CN111556512B - Control method and communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a control method and a communication device. The control method is suitable for a communication device including multiple antennas. The control method includes: comparing environmental parameters of multiple antennas within a comparison time interval to generate a judgment result. The judgment result includes whether to switch multiple antennas; adjust the comparison time interval and the maintenance time interval according to the judgment result; and perform wireless signal transmission and reception in the maintenance time interval. The control method and communication device of the present invention have the advantages of communication capability optimization and power saving.

Description

Control method and communication device

technical field

The invention relates to a wireless network control method and communication device.

Background technique

With the rapid development of science and technology, people's demand for the network is increasing, especially the use of the network has extended from the home to the outdoors. All familiar coffee shops, conference venues, and even high-speed trains have the demand for wireless networks. Although today's technology is quite advanced, many people have used multiple antennas to design wireless network function enhancements, but most of these designs are implemented in the way of hardware enhancement features, and only consider a single use scenario (such as the living room at home, Simple outdoor scenes, etc.). The more complex the environment, the more frequent the antenna switching, the more resources will be wasted in both the network and the system device, resulting in poor user experience.

Contents of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a control method and a communication device with communication capability optimization and power saving.

The present document provides a control method applicable to a communication device including multiple antennas. The control method includes: comparing environmental parameters of multiple antennas within a comparison time interval to generate a judgment result. The judgment result includes whether to switch multiple antennas; adjust the comparison time interval and the maintenance time interval according to the judgment result; and perform wireless signal transmission and reception in the maintenance time interval.

The present invention documents and provides a communication device including multiple antennas and a processor. The processor is used to generate a judgment result according to the environmental parameters of the multiple antennas within the comparison time interval, wherein the judgment result includes whether to switch the multiple antennas to change the used antenna, and adjust the comparison time interval and the maintenance time interval of the communication device according to the judgment result, And control one of the plurality of antennas to transmit and receive wireless signals during the maintenance time interval.

The control method and communication device of the present invention automatically adjusts the state of the antenna module, and adjusts the comparison time interval and maintenance time interval by judging different environments and the field pattern coverage capabilities of individual antennas, so as to optimize communication capabilities and save power.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a control method according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an operation process of a control method according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a control method according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Embodiments of the documents of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or similar elements or method flows.

Please refer to Figure 1. The communication device 100 includes a processor 130 and a plurality of antennas 150A, 150B. The antennas 150A, 150B are coupled to the processor 130 . In some embodiments, the communication device 100 is a smart phone or a tablet computer, but not limited thereto. The communication device 100 , the number of antennas 150A, 150B, etc. shown in FIG. 1 are only for illustration purposes, and are not limited to FIG. 1 .

The operation of the communication device 100 will be described below with reference to FIG. 2 .

Please refer to Figure 2. The control method 200 includes steps S210 to S250. In step S210, the environmental parameters of the plurality of antennas are compared within the comparison time interval to generate a determination result. The determination result includes whether to switch the antenna. In some embodiments, step S210 may be executed by the processor 130 in FIG. 1 . In detail, the communication device 100 alternately operates between the comparison time interval and the maintenance time interval. During the comparison time interval, the processor 130 switches the antennas 150A and 150B to obtain the environmental parameters of the antennas 150A and 150B respectively. The processor 130 generates a determination result including whether to switch the antenna according to the environmental parameters of the antennas 150A and 150B.

In some embodiments, the determination result in step S210 is generated according to the transmission speed (Tput) in the environmental parameters. For example, in the comparison time interval, the processor 130 first turns on the antenna 150A to obtain the transmission speed of the antenna 150A, then the processor 130 switches the antenna, turns off the antenna 150A and turns on the antenna 150B to obtain the transmission speed of the antenna 150B. The processor 130 compares the transmission speed of the antenna 150A and the transmission speed of the antenna 150B, and determines that the antenna with a higher transmission speed is used or operated.

As mentioned above, if it is determined that the antenna used in the next maintenance time interval is different from the antenna used in the previous maintenance time interval, the processor 130 determines that the antenna needs to be switched. On the contrary, if it is determined that the antenna used in the next maintenance time interval is the same as the antenna used in the previous maintenance time interval, the processor 130 determines that there is no need to switch the antenna.

In some embodiments, when determining in step S210 which of the antennas 150A and 150B is the antenna used in the next maintenance time interval, multiple comparisons are adopted. In one embodiment, assuming that the comparison time interval is 300 ms, the processor 130 obtains the respective environmental parameters of the antennas 150A and 150B every 100 ms. In this way, the processor 130 obtains the respective environmental parameters of the three antennas 150A and 150B, and compares the environmental parameters of the three antennas 150A and 150B. If among the three comparison results, the environmental parameter of the antenna 150A is larger for the second time and the environmental parameter of the antenna 150B is larger for the first time, the processor 130 selects the antenna 150A as the antenna to be used in the next maintenance time interval.

In step S230, the comparison time interval and the maintenance time interval are adjusted according to the determination result. In some embodiments, step S230 may be executed by the processor 130 in FIG. 1 . When the determination result in step S210 is that the antenna needs to be switched, in step S230, the processor 130 extends the comparison time interval and shortens the maintenance time interval. In one embodiment, for the part of extending the comparison time interval, the comparison time interval is extended from 300 ms to 500 ms, and the processor 130 acquires the respective environmental parameters of the antennas 150A and 150B every 100 ms. In this way, the processor 130 obtains the environmental parameters of the antennas 150A and 150B five times, and compares the environmental parameters of the antennas 150A and 150B five times, so as to more accurately determine whether to switch the antennas.

On the contrary, when the determination result in step S210 is that there is no need to switch antennas, it means that the current environmental state of the communication device 100 is relatively stable, so in step S230, the processor 130 shortens the comparison time interval and extends the maintenance time interval.

In step S250, wireless signal transmission and reception are performed during the maintenance time interval. In some embodiments, step S250 may be performed by the antenna 150A or 150B in FIG. 1 . If it is determined in step S210 that the antenna 150A is used. In step S250 , the communication device 100 uses the antenna 150A to transmit and receive wireless signals during the maintenance time interval.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, during the maintenance period of step S250 , the processor 130 continuously collects the environmental parameters of the antenna 150A, and determines whether to suspend the maintenance period according to the environmental parameters of the antenna 150A.

As above, in some embodiments, during the maintaining time interval in step S250 , the processor 130 determines whether to suspend the maintaining time interval according to the transmission speed (Tput) and the signal strength indicator (RSSI) in the environmental parameters. In some embodiments, when the transmission speed is less than the transmission speed threshold and the SSI is less than the SSI threshold, the processor 130 stops maintaining the time interval and returns to the comparison time interval.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the transmission rate (Tput) and the signal strength indicator (RSSI) are considered simultaneously during the maintenance time interval, so that the user can obtain a better experience. Assume in Scenario 1 that the user's environment does not change, but the user's network behavior changes. In this case, the data collected by the processor 130 shows that the transmission speed decreases but the signal strength indicator remains unchanged. In this case, the decrease in transmission speed is caused by the change of the user's network behavior, and there is no need to suspend the maintenance time interval. Assume further that in Scenario 2, the transmission speed remains unchanged but the signal strength indicator decreases. In this case, the user's network connection experience will not be affected, so there is no need to suspend the maintenance period.

However, if the transmission speed decreases to less than the transmission speed threshold and the signal strength indication decreases to less than the signal strength indication threshold, the user's network connection experience will be affected, so in some embodiments of this case, in this case, suspend maintenance Time interval and return to compare time interval to determine whether to switch antennas. In this way, the user can obtain a better networking experience.

In addition, in step S250 , when the maintenance time interval ends, the communication device 100 returns to the comparison time interval to compare the environmental parameters of the antennas 150A and 150B again, and determine whether to switch the antennas.

See Figure 3. As shown in FIG. 3 , when the comparison time interval CT1 ends, the processor 130 determines that the antenna needs to be switched, and the processor 130 extends the comparison time interval CT and shortens the maintenance time interval MT. When the comparison time interval CT2 ends, the processor 130 determines that it is not necessary to switch the antenna, so the processor 130 shortens the comparison time interval CT and extends the maintenance time interval MT. When the comparison time interval CT3 ends, the processor 130 determines that the antenna needs to be switched, so the processor 130 extends the comparison time interval CT and shortens the maintenance time interval MT.

See Figure 4. The control method 400 includes steps S410 to S450.

In step S410, environment parameters of multiple antennas are collected within the comparison time interval. For example, the environmental parameters can be acquired by the antennas 150A and 150B as shown in FIG. 1 , and the environmental parameters can be transmitted to the processor 130 .

In step S420, it is determined whether the antenna needs to be switched. In some embodiments, in step S420, the processor 130 shown in FIG. 1 may determine whether to switch antennas according to the respective environmental parameters of the antennas 150A and 150B in FIG. 1 . If the antenna needs to be switched, go to step S422. On the contrary, if there is no need to switch the antenna, go to step S424.

In step S422, the comparison time interval is extended and the maintenance time interval is shortened. In step S424, the comparison time interval is shortened and the maintenance time interval is extended. In some embodiments, steps S422 and S424 may be executed by the processor 130 as shown in FIG. 1 .

In step S430, within the maintenance time interval, the environmental parameters of the antennas in use are collected. In some embodiments, step S430 may be performed by the processor 130 as shown in FIG. 1 via the antenna 150A or 150B.

In step S440, it is judged whether the environmental parameter is smaller than the environmental parameter threshold. In some embodiments, step S440 may be executed by the processor 130 as shown in FIG. 1 . If it is determined that the environmental parameter is smaller than the environmental parameter threshold, step S445 is executed. On the contrary, if it is determined that the environmental parameter is not less than the environmental parameter threshold, step S450 is executed. Environmental parameters include transmission speed and signal strength indication.

In one embodiment, step S440 first determines whether the transmission speed is lower than the transmission speed threshold in the environmental parameter threshold. When the transmission speed is less than the transmission speed threshold, it is further determined whether the signal strength indication is less than the signal strength indication threshold in the environmental parameter threshold. When the signal strength indication is smaller than the signal strength indication threshold, step S445 is performed. When the transmission speed is not less than the transmission speed threshold or the signal strength indication is not less than the signal strength indication threshold, step S450 is executed.

In step S445, the maintenance time interval is suspended. In some embodiments, step S445 may be executed by the processor 130 as shown in FIG. 1 . Specifically, after suspending the maintenance time interval, return to the comparison time interval to re-determine the used antenna.

In step S450, it is determined whether the maintenance time interval is over. In some embodiments, step S450 may be executed by the processor 130 as shown in FIG. 1 . If it is determined that the maintenance time interval is not over, step S430 is executed to continue collecting environmental parameters of the antennas in use. On the contrary, if it is determined that the maintenance time interval is over, execute step S410 and return to the comparison time interval.

Please go back to Figure 1. As shown in FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the communication device 100 further includes a switcher 110 for switching the antenna so as to use the antenna 150A or 150B for wireless signal transmission and reception. In some embodiments, the communication device 100 further includes a control pin 135 coupled to the switch 110 and the processor 130 for receiving and transmitting voltage.

It can be known from the above embodiments of the present invention that the embodiments of the present invention provide a control method and a communication device, which can automatically adjust the state of the antenna module and adjust the comparison time by distinguishing different environments and the field coverage capabilities of individual antennas. Intervals and maintenance time intervals to optimize communication capabilities and save power.

Certain terms are used in the description and claims to refer to particular elements. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the same elements may be called by different names. The specification and claims do not use the difference in name as the way to distinguish components, but the difference in function of the components as the basis for distinction. The "comprising" mentioned in the specification and claims is an open term, so it should be interpreted as "including but not limited to". In addition, "coupled" herein includes any direct and indirect connection means. Therefore, if it is described that the first element is coupled to the second element, it means that the first element can be directly connected to the second element through electrical connection or signal connection means such as wireless transmission or optical transmission, or through other elements or connections. The means are indirectly electrically or signally connected to the second element.

The dimensions and relative sizes of certain elements shown in the drawings will be exaggerated, or the shapes of some elements will be simplified in order to express the content of the embodiments more clearly. Therefore, unless otherwise specified by the applicant, the shapes, dimensions, relative sizes and relative positions of the components in the drawings are only for convenience of description, and should not be used to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention can be embodied in many different forms, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth in this specification.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with the embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, so the protection scope of the present invention What is defined in the claims shall prevail.

Claims (8)

1. A control method suitable for a communication device including a plurality of antennas, the control method comprising:

comparing the environmental parameters of the plurality of antennas over a comparison time interval to generate a decision result, wherein the decision result includes whether to switch the plurality of antennas;

when the judging result is that the plurality of antennas are switched, the comparison time interval is prolonged, and the maintenance time interval is shortened;

when the judgment result is that the plurality of antennas are not switched, shortening the comparison time interval and prolonging the maintenance time interval; and

and transmitting and receiving the wireless signal in the maintenance time interval.

2. The control method of claim 1, wherein the environmental parameters of the plurality of antennas include a transmission rate, and the determination result is generated according to the transmission rate.

3. The control method according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising:

collecting environmental parameters of a first antenna in the plurality of antennas in the maintenance time, wherein the first antenna is an antenna in use; and

judging whether to stop the maintaining time interval according to the environmental parameters of the first antenna.

4. A control method according to claim 3, wherein the environmental parameters of the first antenna include transmission speed and signal strength indication.

5. The control method according to claim 4, further comprising:

and when the transmission speed is smaller than a transmission speed threshold value and the signal strength indication is smaller than a signal strength indication threshold value, stopping the maintenance time interval.

6. A communication device, comprising:

a plurality of antennas; and

the processor is coupled with the plurality of antennas and is used for generating a judging result according to the environmental parameters of the plurality of antennas in a comparison time interval, wherein the judging result comprises whether the plurality of antennas are switched, and when the judging result is that the plurality of antennas are switched, the processor is also used for prolonging the comparison time interval and shortening a maintenance time interval; and when the judging result is that the plurality of antennas are not switched, the processor is further used for shortening the comparison time interval and prolonging the maintenance time interval, and controlling one of the plurality of antennas to transmit and receive wireless signals in the maintenance time interval.

7. The communication device of claim 6, wherein the processor further determines whether to abort the sustain period based on an environmental parameter of a first antenna of the plurality of antennas, wherein the first antenna is turned on during the sustain period.

8. The communications apparatus of claim 7, wherein the environmental parameter of the first antenna comprises a transmission speed and a signal strength indication, the processor is further configured to suspend the maintenance time interval when the transmission speed is less than a transmission speed threshold and the signal strength indication is less than a signal strength indication threshold.

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