circuit protection operation is performed, the automatic return is made after a predetermined time, so that the work of installing the gap filler device can be performed smoothly.

(Iii) In the invention according to any one of claims 13 and (i) to (iii), the notification means includes a radio transmission means for notifying generation of oscillation wirelessly, and receives a radio signal of the radio transmission means. To provide a separate monitoring device to enable remote monitoring of oscillation generation.

In that case, it becomes possible to centrally manage a plurality of gap filler devices at one place, and to recognize the occurrence of oscillation at an early stage.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, embodiment of 6th invention is described based on FIG. 34-37.

34 is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of a gap filler device according to the present invention, where 1 is an input terminal for inputting a satellite signal received by the reception antenna 11, and 2 is a retransmission signal to the retransmission antenna 12. FIG. A signal processing circuit 13 for generating a retransmission signal is provided, 3 is a control unit for controlling the signal processing circuit, 14 is a notification means, and 15 is a reception device as a remote monitoring device. have.

The signal processing circuit 13 includes amplification circuits 4a to 4e consisting of five stages, and the amplifying circuit 4b of the second stage among them is a variable amplifying circuit whose gain can be changed. In addition, bandpass filters 5a and 5b are provided at the input and output ends to remove out-of-band noise, 6a and 6b are variable attenuators, 7 is a fixed attenuator, 8a is a first coupler as input signal detection means, and 8b is It is a 2nd coupler as an output signal detection means.

9a is a detection circuit for converting a high frequency signal detected by the first coupler 8a into a DC voltage, and 9b is a detection circuit for converting a high frequency signal detected by the second coupler 8b into a DC voltage. The converted detection signal is input to the control unit 3. Moreover, the control part 3 is comprised so that the variable amplifier circuit 4b and the two variable attenuators 6a and 6b may be controlled and the notification means 14 may be notified.

In addition, the notification unit 14 has a display unit 14a for notifying light emission by the LED and a transmitter 14b for wireless transmission, and the reception device 15 receives a radio signal issued by the transmitter 14b and performs a notification operation.

35 shows main parts of the controller 3. In the figure, 17 is a CPU, and the CPU 17 receives input signal information from the first coupler 8a, and inputs retransmission signal information from the second coupler 8b. In response to this signal, the two variable attenuators 6a and 6b and the variable amplifier circuit 4b are controlled to output a notification signal to the notification means 14. The signals sent from the first and second couplers 8a and 8b are converted into digital data by the A / D conversion circuits 18a and 18b and input to the CPU 17. In addition, each control signal is converted into an analog signal by the D / A conversion circuits 19a to 19c and output.

The CPU 17 configured in this manner is programmed to operate as follows. First, two reference values for the detected signal are set. Among these, the first reference value is an input level reference value Si set to a level slightly larger than the input noise level, and is used to determine the minimum value of the inputted received signal. The second reference value is for determining whether or not there is an output signal as the output level reference value So, which is set and input to the optimum output level as the retransmission signal.

The CPU 17 compares the received signal detected by the first coupler 8a with the input level reference value Si, and changes the gain of the variable amplifier circuit 4b to provide the second coupler 8b. The output signal (retransmission signal) detected by this is compared with the output level reference value So. This comparison operation is performed alternately every few hundred ms, and if the input signal level is smaller than the input level reference value Si and the output signal level does not substantially match the output level reference value So even when the gain of the amplifying circuit is changed, It is judged that there is no input signal, the attenuation amounts of the variable attenuators 6a and 6b are maximized, and the gain of the variable amplifier circuit 4b is minimized. And the operation signal of the notification means 14 is output.                     

In response to this operation signal, the notification unit 14 displays the display unit 14a in light emission and wirelessly transmits that there is no received signal by the transmission unit 14b. In addition, the reception device 15 receives a transmission signal from the transmission unit 14b and performs a reception operation, and performs a notification operation with a buzzer sound or the like.

In this way, when there is no reception signal, only the noise component is amplified and retransmitted, so that the surrounding radio wave equipment and the reception apparatus are not adversely affected. The display unit can easily recognize that there is no input signal. In addition, since the information without input signal can be known wirelessly by using the receiving device, it is possible to remotely monitor a plurality of gap filler devices in a monitoring center or the like, and to quickly respond when a signal is blocked at a small administrative cost. This becomes possible.

In particular, the configuration for remote monitoring can be effectively used in the case where the reception of a signal transmitted from a terrestrial broadcast or a separately prepared gap filler device is suddenly prevented due to the installation of a shield such as a large signboard. In addition, since it can recognize quickly, it becomes possible to suppress the lung to a user to the minimum.

FIG. 36 is a circuit block diagram showing a second embodiment of the gap filler device, and the same components as in FIG. 34 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 34, the configuration is the same as in Fig. 34, except that there is no second coupler for detecting the retransmission signal and a detection circuit accompanying the same. Only the reception signal is detected to determine the presence or absence of the reception signal.                     

And the CPU 17 of the control part 3 of this embodiment is programmed so that it may operate as follows. The input level reference value Si is set to a level slightly larger than the input noise level, and the reference value Si is compared with the received signal detected by the first coupler 8a, and the received signal level is the input level reference value Si. If smaller, it is determined that there is no input, the attenuation amounts of the variable attenuators 6a and 6b are maximized, and the gain of the variable amplifier circuit 4b is minimized. And the operation signal of the notification means 14 is output.

As described above, since the reception signal level is detected, the predetermined signal is determined by determining that there is no reception signal, so that only the noise component is amplified and retransmitted, and the administrator can respond quickly. In addition, the circuit configuration can be implemented with fewer circuit configurations than in the configuration of FIG. 34. However, since the received signal level to be detected is a small level, it is difficult to accurately determine it.

By the way, in the 1st and 2nd embodiment of the said gap filler apparatus, it judges that there is no reception signal (it is called a constant wave hereafter), and makes the attenuation amount of the variable attenuators 6a and 6b maximum, By minimizing the gain of the variable amplifier 4b, it is possible to prevent amplification and retransmission of only noise components. However, when the received signal is normally restored, it is necessary to restart, and the trouble of maintenance work is a problem.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the control part 3 of 1st and 2nd embodiment can also be provided with the function which voluntarily auto-repairs so that the retransmission signal level may correspond to a desired output level. This automatic recovery function of the retransmission signal level is realized by a program executed by the CPU 17. That is, the automatic recovery function, by the CPU 17, a few hundred ms after the gain of the variable amplifier circuit 4b is minimized, the received signal level detected by the first coupler 8a and the input level reference value Si ), And when the received signal level is higher than the input level reference value Si, the retransmission signal level is changed to the output level reference value So by changing the attenuation amounts of the variable attenuators 6a and 6b and the gain of the variable amplifier circuit 4b. Is configured to be operative to almost match.

After setting the retransmission signal level to the output level reference value So, the CPU 17 terminates the automatic recovery operation and monitors the occurrence of the static wave of the received signal again.

According to the automatic return function of this configuration, even when the CPU 17 of the control unit 3 stops the output of the retransmission signal by minimizing the gain of the variable amplifier circuit 4b on the basis of the determination that there is no reception signal, Thereafter, when it is judged that the presence or absence of the received signal is determined, the retransmission signal can be spontaneously (automatically) restored so as to almost match the desired output level reference value So, and output. Therefore, for example, the manual repair work, which has been necessary conventionally, such as restarting the gap filler device, can be omitted, and the maintenance of the gap filler device can be freed.

FIG. 37 is a circuit block diagram showing the third embodiment of the gap filler device, and the same components as in FIG. 34 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. As shown in the figure, the configuration is the same except for the first coupler that detects the received signal, the detection circuit accompanying the same, and the like in FIG. 1, and only the retransmission signal is detected to determine the presence or absence of the received signal.

And the CPU of the control part 3 of this embodiment is programmed so that it may operate as follows. The output level reference value So is set at the optimum output level as the retransmission signal, and the gain of the variable amplifier circuit 4b is changed to compare the output signal detected by the second coupler 8b with the output level reference value So. If the output signal level does not substantially match the output level reference value So even when the gain of the variable amplifier circuit 4b is changed, it is determined that there is no input signal and the attenuation of the variable attenuators 6a and 6b is maximized. The gain of the variable amplifier circuit 4b is minimized. And the operation signal of the notification means 14 is output.

In this way, since the retransmission signal level is detected, the predetermined signal is determined by determining that there is no reception signal, so that only the noise component is amplified and retransmitted, and the administrator can respond quickly. In addition, the circuit configuration can be implemented with fewer circuit configurations than in the configuration of FIG. 34. However, when it is judged only by the retransmission signal level, when the output level does not become the reference level, oscillation of another device is considered, but by minimizing the gain of the amplifier circuit, adverse effects on the device itself and surrounding receiving equipment can be suppressed. have.

In addition, although the said embodiment shows the gap filler apparatus which retransmits at the same frequency as the received signal in all, when the frequency of a received signal and a retransmitted signal differs, the received signal and the frequency-converted signal are input to an input terminal.

In addition, the wireless transmission form of the notification means 14 may use a public cellular telephone line, and in this case, if the transmitter is a cellular telephone and a receiving apparatus is a portable information terminal (PDA), the existing apparatus may be used. Remote monitoring is possible.

In addition, when there is no input signal, both the variable attenuator and the variable amplifier circuit are operated, but it is effective only by minimizing the gain of the variable amplifier circuit, and conversely, in addition to the operation of the variable attenuator and the variable amplifier circuit, The operation of turning off the power supply does not consume unnecessary power.

In addition, when the input level reference value Si for comparing the input signals is set in multiple stages, and the display operation by the display unit 14a of the notification means 14 is also performed in multiple stages of display operation, the reception antenna ( When installing 11), it is possible to easily obtain the best installation state without using a separate measuring instrument by relying on the display of the display portion 14a to determine the installation location and adjust the direction thereof. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a test point (for example, an N-type connector) for connecting a measuring instrument to the receiving antenna 11, and the configuration can be simplified.

About invention other than description of a claim which can be grasped | ascertained from the said embodiment, it describes with the effect below.

(i) In the invention according to claim 14 or 15, the control unit compares the received signal level detected by the input signal detecting means with the input level reference value after a predetermined time has elapsed since the gain of the amplifying circuit is minimized. When the received signal level is higher than the input level reference value, the gain of the amplifying circuit is changed to make the retransmission signal level almost match the output level reference value.

In such a case, even when the control unit stops output of the retransmission signal with the gain of the amplifier minimized based on the determination that there is no reception signal, when it is determined that there is a reception signal thereafter, the retransmission signal is desired. It can be spontaneously restored and output to almost match the output level threshold. Therefore, for example, the manual repair work required by the conventional manual, such as restarting the gap filler device, can be omitted, the amount of maintenance work of the gap filler device can be reduced, and the maintenance can be freed.

(Ii) The invention according to any one of claims 14, 15, (i) or 16, wherein the notification means has a radio transmission means, and the radio means of the radio transmission means is provided by a separately provided reception means. Enable to receive the notification operation.

In this case, remote monitoring can be performed and collective management of a plurality of gap filler devices is possible. And even if the receiving antenna suddenly becomes unable to receive radio waves, it is possible to promptly recognize this to the manager, and smooth response is possible. In addition, by collectively managing, the management cost can also be reduced.

According to claim 1, the quality of the amplified signal can be improved by suppressing generation of unnecessary signals such as noise, as compared with the case of using a conventional zener diode. Further, according to claim 1 or 3, the adjustment potential fixing circuit can attenuate excessive broadcast signals to prevent element breakdown and improve the reliability of the signal amplifying circuit. According to claim 2 or 3, the switching potential fixing circuit can block excessive broadcasting signals to prevent element destruction, and improve the reliability of the signal amplifying circuit.                     

According to the invention of claims 4 and 5, the reference data necessary for temperature compensation of the output level can be suppressed into two types of reference temperature and reference output level, so that the memory area can be reduced, and the output level control with high stability is possible. Done.

According to the invention of claim 6 and 7, the sum of the output value at the time of adjustment corresponding to the three types of values of the reference output value, the upper threshold value and the lower threshold value and the temperature at the time of adjustment as the reference temperature when the temperature compensation of the threshold value is performed Since four kinds of values may be stored in advance, output stability control with high stability can be realized with a small memory area on the basis of these values. In addition, since the threshold has been temperature compensated, the fluctuation range of the threshold accompanying the change in the use environment temperature can be suppressed to be small, and the fluctuation allowable range of the output level can be greatly expanded. Therefore, output level control is attained by degrading the performance of the component for maintaining a constant output level, for example, manufacturing cost can be reduced by using a cheap product.

According to the invention of claims 8 and 9, since the output level of the signal amplifying circuit is adjusted with respect to the adjustment output value based on the radiation level of the broadcast signal radiated from the antenna element, the radiation level of the transmitting antenna is adjusted with high precision. It can be matched to the required reference output.

According to the invention of Claims 10 and 11, since an adjustment circuit is added between the signal amplification circuit and the antenna element, the output level of the signal amplification circuit can be adjusted more precisely, and the output change by the adjustment circuit is also included. Temperature compensation, and the signal can be radiated stably with higher accuracy.                     

According to the invention of claim 12, since an input level abnormality is detected in the state of a control signal for controlling the variable attenuator of the automatic level control circuit, a new coupler, an attenuator, an operational amplifier, a filter circuit, or the like is newly provided in the amplifier circuit input unit. The input signal level can be monitored by a simple circuit without doing so.

According to the invention of claim 13, it is possible to know the presence or absence of oscillation without using a separate measuring device, and it is possible to easily perform isolation of the reception antenna and the retransmission antenna.

Further, since the reference value is set to the maximum value that can be operational, there is no malfunction to detect the received signal as oscillation, and the operator can reliably secure the isolation by relying on the operation of the notification means.

In addition, by changing the CPU control program of the control unit and using the control unit as the oscillation detection circuit, the gap filler device of the present invention can be configured with a simple change by simply providing a notification means. By performing the circuit protection operation | movement which turns off, it does not adversely affect an internal circuit or the surrounding radio apparatus.

According to the inventions of claims 14 to 16, when there is no reception signal, only the noise component is amplified and retransmitted, and the surrounding radio wave equipment and the reception device are not adversely affected. Further, by the operation of the notification means, it is possible to quickly recognize that there is no received signal.

Claims (16)

Amplification means formed by connecting amplification elements for amplifying a transmission signal in multiple stages, and automatic level control means for controlling the output level of the transmission signal output from the amplification means to converge to a predetermined prescribed output level, A signal amplifying circuit comprising a gain adjusting means for adjusting an attenuation amount of a transmission signal by an adjustment control signal input from an automatic level control means to an adjustment control terminal and outputting the attenuation amount to the amplifying means, An adjustment potential fixing circuit for fixing the potential of the adjustment control signal to the adjustment control terminal; After the initializing process of the signal amplification circuit at power-on and at arbitrary time, By the adjustment potential fixing circuit connected to the adjustment control terminal, the amount of attenuation of the transmission signal output from the gain adjusting means to the amplifying means is a maximum attenuation value or an attenuation value equal to or less than the absolute maximum rated value of the amplifying means. Adjust, And a breakdown prevention means for preventing the amplification element from being destroyed by preventing an excessive transmission signal from being input to the amplification means. Amplification means formed by connecting amplification elements for amplifying a transmission signal in multiple stages, and automatic level control means for controlling the output level of the transmission signal output from the amplification means to converge to a predetermined prescribed output level, And switching means for switching the transmission signal inputted to the input terminal by the switching control signal inputted from the automatic level control means to the switching terminal to either a passing contact for passing through the amplifying means and a non-passing contact for not passing. As a signal amplification circuit formed by A switching potential fixing circuit for fixing the potential of the switching control signal to the switching control terminal; After the initializing process of the signal amplification circuit at power-on and at arbitrary time, The switching potential fixing circuit connected to the switching control terminal switches the switching means so as to be switched to a non-passing contact which does not pass the transmission signal through the amplifying means, And a breakdown prevention means for preventing the amplification element from being destroyed by preventing an excessive transmission signal from being input to the amplification means. A signal amplifying circuit comprising the gain adjusting means according to claim 1 and the switching means according to claim 2, The adjustment potential fixing circuit connected to the adjustment control terminal adjusts the amount of attenuation of the transmission signal output from the gain adjusting means to the amplifying means to be a maximum attenuation value or an attenuation value equal to or less than the absolute maximum rated value of the amplifying means, By the switching potential fixing circuit connected to the switching control terminal, the switching means is switched so as to be switched to a non-passing contact which does not pass the transmission signal through the amplifying means, And a breakdown preventing means for preventing the amplification element from being destroyed by preventing an excessive transmission signal from being input to the amplifying means. delete delete delete delete Amplifying means for amplifying the signal; Automatic level control means for controlling the output level of the signal by a CPU; Temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature inside the circuit; Output level measuring means for measuring an output level of the amplified signal; A signal amplifying circuit having memory means for storing a reference temperature measured in advance so as to correspond to a required reference output value stored in advance; An antenna element formed to radiate a signal output from the signal amplification circuit; The CPU, Control to match the said output level with the said reference output value within the range of the required threshold value preset and stored, The difference between the reference temperature and the measured current temperature is obtained, If the difference is not zero, the threshold is compensated for temperature based on the difference using an arithmetic expression including a coefficient derived from the temperature measuring means, On the basis of the radiation level of the signal radiated from the antenna element, And within the range of the temperature compensated threshold, control to match the output level to the reference output value. delete Amplifying means for amplifying the signal; Automatic level control means for controlling the output level of the signal by a CPU; Temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature inside the circuit; Output level measuring means for measuring an output level of the amplified signal; A signal amplifying circuit having memory means for storing a reference temperature measured in advance so as to correspond to a required reference output value stored in advance; An adjusting circuit for adjusting the output level of the signal amplified by the signal amplifying circuit; An antenna element formed to radiate a signal adjusted by the adjustment circuit; The CPU, Control to match the said output level with the said reference output value within the range of the required threshold value preset and stored, The difference between the reference temperature and the measured current temperature is obtained, If the difference is not zero, the threshold value is compensated for temperature based on the difference using an arithmetic expression including a coefficient derived from the temperature measuring means, On the basis of the radiation level of the signal radiated from the antenna element, And within the range of the temperature compensated threshold, control to match the output level to the reference output value. delete delete delete delete delete delete

Images