Vehicle Antenna Signal Transport Using Frequency Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-frequency signals with frequencies above 5 GHz, typically used in 5G communication, experience significant line losses when transmitted through metal cables due to their high frequency, limiting the practical length of cables that can be used for vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-infrastructure communication.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize signal conversion modules, such as frequency reduction and analog-to-digital converters, to lower the frequency of high-frequency signals before transmission through metal cables, converting them to lower frequency or digital signals, which reduces line losses and allows longer cable lengths, and then convert them back to original frequency or analog form for processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-frequency signals are transmitted through metal cables, then signal transmission is achieved, but line losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by converting the frequency parameter of the signal from high-frequency (e.g., 5G bands) to baseband frequency through frequency conversion modules. This transformation reduces the frequency-dependent line losses in metal cables while maintaining signal integrity, allowing reliable transmission over longer cable lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frequency conversion modules and baseband processing units as intermediary devices between the antenna and the processing unit. These intermediaries convert high-frequency signals to baseband signals before cable transmission, thereby reducing line losses, and then convert them back to high-frequency signals after transmission, effectively mediating the signal transmission process to overcome the line loss problem.
2Length of stationary object
If high-frequency signals are transmitted through long metal cables, then cable length is increased, but line losses become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the signal frequency parameter from high-frequency to baseband frequency before cable transmission. This parameter change reduces the attenuation coefficient of the cable, enabling signal transmission over longer cable lengths (e.g., several meters) while maintaining acceptable signal levels and minimizing line losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary frequency conversion to baseband signals before the signals enter the metal cable for transmission. This preliminary action prepares the signals in a form that is less susceptible to line losses, allowing them to traverse longer cable lengths without excessive attenuation, and then converts them back to high-frequency signals after transmission.
3Device complexity
If high-frequency signals are transmitted directly to the processing unit, then transmission path is simplified, but line losses limit practical cable length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces frequency conversion modules and baseband processing units as intermediary devices in the transmission path. Although these intermediaries increase device complexity, they enable the use of longer cable lengths by converting signals to baseband for transmission and then converting them back, effectively trading increased component complexity for extended practical cable length and reduced line losses.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces line losses, enabling the use of longer cables and improving the reliability of high-frequency signal transmission for applications like autonomous driving data exchange, while also reducing cabling costs and infrastructure requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one frequency reduction module is designed to set the high value of the frequency of the respective high-frequency signals to a predetermined second reduced or low value, for example, before transport along the line, and accordingly to generate low-frequency signals
Implementation Method 2
The at least one analog-to-digital converter is designed as a structure conversion module to digitize the signals before they are transported along the line, i. H. to convert their structure or form from analog to digital
Implementation Method 3
The at least one frequency increase module of the system is designed to set the low value of the frequency of the low-frequency signals back to the originally high value of the frequency after they have been transported along the line
Implementation Method 4
the at least one digital-to-analog converter of the system is designed to analogize the signals after they have been transported along the line, i. H. to convert their structure or form from digital to analog
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (4) for exchanging signals between a unit (12) of a vehicle (2) and an external device (20) outside the vehicle (2) via at least one aerial (8) of the vehicle (2), wherein high-frequency signals are exchanged over electromagnetic waves between the at least one external device (20) and the at least one aerial (8) of the vehicle (2), wherein: the at least one aerial (8) is connected via at least one first path to a first end of a wire (18) of the vehicle (2) and the unit (12) is connected via at least one second path to a second end of the wire (18) of the vehicle (2); the system (4) comprises at least one frequency reduction module (10, 62) which is arranged along at least one of the paths; and the at least one frequency reduction module (10) is designed to adjust a value of a frequency of the high-frequency signals to a low value prior to transport along the wire (18).