JP5950086B2 - Wireless communication system and communication apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication system or the like that wirelessly transmits and receives signals within an information device.

  Conventionally, for example, inside an information device such as a bank ATM (Automated Teller Machine) machine, a copy machine, a vending machine, etc., transmission / reception of signals has been performed by wire. For example, transmission / reception of signals to / from a plurality of device blocks and boards in the housing of the information device is performed via wired connections and wiring boards and connectors in the housing called back panels, back boards, basket boards, and the like. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-240552 A

  However, since a connector or a directly attached wiring is used for the device block, the substrate, etc., contact failure, disconnection, etc. at the connecting portion may occur. In particular, when used in a place with a lot of vibration, poor contact or the like is likely to occur. In addition, when the number of signals transmitted and received in the information device is large, the wiring becomes very complicated, and there is an effect that the degree of freedom of arrangement of the component devices in the housing is lowered. In order to solve these problems, it is conceivable to send and receive signals in the information equipment wirelessly. However, the information equipment covered in the housing without changing the wireless communication performed in free space or in a house. Even when applied to (for example, an ATM machine), there is a problem that appropriate communication cannot be performed. The reason for this is that since the inside of the device has a complicated structure, multipath, shadowing, etc. increase, code interference occurs, and space propagation loss increases compared to free space. In particular, when the radio wave shielding properties inside and outside the housing are good, there is a problem that the survival time of the radio waves radiated inside the housing becomes long, resulting in the spread of delay spread and code interference.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and a wireless communication system capable of reducing the effects of multipath, shadowing, and the like when wirelessly transmitting and receiving signals within a housing of an information device. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication system according to the present invention includes one or more radio waves that are exchanged between a leaky coaxial cable provided in a casing of an information device and a leaky coaxial cable provided in the casing. And a wireless communication device.
With such a configuration, the distance between the wireless communication device that wirelessly transmits and receives signals and the leaky coaxial cable can be shortened. As a result, the influence of multipath, shadowing, etc. can be reduced, and wireless communication with reduced code interference can be realized in the information equipment.

In the wireless communication system according to the present invention, the leaky coaxial cable may be bent and disposed.
With such a configuration, the leaky coaxial cable can be disposed so that the distance between the wireless communication device and the leaky coaxial cable is shortened, and the influence of multipath, shadowing, and the like can be reduced.

The wireless communication system according to the present invention may further include a communication device that communicates with a wireless communication device via a leaky coaxial cable.
With such a configuration, wireless communication in the housing of the information device can be performed between the communication apparatus and the wireless communication device.

In the wireless communication system according to the present invention, there are two or more wireless communication devices in the housing, the leaky coaxial cable has two terminals at both ends, and the communication device has a leakage. A communication unit that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device via one of two terminals of the coaxial cable, a wireless communication device, and a leaky coaxial cable that the communication unit uses for wireless communication when the wireless communication device is a communication destination And a control unit that controls the communication unit to communicate via the terminal of the leaky coaxial cable that is associated with the wireless communication device of the communication destination by the correspondence information. And may be provided.
With such a configuration, by appropriately setting the correspondence information, communication via the terminal having higher characteristics can be performed between the communication unit and the wireless communication device.

In the wireless communication system according to the present invention, the communication device may exist outside the housing.
With such a configuration, it is possible to realize wireless communication in the casing between the communication device that exists outside the casing of the information device and the wireless communication device that exists in the casing.

The wireless communication system according to the present invention further includes a superimposing unit that superimposes a DC voltage from a DC power source on a signal of the leaky coaxial cable, and an extraction unit that extracts a DC voltage flowing through the leaky coaxial cable in the housing. The DC voltage extracted by the extraction unit may be used in the housing of the information device.
With such a configuration, when supplying DC power, the supply can be performed via a leaky coaxial cable. As a result, the DC voltage supply cable and the leaky coaxial cable can be shared, and the configuration in the housing can be simplified.

In the wireless communication system according to the present invention, the leaky coaxial cable has two terminals that are terminals at both ends, and the communication device supplies a signal for power transmission to one terminal of the leaky coaxial cable. The wireless communication signal is supplied to the other terminal of the leaky coaxial cable, and further includes at least one wireless power receiving device for receiving the power transmission signal from the leaky coaxial cable in the housing. The power received by the power receiving device may be used in the housing of the information device.
With such a configuration, when power is supplied into the housing from the outside of the information device, the supply can be performed via the leaky coaxial cable. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of connectors that connect the outside of the housing of the information device to the inside of the housing. Therefore, for example, when airtightness is required for the casing, the airtightness can be kept high.

  The wireless communication method according to the present invention includes a leaky coaxial cable provided in a casing of an information device, a communication device that performs communication via the leaky coaxial cable, and a leaky coaxial cable provided in the casing. Wireless communication is performed between the communication apparatus and the wireless communication device using one or more wireless communication devices that transmit and receive radio waves.

  According to the wireless communication system and the like according to the present invention, the distance between the wireless communication device and the leaky coaxial cable can be shortened, and the influence of multipath, shadowing, and the like in wireless signal transmission / reception within the housing of the information equipment. Can be reduced.

The figure which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communications system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the relationship between delay dispersion | distribution and the cumulative probability in the same embodiment The figure which shows an example of the relationship between the average delay time and cumulative probability in the same embodiment The figure which shows an example of the bent leaky coaxial cable in the embodiment The figure which shows an example of the bent leaky coaxial cable in the embodiment The figure which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communications system by Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the directional characteristic of the leaky coaxial cable in the embodiment The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication apparatus by the embodiment The figure which shows an example of the correspondence information in the embodiment The figure which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communications system in other embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communications system in other embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communications system by Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communications system by Embodiment 4 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the radio | wireless communications system by this invention is demonstrated using embodiment. In the following embodiments, components and steps denoted by the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent, and repetitive description may be omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
A radio communication system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The wireless communication system according to the present embodiment performs wireless transmission and reception of signals between a leaky coaxial cable and a wireless communication device in a housing of an information device.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system 100 according to the present embodiment. A wireless communication system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a cable 2, a communication device 3, a leaky coaxial cable 11, and a wireless communication device 13. Note that the leaky coaxial cable 11 and the wireless communication device 13 exist in the housing 10 of the information device 1.

  The information device 1 may be any device as long as it performs some information processing. The information device 1 may be an ICT (Information and Communication Technology) device. In addition, the information device 1 may be, for example, a bank ATM machine, a copy machine, a printer, a vending machine such as a beverage, a transportation ticket vending machine, or other devices. In addition, the information device 1 may be an independent device or a part of another device, for example. The latter information device 1 is included in, for example, an information device 1 (for example, a control unit) included in a large apparatus such as a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus or a mobile body (for example, an automobile, a train, a ship, an airplane, etc.). There is an information device 1 (for example, a control unit, an information processing system, etc.). The housing 10 of the information device 1 may be, for example, a metal housing, at least a part of a metal housing, or a non-metal housing. When the information device 1 is a part of another device or the like, the partition wall that surrounds the information device 1 may be considered as the casing 10 of the information device 1. In addition, the information apparatus 1 includes a leaky coaxial cable 11, a plurality of substrates 12, and a plurality of wireless communication devices 13 provided on the plurality of substrates 12 in the housing 10.

A leaky coaxial cable (LCX: Leaky Coaxial Cable) 11 is used as an antenna that radiates a signal input from the communication device 3 and passes the received signal to the communication device 3. Note that the leaky coaxial cable 11 may perform only one of signal emission and signal reception. The leaky coaxial cable 11 is preferably a cable corresponding to a frequency used in wireless communication. The leaky coaxial cable 11 is provided with a slot for leaking radio waves. However, when the wavelength of the signal propagating through the leaky coaxial cable 11 matches the slot pitch, resonance occurs in the cable and the reflected power increases. Since the standing wave ratio deteriorates, it is preferable not to use a frequency whose wavelength matches the slot pitch. For example, when a 2.4 GHz band or a 5.2 GHz band is used in wireless communication, it is preferable to use one corresponding to the frequency. For such a gigahertz leaky coaxial cable 11, for example, refer to the following document. The leaky coaxial cable 11 has two terminals which are terminals at both ends. And the leaky coaxial cable 11 and the cable 2 are connected through the RF connector 14a provided in the housing | casing 10 in the end (left end in FIG. 1). Further, a terminator 15 that matches the characteristic impedance of the leaky coaxial cable 11 is provided at the other end of the leaky coaxial cable 11 (the right end in FIG. 1). This is because the signal flowing through the leaky coaxial cable 11 is absorbed at the end point. The leaky coaxial cable 11 is arranged in the housing 10 so that line-of-sight communication (communication without an obstacle) is established between any one point of the leaky coaxial cable 11 and each wireless communication device 13. Although preferred, it need not be so arranged. In the case of line-of-sight communication, direct wave communication can be performed, and it is considered that occurrence of multipath fading and the like can be suppressed. When it is impossible to perform line-of-sight communication with all the wireless communication devices 13, it is preferable to dispose the leaky coaxial cable 11 so that the number of wireless communication devices 13 to be line-of-sight communication increases. It does not have to be done. For example, the leaky coaxial cable 11 may be disposed so as to be close to each wireless communication device 13. For example, the leaky coaxial cable 11 and the wireless communication device 13 may be separated from each other by about 0.5λ or more so as to eliminate the influence of the near field such as the leaky coaxial cable 11 and the substrate 12 or both. You may make it communicate using a near field by making it adjoin. Note that λ is a wavelength corresponding to the frequency to be used. Moreover, since the length of the leaky coaxial cable 11 is usually about the length of the housing 10, it is about 30 cm to 2 m, but other lengths may be used.
Literature: Kazuhiko Takano, Nobuo Ishii, Fumio Suzuki, Kozo Ogawa, Nobuyuki Misono, “Gigahertz Compatible Broadband Leaky Coaxial Cable”, Fujikura Technical Report, April 2006, (URL: http://www.fujikura.co.jp /00/gihou/gihou110/pdf110/110_03.pdf)

  As described above, there are a plurality of substrates 12 and a plurality of wireless communication devices 13 provided on the plurality of substrates 12 in the housing 10. In FIG. 1, all the substrates 12 and the wireless communication devices 13 are not labeled, but all the rectangles having the same shape as the substrate 12 are the substrates 12, and all the rectangles having the same shape as the wireless communication devices 13 are the wireless communication devices 13. This is the same in other drawings. Various circuits and components are arranged on the substrate 12. The wireless communication device 13 transmits and receives radio waves to and from the leaky coaxial cable 11. That is, the wireless communication device 13 receives radio waves radiated from the leaky coaxial cable 11 and transmits radio waves to the leaky coaxial cable 11. Note that the wireless communication device 13 may perform only one of reception of radio waves and transmission of radio waves. The wireless communication device 13 includes an antenna function. The number of substrates 12 and wireless communication devices 13 is not limited. One or two or more arbitrary numbers of substrates 12 may exist in the housing 10, and the substrates 12 may not exist in the housing 10. Further, the substrate 12 may be considered as some device. One or two or more arbitrary numbers of wireless communication devices 13 may exist in the housing 10.

  The cable 2 is an approach cable that connects one end (the left end in FIG. 1) of the leaky coaxial cable 11 and the communication device 3. The cable 2 may be a coaxial cable, for example.

  The communication device 3 performs wireless communication with the wireless communication device 13 via the leaky coaxial cable 11 in the housing 10 of the information device 1. The communication may be transmission, reception, or both. The wireless communication may be, for example, wireless LAN (IEEE802.11a / b / g, etc.) wireless communication or other wireless communication. In the present embodiment and the following embodiments, a case where communication by a wireless LAN is performed between the communication apparatus 3 and the wireless communication device 13 will be mainly described. In addition, the content of communication between the communication apparatus 3 and the wireless communication device 13 does not ask | require. For example, it may be transmission / reception of a control signal, transmission / reception of data, or transmission / reception of other signals.

  Here, the experimental result compared with the radio | wireless communication using the conventional chip antenna is demonstrated about the characteristic of the radio | wireless communication using the leaky coaxial cable 11 by this Embodiment. FIG. 2A is a graph showing delay dispersion between wireless communication using the leaky coaxial cable (LCX) 11 and wireless communication using the chip antenna (ChipANT). FIG. 2B is a graph showing the average delay time between wireless communication using the leaky coaxial cable 11 and wireless communication using the chip antenna. FIGS. 2A and 2B show a space between the leaky coaxial cable 11 or the chip antenna and 70 spatially dispersed positions in a 2 m × 2 m × 2 m strong electromagnetic shielding space corresponding to the housing 10. This is the result of communication. The space in which the 70 positions are dispersed is a space having a mechanical structure so as to correspond to the inside of the housing 10 of the information device 1. The vertical axis of the graph represents the cumulative probability of delay dispersion and average delay time when signals are respectively transmitted from the 70 positions and the signals are received by the leaky coaxial cable 11 or the chip antenna. When the cumulative probability is 1, radio waves from all 70 positions can be received. Note that LCXa, LCXb, and LCXc are three types of leaky coaxial cables 11 that increase in length in that order. In both graphs, the difference between LCXa, LCXb, and LCXc is not large, so it is considered that there is not much difference in propagation characteristics according to the length of the leaky coaxial cable 11. In the delay dispersion graph of FIG. 2A, when the delay dispersion is small, the cumulative probability is 1 (100%). The time distribution of the received radio waves from 70 positions in the device is less spread from the transmitted radio waves. Means that you have reached It can be seen that when the chip antenna is used, the delay dispersion is concentrated on a large value. On the other hand, when the leaky coaxial cable 11 is used, it can be seen that the delay dispersion is concentrated to a value smaller than that of the chip antenna. Therefore, it can be said that the leaky coaxial cable 11 has a smaller spread of delay dispersion and a smaller code interference than the chip antenna. In the graph of FIG. 2B, the average of the delay time until reception is shown with the transmission time being 0 (ns). Since the delay time is the average delay time of the received radio wave (which spreads in time), it becomes the median value of dispersion. From FIG. 2B, it can be seen that the reception using the leaky coaxial cable 11 can be received in a shorter time than the case where the chip antenna is used. That is, it is understood that the leaky coaxial cable 11 has less reflection during transmission and reception. As described above, when the leaky coaxial cable 11 is used rather than using the chip antenna, transmission / reception can be performed with a path with less reflection, and wireless communication is performed in an environment where multipath fading is less likely to occur. It can be seen that communication can be realized.

  Next, a specific example of the operation of wireless communication using the wireless communication system 100 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described. Note that the wireless communication is wireless LAN communication. When a signal corresponding to the transmission radio wave is output from the communication device 3, the signal is input to the leaky coaxial cable 11 that is an antenna via the cable 2. The signal is radiated (leaked) little by little while being transmitted through the leaky coaxial cable 11 in the length direction. The remaining signal that is not radiated is absorbed by the terminator 15. The radio wave radiated from the leaky coaxial cable 11 propagates through the space in the housing 10 and is received by each wireless communication device 13. Each wireless communication device 13 determines whether the signal is for its own IP address, and receives or discards the signal according to the determination result. The use of the signal after the wireless communication device 13 receives the signal does not matter. For example, it may be used in various components provided on the substrate 12, or may be used for other purposes. When a radio wave is transmitted from a certain wireless communication device 13, the radio wave is received by the leaky coaxial cable 11. A signal corresponding to the received radio wave is received by the communication device 3 via the leaky coaxial cable 11 and the cable 2. Then, the communication device 3 performs processing according to the reception.

  As described above, according to the wireless communication system 100 according to the present embodiment, in-device communication is performed using the leaky coaxial cable 11, so that reflection of radio waves, shadowing, and the like in the housing 10 can be reduced. . As a result, the occurrence of code interference can be suppressed even in a device having a complicated structure, and appropriate communication can be performed. Conventionally, a leaky coaxial cable has been used for a very long distance in railway radio, intra-tunnel communication, and the like. However, like the leaky coaxial cable 11 of the radio communication system 100 of the present embodiment, the leaky coaxial cable has a short length. The present inventors have also found that it can be used and is effective for suppressing the occurrence of multipaths in the housing 10. Further, by using the leaky coaxial cable 11, it is possible to shorten the distance for transmitting and receiving radio waves compared to the case of using a chip antenna. As described above, when the transmission / reception distance of the radio wave can be shortened, the intensity of the radio wave can be reduced, and as a result, the radio wave leaking to the outside of the device can be reduced. In addition, when the intensity of radio waves can be reduced, the occurrence of multipath is reduced. Moreover, although the gain as the antenna of the leaky coaxial cable 11 is low, in the communication within the information apparatus 1, the distance to the communication destination wireless communication device 13 is not long, so that even if the gain is low, it is possible to cope with it. .

  In the present embodiment, the case where the leaky coaxial cable 11 provided in the housing 10 of the information device 1 is a straight line has been described, but this need not be the case. Normally, the leaky coaxial cable 11 is arranged in a straight line, but as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the leaky coaxial cable 11 may be bent and arranged. In addition, when the leaky coaxial cable 11 is bent, the leaky coaxial cable 11 itself may be bent as shown in FIG. 3A, or two leaky coaxial cables 11 are shown as shown in FIG. 3B. Linear leaky coaxial cables 11a and 11b and a cable 11c connecting the end points of both leaky coaxial cables 11a and 11b, and may be bent at the position of the cable 11c. Normally, the leaky coaxial cable 11 does not have a small bending radius. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, the leaky coaxial cable 11 may be bent at the position of the cable 11c that is a coaxial cable or the like. In addition, in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, although the location to be bent is 1 place, it cannot be overemphasized that it may be bent in 2 or more places. Moreover, although FIG. 3B shows the case where there is one cable connecting the linear leaky coaxial cable, connection by cables may be performed at two or more locations. In this way, by bending the leaky coaxial cable 11, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the wireless communication device 13 can perform line-of-sight communication with each wireless communication device 13 or performs line-of-sight communication. It is possible to arrange the leaky coaxial cable 11 so that the number of cables increases.

(Embodiment 2)
A radio communication system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the wireless communication system according to the present embodiment, the communication apparatus can be connected to both ends of the leaky coaxial cable, and the terminal used by the communication apparatus for wireless communication is switched according to the wireless communication device of the transmission destination.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of radio communication system 200 according to the present embodiment. A wireless communication system 200 according to the present embodiment includes a cable 2, a communication device 3a, a cable 4, a leaky coaxial cable 11, and wireless communication devices 13a to 13m. The information device 1 and the cable 2 are the same as those in the first embodiment except that the communication device 3a can communicate with both ends of the leaky coaxial cable 11, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 4, wireless communication devices 13a to 13m are used instead of the wireless communication device 13 of FIG. 1, but this is given with a reference numeral so that each wireless communication device can be identified. The devices 13a to 13m are substantially the same as the wireless communication device 13. In the case of the present embodiment, it is assumed that usually two or more wireless communication devices exist in the housing 10 of the information device 1.

  The communication device 3a includes a communication unit 31, a switch 32, a storage unit 33, and a control unit 34. The communication device 3a is the same as the communication device 3 of the first embodiment except that wireless communication is performed via one of the two terminals of the leaky coaxial cable 11 connected to the communication device 3a. .

  The communication unit 31 performs wireless communication with the wireless communication device 13 via one of the two terminals of the leaky coaxial cable 11. When the communication unit 31 performs wireless communication via a certain terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11, this means that the terminal performs wireless communication using the terminal as a power feeding side of the leaky coaxial cable 11. The communication may be transmission, reception, or both. The wireless communication may be, for example, wireless LAN wireless communication or other wireless communication.

  The switch 32 switches between two terminals of the leaky coaxial cable 11 to which the communication unit 31 is connected. Note that the switch 32 is switched by the control unit 34. The switch 32 preferably absorbs a signal. For example, in the switch 32, when the communication unit 31 is connected to the terminal on the RF connector 14a (or RF connector 14b) side of the leaky coaxial cable 11, the RF connector 14b (or RF connector 14a) side of the leaky coaxial cable 11 is connected. This is because the signal input from the terminal is absorbed without being reflected.

  The storage unit 33 stores correspondence information indicating correspondence between the wireless communication device 13 and the terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11 used by the communication unit 31 for wireless communication when the wireless communication device 13 is a communication destination. The terminal used by the communication unit 31 for wireless communication is a terminal used by the communication unit 31 as a power feeding side. The correspondence information is any information that can indicate the correspondence between the wireless communication device 13 and the terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11 used by the communication device 3a when communicating with the wireless communication device 13. There may be. The correspondence information may be information indicating correspondence between the identification information of the wireless communication device 13 and the identification information of the terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11, for example. In this embodiment, such a case will be described. The correspondence information may be any information as long as the correspondence between the wireless communication device 13 and the terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11 used by the communication device 3a when communicating with the wireless communication device 13 is known. There may be. For example, the correspondence information may be information indicating correspondence between the wireless communication device 13 and a terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11 that is not used by the communication device 3a when communicating with the wireless communication device 13. A method for setting correspondence information will be described later.

  The process in which the correspondence information is stored in the storage unit 33 does not matter. For example, correspondence information may be stored in the storage unit 33 via a recording medium, or correspondence information transmitted via a communication line or the like may be stored in the storage unit 33. Alternatively, correspondence information input via an input device may be stored in the storage unit 33. The storage in the storage unit 33 may be temporary storage in a RAM or the like, or may be long-term storage. The storage unit 33 can be realized by a predetermined recording medium (for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.).

  The control unit 34 controls the communication unit 31 to perform communication via the terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11 associated with the wireless communication device 13 of the communication destination by the correspondence information. In the present embodiment, the control unit 34 controls the switch 32 so that the terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11 associated with the communication destination wireless communication device 13 by the correspondence information and the communication unit 31 are connected. . For example, when the communication unit 31 communicates with a certain wireless communication device, the control unit 34 uses the correspondence information stored in the storage unit 33 to correspond to the communication destination wireless communication device. The terminal of the cable 11 is specified. And the switch 32 is controlled so that the specified terminal and the communication part 31 are connected.

  The cable 4 is an approach cable that connects the communication device 3a and one end (the right end in FIG. 4) of the leaky coaxial cable 11. The cable 4 is connected to the leaky coaxial cable 11 via the RF connector 14b. The cable 4 may be a coaxial cable, for example.

  Here, the setting method of correspondence information is demonstrated. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the radiation directivity of the leaky coaxial cable 11. FIG. 5 shows an outline of the result of measuring the received power while feeding from the left end side of the leaky coaxial cable 11, connecting the terminator 15 to the right end side, and moving the receiving antenna in the length direction of the leaky coaxial cable 11. It is a graph to show. The leaky coaxial cable 11 in FIG. 5 is of a backfire type having a high reception intensity on the power feeding side. On the other hand, there is also an endfire type leaky coaxial cable 11 having a high reception strength on the terminal side. The backfire type and the endfire type are determined by the frequency of the propagated signal and the slot pitch of the leaky coaxial cable 11. For details, refer to the above-mentioned document “Gigahertz-compatible broadband leaky coaxial cable”. For example, when the leaky coaxial cable 11 is a backfire type as shown in FIG. 5, when any of the wireless communication devices 13a to 13f existing on the left side in FIG. 4 communicates with the communication device 3a. It is preferable to supply power from the RF connector 14a side, and when any of the wireless communication devices 13g to 13m existing on the right side in FIG. 4 communicates with the communication device 3a, the RF connector 14b side It is preferable to supply power. Therefore, in the correspondence information, the wireless communication devices 13a to 13f are associated with the terminals of the leaky coaxial cable 11 on the RF connector 14a side, and the wireless communication devices 13g to 13 and the terminals of the leaky coaxial cable 11 on the RF connector 14b side are May be associated with each other.

  Note that the propagation characteristics between the leaky coaxial cable 11 and each of the wireless communication devices 13 a to 13 m vary greatly depending on the structure inside the housing 10. Therefore, test communication using one end and the other end of the leaky coaxial cable 11 may be performed between each of the wireless communication devices 13a to 13m and the communication device 3a. And according to the result, you may produce | generate correspondence information so that each of wireless communication device 13a-13m may be connected with the terminal side with a sufficient characteristic.

Next, the operation of the communication device 3a will be described using the flowchart of FIG.
(Step S101) The communication unit 31 determines whether to perform communication. If communication is performed, the process proceeds to step S102. If not, the process of step S101 is repeated until it is determined that communication is performed. Note that the communication unit 31 may determine that communication is performed when a signal needs to be transmitted to any of the wireless communication devices 13a to 13m, or any one of the wireless communication devices 13a to 13m, for example. It may be determined that communication is performed when a signal transmitted from is received. In the latter case, in the first reception, a signal may be received from an inappropriate terminal side of the leaky coaxial cable 11, but thereafter, a signal can be received from an appropriate terminal side.

  (Step S <b> 102) The control unit 34 specifies the terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11 corresponding to the wireless communication device with which the communication unit 31 communicates using the correspondence information stored in the storage unit 33.

  (Step S103) The control unit 34 controls the switch 32 so that the terminal side specified in step S102 and the communication unit 31 are connected. The control may be switching the switch 32 or not switching the switch 32.

(Step S104) The communication unit 31 communicates with the wireless communication device of the communication destination via the terminal side specified in Step S102. Then, the process returns to step S101.
In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the process ends when the power is turned off or the process ends.

  Next, the operation of radio communication system 200 according to the present embodiment will be described using a specific example. In this specific example, it is assumed that the identifier of the wireless communication device 13a is “13a” and the same applies to the other wireless communication devices 13b to 13m. Further, the identifier of the terminal on the RF connector 14a side of the leaky coaxial cable 11 is “L”, and the identifier of the terminal on the RF connector 14b side is “R”. In the storage unit 33, it is assumed that correspondence information shown in FIG. 7 is stored. In FIG. 7, a wireless communication device identifier that identifies a wireless communication device is associated with a terminal identifier that identifies a terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11. The leaky coaxial cable 11 is assumed to be of the backfire type as shown in FIG.

  Then, it is assumed that the communication unit 31 transmits a control signal to the wireless communication device 13c. Then, the communication unit 31 determines that communication is performed, and passes the wireless communication device identifier “13c” of the communication destination wireless communication device 13c to the control unit 34 (step S101). Upon receiving the wireless communication device identifier “13c”, the control unit 34 searches the correspondence information shown in FIG. 7 using the wireless communication device identifier as a search key. Then, the terminal identifier “L” is read out from the hit third record (step S102). Thereafter, the control unit 34 controls the switch 32 so that the terminal identified by the read terminal identifier “L” is connected to the communication unit 31 (step S103). As a result, the switch 32 is in the state shown in FIG. 4, and the communication unit 31 performs wireless communication with the wireless communication device 13c via the terminal on the RF connector 14a side of the leaky coaxial cable 11 (step S104).

  As described above, according to the wireless communication system 200 according to the present embodiment, selection diversity can be performed by selecting and using a better terminal as a power supply side to the leaky coaxial cable 11 during wireless communication. As a result, wireless communication with better characteristics can be performed.

  In addition to the directivity characteristics of the leaky coaxial cable 11, the propagation characteristics change depending on the structure in the housing 10, so that the frequency (frequency channel) to be used is switched according to the wireless communication device of the communication destination. Good. In that case, the storage unit 33 stores frequency correspondence information indicating correspondence between the wireless communication device and the frequency used when the wireless communication device is a communication destination. Communication may be performed using a frequency associated with the wireless communication device according to the frequency correspondence information. Such switching of the frequency may be performed in addition to switching of the terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11 or may be performed instead of switching of the terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11. In the latter case, the terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11 is not switched.

  Moreover, although the case where the control unit 34 controls the switch 32 has been described in the present embodiment, this need not be the case. For example, the communication unit 31 has two communication means for performing wireless communication with a wireless communication device, one communication means is connected to one end of the leaky coaxial cable 11, and the other communication means is a leaky coaxial. The other end of the cable 11 may be connected. Then, the control unit 34 performs wireless communication using the communication means connected to the terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11 associated with the wireless communication device of the communication destination by the correspondence information from the two communication means. You may control to. In this case, the communication means that does not perform wireless communication may be connected to a terminator that absorbs the signal so as not to reflect the signal. For example, the communication device 3a includes a terminator, a switch, and the like for that purpose, and the terminator may be connected to the termination side of the leaky coaxial cable 11 by the control unit 34 also controlling the switch. .

  In addition, in the said Embodiment 1, 2, although the case where the communication apparatuses 3 and 3a existed out of the housing | casing 10 of the information equipment 1 was demonstrated, it may not be so. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the communication devices 3 and 3 a may exist in the housing 10. When the communication devices 3 and 3a are included in the housing 10, the entire wireless communication systems 100 and 200 are included in the housing 10 of the information devices 1 and 1a.

(Embodiment 3)
A radio communication system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The radio communication system according to the present embodiment supplies DC power via a leaky coaxial cable.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system 300 according to the present embodiment. A wireless communication system 300 according to the present embodiment includes a cable 2, a communication device 3, a DC power supply 5, a leaky coaxial cable 11, a wireless communication device 13, a superposition unit 16, and an extraction unit 17. Note that the information device 1 a includes the leaky coaxial cable 11, the substrate 12, the wireless communication device 13, and the extraction unit 17 in the housing 10. The information device 1a is the same as the information device 1 of the first embodiment except that the information device 1a further includes an extraction unit 17, and the description other than the extraction unit 17 is omitted. Further, the cable 2 and the communication device 3 are the same as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The superimposing unit 16 exists outside the housing 10. The superimposing unit 16 exists between the communication device 3 and the leaky coaxial cable 11 connected to the communication device 3. In FIG. 9, the superimposing unit 16 exists in the middle of the cable 2 that connects the communication device 3 and the leaky coaxial cable 11. The superimposing unit 16 superimposes the DC voltage from the DC power source 5 on the signal of the leaky coaxial cable 11. “Superimposing the DC voltage on the signal of the leaky coaxial cable 11” means that the DC voltage is superimposed on the signal flowing in the leaky coaxial cable 11 as a result, and the DC voltage is superimposed. The position may be anywhere as long as it is outside the housing 10. The superimposing unit 16 is, for example, a bias tee. When the superimposition unit 16 is a bias tee, the DC voltage is connected so as to be superimposed on the leaky coaxial cable 11 side. The DC power source 5 may be any type as long as it can supply a DC voltage. The direct current power source 5 may be, for example, a rectifier that converts alternating current power from an alternating current power source into direct current power, a primary battery, a secondary battery, or a fuel cell. Alternatively, another DC voltage may be supplied.

  The extraction unit 17 exists in the housing 10. Then, the extraction unit 17 extracts a DC voltage flowing through the leaky coaxial cable 11. Although FIG. 9 shows the case where the extraction unit 17 is present on the terminal end side of the leaky coaxial cable 11, this need not be the case. The extraction unit 17 may exist on the power feeding side of the leaky coaxial cable 11 or may exist in another position. As the latter, for example, when the leaky coaxial cable 11 is connected to the two linear leaky coaxial cables 11a and 11b by the cable 11c as shown in FIG. 3B, it is extracted at the position of the cable 11c. The part 17 may be provided. The extraction unit 17 is, for example, a bias tee. When the extraction unit 17 is a bias tee, it is assumed to be connected so as to extract a DC voltage on the leaky coaxial cable 11 side. The DC voltage extracted by the extraction unit 17 is used in the housing 10 of the information device 1. For example, the casing 10 may be used as a DC power source for the wireless communication device 13 or other configurations.

  As described above, the superimposing unit 16 superimposes DC power on the RF signal flowing through the leaky coaxial cable 11, and the DC power is extracted by the extracting unit 17 and used in the housing 10 of the information device 1. This is the same as in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to radio communication system 300 according to the present embodiment, a DC voltage superimposed outside case 10 can be used inside case 10. In this manner, the configuration in the housing 10 can be simplified by sharing the cable for supplying the DC voltage and the leaky coaxial cable 11. Further, since the DC voltage is superimposed on the signal of the leaky coaxial cable 11, there is no need to provide a separate connector for supplying DC power from the outside of the housing 10 to the inside, and the number of interface connectors is reduced. Can do. As a result, when airtightness is required for the casing 10 of the information device 1, the airtightness can be kept high. This is because in the case 10 of the information device 1, it is considered that the smaller the number of interface connectors with the outside, the higher the airtightness.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the DC power source 5 and the superimposing unit 16 exist outside the housing 10 has been described, but this need not be the case. The DC power supply 5 and the superimposing unit 16 may exist in the housing 10. Even in such a case, by sharing the power line of the DC power supply and the leaky coaxial cable 11, it is possible to reduce the wiring in the housing 10 and to simplify the structure in the housing 10. There is.

  Moreover, although the case where the superimposition part 16 exists between the communication apparatus 3 and the leaky coaxial cable 11 connected to the communication apparatus 3 was demonstrated in this Embodiment, it may not be so. As a result, the position of the superimposing unit 16 is not limited as long as a DC voltage can be superimposed on the RF signal of the leaky coaxial cable 11. For example, in FIG. 9, the overlapping portion 16 may exist between the leaky coaxial cable 11 and the terminator 15 (may be inside the housing 10 or outside the housing 10). And the extraction part 17 may exist in the electric power feeding side of the leaky coaxial cable 11. FIG. When the superimposing unit 16 is present in the housing 10, the communication device 3 may also be present in the housing 10. That is, the entire wireless communication system 300 may exist in the housing 10. Further, as described above, the positions of the superimposing unit 16 and the extracting unit 17 are arbitrary, but the DC voltage superimposed by the superimposing unit 16 is transmitted to the extracting unit 17 via the leaky coaxial cable 11, It is preferable that both are arranged so that the DC voltage is extracted in the extraction unit 17.

  Moreover, although the case where the DC power supply 5 is included in the wireless communication system 300 has been described in the present embodiment, this need not be the case. The superimposing unit 16 may superimpose a DC voltage supplied from a DC power supply external to the wireless communication system 300 on the signal of the leaky coaxial cable 11. In that case, the wireless communication system 300 may not include the DC power supply 5.

  Moreover, although this Embodiment demonstrated the case where the direct-current voltage was superimposed on the signal of the leaky coaxial cable 11 in the radio | wireless communications system 100 by Embodiment 1, or the direct-current voltage was extracted, Embodiment In the wireless communication system 200 according to 2, it goes without saying that a DC voltage may be superimposed on the signal of the leaky coaxial cable 11 or the DC voltage may be extracted.

(Embodiment 4)
A radio communication system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The wireless communication system according to the present embodiment supplies an RF signal for power supply via a leaky coaxial cable.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system 400 according to the present embodiment. A wireless communication system 400 according to the present embodiment includes a cable 2, a communication device 3b, a cable 4, a DC power supply 5, an isolator 6, a filter 7, a leaky coaxial cable 11, and a wireless communication device 13. Unit 16, extraction unit 17, and wireless power receiving device 18. The information device 1b includes a leaky coaxial cable 11, a substrate 12, a wireless communication device 13, an extraction unit 17, and a wireless power receiving device 18 in the housing 10. The information device 1b is the same as the information device 1a of the third embodiment except that the information device 1b further includes a wireless power receiving device 18 and the leaky coaxial cable 11 can supply signals from both ends. Description is omitted. Further, the cables 2 and 4, the DC power supply 5, and the superimposing unit 16 are the same as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The wireless power receiving device 18 acquires power by receiving a power supply signal (described later) from the leaky coaxial cable 11 in the housing 10. The electric power acquired in this way is used in the housing 10 of the information device 1b. 10 shows the case where the information device 1b has two or more wireless power receiving devices 18, the information device 1b only needs to have one or more wireless power receiving devices 18. Note that the wireless power supply is already known, and the wireless power receiving device that receives the power supply signal is also known, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The communication device 3 b supplies a signal for power transmission to one terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11 and supplies a signal for wireless communication to the other terminal of the leaky coaxial cable 11. The communication device 3b may be considered to include the communication device 3 according to the first embodiment that supplies a signal for wireless communication and a device that supplies a signal for power transmission. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the frequency of the wireless power transmission signal is fp and the frequency of the wireless communication signal is fs. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the RF signal of the frequency fp for power transmission is supplied to the RF connector 14a side of the leaky coaxial cable 11 via the cable 2, and the RF signal of the frequency fs for wireless communication is leaky coaxial. It is assumed that the cable 11 is supplied to the RF connector 14b side via the cable 4. Note that the frequency fp and the frequency fs are different from each other to the extent that they do not interfere with each other. In addition, since the signal of frequency fp is a signal for wireless power transmission, it is preferable that the power reflection of the signal in the housing 10 is large. Therefore, the leaky coaxial cable 11 whose frequency fp is the resonance frequency may be used.

  The isolator 6 is an isolator that allows a signal from the communication device 3 side to pass to the leaky coaxial cable 11 side, but absorbs a signal from the leaky coaxial cable 11 side. By this isolator 6, it is possible to avoid the signal of the frequency fs and the signal of the frequency fp reflected by the filter 7 being input to the communication device 3b.

  The filter 7 is a reflection type filter that allows the signal of the frequency fs from the communication device 3 b to pass and reflects the signal of the frequency fp from the information device 1. As the filter 7, an isolator that allows a signal from the communication device 3 b to pass and absorbs a signal from the information device 1 may be used instead of the reflective filter.

  With such a configuration, the RF signal having the frequency fp output from the communication device 3b passes through the isolator 6, the superimposing unit 16, and the RF connector 14a and is supplied to the leaky coaxial cable 11. Then, a signal of frequency fp is radiated from the leaky coaxial cable 11, and the wireless power supply signal is received by each wireless power receiving device 18, whereby power is acquired by each wireless power receiving device 18. Is called. The electric power acquired in this way is used as appropriate in the housing 10 of the information device 1. The wireless power supply signal that has passed through the leaky coaxial cable 11 is reflected or absorbed by the filter 7. When reflected by the filter 7, the wireless power supply signal again passes through the leaky coaxial cable 11, is radiated from the leaky coaxial cable 11, and is finally absorbed by the isolator 6.

  In addition, the signal of the frequency fs output from the communication device 3 b passes through the filter 7 and is supplied to the leaky coaxial cable 11. And the signal of frequency fs is radiated | emitted from the leaky coaxial cable 11, and the radio | wireless communication signal is received by each radio | wireless communication device 13, and the radio | wireless communication in an apparatus is performed. The wireless communication signal that has passed through the leaky coaxial cable 11 is absorbed by the isolator 6.

  Further, the DC voltage output from the DC power supply 5 is superimposed on the RF signal flowing through the cable 2 via the superimposing unit 16 and supplied to the leaky coaxial cable 11. Then, the DC voltage is extracted by the extraction unit 17 and used appropriately in the housing 10 of the information device 1.

  As described above, according to the wireless communication system 400 according to the present embodiment, the wireless power supply signal is also supplied to the leaky coaxial cable 11, and the wireless power supply signal radiated from the leaky coaxial cable 11 is supplied. By receiving by the wireless power receiving device 18, the wireless power supply can be performed in the housing 10 of the information device 1. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the power supply wiring in the housing 10 of the information device 1. Further, in order to superimpose the wireless power transmission signal on the signal of the leaky coaxial cable 11, it is not necessary to provide a separate connector for supplying the power transmission signal from the outside to the inside of the housing 10, and the interface The number of connectors can be reduced. As a result, when airtightness is required for the casing 10 of the information device 1, the airtightness can be kept high. As described above, it is considered that the smaller the number of interface connectors, the higher the airtightness of the housing 10 can be maintained. Further, by providing the isolator 6 and the filter 7, it is possible to prevent the RF signal flowing through the leaky coaxial cable 11 from returning to the communication device 3b. As a result, the communication device 3b can be protected and the operation of the communication device 3b can be stabilized.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the wireless communication system 300 according to the third embodiment also supplies a signal for wireless power transmission via the leaky coaxial cable 11 has been described. However, the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment is described. Needless to say, in the wireless communication system 100 according to the second embodiment or the second embodiment, supply of a signal for wireless power transmission via the leaky coaxial cable 11 may be realized.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where radio communication is performed in the ISM band has been mainly described. However, it goes without saying that the frequency used in radio communication via the leaky coaxial cable 11 is not limited to that in the ISM band. Absent.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the wireless communication systems 100, 200, 300, and 400 include the communication devices 3, 3a, and 3b has been described. The wireless communication systems 100, 200, 300, and 400 may not be provided with the communication device 3 or the like and may be connected to the communication device 3 or the like.

  Moreover, although each said embodiment mainly demonstrated the case where the radio | wireless communication devices 13 and 13a-13m were provided in the board | substrate 12, it does not need to be so. It goes without saying that the wireless communication devices 13 and 13a to 13m may be provided in addition to the substrate 12 as long as they exist in the housing 10.

  In each of the above embodiments, each processing or each function may be realized by centralized processing by a single device or a single system, or distributed processing by a plurality of devices or a plurality of systems. May be realized.

  In each of the above embodiments, the information exchange performed between each component is, for example, when two components that perform the information exchange are physically different from each other. Information may be output by the other component and acceptance of the information by the other component, or if the two components that pass the information are physically the same, one component The process may be performed by moving from the process phase corresponding to the element to the process phase corresponding to the other component.

  Also, in each of the above embodiments, information related to processing executed by each component, for example, each component received, acquired, selected, generated, transmitted, or received Information and information such as threshold values, mathematical formulas, addresses, etc. used by each component in processing are retained temporarily or over a long period of time on a recording medium (not shown) even if not explicitly stated in the above description. May be. Further, the storage of information in the recording medium (not shown) may be performed by each component or a storage unit (not shown). Further, reading of information from the recording medium (not shown) may be performed by each component or a reading unit (not shown).

  In each of the above embodiments, when information used by each component, for example, information such as a threshold value, an address, and various setting values used by each component may be changed by the user Even if it is not specified in the above description, the user may be able to change the information as appropriate, or it may not be. If the information can be changed by the user, the change is realized by, for example, a not-shown receiving unit that receives a change instruction from the user and a changing unit (not shown) that changes the information in accordance with the change instruction. May be. The change instruction received by the receiving unit (not shown) may be received from an input device, information received via a communication line, or information read from a predetermined recording medium, for example. .

  In each of the above embodiments, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware, or a component that can be realized by software may be realized by executing a program. For example, each component can be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. At the time of execution, the program execution unit may execute the program while accessing the storage unit or the recording medium.

  Further, the program may be executed by being downloaded from a server or the like, and a program recorded on a predetermined recording medium (for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like) is read out. May be executed by Further, this program may be used as a program constituting a program product. Further, the computer that executes the program may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the wireless communication system and the like according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the influence of multipath and the like when performing wireless signal transmission / reception in the housing of the information device. It is useful as a system for performing

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b Information equipment 2, 4, 11c Cable 3, 3a, 3b Communication apparatus 5 DC power supply 6 Isolator 7 Filter 10 Case 11, 11a, 11b Leaky coaxial cable 12 Board | substrate 13, 13a-13m Wireless communication device 14a, 14b RF connector 15 Terminator 16 Superimposition unit 17 Extraction unit 18 Wireless power receiving device 31 Communication unit 32 Switch 33 Storage unit 34 Control unit 100, 200, 300, 400 Wireless communication system

Claims (6)

A leaky coaxial cable provided in a casing of an information device and having two terminals at both ends ;
Two or more wireless communication devices provided in the housing for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the leaky coaxial cable;
A communication device for communicating with the wireless communication device via the leaky coaxial cable ,
The communication device
A communication unit that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication device via one of the two terminals of the leaky coaxial cable;
A storage unit that stores correspondence information indicating correspondence between the wireless communication device and a terminal of the leaky coaxial cable used by the communication unit in wireless communication when the wireless communication device is a communication destination;
And a control unit that controls the communication unit to perform communication via a terminal of the leaky coaxial cable associated with the wireless communication device of the communication destination by the correspondence information . The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the leaky coaxial cable is bent. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the communication device exists outside the housing. A superimposing unit that superimposes a DC voltage from a DC power source on the signal of the leaky coaxial cable;
An extraction unit for extracting a DC voltage flowing through the leaky coaxial cable in the casing; and
The wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the DC voltage extracted by the extraction unit is used in a casing of the information device. Before SL communication device is shall to one terminal of the leaky coaxial cable teapot also subjected to the power transfer signal,
In the housing, further comprising one or more wireless power receiving devices for receiving the power transmission signal from the leaky coaxial cable,
The wireless communication system according to claim 3 , wherein the power received by the wireless power receiving device is used in a housing of the information device. Transmitting and receiving radio waves between a leaky coaxial cable provided in a casing of an information device and having two terminals at both ends, and the leaky coaxial cable provided in the casing 2 A communication apparatus constituting a wireless communication system comprising the above wireless communication device and a communication apparatus that communicates with the wireless communication device via the leaky coaxial cable,
A communication unit that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication device via one of the two terminals of the leaky coaxial cable;
A storage unit that stores correspondence information indicating correspondence between the wireless communication device and a terminal of the leaky coaxial cable used by the communication unit in wireless communication when the wireless communication device is a communication destination;
A control unit that controls the communication unit to perform communication via a terminal of the leaky coaxial cable associated with the wireless communication device of the communication destination by the correspondence information.

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