Delay measurement device, receiver, delay measurement method and delay measurement program

Abstract

To provide: a delay measurement device capable of measuring a delay amount with high accuracy while suppressing cost; a receiver; a delay measurement method; and a delay measurement program.SOLUTION: A delay measurement device includes first and second connection parts and an operation part. The first and second connection parts can connect antennas, respectively; and the operation part calculates a delay amount of a target antenna on the basis of each signal received from a reference antenna connected to the first connection part and having a known delay amount and the target antenna connected to the second connection part and having an unknown delay amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a delay measurement device, a receiver, a delay measurement method, and a delay measurement program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a technique is known for calculating a pseudorange by considering the delay amount from an antenna to a positioning device. In this technique, a delay amount corresponding to the frequency of a positioning signal is selected from delay amounts previously measured for each frequency (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO2022 / 113620 publication Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, in the conventional technology, it is necessary to know the amount of delay in advance. For example, the amount of delay can be known by referring to a data sheet published by an antenna manufacturer, or by disassembling the antenna and measuring it directly. However, the data sheet lists only reference values ​​(for example, maximum values) and does not take into account errors for each individual antenna, so the accuracy of the amount of delay cannot be said to be high. In addition, when disassembling the antenna and measuring it directly, it is necessary to prepare an extra antenna for disassembly measurement, which increases costs, and the influence of errors for each individual antenna cannot be eliminated. As such, the conventional technology has room for improvement in terms of measuring the amount of delay with high accuracy while suppressing costs.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a delay measurement device, a receiver, a delay measurement method, and a delay measurement program that can measure the amount of delay with high accuracy while keeping costs down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a delay measurement device according to the present disclosure includes a first connection unit, a second connection unit, and a calculation unit. The first connection unit and the second connection unit can each be connected to an antenna. The calculation unit calculates the delay amount of the target antenna based on signals received from a reference antenna connected to the first connection unit and having a known delay amount, and a target antenna connected to the second connection unit and having an unknown delay amount.

[0007] This allows the delay measurement device to measure the amount of delay with high accuracy while keeping costs down.

[0008] Furthermore, the calculation unit according to the present disclosure calculates time information from the signals received by the reference antenna and the target antenna, and calculates the amount of delay of the target antenna based on the difference between the time information.

[0009] This enables the delay measurement device to measure the amount of delay with high accuracy.

[0010] In addition, the reference antenna and the target antenna according to the present disclosure are each set with a plurality of channels capable of tracking signals of different frequencies, and the calculation unit identifies the channel that is tracking the signal from among the channels set in the reference antenna, and sets the frequency of the identified channel as the channel of the target antenna to track it.

[0011] This enables the delay measurement device to measure the amount of delay with high accuracy.

[0012] Moreover, the calculation unit according to the present disclosure calculates the delay amount of the target antenna after tracking of the signals received by the reference antenna and the target antenna becomes stable.

[0013] This enables the delay measurement device to measure the amount of delay with high accuracy.

[0014] Moreover, the calculation unit according to the present disclosure outputs information on the calculated delay amount of the target antenna to the outside.

[0015] This enables the delay measurement device to output the delay information to the outside.

[0016] Furthermore, the reference antenna and the target antenna according to the present disclosure are each disposed at a position where they can simultaneously receive the same signal from the same satellite.

[0017] This enables the delay measurement device to measure the amount of delay with high accuracy.

[0018] Furthermore, the signals received by the reference antenna and the target antenna according to the present disclosure are positioning signals transmitted from GNSS satellites.

[0019] This enables the delay measurement device to measure the amount of delay with high accuracy based on the positioning signal.

[0020] Moreover, the calculation unit according to the present disclosure acquires temperature information when the signal is received, and links the acquired temperature information to the delay amount of the target antenna.

[0021] This enables the delay measurement device to measure the amount of delay corresponding to the temperature information with high accuracy.

[0022] A receiver according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of connection units and a calculation unit. An antenna can be connected to each of the plurality of connection units. The calculation unit calculates the delay amount of the target antenna based on signals received from a reference antenna connected to one of the connection units and having a known delay amount, and a target antenna connected to the other connection unit and having an unknown delay amount, and performs a positioning calculation based on the delay amount.

[0023] This enables the receiver to measure the amount of delay with high accuracy while keeping costs down.

[0024] In addition, the delay measurement method disclosed herein is a delay measurement method executed by a delay measurement device, and includes a calculation step of calculating the delay amount of a target antenna based on signals received from a reference antenna connected to a first connection portion and having a known delay amount, and a target antenna connected to the second connection portion and having an unknown delay amount, of a first connection portion and a second connection portion to which an antenna can be connected, respectively.

[0025] This makes it possible for the delay measurement method to measure the amount of delay with high accuracy while keeping costs down.

[0026] In addition, the delay measurement program of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute an arithmetic procedure for calculating the delay amount of a target antenna based on signals received from a reference antenna connected to the first connection portion and having a known delay amount, and a target antenna connected to the second connection portion and having an unknown delay amount, of a first connection portion and a second connection portion to which an antenna can be connected, respectively.

[0027] This allows the delay measurement program to measure the amount of delay with high accuracy while keeping costs down. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a delay measurement method executed by a receiver according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a receiver according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a process executed by a receiver according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0030] First, an overview of a delay measurement method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In the present disclosure, a case where a delay measurement device that executes the delay measurement method is a receiver 1 is taken as an example. The delay measurement device is not limited to a receiver, and may be, for example, a delay measurement device that is intended to measure the amount of delay of an antenna manufactured by an antenna manufacturer before shipment when the antenna is manufactured.

[0031] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a delay measurement method executed by a receiver 1 according to an embodiment. The receiver 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a GNSS receiver that receives a positioning signal of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The receiver 1 receives a positioning signal transmitted from a positioning satellite S such as a Global Positioning System (GPS), a Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), or Galileo, and performs positioning. The receiver 1 can also receive positioning signals of other GNSS systems such as a Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS).

[0032] 1, the receiver 1 includes a first connection unit 300a and a second connection unit 300b, which are multiple connection units to which antennas can be connected. A reference antenna 100 with a known delay amount is connected to the first connection unit 300a via a cable 110. A target antenna 200 with an unknown delay amount is connected to the second connection unit 300b via a cable 210.

[0033] In the present disclosure, when the multiple first connection parts 300a and the second connection parts 300b are not particularly distinguished from each other, they are collectively referred to as "multiple connection parts 300" or simply as "connection parts 300." In addition, although Fig. 1 shows a case where there are two connection parts 300, the number of connection parts 300 may be three or more. In this case, the reference antenna 100 is connected to at least one connection part 300 (e.g., the first connection part 300a), and the target antennas 200 are all connected to the remaining connection parts 300 (e.g., the second connection part 300b, the third connection part, ...).

[0034] The receiver 1 receives the same positioning signal transmitted from the same positioning satellite S at the reference antenna 100 and the target antenna 200, and calculates the amount of delay of the target antenna 200 based on the positioning signals received at each antenna.

[0035] The delay amount here refers to the amount of signal delay caused by the internal circuitry of the target antenna 200 , in other words, the amount of signal delay that occurs when the positioning signal received by the target antenna 200 reaches the receiver 1 .

[0036] Specifically, based on the positioning signals received by the reference antenna 100 and the target antenna 200, the receiver 1 calculates time information at which each of the positioning signals reaches the receiver 1, and calculates the amount of delay of the target antenna 200 based on the difference between the time information. In other words, the receiver 1 calculates the amount of delay of the target antenna 200 by comparing the time information of the positioning signal received by the reference antenna 100, whose delay amount is known.

[0037] In this way, according to the delay measurement method of the embodiment, the delay amount of the target antenna 200 can be known by comparing it with the reference antenna 100, which has a known delay amount, so there is no need to disassemble the target antenna 200 and measure it directly. In other words, there is no need to prepare an extra antenna for measurement, which can reduce costs.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the delay measurement method of the embodiment, since the actual delay amount is measured for each individual target antenna 200, the measured delay amount is a value including an error for each individual antenna. In other words, since the influence of the error for each individual antenna can be eliminated, the accuracy of the delay amount can be improved. As described above, according to the delay measurement method of the embodiment, the delay amount can be measured with high accuracy while suppressing costs.

[0039] Next, a configuration example of a receiver 1 which is a delay measurement device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the receiver 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the receiver 1 includes a channel unit 2 and a calculation unit 3.

[0040] The receiver 1 is realized by, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs (corresponding to a delay measurement program) stored in a storage device inside the receiver 1 using a RAM or the like as a working area. The receiver 1 may also be realized by, for example, an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a GPGPU (General Purpose Graphic Processing Unit).

[0041] The storage device is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

[0042] Next, a description will be given of the processing of the channel unit 2 and the calculation unit 3. First, the basic processing of the channel unit 2 and the calculation unit 3 will be described below, and then the calculation processing of the delay amount of the target antenna 200 will be described.

[0043] First, there will be described basic processing of the channel unit 2 and the calculation unit 3. The channel unit 2 has a plurality of channels (CH1 to CH30) for capturing and tracking positioning signals transmitted from each positioning satellite S.

[0044] The channel unit 2 captures and tracks the positioning signals corresponding to the frequencies set for each channel by the channels to which the corresponding frequencies are set. Specifically, the channel unit 2 first down-converts the positioning signals input from the antennas (reference antenna 100 and target antenna 200) using a down-converter, and inputs the down-converted signals to multiple channels.

[0045] Next, each channel generates a carrier signal and a replica code of the positioning signal (positioning satellite) of the frequency to be acquired and tracked. Each channel acquires and tracks the positioning signal of the target frequency using the generated carrier signal and replica code.

[0046] Each channel outputs a tracking result for the positioning signal that has been successfully acquired and tracked to the calculation unit 3. The tracking result is, for example, a baseband signal, a code phase difference, and a carrier phase difference of the positioning signal, tracking information (for example, a satellite number, etc.) indicating the positioning satellite S that has been successfully tracked, and the like.

[0047] The calculation unit 3 performs positioning calculations based on the tracking results input from each channel. Specifically, the calculation unit 3 analyzes a navigation message from the baseband signal of the positioning signal, and obtains the clock error for each positioning satellite, precise orbit information (position of the positioning satellite), etc. from the navigation message.

[0048] The calculation unit 3 then calculates a pseudorange for each positioning satellite using the code phase difference, which is the tracking result, the clock error, and a delay correction amount for correcting the delay amount, which will be described later.The calculation unit 3 then performs positioning calculations using the calculated pseudoranges and the positions of the positioning satellites.The positioning calculations include calculations of the position of the receiver 1, the speed of the receiver 1, and the reference time.

[0049] Next, a description will be given of the calculation process of the delay amount of the target antenna 200. The calculation process of the delay amount of the target antenna 200 can be executed when the reference antenna 100 and the target antenna 200 are connected to the connection unit 300.

[0050] Whether the antenna connected to the connection unit 300 is the reference antenna 100 and the target antenna 200 can be determined, for example, based on the position of the connection unit 300. Specifically, when an antenna is connected to the connection unit 300 for connecting the reference antenna 100, the antenna is considered to be the reference antenna 100. Also, when an antenna is connected to the connection unit 300 for connecting the target antenna 200, the antenna is considered to be the target antenna 200.

[0051] Next, the channel unit 2 assigns a plurality of channels to the reference antenna 100 and the target antenna 200. Specifically, the channel unit 2 assigns a greater number of channels to the reference antenna 100 than to the target antenna 200.

[0052] This is because the reference antenna 100 needs to receive positioning signals of various frequencies. On the other hand, the target antenna 200, as described in detail below, only needs to set the frequency of the channel that the reference antenna 100 is using to track the positioning signal as the channel of the target antenna 200, so it requires fewer channels than the reference antenna 100.

[0053] Note that while FIG. 2 shows an example in which 27 channels (CH1 to 27) are set to the reference antenna 100 and three channels (CH28 to 30) are set to the target antenna 200, the number of channels set to each antenna can be set arbitrarily.

[0054] Next, the calculation unit 3 receives, from the manufacturer (manager, inspector) of the target antenna 200, a specification of the frequency of the positioning signal for which the amount of delay in the target antenna 200 is to be measured.

[0055] Next, the calculation unit 3 identifies a channel that is tracking the positioning signal of the specified frequency from among the channels set in the reference antenna 100 based on the above-mentioned tracking information. The calculation unit 3 also sets the specified frequency as the channel set in the target antenna 200.

[0056] For example, if CH27 is tracking a positioning signal of a designated frequency, and a designated frequency is set for CH28, it becomes possible for CH27 and CH28 to simultaneously track the same positioning signal transmitted from the same positioning satellite S. The following description will be given on the assumption that CH27 and CH28 are simultaneously tracking the same positioning signal transmitted from the same positioning satellite S.

[0057] Next, the calculation unit 3 performs positioning calculations for each of CH27 and CH28 based on the tracking information input from CH27 and CH28. Next, the calculation unit 3 acquires time information, which is the time when the positioning calculations were performed, using a crystal oscillator (e.g., TCXO) (not shown) built into the receiver 1. More specifically, the time information is the time when the tracking information was acquired from the channel, and is acquired for each channel.

[0058] Next, the calculation unit 3 calculates the delay amount of the target antenna 200 based on the acquired time information for each channel. First, the calculation unit 3 determines whether the tracking of each channel is stable or not before calculating the delay amount. Specifically, the calculation unit 3 determines that the tracking is stable when the difference between the time information of CH27 corresponding to the reference antenna 100 and the time information of CH28 corresponding to the target antenna 200 converges to a constant value.

[0059] After the tracking has stabilized, the calculation unit 3 calculates the amount of delay of the target antenna 200 based on the difference between the time information of CH 27 corresponding to the reference antenna 100 and the time information of CH 28 corresponding to the target antenna 200 .

[0060] Specifically, if the delay amount of target antenna 200 is X, the delay amount of reference antenna 100 is A, the time information of CH27 corresponding to reference antenna 100 is Ta, and the time information of CH28 corresponding to target antenna 200 is Tb, the delay amount of target antenna 200 can be calculated using the formula X=A+(Ta-Tb).

[0061] Then, the calculation unit 3 outputs to the outside information on the calculated delay amount of the target antenna 200. For example, the calculation unit 3 displays the information on the delay amount in text form on a display unit (not shown) provided in the receiver 1.

[0062] Furthermore, the calculation unit 3 may issue a voice notification such as an alarm sound when the calculated delay amount is equal to or greater than a preset threshold. The calculation unit 3 may also transmit information on the delay amount to a server device or a terminal device. When the calculation unit 3 performs positioning calculation as the receiver 1, the calculation unit 3 determines a delay correction amount required for calculating a pseudorange based on the calculated delay amount.

[0063] The calculation unit 3 may obtain temperature information when the positioning signal is received, and may associate the temperature information with the delay amount of the target antenna 200. This allows correction based on the temperature information when determining the delay correction amount required for calculating the pseudorange.

[0064] Next, a processing procedure of the processing executed by the receiver 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the processing executed by the receiver 1 according to the embodiment.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 3, the receiver 1 receives a positioning signal from a positioning satellite S via the reference antenna 100 (step S101).

[0066] Next, the receiver 1 identifies the channel through which the positioning signal received by the reference antenna 100 was acquired (step S102), and sets the channel of the target antenna 200 based on the identification result (step S103). Specifically, the receiver 1 identifies the channel that is tracking the positioning signal received by the reference antenna 100, and sets the same frequency as the frequency of the identified channel as the frequency of the channel of the target antenna 200.

[0067] Next, receiver 1 receives the positioning signal by reference antenna 100 and target antenna 200 (step S104). Specifically, receiver 1 receives the same positioning signal from the same positioning satellite S by reference antenna 100 and target antenna 200 at the same time.

[0068] Next, receiver 1 performs positioning calculations based on the positioning signals received by reference antenna 100 and target antenna 200 (step S105), and calculates time information for each of reference antenna 100 and target antenna 200 based on the positioning calculation results (step S106).

[0069] Next, receiver 1 determines whether the time information of each of reference antenna 100 and target antenna 200 has stabilized (step S107). Specifically, receiver 1 determines whether the difference in the time information of reference antenna 100 and target antenna 200 has reached a constant value. Note that receiver 1 may perform step S107 by determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed at which the time information is expected to stabilize, without calculating the difference in the time information of reference antenna 100 and target antenna 200.

[0070] When the time information of each of the reference antenna 100 and the target antenna 200 is stable (step S107: Yes), the receiver 1 calculates the amount of delay of the target antenna 200 based on the difference between the calculated time information (step S108), outputs the calculated delay amount information to the outside (step S109), and ends the process. Note that when the time information of each of the reference antenna 100 and the target antenna 200 is not stable (step S107: No), the receiver 1 returns to step S104.

[0071] As described above, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the delay measurement device (receiver 1) includes a plurality of connection units 300 (first connection unit 300a and second connection unit 300b) and a calculation unit 3. An antenna can be connected to each of the plurality of connection units 300. The calculation unit 3 calculates the delay amount of the target antenna 200 based on signals received from the reference antenna 100 with a known delay amount connected to one connection unit 300 (first connection unit 300a) and the target antenna 200 with an unknown delay amount connected to the other connection unit 300 (second connection unit 300b). This allows the delay measurement device to measure the delay amount with high accuracy while suppressing costs.

[0072] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, the technical scope of the present invention includes forms obtained by appropriately combining the above-described embodiments within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 Receiver 2 Channel Section 3 Arithmetic section 100 Reference Antenna 110, 210 cable 200 target antennas 300 Connection S Positioning satellite

Claims

1. a first connection portion and a second connection portion to which an antenna can be connected, a calculation unit that calculates the delay amount of a target antenna based on signals received from a reference antenna connected to the first connection unit and having a known delay amount, and a target antenna connected to the second connection unit and having an unknown delay amount; A delay measurement device comprising:

2. The calculation unit is Time information is calculated from the signals received by the reference antenna and the target antenna, and the delay amount of the target antenna is calculated based on the difference between the time information.

2. The delay measurement device according to claim 1.

3. A plurality of channels capable of tracking signals of different frequencies are set for each of the reference antenna and the target antenna, The calculation unit is The channel that is tracking the signal is identified from among the channels set in the reference antenna, and the frequency of the identified channel is set as the channel of the target antenna to track the signal.

2. The delay measurement device according to claim 1.

4. The calculation unit is After the tracking of the signals received by the reference antenna and the target antenna is stabilized, the delay amount of the target antenna is calculated.

2. The delay measurement device according to claim 1.

5. The calculation unit is The calculated information on the delay amount of the target antenna is output to the outside.

2. The delay measurement device according to claim 1.

6. The reference antenna and the target antenna are Each is placed in a position where it can simultaneously receive the same signal from the same satellite.

2. The delay measurement device according to claim 1.

7. The signals received by the reference antenna and the target antenna are It is a positioning signal transmitted from GNSS satellites.

2. The delay measurement device according to claim 1.

8. The calculation unit is Temperature information when the signal is received is acquired, and the acquired temperature information is linked to the delay amount of the target antenna.

2. The delay measurement device according to claim 1.

9. a first connection portion and a second connection portion to which an antenna can be connected, a calculation unit that calculates a delay amount of a target antenna, the delay amount of which is unknown, based on signals received from a reference antenna connected to the first connection unit and a target antenna, the delay amount of which is known, and performs a positioning calculation based on the delay amount; A receiver comprising:

10. A delay measurement method performed by a delay measurement device, comprising: a calculation step of calculating the delay amount of a target antenna based on signals received from a reference antenna connected to the first connection section and having a known delay amount, and a target antenna connected to the second connection section and having an unknown delay amount, of a first connection section and a second connection section to which an antenna can be connected, respectively; A delay measurement method including:

11. a calculation step of calculating a delay amount of a target antenna based on signals received from a reference antenna having a known delay amount connected to the first connection part and a target antenna having an unknown delay amount connected to the second connection part, out of a first connection part and a second connection part to which an antenna can be connected, A delay measurement program that causes a computer to execute the above.

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