Compensator module, control module, data transfer system, and method of operating a data transfer system

Abstract

To provide a compensator module, a control module, a data transfer system including the compensator module and the control module, and a method of operating the data transfer system.SOLUTION: A data transfer system 10 includes a control module 100 and a compensator module 200. The compensator module includes a desired signal connection unit 210 that transfers a desired signal 610, a radio frequency module 300 that amplifies a desired signal, a control data connection unit 220 that receives control data 510, and a processing unit 400 that processes the control data and drives the radio frequency module. The control data connection unit is connected to a digital data network. The processing unit switches the radio frequency module between a compensator module transmission operation mode and a compensator module reception operation mode according to the received control data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a compensator module, a control module, a data transfer system comprising a compensator module and a control module, and a method of operating a data transfer system. [Background technology]

[0002] Compensator modules for compensating for cable losses are known from the prior art. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a compensator module. Another object of the present invention is to provide a control module. Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer system comprising a compensator module and a control module. Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a data transfer system. These objects are achieved by a compensator module, a control module, a data transfer system, and a method for operating a data transfer system with the features of the corresponding independent claims. The dependent claims define various developments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The compensator module comprises a desired signal connection for transferring a desired signal, a radio frequency module for amplifying the desired signal, a control data connection for receiving control data, and a processing unit for processing the control data and driving the radio frequency module. The control data connection is designed for connection to a digital data network. The processing unit is designed to switch the radio frequency module between a compensator module transmit operating mode and a compensator module receive operating mode depending on the received control data. Advantageously, in this compensator module, the control data is transferred separately from the desired signal. Advantageously, this allows the compensator module to have a particularly simple design.

[0005] In one embodiment of the compensator module, said compensator module comprises an antenna for emitting and receiving the desired signal, and therefore the compensation for cable losses performed by the compensator module is advantageously performed near the antenna.

[0006] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the control data connection is designed for connection to an Ethernet-based data network, a MOST data network, or a CAN data network. This advantageously allows the control data to be transferred via data networks that already exist for other purposes. This advantageously means that the compensator module can be installed particularly simply and economically.

[0007] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the desired signal connection is designed to be connected to an antenna cable, which may be, for example, a coaxial cable, thereby advantageously allowing a radio frequency desired signal to be transferred via the desired signal connection.

[0008] The desired signal may have a frequency of, for example, 5.9 GHz.

[0009] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the radio frequency module comprises a transmit path including a power amplifier and a receive path including a low noise amplifier. The transmit path is used in the compensator module transmit mode of operation, and the receive path is used in the compensator module receive mode of operation. The compensator module can then advantageously use the power amplifier to amplify the desired signal in the compensator module transmit mode of operation and compensate for cable losses. In the compensator module receive mode of operation, the low noise amplifier can be used to amplify the desired signal received by the antenna.

[0010] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the processing unit comprises a processor or microcontroller. This advantageously allows software to be used to implement some of the operations performed by the compensator module. Thus, the compensator module can have a small number of components, allowing it to be made economically. Advantageously, fewer components result in less heat generation.

[0011] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the compensator module is designed to detect a measurement value and transfer the measurement value to a processing unit. The measurement value can be, for example, the temperature of the amplifier of the radio frequency module. The measurement value can also be, for example, the signal level of the desired signal. In this embodiment, the processing unit of the compensator module can advantageously take the measurement value into account when driving the radio frequency module. For example, the processing unit can drive the radio frequency module of the compensator module so that the desired signal is amplified to the desired signal level. For example, the temperature of the amplifier of the radio frequency module can also be taken into account when selecting the gain.

[0012] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the processing unit is designed to transfer the measurements via a control data connection, which advantageously allows the measurements to be transferred to other components and used elsewhere.

[0013] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the processing unit is designed to drive the radio frequency module in response to the measurement value, in which case the processing unit can for example be designed to adjust the gain of an amplifier of the radio frequency module in response to the measurement value.

[0014] In one embodiment of the compensator module, said compensator module comprises a voltage supply connection via which a supply voltage can be delivered to the compensator module.

[0015] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the compensator module is integrated into a control unit intended to be installed in a motor vehicle. In this case, the compensator module can advantageously use components already present in the control unit. For example, the processing unit of the compensator module can comprise a microcontroller or processor already present in the control unit. The compensator module can also use a power supply already present in the control unit.

[0016] In one embodiment of the compensator module, the control unit includes an integrated mobile communications antenna, an integrated radio antenna, and / or an integrated GNSS antenna, which are advantageously mounted in a location in the vehicle that is also suitable for mounting the compensator module.

[0017] The control module comprises a desired signal connection, a control data connection, and a transfer unit, the transfer unit being designed to alternately emit a desired signal via the desired signal connection in a control module transmit operating mode and receive a desired signal via the desired signal connection in a control module receive operating mode. The control data connection is designed for connection to a digital data network. The transfer unit is designed to emit control data via the control data connection, which indicates whether the control module is in a control module transmit operating mode or a control module receive operating mode. Advantageously, in this control module, the desired signal is transferred separately from the control data. This means that the control module can advantageously have a particularly simple design.

[0018] The data transfer system comprises a compensator module of the type described above and a control module of the type described above. The desired signal connection of the compensator module is connected to the desired signal connection of the control module. The control data connection of the compensator module and the control data connection of the control module are connected to a shared digital data network. Advantageously, in this data transfer system, control data can be exchanged between the control module and the compensator module via the digital data network. At the same time, the control module and the compensator module can exchange desired data via the desired signal connection. Advantageously, the separation of the desired signal and the control data allows the compensator module and the control module of this data transfer system to have a particularly simple design.

[0019] In a method for operating a data transfer system of the type described above, the control module emits control data via its control data connection indicating whether the control module is in a control module transmit operating mode or a control module receive operating mode. The compensator module receives the control data via its control data connection. The processing unit of the compensator module switches the radio frequency module of the compensator module between the compensator module transmit operating mode and the compensator module receive operating mode in response to the control data. Advantageously, this method allows for a particularly simple operation of the data transfer system.

[0020] The above-mentioned characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, which are in each case schematic diagrams. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a data transfer system having a control module and a compensator module. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates a radio frequency module of a compensator module of a data transfer system. [Figure 3]1 illustrates a system receive mode and a system transmit mode of operation of a data transfer system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] 1 shows a block diagram of a data transfer system 10. The data transfer system 10 can be located, for example, in a motor vehicle and can be used, for example, for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications.

[0023] The data transfer system 10 comprises a control module 100 and a compensator module 200. The control module 100 and the compensator module 200 may be located separately from each other in different locations within the vehicle.

[0024] The control module 100 comprises a forwarding unit 130. The forwarding unit 130 may comprise, for example, a baseband processor.

[0025] The forwarding unit 130 is designed to transmit and receive a radio frequency desired signal 610. The forwarding unit 130 transmits and receives the radio frequency desired signal 610 alternately in time. When the control module 100 is in a control module transmit operation mode 810, as shown schematically in FIG. 3, the forwarding unit 130 of the control module 100 transmits the desired signal 610. When the control module 100 is in a control module receive operation mode 811, as shown schematically in FIG. 3, the forwarding unit 130 of the control module 100 receives the desired signal 610. The control module transmit operation mode 810 and the control module receive operation mode 811 alternate in time.

[0026] The desired signal 610 may be located in a transmission frequency band that includes, for example, the UHF transmission frequency band or the SHF transmission frequency band, for example, a frequency of 5.9 GHz.

[0027] The control module 100 comprises a desired signal connection 110. The control module 100 is connected to an antenna cable 600 via the desired signal connection 110. The antenna cable 600 may be, for example, a coaxial cable. The forwarding unit 130 is connected to the desired signal connection 110, so that the forwarding unit 130 can emit and receive a desired signal 610 via the desired signal connection 110.

[0028] The control module 100 also includes a control data connection 120. The control module 100 is connected to a digital data network 500 via the control data connection 120. The digital data network 500 may be, for example, an Ethernet-based data network, a MOST data network, or a CAN data network. Via the digital data network 500, the control module 100 can exchange data with other modules similarly connected to the digital data network 500.

[0029] The transfer unit 130 of the control module 100 is designed to emit control data 510 via the control data connection 120, which indicates whether the control module 100 is in a control module send operation mode 810 or a control module receive operation mode 811. For this purpose, the transfer unit 130 of the control module 100 can emit the corresponding control data 510 via the control data connection 120 whenever a change between the control module send operation mode 810 and the control module receive operation mode 811 occurs. The transfer unit 130 of the control module 100 can also periodically emit the control data 510, indicating whether the control module 100 is in the control module send operation mode 810 or the control module receive operation mode 811 at the exact time the control data 510 is emitted.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the compensator module 200 includes a desired signal connection 210, a radio frequency module 300, and an antenna 250.

[0031] The desired signal connection 210 of the compensator module 200 is connected to the antenna cable 600. The desired signal connection 210 of the compensator module 200 is thereby connected to the desired signal connection 110 of the control module 100 via the antenna cable 600.

[0032] The radio frequency module 300 of the compensator module 200 is connected to the desired signal connection 210 and the antenna 250 and is disposed between the desired signal connection 210 and the antenna 250 .

[0033] 3, the compensator module 200 is designed to receive, via the desired signal connection 210 of the compensator module 200, desired signals 610 transmitted by the control module 100 via the desired signal connection 110 of the control module 100 and the antenna cable 600, and transmit the desired signals via the antenna 250 of the compensator module 200. Additionally, in the compensator module receive operation mode 821 of the compensator module 200, which is also shown in FIG. 3, the compensator module 200 is designed to receive the desired signals 610 via the antenna 250 of the compensator module 200 and transfer these desired signals to the control module 100 via the radio frequency module 300, the desired signal connection 210 of the compensator module 200, the antenna cable 600, and the desired signal connection 110 of the control module 100.

[0034] 2 shows a block diagram of the radio frequency module 300 of the compensator module 200 without the other components of the compensator module 200. The radio frequency module 300 of the compensator module 200 includes a transmit path 310, and in a compensator module transmit mode of operation 820, the desired signal 610 is routed from the desired signal connection 210 to the antenna 250 via the transmit path 310. The radio frequency module 300 also includes a receive path 320, and in a compensator module receive mode of operation 821, the desired signal 610 is routed from the antenna 250 to the desired signal connection 210 via the receive path 320.

[0035] The antenna cable 600 disposed between the control module 100 and the compensator module 200 of the data transfer system 10 can have a long length, for example, several meters. As a result, in the control module transmit operation mode 810 of the control module 100, the desired signal 610 transmitted by the control module 100 is attenuated or weakened within the antenna cable 600. This attenuation of the desired signal 610 must be compensated for within the compensator module 200 so that the desired signal 610 can be transmitted at a specified signal strength via the antenna 250 of the compensator module 200.

[0036] To compensate for attenuation of the desired signal 610 emitted by the control module 100 occurring in the antenna cable 600, the desired signal 610 is amplified in the radio frequency module 300 of the compensator module 200. In the example shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2, the radio frequency module 300 comprises for this purpose a power amplifier 330 arranged in the transmit path 310. However, the radio frequency module 300 may also comprise other and / or additional amplifiers. In addition, the radio frequency module 300 may also comprise an attenuator with adjustable attenuation arranged in the transmit path 310, for example, as an effective means of adapting the amplification of the desired signal 610 performed by the radio frequency module 300 to different cable attenuations.

[0037] 1 and 2, the radio frequency module 300 of the compensator module 200 also includes a low noise amplifier 340 disposed in the receive path 320 of the radio frequency module 300. The low noise amplifier 340 is intended to amplify the desired signal 610 received via the antenna 250 in the compensator module receive operation mode 821 of the compensator module 200 before the desired signal 610 is passed to the control module 100 via the desired signal connection 210 of the compensator module 200, the antenna cable 600, and the desired signal connection 110 of the control module 100. The radio frequency module 300 may alternatively include other or additional amplifiers and components disposed in the receive path 320. The low noise amplifier 340 may also be omitted or bypassed.

[0038] The compensator module 200 comprises a control data connection 220 and a processing unit 400. The control data connection 220 is connected to a digital data network 500, to which the control data connection 120 of the control module 100 is also connected. Thereby, the control module 100 and the compensator module 200 are connected to each other via the digital data network 500 and can exchange data via the digital data network 500.

[0039] The processing unit 400 of the compensator module 200 may comprise a processor or a microcontroller. The processing unit 400 is designed to receive and process control data 510 emitted by the control module 100 via the control data connection 220 of the compensator module 200, the control data indicating whether the control module 100 is in a control module transmit operation mode 810 or a control module receive operation mode 811. The processing unit 400 is designed to switch the compensator module 200 between the compensator module transmit operation mode 820 and the compensator module receive operation mode 821 depending on the received control data 510. In this process, if the control data 510 received from the control module 100 indicates that the control module 100 is in the control module transmit operation mode 810, the processing unit 400 switches the compensator module 200 to the compensator module transmit operation mode 820. Correspondingly, if the control data 510 received from the control module 100 indicates that the control module 100 is in the control module receive operation mode 811 , the processing unit 400 switches the compensator module 200 to the compensator module receive operation mode 821 .

[0040] As a result, the data transfer system 10, including the control module 100 and the compensator module 200, is in either a system transmit operating mode 800, as shown generally in Figure 3, or a system receive operating mode 801, as shown generally in Figure 3. In the system transmit operating mode 800, the control module 100 is in a control module transmit operating mode 810, and the compensator module 200 is in a compensator module transmit operating mode 820. In the system receive operating mode 801, the control module 100 is in a control module receive operating mode 811, and the compensator module 200 is in a compensator module receive operating mode 821.

[0041] Switching the compensator module 200 between the compensator module transmit mode of operation 820 and the compensator module receive mode of operation 821, performed by the processing unit 400, includes switching the radio frequency module 300 between the transmit path 310 and the receive path 320. Switching between the transmit path 310 and the receive path 320 may be performed, for example, by a first switch 350 and a second switch 360, as shown schematically in FIG. 2. In the compensator module transmit mode of operation 820, the transmit path 310 of the radio frequency module 300 is active. In the compensator module receive mode of operation 821, the receive path 320 of the radio frequency module 300 is active.

[0042] The compensator module 200 comprises a voltage supply connection 230 intended to be connected to an external voltage supply unit 900. Via the voltage supply connection 230, the compensator module 200 can obtain a supply voltage from the external voltage supply unit 900, and this supply voltage can be provided by an internal voltage supply unit 240 to the components of the compensator module 200, for example to the processing unit 400 and the radio frequency module 300.

[0043] The compensator module 200 may be designed to detect one or more measurements, which the compensator module 200 may forward to the processing unit 400 for processing by the processing unit 400. For example, the compensator module 200 may be designed to detect the temperature of the power amplifier 330, the temperature of the low-noise amplifier 340, or another temperature. The compensator module 200 may also be designed to determine the signal level of the desired signal 610 received from the control module 100 in the system transmit operating mode 800.

[0044] The compensator module 200 can be designed such that the processing unit 400 drives the radio frequency module 300 in response to one or more detected measurements. For example, the processing unit can adjust the gain of the power amplifier 330 or the low noise amplifier 340 or the attenuation of an attenuator of the radio frequency module 300 in response to one or more measurements.

[0045] The processing unit 400 may also provide for forwarding one or more detected measurements via the control data connection 220 and the digital data network 500 to the control module 100 or other network nodes of the digital data network 500.

[0046] The compensator module 200 of the data transfer system 10 can be integrated into or form part of an automobile control unit 700 intended for a different purpose. In this case, individual components of the compensator module 200 within the control unit 700 can also be used for other purposes. For example, the control data connection 220, the processing unit 400, the voltage supply connection 230, and the internal voltage supply unit 240 can also be used for other functions of the control unit 700. Thus, the internal voltage supply unit 240 can also provide supply voltages to other components of the control unit 700. The processing unit 400 can also drive other components of the control unit 700. Data other than the control data 510 used by the compensator module 200 can also be exchanged with the digital data network 500 via the control data connection 220.

[0047] The control unit 700 may include additional components in addition to the described components of the compensator module 200. For example, the control unit 700 may include one or more additional antennas 710, such as a cellular antenna, a radio antenna, and / or a GNSS antenna. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10 Data Transfer System 100 Control Module 110 Desired signal connection 120 Control Data Connection 130 Transfer Unit 200 Compensator Module 210 Desired signal connection section 220 Control Data Connection 230 Voltage supply connection 240 Internal voltage supply unit 250 Antenna 300 Radio Frequency Module 310 Transmission Path 320 receiving route 330 Power Amplifier 340 Low Noise Amplifier 350 First Switch 360 Second Switch 400 processing units 500 communication connections 505 Digital Data Network 510 Control Data 600 antenna cable 610 Desired signal 700 Control Unit 710 Additional Antennas 800 System Transmit Operation Mode 801 System receive operation mode 810 Control module transmit operation mode 811 Control module receiving operation mode 820 Compensator Module Transmit Operation Mode 821 Compensator module receive operation mode 900 External voltage supply unit

Claims

1. a desired signal connection (210) for transferring a desired signal (610); a radio frequency module (300) for amplifying the desired signal (610); a control data connection (220) for receiving control data (510); a processing unit (400) for processing the control data (510) and driving the radio frequency module (300); The desired signal connection (210) is designed to connect to an antenna cable (600) and transfer the desired signal (610) through the antenna cable (600); the control data connection (220) is designed to connect to a digital data network (500) separate from the antenna cable (600) and receive the control data (510) via the digital data network (500); The processing unit (400) is designed to switch the radio frequency module (300) between a compensator module transmit mode (820) and a compensator module receive mode (821) of operation in response to the received control data (510), The compensator module (200) is designed to detect measurements and transfer the measurements to the processing unit (400); the processing unit (400) is designed to transfer the measured values to a control module (100) via the control data connection (220) and the digital data network (500); A compensator module (200).

2. The compensator module (200) includes an antenna (250) for transmitting and receiving the desired signal (610). The compensator module (200) of claim 1.

3. the control data connection (220) is designed to connect to an Ethernet-based data network, a MOST data network, or a CAN data network; The compensator module (200) of claim 1 or 2.

4. The radio frequency module (300) comprises a transmit path (310) including a power amplifier (330) and a receive path (320) including a low noise amplifier (340); The transmit path (310) is used in the compensator module transmit mode of operation (820), and the receive path (320) is used in the compensator module receive mode of operation (821). The compensator module (200) of any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the processing unit (400) comprises a processor or microcontroller; The compensator module (200) of any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The compensator module (200) is designed to detect the temperature at the radio frequency module (300) and transfer the detected temperature measurement to the processing unit (400). The compensator module (200) of any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the processing unit (400) is designed to transfer the temperature measurements via the control and data connection (220); The compensator module (200) of claim 6.

8. The processing unit (400) is designed to drive the radio frequency module (300) in response to the measured values. The compensator module (200) of any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The measurement is the temperature of the amplifier of the radio frequency module (300). The compensator module (200) of any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The compensator module (200) comprises a voltage supply connection (230). The compensator module (200) of any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. said compensator module (200) being integrated into a control unit (700) intended to be installed in a motor vehicle; A compensator module (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The control unit (700) comprises an integrated mobile communication antenna, an integrated radio antenna, and / or an integrated GNSS antenna; The compensator module (200) of claim 11.

13. a desired signal connection (110); a control data connection (120); a transfer unit (130) designed to alternately transmit a desired signal (610) via the desired signal connection (110) in a control module transmit mode (810) and receive a desired signal (610) via the desired signal connection (110) in a control module receive mode (811); the desired signal connection (110) is designed to connect to an antenna cable (600) to transmit and receive the desired signal (610) via the antenna cable (600); said control data connection (120) is designed to connect to a digital data network (500) separate from said antenna cable (600); the transfer unit (130) is designed to transmit, via the digital data network (500) designed to connect to the control data connection (120), control data (510) indicating whether the control module (100) is in the control module transmission mode (810) or the control module reception mode (811); the transfer unit (130) is designed to receive measurements from the compensator module (200) via the digital data network (500) and the control data connection (120); A control module (100).

14. A compensator module (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and a control module (100) according to claim 13, the desired signal connection (210) of the compensator module (200) is connected to the desired signal connection (110) of the control module (100); the control data connection (220) of the compensator module (200) and the control data connection (120) of the control module (100) are connected to a shared digital data network (500); A data transfer system (10).

15. the desired signal connection (210) of the compensator module (200) is connected to the desired signal connection (110) of the control module (100) via the antenna cable (600); the processing unit (400) of the compensator module (200) is designed to transfer the measurements detected in the compensator module (200) to the control module (100) via the control data connection (220) and the digital data network (500); A data transfer system (10) according to claim 14.

16. A method of operating a data transfer system (10) according to claim 14 or 15, comprising the steps of: said control module (100) transmits, via its control data connection (120), control data (510) indicating whether said control module (100) is in said control module transmit mode of operation (810) or said control module receive mode of operation (811); said compensator module (200) receives said control data (510) via its control data connection (220); the processing unit (400) of the compensator module (200) switches the radio frequency module (300) of the compensator module (200) between the compensator module transmit mode (820) and the compensator module receive mode (821) in response to the control data (510); The compensator module (200) detects measurements and transfers the measurements to the processing unit (400); The processing unit (400) transfers the measurements to the control module (100) via the control data connection (220) and the digital data network (500); the transfer unit (130) receives the measurements from the compensator module (200) via the digital data network (500) and the control data connection (220); method.

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