Antenna arrangement for an underwater vehicle

Abstract

An antenna arrangement (20) for an underwater vehicle (46) is disclosed. The antenna arrangement comprises an antenna (22) and a pressure-resistant container (24). The antenna (22) is designed to send and / or receive radio signals at a frequency of more than 1 GHz. The pressure-resistant container (24) is designed to accommodate the radio module (26) for the antenna (22) in a replaceable manner. The antenna (22) and the radio module (26) have an electrical connection to one another. Furthermore, the antenna and the container are designed to be arranged on the underwater vehicle (46) so as to be jointly extensible in a mast.

Description

[0001] Antenna arrangement for an underwater vehicle

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to the implementation of radio services in the gigahertz range for underwater vehicles.

[0004] Underwater vehicles, especially manned underwater vehicles, have an extendable, pressure-tight, multifunctional antenna system for radio communication. Radio communication is necessary because the bandwidth of a submersible sound channel and the distance that can be bridged with a submersible sound channel are limited. Furthermore, the antenna must be extendable in order to enable radio communication while submerged, for example when traveling at periscope depth. Otherwise, the protection of the water for the underwater vehicle is lost, i.e. it is easier to detect. This makes it necessary to connect the antenna to the underwater vehicle using (water-) pressure-resistant cables. Cables that are optimized for high mechanical loads, i.e., among other things, pressure resistance and winding and unwinding, unfortunately have weaknesses in their transmission behavior, for example attenuation.This further exacerbates the general problems of transmitting high-frequency signals. The higher the frequencies of the (analog) signals to be transmitted, the more difficult the transmission becomes. Signals with frequencies in the gigahertz range cannot be transmitted over such cables for more than a few meters. At least not over a distance corresponding to the distance over which the antenna can be extended. Such a system is theoretically disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,940,046 A. The high attenuation is supposed to be compensated for by means of amplifiers in the mast (see column 4, lines 48ff). However, it appears that only shorter distances in the mast can be covered, since the extendability of the mast is not disclosed.

[0005] US 2011 / 0 162 573 A1 discloses an antenna system based on a towed body that can be deployed to the water surface by an underwater vehicle and towed by a cable. However, this system cannot be integrated into existing underwater vehicles. Furthermore, the towed body must be relatively large, as it requires depressors to be pulled through the water in a predefined orientation—namely, with the antenna facing upwards—and prevent tipping. However, a more space-saving solution that can be integrated into the existing antenna mast of underwater vehicles would be desirable.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to create an improved concept for antennas for underwater vehicles.

[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

[0008] Embodiments show an antenna arrangement for an underwater vehicle, in particular a manned underwater vehicle. The antenna arrangement comprises an antenna and a pressure-resistant container. The container can also be referred to as a box. The antenna is designed to transmit and / or receive radio signals with a frequency of more than 1 GHz (gigahertz). Preferably, the antenna is designed to transmit radio signals with a frequency of greater than or equal to 2 GHz, greater than or equal to 3 GHz, greater than or equal to 4 GHz, greater than or equal to 5 GHz, or greater than or equal to 6 GHz.

[0009] Advantageously, the antenna is also matched to the impedance of the radio-frequency cable connecting the antenna to the radio module. A radio-frequency cable is a cable used for analog signal transmission. In contrast, a data cable is introduced below, which is a cable used for digital signal transmission.

[0010] The pressure-resistant container is designed to interchangeably accommodate one or more radio modules for the antenna. If reference is made below to a radio module, this optionally also means multiple radio modules. A suitable radio module, for example, is a mobile radio or radio network gateway or a mobile radio or radio network router. The radio module has an electrical connection to the antenna. The antenna and the container are designed to be arranged together in a mast on the underwater vehicle so that it can be extended. This means that the pressure-resistant container is mechanically connected to the antenna. Thus, there is no relative movement during operation between the antenna and the pressure-resistant container or the radio module arranged therein. This reduces the mechanical stress on the radio-frequency cable, allowing the use of a radio-frequency cable with improved transmission characteristics.Operation also includes extending and retracting the antenna together with the pressure-resistant container. Furthermore, the radio module is thus positioned as close as possible to the antenna. This minimizes the length of the high-frequency cable, which also minimizes the cable's attenuation of the radio signal. The high-frequency cable can be constructed in two or more parts and connected via interfaces, e.g., plug-in connections. An interface can be, for example, the transition from the pressure-resistant container to the surroundings of the pressure-resistant container, e.g., into a pressure-resistant antenna housing. A telescopic arm, for example, is referred to as an extendable mast.

[0011] The radio module can provide a radio signal based on a predefined, in particular standardized, radio service. Data transmission services known in the consumer market, for example according to mobile communications standards of the second to sixth generation or later (e.g., GSM, UMTS, LTE, 5G, 6G) or WLAN (according to IEEE 802.11 and all related extensions), can be used as radio services. The radio signal can be provided to the antenna via the radio-frequency cable. Furthermore, the radio module represents a converter of the radio data transmission into another transmission system. The other transmission system transmits its data, including the payload to be transmitted via the radio interface, digitally using a wired network infrastructure. In other words, the radio module can convert radio communication into wired communication.

[0012] The idea is therefore that the relevant high-frequency cable between the antenna and the radio module, via which the radio signals are transmitted in the direction from the antenna to and from the antenna, has a defined, constant length. This means that the high-frequency cable is not wound up and unwound. Furthermore, the length of the high-frequency cable can be selected such that the signal transmission between the antenna and the radio module can be optimized, in particular without excessive attenuation, and preferably in an optimal manner. For example, the length of the high-frequency cable is a maximum of 3 m, preferably a maximum of 2 m, more preferably a maximum of 1.5 m. The antenna can, for example, be extended more than 5 m, preferably more than 10 m from the underwater vehicle.

[0013] Similarly, an underwater vehicle with the antenna arrangement is disclosed. In this case, the antenna and the container are arranged together in a retractable manner in the mast of the underwater vehicle.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments, the radio module is configured to receive data for transmitting the radio signals from the underwater vehicle via a data cable and / or to transmit data from received radio signals to the underwater vehicle via a data cable. The data cable can be, for example, an optical fiber cable or a network cable, or similar. The data cable is not subject to the same length restrictions as the radio-frequency cable, so the length of the data cable is irrelevant, even given the high mechanical requirements.

[0015] In further embodiments, the radio module is a component available on the end user market. In other words, the radio module is also referred to as consumer electronics. This means that the radio module is freely available to anyone. This highlights another advantage of the pressure-resistant container. The antenna is designed for a long service life of more than 20 years, preferably more than 30 years. However, experience has shown that the technical status of the radio services provided by a commercially available radio module changes at short intervals. When using such radio modules, the interchangeability in the pressure-resistant container is therefore advantageous. However, typical radio modules often have a much shorter service life, especially when, as in the described case, the reliability of communication is relevant. For this reason, it is common practice to replace such units at short intervals, for example within 2 years.The pressure-resistant container is also advantageous in this context because the antenna and radio module are separate units and therefore do not require joint approval, for example, under the Radio Equipment Directive. The antenna can thus be certified once and retains the resulting approval for its lifetime. The respective radio module is certified by the manufacturer. If both components, i.e., antenna and radio module, were installed in a common housing, thus merging into a single product, joint certification would be necessary.

[0016] In further embodiments, the radio module is configured to provide the antenna with a mobile radio signal or a WLAN signal, and the antenna is configured to transmit the mobile radio signal or the WLAN signal as a radio signal into free space. This describes the transmission of the radio signal. Analogously, a radio signal can also be received. To receive the radio signal, the antenna is configured to pick up a mobile radio signal or a WLAN signal from free space, and the radio module is configured to convert the mobile radio signal or the WLAN signal into a corresponding digital signal and to provide the digital signal. The digital signal can be transmitted into the interior of the underwater vehicle using the previously described data cable.

[0017] Embodiments further show that the pressure-resistant container has a pressure-tight opening that is designed to be opened to replace the radio module. Preferably, the radio module is attached to a mounting element, wherein the mounting element is movably received in the pressure-resistant container and designed to be extended through the opening to replace the radio module. The mounting element can be connected to the pressure-resistant container by means of a linear guide. The mounting element can be, for example, a carriage.

[0018] More preferably, the pressure-resistant container can have contacts for establishing an electrical connection between the pressure-resistant container and the antenna, i.e. the antenna itself or a pressure-resistant housing of the antenna. The contacts are also referred to as an interface. The contacts are attached to the mounting element so that the contacts also move when the mounting element moves. Thus, when the radio module is replaced, in particular when it is extended out of the pressure-resistant container using the mounting element, there is no relative movement between the contacts and the radio module (at least as long as it is connected to the mounting element). Thus, it is not necessary to add any additional length to the radio-frequency cable arranged between the radio module and the contacts in order to enable the radio module to be extended out of the pressure-resistant container.The additional length would again increase the attenuation of the entire high-frequency line up to the antenna.

[0019] In further embodiments, the antenna is sealed together with a plurality of additional antennas in the pressure-resistant body. The antennas of the plurality of additional antennas can each be connected to the underwater vehicle conventionally, i.e., via a high-frequency cable. The pressure-tight container can have an interface on the underwater vehicle side and on the antenna side for passing through the high-frequency cable.

[0020] In further embodiments, the pressure-resistant container is shaped like a cylinder. It should be noted, however, that the cylindrical shape extends to the circular outer surface. The end faces do not necessarily have to be flat. The cylindrical shape is more robust against water pressure than, for example, a square shape.

[0021] Furthermore, an underwater vehicle, in particular a manned underwater vehicle, with the antenna arrangement is disclosed.

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0023] Fig. 1 : a schematic sectional view of an antenna arrangement, wherein

[0024] Fig. 1a shows a radio module in a pressure-tight container of the antenna unit and Fig. 1b shows the radio module extended from the pressure-tight container;

[0025] Fig. 2: A schematic diagram of the antenna arrangement on an underwater vehicle. Before exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, it should be noted that identical, functionally equivalent, or equivalent elements, objects, and / or structures are provided with the same reference numerals in the different figures, so that the description of these elements presented in different exemplary embodiments is interchangeable or can be applied to one another.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an antenna arrangement 20. The antenna arrangement 20 comprises an antenna 22 and a pressure-resistant container 24. A radio module 26 is exchangeably accommodated in the pressure-resistant container. The antenna 22 and the radio module 26 are electrically connected to one another, in particular by means of a radio-frequency cable 28. The radio-frequency cable 28 can comprise two electrical conductors 28a, 28b. For example, the radio-frequency cable 28 is a coaxial cable.

[0027] The antenna 20 is optionally arranged in a pressure-resistant housing 30. The pressure-resistant housing 30 is pressure-tightly connected to the pressure-resistant container. One or more seals 32, for example one or more O-rings, can be provided to seal the pressure-resistant housing and the pressure-resistant container. Thus, the antenna and pressure-resistant container form a unit that can be extended together, for example, on a mast, from an underwater vehicle (see Fig. 2). Without the pressure-resistant housing 30, the antenna 22 itself is connected to the pressure-resistant container 24. An additional antenna 34 is shown as an example of one or more additional antennas that can be arranged in the pressure-resistant housing.

[0028] Optionally, the pressure-resistant container 24 has a mounting element 36, shown here as a slide. The mounting element 36 is movably received within the pressure-resistant container 24. The mounting element 36 can have contacts 38 for establishing an electrical connection between the pressure-resistant container 24 and the antenna 22. Furthermore, the radio module 26 contacts one or more contacts 38 in order to be able to transmit the radio signal to the antenna 22. The contact can be made as part of the high-frequency cable 28 with two additional lines 28c, 28d, for example, a coaxial line.

[0029] Furthermore, optional parts of additional high-frequency cables 40 are routed through the pressure-resistant container 24 to contact the optional additional antenna(s) 34. Additional contacts 41 can serve as an interface between the parts 40 of the high-frequency cables that run within the pressure-resistant container 24 and the parts of the high-frequency cable that are routed from the underwater vehicle to the pressure-resistant container.

[0030] Fig. 1a now shows the antenna arrangement with the retracted mounting element 36, and Fig. 1b with the extended mounting element 36. Because the contacts 38 and the radio module 26 are arranged together on the mounting element, the radio module 26 is moved together with the contacts 38 (see Fig. 1b). The lines 28c and 28d therefore do not need to have any additional length to enable the radio module 26 to be extended, as would be necessary with fixed contacts 38. To extend the mounting element 38, the pressure-resistant container has a pressure-tight, sealed opening 42. This opening 42 can be created, for example, by unscrewing the contacts 41.

[0031] The retraction and extension of the mounting element 36 can take place on a guide 44, in particular a rail guide.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an underwater vehicle 46 with the antenna array 20. The antenna array is (mechanically) connected to the underwater vehicle by means of a mast 48. Cables can be routed through or along the mast 48. These can be either high-frequency cables or one (or more) data cables 50. The underwater vehicle is (electrically) connected, for example, to the radio module 26 by means of the data cable 50. The underwater vehicle is shown submerged below a water surface 52 with the mast 48 extended, so that the antenna array 20 is located above the water surface 52.Although some aspects have been described in connection with a device, it is to be understood that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, so that a block or component of a device can also be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block, detail, or feature of a corresponding device. The embodiments described above merely illustrate the principles of the present invention. It is to be understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be apparent to others skilled in the art.Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the following claims and not by the specific details presented in the description and explanation of the embodiments herein.

[0033] List of reference symbols:

[0034] 20 antenna arrangement

[0035] 22 Antenna

[0036] 24 pressure-resistant containers

[0037] 26 radio module

[0038] 28 high-frequency cables

[0039] 30 pressure-resistant antenna housings

[0040] 32 seal(s)

[0041] 34 additional antenna(s)

[0042] 36 Mounting element

[0043] 38 contacts

[0044] 40 high-frequency cables

[0045] 41 contacts

[0046] 42 pressure-tight sealed opening

[0047] 44 (Rail) guide

[0048] 46 underwater vehicle

[0049] 48 masts

[0050] 50 data cables

[0051] 52 water surface

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Antenna arrangement (20) for an underwater vehicle (46) having the following features: - an antenna (22) designed to transmit and / or receive radio signals with a frequency of more than 1 GHz; - a pressure-resistant container (24) designed to replaceably accommodate a radio module (26) for the antenna (22); - wherein the antenna (22) and the radio module (26) have an electrical connection to one another; - wherein the antenna (22) and the container (24) are designed to be arranged jointly in a mast extendable on the underwater vehicle (46).

2. Antenna arrangement (20) according to claim 1, wherein the radio module (26) is designed to receive data for transmitting the radio signals by means of a data cable (50) from the underwater vehicle (46) and / or to transmit data from received radio signals by means of a data cable (50) into the underwater vehicle (46).

3. Antenna arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the radio module (26) is a component available in the end consumer market.

4. Antenna arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the radio module (26) is designed to provide the antenna (22) with a mobile radio signal or a WLAN signal and wherein the antenna (22) is designed to transmit the mobile radio signal or the WLAN signal as a radio signal; and / or - wherein the antenna (22) is designed to receive a mobile radio signal or a WLAN signal and wherein the radio module (26) is designed to To convert the mobile phone signal or the WLAN signal into a corresponding digital signal and to provide the digital signal.

5. Antenna arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure-resistant container (24) has a pressure-tightly closed opening (42) which is designed to be opened in order to replace the radio module (26).

6. Antenna arrangement (20) according to claim 5, wherein the radio module (26) is attached to a mounting element (36), wherein the mounting element (36) is movably received in the pressure-resistant container (24), wherein the mounting element (36) is designed to be extended through the opening (42) in order to replace the radio module (26).

7. Antenna arrangement (20) according to claim 6, - wherein the pressure-resistant container (24) has contacts for establishing an electrical connection between the pressure-resistant container (24) and the antenna (22); - wherein the contacts are attached to the mounting element (36) so that the contacts also move when the mounting element moves.

8. Antenna arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna (22) is arranged in a pressure-resistant housing (30), wherein the pressure-resistant housing (30) is pressure-tightly connected to the pressure-resistant container (24) so ​​that the electrical connection between the antenna (22) and the radio module (26) runs entirely in a pressure-resistant space.

9. Antenna arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna (22) is arranged together with another antenna (22) or a plurality of other antennas in the pressure-resistant housing (30).

10. Antenna arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure-resistant container (24) has the shape of a cylinder.

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