WO2021261512A1

WO2021261512A1 - Transceiver

Info

Publication number: WO2021261512A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/023758
Authority: WO
Inventors: Koki Watanabe; Tomonori Ogura; Hiroki Sato; Hajime Takano
Original assignee: Sony Group Corporation
Priority date: 2020-06-26
Filing date: 2021-06-23
Publication date: 2021-12-30
Also published as: JP2022007722A

Abstract

A transceiver includes: a transceiver body; a handle part having a U-shape and connected to the transceiver body; and an antenna built into the handle.

Description

TRANSCEIVER

The present disclosure relates to a transceiver.

Interest in the industrial use of small unmanned aircraft capable of autonomous flight, such as drones, has been growing. The flight of small unmanned aircraft is controlled by the operation of a transceiver. Small unmanned aircraft have an antenna for transmission and reception. The antenna is generally provided in an externally protruding manner from the transceiver, and can be changed in length and angle as needed. As an antenna device, for example, there is one described in Patent Literature 1 below.

JP 2009-49917 A

As mentioned above, the antenna is provided in an externally protruding manner from the transceiver, Therefore, there is a risk of damage to the antenna when the transceiver is dropped.

The present disclosure solves the above-mentioned problem, and aims to provide a transceiver that improves durability by suppressing damage to the antenna.

According to the present disclosure, a transceiver is provided that includes: a transceiver body; a handle part having a U-shape and connected to the transceiver body; and an antenna built into the handle.

According to the transceiver of the present disclosure, the durability can be improved by suppressing damage to the antenna.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a transceiver according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a side view of the transceiver. Fig. 3 is a top view of the transceiver. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of the transceiver. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a mounted state of an antenna. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a handle part. Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the handle part. Fig. 8 is a VIII-VIII sectional view of Fig. 7 illustrating the handle part. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the radiation characteristics of the transceiver. Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a half-power angle of the transceiver. Fig. 11 is a side view of the transceiver according to a modification. Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the half-power angle of the transceiver according to the modification. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the half-power angle of the transceiver according to the modification.

The following describes a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure in detail with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited by this embodiment. When there are a plurality of embodiments, combinations of the embodiments are also included. The components in the embodiments include those that can be easily envisioned by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially identical, and those that fall within so-called the scope of equivalence.

Explanation will be given in the following order.
1. Basic configuration of transceiver
2. Control block configuration of transceiver
3. Mounting structure of antenna
4. Directionality of antenna
5. Modification
6. Operation and effect of the present embodiment

<1. Basic configuration of transceiver>
Fig. 1 is a front view of a transceiver according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 is a side view of the transceiver, and Fig. 3 is a top view of the transceiver. In the following explanations, the upper-lower direction in Fig. 1 is the front-back direction X of the transceiver, the left-right direction in Fig. 1 is the left-right direction Y of the transceiver, and the direction orthogonal to the sheet of Fig. 1 is the upper-lower direction Z of the transceiver.

This transceiver according to the present embodiment applies small unmanned aircraft that can fly autonomously, such as a drone, as a transmitting/receiving body, and performs transmission/reception to/from this small unmanned aircraft. In other words, the transceiver at least transmits operation signals or the like to the small unmanned aircraft, and receives images or the like from a camera mounted on the small unmanned aircraft.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, a transceiver 10 includes a transceiver body 11, a handle part 12, control sticks 13, and an antenna 14.

The transceiver body 11 includes a box-shaped housing that accommodates a controller 51, a wireless communication unit 52, a wired communication unit 53, a battery 54, and the like as structures, which will be described later. The handle part 12 is integrated with the transceiver body 11. The handle part 12 has a U-shape. The control sticks 13 are provided to the transceiver body 11 in a freely movable manner. Two control sticks 13 are provided at a predetermined interval.

The transceiver body 11 includes the handle part 12 on the front side (upper side in Fig. 1) in the front-back direction X. The handle part 12 is used by an operator to carry the transceiver 10 with the operator's hand when the transceiver 10 is not in operation. The handle part 12 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ (e.g., 40 degrees) toward the lower side in the upper-lower direction Z (lower side in Fig. 2) with respect to the front-back direction X of the transceiver body 11. Therefore, the distal end part of the handle part 12 protrudes below the lower surface of the transceiver body 11. The handle part 12 includes the antenna 14 in a built-in manner. The transceiver body 11 includes the two control sticks 13 on its upper surface part. The control sticks 13 are provided at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction Y. The control sticks 13 are provided on the upper surface part of the transceiver body 11 along the upper-lower direction Z, and can be moved by a predetermined angle toward the in-plane direction along the front-back direction X and the left-right direction Y. The operator can control the small unmanned aircraft by operating the control sticks 13.

The transceiver body 11 includes a power button 21, a flight stop button 22, and a recording button 23 located between the two control sticks 13 on the upper surface part. The transceiver body 11 also includes a battery indicator 24 and a status indicator 25 located between the two control sticks 13 on the upper surface part.

The transceiver body 11 includes a support stand 31 located between the two control sticks 13. The support stand 31 is rotatably supported, at its base end part, on a front support part 33 of the transceiver body 11 by a support shaft 32 arranged along the left-right direction Y. The support stand 31 can be fitted with a wireless terminal or a wired terminal (such as a smartphone or a tablet), not illustrated in the drawings. The wireless terminal or the wired terminal can be connected to the transceiver body 11 to perform various operations.

The transceiver body 11 includes, on its front surface part on the left side in the left-right direction Y (right side in Fig. 3),

custom buttons

41 and 42 and a mode dial 43 for a camera mounted on the small unmanned aircraft. The transceiver body 11 includes, on its front surface part on the right side in the left-right direction Y (left side in Fig. 3), a flight mode selector switch 44 and a gimbal control lever 45. The transceiver body 11 includes an HDMI terminal (registered trademark) 46, a USB terminal 47, and a USB micro terminal 48 at the base of the handle part 12. The transceiver body 11 includes a charging power cable terminal (refer to Fig. 4) 49.

<2. Control block configuration of transceiver>
Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of the transceiver.

The controller 51 is connected with the antenna 14 via the wireless communication unit 52. The controller 51 is connected with the HDMI terminal (registered trademark) 46, the USB terminal 47, and the USB micro terminal 48 via the wired communication unit 53. The controller 51 is connected with the battery 54, and the battery 54 is connected with the charging power cable terminal 49. The controller 51 is connected with the battery indicator 24, the status indicator 25, the power button 21, the flight stop button 22, the

custom buttons

41 and 42, and the flight mode selector switch 44 via an interface (I/F) 55. The controller 51 is connected with a gimbal control unit 56 via the interface (I/F) 55, and the gimbal control unit 56 is connected with a gimbal control lever 45. The controller 51 is connected with a camera mode control unit 57 via the interface (I/F) 55, and the camera mode control unit 57 is connected with the recording button 23 and the mode dial 43. In addition, the controller 51 is connected with external

battery connection terminals

58 and 59 via the interface (I/F) 55.

Here, the controller 51 controls communication with the small unmanned aircraft by controlling the operation of the wireless communication unit 52. The wireless communication unit 52 includes at least a matching filter, a duplexer, and a low noise amplifier (LNA), which are not illustrated in the drawings. The antenna 14 is connected to the wireless communication unit 52. The antenna 14 is, for example, a rod antenna (dipole antenna) and has a linear shape. The antenna 14 includes a dielectric substrate having a surface provided with a conductor (element). In this case, in the antenna 14, the conductor may be directly fixed on the surface of the dielectric substrate; however, the manufacturing of the antenna 14 is not limited to this method. For example, the antenna 14 may be manufactured by three-dimensional wiring formation technology such as laser direct structuring (LDS) or by insert molding technology. By controlling the operation of the wireless communication unit 52, the controller 51 transmits signals by the antenna 14 and receives signals and images by the antenna 14.

<3. Mounting structure of antenna>
Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a mounted state of the antenna, Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the handle part, Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the handle part, and Fig. 8 is a VIII-VIII sectional view of Fig. 7 illustrating the handle part.

As illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8, the antenna 14 is built into the handle part 12. The handle part 12 includes a pair of left and right mounting

parts

61 and 62 and a connecting part 63. The pair of left and right mounting

parts

61 and 62 are provided in an externally protruding manner and substantially orthogonally to the front surface part of the transceiver body 11. The pair of left and right mounting

parts

61 and 62 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction Y and are substantially parallel to each other. The pair of left and right mounting

parts

61 and 62 are integrally connected to the transceiver body 11 at their base end parts. The connecting part 63 connects the distal end parts of the pair of left and right mounting

parts

61 and 62. The connecting part 63 is arranged substantially orthogonally to each of the mounting

parts

61 and 62. The antenna 14 is built into the mounting part 61. The antenna 14 is mounted such that the conductor is substantially parallel to the mounting part 61.

The handle part 12 includes two members fastened together and is fastened to the transceiver body 11. Specifically, the handle part 12 includes an upper housing 66 and a lower housing 67. The upper housing 66 has a U-shape in plan view. The upper housing 66 has an upper wall part 66a, an outer wall part 66b, and an inner wall part 66c, and has an inverted U-shape in a section along the left-right direction Y and the upper-lower direction. The upper housing 66 includes a plurality of rib parts 66d at at least positions corresponding to the mounting part 61. The rib parts 66d are connected, inside the upper housing 66, in a direction orthogonal to the upper wall part 66a, the outer wall part 66b, and the inner wall part 66c. The rib parts 66d are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction (front-back direction X) of the mounting part 61. The rib parts 66d each have a notch part 66e that opens to the upper side in the upper-lower direction Z. The upper housing 66 may be provided with the rib parts at positions corresponding to the mounting part 62 and the connecting part 63.

The lower housing 67 has a U-shape in plan view. The lower housing 67 has a lower wall part 67a, an outer wall part 67b, and an inner wall part 67c, and has a U-shape in a section along the left-right direction Y and the upper-lower direction. The lower housing 67 includes a plurality of rib parts 67d at positions corresponding to the mounting part 61. The rib parts 67d are connected, inside the lower housing 67, in a direction orthogonal to the lower wall part 67a, the outer wall part 67b, and the inner wall part 67c. The rib parts 67d are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction (front-back direction X) of the mounting part 61. The rib parts 67d each have a notch part 67e that opens to the lower side in the upper-lower direction Z. The lower housing 67 may include a plurality of rib parts at positions corresponding to the mounting part 62 and the connecting part 63.

The antenna 14 is mounted in each of the notch parts 66e in the upper housing 66, and in each of the notch parts 67e in the lower housing 67. In other words, in the upper housing 66 and the lower housing 67, the

outer wall parts

66b and 67b tightly fit to each other and the

inner wall parts

66c and 67c tightly fit to each other with the antenna 14 interposed therebetween. The upper housing 66 and the lower housing 67 are fastened together with a plurality of bolts, which are not illustrated in the drawings, in a state tightly fit to each other. In this state, the antenna 14 is held by the rib parts 67d of the upper housing 66 and the rib parts 67d of the lower housing 67 without any gaps. The rib parts 67d of the upper housing 66 and the rib parts 67d of the lower housing 67 are located at the same positions in the longitudinal direction of the mounting part 61, but may be located at different positions. The antenna 14 includes a connection 14a at its one end in the longitudinal direction, and the connection 14a is connected with a harness 14b from the wireless communication unit 52 (refer to Fig. 4).

In the handle part 12, the upper housing 66 and the lower housing 67 are fastened together with the bolts, with the antenna 14 interposed therebetween. In the handle part 12, the mounting

parts

61 and 62 are fastened to the transceiver body 11 with a plurality of bolts, which are not illustrated in the drawings. In this state, the antenna 14 is held inside the upper housing 66 and the lower housing 67 by the

rib parts

66d and 67d without any gaps. In other words, the antenna 14 is supported inside the upper housing 66 and the lower housing 67 without rattling in the three directions that are the front-back direction X, the left-right direction Y, and the upper-lower direction Z. As a result, sufficient strength of the handle part 12 is secured to suppress damage to the antenna even when the transceiver 10 is dropped.

In the above description, the antenna 14 is built into the one mounting part 61 of the handle part 12, but the antenna 14 may be built into the other mounting part 62. The antenna 14 may be built into the connecting part 63 of the handle part 12. In this case, the antenna 14 includes the conductor arranged along the left-right direction Y. Furthermore, the antenna 14 may be L-shaped and built in the handle part 12 to span the mounting

part

61 or 62 and the connecting part 63. In this case, the antenna 14 includes an L-shaped conductor that extends in both the front-back direction X and the left-right direction Y.

<4. Directionality of antenna>
Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the radiation characteristics of the transceiver, and Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a half-power angle of the transceiver.

As illustrated in Fig. 9, the antenna 14 is arranged along the front-back direction X in the mounting part 61 of the handle part 12. The antenna 14 has maximum electromagnetic radiation 101 in the direction perpendicular to the conductor, and zero electromagnetic radiation in the direction parallel to the conductor. The directivity, which is the relation between the angle of radiation and its intensity, has a shape of two connected circles such as the shape of the number 8. As illustrated in Fig. 10, the handle part 12 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ toward the lower side in the upper-lower direction Z with respect to the front-back direction X. The antenna 14 is built into the mounting part 61 of the handle part 12 along the longitudinal direction of the mounting part 61. Thus, the antenna 14 is arranged with the conductor inclined at a predetermined angle θ toward the lower side in the upper-lower direction Z with respect to the front-back direction X. This means that the antenna 14 has the half-power angle (90 degrees) directed diagonally forward from the transceiver 10.

In the transceiver 10, the handle part 12 including the antenna 14 in a built-in manner is arranged at the outermost outline part of the transceiver body 11. Thus, even when a wireless terminal is mounted on the support stand 31, the wireless terminal does not interfere with communication by the antenna 14. Furthermore, the operator operating the control sticks 13 does not hold the handle part 12 with the operator's hand, and thus the operator's hand does not interfere with communication by the antenna 14.

<5. Modification>
Fig. 11 is a side view of the transceiver according to a modification, Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the half-power angle of the transceiver according to the modification, and Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the half-power angle of the transceiver according to the modification.

As illustrated in Fig. 11, a handle part 12A is rotatably supported on the transceiver body 11 by a support shaft 71. The support shaft 71 is provided along the left-right direction Y. The handle part 12A includes the antenna 14 in a built-in manner. Thus, the handle part 12A is rotatable upward or downward with the support shaft 71 serving as the rotation center, and the predetermined angle θ of the antenna 14 with respect to the front-back direction X can be changed by rotating the handle part 12A. In this case, the handle part 12A has a locking mechanism that can fix the handle part 12A at a predetermined position. The locking mechanism may, for example, have a configuration that uses frictional resistance between the handle part 12A and the support shaft 71, or a configuration that includes a ratchet mechanism between the handle part 12A and the support shaft 71, or a configuration that includes a separate locking mechanism between the handle part 12A and the support shaft 71.

Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 12, when the handle part 12A is rotated upward, the antenna 14 is positioned along the horizontal direction, which is the front-back direction X, and the half-power angle (90 degrees) is directed substantially upward from the transceiver 10. In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 13, when the handle part 12A is rotated downward, the antenna 14 is positioned along the vertical direction, which is the upper-lower direction Z, and the half-power angle (90 degrees) is directed substantially forward from the transceiver 10.

<6. Operation and effect of the present embodiment>
The transceiver 10 according to the present embodiment includes the transceiver body 11, the handle part 12 having a U-shape and connected to the transceiver body 11, and the antenna 14 built into the handle part 12. Since the antenna is built into the handle part 12 and is not exposed to the outside, damage to the antenna 14 to be caused by dropping or the like is suppressed, and thus the durability of the antenna 14 can be improved.

In the transceiver 10 according to the present embodiment, the antenna 14 is a dipole antenna. Thus, the structure can be simplified.

The transceiver 10 according to the present embodiment includes as the handle part 12: the pair of mounting

parts

61 and 62 having base end parts connected to the transceiver body 11 and are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other; and the connecting part 63 connecting the distal end parts of the pair of mounting

parts

61 and 62, and the antenna 14 is built into the mounting

part

61, 62 or the connecting part 63. Since the handle part 12 is arranged at an outermost outline position in an externally protruding manner with respect to the transceiver body 11, the transceiver body 11, the operator's hands, and the like do not cover the antenna 14, and thus stable transmission and reception conditions can be ensured.

In the transceiver 10 according to the present embodiment, the mounting

parts

61 and 62 are arranged to protrude forward in the front-back direction X of the transceiver body 11, and the antenna 14 is built into the mounting

part

61 or 62 along the longitudinal direction of the mounting

parts

61 and 62. As a result, the operator's hands do not cover the antenna 14, and stable transmission and reception conditions can be ensured.

In the transceiver 10 according to the present embodiment, the mounting

parts

61 and 62 are arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle θ toward the lower side in the upper-lower direction Z with respect to the front-back direction X of the transceiver body 11. Thus, the half-power angle of the antenna 14 can be set diagonally upward, to provide stable communication to unmanned aircraft, for example.

In the transceiver 10 according to the present embodiment, the handle part 12A is supported rotatably with respect to the transceiver body 11, with the support shaft 71 arranged along the left-right direction Y serving as the rotation center. Thus, the half-power angle of the antenna 14 can be adjusted upward or downward in accordance with the type of transmitting/receiving body performing transmission/reception, and stable communication can be ensured.

In the transceiver 10 according to the present embodiment, the

rib parts

66d and 67d are provided inside the handle part 12, and the antenna 14 is supported by the

rib parts

66d and 67d. Thus, the strength of the handle part 12 can be improved by the

rib parts

66d and 67d, and the support rigidity of the antenna 14 can be improved by the antenna 14 being supported by the

rib parts

66d and 67d.

In the transceiver 10 according to the present embodiment, the antenna 14 can transmit and receive signals and images to and from unmanned aircraft. Thus, the unmanned aircraft can be controlled stably.

In the embodiment described above, a dipole antenna (rod antenna) is applied as the antenna 14; however, the antenna 14 is not limited to this configuration. For example, a monopole antenna, a loop antenna, a slot antenna, or a patch antenna may be applied as the antenna 14.

In the embodiment described above, the handle part 12 has a U-shape formed by the pair of mounting

parts

61 and 62 and the connecting part 63; however, the handle part 12 is not limited to this shape. For example, the mounting parts and the connecting part can be integrated into a curved shape.

A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field of the present disclosure can conceive of various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, which are naturally understood to belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

The effects described herein are only descriptive or illustrative and not limiting. In other words, the technique according to the present disclosure may produce other effects that are obvious to those skilled in the art from the description herein, along with or in place of the above effects.

The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.
(1)
　　A transceiver including:
　　a transceiver body;
　　a handle part having a U-shape and connected to the transceiver body; and
　　an antenna built into the handle.
(2)
　　The transceiver according to (1), wherein
　　the antenna is a dipole antenna.
(3)
　　The transceiver according to (1) or (2), wherein
　　the handle part includes: a pair of mounting parts having base end parts connected to the transceiver body and are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other; and a connecting part connecting distal end parts of the pair of mounting parts, and
　　the antenna is built into the mounting parts or the connecting part.
(4)
　　The transceiver according to (3), wherein
　　each of the mounting parts is arranged to protrude forward in a front-back direction of the transceiver body, and
　　the antenna is built into the mounting part along a longitudinal direction of the mounting part.
(5)
　　The transceiver according to (4), wherein
　　the mounting parts are arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle toward a lower side in an upper-lower direction with respect to the front-back direction of the transceiver body.
(6)
　　The transceiver according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein
　　the handle part is supported rotatably with respect to the transceiver body, with a support shaft arranged along a left-right direction serving as a rotation center.
(7)
　　The transceiver according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein
　　the handle part includes inside a plurality of rib parts, and the antenna is supported by the rib parts.
(8)
　　The transceiver according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein
　　the antenna is capable of transmitting and receiving a signal and an image to and from unmanned aircraft.

10　　Transceiver
11　　Transceiver body
12, 12A　　Handle part
13　　Control stick
14　　Antenna
21　　Power button
22　　Flight stop button
23　　Recording button
24　　Battery Indicator
25　　Status Indicator
31　　Support stand
41, 42　　Custom button
43　　Mode dial
44　　Flight mode selector switch
45　　Gimbal control lever
46　　HDMI terminal
47　　USB terminal
48　　USB micro terminal
49　　Charging power cable terminal
51　　Controller
52　　Wireless communication unit
53　　Wired communication unit
54　　Battery
55　　Interface
56　　Gimbal control unit
57　　Camera mode control unit
58, 59　　External battery connection terminal
61, 62　　Mounting part
63　　Connecting part
66　　Upper housing
66a　　Upper wall part
66b　　Outer wall part
66c　　Inner wall part
66d　　Rib part
66e　　Notch part
67　　Lower housing
67a　　Lower wall part
67b　　Outer wall part
67c　　Inner wall part
67d　　Rib part
67e　　Notch part
71　　Support shaft

Claims

　　A transceiver including:
　　a transceiver body;
　　a handle part having a U-shape and connected to the transceiver body; and
　　an antenna built into the handle.
　　The transceiver according to claim 1, wherein
　　the antenna is a dipole antenna.
　　The transceiver according to claim 1, wherein
　　the handle part includes: a pair of mounting parts having base end parts connected to the transceiver body and are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other; and a connecting part connecting distal end parts of the pair of mounting parts, and
　　the antenna is built into the mounting parts or the connecting part.
　　The transceiver according to claim 3, wherein
　　each of the mounting parts is arranged to protrude forward in a front-back direction of the transceiver body, and
　　the antenna is built into the mounting part along a longitudinal direction of the mounting part.
　　The transceiver according to claim 4, wherein
　　the mounting parts are arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle toward a lower side in an upper-lower direction with respect to the front-back direction of the transceiver body.
　　The transceiver according to claim 1, wherein
　　the handle part is supported rotatably with respect to the transceiver body, with a support shaft arranged along a left-right direction serving as a rotation center.
　　The transceiver according to claim 1, wherein
　　the handle part includes inside a plurality of rib parts, and the antenna is supported by the rib parts.
　　The transceiver according to claim 1, wherein
　　the antenna is capable of transmitting and receiving a signal and an image to and from unmanned aircraft.