Communication device and communication method thereof

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a communication method by which a communication device installed in a vehicle and including a plurality of nodes communicates with a portable device, the communication method comprising the steps of: detecting an abnormal node from among the plurality of nodes according to a UWB signal transmitted or received between the plurality of nodes; performing UWB ranging with the portable device by a node excluding an abnormal node from the plurality of nodes; and obtaining the position of the portable device according to a UWB distance measurement result.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication method thereof, and more particularly, to a communication device installed in a vehicle and a communication method thereof. Background Art

[0002] The market for digital keys, or smart keys, that allow users to remotely unlock or lock their vehicles without directly inserting the key into the vehicle is becoming active thanks to advances in wireless communication technology.

[0003] Since the digital key system needs to provide satisfactory anti-theft, security and user convenience for the vehicle, the digital key system should only work when the digital key is within a certain distance from the vehicle. To this end, the digital key system includes a communication device and a digital key installed in the vehicle, and determines the distance between the digital key and the vehicle in real time through communication between the communication device installed in the vehicle and the digital key.

[0004] Near field communication (NFC) and Bluetooth are mainly used for communication between the digital key and the communication device installed in the vehicle, but ultra-wideband (UWB) is also being tried. Summary of the invention

[0005] [Technical issues]

[0006] The present invention is intended to provide a communication method between a digital key and a communication device installed in a vehicle.

[0007] [Technical solution]

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a communication method, by which a communication device installed in a vehicle and including a plurality of nodes communicates with a portable device, the communication method comprising: detecting an abnormal node among the plurality of nodes by sending or receiving an ultra-wideband (UWB) signal between the plurality of nodes; performing UWB ranging with the portable device by a node among the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node; and obtaining a position of the portable device based on a result of the UWB ranging.

[0009] The multiple nodes may include a master node and multiple slave nodes, and detecting an abnormal node may include: sending a UWB initiation signal by the master node to each of the multiple slave nodes; receiving a UWB response signal in response to the UWB initiation signal from at least some of the multiple slave nodes by the master node; and sending a UWB final signal in response to the UWB response signal by the master node to each of at least some of the multiple slave nodes.

[0010] Detecting the abnormal node may include determining that a slave node among the plurality of slave nodes that has not sent a UWB response signal within a predetermined time period is an abnormal node.

[0011] Detecting an abnormal node may include: obtaining positions of multiple slave nodes using times obtained through sending a UWB initiation signal, receiving a UWB response signal, and sending a UWB final signal; and determining that a slave node among the multiple slave nodes that has a small error relative to a preset position is an abnormal node.

[0012] Performing UWB ranging with a portable device may include: receiving, by a node among multiple nodes excluding abnormal nodes, a UWB initiation signal from the portable device; sending, by a node among multiple nodes excluding abnormal nodes, a UWB response signal to the portable device; and receiving, by a node among multiple nodes excluding abnormal nodes, a UWB final signal from the portable device.

[0013] The location of the portable device can be obtained using at least some of the following times: the time from when the portable device sends a UWB initiation signal to when the portable device receives a UWB response signal, the time from when a node among multiple nodes excluding abnormal nodes receives a UWB initiation signal to when a node among multiple nodes excluding abnormal nodes sends a UWB response signal, the time from when a node among multiple nodes excluding abnormal nodes sends a UWB response signal to when a node among multiple nodes excluding abnormal nodes receives a UWB final signal, and the time from when the portable device receives a UWB response signal to when the portable device sends the UWB final signal.

[0014] The detection of abnormal nodes can be initiated by the controller in the vehicle.

[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a communication device, which includes: a master node; and multiple slave nodes, wherein the master node detects abnormal nodes among the multiple slave nodes by sending UWB signals to the multiple slave nodes or receiving UWB signals from the multiple slave nodes, and the master node and the slave nodes among the multiple slave nodes excluding the abnormal nodes perform UWB ranging with a portable device to obtain the location of the portable device.

[0016] When the master node detects an abnormal node, the master node may operate in an initiator mode of UWB ranging, and when the master node performs UWB ranging with a portable device, the master node may operate in a responder mode of UWB ranging.

[0017] The communication device is configured to be installed in a vehicle, and the portable device may be configured to control opening / closing or starting of the vehicle.

[0018] [Advantageous Effects]

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, communication can be performed between a communication device installed in a vehicle and a digital key. Therefore, even when a part of the communication device installed in the vehicle fails, the digital key can be accurately located. According to an embodiment of the present invention, radio frequency (RF) failures that cannot be detected by wired connections can be identified, separate time synchronization is not required between nodes included in the communication device, portable devices can be accurately located, and unnecessary power consumption can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a vehicle and a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a connection process between a communication device and a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a distance measurement method between a communication device and a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method in which a communication device of a digital key system communicates with a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 is a set of schematic diagrams of operation scenarios when one of a plurality of nodes included in a communication device of a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention fails.

[0027] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a method for a communication device of a digital key system to detect an abnormal node according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] However, it should be understood that the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments to be disclosed below, but can be implemented in many different forms. It should be understood that within the scope of the present invention, one or more elements of each embodiment in the embodiments can be selectively combined and replaced.

[0030] In addition, the terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention have the same meanings as those generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant technology.

[0031] Furthermore, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are provided only to describe the embodiments of the present invention and not for the purpose of limitation.

[0032] In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form includes the plural form, and the phrase "at least one element (or one or more elements) of element A, element B, and element C" should be understood to include the meaning of at least one of all combinations obtained by combining element A, element B, and element C.

[0033] Furthermore, in describing the elements of the present invention, terms such as “first,” “second,” “A,” “B,” “(a),” and “(b)” may be used.

[0034] These terms are used to distinguish an element from another element, but the nature, order or sequence of the elements are not limited by the terms.

[0035] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, intervening elements may be present, or it may be connected or coupled to the other element via yet another element.

[0036] Furthermore, when an element is described as being formed "on (above)" or "under (below)" another element, the term "on (above)" or "under (below)" includes both a case where the two elements are in direct contact with each other and a case where one or more elements are (indirectly) disposed between the two elements. In addition, the term "on (above) or "under (below)" includes a case where another element is disposed in an upward direction or a downward direction relative to one element.

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 , the digital key system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a portable device 200 and a communication device 100 installed in a vehicle 10 .

[0039] The vehicle 10 may be a means of transport that can travel on a road or a track. For example, the vehicle 10 may include not only a passenger car but also a means of transport such as a freight truck.

[0040] The portable device 200 is a device for controlling the vehicle 10 from the inside or outside of the vehicle 10. The portable device 200 can be carried by a user. The portable device 200 can be a key fob or a portable terminal, and an application that implements the function of the key fob is installed on the portable device 200. The key fob can be used to open or close the door of the vehicle 10 or start the vehicle 10 from the inside or outside of the vehicle 10, and can be used interchangeably with a digital key or a smart key. The portable terminal can be a smartphone or a tablet device with communication functions and computing functions.

[0041] The digital key system according to the embodiment of the present invention may open or close the door of the vehicle 10 or start the vehicle 10 according to the distance between the communication device 100 installed in the vehicle 10 and the portable device 200 .

[0042] For example, as a result of the ranging performed by the communication device 100 and the portable device 200, the vehicle 10 can obtain the distance between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200, and determine whether the portable device 200 is in the first area range 1 or the second area range 2. For example, when it is determined that the portable device 200 is in the second area range 2, the digital key system can open or close the door of the vehicle 10 or start the vehicle 10. Opening or closing the door of the vehicle 10 or starting the vehicle 10 can be automatically performed when the condition is met, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The portable device 200 may provide a button for opening or closing the door of the vehicle 10, a button for starting the vehicle 10, etc., and may be implemented so that the button is activated when the corresponding condition is met.

[0043] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a vehicle and a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a connection process between a communication device and a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a distance measurement method between a communication device and a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Reference Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 100 is installed in the vehicle 10 and communicates with the controller 300 of the vehicle 10 and the portable device 200 .

[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 support ultra-wideband (UWB) communication. Therefore, not only can accurate distance measurement be performed between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200, but also a high degree of security can be ensured. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 can also support near field communication (NFC) and Bluetooth.

[0046] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , when the portable device 200 approaches the vehicle 10, the communication device 100 of the vehicle 10 is paired with the portable device 200 (S300). In this case, the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 can use Bluetooth pairing. Next, the communication device 100 exchanges UWB information with the portable device 200 (S310). This can be called UWB capability exchange. Subsequently, the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 are synchronized in time (S320), perform UWB ranging settings (S330), and then perform UWB ranging (S340). The distance between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 is obtained through UWB ranging (S350).

[0047] The UWB ranging in operation S340 may be performed through bilateral two-way ranging (TWR-DS).

[0048] That is to say, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the portable device 200 sends a UWB initiation signal to the communication device 100 (S400), the communication device 100 that receives the UWB initiation signal sends a UWB response signal to the portable device 200 (S410), and the portable device 200 that receives the UWB response signal sends a UWB final signal to the communication device 100 (S420). The UWB response signal may be an authentication signal of the communication device 100. The authentication signal may be a search (query) signal for searching for the location of the portable device 200. The UWB initiation signal, the UWB response signal, and the UWB final signal may all be signals generated based on the UWB pulse signal.

[0049] In operation S350, the distance between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 may be obtained by the time required using the TWR-DS.

[0050] That is, in operation S350, the distance between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 can be obtained using at least some of the following times: the time Ra from when the portable device sends a UWB initiation signal to when the portable device receives a UWB response signal, the time Db from when the communication device 100 receives the UWB initiation signal to when the communication device 100 sends a UWB response signal, the time Rb from when the communication device 100 sends a UWB response signal to when the communication device 100 receives a UWB final signal, and the time Da from when the portable device 200 receives the UWB response signal to when the portable device sends the UWB final signal.

[0051] For example, in operation S350, the distance between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 may be derived using the following equation:

[0052] [Equation 1]

[0053] ToF=((Ra×Rb)-(Da×Db)) / (Ra+Rb+Da+Db)

[0054] Here, ToF means time of flight, and may be an indicator representing the distance between the communication device 100 supporting UWB communication and the portable device 200 .

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the positioning of the portable device 200 can be performed using triangulation. For example, the coordinate information of the node participating in the ranging process as the center of the circle can be used to derive the coordinate information of the portable device 200. To this end, the node participating in the ranging process can be provided as a plurality of nodes, preferably three or more nodes, and the nodes can be placed to be separated from each other at different locations.

[0056] In this case, the positioning of the portable device 200 can be based on various positioning algorithms. For example, various positioning algorithms (such as the time difference of arrival (TDoA) of the UWB signal, the above-mentioned TWR-DS based on ToF, angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (Aod), time of arrival (ToA), etc.) are used, and various methods such as triangulation, triangulation, etc. can be further used.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 100 may include a plurality of nodes, and the plurality of nodes may be installed in the vehicle 10 to be spaced apart from each other. Each of the plurality of nodes may support UWB communication and perform ranging with the portable device 200. Each node may be referred to as an anchor and may be referred to as a responder because the node transmits a UWB response signal in response to a UWB initiation signal of the portable device 200. The positions and number of the plurality of nodes are not limited.

[0058] The ranging between the plurality of nodes and the portable device 200 may be performed according to one-to-many TWR-DS (O2M TWR-DS). Therefore, the time required for ranging may be shortened, and the accuracy of ranging may be improved.

[0059] However, when a failure occurs in some of the plurality of nodes without the digital key system or the vehicle 10 recognizing the failure, this may result in inaccurate ranging, which may significantly increase power consumption of the communication device 100 .

[0060] Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, abnormal nodes among a plurality of nodes are predetermined and are not ranged.

[0061] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6is a flowchart showing a method for a communication device of a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention to communicate with a portable device, Figure 7 is a set of schematic diagrams of operation scenarios when one of a plurality of nodes included in a communication device of a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention fails, and Figure 8 and Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a method for a communication device of a digital key system to detect an abnormal node according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Reference Figure 5 , the communication device 100 includes first to fifth nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150. For ease of description, this specification describes an example using five nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Each node supports UWB communication.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the present invention, one of the first to fifth nodes 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150 may be a master node, and the remaining nodes may be slave nodes. Hereinafter, an example in which the first node 110 is a master node and the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140 and 150 are slave nodes will be described. The first to fifth nodes 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150 communicate with the portable device 200, and also communicate with other nodes in the communication device 100. The first node 110 as a master node can communicate with the controller 300 of the vehicle 10, and can control the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140 and 150 as slave nodes, or send control information received from the controller 300 of the vehicle 10 to the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140 and 150 as slave nodes.

[0064] The master node may be preset or set in real time. For example, the master node may be set by the controller 300 of the vehicle 10. For example, when a fault occurs in the first node 110 preset as the master node, the controller of the vehicle 10 may set one of the remaining nodes other than the first node 110 as the master node.

[0065] Here, the controller 300 of the vehicle 10 may be referred to as a body domain controller (BDC).

[0066] As described above, each of the multiple nodes included in the communication device 100 supports UWB communication. In addition, at least some of the multiple nodes included in the communication device 100 also support Bluetooth. For example, the first node 110 as a master node can support Bluetooth and send a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) signal to the portable device 200 or receive a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) signal from the portable device 200. Alternatively, in addition to the multiple nodes supporting UWB communication, the communication device 100 may also include a Bluetooth node supporting Bluetooth.

[0067] Reference Figure 6 , the communication device 100 detects an abnormal node among the plurality of nodes by transmitting a UWB signal or receiving a UWB signal between the plurality of nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 (S600). Here, an example is described in which one of the plurality of nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 (e.g., the first node 110) included in the communication device 100 detects an abnormal node, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 communicating with the first node 110 may detect an abnormal node using information collected by the first node 110, and transmit information about the abnormal node to the first node 110. An abnormal node is a node that has failed or malfunctioned.

[0068] Next, the nodes excluding the abnormal nodes from the plurality of nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 included in the communication device 100 perform UWB ranging with the portable device 200 (S610), and obtain the location of the portable device 200 according to the result of the UWB ranging (S620). Here, for the details of operations S610 and S620, please refer to the reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The content of the description.

[0069] Hereinafter, an example will be described in which, in a communication device 100 including first to fifth nodes 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150, the first node 110 is a master node, the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140 and 150 are slave nodes, and a failure occurs in the second node 120 which is one of the slave nodes.

[0070] Reference Figure 7A. In a normal state, that is, in a state where the communication device 100 has not initiated detection of an abnormal node, the first to fifth nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 in the communication device 100 operate in a responder mode. Here, the responder mode may be a mode configured to receive a UWB initiation signal during UWB ranging. That is, in a normal state, the first to fifth nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 in the communication device 100 receive a UWB initiation signal from the portable device 200 in the initiator mode, and are configured to send a UWB response signal in response to the UWB initiation signal.

[0071] However, referring to Figure 7 B. When the communication device 100 initiates the detection of an abnormal node, the first node 110 as the master node in the communication device 100 is changed to be in the initiator mode, and the remaining nodes are still operating in the responder mode. The abnormal node detection of the communication device 100 can be triggered by the controller 300 in the vehicle 10. Here, the initiator mode can be a mode that is set to send a UWB initiation signal during UWB ranging. For example, the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 can detect the abnormal operation of the communication device 100 by itself, and request to detect an abnormal node from the communication device 100. Alternatively, the abnormal node detection of the communication device 100 can be triggered by the user's instruction. For example, when the user detects the abnormal operation of the communication device 100, the user can request to detect an abnormal node from the communication device 100 through the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 or the controller (not shown) in the communication device 100. Alternatively, the abnormal node detection of the communication device 100 can also be performed periodically. For example, the abnormal node detection of the communication device 100 can be triggered by the user or the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 at a preset interval. Alternatively, abnormal node detection of the communication device 100 may also be performed when an event occurs. Figure 3 In operation S300 of the present invention, when the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 are paired, or as in Figure 3 In operation S330, when UWB ranging setup is performed between the communication device 100 and the portable device, abnormal node detection of the communication device 100 may be triggered.

[0072] like Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 2B , when the first node 110 as the master node in the communication device 100 is changed to be in the initiator mode and the remaining nodes are still operating in the responder mode, the first node 110 transmits or receives UWB signals to or from the remaining nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150. Therefore, it is assumed that the second node 120 is detected as being in an abnormal node.

[0073] Reference Figure 7 C. When the second node 120 is detected as being in an abnormal node, the second node 120 is excluded from the ranging operation, and the first node 110 is changed back to the responder mode. Thereafter, all remaining nodes 110, 130, 140, and 150 except the second node 120 operate in the responder mode and perform a ranging process with the portable device 200.

[0074] Will refer to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The method of detecting abnormal nodes in the communication device 100 is described in more detail.

[0075] Reference Figure 8 First, the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 instructs the first node 110 as the master node of the communication device 100 to initiate detection of an abnormal node (S800). When the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 detects an abnormal operation of the communication device 100, the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 may instruct the first node 110 to initiate detection of an abnormal node before starting a UWB session between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 or when receiving a request for detecting an abnormal node from a user through a user interface unit (not shown).

[0076] Next, the first node 110 is changed from the responder mode to the initiator mode (S810). In a normal state, that is, before the first node 110 receives a message indicating initiation of detection of an abnormal node from the controller 300 in the vehicle 10, the first node 110 operates in the responder mode of UWB communication. However, when the first node 110 receives the message in operation S800, the first node 110 is changed to be in the initiator mode of UWB communication.

[0077] Next, the first node 110 transmits a UWB initiation signal to each of the remaining nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 included in the communication device 100 (S820). Here, the UWB initiation signal may include information on a timing at which the first node 110 transmits the UWB initiation signal.

[0078] Next, the first node 110 receives a UWB response signal (S830). For example, the first node 110 may receive a UWB response signal from each of the third to fifth nodes 130, 140, and 150. Here, the UWB response signal may include information about the timing at which each of the third to fifth nodes 130, 140, and 150 receives a UWB initiation signal and information about the timing at which each of the third to fifth nodes 130, 140, and 150 transmits a UWB response signal.

[0079] Next, the first node 110 transmits a UWB final signal to each of the third to fifth nodes 130, 140, and 150 (S840). Here, the UWB final signal may include information about the timing of receiving a UWB response signal from each of the third to fifth nodes 130, 140, and 150 and information about the timing of transmitting the UWB final signal.

[0080] Next, the first node 110 receives information about the time from when each of the third to fifth nodes 130, 140, and 150 transmits a UWB response signal to when the first node 110 receives a UWB final signal (S850).

[0081] Next, the first node 110 determines that the second node 120 that has not transmitted the UWB response signal within a predetermined period of time is an abnormal node (S860).

[0082] Next, the first node 110 transmits information about the abnormal node to the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 ( S870 ), and the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 stores the information about the abnormal node ( S880 ) and sets the abnormal node to be excluded from UWB ranging ( S890 ).

[0083] Thereafter, the first node 110 changes back to the responder mode of the UWB communication, and the remaining nodes except for the abnormal node among the plurality of nodes included in the communication device 100 perform UWB ranging with the portable device 200 approaching the vehicle 10 .

[0084] Therefore, since the abnormal node can be excluded from the UWB ranging in advance before the UWB ranging is performed between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200, the accuracy of the UWB ranging can be improved, and the power waste caused by the operation of the abnormal node can be reduced. In addition, since information about timing is exchanged between the master node and the slave node in the communication device 100 during the process of detecting the abnormal node, the timing synchronization between the master node and the slave node can be achieved in advance, and the time required for the timing synchronization during the UWB ranging can be reduced.

[0085] Reference Fig. 9 , the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 instructs the first node 110 as the master node of the communication device 100 to initiate detection of abnormal nodes (S900). Figure 8 The description of the description is the same as the description.

[0086] Next, the first node 110 changes from the responder mode to the initiator mode (S910).

[0087] Next, the first node 110 transmits a UWB initiation signal to each of the remaining nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 included in the communication device 100 (S920). Here, the UWB initiation signal may include information on a timing at which the first node 110 transmits the UWB initiation signal.

[0088] Next, the first node 110 receives a UWB response signal (S930). For example, the first node 110 may receive a UWB response signal from each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150. Here, the UWB response signal may include information about the timing at which each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 receives a UWB initiation signal and information about the timing at which each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 transmits a UWB response signal.

[0089] Next, the first node 110 transmits a UWB final signal to each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 (S940). Here, the UWB final signal may include information about the timing of receiving the UWB response signal from each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 and information about the timing of transmitting the UWB final signal.

[0090] Next, the first node 110 receives information about the timing at which each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 transmits a UWB response signal to the first node 110 to receive a UWB final signal (S950).

[0091] Next, the first node 110 may obtain the location of each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 (S960). To this end, the first node 110 may obtain the location of each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 using the time required to send the UWB initiation signal, the time required to receive the UWB response signal, and the time required to send the UWB final signal. For example, the location of each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 may be obtained by using at least some of the following times: the time from when the first node 110 sends the UWB initiation signal to each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 to when the first node 110 receives the UWB response signal; the time from when each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 receives the UWB initiation signal to when the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 receives the UWB final signal. , 140 and 150 sends a UWB response signal; the time from when the first node receives the UWB response signal from each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140 and 150 to when the first node sends the UWB final signal; and the time from when each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140 and 150 sends a UWB response signal to when each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140 and 150 receives the UWB final signal from the first node 110.

[0092] Next, the first node 110 detects an abnormal node using the position of each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 obtained in operation S950 (S970). For example, the first node 110 may pre-store the position of each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150. The first node 110 may compare the pre-stored position of each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 with the position obtained in operation S960, and as a result of the comparison, determine that a node having a predetermined error is an abnormal node.

[0093] Next, the first node 110 transmits information about the abnormal node to the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 (S980), and the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 stores the information about the abnormal node (S990) and sets the abnormal node to be excluded from UWB ranging (S9950).

[0094] Thereafter, the first node 110 changes back to the responder mode of the UWB communication, and the remaining nodes except for the abnormal node among the plurality of nodes included in the communication device 100 perform UWB ranging with the portable device 200 approaching the vehicle 10 .

[0095] Therefore, since the abnormal node can be excluded from the UWB ranging in advance before the UWB ranging is performed between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200, the accuracy of the UWB ranging can be improved, and the power waste caused by the operation of the abnormal node can be reduced. In addition, since information about timing is exchanged between the master node and the slave node in the communication device 100 during the process of detecting the abnormal node, the timing synchronization between the master node and the slave node can be achieved in advance, and the time required for the timing synchronization during the UWB ranging can be reduced.

[0096] Although the present invention has been specifically described with reference to the embodiments, the embodiments are only exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other forms of modified examples and applications may be performed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments may be implemented by modification. In addition, it should be understood that the differences associated with these modified examples and applications fall within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0097] [reference numerals]

[0098] 10: Vehicles

[0099] 100: Communication equipment

[0100] 200: Portable devices

[0101] 300: Controller

Claims

1. A communication method, by which a communication device installed in a vehicle and including a plurality of nodes communicates with a portable device, the communication method comprising: Detecting abnormal nodes among the plurality of nodes by sending or receiving an ultra-wideband (UWB) signal between the plurality of nodes; performing UWB ranging with the portable device by a node among the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node; as well as The position of the portable device is obtained according to the result of the UWB ranging.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of nodes include a master node and a plurality of slave nodes, and Detecting the abnormal node includes: The master node sends a UWB initiation signal to each of the plurality of slave nodes; receiving, by the master node, a UWB response signal in response to the UWB initiation signal from at least some of the plurality of slave nodes; and A UWB final signal in response to the UWB response signal is transmitted by the master node to each of at least some of the plurality of slave nodes.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein: Detecting the abnormal node includes: determining that a slave node among the plurality of slave nodes that has not sent the UWB response signal within a predetermined time period is the abnormal node.

4. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein: Detecting the abnormal node includes: Obtaining positions of the plurality of slave nodes using times acquired through transmission of the UWB initiation signal, reception of the UWB response signal, and transmission of the UWB final signal; and It is determined that a slave node among the plurality of slave nodes that has a certain error relative to a preset position is the abnormal node.

5. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: Performing UWB ranging with the portable device includes: Receiving, by the nodes among the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node, a UWB initiation signal from the portable device; The nodes excluding the abnormal node among the plurality of nodes transmit a UWB response signal to the portable device; and The UWB final signal from the portable device is received by the nodes among the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, wherein: The location of the portable device is obtained using at least some of the following times: the time from when the portable device sends the UWB initiation signal to when the portable device receives the UWB response signal, the time from when the node among the multiple nodes excluding the abnormal node receives the UWB initiation signal to when the node among the multiple nodes excluding the abnormal node sends the UWB response signal, the time from when the node among the multiple nodes excluding the abnormal node sends the UWB response signal to when the node among the multiple nodes excluding the abnormal node receives the UWB final signal, and the time from when the portable device receives the UWB response signal to when the portable device sends the UWB final signal.

7. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The detection of the abnormal node is initiated by a controller in the vehicle.

8. A communication device, comprising: Master node; as well as Multiple slave nodes, The master node detects abnormal nodes among the plurality of slave nodes by sending an ultra-wideband (UWB) signal to the plurality of slave nodes or receiving an ultra-wideband (UWB) signal from the plurality of slave nodes, and The master node and slave nodes of the plurality of slave nodes excluding the abnormal node perform UWB ranging with the portable device to obtain a location of the portable device.

9. The communication device according to claim 8, wherein: When the master node detects the abnormal node, the master node operates in an initiator mode of UWB ranging, and when the master node performs UWB ranging with the portable device, the master node operates in a responder mode of UWB ranging.

10. The communication device according to claim 8, wherein: The communication device is configured to be installed in a vehicle, and the portable device is configured to control opening / closing or starting of the vehicle.

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