JP4009865B2 - Receiving device and smart antenna receiving direction search method. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus capable of determining a receiving direction of a smart antenna and a method of searching for a receiving direction of a smart antenna used for the receiving apparatus.

Conventionally, in a receiving device such as a tuner device or a television receiver that receives terrestrial television broadcasts, the direction of an antenna is adjusted for each reception channel when setting the radio wave reception direction.
At this time, the direction of the antenna is changed little by little while receiving the radio wave of the reception channel, and the horizontal synchronization signal (H-SYNC) is received, and the AGC voltage corresponding to the radio wave intensity is measured and the radio wave intensity is high. Find the direction, and then fine-tune the reception direction of the radio wave while looking at the display screen.

When adjusting the antenna as described above, a special adjustment device is required, and
Because it is a work to climb up high places such as the roof of the house, it is dangerous. In addition, adjustment is required for each reception channel, which must be performed for all reception channels, which takes time and effort.

Accordingly, attention has been paid to the reception of terrestrial waves using smart antennas. The smart antenna is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of array antennas are radially arranged at equal central angular intervals, and by selecting each array antenna electrically, the reception direction of radio waves is set to 360. ° It can be changed.

By using this smart antenna, work at high places is only installation, then
The radio wave reception direction can be determined by electrical switching. As a result, the trouble of antenna adjustment
Time can also be greatly reduced. Further, even when television stations are dispersed with respect to the antenna, it is not necessary to set up an array antenna in each direction, and the cost of the antenna can be reduced accordingly.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-7442 JP-A-11-298226

When determining the reception direction of the radio wave of the smart antenna, the horizontal synchronization signal is acquired by sequentially switching the array antenna for each reception channel, and the horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired by measuring the AGC voltage. Was determined in the direction of strong signal strength.

However, it takes a long time for the AGC voltage value to stabilize, and if the receiving direction is determined by measuring the AGC voltage for each array antenna for each receiving channel, the setting of the receiving direction of the radio wave is set. Enormous amount of time is required. Further, the AGC voltage corresponds to the intensity of the signal, and does not necessarily match the cleanliness of the received video.

Therefore, the present invention receives a broadcast wave of terrestrial analog television broadcasting with a smart antenna, and can quickly search for a reception direction of a radio wave capable of receiving a clear video and a reception direction of the smart antenna. The purpose is to provide a search method.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 receives and demodulates terrestrial analog TV broadcast radio waves from a tuner section via a smart antenna capable of switching the radio wave reception direction with respect to all 360 ° directions. In the receiving device that receives and demodulates by the tuner unit, decodes by the decoder unit, and outputs video and audio signals to the display device, the receiving unit includes a storage unit for storing various information and a control unit. ,
The smart antenna has 16 array antennas arranged radially at equal central angular intervals, the receiving apparatus includes a control unit, and the control unit switches a reception channel,
A direction in which a horizontal synchronization signal is sequentially acquired by the array antenna arranged in the 16 directions for each reception channel, and a central angle of a region where the horizontal synchronization signal can be continuously acquired by the array antenna is bisected. When there are two or more areas in which the horizontal synchronization signal can be continuously acquired, the direction that divides the largest central angle into two equal parts is determined by the reception channel. The receiving apparatus is characterized in that the receiving direction is a radio wave receiving direction.

According to this configuration, in order to determine the reception direction of the radio wave of the smart antenna, it is checked whether or not the horizontal sync signal can be acquired by each of the 16 array antennas, and the horizontal sync signal can be acquired continuously. The direction that bisects the central angle of is the radio wave reception direction,
The reception direction of the radio wave of each reception channel can be quickly determined.

The horizontal sync signal is included in the broadcast radio wave, and there is no problem even if it thinks that there is a radio wave transmitter in the direction in which the horizontal sync signal can be acquired in a wide range. A certain amount of clear video can be received.

In addition, when there are multiple areas where the horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired continuously, the direction in which the central angle of the area where the horizontal synchronization signal is acquired is bisected is the radio wave reception direction. Even if it can be obtained with various array antennas, the radio wave reception direction can be determined quickly.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 2 receives broadcast radio waves of terrestrial analog TV broadcasts from the tuner section via a smart antenna that can switch the radio wave reception direction with respect to all 360 ° directions. Demodulating, receiving by the tuner unit, demodulating, decoding by the decoder unit and outputting video and audio signals to a display device, wherein the receiving unit includes a control unit, the control unit The reception channel is switched, the horizontal synchronization signal is sequentially acquired by each array antenna for each reception channel, and the direction in which the central angle of the region where the horizontal synchronization signal can be continuously acquired by the array antenna is bisected is The direction of reception of radio waves on the receiving channel is the largest when there are two or more areas where the horizontal sync signal can be acquired continuously. The direction that bisects the center angle to provide a receiving apparatus, characterized in that the receiving direction of the radio wave at said reception channel.

According to this configuration, in order to determine the reception direction of the radio wave of the smart antenna, it is checked whether a horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired by each of the plurality of array antennas, and the area where the horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired continuously The direction in which the central angle is divided into two equal parts is the radio wave reception direction, and the radio wave reception direction of each reception channel can be quickly determined.

The horizontal synchronization signal is included in the broadcast radio wave, and there is no problem even if it is considered that there is a radio wave transmitter in a direction in which the horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired in a wide range, and the center is set as the radio wave reception direction. Therefore, it is possible to receive a certain level of beautiful video.

In addition, when there are multiple areas where the horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired continuously, the direction in which the central angle of the area where the horizontal synchronization signal is acquired is bisected is the radio wave reception direction. Even if it can be obtained with various array antennas, the radio wave reception direction can be determined quickly.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 3 receives broadcast waves of terrestrial analog TV broadcasts from the tuner section via a smart antenna that can switch the reception direction of radio waves with respect to all directions of 360 °. Demodulating, receiving by the tuner unit, demodulating, decoding by the decoder unit, and outputting video and audio signals to the display device in a search method of the receiving direction of the smart antenna in the receiving device, switching the receiving channel, A horizontal sync signal in 16 directions is acquired at equal central angle intervals for each reception channel, and a direction that bisects the central angle of a region where the horizontal sync signal can be continuously acquired by the array antenna is determined by the reception channel. When there are two or more areas where the horizontal synchronization signal can be continuously acquired, the largest direction is obtained. To provide a receiving direction of the search method of the smart antenna, characterized in that the direction that bisects the center angle and signal reception direction at the receiving channel.

According to this configuration, in order to determine the reception direction of the radio wave of the smart antenna, it is checked whether or not the horizontal sync signal can be acquired by each of the 16 array antennas, and the horizontal sync signal can be acquired continuously. The direction that bisects the central angle of is the radio wave reception direction,
The reception direction of the radio wave of each reception channel can be quickly determined.

The horizontal sync signal is included in the broadcast radio wave, and there is no problem even if it thinks that there is a radio wave transmitter in the direction in which the horizontal sync signal can be acquired in a wide range. A certain amount of clear video can be received.

In addition, when there are multiple areas where the horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired continuously, the direction in which the central angle of the area where the horizontal synchronization signal is acquired is bisected is the radio wave reception direction. Even if it can be obtained with various array antennas, the radio wave reception direction can be determined quickly.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 4 receives broadcast radio waves of terrestrial analog television broadcasting from the tuner section via a smart antenna capable of switching the radio wave reception direction with respect to all 360 ° directions. In the method of searching for the reception direction of the smart antenna in the receiving device, which is demodulated, received by the tuner unit, demodulated, decoded by the decoder unit and output to the display device as video and audio signals,
Switch receiving channels, acquire horizontal sync signals in a plurality of directions at equal center angle intervals for each receive channel, and divide the center angle of the area where the horizontal sync signals can be continuously acquired by the array antenna into two equal parts The direction in which the horizontal synchronization signal can be continuously acquired is two or more areas, and the direction that bisects the largest central angle is the direction in which the horizontal synchronization signal is continuously acquired. Provided is a smart antenna reception direction search method characterized in that the reception direction of radio waves in a reception channel is used.

According to this configuration, in order to determine the reception direction of the radio wave of the smart antenna, it is examined whether or not the horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired by each of the plurality of array antennas. The direction in which the central angle is divided into two is the radio wave reception direction, and the radio wave reception direction of each reception channel can be quickly determined.

The horizontal sync signal is included in the broadcast radio wave, and there is no problem even if it thinks that there is a radio wave transmitter in the direction in which the horizontal sync signal can be acquired in a wide range. A certain amount of clear video can be received.

In addition, when there are multiple areas where the horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired continuously, the direction in which the central angle of the area where the horizontal synchronization signal is acquired is bisected is the radio wave reception direction. Even if it can be obtained with various array antennas, the radio wave reception direction can be determined quickly.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a receiving device and a smart antenna receiving direction searching method capable of quickly searching for a receiving direction of a radio wave capable of receiving a clear image of analog broadcasting on the ground.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic layout of a receiving apparatus that receives radio waves with a smart antenna according to the present invention. A receiving device R shown in FIG. 1 receives a radio wave of terrestrial television broadcasting via a smart antenna SA and demodulates the tuner unit 1.
A decoder unit 2 for decoding the signal demodulated by the tuner unit 1, a storage unit 3 for storing various types of information, and a control unit 4 for controlling the entire receiving apparatus R.

The smart antenna SA includes 16 array antennas s1 to s16 arranged radially at equal central angular intervals, and a controller S that switches between the 16 array antennas s1 to s16.
c. The controller Sc is connected to the control unit 4 of the receiving device R, and the control unit 4
16 antennas s1 to s1 as receiving antennas for receiving radio waves in response to a command from
6 is selectively switched to connect to the tuner unit 1.

The tuner unit 1 can receive and demodulate a terrestrial analog television broadcast, and the decoder unit 2 decodes the analog broadcast signal sent from the tuner unit 1. The broadcast signal decoded by the decoder unit 2 is sent to an external video device 5 (here, the TV 5), and video and audio are displayed. The control unit 4 is connected to the controller Sc of the smart antenna SA described above, and is also connected to the tuner unit 1, the decoder unit 2, and the storage unit 3. In the figure, a solid line is moving radio waves, signals, and data, and a dotted line is a control signal.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement direction of each array antenna of the smart antenna. Array antenna s1
The number of s16 is not limited to this, but here 16 pieces are arranged radially at equal central angular intervals. At this time, number 1 is assigned to the north-facing array antenna s1, and numbers are assigned sequentially in the clockwise direction. That is, array antenna s1 is north with number 1, array antenna s2 is north-northeast with number 2, array antenna s3 is northeast with number 3,..., Array antenna s16 is number 16 in order of north-northwest. And directions are associated.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the acquisition status of the horizontal synchronization signal of the smart antenna when determining the reception direction of the smart antenna radio wave, and FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the procedure for determining the radio antenna reception direction of the smart antenna. . Small circles shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B indicate directions from the center of each array antenna.

A terrestrial analog television broadcast includes a horizontal synchronizing signal. Since the horizontal scanning timing is determined on the basis of the horizontal synchronization signal, an image can be output when the horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired.

In the reception state shown in FIG. 3 (A), the horizontal synchronization signal is acquired when the array antenna from the array antenna s9 of number 9 to the array antenna s16 of number 16 is switched,
The direction in which the central angle of the region where the horizontal synchronization signal can be obtained continuously is divided into two equals is the radio wave reception direction. Here, the array antenna s9 of number 9 faces south, and the array antenna s16 of number 16 faces north-northwest, so the direction indicated by the arrow ar1 in the middle is the radio wave reception direction.

The procedure for determining the radio wave reception direction is as follows. First, a receiving channel is selected by the tuner unit 1 (step S1). 1 is input to the parameter n for designating the array antenna (step S2). The controller Sc is driven by the control unit 4, and the array antenna connected to the tuner unit 1 is set to an array antenna of number n to obtain a horizontal synchronization signal (step S).
3). It is stored in the storage unit 3 connected to the control unit 4 whether or not the horizontal synchronization signal has been acquired with the array antenna of number n (step S4).

It is determined whether n is smaller than 16 (step S5). When n is smaller than 16 (YES in step S5), 1 is added to the current value of n (step S6), and the process returns to step S3. When n is equal to or greater than 16 (NO in step S5), the radio wave is transmitted in the bisection direction (see FIG. 3A) of the central angle of the area where the horizontal synchronization signal can be continuously acquired. The receiving direction is determined and stored in the storage unit 3 (step S7).

It is determined whether or not there is a channel that has not been searched for the radio wave reception direction among the receivable channels (step S8). When there is a channel that does not determine the radio wave reception direction among the receivable channels (YES in step S8), the reception channel is switched (step S9), and the process returns to step S2. When there is no channel for which the radio wave reception direction has not been determined (NO in step S8), the determination of the radio wave reception direction ends.

Normally, since radio waves are incident from one direction, the horizontal synchronization signal can be continuously acquired in one area of the entire circumference as shown in FIG. However, radio waves may be incident from a direction different from the correct incident direction due to reflection and refraction. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3B, there are a plurality (two in this case) of regions where the horizontal synchronization signal can be continuously acquired. In this case, the horizontal sync signal can be acquired in a wider range if it is suitable for the place where the radio wave is transmitted, such as a broadcasting station or a radio tower, and the area where the center angle of the area that can be acquired continuously is large is correct. Judged to be in the incident direction.

In the acquisition state shown in FIG. 3 (B), an area where the horizontal synchronization signal is continuously acquired by the array antenna arranged between the array antenna s6 of number 6 and the array antenna s9 of number 9 is formed. Yes. In addition, an area where the horizontal synchronizing signal is continuously acquired by the array antenna arranged between the array antenna s11 of number 11 and the array antenna s2 of number 2 is formed.

As can be seen from FIG. 3B, the region between the array antenna s11 of number 11 and the array antenna s2 of number 2 is between the array antenna s6 of number 6 and the array antenna s9 of number 9. Since the center angle is larger than the area of No. 11, the array antenna s
A direction (arrow a) that bisects the central angle of the area between 11 and the array antenna s2 of number 2
The direction indicated by r2 is the radio wave reception direction.

In consideration of this, FIG. 5 shows a more detailed procedure for determining the radio wave reception direction in step S7 of the flowchart shown in FIG. First, each array antenna s1 stored in the storage unit 3
The acquisition status of the horizontal synchronizing signal at .about.s16 is taken out (step S71). Based on the acquired state of the horizontal sync signal at each array antenna, an area where the horizontal sync signal can be acquired continuously is detected (step S72).

It is determined whether or not there are a plurality of areas where the horizontal synchronization signal can be obtained continuously (step S73).
. When there are a plurality of regions in which the horizontal synchronization signal can be continuously acquired (YES in step S73), the region having the maximum center angle is selected as a region having the radio wave reception direction among the plurality of regions (step S74).

When the number of areas where the horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired continuously is one (in the case of NO at step S73) or after determining the area having the radio wave reception direction at step S74, The direction that bisects the central angle is determined as the radio wave reception direction, and is stored in the storage unit 3 (step S75).

In this way, when the reception direction of the radio wave of the smart antenna SA is determined from the area where the horizontal synchronization signal can be continuously acquired, the horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired in a short time, so that the reception direction of the radio wave for each channel can be quickly determined. Can be determined.

In the above-described embodiment, the number of the array antennas of the smart antenna SA is 16 as an example. However, the number of array antennas is not limited to that. You may have an array antenna. If the number of array antennas is large, it takes time to determine the reception direction of radio waves, but the reception direction of radio waves can be determined with higher accuracy. If the number of array antennas is small, the accuracy of the radio wave reception direction is reduced, but the time from the start of search of the radio wave reception direction to the determination can be shortened.

1 is a schematic layout diagram of a receiving device that receives radio waves with a smart antenna according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning direction of each array antenna of a smart antenna. FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the horizontal antenna acquisition state of the smart antenna when the reception direction of the radio wave of the smart antenna is determined. It is a flowchart of the determination procedure of the reception direction of the radio wave of a smart antenna using the smart antenna reception direction search method according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the detailed part of the procedure shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

R receiving device 1 tuner unit 2 decoder unit 3 storage unit 4 control unit 5 video device (TV)
SA Smart antenna Sc Controller s1 to s16 Array antenna

Claims (4)

Receives and demodulates terrestrial analog TV broadcast radio waves from the tuner unit via a smart antenna that can switch the reception direction of radio waves with respect to all 360 ° directions, and receives and demodulates the tuner unit for reception and demodulation. In the receiving device that decodes and outputs the video and audio signals to the display device, the storage device stores a variety of information, and includes a control unit,
The smart antenna has 16 array antennas arranged radially at equal central angular intervals,
The receiving device includes a control unit, and the control unit switches a receiving channel, sequentially acquires a horizontal synchronization signal with the array antenna arranged in the 16 directions for each receiving channel, and the horizontal antenna with the array antenna. The direction that bisects the central angle of the area where the synchronization signal can be acquired continuously is the reception direction of the radio wave in the reception channel, and there are two or more areas where the horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired continuously When present, the receiving apparatus is characterized in that a direction that bisects the largest central angle is a receiving direction of the radio wave in the receiving channel. Receives and demodulates terrestrial analog TV broadcast radio waves from the tuner unit via a smart antenna that can switch the reception direction of radio waves with respect to all 360 ° directions, and receives and demodulates the tuner unit for reception and demodulation. In the receiving device that decodes and outputs video and audio signals to the display device,
The smart antenna has a plurality of array antennas arranged radially,
The receiving device includes a control device, and the control unit switches a receiving channel, sequentially acquires a horizontal synchronizing signal with each array antenna for each receiving channel, and continuously receives the horizontal synchronizing signal with the array antenna. The direction that bisects the central angle of the acquired area is the radio wave reception direction in the reception channel, and when there are two or more areas where the horizontal synchronization signal can be acquired continuously, A receiving apparatus characterized in that a direction in which a large central angle is equally divided is a receiving direction of radio waves in the receiving channel. Receives and demodulates terrestrial analog TV broadcast radio waves from the tuner unit via a smart antenna that can switch the reception direction of radio waves with respect to all 360 ° directions, and receives and demodulates the tuner unit for reception and demodulation. In the method of searching for the receiving direction of the smart antenna in the receiving device that decodes and outputs video and audio signals to the display device,
Switch receiving channels, acquire horizontal sync signals in 16 directions at equal central angle intervals for each receive channel, and bisect the central angle of the area where the horizontal sync signals can be acquired continuously by the array antenna The direction is the reception direction of radio waves on the reception channel,
When there are two or more areas where the horizontal synchronization signal can be continuously acquired, the direction of dividing the largest central angle into two equal parts is the reception direction of the radio wave in the reception channel. Search method for receiving direction. Receives and demodulates terrestrial analog TV broadcast radio waves from the tuner unit via a smart antenna that can switch the reception direction of radio waves with respect to all 360 ° directions, and receives and demodulates the tuner unit for reception and demodulation. In the method of searching for the receiving direction of the smart antenna in the receiving device that decodes and outputs video and audio signals to the display device,
Switch receiving channels, acquire horizontal sync signals in a plurality of directions at equal center angle intervals for each receive channel, and divide the center angle of the area where the horizontal sync signals can be continuously acquired by the array antenna into two equal parts The direction in which the horizontal synchronization signal can be continuously acquired is two or more areas, and the direction that bisects the largest central angle is the direction in which the horizontal synchronization signal is continuously acquired. A method of searching for a reception direction of a smart antenna, characterized in that the reception direction of radio waves in a reception channel is used.

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