Wireless communication device and method and vehicle key

Abstract

The invention discloses a wireless communication device and method and a vehicle key. The wireless communication device comprises a PCB main board, and a Bluetooth communication module and an ultra-wideband communication module which are arranged on the PCB main board, the Bluetooth communication module comprises a Bluetooth chip and a Bluetooth antenna assembly connected with the Bluetooth chip, and the Bluetooth communication module is configured to be in Bluetooth connection with target communication equipment; the ultra-wide-band communication module comprises an ultra-wide-band chip and an ultra-wide-band antenna assembly connected with the ultra-wide-band chip, and the ultra-wide-band communication module is configured to perform signal interaction with target communication equipment so as to obtain position information of the target communication equipment; the ultra-wideband antenna assembly comprises more than two monopole antennas. According to the wireless communication device, the target communication equipment can be quickly identified and connected through the Bluetooth communication module with relatively low power consumption; big data packets can be transmitted in a short time, omnidirectional radio frequency coverage can be realized, and the communication efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of computer technology, and particularly to a wireless communication device, method, and vehicle key. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing demand for wireless communication, existing wireless communication technologies, such as Bluetooth technology or ultra-wideband technology, each face a series of challenges, and in terms of radio frequency coverage, it is often difficult for these technologies to achieve 360-degree radio frequency coverage.

[0003] Therefore, how to construct a wireless communication device with better performance has become a technical problem that the industry urgently needs to solve. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of this application provide a wireless communication device, method, and vehicle key, which can achieve 360-degree radio frequency coverage to solve the above technical problems.

[0005] On the one hand, embodiments of this application provide a wireless communication device, including a PCB main board, and a Bluetooth communication module and an ultra-wideband communication module disposed on the PCB main board;

[0006] The Bluetooth communication module includes a Bluetooth chip and a Bluetooth antenna assembly connected to the Bluetooth chip, and the Bluetooth communication module is configured to be Bluetooth-connected to a target communication device;

[0007] The ultra-wideband communication module includes an ultra-wideband chip and an ultra-wideband antenna assembly connected to the ultra-wideband chip, and the ultra-wideband communication module is configured to perform signal interaction with the target communication device to obtain the position information of the target communication device;

[0008] The ultra-wideband antenna assembly includes more than 2 monopole antennas.

[0009] On the other hand, embodiments of this application also provide a wireless communication method, which is applied to a wireless communication device, and the method includes:

[0010] Based on the Bluetooth communication module of the wireless communication device, Bluetooth-connect to a target communication device;

[0011] Based on the ultra-wideband communication module of the wireless communication device, perform signal interaction with the target communication device to obtain the position information of the target communication device;

[0012] Wherein, the ultra-wideband communication module includes an ultra-wideband antenna assembly, and the ultra-wideband antenna assembly includes more than 2 monopole antennas.

[0013] On the other hand, embodiments of this application also provide a vehicle key, including:

[0014] A key housing and the above-mentioned wireless communication device provided in the key housing.

[0015] The wireless communication device, method and vehicle key provided by the embodiments of the present application can, in the initial stage of establishing a connection between the wireless communication device and a target communication device, quickly identify and connect to the target communication device with relatively low power consumption based on the low-power consumption characteristics of Bluetooth Low Energy through a Bluetooth communication module including a Bluetooth chip and a Bluetooth antenna assembly provided on a PCB main board; and can transmit large data packets in a short time based on the high-bandwidth characteristics of Ultra Wideband through an Ultra Wideband communication module including an Ultra Wideband chip and an Ultra Wideband antenna assembly, thereby improving the acquisition speed of the position information of the target communication device; and can construct an Ultra Wideband omnidirectional antenna array of the Ultra Wideband antenna assembly through more than two monopole antennas, so that the wireless communication device can achieve 360-degree radio frequency coverage, thereby significantly improving the communication efficiency of the wireless communication device. Description of the Drawings

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 One of the structural schematic diagrams of the wireless communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2 Another structural schematic diagram of the wireless communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0019] Figure 3 One of the flow schematic diagrams of the wireless communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0020] Figure 4 The software architecture schematic diagram of the wireless communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0021] Figure 5 Another flow schematic diagram of the wireless communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0022] Figure 6 Another flow schematic diagram of the wireless communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0023] Figure 7 The structural schematic diagram of the vehicle key provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0024] Description of the Reference Numerals:

[0025] 1. PCB main board;

[0026] 2. Bluetooth communication module; 21. Bluetooth chip; 22. Bluetooth antenna assembly;

[0027] 3. Ultra-wideband communication module; 31. Ultra-wideband chip; 32. Ultra-wideband antenna assembly; 321. Ultra-wideband omnidirectional antenna array; 3211. Monopole antenna;

[0028] 4. PCB daughter board;

[0029] 5. Microstrip line;

[0030] 6. Controller Area Network bus control chip;

[0031] 7. Local Interconnect Network bus control chip;

[0032] 8. Power management module;

[0033] 9. Car key; 91. Key housing; 92. Wireless communication device.

[0034] 10. Shielding cover. Detailed implementation manners

[0035] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0036] In the following description, specific embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to steps and symbols executed by one or more computers, unless otherwise stated. Therefore, these steps and operations will be mentioned several times as being executed by a computer. The computer execution referred to in the present application includes the operation of a computer processing unit that represents an electronic signal of data in a structured form. This operation transforms the data or maintains it at a position in the memory system of the computer, which can be reconfigured or otherwise changed in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The data structure maintained by the data is the physical position of the memory, which has specific characteristics defined by the data format. However, the principles of the present application are described in the above text, which does not represent a limitation. Those skilled in the art will understand that the following described multiple steps and operations can also be implemented in hardware.

[0037] As used in this application, the terms "module" or "unit" can be regarded as software objects executed on the computing system. Different components, modules, engines, and services described in this application can be regarded as implementation objects on the computing system. The devices and methods described in this application are preferably implemented in software, but can also be implemented in hardware, all within the scope of protection of this application.

[0038] Those skilled in the art of this technology can understand that unless specifically stated otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", "the", and "said" used here can also include the plural form. It should be further understood that the term "comprising" used in the specification of this application means the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or their groups. It should be understood that when we say an element is "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to other elements, or there may also be intermediate elements. In addition, the "connection" or "coupling" used here can include wireless connection or wireless coupling. The phrase "and / or" used here includes all or any unit and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0039] Figure 1 It is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the wireless communication device provided for the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view. Therefore, in order to make the structure of the disassembled components clearer, Figure 1 The dashed lines in [figure] indicate the corresponding positions of the disassembled components on the PCB main board 1. As Figure 1 shown, the wireless communication device includes a PCB main board 1, and a Bluetooth communication module 2 and an ultra-wideband communication module 3 disposed on the PCB main board 1;

[0040] The Bluetooth communication module 2 includes a Bluetooth chip 21 and a Bluetooth antenna assembly 22 connected to the Bluetooth chip 21. The Bluetooth communication module 2 is configured to be Bluetooth-connected to a target communication device;

[0041] The ultra-wideband communication module 3 includes an ultra-wideband chip 31 and an ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 connected to the ultra-wideband chip 31. The ultra-wideband communication module 3 is configured to interact with the target communication device to obtain the location information of the target communication device;

[0042] The ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 includes more than 2 monopole antennas 3211.

[0043] Specifically, the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) main board is a substrate on which electronic components such as a Bluetooth communication module 2 and an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) communication module 3 are installed, providing a physical carrier and an electrical connection foundation for the entire wireless communication device. The shape of the PCB main board 1 can be square or circular. A square or circular PCB layout can provide a more uniform current distribution, reduce electromagnetic interference, and may improve the matching network of the antenna.

[0044] Ultra Wide Band (UWB) is a wireless carrier communication technology. The UWB technology does not use a sine carrier, but uses non-sine wave narrow pulses at the nanosecond level to transmit data, so the spectrum range it occupies is very wide. The UWB technology has the advantages of low complexity, low transmitted signal power spectral density, insensitivity to channel fading, low interceptability, high positioning accuracy, and high security.

[0045] Although the UWB technology has high-precision positioning and low-latency characteristics and can send large data packets in a short time to achieve centimeter-level positioning accuracy, it also has some limitations, such as relatively short transmission distance and large power consumption, especially the power consumption of the UWB technology is relatively high during continuous positioning. The Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, on the other hand, has the advantages of low power consumption and long-distance communication, and can significantly reduce the energy consumption of the device while ensuring a certain communication distance. The Bluetooth chip 21 of this application can be a chip using the BLE technology.

[0046] The coverage range of UWB is relatively limited, but the connection speed is very fast and the latency is low, which is suitable for scenarios that require fast response and high-precision positioning. BLE has a wider coverage range, can support a communication distance of hundreds of meters, and the connection speed is also relatively fast, which is suitable for devices that require wide coverage and fast connection. Therefore, the embodiments of this application combine the UWB technology with the BLE technology to give full play to the advantages of both and achieve more accurate and reliable positioning and communication functions. Specifically, the embodiments of this application integrate a Bluetooth communication module 2 and an Ultra Wide Band communication module 3 on the PCB main board 1, and integrate these two technologies in a module in the form of a UWB+BLE Combo. By combining the UWB and BLE technologies, the radio frequency coverage range can be expanded and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0047] The Ultra Wide Band communication module 3 of the embodiments of this application includes an Ultra Wide Band chip 31 and an Ultra Wide Band antenna assembly 32.

[0048] The ultra-wideband chip 31 in the embodiments of the present application can be a positioning communication system chip with high integration, excellent performance, and low power consumption. The chip supports 7 UWB frequency bands (CH5 to CH11) in the frequency band range of 6 GHz to 8.5 GHz, and supports a maximum bandwidth of 1.3 GHz. It is compatible with the IEEE802.15.4-2020 and IEEE802.15.4z protocol standards, and complies with the specifications of the CCC and FiRa alliances at the same time. A configurable radio frequency front-end sub-module is integrated in the ultra-wideband chip 31. The radio frequency front-end sub-module includes a transmitter and three receivers (1T3R), as well as a digital back-end sub-module. The UWB PHY / MAC protocol and ranging / localization algorithms are integrated inside the ultra-wideband chip 31 to ensure that the ultra-wideband chip 31 has efficient communication and precise positioning functions.

[0049] The 1T3R architecture has significant advantages in accurate real-time distance measurement and angle measurement. This benefits from its unique design of three independent receiving channels. Compared with single-channel and dual-channel, the three channels can achieve more comprehensive full-space angle measurement, thus providing higher positioning accuracy. The chip with the 1T3R architecture also supports a more cost-effective single-anchor or reduced-anchor digital car key solution. This means that high-precision positioning and tracking can be achieved without the need for multiple anchors, thereby reducing the deployment cost.

[0050] The ultra-wideband chip 31 in the embodiments of the present application can be designed according to specific application scenarios. For example, when applied in the automotive field, the design of the ultra-wideband chip 31 needs to comply with automotive industry standards to meet the requirements of high positioning accuracy and safety. The ultra-wideband chip 31 can be applied in automotive field application scenarios such as digital car keys, short-range radar, mobile payment, and parking lot assisted parking.

[0051] The ultra-wideband omnidirectional antenna array 321 is composed of more than 2 monopole antennas 3211, and is an antenna combination that can at least achieve 360-degree omnidirectional radio frequency coverage and reception in the horizontal direction.

[0052] The ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 includes more than 2 monopole antennas 3211, that is, including at least 3 monopole antennas 3211 can form the ultra-wideband omnidirectional antenna array 321. Figure 1 It includes 3 monopole antennas 3211.

[0053] Generally, if the radio frequency coverage angle of a single monopole antenna 3211 is too large, it will cause signal instability. Therefore, it is difficult for a single monopole antenna 3211 to achieve 360-degree omnidirectional radio frequency coverage in the horizontal direction. Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, the ultra-wideband omnidirectional antenna array 321 is constructed by more than 2 monopole antennas 3211.

[0054] For example, in the embodiment of the present application, an ultra-wideband omnidirectional antenna array 321 is constructed by arranging three monopole antennas 3211 in an equilateral triangle. Each monopole antenna 3211 only needs to achieve a radio frequency coverage of 120 degrees to construct the ultra-wideband omnidirectional antenna array 321.

[0055] For another example, in the embodiment of the present application, an ultra-wideband omnidirectional antenna array 321 is constructed by arranging four monopole antennas 3211 in a square. Each monopole antenna 3211 only needs to achieve a radio frequency coverage of 90 degrees to construct the ultra-wideband omnidirectional antenna array 321.

[0056] The specific number and arrangement of the monopole antennas 3211 can be set according to the actual scenario. The material of the monopole antennas 3211 can be copper or tin-plated aluminum, etc. The antenna height of the monopole antennas 3211 can be one-quarter wavelength of the UWB center frequency. For example, the height is 7 to 12 mm, and the diameter is 2 to 5 mm. The shape can be conical or cylindrical.

[0057] The Bluetooth communication module 2 in the embodiment of the present application includes a Bluetooth chip 21 and a Bluetooth antenna assembly 22.

[0058] The Bluetooth chip 21 in the embodiment of the present application can be a BLE5.3 version chip and can be applied to scenarios such as digital car keys, tire pressure monitoring, automotive battery pack monitoring, and wireless connection of intelligent cockpits.

[0059] The Bluetooth antenna assembly 22 can include a 2.4 GHz Bluetooth antenna.

[0060] The target communication device is the device with which the wireless communication device in the embodiment of the present application aims to perform positioning and communication interaction. The position information refers to the coordinates of the target communication device in space and / or the relative distance between the target communication device and the wireless communication device, etc., which can be used to determine the position of the target device.

[0061] When using the wireless communication device, in the initial stage before establishing a connection with the target communication device, the Bluetooth communication module 2 can be used to discover the target communication device and establish a preliminary connection with the target communication device. Due to the low power consumption characteristics of BLE, this process will not have too much impact on the battery life of the wireless communication device. After the wireless communication device has established a connection with the target communication device, the ultra-wideband communication module 3 can obtain the position information of the target communication device. Due to the high bandwidth characteristics of UWB, the ultra-wideband communication module 3 can send large data packets in a short time, thereby quickly obtaining accurate position information of the target communication device and achieving ranging or positioning.

[0062] The wireless communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application can, in the initial stage of establishing a connection with a target communication device, quickly identify and connect to the target communication device with relatively low power consumption based on the low-power Bluetooth characteristic of the Bluetooth communication module 2 by setting a Bluetooth communication module 2 including a Bluetooth chip 21 and a Bluetooth antenna assembly 22, and a ultra-wideband communication module 3 including a ultra-wideband chip 31 and a ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 on a PCB main board 1; based on the high-bandwidth characteristic of ultra-wideband, transmit large data packets in a short time based on the ultra-wideband communication module 3, and improve the acquisition speed of the location information of the target communication device; a ultra-wideband omnidirectional antenna array 321 of the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 can be constructed by more than 2 monopole antennas 3211, so that the wireless communication device can achieve 360-degree radio frequency coverage, thereby significantly improving the communication efficiency of the wireless communication device.

[0063] In some embodiments, the Bluetooth communication module 2 and the ultra-wideband communication module 3 are integrally arranged on a PCB sub-board 4, the Bluetooth antenna assembly 22 is located at one end of the PCB sub-board 4, and the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 is located at the opposite end of the PCB sub-board 4.

[0064] One end of the PCB sub-board 4 protrudes relative to the edge of the PCB main board 1, and the Bluetooth antenna assembly 22 is arranged on the protruding part of the PCB sub-board 4.

[0065] Specifically, integration means that some components of the Bluetooth communication module 2 and the ultra-wideband communication module 3 are installed on the PCB sub-board 4. For example, the Bluetooth chip 21 and the Bluetooth antenna assembly 22 of the Bluetooth communication module 2 of the present application, and the ultra-wideband chip 31 of the ultra-wideband communication module 3 are installed on the PCB sub-board 4, while the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 is connected to the PCB sub-board 4 and installed on the PCB main board 1.

[0066] The PCB sub-board 4 is a substrate arranged on the PCB main board 1. The Bluetooth communication module 2 and the ultra-wideband chip 31 are encapsulated on the PCB sub-board 4 in the form of a leadless chip carrier (LCC) and a land grid array (LGA).

[0067] The signal phase is an important indicator for 3-Dimensional Passive Direction of Arrival (3D-PDOA). During signal propagation, the phase may change due to the influence of the path. To enable the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 to maintain stable performance in a complex electromagnetic environment and ensure the signal phase stability and ranging stability of multiple monopole antennas 3211, and to avoid poor positioning accuracy caused by signal phase changes, the PCB daughter board 4 in the embodiments of this application adopts a design of placing antennas on one side, that is, all monopole antennas 3211 of the ultra-wideband communication module 3 are installed on the same side of the PCB daughter board 4, rather than being distributed on both sides of the PCB daughter board 4. This design helps to optimize the performance of the monopole antennas 3211 and ensure stability and accuracy in a complex electromagnetic environment.

[0068] The Bluetooth antenna assembly 22 can include an on-board antenna provided in the PCB daughter board 4. This compact device layout can ensure that the size of the PCB daughter board 4 is small and reduce the development workload at the same time.

[0069] In the embodiments of this application, the Bluetooth chip 21 and the ultra-wideband chip 31 are closely adjacent. Shielding covers 10 are provided on the Bluetooth chip 21 and the ultra-wideband chip 31. The ultra-wideband chip 31 and the Bluetooth chip 21 are connected through the Bluetooth antenna assembly 22 inside the PCB daughter board 4. The ultra-wideband chip 31 is connected to the LCC pads of the PCB daughter board 4 and is connected to the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 through the microstrip line 5 to receive or transmit signals. The Bluetooth chip 21 can use the reserved Bluetooth antenna assembly 22 on the PCB daughter board 4 to reduce the development workload.

[0070] The ultra-wideband chip 31, the Bluetooth chip 21, and the Bluetooth antenna assembly 22 are integrated on the PCB daughter board 4, enabling the wireless communication device to eliminate the need for setting additional antenna assemblies, thus saving the procurement and assembly costs of the components and helping to reduce the overall cost of the Bluetooth communication module 2. In addition, since the center frequency of Bluetooth is relatively low and the wavelength is relatively long, the requirements for the antenna are relatively loose. Therefore, the Bluetooth antenna assembly 22 is easier to integrate and debug than the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 of UWB. Through the modular debugging and production method, the consistency can be improved and stable signal transmission performance can be ensured to meet the requirements of Bluetooth communication for signal quality.

[0071] The wireless communication device provided in the embodiments of this application integrates the Bluetooth communication module 2 and the ultra-wideband communication module 3 on the PCB daughter board 4, and the Bluetooth antenna assembly 22 is located at the protruding part of the PCB daughter board 4. This layout not only reduces the space occupied by the PCB main board 1, enabling the miniaturization of the wireless communication device, but also reduces the interference of the peripheral circuit on the Bluetooth signal, ensuring the stability of Bluetooth communication.

[0072] In some embodiments, a microstrip line 5 extends from the PCB daughter board 4, and the microstrip line 5 is disposed on the PCB main board 1. One end of the microstrip line 5 is connected to the ultra-wideband chip 31, and the opposite end of the microstrip line 5 is connected to the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32.

[0073] The microstrip line 5 and the PCB daughter board 4 are both disposed on one side of the PCB main board 1, and the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 is disposed on the opposite side of the PCB main board 1.

[0074] Specifically, multiple microstrip lines 5 extend from the PCB daughter board 4, and these microstrip lines 5 are distributed on the PCB main board 1 in a specific pattern. One end of each microstrip line 5 is closely connected to the ultra-wideband chip 31, and the opposite end thereof is connected to a monopole antenna 3211 in the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32.

[0075] The number of microstrip lines 5 is the same as the number of monopole antennas 3211. One end of the microstrip line 5 is connected to the PCB daughter board 4, and the other end is connected to a monopole antenna 3211 in the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32. Therefore, the distribution pattern of the microstrip lines 5 is related to the number and position of the monopole antennas 3211.

[0076] In some embodiments, the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 includes 3 monopole antennas 3211, the PCB daughter board 4 is provided with an adapted number of microstrip lines 5, and one microstrip line 5 is correspondingly connected to one monopole antenna 3211.

[0077] The PCB daughter board 4 extends 3 microstrip lines 5, and each microstrip line 5 extends in a bent shape toward the corresponding monopole antenna 3211; the lengths of the 3 microstrip lines 5 are different.

[0078] The 3 monopole antennas 3211 are arranged in an equilateral triangle, and the radio frequency combined coverage angle of the 3 monopole antennas 3211 is greater than or equal to 360 degrees, forming a horizontal omnidirectional antenna array. The structure of the monopole antenna 3211 is conical, and the top end of the monopole antenna 3211 is connected to the microstrip line 5.

[0079] Specifically, 3 monopole antennas 3211 can form a 360-degree horizontal omnidirectional antenna array. The horizontal omnidirectional antenna array in the embodiment of the present application is composed of 3 monopole antennas 3211 arranged in an equilateral triangle, and its radio frequency combined range can cover a range of 360 degrees in the horizontal plane, so as to realize an antenna combination for signal reception or transmission without dead angles in the horizontal direction.

[0080] Such as Figure 1As shown, three microstrip lines 5 extend from the PCB daughter board 4. Each microstrip line 5 extends towards the corresponding monopole antenna 3211 and is connected to the corresponding monopole antenna 3211. The distribution pattern of the microstrip lines 5 is claw-shaped. Since the three monopole antennas 3211 are arranged in an equilateral triangle, the lengths of the three microstrip lines 5 are different. The lengths of the three microstrip lines 5 are related to the specific positions of the three monopole antennas 3211. Figure 2 Two of the microstrip lines 5 have relatively short lengths, and the other microstrip line 5 has a relatively long length.

[0081] The monopole antenna 3211 in the embodiment of the present application can be conical or cylindrical. Figure 2 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the wireless communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 In it, the monopole antenna 3211 is conical. The three monopole antennas 3211 are welded to the PCB main board 1 through via pads and are arranged in an equilateral triangle to construct a horizontal omnidirectional antenna array, so that the wireless communication device can radiate and receive signals in all directions of 360 degrees horizontally. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the PCB main board includes an A side and a B side. The microstrip lines 5 and the PCB daughter board 4 are both provided on the A side of the PCB main board, and the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 is provided on the B side of the PCB main board.

[0082] Traditional antenna systems can usually only measure angles in a plane, with a limited range (usually 180 degrees), which has limitations in practical applications. In contrast, the embodiment of the present application uses three monopole antennas 3211 to measure the signal phase differences in multiple directions. Through the signal phase differences, the three-dimensional coordinates (x, y, z) of the target communication device relative to the reference point (such as the center of the ultra-wideband omnidirectional antenna array 321) can be calculated, so as to obtain the accurate position information of the target communication device.

[0083] The ultra-wideband omnidirectional antenna array 321 in the embodiment of the present application can cover omnidirectional signal transmission on the horizontal plane, and its bandwidth setting meets the interval frequency requirements of UWB CH5 and CH9 channels. This antenna design can enable the wireless communication device to have the functions of 3D-PDOA ranging and angle measurement, and at the same time has high radiation efficiency and good gain effect. The omnidirectional antenna array in the embodiment of the present application can be designed with a smaller size and is compact, so that it can be encapsulated in a smaller housing.

[0084] When designing the monopole antenna 3211 in the embodiment of the present application, the spatial size and antenna performance are comprehensively considered, such as considering aspects such as the center frequency point, radiation efficiency and gain, phase stability, polarization characteristics, antenna size and shape, and anti-interference ability.

[0085] The simulation software can be used to simulate the microstrip line 5 between the ultra-wideband chip 31 and the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32, the via pads on the PCB main board 1, and the inner-layer pads (pads) of the PCB main board 1. Based on the simulation results, the sizes and structures of the microstrip line 5, the via pads, and the inner-layer pads are set to ensure that the radio frequency path maintains a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms, reduce losses, and improve the performance of the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32.

[0086] For example, in the embodiments of the present application, computer simulation technology (CST) is used to optimize parameters such as the line width of the microstrip line 5 and the pad size of the via pads to ensure good impedance matching between the components (such as the Bluetooth communication module 2 and the ultra-wideband chip 31) on the PCB daughter board 4 and the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32.

[0087] The wireless communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application realizes the precise connection between the ultra-wideband chip 31 and the monopole antenna 3211 by extending and arranging the microstrip line 5 on the PCB daughter board 4 that is adapted to the number of monopole antennas 3211 and has a specific curved shape. Combined with the horizontal omnidirectional antenna array composed of the monopole antennas 3211 arranged in an equilateral triangle, the signal receiving and transmitting capabilities of the wireless communication device in a complex electromagnetic environment are effectively improved, and the positioning accuracy and communication stability are enhanced.

[0088] In some embodiments, the microstrip line 5 includes a conductive layer and an anti-oxidation layer covering the conductive layer. The material of the conductive layer includes copper, and the materials of the anti-oxidation layer include nickel and gold.

[0089] Specifically, the microstrip line 5 is generally composed of a narrow and long metal strip (usually copper) attached to the surface of a dielectric substrate, and one side is exposed to the air. In high-frequency circuit design, the material of the anti-oxidation layer is generally green oil, but green oil will change the impedance characteristics of the microstrip line 5.

[0090] In the embodiments of the present application, in order to avoid the influence of green oil on the performance of the microstrip line 5, green oil is not used as the anti-oxidation layer for the microstrip line 5. In the embodiments of the present application, the conductive layer is specially treated to cover an anti-oxidation layer composed of nickel and gold.

[0091] For example, the conductive layer is made of copper. First, a layer of nickel is deposited on the surface of the bare copper, and then a layer of gold is deposited on the nickel layer. The nickel layer and the gold layer form the anti-oxidation layer.

[0092] The wireless communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application uses nickel and gold to construct the anti-oxidation layer of the microstrip line 5, which can not only effectively prevent the oxidation of the microstrip line 5 but also maintain the impedance characteristics of the microstrip line 5.

[0093] In some embodiments, the device further includes a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus control chip 6 disposed on the PCB main board 1, and the CAN bus control chip 6 is configured to convert the data format of the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) data into a data format that can be transmitted by the CAN bus.

[0094] The device further includes a Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus control chip 7 disposed on the PCB main board 1. The LIN bus control chip 7 includes a master node and multiple slave nodes, and the LIN bus control chip 7 is configured to convert the data format of the Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART) data into a data format that can be transmitted by the LIN bus.

[0095] Specifically, the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus is a communication protocol widely adopted in the automotive industry. Through the CAN bus, sensors and controllers can quickly exchange information, and this data transmission is bidirectional, that is, sensors can send the collected data to the controller, and the controller can also send instructions to the sensors or other actuators. This rapid data exchange is the basis for the effective coordination of various vehicle functions. In the automotive scenario, the CAN bus also allows diagnostic devices to read the real-time data and fault information of each electronic control unit of the vehicle through the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) system interface. This enables maintenance personnel to quickly and accurately locate vehicle faults and improve maintenance efficiency.

[0096] In the embodiment of the present application, a CAN bus control chip 6 is disposed on the PCB main board 1, which can connect the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) device to the CAN bus network and realize data transmission between different communication interfaces. This design enables the Bluetooth device that originally only supports SPI to obtain CAN communication capabilities without changing the hardware structure, so as to access the CAN bus network, significantly expanding the application scope and flexibility of the device.

[0097] The CAN bus control chip 6 can not only connect different interfaces, but also process the received data. For example, in the automotive application scenario, the CAN bus control chip 6 can process body data and is responsible for data transmission and the implementation of communication protocols. Specifically, the CAN bus control chip 6 receives data from the microprocessor, converts it into a format suitable for CAN bus transmission, and sends it to the CAN bus, thereby connecting the body control domain of the entire vehicle, including systems such as the engine and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). This functional integration simplifies the design of the in-vehicle network and improves the efficiency and reliability of the system.

[0098] The Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus is a low-cost serial communication network defined for automotive distributed electronic systems, mainly used in application scenarios with low requirements for network bandwidth, performance, or fault tolerance functions. The LIN bus adopts a single-master / multi-slave structure, that is, one master node and multiple slave nodes. Without arbitration, the slave nodes can achieve synchronization without a crystal oscillator or ceramic oscillator, which reduces the complexity of the system and improves reliability. At the same time, by adopting technologies such as Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), errors in data transmission can be detected to ensure the reliability of data.

[0099] Compared with the CAN bus, the LIN bus has a relatively lower speed and smaller bandwidth. The LIN bus is suitable for scenarios that do not require high-speed communication and complex network topologies. For example, in automotive application scenarios, the LIN bus is usually used for low-speed communication inside the vehicle, such as the control of doors, windows, electric seats, and air conditioners. Due to the low data transmission rate, the hardware requirements of the LIN bus are simple. The LIN bus usually adopts a single-wire communication method, thus reducing costs. The LIN bus can be used in cooperation with the CAN bus.

[0100] In the embodiment of this application, a Local Interconnect Network bus control chip 7 is provided on the PCB main board 1, which can connect the Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART) device to the LIN bus network to realize data transmission between different communication interfaces. This design enables Bluetooth devices that originally only support the UART interface to obtain LIN communication capabilities without changing the hardware structure, thus accessing the LIN bus network, significantly expanding the application scope and flexibility of the devices.

[0101] The Local Interconnect Network bus control chip 7 and the Controller Area Network bus control chip 6 are connected to the Bluetooth chip 21 through the SPI or UART serial bus interface, so that the whole wireless communication device can be used as a body anchor point or a slave node, that is, the wireless communication device can flexibly adapt to the requirements of in-vehicle communication networks. It can not only actively provide information as a data source but also respond to external requests as a data receiver, thus supporting complex communication and control systems inside the vehicle.

[0102] The wireless communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application is provided with a Controller Area Network bus control chip 6 for SPI to CAN conversion and a Local Interconnect Network bus control chip 7 for UART to LIN conversion on the PCB main board 1, enabling the wireless communication device to directly communicate with high-speed CAN networks and low-speed LIN networks without the need for a Microcontroller Unit (MCU) to directly handle these complex communication protocols, thereby reducing the requirements for the performance of the MCU in the wireless communication device and reducing the workload of software development.

[0103] In some embodiments, the wireless communication device may further include a power management module 8, which is integrated on the PCB main board 1 to provide corresponding operating voltages for each chip on the PCB main board 1. The power management module 8 supports a 12V DC input and manages and distributes power through a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC). The PMIC is responsible for converting the input voltage and current to meet the requirements of each electronic component and circuit, while ensuring a stable power output. The PMIC can output different voltages required by the wireless communication device to meet the operating voltage requirements of various device modules.

[0104] The wireless communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application will be described below. The wireless communication method described below can be mutually referred to corresponding to the wireless communication device described above.

[0105] The wireless communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is applicable to terminals, and the terminals can be various electronic devices, including but not limited to in-vehicle servers, smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, etc.

[0106] Figure 3 One of the schematic flowcharts of the wireless communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is as Figure 3 shown. The method includes step 310 and step 320. The flow steps of the method are only one possible implementation manner of the present application.

[0107] Step 310: Bluetooth-connect to the target communication device based on the Bluetooth communication module 2 of the wireless communication device;

[0108] Step 320: Perform signal interaction with the target communication device based on the ultra-wideband communication module 3 of the wireless communication device to obtain the location information of the target communication device;

[0109] Among them, the ultra-wideband communication module 3 includes an ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32, and the ultra-wideband antenna assembly 32 includes more than 2 monopole antennas 3211.

[0110] Specifically, the execution subject of the wireless communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is the above-mentioned wireless communication device, which can be an independent hardware device set in the terminal or a software program running in the terminal.

[0111] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the software architecture of the wireless communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. As Figure 4 shown, in this architecture, the application (APP) is set according to the actual usage scenario and functional requirements. The system framework layer is responsible for managing the overall structure, coordinating the relationships between various components, and handling the communication between them.

[0112] The data processing unit is configured to process the data of the Bluetooth communication module 2, the ultra-wideband communication module 3, and the upper-layer application, and perform relevant security processing. The processed data is output through corresponding interfaces (such as USB, CAN, and UART, etc.).

[0113] The Bluetooth communication module 2 supports BLE services and provides functions such as Bluetooth pairing and connection, ranging, data transparent transmission, and authentication based on BLE technology.

[0114] The ultra-wideband communication module 3 supports UWB services and provides the following services based on UWB technology:

[0115] Configuration service: Provides the ability to obtain and configure the radio frequency and protocol-related parameters of the ultra-wideband chip 31.

[0116] Key service: Provides the ability to configure the ranging key of the ultra-wideband chip 31.

[0117] Session management service: Responsible for the management of UWB sessions, including the start, pause, resume, termination, etc. of sessions, as well as the scheduling control of multiple sessions.

[0118] Chip driver: Interacts with the ultra-wideband chip 31 and performs various operations on the chip.

[0119] When the wireless communication device of the terminal is used for the first time, the Bluetooth pairing process needs to be executed. After successful pairing, further data interaction can be carried out. For the target communication device that has been paired and bound, it will be automatically connected during subsequent use.

[0120] Figure 5 It is the second schematic diagram of the process of the wireless communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. As Figure 5 shown, the wireless communication method includes the following steps:

[0121] Step 510: The wireless communication device (node terminal) establishes a Bluetooth link with the target communication device (anchor terminal) through the Bluetooth communication module 2, and can adjust the broadcast period under certain circumstances according to the power consumption strategy;

[0122] Step 520: If the wireless communication device fails to establish a Bluetooth connection with the target communication device, it periodically monitors the broadcast information sent by the mobile terminal. If Bluetooth broadcast information that meets the requirements is detected, proceed to the next step;

[0123] Step 530: The target communication device initiates a Bluetooth connection request to the wireless communication device module;

[0124] Step 540: After the Bluetooth communication module 2 of the wireless communication device receives the Bluetooth connection request from the target communication device, it immediately enters the Bluetooth connection channel, and the target communication device establishes a Bluetooth connection channel after sending the Bluetooth connection request;

[0125] Step 550: The wireless communication device initiates a Bluetooth security request to the target communication device;

[0126] Step 560: After the target communication device receives the Bluetooth security request from the Bluetooth communication module 2 of the wireless communication device, it sends a Bluetooth pairing request to the wireless communication device;

[0127] Step 570: The Bluetooth communication module 2 of the wireless communication device automatically generates and fills in or manually inputs a Bluetooth pairing code by the user. The target communication device automatically obtains and fills it in, or directly obtains the Bluetooth pairing code manually input by the user. Among them, the method of automatically obtaining and filling in the pairing code requires the target communication device to have a prompt message for the user to confirm before proceeding to the next operation;

[0128] Step 580: The Bluetooth communication module 2 of the wireless communication device and the target communication device transmit the pairing code to the Bluetooth protocol stack security management layer;

[0129] Step 590: After the pairing codes between the Bluetooth communication module 2 of the wireless communication device and the target communication device are verified to be correct, the pairing is confirmed to be successful. Subsequently, the Bluetooth communication module 2 of the wireless communication device and the target communication device respectively bind the device information of each other for subsequent automatic connection. The connection uses the Bluetooth protocol standard encryption mechanism for link layer encryption.

[0130] After the above steps are completed, that is, the Bluetooth pairing is successful, the Bluetooth communication module 2 of the wireless communication device and the target communication device can perform Bluetooth data interaction and execute subsequent authentication or function commands.

[0131] In the BLE+UWB architecture, the Bluetooth link is mainly responsible for data interaction and provides the parameter negotiation and configuration capabilities required for UWB ranging and positioning. UWB is responsible for performing secure ranging and positioning functions.

[0132] After the wireless communication device module establishes a Bluetooth connection with the target communication device and completes authentication, the wireless communication device can utilize the ranging and positioning capability information of the ultra-wideband communication module 3 to initiate a fast UWB passive authentication interaction.

[0133] The interaction process between the wireless communication device and the target communication device, including establishing a UWB connection, performing ranging, making service judgments based on distance and positioning information, and ending ranging and positioning, is called a UWB session.

[0134] If the wireless communication device or the target communication device is triggered by a specific event or meets certain preset conditions, the status of the UWB session and ranging may change. In this case, UWB session management is required to ensure that the session status between the wireless communication device and the target communication device can be synchronized in a timely manner.

[0135] Figure 6 It is the third schematic diagram of the process of the wireless communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 6 shown, the UWB session involves the following content:

[0136] Session initialization: When a Bluetooth connection is established between the wireless communication device and the target communication device and it is determined that UWB service ranging and positioning need to be initiated, after the two parties negotiate the UWB configuration, session initialization is performed. Or during the Bluetooth connection, due to reasons such as session parameter changes, expiration, and termination, the UWB session needs to be restarted.

[0137] Continuous ranging: After UWB ranging and positioning, if there is no interruption, stop, or other reasons to terminate UWB ranging and positioning, then UWB ranging and positioning will be polled continuously until it is terminated.

[0138] Session suspension: In cases where the duration of UWB ranging and positioning exceeds a predetermined time, the wireless communication device can actively suspend the session; when the session is suspended, UBW is still working. To avoid excessive power consumption, the suspension time cannot be too long.

[0139] Session recovery: The wireless communication device can resume the UWB session on its own based on defined rules, keeping the originally negotiated session parameters unchanged. After the target communication device receives the session recovery instruction, the session restarts.

[0140] Session termination: When it is necessary to terminate the UWB session due to reasons such as completion of UWB ranging and positioning, timeout, error, etc. When the Bluetooth connection between the target communication device and the wireless communication device is disconnected, the UWB session needs to be terminated.

[0141] It should be noted that the steps of this method process are only a possible implementation manner of the present application. Each implementation manner of the present application can be freely combined, the order can be swapped, or they can be executed independently, and do not need to rely on or depend on a fixed execution order.

[0142] It should be noted here that the wireless communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application corresponds to the above-mentioned wireless communication device and can achieve the same technical effects. Therefore, the same parts and beneficial effects as those in the device embodiments will not be specifically described in this embodiment.

[0143] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of the car key provided in the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 7 shown, the car key 9 provided by the present application includes a key housing 91 and the above-mentioned wireless communication device 92 disposed within the key housing 91.

[0144] The above has introduced in detail a wireless communication device, method, and car key provided in the embodiments of the present application. Specific examples are used in the present application to illustrate the principles and implementation manners of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and its core idea of the present application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present application, there will be changes in the specific implementation manners and application scopes. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device, characterized in that, The wireless communication device includes a PCB main board, a Bluetooth communication module, and an ultra-wideband communication module disposed on the PCB main board; The Bluetooth communication module includes a Bluetooth chip and a Bluetooth antenna assembly connected to the Bluetooth chip. The Bluetooth communication module is configured to be Bluetooth-connected to a target communication device; The ultra-wideband communication module includes an ultra-wideband chip and an ultra-wideband antenna assembly connected to the ultra-wideband chip. The ultra-wideband communication module is configured to interact with the target communication device to obtain the location information of the target communication device; The ultra-wideband antenna assembly includes more than 2 monopole antennas.

2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein The Bluetooth communication module and the ultra-wideband communication module are integrally disposed on a PCB sub-board. The Bluetooth antenna assembly is located at one end of the PCB sub-board, and the ultra-wideband antenna assembly is located at the opposite end of the PCB sub-board.

3. The wireless communication device according to claim 2, characterized in that, One end of the PCB sub-board protrudes relative to the edge of the PCB main board, and the Bluetooth antenna assembly is disposed on the protruding part of the PCB sub-board.

4. The wireless communication device according to claim 2, wherein The PCB sub-board is extended with microstrip lines. The microstrip lines are disposed on the PCB main board. One end of the microstrip line is connected to the ultra-wideband chip, and the opposite end of the microstrip line is connected to the ultra-wideband antenna assembly.

5. The wireless communication device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The microstrip lines and the PCB sub-board are disposed on the same side of the PCB main board, and the ultra-wideband antenna assembly is disposed on the opposite side of the PCB main board.

6. The wireless communication device according to claim 5, wherein The ultra-wideband antenna assembly includes 3 of the monopole antennas. The PCB sub-board is provided with an appropriate number of the microstrip lines, and one microstrip line is correspondingly connected to one monopole antenna.

7. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein The PCB sub-board is extended with 3 of the microstrip lines. Each microstrip line extends in a curved shape toward the corresponding monopole antenna. The lengths of the 3 microstrip lines are different.

8. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein, The 3 monopole antennas are arranged in an equilateral triangle. The radio frequency combined coverage angle of the 3 monopole antennas is greater than or equal to 360 degrees, forming a horizontal omnidirectional antenna array.

9. The wireless communication device according to claim 7, wherein, The structure of the monopole antenna is conical, and the top end of the monopole antenna is connected to the microstrip line.

10. The wireless communication device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The microstrip line includes a conductive layer and an anti-oxidation layer covering the conductive layer. The material of the conductive layer includes copper, and the material of the anti-oxidation layer includes nickel and gold.

11. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein, The device further includes a controller area network bus control chip disposed on the PCB main board. The controller area network bus control chip is configured to convert the data format of the serial peripheral interface into a data format that can be transmitted by the controller area network bus.

12. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein The device further includes a local interconnection network bus control chip disposed on the PCB main board. The local interconnection network bus control chip includes a main node and multiple slave nodes. The local interconnection network bus control chip is configured to convert the data format of the universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter interface into a data format that can be transmitted by the local interconnection network bus.

13. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a wireless communication device, the method includes: Bluetooth-connecting to a target communication device based on the Bluetooth communication module of the wireless communication device; Based on the signal interaction between the ultra-wideband communication module of the wireless communication device and the target communication device, the location information of the target communication device is obtained; Wherein, the ultra-wideband communication module includes an ultra-wideband antenna assembly, and the ultra-wideband antenna assembly includes more than 2 monopole antennas.

14. A car key, characterized in that, It includes a key housing and the wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 provided in the key housing.

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