Communication device for a vehicle and control method thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are a communication device for a vehicle and a control method thereof according to embodiments. The communication device for a vehicle includes an antenna unit including a first antenna and a plurality of second antennas, a first switch for switching a first path to the first antenna and a second path to each of the plurality of second antennas, a second switch for switching the second path to any one of the plurality of second antennas, a length adjustment unit connected to the second path to one of the second antennas connected to the second switch and adjusting a resonance length of the connected second antenna, and a communication control unit generating a switch signal for connection to any one of the plurality of second antennas according to a state of the first antenna.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments relate to a communication device for a vehicle and a control method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] An antenna is a device used to efficiently transmit radio waves into space for wireless communication. In particular, the importance of antennas is increasing exponentially with the growing use of wireless communication compared to wired communication.

[0003] A car includes not only mechanical parts, but also a large number of electronic parts, and therefore essentially includes an antenna.

[0004] Figure 1a and Figure 1b This is a diagram used to describe the problems of communication devices for vehicles in related technologies.

[0005] Reference Figures 1a to 1b The communication device for a vehicle in the related technology may include a communication control unit 10 and an antenna 20. The communication control unit 10 may include multiple communication modems, and the multiple communication modems may be connected to multiple antennas 20 provided according to supported communication methods such as 5G, V2X, GPS, BT / WiFi, Radio, DMB, etc. to establish communication.

[0006] In such cases, the antenna may be damaged due to emergencies such as vehicle accidents or other emergencies. Even if an undamaged antenna exists in the vehicle, it may become unusable without a connection path. Even if a connection path exists to connect to the undamaged antenna, it is difficult to check if the antenna is damaged, and the antenna may not interact with the other due to different resonant points.

[0007] [Related Technical Documents]

[0008] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0027944

[0009] (Patent Document 2) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0091891 Summary of the Invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] The embodiments relate to a communication device for vehicles with communication recovery function and a control method thereof.

[0012] Technical solutions

[0013] A communication device for a vehicle according to an embodiment may include: an antenna unit including a first antenna and a plurality of second antennas; a first switch for switching between a first path to the first antenna and a second path to the plurality of second antennas; a second switch for switching the second path to one of the plurality of second antennas; a length adjustment unit connected to a second path to a second antenna connected to the second switch and configured to adjust the resonant length of the connected second antenna; and a communication control unit configured to generate a switching signal for connecting to one of the plurality of second antennas based on the state of the first antenna.

[0014] The length adjustment unit may include multiple circuits, and the multiple circuits may include:

[0015] A bypass circuit configured to maintain the resonant length; a first adjustment circuit configured to decrease the resonant length; and a second adjustment circuit configured to increase the resonant length.

[0016] The first adjustment circuit may include at least one capacitor, and the second adjustment circuit may include at least one inductor.

[0017] The communication device may also include a third switch connected between the second switch and the length adjustment unit, and configured to switch a second antenna connected to the second switch to a circuit connected to one of the plurality of circuits.

[0018] The communication control unit can detect the level of the received signal by sequentially connecting each of the multiple second antennas and each of the multiple circuits, select the second antenna and circuit corresponding to the highest signal level, and generate a switching signal for connecting the selected second antenna and the selected circuit.

[0019] The second switch can select one of multiple second antennas, the third switch can be connected to one end of the selected circuit to connect to the selected second antenna, and the first switch can be connected to the other end of the selected circuit.

[0020] The communication control unit can detect the level of the signal received through the first antenna and check whether the first antenna is connected based on the detected signal level. If the first antenna is not properly connected, it controls the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch to connect the second path to a second antenna selected from a plurality of second antennas and a circuit.

[0021] The communication control unit can perform a primary check on the status of the first antenna using the level of the signal received through the first antenna, perform a secondary check on the status of the first antenna depending on whether the first antenna is connected, and determine the status of the first antenna based on the results of the primary and secondary checks.

[0022] A control method for a communication device for a vehicle according to an embodiment includes: determining the state of a first antenna when communication is established by connecting to a first antenna; sequentially connecting one of a plurality of second antennas and one of a plurality of circuits for adjusting the resonant length of the one second antenna when the first antenna is not working properly; and establishing communication by detecting the level of a signal received through the connected second antenna, selecting a second antenna from the plurality of second antennas based on the detected signal level, and connecting to the selected second antenna.

[0023] Determining the state of the first antenna may include: performing a primary check on the state of the first antenna using the level of the signal received through the first antenna; performing a secondary check on the state of the first antenna based on whether the first antenna is connected; and determining the state of the first antenna based on the results of the primary and secondary checks.

[0024] Establishing communication may include: detecting the level of a received signal by sequentially connecting each of a plurality of second antennas and one of a plurality of circuits; selecting a second antenna and circuit corresponding to the highest level of the signal; and connecting the selected second antenna and circuit.

[0025] Beneficial effects

[0026] According to the implementation method, when the first antenna is not working properly, any one of the multiple second antennas can be selectively connected according to a predetermined priority, and the resonant length of the selectively connected second antenna can be adjusted to a predetermined resonant length. Therefore, when the antenna is damaged due to an emergency, another antenna can be used to perform emergency communication recovery.

[0027] According to the implementation method, it is possible to determine when the first antenna is not working properly, and therefore a pre-recovery can be completed before operating the vehicle.

[0028] According to the implementation method, multiple antennas provided in the vehicle can be used to complete emergency communication restoration, thereby minimizing the cost caused by additional hardware configuration. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1a and Figure 1b This is a diagram used to describe the problems of communication devices for vehicles in related technologies.

[0030] Figure 2This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a communication device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 3a and Figure 3b It is used to describe Figure 2 The diagram shows the configuration principle of the first switch.

[0032] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 A diagram showing the detailed configuration of the length adjustment unit.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the connection state of the first antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the connection state of the second antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a control method for a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 8 It is used to describe Figure 7 The diagram shows the first connection process to the second antenna.

[0037] Figure 9 It is used to describe Figure 7 The diagram shows the second connection process to the second antenna. Detailed Implementation

[0038] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] However, the technical concept of this disclosure is not limited to the implementation methods set forth herein, and can be implemented in a variety of different forms. Furthermore, one or more components may be selectively combined with or replaced with other components between implementation methods without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0040] Unless otherwise specified, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of this disclosure have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as they have in the context of the relevant art.

[0041] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0042] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form used herein is intended to include the plural form as well. It should be understood that “at least one of A, B, and C (or at least one or more)” refers to one or more of all possible combinations of A, B, and C.

[0043] Terms such as first, second, A, B, (a) and (b) may be used to describe components of embodiments of this disclosure.

[0044] Such terms are used only to distinguish one component from another, and the nature, order, or sequence of the components are not limited by the terms.

[0045] When a component is referred to as "coupled to" or "connected to" another component, it will be understood that the component is directly coupled to or connected to the other component or is coupled to or connected to the other component through another component inserted in between.

[0046] When a component is described as being formed or positioned “above” or “below” other components, it will be understood that the components are in direct contact with each other, or that one or more components are formed or positioned between them. The expression “above” or “below” should be understood to include not only the upward direction relative to a component, but also the downward direction relative to a component.

[0047] The implementation proposes a new method: when the first antenna is not working properly, selectively connect to one of a plurality of second antennas according to a predetermined priority, and adjust the resonant length of the selectively connected second antenna to a predetermined resonant length.

[0048] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a communication device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Reference Figure 2 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication device for a vehicle may include a communication control unit 100, an antenna unit 200, a first switch 310, a second switch 320, a third switch 330, and a length adjustment unit 340.

[0050] The communication control unit 100 can periodically determine the status of the first antenna and connect to the second antenna based on the determination result. When the first antenna is working normally, the communication control unit 100 can connect to the first antenna through the first path RF Path_1, and when the first antenna is not working normally, it can connect to the second antenna through the second path RF Path_2 by controlling the first switch 310, the second switch 320 and the third switch 330.

[0051] The communication control unit 100 can control the path by generating switching signals for switching each of the first switch 310, the second switch 320, and the third switch 330.

[0052] The communication control unit 100 can determine the state of the first antenna by: detecting the level of the signal received through the first antenna, performing a primary check on the state of the first antenna based on the detected signal level, and performing a secondary check on the state of the first antenna based on whether the first antenna is connected.

[0053] In this situation, the communication control unit 100 can check whether the first antenna is connected by using internal circuitry to check whether the first path to the first antenna is open.

[0054] In this implementation, the status of the first antenna is determined through primary and secondary checks to prevent switching to the second antenna when the signal level is low in a weak electric field area, even if the first antenna is working normally.

[0055] Antenna unit 200 may include a first antenna 210 and a plurality of second antennas 220. For example, the first antenna may be antenna_1 for 4G / 5G, and the second antennas may be antenna_2 for V2X, antenna_3 for GPS, antenna_4 for BT / WiFi, antenna_5 for Radio, and antenna_6 for DMB.

[0056] The first switch 310 can switch between a first path to the first antenna 210 and a second path to a plurality of second antennas 220. Here, the first switch 310 can be, for example, a single-pole multi-throw (SPXT) switch. The first switch 310 can generate a default path by keeping the communication control unit 100 connected to the first antenna 210.

[0057] Default paths are generated to prevent insertion loss in switches and paths. That is, when the insertion loss rate is too high, the transmission power level may increase, thus leading to a decrease in communication quality due to reduced linearity.

[0058] The first switch 310 can switch to a second path of a plurality of second second lines 220, and in particular, switch to a second path of one of the plurality of second second lines 220.

[0059] Figure 3a and Figure 3b It is used to describe things such as Figure 2 The diagram shows the configuration principle of the first switch.

[0060] Reference Figure 3aWhen the first switch 310 according to the embodiment is designed to be located on the first path RF Path_1, the first path RF Path_1 to the first antenna can be completely blocked.

[0061] Reference Figure 3b When the first switch 310 is designed to be located on the second path RF Path_2, the first path RF Path_1 to the first antenna may not be completely blocked, and therefore stubs and impedance mismatch may occur, resulting in signal loss.

[0062] Therefore, in the implementation, the first switch 310 is designed to have the following characteristics: Figure 3a The structure shown.

[0063] The second switch 320 can switch to a second path of one of multiple second antennas. The second switch 320 can be, for example, an SPTX or a multi-pole multi-throw (XPXT) switch. In this case, when the second switch 320 is used as an XPXT switch instead of an SPXT switch, two or more antennas are used.

[0064] The third switch 330 can switch to a circuit in the length adjustment unit 340 to adjust the resonant length of the connected second antenna. The third switch 330 can be an SPXT switch.

[0065] The length adjustment unit 340 can adjust the resonant length of the second antenna to a predetermined resonant length. Since the resonant point of each antenna is different, the resonant length needs to be adjusted.

[0066] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 A diagram showing the detailed configuration of the length adjustment unit 340.

[0067] Reference Figure 4 According to the embodiment, the length adjustment unit 340 may include multiple circuits, and the multiple circuits may include a first circuit 341, a second circuit 342 and a third circuit 343.

[0068] The first circuit 341 can maintain the resonant length of the antenna without adjusting the resonant length.

[0069] The second circuit 342 can reduce the resonant length of the antenna. The second circuit 342 can be implemented, for example, as at least one capacitor to reduce the resonant length of the antenna.

[0070] The third circuit 343 can increase the resonant length of the antenna. The third circuit 343 can be implemented, for example, as at least one inductor to increase the resonant length of the antenna.

[0071] Here, an example is described in which the adjustment circuit is configured with capacitors and inductors, but the type, number, etc. of the components constituting the adjustment circuit can be implemented differently.

[0072] In this case, the first switch 310 and the third switch 330 can be used to select the first circuit 341, the second circuit 342, and the third circuit 343 in the length adjustment unit 340. For example, the second circuit 342 can be selected by switching the first switch 310 to one end of the second circuit 342 and switching the third switch 330 to the other end of the second circuit 342.

[0073] Therefore, the first switch 310 and the third switch 330 can be switched using the same circuit.

[0074] As another example, each path corresponding to one of the second antenna candidates can be included in the length adjustment unit. Each path can include elements with characteristic values ​​for impedance matching with its corresponding second antenna candidate. For example, when an antenna is selected as the second antenna by a second switch, a specific path for impedance matching of that antenna can be switched to, thus forming a path to the first switch.

[0075] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the connection state of the first antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the connection state of the second antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] Figure 5 An example is shown in which the communication control unit 100, according to an embodiment, is connected to the first antenna 210. When the first switch 310 is connected to the first path, the communication control unit 100 can connect to the first antenna 210 and establish communication through the first antenna 210 to which it is connected.

[0077] Reference Figure 6 When the first antenna 210 is damaged due to a vehicle accident and therefore malfunctions, the communication control unit 100 according to the embodiment connects to the second antenna_2 in the second antenna 220. When the second switch 320 is connected to the second path, the communication control unit 100 can connect to the second antenna 220 and establish communication through the second antenna 220 to which it is connected.

[0078] When the first antenna 210 malfunctions, the communication control unit 100 can detect the signal level by sequentially connecting all the second paths that can be connected to multiple second antennas 200 in a predetermined order. In this case, each of the second paths to the multiple second antennas 220 can be divided into three sub-paths depending on whether the resonant length is adjusted.

[0079] For example, when there are three second antennas, the communication control unit 100 can detect the signal level corresponding to a total of nine paths, because there are three paths for each of the three second antennas.

[0080] The communication control unit 100 can compare the detected signal levels with each other and select a second antenna to connect to the second path with the highest signal level based on the comparison result.

[0081] When the second antenna is selected, the communication control unit 100 can generate a first switch signal, a second switch signal, and a third switch signal to control the first switch 310, the second switch 320, and the third switch 330 respectively, and provide the first switch signal, the second switch signal, and the third switch signal to the first switch 310, the second switch 320, and the third switch 330 respectively.

[0082] For example, when a second antenna is selected to be connected to the second circuit used to reduce the resonant length, the communication control unit 100 can switch the second switch 320 to be connected to the second antenna_2 in the second antenna 220 according to the second switch signal, switch the third switch 330 to be connected to one end of the second circuit according to the third switch signal, and switch the first switch 310 to be connected to the other end of the second circuit according to the first switch signal, thereby connecting to the second antenna_2.

[0083] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a control method for a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] Reference Figure 7 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication device for a vehicle may be connected by default to a first antenna (S701) and transmit or receive signals through the first antenna.

[0085] When a signal is received via the first antenna (S702), the communication device for the vehicle can detect the level of the received signal (S703). Here, the signal level can be the level of the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).

[0086] The communication device for a vehicle can perform a preliminary check to see if the level of the detected signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (S704). Here, when the level of the detected signal is less than the threshold, it may mean that the communication device is located in a weak electric field area. Alternatively, the threshold can be used as a reference value for the communication device for the vehicle to detect whether the antenna is damaged.

[0087] When the detected signal level is below a threshold, the communication device for the vehicle can perform a secondary check to determine whether the first antenna is connected (S705). Whether the first antenna is connected indicates whether the first path is open or closed.

[0088] When the results of a secondary inspection reveal that the first antenna is not functioning properly, the communication device for the vehicle can be connected to one of the multiple second antennas (S706).

[0089] The communication device for the vehicle establishes communication via the connected second antenna (S707). For example, the communication device for the vehicle can establish emergency communication via the second antenna.

[0090] Figure 8 It is used to describe Figure 7 The diagram shows the first connection process to the second antenna.

[0091] Reference Figure 8 When the first antenna is not working properly, the communication device for a vehicle according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can connect the m-th path to the n-th second antenna in the second antenna corresponding to the predetermined antenna and circuit {N, M}, that is, the second antenna _{n, m} (S801).

[0092] In this case, the path to the nth second antenna can be divided into m paths depending on whether the resonance length has been adjusted.

[0093] When a signal is received via the m-th path to the nth second antenna (S802), the communication device for the vehicle can detect the level of the received signal (S803). Here, the signal level can be the RSSI level.

[0094] The communication device for the vehicle can store the level of the signal detected from the m-th path to the nth second second antenna (S804).

[0095] The communication device for the vehicle can check whether m = M is satisfied (S805), and if m = M is not satisfied, the path sequence changes to m+1 (S806). Afterward, an iteration of the (m+1)th path connecting to the nth second second line can be performed.

[0096] On the other hand, when m = M is satisfied, the communication device for the vehicle can determine that all paths to the nth second second line have been checked, and check whether n = N is satisfied (S807).

[0097] When n=N is not satisfied, the communication device for the vehicle can change the antenna sequence to n+1 (S808) and can perform an iteration to connect to the m-th path to the (n+1)-th second antenna.

[0098] On the other hand, when n=N, the communication device for the vehicle can select the m-th path to the n-th second antenna with the highest signal level based on the level of the stored signal (S809).

[0099] The communication device for the vehicle can connect the m-th path to the n-th second antenna (S810).

[0100] In one implementation, firstly, predetermined thresholds can be used to identify antennas with high signal levels to be connected, and one of these antennas can be selected. In this case, two or more thresholds can be determined.

[0101] Figure 9 It is used to describe Figure 7 The diagram shows the second connection process to the second antenna.

[0102] Reference Figure 9 When the first antenna is not working properly, the communication device for a vehicle according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can connect the m-th path to the n-th second antenna in the second antenna corresponding to the predetermined antenna and circuit {N, M}, that is, the second antenna _{n, m} (S901).

[0103] When a signal is received via the m-th path to the nth second antenna (S902), the communication device for the vehicle can detect the level of the received signal (S903).

[0104] The communication device for the vehicle can check whether the level of the detected signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (S904).

[0105] When the level of the detected signal is greater than or equal to a threshold, the communication device for the vehicle can store the level of the signal detected from the m-th path to the n-th second second line (S905).

[0106] The communication device for the vehicle can check whether m = M is satisfied (S906), and if m = M is not satisfied, the path sequence changes to m+1 (S907). Afterward, an iteration of the (m+1)th path connecting to the nth second second line can be performed.

[0107] On the other hand, when m = M is satisfied, the communication device for the vehicle can determine that all paths to the nth second second line have been checked, and check whether n = N (S908).

[0108] When n=N is not satisfied, the communication device for the vehicle can change the antenna sequence to n+1 (S909) and can perform an iteration to connect to the m-th path to the (n+1)-th second antenna.

[0109] On the other hand, when n=N, the communication device for the vehicle can select the m-th path to the n-th second antenna with the highest signal level based on the level of the stored signal (S910).

[0110] The communication device for the vehicle can connect the m-th path to the n-th second antenna (S911).

[0111] Therefore, in the implementation, an antenna with a high signal level can be selected from among a plurality of second antennas.

[0112] The term "unit" as used in the embodiments described herein should be understood to refer to a software or hardware component, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), that performs certain functions. However, the term "unit" is not limited to software or hardware. A "unit" can be configured to be stored in addressable memory or to execute one or more processors. Thus, for example, the term "unit" can include: components, such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, program code segments, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and parameters. Components and functions provided in a "unit" can be combined into a smaller number of components and "units," or can be divided into sub-components and "sub-units." Furthermore, components and "units" can be implemented as one or more CPUs in an execution device or secure multimedia card.

[0113] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to its exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the technical spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

[0114] [Figure Labels]

[0115] 100: Communication Control Unit

[0116] 200: Antenna Unit

[0117] 210: First Antenna

[0118] 220: The Second Line

[0119] 310: First Switch

[0120] 320: Second Switch

[0121] 330: Third Switch

[0122] 340: Length adjustment unit

Claims

1. A communication device for a vehicle, comprising: Antenna element, the antenna element comprising a first antenna and a plurality of second antennas; A first switch is configured to switch between a first path from the communication control unit to the first antenna and a second path from the communication control unit to the plurality of second antennas; A second switch, configured to switch the second path to one of the plurality of second second lines; A length adjustment unit, comprising multiple circuits, a second path connected to a second antenna connected to the second switch, and configured to adjust the resonant length of the connected second antenna; as well as The communication control unit is configured to detect the level of the received signal by sequentially connecting each of the plurality of second antennas and each of the plurality of circuits when the state of the first antenna indicates that the first antenna is not properly connected, select the second antenna and circuit corresponding to the highest level of the signal, and generate a switching signal for connecting the selected second antenna and the selected circuit. The communication control unit is further configured to: The state of the first antenna is initially checked using the level of the signal received through the first antenna, and If the level of the received signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the first antenna is determined to be normally connected; and if the level of the received signal is less than the predetermined threshold, the status of the first antenna is checked secondaryly based on whether the first antenna is connected. Specifically, if the first antenna is disconnected, it is determined that the first antenna is not properly connected.

2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of circuits include: A first circuit, configured to maintain the resonant length; A second circuit, configured to reduce the resonant length; and A third circuit is configured to increase the resonant length.

3. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein The second circuit includes at least one capacitor, and The third circuit includes at least one inductor.

4. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: A third switch is connected between the second switch and the length adjustment unit, and is configured to switch a second antenna connected to the second switch to any one of the plurality of circuits constituting the length adjustment unit.

5. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The second switch selects one of the plurality of second second lines. The third switch is connected to one end of the selected circuit to connect to the selected second antenna, and The first switch is connected to the other end of the selected circuit.

6. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein, When the first antenna is not properly connected, the communication control unit controls the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch to connect the second path to the selected second antenna and the selected circuit.

7. A control method for a communication device for a vehicle, comprising: When communication is established by connecting the communication control unit included in the communication device to the first antenna, the state of the first antenna is determined; as well as When the first antenna is not properly connected, the level of the received signal is detected by sequentially connecting each of the plurality of second antennas and each of the plurality of circuits for adjusting the resonant length of the second antenna; the second antenna and circuit corresponding to the highest level of the signal are selected. And connecting the communication control unit to the selected second antenna and circuit, Determining the state of the first antenna includes: The state of the first antenna is initially checked using the level of the signal received through the first antenna; and If the level of the received signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the first antenna is determined to be normally connected; and if the level of the received signal is less than the predetermined threshold, the status of the first antenna is checked secondaryly based on whether the first antenna is connected. Specifically, if the first antenna is disconnected, it is determined that the first antenna is not properly connected.

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