High frequency receiving device

Abstract

This high frequency receiving device comprises: an optical signal input unit into which an RF optical signal is inputted; an optical-electrical conversion unit that converts the RF optical signal inputted from the optical input unit to a first RF electrical signal; an electrical signal input unit into which a second RF electrical signal is inputted; a switch part that alternatively selects the first RF electrical signal and the second RF electrical signal; and a tuner that is connected to the switch part and that selects a frequency. The optical-electrical conversion unit, the switch part, and the tuner are stored in the same housing.　FIG. 1:

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present technology relates to a high frequency receiving device. [Background technology]

[0002] New 4K8K satellite broadcasting began in Japan on December 1, 2018. The antenna output frequency band (2224-3224MHz) used by the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting in left-handed rotation is already used by other wireless systems that operate mobile communications, ISM bands, various radars, etc. If an appropriate high-frequency receiving device is used and installed correctly, no problems will arise, but devices with poor performance in blocking radio wave leakage may cause radio wave interference with each other.

[0003] In order to prevent radio wave interference with other wireless services, regulations have been established that limit leakage power in the frequency band of satellite broadcasting to a certain value or less. However, this value is much larger than the effective receiving sensitivity of currently popular mobile phones (smartphones), and if radio wave leakage occurs in the frequency band used by mobile phones, it could have a serious impact on mobile phone communications and calls.

[0004] In consideration of these problems, Patent Document 1 proposes replacing television (RF) wiring in the home with plastic optical fiber (POF) to reduce radio wave leakage. POF has the property of being easily bent without breaking. Patent Document 2 describes an optical receiving device that can be attached to the rear of a terminal device or built into the device, realizing ultra-compact size and ultra-low power consumption at low cost. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6201140 [Patent Document 2] JP2009-135880A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the configuration of Fig. 2 of Patent Document 1, a TV-RF signal is output from the optical receiver 21 and received by the TV via the coaxial line connector 27 and the coaxial line 29. Therefore, there is a possibility that radio wave leakage may occur from the coaxial line 29 between the optical receiver 21 and the TV (4K tuner). In order to prevent this leakage, it is necessary to use, as the coaxial line 29, a very expensive coaxial line covered with a heavy ground coating having a high shielding effect, or the like.

[0007] Patent Document 2 also describes a receiving device in which an optical receiving unit that inputs an optical signal on which an RF multiplexed signal is superimposed and an F-type connector that outputs an RF multiplexed electric signal output from the optical receiving unit are provided in a housing. However, it cannot be said that the wiring of conventional coaxial cables will be immediately replaced by the above-mentioned wiring network using POF, and there is a possibility that both transmission systems will coexist. In such a situation, as described in Patent Document 2, a configuration having only an optical input has a problem of poor versatility.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present technology is to provide a high frequency receiving device that solves these problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This technology is A radio frequency receiving device to which a television signal is received by an antenna and supplied through a wiring, an optical connector connectable to an optical fiber line forming the wiring and a connector connectable to a coaxial cable forming the wiring are attached to the same shield case; light connector an optical-electrical conversion unit that converts an RF optical signal input from the input terminal into a first RF electrical signal; a first RF electrical signal; Input from the connector a switch section for alternatively selecting the second RF electrical signal; A tuner that selects frequencies and is connected to the switch section 、 Microcontroller that controls the switch With The photoelectric conversion section, switch section, and tuner S Housed in a portable case 、 The switch section is adapted to select one of the first and second RF electrical signals, and to preferentially select the first RF electrical signal when both the first and second RF electrical signals are present. It is a high frequency receiving device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration for forming an input RF optical signal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of an optical-electrical conversion unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a tuner. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another example of the tuner. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first modified example of an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second modified example of an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a connection diagram for explaining the configuration of a switch section in the second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present technology, and various technically preferred limitations are attached. However, the scope of the present technology is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified in the following description to limit the present technology. In addition, in the following description, the same names and symbols indicate the same or similar components, and duplicate descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present technology, and 100 shows a radio frequency receiving device according to the first embodiment as a whole. The radio frequency receiving device 100 is realized as a tuner module 100a and a demodulation module 100b. The tuner module may include a demodulation unit. In the following description, an example in which the present technology is applied to receiving satellite television broadcasts, particularly 4K broadcasts, will be described.

[0013] The high frequency receiving device 10 has an optical connector (optical signal input section) 11 that can be connected to a POF line, and an electrical signal input section, for example, an F-type connector 12 that can be connected to a coaxial cable. The high frequency receiving device 10 is configured such that an optical-electrical conversion section 13, a switch section 14, a tuner (for example, a satellite broadcast receiving tuner, specifically a 4K tuner) 15, and a demodulation section 16 are provided inside a metal shielding case. In a module of a size suitable for being built into a metal shielding case, the frequency at which antenna function occurs due to frequency resonance of the internal wiring and case housing can be made higher than the receiving frequency, so interference with mobile phones can also be reduced.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, the antenna unit 21 has an antenna for receiving radio waves from a satellite, a converter for converting the signal received by the antenna to an intermediate frequency and outputting it, and an intermediate frequency amplifier for amplifying the output of the converter. The converter converts the radio waves from the satellite into a 1st-IF signal with a frequency of 1032MHz to 2071MHz right-handed (2224MHz to 3224MHz left-handed). The 1st-IF signal output from the antenna unit 21 is hereinafter referred to as an RF electrical signal.

[0015] The RF electrical signal is supplied to electrical-optical conversion unit 22, and an RF optical signal is extracted from electrical-optical conversion unit 22. This RF optical signal is supplied to optical connector 11 of high frequency receiving device 100 through POF 23 and an optical connector (not shown). In cases where POF wiring is not installed in an existing house or the like, the RF electrical signal from antenna unit 21 is supplied to F-type connector 12 of high frequency receiving device 100 through a coaxial cable and a connector. Note that the output of antenna unit 21 may be branched to extract the RF electrical signal supplied to F-type connector 12.

[0016] The RF optical signal from the POF connector 11 is supplied to the optical-electrical conversion circuit 13, where it is converted into a first RF electrical signal and supplied to the switch unit 14. The second RF electrical signal from the F-type connector 12 is supplied to the switch unit 14. The switch unit 14 selectively outputs one of the two input RF electrical signals. The RF electrical signal selected by the switch unit 14 is supplied to the tuner 15. A channel is selected by the tuner 15, and the output (IF signal) of the tuner 15 is supplied to the demodulation unit 16, and the output of the demodulation unit 16 is supplied to the circuitry of the television receiver. The high frequency receiving device is provided within the television receiver.

[0017] An example of the optical-electrical conversion unit 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. An RF optical signal from the optical connector 11 is converted into an electrical signal by a photodiode light receiving element 24. The output of the photodiode light receiving element 24 is output as an RF electrical signal via an RF amplifier 25 and supplied to the switch unit 14. Power is supplied to the photodiode light receiving element 24 and the RF amplifier 25 from a power supply unit 26.

[0018] An example of tuner 15 is shown in Fig. 4. An RF electrical signal S21 connected by switch unit 14 is supplied to input terminal T1, and an IF signal is output from output terminal T2. The RF electrical signal is supplied to mixer 33 via low-noise amplifier 31 and RF variable amplifier 32 that amplifies or attenuates RF electrical signal S21. The output of mixer 33 is supplied to filter 34.

[0019] An LO (local oscillation) signal is supplied to mixer 33 from VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 35. VCO 35 is a frequency generator that generates an LO signal of a specific channel frequency. A PLL 37 is provided to set the frequency of VCO 35 and keep it constant. A signal of a desired channel is selected by filter 34. An output signal of filter 34 is taken out at output terminal T2 via IF variable amplifier 36. Note that the configuration of tuner 15 shown in FIG. 4 is just an example, and the configuration may also have a function of receiving terrestrial television broadcasts.

[0020] Another example of the tuner 15 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The RF electrical signal S21 connected by the switch unit 14 is supplied to the input terminal T3, and is selected to be amplified by the LNA (Law Noise Amp) 50 or transmitted as is by the switch 51. After being amplified by the RF variable gain amplifier 52, it is divided into two and input to the I-axis mixer 53 and the Q-axis mixer 59. The local generating circuit 58 generates a local signal of the PLL VCO 57, which is equal to the center frequency of the input signal, with and without a phase shift by a 90-degree phase shifter, and the two mixers 53 and 59 detect the local signal to obtain a baseband signal. The high-frequency bands of the I-axis and Q-axis baseband signals thus obtained are attenuated by the LPFs 54 and 60, respectively, and adjusted to an amplitude suitable for the input of the demodulation unit 16 by the baseband variable gain amplifiers 55 and 61, and output to the I-axis output terminal T4 and the Q-axis output terminal T5 via the buffer amplifiers 56 and 62. The configuration shown in FIG. 5 is an example of a configuration called an IQ detector or a Zero-IF tuner, and is a typical circuit used in satellite broadcast receivers.

[0021] The first embodiment of the present technology described above is compatible with both RF optical signals and RF electrical signals, and can be electrically switched according to the distribution method without switching the wiring. In general, when POF is wired, it is preferable to receive RF optical signals preferentially from the viewpoint of radio wave leakage, etc. However, when RF electrical signals have sufficient performance in all bands including 4K8K, or when reception conditions are extremely poor in a band allocated to satellite broadcasting due to rainfall, etc., and the RF optical signals cannot correctly transmit signal quality information, it is possible to switch to receiving RF electrical signals and check the quality of the received signals.

[0022] Furthermore, since it can be made smaller than conventional television optical transmission receivers, it can be built into devices such as television receivers, and the housing can be made the same as that of the television receiver, which is desirable for cost reduction. In addition, the aforementioned tuners and demodulators have recently been made into LSIs, and if the optical-electrical conversion circuit were also made into an LSI and deployed on the same chip, further space and cost reduction would be achieved.

[0023] In addition, the tuner 15 of the high frequency receiving device according to the first embodiment of the present technology or the tuner 15 and demodulation module 16 as a whole can be made to a size suitable for being built into a metal shielding case. In a miniaturized module, the frequency at which antenna function occurs due to frequency resonance of the internal wiring or case housing can be made higher than the receiving frequency, so that interference of leaked radio waves with mobile phones can be suppressed.

[0024] Furthermore, unlike the present technology, if only an input terminal for an optical signal is provided, the inconvenience of being unable to connect to a connector from which an RF electrical signal is output arises. In existing houses, apartment buildings, etc., where POF wiring is not provided, it becomes necessary to separately prepare an electrical-optical conversion device that converts an RF electrical signal into an RF optical signal and supply the output to an optical connector, which may cause radio wave leakage and incur extra expenses for preparing the electrical-optical conversion device (a power supply is also required, which increases power consumption). According to the present technology, since both an input terminal for an RF optical signal (optical connector 11) and an input terminal for an RF electrical signal (F-type connector 12) are provided, the above-mentioned problems can be avoided.

[0025] Fig. 6 shows the configuration of high frequency receiving device 101 (tuner module 101a and demodulation module 101b) as a modified example of the first embodiment. Compared to the configuration in Fig. 1, a microcontroller 17 is provided, and each component of high frequency receiving device 101 is connected by system bus 18, and each component is controlled by microcontroller 17 via system bus 18. Microcontroller 17 determines the tuning frequency of tuner 15 and sets the time constant of the AGC circuit of tuner 15, thereby making settings suitable for digital demodulation by demodulation section 16.

[0026] The microcontroller 17 can also set the power supply unit 26 (see FIG. 3) to perform temperature compensation and optimization of the bias current of the photodiode light receiving element 24 (see FIG. 3) in the optical-electrical conversion unit 13. These software controls are performed by the microcontroller 17. These advanced control type receivers are well suited to the integration of recent LSI functional parts and control circuits, the miniaturization of large-scale circuits, etc.

[0027] Furthermore, the microcontroller 17 controls the switching of the switch unit 14, and switches between the RF electrical signal converted from the RF optical signal and the RF electrical signal from the F-type connector 12, thereby making the high frequency receiving device 101 compatible with two signal formats. That is, the switch unit 14 is controlled by the microcontroller 17 to detect the presence or absence of two RF electrical signals and select the side of the RF electrical signal that exists. When both RF electrical signals exist, demodulation of the RF electrical signal converted from the RF optical signal is selected in order to suppress leakage of radio waves that occurs when the RF electrical signal is transmitted through a coaxial cable. Note that the microcontroller 17 may observe the bit error rate (BER) during demodulation by the demodulator 16, and control the switch unit 14 to select the RF electrical signal with the better BER. Furthermore, the switch unit 14 may be controlled by the modulation error rate (MER).

[0028] FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a high frequency receiving device 102 (tuner module 102a and demodulation module 102b) as a further modified example of the first embodiment. As with the configuration of the high frequency receiving device 101 of FIG. 6, a microcontroller 17 is provided. A system bus 18A of the microcontroller 17 is connected only to the demodulation unit 16 of the high frequency receiving device 102. The demodulation unit 16 has a repeater function built in that relays the system bus 18A to a system bus 18B in the module, and the microcontroller 17 is connected to the system bus 18B via the demodulation unit 16, and the microcontroller 17 can control the circuits connected to the system bus 18B.

[0029] 6 in that the high frequency receiving device 102 is provided with an RF distributor 19, a detector 20, and an F-type connector 41. The F-type connector 41 is provided to output an RF electrical signal to an external device, such as a recorder. By providing the F-type connector 41, the wiring can be simplified. The RF distributor 19 inputs the output of the optical-electrical converter 13 to the switch unit 40, and also supplies a portion of the output to the detector 20. The detector 20 transmits an output obtained by detecting the output level of the optical-electrical converter 13 to the microcontroller 17 via the system bus 18B, the demodulation unit 16, and the system bus 18A.

[0030] The switch section 40 has switches SW1 and SW2, as shown in Fig. 8. The switches SW1 and SW2 are controlled by control signals C1 and C2 supplied from the microcontroller 17 through the system bus 18B. The switch SW1 has an input terminal 42a to which an RF electrical signal from the RF distributor 19 is supplied, and an input terminal 42b to which an RF electrical signal from the F-type connector 12 is supplied.

[0031] The output of switch SW1 is supplied to the input terminal of switch SW2. The RF electrical signal extracted to one output terminal of switch SW2 is input to tuner 15, and the RF electrical signal extracted to the other output terminal is input to F-type connector 41. The RF electrical signal output from F-type connector 41 is supplied to an RF input of another device, such as a recorder (not shown).

[0032] The microcontroller 17 judges whether the output level of the optical-electrical conversion unit 13 reaches a preset reference value, and controls the switch SW1 of the switch unit 40 according to the judgment result. When it is judged that the output level reaches the reference value, the switch SW1 is controlled to select the terminal 42a to which the output of the RF distributor 19 is supplied. Conversely, when it is judged that the output level does not reach the reference value, the switch SW1 is controlled to select the terminal 42b to which the output of the F-type connector 12 is supplied. That is, the RF electrical signal derived from the RF optical signal is preferentially selected. Note that the switch SW1 may be controlled by referring to information indicating the signal quality, such as the AGC control signal in the tuner 15 and the bit error rate (BER) in the demodulation unit 16, other than the level of the RF electrical signal. Furthermore, the switch unit 40 may be controlled by the modulation error rate (MER). Since the switch SW1 is provided as described above, the RF electrical signal derived from the RF optical signal can be preferentially output to other devices such as a television receiver and a recorder.

[0033] The RF electrical signal selected by the switch SW1 is supplied to the switch SW2. The switch SW2 is controlled by a control signal C2 corresponding to device selection. For example, a device selection signal from an HDMI (registered trademark) (High-definition multimedia interface) controller is supplied to the microcontroller 17, and the switch SW2 is controlled by the control signal C2 formed by the microcontroller 17. When a device selection signal for selecting a television receiver is formed, the RF electrical signal selected by the switch SW1 is supplied to the tuner 15. The signal selected by the tuner 15 is demodulated by the demodulation unit 16. When a device selection signal for selecting a recorder is formed, the RF electrical signal selected by the switch SW1 is supplied to the F-type connector 41.

[0034] According to the above-described embodiment of the present technology, since the optical connector as an optical signal input section and the F-type high frequency receiving device 12 as an electric signal input section are provided, if a connection section for either an optical signal or an electric signal is provided in the room, it is possible to receive a television RF signal. In addition, since the optical-electrical conversion section is provided inside the shielding case, it is possible to prevent the problem of leakage of an electric signal (radio wave) converted from an optical signal, which causes interference with a mobile phone.

[0035] Although the embodiments of the present technology have been specifically described above, they are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications based on the technical ideas of the present technology are possible. For example, various modifications as described below are possible. In addition, the following modified aspects can be appropriately combined with one or more arbitrarily selected aspects. In addition, the configurations, methods, processes, shapes, materials, and numerical values ​​of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined with each other as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the present technology. For example, a connector other than an F-type connector may be used as the input part for the RF electrical signal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 11...Optical connector, 12...F-type connector 13: Optical-electrical conversion section, 14: Switch section 15 Tuner, 16 Demodulator 17 Microcontroller, 19 RF distributor 40...Switch section, 41...F-type connector

Claims

1. A radio frequency receiving device receiving a television signal through an antenna and a wiring, comprising: an optical connector connectable to an optical fiber line forming the wiring and a connector connectable to a coaxial cable forming the wiring are attached to the same shield case; an optical-electrical conversion unit that converts an RF optical signal input from the optical connector into a first RF electrical signal; a switch section that alternatively selects the first RF electrical signal and the second RF electrical signal input from the connector; a tuner connected to the switch unit for selecting a frequency; A microcontroller that controls the switch unit, the optical-electrical conversion unit, the switch unit, and the tuner are housed in the shield case, a switch section for selecting one of the first and second RF electrical signals, and for selecting the first RF electrical signal preferentially when both the first and second RF electrical signals are present.

2. 2. The high frequency receiving device according to claim 1, further comprising a demodulation section for demodulating a signal whose frequency has been selected by said tuner.

3. 3. The high frequency receiving device according to claim 2, wherein the demodulation section is housed in a shield case.

4. An optical high frequency receiving device as described in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller controls the switch section based on the signal level or the quality of the demodulated signal.

5. 2. The high frequency receiving device according to claim 1, further comprising a detector for detecting an output from an optical-electrical conversion section, said microcontroller controlling said switch section in response to an output from said detector.

6. 2. The high frequency receiving device according to claim 1, further comprising an output terminal for outputting an output signal of the switch section.

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