Radiofrequency communication system between two areas and corresponding method

Abstract

The invention relates to a radio frequency communication system (1) between a first zone and a second zone separated from each other by an obstacle, the radio communication system (1) comprising a housing (10) which houses a radio frequency transceiver (12). The housing (10) also houses a radio frequency divider (13) connected to the radio frequency transceiver (12); a first antenna (14) connected to the radio frequency divider (13); and a second antenna (15), called the external antenna (15), which is located outside the housing (10), and which is connected to the housing (10) by a wire connection (115) having a length of at least twenty centimeters, for connecting the external antenna (15) to the radio frequency divider (13). The invention also relates to a corresponding communication method. Figure for abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Radiofrequency communication system between two zones and corresponding method FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to radiofrequency communication between two zones. PREVIOUS ART

[0002] When a communication network, for example of the mesh type, extends over two zones, it is found that the radio links between the two zones can be degraded, in particular at the limit of range, for example due to an obstacle between the two zones. The radio network will not be able to be established over the entirety of the two zones, or will operate randomly. The two zones can then be considered as so-called sealed zones, i.e. isolated from each other in terms of radiofrequency transmissions.

[0003] As an example illustrated in [Fig.l], the two zones may comprise a zone ZA corresponding for example to the interior of a house, and a zone ZB corresponding for example to a zone outside the house. The zone ZA and the zone ZB are separated by a wall OBS, the thickness of which blocks or limits radio transmission between a radiofrequency SCA communication system present in the zone ZA and a radiofrequency SCB communication system present in the zone ZB.

[0004] It is found that adding repeaters in each area does not improve the range. In this case, the network is unstable and control from one area to another is difficult or even impossible.

[0005] This communication problem can also be found in the case where zone ZB is a metal electrical cabinet acting as a Faraday cage, for example in a home, and blocking radio links with zone ZA outside the electrical cabinet.

[0006] Also known from the state of the art, and in particular from document WO2003058850A2, is a complex system which includes reflectors to try to force the waves to pass from zone ZA to zone ZB. This solution is expensive, in terms of cost and energy consumed, and difficult to install, particularly in homes. Also, this solution does not ensure communications from zone ZB to zone ZA.

[0007] Solutions are also known comprising a first radio communication system and a second radio communication system installed respectively in a first zone and a second zone, and connected to each other by a wired connection for build a bridge. Data from the first zone, captured by the first radio communication system, is retransmitted by wire to the second radio communication system, which broadcasts it in the second zone and vice versa. This solution, which involves two communication systems and wired communication between the communication systems, is expensive and can cause latency in communications.

[0008] Also known from the state of the art and as illustrated in [Fig.2], is a radio communication system 1' which comprises, in the same housing 10', two radio frequency transceivers 12', 12” each connected to a controller 16' separate from the radio frequency transceiver. The housing 10' also houses a power supply 11' and a man-machine interface 19'. The first transceiver 12' is connected to a first antenna 14' located with the housing 10' in a first zone and the second radio transceiver 12” is connected to a second antenna 15' positionable using a connecting cable 115' in a second zone. However, it is noted that such a radio communication system architecture which includes two radio frequency transceivers not only results in significant congestion of the radio communication system, but also results in latencies in data communication.Indeed, the exchanges between the 16' controller and the two 12', 12” transceivers involve significant processing times which generate said latencies.

[0009] The present invention aims to propose a new system and corresponding method making it possible to overcome all or part of the problems set out above. Summary of the invention

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a radiofrequency communication system for transmitting and receiving data between a first zone and a second zone separated from each other by an obstacle, the radio communication system comprising a housing which houses a radiofrequency transceiver; characterized in that the housing also houses a radio frequency divider connected to the radio frequency transceiver; and in that the radio frequency communication system also comprises a first antenna connected to the radio frequency divider; and a second antenna, called the external antenna, which is located outside the housing, and which is connected to the housing by a wired connection having a length of at least twenty centimeters, for connecting the external antenna to the radio frequency divider.

[0011] The wired connection of the second antenna to the housing of the radiofrequency communication system allows the second antenna to be positioned in the second zone, while the first antenna remains with the housing in the first zone. This results in the creation of a communication bridge between two sealed zones.

[0012] Such a design of the radio frequency communication system which includes a radio frequency divider, makes it possible to use a single radio transceiver which, thanks to said radio frequency divider, can operate as if there were only one communication zone, i.e. the zone corresponding to the zone ZA and the zone ZB but without the impact of the obstacle OBS between the two zones. The latency time in the communications is thus reduced in comparison with the solutions of the state of the art which use a radio frequency transceiver for each antenna, i.e. two radio frequency transceivers whose data are managed by a separate controller.

[0013] Such a system design makes it possible to obtain a radiofrequency communication system suitable for enabling network elements located in the two zones to communicate with each other, with low latency and to benefit from a reliable system with limited cost, which is also easy to install.

[0014] The system may also include one or more of the following features taken in any technically admissible combination.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the radiofrequency divider is configured to divide the signals provided by the radiofrequency transceiver to provide said signals to the two antennas for the transmission of said signals in the first zone where the first antenna is located and in the second zone where the second antenna is located; combine the signals received by the two antennas to provide said signals to the radiofrequency transceiver.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the radiofrequency transceiver is configured to extract the signal frames received by at least the first antenna from a first radio communication device located in the first zone and retransmit them by the first antenna and the second antenna to a second radio communication device located in the second zone.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first antenna, called the internal antenna, is housed inside the housing.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the radiofrequency transceiver system is configured to communicate according to a Zigbee Mesh type protocol.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency divider comprises a Wilkinson divider.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method of using a radio communication system according to any one of the preceding embodiments, in which the method comprises the following steps: - positioning the first antenna of the radio communication system in a first zone; and - positioning of the second antenna in a second zone separated from the first zone by an obstacle which prevents or impairs the passage through said obstacle of radio waves between the second zone and the first zone.

[0021] According to one embodiment, a first radiofrequency communication device being present in the first zone and a second radiofrequency communication device being present in the second zone, the method comprises the following steps: - transmission by the first radiofrequency communication device of signals comprising first data frames addressed to the second communication device; - transmission by the second radiofrequency communication device of signals comprising second data frames addressed to the first communication device; - reception by the first antenna of the signals comprising the first data frames addressed to the second communication device; - reception by the second antenna of the signals comprising the second data frames addressed to the first communication device; the signals received by the first antenna and the second antenna being supplied to the transceiver by the radio frequency divider; - transmitting signals comprising the first and second data frames by the transceiver of the radio communication system, said signals being supplied via the radio frequency divider to the first antenna and the second antenna which broadcast said signals which comprise the first and second data frames; - reception by the first radiofrequency communication device of the second data frames; - reception by the second radiofrequency communication device of the first data frames. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

[0023] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic view illustrating the disturbance of commu radio communication between two radio communication systems of a set known from the state of the art, the two communication systems being located in two zones separated from each other by an obstacle, such as a wall, which disrupts or even prevents the passage of radio waves;

[0024] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a block diagram view of the architecture of a radio communication system known from the state of the art which comprises a radio frequency transceiver for each antenna and a controller for managing the two radio frequency transceivers;

[0025] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a block diagram view of the architecture of a A radio communication system according to one embodiment of the invention, the radio communication system comprising a single radio frequency transceiver which is connected to a radio frequency divider for dividing (splitting) and recombining (joining) signals, to which a first antenna and a second antenna are connected;

[0026] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of a radio communication system according to an embodiment of the invention, such as that of [Fig. 3], which forms part of a network comprising one or more first radio communication devices located in a first area and one or more second radio communication devices located in a second area separated from the first area by an obstacle, the radio communication system allowing the first and second devices to communicate with each other;

[0027] - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a view of a Wilkinson type electronic circuit for providing a radio frequency signal divider for a radio communication system according to an embodiment of the invention, such as that of [Fig.3];

[0028] - [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a view of the radio communication system of [Fig.3] illustrating the reception of data frames of signals transmitted by a first communication device present in a first area where the first antenna is located, and the reception of data frames of signals transmitted by a second communication device present in a second area where the second antenna is located, the frames received by the antennas being combined by the radio frequency divider and transmitted to the radio frequency transceiver;

[0029] - [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a view of the radio communication system of [Fig.3] illustrating the transmission or retransmission of data frames from the transceiver of the radio communication system which are broadcast by the first antenna located in the first zone, and by the second antenna located in the second zone, thanks to the radio frequency divider which makes it possible to provide said data frames to the two antennas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the disclosed embodiments. herein. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0031] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the occurrence of the phrase "in an embodiment" at various locations throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0032] With reference to the figures, a radio communication system 1 is shown for the transmission and reception of data between a first zone ZA and a second zone ZB separated from each other by an obstacle OBS.

[0033] The radio communication system 1 comprises a housing 10 which houses a radio frequency transceiver 12 and a radio frequency divider 13 (RF splitter in English) connected to the radio frequency transceiver 12.

[0034] A first antenna 14 is connected to the radiofrequency divider 13. The first antenna 14 is able to be arranged (with the housing 10) in the first zone ZA.

[0035] A second antenna 15, called the external antenna 15, is located outside the housing 10 to be arranged in the second zone ZB. The second antenna 15 is connected to the housing 10 by a wire connection 115 which has a length of at least twenty centimeters, and which allows the external antenna 15 to be connected to the radiofrequency divider 13. The wire connection 115 allows the external antenna 15 to be moved into the second zone ZB.

[0036] In other words, the two antennas 14, 15 are connected to the same radiofrequency transceiver 12 via the radiofrequency divider 13. Such an architecture allows the radio communication system 1 to use a single radiofrequency transceiver 12 unlike the prior art which uses one radiofrequency transceiver per antenna (therefore two separate radiofrequency transceivers), as well as a separate controller associated with the two radiofrequency transceivers.

[0037] The connecting cable 115 of the second antenna 15 makes it possible to position the second antenna 15 at a distance from the housing 10 of the system 1, and therefore to be located in the zone ZB, making it possible to transmit and receive signals in this zone ZB while the housing 10 and the first antenna 14 remain in the zone ZA, and the data received by the second antenna 15 or the data to be transmitted via the second antenna 15 can pass between the radiofrequency transceiver 12 and the second antenna 15 via the connecting cable 115 and the radiofrequency divider 13, without being hindered by the obstacle OBS.

[0038] An electronic power supply 11 is configured to power the system, and in particular the radiofrequency transceiver.

[0039] According to one embodiment and as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the housing 10 houses the radiofrequency transceiver 12, the electronic power supply 11 configured to power the radiofrequency transceiver 12, and the radiofrequency divider 13. Using a single radiofrequency transceiver 12 makes it possible to limit the size of the housing.

[0040] First antenna

[0041] According to one embodiment, the first antenna 14 can be located inside the housing 10. It is possible, as a variant, to provide for the first antenna 14 to be located outside the housing by being connected to an external connector of the housing 10. The first antenna 14 is provided to allow the transmission and reception of data in the first zone ZA.

[0042] Second antenna

[0043] As explained above, the first antenna 14 is provided to allow the transmission and reception of data in the first zone ZA, while the second antenna 15 can be positioned in the second zone ZB while remaining physically connected by the wired link 115 to the box 10 to be connected to the radiofrequency divider 13.

[0044] Radiofrequency transceiver

[0045] The radiofrequency transceiver 12 is configured to extract the signal frames received by at least the first antenna 14 from a first radio communication device D14 located in the first zone ZA and retransmit them by the first antenna 14 and the second antenna 15 to a second radio communication device D15 located in the second zone ZB.

[0046] Conversely, the radiofrequency transceiver 12 is also configured to extract the signal frames received by at least the second antenna 15 from the second radio communication device D15 located in the second zone ZB and retransmit them by the first antenna 14 and the second antenna 15 to the first radio communication device D14 located in the first zone ZA.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the radiofrequency transceiver 12 is configured to communicate according to a Zigbee Mesh type protocol. Other communication protocols may be provided.

[0048] The functions and operations performed by the radio frequency transceiver 12 may be implemented in the form of a computer program.

[0049] Radio frequency divider

[0050] In transmission mode of the communication system 1, the radio frequency divider 13 is configured to divide the signals provided by the radio frequency transceiver 12 to distribute (provide) said signals on the two antennas 14, 15, which makes it possible to simultaneously transmit said signals in the first zone ZA where the first antenna 14 is located and in the second zone ZB where the second antenna 15 is located. The two zones ZA and ZB are thus covered in transmission so that the communication system 1 operates as if it were transmitting in a single zone corresponding to the whole of the two zones ZA and ZB without the obstacle OBS disturbing the transmission in one zone or another ([Fig.4]).

[0051] In reception mode of the communication system 1, the radiofrequency divider 13 is configured to combine the signals received by the two antennas 14, 15 and transmit them to the radiofrequency transceiver 12.

[0052] The radiofrequency divider 13 thus makes it possible to combine and pool the data received by the two antennas 14, 15.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the radiofrequency divider 13 can be produced from discrete components, preferably according to a structure, an example of which is illustrated in [Fig.5], called a Wilkinson divider.

[0054] The Wilkinson divider has a terminal B12 for connection to the radiofrequency transceiver 12, and a terminal B14 for connection to the first antenna 14, and a terminal B15 for connection to the second antenna 15.

[0055] In the example of [Fig.5], the Wilkinson divider comprises two channels V14, V15, or lines, which join, on one side, at the connection terminal B12. On the other side, each channel V14, V15 is also connected to the connection terminal B14, respectively B15.

[0056] Each channel V14, V15 comprises an inductance L, and a capacitor C2, one terminal of which is connected to the inductance L on the side of the connection terminal B14, respectively B15, and the other terminal of which is connected to ground. A resistor R extends between the two channels V14, V15. A capacitor C1 has one terminal connected to the connection terminal B12, and another terminal connected to ground.

[0057] The radio frequency divider 13 (also called a power divider) can be produced differently, for example according to a resistive or hybrid type topology. However, the Wilkinson type divider has advantages of simplicity, limited cost, low loss, and better insulation.

[0058] Human-Machine Interface

[0059] Preferably, the radio communication system comprises a human-machine interface 19 which allows a user to connect, configure and parameterize the network.

[0060] Example of operation

[0061] The system described above can operate according to an example presented below.

[0062] As illustrated for example in [Fig.4] in connection with [Fig.3], the first antenna 14 of the radio communication system 1 is located in a first zone ZA, with the housing 10. The second antenna 15 is positioned thanks to the flexible connecting cable 115 which connects it to the housing 10, in a second zone ZB separated from the first zone ZA by an obstacle OBS. Said obstacle OBS is likely to prevent or degrade the passage through said obstacle of radio waves between the second zone ZB and the first zone ZA. The obstacle is crossed by the connecting cable 115 which connects the antenna 15 to the housing 10 of the radio communication system 1.

[0063] A communication device D14 present in the zone ZA, such as a router or internet connection box, equipped with a radio transceiver transmits radio signals comprising T14 frames intended for the communication device D15, such as a computer, which is equipped with a radio transceiver. Conversely, the communication device D15 transmits radio signals comprising T15 frames intended for the communication device D15.

[0064] As illustrated by the example of [Fig.6], the signals comprising the frames T14, transmitted by the communication device D14, are received by the antenna 14. The signals, comprising the frames T15, transmitted by the communication device D15 are received by the antenna 15. The radiofrequency divider 13 provides the signals received by the two antennas 14, 15, and therefore the frames T14 and T15, to the radiofrequency transceiver 12.

[0065] As illustrated by the example of [Fig.7], the radiofrequency transceiver 12 can then retransmit the frames T14 and T15 of the signals picked up by the antenna 14 and the antenna 15, by broadcasting them, using the radiofrequency divider 13, by the two antennas 14 and 15 so that the communication device D14 receives from the antenna 14 signals which include the frames T15 which were transmitted by the communication device D15 and which were addressed to the device D14, and the communication device D15 receives from the antenna 15 signals which include the frames T14 which were transmitted by the communication device D14 and which were addressed to the communication device D15.

[0066] The use of a radio frequency divider 13 interposed between the two antennas and a radio transceiver makes it possible to merge the signals from the two antennas for reception and to transmit at the same time on the two antennas the signals provided by the radio transceiver. Such an architecture makes it possible to limit the risk of latency in communications. Conversely, in the known solution of the state of the art which uses a controller and two radio transceivers each associated with one of the antennas, a latency is caused by the dialogue chain between the transceivers and the controller.

[0067] The radio communication system according to the invention thus makes it possible to receive and transmit with the two antennas located in two different zones, and also makes it possible that transmission and reception of radio waves by the system can be achieved without being disturbed by an obstacle between the areas in which the two antennas are arranged.

[0068] The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

[0069] Furthermore, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps. Furthermore, features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the embodiments set forth above may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments set forth above.

Claims

Claims

1. Radio frequency communication system (1) for transmitting and receiving data between a first zone (ZA) and a second zone (ZB) separated from each other by an obstacle (OBS), the radio communication system (1) comprising a housing (10) which houses a radio frequency transceiver (12); characterized in that the housing (10) also houses a radio frequency divider (13) connected to the radio frequency transceiver (12); and in that the radio frequency communication system (1) also comprises: a first antenna (14) connected to the radio frequency divider (13); and a second antenna (15), called the external antenna (15), which is located outside the housing (10), and which is connected to the housing (10) by a wire connection (115) having a length of at least twenty centimeters, for connecting the external antenna (15) to the radiofrequency divider (13).

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the radio frequency divider (13) is configured to: - divide the signals provided by the radio frequency transceiver (12) to provide said signals to the two antennas (14, 15) for the transmission of said signals in the first zone (ZA) where the first antenna (14) is located and in the second zone (ZB) where the second antenna (15) is located; - combine the signals received by the two antennas (14, 15) to provide said signals to the radio frequency transceiver (12).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radiofrequency transceiver (12) is configured to extract the signal frames received by at least the first antenna (14) from a first radio communication device (D14) located in the first zone (ZA) and retransmit them by the first antenna (14) and the second antenna (15) to a second radio communication device (D15) located in the second zone (ZB).

4. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the first antenna (14), called the internal antenna, is housed inside the housing (10).

5. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the radio frequency transceiver (12) is configured to com- communicate using a Zigbee Mesh type protocol.

6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the radio frequency divider (13) comprises a Wilkinson divider.

7. A method of using a radio communication system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - positioning the first antenna (14) of the radio communication system (1) in a first zone (ZA); and - positioning the second antenna (15) in a second zone (ZB) separated from the first zone (ZA) by an obstacle (OBS) which prevents or degrades the passage through said obstacle of radio waves between the second zone (ZB) and the first zone (ZA).

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein, a first radio frequency communication device (DI4) being present in the first zone (ZA) and a second radio frequency communication device (DI5) being present in the second zone (ZB), the method comprises the following steps: - transmission by the first radio frequency communication device (D14) of signals comprising first frames (T14) of data addressed to the second communication device (D15); - transmission by the second radio frequency communication device (DI5) of signals comprising second frames (T 15) of data addressed to the first communication device (D14); - reception by the first antenna (14) of the signals comprising the first frames (T 14) of data addressed to the second communication device (DI5);- reception by the second antenna (15) of the signals comprising the second data frames (T 15) addressed to the first communication device (DI5); the signals received by the first antenna (14) and the second antenna (15) being supplied to the transceiver (12) by the radio frequency divider (13); - transmission of signals comprising the first and second data frames (T14, T15) by the transceiver (12) of the radio communication system (1), said signals being supplied via the radio frequency divider (13) to the first antenna (14) and the second antenna (15) which broadcast said signals which comprise the first; and second frames (T14, T15) of data; - reception by the first radiofrequency communication device (D14) of the second data frames (T 15); - reception by the second radiofrequency communication device (DI5) of the first data frames (T14).

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