Radio frequency communication system between two zones and corresponding method
A single transceiver with a divider and dual antenna setup enables efficient, low-latency communication across zones separated by obstacles, addressing cost, size, and latency issues in existing systems.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2024001906
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-02-27
AI Technical Summary
Existing radio frequency communication systems face challenges in maintaining stable connections across zones separated by obstacles, such as walls or metallic cabinets, leading to degraded or intermittent communication, increased cost, size, and latency due to multiple transceivers and wired connections.
A radio frequency communication system utilizing a single radio frequency transceiver with a divider and two antennas, where one antenna is housed inside a box and the other is externally connected via a wire, allowing seamless communication across zones without the need for separate transceivers or controllers.
The system provides reliable, low-latency communication across zones with reduced cost and ease of installation by using a single transceiver and divider, minimizing the impact of obstacles and eliminating the need for additional hardware.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Radio frequency communication system between two zones and corresponding method FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to radio frequency communication between two zones. EARLIER ART
[0002] When a communication network, for example a mesh network, extends over two areas, radio links between the two areas can be degraded, particularly at the range limit, for example due to an obstacle between the two areas. The radio network may not be able to cover both areas, or may operate intermittently. The two areas can then be considered as isolated zones, i.e., separated from each other in terms of radio frequency transmissions.
[0003] As an example illustrated in [Fig. 1], 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 an area outside the house. The zone ZA and the zone ZB are separated by an OBS wall, the thickness of which blocks or limits radio transmission between a radio frequency SCA communication system present in the zone ZA and a radio frequency SCB communication system present in the zone ZB.
[0004] It is observed that adding repeaters in each zone does not improve the range. In this case, the network is unstable and control from one zone to another is difficult or even impossible.
[0005] This communication problem can also be found in the case where the ZB zone is a metallic electrical cabinet acting as a Faraday cage, for example in a dwelling, and blocking radio links with the external ZA zone of the electrical cabinet.
[0006] A complex system comprising reflectors to attempt to force waves to pass from zone ZA to zone ZB is also known from the prior art, and in particular from document WO2003058850A2. This solution is expensive, both in terms of cost and energy consumption, and difficult to install, particularly in dwellings. Furthermore, this solution does not guarantee communication 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 link for To create a bridge, data from the first zone, captured by the first radio communication system, is retransmitted via wire to the second radio communication system, which then broadcasts it to the second zone, and vice versa. This solution, which involves two communication systems and a wired connection between them, is expensive and can introduce latency.
[0008] Prior art is also known, as illustrated in [Fig. 2], of a radio communication system 1' comprising, in a single housing 10', two radio frequency transceivers 12', 12" each connected to a controller 16' separate from the radio frequency transceiver. The housing 10' also contains a power supply 11' and a human-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' which can be positioned using a connecting cable 115' in a second zone. However, it is observed that such a radio communication system architecture, which includes two radio frequency transceivers, not only results in a significant increase in the size of the radio communication system, but also causes latency in data communication.Indeed, the exchanges between the 16' controller and the two 12', 12" transceivers involve significant processing times which generate these latencies.
[0009] The present invention aims to provide a new system and corresponding method for overcoming all or part of the problems described above. Summary of the invention
[0010] For this purpose, the invention relates to a radio frequency communication system for the transmission and reception of data between a first zone and a second zone separated from each other by an obstacle, the radio communication system comprising a box which houses a radio frequency transceiver; characterized in that the housing also contains a radio frequency divider connected to the radio frequency transceiver; and in that the radio frequency communication system also includes 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 wire link having a length of at least twenty centimeters, for the connection of the external antenna to the radio frequency divider.
[0011] The wired connection of the second antenna to the radio frequency communication system's housing allows the second antenna to be positioned in the second zone, while the first antenna remains with the housing in the first zone. This creates a communication bridge between two sealed zones.
[0012] Such a radio frequency communication system design, which includes a radio frequency divider, allows the use of 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 zone ZA and zone ZB, but without the impact of the OBS obstacle between the two zones. The latency in communications is thus reduced compared to prior art solutions that use a radio frequency transceiver for each antenna, i.e., two radio frequency transceivers whose data is managed by a separate controller.
[0013] Such a system design makes it possible to obtain a radio frequency communication system suitable for making network elements located in the two zones 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 permissible combination.
[0015] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency divider is configured to divide the signals supplied by the radio frequency transceiver to supply 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; to combine the signals received by the two antennas to supply said signals to the radio frequency transceiver.
[0016] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency 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 casing.
[0018] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency transceiver system is configured to communicate according to a Zigbee Mesh type protocol.
[0019] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency divider includes 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 of the first antenna of the radio communication system in a first zone; and - positioning of the second antenna in a second area separate from the first zone by an obstacle which prevents or degrades the passage through said obstacle of radio waves between the second zone and the first zone.
[0021] According to one embodiment, a first radio frequency communication device being present in the first zone and a second radio frequency communication device being present in the second zone, the method comprises the following steps: - emission by the first radio frequency communication device of signals including initial data frames addressed to the second communication device; - emission by the second radio frequency communication device of signals comprising second data frames addressed to the first communication device; - reception by the first antenna of signals including the first data frames addressed to the second communication device; - reception by the second antenna of the signals including 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; - transmission of signals comprising the first and second data frames by the transceiver of the radio communication system, said signals being provided via the radio frequency divider to the first antenna and the second antenna which broadcast said signals comprising the first and second data frames; - reception by the first radio frequency communication device of the second data frames; - reception by the second radio frequency communication device of the first data frames. Brief description of the drawings
[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, on which:
[0023] - [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] is a schematic view illustrating the perturbation of communication radio communication between two radio communication systems of a set known from the prior art, the two communication systems being located in two areas 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 prior art which includes a radio frequency transceiver for each antenna and a controller for the management of the two radio frequency transceivers;
[0025] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a block diagram view of the architecture of a radio communication system according to an embodiment of the invention, the radio communication system comprising a single radio frequency transceiver which is connected to a radio frequency divider allowing to divide (distribute) and recombine (rejoin) signals, to which are connected a first antenna and a second antenna;
[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 zone and one or more second radio communication devices located in a second zone separated from the first zone by an obstacle, the radio communication system allowing the first(s) and second(s) devices to communicate with each other;
[0027] - [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a view of a Wilkinson-type electronic circuit for to produce 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 emitted by a first communication device present in a first zone where the first antenna is located, and the reception of data frames of signals emitted by a second communication device present in a second zone where the second antenna is located, the frames received by the antennas being joined 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 allows the said data frames to be provided to the two antennas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar numbers refer to similar features in all drawings. However, the invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments shown here. The scope of the invention is defined by the attached claims.
[0031] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in an embodiment" in various places 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 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 has been represented.
[0033] The radio communication system 1 includes a housing 10 which houses a radio frequency transceiver 12 and a radio frequency splitter 13 connected to the radio frequency transceiver 12.
[0034] A first antenna 14 is connected to the radio frequency divider 13. The first antenna 14 is suitable for being placed (with the box 10) in the first zone ZA.
[0035] A second antenna 15, referred to as the external antenna 15, is located outside the housing 10 to be positioned in the second zone ZB. The second antenna 15 is connected to the housing 10 by a wire 115 which has a length of at least twenty centimeters, and which allows the connection of the external antenna 15 to the radio frequency splitter 13. The wire 115 allows the external antenna 15 to be positioned in the second zone ZB.
[0036] In other words, the two antennas 14, 15 are connected to the same radio frequency transceiver 12 via the radio frequency divider 13. Such an architecture allows the radio communication system 1 to use a single radio frequency transceiver 12 contrary to the prior art which uses one radio frequency transceiver per antenna (therefore two separate radio frequency transceivers), as well as a separate controller associated with the two radio frequency transceivers.
[0037] The connecting cable 115 of the second antenna 15 allows the second antenna 15 to be positioned at a distance from the box 10 of the system 1, and thus to be located in the ZB zone, allowing to transmit and receive signals in this ZB zone while the box 10 and the first antenna 14 remain in the ZA zone, and that the data received by the second antenna 15 or the data to be transmitted via the second antenna 15 can pass between the radio frequency transceiver 12 and the second antenna 15 by the connecting cable 115 and the radio frequency divider 13, without being hindered by the OBS obstacle.
[0038] An electronic power supply 11 is configured to power the system, and in particular the radio frequency transceiver.
[0039] According to one embodiment and as illustrated in [Fig.3], the housing 10 houses the radio frequency transceiver 12, the electronic power supply 11 configured to power the radio frequency transceiver 12, and the radio frequency divider 13. Using only one radio frequency transceiver 12 helps 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. Alternatively, the first antenna 14 can be located outside the housing by being connected to an external connector of the housing 10. The first antenna 14 is intended 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 intended 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 wire link 115 to the box 10 to be connected to the radio frequency divider 13.
[0044] Radio frequency transceiver
[0045] The radio frequency 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 radio frequency 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 12-channel radio frequency transceiver is configured to communicate using a Zigbee Mesh protocol. Other communication protocols may be provided.
[0048] The functions and operations performed by the radio frequency transceiver 12 can be implemented in the form of a computer program.
[0049] Radio frequency divider
[0050] In transmit mode of the communication system 1, the radio frequency divider 13 is configured to divide the signals supplied by the radio frequency transceiver 12 to distribute (supply) said signals on the two antennas 14, 15, which allows said signals to be transmitted simultaneously 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 functions 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 receive mode of the communication system 1, the radio frequency divider 13 is configured to combine the signals received by the two antennas 14, 15 and transmit them to the radio frequency transceiver 12.
[0052] The radio frequency 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 radio frequency divider 13 can be made from discrete components, preferably following a structure, an example of which is illustrated in [Fig.5], called a Wilkinson divider.
[0054] The Wilkinson splitter has a terminal B12 for connection to the radio frequency 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 paths V14, V15, or lines, which join, on one side, at the connecting terminal B12. On the other side, each path V14, V15 is also connected to the connecting terminal B14, respectively B15.
[0056] Each channel V14, V15 comprises an inductor L and a capacitor C2, one terminal of which is connected to the inductor 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 implemented in other ways, for example with a resistive or hybrid topology. However, the Wilkinson-type divider offers advantages of simplicity, low cost, low loss, and better isolation.
[0058] Human-Machine Interface
[0059] Preferably, the radio communication system includes 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 relation to [Fig.3], the first antenna Antenna 14 of the radio communication system 1 is located in the first zone ZA, along with the housing 10. The second antenna 15 is positioned, via the flexible connecting cable 115 that links it to the housing 10, in a second zone ZB separated from the first zone ZA by an obstacle OBS. This obstacle OBS is likely to prevent or degrade the passage of radio waves between the second zone ZB and the first zone ZA. The connecting cable 115, which links antenna 15 to the housing 10 of the radio communication system 1, passes through this obstacle.
[0063] A communication device D14 located in zone ZA, such as a router or internet connection box, equipped with a radio transceiver, emits 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 emits radio signals comprising T15 frames intended for the communication device D15.
[0064] As illustrated by the example in [Fig.6], the signals comprising the T14 frames, emitted by the communication device D14, are received by the antenna 14. The signals, comprising the T15 frames, emitted by the communication device D15 are received by the antenna 15. The radio frequency divider 13 provides the signals received by the two antennas 14, 15, and therefore the T14 and T15 frames, to the radio frequency transceiver 12.
[0065] As illustrated by the example in [Fig.7], the radio frequency transceiver 12 can then retransmit the T14 and T15 frames of the signals received by the antenna 14 and the antenna 15, by broadcasting them, using the radio frequency divider 13, by the two antennas 14 and 15 so that the communication device D14 receives from the antenna 14 signals which include the T15 frames which were emitted 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 T14 frames which were emitted 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 allows the signals from the two antennas to be merged for reception and the signals provided by the radio transceiver to be transmitted simultaneously on both antennas. Such an architecture limits the risk of latency in communications. Conversely, in the known prior art solution that uses a controller and two radio transceivers, each associated with one of the antennas, latency is caused by the communication 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 areas, 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 located.
[0068] The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.
[0069] Furthermore, the term "including" does not exclude other elements or steps. In addition, 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 from other embodiments set forth above.
Claims
Demands
1. Radio frequency communication system (1) 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), 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 link (115) having a length of at least twenty centimeters, for connecting the external antenna (15) to the radio frequency divider (13).
2. System according to claim 1, wherein the radio frequency divider (13) is configured to: - divide the signals supplied by the radio frequency transceiver (12) to supply 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 supply said signals to the radio frequency transceiver (12).
3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radio frequency 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, wherein the first antenna (14), referred to as the internal antenna, is housed inside the casing (10).
5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radio frequency transceiver (12) is configured to com- communicate using a Zigbee Mesh type protocol.
6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, 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. A 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 data frames (T14) addressed to the second communication device (D15); - transmission by the second radio frequency communication device (DI5) of signals comprising second data frames (T15) addressed to the first communication device (D14); - reception by the first antenna (14) of the signals comprising the first data frames (T14) addressed to the second communication device (DI5);- reception by the second antenna (15) of the signals comprising the second data frames (T15) addressed to the first communication device (DI5); the signals received by the first antenna (14) and the second antenna (15) being provided 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 provided via the radio frequency divider (13) to the first antenna (14) and the second antenna (15) which broadcast said signals which include the first; and second data frames (T14, T15); - reception by the first radio frequency communication device (D14) of the second data frames (T15); - reception by the second radio frequency communication device (DI5) of the first data frames (T14).