JP3517879B2 - Mobile satellite communication terminal - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile satellite communication terminal, and more particularly to a mobile satellite communication terminal suitable for a satellite communication antenna to prepare a near environment that does not affect the antenna radiation pattern.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal (portable terminal) having a mobile satellite terminal function utilizing an in-orbit satellite and a terrestrial mobile terminal function, especially in the satellite communication mode, the mobile terminal is The output power transmitted from the antenna tends to increase as compared to the terrestrial communication mode because the distance between the mobile terminal and the satellite is large. Becomes

Further, particularly in the case of a mobile satellite communication system using a low earth orbit, it is considered that the elevation angle and the azimuth angle from the terminal to the satellite may reach a very wide range depending on the number of satellites. Similarly, for the radiation pattern, it is necessary to secure the characteristics at a wide elevation angle and azimuth angle for stable communication. Therefore, the radiation pattern of the satellite communication antenna is originally designed to have a wide range of coverage, and the radiation pattern from the satellite communication antenna from the mobile terminal to the satellite is generally close to the antenna. Are easily affected by conductors and non-conductors of the antenna. For transmission, stable satellite reception is impossible due to changes in the radiation pattern. For reception, antenna gain fluctuations due to changes in the radiation pattern cause the received electric field strength to change. There is a problem that it is difficult to obtain stable reception due to deterioration and fluctuation.

In general, many studies have been conducted and various evaluation methods are being formulated. Normally, the human body is a conductor or a non-conductor depending on the conditions and changes drastically, but as a mobile terminal, since it is often held in a hand for portable use, a terrestrial communication antenna and satellite communication are used. For the radiation pattern of the antenna, it is desirable to separate the antenna from the human body as much as possible.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a usage example of a conventional dual mode type mobile terminal. Conventional mobile terminal 11
The (integrated terminal or splittable terminal) is equipped with a terrestrial communication antenna 12 and a satellite communication antenna 13 used for radiating a transmitted wave to the satellite 10 on the upper part of the housing. Since the conventional mobile terminal 11 has a structure in which a microphone, a speaker, and an antenna are arranged in a small housing, the user and the satellite communication antenna 13 are in a close state during communication.

As conventional examples of the above-mentioned dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 10-233609, 10-243453 and 10-2 are known.
56939, JP-A-10-294608,
GB2314483A, JP-A-5-153026 (EP0521609A2) and the like have been proposed.

The technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-233609 is intended to prevent the user from reducing radiation, and in this technique, the device is connected to a portable device by cable connection. There is disclosed a mobile communication portable device mechanism including a removable antenna module, wherein the antenna module is held by itself independently of the portable device.

The technique disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-243453 is intended to reduce the weight. In this publication, a machine is installed between the main body terminal and the terrestrial mobile terminal. The engaging concave portion and the engaging convex portion that are connected to each other are provided in the respective terminal portions, and at the time of connection, the key operation portion on the side of the terrestrial mobile terminal portion, the display portion, the voice converting portion including the microphone and the speaker, and the main body terminal portion. Disclosed is a dual-mode mobile radio terminal, characterized in that a connector section electrically connected to the mobile satellite communication terminal function section on the side is provided in each terminal section.

Further, the technique described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-256939 aims at weight reduction,
In this publication, at least a key operation unit, a display unit, a mobile satellite communication terminal function excluding a voice conversion unit including a microphone and a speaker, and a signal for transmission and reception with a separately placed terrestrial mobile terminal, A dual-mode mobile radio terminal is disclosed, which preferably comprises a signal transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving a converted wave of PCM data.

Further, as a conventional example for preventing the deterioration of the gain and axial ratio of the antenna when it is used in the vicinity of the human body,
For example, JP-A-10-224134 has been proposed. The technology described in this publication is intended to provide an antenna structure with reduced influence from the human body. In this publication, the technology is stored in the back of the mobile phone housing at all times, and the back surface of the mobile phone housing is used during use. Disclosed is a handheld mobile phone for satellite communication, which is provided with an antenna deploying member having a small antenna attached near the tip, which is deployed so as to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

As another conventional example of the portable terminal, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-183320 has been proposed. The technology described in the publication is intended to make the antenna foldable during stand-by reception or when not in use. In this publication, the directional antenna section is located at the first position on the body of the portable wireless device. The antenna unit is movably attached to a second position, the antenna unit is fixed so as to mainly radiate radio waves in the first direction at the first position, and the second position is opposite to the first position. Discloses a portable wireless device which is fixed so as to mainly radiate radio waves in the second direction.

As another conventional example relating to the above-mentioned portable terminal, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-115380 has been proposed. The technique described in the publication is intended to allow the antenna to be folded when not in use. In this publication, the extension part attached to the upper part of the housing through a hinge is used when the antenna is used. Disclosed is a portable terminal or telephone characterized in that the plane radiating antenna is rotated so as to be deployed above the upper portion and is rotated so as to face upward and away from the user.

As another conventional example of the portable terminal, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-288860 has been proposed. The technique described in the publication is intended to improve operability, and in this publication, a first housing including a receiver and a display, and a second housing including a dial and a transmitter. There is disclosed a mobile wireless telephone characterized in that and are connected to each other by a first hinge shaft portion and rotate with respect to each other about the first hinge shaft portion.

[0014]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following problems.

In the conventional portable terminal having the structure shown in FIG. 9 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-243453 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-256939, a user holds a telephone call during communication. Therefore, especially when the satellite mode is used, the satellite communication antenna forms a radiation pattern over a wide range from a low elevation angle.
There is a problem that the influence of (human body) is significant and the characteristics of the satellite communication antenna are affected. That is, in the case of a dual mode mobile terminal having a mobile satellite terminal function and a terrestrial mobile terminal function, the satellite communication is performed while holding the satellite communication antenna in a hand so that the radio wave may reach a distant satellite. If the human body, which is at the ground potential of the antenna for transmission, is a conductor, the human body may be in a semi-insulated state, so that the radiation from the satellite antenna is disturbed and the radiated electric field easily changes. Need to be as far away from

Further, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-233609 has a problem that it is not considered to be used while being carried because it is characterized by simply separating the high output section completely, and other publications. Has a problem that the terminal configuration is not characterized by the influence of the radiation pattern from the human body.

An object of the present invention is to increase the distance between the satellite communication antenna and the casing of the mobile terminal, and to prevent the reduction of the effective transmission radiation power due to the shadowing by the human body, depending on the distance. However, a stable radiation pattern of the satellite communication antenna is formed, stable radio waves are sent toward the orbiting satellite or geostationary satellite, and reception sensitivity is prevented from deteriorating, while improving reliability, lowering prices, and terminal The present invention provides a dual-mode mobile terminal and a mobile satellite communication terminal with a reduced size.

[0018]

A communication terminal according to the present invention comprises a first housing which comes into contact with a user's head when in use, a second housing, and a second housing which is attached to the second housing. No. 1 antenna and the first casing and the second casing are rotatably coupled to each other so that the first antenna can be separated from the head during use, and the first casing is attached to the first casing. A first end having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft being contained in the second housing.
And a hinge of the second casing.
The body is characterized by being provided with an RF / IF signal processing circuit .

Further, the communication terminal according to the present invention is
A first housing that contacts the user's head, a second housing,
A first antenna attached to the second housing;
The first antenna can be separated from the head during use.
To freely rotate the first and second housings
And a shaft end is attached to the first housing,
A first hinge in which the shaft is included in the second housing;
In a communication terminal including:
It is characterized in that it is provided with a common second antenna.

Further, the communication terminal according to the present invention has the above-mentioned communication.
In the communication terminal, the second antenna is an antenna for ground communication.
Characterized by being Tena.

Furthermore, the communication terminal according to the present invention is
A first housing that contacts the user's head, a second housing,
A first antenna attached to the second housing;
The first antenna can be separated from the head during use.
To freely rotate the first and second housings
And a shaft end is attached to the first housing,
A first hinge in which the shaft is included in the second housing;
In the communication terminal including:
And a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion and
The second part is connected by a second hinge.
Characterize.

Further, the communication terminal according to the present invention has the above-mentioned communication.
In the communication terminal, the second hinge having a common axis with the second hinge.
It is characterized by having two antennas.

Further, the communication terminal according to the present invention has the above-mentioned communication.
In the communication terminal, the second antenna is an antenna for ground communication.
Characterized by being Tena.

Further, the communication terminal according to the present invention has the above-mentioned communication.
In the communication terminal, the second housing has a third portion and a fourth portion.
Further comprising a portion, the first portion and the third portion
Note connected by the first hinge, the third portion and the
The fourth part is connected by a third hinge, and the second part
A portion and the fourth portion are connected by a fourth hinge
It is characterized by

Furthermore, the communication terminal according to the present invention is
A first housing that contacts the user's head, a second housing,
A first antenna attached to the second housing;
The first antenna can be separated from the head during use.
To freely rotate the first and second housings
And a shaft end is attached to the first housing,
A first hinge in which the shaft is included in the second housing;
A communication terminal including: the first casing and the second casing.
The case is detachable.

Further, the communication terminal according to the present invention has the above-mentioned communication.
In the communication terminal, the second housing is the first housing.
From the first antenna at an angle
It is characterized by having a shape that can be placed on an object.

Further, the communication terminal according to the present invention has the above-mentioned communication.
In the communication terminal, the first antenna is a satellite communication antenna
Is characterized in that.

Further, the communication terminal according to the present invention has the above-mentioned communication.
In the communication terminal, the baseband signal processing is provided in the first casing.
It is characterized by having a logic circuit.

Further, the communication terminal according to the present invention has the above-mentioned communication.
In the communication terminal, the first antenna is extendable
It is characterized by

Further, the communication terminal according to the present invention has the above-mentioned communication.
In the communication terminal, a microphone, speaker and
And at least one of the keyboards attached
It is characterized by being

Further, the communication terminal according to the present invention has the above-mentioned communication.
In the communication terminal, the first hinge is placed at a predetermined angle.
The first casing and the second casing are integrated.
Is characterized by.

[0032]

Incidentally, to supplement the difference between the present invention and the conventional example, among the conventional examples described in the above publications, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2
No. 33609 has a feature that the high output part is simply separated and is not considered for use in a mobile phone, and other gazettes are characterized by a terminal configuration due to the influence of the radiation pattern from the human body. It is different from the feature of the present invention in that it is not attached.

In general, the terrestrial terminal antenna has omnidirectionality in linearly polarized transmission / reception and has a radiation pattern mainly having a horizontal beam, but the satellite terminal antenna is assumed to be a low-orbit satellite. Therefore, the beam is circularly polarized and transmitted / received omnidirectionally, and its radiation pattern becomes a beam having a wide elevation angle over almost the entire circumference of the upper hemisphere with respect to the plane perpendicular to the antenna. Therefore, separating the antenna for the satellite terminal from the antenna for the terrestrial terminal can reduce the influence of the outside world due to the circular polarization transmission / reception omnidirectionality of the antenna for the satellite terminal,
It is also effective in increasing the electric field strength reaching the satellite.

According to the present invention, it is possible to perform dual mode communication in the satellite system and the terrestrial system with the same terminal, and when the terminal form is used as a satellite terminal, in particular, due to the folding and elasticity of the satellite communication antenna. When transmitting and receiving with a satellite, it naturally becomes a terminal form that increases the distance between the satellite communication antenna installed in the terminal and the common part, and the distance between the satellite communication antenna and the human body or the common part that easily disturbs its radiation pattern is set. Can be secured. As a result, a radiation pattern that can realize high-quality satellite communication can be obtained, and the terminal-side transmission power and radiation conditions can be secured according to the distance the radio wave reaches the satellite, and dual-mode that achieves highly sensitive reception from the satellite with high accuracy. It is possible to provide a mobile satellite communication terminal of the system.

Further, as compared with the conventional example, the separation relationship between the satellite communication antenna and the common section and the separation relationship between the terrestrial communication antenna having a small influence and the common section can be set separately, so that the base station, etc. Just like calls to terrestrial mode communication stations, which are excellent in placement, calls for satellite communication can be set stably with a stable radiation pattern and the reception pattern of the satellite communication antenna in that reception state. It is also possible to largely guarantee the stability of the call of the satellite mobile terminal used in the specified usage pattern. Further, even if it causes a harmful effect due to the complexity of the antenna mechanism, in the present invention which basically seeks the stability of the call, without disturbing the antenna radiation pattern at the time of transmission, from the viewpoint of contributing to the improvement of the reliability of communication. The effect is large, and the terminal shape can be reduced.

[0037]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] (1) Description of Configuration A dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a common section 101 which constitutes a lower housing, An RF / IF unit 102 for terrestrial communication / satellite communication, which constitutes the upper housing, is provided. Further, the common unit 101
Is a display 103, a microphone 104, and a speaker 10.
5. Equipped with keyboard 106, RF (Radio Frequency) / IF (Inter
The mediate frequency (intermediate frequency) unit 102 is equipped with a ground communication antenna 107 and a satellite communication antenna 108. Reference numeral 9 indicates a base station, and 10 indicates a satellite.

Explaining the above configuration in detail, the common unit 101 is
It constitutes the lower housing of the mobile satellite communication terminal,
Display 103, microphone 104, speaker 105,
It has a keyboard 106 and the like, and has a circuit configuration shown in FIG. In the common unit 101, the display 103 displays date, time, telephone number, message, received electric field strength, still image / moving image of future effect, and the like. Microphone 1
04 inputs the voice of the user at the time of communication (transmission) with the other party via the terrestrial communication antenna 107 or satellite communication antenna 108. The speaker 105 outputs the voice of the partner at the time of communication (reception) with the partner via the ground communication antenna 107 or the satellite communication antenna 108.
The keyboard 106 is used for inputting a destination telephone number and various settings.

RF / IF unit 10 for ground communication / satellite communication
Reference numeral 2 constitutes an upper casing of the mobile satellite communication terminal, which is provided with a ground communication antenna 107, a satellite communication antenna 108, and the like, and an end portion is supported coaxially with the ground communication antenna 107 on the common unit 101. One hinge 1
The state of being housed in the upper part of the common unit 101 via 11 (see FIG.
(A)) or a state in which the common part 101 is expanded laterally (FIGS. 1B to 1D),
It has a circuit configuration shown in FIG. 3 described later. The ground communication antenna 107 transmits and receives radio waves via the base station 9 when used as a ground terminal. Here, the ground communication antenna 1
07 and the hinge 111 coaxial with the main axis are used as the main axes, and the satellite communication antenna 108 is used as the sub axis.

The satellite communication antenna 108 transmits and receives radio waves via the satellite 10 when it is used as a satellite terminal, and is constructed as a vertically movable type that can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction by manual operation. RF for ground communication / satellite communication via hinge 111 when used as
By expanding the / IF unit 102 to the side of the common unit 101, the satellite communication antenna 108 mounted coaxially with the auxiliary shaft can be used in a state in which it is farthest from the hinge 111 as the main shaft. ing.

That is, the dual-mode mobile satellite communication terminal of the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 in order to optimize the radiant energy to the satellite 10 and to stably reach the received wave. , Common part 101 located at the bottom
And a terrestrial communication / satellite communication R including a terrestrial communication antenna 107 and a satellite communication antenna 108 located above.
It is composed of an F / IF unit 102.

When the present dual-mode mobile satellite communication terminal is used as a terrestrial terminal or is carried, FIG.
As shown in (a), the upper R for ground communication and satellite communication
The F / IF unit 102 is thin so that it can fit on the lower common unit 101, and the RF / IF unit 102 for terrestrial communication / satellite communication and the common unit 101 are used in an integrated form. The terrestrial communication antenna 107 may be stretchable along the side of the common unit 101.

On the other hand, when the present dual-mode mobile satellite communication terminal is used as a satellite terminal, one hinge and one RF / one RF / one are used by the expansion method shown by the arrow in FIG. 1 (b).
For the terrestrial communication on the upper side, the IF section constituent members (members that compose the RF / IF section 102 for ground communication / satellite communication)
By rotating the satellite communication RF / IF unit 102 via a hinge 111, the terrestrial communication / satellite communication RF
As shown in FIG. 1B, the / IF unit 102 is used by expanding it in the back of the drawing. And when using it as a satellite terminal,
Finally, the satellite communication antenna 108 is pulled out and used as shown in FIG.

Further, FIG. 1C shows a state diagram in which the common unit 101 and the satellite communication antenna 108 are further separated from the state of the upper housing shown in FIG. 1B. That is, the hinge 111 arranged coaxially with the terrestrial communication antenna 107.
When the terrestrial communication / satellite communication RF / IF unit 102 is rotated approximately 90 degrees through the hinge 111 and expanded so that the antenna and the satellite communication antenna 108 are in the farthest state, the satellite communication is performed. The antenna 108 is in a state in which the most stable communication with the satellite is possible. In this case,
It can be said that the human hand holding the common portion 101 is also the farthest from the hand, and the stable communication property is excellent. In that case, FIG. 1 (d)
As shown in, if the satellite communication antenna 108 is stretchably expanded in the axial direction, more stable and optimum antenna radiation characteristics can be obtained.

At this time, in this dual-mode mobile satellite communication terminal, as shown in FIG. 2, the user holds the common part 101 of the housing with his / her hand and puts it on his / her ears to place the base via the satellite 10. Since the call is made with the other party connected to the station 9, the common unit 1 having the satellite communication antenna 108 and the voice input / output unit
01 is used in a state of being separated via the hinge 111. Therefore, compared to the conventional example shown in FIG.
The satellite communication antenna 108 separated from the antenna 1 has a common antenna radiation pattern with respect to the satellite 10 in the sky.
The rate of being disturbed by 01 is small, and since it is also separated from the human hand holding the common portion 101, the radiated radio waves reach the satellite 10 with a stable radiation pattern and move away from the human body which is likely to be a conductor or a non-conductor, The radio wave can stably reach the satellite communication antenna 108 and be received.

When the dual-mode mobile satellite communication terminal is used as a satellite terminal, that is, when transmitting to the satellite 10, the satellite communication antenna 108 and the radiation pattern of the mobile satellite communication terminal are naturally used. It can also be said that it is possible to separate from the human body that is likely to be affected.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dual-mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a ground communication antenna 107, a satellite communication antenna 108, a ground communication RF / IF circuit 131, and a common ground communication antenna. Baseband part 13
2, I / F (interface) circuit 133, RF / IF circuit 134 for satellite communication, I / F (interface) circuit 135, signal processing control unit / Codec (Coder-decode)
r) section 136, display 103, microphone 104, speaker 105, and keyboard 106. Figure 2
In the figure, 137 surrounded by a dashed line is for terrestrial communication shown in FIG.
Members of RF / IF section 102 for satellite communication and R for ground communication
138 surrounded by a chain double-dashed line showing the entire circuit configuration on the F / IF circuit side is a member of the terrestrial communication / satellite communication RF / IF unit 102 and the satellite communication RF / IF circuit side shown in FIG. It shows the whole including the circuit configuration of 1 and is surrounded by a two-dot chain line.
Reference numeral 39 shows the whole including the members and the circuit configuration of the common unit 101 shown in FIG.

The above configuration will be described in detail. RF / for ground communication
The IF circuit 131 performs transmission / reception wireless communication via a base station and frequency conversion between a wireless band and an IF band when used as a ground terminal, and includes an amplifier, a filter, a mixer, and the like. Common baseband unit 132
Is for performing error correction coding / framing / modulation of a transmission signal, demodulation / error correction decoding / frame decomposition of a reception signal, etc., and is an A / D converter, D / A converter, filter, D
It is equipped with SP (Digital Signal Processor) and the like. I /
The F circuit 133 includes an upper internal radio transceiver (RF / IF circuit 131 for ground communication, common baseband unit 132, RF / IF circuit 134 for satellite communication) and lower common unit (signal processing control unit / Codec unit 136). It controls the interface between and. The RF / IF circuit 134 for satellite communication is
It is used to perform transmission / reception wireless communication via a satellite and frequency conversion between a radio band and an IF band when used as a satellite terminal, and is provided with an amplifier, a filter, a mixer, and the like.

The I / F circuit 135 is the upper I / F circuit 13.
Similar to 3, the lower common section (signal processing control section / Codec
(Portion 136) and radio transmitter / receiver in the upper housing (RF for ground communication)
/ IF circuit 131, common baseband unit 132, and satellite communication RF / IF circuit 134). The signal processing control unit / codec unit 136
Processing / control of signal transmission / reception to / from the radio transmitter / receiver in the upper housing through the I / F circuit 135, display 103
Display processing / control, processing / control of the sound input from the microphone 104 in the baseband, processing / control of the sound output to the speaker 105 in the baseband, processing / control of a key input signal input from the keyboard 106. It is provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a display control unit, a voice input / output control unit, a keyboard control unit, and the like.

That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, the upper block of FIG. 3 is the terrestrial communication RF / IF circuit 131, the satellite communication RF / IF circuit 134, and the common baseband unit 1.
It is shown that the I / F circuit 133 of 32 and the lower common part is provided, and these are stored in the upper RF / IF unit of the four-division form. A terrestrial communication antenna 107 and a vertically movable satellite communication antenna 108 are connected to the upper RF / IF section. The lower block of FIG. 3 shows the internal circuit configuration of the common part, and the I / F circuit 135 serving as an interface with the upper block part,
Signal processing control unit / codec unit 136, display 1
03, microphone 104, speaker 105, keyboard 10
6 is provided. Further, as shown in the drawing, low rate data is transmitted and received between the upper block section and the lower common section.

In FIG. 3, the upper block portion 10
What distinguishes the upper surface of 2 by the broken line is the functional part.
The RF / IF section of the satellite communication radio section is half equipped, and the other half is the terrestrial communication radio section, common baseband section and IF.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the case where the parts and the parts are stored, and the parts may be separated in this way, and the space may be reduced as much as possible for the sake of miniaturization, and the parts may be arranged so as to enter each other.

(2) Description of Operation Next, the operation of the dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal has a common unit 101 located at the bottom.
And an upper block unit (such as a ground / satellite communication RF / IF unit 102) including a ground communication antenna 107 and a satellite communication antenna 108 located on the upper side,
As shown in FIG. 1A, the upper block portion is used in an integrated state so as to fit on the lower common portion when it is used as a ground terminal or when both modes are in standby and when it is carried.

On the other hand, when actual communication is used as a satellite terminal, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), it is moved by an arrow force in the figure, so that one hinge and one RF / IF unit and other structural members (for terrestrial communication) are used. The upper block portion is rotated via the hinge 111 by using the member forming the RF / IF portion for satellite communication 102), and the upper block portion is extended to the side of the common portion 101 for use. Then, when the satellite terminal is used, the satellite communication antenna 108 is finally used as shown in FIG.
It is used by pulling it upward as shown in (d).

At this time, as shown in FIG.
The positional relationship between the common unit 101 and the satellite communication antenna 108 used for radiating the transmitted wave to the satellite 10 in the embodiment is as follows.
FIG. 9 shown in the above-mentioned conventional example (JP-A-10-243453, JP-A-10-256939, JP-A-10-
294608, GB2314483A, JP-A-5
-153026 gazette (similar to EP0521609A2)), a sufficiently large radiation pattern can be secured for mobile satellite communication, and the satellite communication antenna 1
It can be formed around 08 to enable stable transmission and reception communication.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, satellite mode and terrestrial mode dual mode communication can be performed by the same terminal, and the terminal mode is being used by the satellite communication antenna 108 for actual communication. In order to provide a terminal form that naturally increases the distance between the satellite communication antenna 108 installed in the terminal and the common unit 101 when used as a satellite terminal, that is, during actual transmission / reception to / from the satellite. An effect that a mobile satellite communication terminal of a dual mode system can be realized is obtained.

While the mobile satellite receiver normally operates the terrestrial communication terminal function in a receiving state during normal standby, the present invention is not limited to this, and both functions are switched at predetermined time intervals. Good.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9 of the above conventional example,
In the conventional example, when realizing the radiation standard required to secure satellite communication, the lateral distance between the satellite communication antenna and the common part is generally short, so the radiation pattern spreading around the antenna is disturbed, and communication stability is improved. Since it is necessary to increase the number of antennas, it is necessary to extend the antenna upwards from a common portion farther than in the present invention, which causes harmful effects due to complicated antenna mechanism (reduced reliability due to antenna strength, high price, However, in the present invention, the antenna radiation pattern during transmission / reception that spreads at a low elevation angle is naturally separated from the human body and the common part and the human hand during use, so that the satellite communication quality is improved. As a result, it is possible to improve the reliability of the communication connection, improve the reliability of communication connection, reduce the price of the terminal, and reduce the size of the terminal.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower common section 101 having a microphone or speaker or connected to a data terminal and the upper block section 102 having the terrestrial communication antenna 107 and the satellite communication antenna 108 are separated from each other. The low-rate infrared communication (IrDA), the wired communication or the wireless communication is used to connect the separating units to each other by using the I / F (interface) of each of the lower common unit 101 and the upper block unit 102.
It is possible to have it in the circuit.

In this case, in each I / F (interface) circuit, in the upper block section 102, the terrestrial communication / satellite communication RF / IF section as described in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment is used. The baseband signal is provided with the function of exchanging a transmission / reception signal with the lower common unit 101. For example, the received wave for terrestrial communication or satellite communication received by the upper block unit 102 is demodulated, infrared rays, carrier, or radio frequency is modulated by the baseband signal demodulated by the I / F unit, and the lower common unit is used. Then, the lower common unit 101 demodulates the infrared ray, the carrier, or the radio frequency to convert into a baseband signal, which is signal-processed and output from a speaker or as data.

On the other hand, when the transmitted wave is used, the lower common unit 101 receives a voice signal or data from a microphone, a personal computer or the like, and these are used as baseband signals. Infrared, carrier,
Alternatively, the radio frequency is modulated and transmitted to the upper block unit 102, the upper block unit 102 demodulates it once into a baseband signal, and the transmitting unit for terrestrial communication or satellite communication converts it to a high frequency signal for terrestrial communication. It is transmitted to a base station for satellite communication via a base station or a satellite.

As a result, not only the influence of the radiation pattern characteristics of the satellite communication antenna 108 on the human body can be ignored, but also the satellite communication antenna 108 and the satellite communication RF are used.
/ Satellite 1 at the window of the upper block 102 including the IF unit
By separating and installing within the visible range of 0 and installing the lower common unit 101 indoors at a distance, it is possible to easily call, fax, or PC (Pers) through the lower common unit 101 placed indoors.
onal Computer) etc. can be connected to the satellite line,
It is possible to easily realize a usage mode in which satellite communication can be used.

Further, by combining the lower common section 101 and the upper block section 102, as a portable and integrated portable mode dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal as in the first embodiment, Needless to say that it is portable, it is effective because it can be used in various ways as a mobile satellite communication terminal that can be separated / combined freely.

[Second Embodiment] (1) Description of Configuration FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of use of a dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, a dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a common unit 201 and a ground communication RF (Radio).
Frequency) / IF (Intermediate Frequency) unit 20
2 and a satellite communication RF / IF unit 203. Further, the common unit 201 is the display 20.
4, microphone 205, speaker 206, keyboard 207
The terrestrial communication RF / IF unit 202 is equipped with a terrestrial cellular antenna 208 (hereinafter abbreviated as terrestrial communication antenna), and the satellite communication RF / IF unit 203 is equipped with a satellite communication antenna 209. is doing. In the figure, 10 is a satellite and 9 is a base station.

Explaining the above configuration in detail, the common unit 201 is
It constitutes the lower part of the housing of the mobile satellite communication terminal,
Display 204, microphone 205, speaker 206,
It has a keyboard 207 and the like, and has a circuit configuration shown in FIG. In the common unit 201, the display 204 displays the date, time, telephone number, message and the like. The microphone 205 inputs the voice of the user at the time of communication (transmission) with the other party via the ground communication antenna 208 or the satellite communication antenna 209. Speaker 206
Outputs the voice of the other party during communication (reception) with the other party via the terrestrial communication antenna 208 or the satellite communication antenna 209. The keyboard 207 is used for inputting a destination telephone number and various settings.

The terrestrial communication RF / IF unit 202 and the satellite communication RF / IF unit 203 are each composed of two members and constitute the upper part of the housing of the mobile satellite communication terminal. , A satellite communication antenna 209 and the like, and four hinges 211 to 214
It is configured so as to be foldable / expandable via, and has a circuit configuration shown in FIG. 7 described later. In this case, the hinge 211
Of the parts 214 to 214, the hinge 211 is supported on the upper part of the common part 201 as a main shaft. Also, the hinges 212, 21
4 is a primary counter shaft, one of which is the hinge 2
Reference numeral 14 also serves as a ground communication antenna. Hinge 21
Reference numeral 3 is configured as a secondary counter shaft that also serves as an antenna for satellite communication. Folding / with hinges 211-214
A rotatable mechanism is configured. The terrestrial communication antenna 208 of the terrestrial communication RF / IF unit 202 is connected to the base station 9 when used as a terrestrial terminal at 800 MHz, 1900.
It transmits and receives radio waves such as MHz. RF / IF for satellite communication
The satellite communication antenna 209 of the unit 203 is connected to the satellite 10 at a frequency of 1.8 GHz and 2.2 when used as a satellite terminal.
It transmits and receives radio waves of GHz and the like, and can move up and down freely by manual operation. When the terminal is used as a satellite terminal, the hinges 211 to 214 are moved so that the secondary auxiliary shaft hinge 213 is farthest from the main shaft and the satellite communication antenna 209 is extended to use the terminal.

That is, the dual-mode mobile satellite communication terminal of the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to optimize the radiation energy to the satellite and to stably reach the received wave, A common portion 201 located at the bottom,
Terrestrial communication RF / IF unit 20 including terrestrial communication antenna 208 and satellite communication antenna 209 located in the upper part
2. The RF / IF unit 203 for satellite communication.

When the present dual-mode mobile satellite communication terminal is used as a ground terminal or is carried, as shown in FIG.
The IF unit 202 and the satellite communication RF / IF unit 203 are accommodated on the lower common unit 201, and the hinge 21 is provided so that all of them are accommodated in a thin integrated housing.
Fold 2, 214 and unfold hinges 211, 213. In this case, the terrestrial communication antenna is also used as the hinge 214 which is a sub-axis along the side of the thin lower common part. The terrestrial communication antenna may be extendable / contractible along the side of the common portion.

On the other hand, when the dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal is used as a satellite terminal, a force as shown by an arrow in FIG.
The hinges 212 and 214 are expanded and the hinges 211 and 213 are folded so that the F / IF unit 202 and the satellite communication RF / IF unit 203 are integrated. In this state, the hinge 211 and the hinge 213 are farthest apart, and the hinge 212
And hinge 214 are closest. Then, the satellite communication antenna 208 is pulled out upward as shown in FIG. 5C, and the state shown in FIG. 5D is obtained. This state is the state in which the satellite communication antenna 209 can most stably communicate with the satellite. This state is
It can be said that the satellite communication antenna 209 is the most distant from the human hand holding the common unit 201, and is in a state of excellent stable communication. Further, as shown in FIG. 5D, since the satellite communication antenna is stretchably extended in the direction of the secondary axis, more stable and optimum antenna radiation characteristics can be obtained.

At this time, in this dual-mode mobile satellite communication terminal, as shown in FIG. 6, the user holds the common part of the housing with his / her hand and puts it on his / her ears to pass the satellite through the satellite. Since the call is made with the other party connected to the satellite communication antenna 209, the satellite communication antenna 209 and the common unit 201 having the voice input / output unit are most distant from each other. At that time, as compared with the conventional example shown in FIG.
09, the radiation pattern of the antenna is less likely to be disturbed by the common unit 201 with respect to the satellite 10 in the sky,
Since the common part 201 is also separated from the human hand holding the common part 201, it is moved away from the influence of the human body, which is likely to be a conductor or a non-conductor, and the radiated radio waves reach the satellite with a stable radiation pattern, and the radio waves from the satellite are stably transmitted to the satellite communication antenna. 209 can be reached and received.

When the dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal is used as a satellite terminal, the satellite communication antenna 209 of the mobile satellite terminal is naturally separated from the human body which easily affects the radiation pattern. It is possible to let them do it.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. The dual-mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a ground communication antenna 208, a satellite communication antenna 209, a ground communication RF / IF circuit 231, a common baseband unit 232, and an I / F (interface). Circuit 233, RF / IF circuit 234 for satellite communication, I / F
(Interface) circuit 235, signal processing controller / Co
dec (Coder-decoder) unit 236, display 20
4, microphone 205, speaker 206, keyboard 207
Is equipped with. In the figure, 237 surrounded by a two-dot chain line shows the whole including the member and circuit configuration of the RF / IF unit 202 for ground communication shown in FIG. 5, and 238 surrounded by a two-dot chain line is for satellite communication shown in FIG. The whole including the members and the circuit configuration of the RF / IF unit 203 is shown, and 239 surrounded by a two-dot chain line shows the whole including the members and the circuit configuration of the common unit 201 shown in FIG.

The above configuration will be described in detail. RF / for ground communication
The IF circuit 231 performs transmission / reception wireless communication via a base station and frequency conversion between a wireless band and an IF band when used as a ground terminal, and includes an amplifier, a filter, a mixer, and the like. Common baseband section 232
Is for performing error correction coding / framing / modulation of a transmission signal, demodulation / error correction decoding / frame decomposition of a reception signal, etc., and is an A / D converter, D / A converter, filter, D
It is equipped with SP (Digital Signal Processor) and the like. I /
The F circuit 233 includes a radio transmitter / receiver in the upper housing (the RF / IF circuit 231 for ground communication, the common baseband unit 232, the RF / IF circuit 234 for satellite communication) and the lower common unit (signal processing control unit / Codec unit 236). It controls the interface between and. The RF / IF circuit 234 for satellite communication is
It is used to perform transmission / reception wireless communication via a satellite and frequency conversion between a radio band and an IF band when used as a satellite terminal, and includes an amplifier, a filter, a mixer, and the like.

The I / F circuit 235 is the upper IF circuit 233.
Similarly, the lower common part (signal processing control part / codec part 236) and the upper case wireless transmitter / receiver (ground communication RF /
It controls the interface with the IF circuit 231, the common baseband unit 232, and the satellite communication RF / IF circuit 234). The signal processing control unit / codec unit 236 uses the I
Processing / control of signal transmission / reception to / from the radio transmitter / receiver in the upper housing via the / F circuit 235, display processing / control for the display 204, baseband processing / control of sound input from the microphone 205, speaker 206 It processes / controls the audio output to the keyboard, processes / controls the key input signal input from the keyboard 207 in the baseband, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a display control unit, and a voice input / output control unit. , A keyboard control unit and the like.

That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, the upper block in FIG. 7 is the terrestrial communication RF / IF circuit 231, the satellite communication RF / IF circuit 234, and the common baseband unit 2.
32 and the I / F circuit 233 are shown, and these are stored in the upper RF / IF unit of the four-division form. In addition, this ground communication RF / IF circuit 23
1. The satellite communication RF / IF circuit 234 includes a ground communication antenna 208 and a vertically movable satellite communication antenna 209.
Are connected respectively. The lower block of FIG. 7 shows the internal circuit configuration of the common section, which includes the I / F circuit 235, the signal processing control section / codec section 236, and the display 20.
4, microphone 205, speaker 206, keyboard 207
Equipped with. Further, as shown in the drawing, low rate data is transmitted and received between the upper block section and the lower common section.

(2) Description of Operation Next, the operation of the dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 5, the dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal has a common section 201 located at the bottom.
And an upper block part (RF / IF part 202 for ground communication, RF / IF part 203 for satellite communication) including a terrestrial communication antenna 208 and a satellite communication antenna 209 located above.
And the like), the upper block portion is folded and used so as to fit on the lower common portion when used as a ground terminal or when carried, as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when used as a satellite terminal, FIG.
As shown in (b), the four hinges 211 to 214 and the four RF / Is are moved by being moved by the force indicated by the arrow in the figure.
Components such as the F unit (one member forming the terrestrial communication RF / IF unit 202, one member forming the satellite communication RF / IF unit 203, and two members including the common baseband unit and the I / F unit ), The upper block part is pushed out and used by expanding the upper block part to the back on the opposite side of the surface with the microphone or speaker. When used as a satellite terminal, the satellite communication antenna 209 is finally pulled out and used as shown in FIG. 5D.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the positional relationship between the common unit 201 and the satellite communication antenna 209 used for radiating the transmission wave to the satellite 10 in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in the above-mentioned conventional example. 9 (JP-A-10-243453, JP-A-10-256939, JP-A-10-2)
94608, GB2314483A, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-
153026 (EP0521609A2) (similar to EP0521609A2), a radiation pattern sufficient for mobile satellite communication can be ensured, and a satellite communication antenna 2
It can be formed around 09, enabling stable transmission and reception communication.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, dual mode communication of satellite system and terrestrial system can be carried out by the same terminal, and the radiation pattern when the terminal type satellite communication antenna is actually used for communication is used. The dual mode system which has a configuration in which the influence on the satellite is reduced, and which gives a terminal form that naturally increases the distance between the satellite communication antenna 209 installed in the terminal and the common unit 201 during use as a satellite terminal, that is, during actual transmission / reception to / from the satellite The effect is that the mobile satellite communication terminal can be realized.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9 of the above conventional example,
In the conventional example, when realizing the radiation standard required to secure satellite communication, the lateral distance between the satellite communication antenna and the common part is generally short, so the radiation pattern spreading around the antenna is disturbed, and communication stability is improved. Since it is necessary to increase the number of antennas, it is necessary to extend the antenna upwards from a common portion farther than in the present invention, which causes harmful effects due to complicated antenna mechanism (reduced reliability due to antenna strength, high price, However, in the present invention, the antenna radiation pattern at the time of transmission / reception that spreads to a low elevation angle is naturally separated from the human body and the common part and the human hand during use, thereby achieving the satellite communication quality. It is possible to improve the reliability, improve the reliability of communication connection, reduce the price of the terminal, and reduce the size of the terminal.

As shown in FIG. 8, a lower common section 201 having a microphone and a speaker, and a ground communication antenna 208.
Infrared communication (IrDA) with a low rate is separated between the upper block section (which is composed of the RF / IF section 202 for terrestrial communication and the RF / IF section 203 for satellite communication) having the antenna 209 for satellite communication. Alternatively, it is conceivable that each I / F (interface) circuit of the lower common unit 201 and the upper block units 202 and 203 has a function of connecting by wire communication or wireless communication.

As a result, not only can the influence of the radiation pattern characteristics of the satellite communication antenna on the human body be ignored, but the satellite communication antenna 209 and the satellite communication RF / IF can be ignored.
By separating and installing the upper blocks 202 and 203 including the part 234 within the visible range of the satellite 10 such as at the window and installing the lower common part 201 indoors at a distance, the lower common part 201 placed indoors can be installed. Via telephone, FAX, PC easily
(Personal Computer) and the like can be connected to a satellite line, and satellite communication can be used easily.

[0085]

According to the mobile satellite communication terminal of the present invention,
The distance between the satellite communication antenna and the user during normal use is increased compared to the conventional one, and the antenna radiation pattern in the satellite direction by the satellite communication antenna can be used in a stable state, while improving reliability and low cost. It is possible to reduce the size and size of the terminal.

According to the present invention, dual mode communication in the satellite system and the terrestrial system can be performed by the same terminal, and when the terminal form is used as a satellite terminal, in particular, due to the foldability and elasticity of the satellite communication antenna. When transmitting and receiving with a satellite, it naturally becomes a terminal form that increases the distance between the satellite communication antenna installed in the terminal and the common part, and the distance between the satellite communication antenna and the human body or the common part that easily disturbs its radiation pattern is set. Can be secured. As a result, a radiation pattern that can realize high-quality satellite communication can be obtained, and the terminal-side transmission power and radiation conditions can be secured according to the distance the radio wave reaches the satellite, and dual-mode that achieves highly sensitive reception from the satellite with high accuracy. It is possible to provide a mobile satellite communication terminal of the system.

Further, as compared with the conventional example, the separation relationship between the satellite communication antenna and the common section and the separation relationship between the terrestrial communication antenna having a small influence and the common section can be set separately, so that the base station and the like can be set separately. Just like calls to terrestrial mode communication stations, which are excellent in placement, calls for satellite communication can be set stably with a stable radiation pattern and the reception pattern of the satellite communication antenna in that reception state. It is also possible to largely guarantee the stability of the call of the satellite mobile terminal used in the specified usage pattern. Further, even if it causes a harmful effect due to the complexity of the antenna mechanism, in the present invention which basically seeks the stability of the call, without disturbing the antenna radiation pattern at the time of transmission, from the viewpoint of contributing to the improvement of the reliability of communication. The effect is large, and the terminal shape can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of use of a dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal and a common unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a dual-mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a usage example of the dual-mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a usage example of a dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal and a common unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a dual mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a usage example of a dual-mode mobile satellite communication terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship of a conventional portable terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 common department 102 RF / IF unit for terrestrial communication / satellite communication 107 Terrestrial communication antenna 108 Satellite communication antenna 111 hinge 201 Common department 202 RF / IF unit for ground communication 203 RF / IF unit for satellite communication 208 Antenna for ground communication 209 Satellite communication antenna 211-214 Hinge

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI H04Q 7/32 H04B 7/26 V 7/38 109G (56) References JP 2000-209015 (JP, A) JP 2000- 193734 (JP, A) JP 2000-78050 (JP, A) JP 11-98046 (JP, A) JP 10-145837 (JP, A) JP 9-107238 (JP, A) Kaihei 9-69709 (JP, A) JP 7-107000 (JP, A) JP 6-314920 (JP, A) JP 5-327527 (JP, A) JP 5-14230 ( JP, A) Actual development 47-31133 (JP, U) Actual public 51-36414 (JP, Y1) Special table 2002-521901 (JP, A) Special table 2000-516076 (JP, A) Special table 2000- 507781 (JP, A) International Publication 99/039258 (WO, A1) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01Q 1/08- 1/24 H04B 1/38-7/155 H04Q 7/32-7/38

Claims (14)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first contacting the user's head during use
A housing, a second housing, a first antenna attached to the second housing, and the first antenna can be separated from the head when in use.
Rotate the first casing and the second casing so that
And the end of the shaft is attached to the first housing.
And a first hinge in which the shaft is included in the second housing.
When, in the communication terminal with a communication terminal, wherein the second housing to RF / IF signal processing circuit is provided. 2. A first contact for contacting a user's head during use
A housing, a second housing, a first antenna attached to the second housing, and the first antenna can be separated from the head when in use.
Rotate the first casing and the second casing so that
And the end of the shaft is attached to the first housing.
And a first hinge in which the shaft is included in the second housing.
When, in the communication terminal with a communication terminal, characterized in that it comprises a second antenna to a common said first hinge and the shaft. 3. The communication terminal according to claim 2 , wherein the second antenna is a terrestrial communication antenna. 4. A first contact for contacting a user's head when in use
A housing, a second housing, a first antenna attached to the second housing, and the first antenna can be separated from the head when in use.
Rotate the first casing and the second casing so that
And the end of the shaft is attached to the first housing.
And a first hinge in which the shaft is included in the second housing.
In the communication terminal, the second housing includes at least a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion and the second portion are connected by a second hinge. A communication terminal characterized by. 5. The second to the common axis and the second hinge
The communication terminal according to claim 4 , wherein the communication terminal is provided. 6. A communication terminal according to claim 5, wherein the second antenna is a terrestrial communication antenna. 7. The second housing further comprises a third portion and a fourth portion, the first portion and the third portion being connected by the first hinge, and the third portion. The communication terminal according to claim 4 , wherein the portion and the fourth portion are connected by a third hinge, and the second portion and the fourth portion are connected by a fourth hinge. 8. A first contact for contacting a user's head when in use
A housing, a second housing, a first antenna attached to the second housing, and the first antenna can be separated from the head when in use.
Rotate the first casing and the second casing so that
And the end of the shaft is attached to the first housing.
And a first hinge in which the shaft is included in the second housing.
A communication terminal comprising: the first housing and the second housing are attachable and detachable. 9. The second housing has a shape such that the second housing can be placed on an object at an angle to the first antenna in a state of being separated from the first housing. Claims to
The communication terminal according to 8 . 10. A communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 9 first antenna characterized in that it is a satellite communication antenna. 11. What claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first housing to the baseband signal processing circuit is provided
The communication terminal according to item 1 . 12. The communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first antenna is a telescopic. Wherein said first microphone to the housing, the communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein at least one of a speaker and a keyboard, characterized in that it is mounted. 14. The first housing and the second housing are integrated at a predetermined angle of the first hinge, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13. Communication terminal.