METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MANAGING THE COEXISTENCE OF TWO RADIO MODULES.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for managing the coexistence of a first and a second radio module transmitting and / or receiving signals in frequency bands, the first and second radio modules being arranged in the same housing, the housing comprising an antenna associated with the first radio module and an antenna associated with the second radio module. According to the invention, one: - checks (E42) if an antenna external to the housing is connected to the second radio module, - prohibits (E43) radio transmission by the second radio module in a portion of the frequency bands if an antenna external to the housing is not connected to the second radio module, - allows (E45) radio transmission by the second radio module in all the frequency bands of the second radio module if an antenna external to the housing is connected to the second radio module. Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MANAGING THE COEXISTENCE OF TWO RADIO MODULES. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for managing the coexistence of two radio modules emitting and / or receiving signals in frequency bands, at least part of the signals emitted and / or received by one radio module interfering with the signals emitted and / or received by the other radio module. STATE OF PRIOR ART

[0002] Home automation now makes it possible to control various equipment remotely, for example using a smartphone. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, an alarm system, control of window and door blinds, and a building temperature control system.

[0003] In general, remote communication is ensured by two separate communication networks. A first communication network, called the local network, allows messages to be exchanged within the building with the building's home automation equipment via a centralized device. The local network is, for example, a radio local network using the ISM frequency band and has a relatively limited range, dedicated to local radio communications.

[0004] The second communication network is a wide area communication network that allows a user to query and control equipment regardless of their geographical location. For example, the second communication network could be a 3GPP 4G LTE communication network.

[0005] In order to centralize the electrical equipment at a single point, the need arose to place the two radio modules in a common location, such as an electrical panel. The proximity of the frequency bands used by the first and second radio modules, as well as their placement in a common location, disrupts the operation of at least one of the radio modules.

[0006] By way of example, the uplink frequency bands used by the 4G LTE communication network are as follows: a frequency band between 703 and 748 MHz called band 28, a frequency band between 832 and 862 MHz called band 20, a frequency band between 880 and 915 MHz called band 8, a frequency band between 1710 and 1785 MHz called band 3, a frequency band between 1920 and 1980 MHz called band 1 and a frequency band between 2500 and 2570 MHz called band 7.

[0007] The 4G-LTE 'Up Link (UL)' band No. 20 is used for transmitting signals from 832 MHz to 862 MHz. For example, a 4G-LTE modem connected to the operator "Orange", in band 20, uses the frequencies 852 MHz to 862 MHz, which is very close to the ISM frequency band 868 to 870 MHz.

[0008] The first communication network uses two ISM frequency bands with one channel per band. The frequency band is between 868 MHz and 868.6 MHz with one channel at 868.30 MHz.

[0009] Any radio signal within the channel's reception band interferes with reception. This cannot be addressed by conventional filtering techniques since the signal is within the reception band. Naturally, the stronger the interfering signal, the greater the interference. To prevent interference, the useful signal power must be a few decibels (dB) above the interfering radio signal power for the demodulator in the first radio module's reception chain to function correctly. In this case, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is approximately 7 dB. With this SNR, the demodulator functions correctly, meaning the error rate is less than 0.1%.

[0010] On 4G-LTE frequency bands, the transmission power can reach up to 27dBm.

[0011] If the 4G-LTE antenna and the ISM antenna are integrated in the same housing, there is a coupling between the antennas at 868MHz sufficiently high that in some cases the phase noise of the 4G-LTE radio module generated by the temporal instability of the frequency synthesizers and the non-linearities but also by the power supply noises of the chain is at a level which disturbs the useful signal of the first communication network in the 868 to 870 MHz band.

[0012] For example, when there is an 861.9MHz transmission from band 20 at the maximum power of 27dBm, the first radio module loses up to thirty dB of sensitivity.

[0013] This behavior is similar at 868.95MHz.

[0014] The present invention thus aims to propose a method and a device for managing the coexistence of two radio modules emitting and / or receiving signals in frequency bands, at least part of the signals emitted and / or received by one radio module interfering with the signals emitted and / or received by the other radio module. Description of the invention

[0015] To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a method for managing the coexistence of a first and a second radio module transmitting and / or receiving signals in frequency bands, the first and second radio modules being arranged in the same housing, the housing comprising an antenna associated with the first radio module and an antenna associated with the second radio module, the first radio module receiving noise generated by the signals emitted by the antenna associated with the second radio module included in the housing, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of:

[0016] - checking if an antenna external to the housing is connected to the second radio module,

[0017] - prohibition of radio transmission by the second radio module in a part of the frequency bands of the second radio module if an external antenna is not connected to the second radio module, interfering with the signals emitted and / or received by the first radio module.

[0018] - authorization of radio transmission by the second radio module in all bands frequency of the second radio module if an external antenna to the housing is connected to the second radio module.

[0019] The invention also relates to a device for managing the coexistence of a first and a second radio module transmitting and / or receiving signals in frequency bands, the first and second radio modules being arranged in the same housing, the housing comprising an antenna associated with the first radio module and an antenna associated with the second radio module, the first radio module receiving noise generated by the signals emitted by the antenna associated with the second radio module included in the housing, characterized in that the device comprises:

[0020] - means for verifying whether an external antenna to the housing is connected to second radio module,

[0021] - means of prohibiting radio transmission by the second radio module in a portion of the frequency bands of the second radio module if an external antenna is not connected to the second radio module, interfering with the signals emitted and / or received by the first radio module.

[0022] - means of authorizing radio transmission by the second radio module in all frequency bands of the second radio module if an external antenna to the housing is connected to the second radio module.

[0023] Thus, the present invention makes it possible to coexist multi-band protocols with close radio bands without using a mechanism or device for allocating the radio resource by time access or by spreading spectrum or by any other mechanism or device.

[0024] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the frequency band of the first radio module is the ISM frequency band 868 to 870 MHz and the frequency bands of the second radio module are the 4G LTE bands.

[0025] Thus, the use of the different LTE 4G frequency bands by the second radio module is managed automatically to avoid the risk of interference between the signal emitted by the second radio module and the signals emitted / or received by the first radio module.

[0026] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the frequency bands prohibited for data transmission by the second radio module are bands 8 and / or 20 of the 4G LTE band.

[0027] Thus, the sensitivity losses related to the proximity of the LTE module antennas and the local network are eliminated, there is no longer any desensitization of the first radio module on a majority of sites, without the addition of an external antenna.

[0028] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the verification whether an external antenna to the housing is connected to the second radio module is carried out by detecting the impedance of the external antenna in direct current.

[0029] Thus, the present invention allows automatic detection of the connection of the external antenna without requiring any configuration during installation.

[0030] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the impedance of the external antenna is a resistance.

[0031] The invention also relates to computer programs stored on an information medium, said programs comprising instructions enabling the implementation of the processes described above, when loaded and executed by a computer system. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0033] [Fig. 1] represents a building in which the present invention is implemented;

[0034] [Fig.2] represents an example of the architecture of a device for managing the coexistence of two radio modules contained in the same housing;

[0035] [Fig.3] represents an example of the architecture of an antenna switch according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] [Fig.4] represents an example of an algorithm executed by a microcontroller according to the present invention;

[0037] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates an example of hardware architecture of a controller according to the present invention.

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS

[0039] Fig. 1 represents a building in which the present invention is implemented.

[0040] Building 10 includes a home automation system enabling control of the opening of window covering devices and / or control of building heating means and / or control of an intrusion alarm system.

[0041] The building includes a management device 20 for the cohabitation of two radio modules included in the same housing.

[0042] For example, a first radio module operates in at least one ISM frequency band and a second radio module operates in at least one 4G LTE frequency band.

[0043] The management device 20 for the coexistence of two radio modules included in the same housing is for example placed in an electrical panel of building 10.

[0044] Building 10 is within the coverage area of ​​the first radio communication network. The first communication network is a home network such as, for example, a communication network marketed by the applicant under the trade name X3D or a Zigbee or LoRa type communication network.

[0045] Building 10 is within the coverage area of ​​the second radio communication network. The second communication network is a wide area network such as the 4G LTE cellular telecommunication network.

[0046] Fig. 2 represents an example of the architecture of a device for managing the coexistence of two radio modules contained in the same housing.

[0047] The device 20 for managing the coexistence of two radio modules included in the same housing comprises a microcontroller 200, a first ISM communication module 240, an Ant1SM radio antenna, a second 4G Modem communication module 220 to which are associated a SIM card 230, an Ant4G1 radio antenna, a switch 210 and a link to a possible Ant4GE antenna.

[0048] The Ant4GE external antenna to the device 20 for managing the coexistence of two radio modules included in the same housing may optionally be connected or not to the switch 210.

[0049] Switch 210 is connected to the input / output of the second 220 4G modem radio module and directs the radio signals emitted by the second 220 4G modem radio module to the internal Ant4G1 antenna in the absence of the external Ant4GE antenna. Switch 210 directs the radio signals received by the internal Ant4G1 antenna to the second 220 4G modem radio module in the absence of the external Ant4GE antenna.

[0050] When the external Ant4G1 antenna is present, the switch connects the second 220 4G modem radio module to the external Ant4GE antenna.

[0051] Since the Ant1SM and Ant4G1 antennas are close together, there is a coupling between the Ant1SM and Ant4G1 antennas, for example at 868MHz, sufficiently high that in some cases the phase noise of the 4G-LTE radio module generated by the temporal instability of the frequency synthesizers and non-linearities but also by power supply noise of the chain either at a level which disrupts the useful signal of the first communication network in the 868MHz to 870MHz band.

[0052] The switch 210 comprises, according to a preferred embodiment, means for detecting the presence of an external Ant4GE antenna and automatically ensures the selection of the Ant4GE and Ant4G1 antennas.

[0053] Alternatively, the antenna selection is controlled by the microcontroller 200.

[0054] Figure 3 represents an example of the architecture of an antenna switch according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] According to the preferred mode, the switch 210 includes means for detecting the presence of an external antenna and for connecting the external Ant4GE antenna to the second 4G radio modem module 230. The external Ant4GE antenna is, for example, a dipole antenna across the terminals of which is connected a resistor having an impedance of 10K Ohms.

[0056] The switch 210 includes a switch Com, two comparators Cl and C2 and six resistors R30 to R35.

[0057] The switch 210 includes means for detecting an input impedance value for the connection of the external Ant4GE antenna. If the input impedance is between a first and a second predetermined value, the switch 200 controls the switching of the Com switch to a position in which the external Ant4GE antenna is connected to a 4G radio modem module 230.

[0058] If the impedance at the input of switch 210 is less than the first predetermined value or greater than the second predetermined value, switch 210 commands the switching of switch Com to a position in which the internal Ant4G antenna is connected to the 4G modem radio module 230.

[0059] The means for detecting an impedance value at the input of the device 100 for detecting the presence of an external antenna and for connecting the external antenna to a radio module consist of the two comparators Cl and C2 and the resistors R30 to R35.

[0060] In a particular mode, the means for detecting an impedance value include means for blocking HF frequencies.

[0061] The internal resistance for a direct current of the external antenna Ant4GE has for example a value equal to 1OKOhms.

[0062] The resistance R30 has a value for example equal to 4.7KOhms, the resistance R31 has a value for example equal to 47KOhms, the resistance R32 has a value for example equal to 47KOhms, the resistance R33 has a value for example equal to 1OKOhms, the resistance R34 has a value for example equal to 1OKOhms and the resistance R35 has a value for example equal to 100KOhms.

[0063] A first termination of the resistor R30 is connected to the input allowing the connection of the external Ant4GE antenna.

[0064] A second termination of the resistor R30 is connected to a first termination of the resistor R31, to a negative input of the comparator Cl and to a positive input of the comparator C2.

[0065] A second termination of the resistor R31 is connected to a VBATT power supply for example of 3.8 Volts.

[0066] A first termination of resistor R32 is connected to the VBATT power supply and a second termination of resistor R32 is connected to a first termination of resistor R33 and to the positive input of comparator Cl.

[0067] A second termination of resistor R33 is connected to a first termination of resistor R34 and to the negative input of comparator C2.

[0068] A second termination of resistor R34 is connected to ground.

[0069] The outputs of comparators Cl and C2 are connected to a first termination of resistor R35, to an input of microcontroller 200 and control switch Com.

[0070] If the external Ant4GE antenna is connected to switch 210, the resistance R present on the external Ant4GE antenna forms a voltage divider that comparators C1 and C2 detect. Comparators C1 and C2 consequently position switch Com so that the external Ant4GE antenna is connected to the 4G radio modem module 230.

[0071] If the external Ant4GE antenna is not connected to switch 210, the impedance then becomes almost infinite and the Com switch is positioned so that the internal Ant4G antenna is connected to the 4G radio modem module 230.

[0072] If a 50Q plug is connected to switch 210, the plug has a very low impedance compared to the resistance of 1000 Ohm, the value of the divider bridge formed with the resistance R becomes different from the two previous cases and the comparators Cl and C2 position the switch Com accordingly so that the internal antenna Ant4G! is connected to the 4G 230 radio modem module.

[0073] Figure 4 represents an example of an algorithm executed by a microcontroller according to the present invention.

[0074] At step E40, the microcontroller 200 initializes the present algorithm.

[0075] At step E41, the microcontroller 200 initializes the second 4G Modem radio module 230 and mandates the prohibition of emission on frequency bands likely to generate noise in at least one ISM frequency band.

[0076] At step E42, the microcontroller 200 checks if an external Ant4GE antenna is present. According to the preferred embodiment, the microcontroller 200 checks the signal at the output of comparators Cl and C2. Alternatively, when installing the Ant4GE external antenna, predetermined information is stored in the internal memory of microcontroller 200.

[0077] If no, the microcontroller 200 proceeds to step E43. If yes, the microcontroller 200 proceeds to step E45.

[0078] At step E43, the microcontroller 200 commands the second radio module Modem 4G 230 to prohibit radio transmission on frequency bands likely to generate noise in at least one ISM frequency band, for example the aforementioned frequency bands 8 and 20.

[0079] At step E44, the microcontroller 200 checks if an external Ant4GE antenna is present.

[0080] If no, the microcontroller 200 returns to step E44. If yes, the microcontroller 200 proceeds to step E41.

[0081] At step E45, the microcontroller 200 commands the second radio module Modem 4G 230 to authorize radio transmission on frequency bands likely to generate noise in at least one ISM frequency band, for example the aforementioned frequency bands 8 and 20.

[0082] At step E46, the microcontroller 200 checks if an external Ant4GE antenna is present.

[0083] If no, the microcontroller 200 returns to step E41. If yes, the microcontroller 200 returns to step E46.

[0084] Figure 5 schematically illustrates an example of the hardware architecture of a microcontroller according to the present invention.

[0085] Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an example of the hardware architecture of the microcontroller 200. The microcontroller 200 then comprises, connected by a communication bus 510: a processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501; a RAM (Random Access Memory) 502; a non-volatile ROM (Read Only Memory) 503, for example of the FLASH type and an interface 504 allowing communication between the switch 210 and the second 4G Modem radio module 230.

[0086] The processor 501 is capable of executing instructions loaded into RAM 502 from ROM 503, external memory (not shown), or a communication network. When the microcontroller 200 is powered on, the processor 501 is capable of reading instructions from RAM 502 and executing them. These instructions form a computer program causing the processor 501 to implement all or part of the algorithms and steps described herein in relation to the microcontroller 200.

[0087] Thus, all or part of the algorithms and steps described in relation to the microcontroller 200 can be implemented in software form by executing a set of instructions by a programmable machine, such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a microcontroller, or in hardware form by a dedicated machine or component, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).

Claims

Demands

1. A method for managing the coexistence of a first and a second radio module transmitting and / or receiving signals in frequency bands, the first and second radio modules being arranged in the same housing, the housing comprising an antenna associated with the first radio module and an antenna associated with the second radio module, the first radio module receiving noise generated by the signals emitted by the antenna associated with the second radio module included in the housing, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: - checking (E42) whether an antenna external to the housing is connected to the second radio module, - prohibiting (E43) radio transmission by the second radio module in a part of the frequency bands of the second radio module if an antenna external to the housing is not connected to the second radio module interfering with the signals emitted and / or received by the first radio module.- Authorization (E45) for radio transmission by the second radio module in all frequency bands of the second radio module if an external antenna is connected to the second radio module.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the frequency band of the first radio module is the ISM frequency band 868 to 870 MHz and the frequency bands of the second radio module are the 4G LTE bands.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the frequency bands prohibited for data transmission by the second radio module are bands 8 and / or 20 and / or 7 of the 4G LTE band.

4. Device for managing the coexistence of a first and a second radio module transmitting and / or receiving signals in frequency bands, the first and second radio modules being arranged in the same housing, the housing comprising an antenna associated with the first radio module and an antenna associated with the second radio module, the first radio module receiving noise generated by the signals emitted by the antenna associated with the second radio module included in the housing, characterized in that the device comprises: - means for verifying whether an antenna external to the housing is connected to the second radio module,

5.

6. - means of prohibiting radio transmission by the second radio module in a portion of the second radio module's frequency bands if an external antenna is not connected to the second radio module, thus interfering with the signals emitted and / or received by the first radio module, - means for authorizing radio transmission by the second radio module in all frequency bands of the second radio module if an external antenna is connected to the second radio module. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the verification of whether an external antenna is connected to the second radio module is performed by detecting the DC impedance of the external antenna. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the impedance of the external antenna is a resistance.

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