Data transmission system and method for operating a data transmission system

Abstract

A compensator module includes a desired signal connection for transmitting a desired signal, a radio frequency module for amplifying the desired signal, a control data connection for receiving control data, and a processing unit for processing the control data and driving the radio frequency module. The control data connection is designed to be connected to a digital data network. The processing unit is designed to switch the radio frequency module between a compensator module transmit operation mode and a compensator module receive operation mode according to the received control data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a compensator module, a control module, a data transmission system comprising the compensator module and the control module, and a method for operating the data transmission system. Background Art

[0002] Compensator modules for compensating cable losses are known from the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide a compensator module. Another object of the invention to provide a control module. A further object of the invention to provide a data transmission system comprising a compensator module and a control module. Another object of the invention to provide a method for operating a data transmission system. These objects are achieved by a compensator module, a control module, a data transmission system and a method for operating a data transmission system having the features of the corresponding independent claims. The dependent claims define various developments.

[0004] The compensator module comprises a desired signal connection for transmitting a desired signal, a radio frequency module for amplifying the desired signal, a control data connection for receiving control data, and a processing unit for processing the control data and driving the radio frequency module. The control data connection is designed to be connected to a digital data network. The processing unit is designed to switch the radio frequency module between a compensator module transmit operation mode and a compensator module receive operation mode depending on the received control data. In the compensator module, the control data are advantageously transmitted separately from the desired signal. The compensator module can thereby advantageously have a particularly simple design.

[0005] In an embodiment of the compensator module, the compensator module comprises an antenna for transmitting and receiving the desired signal.Therefore, the compensation of the cable losses performed by the compensator module is advantageously performed in the vicinity of the antenna.

[0006] In an embodiment of the compensator module, the control data connection is designed to be connected to an Ethernet-based data network, a MOST data network or a CAN data network. Advantageously, this makes it possible to transmit the control data via a data network that already exists for other purposes. This means that the compensator module can advantageously be installed particularly simply and economically.

[0007] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the desired signal connection is designed to be connected to an antenna cable. The antenna cable may be a coaxial cable, for example. Advantageously, this allows the radio frequency desired signal to be transmitted via the desired signal connection.

[0008] The desired signal may have a frequency of, for example, 5.9 GHz.

[0009] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the RF module includes a transmit path including a power amplifier and a receive path including a low noise amplifier. The transmit path is used in the compensator module transmit mode of operation, and the receive path is used in the compensator module receive mode of operation. The compensator module can then advantageously use the power amplifier to amplify the desired signal in the compensator module transmit mode of operation to compensate for cable losses. In the compensator module receive mode of operation, the low noise amplifier can be used to amplify the desired signal received via the antenna.

[0010] In an embodiment of the compensator module, the processing unit comprises a processor or a microcontroller. Advantageously, this makes it possible to implement some of the actions performed by the compensator module using software. As a result, the compensator module can have a small number of components, so that the compensator module can be produced economically. A smaller number of components is also advantageously associated with a lower heat generation.

[0011] In an embodiment of the compensator module, the compensator module is designed to detect a measured value and to transmit the measured value to a processing unit. The measured value may be, for example, the temperature of an amplifier of the radio frequency module. The measured value may also be, for example, the signal level of the desired signal. In this embodiment, the processing unit of the compensator module may advantageously take the measured value into account when driving the radio frequency module. For example, the processing unit may drive the radio frequency module of the compensator module such that the desired signal is amplified to the desired signal level. The temperature of the amplifier of the radio frequency module may also be taken into account, for example, when selecting the gain.

[0012] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the processing unit is designed to transmit the measured values ​​via the control data connection. The measured values ​​can thereby advantageously be transmitted to other components in order to use the measured values ​​at other locations.

[0013] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the processing unit is designed to drive the radio frequency module according to the measured value. In this case, the processing unit can be designed to adjust the gain of an amplifier of the radio frequency module according to the measured value, for example.

[0014] In an embodiment of the compensator module, the compensator module comprises a power supply connection.A supply voltage can be fed into the compensator module via the power supply connection.

[0015] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the compensator module is integrated in a control unit for installation in a motor vehicle. In this case, the compensator module can advantageously use components already present in the control unit. For example, the processing unit of the compensator module can include a microcontroller or a processor already present in the control unit. The compensator module can also use a power supply already present in the control unit.

[0016] In an embodiment of the compensator module, the control unit comprises an integrated mobile communication antenna, an integrated radio antenna and / or an integrated GNSS antenna.Such antennas are advantageously mounted in the motor vehicle at a location also suitable for mounting the compensator module.

[0017] The control module comprises a desired signal connection, a control data connection and a transmission unit, which is designed to send out the desired signal via the desired signal connection in an alternating manner in a control module transmit operating mode and to receive the desired signal via the desired signal connection in a control module receive operating mode. The control data connection is designed to be connected to a digital data network. The transmission unit is designed to send out control data via the control data connection, which control data indicates whether the control module is in the control module transmit operating mode or in the control module receive operating mode. In the control module, the desired signal is advantageously transmitted separately from the control data. This means that the control module can advantageously have a particularly simple design.

[0018] The data transmission system comprises a compensator module of the above-described type and a control module of the above-described type. The desired signal connection of the compensator module is connected to the desired signal connection of the control module. The control data connection of the compensator module and the control data connection of the control module are connected to a shared digital data network. In the data transmission system, control data can advantageously be exchanged between the control module and the compensator module via the digital data network. At the same time, the control module and the compensator module can exchange desired data via their desired signal connections. The separation of the desired signal and the control data advantageously allows a particularly simple design of the compensator module and the control module of the data transmission system.

[0019] In a method for operating a data transmission system of the type described above, the control module sends control data via its control data connection, which control data indicates whether the control module is in a control module transmit operating mode or in a control module receive operating mode. The compensator module receives the control data via its control data connection. The processing unit of the compensator module switches the radio frequency module of the compensator module between the compensator module transmit operating mode and the compensator module receive operating mode in dependence on the control data. The method advantageously allows a particularly simple operation of the data transmission system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above-mentioned properties, features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which in each case in a schematic diagram:

[0021] Figure 1 A data transmission system having a control module and a compensator module is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 A radio frequency module of a compensator module of a data transmission system is shown; and

[0023] Figure 3 The system receive mode of operation and the system transmit mode of operation of the data transmission system are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Figure 1 Shown is a block diagram of a data transmission system 10. The data transmission system 10 may, for example, be arranged in a motor vehicle and may, for example, be used for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.

[0025] The data transmission system 10 includes a control module 100 and a compensator module 200. The control module 100 and the compensator module 200 may be arranged separately from each other at different locations in the motor vehicle.

[0026] The control module 100 includes a transmission unit 130. For example, the transmission unit 130 may include a baseband processor.

[0027] The transmission unit 130 is designed to send and receive the desired radio frequency signal 610. The transmission unit 130 sends and receives the desired radio frequency signal 610 alternately in time. Figure 3 In the control module transmission operation mode 810 schematically shown in FIG. 8 , the transmission unit 130 of the control module 100 is transmitting the desired signal 610. If the control module 100 is in Figure 3 , the transmission unit 130 of the control module 100 is receiving the desired signal 610. The control module transmission operation mode 810 and the control module reception operation mode 811 are alternated in time.

[0028] The desired signal 610 may, for example, be located in a UHF transmit band or in a SHF transmit band, for example in a transmit band including a frequency of 5.9 GHz.

[0029] The control module 100 comprises a desired signal connection 110. The control module 100 is connected to an antenna cable 600 via the desired signal connection 110. The antenna cable 600 may be a coaxial cable, for example. The transmission unit 130 is connected to the desired signal connection 110 so that the transmission unit 130 can transmit and receive a desired signal 610 via the desired signal connection 110.

[0030] The control module 100 also includes a control data connection 120. The control module 100 is connected to a digital data network 500 via the control data connection 120. For example, the digital data network 500 may be an Ethernet-based data network, a MOST data network or a CAN data network. The control module 100 may exchange data via the digital data network 500 with other modules that are also connected to the digital data network 500.

[0031] The transmission unit 130 of the control module 100 is designed to send out control data 510 via the control data connection 120, which control data 510 indicates whether the control module 100 is in the control module transmission operation mode 810 or in the control module reception operation mode 811. To this end, whenever a change between the control module transmission operation mode 810 and the control module reception operation mode 811 occurs, the transmission unit 130 of the control module 100 may send out corresponding control data 510 via the control data connection 120. The transmission unit 130 of the control module 100 may also periodically send out control data 510 indicating whether the control module 100 is in the control module transmission operation mode 810 or in the control module reception operation mode 811 at the precise time when the control data 510 is sent out.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the compensator module 200 includes a desired signal connection 210 , a radio frequency module 300 and an antenna 250 .

[0033] The desired signal connection 210 of the compensator module 200 is connected to the antenna cable 600 . The desired signal connection 210 of the compensator module 200 is thereby connected via the antenna cable 600 to the desired signal connection 110 of the control module 100 .

[0034] The radio frequency module 300 of the compensator module 200 is connected to the desired signal connection 210 and the antenna 250 , and is arranged between the desired signal connection 210 and the antenna 250 .

[0035] The compensator module 200 is designed such that in the compensator module transmit operating mode 820 of the compensator module 200, the operating mode Figure 3 , which receives via the desired signal connection 210 of the compensator module 200 the desired signal 610 emitted by the control module 100 via the desired signal connection 110 of the control module 100 and via the antenna cable 600, and transmits the desired signal via the antenna 250 of the compensator module 200. In addition, the compensator module 200 is designed so that in the compensator module receiving operating mode 821 of the compensator module 200, the operating mode is Figure 3 As schematically shown in the figure, it receives the desired signal 610 via the antenna 250 of the compensator module 200, and transmits these desired signals to the control module 100 via the RF module 300, the desired signal connection 210 of the compensator module 200, the antenna cable 600 and the desired signal connection 110 of the control module 100.

[0036] Figure 2A block diagram of the RF module 300 of the compensator module 200 is shown without the other components of the compensator module 200. The RF module 300 of the compensator module 200 includes a transmit path 310 via which the desired signal 610 is routed from the desired signal connection 210 to the antenna 250 in a compensator module transmit operating mode 820. The RF module 300 also includes a receive path 320 via which the desired signal 610 is routed from the antenna 250 to the desired signal connection 210 in a compensator module receive operating mode 821.

[0037] The antenna cable 600 arranged between the control module 100 and the compensator module 200 of the data transmission system 10 may have a long length, for example, a length of several meters. As a result, in the control module transmission operation mode 810 of the control module 100, the desired signal 610 emitted by the control module 100 is attenuated or weakened in the antenna cable 600. This attenuation of the desired signal 610 must be compensated in the compensator module 200 so that the desired signal 610 can be transmitted at a specified signal strength via the antenna 250 of the compensator module 200.

[0038] In order to compensate for the attenuation of the desired signal 610 transmitted by the control module 100 occurring in the antenna cable 600, the desired signal 610 is amplified in the RF module 300 of the compensator module 200. Figure 1 and 2 In the example schematically shown in , the RF module 300 includes a power amplifier 330 arranged in the transmission path 310 for this purpose. However, the RF module 300 may also include other and / or additional amplifiers. In addition, the RF module 300 may include, for example, an attenuator arranged in the transmission path 310 and having an adjustable attenuation, as an effective means of adjusting the amplification of the desired signal 610 performed by the RF module 300 to adapt to different cable attenuations.

[0039] exist Figure 1 and 2 In the example schematically shown in , the RF module 300 of the compensator module 200 further comprises a low noise amplifier 340 arranged in the receiving path 320 of the RF module 300. The low noise amplifier 340 is intended to amplify the desired signal 610 received via the antenna 250 in the compensator module receiving operation mode 821 of the compensator module 200, and then transmit the desired signal 610 to the control module 100 via the desired signal connection 210 of the compensator module 200, the antenna cable 600 and the desired signal connection 110 of the control module 100. Alternatively, the RF module 300 may also comprise other or additional amplifiers and components arranged in the receiving path 320. The low noise amplifier 340 may also be omitted or may be bypassed.

[0040] The compensator module 200 comprises a control data connection 220 and a processing unit 400. The control data connection 220 is connected to a digital data network 500, to which the control data connection 120 of the control module 100 is also connected. The control module 100 and the compensator module 200 are thus connected to each other via the digital data network 500 and can exchange data via the digital data network 500.

[0041] The processing unit 400 of the compensator module 200 may include a processor or a microcontroller. The transmission unit 400 is designed to receive and process control data 510 sent by the control module 100 via the control data connection 220 of the compensator module 200, the control data indicating whether the control module 100 is in the control module transmission operation mode 810 or in the control module reception operation mode 811. The processing unit 400 is designed to switch the compensator module 200 between the compensator module transmission operation mode 820 and the compensator module reception operation mode 821 according to the received control data 510. In the process, if the control data 510 received from the control module 100 indicates that the control module 100 is in the control module transmission operation mode 810, the processing unit 400 switches the compensator module 200 to the compensator module transmission operation mode 820. In a corresponding manner, if the control data 510 received from the control module 100 indicates that the control module 100 is in the control module receiving operation mode 811 , the processing unit 400 switches the compensator module 200 to the compensator module receiving operation mode 821 .

[0042] As a result, the data transmission system 10 including the control module 100 and the compensator module 200 is in Figure 3 The schematically shown system is in a transmitting mode of operation 800, or in Figure 3 The schematically illustrated system is in a receive operation mode 801. In the system transmit operation mode 800, the control module 100 is in a control module transmit operation mode 810, and the compensator module 200 is in a compensator module transmit operation mode 820. In the system receive operation mode 801, the control module 100 is in a control module receive operation mode 811, and the compensator module 200 is in a compensator module receive operation mode 821.

[0043] The switching of the compensator module 200 between the compensator module transmit operation mode 820 and the compensator module receive operation mode 821 performed by the processing unit 400 includes switching the radio frequency module 300 between the transmit path 310 and the receive path 320. The switching between the transmit path 310 and the receive path 320 may be performed, for example, by means of the first switch 350 and the second switch 360, as shown in FIG. Figure 2In the compensator module transmit operation mode 820, the transmit path 310 of the RF module 300 is operational. In the compensator module receive operation mode 821, the receive path 320 of the RF module 300 is operational.

[0044] The compensator module 200 comprises a power supply connection 230, which is intended to be connected to an external power supply unit 900. The compensator module 200 can obtain a supply voltage from the external power supply unit 900 via the power supply connection 230 and provide it to components of the compensator module 200, for example to the processing unit 400 and the radio frequency module 300, by means of the internal power supply unit 240.

[0045] The compensator module 200 may be designed to detect one or more measured values, which are transmitted to and processed by means of the processing unit 400. For example, the compensator module 200 may be designed to detect the temperature of the power amplifier 330, the temperature of the low noise amplifier 340, or another temperature. The compensator module 200 may also be designed to determine the signal level of the desired signal 610 received from the control module 100 in the system transmit operating mode 800.

[0046] The compensator module 200 can be designed so that the processing unit 400 drives the RF module 300 according to one or more detected measurement values. For example, the processing unit can adjust the gain of the power amplifier 330 or the low noise amplifier 340 or the attenuation of the attenuator of the RF module 300 according to one or more measurement values.

[0047] It may also be provided that the processing unit 400 transmits one or more detected measured values ​​via the control data connection 220 and the digital data network 500 to the control module 100 or to another network node of the digital data network 500 .

[0048] The compensator module 200 of the data transmission system 10 can be integrated in a motor vehicle control unit 700 intended for other purposes or can form part of this control unit 700. In this case, individual components of the compensator module 200 in the control unit 700 can also be used for other purposes. For example, the control data connection 220, the processing unit 400, the power supply connection 230 and the internal power supply unit 240 can also be used for other functions of the control unit 700. Thus, the internal power supply unit 240 can also provide a supply voltage to other components of the control unit 700. The processing unit 400 can also drive other components of the control unit 700. Data other than the control data 510 used by the compensator module 200 can also be exchanged with the digital data network 500 via the control data connection 220.

[0049] The control unit 700 may comprise further components in addition to the described components of the compensator module 200. For example, the control unit 700 may comprise one or more additional antennas 710, such as a mobile communication antenna, a radio antenna and / or a GNSS antenna.

[0050] Reference numerals list

[0051] 10 Data Transmission System

[0052] 100 Control module

[0053] 110 Expected signal connection

[0054] 120 Control data connection

[0055] 130 Transmission Unit

[0056] 200 Compensator Module

[0057] 210 Expected signal connection

[0058] 220 Control data connection

[0059] 230 Power supply connection

[0060] 240 Internal power supply unit

[0061] 250 Antenna

[0062] 300 RF Module

[0063] 310 launch path

[0064] 320 receiving path

[0065] 330 Power Amplifier

[0066] 340 Low Noise Amplifier

[0067] 350 First Switch

[0068] 360 Second Switch

[0069] 400 processing units

[0070] 500 Communication connection

[0071] 505 Digital Data Network

[0072] 510 Control Data

[0073] 600 Antenna Cable

[0074] 610 Expected Signal

[0075] 700 Control Unit

[0076] 710 Attached Antenna

[0077] 800 System Transmit Operation Mode

[0078] 801 System receiving operation mode

[0079] 810 Control module transmission operation mode

[0080] 811 Control module receives operation mode

[0081] 820 Compensator Module Transmit Operation Mode

[0082] 821 Compensator module receives operating mode

[0083] 900 External Power Supply Unit

Claims

1. A compensator module (200), comprising: a desired signal connection (210) for transmitting a desired signal (610), a radio frequency module (300) for amplifying the desired signal (610), a control data connection (220) for receiving control data (510), a processing unit (400) for processing the control data (510) and for driving the radio frequency module (300), in, The processing unit (400) is designed to be connected to a digital data network (500) via the control data connection (220), The processing unit (400) is further designed to switch the radio frequency module (300) between a compensator module transmission operation mode (820) and a compensator module reception operation mode (821) according to received control data (510).

2. The compensator module (200) according to claim 1, in, The compensator module (200) includes an antenna (250) for transmitting and receiving the desired signal (610).

3. The compensator module (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The control data connection (220) is designed to be connected to an Ethernet-based data network, a MOST data network or a CAN data network.

4. The compensator module (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The desired signal connection (210) is designed to be connected to an antenna cable (600).

5. The compensator module (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The radio frequency module (300) comprises a transmission path (310) including a power amplifier (330) and a reception path (320) including a low noise amplifier (340), The transmit path (310) is used in a transmit operation mode (820) of the compensator module, and the receive path (320) is used in a receive operation mode (821) of the compensator module.

6. The compensator module (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The processing unit (400) includes a processor or a microcontroller.

7. The compensator module (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The compensator module (200) is designed to detect measured values ​​and transmit them to the processing unit (400).

8. The compensator module (200) according to claim 7, in, The processing unit (400) is designed to transmit the measured value via the control data connection (220).

9. The compensator module (200) according to claim 7 or 8, in, The processing unit (400) is designed to drive the radio frequency module (300) according to the measured value.

10. The compensator module (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The compensator module (200) includes a power supply connection (230).

11. The compensator module (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The compensator module (200) is integrated in a control unit (700) for installation in a motor vehicle.

12. The compensator module (200) according to claim 11, in, The control unit (700) includes an integrated mobile communication antenna, an integrated radio antenna and / or an integrated GNSS antenna.

13. A control module (100), comprising: Desiring signal connection (110), control data connection (120), and a transmission unit (130) designed to transmit a desired signal (610) via the desired signal connection (110) in a control module transmit operating mode (810) and to receive a desired signal (610) via the desired signal connection (110) in a control module receive operating mode (811) in an alternating manner, in, The transmission unit (130) is designed to be connected to a digital data network (500) via the control data connection (120), The transmission unit (130) is further designed to send control data (510) via the control data connection (120), wherein the control data indicates whether the control module (100) is in the control module transmission operation mode (810) or in the control module reception operation mode (811).

14. A data transmission system (10), A compensator module (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and having a control module (100) according to claim 13, in, The desired signal connection (210) of the compensator module (200) is connected to the desired signal connection (110) of the control module (100), Wherein the control data connection (220) of the compensator module (200) and the control data connection (120) of the control module (100) are connected to a shared digital data network (500).

15. A method for operating a data transmission system (10) according to claim 14, in, The control module (100) sends control data (510) via its control data connection (120), the control data indicating whether the control module (100) is in the control module transmit operation mode (810) or in the control module receive operation mode (811), wherein the compensator module (200) receives the control data (510) via its control data connection (220), The processing unit (400) of the compensator module (200) switches the radio frequency module (300) of the compensator module (200) between the compensator module transmission operation mode (820) and the compensator module reception operation mode (821) according to the control data (510).

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