MXPA00007466A - A system for ensuring type acceptance requirements and enhancing equipment capabilities in a rf system - Google Patents

Abstract

An interrogation system for enabling transmission and/or reception of RF signals by a communication system. In accordance with the present invention, an interrogation is performed between a transceiver and an antenna prior to the transceiver transmitting or receiving RF signals via the antenna. The interrogation is used to determine whether the antenna transmits and/or receives RF signals having the power and/or frequency band required by the transceiver. The interrogation is performed by an interrogating device transmitting an interrogation signal to the other, responding device. The responding device transmits a response signal to the interrogating device in response to receiving the interrogation signal. The interrogating device determines if the response signal has a predetermined characteristic. If the response signal has the predetermined characteristic, transmission and/or reception of RF signals is enabled. An alternative use of the interrogation is to identify which one of a plurality of antennas connected to the transceiver is to be used to transmit or receive RF signals.

Description

A SYSTEM TO ENSURE THE ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TYPE AND TO IMPROVE THE EQUIPMENT CAPABILITIES IN ÜN RADIO FREQUENCY SYSTEM Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an emission of interrogation pulses between a transceiver and an antenna in a system for receiving and transmitting an RF (radio frequency) signal. More particularly, the present invention relates to the enabling of the transmission or reception of RF signals in response to a successful interrogation pulse emission that is complemented. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an interrogation pulse emission that determines whether the antenna connected to a transceiver in the RF system transmits or receives the RF signals in the frequency band and the power that is required by the transceiver before enabling or making possible the transmission or reception of RF signals. issue In today's society, many devices use radio frequency (RF) signals to REF .: 122071 transmit data or to perform other functions. Some examples of devices that use RF signals are automatic garage door openers, remote keyless entry systems for automobiles, radio broadcasts, and television broadcasts. With the proliferation of the use of RF signals, it is a problem to prevent RF signals from a device from interfering with signals from a second device. One way to reduce the interference of RF signals from different devices is to limit the power of RF signals transmitted by a device. The limitation of the power of the RF signals limits the range of the RF signals and prevents the RF signals transmitted from interfering with other RF signals. An example of a device with an RF of limited signal strength is a wireless telephone system. A wireless telephone system has a base station and a remote control handset. Both the base station and the remote control handset have a transceiver and a remote control antenna to transmit and receive the RF signals. The base of the wireless telephone system station is connected to a telephone line. When the telephone input signals are received by the base station over the telephone line, the base station converts the incoming telephone signals to RF signals, and transmits the RF signals over the air to the remote control handset. The remote control handset receives the RF signals, converts the signals to audio signals and transmits audio signals over a loudspeaker to a user. When the remote control handset receives the audio signal from a user by means of a microphone, the remote control handset converts the audio signal to RF signals and transmits the RF signals through the air to the base station. The base station receives the RF signals from the remote control handset, converts the RF signals to telephone signals, and transmits the telephone signals over the telephone line. The range of RF signals transmitted between the base station and the remote control handset in a wireless telephone system is typically limited to a radius of 15.24 to 30.48 meters (50 to 100 feet) or around the area of a house to prevent interference with other wireless telephone systems and other RF signals. To prevent interference between RF signals from different devices, such as wireless telephone systems, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the manufacture of limited power transceivers and antennas. To prevent users of such devices from altering the power and increasing the range of RF signals transmitted by a device, the FCC requires manufacturers to provide a method to prevent the replacement of an antenna that has a higher gain from an antenna approved for the system. A common method to prevent the substitution of antennas is the use of connectors made by request or custom to connect the antenna to a feeder or transport line from the transceiver. However, there are several disadvantages to using connectors made by request to prevent the substitution of the antennas. A disadvantage of the connectors made by request is that they do not adequately prevent the substitution of antennas. It is possible to design adapters that facilitate the connection of a higher gain antenna to a connector made by request. In addition, it is also possible to manufacture the connectors made by request separately and incorporate the connectors in antennas of higher gain. A second disadvantage of connectors made per request is the increased cost associated with the use of a connector made per request. A new connector made by request must be designed for each new type of device designed. This increases the design cost of the new device. The cost per unit of the new device is also increased since connectors made by request can not be produced in larger volumes to take advantage of economies of scale. Different tools are also required to install the connector made by request on the device. This increases the manufacturing cost of the new device. The manufacturer must also train personnel to install, test, maintain, and use connectors made in the usual manner. The cost to a user is also increased because the user must maintain an inventory of each type of connector made by request in use to replace a defective connector. There is a need in the art for a more reliable and economical process to prevent the replacement of a higher gain antenna in a limited power RF signal transmission system. In addition, it is sometimes necessary to connect multiple antennas to a single transceiver in a limited power RF system. One possible reason for connecting multiple antennas to a transceiver is to allow the transceiver to transmit or receive RF signals from different remote or remote sites. A second reason for connecting multiple antennas to a transceiver is to transmit or receive RF signals of variable power or of variable frequency bands. There are several problems that arise from the connection of multiple antennas to a transceiver. A problem with the connection of multiple antennas to a transceiver in a limited power system is that each antenna in the system may require a connector made by request, different, to satisfy the FCC rules. Each system must be designed separately to provide the different connectors for each antenna. The connectors made by request, different, necessary for each antenna, make it impossible to manufacture interchangeable or modular antennas. This increases the costs of both maintenance and design of such a system. It is also a problem for designers of multiple antenna systems to provide a simple method to indicate which antenna to connect to the transceiver to transmit or receive RF signals. There is a need in the art for the provision of a communication system that provides the modular connection of multiple antennas to a transceiver.

SOLUTION The above and other problems are solved and an advance in the technique is made by the provision of a system in which an interrogation pulse emission is made between a transceiver and an antenna prior to a transmission or reception of RF signals. In accordance with the present invention, a successful interrogation pulse emission must be complemented before the transceiver transmits or receives the RF signals by means of an antenna connected to the transceiver. If the interrogation pulse emission is not successful, the transceiver / antenna system is disabled so that the RF signals can not be transmitted or received by the transceiver. A transceiver capable of sending interrogation pulses to the antennas can also be used in a system having multiple antennas connected to the transceiver. In a multiple antenna system, the interrogation pulse emission may be used by the transceiver to identify which antenna to operatively connect to the transceiver to transmit or receive RF signals. In accordance with the present invention, both the transceiver and the antenna have a controller. The transceiver controller only allows the transceiver to transmit or receive the RF signals via an antenna if the interrogation pulse emission is successful and the controller in the antenna only allows the antenna to transmit or receive the RF signals if the Interrogation impulse emission is successful. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller for both the transceiver and the antenna is a processing unit which performs all the operations required to effect the emission of interrogation pulses. The processing unit in each controller includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory, in each control stores the instructions to carry out the necessary processes to complement the emission of interrogation pulses and the processor in each controller effects the instructions stored in the memory to complement the impulse emission of the interrogation. In accordance with the present invention, the transceiver is in a first location and the antenna is in a remote location. A communication path, such as a feeder or transport line, connects the antenna and the receiver. Prior to a transmission of the RF signals, an interrogation pulse emission is carried out between the transceiver controllers and the antenna to determine if a legitimate antenna is connected to the transceiver. A legitimate antenna is an antenna that transmits and receives RF signals in the frequency band and the power required by the transceiver. The interrogation pulse emission begins with the controller of an interrogation device, either the transceiver or the antenna, which transmits an interrogation signal to the controller of the response device. During the reception of the interrogation signal, the response device controller transmits a response signal back to the interrogation device. The response signal includes a predetermined characteristic such as an identification code. The interrogation device determines whether the response signal has the predetermined characteristic that the interrogation device expects to receive. If the response signal has the predetermined characteristic, the interrogation device driver makes it possible to transmit or receive the RF signals by the transceiver through the antenna. An additional security is provided only by making possible the transmission or reception of the RF signals if the controller of the response device determines that the interrogation signal contains a predetermined characteristic. If the interrogation signal contains the predetermined characteristic, the response device controller enables the transmission of the RF signals and transmits a response signal on the communication path to the interrogation device. If the question mark does not contain the default feature, the transmission or reception of the RF signals is disabled and a response signal is not transmitted to the driver of the interrogation device. This makes it more difficult to establish a connection since both the interrogation device controller and the response device controller must receive a signal having a predetermined characteristic before the transceiver can transmit or receive the RF signals by means of the antenna . Another additional security feature will be to periodically interrogate during the transmission or reception of the RF signals. This prevents the use of a legitimate antenna to enable the transmission or reception of RF signals and the substitution of an illegitimate antenna by the legitimate antenna after enabling. When the multiple antennas are connected to the transceiver via the communication path, the interrogation pulse emission can be used to specify which antenna to use to receive or transmit the RF signals. In a multiple antenna system, each system has a unique identification which is stored in the memory of the antenna controller. The system is enabled in the following way. First, the controller for the receiver determines which antenna has to be used. A question mark including the unique identification of the antenna is generated by the transceiver controller. The interrogation signal is then transmitted on the communication path to all the antenna controllers. The controller on each antenna determines whether the interrogation signal includes the identification of the connected antenna. If the interrogation signal does not contain the identification of the connected antenna, the controller prevents the antenna from receiving or transmitting the signals. If the interrogation signal contains the identification of the connected antenna, the antenna controller will allow the antenna to receive and / or transmit the RF signals. A response signal is transmitted over the communication path to the transceiver controller after the antenna is enabled. The response signal contains a predetermined characteristic that identifies the enabled antenna. If the transceiver controller receives a response signal having the predetermined characteristic identifying the appropriate antenna, the transceiver controller allows the transceiver to receive or transmit the RF signals via the communication path. If no response signal is received or the response signal does not have the predetermined characteristic identifying the correct antenna, the transceiver controller prevents the transceiver from receiving and / or transmitting the RF signals by means of the antennas. The system of the present invention provides an emission of interrogation pulses between a transceiver and an antenna prior to enabling the transmission or reception of the RF signals by the transceiver, by means of an antenna.

Description of the Drawings The above characteristics of the invention and others will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a communication system of a possible preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a controller for a transceiver in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a controller for an antenna in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates an operational summary of an interrogation process provided by the present invention. Figure 5 illustrates an interrogation process for an interrogation device such as that provided by the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates a process for responding to an interrogation signal by a device that is interrogated; Figure 7 illustrates a transceiver that is connected to a plurality of antennas; Figure 8 illustrates a process for polling the plurality of antennas by the transceiver; and Figure 9 illustrates a 'process for an antenna to respond to an interrogation transceiver.

Detailed description Communications System that has a Transceiver and an Antenna FIG. 1 Figure 1 illustrates the RF communication system 100 for receiving and broadcasting the RF signals. The transceiver 101 transmits and / or receives the RF signals. An example of a common transceiver is the Wide Spectrum Transceiver SS-220 of 902-928 MHZ produced by Apex Wireless Inc., of Boulder, Colorado. The RF signals are transmitted between the transceiver 101 and the antenna 103 via the feeder or transport line 102. The antenna 103 broadcasts and receives the RF signals. An example of a common antenna is an M9155P antenna produced by Antennas America, Inc., of Golden, Colorado. The feeder or transport line 102 connects the transceiver 101 and the antenna controller 120 to transmit the RF signals between the transceiver 101 and the antenna 103. According to the present invention, the transceiver controller 110 enables or disables transmission of the RF signals to and from the transceiver 101 by means of the feeder or transport line 102. The transceiver controller 110 is connected to the feeder or transport line 102 by means of the route 112 and the transceiver 101 by means of the route 111. The control signals for controlling the power of the signals generated by the transceiver 101 are transmitted from the controller 110 to the control of the power 105 by means of the route 192. The controller 106 of the frequency of the transceiver 101 receives the control signals from the controller 110 via route 192 of route 111. A possible method to disable the transmission or reception of the The RF signals by means of the feeder or transport line 102 is so that the transceiver controller 110 is linked or articulated with a switch 191 by means of the route 190 to selectively connect the transceiver 101 to the feeder or transport line 102. In a second alternative mode (not shown), the transceiver 101 is not directly connected to the feeder or transport line 102 and the controller 110 of the transceiver directs the RF signals between the transceiver 101 and the feeder or transport line 102 by means of the routes 111 and 112. The antenna controller 120 enables or disables the transmission or reception of the RF signals between the antenna 103 and the feeder or transport line 102. The feeder or transport line 102 is connected to the controller 120 of the antenna which receives and transmits the RF signals to and from the transceiver 101 via the feeder or transport line 102. The The antenna controller 120 transmits and receives both the control and RF signals to and from the antenna 103 via the route 113. The present invention relates to an interrogation that is carried out between the controller 110 of the transceiver and the antenna controller 120 for enabling or disabling the transmission and / or reception of RF signals. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller 110 of the transceiver is a processing unit as illustrated in Figure 2 and the controller 120 of the antenna is a processing unit as illustrated in Figure 3. In the preferred embodiment, the controller 110 of the transceiver and the controller 120 of the antenna transmits the data to each other by means of the feeder or transport line 102. However, a separate communication path can be used for the transmission of the signals between the controllers.

Controller 110 of the Transceiver-FIG. 2 The controller 110 of the transceiver of the preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figure 2. The Processor 200 receives and transmits the control signals to the transceiver 101 via the feeder or transport line 102 and the I / O 240 bus. data signals from the antenna controller 120 are received by means of the route 112. The control signals transmitted to the switch 191 are transmitted to the analog digital converter (D / A) 232 from the processor 200 by means of the busbar I / O 240 and the route 232. The analog signals are then transmitted to the switch 191 by means of the route 190. The processor 200 transmits the control signals to the power controller 105 by means of the 1/0 busbar 240 and the route 192. The control signals are transmitted from the processor 200 to the frequency on the I / O bus 240 and the route 193. The instructions for operating the transceiver 101 and performing the inte In accordance with the present invention, they are stored in a Read Only Memory (ROM) 210. The processor 200 reads the instructions from the ROM 210 via the route 211. The data necessary to carry out the interrogation instructions in accordance with the present invention and the operation of the transceiver 101 are stored in the Random Access Memory 220. The processor 200 reads the data from and writes the data on the RAM 220 by means of the route 221.

Antenna-FIG Controller 120 3 The controller 120 of the antenna of the preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figure 3. The processor 300 is a processing unit. The instructions for ÍS performing the interrogation according to the present invention and for operating the antenna 103 are stored in the ROM 310. The processor 300 reads the instructions from the ROM 310 by means of the route 311. The data necessary to effect the interrogation according to the present invention and to effect the operation of the antenna 103 are stored in the RAM 320. The processor 300 reads the data from and writes the data on the RAM 320 via the route 312. The route 330 connects the processor 300 to the line feeder or transporter 102. The data signals to and from the controller 110 of the transceiver are transmitted on the feeder or transport line 102 and the route 336. The switch 340 is hinged or linked by the reception of the control signals from the processor 300 through route 350. The control signals from processor 300 to switch 390 are transmitted to D / A converter 360 via route 361. The signal is analogue are transmitted to the switch 340 by means of the route 350. When the switch 340 is hinged or linked to a closed position, the route 113 is connected to the feeder or transport line 102 to allow the antenna 103 to transmit the signals of RF to, or receiving the RF signals from, the transceiver 101. When the switch 340 is in the open position, the route 113 is not connected to the feeder or transport line 102 and the antenna 102 is prevented from receiving or transmitting RF signals.

Operational Summary of the Interrogation Impulse Emission-FIG.4 Figure 4 illustrates an operational summary of interrogation pulse emission performed in accordance with the present invention to determine whether an antenna having the appropriate gain or some other required attribute is connected to transceiver 101. Process 400 starts with the controller of an interrogation device, either the controller 110 of the transceiver or the controller 120 of the antenna, which transmits an interrogation signal to the controller of the other response device on the feeder or transport line 102 in step 401. In In step 402, the controller of the response device transmits a response signal to the controller of the interrogation device in response to the reception of the interrogation signal. In step 403, the driver of the interrogation device determines whether a response signal is received. If a response signal is not received, the polling device controller disables the transmission or reception of the RF signals by the system in step 406. If a response signal is received, the polling device controller determines whether the The response signal has a predetermined characteristic, such as an appropriate identification code, in step 404. If the response signal does not have the predetermined characteristic, the interrogation device driver disables the system so that it does not receive or transmit the signaling signals. RF in step 406 preventing the interrogation device from receiving or transmitting the RF signals by means of the feeder or transport line 102. If the answer signal has the predetermined characteristic, the interrogation device driver makes it possible for the device of interrogation transmit and receive the RF signals to the response device by means of the feeder or transport line 102 in step 405.

Interrogation Process-FIG.5 Figure 5 illustrates an interrogation process 500 which is executed by the driver of an interrogation device. Process 500 begins at step 501 with the interrogation device driver that generates an interrogation signal. The interrogation signal may be a simple signal that requires a response or may have a predetermined code or characteristic interspersed in the signal. In step 502, the interrogation signal is transmitted to the controller of a response device. In step 503, the driver of the interrogation device determines whether a response signal is received. If a response signal is not received, the polling device controller disables the transmission and / or reception of the RF signals by system 100 in step 507. In a preferred exemplary mode, the interrogation device driver only waits a pre-programmed amount of time before determining that a response signal has not been received and disabling system 100. If a response signal is received, the interrogation device controller determines whether the response signal has a predetermined characteristic in step 505. The default feature can be something as simple as the signal in a certain frequency band or something as elaborate as an encoded code. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined characteristic is a response signal indicating that the response device transmits or receives the RF signals in the power or frequency band of the interrogation device. If the response signal has the predetermined characteristic, the interrogation device driver makes it possible to transmit and / or receive the RF signals in step 506 allowing the interrogation device to receive and / or transmit the RF signals. to the response device by means of the feeder or transport line 102-. If the response signal does not have the predetermined characteristic, the interrogation device driver disables the transmission or reception of the RF signals in step 507 preventing the interrogation device from transmitting or receiving the RF signals through the feeder line. or transport 102. The response signal can also indicate the frequency and power at which the transceiver 101 transmits the RF signals or the gain and frequency of the signals that the antenna 103 transmits or receives. If the response signal does not contain the frequency band information of the RF signal and the power, the optional steps 509 and 510 are carried out. In step 509, the interrogation device driver adjusts the power of the RF signals transmitted by the system 100 so that they conform to the power of the signals that is indicated in the response signal. In step 510, the interrogation device controller adjusts the frequency of the RF signals received and / or transmitted by the system 100 to conform to the information contained in the response signal. In another optional step, an error signal is generated in step 508 in response to system 100 that is disabled to transmit or receive the RF signals in step 507. The error signal may be used by the operator to detect faults possible in the system 100. An additional security measure is provided by executing the process 500 periodically. This ensures that an appropriate antenna is not used to enable a transmission and is then replaced with an antenna having a higher gain. To periodically execute process 500, the polling device controller waits a predetermined amount of time in step 511 and then repeats process 500 starting from step 501.

Process to Respond to an Interrogation Signal-FIG. 6 Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary preferred embodiment of the response process 600 executed by the system response device controller 100.

Process 600 begins at step 601 with the response device controller that receives an interrogation signal. In step 602, the response device controller determines whether the interrogation signal has a predetermined characteristic. An example of a predetermined characteristic is an identification code in the interrogation signal. A second example of a predetermined characteristic is a pseudo-random number generated by the interrogation device and included in the interrogation signal. If the interrogation signal does not have the predetermined characteristic, the response device controller disables the transmission and / or reception of the RF signals in step 607 preventing the response device from transmitting or receiving the RF signals by means of the feeder or transport line 102. In an alternative exemplary mode, an error signal is generated in step 608 to indicate a possible malfunction of system 100. If the response signal does not have the predetermined characteristic, a response signal is generated in step 603. In an exemplary embodiment, the response signal is generated in the following manner. A random pseudo number is generated for each interrogation signal. The response device controller performs a mathematical calculation on the pseudo random number. The result of the mathematical calculation on the pseudo-random number is then included in the response signal. In the interrogation device controller, the result in the response signal is compared to a result that the interrogation controller calculated using the pseudo-random number. If the results are the same, the transmission or reception of the RF signals is enabled. The use of random pseudo numbers and mathematical equations makes it more difficult to duplicate the appropriate response signal. In step 604, the response signal is transmitted on the feeder or transport line 102 to the interrogation device controller. In step 605, the response device controller enables the transmission or reception of the RF signals by connecting the response device to the feeder or transport line 102. In the alternative modes, it is possible that the interrogation signal contains the information about the interrogation device including the frequency and power of the RF signals that the interrogation device is capable of transmitting and / or receiving. In step 606, the frequency band of the RF signals transmitted and / or received by the response device is set to conform to the frequency band of the RF signals required by the interrogation device as indicated in the question mark In step 607, the power of the RF signals received and / or transmitted by the response device is adjusted in response to the power of the RF signal required by the interrogation device as indicated by the interrogation signal.

Communication System that has Multiple Antennas connected to a Transceiver - FIG. 7 An alternative communications system 700 is illustrated in Figure 7. In the communication system 700, the interrogation performed in accordance with the present invention is used to specify which antenna 741-743 is used to transmit or receive the RF signals by the transceiver 701. The communication system 700 has a transceiver 701 which transmits and receives the RF signals to and from the antennas 741-743 via the feeder or transport line 702. The transceiver controller 710 controls the operation of the transceiver 701. The control signals are transmitted between the controller 710 of the transceiver and the transceiver 701 via the route 711. The controller 710 of the transceiver is connected to the feeder or transport line 702 via the route 712 to transmit the signals and to receive the signals from the antenna controllers 705-707. In the preferred exemplary mode, the controller 710 of the transceiver is a processing unit as described above and illustrated in Figure 2. Each antenna controller 705-707 is connected to the feeder or transport line 102 in a configuration of interwoven daisies. The RF signals are received or transmitted by an antenna 741-743 to the feeder or transport line 731-733. The antenna controllers 705-707 are identical to the controller 120 of the antenna illustrated in Figure 3 and can connect or disconnect the routes 731-733 to the feeder or transport line 102 by the link or link of the switch 340 (See Figure 3) . An identity of each antenna 741-743 is stored in the RAM 321 (shown in Figure 3) of the controller 705-707 of the corresponding antenna.

Process for the Sending of Interrogation Impulses to the Antenna by the Transceptor-FIG. 8 Figure 8 illustrates an interrogation process 800 executed by the transceiver controller 710 (shown in Figure 7) to enable the communications system 700 to transmit or receive the RF signals by means of one of the antennas 741-743 (shown in Figure 7). The process 800 begins at step 801 by determining which antenna 741-743 to use for transmitting or receiving the RF signals. A method of determining which antenna to use is to execute the operating instructions that specify the antenna to be used. A second method of determining which antenna to use is to receive an input from an operator specifying which antenna to use. In step 802, an interrogation signal including the identity of the antenna to be used to transmit or receive the RF signals is generated. The interrogation signal is then transmitted to each of the antenna controllers 705-707 by means of the feeder or transport line 702 and the routes 721-723 in step 803. In step 804, the transceiver controller 710 Wait to detect a response signal. If no response signal is detected, the transceiver controller 710 disables the transmission or reception of the RF signals by the communications system 700 in step 806, preventing the transceiver 710 from receiving or transmitting the RF signals by means of the feeder or transport line 702. If a response signal is received by the transceiver controller 710, the transponder controller 710 determines whether the received response signal has a predetermined characteristic in step 805. An example of a predetermined characteristic is a identity of the response antenna in the response signal. If the response signal has the predetermined characteristic, the transceiver controller enables or enables the communication system 700 to transmit or receive the RF signals allowing the transceiver 701 to receive or transmit the RF signals by means of the feeder line or of transport 702 in step 807. If the response signal does not have the predetermined characteristic, the transceiver controller 710 disables the transmission and / or reception of the RF signals preventing the transceiver 701 from receiving or transmitting the RF signals by means of of the feeder or transport line 702 in step 806.

Process to Answer the Interrogation Signal Performed by Each Antenna-FIG. 9 Figure 9 illustrates a process 900 executed by each antenna controller 705-707 to respond to an interrogation signal from the transceiver controller 710. The process 900 begins at step 901 with a controller 705-707 of the antenna that receives an interrogation signal. In step 902, the antenna controller determines whether the identity of the antenna in the interrogation signal is the identity of the connected antenna stored in ROM 310. If the identity in the interrogation signal is not the identity of the antenna connected stored in the ROM 310, the antenna controller disables the antenna to transmit or receive the RF signals by means of the feeder or transport line 702 in step 903. If the identity in the interrogation signal is equal to the identity of the connected antenna stored in the ROM 320 of the antenna controller, the antenna controller makes it possible for the antenna to transmit or receive the RF signals by means of the feeder line 702 in step 904. In step 905, the antenna controller generates a response signal having the predetermined characteristic in response to the enabling of the antenna. As described above, the predetermined characteristic can be the identity of the antenna or some other code in the signal that can be used by the transceiver controller 710 to determine that the antenna selected in step 901 of the process 900 is the antenna that is being used. In step 906, the generated response signal is then transmitted by means of the feeder or transport line 702 and the route 712 to the transponder controller 710.

It is noted that in relation to this date the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following

Claims (34)

1. An apparatus for transmitting RF signals having a transceiver means in a first location, an antenna means in a remote location, a communication path between the transceiver means and the antenna means, a first transmitting means transmitting an interrogation signal on the communication path between the transceiver means and the antenna means, a first control means configured to generate the response signal having a predetermined characteristic on the communication path between the receiving means and the antenna means starting from the information in the interrogation signal in response to the reception of the interrogation signal, a second transmitting means transmitting the response signal, in response to the generation of the response signal, a second control means configured to determine whether the signal response has the default feature in response to receiving the signal of r and enabling means enabling a transmission of the RF signals from the transceiver means through the antenna means in response to a determination that if the response signal has the predetermined characteristic, the apparatus is characterized by: the information in the interrogation signal is a pseudo-random number and the predetermined characteristic in the response signal is a result of a predetermined operation performed on the pseudo-random number.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interrogation signal has a predetermined characteristic and the apparatus is further characterized in that it comprises: determination means configured to determine whether the interrogation signal contains the predetermined information in response to receipt of the question mark; and the second means for transmission that transmits the response signal over the communications path, in response to a determination that the interrogation signal has the predetermined characteristic.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: generating means configured to generate the interrogation signal to include the necessary information to generate the response signal.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises: enabling means configured to make possible the transmission of the RF signals from the transceiver means through the antenna means in response to a determination that the interrogation signal has the default feature

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises: disabling means configured to disable the apparatus in response to a determination that the interrogation signal does not have the predetermined characteristic.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises: generation means configured to generate an error signal in response to a determination that the interrogation signal does not have the predetermined characteristic.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the interrogation signal is transmitted periodically.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: generating means configured to generate an interrogation signal prior to the transmission of the interrogation signal.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: disabling means configured to disable the transmission of the RF signals in response to a determination that the response signal does not have the predetermined characteristic.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: generation means configured to generate an error signal in response to a determination that the response signal does not have the predetermined characteristic.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a plurality of antenna means in a plurality of remote sites connected to the communications path; a specific identity for each of the plurality of the antenna means; determination means configured to determine one of the plurality of antenna means for connection to the transceiver means; generator means configured to generate an interrogation signal which includes the specific identity of one of the plurality of antenna means, in response to a determination of one of the plurality of antenna means for connection to the transceiver means; the first transmission means are configured to transmit the interrogation signal in response to the generation of the interrogation signal and transmit the interrogation signal over the communication path from the transceiver means to each of the plurality of the antenna means; determination means configured to determine the specific identity of an antenna means in the interrogation signal in response to reception of the interrogation signal; and enable means configured to enable one of the plurality of antenna means; the second transmission means are configured to transmit the response signal including the mark or indication that an antenna means has been enabled; determining means determining whether the response signal has the predetermined characteristic by determining whether the response signal includes the mark or indication that an antenna has been enabled; and the enabling means make it possible to transmit the RF signals from the transceiver through one of the plurality of the antenna means, which is done in response to a determination that if the response signal includes the mark or indication.

12. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises: disabling means that disable each of the plurality of antenna means not identified in the interrogation signal in response to the determination of the specific identity of the means of communication. antenna in the question mark.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises: disabling means configured to disable the apparatus in response to a determination that the interrogation signal does not contain an identity of one of the plurality of antenna means.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises: disabling means configured to disable the transmission of the RF signals from the transceiver means through one of the plurality of the antenna means in response to a determination that the response signal does not have the mark or indication.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: adjustment means configured to adjust the frequency band of the transmissions of the RF signals in response to the reception of the response signal.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: adjustment means configured to adjust the power of the transmissions of the RF signals.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: adjustment means configured to adjust the frequency band of the transmissions of the RF signals.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: adjustment means configured to adjust the power of the transmissions of the RF signals.

19. A method for transmitting the RF signals from a transceiver means at a first location through the antenna means, to a remote location that is connected to the transceiver means, through the communications path, characterized in that it comprises the steps of : transmitting a question mark on the communication path between the transceiver means and the antenna means; determining whether the interrogation signal has the predetermined information that includes a pseudo random number in the signal, in response to the reception of the interrogation signal; generating the response signal having a predetermined characteristic including a result, from an operation on the pseudo random number in the predetermined information in the interrogation signal in response to a determination that if the interrogation signal has the characteristic default; transmitting the response signal over the communication path between the transceiver means and the antenna means in response to the generation of the response signal; determining whether the response signal has the predetermined characteristic in response to receiving the response signal; and enabling a transmission of the RF signals from the transceiver means through the antenna means in response to a determination that said response signal has the predetermined characteristic.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: enabling the apparatus to transmit the RF signals from the transceiver means through the antenna means in response to a determination that the interrogation signal has the default feature

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: disabling the transmission of the RF signals in response to a determination that the interrogation signal does not have the predetermined characteristic.

22. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: generating an error signal in response to a determination that the interrogation signal does not have the predetermined characteristic.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the interrogation signal is transmitted periodically.

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that it also comprises the steps: generating an interrogation signal prior to the transmission of the interrogation signal.

25. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: disabling the transmission of the RF signals by the transceiver means through the antenna means in response to a determination that the response signal does not have the default feature.

26. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: generating an error signal in response to a determination that the response signal does not have the predetermined characteristic.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the transceiver means in a first location is connected to a plurality of antenna means each having a specific identity, the method is characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: determining one of the plurality of the antenna means for connecting to the transceiver means; generating an interrogation signal which includes the specific identity of one of the plurality of antenna means in response to a determination of one of the plurality of antenna means for connecting to the transceiver means; the transmission of the interrogation signal is in response to the generation of interrogation signal and transmits the interrogation signal over the communication path from the transceiver means to each of the plurality of the antenna means; determining the specific identity of an antenna means in the interrogation signal in response to receiving the interrogation signal; making it possible for one of the plurality of antenna means to function in response to a determination of the identity of one of the plurality of antenna means in said interrogation signal; the transmission of the response signal transmits a response signal including marks or indications that an antenna means has been enabled; determine the response signal that includes the mark or indication that an antenna has been enabled; and enabling the transmission of RF signals from the transceiver through one of the plurality of antenna means is in response to a determination that said response signal includes the mark or indication.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: disabling each of the plurality of antenna means that are not identified in the interrogation signal in response to the determination of the specific identity of the means antenna on the question mark.

29. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: disabling the apparatus in response to a determination that the interrogation signal does not contain an identity of one of the plurality of antenna means.

30. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: disabling the transmission of the RF signals from the transceiver means by means of one of the plurality of the antenna means in response to a determination that the signal of response has no such mark or indication.

31. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: adjusting the frequency band of the transmissions of the RF signals in response to the reception of the response signal.

32. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: adjusting the power of the transmissions of the RF signals in response to the reception of the response signal.

33. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: adjusting the frequency band of the transmissions of the RF signals in response to the reception of the interrogation signal.

34. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: adjusting the power of the transmissions of the RF signals in response to the reception of the interrogation signal. OF THE TYPE AND TO IMPROVE THE CAPABILITIES OF THE EQUIPMENT IN A RADIO FREQUENCY SYSTEM SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an interrogation system for enabling a transmission and / or reception of RF signals by a communication system. In accordance with the present invention, an interrogation pulse emission is performed between a transceiver and an antenna prior to the transceiver transmitting or receiving the RF signals through the antenna. The interrogation is used to determine whether the antenna transmits and / or receives the RF signals having the power and / or the frequency band required by the transceiver. The interrogation is carried out by an interrogation device that transmits an interrogation signal to the other response device. The response device transmits a response signal to the interrogation device in response to the reception of the interrogation signal. The interrogation device determines whether the response signal has a predetermined characteristic. If the response signal has the predetermined characteristic, the transmission and / or reception of the RF signals is enabled. An alternative use of the interrogation is to identify which antenna of a plurality of antennas connected to the transceiver will be used to transmit or receive the RF signals.