CN101589560A

CN101589560A - Short range FM modulator/transmitter and system incorporating same

Info

Publication number: CN101589560A
Application number: CNA2007800464926A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·L·德雷弗斯
Original assignee: Agere Systems LLC
Current assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2007-10-31
Filing date: 2007-10-31
Publication date: 2009-11-25
Also published as: WO2009058139A1; KR101262078B1; KR20100084976A; JP2011502396A; EP2080281A1; EP2080281A4

Abstract

A short range radio transmitter device includes a radio signal modulator and transmitter, a receiver and a controller coupled to the receiver. The controller and receiver operate to examine a frequency spectrum to select a transmission frequency for the radio signal modulator and transmitter. A receiver system for use with the transmitter includes a data channel service enabled receiver and a controller. The controller of the receiver system automatically tunes the data channel service enabled receiver to a frequency identified in a data channel service component of a received signal.

Description

Short distance FM modulator/transmitter and in conjunction with the system of this equipment

Invention field

The present invention relates to short range transmissions and receiving system.

Background of invention

Short distance FM modulator/transmitter equipment becomes commonly used for short distance (for example, the at home) broadcasting of the content from portable satellite receiver, MP3 player and other consumer-elcetronics devices to the standard FM radio receiver that is used to play.In one example, the MP3 player is docked or otherwise is connected to low power, short range FM modulator/transmitter.The FM modulator/transmitter is tuned to selected broadcasting frequency with user's home stereo.Content is broadcasted at institute's selected frequency then, is received and is play by home stereo (or other FM receiver).

But the interference in the FM band, noise perhaps radio station broadcasting can weaken from the received signal of short distance FM modulator/transmitter or cause the loss of this received signal.For example, when in the mobile environment such as in car, using these systems, the change in geographical position or can influence the signal that is received from the interference of the system that uses in the car on every side.In home environment, interference can take place because of the use of a plurality of systems in the same family or because of neighbours' use.Usually, this interference by manually search for open F M band and then manually with modulator/transmitter and radio receiver be tuned to new frequency solve.This process may be that baffle and problematic, especially in mobile environment.

Brief summary of the invention

A kind of short range radio transmitter device comprises radio signal modulator and transmitter, receiver and the controller that is coupled to this receiver.Controller and receiver operation are radio signal modulator and transmitter select transmit frequency to check that frequency spectrum comes.The receiver system that uses with transmitter comprises receiver and the controller of enabling the data channel service.The receiver that the controller of receiver system will be enabled the data channel service automatically be tuned to the frequency that in the data channel part component of received signal, identifies.

Above-mentioned and further feature of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of each preferred embodiment of the present invention of providing in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawing summary

Accompanying drawing illustrates each preferred embodiment of the present invention and the out of Memory relevant with the disclosure, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of short distance FM modulator/transmitter equipment according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is the diagram of FM modulator/transmitter of Fig. 1 of FM modulator/transmitter assembly that illustrates in greater detail the data channel service of enabling of modulator/transmitter equipment;

Fig. 3 is the block diagram of FM receiver unit; And

Fig. 4 is the diagram of FM receiver unit of Fig. 3 of FM demodulator/receiver module that illustrates in greater detail the data channel service of enabling of receiver unit.

Describe in detail

Short range transmissions/the receiving system of a kind of sign automatically for the tranmitting frequency accepted of system's use described.In each embodiment, the FM receiver is integrated into the FM with minimum signal emission interference that is with and identifies or locate for system's use with scanning FM in the FM transmitter apparatus and stands.In each embodiment, the FM transmitter is configured to be built into the radio broadcasting data system (RDBS) of FM transmitter or radio data system (RDS) function will identify the data transmission at selected FM station to receiver such as use.Be tuned to recommend new FM station can be manual, the tranmitting frequency of being recommended is displayed to the user or sense of hearing ground is passed on display in this case; Or automatically, in this case transmitter and/or receiver can by automatically be tuned to new tranmitting frequency, and in each embodiment in time and/or automatically follow the tracks of mutually during change in location from the interference curve of permission broadcasting station or other interference source.

The RDS standard is provided with by European Broadcasting Union, is used to use conventional FM radio broadcasting to send small amounts of digital information.The RDS system standardization the various types of information that are used to launch, comprise time and station identifications.Similarly, the RDBS standard is the United States version of RDS.Two standards much at one, only minute differences is that mainly what numeral is assigned to 31 music that RBDS can identify and each of other program format.The RDBS standard is by the national radio system committee approval of the U.S., and its (hereinafter referred to as " U.S. RBDS standard criterion ") incorporated herein by reference described in " the United States RBDS Standard Specification of the Radio BroadcastData System (RBDS) " on April 9th, 1998 (U.S. RBDS standard criterion of radio broadcasting data system (RBDS)).

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of FM transmitter apparatus 100.In each embodiment, transmitter apparatus 100 comprises such as the FM modulator/transmitter 110 that can launch a small amount of numerical data with RBDS or RDS function.For example, the transfer of data in RBDS and the RDS regulation and stipulation 57kHz subcarrier transmits data with per second 1187.5 bits.In one embodiment, equipment 100 has utilized replacement frequency (Alternate Frequency) data field in the RDS/RBDS standard to transmit the replacement tranmitting frequency, though can utilize any available data field.FM modulator/transmitter 110 is well known in the art itself, and an one example is shown in the diagram of Fig. 2 and as described in the U.S. RBDS standard criterion.FM transmitter apparatus 100 also comprises antenna 160, controller 120, display 130, simple FM receiver 140 that is used to transmit and receive the FM signal and switch and the tap module 150 that is coupled to antenna 160.

Though the transmitting/receiving system as shown in Fig. 2 and 4 has utilized the transmitter and receiver of enabling RBDS, can use can be such as any data transmission technology of the selected frequency data of emission in the sideband of send channel.In each embodiment, data are launched as the part of high definition radio data stream or other data flow.The FM equipment that can transmit and receive these data is referred to herein as " enabling the data channel service ".

FM receiver 140 is conventional design and itself also is known in the art.FM receiver 140 is coupled to antenna 160 by switch and tap module 150.Switch and tap module 150 comprise the switch of the signal emission that can interrupt antenna 160 and/or FM modulator/transmitter 110 under the control of controller 120, and the FM signal that is used for being received by antenna 160 offers the tap of FM receiver 140.Certainly, if FM receiver 140 has its oneself antenna 160, then the tap assembly is dispensable.In each embodiment, transmitter controller 120 described herein can be to be programmed to come microprocessor operating according to following description.

FM receiver 140 can be configured to simple frequency spectrum analyser, such as enabling bluetooth at some

Equipment in employed.Controller 120 is initiated the scanning of FM band.FM receiver 140 or even simple R F detector each frequency is carried out frequency sweep, thereby measure the amount of the RF energy under each radio station frequency.FM receiver locking usually arrives at a station and restituted signal, and 140 detections are disturbed necessary but this function is not lost the FM receiver.FM receiver 140 with FM with on power spectrum offer controller 120.The power spectrum that controller 120 is checked the FM band has one or more frequencies of least interference amount with sign, promptly has those frequencies of Minimum Power Level.Controller 120 is selected the frequency for 110 uses of FM modulator/transmitter then, such as the frequency with lowest power level.

Controller 120 and FM receiver 140 are monitored the power spectrum of FM band serially or periodically.If the current tranmitting frequency place that uses for FM modulator/transmitter 110 and/or near detect the power that surpasses selected power threshold and increase, then controller 120 is determined to exist the noise of unacceptable level or interference and is checked that the FM band is to seek the acceptable replacement to new tranmitting frequency, the i.e. frequency of power stage under selected power threshold on it.

In each embodiment, controller 120 by close via the switch of switch and tap module 150 emission make FM modulator/transmitter 110 be transmitted in this inspection during stop provisionally.So, the FM band of being checked by the FM receiver 140 of equipment 100 and controller 120 is not by from its own emission covering of FM modulator/transmitter 110 or flood.Only need to be closed the very short time period so that the power spectrum of FM band is taken snapshot from the emission of FM modulator/transmitter 110, such as close the audience discover less than or the almost imperceptible period.

As mentioned above, in one embodiment, controller 120 and FM receiver 140 such as per 30 seconds or with other increment, are carried out their analysis in periodic mode.Alternatively, controller 120 and FM receiver 140 are monitored the FM power spectrum serially.

In each embodiment, controller does not need to check whole FM spectrum.On the contrary, in case on the current tranmitting frequency of using for transmitter, detect noise or interference above assign thresholds, then controller just can begin the scanning (for example, from 87.5-108.0MHz) of FM band and be chosen in the first frequency that can accept under the power level threshold.Certainly, can use any acceptable algorithm to select new tranmitting frequency, such as the frequency of selecting to have minimum power area (power footprint), select to have frequency that power area under selected threshold value and side frequency show attractive power area etc.

In one embodiment, in case controller 120 has been selected new tranmitting frequency, controller 120 just shows this frequency or uses the loud speaker (not shown) that listened to the sign of this frequency is provided on display 130.The audible notice that controller also can provide new frequency to use, thus the prompting user checks display 130.

In alternative embodiment, with reference to figure 2, controller 120 automatically changes the tranmitting frequency of FM modulator/transmitter 110 by the VHF/FM transmitter of control FM modulator/transmitter 110.In each embodiment, controller 120 postponed a period of time before the tranmitting frequency that changes FM modulator/transmitter 110, so that the data of the new tranmitting frequency of selecting of sign can use the tranmitting frequency of having used to send to remote receiver equipment, as shown in Figure 3.

The data that controller 120 will identify institute's selected frequency offer FM modulator/transmitter 110.More specifically, controller 120 offers the radio data message source assembly (Fig. 2) of FM modulator/transmitter 110 with these data, in the sideband that is included in the FM emission that is sent by FM modulator/transmitter 110.As discussed below, this frequency identification data is sent to the receiver device shown in Fig. 3 and 4 and is used for showing or receiver is automatically tuned to institute's selected frequency.

Fig. 3 is the block diagram with the above FM receiver device 200 that uses about the described FM transmitter of Fig. 1 and 2 100.FM receiver device 200 comprises FM receiver/demodulator 210 of enabling the data channel service, such as the receiver with RBDS or RDS function.This receiver/demodulator 210 is well known in the art itself, and an one example illustrates in greater detail in Fig. 4 and describes in U.S. RBDS standard criterion.Receiver unit 200 also comprises FM receiver tuning controller 220 and display 230, and they are described in more detail following.In each embodiment, FM receiver tuning controller 120 described herein can be to be programmed to come microprocessor operating according to following description.

Forward Fig. 4 to, the FM receiver/demodulator unit 210 of enabling the data channel service comprises the VHF/FM receiver/demodulator of standard, the FM signal that it receives and demodulation receives at the antenna place under its frequency that is tuned to.Provide the radio data receiver/decoder at the remaining component shown in the unit 210, the data of the tranmitting frequency that its sign that obtains to launch with the FM signal that receives at receiving element 200 places is newly selected.In operation, the VHF/FM receiver/demodulator of unit 210 by manually or by FM receiver tuning controller 220 be tuned to the tranmitting frequency of previous selection of transmitter 100.VHF/FM receiver/demodulator reception FM signal and this signal of demodulation are to be provided for played sound signal.Fetch by the radio data receiver/decoder assembly of

unit

210 and 210 data processor is provided to FM receiver tuning controller 220 from the unit from the data of the new tranmitting frequency of selecting of the sign of FM signal.

In manual embodiment, new frequency of selecting and the audible alarm that can provide new frequency to use are provided on display 230 FM receiver tuning controller 220.The user then with VHF/FM receiver demodulator manually be tuned to this new frequency.

In automation embodiment, FM receiver tuning controller 220 with the VHF/FM receiver demodulator of unit 210 automatically be tuned to the frequency that identified of institute's receive frequency data.

Invention described herein is specially adapted to various consumer-elcetronics devicess, go up other consumer-elcetronics devices that content is transmitted into the FM radio receiver such as satellite receiver, MP3 player, cell phone, personal media player, media center, personal computer and in short distance (for example, 10 meters or still less).

In one embodiment, the FM modulator/transmitter of Fig. 1 is set in an IC (integrated circuit) chip and controller 120 and FM receiver/frequency spectrum analyser 140 are set in the 2nd IC chip.This configuration allows to use existing FM modulator/transmitter chip.Certainly, if desired, controller 120, FM receiver 140 and FM modulator/transmitter 110 can be integrated on the single IC chip.In each embodiment, the FM receiver/tuning controller 220 of receiver unit is can be with FM receiver/demodulator 210 integrated or can be independent IC.

As mentioned above, the various combinations of transmitter and receiver can utilize in transmitting/receiving system; Yet, for all systems commonly transmitter automatically identify the open send channel candidate who uses for system.Each possible system embodiment comprises: (A) selection of using together with transmitter and show the reference receiver of the new frequency of selecting; The user manually changes the station on transmitter and receiver; (B) receiver of enabling the data channel service of enabling the transmitter of data channel service and showing the new frequency of selecting; The user will stand on receiver and manually change to new frequency and transmitter by manually or automatically tuning; And/or (C) transmitter and receiver of enabling the data channel service automatically followed the tracks of mutually of Receiver And Transmitter.

Though described the present invention according to exemplary embodiment, the invention is not restricted to this.On the contrary, appended claims should be broadly construed to comprise other modification of the present invention that can be made by those skilled in the art and embodiment and not deviate from the scope of equivalents of the present invention.

Claims

1. short range radio transmitter device, it comprises:

Radio signal modulator and transmitter;

Receiver; And

Be coupled to the controller of described receiver, wherein said controller and receiver operation are to check that frequency spectrum comes to be described radio signal modulator and transmitter select transmit frequency.

2. short range radio transmitter device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described radio signal modulator and transmitter are enabled the data channel service.

3. short range radio transmitter device as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, described controller offers described radio signal modulator and transmitter to be transmitted into remote receiver with the sign of selected tranmitting frequency.

4. short range radio transmitter device as claimed in claim 3, it is characterized in that, described controller with described radio signal modulator and transmitter automatically be tuned to selected tranmitting frequency so that with described identification transmissions transmitted radio signal after the described remote receiver.

5. short range radio transmitter device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described controller with described radio signal modulator and transmitter automatically be tuned to selected tranmitting frequency come transmitted radio signal.

6. short range radio transmitter device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises display, and wherein said controller makes described display show selected tranmitting frequency.

7. short range radio transmitter device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described controller is in the checked emission of interrupting described radio signal modulator and transmitter simultaneously of described frequency spectrum.

8. short range radio transmitter device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described radio signal modulator and transmitter are FM modulator and transmitter.

9. short range radio transmitter device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, checks described frequency spectrum when described controller and receiver operation disturb to detect on the selected tranmitting frequency formerly.

10. short range radio transmitter device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described controller and receiver operation are to check described frequency spectrum by periodic interval.

11. short range radio transmitter device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described controller and receiver are checked the power stage of each frequency in the described frequency spectrum.

12. a receiver system, it comprises:

Enable the receiver of data channel service; And

Controller, described controller with the described receiver of enabling the data channel service automatically be tuned to the frequency that in the data channel service component of received signal, identifies.

13. receiver as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that, the described receiver of enabling the data channel service is the FM receiver.

14. one kind transmits and receives system, it comprises:

Short range radio transmitter device, it comprises:

Enable the radio signal modulator and the transmitter of data channel service;

Receiver; And

Be coupled to the transmitter apparatus controller of described receiver, wherein said controller and receiver operation come to be described radio signal modulator and transmitter select transmit frequency to check frequency spectrum, and wherein said controller offers described radio signal modulator of enabling the data channel service and transmitter to be transmitted into remote receiver with the sign of selected tranmitting frequency; And

Enable the receiver device of data channel service.

15. system as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, the described receiver device of enabling the data channel service comprises receiver controller, described receiver controller with the described receiver of enabling data channel automatically be tuned to selected tranmitting frequency.

16. system as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, the described receiver device of enabling the data channel service comprises receiver controller and display, and described receiver controller shows selected tranmitting frequency on described display.

17. system as claimed in claim 14, it is characterized in that, described transmitter apparatus controller with described radio signal modulator of enabling data channel service and transmitter automatically be tuned to selected tranmitting frequency so that with described identification transmissions transmitted radio signal after the described remote receiver.

18. system as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, described transmitter apparatus controller with described radio signal modulator of enabling data channel service and transmitter automatically be tuned to selected tranmitting frequency with transmitted radio signal.

19. system as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, described transmitter apparatus controller interrupts described the enable radio signal modulator of data channel service and the emission of transmitter simultaneously in that described frequency spectrum is checked.

20. system as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, the described controller of described transmitter apparatus and receiver are checked the power stage of each frequency in the described frequency spectrum.