Antenna Switching for E-Call and Mobile Radio Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to ensure trouble-free operation of both mobile radio modules and e-call control devices on a common antenna in vehicles, leading to potential interference and connection errors due to decoupling, which can impair services like telephone and online services.
Innovation Solution
A switching device that alternately connects the mobile radio module and the e-call control device to a common antenna, using a first and second switching state, with a terminating device to emulate an antenna connection and prevent diagnosis of decoupling as a fault, and a buffer device to maintain the e-call connection for a predetermined period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a common antenna is shared between mobile radio module and e-call control device, then antenna utilization is improved, but interference and connection errors occur due to decoupling
Solution Approach 1:
A switching device is introduced as an intermediary component between the common antenna and the two radio modules. This switch alternately connects the antenna to either the mobile radio module or the e-call control device, preventing direct interference while maintaining reliable connections for both systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching device operates periodically, alternately connecting the antenna to different modules based on their operational needs. This periodic switching ensures that each module receives dedicated antenna access when active, eliminating interference while maximizing antenna utilization across both systems.
2Device complexity
If simple coupler or switch is used to interconnect modules, then device complexity is reduced, but insufficient decoupling causes input stages to damage each other
Solution Approach 1:
The switching device serves as a protective intermediary that provides adequate decoupling between the two radio modules. By sequentially connecting only one module to the antenna at a time, it prevents harmful signals from one module's input stage from reaching and damaging the other module, while maintaining relatively simple interconnection architecture.
3Reliability
If antenna is electrically isolated from mobile phone by switch, then e-call operation is enabled, but connection error occurs from mobile radio module perspective
Solution Approach 1:
The switching device acts as an intelligent intermediary that not only physically connects/disconnects the antenna but also communicates switching status to both modules. This allows the mobile radio module to understand when the antenna is intentionally isolated for e-call operations versus when a connection error has occurred, preventing false error diagnoses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the switching device communicates its state to both the mobile radio module and e-call control device. This feedback allows each module to correctly interpret the antenna connection status, distinguishing between intentional switching for e-call operations and actual connection failures.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a switching apparatus (4) for alternately connecting a mobile radio module (2) and an E-call controller (3) to an antenna (5), having: a first signal input (10), a second signal input (12), an antenna connection (14) and a changeover device (15) that is designed to take at least one switching signal (22) as a basis for changing between a first switching state (S1) and a second switching state (S2), wherein in the first switching state (S1), only the first signal input (10) is electrically connected to the antenna connection (14), and in the second switching state (S2), only the second signal input (12) is electrically connected to the antenna connection (14). Connected transmission devices are not intended to diagnose decoupling from the antenna connection as a fault. In the second switching state (S2) or in both switching states (S1, S2), in each case, the changeover device (15) electrically connects the signal input (12, 10) that is decoupled from the antenna connection (14) in each case to a terminating device (18) and the terminating device (18) emulates an antenna at the signal input (12, 10) that is connected to said terminating device.