On-vehicle antenna amplifier system

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle antenna amplifier system that can notify an on-vehicle unit of reception signals of a plurality of antennas and can notify the on-vehicle unit of abnormality of an antenna unit.SOLUTION: An antenna unit includes: a plurality of amplifiers connected to a plurality of antennas having different operation frequencies; a plurality of output detection sections for outputting a detection signal for indicating detection results of outputs of the plurality of antennas or the plurality of amplifiers; and a multiplexing section for multiplexing a plurality of amplified reception signals with the detection signal before output to a first end of a cable. An on-vehicle unit includes: a separation section for separating a multiplexed signal output from a second end of the cable to output the plurality of amplified reception signals and the detection signal; a plurality of communication modules which are connected to the separation section and to which the plurality of amplified reception signals are input; a diagnosis section connected to the separation section to diagnose abnormality of the plurality of antennas or abnormality of the plurality of amplifiers on the basis of the detection signal; and a communication control section for controlling the plurality of communication modules.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle antenna amplifier system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been in-vehicle receiving systems equipped with a roof-side communication unit and a vehicle interior-side communication unit. The roof-side communication unit combines multiple signals from radio wireless devices, GPS wireless devices, LTE and 5G wireless devices, and other devices with different frequencies, and transmits the combined signals to the vehicle interior-side communication unit via a single transmission path (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-064913 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional vehicle-mounted receiving system, even if an abnormality such as a failure occurs in the roof-side communication unit (antenna unit), the vehicle interior-side communication unit (vehicle unit) cannot be notified.

[0005] Therefore, the object is to provide an in-vehicle antenna amplifier system that can notify the in-vehicle unit of multiple received signals received by the multiple antennas of the antenna unit, and can notify the in-vehicle unit of abnormalities such as failures of the antenna unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An in-vehicle antenna amplifier system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an antenna unit mounted on a vehicle, an in-vehicle unit disposed in a cabin of the vehicle, a cable having a first end connected to the antenna unit and a second end connected to the in-vehicle unit and capable of transmitting data bidirectionally, the antenna unit including a plurality of antennas with different operating frequencies, a plurality of amplifiers connected to the plurality of antennas, respectively, for amplifying a plurality of received signals, a plurality of output detectors for detecting outputs of the plurality of antennas or the plurality of amplifiers, respectively, and outputting a plurality of detection signals representing the detection results, and a plurality of output detectors provided between the plurality of amplifiers and the first end and between the plurality of output detectors and the first end. the vehicle-mounted unit has a multiplexing unit that multiplexes the plurality of received signals amplified by the plurality of amplifiers and the plurality of detection signals and outputs the multiplexed signals to the first end, and the vehicle-mounted unit has a separation unit that is connected to the second end of the cable and separates the multiplexed signal output from the second end to output the amplified plurality of received signals and the plurality of detection signals, a plurality of communication modules that are connected to the separation unit and to which the amplified plurality of received signals are respectively input, a diagnosis unit that is connected to the separation unit and to which the plurality of detection signals are input and which diagnoses abnormalities in the plurality of antennas or the plurality of amplifiers based on the plurality of detection signals, and a communication control unit that controls the plurality of communication modules. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] It is possible to provide an in-vehicle antenna amplifier system that can notify the in-vehicle unit of multiple received signals received by multiple antennas of the antenna unit, and can notify the in-vehicle unit of abnormalities such as failures of the antenna unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle 1 equipped with an in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100 according to an embodiment. [Figure 1B] 1 is a diagram showing a simplified example of the configuration of an in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100. FIG. [Figure 2A] 2 is a diagram showing a simplified example of the configuration of an antenna unit 110. FIG. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an in-vehicle unit 120. [Figure 3A] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100M1 using an optical fiber cable 130A. [Figure 3B] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100M2 using an optical fiber cable 130A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system of the present disclosure is applied will be described.

[0010] <Embodiment> Fig. 1A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle 1 equipped with an in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1B is a diagram showing a simplified example of the configuration of the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100.

[0011] The vehicle 1 is, for example, an automobile such as an EV (Electric Vehicle), a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), an HV (Hybrid Vehicle), or a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. The vehicle may also be a train or the like.

[0012] The vehicle-mounted antenna amplifier system 100 includes an antenna unit 110, an in-vehicle unit 120, and a coaxial cable 130. The coaxial cable 130 is an example of a cable. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the vehicle-mounted antenna amplifier system 100 has a configuration in which the antenna unit 110 and the in-vehicle unit 120 are connected by the coaxial cable 130. Note that an optical fiber cable may be used instead of the coaxial cable 130, and such a configuration will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0013] As an example, the antenna unit 110 is attached to the rear end of the roof of the vehicle 1. As an example, the antenna unit 110 is of a shark fin type, but is not limited to a shark fin type. The antenna unit 110 may be provided at a position other than the rear end of the roof as long as it is a position suitable for receiving radio waves, but it is preferable that the antenna unit 110 be provided at a high position on the vehicle body.

[0014] As an example, the in-vehicle unit 120 is provided inside the interior of the vehicle 1, and FIG. 1A shows a configuration in which the in-vehicle unit 120 is provided inside the dashboard of the vehicle 1. Note that the location where the in-vehicle unit 120 is provided is not limited to inside the dashboard. The in-vehicle unit 120 is connected to the antenna unit 110 via a coaxial cable 130. The in-vehicle unit 120 has an RF (Radio Frequency) module. The RF module has a BPF (Band Pass Filter) and acquires an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) of a narrowband signal that has passed through the BPF. The in-vehicle unit 120 transmits the RSSI to the antenna unit 110 via the coaxial cable 130.

[0015] The coaxial cable 130 is a single coaxial cable that connects the antenna unit 110 and the in-vehicle unit 120. The fact that there is one coaxial cable 130 that connects the antenna unit 110 and the in-vehicle unit 120 means that there is one coaxial cable that has a core wire and a shield wire.

[0016] For example, the coaxial cable 130 is passed through the interior of a pillar or roof of the vehicle body of the vehicle 1 to connect the antenna unit 110 and the on-board unit 120. Of the two ends of the coaxial cable 130, the end connected to the antenna unit 110 is an example of a first end, and the end connected to the on-board unit 120 is an example of a second end. The coaxial cable 130 is a cable capable of transmitting data in both directions between the antenna unit 110 and the on-board unit 120.

[0017] <Configuration of Antenna Unit 110> 2A is a simplified diagram showing an example of the configuration of antenna unit 110. Antenna unit 110 includes antennas 111A to 111G, BPFs (Band Pass Filters) 112A to 112G, LNAs (Low Noise Amplifiers) 113A to 113E, 113FB, and 113GB, switches 113FA and 113GA, HPAs (High Power Amplifiers) 113FC and 113GC, and AGCs (Automatic Gain Controllers) 114A to 114C. LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, and 113GB are an example of a plurality of amplifiers.

[0018] The antenna unit 110 also includes RSSI receivers 115A to 115C and 115F to 115G, BPFs 116A to 116G, a bus (BUS) 117, a signal processor 118, and a multiplexer 119. In Fig. 2A, the RSSI receivers 115A to 115C and 115F to 115G are referred to as RSSI. The RSSI receivers 115A to 115C and 115F to 115G are examples of a plurality of output detectors. The multiplexer 119 is an example of a multiplexer and an example of a combiner.

[0019] All of the components of the antenna unit 110, from the antenna 111A to the multiplexer 119, are housed in the housing of the antenna unit 110 shown on the roof of the vehicle 1 in Fig. 1. Of the components of the antenna unit 110, from the BPF 112A to the signal processing unit 118, excluding the antennas 111A to 111G and the multiplexer 119, can be configured as a one-chip IC (Integrated Circuit), for example.

[0020] The frequencies of the radio waves received or transmitted by the antennas 111A to 111G are all different. As an example in Japan, the antenna 111A is an antenna for receiving AM broadcasts (526.5 kHz to 1606.5 kHz). The antenna 111B is an antenna for receiving FM broadcasts (76.1 MHz to 94.9 MHz). The antenna 111C is an antenna for receiving television (TV) broadcasts. The antenna 111D is an antenna for receiving satellite radio.

[0021] The antenna 111E is an antenna for receiving a GPS (Global Positioning System) or a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signal for a navigation system. The antenna 111F is an antenna for transmitting or receiving a DSRC (Dedicated Short-Range Communications) signal used in ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) and the like. The antenna 111G is an antenna for transmitting or receiving a 4G (Fourth Generation) or 5G (Fifth Generation) signal.

[0022] The BPFs 112A to 112G are connected to the antennas 111A to 111G, respectively, and have passbands corresponding to the radio waves received or transmitted by the antennas 111A to 111G. The passbands of the BPFs 112A to 112C can be switched by a control signal input from the signal processing unit 118 via the bus 117.

[0023] The LNAs 113A to 113C have input terminals connected to the output terminals of the BPFs 112A to 112C (terminals on the right in FIG. 2A), respectively. The output terminals of the LNAs 113A to 113C are connected to one of the two input terminals of the AGCs 114A to 114C and to the input terminals of the BPFs 116A to 116C. The LNAs 113D and 113E have input terminals connected to the output terminals of the BPFs 112D and 112E, respectively (terminals on the right in FIG. 2A). The output terminals of the LNAs 113D and 113E are connected to the input terminals of the BPFs 116D and 116E. The LNAs 113FB and 113GB have input terminals connected to the output terminals of the switches 113FA and 113GA, respectively. The output terminals of the LNAs 113FB and 113GB are connected to one of the two input terminals of the AGCs 114F and 114G and to the output terminals of the BPFs 116F and 116G. The gains of the LNAs 113A to 113C, 113FB, and 113GB are controlled by signals input from the AGCs 114A to 114C, 114F, and 114G. The gains of the LNAs 113D and 113E are, for example, constant.

[0024] The switches 113FA and 113GA have terminals (left terminals in FIG. 2A) connected to one terminal of the BPFs 112F and 112G (right terminals in FIG. 2A), output terminals (top right terminals in FIG. 2A) connected to input terminals of the LNAs 113FB and 113GB, respectively, and input terminals (bottom right terminals in FIG. 2A) connected to output terminals of the HPAs 113FC and 113GC, respectively. The switches 113FA and 113GA are switched between a receiving connection (connected to the LNAs 113FB and 113GB) and a transmitting connection (connected to the HPAs 113FC and 113GC) by a switching signal input from the signal processing unit 118 via the bus 117.

[0025] The two input terminals of the AGCs 114A to 114C and 114F to 114G are connected to the output terminals of the BPFs 116A to 116C and 116F to 116G and the output terminals of the RSSI receivers 115A to 115C and 115F to 115G, respectively. The output terminals of the AGCs 114A to 114C, 114F, and 114G are connected to the control signal input terminals of the LNAs 113A to 113C, 113FB, and 113GB. The AGCs 114A to 114C and 114F to 114G automatically control the gains of the LNAs 113A to 113C and 113FB to 113GB based on the outputs of the BPFs 116A to 116C and 116F to 116G and the outputs (analog converted RSSIs (RSSI signals)) of the RSSI receivers 115A to 115C and 115F to 115G. Note that the outputs of the RSSI receivers 115A to 115G may be RSSIs in the form of digital signals.

[0026] The signals output from the LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, and 113GB are signals received by the antennas 111A to 111G and amplified by the LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, and 113GB. That is, the signals are received signals amplified by the LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, and 113GB. The RSSI receivers 115A to 115C and 115F to 115G receive RSSI from the receiver of the in-vehicle unit 120 via the signal processor 118 and the bus 117. The RSSI receivers 115A to 115C and 115F to 115G each have a DAC, convert the received digital RSSI into analog format, and output the analog signal representing the RSSI to the AGCs 114A to 114C, 114F, and 114G. Hereinafter, the signal representing the RSSI will be referred to as an RSSI signal. The RSSI receiving units 115A to 115C and 115F to 115G may be configured to output digital signals to the AGCs 114A to 114C and 114F to 114G.

[0027] The BPFs 116A to 116E pass components of a predetermined band of the signals (amplified received signals) output from the LNAs 113A to 113E, respectively. The BPFs 116A to 116E have passbands corresponding to the radio waves received by the antennas 111A to 111E, respectively. The output terminals (right terminals in FIG. 2) of the BPFs 116A to 116E are connected to the multiplexer 119.

[0028] The BPFs 116F and 116G each have an input terminal (the upper left terminal in FIG. 2) connected to the LNAs 113FB and 113GB, respectively, an output terminal (the lower left terminal in FIG. 2) connected to the input terminals of the HPAs 113FC and 113GC, and a terminal (the right terminal in FIG. 2) connected to the multiplexer 119. The BPFs 116F and 116G each have a passband corresponding to the radio waves received or transmitted by the antennas 111F and 111G.

[0029] The BUS 117 connects the BPFs 112A to 112C, the switches 113FA and 113GA, and the RSSIs 115A to 115C and 115F to 115G with the signal processing unit 118. The BUS 117 transmits control signals (signals for controlling the passbands of the BPFs 112A to 112C) input from the signal processing unit 118 to the BPFs 112A to 112C. The BUS 117 also transmits switching signals (signals for switching the switches 113FA and 113GA) input from the signal processing unit 118 to the switches 113FA and 113GA. The BUS 117 also transmits RSSI signals input from the RSSIs 115A to 115C and 115F to 115G from the signal processing unit 118.

[0030] The signal processing unit 118 is configured by, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), and controls the operation of the antenna unit 110 and performs signal processing such as waveform processing. The signal processing unit 118 is connected between the bus 117 and the multiplexer 119, and outputs control signals and switching signals transmitted from the in-vehicle unit 120 via the multiplexer 119 and the coaxial cable 130 to the bus 117, and also outputs RSSI signals (analog signals) input from the multiplexer 119 to the RSSI receiving units 115A to 115C and 115F to 115G via the bus 117.

[0031] The multiplexer 119 has terminals (multiple terminals on the right side in FIG. 2A) connected to the BPFs 116A to 116G and the signal processing unit 118, and a terminal 119A connected to the coaxial cable 130. Note that the received signals of AM and FM broadcasts are not usually received simultaneously, but rather one of them is received. For this reason, the following description will be given assuming that six received signals are input to the multiplexer 119 from the seven BPFs 116A to 116G. The same applies to the seven RSSI signals, so the following description will be given assuming that six RSSI signals are input to the multiplexer 119.

[0032] The multiplexer 119 multiplexes the six received signals output from the BPFs 116A to 116G (the received signals amplified by the LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, and 113GB) and outputs the multiplexed signal to the coaxial cable 130. The multiplexer 119 outputs the RSSI signal output from the vehicle-mounted unit 120 to the signal processing unit 118. The six RSSI signals and the six received signals all have different frequencies. Furthermore, the frequencies of the received signals for AM broadcasting and FM broadcasting are different, and the frequencies of the RSSI signals for AM broadcasting and FM broadcasting are different from each other.

[0033] The RSSI signal is input from the in-vehicle unit 120 to the antenna unit 110 via the coaxial cable 130, then input from the multiplexer 119 to the splitter 119B and then to the signal processing unit 118, where it is AD converted and then transmitted to the RSSI receiving units 115A to 115C, 115F to 115G via the bus 117.

[0034] The multiplexing performed by the multiplexer 119 may be, for example, any of time division multiplexing modulation, frequency division modulation, modulation at a fixed frequency, and multiplexing by a direct spread spectrum method.

[0035] The multiplexer 119 also functions as a splitter that separates signals input in the reverse direction (from right to left in FIG. 2A). The multiplexer 119 separates the multiplexed signals input from the in-vehicle unit 120 via the coaxial cable 130 into three control signals (signals that control the passbands of the BPFs 112A to 112C), two switching signals (signals that switch the switches 113FA and 113GA), a transmission signal for DSRC, and a transmission signal for 4G / 5G.

[0036] The multiplexer 119 outputs three control signals (signals for controlling the passbands of the BPFs 112A to 112C) and two switching signals (signals for switching between the switches 113FA and 113GA) to the signal processing unit 118. The multiplexer 119 also outputs a transmission signal for DSRC and a transmission signal for 4G / 5G to the BPFs 116F and 116G, respectively.

[0037] As a result, the passbands of the BPFs 112A to 112C are controlled by the three control signals, and the switches 113FA and 113GA are switched by the two switching signals. Also, a transmission signal for DSRC and a transmission signal for 4G / 5G are radiated from the antennas 111F and 111G.

[0038] <In-vehicle unit 120> 2B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the in-vehicle unit 120. The in-vehicle unit 120 includes a splitter 121, RF (Radio Frequency) modules 122A and 122C to 122G, a signal processing unit 123, a bus 124, a control unit 125, and a multiplexer 126. The splitter 121 is an example of a separation unit and an example of a demultiplexer. The RF modules 122A and 122C to 122G are examples of a plurality of communication modules.

[0039] The splitter 121 has a terminal 121A to which the coaxial cable 130 is connected, terminals to which the RF modules 122A and 122C to 122G are connected, and a terminal to which the signal processing unit 123 is connected.

[0040] The splitter 121 splits the multiplexed signal input from the coaxial cable 130 into six received signals (received signals amplified by the LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, and 113GB) output from the BPFs 116A to 116G.

[0041] Splitter 121 outputs the received AM or FM broadcast signal of the six received signals to RF module 122A. Note that separate RF modules may be used for the received AM broadcast signals and the received FM broadcast signals. Splitter 121 outputs five of the six received signals, namely, TV broadcast, satellite radio, GPS / GNSS, DSRC, and 4G / 5G, to RF modules 122C to 122G, respectively.

[0042] One of the two terminals (the two terminals on the left side in FIG. 2B) of each of the RF modules 122A and 122C to 122G is connected to the splitter 121, and the other is connected to the bus 124. The terminal on the right side in FIG. 2B of each of the RF modules 122A and 122C to 122G is connected to the control unit 125.

[0043] The signal processing unit 123 is, for example, configured with an FPGA or an MCU, and is a transceiver that transmits a digital signal to the antenna unit 110. A bus 124 is connected to the signal processing unit 123. The other of the two terminals (the two terminals on the left side in FIG. 2B ) of each of the RF modules 122A and 122C to 122G and the control unit 125 are connected to the bus 124. The signal processing unit 123 performs signal processing such as waveform processing on the RSSI signal transmitted from the bus 124. The signal processing unit 123 is connected to the splitter 121, the bus 124, and the multiplexer 126, and transmits the RSSI signal to the antenna unit 110 via the multiplexer 126 and the coaxial cable 130.

[0044] Three control signals (signals for controlling the passbands of BPFs 112A to 112C) and two switching signals (signals for switching between switches 113FA and 113GA) are input to bus 124 from control unit 125. Bus 124 transmits RSSI signals of RF modules 122A, 122C, and 122F to 122G to signal processing unit 123.

[0045] The multiplexer 126 multiplexes and modulates the digital signals and RSSIs of the RF modules 122A and 122C to 122G and the control unit 125, and transmits the multiplexed signals to the antenna unit 110 via the coaxial cable 130. The multiplexer 126 multiplexes three control signals (signals for controlling the passbands of the BPFs 112A to 112C), two switching signals (signals for switching the switches 113FA and 113GA), and six RSSI signals, and outputs the multiplexed signals to the coaxial cable 130. The three control signals (signals for controlling the passbands of the BPFs 112A to 112C), two switching signals (signals for switching the switches 113FA and 113GA), and six RSSI signals are transmitted to the antenna unit 110 via the coaxial cable 130. The multiplexed modulation performed by the multiplexer 126 may be, for example, time division multiplexing modulation, frequency division modulation, or fixed frequency modulation. The fixed frequency modulation may be spread spectrum multiplexing.

[0046] The RF modules 122A and 122C to 122G receive six received signals from the splitter 121. The RF modules 122A and 122C to 122G each have a bandpass filter (BPF) and acquire RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) of a narrowband signal that has passed through the BPF. The RF modules 122A and 122C to 122G each output the six received signals and six RSSI signals to the control unit 125. The control unit 125 outputs the RSSI to the bus 124 and the signal processing unit 123, and the RSSI is converted into a digital signal by the ADC of the signal processing unit 123 and sent from the multiplexer 126 to the antenna unit 110 via the coaxial cable 130. Note that if the RSSI of the RF modules 122A and 122C to 122G is AD converted by the control unit 125, the signal processing unit 123 does not need to include an ADC.

[0047] That is, RF module 122A outputs an AM or FM broadcast reception signal and an RSSI signal to control unit 125. RF module 122C outputs a TV broadcast reception signal and an RSSI signal to control unit 125. RF module 122D outputs a satellite radio reception signal and an RSSI signal to control unit 125. RF module 122E outputs a GPS / GNSS reception signal and an RSSI signal to control unit 125. RF module 122F outputs a DSRC reception signal and an RSSI signal to control unit 125. RF module 122G outputs a 4G / 5G reception signal and an RSSI signal to control unit 125.

[0048] The control unit 125 has a communication control unit 125A and a diagnosis unit 125B. The control unit 125 is realized by, for example, a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), an input / output interface, an internal bus, etc. The communication control unit 125A and the diagnosis unit 125B are functional blocks showing the functions of the program executed by the control unit 125.

[0049] The multiplexer 126 is provided between the signal processing unit 123 and the coaxial cable 130. The multiplexer 126 transmits data and the like from the in-vehicle unit 120 to the antenna unit 110.

[0050] In the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100, the RF modules 122A, 122C, and 122D output audio to the control unit 125 in analog format, and the RF modules 122E to 122G output audio to the control unit 125 in digital format.

[0051] The communication control unit 125A outputs the six received signals input to the control unit 125 from the RF modules 122A and 122C to 122G to the radio, television, satellite radio, navigation system, ETC device, and communication device mounted on the vehicle 1, respectively. That is, a received signal of AM broadcasting or FM broadcasting is output to the radio, and a received signal of TV broadcasting is output to the television. A received signal of satellite radio is output to the satellite radio. A received signal of GPS / GNSS is output to the navigation system. A received signal of DSRC is output to the ETC device. A received signal of 4G / 5G is output to the communication device.

[0052] Furthermore, the communication control unit 125A performs bidirectional communication with the RF modules 122F and 122G. The communication control unit 125A outputs a DSRC transmission signal to the RF module 122F and outputs a 4G / 5G transmission signal to the RF module 122G. The DSRC transmission signal and the 4G / 5G transmission signal are multiplexed by the splitter 121 and transmitted to the antenna unit 110 via the coaxial cable 130.

[0053] Diagnosis unit 125B compares each of the six RSSI signals input from RF modules 122A, 122C to 122G with a threshold value, and if any signal is below the threshold value, diagnoses that an abnormality has occurred in antennas 111A to 111G or LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, or 113GB corresponding to that RSSI. Whether an abnormality has occurred in antenna 111A or LNA 113A for AM broadcasting or antenna 111B or LNA 113B for FM broadcasting can be determined by determining whether the frequency of the received signal is an AM broadcasting frequency or an FM broadcasting frequency and whether the RSSI is normal.

[0054] The diagnostic unit 125B may notify the diagnostic result to a corresponding device among a radio, a television, a satellite radio, a navigation system, an ETC device, or a communication device, or may notify the diagnostic result to a higher-level device of the radio, a television, a satellite radio, a navigation system, an ETC device, or a communication device.

[0055] As described above, the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100 has a configuration in which the antenna unit 110 provided on the roof of the vehicle 1 and the in-vehicle unit 120 provided inside the vehicle are connected by a single coaxial cable 130. With this configuration, the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100 multiplexes received signals of AM or FM broadcasts, received signals of TV broadcasts, received signals of satellite radio, received signals of GPS / GNSS, received signals of DSRC, and received signals of 4G / 5G and RSSI signals received by the antennas 111A to 111G, and transmits the multiplexed signals to the in-vehicle unit 120 via the coaxial cable 130.

[0056] The in-vehicle unit 120 can receive six reception signals via the coaxial cable 130 and can diagnose whether an abnormality has occurred in the antennas 111A to 111G or the LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, and 113GB based on the six RSSI signals. Because the six RSSI signals have different frequencies, it is possible to diagnose whether an abnormality has occurred in the antennas 111A to 111G or the LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, and 113GB based on the frequencies.

[0057] Therefore, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100 that can notify the in-vehicle unit 120 of multiple received signals received by the multiple antennas 111A to 111G of the antenna unit 110, and can notify the in-vehicle unit 120 of abnormalities such as failures of the antennas 111A to 111G of the antenna unit 110, or the LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, and 113GB.

[0058] <100M1 In-Vehicle Antenna Amplifier System Using Optical Fiber Cable> Fig. 3A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100M1 that uses an optical fiber cable 130A. The in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100M1 has a configuration in which the single coaxial cable 130 of the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100 shown in Figs. 1A to 2B is replaced with a single optical fiber cable 130A. The in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100M1 includes antenna units 110-1 and 110-2 that are arranged on the roof of the vehicle 1, and in-vehicle units 120-1 and 120-2 that are arranged on the vehicle body side.

[0059] The antenna unit 110-1 and the in-vehicle unit 120-1 are used when transmitting data from the antenna unit 110-1 to the in-vehicle unit 120-1. The antenna unit 110-2 and the in-vehicle unit 120-2 are used when transmitting data from the in-vehicle unit 120-2 to the antenna unit 110-1.

[0060] The antenna units 110-1 and 110-2 and the vehicle-mounted units 120-1 and 120-2 are connected by a single optical fiber cable 130A.

[0061] The single optical fiber cable 130A means that the optical fiber cable 130A includes one optical fiber composed of a core and a cladding that covers the core. Note that in Fig. 3A, the components of the antenna unit 110 and the in-vehicle unit 120 shown in Figs. 2A and 2B are simplified, and some of the components are indicated by reference numerals only. Furthermore, the optical fiber cable 130A may include two or more pairs of a core and a cladding that covers the core.

[0062] Here, we will first explain the antenna unit 110-1 and the in-vehicle unit 120-1. The in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100M1 has a configuration in which, as the coaxial cable 130 is replaced with an optical fiber cable 130A, an optical modulator 110A and a light source (laser) 110B are added to the antenna unit 110-1, and a photodetector 120A and a signal processing unit 120B are added to the in-vehicle unit 120-1.

[0063] In the antenna unit 110-1, the output terminal of the multiplexer 119 is connected to the optical modulator 110A. A laser for optical modulation is input from the light source 110B to the optical modulator 110A, and the multiplexed radio waves and electrical signals input from the multiplexer 119 to the optical modulator 110A are modulated into optical signals by the laser.

[0064] An example of the optical modulator 110A that converts an electrical signal into an optical signal is a photodiode. An example of the light source 110B is a semiconductor laser. An optical fiber cable 130A is connected to an output terminal of the optical modulator 110A, and the optical modulator 110A outputs an optical signal to the optical fiber cable 130A.

[0065] In the in-vehicle unit 120-1, a photodetector 120A is connected to the optical fiber cable 130A, and a signal processing unit 120B is connected to the optical modulator 110A. An output terminal of the signal processing unit 120B is connected to an input terminal of a splitter 121. As the photodetector 120A that converts an optical signal into an electrical signal, a diode or a photodiode can be used, for example. The signal processing unit 120B may be a circuit that amplifies and shapes the waveform of an electrical signal. The signal processing unit 120B may be a circuit that performs either amplification or waveform shaping of an electrical signal.

[0066] The photodetector 120A converts the multiplexed optical signal output from the optical fiber cable 130A into an electric signal, and the signal processing unit 120B amplifies and waveform-shapes the radio wave signal output from the photodetector 120A. The signal processing unit 120B outputs the electric signal after amplifying and waveform-shaping the electric signal to the splitter 121. The electric signal input from the signal processing unit 120B to the splitter 121 corresponds to the electric signal input from the coaxial cable 130 to the splitter 121 of the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100 in FIGS. 1A to 2B.

[0067] The processing after the electrical signal is input to splitter 121 is the same as that of in-vehicle unit 120 of in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100 of FIGS. 1A to 2B.

[0068] Therefore, like the in-vehicle unit 120 of the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2B), the in-vehicle unit 120-1 of the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100M1 can receive six reception signals via the optical fiber cable 130A and can diagnose, based on the six RSSI signals, whether an abnormality has occurred in the antennas 111A to 111G or the LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, or 113GB. Because the six RSSI signals have different frequencies, it is possible to diagnose, based on the frequencies, whether an abnormality has occurred in the antennas 111A to 111G or the LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, or 113GB.

[0069] The antenna unit 110-2 has a configuration similar to a portion of the in-vehicle unit 120-1 and receives data on the antenna side. The configuration of the antenna unit 110-2 is similar to that of the antenna unit 110-2 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, so for the antenna unit 110-2, please refer to FIG. 3B in addition to FIG. 3A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3B, the antenna unit 110-2 includes a BPF 116, a phase adjustment unit 120D, a photodetector 120E, an optical fiber 120F, a signal processing unit 123, a bus 124, and a control unit 125. The control unit 125 includes a communication control unit 125A' and a diagnosis unit 125B'. The communication control unit 125A' includes BPFs 112A to 112G, RSSI receiving units 115A to 115C, 115F, and 115G, and a bus 117. The BPF 112F and the RSSI receiving unit 115F are for DSRC, and the BPF 112G and the RSSI receiving unit 115G are for 4G and 5G signals.

[0070] The in-vehicle unit 120-2 has a configuration similar to that of the antenna unit 110-1 and transmits data and a signal from the HPA (power amplifier) ​​of the RF module from the vehicle body side. The configuration of the in-vehicle unit 120-2 is similar to that of the in-vehicle unit 120-2 shown in FIG. 3B , so for the in-vehicle unit 120-2, please refer to FIG. 3B in addition to FIG. 3A . Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B , the in-vehicle unit 120-2 includes an optical modulator 110C, an optical fiber or optical guide 110E, a bus 117, a signal processing unit 118, RF modules 122F′ and 122G′, and buffers 127F and 127G. Signals A and B are input to the buffers 127F and 127G from the RF modules 122F and 122G of the in-vehicle unit 120-1. Signal A is a DSRC signal, and signal B is a 4G or 5G signal. Therefore, signals for DSRC, 4G and 5G signals, control signals, etc. can be transmitted from the in-vehicle unit 120-2 to the antenna unit 110-2 via the optical fiber cable 130A.

[0071] <100M2 In-Vehicle Antenna Amplifier System Using Optical Fiber Cable> Fig. 3B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100M2 using an optical fiber cable 130A. The in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100M2 has a configuration in which the single coaxial cable 130 of the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100 shown in Figs. 1A to 2B is replaced with a single optical fiber cable 130A. The reason for using only one optical fiber cable 130A is the same as in the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100M1 shown in Fig. 3A. In Fig. 3B, the components of the antenna unit 110 and the in-vehicle unit 120 shown in Figs. 2A and 2B are simplified, and some of the components are indicated by only reference numerals.

[0072] The in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100M2 replaces the coaxial cable 130 with an optical fiber cable 130A, and includes antenna units 110-1 and 110-2 arranged on the roof of the vehicle 1, and in-vehicle units 120-1 and 120-2 arranged on the vehicle body side.

[0073] The antenna unit 110-1 and the in-vehicle unit 120-1 are used when transmitting data from the antenna unit 110-1 to the in-vehicle unit 120-1. The antenna unit 110-2 and the in-vehicle unit 120-2 are used when transmitting data from the in-vehicle unit 120-2 to the antenna unit 110-1.

[0074] The antenna unit 110-1 has a plurality of optical modulators 110C instead of the multiplexer 119 of the antenna unit 110 (see FIG. 2A), and the antenna units 110-1 and 110-2 share one WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) 110D. The in-vehicle unit 120-1 has a plurality of phase adjustment units 120D and a plurality of photodetectors 120E instead of the splitter 121, and the in-vehicle units 120-1 and 120-2 share one WDM 120C. Note that FIG. 3B shows simplified components of the antenna unit 110-1, the antenna unit 110-2, the in-vehicle units 120-1, and the in-vehicle units 120-2.

[0075] In the antenna unit 110-1, seven optical modulators 110C are connected to the output sides of the seven BPFs 116A to 116G, and one optical modulator 110C is connected to the output side of the signal processing unit 118, and output terminals of the eight optical modulators 110C are connected to eight terminals of a WDM 110D (eight terminals on the left side in FIG. 3B) via eight optical fibers or optical guides 110E. One terminal on the right side of the WDM 110D is connected to an optical fiber cable 130A.

[0076] Eight optical modulators 110C connected to the output sides of the seven BPFs 116A to 116G and the signal processing unit 118 convert the electrical signals into optical signals and output them to the WDM 110D via eight optical fibers or optical guides 110E. The WDM 110D multiplexes the eight optical signals and outputs them to the optical fiber cable 130A.

[0077] The seven optical modulators 110C that convert the electrical signals (received signals) output from the seven BPFs 116A to 116G into optical signals are an example of a first optical conversion unit, and the optical signals converted by the seven optical modulators 110C are an example of a first optical signal. The optical modulator 110C that converts the electrical signal (RSSI signal) output from the signal processing unit 118 into an optical signal is an example of a second optical conversion unit, and the optical signal converted by this optical modulator 110C is an example of a second optical signal. Furthermore, the WDM 110D is an example of a first wavelength division multiplexing unit.

[0078] As the optical modulator 110C that converts an electrical signal into an optical signal, a light emitting diode (LED) can be used as an example.

[0079] In the in-vehicle unit 120-1, one terminal on the left side of the WDM 120C is connected to the optical fiber cable 130A, and seven terminals on the right side of the WDM 120C are connected to seven phase adjustment units 120D via seven optical fibers or optical guides 120F. The seven phase adjustment units 120D are inserted in series into the seven optical fibers or optical guides 120F, and seven photodetectors 120E are connected to the seven phase adjustment units 120D via the seven optical fibers or optical guides 120F. Six RF modules 122A, 122C to 122G and a signal processing unit 123 are connected to the seven photodetectors 120E, respectively. The phase adjustment unit 120D may be any circuit capable of adjusting the phase of an optical signal. As an example, a photodiode may be used as the photodiode. An avalanche photodiode (APD) or a PIN photodiode may also be used as the photodiode.

[0080] Of the seven photodetectors 120E, the six photodetectors 120E connected to the six RF modules 122A, 122C to 122G are an example of a plurality of first photoelectric conversion units. Of the seven photodetectors 120E, the one photodetector 120E connected to the signal processing unit 123 is an example of a second photoelectric conversion unit. The one photodetector 120E connected to the signal processing unit 123 may be configured such that the transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are separate circuits.

[0081] The WDM 120C separates the multiplexed optical signal output from the optical fiber cable 130A and outputs the separated optical signals to the seven phase adjustment units 120D, and the seven optical signals whose phases have been adjusted by the seven phase adjustment units 120D are converted into electrical signals by the seven photodetectors 120E. The seven electrical signals output from the seven photodetectors 120E correspond to the seven electrical signals output from the splitter 121 of the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100 (see FIGS. 1A to 2B), and are input to the six RF modules 122A, 122C to 122G and the signal processing unit 123.

[0082] The processing after the electrical signals are input to the six RF modules 122A, 122C to 122G and the signal processing unit 123 is the same as that of the in-vehicle unit 120 of the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100 of FIGS. 1A to 2B.

[0083] Furthermore, the antenna unit 110-2 has a configuration similar to a portion of the in-vehicle unit 120-1 and receives data on the antenna side. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3B , the antenna unit 110-2 includes BPFs 116F and 116G, a phase adjustment unit 120D, a photodetector 120E, an optical fiber or optical guide 120F, signal processing units 123, 123F, and 123G, a bus 124, and a control unit 125. The control unit 125 includes a communication control unit 125A′ and a diagnosis unit 125B′. The communication control unit 125A′ includes BPFs 112A to 112G, RSSI receiving units 115A to 115C, 115F, and 115G, and a bus 117. The BPF 112F and the RSSI receiving unit 115F are for DSRC, and the BPF 112G and the RSSI receiving unit 115G are for 4G and 5G signals.

[0084] The in-vehicle unit 120-2 has a configuration similar to that of the antenna unit 110-1 and transmits data and signals from the HPA (power amplifier) ​​of the RF module from the vehicle body side. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3B , the in-vehicle unit 120-2 includes an optical modulator 110C, an optical fiber or optical guide 110E, a bus 117, a signal processing unit 118, RF modules 122F′ and 122G′, and buffers 127F and 127G. Signals A and B are input to the buffers 127F and 127G from the RF modules 122F and 122G of the in-vehicle unit 120-1. Signal A is a DSRC signal, and signal B is a 4G or 5G signal. Therefore, DSRC signals, 4G or 5G signals, control signals, etc. can be transmitted from the in-vehicle unit 120-2 to the antenna unit 110-2 via the optical fiber cable 130A.

[0085] Therefore, like the in-vehicle unit 120 of the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2B), the in-vehicle unit 120-1 of the in-vehicle antenna amplifier system 100M2 can receive six reception signals via the optical fiber cable 130A and can diagnose, based on the six RSSI signals, whether an abnormality has occurred in the antennas 111A to 111G or the LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, or 113GB. Because the six RSSI signals have different frequencies, it is possible to diagnose, based on the frequencies, whether an abnormality has occurred in the antennas 111A to 111G or the LNAs 113A to 113E, 113FB, or 113GB.

[0086] The above describes an exemplary embodiment of an in-vehicle antenna amplifier system of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 100 In-vehicle antenna amplifier system 110, 110-1, 110-2 antenna units 111A~111G Antenna 112A~112G BPF 113FA, 113GA switches 113FC, 113GC HPA 114A~114C AGC 115A~115C and 115F~115G RSSI detector 116A~116G BPF 117 Bus 118 Signal Processing Unit 119 Multiplexer 120, 120-1, 120-2 vehicle-mounted units 122A, 122C~122G RF Module 123 Signal Processing Unit 124 Bus 125 Control Unit 125A Communication control unit 125B Diagnostic Department 130 Coaxial Cable 130A fiber optic cable 100M1 Vehicle Antenna Amplifier System 110A Optical Modulator 110B light source 120A Photodetector 120B Signal processing section 100M2 In-Vehicle Antenna Amplifier System 110C Optical modulator (an example of a multiplexing unit, a first optical conversion unit, or a second optical conversion unit) 110D WDM (multiplexing section, an example of the first wavelength division multiplexing section) 120C WDM (an example of a demultiplexer, a second wavelength division multiplexer) 120D Phase Adjustment Unit 120E Photodetector (an example of a separation unit, a first photoelectric conversion unit, and a second photoelectric conversion unit)

Claims

1. an antenna unit mounted on a vehicle; an in-vehicle unit disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; a cable having a first end connected to the antenna unit and a second end connected to the vehicle-mounted unit, the cable being capable of transmitting data in both directions; Including, The antenna unit comprises: A plurality of antennas with different operating frequencies; a plurality of amplifiers connected to the plurality of antennas, respectively, for amplifying a plurality of received signals; a plurality of output detection units that detect outputs of the plurality of antennas or the plurality of amplifiers, respectively, and output a plurality of detection signals that represent the detection results; a multiplexing unit provided between the plurality of amplifiers and the first end and between the plurality of output detection units and the first end, the multiplexing unit multiplexing the plurality of reception signals amplified by the plurality of amplifiers and the plurality of detection signals, and outputting the multiplexed reception signals to the first end; and The vehicle-mounted unit includes: a separation unit connected to the second end of the cable, separating the multiplexed signal output from the second end, and outputting the amplified received signals and the amplified detected signals; a plurality of communication modules connected to the separator and receiving the amplified received signals, respectively; a diagnosis unit connected to the separation unit, receiving the plurality of detection signals, and diagnosing an abnormality in the plurality of antennas or an abnormality in the plurality of amplifiers based on the plurality of detection signals; An in-vehicle antenna amplifier system having the above.

2. the cable is a coaxial cable, the multiplexing unit is a multiplexer, 2. The vehicle-mounted antenna amplifier system according to claim 1, wherein the separating unit is a duplexer.

3. 3. The in-vehicle antenna amplifier system according to claim 2, wherein the in-vehicle unit further comprises a signal processing unit provided between the coaxial cable and the splitter, the signal processing unit amplifying or shaping waveforms of the plurality of received signals separated by the splitter.

4. the cable is an optical fiber cable; the multiplexing unit is a multiplexer, the separation unit is a duplexer, The antenna unit comprises: an optical modulator provided between the multiplexer and the first end; a light source that outputs light for modulation that is input to the optical modulator; and The vehicle-mounted unit includes:

2. The vehicle-mounted antenna amplifier system according to claim 1, further comprising a photodetector provided between the second end and the duplexer.

5. 5. The in-vehicle antenna amplifier system according to claim 4, wherein the in-vehicle unit further comprises a signal processing unit provided between the photodetector and the splitter, the signal processing unit amplifying or shaping the waveform of the electrical signal converted by the photodetector.

6. the cable is an optical fiber cable; The multiplexing unit a plurality of first optical conversion units that convert the amplified received signals output from the plurality of amplifiers into a plurality of first optical signals, respectively; a plurality of second optical conversion units that convert the plurality of detection signals output from the plurality of output detection units into a plurality of second optical signals, respectively; a first wavelength division multiplexing unit that multiplexes the first optical signals and the second optical signals output from the first optical conversion units and the second optical conversion units, and outputs the multiplexed signals to the optical fiber cable; and The separation unit is a second wavelength division multiplexing unit that performs wavelength division on the multiplexed first optical signals and the multiplexed second optical signals output from the optical fiber cable, thereby outputting the multiplexed first optical signals and the multiplexed second optical signals; a plurality of first photoelectric conversion units that perform photoelectric conversion on the plurality of first optical signals output from the second wavelength division multiplexing unit, respectively, and output the plurality of amplified received signals, respectively; a plurality of second photoelectric conversion units that perform photoelectric conversion on the plurality of second optical signals output from the second wavelength division multiplexing unit, respectively, and output the plurality of detection signals, respectively; 2. The vehicle-mounted antenna amplifier system according to claim 1, comprising:

7. 7. The vehicle-mounted antenna amplifier system according to claim 1, wherein the multiplexing unit performs time division multiplex modulation, frequency division modulation, or modulation at a fixed frequency.

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