Telecommunications – Receiver or analog modulated signal frequency converter – With wave collector
Utility Patent
1997-02-20
2001-01-02
Eisenzopf, Reinhard J. (Department: 2745)
Telecommunications
Receiver or analog modulated signal frequency converter
With wave collector
C455S135000, C455S272000
Utility Patent
active
06169888
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to antenna systems for motor vehicles. More particularly, it relates to a receiving antenna scanning diversity installation that detects and eliminates receiving interferences.
2. The Prior Art
In the scanning diversity antenna installation described in “Funkschau” (Radio Review) 8/1989 “Radio Reception From the Rear Windowpane”, the received signals of four ultra-short wave antennas formed by conductors printed on the rear windowpane of a vehicle are selected by a diversity processor. The diversity processor is mounted within the immediate proximity of the antenna installation, and has an output that is coupled to the antenna connection point. An antenna line connects the receiver to the antenna connection point. For detecting interference in high-frequency signals, the intermediate frequency signal present in the receiver is supplied to the diversity processor for distortion detection. The detector detects interferences with the received signal, and generates a signal that shifts the antenna selector switch to another switching position. The processor cyclically switches the antenna signals through to the receiver until a signal with sufficiently low interference has been found. The selection of the antenna signals is connected with change-over processes that lead to more or less audible interferences depending on the receiver.
One drawback with an arrangement of this type is that the interference detector is disposed at the site of the antenna installation.
The diversity processor operating according to the state of the art does not readily permit coordinated measures for mute-switching in the receiver. Another problem is the technical expenditure required for the introduction of an additional connection line between the diversity processor and the receiver. The additional line is needed when the change-over process pulses are supplied to the receiver during the change-over process for briefly switching the receiver mute. DE 44030612 describes a system by which change-over interferences can be avoided, however, such measures are very costly to implement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a receiving antenna scanning diversity system that offers a greater number of antenna signals to the receiver for enhancing reception, while at the same time keeping the change-over interferences as low as possible.
According to the invention, the interference detector is incorporated into the receiver. This makes it possible to apply measures for suppressing audible noises associated with the change-over process, such as, for example, by switching the low-frequency amplifier mute during the change-over process. Overall, this permits superior tuning between the antenna installation and the receiver. Antenna diversity installations of the described type are expected to function together with different receivers. Generally, as a trade rule, the vehicle manufacturer specifies the antenna installation without making provision for any defined type of receiver that is optimized for such installation.
By incorporating the interference detector into the receiver, the present invention offers the receiver manufacturers the possibility to directly use an internally generated signal for indicating interference when a receiving interference occurs, without time delay. For example, to make the change-over process inaudible by switching to mute, or by soft mute-switching. It has been found, in practical application, that efficient suppression of change-over noise can be achieved only if the interference detection and the mute-switching measures are carefully harmonized with each other. The signal transmitted from the receiver to the antenna installation is, therefore, extremely simple and limited to logic signals. The logic signals can be interpreted simply on the side of the antenna installation, and will initiate a change-over process that will not generate any noticeable interferences.
Therefore, according to the present invention, when an interference is detected in the received signal, the receiver transmits to the antenna installation an indicating signal, or a signal derived therefrom. Such signal can be formed in several different ways, and in the site of the antenna installation, it can be converted into a switching signal that only effects the switching condition in the antenna installation having a controllable switching circuit. The change-over times are very short due to the availability of rapidly working electronic switches, and as such, further adaptation of the antenna installation with controllable switching circuit to any receiver specifically intended for such an installation, is not required.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a receiving antenna scanning diversity system that offers a greater number of antenna signals to the receiver.
It is another object of the invention to provide a receiving antenna scanning diversity system that provides enhanced reception while keeping change-over interferences as low as possible.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a receiving antenna scanning diversity system that requires only one connection line between the antenna installation and the receiver.
Another object of the invention is to provide a receiving antenna scanning diversity system for vehicles that operates efficiently and reliably.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4876743 (1989-10-01), Lindenmeier et al.
patent: 5339452 (1994-08-01), Sugawara
patent: 5548836 (1996-08-01), Taromaru
patent: 5561673 (1996-10-01), Takai et al.
Hopf Jochen
Lindenmeier Heinz
Reiter Leopold
Bhattacharya Sam
Collard & Roe P.C.
Eisenzopf Reinhard J.
FUBA Automotive GmbH
LandOfFree
Receiving antenna scanning diversity system with... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Receiving antenna scanning diversity system with..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Receiving antenna scanning diversity system with... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2483402