Positioning circuit and Bluetooth positioner

Abstract

The utility model relates to a positioning circuit and a Bluetooth positioner. The positioning circuit comprises a control unit, a switch unit, a power amplifier and an antenna. Wherein the first output end of the control unit is connected with the first input end of the switch unit; the first output end of the switch unit is connected with the antenna; the second output end of the switch unit is connected with the input end of the power amplifier; the output end of the power amplifier is connected with the antenna; the first input end of the switch unit is connected with the first output end of the switch unit or the second output end of the switch unit under the action of a control signal. The positioning circuit is provided with the switch unit, the received signal strength is detected through the control unit, the power amplifier is started through the switch unit to guarantee signal quality and connection stability when the signal strength is smaller than a first preset threshold value, and the power amplifier is not started through the switch unit to reduce power consumption when the signal strength is larger than a second preset threshold value. Therefore, the influence of the power amplifier on the endurance is reduced while the positioning coverage range is enlarged.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of Bluetooth positioning technology, and in particular to a positioning circuit and a Bluetooth locator. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the continuous development of electronic technology and the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), the demand for device positioning is increasing, especially in the fields of logistics, security, medical care, education, tourism, and smart home. Small locators are favored for their portability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of deployment. From traditional logistics tracking and asset management to emerging indoor navigation, personnel positioning, pet tracking, and sports health monitoring, the application scenarios of small locators are expanding, driving the iteration and innovation of their technology. Currently, the effective range of Bluetooth technology locators is usually between 10 meters and 100 meters. If the coverage range is to be increased, a power amplifier (PA) needs to be added. However, the addition of a PA increases power consumption, which greatly affects the product's battery life. CONTENT OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0003] The present application provides a positioning circuit and a Bluetooth locator to solve the technical problem of how to reduce the impact of a power amplifier on battery life while increasing the coverage range of Bluetooth positioning.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a positioning circuit, which includes a control unit, a switch unit, a power amplifier, and an antenna.

[0005] The first output end of the control unit is connected to the first input end of the switch unit. The first output end of the switch unit is connected to the antenna, and the second output end of the switch unit is connected to the input end of the power amplifier. The output end of the power amplifier is connected to the antenna. The control signal of the control unit is connected to the control end of the switch unit. The first input end of the switch unit is connected to the first output end or the second output end of the switch unit under the action of the control signal.

[0006] The control unit is configured to output a first control signal to control the first input end of the switch unit to be connected to the second output end of the switch unit when detecting that the received signal strength is less than a first preset threshold, and output a second control signal to control the first input end of the switch unit to be connected to the first output end of the switch unit when detecting that the received signal strength is greater than a second preset threshold. The second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold.

[0007] Optionally, the switch unit comprises a single-pole double-throw switch; the single-pole double-throw switch comprises a first static terminal, a first dynamic terminal, a second dynamic terminal, a first control terminal and a second control terminal;

[0008] The first static terminal is connected to a first output terminal of the control unit, the first dynamic terminal is connected to the antenna, the second dynamic terminal is connected to an input terminal of the power amplifier, the first control terminal is connected to a first control output terminal of the control unit, and the second control terminal is connected to a second control output terminal of the control unit.

[0009] When the first control output terminal outputs a high level and the second control output terminal outputs a low level, the first static terminal is connected to the first dynamic terminal.

[0010] When the first control output terminal outputs a low level and the second control output terminal outputs a high level, the first static terminal is connected to the second dynamic terminal.

[0011] Optionally, the control unit comprises a Bluetooth chip.

[0012] Optionally, the Bluetooth chip comprises a control module and a signal strength detection module.

[0013] The signal strength detection module is configured to output the detected signal strength of the terminal to the control module.

[0014] The control module is configured to output a control signal to the single-pole double-throw switch through the first control output terminal and the second control output terminal according to the signal strength.

[0015] Optionally, the signal strength detection module comprises a signal receiving subunit and a signal detection subunit.

[0016] The signal receiving subunit is configured to receive data packets of the terminal and send target data packets to the signal detection subunit; wherein, a preset number of data packets are arranged between every two target data packets.

[0017] The signal detection subunit is configured to detect the signal strength of the target data packets and output the signal strength to the control module.

[0018] Optionally, the positioning circuit further comprises a first filter unit and a second filter unit.

[0019] The first filter unit is connected to the first control terminal, and the second filter unit is connected to the second control terminal.

[0020] Optionally, the positioning circuit further comprises a third filter unit.

[0021] The third filter unit is connected to the antenna.

[0022] Optionally, the power supply output end of the control unit is connected to the power amplifier.

[0023] Optionally, the switch unit further comprises a first switch, a first end of the first switch is connected to the power supply output end of the control unit, a second end of the first switch is connected to the enable end of the power amplifier, and a control end of the first switch is connected to the third control output end of the control unit.

[0024] When the first control output end outputs a low level and the second control output end outputs a high level, the third control output end of the control unit outputs a high level.

[0025] In a second aspect, the present application provides a Bluetooth locator, the Bluetooth locator comprising the positioning circuit according to any one of the first aspect.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the above technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application has the following advantages: the positioning circuit provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises a control unit, a switch unit, a power amplifier and an antenna; a first output end of the control unit is connected to a first input end of the switch unit; a first output end of the switch unit is connected to the antenna, and a second output end of the switch unit is connected to an input end of the power amplifier; an output end of the power amplifier is connected to the antenna; a control signal of the control unit is connected to a control end of the switch unit; the first input end of the switch unit is connected to the first output end of the switch unit or the second output end of the switch unit under the action of the control signal; the control unit is configured to output a first control signal to control the first input end of the switch unit to be connected to the second output end of the switch unit when it is detected that a received signal strength is less than a first preset threshold; and output a second control signal to control the first output end of the switch unit to be connected to the first output end of the switch unit when it is detected that the received signal strength is greater than a second preset threshold; and the second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold. The positioning circuit sets a switch unit, detects a received signal strength through a control unit, turns on a power amplifier through the switch unit to ensure signal quality and connection stability when the signal strength is less than a first preset threshold, and does not turn on the power amplifier through the switch unit to reduce power consumption when the signal strength is greater than a second preset threshold, thereby increasing the positioning coverage range while reducing the impact of the power amplifier on the endurance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the application.

[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the accompanying drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced as follows. Obviously, the drawings are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and thus they do not limit the present application in any form.

[0029] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are schematic and not intended to be limiting of the present application. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

[0030] Figure 1 A structural schematic diagram of a positioning circuit provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a positioning circuit provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 3A A partial circuit schematic diagram of a positioning circuit provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 3B Another partial circuit schematic diagram of a positioning circuit provided by one embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to 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 of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0035] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different structures of the present application. For the purpose of simplification, the components and arrangements of specific examples are described in the following description. Of course, they are only examples and are not intended to limit the present application. In addition, reference numerals and / or letters can be repeated in different examples. Such repetition is for the purpose of simplification and clarity, and does not indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements being discussed.

[0036] In order to solve the technical problem in the prior art that how to reduce the influence of the power amplifier on the endurance while increasing the Bluetooth positioning coverage range, the application provides a positioning circuit and a Bluetooth locator, which can detect the received signal strength through a control unit, turn on the power amplifier through a switching unit to ensure signal quality and connection stability when the signal strength is less than a first preset threshold, and not turn on the power amplifier through the switching unit to reduce power consumption when the signal strength is greater than a second preset threshold, so as to reduce the influence of the power amplifier on the endurance while increasing the positioning coverage range.

[0037] The first embodiment of the application provides a positioning circuit, which comprises Figure 1 a control unit 101, a switching unit 102, a power amplifier 103 and an antenna 104.

[0038] The connection relationship is as follows:

[0039] The first output end of the control unit 101 is connected to the first input end of the switching unit 102; the first output end of the switching unit 102 is connected to the antenna 104, and the second output end of the switching unit 102 is connected to the input end of the power amplifier 103; the output end of the power amplifier 103 (the power amplifier can also be represented by PA) is connected to the antenna 104 (the antenna can also be represented by ANT); the control signal of the control unit 101 is connected to the control end of the switching unit 102; the first input end of the switching unit 102 is connected to the first output end of the switching unit 102 or the second output end of the switching unit 102 under the action of the control signal.

[0040] The control unit 101 is configured to output a first control signal to control the first input end of the switching unit 102 to be connected to the second output end of the switching unit 102 when detecting that the received signal strength is less than a first preset threshold, and output a second control signal to control the first input end of the switching unit 102 to be connected to the first output end of the switching unit 102 when detecting that the received signal strength is greater than a second preset threshold; and the second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold.

[0041] The positioning circuit is provided with a switching unit, and the received signal strength is detected through a control unit; the power amplifier is turned on through the switching unit to ensure signal quality and connection stability when the signal strength is less than a first preset threshold, and the power amplifier is not turned on through the switching unit to reduce power consumption when the signal strength is greater than a second preset threshold, so as to reduce the influence of the power amplifier on the endurance while increasing the positioning coverage range.

[0042] In one embodiment, the schematic diagram of the positioning circuit is as follows: Figure 2, the switch unit 102 can be a single-pole double-throw switch Switch. The single-pole double-throw switch Switch includes a first static end 1, a first dynamic end 2, a second dynamic end 3, a first control end 4, and a second control end 5. Among them, the control unit 101 can be a Bluetooth chip BT Chip, A represents the first control output end, and B represents the second control output end.

[0043] The connection relationship is as follows:

[0044] The first static end 1 is connected to the first output end of the control unit 101, the first dynamic end 2 is connected to the antenna ANT, the second dynamic end 3 is connected to the input end of the power amplifier PA, the first control end 4 is connected to the first control output end A of the control unit 101, and the second control end 5 is connected to the second control output end B of the control unit.

[0045] When the first control output end A outputs a high level and the second control output end B outputs a low level, the first static end 1 is connected to the first dynamic end 2; when the first control output end A outputs a low level and the second control output end B outputs a high level, the first static end 1 is connected to the second dynamic end 3.

[0046] In this embodiment, the single-pole double-throw switch Switch can be controlled according to the truth table through the level signal of the first control output end A of the control unit received by the first control end 4 and the level signal of the second control output end B of the control unit received by the second control end 5. The Switch truth table is as shown in Table 1.

[0047] Table 1

[0048]

[0049] In this embodiment, the initial setting state of the control unit can be that A is high and B is low, and the Switch switch is switched to Path1; the Bluetooth chip output signal is output to the antenna ANT through the Path1 path of the Switch.

[0050] When the Bluetooth chip first monitors that the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) is less than a first preset threshold, for example, the first preset threshold is -90dBm, that is, RSSI<-90dBm, the Bluetooth chip switches the control level to switch, A is set to low, B is set to high, and the Switch is switched to the path2 path. The Bluetooth chip output signal passes through the path2 path of the Switch and is output to the antenna ANT after being amplified by the PA.

[0051] When the received signal is monitored to be stronger than the second preset threshold, such as the second preset threshold is -80dBm (a 10dB buffer interval is reserved, normal signals will have a jump, to prevent unstable signals from causing abnormal switching of the PA, and frequent switching will result in poor user experience), i.e. RSSI > -80dBm, the Bluetooth chip controls the level switching, switch A is high and switch B is low, the switch will switch to the path 1, and the chip output signal is output to the antenna ANT through the path 1 of the switch.

[0052] When the received signal RSSI is monitored again to be less than -90dBm, the above-mentioned path switching operation of the switch is repeated.

[0053] In one embodiment, the power supply output end of the control unit is connected to the power amplifier. For example, as shown in Figure 2 , the power supply output end C of the control unit is connected to the enable end VCC of the power amplifier.

[0054] The initial setting state of the control unit can be that switch A is high, switch B is low, the switch is switched to the path 1, and the Bluetooth chip output signal is output to the antenna ANT through the path 1 of the switch.

[0055] When the Bluetooth chip first monitors the received signal strength RSSI to be less than the first preset threshold, such as the first preset threshold is -90dBm, i.e. RSSI < -90dBm, the Bluetooth chip switches the control level for switching, switch A is set to low and switch B is set to high, the switch will switch to the path 2, and the Bluetooth chip sets switch C to high, which can supply power to the enable end VCC of the PA, and the PA starts to work, the chip output signal is output to the antenna ANT through the path 2 of the switch and the PA amplification.

[0056] When the received signal is monitored to be stronger than the second preset threshold, such as the second preset threshold is -80dBm (a 10dB buffer interval is reserved, normal signals will have a jump, to prevent unstable signals from causing abnormal switching of the PA, and frequent switching will result in poor user experience), i.e. RSSI > -80dBm, the Bluetooth chip controls the level switching, switch A is high and switch B is low, the switch will switch to the path 1, and the Bluetooth chip stops providing voltage to C, and the PA is in a stopped working state, and the chip output signal is output to the antenna ANT through the path 1 of the switch.

[0057] When the received signal RSSI is monitored again to be less than -90dBm, the above-mentioned path switching operation of the switch is repeated.

[0058] In the embodiment, when the signal strength is less than the first preset threshold, the switch unit is used to turn on the power amplifier to ensure signal quality and connection stability; when the signal strength is greater than the second preset threshold, the switch unit is used to stop supplying power to the power amplifier to turn off the power amplifier and reduce power consumption, thereby increasing the positioning coverage range while reducing the influence of the power amplifier on the endurance.

[0059] In one embodiment, the Bluetooth chip includes a control module and a signal strength detection module.

[0060] In the embodiment, the Bluetooth chip internally includes a control module and a signal strength detection module. The signal strength detection module is configured to output the detected signal strength of the terminal to the control module. The control module is configured to output a control signal to the single-pole double-throw switch through the first control output end and the second control output end according to the signal strength.

[0061] In one embodiment, the signal strength detection module includes a signal receiving subunit and a signal detection subunit.

[0062] The signal receiving subunit is configured to receive data packets of the terminal and send target data packets to the signal detection subunit. Each two target data packets are separated by a preset number of data packets. The signal detection subunit is configured to detect the signal strength of the target data packets and output the signal strength to the control module.

[0063] In the embodiment, the signal strength can be determined every 512 data packets, and the path of the switch is controlled according to the determination result, thereby further avoiding frequent path switching caused by signal fluctuation. It should be noted that the preset number can be any number greater than 1, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific number of the preset number.

[0064] In one embodiment, the positioning circuit further includes a first filter unit and a second filter unit. The first filter unit is connected to the first control end. The second filter unit is connected to the second control end to filter the first control end and the second control end and filter out interference signals.

[0065] In one embodiment, the positioning circuit further includes a third filter unit. The third filter unit is connected to the antenna to filter out interference signals of the antenna and further improve the anti-interference capability of the positioning circuit.

[0066] In one embodiment, the switch unit further includes a first switch.

[0067] The first end of the first switch is connected to the power supply output end of the control unit. The second end of the first switch is connected to the enable end of the power amplifier. The control end of the first switch is connected to the third control output end of the control unit. When the first control output end outputs a low level and the second control output end outputs a high level, the third control output end of the control unit outputs a high level.

[0068] In this embodiment, the power amplifier can be controlled by the first switch, the control end of the first switch is connected to the third control output end of the control unit, when the third control output end outputs high level, the first switch is turned on, making the power supply output end and the enable end of the power amplifier conductive.

[0069] In one specific embodiment, a circuit diagram of a positioning circuit is as follows Figure 3A and Figure 3B wherein, Figure 3A is part of the circuit diagram, Figure 3B is another part of the circuit diagram. In combination Figure 3A and Figure 3B , the control unit is U1 (such as Bluetooth chip nRF52833-CJAA-R), the switch unit is U2 (such as radio frequency switch SKY13370-374LF), the power amplifier is BT-PA (such as RTC2624), the antenna is ANT1, A is the first control output end, B is the second control output end, C is the control end of the control BT-PA whether to enable, if C outputs high level, U10 is enabled, the Vout port of U10 is connected to the VDD port of RTC2624 through FEM_2V8, making RTC2624 powered on and in working state. Wherein, when V1 of switch unit U2 is high level and V2 is low level, RFC and RF1 are conductive (at this time, RFC and RF2 are disconnected), V1 is low level and V2 is high level, RFC and RF2 are conductive (at this time, RFC and RF1 are disconnected).

[0070] The initial setting state of the control unit can be that A is high level and B is low level, at this time, RFC of U2 is connected to RF1, that is, switched to Path1, and the Bluetooth chip output signal is output to the antenna ANT1 through the Path1 path.

[0071] When the Bluetooth chip first monitors that the received signal strength RSSI is less than the first preset threshold, for example, the first preset threshold is-90dBm, that is, RSSI<-90dBm, the Bluetooth chip switches the control level to switch, A is set to low level and B is set to high level, RFC of U2 is connected to RF2, that is, switched to path2 path, at the same time, the Bluetooth chip sets high level to C, U10 is enabled, and BT-PA starts to work, the chip output signal is output to the antenna ANT1 through the path2 path and after being amplified by BT-PA.

[0072] When it is monitored that the received signal becomes stronger than the second preset threshold, such as the second preset threshold is -80dBm (a buffer interval of 10dB is reserved, normal signals will have a jump, to prevent unstable signals from causing BT-PA to abnormally switch, and frequent switching will result in poor user experience), that is, RSSI > -80dBm, the Bluetooth chip controls the level switching, switch A is high level and switch B is low level, U2 will switch to Path1, and at the same time the Bluetooth chip stops providing voltage to C, and the BT-PA is in a stop working state, and the chip output signal is output to the antenna ANT1 through the path1.

[0073] When the received signal RSSI < -90dBm is monitored again, the path switching operation of U2 is repeated.

[0074] It should be noted that, in the above description, the power amplifier is not started when the received signal is greater than the second preset threshold, but the power amplifier is not started when the received signal is less than the first preset threshold. Figure 3A and Figure 3B Other ports and connection modes of various devices among them can be connected for use according to the device manual, which will not be described here.

[0075] Based on the same technical concept, the second embodiment of the present application provides a Bluetooth locator, which comprises the positioning circuit in any one of the first embodiment. The Bluetooth locator can start the power amplifier when the signal strength is less than the first preset threshold to ensure signal quality and connection stability, and can not start the power amplifier when the signal strength is greater than the second preset threshold to reduce power consumption, thereby increasing the signal coverage range of the Bluetooth locator while reducing the impact of the power amplifier on the endurance.

[0076] It should be understood that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific example embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including" and "has" are to be construed as incorporating by reference the phrases "saying, steps, operations, elements and / or components thereof, and thus indicating the presence of those said features, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but not excluding the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not construed as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the specific order described or illustrated, unless the order of execution is explicitly indicated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps can be used.

[0077] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely intended to explain the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. In the description, the suffixes such as "module", "part", or "unit" used to express elements are merely for the convenience of the description of the present application and have no specific meaning by themselves. Therefore, "module", "part", or "unit" can be used interchangeably.

[0078] The foregoing detailed description of the application has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. It is intended that the scope of the application should not be limited by the particular representative embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A positioning circuit, characterized in that, The positioning circuit includes: a control unit, a switching unit, a power amplifier, and an antenna; Wherein, the first output terminal of the control unit is connected to the first input terminal of the switch unit; the first output terminal of the switch unit is connected to the antenna; the second output terminal of the switch unit is connected to the input terminal of the power amplifier; the output terminal of the power amplifier is connected to the antenna; the control signal of the control unit is connected to the control terminal of the switch unit; the first input terminal of the switch unit is connected to the first output terminal of the switch unit or the second output terminal of the switch unit under the action of the control signal. The control unit is configured to: output a first control signal when the received signal strength is less than a first preset threshold, so as to control the first input terminal of the switch unit to connect to the second output terminal of the switch unit; and output a second control signal when the received signal strength is greater than a second preset threshold, so as to control the first input terminal of the switch unit to connect to the first output terminal of the switch unit; wherein the second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold.

2. The positioning circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching unit includes a single-pole double-throw switch; the single-pole double-throw switch includes a first stationary terminal, a first moving terminal, a second moving terminal, a first control terminal, and a second control terminal; The first stationary terminal is connected to the first output terminal of the control unit, the first moving terminal is connected to the antenna, the second moving terminal is connected to the input terminal of the power amplifier, the first control terminal is connected to the first control output terminal of the control unit, and the second control terminal is connected to the second control output terminal of the control unit. When the first control output terminal outputs a high level and the second control output terminal outputs a low level, the first stationary terminal is connected to the first moving terminal. When the first control output terminal outputs a low level and the second control output terminal outputs a high level, the first stationary terminal is connected to the second moving terminal.

3. The positioning circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control unit includes a Bluetooth chip.

4. The positioning circuit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The Bluetooth chip includes a control module and a signal strength detection module; The signal strength detection module is used to output the detected signal strength of the terminal to the control module; The control module is used to output a control signal to the single-pole double-throw switch through the first control output terminal and the second control output terminal according to the signal strength.

5. The positioning circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that, The signal strength detection module includes a signal receiving subunit and a signal detection subunit; The signal receiving subunit is used to receive data packets from the terminal and send target data packets to the signal detection subunit; wherein, a preset number of data packets are spaced between every two target data packets; The signal detection subunit is used to detect the signal strength of the target data packet and output it to the control module.

6. The positioning circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The positioning circuit further includes a first filtering unit and a second filtering unit; The first filtering unit is connected to the first control terminal; the second filtering unit is connected to the second control terminal.

7. The positioning circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning circuit also includes a third filtering unit; The third filtering unit is connected to the antenna.

8. The positioning circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The power supply output terminal of the control unit is connected to the power amplifier.

9. The positioning circuit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The switching unit further includes a first switch; a first end of the first switch is connected to the power supply output terminal of the control unit, a second end of the first switch is connected to the enable terminal of the power amplifier, and a control terminal of the first switch is connected to the third control output terminal of the control unit. When the first control output terminal outputs a low level and the second control output terminal outputs a high level, the third control output terminal of the control unit outputs a high level.

10. A Bluetooth locator, characterized in that, The Bluetooth locator includes the positioning circuit described in any one of claims 1-9.

Images