DE102017220949A1 - Antenna system for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an antenna system for a vehicle for simultaneously operating a plurality of different wireless connections, which comprises a plurality of antennas arranged in the vehicle for transmitting and receiving an electromagnetic signal.

Description

The invention relates to an antenna system for simultaneously operating a plurality of different wireless connections of a vehicle, which comprises a plurality of antennas arranged in the vehicle for transmitting and receiving an electromagnetic signal.

A modern vehicle must be able to operate several different wireless connections simultaneously. Vehicle-operated wireless connections can be made both with mobile terminals of an occupant of the vehicle, which are arranged in an interior of the vehicle, and with stationary transmitters, such as mobile radio antennas or satellites, which are arranged outside the vehicle.

For example, the US 7,227,508 B2 an antenna system for operating a wireless connection of a vehicle to a satellite. The antenna system includes a horizontal platform which can be rotatably integrated about a vertical axis in a roof of the vehicle. On the platform a plurality of elongated wave guides are attached, which extend parallel to each other. The wave guides are provided with a cover which has a plurality of cross-shaped radiating elements which are arranged in rows and offset from one another. During travel of the vehicle, a beamforming angle optimal to a level of an electromagnetic signal received from a satellite is continuously determined for the platform relative to the vehicle by means of a beamforming method to continuously align the antenna system with a satellite during travel of the vehicle.

Of the EP 2 991 242 A1 On the other hand, a so-called SUDA system (Shared User Equipment Side Distributed Antenna System) is proposed for increasing a transmission bandwidth by means of at least two mobile radio connections which exist between a mobile terminal and respectively different mobile radio antennas. The SUDA system may be integrated with a roof of a vehicle, particularly a car, bus or train, to allow multiple occupants of the vehicle to simultaneously enjoy unrestricted use of various data-intensive offerings, such as high-resolution video streams.

The various internal and external wireless connections differ in technical terms, for example, in terms of a radio standard, a carrier frequency or a range in some cases significantly different from each other. Accordingly, a variety of different antennas are usually provided in the vehicle. In support of less common wireless internal connections, such as short-range technology such as Bluetooth, local technology such as W-LAN, and cellular technology such as LTE / GSM of the vehicle, twelve different antennas at different positions may be required in the vehicle.

Each of these twelve antennas is connected via its own coaxial cable with an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle. The coaxial cables are designed differently depending on a carrier frequency, which is assigned to the respective antenna to be connected to the coaxial cable. In order to allow a production and maintenance reasons offered plug connection between the coaxial cable and the antenna to be connected to the coaxial cable and between the coaxial cable and the control unit, according to each coaxial cable two plugs and two sockets are required.

This leads both to a high amount of time in the mounting and / or maintenance of the antenna system due to the large number of coaxial cables to be laid and connectors to be created as well as high material costs for the antenna system due to the large number of coaxial cables, plugs and sockets. In addition, a separate antenna amplifier must be provided for each antenna, which is associated with a high electrical power consumption and a high weight of the antenna system.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide an improved antenna system for the simultaneous operation of several different wireless connections of a vehicle, which avoids the disadvantages described. In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a method for simultaneously operating a plurality of different wireless connections of a vehicle and a vehicle suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention.

An object of the present invention is an antenna system for a vehicle for simultaneously operating a plurality of different wireless connections, which comprises a plurality of antennas arranged in the vehicle for transmitting and receiving an electromagnetic signal.

According to the invention, at least one antenna arrangement arranged in the vehicle and integrating a plurality of antennas is provided, which is configured for each wireless connection of the plurality of wireless connections. Such Antenna assembly can be easily and inexpensively connected to a control unit of the vehicle by means of a single coaxial cable and two plugs and sockets.

In one embodiment, the plurality of antennas of the at least one antenna arrangement in an arrangement plane which defines a main radiation direction extending perpendicular to the arrangement plane and an azimuthal reference direction extending in the arrangement plane are arranged side by side, in particular in a matrix-like manner. In other words, the plurality of antennas form a planar antenna array, which preferably has a regular arrangement of the plurality of antennas in rows and columns.

In a further embodiment, each antenna arrangement comprises a carrier which is in particular formed flat as a plate or mat and to which the plurality of antennas are fastened, and / or the several antennas are flat. By means of the carrier, the plurality of antennas can be modularly integrated with predetermined distances from one another, which is accompanied by simple handling of the antenna arrangement. If both the carrier and the plurality of antennas are formed flat, the antenna assembly can be mounted easily in tight installation situations.

In a preferred embodiment, with each antenna arrangement, a beamforming unit associated with the antenna arrangement is connected, which determines a transmission direction for an electromagnetic signal to be transmitted which is inclined by a specific polar angle with respect to the main radiation direction and / or with respect to the azimuth reference direction by a specific azimuth angle is rotated, is configured. The beamforming unit is designed to control the plurality of antennas of the antenna arrangement in a phase-shifted manner with respect to one another, such that an overlapping of the individual electromagnetic radiation emanating from the plurality of antennas results in an electromagnetic signal radiated into a specific transmission direction (superposition principle). In this way, an electromagnetic signal to be transmitted can be aligned with a specific mobile terminal. The particular transmission direction can be specified by means of so-called polar coordinates which comprise a polar angle and an azimuth angle.

In a further preferred embodiment, each antenna arrangement has a direction detection unit (DOA) associated with the antenna arrangement, which detector unit detects a reception direction of an electromagnetic signal which is inclined by a specific polar angle with respect to the main radiation direction and / or with respect to the azimuthal reference direction rotated a certain azimuth angle is configured. The direction detection unit is the counterpart to a beamforming unit. It is designed to determine a reception direction of the electromagnetic signal from a detected phase offset of the individual electrical signals received by the plurality of antennas. In this way, the antenna arrangement can be aligned with an electromagnetic signal received by a specific mobile terminal. The detected reception direction can be indicated by means of so-called polar coordinates, which comprise a polar angle and an azimuth angle.

Thanks to the beamforming unit and the direction detecting unit, a position of a mobile terminal of an occupant of the vehicle in the interior of the vehicle can be detected to provide an optimally aligned unidirectional or bidirectional wireless connection between the vehicle and the mobile terminal.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the beamforming unit is configured to transform a particular first intermediate frequency into a transmission frequency of an electromagnetic signal to be transmitted, and / or the direction detection unit is configured to transform a reception frequency of a received electromagnetic signal into a particular second intermediate frequency. A so-called intermediate frequency denotes a carrier frequency different from a transmission frequency or reception frequency, to which the electromagnetic signal of the original transmission frequency or reception frequency is impressed. When very different transmission frequencies or reception frequencies are mapped to closely spaced first and second intermediate frequencies, a received or transmitted electromagnetic signal can be communicated independently of a reception frequency or transmission frequency by means of a single coaxial cable between the antenna system and the control unit.

The invention also provides a method for simultaneously operating a plurality of different wireless connections of a vehicle, in which an electromagnetic signal is transmitted and received with at least one antenna arrangement arranged in the vehicle and integrating a plurality of antennas, in particular with an antenna arrangement according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, a specific first intermediate frequency in a transmission frequency of a to be transmitted electromagnetic signal and / or a reception frequency of a received electromagnetic signal transformed into a specific second intermediate frequency. As a result of the transformation, it is possible to transmit a received or transmitted electromagnetic signal independently of a reception frequency or transmission frequency by means of a single coaxial cable between the antenna system and the control unit.

Another object of the invention is a vehicle which comprises a control unit and a plurality of antenna systems connected to the control unit in each case by means of a coaxial cable, which are designed to carry out a method according to the invention for simultaneously operating a plurality of different wireless connections of the vehicle. The controller has hardware and control software required for the various wireless connections. In such a vehicle, the antenna system can be mounted and maintained inexpensively and quickly, thereby improving the economy of the vehicle.

In addition, a weight of the vehicle is reduced, which further increases the profitability of the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of antenna systems are arranged in a sky of the vehicle and / or the plurality of antenna systems are in a plurality of rows extending perpendicular to a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, in particular exactly two antenna systems in a front row and exactly two antenna systems in a rear row, which are respectively arranged on opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle, in particular symmetrically to the latter. With such an arrangement of exactly four antenna systems, optimal radio coverage in the interior of the vehicle can be achieved.

• 1 in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht eines Fahrzeugs mit einem Antennensystem zum gleichzeitigen Betreiben mehrerer verschiedener drahtloser Verbindungen des Fahrzeugs gemäß dem Stand der Technik,
• 2 in einer schematischen Darstellung ein Blockschaltbild einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Antennensystems zum gleichzeitigen Betreiben mehrerer verschiedener drahtloser Verbindungen des Fahrzeugs,
• 3 in einer schematischen Darstellung ein gesendetes elektromagnetisches Signal des in 2 gezeigten Antennensystems,
• 4 in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugs mit vier der in 2 gezeigten Antennensystemen.

The invention is illustrated schematically with reference to an embodiment in the drawings and will be further described with reference to the drawings. It shows:

• 1 1 is a schematic illustration of a top view of a vehicle having an antenna system for simultaneously operating a plurality of different wireless connections of the vehicle according to the prior art;
• 2 2 shows a schematic representation of a block diagram of an embodiment of the antenna system according to the invention for simultaneously operating a plurality of different wireless connections of the vehicle,
• 3 in a schematic representation of a transmitted electromagnetic signal of the in 2 shown antenna system,
• 4 in a schematic representation of a plan view of an embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention with four of in 2 shown antenna systems.

1 shows a schematic representation of a plan view of a vehicle 20 with an antenna system for simultaneously operating several different wireless connections of the vehicle 20 according to the prior art. In the vehicle 20 are twelve antennas 31 arranged at different positions and in each case by means of a plug-in coaxial cable (not shown) with a control unit (not shown) of the vehicle 20 connected.

2 shows a schematic diagram of a block diagram of an embodiment of the antenna system according to the invention 10 for simultaneously operating several different wireless connections of a vehicle 20 , The antenna system 10 is configured to operate multiple different wireless connections simultaneously, and includes a plurality of antennas 31 integrating antenna arrangement 30 for transmitting and receiving an electromagnetic signal 37 ,

The antenna arrangement 30 has a plate formed as a flat carrier 36 on where the multiple antennas 31 are attached. The multiple antennas 31 the antenna arrangement 30 are also flat and in an assembly plane 32 which is perpendicular to the plane of the arrangement 32 extending main radiation direction 33 and one in the layout plane 32 extending Azimutbezugsrichtung defined, arranged in a matrix next to each other.

Furthermore, the antenna system includes 10 one of the antenna arrangement 30 associated beamforming unit 40 , which with the antenna arrangement 30 connected is. The beamforming unit 40 is for determining a transmission direction 34 for an electromagnetic signal to be transmitted 37 which relate to the main radiation direction 33 around a certain polar angle 35 is inclined and / or rotated relative to the azimuth reference direction by a certain azimuth angle configured. The beamforming unit 40 is also configured, a certain first intermediate frequency in a transmission frequency of an electromagnetic signal to be transmitted 37 to transform.

The antenna system 10 further comprises one of the antenna arrangement 30 associated direction detection unit 50 , which with the antenna array 30 connected is. The direction detection unit 50 is for detecting a receiving direction of an electromagnetic signal 37 which relate to the main radiation direction 33 is tilted by a certain polar angle and / or rotated relative to the azimuth reference direction by a certain azimuth angle configured. The direction detection unit 50 is also configured to receive a reception frequency of a received electromagnetic signal 37 to transform into a certain second intermediate frequency.

3 shows a schematic representation of a transmitted electromagnetic signal of in 2 shown antenna system 10 , By superimposing individual ones of the multiple antennas 31 out of phase outgoing electromagnetic radiation becomes one in opposite to the main radiation direction 33 around a polar angle 35 inclined transmission direction 34 radiated electromagnetic signal 37 formed (superposition principle). An additional rotation of the transmission direction 34 by an azimuth angle related to the azimuth reference direction is not shown due to the two-dimensionality of the selected representation, but belongs to the expertise and expertise of the competent expert.

4 shows a schematic representation of a plan view of an embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention 20 with four antenna systems according to the invention 10 , The vehicle 20 further comprises a controller 21 with which the four antenna systems 10 each by means of a coaxial cable 22 are connected.

The four antenna systems 10 are in a sky of the vehicle 20 in two perpendicular to a front-to-back direction 23 of the vehicle extending rows 25 . 26 arranged. Two antenna systems 10 are in a front row 25 and two antenna systems 10 in a back row 26 , Here are the two antenna systems 10 a row 25 . 26 on opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis 24 of the vehicle 20 arranged symmetrically to this.

During operation of the vehicle 20 are several wireless connections with mobile devices not shown in the interior of the vehicle 20 operated simultaneously. The necessary electromagnetic signals 37 be with the antenna arrangements 30 the antenna systems 10 sent and received. For each wireless connection, a particular first intermediate frequency becomes a transmission frequency of an electromagnetic signal to be transmitted 37 and a reception frequency of a received electromagnetic signal 37 transformed into a particular second intermediate frequency to the transformed electromagnetic signals 37 over the four coaxial cables 22 to the control unit 21 to convey.

A significant advantage of the antenna system according to the invention 10 is that per antenna system 10 only a single pluggable coaxial cable 22 is required and for optimum radio coverage in an interior of the vehicle 20 few antenna systems 10 are sufficient. This will assemble and maintain the antenna systems 10 simplified and reduced the costs for optimal radio coverage. In addition, the antenna systems according to the invention lead to a reduced weight of the vehicle 20 , which is favorable to the energy needs of the vehicle 20 can affect.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

antenna system

20

vehicle

21

control unit

22

coaxial

23

Front-rear direction

24

middle longitudinal axis

25

first row

26

back row

30

antenna array

31

antenna

32

arrangement plane

33

Main radiation direction

34

send direction

35

polar angle

36

carrier

37

electromagnetic signal

40

Beamforming unit

50

Direction detection unit

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 7227508 B2 [0003]
• EP 2991242 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

An antenna system (10) for a vehicle (20) for simultaneously operating a plurality of different wireless links, comprising a plurality of antennas (31) disposed in the vehicle (20) for transmitting and receiving an electromagnetic signal (37) at least one in the vehicle (20) arranged and a plurality of antennas (31) integrating antenna arrangement (30) is provided, which is configured for each wireless connection of the plurality of wireless connections. Antenna system after Claim 1 in which the plurality of antennas (31) of the at least one antenna arrangement (30) are arranged side by side, in particular in a matrix-like manner, in an arrangement plane which defines a main radiation direction (33) extending perpendicular to the arrangement plane (32) and an azimuthal reference direction extending in the arrangement plane. are arranged. Antenna system after Claim 2 in which each antenna arrangement (30) comprises a carrier (36) which is in particular formed flat as a plate or mat and to which the plurality of antennas (31) are fastened, and / or the plurality of antennas (31) are formed flat. Antenna system according to one of Claims 2 or 3 in which a beamforming unit (40), which is assigned to the antenna arrangement (30), is connected to each antenna arrangement (30), which is used to determine a transmission direction (34) for an electromagnetic signal (37) to be transmitted, which with respect to the main radiation direction (33 ) is inclined by a certain polar angle (35) and / or is rotated relative to the azimuth reference direction by a certain azimuth angle. Antenna system according to one of Claims 2 to 4 in which associated with each antenna arrangement (30) is an antenna arrangement (30) associated with the direction detection unit (50) for detecting a receiving direction of an electromagnetic signal (37), which with respect to the main radiation direction (33) is inclined by a certain polar angle and / or is rotated relative to the azimuth reference direction by a certain azimuth angle is configured. Antenna system according to one of Claims 4 or 5 in which the beamforming unit (40) is configured to transform a specific first intermediate frequency into a transmission frequency of an electromagnetic signal (37) to be transmitted, and / or the direction detection unit (50) is configured to receive a reception frequency of a received electromagnetic signal (37 ) to transform into a certain second intermediate frequency. Method for simultaneously operating a plurality of different wireless connections of a vehicle (20), in which an electromagnetic signal (37) is transmitted and received, in particular with at least one antenna arrangement (30) arranged in the vehicle (20) and integrating a plurality of antennas (31) an antenna arrangement (30) of an antenna system (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 , Method according to Claim 7 in which a specific first intermediate frequency is transformed into a transmission frequency of an electromagnetic signal (37) to be transmitted and a reception frequency of a received electromagnetic signal (37) into a specific second intermediate frequency. Vehicle (20), which is a control unit (21) and a plurality of antenna systems (10) connected to the control unit in each case by means of a coaxial cable (22) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 comprising, for performing a method for simultaneously operating a plurality of different wireless connections of the vehicle (20) according to one of Claims 7 or 8th are formed. Vehicle after Claim 9 in which the plurality of antenna systems (10) are arranged in a sky of the vehicle (20) and / or in which the plurality of antenna systems (10) are arranged in a plurality of rows (25) perpendicular to a front-to-back direction (23) of the vehicle , 26), in particular exactly two antenna systems (10) in a front row (25) and exactly two antenna systems (10) in a rear row (26), each on opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis (24) of the vehicle (20). in particular symmetrical to this, are arranged.

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