Communication device and communication method

Abstract

A communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a communication device mounted on a vehicle and including a plurality of nodes communicates with a mobile device, includes a step of detecting an abnormal node among the plurality of nodes by transmitting and receiving UWB signals between the plurality of nodes, a step of nodes among the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node performing UWB ranging with the mobile device, and a step of acquiring the location of the mobile device based on the UWB ranging result.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication method thereof, and more particularly to a communication device mounted in a vehicle and a communication method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] With the development of wireless communication technology, the market for digital keys or smart keys, which allow users to remotely unlock or lock vehicles without having to insert the key directly into the vehicle, is booming.

[0003] Such digital key systems must satisfy all requirements, including vehicle theft prevention, security, and user convenience, and therefore must only operate when the digital key is within a certain distance from the vehicle. To this end, digital key systems include a digital key and a communication device installed in the vehicle, and determine the distance between the digital key and the vehicle in real time using communication between the digital key and the communication device installed in the vehicle.

[0004] Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth are primarily used for communication between the digital key and the communication device installed in the vehicle, but there are also attempts to use UWB (Ultra WideBand). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention seeks to provide a method for communication between an on-board communication device in a vehicle and a digital key. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a communication device mounted on a vehicle and including a plurality of nodes communicates with a mobile device, includes a step of detecting an abnormal node among the plurality of nodes by transmitting and receiving UWB signals between the plurality of nodes, a step of nodes among the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node performing UWB ranging with the mobile device, and a step of acquiring the location of the mobile device based on the UWB ranging result.

[0007] The plurality of nodes may include a master node and a plurality of slave nodes, and the detecting step may include the steps of: the master node transmitting a UWB start signal to each of the plurality of slave nodes; the master node receiving a UWB response signal in response to the UWB start signal from at least some of the plurality of slave nodes; and the master node transmitting a UWB final signal in response to the UWB response signal to each of at least some of the plurality of slave nodes.

[0008] The detecting step may include determining that a node among the plurality of slave nodes that does not transmit the UWB response signal within a predetermined time is the abnormal node.

[0009] The detecting step may include: acquiring positions of the plurality of slave nodes using times required to perform the steps of transmitting the UWB start signal, receiving the UWB response signal, and transmitting the UWB final signal; and determining that a node among the plurality of slave nodes having a predetermined error from a preset position is the abnormal node.

[0010] The step of performing UWB ranging with the portable device may include a step of the nodes among the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node receiving a UWB start signal from the portable device, a step of the nodes among the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node transmitting a UWB response signal to the portable device, and a step of the nodes among the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node receiving a UWB final signal from the portable device.

[0011] The location of the mobile device can be obtained using at least a portion of the time it takes for the mobile device to receive the UWB response signal after transmitting the UWB start signal, the time it takes for nodes among the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node to receive the UWB start signal after receiving the UWB response signal, the time it takes for nodes among the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node to receive the UWB final signal after transmitting the UWB response signal, and the time it takes for the mobile device to transmit the UWB final signal after receiving the UWB response signal.

[0012] The detecting step may be initiated by the in-vehicle controller.

[0013] A communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a master node and a plurality of slave nodes, wherein the master node detects an abnormal node among the plurality of slave nodes by transmitting and receiving UWB signals to and from the plurality of slave nodes, and the master node and the slave nodes among the plurality of slave nodes excluding the abnormal node perform UWB ranging with a mobile device to acquire the position of the mobile device.

[0014] The master node can operate in a UWB ranging initiation mode when detecting the abnormal node, and can operate in a UWB ranging response mode when performing UWB ranging with the mobile device.

[0015] The communication device may be configured to be mounted on a vehicle and the portable device may be configured to control opening, closing or starting of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, communication between a communication device installed in a vehicle and a digital key is possible. Therefore, even if a part of the communication device installed in the vehicle fails, accurate location of the digital key is possible. According to an embodiment of the present invention, RF defects that cannot be detected by wired communication can be detected, and additional time is not required for time synchronization between nodes included in the communication device, thereby enabling accurate location of the portable device and reducing unnecessary power consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a vehicle and a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a connection process between a communication device and a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a ranging method between a communication device and a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method in which a communication device of a digital key system communicates with a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an operation scenario when a failure occurs in one of multiple nodes included in a communication device of a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for detecting an abnormal node by a communication device of a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for detecting an abnormal node by a communication device of a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] However, the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but may be embodied in various different forms, and one or more of the components may be selectively combined or substituted between the embodiments within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0027] Furthermore, unless otherwise clearly defined and described, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention can be interpreted in a way that is commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs, and commonly used terms, such as predefined terms, can be interpreted in light of their meaning in the relevant art.

[0028] Furthermore, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are intended to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0029] In this specification, unless otherwise stated in the text, the singular can also include the plural, and when it is written as "A and (and) at least one (or more) of B and C," it can include one or more of all possible combinations of A, B, and C.

[0030] Additionally, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used to describe components of embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] Such terms are used merely to distinguish a component from other components, and are not intended to limit the essence, order, or sequence of the components.

[0032] Furthermore, when a component is described as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, this may include not only the case where the component is directly coupled, coupled, or connected to the other component, but also the case where the component is "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" by yet another component between the component and the other component.

[0033] Furthermore, when something is described as being formed or disposed "above (upper side) or below (lower side)" of a component, "above (upper side)" or "below (lower side)" includes not only the case where two components are in direct contact with each other, but also the case where one or more other components are formed or disposed between the two components. Furthermore, when something is expressed as "above (upper side) or below (lower side)," it may include not only the upper direction but also the lower direction based on one component.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a communication device 100 and a portable device 200 mounted on a vehicle 10 .

[0036] The vehicle 10 may refer to a vehicle capable of traveling on roads or rails. For example, the vehicle 10 may include not only passenger cars but also other transportable means such as freight cars.

[0037] The portable device 200 is a device that controls the vehicle 10 inside or outside the vehicle 10. The portable device 200 may be carried by a user. The portable device 200 may be a key fob or a portable terminal on which an application that realizes the functions of a key fob is installed. The key fob may be a means that can open and close the doors of the vehicle 10 or start the vehicle 10 inside or outside the vehicle 10, and may be used interchangeably with a digital key or a smart key. The portable terminal may refer to a smartphone or tablet device that has communication and computing functions.

[0038] The digital key system according to the embodiment of the present invention can open / close the doors of the vehicle 10 and start the vehicle 10 depending on the distance between the communication device 100 and the mobile device 200 mounted on the vehicle 10 .

[0039] For example, as a result of ranging between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200, the vehicle 10 can obtain the distance between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 and determine whether the portable device 200 is in a first range (Range 1) or a second range (Range 2). For example, if the portable device 200 is in the second range (Range 2), the vehicle 10 can open / close the doors of the vehicle 10 or start the vehicle 10. The opening / closing or starting of the vehicle 10 can be performed automatically when a condition is met, but is not limited to this. The portable device 200 can provide a button for opening / closing the doors of the vehicle 10 or starting the vehicle 10, and the button can be activated when the condition is met.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a vehicle and a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a connection process between a communication device and a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a ranging method between a communication device and a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a communication device 100 is mounted in a vehicle 10 and communicates with a portable device 200 and a controller 300 of the vehicle 10 .

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 support UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication, which not only enables precise ranging between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 but also ensures high security. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 can also support NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth.

[0043] 2 and 3, when the portable device 200 approaches the vehicle 10, the communication device 100 of the vehicle 10 and the portable device 200 are paired (S300). At this time, the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 may be paired using Bluetooth. Next, the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 exchange UWB information (S310). This can be referred to as UWB capability exchange. Next, the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 synchronize time (S320), perform UWB ranging setup (S330), and then proceed with UWB ranging (S340). The distance between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 is calculated through UWB ranging (S350).

[0044] The UWB ranging in step S340 may be performed by two-way ranging double sided (TWR-DS).

[0045] 2 and 4, the portable device 200 transmits a UWB start signal to the communication device 100 (S400), the communication device 100 receiving the UWB start signal transmits a UWB response signal to the portable device 200 (S410), and the portable device 200 receiving the UWB response signal transmits a UWB final signal to the communication device 100 (S420). The UWB response signal may be an authentication signal for the communication device 100. The authentication signal may be a query signal for searching for the location of the portable device 200. The UWB start signal, the UWB response signal, and the UWB final signal may each be a signal generated based on a UWB impulse signal.

[0046] The distance between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 in step S350 can be derived using the time taken for TWR-DS.

[0047] That is, the distance between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 in step S350 can be derived using at least a portion of the time Ra taken for the portable device 200 to receive the UWB response signal after transmitting the UWB start signal, the time Db taken for the communication device 100 to transmit the UWB response signal after receiving the UWB start signal, the time Rb taken for the communication device 100 to receive the UWB final signal after transmitting the UWB response signal, and the time Da taken for the portable device 200 to transmit the UWB final signal after receiving the UWB response signal.

[0048] For example, the distance between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 in step S350 may be derived using the following formula:

[0049] [Formula 1] ToF=((Ra*Rb)-(Da*Db)) / (Ra+Rb+Da+Db) Here, ToF (Time of Flight) can be an index indicating the distance between the communication device 100 and the mobile device 200 that support UWB communication.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the position of the mobile device 200 may be determined using a triangulation method. For example, it is possible to derive coordinate information of the mobile device 200 using coordinate information of a circle having a node participating in the ranging procedure as the center. For this purpose, the nodes participating in the ranging procedure may be multiple nodes, preferably three or more nodes, and may be located at different positions spaced apart from each other.

[0051] In this case, the position of the mobile device 200 is determined based on various positioning algorithms, such as the time difference of arrival (TDoA) of UWB signals, the ToF-based TWR-DS, the angle of arrival (AoA), the angle of departure (Aod), and the time of arrival (ToA), and various methods such as trilateration and triangulation may also be used.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 100 includes a plurality of nodes, which may be mounted spaced apart from one another within the vehicle 10. Each of the plurality of nodes supports UWB communication and can perform ranging with the mobile device 200. Each node may be referred to as an anchor, and may also be referred to as a responder because it transmits a UWB response signal in response to the UWB initiation signal of the mobile device 200. The locations and number of the plurality of nodes are not limited.

[0053] Ranging between multiple nodes and the mobile device 200 can be performed by O2M TWR-DS (One to many two-way ranging double sided), which can reduce the time required for ranging and increase the accuracy of ranging.

[0054] However, if a failure occurs in one of the multiple nodes and the digital key system or vehicle 10 does not recognize this, it may cause inaccurate ranging and may significantly increase the power consumption of the communication device 100.

[0055] In this way, in the embodiment of the present invention, abnormal nodes are identified in advance from among a plurality of nodes, and these nodes are excluded from ranging.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method by which a communication device of a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention communicates with a mobile device, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an operation scenario when a failure occurs in one of multiple nodes included in a communication device of a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts of a method by which a communication device of a digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention detects an abnormal node.

[0057] 5, a communication device 100 includes first to fifth nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150. For convenience of explanation, five nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 are illustrated in this specification, but the present invention is not limited to this. Each node supports UWB communication.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the present invention, one of the first to fifth nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 may be a master node, and the remaining nodes may be slave nodes. In the following description, the first node 110 is the master node, and the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 are slave nodes. The first to fifth nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 communicate with the mobile device 200 and also communicate with other nodes within the communication device 100. The first node 110, which is the master node, communicates with the controller 300 of the vehicle 10, and can control the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150, which are slave nodes, and can transmit control information received from the controller 300 of the vehicle 10 to the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150, which are slave nodes.

[0059] The master node may be preset or may be set in real time. For example, the master node may be set by the controller 300 of the vehicle 10. For example, if a failure occurs in the first node 110 that is preset as the master node, the controller of the vehicle 10 may set one of the remaining nodes excluding the first node 110 as the master node.

[0060] Here, the controller 300 of the vehicle 10 can also be referred to as a BDC (body domain controller).

[0061] As described above, each of the plurality of nodes included in the communication device 100 supports UWB communication. Also, at least some of the plurality of nodes included in the communication device 100 further support Bluetooth. For example, the first node 110, which is a master node, supports Bluetooth and may transmit and receive BLE signals with the mobile device 200. Alternatively, the communication device 100 may further include a Bluetooth node that supports Bluetooth in addition to the plurality of nodes that support UWB communication.

[0062] 6, the communication device 100 detects an abnormal node among the plurality of nodes by transmitting and receiving UWB signals between the plurality of nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 (S600). Here, the description will be made by taking as an example a case where one of the plurality of nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 included in the communication device 100, for example, the first node 110, detects the abnormal node, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The controller 300 in the vehicle 10, which communicates with the first node 110, may detect the abnormal node using information collected by the first node 110 and transmit information about the abnormal node to the first node 110. The abnormal node refers to a node in which a malfunction or fault has occurred.

[0063] Next, the nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 included in the communication device 100, excluding the abnormal node, perform UWB ranging with the portable device 200 (S610), and acquire the location of the portable device 200 based on the UWB ranging result (S620). Here, for details of steps S610 and S620, please refer to the description using FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0064] The following describes an example in which a communication device 100 includes first to fifth nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150, in which the first node 110 is the master node and the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 are slave nodes, and a failure occurs in one of the slave nodes, the second node 120.

[0065] 7(a), in a normal state, i.e., when the communication device 100 has not initiated abnormal node detection, the first to fifth nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 in the communication device 100 operate in a responder mode. Here, the responder mode may be a mode set to receive a UWB initiation signal during UWB ranging. That is, in the normal state, the first to fifth nodes 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 in the communication device 100 are set to receive a UWB initiation signal from a portable device 200 in an initiator mode and transmit a UWB response signal in response to the UWB initiation signal.

[0066] However, when the communication device 100 initiates abnormal node detection, referring to FIG. 7(b), the first node 110, which is the master node within the communication device 100, switches to an initiator mode, and the remaining nodes continue to operate in a responder mode. The abnormal node detection of the communication device 100 may be triggered by the controller 300 within the vehicle 10. Here, the initiation mode may be a mode set to transmit a UWB initiation signal during UWB ranging. For example, the controller 300 within the vehicle 10 may detect abnormal operation of the communication device 100 and request the communication device 100 to detect an abnormal node. Alternatively, the abnormal node detection of the communication device 100 may be triggered by a user instruction. For example, if the user detects abnormal operation of the communication device 100, the user may request the communication device 100 to detect an abnormal node via the controller 300 within the vehicle 10 or a controller (not shown) within the communication device 100. Alternatively, the abnormal node detection of the communication device 100 may be periodically performed. For example, the abnormal node detection of the communication device 100 may be triggered at a predetermined period set by the user or the controller 300 in the vehicle 10. Alternatively, the abnormal node detection of the communication device 100 may be performed when an event occurs. For example, the abnormal node detection of the communication device 100 may be triggered when the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 are paired as in step S300 of FIG. 3, or when UWB ranging setup is performed between the communication device 100 and the portable device as in step S330 of FIG. 3.

[0067] 7(b), when the first node 110, which is the master node in the communication device 100, is switched to an initiator mode and the remaining nodes are still operating in a responder mode, the first node 110 transmits and receives UWB signals to the remaining nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150. As a result, it is assumed that the second node 120 is detected as an abnormal node.

[0068] 7(c), if the second node 120 is detected as an abnormal node, the second node 120 is excluded from the ranging operation, and the first node 110 is further converted to a responder mode. Thereafter, the remaining nodes 110, 130, 140, and 150, excluding the second node 120, all operate in the responder mode and perform a ranging procedure with the mobile device 200.

[0069] A method for detecting an abnormal node in the communication device 100 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

[0070] 8, first, the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 instructs the first node 110, which is the master node of the communication device 100, to start detecting an abnormal node (S800). If the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 detects an abnormal operation of the communication device 100, the controller 300 can instruct the first node 110 to start detecting an abnormal node before starting a UWB session between the communication device 100 and the portable device 200 or when receiving a request for detecting an abnormal node from a user via a user interface unit (not shown).

[0071] Next, the first node 110 switches from the responder mode to the initiator mode (S810). In a normal state, i.e., before the first node 110 receives a message from the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 instructing it to start detecting abnormal nodes, the first node 110 operates in the responder mode of UWB communication. However, upon receiving the message of step S800, the first node 110 switches to the initiator mode of UWB communication.

[0072] Next, first node 110 transmits a UWB start signal to each of the remaining nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 included in communication device 100 (S820). Here, the UWB start signal may include information regarding the timing at which first node 110 transmits the UWB start signal.

[0073] Next, the first node 110 receives a UWB response signal (S830). For example, the first node 110 may receive a UWB response signal from each of the third to fifth nodes 130, 140, and 150. Here, the UWB response signal may include information regarding the timing at which each of the third to fifth nodes 130, 140, and 150 received a UWB start signal and information regarding the timing at which each of the third to fifth nodes 130, 140, and 150 transmits a UWB response signal.

[0074] Next, the first node 110 transmits a UWB final signal to the third to fifth nodes 130, 140, and 150 (S840). Here, the UWB final signal may include information regarding the timing of receiving a UWB response signal from each of the third to fifth nodes 130, 140, and 150 and information regarding the timing of transmitting the UWB final signal.

[0075] Next, the first node 110 receives information about the timing from the third to fifth nodes 130, 140, and 150, respectively, that has elapsed since the first node 110 transmitted the UWB response signal until the first node 110 receives the final UWB signal (S850).

[0076] Next, the first node 110 determines that the second node 120 that does not transmit a UWB response signal within a predetermined time is an abnormal node (S860).

[0077] Next, the first node 110 transmits information about the abnormal node to the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 (S870), and the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 stores the information about the abnormal node (S880) and sets the abnormal node to be excluded from UWB ranging (S890).

[0078] Thereafter, the first node 110 is further switched to a response mode of UWB communication, and the remaining nodes among the plurality of nodes included in the communication device 100, excluding the abnormal node, perform UWB ranging with the portable device 200 close to the vehicle 10.

[0079] This allows for the accuracy of UWB ranging to be improved and power consumption due to the operation of an abnormal node to be reduced because abnormal nodes can be excluded in advance before UWB ranging is performed between the communication device 100 and the mobile device 200. In addition, timing information is exchanged between the master node and the slave node in the communication device 100 during the process of detecting an abnormal node, so timing synchronization between the master node and the slave node can be performed in advance, thereby reducing the time required for timing synchronization during UWB ranging.

[0080] 9, the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 instructs the first node 110, which is the master node of the communication device 100, to start detecting abnormal nodes (S900). Hereinafter, the same content as that described with reference to FIG. 8 will not be described again.

[0081] Next, the first node 110 switches from the responder mode to the initiator mode (S910).

[0082] Next, first node 110 transmits a UWB start signal to each of the remaining nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 included in communication device 100 (S920). Here, the UWB start signal may include information regarding the timing at which first node 110 transmits the UWB start signal.

[0083] Next, the first node 110 receives a UWB response signal (S930). For example, the first node 110 may receive a UWB response signal from each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150. Here, the UWB response signal may include information regarding the timing at which each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 received a UWB start signal and information regarding the timing at which each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 transmits a UWB response signal.

[0084] Next, the first node 110 transmits a UWB final signal to the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 (S940). Here, the UWB final signal may include information regarding the timing of receiving a UWB response signal from each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 and information regarding the timing of transmitting the UWB final signal.

[0085] Next, the first node 110 receives information about the timing from the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150, respectively, that it took to receive the final UWB signal after transmitting the UWB response signal (S950).

[0086] Next, the first node 110 acquires the positions of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 (S960). To this end, the first node 110 can acquire the positions of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 using the time it takes to transmit a UWB start signal, receive a UWB response signal, and transmit a UWB final signal. For example, the positions of each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 can be obtained using at least a portion of the time it takes for the first node 110 to receive a UWB response signal after transmitting a UWB start signal to each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150, the time it takes for each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 to transmit a UWB response signal after receiving the UWB start signal, the time it takes for the first node to transmit a UWB final signal after receiving a UWB response signal from each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150, and the time it takes for each of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 to transmit a UWB final signal after transmitting a UWB response signal.

[0087] Next, the first node 110 detects an abnormal node using the respective positions of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 acquired in step S950 (S970). For example, the first node 110 may pre-store the respective positions of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150. The first node 110 compares the pre-stored positions of the second to fifth nodes 120, 130, 140, and 150 with the positions acquired in step S960, and may determine that a node having a predetermined error as a result of the comparison is an abnormal node.

[0088] Next, the first node 110 transmits information about the abnormal node to the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 (S980), and the controller 300 in the vehicle 10 stores the information about the abnormal node (S990) and sets the abnormal node to be excluded from UWB ranging (S995).

[0089] Thereafter, the first node 110 is further switched to a response mode of UWB communication, and the remaining nodes among the plurality of nodes included in the communication device 100, excluding the abnormal node, perform UWB ranging with the portable device 200 close to the vehicle 10.

[0090] This allows for the accuracy of UWB ranging to be improved and power consumption due to the operation of an abnormal node to be reduced because abnormal nodes can be excluded in advance before UWB ranging is performed between the communication device 100 and the mobile device 200. In addition, timing information is exchanged between the master node and the slave node in the communication device 100 during the process of detecting an abnormal node, so timing synchronization between the master node and the slave node can be performed in advance, thereby reducing the time required for timing synchronization during UWB ranging.

[0091] The above description focuses on the embodiments, but these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and applications not exemplified above are possible within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention. For example, each component specifically illustrated in the embodiments may be modified and implemented. Differences related to such modifications and applications should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 10 vehicles 100 Communication equipment 200 Portable Device 300 Controller

Claims

1. A communication method in which a communication device mounted on a vehicle and including a plurality of nodes communicates with a mobile device, comprising: detecting an abnormal node among the plurality of nodes by transmitting and receiving UWB signals between the plurality of nodes; performing UWB ranging with the portable device by nodes other than the abnormal node among the plurality of nodes; and acquiring the location of the mobile device according to the UWB ranging result.

2. the plurality of nodes includes a master node and a plurality of slave nodes; The detecting step includes: transmitting a UWB initiation signal from the master node to each of the plurality of slave nodes; receiving UWB response signals from at least some of the plurality of slave nodes in response to the UWB start signal by the master node; The communication method of claim 1 , further comprising: the master node transmitting a UWB final signal in response to the UWB response signal to at least some of the plurality of slave nodes.

3. The detecting step includes: The communication method according to claim 2 , further comprising determining that a node among the plurality of slave nodes that does not transmit the UWB response signal within a predetermined time is the abnormal node.

4. The detecting step includes: acquiring the locations of the plurality of slave nodes using the times required to perform the steps of transmitting the UWB start signal, receiving the UWB response signal, and transmitting the UWB final signal; 3. The communication method according to claim 2, further comprising determining that a node among the plurality of slave nodes having a predetermined error from a preset position is the abnormal node.

5. The step of performing UWB ranging with the portable device includes: receiving a UWB start signal from the portable device from the plurality of nodes, except for the abnormal node; transmitting a UWB response signal to the mobile device from the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node; The communication method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a UWB final signal from the mobile device at nodes other than the abnormal node among the plurality of nodes.

6. 6. The communication method of claim 5, wherein the location of the portable device is acquired using at least a portion of the time it takes for the portable device to receive the UWB response signal after transmitting the UWB start signal, the time it takes for nodes among the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node to receive the UWB start signal after receiving the UWB response signal, the time it takes for nodes among the plurality of nodes excluding the abnormal node to receive the UWB final signal after transmitting the UWB response signal, and the time it takes for the portable device to transmit the UWB final signal after receiving the UWB response signal.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting step is initiated by the in-vehicle controller.

8. a master node and a plurality of slave nodes; the master node detects an abnormal node among the plurality of slave nodes by transmitting and receiving a UWB signal to and from the plurality of slave nodes; The master node and the slave nodes excluding the abnormal node among the plurality of slave nodes perform UWB ranging with a mobile device to acquire the position of the mobile device.

9. The communication device according to claim 8 , wherein the master node operates in a UWB ranging initiation mode when detecting the abnormal node, and operates in a UWB ranging response mode when performing UWB ranging with the mobile device.

10. 9. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the communication device is configured to be mounted on a vehicle and the portable device is configured to control opening, closing or starting of the vehicle.

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