Radio communication system
Abstract
Problem to be solved.To provide a wireless communication system capable of performing antenna matching more accurately even in wireless communication using a communication method in which antenna reception power is not constant.
Solution.A first communication device and a second communication device are configured to enable wireless communication with each other, and the operation mode of the first communication device is set to an operation mode in which a variable matching unit different from the normal operation mode adjusts the matching state. When switching to a certain tuning mode, the first transmitter transmits an operation mode transition request signal to the second communication device, and the first receiver transmits the operation mode transition request signal from the second communication device in response to the operation mode transition request signal. The tuning reference signal is received, the received signal strength measuring unit measures the received signal strength of the received tuning reference signal, and the variable matching unit measures the matching state based on the received signal strength of the measured tuning reference signal. To adjust. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1
Term
Projected expiry 6 June 2032.
- Priority
- Filed
- Published
- Today
- Projected expiry
17 claims: 2 independent, 15 dependent
- 1第1通信装置および第2通信装置が互いに無線通信可能に構成された無線通信システムであって、 前記第1通信装置は、 第1周波数帯の電波にて前記第2通信装置へ無線信号を送信する第1送信部と、 前記第2通信装置からの無線信号を受信する第1受信部と、 前記第1受信部に接続された受信アンテナと、 前記第1受信部と前記受信アンテナとの整合状態を予め定められた整合範囲内で可変させて調整する可変整合部と、 前記第1受信部が受信した前記第2通信装置からの無線信号の受信信号強度を測定する受信信号強度測定部と、 前記第1通信装置の動作モードを、通常の動作モードである通常動作モードと、前記通常動作モードとは異なる、前記可変整合部が整合状態を調整する動作モードであるチューニングモードとの間で、動作モードを切り替え制御する動作モード切替制御部と、 を備え、 前記動作モード切替制御部が、前記動作モードを前記チューニングモードに切り替えたとき、前記第1送信部は、動作モード移行要求信号を前記第2通信装置へ送信し、 前記第1受信部は、前記第2通信装置から前記動作モード移行要求信号に応答して送信されるチューニング用基準信号を受信し、 前記受信信号強度測定部は、受信した前記チューニング用基準信号の受信信号強度を測定し、 前記可変整合部は、測定した前記チューニング用基準信号の受信信号強度に基づいて前記整合状態を調整し、 前記第2通信装置は、 前記第1通信装置からの無線信号を受信する第2受信部と、 前記第1通信装置へ無線信号を送信する第2送信部と、 前記第2受信部が受信した前記第1通信装置からの無線信号が、前記動作モード移行要求信号であるか否かを判定する信号判定部と、 を備え、 前記第2送信部は、受信した前記第1通信装置からの無線信号が前記動作モード移行要求信号であるとき、前記チューニング用基準信号を第2周波数帯の電波にて送信することを特徴とする無線通信システム。
- 2前記可変整合部は、可変容量ダイオードを含み、 前記受信信号強度測定部は、可変させた前記可変容量ダイオードの容量値のそれぞれに対して、前記第1受信部が受信した前記第2通信装置からの無線信号の受信信号強度を測定し、 前記可変整合部は、前記可変容量ダイオードの容量値を、測定した前記受信信号強度のうちの最大値に対応する値とすることで、前記整合状態を調整することを特徴とする請求項1に記載の無線通信システム。
- 3前記チューニング用基準信号として、無変調連続波を用いることを特徴とする請求項1または請求項2に記載の無線通信システム。
- 4前記第1通信装置は、 前記第1受信部が受信した前記第2通信装置からの無線信号を復調する復調部を備え、 前記受信信号強度測定部は、前記復調部が出力する復調信号の状態に基づいて、前記第1受信部が受信した前記チューニング用基準信号の受信信号強度を測定し、 前記可変整合部は、測定した前記チューニング用基準信号の受信信号強度に基づいて前記整合状態を調整することを特徴とする請求項1または請求項2に記載の無線通信システム。
- 5前記チューニング用基準信号として、変調波を用いることを特徴とする請求項4に記載の無線通信システム。
- 6前記受信信号強度測定部は、前記復調信号の状態変化をトリガとして検出し、そのトリガを検出してから所定時間が経過した後に、前記第1受信部が受信した前記チューニング用基準信号の受信信号強度を測定することを特徴とする請求項4または請求項5に記載の無線通信システム。
- 7前記所定時間は、前記チューニング用基準信号の変調周期よりも小さくすることを特徴とする請求項6に記載の無線通信システム。
- 8前記受信信号強度測定部は、前記復調信号の状態変化をトリガとして検出した後、前記第1受信部が受信した前記チューニング用基準信号の受信信号強度を、予め定められた期間サンプリングし、そのサンプリングした受信信号強度のうちの最大値を、そのときの受信信号強度とすることを特徴とする請求項4または請求項5に記載の無線通信システム。
- 9前記可変整合部は、前記整合状態を調整する際に、予め定められた整合状態である基準状態としたときの、前記受信信号強度測定部が測定した前記チューニング用基準信号の受信信号強度に基づいて、前記可変整合部の整合状態の調整を継続するか否かを判定する継続可否判定部を備えることを特徴とする請求項1ないし請求項8のいずれか1項に記載の無線通信システム。
- 10前記可変整合部は、前記整合状態を調整する際に、少なくとも2回以上、前記整合状態を前記基準状態とし、 前記継続可否判定部は、複数の前記基準状態において前記受信信号強度測定部が測定した前記チューニング用基準信号の受信信号強度に基づいて、前記可変整合部の整合状態の調整を継続するか否かを判定することを特徴とする請求項9に記載の無線通信システム。
- 11前記受信信号強度測定部が、前記可変整合部の整合状態を前記整合範囲内で可変させたときに測定した前記チューニング用基準信号の受信信号強度を記憶する記憶部と、 前記記憶部に記憶した受信信号強度に基づいて、前記可変整合部の整合状態の調整が適正か否かを判定する整合結果判定部と、 を備え、 前記整合結果判定部が、前記整合状態の調整が適正でないと判定したとき、前記可変整合部は、前記整合状態を、該整合状態の調整を行う前の状態に戻すことを特徴とする請求項1ないし請求項10のいずれか1項に記載の無線通信システム。
- 12前記整合結果判定部は、前記可変整合部が今回調整した整合状態と、以前の調整時における整合状態との差が、予め定められた閾値を超えたときに、今回の整合状態の調整が適正でないと判定することを特徴とする請求項11に記載の無線通信システム。
- 13前記整合結果判定部は、前記整合状態の調整時に前記受信信号強度測定部が測定した前記チューニング用基準信号の受信信号強度の極大値が複数個あるときに、前記整合状態の調整が適正でないと判定することを特徴とする請求項11に記載の無線通信システム。
- 14前記整合結果判定部は、前記整合状態の調整時に前記受信信号強度測定部が測定した前記チューニング用基準信号の受信信号強度が最大値に到達するまでの増加傾度、および該最大値に到達した後の減少傾度が、それぞれ所定の範囲内に含まれていないときに、前記整合状態の調整が適正でないと判定することを特徴とする請求項11に記載の無線通信システム。
- 15前記第1周波数帯の電波は、低周波帯の電波であることを特徴とする請求項1ないし請求項14のいずれか1項に記載の無線通信システム。
- 16前記第2周波数帯の電波は、高周波帯の電波であることを特徴とする請求項1ないし請求項15のいずれか1項に記載の無線通信システム。
- 17車両に搭載された車載装置と、ユーザが所持する携帯機と互いに無線通信可能に構成されたスマートキーレスエントリーシステムにおいて、 前記車載装置は、 前記携帯機をポーリングするためのポーリング信号を送信するポーリング信号送信部と、 前記ポーリング信号の受信に基づいて前記携帯機から送信されるIDコードを受信するIDコード受信部と、 受信した前記IDコードと自身に記憶されたマスタコードとを照合するデータ照合部と、 その照合結果に基づいて、車両における予め定められた機能の動作を許可する動作許可部と、 を備え、 前記携帯機は、ポーリング信号を受信するポーリング信号受信部と、 前記ポーリング信号の受信に基づいて前記IDコードを送信するIDコード送信部と、 を備え、 前記車載装置が前記第1通信装置に相当し、前記ポーリング信号送信部が前記第1送信部に相当し、前記IDコード受信部が前記第1受信部に相当し、前記携帯機が前記第2通信装置に相当し、前記ポーリング信号受信部が前記第2受信部に相当し、前記IDコード送信部が前記第2送信部に相当することを特徴とする請求項1ないし請求項16のいずれか1項に記載の無線通信システム。
Independent claims17
113 paragraphs, as filed
The present invention relates to, for example, a wireless communication system used in a vehicle smart keyless entry system.
The value of the tuning element that generates the maximum RSSI signal by monitoring the Receive Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) of the radio wave while the tuning element is connected to the antenna and the antenna is swept over the entire tuning range. A method and device that automatically tunes the radio antenna of the radio receiver that receives the information packet by setting the tuning element to a value that causes the antenna to generate the maximum RSSI signal after the sweep is complete. Has been devised (see Patent Document 1).
<p><patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Patent No. 3127229</text></patcit></p>
<p> Patent Document 1 receives radio waves of radio broadcasting from an antenna, and uses the received power (also referred to as "antenna reception power") to sequentially change the matching state of the antenna tuning circuit by controlling the antenna tuning control circuit. The change is measured as the received signal strength (RSSI), and the maximum matching state is detected based on the RSSI to create the optimum antenna matching state (that is, the receiving state).</p><p> In order to perform antenna matching with the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is a prerequisite that the antenna reception power is constant. The reason is that even if the antenna tuning circuit is controlled and swept while the antenna reception power is not constant, it is possible to distinguish whether the change in the received signal strength is due to the change in the antenna matching state or the change in the antenna reception power. Because it is difficult. Radio broadcasting uses AM (amplitude modulation) method or FM (frequency modulation) method, and the received power is not constant in both cases.</p><p> In the AM method, the received power also changes because the amplitude changes. In the FM method, since the filter used in the demodulator has frequency characteristics, the amplitude of the modulated wave changes, so that the received power also changes. In the PM (Phase Modulation) method, the transmission system includes a filter for removing the "side lobe", which is a weak leaked electromagnetic wave radiated in a direction other than the target direction. After passing, the voltage waveform becomes blunt at the change point of the output voltage, and a portion where the amplitude is not constant occurs in the modulated wave.</p><p> If authentication by wireless communication is established between the in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle and the portable device owned by the user of the vehicle, the door can be locked / unlocked or the engine can be locked / unlocked without operating with a mechanical key. Smart keyless entry systems that can perform control such as starting are rapidly becoming widespread. In this smart keyless entry system, the frequency of radio waves from the portable device and the resonance frequency of the receiver of the in-vehicle device do not match due to the positional relationship between the in-vehicle device and the portable device or the state of possession of the user's portable device. , The receiver and the antenna may not be aligned.</p><p> Furthermore, in the wireless communication in this smart keyless entry system, ASK (Amplitude-Shift Keying), FSK (Frequency Shift Keying), or PSK (Phase Shift Keying) is used. Even in this method, the received power is not constant, and it is difficult to perform antenna matching with the configuration of Patent Document 1.</p><p> Against the background of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication system capable of performing antenna matching more accurately even in wireless communication using a communication method in which the antenna reception power is not constant. ..</p>
Means for Solving Problems and Effects of Invention
The wireless communication system for solving the above problems is a wireless communication system in which the first communication device and the second communication device are configured to enable wireless communication with each other. The first communication device has a first transmission unit that transmits a radio signal to the second communication device by radio waves in the first frequency band, a first reception unit that receives a radio signal from the second communication device, and a first reception. A variable matching unit that adjusts the matching state of the receiving antenna connected to the unit, the matching state of the first receiving unit and the receiving antenna within a predetermined matching range, and a second communication device received by the first receiving unit. The received signal strength measuring unit that measures the received signal strength of the radio signal from the radio wave and the variable matching unit that is different from the normal operation mode, which is the normal operation mode, are matched with the operation mode of the first communication device. It is equipped with an operation mode switching control unit that switches and controls the operation mode between the tuning mode, which is the operation mode for adjusting the state. When the operation mode switching control unit switches the operation mode to the tuning mode, the first transmission unit transmits an operation mode transition request signal to the second communication device, and the first reception unit sends the operation mode from the second communication device. The tuning reference signal transmitted in response to the transition request signal is received, the received signal strength measuring unit measures the received signal strength of the received tuning reference signal, and the variable matching unit measures the measured tuning reference signal. Adjust the matching state based on the received signal strength of The second communication device includes a second receiving unit that receives a wireless signal from the first communication device, a second transmitting unit that transmits a wireless signal to the first communication device, and a first communication device received by the second receiving unit. A signal determination unit for determining whether or not the radio signal from is an operation mode transition request signal is provided. The second transmission unit is characterized in that when the received radio signal from the first communication device is an operation mode transition request signal, the tuning reference signal is transmitted by radio waves in the second frequency band.
With the above configuration, the matching state can be adjusted accurately by using a tuning reference signal different from the radio signal for broadcasting or data communication (for example, a modulated wave) that is normally received. Further, since the matching state is adjusted in a state different from the normal operation mode, it does not affect the normal wireless communication. Further, the matching of the antenna is to adjust the resonance frequency of the antenna, but it is generally adjusted by changing the capacitance of the capacitor. Therefore, by including the variable capacitance diode in the variable matching unit, the matching state can be adjusted with a simpler configuration. Furthermore, when an unmodulated continuous wave (CW) with a constant signal amplitude and power is used as the tuning reference signal, the matching state is adjusted more accurately regardless of the normal communication method. be able to.
Further, the variable matching unit in the wireless communication system of the present invention includes a variable capacitance diode, and the received signal strength measuring unit receives the first receiving unit for each of the capacitance values of the variable variable capacitance diode. 2 The received signal strength of the radio signal from the communication device is measured, and the variable matching unit sets the capacitance value of the variable capacitance diode to the value corresponding to the maximum value of the measured received signal strength to check the matching state. It is characterized by adjusting.
Further, the variable matching unit in the wireless communication system of the present invention uses the matching state as a reference state at least twice when adjusting the matching state, and the continuation possibility determination unit is a received signal strength measuring unit in a plurality of reference states. Based on the received signal strength of the tuning reference signal measured by, it is characterized in that it is determined whether or not to continue adjusting the matching state of the variable matching unit.
With the above configuration, it is possible to detect when the received signal strength changes due to factors other than the modulated wave during the tuning time, so the matching state can be adjusted only when the radio wave is stable, and the matching accuracy is high. Become. That is, the first communication device can more reliably receive the radio signal from the second communication device.
Further, the wireless communication system of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores the reception signal strength of the tuning reference signal measured when the reception signal strength measuring unit changes the matching state of the variable matching unit within the matching range. A matching result determination unit for determining whether or not the adjustment of the matching state of the variable matching unit is appropriate based on the received signal strength stored in the storage unit is provided, and the matching result determination unit does not properly adjust the matching state. When the determination is made, the variable matching unit is characterized in that the matching state is returned to the state before the adjustment of the matching state.
More specifically, when the difference between the matching state adjusted this time by the variable matching unit and the matching state at the time of the previous adjustment exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the adjustment of the matching state this time is not appropriate. judge. Further, when there are a plurality of maximum values of the received signal strength of the tuning reference signal measured by the received signal strength measuring unit at the time of adjusting the matching state, it is determined that the matching state adjustment is not appropriate.
With the above configuration, the matching state is changed only when tuning is surely performed, so that the matching accuracy is higher.
Further, the radio wave in the first frequency band in the wireless communication system of the present invention is characterized in that it is a radio wave in a low frequency band. Further, the radio wave in the second frequency band in the wireless communication system of the present invention is characterized in that it is a radio wave in the high frequency band.
For example, communication in the LF band, which uses the 100 kHz band and is also called the low frequency band, has a relatively short communication range and a relatively large transmission power (strong magnetic field), so that it is not easily disturbed by other propagation. Further, for example, using the 300 MHz band, communication in the RF band, which is also called a high frequency band, can be transmitted to a relatively long distance for the transmission power. With the above configuration, it is suitable when it is desired to limit the communication between the first communication device and the second communication device which are relatively close to each other.
Further, the wireless communication system of the present invention is a smart keyless entry system configured to enable wireless communication between an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a portable device owned by a user. The in-vehicle device has a polling signal transmitter that transmits a poll signal for polling the portable device, an ID code receiver that receives an ID code transmitted from the portable device based on the reception of the polling signal, and a received ID code. It is provided with a data collation unit that collates with the master code stored in itself, and an operation permission unit that permits the operation of a predetermined function in the vehicle based on the collation result. The portable device includes a polling signal receiving unit that receives a polling signal and an ID code transmitting unit that transmits an ID code based on the reception of the polling signal. The in-vehicle device corresponds to the first communication device and transmits the polling signal. The unit corresponds to the first transmitter, the ID code receiver corresponds to the first receiver, the portable device corresponds to the second communication device, the polling signal receiver corresponds to the second receiver, and the ID code is transmitted. It is characterized in that the unit corresponds to the second transmission unit.
The smart keyless entry system, for example, polls from an in-vehicle device using radio waves in the LF band, and transmits an ID code from a portable device using radio waves in the RF band. In addition, communication between the in-vehicle device and the portable device is limited to a relatively short distance from the aspect of security (theft prevention, etc.). Therefore, if the above-mentioned wireless communication system is applied to the smart entry system, the matching state can be adjusted accurately, and it is possible to avoid a situation in which the vehicle side does not operate according to the operation even if the portable device is operated, which is convenient for the user. Can improve sex.
<figref num="1">The figure which shows the system configuration example of the wireless communication system of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">The figure which shows the detail of the variable matching circuit and RF receiving circuit.</figref><figref num="3">The figure which shows another example of the variable matching circuit.</figref><figref num="4">The flow diagram explaining the process on the in-vehicle device side.</figref><figref num="5">The flow diagram explaining the processing on the portable device side.</figref><figref num="6">The figure explaining the outline of antenna matching.</figref><figref num="7">The flow diagram explaining another example of the processing on the vehicle-mounted device side.</figref><figref num="8">The figure explaining the method of determining whether or not the reception state of a radio wave is stable.</figref><figref num="9">FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining whether or not the reception state of radio waves is stable, following FIG.</figref><figref num="10">The figure explaining the method of determining whether or not the reception state of a radio wave is stable.</figref><figref num="11">FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining whether or not the reception state of radio waves is stable, following FIG.</figref><figref num="12">The flow diagram explaining another example of the processing on the vehicle-mounted device side.</figref><figref num="13">The figure explaining the method of determining the reliability of tuning.</figref><figref num="14">The figure explaining the method of determining the reliability of tuning.</figref><figref num="15">The flow diagram explaining another example of the processing on the vehicle-mounted device side.</figref><figref num="16">FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between RSSI, demodulated signal, and trigger.</figref><figref num="17">FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between the variable capacitance value and RSSI.</figref><figref num="18">FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another example of the in-vehicle device side processing of FIG.</figref><figref num="19">The figure which shows the variation of the varicap voltage and the resonance frequency by the prior art.</figref><figref num="20">The figure which shows the variation of the varicap voltage and the resonance frequency by this invention.</figref>
Hereinafter, an example in which the wireless communication system of the present invention is applied to a smart keyless entry system will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows the system configuration diagram of the smart keyless entry system 1. This system includes an in-vehicle device 100 mounted on a vehicle and a portable device 200 owned by a user. The in-vehicle device 100 corresponds to the first communication device of the present invention. Further, the portable device 200 corresponds to the second communication device of the present invention.
The in-vehicle device 100 includes an ECU (also referred to as an electronic control device) 101, an LF transmitter 102 connected to the ECU 101, and a tuner 103. The tuner 103 (or only the control circuit 131) may be included in the ECU 101.
The ECU 101 includes a control circuit including a well-known microcomputer and the like, a memory for storing a control program, and a signal input / output circuit with an external circuit.
In addition, the ECU 101 has a tuning mode / data communication mode setting unit (sometimes referred to as an "operation mode setting unit") 111 that selects and sets an operation mode, and polling data or LF data that is transmission data to the portable device 200. LF data that outputs polling data or LF data based on the state of the polling data generation unit 112, each part in ECU 101, or the sensor group 300 (for example, door lock state, engine state, or battery state). The output unit 113 is included. The tuning mode / data communication mode setting unit 111 corresponds to the operation mode switching control unit of the present invention.
Further, the ECU 101 has a data collation unit 114 and a data collation unit that collate the data transmitted from the portable device 200 (for example, the ID code of the portable device) with the master code stored in the memory 131b or the memory included in the ECU 101. The actuator operation enablement determination unit 115 for determining the operation enablement of the actuator group 400 such as the door lock device or the engine based on the collation result of 114 is included. The actuator operation enablement determination unit 115 corresponds to the operation permission unit of the present invention.
The above-mentioned parts represent the inside of the ECU 101 by function, and in reality, these functions are realized by the microcomputer executing the control program stored in the memory.
The LF transmission unit 102 includes an LF modulation circuit 122 and an LF transmission antenna 121 that modulate the output signal from the LF data output unit 113 by a predetermined modulation method such as the above-mentioned FSK and ASK. For the transmission frequency band of the LF transmitter 102, for example, an LF band or a VLF band (low frequency band, very low frequency band, first frequency band of the present invention) is used. The LF transmitter 102 corresponds to the first transmitter and polling signal transmitter of the present invention.
The tuner 103 detects the control circuit 131, the variable matching circuit 132 (details will be described later), the RF reception circuit 133 (details will be described later), the RF demodulation circuit 134, and the RSSI connected to the control circuit 131 as voltage values. It includes a detection circuit 135 and an RF receiving antenna 136. The tuner 103 corresponds to the first receiving unit and the ID code receiving unit of the present invention. Further, the RF demodulation circuit 134 corresponds to the demodulation unit of the present invention. Further, the RSSI detection circuit 135 corresponds to the received signal strength measuring unit of the present invention. Further, the RF receiving antenna 136 corresponds to the receiving antenna of the present invention.
The control circuit 131 includes a tuning control unit 131a including a well-known microcomputer and peripheral circuits, for example, a memory 131b composed of a non-volatile storage medium, and a signal input / output circuit (not shown). It also includes a well-known A / D converter and a D / A converter (neither shown). The tuning control unit 131a corresponds to the continuation possibility determination unit and the matching result determination unit of the present invention. Further, the memory 131b corresponds to the storage unit of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows the details of the variable matching circuit 132 and the RF receiving circuit 133. The variable matching circuit 132 applies a capacitor C1 connected in series between the output end of the RF receiving antenna 136 and the ground, and, for example, a well-known variable capacitance diode (also referred to as a varicap diode or a varicap diode). A variable matching element D1 which is an element whose capacitance changes according to a voltage, and a capacitor C2 which is connected between the output end of the RF receiving antenna 136 and the RF receiving circuit 133 and removes the DC component of the antenna current. Includes. The capacitor C2 also acts as a matching element for antenna impedance. The variable matching circuit 132 corresponds to the variable matching portion of the present invention.
Then, a band filter having a resonance frequency as a center frequency determined by the inductance component of the RF receiving antenna 136 and the combined capacitance of the variable matching element D1 and the capacitors C1 and C2 is configured to pass the desired frequency. The capacitance of the variable matching element D1 is controlled by the control circuit 131 changing the voltage applied to the variable matching element D1. The variable matching element D1 may be a variable capacitance capacitor.
The RF receiver circuit 133 includes a band filter 1331a and an amplifier 1331b, a high frequency amplifier circuit 1331 for selecting and amplifying an input signal, a frequency conversion circuit 1332 including a mixer 1332a and a local oscillator 1332b, a band filter 1333a and an amplifier 1333b. It is composed of an intermediate frequency amplifier circuit 1333 including. Since these circuit configurations and operations are well known as, for example, a superheterodyne system, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Figure 3 shows another example of a variable matching circuit. The variable matching circuit 132 includes a coil L1 connected between the output end of the RF receiving antenna 136 and the ground, and the above-mentioned variable matching element connected between the output end of the RF receiving antenna 136 and the RF receiving circuit 133. Includes D1 and capacitor C2, variable matching element D1 and capacitor C1 connected between capacitor C2 and ground.
Then, a band filter having a resonance frequency as a center frequency determined by the inductance component of the RF receiving antenna 136 and the coil L1 and the combined capacitance of the variable matching element D1 and the capacitors C1 and C2 is configured to pass the desired frequency.
Returning to FIG. 1, the details of the portable device 200 will be described. The portable device 200 includes a portable device control unit 201, an RF transmission unit 202 connected to the portable device control unit 201, and an LF reception unit 203.
The portable device control unit 201 includes a control circuit including a well-known microcomputer and the like, a memory for storing a control program, and a signal input / output circuit with an external circuit. Further, as a function of the portable device control unit 201, RF is based on the collation results of the LF data collation unit 211 and the LF data collation unit 211 that collate the LF data transmitted from the in-vehicle device with the collation data stored in advance. A burst signal output unit that generates and outputs a burst signal (for example, an RF band unmodulated continuous wave with an output time of 10 msec) based on the collation results of the RF data output unit 212 and LF data collation unit 211 that generate and output data. Contains 213. The LF data collation unit 211 corresponds to the signal determination unit of the present invention. Further, the burst signal corresponds to the tuning reference signal of the present invention.
The RF transmitter 202 is for outputting RF data or a burst signal, and includes an RF modulation circuit 221 and an RF transmitter antenna 222 that modulate the RF data by a predetermined modulation method such as FSK or ASK. There is. As the transmission frequency band of the RF transmitter 202, for example, the RF band (high frequency band, the second frequency band of the present invention) is used. The RF transmitter 202 corresponds to the second transmitter and ID code transmitter of the present invention.
The LF receiving unit 203 receives LF data which is transmission data from an in-vehicle device, and has an LF receiving antenna 231, an amplifier 232 that amplifies the received signal to a predetermined level, and an LF demodulation circuit that demodulates the received signal. Contains 233. The LF receiving unit 203 corresponds to the second receiving unit and the polling signal receiving unit of the present invention.
The in-vehicle device side processing and the portable device side processing in the antenna matching of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The on-board unit side processing of FIG. 4 is executed by the ECU 101 (may be executed by the control circuit 131 of the tuner 103). First, the ECU 101 sets the operation mode by selecting it from the following in the operation mode setting unit 111. -Data communication mode: Normal operation mode of the smart keyless entry system 1 (normal operation mode of the present invention). -Tuning mode: An operation mode for adjusting the matching state of the variable matching circuit 132.
Further, when at least one of the following conditions is satisfied during operation in the data communication mode, the tuning mode can be selected as the operation mode (S11). -When a predetermined mode transition timing such as a 100 msec cycle arrives. -When the radio wave (RF data) from the portable device 200 cannot be received for more than the predetermined time.
When the tuning mode is selected as the operation mode, the polling data generation unit 112 generates LF data (that is, an operation mode transition request signal) including the tuning mode, and outputs the LF data output from the LF data output unit 113. It is transmitted from the LF transmitter 102 (S12). Then, the RF data from the portable device 200 (that is, the tuning reference signal: burst signal) is in the standby state (S13).
The RF demodulation circuit 134 or RSSI detection circuit 135 detects radio waves from the portable device 200 via the RF receiving antenna 136, the variable matching circuit 132, and the RF receiving circuit 133, and the RF receiving circuit 133 detects RF data (that is, RF data (that is,). When the tuning reference signal) is received (S14: Yes), the control circuit 131 of the tuner 103 sets i = 1 in the tuning control unit 131a, and the voltage applied to the variable matching circuit 132 (that is, the variable matching element D1). (Vi, that is, V1) is set, and this value is D / A converted and applied to the variable matching circuit 132 (S15). Then, the RSSI (corresponding to the voltage value, the same applies hereinafter) detected by the RSSI detection circuit 135 at this time is stored in the memory 131b in association with the applied voltage Vi (S16).
After that, i is incremented by 1 to change the applied voltage Vi (S17), the voltage is applied to the variable matching circuit 132, and the RSSI at that time is stored in the memory 131b in association with the applied voltage Vi. Then, when i = n (n is a positive number larger than 1 and is determined according to the change width of the applied voltage Vi or the resonance frequency of the RF antenna 136) (S18: Yes), that is, in the memory 131b. Calculate the maximum stored RSSI value (S19).
Next, the applied voltage Vi associated with the maximum RSSI is applied to the variable matching circuit 132 (S20). The value of Vi at this time is stored in the memory 131b as the optimum matching voltage. Finally, the operation in the tuning mode is terminated, the mode shifts to the data communication mode, and the RF data from the portable device 200 is in the standby state (S21).
When the data communication mode is selected as the operation mode in step S11, the operation is the same as that of the conventional smart keyless entry system 1, so only an outline will be described here.
When a predetermined polling timing arrives, the polling data generation unit 112 of the ECU 101 generates LF data (in this case, polling data) including the fact that the data communication mode is set, and the LF output from the LF data output unit 113. Data is transmitted from the LF transmitter 102 (S22). Then, the RF data (ID code in this case) from the portable device 200 is in the standby state.
When the RF receiving circuit 133 of the tuner 103 receives the RF data, the RF demodulation circuit 134 demodulates the RF data, and the tuning control unit 131 acquires the RF demodulated data and sends it to the ECU 101. The ECU 101 stores the acquired RF demodulation data (that is, the ID code) in the memory 131b (S23).
Next, the ECU 101 collates the ID code acquired from the portable device 200 with, for example, the master data stored in the memory 131b in advance by the data collation unit 114 (S24). As a result of the collation, when the two match (S25: Yes), the actuator operation availability determination unit 115 determines that the actuator operation is permitted. A control command is output to the actuator group 400 according to the user's operation or the state of the sensor group 300. After that, the RF data from the portable device 200 is in the standby state (S27).
On the other hand, as a result of collation, when the two do not match (S25: No), the RF data from the portable device 200 is in the standby state (S26).
In the portable device side processing executed by the portable device control unit 201 of the portable device 200 in FIG. 5, first, the LF data from the in-vehicle device 100 is in the standby state (S31). At this time, if the LF receiving unit 203 acquires the LF data (S32), the LF data collating unit 211 collates the acquired LF data (S33). For example, it is checked whether or not the acquired LF data matches the data table stored in the LF data collation unit 211.
When the acquired LF data does not match the data in the data table as a result of collation (S34: No), the LF data from the in-vehicle device 100 is set to the standby state (S40).
On the other hand, when the acquired LF data matches the data in the data table as a result of collation (S34: Yes), the operation mode of the in-vehicle device 100 is determined based on the LF data (S35). When the operation mode of the in-vehicle device 100 is the data communication mode, the RF data output unit 212 creates and outputs RF data including the unique ID code of the portable device 200, and the RF modulation circuit 221 of the RF transmission unit 202 determines. The RF data is output via the RF transmission antenna 222 after being modulated by the modulation method of (S38). After that, the LF data from the in-vehicle device 100 is set to the standby state (S39).
Further, when the operation mode of the in-vehicle device 100 is the tuning mode, the burst signal output unit 213 generates and outputs a burst signal, and when an unmodulated continuous wave is output as a burst signal, the RF modulation circuit 221 performs modulation. Absent. On the other hand, when a modulated wave is output as a burst signal, modulation is performed by the RF modulation circuit 221. After that, the burst signal described above is output via the RF transmitting antenna 222 (S36). Thereafter Zhou of standby a LF data from the onboard apparatus 100 and status (S37).
The outline of the antenna matching of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, when the in-vehicle device 100 receives the burst signal from the portable device 200, the voltage (Vi) applied to the variable matching element D1 is set to, for example, between 0 and 1V or between 0 and 2V ( That is, the capacitance of the variable matching element D1 is changed by changing the variable capacitance value sweep width), and RSSI (converted to a voltage value) is measured. Then, the capacitance of the variable matching element D1 at which RSSI becomes the maximum value (Max) is obtained, and the voltage (Vi) at which this capacitance is generated is set as the final applied voltage. The frequency at this time is the resonance frequency of the RF receiving antenna 136.
Therefore, when the RSSI measurement result changes from state A to state B, that is, when the resonance frequency changes, there is a possibility that the conventional variable matching element D1 capacity C0 cannot receive radio waves from the portable device 200. Although it is expensive, in the configuration of the present invention, it can be seen that the capacitance of the variable matching element D1 at which the RSSI becomes the maximum value becomes Cx at the next tuning timing, so that matching can be performed correctly even if the state changes to B. ..
Another example of the in-vehicle device side processing and the portable device side processing in the antenna matching of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Since this process is a modification of FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in FIG. 4, and detailed description thereof is omitted here. The processing on the portable device side is the same as in FIG.
When the data communication mode is selected as the operation mode in step S11, the same processing as in FIG. 4 (steps S22 to 27) is executed, so the description here is omitted.
When the tuning mode is selected as the operation mode in step S11, the LF data is transmitted (S12), and the RF data from the portable device 200 is in the standby state (S13). Then, when the RF data is received (S14: Yes), the control circuit 131 of the tuner 103 sets i = 1 in the tuning control unit 131a, and the voltage (that is, the variable matching element D1) applied to the variable matching circuit 132 (that is, the variable matching element D1) is applied. Vi, that is, V1) is set, and this value is D / A converted and applied to the variable matching circuit 132 (S15). Then, the RSSI (that is, Vx1) detected by the RSSI detection circuit 135 at this time is stored in the memory 131b in association with the applied voltage V1 (S161).
After that, i is incremented by 1 to change the applied voltage Vi (S17), the voltage is applied to the variable matching circuit 132, and the RSSI (that is, Vxi) at that time is stored in the memory 131b in association with the applied voltage Vi. Then, when i = n (S18: Yes), for example, Vi when i = 1 is set as the reference voltage V1, and the RSSI detected at that time is set to Vy1 (Vy1). S181).
The reference voltage does not have to be the voltage V1 at the start of tuning, and is based on the voltage at which the RSSI value is highest or the voltage at which the RSSI value is predicted to exceed a predetermined value. It may be a voltage. In this case, since the influence of circuit noise is small, the RSSI value becomes high, an accurate value can be obtained, and the accuracy of determining the reception state of radio waves is also improved. The reason for this is that the RSSI voltage fluctuates depending on the S / N of the ratio of the RF signal strength to the circuit noise, so we want to make it less susceptible to circuit noise and increase the RF signal strength as much as possible. Is.
Next, the Vx1 and Vy1 obtained above are compared. When Vx1 and Vy1 are not equal, or when the difference between Vx1 and Vy1 is not within the predetermined range (S182: No), it is judged that the radio wave reception condition is unstable (S183). A signal indicating that tuning has failed is output from the tuner 103 to the ECU 101 (S184). At this time, a tuning retry request may be output.
Subsequently, the voltage Vi applied to the variable matching circuit 132 is set to the value before tuning (that is, the optimum matching voltage at the time of the previous tuning) stored in the memory 131b (S185). After that, the operation in the tuning mode is terminated, and the RF data from the portable device 200 is in the standby state (S186). At this time, the data communication mode may be entered.
On the other hand, when Vx1 and Vy1 are equal, or when the difference between Vx1 and Vy1 is within a predetermined range (S182: Yes), it is judged that the radio wave reception state is stable (S187). Then, the maximum value is calculated from RSSI, that is, Vxi (i = 1 to n) stored in the memory 131b (S19), and Vi associated with this Vxi is applied to the variable matching circuit 132 (S20). The value of Vi at this time is stored in the memory 131b as the optimum matching voltage. After that, the operation in the tuning mode is terminated, the mode shifts to the data communication mode, and the RF data from the portable device 200 is in the standby state (S21).
A method for determining whether or not the reception state of radio waves is stable in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. These figures show the change in RSSI (that is, Vxi) when the voltage Vi applied to the variable matching circuit 132 is changed in the order of i = 1 to n as a relationship with time.
In FIGS. 8 and 9, the reference voltage V1 is applied to the variable matching circuit at the start and end of tuning, the RSSI at that time is measured, and the radio wave reception state is stable based on the two RSSI values. Whether or not it is judged.
As shown in Fig. 8, when the reception state of radio waves is stable, for example, when there is one RSSI peak (resonance point), the RSSI value Vx1 when V1 is applied to the variable matching circuit 132 at the start of tuning. , The RSSI value Vy1 when V1 is applied to the variable matching circuit 132 again after tuning is completed (that is, after Vn is applied) is the same value V0 (or the difference between the two is within a predetermined range). Therefore, the matching state can be adjusted.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when the reception state of radio waves is not stable, for example, when the RSSI peak is 2 or more, the RSSI value Vy1 when V1 is applied to the variable matching circuit 132 again after tuning is completed is It becomes V2, which is different from V0, which is the RSSI value Vx1 when V1 is applied to the variable matching circuit 132 at the start of tuning (or the difference between the two is out of the predetermined range). Therefore, the matching state cannot be adjusted.
That is, in the configurations of FIGS. 8 and 9, when adjusting the matching state, the variable matching unit uses the matching state as a reference state at the start and after the adjustment, and the received signal strength measuring unit measures at that time. Based on the received signal strength of the tuning reference signal, it is determined whether or not to continue adjusting the matching state of the variable matching unit.
In FIGS. 10 and 11, the application timing of the reference voltage V1 is also set to Vm (1 <m <n) in the middle of changing the applied voltage Vi. Increasing the application timing of the reference voltage V1 increases the accuracy of determining the reception status of radio waves.
As shown in FIG. 10, when the reception state of radio waves is stable, Vx1, Vxm, and Vy1 all have the same value V0 (or their differences are within a predetermined range). Therefore, the matching state can be adjusted.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, when the reception state of radio waves is not stable, Vx1, Vxm, and Vy1 have different values such as V0, V3, and V2 (or their differences are out of the predetermined range). Become. Therefore, the matching state cannot be adjusted.
That is, in the configuration of FIGS. 10 and 11, when adjusting the matching state, the variable matching unit adjusts the matching state at the start and end of the adjustment and when a predetermined timing during adjustment arrives. It is set as a reference state, and it is determined whether or not to continue adjusting the matching state of the variable matching unit based on the received signal strength of the tuning reference signal measured by the received signal strength measuring unit at that time.
Further, another example of the in-vehicle device side processing will be described with reference to FIG. Since this process is a modification of FIG. 4 or 7, only the changes will be illustrated and described.
When i is increased by 1 from 1 to change the applied voltage Vi and applied to the variable matching circuit 132, the RSSI at that time is stored in the memory 131b in association with the applied voltage Vi, and i = n ( S18: Yes), determine whether this tuning is reliable (the determination method will be described later).
When it is determined that the tuning is unreliable (S50: No), this tuning is stopped (S51), and a signal indicating that the tuning has failed is output from the tuner 103 to the ECU 101 (S52). At this time, a tuning retry request may be output.
Subsequently, the voltage Vi applied to the variable matching circuit 132 is set to the value before tuning (that is, the optimum matching voltage at the time of the previous tuning) stored in the memory 131b (S53). After that, the operation in the tuning mode is terminated, and the RF data from the portable device 200 is in the standby state (S54). You may shift to the data communication mode.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the tuning is reliable (S50: Yes), tuning is continued (S55). That is, the processes of steps S19 and S20 of FIG. 4 or FIG. 7 are executed. After that, the operation in the tuning mode is terminated, the mode shifts to the data communication mode, and the RF data from the portable device 200 is in the standby state (S56).
A method for determining tuning reliability will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. 13 and 14 show the relationship between the voltage Vi applied to the variable matching circuit 132 and RSSI in the on-board unit processing (FIGS. 4, 7, and 12) in the above-mentioned antenna matching.
In FIG. 13, in the RSSI measurement result (indicated by a broken line) in the previous tuning, the applied voltage Vk (optimal matching voltage, stored in the memory 131b) when the maximum value Vmax was measured, and the RSSI measurement result in the current tuning. In (shown by a solid line), when the difference from the applied voltage Vp when the maximum value Vmax is measured is within a predetermined range, it is judged that the tuning this time is reliable. On the other hand, when the difference between these two applied voltages is not within a predetermined range, it is determined that the tuning this time is unreliable.
With this configuration, the applied voltage when measuring the maximum value of RSSI in the previous tuning (corresponding to the resonance frequency of the RF receiving antenna 136) and the applied voltage when measuring the maximum value of RSSI in this tuning are significantly larger. Can be handled when different. Normally, the RF frequency is not limited to one, but is selected from the frequency widths set for each vehicle type and destination. For example, select from 5MHz width in the 300MHz band. The frequency shift is sufficiently smaller than 5MHz depending on the usage environment. Therefore, it has been found by the inventor's research that the frequency range that changes depending on the usage environment is small if tuning is performed first. Therefore, when the frequency changes significantly due to tuning, the tuning is reliable. It can be judged that there is no such thing.
In FIG. 14, when the applied voltage Vi is continuously changed like Vm-1, Vm, and Vm + 1 during tuning and RSSIm-1, RSSIm, and RSSIm + 1 are measured, it becomes RSSIm-1. Reliability for this tuning when the difference from RSSIm or the difference between RSSIm and RSSIm + 1 (that is, the rate of change of RSSI between any or two adjacent points) is within a predetermined range. It is determined that there is. On the other hand, when the difference between each RSSI is not within the predetermined range, it is judged that the tuning this time is unreliable. With this configuration, it is possible to deal with the case where the RSSI value fluctuates locally due to pulse noise.
Another example of the in-vehicle device side processing and the portable device side processing in the antenna matching of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this process, for example, an FSK modulated wave is used as a burst signal (that is, a tuning reference signal) from the portable device 200. Further, since this process is a modification of FIG. 4, only the differences from FIG. 4 will be described, and the same reference numerals will be given or the description will be omitted for the same configuration as in FIG. I will omit the explanation.
In the example of FIG. 15, the first communication device in the wireless communication system of the present invention includes a demodulation unit that demodulates the radio signal from the second communication device received by the first reception unit, and the reception signal strength measuring unit demodulates the radio signal. The received signal strength of the tuning reference signal received by the first receiving unit is measured based on the state of the demodulated signal output by the unit, and the variable matching unit matches based on the received signal strength of the measured tuning reference signal. Corresponds to the configuration that adjusts the state. This configuration can be expected to have a great effect, especially when a modulated wave is used as a tuning reference signal. Further, in the configuration in which the modulated wave is used as the RF data in the data communication mode, it is not necessary to output the unmodulated continuous wave to the portable device 200, and the circuit of the portable device 200 can be simplified and miniaturized.
Further, the processing on the portable device side is the same as in FIG. 5, but in step S36, the burst signal output unit 213 generates and outputs a burst signal which is a predetermined data string, and the RF modulation circuit 221, for example, FSK modulation is performed and output as RF data via the RF transmission antenna 222.
When the data communication mode is selected as the operation mode in step S11, the same processing as in FIG. 4 (steps S22 to 27) is executed, so the description here is omitted.
Similar to steps S11 to S14 in FIG. 4, when the tuning mode is selected as the operation mode, the LF data is transmitted and the RF data from the portable device 200 is in the standby state. Then, when the RF data is received, the control circuit 131 of the tuner 103 sets the i = 1 in the tuning control unit 131a, and sets the voltage (Vi, that is, V1) applied to the variable matching circuit 132 (that is, the variable matching element D1). This value is set and D / A converted and applied to the variable matching circuit 132 (S15).
Next, the demodulated data obtained by demodulating the received RF data is acquired from the RF demodulation circuit 134 (S151). Then, using at least one of the following, the presence / absence of a trigger is detected based on the state of the demodulated data (S152). -Detects the rise of demodulated data (details will be described later) as a trigger. -Detects the falling edge of demodulated data (details will be described later) as a trigger.
When a trigger is detected (S153: Yes), the time since the trigger is detected is measured to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed. The predetermined time is, for example, smaller than the modulation cycle of RF data, and is preferably 1/2 or less of the modulation cycle.
When the above-mentioned predetermined time has elapsed (S154: Yes). The RSSI detection circuit 135 detects RSSI, associates it with the applied voltage V1, and stores it in memory 131b (S16).
After that, i is increased by 1 (S17), returned to step S15, the applied voltage Vi is changed and applied to the variable matching circuit 132, and the RSSI when a predetermined time elapses after detecting the trigger of the acquired demodulated data is calculated. , It is stored in the memory 131b in association with the applied voltage Vi (steps S151 to S154, S16).
Then, when i = n (for example, n = 20) (S18: Yes), at least one of the following is used to check the appropriateness of the above-mentioned matching (S181a). -When the increase slope of RSSI until the maximum value of RSSI and the decrease slope of RSSI after the maximum value of RSSI are within the predetermined ranges, it is judged that the matching is appropriate. -When the difference between the absolute value of the increase gradient of RSSI and the absolute value of the decrease gradient described above is within a predetermined range, it is judged that the matching is appropriate. That is, the RSSI waveform is substantially symmetric with respect to the axis of symmetry including the point where RSSI is the maximum value.
When it is determined that the matching is appropriate (S182a: Yes), the maximum value is calculated from the RSSI stored in the memory 131b as in FIG. 4 (S19). Then, the applied voltage Vi associated with the maximum value of RSSI is applied to the variable matching circuit 132 (S20). The value of the applied voltage Vi at this time is stored in the memory 131b as the optimum matching voltage. After that, the operation in the tuning mode is terminated, the mode shifts to the data communication mode, and the RF data from the portable device 200 is in the standby state (S21).
On the other hand, when it is determined that the matching is not appropriate (S182a: No), the process returns to step S15, V1 is applied to the variable matching circuit 132 again, and the matching is retried. Further, the matching may be canceled, or the processes corresponding to steps S184 to S186 in FIG. 7 may be executed.
FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the RSSI waveform received by the in-vehicle device 100, the measured waveform of the demodulated data, and the trigger when RF data (314 MHz, FSK modulated signal) is transmitted from the portable device 200. The applied voltage Vi is a constant value. The transmission time per RF data is the modulation cycle T, and the demodulated signal (that is, demodulated data) corresponding to "0" of the RF data is the change signal from "L" to "H", "1". The corresponding demodulated signal is a change signal from "H" to "L". Here, the signal output time = T, and the output time of "L" and "H" = about T / 2. In FIG. 16, 0 (only H in the latter half), 1, 1, and 1 are output as the demodulated signals.
Therefore, even if the RF data is continuous "0" or "1", or a mixture of "0" and "1", the demodulated signal has at least one rising edge ("L" "L") during the modulation period T. There is a change of "H") / fall (change of "H" "L"). Therefore, at least one of rising / falling (T1 to T6) may be used as a trigger. In the example of FIG. 15, the rising edge of the demodulated signal (T1, T3, T5) is used as a trigger.
According to FIG. 16, it can be seen that the rising / falling edges of the demodulated signal and the rising / falling edges of the RSSI are linked. Further, since the rise / fall of RSSI is determined by the time constants of the tuner 103, particularly the RF receiving circuit 133 and the RF demodulation circuit 134, a constant slope is always formed. Focusing on this, by sampling RSSI after a certain period of time (Td) has passed after the trigger detection of the demodulated signal, stable values (for example, V11, V12, V13) are not affected by the fluctuation of RSSI. ) Can be detected, and highly accurate impedance matching is possible. As described above, Td <T, and it is desirable that Td <T / 2.
As described above, the received signal strength measuring unit of the present invention detects a change in the state of the demodulated signal as a trigger, and after a predetermined time has elapsed from the detection of the trigger, the first receiving unit receives the tuning signal. The received signal strength of the reference signal is measured, and the predetermined time corresponds to a configuration in which the modulation period of the reference signal for tuning is made smaller.
FIG. 17 shows the relationship between the capacitance (variable capacitance value) of the variable matching element D1 and RSSI (voltage conversion value) in FIG. The variable capacitance value decreases as the applied voltage Vi increases. RSSI increases as the variable capacitance value increases, reaches its maximum at the variable capacitance value Cx, and then decreases.
The value of RSSI fluctuates with the modulation period T (see Fig. 16), and the envelope corresponding to the maximum fluctuation value is as A1 and the envelope corresponding to the minimum fluctuation value is as A2. Since the maximum value and the minimum value change depending on the content of the RF data or the propagation state, the value between them can be used to suppress the variation in Cx (that is, the applied voltage Vi) (indicated by the curve A3).
The range of the increase slope of RSSI (for example, the slope of the straight line connecting V11 and V13) and the range of the decrease slope (for example, the slope of the straight line connecting V14 and V16) are known in the circuit configuration of the tuner 103. Whether or not the matching is appropriate can be determined by whether or not the increase slope and the decrease slope are included in the predetermined range.
Further, when RSSI (V11 to V16) becomes substantially symmetric with a straight line passing through Cx and parallel to the RSSI axis as the axis of symmetry, it is possible to determine whether or not the matching is appropriate by examining the symmetry of RSSI. The symmetry can be determined, for example, by whether or not the difference between the absolute value of the increase inclination and the absolute value of the decrease inclination described above is included in a predetermined range.
According to the above two determination methods, the matching result determination unit increases the inclination until the reception signal intensity of the tuning reference signal measured by the reception signal intensity measurement unit at the time of adjusting the matching state reaches the maximum value, and the maximum value. Corresponds to the configuration in which it is judged that the adjustment of the matching state is not appropriate when the decreasing inclination after reaching is not included in the range defined for each.
The above two determination methods may be used as the tuning reliability determination method in step S50 of FIG. Further, in FIG. 15, the tuning reliability determination method in step S50 of FIG. 12 may be used as a determination method of whether or not the matching is appropriate.
Another example of the on-board unit side processing of FIG. 15 will be described with reference to FIG. Since this process is a modification of FIG. 15, only the differences from FIG. 15 will be described, the same reference numerals will be given to the same configurations as those in FIG. 15, and detailed explanations here will be omitted. To do.
When a trigger is detected (S153: Yes), RSSI sampling is started (S161a). The sampling period is, for example, 1/10 of the modulation period T, and the sampling period is the modulation period T or until the next trigger is detected.
When the sampling timing arrives (S162a: Yes), the RSSI detected by the RSSI detection circuit 135 is stored in the memory 131b (S163a). Then, while the sampling period has not elapsed (S164a: No), the process returns to step S162a and the RSSI sampling is repeated.
When the sampling period elapses (S164a: Yes), the maximum value of the RSSIs sampled during this sampling period is selected, and the applied voltage Vi is set as the RSSI corresponding to the applied voltage Vi (that is, V1) during this sampling period. It is associated and stored in memory 131b (S165a).
After that, i is increased by 1 (S17), returned to step S15, the applied voltage Vi is changed and applied to the variable matching circuit 132, RSSI is sampled when the trigger of the acquired demodulated data is detected, and the maximum value is set. It is stored in the memory 131b in association with the applied voltage Vi.
In the above processing, the received signal strength measuring unit of the present invention detects the state change of the demodulated signal as a trigger, and then determines the received signal strength of the tuning reference signal received by the first receiving unit for a predetermined period. It corresponds to a configuration in which sampling is performed and the maximum value of the sampled received signal strength is set as the received signal strength during that period.
19 and 20 show VSWR (Voltage Standing) showing the variation of the varicap voltage applied to the variable matching circuit 132 (that is, the applied voltage Vi when RSSI is maximized: the optimum matching voltage) and the impedance matching state of the antenna. Wave Ratio: The measurement result of voltage standing wave ratio) is shown. The number of measurements N is 22 times. FIG. 19 shows the measurement results according to the configuration of the prior art, and FIG. 20 shows the measurement results according to the configurations of FIGS. 15 to 18. Also, in general, a VSWR below 2 is considered well-matched.
In FIG. 19, the variation in the varicap voltage is 0.15V (1.60-1.45). Also, the resonance frequency (311.5MHz) derived from VSWR (B1) when the varicap voltage = 1.45V and the resonance frequency (315.5MHz) derived from VSWR (B2) when the varicap voltage = 1.60V. Therefore, the variation width of VSWR is Δf1 = 4MHz.
On the other hand, in FIG. 20, the variation of the varicap voltage is 0.05V (1.55-1.50). Also, the resonance frequency (312.8MHz) derived from VSWR (C1) when the varicap voltage = 1.50V and the resonance frequency (314.0MHz) derived from VSWR (C2) when the varicap voltage = 1.55V. Therefore, the variation width of VSWR is Δf2 = about 1MHz. As a result, it can be seen that the variation width of the varicap voltage and VSWR is reduced, and the accuracy of impedance matching is greatly improved.
In addition to the vehicle smart keyless entry system, it includes a device other than the vehicle equipped with an LF transmitter and an RF receiver, and a device configured separately from the device and equipped with an LF receiver and an RF transmitter. It can also be applied to wireless communication systems.
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these, and will be understood by those skilled in the art as long as they do not deviate from the scope of the claims. Various changes are possible based on this.
1 Smart keyless entry system 100 In-vehicle device (1st communication device) 101 ECU 102 LF transmitter (1st transmitter, polling signal transmitter) 103 Tuner (1st receiver, ID code receiver) 111 Tuning mode / data communication mode setting unit (operation mode setting unit, operation mode switching control unit) 114 Data collation unit 115 Actuator operation availability judgment unit (operation permission unit) 131a Tuning control unit (continuation availability judgment unit, matching result judgment unit) 131b Memory 132 Variable matching circuit (variable matching part) 134 RF demodulation circuit (demodulation section) 135 RSSI detection circuit (received signal strength measuring unit) 136 RF receiving antenna (receiving antenna) D1 Variable matching element (variable capacitance diode) 200 Portable device (second communication device) 201 Portable device control unit 202 RF transmitter (2nd transmitter, ID code transmitter) 203 LF receiver (second receiver, polling signal receiver) 211 LF data collation unit (signal determination unit)
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| Document | Relation | Office | Cited during |
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| WO2016084338A1 | Cited by | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | International search |
| US11950885B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| WO2016009937A1 | Cited by | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | International search |
| JP5839629B1 | Cited by | Japan | Search report |
| JPWO2020039941A1 | Cited by | Japan | Search report |
| US10270168B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| JP2016103233A | Cited by | Japan | Search report |
| JP2016025460A | Cited by | Japan | Search report |
| WO2020039941A1 | Cited by | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | International search |
| JP2005328192A | Cites | Japan | Examiner |
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| JP2011078040A | Cites | Japan | Examiner |
3 members in 2 offices
Priority claims7
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012016593 | Japan | A | |
| 2012016593 | Japan | A | |
| 2012016593 | Japan | – | |
| 2012129239 | Japan | A | |
| 2012201216593 | – | – | – |
| JP20120016593 | – | – | – |
| JP20120129239 | – | – | – |
Members3
| Document | Office | Kind | |
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| US2013196610A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP2013179556AThis record | Japan | A | |
| JP5653390B2 | Japan | B2 |
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Numbers
- Publication
- 2013179556
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2013179556
- Publication, EPODOC
- JP2013179556
- Application
- 129239
- Application, DOCDB
- 2012129239
- Application, EPODOC
- JP20120129239
Titles2
- Japanese
- 無線通信システム
- English
- Wireless communication system
Classification
- CPC, 6
- H04B1/0458
- H04W4/80
- H04B1/18
- G07C9/00309
- G07C2009/00325
- G07C2009/00793
- IPC, 9
- H04B1 59
- H04B1 18
- H04B5 02
- G06K17 00
- E05B49 00
- B60R25 01
- B60R25 10
- H04W4 80
- H04B5 48