KR102566094B1 - Vehicle communication modules and system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a communication module and system for a vehicle, and more particularly, configures an omni-directional antenna and a directional antenna on one board, and selectively uses the same to measure the distance and location to a target located outside the vehicle (UWB function), or to check the presence or absence of passengers inside the vehicle (ROA function).
In particular, the present invention allows an external communication mode using a non-directional antenna and an internal communication mode using a directional antenna to be operated in one module, so that efficient system construction and operation, configuration optimization, and low-cost and high-efficiency effects can be obtained.
As a result, the present invention minimizes the cost required to build the entire system of a vehicle and significantly improves operational efficiency by enabling one communication module to perform two individually constructed functions. It works.
Therefore, it is possible to improve reliability and competitiveness in fields similar to or related to, as well as in the field of vehicles, convenience systems for vehicles, particularly UWB systems and ROA systems.

Description

Vehicle communication module and system {Vehicle communication modules and system}

The present invention relates to a communication module and system for a vehicle, and more particularly, configures an omni-directional antenna and a directional antenna on a single board, and selectively uses the same to measure the distance and location to a target located outside the vehicle (UWB function), or to check the presence or absence of passengers inside the vehicle (ROA function).

In particular, the present invention is for a vehicle that can obtain the effects of efficient system construction and operation, configuration optimization, and low cost and high efficiency by operating an external communication mode using a non-directional antenna and an internal communication mode using a directional antenna in one module. It relates to communication modules and systems.

Recently developed vehicles are equipped with systems that reflect the various needs of consumers.

For example, while communicating with a user terminal including a smart key or a smartphone, remote starting, remote opening/closing of a trunk and doors, vehicle information monitoring, and the like can be performed.

As such, a system for performing data communication with various terminals carried by a user outside of a vehicle is referred to as a UWB (Ultra Wide Band) system.

The UWB (ToF) system uses a short pulse signal of several ns with a very wide frequency band and very low power spectral density by applying an omnidirectional antenna, and is used with other wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as well as high security. There are advantages to being able to do this.

As another example, by detecting whether a passenger is present in the vehicle, it is possible to prevent a safety accident from occurring when an infant is left alone in the vehicle.

In this way, a system for confirming the presence or absence of a passenger in a vehicle is referred to as a Rear Occupant Alert (POA) system.

The POA system is a technology based on 'mmWave Radar' and can detect passengers in the vehicle through motion detection, algorithm and signal processing by applying a directional antenna.

On the other hand, in general, the UWB system and the ROA system are independently built and operated, and this may cause various problems such as increased system construction cost in the vehicle, reduced operational efficiency, and increased complexity of each component. there is.

Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1756307 'Antenna device, vehicle including the same and control method of the antenna device'

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention configures a omnidirectional antenna and a directional antenna on one board, and selectively uses them to measure the distance and location of a target located outside the vehicle (UWB function), An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle communication module and system capable of checking the presence or absence of a passenger inside the vehicle (ROA function).

In particular, the present invention is for a vehicle that can obtain the effects of efficient system construction and operation, configuration optimization, and low cost and high efficiency by operating an external communication mode using a non-directional antenna and an internal communication mode using a directional antenna in one module. The purpose is to provide a communication module and system.

In addition, the present invention utilizes a UWB Seamless Access and Relay Attack hacking defense function by using an omni-directional antenna and a directional antenna integrated into one module, as well as a radar module that detects passengers inside the vehicle, thereby providing external communication. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle communication module and system capable of performing both functions and ROA (Rear Occupant Alert) functions.

In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle communication module according to the present invention, a communication unit configured by integrating a non-directional antenna and a directional antenna into a one board (One board); In response to the request of the vehicle control unit, a data processing unit operated in any one of an external communication mode and an internal communication mode; and a switching unit selectively activating the omni-directional antenna and the directional antenna in response to the mode operated in the data processing unit.

In addition, the communication unit may include a beam width control unit for adjusting the beam width of the directional antenna.

In addition, the beam width control unit may include a beam guide unit for inducing a radiation direction of a beam emitted from the directional antenna.

In addition, the beam guiding unit is configured to surround the directional antenna, and an opening may be formed in a radial direction.

In addition, the beam width adjusting sphere may be further formed with an inclination guide portion extending from the opening portion and gradually narrowing.

In addition, the beam width adjusting sphere may further include an extension portion extending to the inclined induction portion.

In addition, a beam reflection layer may be formed on at least a part of an inner surface of the beam width control unit.

In addition, the communication unit may further include a beam width adjusting lens that secondarily adjusts the beam width primarily adjusted by the beam width adjusting unit.

In addition, the vehicle communication system according to the present invention, the vehicle communication module; And in response to the request of the vehicle control unit, when communication with the user terminal is required, the vehicle communication module is switched to an external communication mode to communicate with the user terminal, and when it is necessary to detect a passenger in the vehicle, the vehicle communication module is switched to an external communication mode. An integrated management module that converts the module into an internal communication mode to check whether a passenger exists.

By means of the above solutions, the present invention configures a omni-directional antenna and a directional antenna on one board, and selectively uses them to measure the distance and location to a target located outside the vehicle (UWB function), or It has the advantage of being able to check whether there are passengers on board (ROA function).

In particular, the present invention allows the external communication mode using a non-directional antenna and the internal communication mode using a directional antenna to be operated in one module, thereby providing the advantages of efficient system construction and operation, configuration optimization, and low-cost, high-efficiency effects. there is

In addition, the present invention utilizes a UWB Seamless Access and Relay Attack hacking defense function by using an omni-directional antenna and a directional antenna integrated into one module, as well as a radar module that detects passengers inside the vehicle, thereby providing external communication. It has the advantage of being able to perform both functions and ROA (Rear Occupant Alert) functions.

As a result, the present invention minimizes the cost required to build the entire system of a vehicle and significantly improves operational efficiency by enabling one communication module to perform two individually constructed functions. It works.

Therefore, it is possible to improve reliability and competitiveness in fields similar to or related to, as well as in the field of vehicles, convenience systems for vehicles, particularly UWB systems and ROA systems.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle communication module according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a specific embodiment of FIG. 1 .
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating other embodiments of FIG. 2 .
4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing still another embodiment of FIG. 2 .
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the function of the beam width adjusting device shown in FIG. 4 .
6 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a communication system for a vehicle according to the present invention.

Examples of the vehicle communication module and system according to the present invention can be applied in various ways, and hereinafter, the most preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle communication module according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a specific embodiment of FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 1 , a vehicle communication module 100 includes a communication unit 110 , a data processing unit 120 and a switching unit 130 .

The communication unit 110 is configured by integrating the omnidirectional antenna 1110 and the directional antenna 112 into one board, and as shown in FIG. 2, it may be configured together on one PCB.

The data processing unit 120 is operated in one of an external communication mode and an internal communication mode in response to a request from a vehicle control unit (eg, ECU or MCU), and as shown in FIG. 2, the communication unit 110 ) and can be configured together on one PCB.

Here, the external communication mode is to communicate with the outside of the vehicle, and can perform communication with a terminal carried or used by the user, such as a smart key or smartphone, and can measure the location of the smart key or smartphone. .

In addition, the internal communication mode is for detecting whether there are passengers (including infants) inside the vehicle (indoor), and may be operated as a radar for detecting passengers.

Since the specific functions of the external communication mode and the internal communication mode, and algorithms and operating methods for each function can be modified in various ways according to the needs of those skilled in the art, they are not limited to specific ones.

The switching unit 130 may selectively activate the omnidirectional antenna 111 and the directional antenna 112 in response to a mode operated in the data processing unit 120 .

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating other embodiments of FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , the communication unit 110 may include a beam width adjustment unit 113 for adjusting the beam width of the directional antenna 112 .

For example, the beam width control unit 113 induces a radiation direction of a beam emitted from the directional antenna 112, and can adjust the direction of the beam toward a specific direction.

In FIG. 3 , the shielding portion 115 formed on the rear surface of the PCB serves as a ground, and may block a beam emitted from the directional antenna 112 from being radiated backward.

As a result, the beam width control unit 113 may perform a function of adjusting the width of the beam emitted forwardly to a specific angle (θ1 to θ3) by blocking backward radiation by the shielding unit 115 .

To this end, the beam width control unit 113 may include a beam guide part 113a formed to face a specific direction.

The beam guiding unit 113a is configured to surround the directional antenna 112, and as shown in (a) of FIG. 3, an opening (unsigned) may be formed in a radial direction (left side in FIG. 3), and the opening Through this, the beam can be adjusted to be emitted at a specific angle (θ1).

For example, the beam guide part 113a may be formed in a circular tubular shape.

In addition, as shown in (b) of FIG. 3, the beam width adjustment sphere 113 may further form a slope inducing portion 113b so as to extend into the opening and gradually narrow.

As a result, the beam width adjusting device 113 in which the beam guiding unit 113a and the slope guiding unit 113b are formed has a narrower angle θ2 than the case where only the beam guiding unit 113a is formed. Can be adjusted to have a beam width.

In addition, as shown in (c) of FIG. 3, the beam width adjusting device 113 may further include an extension portion 113c extending to the slope induction portion 113b. In this case, the beam induction portion 113a and the slope induction portion It can be adjusted to have a beam width of a narrower angle (θ3) than the beam width adjusting sphere 113 having (113b) formed thereon.

Therefore, according to the configuration and shape of the beam width control unit 113, the beam width emitted from the directional antenna 112 can be adjusted in various ranges.

4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing another embodiment of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a view explaining the function of the beam width adjusting device shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the communication unit 110 may further include a beam width adjusting lens 114 that secondarily adjusts the beam width primarily adjusted by the beam width adjusting device 113 .

As shown in FIG. 5, the beam width adjusting lens 114 is for improving straightness by concentrating the beam whose diffusion width is primarily controlled by the beam width adjusting sphere 113, and the beam width radiated through it is adjusted in FIG. 3 ( Compared to c), it can be adjusted to a narrower angle.

In addition, since the straightness is improved by the beam width adjusting lens 114, the characteristics and sensitivity of the reflected wave for the radiated beam can be improved, and through this, the sensing performance of passengers present in the interior of the vehicle can be further improved. .

In addition, as shown in the enlarged portion of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the beam width adjusting sphere 113 may further form a beam reflection layer 113d on at least a part of the inner surface, and the directional antenna is formed by the beam reflection layer 113d. At 112, the emitted beam can be focused.

Of course, such a beam reflection layer 113d can also be formed on the inner surface of various types of beam width adjusting devices 113 as shown in FIG. 3 .

As a result, the vehicle communication module 100 according to the present invention can selectively perform a plurality of communication methods with one module, and in particular, the beam width radiated from the directional antenna 112 can be controlled through the beam width adjusting sphere 113. In addition, the characteristics of the signal can be improved.

6 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a communication system for a vehicle according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the vehicle communication system includes the communication module 110 and the integrated management module 200 described above.

The integrated management module 200 responds to the request of the vehicle control unit 300, and when communication with the user terminal (smart key, smart phone, etc.) is required, the vehicle communication module 100 is switched to an external communication mode and the corresponding user terminal When it is necessary to communicate with and detect a passenger in the vehicle, it is possible to switch the vehicle communication module 100 to an internal communication mode to check the existence of the passenger.

The integrated management module 200, together with the vehicle control unit 300, may be included in an ECU or MCU or configured as a separate processor, and specific functions and processors for each function may be variously changed according to the needs of those skilled in the art. Of course, it is not limited.

In the above, the vehicle communication module and system according to the present invention have been described. It will be understood that the technical configuration of the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

Therefore, the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and should be understood as non-limiting ones.

100: communication module
110: communication unit 111: omnidirectional antenna
112: directional antenna 113: beam width control
113a: beam guidance unit 113b: gradient guidance unit
113c: extension part 113d: beam reflection layer
114: beam width adjustment lens 115: shield
120: data processing unit
130: switching unit
200: integrated management module 300: vehicle control unit

Claims (9)

A communication unit configured by integrating a omnidirectional antenna and a directional antenna into one board;
In response to the request of the vehicle control unit, a data processing unit operated in any one of an external communication mode and an internal communication mode; and
In response to the mode operated in the data processing unit, a switching unit selectively activating the omni-directional antenna and the directional antenna; includes,
The communication unit is configured with a beam width adjustment tool for adjusting the beam width of the directional antenna,
The beam width control unit includes a beam induction unit for inducing a radiation direction of a beam emitted from the directional antenna,
The beam guiding unit is configured to surround the directional antenna, and a vehicle communication module, characterized in that an opening is formed in a radial direction.
delete delete delete According to claim 1,
The beam width adjusting device,
A communication module for a vehicle, characterized in that further formed with an inclination induction part extended to the opening and gradually narrowed.
According to claim 5,
The beam width adjusting device,
A vehicle communication module, characterized in that an extension portion extending to the inclined induction portion is further formed.
According to claim 1,
The beam width adjusting device,
A communication module for a vehicle, characterized in that a beam reflection layer is formed on at least a part of an inner surface.
According to claim 1,
The communication department,
A vehicle communication module, characterized in that further configured, a beam width adjusting lens for secondarily adjusting the beam width primarily adjusted by the beam width adjusting sphere.
Claim 1 or any one of the vehicle communication module of claim 5 to claim 8; and
In response to the request of the vehicle control unit, when communication with the user terminal is required, the vehicle communication module is switched to an external communication mode to communicate with the user terminal, and when it is necessary to detect a passenger in the vehicle, the vehicle communication module In-vehicle communication system comprising: an integrated management module for checking the existence of a passenger by switching to an internal communication mode.

Images