HK1172453B - Self-discovery of an rf configuration for a wireless system - Google Patents

Description

Self-discovery of radio frequency configurations for wireless systems

Cross Reference to Related Applications

Priority of provisional application serial No. 61/249,438 filed on 7/10/2009 and U.S. patent application serial No. 12/626,105 filed on 25/11/2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, are claimed for this application.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to self-discovery of radio frequency configurations for wireless systems.

Background

The wireless microphone receiver is typically connected to a coaxial antenna distribution system. The receivers are typically connected to a distribution amplifier and may be connected to each other in a cascade fashion by a series of coaxial cables. The assigned frequency range of the receiver may be controlled by a networking protocol such as ethernet. If the distribution amplifiers and associated receivers are configured to different filter bands, the mismatch may result in poor or inoperable system performance. Furthermore, if the components are not connected properly, the dispensing system may not operate properly.

Disclosure of Invention

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosure.

A Radio Frequency (RF) distribution system (e.g., a wireless microphone receiver, a scanner, an antenna distribution system, or any system that includes some or all of the components described herein) determines its configuration and verifies consistency of the determined configuration. A first RF component in the distribution system modulates a signal on a first port. If the second RF component detects a modulated signal on the second port, the processor deems the two RF components to be connected to each other. When the configuration has been determined by the processor, the RF allocation may further verify whether the configuration is consistent (e.g., whether the connected components operate in the same frequency band, and whether all components are connected to at least one other component).

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the RF distribution system instructs a first RF component of the RF distribution system to provide the generated signal. If an indication from the second RF component is detected, the RF distribution system determines that the first RF component and the second RF component are electrically connected. This process is repeated for the remaining RF components so that the RF configuration of the RF distribution system can be determined. The first RF component may modulate the generated signal by changing a DC voltage level or with a tone (tone).

In another aspect of the disclosure, the RF system may individually instruct each RF component to provide the generated signal based on the device identifier of each RF component. The device identifier may be obtained from device addressing supported by supported protocols, including ethernet, USB, and Zigbee.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the determined RF configuration may be verified for consistency of operation. For example, verification may verify the consistency of frequency bands for connected RF components, verify that each RF component in the RF distribution system is connected to another component, and verify that each RF component is connected to a preceding RF component and a subsequent RF component when the RF components are not endpoints of an RF configuration.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, an RF distribution system scans an RF spectrum, determines a set of frequencies that provide RF compatibility with the RF distribution system based on the scanning, and configures RF components according to the set of frequencies.

Drawings

A more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:

fig. 1 illustrates an apparatus for supporting a wireless system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a receiver according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows a flowchart for performing self-discovery of RF configuration for a wireless system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates an RF configuration of an RF distribution system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows an RF configuration of a wireless system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of a distribution amplifier connected to a wireless receiver according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 illustrates a rear panel of the distribution amplifier unit and the receiver unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In the following description of various exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to determining a configuration of a Radio Frequency (RF) distribution system (e.g., a wireless microphone receiver, a scanner, an antenna distribution system, or any system that includes some or all of the components described herein) and verifying consistency of the determined configuration. A first RF component in the distribution system modulates a signal on a first port. If the second RF component detects a modulated signal on the second port, the processor deems the two RF components to be connected to each other. When the configuration has been determined by the processor, the RF allocation may further verify whether the configuration is consistent (e.g., whether the connected components operate in the same frequency band, and whether all components are connected to at least one other component).

Fig. 1 illustrates an apparatus for supporting a wireless system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Microphone receivers 105, 107, 109, and 111 are connected to antenna 102 in a coaxial antenna distribution system through distribution amplifier 103. Receivers 105, 107, 109, and 111 and distribution amplifier 103 may be controlled by processor 101 via a networking protocol (e.g., ethernet) via ethernet connections 153, 155, 157, 159, and 151, respectively. Although fig. 1 shows separate ethernet connections, ethernet connectivity is typically supported through a daisy-chain configuration, where the ethernet connections are obtained by linking devices and assigning a unique address to each device.

If the distribution amplifier 103 and associated receivers 105, 107, 109, and 111 are configured to different frequency ranges or bands (which may be referred to as "bands"), the mismatch may result in poor or inoperable system performance. Voltage sources may be present at the antenna ports of receivers 105, 107, 109 and 111 (e.g., input RF port 107 of receiver 105) and distribution amplifier 103 for use in driving the line amplifiers and active antennas. The DC voltage may be used for a given network system command modulation (i.e., on/off or multiple voltage levels) issued by the processor 101 to a particular receiver over the ethernet connection. In the case of an embodiment, the DC voltage is modulated by varying the DC component of the signal between an operating voltage level (e.g., 12 volts) and an intermediate voltage level (e.g., 10.5 volts or 13.5 volts). The modulated DC voltage may be detected by the upstream receiver (e.g., at output RF port 173 if receiver 107 modulates a signal at its input RF port) and a message may be sent by the detecting receiver over the ethernet network informing system processor 101 that an RF link (e.g., RF connection 160, 161, 162, 163, or 165) between these RF components has been determined (discovered). If the RF components are tuned to different frequency bands and connected together, the RF distribution system 100 may notify the user of the mismatch through system software that may display an indication on the display device 115.

Other embodiments may modulate the signal at input RF port 171 in a different manner. For example, a signal may be modulated with one or more tones or a serial/duplex data stream.

Some embodiments may transmit information about the signal at port 171 using a simplex/duplex digital data stream (e.g., using a UART), a low-speed simplex data stream, or a single burst identifier (e.g., unformatted data with only a single identifier bit).

In the case of the embodiment shown in fig. 1, a receiver (e.g., receiver 105) modulates a signal on its input RF port (e.g., port 171) such that when the components are connected to each other by an RF link, the previous (upstream) RF component (receiver or distribution amplifier, e.g., amplifier 103) detects the modulated signal. However, in the case of other embodiments, the RF component may modulate its output RF port (e.g., port 173) such that a subsequent (downstream) RF component (e.g., receiver 107) may detect the modulated signal at its RF port.

RF distribution system 100 may also automatically configure receivers 105, 107, 109, and 111 for distributing operating frequencies within the same frequency band. The configuration process may be performed after scanning a frequency band or bands by the scanner 117 and determining a set of frequencies that provide the best RF compatibility. The scanner 117 obtains the RF spectrum from the distribution amplifier 103 via the RF link 162 and provides information about the spectrum to the processor 101 via the ethernet connection 158. The cascade connected receivers (e.g., receivers 105 and 107) may then be configured to the same frequency band and plan to individual channels within that band. The system setup may appear to the user as a single operation of determining the system configuration, scanning for clear frequencies, computing compatible frequencies within the frequency band, and configuring the receiver to the computed frequencies (channels).

The RF distribution system 100 may determine the RF configuration at system initialization when RF components are added to the system 100 or during operation of the system 100. The system 100 may be configured in response to input from a user, cyclically (e.g., once every predetermined time interval), or automatically (e.g., when the system is initialized or when RF components are added to the RF distribution system 100).

The processor 101 may instruct the RF components to modulate signals at their input RF ports by sending messages over the ethernet network to the RF components. As a result, the RF components connected to the instructed RF components should send a message over the ethernet network to the processor 101 informing the processor 101 of the detection of the modulated signal.

Processor 101 may execute computer-executable instructions from a computer-readable medium (e.g., memory 113) to perform a discovery process (any or all of the processes described herein). In the case of some embodiments, the apparatus 110 may include a processor 101 and a memory 113. The device 110 may include one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), or other integrated circuits. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by processor 101. The executable instructions may perform any or all of the method steps described herein. With some embodiments, the apparatus 110 (e.g., a laptop computer) may be external to the receiver, scanner, and distribution amplifier, as shown in fig. 1. In the case of other embodiments, the apparatus 110 may be embedded in each device (e.g., the receivers 105 and/or 107 and/or the distribution amplifier 103) such that an external computer is not required.

The apparatus 100 or portions of the apparatus 100 may be implemented as one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), or other integrated circuits having instructions for performing operations as described in connection with one or more or any of the embodiments described herein. The instructions may be software and/or firmware instructions stored in a machine-readable medium and/or may be state machine circuitry that is hard-coded as a series of logic gates and/or in one or more integrated circuits in combination with other circuit elements.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of receiver 105 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. When instructed by the processor 201 over the ethernet connection 153 (corresponding to message 251), the receiver 105 modulates a signal on the input RF port 171. To modulate the signal, the power supply modulation hardware 201 changes the voltage level of the power supply 203. The RF choke 205 isolates the power source 203 from RF signal components processed by the RF circuitry 206. The upstream receiver (not shown) should detect the modulated signal.

Receiver 105 also includes detection circuitry for detecting the modulated signal from a downstream receiver (not shown). To detect the modulated signal through the output RF port 173, the detector 209 detects the DC voltage transition in the modulated signal and reports the event to the processor 201 through the ethernet connection 153 (corresponding to message 253). The RF choke 207 provides RF isolation for the detector 209 when the RF cascade circuit 208 provides an RF signal to the downstream receiver. The detector 209 may take various forms, including a slope detector or an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram 300 for performing self-discovery of RF configurations for wireless system 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In block 301, the process 300 determines whether all RF entities (e.g., receivers, distribution amplifiers, and scanners) have been tested. If not, the next RF entity is determined in block 303. In the case of some embodiments, the next RF entity is determined from the assigned Medium Access Control (MAC) address. The next RF entity may be selected by a different criterion, for example by randomly selecting a MAC or by selecting MAC addresses in a predetermined order. In the case of some embodiments, the random selection of MAC addresses may be approximated by a pseudo-random process.

As described above, the use group of the MAC address is the device identifier. However, other embodiments may use other forms of specific device identifiers. For example, some embodiments may support different protocols other than ethernet (e.g., USB or Zigbee).

In block 305, the processor 101 instructs the selected RF entity to modulate a signal at its input RF port. In blocks 307, 309 and 311, the upstream RF entity should detect and report the modulated signal except when the RF entity of the instruction is a distribution amplifier (e.g., distribution amplifier 103 as shown in fig. 1) connected to an antenna (e.g., antenna 102). Otherwise, if no RF entity (component) detects the modulated signal, a configuration error indication may be generated by the processor 101.

The results of process 300 may be used in conjunction with further processing in which a map of the RF distribution system 100 may be displayed on the display device 115 (as shown in fig. 1). The graph may include hardware connections between RF entities and may also indicate whether there is an error in the RF configuration (e.g., when two receivers of different frequency bands are connected or when a receiver is not connected to a distribution amplifier or another receiver). This analysis facilitates confirmation of proper system connection and may detect a damaged RF cable.

Fig. 4 shows an RF configuration 400 of a wireless system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In the case of the exemplary embodiment, bands H, J, K and L correspond to 470 to 518MHz, 518 to 578MHz, 578 to 638MHz, and 638 to 698MHz, respectively. The output of the distributed amplifier can be set to one of 4 bands or broadband operation, i.e., the output spans the entire range from 470 to 698 MHz. Referring to fig. 6, the filter bands A, B, C and D for the distribution amplifier 605 as shown correspond to the filter bands H, J, K and L as shown in fig. 4. The distribution amplifier 401 is configured to pass the entire filtering band (470 and 698 MHz). Distribution amplifiers 402, 414, 415, and 416 (H-0, J-0, K-0, and L-0, respectively) are set to the sub-band at 470-698MHz as described above. Each wireless microphone receiver (e.g., receiver 404 and 413), antenna distribution amplifier (e.g., amplifiers 401 and 402), and scanner (e.g., scanner 503 shown in fig. 5) has a 12-15VDC signal component present at the antenna input port. DC voltages are typically used to drive line amplifiers and active antennas. With some embodiments, the RF loop through the (cascaded) port may not have a DC voltage source available. The DC voltage of the antenna port may be commanded off and on (to modulate its operating voltage) via the network during system setup. If the receivers are cascaded, a DC voltage from the antenna of the receiver is introduced into the loop through the port of the previous receiver. The RF loop through the port may sense the presence and modulation of the DC and may therefore indicate the RF connection chain configuration.

For example, if DC at the input antenna port of receiver (H-2) 405 is turned off and on, then the modulated signal should be sensed by the loop through the port of receiver (H-1) 404 and reported to the network. The reported indication informs the processor 101 that the receiver shares 405 and 404 the RF connection 461 and should be set to operate within the same filtering band. In a similar manner, each receiver and distribution amplifier in the network has its ports activated (toggle) at a time. If no change in DC level is sensed by another RF entity, then the triggering entity is assumed to be at the antenna end of the chain (corresponding to distribution amplifier 401). In the case of a diversity system, a damaged or lost RF cable may be detected when a change is sensed by only one antenna port.

Messages may be reported via the computer network indicating the configuration of the RF connection and alerting about the damaged RF cable. The receivers linked together should be set to the same frequency band because the RF signal of the receiver has been filtered to this frequency band by the first receiver in the chain. If the distribution amplifier is band selective, then each receiver served by the distribution amplifier should be set to a frequency within the selected frequency band. The distribution amplifier (e.g., amplifier 401 as shown in fig. 4) may also be set to wideband operation (passing all signals within bands A, B, C and D simultaneously as shown with distribution amplifier 605 in fig. 6). Each cascaded distribution amplifier (e.g., amplifier 402) may be band-selective separately and support four receiver chains, where each chain is associated with the same frequency band.

The pass-through loop (loop-through) of the antenna distribution amplifier may also be set to wideband operation in order to support a wideband scanner (not explicitly shown in fig. 4, but as discussed with fig. 5).

With some embodiments, distribution amplifiers (e.g., amplifiers 401 and 402) may be cascaded to increase the number of receivers that may be supported by the RF distribution system 100. With some embodiments, the gain of the second split amplifier (e.g., amplifier 402) is typically set to unity.

Fig. 5 shows an RF configuration 500 of a wireless system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The arrangement utilizes a scanner 503 which scans the spectrum of the input signal from the antenna 504 through the distribution amplifier 501 and the RF connection 561. The distribution amplifier 501 provides a filtered output (e.g., corresponding to output 651 as shown in fig. 6) and an unfiltered output (e.g., corresponding to output 659). The scanner 503 analyzes the unfiltered output over connection 561 and reports the results to the processor 101 (as shown in fig. 1), as discussed above.

The distribution amplifier 501 is cascaded to a distribution amplifier 502, which provides a filtered signal (e.g., to the receiver 505 via connection 563) and an unfiltered signal (e.g., to the receiver 506 via connection 565).

Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of a distribution amplifier 605 connected to receiver units 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, and 617 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Distribution amplifier 605 receives signals through antennas 601 and 603 and provides filtered RF outputs to each receiver to support diversity reception. For example, two RF input signals are provided to the receiver unit 604 (including receivers 1 and 2) over RF connections 651 and 653. With some embodiments, receivers 1 and 2 are cascaded internally within receiver unit 607 and set to the same frequency band. In the case of other embodiments, the receivers 1 and 2 may be cascaded externally through a coaxial cable. The receiver unit 609 is cascaded to the receiver unit 607 via RF connections 655 and 657. The receiver unit 611 is further cascaded from the receiver unit 609.

As previously discussed, the distribution amplifier 605 also provides an unfiltered RF signal over connections 659 and 661 to support additional receivers or scanners.

Fig. 7 shows the back panels of the distribution amplifier unit 605 and the receiver unit 607, respectively, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Although fig. 7 shows only one distribution amplifier unit and one receiver unit, multiple distribution amplifier units and receivers may be deployed into the system 100, where the units may be stacked on one or more racks. For example, some example configurations may support more than 100 channels, and thus more than 50 dual channel receiver units.

Two antennas may be connected to BNC connectors 713 and 714 of back panel 701 to provide RF diversity. The filtered RF outputs (supporting diversity pairs and corresponding to BNC connectors 705 and 709, 706 and 710, 707 and 711, and 708 and 712) and the unfiltered RF outputs (corresponding to BNC connectors 715 and 716) may be connected to the receiver unit by coaxial cables.

The back panel 703 corresponds to two receivers (channels) where ethernet connectivity is established by a daisy chain through connectors 721 and 722. The diversity input RF signal is provided through BNC connectors 717 and 718 and cascaded through BNC connectors 719 and 720 to another receiver unit.

Although some embodiments have been described with reference to specific examples, other embodiments may include various modifications and permutations of the above described systems and techniques.

The following are exemplary embodiments.

A method (e.g., an RF distribution system) incorporating one or more of the following aspects includes:

● instruct a first RF component (e.g., a first wireless receiver) to modulate a signal on a first port of the first RF component

Modulating signals by varying DC voltage on the RF input port (e.g., turning on/off between operating voltage level and intermediate voltage level)

Modulating signals with frequency modulation

O serial data (simplex or duplex)

● receive, from a second RF component (e.g., a second wireless receiver), an indication that a modulated signal is detected on a second port of the second RF component

Detecting a modulated signal on a cascaded RF output port of a second RF component

● repeat the instructions for the remaining RF component systems so that the RF configuration is determined

Determining the next RF component based on the MAC address

● System configuration for operational consistency verification determination

Verifying band conformance for connected RF components

O verification component connected to another component

An apparatus (e.g., an RF distribution system) incorporating one or more of the following aspects includes:

● the processor (and optionally the memory and communication interface) is configured such that the apparatus

Instruct a first RF component (e.g., a first wireless receiver) to modulate a signal on a first port of the first RF component

■ modulate a signal by varying a DC voltage on an RF input port (e.g., turning on/off between an operating voltage level and an intermediate voltage level)

■ use tone modulated signals

■ Serial data (simplex or duplex)

Receiving, from a second RF component (e.g., a second wireless receiver), an indication that a modulated signal is detected on a second port of the second RF component

■ detect the modulated signal on the cascaded RF output port of the second RF component

Repeat the instruction for the remaining RF component systems so that the RF configuration is determined

■ determining the next RF component based on the MAC address

System configuration determined for operational consistency verification

● verifying band conformance for connected RF components

● verifying that a component is connected to another component

A computer-readable medium containing computer-readable instructions that cause an apparatus (e.g., an RF distribution system) to perform in conjunction with one or more of the following:

● instruct a first RF component (e.g., a first wireless receiver) to modulate a signal on a first port of the first RF component

Modulating signals by varying DC voltage on the RF input port (e.g., turning on/off between operating voltage level and intermediate voltage level)

Modulating signals with frequency modulation

O serial data (simplex or duplex)

● receive, from a second RF component (e.g., a second wireless receiver), an indication that a modulated signal is detected on a second port of the second RF component

Detecting a modulated signal on a cascaded RF output port of a second RF component

● repeat the instructions for the remaining RF component systems so that the RF configuration is determined

Determining the next RF component based on the MAC address

● System configuration for operational consistency verification determination

Verifying band conformance for connected RF components

O verification component connected to another component

Claims (16)

1. A method of performing self-discovery of RF configurations for a wireless system, comprising:

a) selecting a test RF component of the RF distribution system;

b) instructing a test RF component of a radio frequency RF distribution system to modulate a signal;

c) receiving an indication from another RF component indicating that the test RF component and the another RF component are electrically connected when the modulated signal is detected by the another RF component;

d) determining whether all RF components have been tested; if not, entering step e); if yes, entering step f);

e) selecting a next test RF component and repeating steps b) to d) for the next test RF component; and

f) determining an RF configuration of the RF distribution system based on the instructing, receiving, and repeating steps.

2. The method of claim 1, b) further comprising:

the signal is modulated by changing the DC voltage level of the signal.

3. The method of claim 1, b) further comprising:

modulating the signal with a modulation signal, the modulation signal characterized by a tone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein e) further comprises:

determining a next test RF component based on the device identifier of the next test RF component.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the device identifier comprises a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

6. The method of claim 1, f) further comprising:

the determined RF configuration is verified for operational consistency.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the verifying comprises:

the consistency of the frequency bands is verified for the connected RF components.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the verifying comprises:

verifying that each RF component in the RF distribution system is connected to another component.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the verifying comprises:

verifying that each of the RF components is connected to a preceding RF component and a subsequent RF component when each of the RF components is not an endpoint of the RF configuration.

10. The method of claim 1, f) further comprising:

obtaining spectral information about the RF spectrum;

determining a set of frequencies that provide RF compatibility with the RF distribution system based on the spectral information; and

the test RF component and the another RF component are configured according to the set of frequencies.

11. An apparatus for performing self-discovery of RF configurations for a wireless system, comprising:

means for selecting a test RF component of the RF distribution system;

means for instructing a test RF component of the RF distribution system to modulate a signal;

means for receiving an indication from another RF component when the modulated signal is detected by the other RF component, the indication indicating that the test RF component and the other RF component are electrically connected;

means for determining whether all RF components have been tested;

means for selecting a next test RF component and repeating the instructing, receiving, and determining steps for the next test RF component when the means for determining whether all RF components have been tested determines that some RF components have not been tested; and

means for determining an RF configuration of the RF distribution system based on the instructing, receiving, and repeating steps when the means for determining whether all RF components have been tested determines that all RF components have been tested.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

means for obtaining spectral information about the RF spectrum;

means for determining a set of frequencies that provide RF compatibility with the RF distribution system based on the spectral information; and

means for configuring the test RF component and another RF component according to the set of frequencies.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

means for modulating the signal by varying a DC voltage level of the signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: means for modulating the signal with a modulation signal, the modulation signal characterized by a tone.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

means for determining a next RF component based on a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

means for verifying the determined RF configuration for operational consistency.