WO2007080627A1

WO2007080627A1 - Mobile communication terminal apparatus and communication system

Info

Publication number: WO2007080627A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/300145
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoshiyasu Sato
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-01-10
Filing date: 2006-01-10
Publication date: 2007-07-19
Also published as: JPWO2007080627A1

Abstract

A mobile communication terminal apparatus that can perform smooth communications for each of a plurality of communication systems having different frequency bands and that exhibits a reduced power consumption. In the mobile communication terminal apparatus (100), a control part (170) establishes, based on the remaining quantity of a battery (195) and 3G, S3G and 4G reception status information, reception status determination periods for one or two of 3G, S3G and 4G data reception processing parts (140,150,160) and uses the established determination periods to control the one or two data reception processing parts to determine the reception statuses. A reception status information comparing part (174) uses reception status information indicative of the determined reception statuses to compare in magnitude the reception powers in the 3G, S3G and 4G communication systems. An optimum system selection control part (176) selects, based on a comparison result of the reception status information comparing part (174), one of the 3G, S3G and 4G communication systems for which the reception status is to be determined. The optimum system selection control part (176) then establishes a determination period for one of the 3G, S3G and 4G data reception processing parts corresponding to the selected communication system. The control part (170) controls the data reception processing part, which corresponds to the communication system selected by the optimum system selection control part (176), to determine the reception status.

Description

Specification

Mobile communication terminal device and communication system

Technical field

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal apparatus and a communication system capable of performing communication by a plurality of communication methods.

Background art

[0002] Conventional power When a plurality of services with different communication methods coexist, a mobile terminal that is already connected to a single network becomes difficult to connect to that network due to movement. In this case, it is possible to switch to another network of a different type so that the connection can be continued.

[0003] As a communication method of a mobile terminal capable of communicating with a plurality of communication systems having different communication methods, for example, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1. This patent document 1 describes both a wireless LAN (Local Are a Network) and a third generation mobile communication system (hereinafter referred to as “3G”!), W—CDMA (Wi deband Code Division Multiple Access). A wireless communication system including a mobile terminal capable of communicating with a mobile terminal is disclosed. The mobile terminal in Patent Document 1 determines a communication system that accommodates a radio access station as a movement destination based on the received quality of the received downlink signal. Further, in Patent Document 1, a database in the network is referred to based on the type information of the wireless system notified from the mobile terminal, and a node handover method that satisfies the request of the mobile terminal is selected on the server side.

[0004] Also, in Patent Document 2, when base stations of different generations using a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) communication method are arranged for each area and a mobile station moves to an area of a certain area power generation Describes a method for switching between base stations and realizing handover between base stations without disconnection.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-260444

Patent Document 2: JP 2000-201369 A

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention [0005] By the way, service-in of a 4th generation mobile communication system (hereinafter referred to as "4G") is planned for mobile communication systems. In the process of reaching 4G, Super3G (hereinafter referred to as “3G”), which is an intermediate position between 3G and 4G, aims to smoothly transition from the existing 3rd generation mobile communication system (hereinafter referred to as “3G”). The introduction of “S3G” is proposed.

[0006] 3G is a communication system represented by W-CDMA and CDMA2000, the frequency band is 2 GHz, and the trunk network is an ATM network. In addition, S3G is a communication method that is being studied using 1.7 or 2.5 GHz band as the usage frequency band. S3G uses “VSF—Variable spreading factor, Orthogonal Frequency and Code Division Multiplexing” for upstream, and “DS—Direct Spread Code Division Multiple Access” for upstream, and the data transfer rate is stationary. 100 Mbps, 30 Mbps when moving, delay time is less than 2. Oms compared to the current 10 ms. S3G's trunk network is an IP network. Furthermore, 4G uses the same frequency technology as S3G, with a frequency band of 5 GHz, and has a frequency band of 100 MHz centered on 4.635 GHz for downstream and 30 MHz centered on 4.9 GHz for upstream. It is used. This 4G is implemented by adding MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) using multiple antennas to the existing wireless system, and the data transfer rate is lGbps when stationary and 100Mbps when moving. The network is an IP network.

[0007] In an area where a plurality of communication method areas having different frequency bands and transmission speeds (bit rates) such as 3G, S3G, and 4G are mixed, a mobile that can communicate with each communication method. There is a need to realize a terminal communication system! /.

[0008] In order to achieve this, 3G area, S3G area, 4G area and! /, Where there are multiple services with different communication methods, mobile terminals are 3G, S3G, 4G, etc. A receiving device and a transmitting device for different frequencies are provided. In particular, the base stations of communication systems with different frequencies exchange cell information in their respective areas. In this case, the cell terminals for the base stations of all communication systems are first connected to the mobile terminal side. Need to be conducted. In addition, after that, since it becomes necessary to always receive and decode the signals of the respective systems, the power consumption increases. [0009] In addition, in order to realize a communication system in which a mobile terminal can use a plurality of services having different communication methods, the mobile terminal gives priority to a bit rate over networks of a plurality of communication methods having different frequency bands. In this case, the communication method to be selected may be determined. In this case, first, in all communication systems (3G, S3G, 4G), cell search is performed to measure each communication state, and switching to a communication system that always provides speed is possible. Since it is necessary to receive and demodulate (3G, S3G, 4G) signals, power consumption increases.

[0010] Furthermore, in the case where base stations with different communication methods such as 3G, S3G, and 4G exchange cell information with each other, after connecting to the cell with the highest reception level of the downlink pilot channel, Then, by receiving and decoding the broadcast information of the cell force, neighboring cell information can be obtained. Then, after connecting to the base station with the maximum reception level among the base stations with different communication systems in the three frequency bands, it is conceivable that the neighboring cell information is obtained and handed over to an appropriate cell at any time.

[0011] However, it is necessary to perform a cell search in order to determine whether there is a cell in the vicinity, even if there is a division, whether it is the optimum condition for the terminal. For this reason, it is necessary for the mobile terminal to periodically check all the reception levels of the signals transmitted from the base stations of the respective communication methods, and the power consumption increases accordingly.

[0012] In this way, in areas where 3G areas, S3G areas, and 4G areas are mixed with multiple services with different communication methods, mobile terminals are used for different frequencies such as 3G, S3G, and 4G. Because radio waves in different frequency bands are constantly monitored using the receiving device and transmitting device, power is consumed in each of the receiving and transmitting devices for transmission / reception of different systems in different frequency bands. Therefore, there is a problem that power consumption becomes very large.

[0013] In addition, in the 3G area, S3G area, 4G area and! /, Where multiple services are mixed! Processing such as whether to select is difficult.

[0014] In Patent Document 1, since the server side selects a node over method that satisfies the requirements of the mobile terminal based on the type information of the wireless system that is also notified of the mobile terminal power, the mobile terminal There is no need to select the handover method on the side, but the specific information on how to determine the reception quality and how to determine the specific information of the wireless system to be determined Is not disclosed.

[0015] Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a method for selecting base stations of a plurality of generations (2G, 3G) having different communication methods performed by a mobile terminal. However, power saving when selecting a base station is disclosed. Any statement to be disclosed is disclosed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication terminal device and a communication system that can smoothly communicate with each of a plurality of communication systems having different frequency bands and achieve power saving.

Means for solving the problem

[0017] The mobile communication terminal device of the present invention is a battery, and is driven by the battery and transmits signals of the first, second, and third communication systems having different use frequency bands and communication areas via an antenna. Each of the first, second, and third communication modes is received from the received signals, and the first, second, and third communication modes are measured and output as reception status information including received power values. One of the first, second and third receiving means based on the second and third receiving means, the remaining battery level of the battery and the reception status information for each of the first, second and third receiving means. Alternatively, a control unit that sets a measurement cycle of the reception state for two reception units, controls the one or two reception units according to the set measurement cycle, and measures the reception state, and the measured reception state. The first, second and third using the reception status information indicating Based on the comparison result of the comparison unit and the comparison unit that compares the received power in the communication method, the communication method for measuring the reception state is selected from the first, second, and third communication methods. And a method selection unit that sets the measurement period for the reception unit corresponding to the communication method selected from the first, second, and third reception units, and the control unit includes the method selection unit. A configuration is adopted in which the reception state corresponding to the communication method selected by the unit is controlled to measure the reception state.

The invention's effect

[0018] As described above, according to the present invention, communication is possible using each of a plurality of communication methods having different frequency bands, and power saving can be achieved. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1A shows an example of a communication system having a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the received signal strength and the receiving position of each method received by the mobile communication terminal shown in FIG. 1A

FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between received signal strength and frequency for each method received by the mobile communication terminal shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal as a mobile communication terminal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control unit in the mobile communication terminal shown in FIG.

[Figure 4] Diagram showing the relationship between the remaining battery power stored in the memory and the time period when measuring the communication status

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining basic processing of the mobile terminal according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of the 3G data reception processing unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another modification of the 3G data reception processing unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a communication method selection method as processing of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing for checking the signal level of the 4G communication method when the mobile terminal moves in the direction A in the communication system.

[FIG. 10] A diagram showing another example of a communication method selection method in a mobile terminal

[Fig. 11] Floater explaining the processing when the power level difference of the received signal measured first is small

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal which is another example of the mobile communication terminal apparatus belonging to the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the control unit in the mobile terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of received signals of communication systems having the same power value and different power peaks when measuring received signals of different communication systems.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The mobile communication terminal device (hereinafter referred to as “mobile terminal”) in the present embodiment supports a plurality of communication methods with different usage frequency bands and communication areas, and these communication method areas (service networks). ) Overlap! /

[0021] Here, areas of a plurality of communication methods with different use frequency bands and different use frequencies and communication areas are defined as first to third communication method areas. The bit rate is from 1 to 3 in order. Further, the communication areas of the first to third communication systems are narrower in the order of the first to third.

More specifically, an area of the second communication method that has a different frequency band than the first communication method and a higher bit rate than the first communication method exists within the area of the first communication method. In addition, within the area of the second communication method, there is an area for the third communication method that uses a different frequency band than the second communication method and has a higher bit rate than the second communication method.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a communication state in a communication system 200 of a mobile communication terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1A is a mobile communication according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication system which has a terminal. Fig. 1B is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the received signal strength and the reception position of each method received by the mobile communication terminal shown in Fig. 1A. Fig. 1C is the reception of each method received by the mobile communication terminal shown in Fig. 1A. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between signal strength and frequency.

[0024] Mobile terminal 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1A is capable of communication corresponding to each of a plurality of communication methods. Here, a plurality of communication methods with different frequency bands and bit rates used for communication are referred to as first to third communication methods, and each communication area overlaps, and the bit rate increases in order. S3G, 4G.

First, a communication system to which the mobile terminal 100 belongs will be described.

[0026] In the communication system 200 to which the mobile terminal 100 shown in Fig. 1A belongs, the 3G base station 210 and the S3G communication area (S3G) are included in the 3G communication area (3G service area 211) by the 3G base station 210. Service area 221). In addition, a 4G base station 230 is arranged in this S3G communication area (S3G service area 221), and a communication area (4G service area 231) by this 4G base station 230 is arranged. Yes. In addition FIG. IB and FIG. 1C correspond to the case where the mobile terminal 100 moves in the arrow direction (arrow A direction) in the communication system 200 shown in FIG. 1A.

That is, FIG. 1B shows the signal strength when the mobile terminal 100 receives signals transmitted from the base stations 210 to 230 of each communication method when the mobile terminal 100 moves in the direction A in the communication system 200 of FIG. 1A. Is shown. Specifically, in FIG. 1B, a graph 212 shows an example of signal strength at the mobile terminal 100 when a radio signal is received from the 3G base station 210, which is a signal with a frequency of 2 GHz. Graph 222 shows an example of signal strength in mobile terminal 100 when a radio signal is received from S3G base station 220 having a frequency of 1.7 or 2.5 GHz. Further, the graph 232 shows an example of the reception intensity in the mobile terminal 100 when a radio signal from the 4G base station 230 which is a signal in the frequency power GHz band is received.

[0028] Fig. 1C shows the relationship between the signal strength and the frequency when the spread signal transmitted from each of the base stations 210 to 230 is received by the mobile terminal 100, and the graph 213 is from the 3G base station. An example of the modulation signal that is output, Graph 223 shows an example of the modulation signal output from the S3G base station, and Graph 233 shows an example of the modulation signal output from the 4G base station.

A mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. 2 has a function of transmitting and receiving data corresponding to each of a plurality of communication methods in the communication system 200. In the mobile terminal 100, the communication method used when transmitting and receiving data is measured by changing the time interval for measuring signals from the base stations 210, 220, and 230 for each communication method, and based on the measured value. Determined.

[0031] A mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes a data transmission method selection unit 102, data transmission processing units 110, 120, and 130 that transmit data corresponding to each of a plurality of communication methods, and a plurality of communication methods. Data reception processor 140, 150, 160, filter 105, 106, multiplexer / demultiplexer 107, antenna 108, controller 170, memory 190, battery (not shown in the figure) 195.

Note that the data transmission processing units 110, 120, and 130 and the data reception processing units 140, 150, and 160 correspond to 3G, S3G, and 4G, respectively. Performs transmission and reception processing with 3G base station 210 Each processing unit is a 3G data transmission processing unit 110, 3G data reception processing unit 140, and each processing unit that performs transmission / reception processing with the S3G base station 220 is an S3G data transmission processing unit 120, 3G data reception processing unit The processing units that perform transmission / reception processing with the 150 and 4G base stations 230 will be described as a 4G data transmission processing unit 130 and a 4G data reception processing unit 160.

[0033] Based on the control information input from control unit 170, data transmission method selection unit 102 selects which communication method information is to be transmitted from among a plurality of communication methods. To do. Then, the data transmission method selection unit 102 outputs information to be transmitted to the data transmission processing unit corresponding to the selected communication method. Specifically, when the communication method for transmitting information is one of the 3G, S3G, and 4G communication methods, the input signal input to the data transmission method selection unit 102 is the 3G data transmission processing unit 110. The data is output to one of the S3G data transmission processing unit 120 and the 4G data transmission processing unit 130.

[0034] The 3G data transmission processing unit 110, the S3G data transmission processing unit 120, and the 4G data transmission processing unit 130 respectively correspond to input signals input via the data transmission method selection unit 102. Process it so that it can be sent as communication method information and output it to the filter 105. The signal input to the filter 105 is transmitted as a radio signal from the antenna 108 via the multiplexer / demultiplexer 107.

[0035] Here, the 3G data transmission processing unit 110, the S3G data transmission processing unit 120, and the 4G data transmission processing unit 130 process the input signals in respective communication methods, respectively. Information that can be transmitted with the communication method of. Specifically, each of the data transmission processing units 110, 120, and 130 encodes the input signals input from the data transmission method selection unit 102 into the encoding processing units 112, 122, 132, modulation processing units 11 3, 123, 133, transmission processing units 114, 124, 134, and amplifiers 115, 125, 135. The amplifiers 115, 125, and 135 are shown as a 3G amplifier 115, an S3G amplifier 125, and a 4G amplifier 135 in FIG. 2 in accordance with the communication method used for each processing.

[0036] Encoding processing sections 112, 122, and 132 encode input signals using the respective communication methods, and output the encoded signals to modulation processing sections 113, 123, and 133.

[0037] Modulation processing sections 113, 123, and 133 perform modulation processing on the signals input from encoding processing sections 112, 122, and 132 in their respective communication systems, and send them to transmission processing sections 114, 124, and 134. Out To help.

[0038] Transmission processing sections 114, 124, and 134 up-convert the signals input from modulation processing sections 113, 123, and 133 to convert them into signals of frequencies used in the respective communication schemes. Output to system amplifier 115, 125, 135.

[0039] The 3G amplifier 115, the S3G amplifier 125, and the 4G amplifier 135 are signals that are input from the transmission processing units 114, 124, and 134 and have signal levels suitable for the transmission frequency used in each communication method. And output to the filter 105.

[0040] The data reception processing units 140, 150, and 160 corresponding to each communication method correspond to each of 3G, S3 G, and 4G, and correspond to each communication method (3G, S3G, and 4G). Then, the signal (data) is received. Here, the data reception processing units 140, 150, and 160 corresponding to each communication method are illustrated as 3G data reception processing unit 140, S3G data reception processing unit 150, and 4G data reception processing unit 160, respectively. RU

[0041] Each data reception processing unit 140, 150, 160 passes through the antenna 108 and the multiplexer / demultiplexer 107, and then passes through the filter 106 to transmit a radio signal (3G, S3G, 4G) for each use frequency ( Data) is input. Then, each data reception processing unit 140, 150, 160 measures and controls reception state information of a radio signal that serves as an index when selecting a communication method to be used in the control unit 170 based on the input radio signal. In addition to outputting to unit 170, the received signal is output to the outside as data. In FIG. 2, each data reception processing unit 140, 150, 160 measures the total received power in each communication method at a predetermined time period set by the control unit 170 as reception state information.

Each data reception processing unit 140, 150, 160 will be described in detail.

[0043] The 3G, S3G, and 4G data reception processing units 140, 150, and 160 perform low-noise amplifiers 142, 152, 162, and 3G for 3G, S3G, and 4G that perform processing in their respective communication methods. , S3G and 4G power intensity measuring units 143, 153, 163, reception processing units 144, 154, 164, demodulation processing units 145, 155, 165, and decoding signal processing units 146, 156, 166.

[0044] Low noise amplifiers 142, 152, and 162 for 3G, S3G, and 4G amplify the input signal while keeping the accompanying noise low, and measure the power intensity for 3G, S3G, and 4G 143, 153, 163 and the reception processing units 144, 154, 164. [0045] The reception processing units 144, 154, and 164 are provided for down conversion and automatic gain control (AGC: Auto Gain Control) for input signals from the 3G, S3G, and 4G low noise amplifiers 142, 152, and 162, respectively. Process. Reception processing sections 144, 154, and 164 output the processed input signals to demodulation processing sections 145, 155, and 165.

Demodulation processing sections 145, 155, 165 demodulate the input signals by performing processing such as despreading processing, and the demodulated signals are output to decoding processing sections 146, 156, 166. Decryption is performed in the decryption processing units 146, 156, and 166.

[0047] The signals decoded by the decoding processing units 146, 156, and 166 are output as data to the outside via the external output device 104 provided in the mobile terminal 100. Examples of the external output device 104 include an LED (Light-Emitting Diode), a display device such as a liquid crystal display, a sound output device that outputs sound such as a speech force, and a storage device.

[0048] The power intensity measuring units 143, 153, and 163 for 3G, S3G, and 4G are respectively the power intensity of the input signals, specifically, the total received power in the use frequency band of the corresponding communication method. Measure P_ALL_3G_last, P_ALL_S3G_last, P_ALL_4G_last. These measurement results are output to the controller 170. In this embodiment, “_last” means the latest data of the measurement result.

[0049] In response to these measurement results, control unit 170 selects a communication method to be used, and performs data reception processing unit 140 for 3G, S3G, and 4G in order to perform reception processing in the selected communication method. , 150 and 160, the corresponding data reception processing unit is controlled to perform the reception process, and the data subjected to the reception process is output to the external output device 104.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of control section 170 in the mobile communication terminal shown in FIG.

[0051] The control unit 170 performs communication based on the signals input from the 3G, S3G, and 4G data reception processing units 140, 150, and 160, the information from the memory 190, and the information of the battery 195. (In this case, 3G, S3G, 4G) is selected, and by using the selection result, the data transmission method selection unit 102 uses the transmission method to determine the input signal input to the data transmission method selection unit 102. Decide what to send as.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 170 includes a battery remaining amount detection unit 172 and a reception state information comparison unit. 174 and an optimum method selection control unit 176.

[0053] The remaining battery level detection unit 172 detects the remaining power level of the battery 195 connected to the control unit 170, and outputs the output to the optimal mode selection control unit 176 by the optimal mode selection control unit 176. Be controlled.

[0054] The reception status information comparison unit 174 uses the reception status information, which is a signal input from the 3G data reception processing unit 140, the S3G data reception processing unit 150, and the 4G data reception processing unit 160, to The reception statuses of the signals from the communication system base stations 210, 220, and 230 are compared, and the comparison result is output to the optimum mode selection control unit 176.

It should be noted that the reception state information comparison unit 174 may use the signals input from the data reception processing units 140, 150, and 160 as comparison targets as they are, or become another reference from the input signals. Information may be extracted and the extracted information may be compared. Furthermore, the input signal may be compared with a preset threshold value, or information extracted from the input signal may be compared with a preset threshold value. The reception state information comparison unit 174 is controlled by the optimum method selection control unit 176.

[0056] Here, the reception state information includes the power intensity (reception power) of signals input from the 3G power intensity measurement unit 143, the S3G power intensity measurement unit 153, and the 4G power intensity measurement unit 163, that is, This is the received power level of the signal received by each communication method (3G, S3G, 4G).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, reception state information comparison section 174 compares the signal power strengths in 3G, S3G, and 4G.

[0058] Based on information such as a control table stored in the battery remaining amount detection unit 172, the reception state information comparison unit 174, and the memory 190, the optimum method selection control unit 176 is the most suitable in the actual radio wave propagation environment state. Select a communication method suitable for communication.

[0059] Specifically, the optimum method selection control unit 176 outputs the received signals in descending order when the power values of the received signals from the respective communication methods output as the comparison results output from the reception state information comparing unit 174 are different. A time period setting unit 177 is provided for setting time periods Tl, 、 2, 、 3 (however, Τ1≤Τ2≤Τ3). At this time, the time period setting unit 177 sets Τ3 = ∞ so that the actual measurement is performed only in the communication method with the time period of Tl and Τ2. In other words, by setting Τ 3 = ∞, the communication method with the smallest received signal power value among the three communication methods, In other words, the time period is not set for the communication method with the lowest received power intensity among the three communication methods. As described above, if the time period for measuring the received signal of the predetermined signal system is not set, 時間 = 0 may be used instead of the time period T = ∞.

[0060] When the power values of the received signals in the plurality of communication schemes are the same, the optimum scheme selection control unit 176 selects the communication scheme set as the default value.

[0061] Then, the optimum method selection control unit 176 sends data to the 3G data reception processing unit 140, the S3G data reception processing unit 150, and the 4G data reception processing unit 160 in order to transmit and receive data according to the selected communication method. Then, the time period setting unit 177 outputs and controls a control signal for measuring the reception state at each set time period.

That is, in the optimum method selection control unit 176, the time period setting unit 177 includes the corresponding base stations 210, 220, 230 for the 3G, S3G, and 4G data reception processing units 140, 150, 160, respectively. Set the time period (Tl, Τ2, Τ3) for measuring the signal from.

[0063] By assigning these set time periods to the respective data reception processing units 140, 150, and 160, the optimum method selection control unit 176 allows the communication in which the reception state (in this case, the received signal strength) is actually measured. Select a method!

In this optimum method selection control unit 176, the setting of the time period in the time period setting unit 177 is associated with the remaining power of the battery 195, and the remaining power of the battery 195 stored in the memory 190 ( It is set based on the relationship between the remaining battery level and the base station check time. Specifically, the setting of the time period is synonymous with the setting of which received signal is to be measured among the received signals from the 3G, S3G, and 4G base stations 210, 220, and 230. .

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the remaining power (battery remaining amount) of the battery 195 stored in the memory 190 and the time period when the communication state is measured. This figure shows the association between the remaining battery level and the time period (T_3G, T_S3G, T_4G) at which the mobile terminal 100 checks the base station of each communication method.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 4, when the remaining power of the battery 195 of the mobile terminal 100 is large, the reception state (signal strength) measurement time period T for each communication method is shortened. Measure signals from base stations 210, 220, and 230. Also, as shown in Figure 4, the battery As the remaining amount decreases, the number of communication methods to be measured in the reception state decreases.

[0067] The memory 190 is used for communication in addition to a control table such as a table (see FIG. 4) showing the relationship between the remaining power of the battery 195 (remaining battery power) and the time period when the communication state is measured. Information can be stored and read / written under the control of the optimum method selection control unit 176. In the control table stored in the memory 190, the received power level or propagation loss, the SIR value (Signal to Interference power Ratio), and the circuit that constitutes the data transmission / reception unit for each communication method are determined according to the remaining battery level and time period of the battery 195. An average power consumption value is associated. Instead of the SIR value, a BER (Bit Error Rate) value or a FER (Flame Error Rate) value may be associated. Of course, the elements associated in these control tables may be configured such that only elements as necessary are associated. Information used for communication stored in the memory 190 includes transmission information from the power intensity measuring units 143, 153, and 163, and base stations 210, 220, and 230 (see FIG. 1) having different communication methods. It is.

Next, the operation of mobile terminal 100 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining the basic processing of mobile terminal 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0069] First, in step S101, the mobile terminal 100 is turned on, and in step S102, the 3G data reception processing unit 140 measures the total received power P_ALL_3G_last in the frequency band used in the 3G scheme, Control goes to step S103. “Last” means the latest data of the measurement results.

[0070] In step S103, the S3G data reception processing unit 150 measures the total received power P_ALL_S3GJast in the frequency band used in S3G, and proceeds to step S104.

[0071] In step S104, the 4G data reception processing unit 160 measures the total received power P_ALL_4G_last in the frequency band used in 4G, and proceeds to step S105.

[0072] In step S105, the remaining battery level detection unit 172 measures the remaining power level of the battery 195, and the reception status information comparison unit 174 performs the total received power P_ALL_3GJast, S3G in the frequency band used in 3G. The reception status of each communication method (3G, S3G, 4G) is compared using the total received power P_ALL_S3 G_last in the frequency band used in, and the total received power P_ALL_4G_last in the frequency band used in 4G. Transition. Ste The comparison of the reception status of each communication method in S106 is, for example, the total received power P_ALL_3G_last in the frequency band used in 3G, the total received power P_ALL_S3G_last in the frequency band used in S3G, and the frequency band used in 4G. This is a comparison of the magnitude of the total received power P_AL L_4G_last.

[0073] In step S106, based on the comparison result by the reception state information comparison unit 174 and the information from the memory 190, the optimum method selection control unit 176 is used in 3G, S3G, 4G using the time period setting unit 177. All received power in the frequency band P_ALL_3G_last, P_ALL_S3 G_last, P_ALL_4G_last Measure (check) received signals in descending order of power value Time Tl, Τ2, Τ3 (however, Τ1 Set ≤Τ2≤Τ3)

[0074] Note that in this step S106, when all the received power P_ALL_3G_last, P_ALL_S3G_last, and P_ALL_4G_last in each communication method (3G, S3G, 4G) are the same and the remaining battery capacity is low, the optimum method is selected. The control unit 176 sets the time periods T1, Τ2, and Τ3 in ascending order of the average power consumption value of the transmission / reception circuits of each method.

[0075] This is due to the fact that the power consumption of the electronic circuits constituting the amplifier (amplifier), modulator, demodulator, etc. in the used frequency band is different in each communication system. In other words, the time period is set so that the communication method with the low average power consumption in the electronic circuit that constitutes the processing unit is selected from the data transmission / reception processing units 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, and 160 for each communication method. To do. After step S106, the process proceeds to step S107.

In step S107, the optimum method selection control unit 176 outputs the time periods Τ1 to Τ3 set in step S106 to each data reception processing unit 140, 150, 160, and each data reception processing unit 140, 150 160, based on the input time period, the reception status (reception power value in this case) of the received signal for each base station of each communication method is checked. For each base station of each communication method, to set the time period for checking the reception status of signals transmitted from these base stations, the transmission signal of the communication method to be measured is determined by changing the time period. Is done. For example, when Τ3 = infinity is set, only the reception status of the received signal of the communication method in which the time periods T1 and Τ2 are set is checked.

The optimum method selection control unit 176 uses the time period setting unit 177 to receive signals for each communication method. By setting the time period for checking the signal, it is determined which communication method is used for communication from multiple communication methods (3G, S3G, 4G), and information on the determined communication method is used. The data transmission method selection unit 102 outputs the result. The determined information is output to the corresponding transmission processing units 110, 120, and 130.

[0078] In this way, the transmission / reception processing signals 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, and 160 have the time periods Tl, Τ2, and Τ3 for measuring the signals of the base station power, etc. The measurement time period is changed. Here, since the time period is set to 1 ≤ 2 2 ≤ 3 and Τ3 = infinity, the communication method with the time period Τ3 does not actually set the time period to be measured. Only the communication method with time period T1 and Τ2 will actually be measured.

[0079] Therefore, in order to measure a received signal of a communication method with a large received power without always measuring signals from base stations of all communication methods, both low power consumption, reduced processing amount and high bit rate are achieved. It becomes possible.

In each data reception processing unit 140, 150, 160 of the present embodiment, the power intensity measurement units 143, 153, 163 are the low-noise amplifiers 142, 152 in each processing unit 140, 150, 160, respectively. The configured force placed after 162 is not limited to this.

[0081] For example, in the same configuration as each data reception processing unit 140, 150, 160, the configuration is arranged after the demodulation processing units 145, 155, 165 after the low noise amplifiers 142, 152, 162 Also good.

An example of this is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a first modification of the data reception processing unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a 3G data reception processing unit 14 Oa, which is a modified example 1 of the 3G data reception processing unit 140. In this data reception processing unit 140a, a 3G power intensity measurement unit 1 43 Is placed after the demodulation processing unit 145.

[0084] According to this configuration, the received signal that is the target when the 3G power intensity measuring unit 143 measures the power intensity is subjected to the despreading process or the like in the demodulation processing unit 145 before the power intensity is measured. Is demodulated. Therefore, more accurate power intensity can be measured when measuring the power intensity in the 3G data reception processing unit 140 shown in FIG.

Note that in the mobile terminal 100, the 3G data reception processing unit 140 performs the 3G data reception processing. When the processing unit 140a is used, the other communication schemes S3G and 4G data reception processing units 150 and 160 (see FIG. 2) have the same configuration as the 3G data reception processing unit 140a. That is, in each of the S3G and 4G data reception processing units 150 and 160 (see FIG. 2), the S3G and 4G power intensity measurement units are respectively connected to the demodulation processing units 155, 155, It shall be placed after 1 65 and process the input signal. With this configuration, the same power and effect as those obtained when the 3G data reception processing unit 140a is changed to the 3G data reception processing unit 140, that is, accurate power intensity is also measured in S3G and 4G.

[0086] Further, in each data reception processing unit 140, 150, 160 of the present embodiment, the reception status information output to the control unit is the total received power in the frequency band used in each communication method. It is good also as a propagation loss not only in each communication system. In this case, each data reception processing unit 140, 150, 160 includes a propagation loss measuring unit for each communication method instead of the power intensity measuring unit for each communication method.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a 3G data reception processing unit 140b as a second modification of the 3G data reception processing unit, and the reception processing unit as the second modification is a 3G data reception processing of FIG. The unit 14 Oa has a configuration in which the 3G power intensity measurement unit 143 is replaced with a 3G propagation loss measurement unit 147. That is, in the data reception processing unit 140b, the 3G propagation loss measurement unit is disposed after the demodulation processing unit 145.

[0088] As described above, the mobile terminal provided with the configuration of the data reception processing unit 140b as the second modification as a data reception processing unit corresponding to each different communication method corresponds to the control unit (the control unit 170 illustrated in FIG. 2). ) Determines the communication method for actual communication based on the output power of the transmission loss measuring unit provided in each data reception processing unit with a different communication method.

That is, the mobile terminal having the configuration of the data reception processing unit 140b of the second modification is controlled based on the propagation loss instead of the power intensity. The propagation loss is generally calculated from the base station output power transmitted from the base station and the received power at the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the processing in the control unit is performed by replacing “P_ALL_last” shown in FIG. 5 with the reciprocal of the propagation loss.

That is, from the data reception processing unit of a predetermined communication method to the reception state information comparison unit 174 The input reception state information includes a propagation loss, and the reception state information comparison unit 174 determines the propagation loss of the reception state information in the first, second, and third communication methods and a preset value of the propagation loss. And a propagation loss comparing unit for comparing the two. The control unit configured as described above selects the communication method having the highest received power by the optimum method selection unit, measures the reception state of the selected communication method, and then selects the selection by the reception state information comparison unit 174. If the propagation loss of the reception status information of the selected communication method is smaller than the specified value of the propagation loss, the optimum method selection control unit 176 selects the transmission loss first. A communication method other than the selected communication method is selected, and the reception state corresponding to the selected other communication method is measured.

[0091] Further, in this embodiment, the time periods Tl, Τ2, and Τ3 for measuring signals from the base station are set to 受信 1 ≤ として 2 ≤ Τ3 and 受信 3 = infinity in each reception processing unit 140, 150, 160 However, this is not the only power that actually measures only the communication systems with time periods of Τ1 and Τ2, but it is not limited to this, and it is possible to reduce power consumption without always measuring signals from base stations of all communication methods. Any configuration can be used as long as it achieves both reduced processing volume and high bit rate.

In detail, first, the total reception power P_ALL_3G_last, P_ALL_S3G_last, and P_ALL_4G_last of each communication method is measured using the data reception processing units 140, 150, and 160 of all communication methods. Thereafter, the optimum method selection control unit 176 checks only the signal with the highest signal level and the signal with the second highest signal level.

[0093] When the difference between No. 1 and No. 2 is smaller than a predetermined constant value (including reverse rotation), the signal level in the communication system that is the third signal level is measured. Then, the optimum method selection control unit 176 performs re-ranking using the received power of all the methods, and measures only the received power in the communication method in which the first and second highest signal levels are measured.

This process will be described in detail.

[0095] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a communication method selection method as processing of the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention.

[0096] Before the process shown in FIG. 8, as in the process shown in FIG. 5, first, after the mobile terminal 100 is turned on, the 3G data reception processing unit 140 uses the frequency used in the 3G system. Bandwidth The total received power P_ALL_3G_last is measured, the S3G data reception processing unit 150 measures the total received power P_ALL_S3G_last in the frequency band used by S3G, and the 4G data reception processing unit 160 uses the frequency band used by 4G. The total received power P_ALL_4G_last at is measured. Then, the remaining battery level detection unit 174 measures the remaining power level of the battery 195 and performs a communication method selection process.

[0097] In this communication method selection method, in step S201, reception state information comparison section 174 first starts with the total received power in the frequency band used in 3G (hereinafter described as "P_ALL_3G_last"). Is greater than the total received power in the frequency band used by S3G (hereinafter referred to as “P_A LL_S3G_lastJ”). If so, the process proceeds to step S202. If not, the process proceeds to step S203. Transition.

[0098] In step S202, it is determined whether P_ALL_S3G_last is greater than the total received power in the frequency band used in 4G (hereinafter referred to as “P_ALL_4G_last ^”). If larger, the process proceeds to step S204. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S205.

[0099] In step S204, the reception state information comparison unit 174 outputs P ヽぅ ALL—3G—last> P—ALL—S3GJast> P_ALL_4G_last to the optimum method selection control unit 176, and outputs the comparison determination result to the step 176. Move to S 206.

[0100] In step S206, the optimum method selection control unit 176 uses the time cycle setting unit 177 to set the time cycle for checking the signal from the base station in the order of the received power in the order of the highest power, T1, Τ2, Τ3 (D Set 1≤Cho 2≤Cho 3 and Kaccho 3 = Infinity), and go to Step S207. Specifically, in step S206, T−3G = T1, T−S3G = T2, and T−4G = T3 = ∞ are set.

[0101] In step S207, the reception status information comparison unit 174 is used to determine whether or not P_ALL_3G_last-P_ALL_S3 GJast is a specified value PI. If P_ALL_3G_last-P_ALL_S3G_last is smaller than the specified value P1, step S208 If P—ALL—3G—last-P—ALL—S3G—last is greater than or equal to the specified value PI, the process ends.

[0102] In step S208, the 4G data reception processing unit 160 measures the total received power P_ALL_4G_last in the frequency band used in 4G, and proceeds to step S201.

[0103] On the other hand, in step S205, P—ALL—3GJast> P—ALL—4GJast is judged, and if P—ALL—3G—last> P_ALL_4G_last, the process proceeds to step S209 and satisfies! / Step S Move to 210.

[0104] In step S209, the reception status information comparison unit 174 performs P—ALL—3G—last> P—ALL—4G—last.

> P_ALL_S3G_last and ヽぅ The comparison judgment result is output to the optimum method selection control unit 176, and the process proceeds to step S211.

[0105] In step S211, the optimum method selection control unit 176 uses the time period setting unit 177 to set the time period for checking the signal from the base station in the order of the received power in the order of the highest received power. Set 1≤Cho 2≤Cho 3 and Kaccho 3 = Infinity), and go to Step S212. Specifically, in step S211, T_3G = T1, T_4G = T2, and Ding_3300 = Ding 3 = ∞ are set.

[0106] In step S212, the reception state information comparison unit 174 is used to determine whether or not P_ALL_3G_last-P_ALL_4 GJast is the specified value P2. If P_ALL_3G_last-P_ALL_4G_last is smaller than the specified value P2, the process proceeds to step S213. If P—ALL—3G—last-P—ALL—4G—last is equal to or greater than the specified value P2, the process ends.

In step S213, the S3G data reception processing unit 150 measures the total received power P_ALL_S3G_last in the frequency band used in S3G, and proceeds to step S201.

[0108] In step S210, the reception state information comparison unit 174 determines that P_ALL_4G_last> P_ALL_3G_last

> P_ALL_S3G_last and!, The comparison result is output to the optimum method selection control unit 176, and the process proceeds to step S214.

[0109] In step S214, the optimum method selection control unit 176 uses the time cycle setting unit 177 to set the time cycle for checking the signal from the base station in the order of the received power in the order of the highest power, T1, Τ2, Τ3 (D Set 1≤Cho 2≤Cho 3 and Kaccho 3 = Infinity), and go to Step S215. Specifically, in step S214, T_4G = T1, T_3G = T2, and Ding_3300 = Ding 3 = ∞ are set.

[0110] In step S215, the reception state information comparison unit 174 is used to determine whether or not P_ALL_4G_last-P_ALL_3 GJast is the specified value P3. If P_ALL_4G_last-P_ALL_3G_last is smaller than the specified value P3, the process proceeds to step S213. If P—ALL—3G—last-P—ALL—4G—last is equal to or greater than the specified value P3, the process ends.

In step S203, the reception state information comparison unit 174 determines whether or not P_ALL_S3G_last> P_ALL_4G_last. If P_ALL_S3G_last> P_ALL_4G_last, the process proceeds to step S216. Move on to S217. [0112] In step S216, the reception state information comparison unit 174 determines whether or not P_ALL_3G_last> P_ALL_4G_last. If P_ALL_3G_last> P_ALL_4G_last, the process proceeds to step S218, and if not, the process proceeds to step S219. .

[0113] In step S218, the reception status information comparison unit 174 outputs P_ALL_S3G_last> P_ALL_3G_last> P_ALL_4G_last!

Move to 20.

[0114] In step S220, the optimum method selection control unit 176 uses the time cycle setting unit 177 to set the time cycle for checking the signal from the base station in the order of the received power in the order of the highest power, T1, Τ2, Τ3 (D Set 1≤Cho 2≤Cho 3 and Kaccho 3 = Infinity), and go to Step S221. Specifically, in step S220, T—S3G = T1, T_3G = T2, and T—4G = T3 = ∞ are set.

[0115] In step S221, the reception state information comparison unit 174 is used to determine whether or not P_ALL_S3G_last-P_ALL_3 GJast is a specified value P4. The process proceeds to step S208, and if P_ALL_S3G_last-P_ALL_3G_last is greater than or equal to the specified value P4, the process ends.

In step S219, the reception state information comparison unit 174 outputs the comparison result to P_ALL_S3G_last> P_ALL_4G_last> P_ALL_3G_last and the optimal method selection control unit 176, and proceeds to step S222.

[0117] In step S222, the optimum method selection control unit 176 uses the time cycle setting unit 177 to set the time cycle for checking the signal from the base station in the order of the received power in the order of the highest received power Tl, Τ2, Τ3 (D Set 1≤Cho 2≤Cho 3 and Kaccho 3 = Infinity), and go to Step S223. Specifically, in step S222, T—S3G = T1, T_4G = T2, and Τ—30 = cho 3 = ∞ are set.

[0118] In step S223, the reception state information comparison unit 174 is used to determine whether or not P_ALL_S3G_last-P_ALL_4 GJast is the specified value P5. If P_ALL_S3G_last-P_ALL_4G_last is smaller than the specified value P5! The process proceeds to step S224, and if P_ALL_S3G_last-P_ALL_4G_last is equal to or greater than the specified value P5, the process ends.

[0119] In step S224, 3G data reception processing section 140 measures the total received power P_ALL_3G_last in the frequency band used in 3G, and proceeds to step S201.

[0120] In step S217, the reception state information comparison unit 174 determines that P_ALL_4G_last> P_ALL_S3G_las t> P_ALL_3G_last and!, the comparison result is output to the optimum method selection control unit 176, and the process proceeds to step S225.

[0121] In step S225, the optimum method selection control unit 176 uses the time cycle setting unit 177 to set the time cycle for checking the signal from the base station in the order of the received power in the order of the highest power, T1, Τ2, Τ3 (D Set 1≤Cho 2≤Cho 3 and Kaccho 3 = Infinity), and go to Step S226. Specifically, in step S225, T4 = T1, T—S3G = Τ2, Τ—30 = cho 3 = ∞.

[0122] In step S226, the reception status information comparison unit 174 is used to determine whether or not P_ALL_4G_last-P_ALL_S3 GJast is a specified value P6, and if P_ALL_4G_last-P_ALL_S3G_last is smaller than the specified value P6! The process proceeds to step S224, and if P_ALL_4G_last-P_ALL_S3G_last is equal to or greater than the specified value P6, the process ends.

[0123] In step S224, 3G data reception processing section 140 measures the total received power P_ALL_3G_last in the frequency band used in 3G, and proceeds to step S201.

[0124] That is, the above communication method selection method is performed in steps S204, S209, S210, S217 to S219 for every turn of large received power / J in the frequency bands used in 3G, S3G, and 4G. Classify cases. After this, in steps S206, S211, S214, S220, S222, and S225, Tl, Τ2, Τ3 (however, Τ1≤Τ2≤ (Τ3, Τ3 = infinity), and change the time period to be checked for each method.

Next, in steps S207, S212, S215, S221, S223, and S226, the received power difference of the method in which Tl and T2 are selected as signal check periods in steps S206, S211, S214, S220, S222, and S225, that is, Judge whether the received power (true number) ratio is smaller than the specified value Pn (n = l, 2, 3 ···). As a result of this judgment, the received power difference SPn of the method with T1 and T2 selected More / J, in this case, step S206, S211, S214, S220, S222, and S225 after measuring all received power in the frequency band used in the method that selected T3 as the signal check period Returning to S201, the received signals of each method are ranked again, and if it is larger, the process is terminated.In this embodiment, low power consumption, reduced processing amount and high bit rate are achieved at the same time. It becomes possible to make it.

[0126] Also, in the communication system 200, the mobile terminal 100 is located in the area 221 of the S3G base station 220. Since it is assumed that the area 231 of the 4G base station 230 exists, the signal level of the 4G communication method may be checked when the S3G signal level becomes higher than 3G.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing for checking the signal level of the 4 G communication method when the mobile terminal 100 moves in the A direction in the communication system 200.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 9, in step S301, the 3G reception data processing unit 140 measures the total reception power P_ALL_3G_last in the frequency band used in 3G. Next, in step S302, the 3G reception data processing unit 150 measures the total reception power P_ALL_S3G_last in the frequency band used in S3G, and proceeds to step S303.

[0129] In step S303, the reception state information comparison unit 174 determines that the difference between the total received power P_ALL_3G_last in the frequency band used in 3G and the total received power P_ALL_S3G_last in the frequency band used in S3G is the specified value P7. Compare large! / Or small! /. If this difference is small, the process proceeds to step S304, and if the difference is large, the process proceeds to step S305, and the time period for checking the signals of 3G, S3G, 4G base stations 210, 220, 230 is set to Tl, After setting Τ2 and Τ3 (= ∞), the process is terminated.

[0130] In step S304, 4G received data processing section 160 measures the total received power P_ALL_4G_last in the frequency band used in 4G, and proceeds to step S306.

[0131] In step S306, the reception state information comparison unit 174 determines that the difference between the total received power P_ALL_S3GJast in the frequency band used in S3G and the total received power P_ALL_4G_last in the frequency band used in 4G is a specified value P8. If the difference is small, the process proceeds to step S307. If the difference is large, the process proceeds to step S308.

[0132] In step S307, which is a process when (P_ALL_S3G_last) (P_ALL_4G_last) <P8, the optimal method selection control unit 176 uses the time period setting unit 177 to set the 4G, S3G, and 3G base stations 210 and 220. , 230 is the time period for checking the signal from T1, Τ2, Τ3 (= ∞), respectively, and then the process ends.

[0133] In step S308, which is a process in the case of (P_ALL_S3G_last) (P_ALL_4G_last) ≥P8, the time period for checking the signals of S3G, 4G, 3G base stations 210, 220, 230 is adjusted. Tl, Τ2, and Τ3 (= ∞) are set, and then the process ends.

[0134] As described above, the 4G communication system in the mobile terminal 100 is! Because the signal level is checked when the signal level of the S3G becomes higher than the S3G, the signal level is always 3 In the mobile terminal 100 in the communication system 200 that does not need to check the received signal levels of the two communication methods, it is possible to achieve both low power consumption, reduced processing amount, and high bit rate.

[0135] In addition, the mobile terminal 100 may first measure the reception states of all communication methods and check only the first one thereafter. In other words, check other communication methods only when the communication method being used is about to be cut off (when it becomes smaller than another specified value).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a communication method selection method in the mobile terminal 100.

[0137] First, data reception processing for 3G, S3G, and 4G 咅 140, 150, 160, and all received power P_ALL_3G_last, P_ALL_S3G_last, and P_ALL_4G_last in the frequency bands used by 3G, S3G, and 4G, respectively . Further, the remaining battery level detection unit 172 measures the remaining power level of the battery 195. After these processes, the mobile terminal 100 performs a communication method selection process as shown in FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, in step S401 to step S403, the reception state information comparison unit 174 performs the total received power P_ALL_3G_last in the frequency band used in 3G, all in the frequency band used in S3G. Receive power P_ALL_S3G_last, compare and judge the magnitude of all received power P_ALL_4G_last in the frequency band used by 4G.

[0139] After that, in steps S404, S411, and S417, based on the determination result of the reception state information comparison unit 174, the optimum method selection control unit 176 performs the total received power in the frequency band used in 3G, S3G, and 4G. The signal check time period of the largest method is T1, and the check time of the other methods is infinite.

[0140] After that, in steps S405, S412, and S418, reception state information comparison section 174 determines whether or not the received signal power of the method in which the signal check time period is T1 is smaller than the specified value. In each of these steps S405, S412, and S418, if the judgment result is large Return to Steps S405, S412, and S418, respectively, and check the signal from the base station of the method that uses T1 as the signal check time period without changing to another communication method at the time of check as it is f¾Tl. I will.

[0141] On the other hand, in each of these steps S405, S412, and S418, the process shifts to half-IJ disconnection result J, and in this case, steps S406, S413, and S419, respectively.

[0142] In steps S406, S407, S413, S414, S419, and S420, the total received power in the frequency band used in the method in which the check time is set to ∞ in the previous steps S404, S411, and S417 is measured.

[0143] In steps S408, S415, and S421, the reception status information comparison unit 174 uses the check time of ∞ in each of the previous steps S404, S411, and S417, for example, S3G and 4G in step S417. The total received power in the frequency band to be compared is compared.

[0144] As a result, based on the comparison result from the reception status information comparison unit 174, the optimum method selection 帘 1 ”咅 176ί or steps S409, S410, S416! After the base station signal check time period of T1 is set to T1 and the check time of other systems is set to infinity, the process ends. For example, in step S409, the S3G base station signal check time period is T1, and the check time of other systems is infinite.

Note that, as a variation of the communication method selection method in the mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. 10, the optimum method selection control unit 176 receives the received power value in the reception status information of the communication method having the first largest received power. If the received power value of the reception status information of the communication method having the first largest received power is smaller than the specified value of the received power value, the first, second and Of the third communication methods, a method of selecting the communication method having the largest quotient when the received power is divided by the communication rate is selected as the communication method for measuring the reception state.

That is, even if the received power value in the frequency band of the measured communication method is smaller than the specified value of the received power value, if the measured communication method has a low communication rate, an error will occur. Since the rate can be lowered, the communication method with the largest ratio of the power Z communication rate to the received power is measured (checked). Therefore, the mobile terminal 100 first measures the reception status of all communication methods and checks only the first at that time, After that, only the first check is made, and the other communication method is checked only when the communication method being used is about to be cut (when it becomes smaller than the specified value).

[0147] Since the communication method is selected in this way, it is not necessary to check the reception states of signals of all receivable communication methods, so that the power consumption in the mobile terminal 100 can be reduced.

[0148] Also, in the mobile terminal 100 having the above configuration, when the signal reception power level difference between the three methods (3G, S3G, and 4G) measured first is the same, the default value, that is, the default measurement frequency is used. Force measured only by the method The difference in signal reception power level of the three methods (3G, S3G, 4G) measured first is small (MAX (a, b, c) —MIN (a, b, c) <specified Value), it may be configured to measure only the method of the default measurement frequency (the mainstream at that time).

[0149] For example, when the communication method of the signal set as the default measurement frequency is 3G, only the signal from the 3G base station is measured. The default base station is supported by rewriting the farm.

[0150] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the power level difference of the received signal measured first is small.

[0151] In step S601, reception state information comparison section 174 compares the difference between the value of the method that takes the maximum value and the value of the method that takes the minimum value of all the measured received power, and the preset specified value P12. (MAX (P—ALL—3GJast, P—ALL—S3GJast, P—ALL—4GJast) −MIN (P—ALL—3GJast, P—A LL—S3GJast, P—ALL—4GJast) <PI 2).

[0152] In step S601, when the difference between the value of the method that takes the maximum value and the value of the method that takes the minimum value among the measured total received power is larger than the specified value P12, the process proceeds to step S602. The processing from step S602 to step S622 is the same as the processing from step S401 to step S422 described in FIG.

[0153] In step S601, if the difference between the value of the method taking the maximum value and the value of the method taking the minimum value is smaller than the specified value P12 among all the measured received powers, the process proceeds to step S623.

[0154] In step S623, the optimal method selection control unit 176 sets, by the time period setting unit 177, to check only the signal of the base station that should be checked by default at the specified time period, The data reception processing unit defined by default is measured. In FIG. 11, the default checking method is the power of 3G method, but not limited to this, S3 G method or 4G method may be used.

[0155] Next, in step S624, the reception state information comparison unit 174 compares the total received power (here, 3G total received power P_ALL_3G_1 ast) in the frequency band used by default with the specified value P13, If it is more than the specified value P13, return to step S623 and check again the total received power (here, 3G total received power P_ALL_3GJast) in the frequency band used in the default method.

[0156] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S624 that the total received power in the frequency band used by default (here, 3G total received power P_ALL_3G_last) is smaller than the specified value P13, steps S625 and S626 are performed. In order, the total received power (P_ALL_S3G_last, P_ALL_4G_last in Fig. 11) of each communication method in the frequency band used in the non-default method (S 3G, 4G method in Fig. 11) is measured.

[0157] In step S627, the total received power (P_ALL_S3G_last, P_ALL_4G_last in Fig. 11) in the frequency band used in the measured non-default scheme (S3G, 4G scheme in Fig. 11) is compared. Specifically, in step S627, it is determined whether the total received power of S3G P_ALL_S3G_last power 4G total received power P_ALL_4G_las is large or not. Move to step S611.

[0158] In steps S610 and S611, the base station signal check time period of the communication system with the larger received power is T1, and the check time of the other systems is infinite. After that, the process ends. For example, in step S610, the base station signal check time period of the S3G system is set to T1, and the check time of other systems is set to infinity.

That is, in steps S610, S611, and S617, the processing is terminated with T1 as the signal check time period of the method with large received power among non-default communication methods and ∞ as the others.

[0160] Here, the method to be measured by default can be dealt with by rewriting the farm based on the control signal from the base station! As a result, the service has not yet started Alternatively, when the service is terminated, the control method in the terminal can be changed and the useless power consumption can be suppressed without the operator of the mobile terminal 100 performing consciousness and complicated operation.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal 500 that is another example of the mobile terminal apparatus belonging to the communication system 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Mobile terminal 500 shown in FIG. 12 has a function of transmitting and receiving data corresponding to each of a plurality of communication methods in communication system 200.

[0163] Mobile terminal 500 measures the signal from base stations 210, 220, and 230 for each communication method while changing the time interval for measurement, and uses it when transmitting and receiving data based on the measured value. Determine the communication method.

[0164] The determination method in mobile terminal 500 is SIR (ratio of desired signal power to interference power, Signa

1 to Interference power Ratio)

First, measure all (SIR), and check only the first reception status (SIR in this case) after that. If the SIR becomes smaller than the specified value, control is performed to measure the SIR of another communication method.

A mobile terminal 500 shown in FIG. 12 has the same basic configuration as the mobile terminal 100 corresponding to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and includes a measurement unit that measures reception state information of each communication method, Only the configuration of the control unit that selects the optimal communication method based on the reception status information measured by these measurement units is different. Therefore, below, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

That is, in mobile terminal 500, data reception processing units 140, 150, and 160 for each communication method are used for 3G, S3G, and 4G power intensity measuring units 143, 153, and 163 instead of 3G, S3G And 4G SIR measurement units 148, 158 and 168.

[0167] The 3G, S3G, and 4G data reception processing units 140c, 150a, and 160a perform low-noise amplifiers 142, 152, and 162 for 3G, S3G, and 4G that perform processing in their respective communication methods. Reception processing units 144, 154, 164, demodulation processing units 145, 155, 165, decoding signal processing units 146, 156, 166, 3G, S3G, 4G SIR measurement units 148, 158, 168 .

[0168] 3G, S3G, and 4G SIR measurement units 148, 158, and 168 And measure the SIR of each input signal after demodulation. These measurement results are output to the controller 170a.

[0169] In addition, the mobile terminal 500 includes a control unit 170a that performs communication method selection processing based on measurement information from each of the SIR measurement units 148, 158, and 168.

[0170] The mobile terminal 500 measures the SIR value in each communication method at a predetermined time period set by the control unit 170a in the data reception processing units 140c, 150a, 160a of a plurality of communication methods. To do. The measured total received power and SIR value are output to the controller 170a as reception status information.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of control section 170a in mobile terminal 500 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 170a is based on signals input from the 3G, S3G, and 4G data reception processing units 140c, 150a, and 160a, information from the memory 190, and information from the battery 195. Based on the selected communication method (here, 3G, S3G, 4G), the data transmission method selection unit 102 uses the selection result to input the data transmission method selection unit 102. The transmission method for transmitting the signal as information is determined.

[0173] The control unit 170a includes a remaining battery level detection unit 172, a reception state information comparison unit 174a, and an optimum method selection control unit 176a. The reception state comparison unit 174a includes a SIR comparison unit 1742.

[0174] The SIR comparison unit 1742 uses the communication method of the reception status information that is input from the 3G data reception processing unit 140c, the S3G data reception processing unit 150a, and the 4G data reception processing unit 160a. Compare SIRs in frequency bands and output the result as a comparison result of the reception status of signals from base stations 210, 220, and 230 of each communication method to optimum method selection control unit 176a

[0175] The optimal method selection control unit 176a performs actual radio wave detection based on information from the battery remaining amount detection unit 172, the SIR comparison unit 1742 of the reception state information comparison unit 174a, the control table stored in the memory 190, and the like. Select the most suitable communication method for the propagation environment.

[0176] Specifically, the optimum method selection control unit 176a performs comparison using the reception state information comparison unit 174a. If the SIR value of the received signal from each communication method that is output as a result is different, set the time period Tl, Τ2, Τ3 (however, Τ1≤Τ2≤Τ3) to measure the SIR based on the received signal in descending order A time period setting unit 177 is provided. At this time, the time cycle setting unit 177 sets Τ2 = Τ3 = ∞ so that the actual measurement is performed only in the communication method with the time cycle of T1. If the SIR values of the received signals in the plurality of communication methods are the same, the optimum method selection control unit 176a selects the communication method set as the default value.

[0177] Then, the optimum method selection control unit 176a sends the data to the 3G data reception processing unit 140c, the S3G data reception processing unit 150a, and the 4G data reception processing unit 160a in order to transmit and receive data according to the selected communication method. The time period setting unit 177 outputs and controls the reception state at each set time period, in this case, a control signal for performing SIR measurement.

In other words, in the optimum method selection control unit 176a, the time period setting unit 177 includes the corresponding base stations 210, 220, 230 for the 3G, S3G, and 4G data reception processing units 140c, 150a, and 160a, respectively. Set the time period (Tl, Τ2, Τ3) for measuring the SIR. Note that Tl, Τ2, and Τ3 in this embodiment are 0 and any period that satisfies Tl, Τ2, Τ3≤∞, and Τ1≤Τ2≤Τ3.

[0179] The time period setting unit 177 assigns the set time period to each data reception processing unit 140c, 150a, 160a, so that the optimum method selection control unit 176a actually receives the reception state (here, SIR ) Select the communication method to measure!

In this optimum method selection control unit 176a, the setting of the time period in the time period setting unit 177 is associated with the remaining power and SIR value of the battery 195, and the remaining power of the battery 195 stored in the memory 190 is It is set based on the relationship between the amount (battery level), SIR value, base station check time T and SIR. Specifically, the setting of the time period is for selecting the communication method. Which of the received signals is received among the 3G, S3G, 4G base stations 210, 220, and 230 received signals. Synonymous with setting whether to measure reception status (SIR)

[0181] Thus, first, the control unit 170a of the mobile terminal 500 causes the data reception processing units 140c, 15Oa, and 160a to measure the total received power for each communication method. And measured The received power for each communication method is compared by the SIR comparison unit 1742 of the reception state information comparison unit 174a, and the optimum method selection control unit 176a also compares the signal of the communication method with the highest SIR value. Select the communication method to be used. Then, the SIR of the selected signal after that is measured using the data reception processing unit of the communication method with the highest SIR value. The SIR comparing section 1742 monitors the SIR of the received signal in the communication system with the highest received signal, and controls to measure the SIR of another communication system if it is smaller than a preset specified value.

[0182] Since the communication method is selected in this way, it is not necessary to check the reception status of signals of all receivable communication methods, so the mobile terminal 500 can reduce power consumption and improve QoS (Quality of Service). Can be achieved.

[0183] The mobile terminal 500 is configured to measure the SIR of each communication method. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is performed by a base station that is a communication partner (for example, base stations indicated by 210, 220, and 230 in FIG. 1). The mobile terminal 500 may be notified of only the SIR value. In this case, instead of the SIR measuring units 148, 458, 168, a SIR value acquiring unit for acquiring the received signal strength SIR value is arranged.

[0184] Further, in the mobile terminal 500 described above, the data reception processing units 140c, 150a, and 160a of each communication method include SIR measurement units 148, 158, and 168 as means for detecting the reception information state. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and instead of the SIR measuring units 148, 158, 168, a bit rate measuring unit for measuring the bit rate of the received signal may be provided. In this case, in the control unit 170a, the reception state information comparison unit 174a has a configuration in which a bit rate comparison unit is provided instead of the SIR comparison unit 1742. In this case, since the SIR for each communication method is the same as the comparison target in place of the bit rate for each communication method, the other comparison methods are the same, and the explanation is omitted. In the mobile terminal 500, the data reception processing units 140c, 150a, and 160a of each communication method may use the received information state to be detected as BER or FER that is not SIR. In this case, instead of each SIR measurement unit 148, 158, 168, a measurement unit for measuring the BER or FER of the received signal is provided, and in the comparison unit on the control unit side, instead of the SIR comparison unit, A BER comparison unit or FER comparison unit is arranged.

[0185] Also, the mobile terminal 500 compares the received power value together with the SIR value in each communication method, It is good also as a structure which selects the communication system to be used based on these comparison results. For example, in the mobile terminal 500, the data reception processing units 140c, 150a, and 160a of a plurality of communication methods have the power intensity together with the SIR value, specifically, the total received power P_ALL_3G_last in the corresponding frequency band of the corresponding communication method. P_ALL_S3G_last and P_ALL_4G_last are measured and output to the controller 170a. On the other hand, the control unit 170a configures the reception state information comparison unit 174a to compare the total received powers P_ALL_3G_last, P_ALL_S3G_last, and P_ALL_4G_last.

[0186] Specifically, in the control unit 170a, the SIR comparison unit 1742 receives signals that are input from the 3G data reception processing unit 140c, the S3G data reception processing unit 150a, and the 4G data reception processing unit 160a. In the status information, the SIR in the communication system's frequency band used for comparison is compared with the SIR value that has been set in advance, and the SIR for each communication system is set to the preset rule. Compared with the value, the result is output to the optimum method selection control unit 176a as a comparison result of the reception state of the signal from the base station 210, 220, 230 of each communication method.

[0187] Then, the optimum method selection control unit 176a is based on information from the battery remaining amount detection unit 172, the SIR comparison unit 1742 of the reception state information comparison unit 174a, the control table stored in the memory 190, and the like. Select the communication method most suitable for communication according to the actual radio wave propagation environment. Specifically, the optimum method selection control unit 176a measures the SIR based on the received signals in descending order when the received signal power values from the respective communication methods output as the comparison results by the reception state information comparing unit 174a are different. A time period setting unit 177 is provided for setting a time period Tl, Τ2, Τ3 (where Τ1≤Τ2≤Τ3). At this time, the time period setting unit 177 sets Τ2 = Τ3 = ∞, and confirms that the actual measurement is performed only in the communication method with the time period T1.

[0188] When the power values of the received signals in the plurality of communication schemes are the same, optimum scheme selection control section 176a selects the communication scheme set as the default value. Next, the optimum method selection control unit 176a sends the data to the 3G data reception processing unit 140c, the S3G data reception processing unit 150a, and the 4G data reception processing unit 160a to transmit and receive data according to the selected communication method. Time period set by the period setting unit 177 Controls by outputting a control signal for measuring the reception status, here SIR.

In other words, in the optimum method selection control unit 176a, the time period setting unit 177 includes the base stations 210, 220, 230 corresponding to the 3G, S3G, and 4G data reception processing units 140c, 150a, and 160a, respectively. Set the time period (Tl, Τ2, Τ3) for measuring the SIR. Note that Tl, Τ2, and Τ3 in this embodiment are 0 and any period that satisfies Tl, Τ2, Τ3≤∞, and Τ1≤Τ2≤Τ3.

[0190] By allocating these set time periods to the respective data reception processing units 140c, 150a, and 160a, the optimum method selection control unit 176a determines the communication method for actually measuring the reception state (here, SIR). select.

[0191] As described above, the control unit 170a of the mobile terminal 500 first causes the data reception processing units 140c, 15Oa, and 160a to measure the total received power for each communication method. Then, the measured received power for each communication method is compared, and this comparison result power is also selected as the communication method that uses the signal of the communication method with the highest received power level.

[0192] Then, the SIR of the selected signal after that is measured using the data reception processing unit of the communication method with the highest received power level. The SIR comparator 1742 monitors the SIR of the received signal in the communication method with the highest received signal, and if it is smaller than the preset specified value, it controls to measure the SIR of the other communication method. Since the communication method is selected in this way, it is not necessary to check the reception status of all signals of the receivable communication method. The mobile terminal 500 can reduce power consumption and improve quality of service (QoS). It can be done.

[0193] In addition, in the mobile terminals 100 and 500, the 3G data reception processing unit 140, 140c, the S3G data reception processing unit 150, 150a, and the 4G data reception processing unit 160, 160a are one system for RAKE reception. (Finger etc.)

[0194] The data reception processing units 140, 140a to 140c, 150, 150a, 160, and 160a of each communication method are measured with respect to the received signals in the used frequency bands. If the received signal power value of each communication method is the same, the optimum method selection control units 176 and 176a select the communication method set as the default value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which a communication method having a higher received signal power peak is selected.

[0195] For example, in mobile terminals 100 and 500 in the present embodiment, by adding a peak power measurement function to power intensity measurement units 143, 153, 163 or SIR measurement units 148, 158, 168, The bandwidth is narrow, but the signal strength is given priority.

[0196] Figure 14 shows the same when measuring received signals of different communication methods by adding the peak power measurement function to the power intensity measurement units 143, 153, 163 or SIR measurement units 148, 158, 168. It is a figure which shows an example of the received signal of the communication system which is an electric power value and has different electric power peaks.

[0197] In Fig. 14, the power value 801 of the total received power P_ALL_3G_last in the frequency band used in 3G and the power value 802 of the total received power P_ALL_S3G_last in the frequency band used in S3G are indicated as power values. The area of 801 is the area of power value 802.

[0198] As shown in Fig. 14, when the S3G method is higher, the information output from the power intensity measurement unit 143, 153, 16 3 or SIR measurement unit 148, 158, 168 to the control unit 170, 170a is used. The reception status information comparison units 174 and 174a perform comparison including the power peak, and the optimum method selection control units 176 and 176a select the S3G communication method having a high power peak. In this way, since the method with high peak power is prioritized, it is possible to improve the communication speed and quality, as well as to reduce the power consumption and increase the bit rate in the communication method used.

Further, the control unit 170 compares the received power value in the reception state information of the first communication method with the highest received power with the specified value of the received power value in the reception state information comparing unit 174. If the received power value of the reception status information of the communication method with the second highest received power is smaller than the preset value of the received power value set in advance, the optimal method selection control unit 176 uses the 3G, S3G and 4G communication methods. Of these, the quotient when receiving power is divided by the communication rate is the largest! Select the communication method as the communication method for measuring the reception status, and measure the reception status.

[0200] Note that the present embodiment is a communication system with a different communication method, mainly the cellular system and other wireless communication systems such as wireless LAN and fixed wireless system. Good as a merged system.

Industrial applicability

The mobile communication terminal device and the communication system according to the present invention can communicate with each of a plurality of communication systems having different frequency bands, have an effect of saving power, and have different frequency bands. Useful for use in certain areas

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] batteries,

The first, second, and third communication method signals that are driven by the battery and that have different usage frequency bands and communication areas and that the communication areas narrow in the overlapping order are received and received via the antennas, respectively. First, second, and third receiving means for measuring reception states for each of the first, second, and third communication schemes from signals and outputting as reception state information including reception power values, respectively;

Based on the remaining battery level of the battery and the reception status information for each of the first, second and third receiving means, one or two receiving means among the first, second and third receiving means. Control means for measuring the reception state by setting the measurement period of the reception state and controlling the one or two reception means according to the set measurement period;

A comparison unit that compares the received power in the first, second, and third communication methods using the reception state information indicating the measured reception state;

Based on the comparison result of the comparison unit, the communication method for measuring the reception state is selected from the first, second and third communication methods, and the first, second and third receiving means A method selection unit for setting the measurement period for the receiving means corresponding to the selected communication method,

The mobile communication terminal apparatus, wherein the control means controls reception means corresponding to the communication method selected by the method selection unit and measures a reception state.

[2] The method selection unit compares the received power value in the reception state information of the communication method with the first largest received power with the specified value of the received power value, and communicates with the first largest received power. If the received power value of the reception status information of the system is smaller than the specified value of the received power value, the quotient when the received power is divided by the communication rate among the first, second and third communication systems is The mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the largest communication method is selected as a communication method for measuring a reception state.

[3] The method selection unit compares the received power value ratio of the reception status information of the two communication methods with the first and second largest received power with a specified value of the received power ratio, and receives the received power value. If the ratio is smaller than the specified value of the received power ratio, the communication method with the largest received power 2. The mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a communication method other than the communication type is selected.

[4] The reception status information includes an SIR value,

The comparison unit includes a SIR comparison unit that compares a SIR value of the reception state information in the first, second, and third communication methods with a preset SIR specified value;

The method selection unit compares the SIR value of the first communication method with the highest received power with the specified value of the SIR, and the SIR value of the reception state information of the communication method with the first highest received power is the value. 2. The mobile communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the value is smaller than the prescribed value of SIR, a communication method other than the communication method having the first highest received power is selected.

[5] The reception status information includes a propagation loss,

The comparison unit includes a propagation loss comparison unit that compares a propagation loss of the reception state information in the first, second, and third communication methods with a preset value of a propagation loss, and the method selection unit Compares the propagation loss of the communication method with the largest received power with the specified value of the propagation loss, and the propagation loss of the reception status information of the communication method with the first received power is the propagation loss. 2. The mobile communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if it is smaller than the specified value, a communication method other than the communication method having the first largest received power is selected.

[6] The control means sets the measurement period of the reception state in the first and second reception means to measure the reception state of the signals of the first communication method and the second communication method, and The mobile communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the received power value is higher than the received power value of the first communication scheme, the measurement period is set in the third receiving means instead of the first receiving means.

[7] The mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1,

The first base station device that communicates with the mobile communication terminal device using a signal of the first communication method and the mobile communication terminal device differ in the use frequency band from the first communication method and from the communication area of the first communication method. A second base station device that performs communication using signals of the second communication method with a narrow communication area;

A third base station apparatus that communicates with a signal of a third communication system that has a different frequency band from the first and second communication systems and a communication area that is narrower than the communication area of the second communication system with respect to the mobile communication terminal apparatus; , Comprising

The second base station apparatus is arranged in the area of the first communication scheme, and the third base station apparatus is a communication system arranged in the communication area of the second communication scheme.