Internal and external antenna automatic switching device and wireless network equipment

Abstract

The invention provides an internal and external antenna automatic switching device and wireless network equipment. The device comprises a radio frequency switching module, a first detection unit, a built-in antenna and a radio frequency connecting seat used for being connected with an external antenna, a first radio frequency pin of the radio frequency switching module is connected with the first end of the radio frequency connecting seat, a second radio frequency pin of the radio frequency switching module is connected with the built-in antenna, and a control pin of the radio frequency switching module is connected with the first detection unit so as to receive a first detection signal sent by the first detection unit; the first detection unit is connected with the first end of the radio frequency connecting seat through the detection node so as to detect whether the external antenna is connected with the radio frequency connecting seat; the second end of the radio frequency connecting seat is grounded. The device of the scheme is simple in overall structure, convenient to use and high in internal and external antenna switching speed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to an automatic switching device for internal and external antennas and a wireless network device. Background Art

[0002] The world has now entered a period of rapid development of the Internet of Things. Wireless network devices can be found everywhere and have permeated our lives. From small Bluetooth headsets to large cars, these wireless network devices have brought great convenience to people's lives.

[0003] In the related art, wireless network devices usually rely on their internal built-in antennas to connect to the network. However, the application scenarios of wireless network devices are complex and changeable. Under some closed conditions, wireless network devices with only built-in antennas may face the problem of poor signal or even no signal, which seriously affects user use.

[0004] In view of this, this application is hereby filed. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application is proposed in view of the above problems. According to one aspect of the present application, a device for automatic switching between internal and external antennas is provided, comprising: a radio frequency switching module, a first detection unit, a built-in antenna and a radio frequency connector for connecting an external antenna; a first radio frequency pin of the radio frequency switching module is connected to a first end of the radio frequency connector, a second radio frequency pin of the radio frequency switching module is connected to the built-in antenna, and a control pin of the radio frequency switching module is connected to the first detection unit to receive a first detection signal emitted by the first detection unit; the first detection unit is connected to the first end of the radio frequency connector via a detection node to detect whether the external antenna is connected to the radio frequency connector; the second end of the radio frequency connector is grounded; wherein, when the external antenna is connected to the radio frequency connector, the first detection signal emitted by the first detection unit is a valid signal; wherein, at least when the first detection signal is a valid signal, the radio frequency communication pin of the radio frequency switching module is connected to the first radio frequency pin, otherwise, the radio frequency communication pin of the radio frequency switching module is connected to the second radio frequency pin.

[0006] Exemplarily, a second detection unit is also included, which is connected to the RF connection socket via the detection node to detect whether the external antenna is short-circuited; the control pin of the RF switching module is connected to the second detection unit to receive a second detection signal emitted by the second detection unit; wherein, when the first detection signal is a valid signal and the second detection signal is a non-short-circuit signal, the RF communication pin of the RF switching module is connected to the first RF pin, otherwise, the RF communication pin of the RF switching module is connected to the second RF pin.

[0007] Exemplarily, the second detection unit includes a first resistance module, a second resistance module and a first detection module; the first end of the first resistance module is connected to the first power supply, and the second end of the first resistance module is connected to the detection node; the first end of the second resistance module is connected to the second end of the first resistance module, and the second end of the second resistance module is grounded; the control end of the first detection module is connected to the second end of the first resistance module, the first end of the first detection module is connected to the second power supply via the first sampling node, the second end of the first detection module is grounded, and the first sampling node is connected to the control pin of the RF switching module; wherein, when the external antenna is short-circuited, the voltage of the first sampling node does not meet the conduction condition of the first detection module, the first end of the first detection module and the second end of the first detection module are in a non-conducting state, and the second detection signal output by the first sampling node is a short-circuit signal; when the external antenna is not short-circuited, the voltage of the first sampling node meets the conduction condition of the first detection module, the first end of the first detection module and the second end of the first detection module are in a conducting state, and the second detection signal output by the first sampling node is a non-short-circuit signal.

[0008] Exemplarily, the second detection unit further includes a third resistance module, and the third resistance module is connected in series between the second power supply and the first sampling node.

[0009] Exemplarily, the first detection module is an N-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor.

[0010] Exemplarily, the second detection unit further includes an inductor module, which is connected in series between the first resistance module and the detection node.

[0011] Exemplarily, the device further includes a first diode and a second diode, wherein the first diode is connected in series between the first detection unit and a control pin of the RF switching module, and the second diode is connected in series between the second detection unit and a control pin of the RF switching module.

[0012] Exemplarily, the first detection unit includes a fourth resistor module, a fifth resistor module, a sixth resistor module and a second detection module; the first end of the fourth resistor module is connected to the third power supply, and the second end of the fourth resistor module is connected to the detection node; the first end of the fifth resistor module is connected to the second end of the fourth resistor module, and the second end of the fifth resistor module is grounded; the control end of the second detection module is connected to the second end of the fourth resistor module, the first end of the second detection module is connected to the fourth power supply, the second end of the second detection module is connected to the first end of the sixth resistor module via the second sampling node, and the second end of the sixth resistor module is grounded; the second sampling node is connected to the control pin of the RF switching module; wherein, when the external antenna is connected to the RF connector, the voltage of the second sampling node does not meet the conduction condition of the second detection module, the first end and the second end of the second detection module are in a non-conducting state, and the first detection signal output by the second sampling node is a valid signal; when the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector, the voltage of the second sampling node meets the conduction condition of the second detection module, the first end and the second end of the second detection module are in a conducting state, and the first detection signal output by the second sampling node is an invalid signal.

[0013] Exemplarily, the second detection module is an N-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present application, a wireless network device is provided, comprising the above-mentioned internal and external antenna automatic switching device.

[0015] In the above technical solution, the RF switching module is connected to the RF connector and the internal antenna at the same time, and the RF switching module can switch the internal antenna and the external antenna at least according to the detection result of the first detection module (i.e., the first detection signal), so that the user can choose to insert the external antenna into the RF connector as needed to communicate using the external antenna. The overall structure of the device of this solution is simple, easy to use, and the switching speed of the internal and external antennas is fast. In addition, the solution can use the external antenna to receive signals in an environment with poor or no signals to ensure signal strength, which helps to improve the user experience.

[0016] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present application, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be considered as limiting the present application. Also, the same reference symbols are used throughout the accompanying drawings to represent the same components. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of an automatic switching device for internal and external antennas according to an embodiment of the present application is shown; Figure 2 A circuit diagram of an automatic switching device for internal and external antennas according to an embodiment of the present application is shown; Figure 3 A circuit diagram of a second detection unit according to an embodiment of the present application is shown; Figure 4 A circuit diagram of a first detection unit according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0018] Figure 1 In: 1. RF switching module; 101. RF communication pin; 102. second RF pin; 103. first RF pin; 104. control pin; 2. first detection unit; 3. RF connector; 4. built-in antenna; 5. second detection unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following description, a large amount of details are provided so that the present invention can be thoroughly understood. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the following description only relates to preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented without one or more of such details. In addition, in order to avoid confusion with the present invention, some technical features well known in the art are not described.

[0020] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a device for automatically switching between internal and external antennas is provided. Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of an automatic switching device for internal and external antennas according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 1 As shown, the device includes: a radio frequency switching module 1, a first detection unit 2, a built-in antenna 4, and a radio frequency connector 3 for connecting an external antenna. The first radio frequency pin 103 of the radio frequency switching module 1 is connected to the first end of the radio frequency connector 3, the second radio frequency pin 102 of the radio frequency switching module 1 is connected to the built-in antenna 4, and the control pin 104 of the radio frequency switching module 1 is connected to the first detection unit 2 to receive the first detection signal sent by the first detection unit 2; the first detection unit 2 is connected to the first end of the radio frequency connector 3 via the detection node A to detect whether the external antenna is connected to the radio frequency connector 3; the second end of the radio frequency connector 3 is grounded.

[0021] In such Figure 1In the scheme shown, when the external antenna is connected to the RF connector 3, the first detection signal emitted by the first detection unit 2 is a valid signal; wherein, at least when the first detection signal is a valid signal, the RF communication pin 101 of the RF switching module 1 is connected to the first RF pin 103, otherwise, the RF communication pin 101 of the RF switching module 1 is connected to the second RF pin 102.

[0022] Herein, the RF connector 3 is used to connect an external antenna. In some embodiments, the RF connector 3 is provided with a socket for inserting the external antenna, and when the external antenna is inserted into the socket, the external antenna is connected to the RF connector 3.

[0023] In this article, the first detection unit 2 is connected to the first end of the RF connector 3 via a detection node to detect whether the external antenna is connected to the RF connector 3, and the first detection unit 2 can send a first detection signal to the control pin 104 of the RF switching module 1. The first detection signal can be used to indicate the insertion of the external antenna. When the first detection signal is an invalid signal indicating that the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector 3, it indicates that the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector 3, and the built-in antenna 4 can be used for networking. When the first detection signal is a valid signal indicating that the external antenna is connected to the RF connector 3, it indicates that the external antenna has been connected to the RF connector 3, and the external antenna can be used for networking. Of course, in some embodiments, when the external antenna has been connected to the RF connector 3, it can be determined whether the connection is a normal connection, that is, whether the external antenna is short-circuited (for example, the second detection unit shown below can be used for detection), and when the external antenna is normally connected to the RF connector 3, the external antenna is used for networking.

[0024] As described above, the first end of the RF connector 3 is connected to the first detection unit 2 via the detection node, and the second end of the RF connector 3 is grounded. It can be understood that when the external antenna is connected to the RF connector 3, the first end and the second end of the RF connector 3 are turned on, which is equivalent to the detection node being grounded. Based on this, in some embodiments, the first detection unit 2 can be used to output a first detection signal according to the voltage value at the detection node. For example, a power supply can be set to be connected to the detection node via a resistor. When the detection node is grounded (that is, the external antenna is connected to the RF connector 3), the external antenna and the resistor divide the voltage, and the voltage of the detection node is less than the power supply voltage. When the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector 3, the first end and the second end of the RF connector 3 are in a non-conductive state (that is, disconnected), and the voltage of the detection node is the voltage of the power supply connected thereto. In this case, the first detection unit 2 can be any existing or future developed chip or circuit that can output different signals according to the different voltages of the detection node, and this application does not limit this. Of course, the first detection unit 2 can also be a relay circuit, a photoelectric isolation circuit or a field effect tube circuit, and this application does not limit this. For example, a relay circuit can be used to form the first detection unit 2. In this embodiment, the first detection unit 2 includes a relay coil and a relay switch; one end of the relay coil is connected to the power supply, and the other end is connected to the detection node. One end of the relay switch is connected to the power supply, and the other end is grounded. An output node is connected in series between the relay switch and the power supply, and the output node is connected to the control pin 104 of the RF switching module 1. In this case, the power on and off of the relay coil can be used to control the relay switch to open or close, so that there are different voltages at the output node, and the voltage is the first detection signal.

[0025] In this article, the RF switching module 1 has a RF communication pin 101, which is used to communicate with other processors and / or controllers. Specifically, the RF communication pin 101 can be connected to the RF signal transceiver pin of the device that uses the device for networking, so as to register the network and send / receive data packets. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the RF communication pin 101 of the RF switching module 1 is connected to a RF signal line, and the end of the RF signal line away from the RF switching module 1 is used to connect to a processor and / or a controller. When the RF communication pin 101 of the RF switching module 1 is connected to the first RF pin 103, the processor and / or controller connected to the RF communication pin 101 can communicate online via an external antenna. When the RF communication pin 101 of the RF switching module 1 is connected to the second RF pin 102, the processor and / or controller connected to the RF communication pin 101 can communicate online via the built-in antenna 4.

[0026] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an automatic switching device for internal and external antennas according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the RF switching module U1 has a first RF pin RF1, a second RF pin RF2, a power pin VCC, a RF communication pin RFC, a control pin VCTL and a ground pin GND, wherein the ground pin GND is grounded, and the power pin VCC is connected to the power supply ANT_POWER 5. The first RF pin RF1 is connected to the first end of the RF connector CON1, the second RF pin RF2 is connected to the internal antenna ANT1, and the control pin VCTL is connected to the first detection unit to receive the first detection signal GPS_ACTIVE_ANT_DET sent by the first detection unit; the first detection unit is connected to the first end of the RF connector CON1 via the detection node A (in this embodiment, the detection node A is connected to the first detection unit via EXT_ANT) to detect whether the external antenna is connected to the RF connector CON1; the second end of the RF connector CON1 is grounded.

[0027] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, capacitor C2, capacitor C3, capacitor C4 and resistor R7 are also provided. Among them, the first end of capacitor C2 is connected to power supply ANT_POWER 5, and the second end is grounded. Capacitor C3 is connected in series between the first RF pin RF1 and the first end of RF connector CON1. ​​The first end of capacitor C4 is connected to control pin VCTL, and the second end is grounded. The first end of resistor R7 is connected to control pin VCTL, and the second end is grounded.

[0028] In the above technical solution, the RF switching module is connected to the RF connector and the internal antenna at the same time, and the RF switching module can switch the internal antenna and the external antenna at least according to the detection result of the first detection module (i.e., the first detection signal), so that the user can choose to insert the external antenna into the RF connector as needed to communicate using the external antenna. The overall structure of the device of this solution is simple, easy to use, and the switching speed of the internal and external antennas is fast. In addition, the solution can use the external antenna to receive signals in an environment with poor or no signals to ensure signal strength, which helps to improve the user experience.

[0029] For example, see Figure 1 The device also includes a second detection unit 5, which is connected to the RF connector 3 via a detection node A to detect whether the external antenna is short-circuited; the control pin 104 of the RF switching module 1 is connected to the second detection unit 5 to receive a second detection signal emitted by the second detection unit 5.

[0030] In the scheme of this example, when the first detection signal is a valid signal and the second detection signal is a non-short-circuit signal, the RF communication pin 101 of the RF switching module 1 is connected to the first RF pin 103, otherwise, the RF communication pin 101 of the RF switching module 1 is connected to the second RF pin 102.

[0031] In this article, the external antenna is an active device. It can be understood that when the external antenna can work normally, the detection node located before the external antenna is grounded through the external antenna, and when the external antenna is powered by the power supply, the voltage of the detection node is equal to the voltage divided by the external antenna. When the external antenna is short-circuited, the detection node located before the external antenna is equivalent to being directly grounded, and the voltage of the detection node is 0 at this time. Therefore, the second detection unit can use the voltage condition of the detection node to determine whether the external antenna is short-circuited. Optionally, the second detection unit can be any existing or future developed chip or circuit that can output different second detection signals according to different voltages of the detection node, and this application does not limit this.

[0032] In such Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the second detection unit is connected to the first end of the RF connector CON1 via the detection node A (in this embodiment, the detection node A is connected to the second detection unit via EXT_ANT), and the second detection signal GPS_ANT_SHORT_DET emitted by the second detection unit is received by the control pin VCTL.

[0033] In the scheme of this example, the second detection signal emitted by the second detection unit can be a short-circuit signal or a non-short-circuit signal. When the second detection signal is a short-circuit signal, it indicates that the external antenna is short-circuited. When the second detection signal is a non-short-circuit signal, it indicates that the external antenna is in a non-short-circuit state. As described above, when the first detection signal is a valid signal and the second detection signal is a non-short-circuit signal, the RF communication pin of the RF switching module is connected to the first RF pin, otherwise, the RF communication pin of the RF switching module is connected to the second RF pin. In other words, when the first detection signal is a valid signal and the second detection signal is a non-short-circuit signal, it indicates that the external antenna is connected to the RF connector and can work normally, and the external antenna can be switched for network communication. When the first detection signal is an invalid signal, it indicates that the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector, and the internal antenna can be used for network communication. When the second detection signal is a short-circuit signal, the external antenna cannot work normally at this time, so the internal antenna can be used for network communication.

[0034] The above technical solution can provide a more accurate basis for switching between internal and external antennas by setting a second detection unit for determining whether the external antenna is short-circuited, thereby better providing users with high-quality networking services.

[0035] Exemplarily, the second detection unit includes a first resistance module, a second resistance module and a first detection module; the first end of the first resistance module is connected to the first power supply, and the second end of the first resistance module is connected to the detection node; the first end of the second resistance module is connected to the second end of the first resistance module, and the second end of the second resistance module is grounded; the control end of the first detection module is connected to the second end of the first resistance module, the first end of the first detection module is connected to the second power supply via the first sampling node, the second end of the first detection module is grounded, and the first sampling node is connected to the control pin of the RF switching module.

[0036] In the scheme of this example, when the external antenna is short-circuited, the voltage of the first sampling node does not meet the conduction condition of the first detection module, the first end of the first detection module and the second end of the first detection module are in a non-conducting state, and the second detection signal output by the first sampling node is a short-circuit signal; when the external antenna is not short-circuited, the voltage of the first sampling node meets the conduction condition of the first detection module, the first end of the first detection module and the second end of the first detection module are in a conducting state, and the second detection signal output by the first sampling node is a non-short-circuit signal.

[0037] The first detection module can be selected according to actual needs, as long as it can meet the above requirements. In some embodiments, the first detection module is an N-channel metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) field effect transistor (which can be referred to as an NMOS tube). In this embodiment, the voltage of the first sampling node meets the conduction condition of the first detection module, indicating that the voltage of the first sampling node is greater than or equal to the conduction threshold of the NMOS tube. At this time, the G pole voltage of the NMOS tube is greater than or equal to the conduction threshold, and the D pole and the S pole are turned on. The voltage of the first sampling node does not meet the conduction condition of the first detection module, indicating that the voltage of the first sampling node is less than the conduction threshold of the NMOS tube. At this time, the G pole voltage of the NMOS tube is less than the conduction threshold, and the D pole and the S pole are cut off.

[0038] As described above, when the external antenna is short-circuited, the second detection signal output by the first sampling node is a short-circuit signal; when the external antenna is not short-circuited, the second detection signal output by the first sampling node is a non-short-circuit signal. It can be understood that when the external antenna is short-circuited, the first end of the first detection module and the second end of the first detection module are in a non-conducting state, at which time, the voltage of the first sampling node is a high level of 3.3V. When the external antenna is not short-circuited, the first end of the first detection module and the second end of the first detection module are in a conducting state, at which time, the voltage value of the first sampling node is a low level of 0V. In other words, in the scheme of this embodiment, the short-circuit signal is a high-level signal, and the non-short-circuit signal is a low-level signal.

[0039] Figure 3 FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of a second detection unit according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3As shown, the second detection unit includes a first resistor module R1, a second resistor module R2 and a first detection module Q1, and the first detection module Q1 is an NMOS tube. The first end of the first resistor module R1 is connected to the first power supply ANT_POWER1, and the second end of the first resistor module R1 is connected to the detection node A (in this embodiment, the second end of R1 is connected to the detection node A via EXT_ANT); the first end of the second resistor module R2 is connected to the second end of the first resistor module R1, and the second end of the second resistor module R2 is grounded; the control end G pole of the first detection module Q1 is connected to the second end of the first resistor module R1, the first end D pole of the first detection module Q1 is connected to the second power supply ANT_POWER2 via the first sampling node B, the second end S pole of the first detection module Q1 is grounded, the first sampling node B is connected to the control pin of the RF switching module, and the second detection signal GPS _ANT_SHORT_DET is received by the control pin.

[0040] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the second end of the first resistor module R1 is connected to the detection node A, so the voltages thereof are equal. In this case, the voltage of the G pole of the first detection module Q1 is equal to the voltage of the detection node A. When the D pole and the S pole are cut off, the second detection signal GPS _ANT_SHORT_DET is at a high level, and when the D pole and the S pole are turned on, the second detection signal GPS _ANT_SHORT_DET is at a low level.

[0041] Optionally, the resistance relationship between the first resistance module and the second resistance module satisfies the following condition: when the first resistance module and the second resistance module are connected in series, the voltage value obtained by the second resistance module satisfies the conduction condition of the first detection module. Figure 3 For example, when the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector, the first end and the second end of the RF connector are cut off, and the current flow direction of the second power supply ANT_POWER2 is to flow along the first resistor module and the second resistor module. In this case, the voltage of the G pole voltage of the first detection module Q1 is the voltage value obtained by the second resistor module. In this embodiment, when the first resistor module and the second resistor module are connected in series, the voltage value obtained by the second resistor module meets the conduction condition of the first detection module. That is, when the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector, the G pole voltage of the first detection module Q1 meets the conduction condition of the first detection module, and the first sampling node B outputs a low level. As a result, the second detection signal output by the first sampling node B when the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector can be different from the second detection signal (high level) output by the first sampling node B when the external antenna is short-circuited, so as to prevent the situation where the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector from being mistakenly judged as a short circuit of the external antenna, which helps to provide a more accurate basis for the switching of the internal and external antennas. This application does not limit the specific resistance values ​​of the first resistor module and the second resistor module, as long as they meet the above relationship.

[0042] In a specific embodiment, using Figure 3 The circuit structure shown is used as the second detection module. In this embodiment, the power consumption of the external antenna is 9ma@3.3V, the resistance of the first resistor module R1 is 20Ω, the resistance of the second resistor module R2 is 1MΩ, the conduction threshold VGS-th of the first detection module Q1 is in the range of [0.7,1.7]V, and the first power supply ANT_POWER1 and the second power supply ANT_POWER2 are both 3.3V power supplies. In this embodiment, when the external antenna is short-circuited, it is equivalent to EXT_ANT being directly connected to GND (that is, the detection node A is directly grounded). At this time, the G pole voltage of the first detection module Q1 is 0V, and there is no voltage difference with the S pole (because the S pole is grounded, the voltage difference is the G pole voltage), so the DS level is not turned on, and GPS_ANT_SHORT_DET is a high level of 3.3V. When the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector, it is equivalent to EXT_ANT being disconnected. The first resistor module R1 and the second resistor module R2 divide the 3.3V power supply. Since the resistance of the first resistor module R1 is much smaller than that of the second resistor module R2, the G pole voltage of the first detection module Q1 is greater than the conduction threshold, DS is turned on, and GPS_ANT_SHORT_DET is low. When the external antenna is in normal use and not disconnected, since the external antenna is an active device, the power consumption is 9ma@3.3V. At this time, the second resistor module R2 and the external antenna connected to EXT_ANT are connected in parallel, which is equivalent to a load impedance of 36Ω (active antenna) and 1M in parallel, which is about 35Ω. Since the first resistor module R1 is only 20Ω, the G pole voltage of the first detection module Q1 is about 2.1V, and the G pole voltage of the first detection module Q1 is greater than the conduction threshold, DS is turned on, and GPS_ANT_SHORT_DET is low.

[0043] The above technical solution utilizes the first resistance module, the second resistance module and the first detection module to form a second detection circuit, which has a simple structure and can more accurately detect whether the external antenna is short-circuited, and can provide a more reliable basis for switching between internal and external antennas.

[0044] Exemplarily, the second detection unit further includes an inductor module, which is connected in series between the first resistor module and the detection node. Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the inductor module L1 is connected in series between the first resistor module and the detection node. The inductor module can play a filtering role to ensure the power supply quality for the external antenna.

[0045] Exemplarily, the second detection unit further includes a third resistance module, and the third resistance module is connected in series between the second power supply and the first sampling node.

[0046] by Figure 3 The embodiment shown is used as an example for explanation. Figure 3 As shown, the third resistance module R3 is connected in series between the second power source ANT_POWER2 and the first sampling node B.

[0047] The above technical solution can protect the entire device by providing the third resistor module, which helps to increase the service life of the device.

[0048] Exemplarily, the device further includes a first diode and a second diode, the first diode being connected in series between the first detection unit and a control pin of the radio frequency switching module, and the second diode being connected in series between the second detection unit and a control pin of the radio frequency switching module.

[0049] by Figure 2 The circuit diagram of the embodiment shown is used as an example for explanation. In this embodiment, the device further includes a first diode D1 and a second diode D2. The first detection signal GPS_ACTIVE_ANT_DET is transmitted to the control pin VCTL via the first diode D1. The second detection signal GPS_ANT_SHORT_DET is transmitted to the control pin VCTL via the second diode.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first diode and the second diode may both be Schottky diodes.

[0051] The above technical solution can prevent the two signals from interfering with each other by setting a first diode connected in series between the first detection unit and the control pin of the RF switching module and a second diode connected in series between the second detection unit and the control pin of the RF switching module, thereby ensuring the reliability of the device operation.

[0052] Exemplarily, the first detection unit includes a fourth resistor module, a fifth resistor module, a sixth resistor module and a second detection module; the first end of the fourth resistor module is connected to the third power supply, and the second end of the fourth resistor module is connected to the detection node; the first end of the fifth resistor module is connected to the second end of the fourth resistor module, and the second end of the fifth resistor module is grounded; the control end of the second detection module is connected to the second end of the fourth resistor module, the first end of the second detection module is connected to the fourth power supply, the second end of the second detection module is connected to the first end of the sixth resistor module via the second sampling node, the second end of the sixth resistor module is grounded, and the second sampling node is connected to the control pin of the RF switching module.

[0053] In the scheme of this example, when the external antenna is connected to the RF connector, the voltage of the second sampling node does not meet the conduction condition of the second detection module, the first end and the second end of the second detection module are in a non-conducting state, and the first detection signal output by the second sampling node is a valid signal; when the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector, the voltage of the second sampling node meets the conduction condition of the second detection module, the first end and the second end of the second detection module are in a conducting state, and the first detection signal output by the second sampling node is an invalid signal.

[0054] Optionally, the second detection module can be selected according to actual needs, as long as it meets the above-mentioned conduction requirements. In some embodiments, the second detection module is an N-channel metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) field effect transistor (which can be referred to as an NMOS tube). In this embodiment, the voltage of the second sampling node meets the conduction condition of the second detection module, indicating that the voltage of the second sampling node is greater than or equal to the conduction threshold of the NMOS tube. At this time, the G pole voltage of the NMOS tube is greater than or equal to the conduction threshold, and the D pole and the S pole are turned on. The voltage of the second sampling node does not meet the conduction condition of the second detection module, indicating that the voltage of the second sampling node is less than the conduction threshold of the NMOS tube. At this time, the G pole voltage of the NMOS tube is less than the conduction threshold, and the D pole and the S pole are cut off.

[0055] As described above, when the external antenna is connected to the RF connector, the first detection signal output by the second sampling node is a valid signal. When the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector, the first detection signal output by the second sampling node is an invalid signal. It can be understood that when the external antenna is connected to the RF connector, the first end and the second end of the second detection module are in a non-conductive state. At this time, it can be equivalent to the second sampling node being directly grounded, and the voltage of the second sampling node is a low level of 0V. When the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector, the first end and the second end of the second detection module are in a conductive state. At this time, the voltage of the second sampling node is a high level of 3.3V. In other words, in the scheme of this embodiment, the valid signal is a low level and the invalid signal is a high level.

[0056] Figure 4 FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of a first detection unit according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4As shown, the first detection unit includes a fourth resistor module R4, a fifth resistor module R5, a sixth resistor module R6 and a second detection module Q2, and the second detection module Q2 is an NMOS tube. The first end of the fourth resistor module R4 is connected to the third power supply ANT_POWER3, and the second end of the fourth resistor module R4 is connected to the detection node A (in this embodiment, the second end of R4 is connected to the detection node A via EXT_ANT); the first end of the fifth resistor module R5 is connected to the second end of the fourth resistor module R4, and the second end of the fifth resistor module R5 is grounded; the control end G pole of the second detection module Q2 is connected to the second end of the fourth resistor module R4, the first end D pole of the second detection module Q2 is connected to the power supply, the second end S pole of the second detection module Q2 is connected to the first end of the sixth resistor module R6 via the second sampling node C, and the second end of the sixth resistor module R6 is grounded. The second sampling node C is connected to the control pin of the RF switching module, and the first detection signal GPS_ACTIVE _ANT _DET is received by the control pin.

[0057] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the second end of the fourth resistor module R4 is connected to the detection node A, so the voltages thereof are equal. In this case, the voltage of the G pole of the second detection module Q2 is equal to the voltage of the detection node A. When the D pole and the S pole are cut off, the first detection signal GPS_ACTIVE _ANT _DET is at a low level, and when the D pole and the S pole are turned on, the first detection signal GPS_ACTIVE _ANT _DET is at a high level.

[0058] Optionally, the resistance relationship between the fourth resistor module and the fifth resistor module satisfies the following conditions: when the fourth resistor module and the fifth resistor module are connected in series, the voltage value obtained by the fifth resistor module satisfies the conduction condition of the second detection module, and when the fifth resistor module is connected in parallel with the external antenna, the voltage value obtained by the fifth resistor module does not satisfy the conduction condition of the second detection module. Figure 4Take an example to illustrate, when the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector, EXT_ANT is in an open circuit state, and the fourth resistor module R4 is connected in series with the fifth resistor module R5. In this case, the G pole voltage of the second detection module Q2 is equal to the voltage divided by the fifth resistor module R5. Since the voltage value divided by the fifth resistor module R5 meets the conduction condition of the second detection module when the fourth resistor module R4 is connected in series with the fifth resistor module R5, the D pole and S pole of the second detection module Q2 are turned on, and the second sampling node C outputs a high level. When the external antenna is connected to the RF connector and the external antenna is short-circuited, it can be equivalent to the G pole of the second detection module Q2 being grounded, and the D pole and S pole of the second detection module Q2 are cut off, and the second sampling node C outputs a low level. When the external antenna is connected to the RF connector and the external antenna works normally, it can be equivalent to the fifth resistor module R5 being connected in parallel with the external antenna. It can be seen from the above description that the voltage value divided by the fifth resistor module R5 does not meet the conduction condition of the second detection module. At this time, the D pole and S pole of the second detection module Q2 are cut off, and the second sampling node C outputs a low level. This solution can improve the detection accuracy of the first detection module by limiting the resistance relationship between the fourth resistor module and the fifth resistor module, which helps to provide a more accurate basis for the switching of the internal and external antennas. This application does not limit the specific resistance values ​​of the fourth resistor module and the fifth resistor module, as long as they meet the above relationship.

[0059] In a specific embodiment, using Figure 4The circuit structure shown is used as the second detection module. In this embodiment, the power consumption of the external antenna is 9ma@3.3V, the resistance of the fourth resistor module R4 is 330KΩ, the resistance of the fifth resistor module R5 is 2.2MΩ, the conduction threshold VGS-th of the second detection module Q2 is in the range of [0.7,1.7]V, and the third power supply ANT_POWER3 and the fourth power supply ANT_POWER4 are 3.3V power supplies. In this embodiment, when the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector, it is equivalent to EXT_ANT being disconnected, the fourth resistor module R4 and the fifth resistor module R5 divide the 3.3V power supply, and the voltage divided by the fifth resistor module R5 is about 2.8V, which is greater than the conduction threshold of the second detection module Q2, the D pole and the S pole of the second detection module Q2 are turned on, and GPS_ACTIVE_ANT_DET is a high level 3.3V. When the external antenna is connected to the RF connector and the external antenna is short-circuited, it is equivalent to EXT_ANT being grounded. At this time, the G pole voltage is close to 0V, which is less than the conduction threshold of the second detection module Q2. The D pole and S pole of the second detection module Q2 are cut off, and GPS_ACTIVE_ANT_DET is low. When the external antenna is connected to the RF connector and the external antenna works normally, since the external antenna is an active device, the power consumption is 9ma@3.3V, which is equivalent to 36Ω impedance (active antenna). The external antenna and R5-2.2MΩ (high impedance can be ignored) are connected in parallel with an equivalent impedance of about 34Ω. The 3.3V power supply is divided with the R4-330K resistor. The voltage of the G pole of the second detection module Q2 is very small, and the G pole voltage is about 0.18V, which is less than the conduction threshold of the second detection module Q2. The D pole and S pole of the second detection module Q2 are cut off, and GPS_ACTIVE_ANT_DET is low.

[0060] The above technical solution utilizes the fourth resistor module, the fifth resistor module, the sixth resistor module and the second detection module to form a first detection circuit, which has a simple structure and can more accurately detect whether the external antenna is connected to the RF connector, and can provide a more reliable basis for switching the internal and external antennas.

[0061] The working principle of the device of the present application is introduced below with a specific embodiment. In this embodiment, the device as a whole adopts Figure 2 The circuit structure of the embodiment shown in the figure, the first detection module adopts Figure 4 The circuit structure shown in the figure, the second detection module adopts Figure 3 The circuit structure shown in the figure. As can be seen from the above, the short-circuit signal is a high-level signal, and the non-short-circuit signal is a low-level signal. The valid signal is a low level, and the invalid signal is a high level. Therefore, the following truth table can be obtained.

[0062] Table 1 Truth table

[0063] In Table 1, 0 represents a low level and 1 represents a high level. In the solution of this embodiment, when the external antenna is inserted into the RF connector CON1, it is equivalent to entering EXT_ANT to connect to the external antenna. The high and low levels (0V / 3.3V) of GPS_ACTIVE_ANT_DET and GPS_ANT_SHOR_DET output by the above-mentioned detection system are transmitted to the VCTL pin of the chip. According to the high and low levels of the two signals GPS_ACTIVE_ANT_DET and GPS_ANT_SHOR_DET, the chip is controlled to switch to the RF1 or RF2 antenna path. Specifically, when the external antenna is short-circuited, GPS_ACTIVE_ANT_DET is high and GPS_ANT_SHOR_DET is low. At this time, VCTL is high (1.35~3V). In this case, the built-in antenna is used for network communication. When the external antenna is not connected, GPS_ACTIVE_ANT_DET is low, GPS_ANT_SHOR_DET is high, and VCTL is high (1.35~3V). In this case, the built-in antenna is used for network communication. When the external antenna works normally (that is, the external antenna is connected to the RF connector and the external antenna is not short-circuited), GPS_ACTIVE_ANT_DET is low, GPS_ANT_SHOR_DET is low, and VCTL is low (0.1~0.45V). In this case, the external antenna is used for network communication.

[0064] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a wireless network device is provided. The wireless network device includes the internal and external antenna automatic switching device of any one of the above embodiments.

[0065] Optionally, the wireless network equipment includes but is not limited to a locator, a telephone, a darkroom network testing instrument or other communication network equipment.

[0066] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional words such as "front", "back", "up", "down", "left", "right", "lateral", "vertical", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", etc. is usually based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present application; the directional words "inside" and "outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the outline of each component itself. For ease of description, regional relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used here to describe the regional positional relationship between one or more components or features shown in the figure and other components or features. It should be understood that regional relative terms include not only the orientation of the components as described in the figure, but also different orientations in use or operation. For example, if the components in the accompanying drawings are inverted as a whole, the components "above other components or features" or "above other components or features" will include the situation where the components are "below other components or structures" or "below other components or structures". Therefore, the exemplary term "above" may include both "above" and "below". In addition, these components or features may also be positioned at other different angles (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other angles), and this article is intended to include all of these situations. It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, components, parts and / or combinations thereof. It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the numbers used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. The present application has been described through the above-mentioned embodiments, but it should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are only for the purpose of example and illustration, and are not intended to limit the present application to the scope of the described embodiments. In addition, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and more variations and modifications can be made according to the teachings of the present application, and these variations and modifications all fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present application. The scope of protection of the present application is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic switching device for internal and external antennas, characterized in that: include: A radio frequency switching module, a first detection unit, a built-in antenna and a radio frequency connector for connecting an external antenna; The first RF pin of the RF switching module is connected to the first end of the RF connector, the second RF pin of the RF switching module is connected to the built-in antenna, and the control pin of the RF switching module is connected to the first detection unit to receive a first detection signal sent by the first detection unit; The first detection unit is connected to the first end of the RF connector via a detection node to detect whether the external antenna is connected to the RF connector; the second end of the RF connector is grounded; Wherein, when the external antenna is connected to the radio frequency connector, the first detection signal emitted by the first detection unit is a valid signal; Among them, at least when the first detection signal is a valid signal, the RF communication pin of the RF switching module is connected to the first RF pin, otherwise, the RF communication pin of the RF switching module is connected to the second RF pin.

2. The automatic switching device for internal and external antennas according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a second detection unit, which is connected to the RF connector via the detection node to detect whether the external antenna is short-circuited; the control pin of the RF switching module is connected to the second detection unit to receive a second detection signal sent by the second detection unit; Among them, when the first detection signal is a valid signal and the second detection signal is a non-short-circuit signal, the RF communication pin of the RF switching module is connected to the first RF pin, otherwise, the RF communication pin of the RF switching module is connected to the second RF pin.

3. The automatic switching device for internal and external antennas according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second detection unit includes a first resistance module, a second resistance module and a first detection module; A first end of the first resistance module is connected to a first power source, and a second end of the first resistance module is connected to the detection node; The first end of the second resistance module is connected to the second end of the first resistance module, and the second end of the second resistance module is grounded; The control end of the first detection module is connected to the second end of the first resistance module, the first end of the first detection module is connected to the second power supply via the first sampling node, the second end of the first detection module is grounded, and the first sampling node is connected to the control pin of the RF switching module; When the external antenna is short-circuited, the voltage of the first sampling node does not meet the conduction condition of the first detection module, the first end of the first detection module and the second end of the first detection module are in a non-conducting state, and the second detection signal output by the first sampling node is a short-circuit signal; When the external antenna is not short-circuited, the voltage of the first sampling node meets the conduction condition of the first detection module, the first end of the first detection module and the second end of the first detection module are in a conduction state, and the second detection signal output by the first sampling node is a non-short-circuit signal.

4. The automatic switching device for internal and external antennas according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second detection unit further includes a third resistance module, and the third resistance module is connected in series between the second power supply and the first sampling node.

5. The automatic switching device for internal and external antennas according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first detection module is an N-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor.

6. The automatic switching device for internal and external antennas according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second detection unit further includes an inductor module, which is connected in series between the first resistance module and the detection node.

7. The automatic switching device for internal and external antennas according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: The device also includes a first diode and a second diode, wherein the first diode is connected in series between the first detection unit and a control pin of the radio frequency switching module, and the second diode is connected in series between the second detection unit and a control pin of the radio frequency switching module.

8. The automatic switching device for internal and external antennas according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The first detection unit includes a fourth resistance module, a fifth resistance module, a sixth resistance module and a second detection module; A first end of the fourth resistance module is connected to a third power supply, and a second end of the fourth resistance module is connected to the detection node; The first end of the fifth resistor module is connected to the second end of the fourth resistor module, and the second end of the fifth resistor module is grounded; The control end of the second detection module is connected to the second end of the fourth resistance module, the first end of the second detection module is connected to the fourth power supply, the second end of the second detection module is connected to the first end of the sixth resistance module via the second sampling node, and the second end of the sixth resistance module is grounded; the second sampling node is connected to the control pin of the RF switching module; When the external antenna is connected to the RF connector, the voltage of the second sampling node does not meet the conduction condition of the second detection module, the first end and the second end of the second detection module are in a non-conducting state, and the first detection signal output by the second sampling node is a valid signal; When the external antenna is not connected to the RF connector, the voltage of the second sampling node meets the conduction condition of the second detection module, the first end and the second end of the second detection module are in a conduction state, and the first detection signal output by the second sampling node is an invalid signal.

9. The automatic switching device for internal and external antennas according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second detection module is an N-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor.

10. A wireless network device, characterized in that: The invention comprises the automatic switching device for internal and external antennas as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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