JP4869170B2 - Relay device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay device, and more particularly to a relay device that relays a signal formed by a plurality of channels.

  In a broadcasting system such as a television broadcasting system, a signal is transmitted as an electromagnetic wave from a broadcasting station. The receiver receives a signal transmitted from the broadcast station, and acquires image information, audio information, and the like from the received signal. For signals transmitted by a broadcasting station, provisions such as transmission power and desired signal-to-interference wave ratio are established so that information of a predetermined quality can be obtained at a receiver existing in an area where the broadcasting station is a broadcasting area. . However, even if a broadcasting station transmits a signal that satisfies the regulations, if there are electromagnetic wave obstacles or the like in the broadcasting area, the electric field strength of the signal received by the receiver becomes insufficient, and the predetermined quality in the broadcasting area. There is a region where information on this is not available. Therefore, in order to reduce such quality degradation areas, a relay apparatus that receives a signal transmitted from a broadcasting station, amplifies and transmits the signal is installed in the broadcasting area.

  For example, the relay device receives an analog modulated signal formed by a plurality of channels by a receiving antenna, and outputs the received signal to a duplexer. The duplexer separates the received signal into channels. That is, the duplexer outputs a signal obtained by attenuating a signal in a frequency band other than the desired channel. The duplexer outputs a plurality of signals to a plurality of in-channel band amplifying units. Each of the in-channel band amplifying units amplifies the channel unit signal, and then converts it to an intermediate frequency band signal. In addition, after band limitation for attenuating signals other than the desired channel is performed, amplification at the intermediate frequency is performed, and the signal is again converted to the broadcast frequency band and then amplified. The amplified signals are output to the multiplexer. The multiplexer combines a plurality of signals. The signal synthesized by the multiplexer is transmitted as an electromagnetic wave via the transmission antenna.

  Such a relay device separates a received signal into a plurality of channels, and individually performs band limitation and amplification on the frequency bands of the respective channels. This reduces as much as possible the interference wave caused by the intermodulation generated by the analog modulation signals of different channel frequency bands mutually affecting each other or the noise superimposed on the frequency band close to each channel frequency band. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In recent years, digital television broadcasting that transmits information using a digitally modulated signal has been used, and an analog modulation signal and a digital modulation signal are mixed. Even in such a situation, the above-described relay device is used. In general, digital television broadcasting is composed of more channels than conventional television broadcasting. For this reason, in the above-described configuration, an in-channel band amplification unit corresponding to the number of channels is required. Therefore, as the number of channels increases, the circuit becomes a large-scale configuration and the manufacturing cost increases.

In order to solve this, a relay apparatus including a digital filter that can pass bands corresponding to a plurality of channels has been proposed. In addition, the digital filter is composed of a plurality of taps, and the coefficient corresponding to each of the plurality of taps is set to a variable value. Therefore, a tap coefficient that realizes a bandpass filter that passes through a channel to be relayed is set in the digital filter, so that the relay device can selectively relay a desired channel (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ).
JP 2000-324036 A JP 2007-043583 A

  The relay apparatus having the above configuration is operated at a clock speed of 170 MHz, for example, considering the feasibility of high-speed hardware operation. This corresponds to the reference bandwidth being 85 MHz, and the band that can pass through a plurality of channels is 60 MHz. That is, since one channel is 6 MHz, the relay device can pass 10 consecutive channels. However, when the lowest frequency channel to be relayed and the highest frequency channel to be relayed are separated from each other by 10 channels, the above relay device cannot relay all the channels to be relayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a relay device that relays channels widely dispersed in the frequency domain while suppressing high-speed operation of hardware.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a relay apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes at least two reception units that receive a signal in which a plurality of channels are frequency-multiplexed over a predetermined band, and a band of the signal received by the reception unit A division unit that divides into partial bands; at least two processing units that respectively correspond to each of at least two partial bands divided by the division unit and that extract a channel to be relayed from each partial band; and at least two processing units The transmission unit that combines the channels extracted in (1) and transmits the combined signal, and a channel that should be included in the signal transmitted from the transmission unit, and among the plurality of channels included in the signal received by the reception unit, And a control unit for receiving information on the channel to be relayed. The control unit includes means for associating a partial band corresponding to each of at least two processing units with a channel to be relayed, and means for generating a frequency characteristic corresponding to the channel associated with each partial band. . At least two processing units perform amplification processing after extracting channels included in each partial band based on frequency characteristics corresponding to the channels associated with each partial band, and the control unit executes at least two processes. The association is executed after the values of the other partial bands are determined with reference to the partial band corresponding to one of the sections .

According to this aspect, after the received signal is divided into at least two partial bands, channels are extracted while generating frequency characteristics for each partial band. Therefore, even if the channel is widely dispersed in the frequency domain. It is possible to relay while suppressing the high-speed operation of hardware. In this case, since the partial band is determined based on one of the processing units, the processing can be simplified.

Another aspect of the present invention is also a relay device. This apparatus receives a signal in which a plurality of channels are frequency-multiplexed over a predetermined band, a division unit that divides a signal band received by the reception unit into at least two partial bands, and a division unit. Corresponding to each of at least two partial bands, and from each partial band, combine at least two processing units that extract channels to be relayed and channels extracted by at least two processing units, and transmit the combined signal A transmission unit, and a control unit that receives information on a channel to be relayed among a plurality of channels that are channels included in the signal transmitted from the transmission unit and included in the signal received by the reception unit. The control unit includes means for associating a partial band corresponding to each of at least two processing units with a channel to be relayed, and means for generating a frequency characteristic corresponding to the channel associated with each partial band. . At least two processing units extract the channels included in each partial band according to the frequency characteristics corresponding to the channels associated with each partial band, and then perform amplification processing. The association may be executed after determining the value of each partial band so that the number of channels to be associated approaches. In this case, since the number of channels associated with each partial band approaches evenly, fluctuations in signal intensity can be suppressed within a predetermined range.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a relay device. This apparatus receives a signal in which a plurality of channels are frequency-multiplexed over a predetermined band, a division unit that divides a signal band received by the reception unit into at least two partial bands, and a division unit. Corresponding to each of at least two partial bands, and from each partial band, combine at least two processing units that extract channels to be relayed and channels extracted by at least two processing units, and transmit the combined signal A transmission unit, and a control unit that receives information on a channel to be relayed among a plurality of channels that are channels included in the signal transmitted from the transmission unit and included in the signal received by the reception unit. The control unit includes means for associating a partial band corresponding to each of at least two processing units with a channel to be relayed, and means for generating a frequency characteristic corresponding to the channel associated with each partial band. . At least two processing units extract the channels included in each partial band according to the frequency characteristics corresponding to the channels associated with each partial band, and then perform amplification processing. Based on the result of mapping with the channel, set the value of at least two partial bands when dividing for the division unit, and support each partial band for each of at least two processing units You may set the frequency characteristic according to the attached channel. In this case, since stepwise processing is executed, the frequency characteristic can be accurately derived while simplifying the processing.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a relay device. This apparatus receives a signal in which a plurality of channels are frequency-multiplexed over a predetermined band, a division unit that divides a signal band received by the reception unit into at least two partial bands, and a division unit. Corresponding to each of at least two partial bands, and from each partial band, combine at least two processing units that extract channels to be relayed and channels extracted by at least two processing units, and transmit the combined signal A transmission unit, and a control unit that receives information on a channel to be relayed among a plurality of channels that are channels included in the signal transmitted from the transmission unit and included in the signal received by the reception unit. The control unit includes means for associating a partial band corresponding to each of at least two processing units with a channel to be relayed, and means for generating a frequency characteristic corresponding to the channel associated with each partial band. . At least two processing units extract the channels included in each partial band based on the frequency characteristics corresponding to the channels associated with each partial band, and then perform amplification processing. Thus, when setting the values of at least two partial bands when dividing, the arrangement of at least two partial bands in the signal received by the reception unit and the at least two partial bands in the signal transmitted from the transmission unit You may arrange | position so that arrangement | positioning may differ. In this case, since the arrangement of at least two partial bands in the signal received by the reception unit and the arrangement of at least two partial bands in the signal transmitted from the transmission unit are set to be different, the degree of freedom of channel arrangement Can be improved.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to relay channels that are widely dispersed in the frequency domain while suppressing high-speed operation of hardware.

  Before describing the present invention in detail, an outline will be described. Embodiments described herein relate generally to a relay apparatus that receives a signal including a plurality of frequency-multiplexed channels, amplifies the received signal, and transmits the amplified signal. The plurality of channels include a signal compatible with digital television broadcast (hereinafter referred to as “digital broadcast wave”) and a signal compatible with analog television broadcast (hereinafter referred to as “analog broadcast wave”). Although. Here, in order to clarify the explanation, only the former will be explained. The relay device relays after amplifying each of the plurality of channels included in the received signal.

  The relay device includes a digital filter and an amplifier. In addition, the clock in the relay device is set to a value faster than the band occupied by a plurality of channels included in the received signal, and the received signal is converted into a digital signal by the clock and used as a digital filter. Entered. The tap coefficient in the digital filter is preset to a value that passes through the channel to be relayed in the received signal. Here, if a plurality of channels to be relayed are continuously arranged on the frequency axis, the band occupied by the plurality of channels is narrowed, so that an increase in clock speed is suppressed. However, if a plurality of channels to be relayed are not continuously arranged on the frequency axis, the bandwidth occupied by the plurality of channels becomes wide, and the clock speed increases. In addition, an increase in the number of taps of the digital filter is required due to the expansion of the band. This situation has the following consequences:

(1) The margin for the timing of the operation logic is reduced by increasing the clock speed. Therefore, an operation error is likely to occur and the CNR is deteriorated.
(2) Even if an A / D converter, a D / A converter, a digital filter, or the like that can operate at a high clock speed exists, a thermal problem arises in consideration of the degree of integration.
In order to solve the above-described problems, the relay apparatus according to the present embodiment arranges a plurality of the above-described relay apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as “processing units”) in parallel. Further, the relay device allocates different bands to the respective processing units. Further, in order to improve the convenience for the user, when receiving an instruction regarding a channel to be relayed, the relay apparatus automatically executes band division and sets a tap coefficient accordingly.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a relay device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The relay device 100 includes a receiving antenna 10, a demultiplexing unit 64, a first processing unit 70a, a second processing unit 70b, which are collectively referred to as a processing unit 70, a local oscillator 46, a multiplexing unit 66, a transmission antenna 28, a control unit 30, An IF unit 82 is included. Each processing unit 70 includes a first reception BPF 72a, a second reception BPF 72b, collectively referred to as a reception BPF 72, a first reception amplification unit 14a, a second reception amplification unit 14b, generally referred to as a reception amplification unit 14, and a frequency. First frequency converter 16a, second frequency converter 16b, collectively referred to as converter 16, first A / D converter 40a, second A / D converter 40b, generally referred to as A / D converter 40, digital input / output First digital input / output filter 42a, second digital input / output filter 42b, collectively referred to as filter 42, first equalizer 74a, second equalizer 74b, generally referred to as equalizer 74, and D / A converter 44 The first D / A converter 44a, the second D / A converter 44b, and the first frequency converter 22a, the second frequency converter 22b, and the transmission amplifier 24, which are collectively referred to as the frequency converter 22, are collectively referred to as First transmission amplification unit 24a, second transmission amplification unit 24b, first transmission BPF 76a, generally referred to as transmission BPF 76, second transmission BPF 76b, first oscillation unit 78a, generally referred to as oscillation unit 78, second oscillation unit 78b is included. The control unit 30 includes a determination unit 36, a coefficient setting unit 38, and a frequency setting unit 80.

  The relay apparatus 100 is applied to a broadcasting system that transmits a digital modulation signal and an analog modulation signal. Here, for the sake of clarity, it is assumed that only the digital modulation signal is transmitted. The relay apparatus 100 receives a digital modulation signal transmitted from a broadcast station (not shown), performs frequency band limitation that attenuates unnecessary signals, and performs relay transmission that amplifies and transmits necessary signals. The receiving antenna 10 receives a signal in which a plurality of channels are frequency-multiplexed over a predetermined band. In addition, a channel in which digital broadcast waves are arranged is assigned to each of the plurality of channels. Here, it is assumed that the band of one channel of the digital broadcast wave is 6 MHz, and the predetermined band is a maximum of 120 MHz. That is, it is assumed that a maximum of 20 channels are frequency-multiplexed. The receiving antenna 10 outputs the received signal to the demultiplexing unit 64.

  The demultiplexing unit 64 includes an input terminal on the receiving antenna 10 side and two output terminals on the processing unit 70 side. The demultiplexing unit 64 outputs the signal input from the receiving antenna 10 to the two processing units 70. The processing unit 70 extracts the channel to be relayed from the signal input from the demultiplexing unit 64, and then amplifies the extracted channel and outputs the amplified channel to the multiplexing unit 66. Although the relay device 100 includes two processing units 70, each processing unit 70 performs a relay process on each of different portions of the band corresponding to the received signal. Here, each of the bands of the received signal divided into two is called “partial band”. Therefore, each processing unit 70 performs amplification processing on different partial bands. In addition, each processing unit 70 has a pass band of 60 MHz, and thus can pass 10 channels that are continuous on the frequency axis.

  The IF unit 82 includes a keyboard, buttons, and the like (not shown), and receives information related to a channel to be relayed among a plurality of channels included in a signal received by the receiving antenna 10 from the user. The information regarding the channel to be relayed is indicated by, for example, a channel number assigned to the channel to be relayed. Further, it can be said that the channel to be relayed is a channel to be included in the signal transmitted from the relay device 100. The IF unit 82 outputs the received information to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 sets a channel to be passed by each processing unit 70 based on information on the channel to be relayed. Here, the control unit 30 executes the following three steps when setting a channel. In the first stage, the channel to be relayed is associated with each partial band. In the second stage, the values of the two partial bands for division are set based on the correspondence results. That is, the control unit 30 sets a boundary between two partial bands when dividing the band into two partial bands. In the third stage, a frequency characteristic corresponding to the channel associated with each partial band is set. That is, the control unit 30 sets a channel to be relayed in each partial band.

  Of the control unit 30, the determination unit 36, the frequency setting unit 80, and the coefficient setting unit 38 execute the first stage, second stage, and third stage processes, respectively. Here, the determination unit 36 and the frequency setting unit 80 will be described, and the coefficient setting unit 38 will be described later. The determination unit 36 associates the channel to be relayed with the partial bands corresponding to the two processing units 70. This corresponds to setting a boundary between the partial bands of the two processing units 70 in accordance with the channel to be relayed. Here, the determination unit 36 executes the association after determining the values of the other partial bands with reference to the partial band corresponding to one of the two processing units 70. Specifically, the determination unit 36 first determines a partial band for the first processing unit 70a. For example, the determination unit 36 determines the partial band for the first processing unit 70a so that the lowest frequency of the channels to be relayed matches the lowest frequency of the partial band. Thereafter, the determination unit 36 determines a partial band for the second processing unit 70b with reference to the partial band for the first processing unit 70a. For example, the determination unit 36 determines the lowest frequency of the partial band for the second processing unit 70b so as to match the highest frequency of the partial band for the first processing unit 70a.

  FIG. 2 shows an outline of frequency setting by the control unit 30. The horizontal axis of FIG. 2 indicates the frequency, and the vertical axis indicates the amplitude of the signal. The channels to be relayed are indicated by “C1” to “C10”, and 10 channels are set. As shown in the figure, the lowest frequency in the channel to be relayed is “500 MHz”. As described above, the determination unit 36 sets the frequencies of a first reception BPF 72a and a first transmission BPF 76a described later so that the lowest frequency in the partial band of the first processing unit 70a is “500 MHz”. The partial bands set in this way are also shown in FIG. Further, as described above, the determination unit 36 sets the frequencies of a second reception BPF 72b and a second transmission BPF 76b described later.

  On the other hand, the reference frequency band for analog-digital conversion is set to be wider than the partial band. For example, when the partial band is 60 MHz, the reference frequency band is set to 85 MHz. The processing unit 70 performs frequency conversion from the radio frequency band to the baseband frequency band, and the frequency of the local oscillation signal at that time is also set according to the reference frequency band. FIG. 2 also shows the reference frequency band and the frequency of the local oscillation signal. Here, the frequency of the local oscillation signal is indicated as the first oscillation unit or the second oscillation unit. Returning to FIG. The determination unit 36 outputs the determined frequency of the partial band and the frequency of the local oscillation signal to the frequency setting unit 80. Further, the determination unit 36 outputs information on the channel to be relayed in each determined partial band to the coefficient setting unit 38.

  The frequency setting unit 80 receives the frequency of the partial band and the frequency of the local oscillation signal from the determination unit 36, sets the frequency of the partial band to a reception BPF 72 and a transmission BPF 76 described later, and sets the frequency of the local oscillation signal to the oscillation unit 78. Set to. The reception BPF 72 sets a pass band in accordance with an instruction from the frequency setting unit 80. Since a known technique may be used for the reception BPF 72, description thereof is omitted here. The reception BPF 72 extracts a passband portion from the signal from the demultiplexing unit 64. That is, the reception BPF 72 extracts a partial band. The reception amplification unit 14 amplifies the partial band signal from the reception BPF 72. Here, the signal is a broadcast frequency band signal. The reception amplification unit 14 outputs the amplified signal to the frequency converter 16.

The frequency converter 16 converts the broadcast frequency band signal from the reception amplification unit 14 into a baseband signal and outputs the signal to the A / D converter 40. In addition to the broadcast frequency band signal from the reception amplification unit 14, a local oscillation signal L ₁ from the oscillation unit 78 is also input to the frequency converter 16. Frequency converter 16 converts the signal of a broadcast frequency band to a signal in the baseband by multiplying a local oscillation signal L ₁ to a signal of a broadcast frequency band. The oscillating unit 78 receives a signal from the local oscillator 46 and also receives a frequency instruction from the frequency setting unit 80. The oscillation unit 78 is configured by a PLL or the like, adjusts the frequency of the signal from the local oscillator 46 based on the received instruction, and outputs the result as a local oscillation signal. In the configuration as described above, it can be said that the reception BPF 72 and the frequency converter 16 divide the band of the received signal into two partial bands. The A / D converter 40 converts the baseband signal from the frequency converter 16 into a digital signal and outputs it to the digital input / output filter 42.

  In particular, the coefficient setting unit 38 of the control unit 30 sets a signal to be extracted by the digital input / output filter 42 based on information from the determination unit 36. That is, in the digital input / output filter 42, a plurality of taps are connected in series, and the coefficient setting unit 38 sets a tap coefficient corresponding to each of the plurality of taps. Here, an outline of the operation by the coefficient setting unit 38 will be described. Note that the tap coefficient in the digital input / output filter 42 is defined in the time domain. Here, for simplicity of explanation, the frequency domain characteristics are used with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3E. Will be described. 3A to 3E show an outline of derivation of frequency characteristics by the control unit 30. FIG.

  The coefficient setting unit 38 specifies a channel number based on information from the determination unit 36 as described later, and then calculates a tap coefficient. That is, it can be said that the coefficient setting unit 38 generates a frequency characteristic corresponding to a channel associated with each partial band. Here, it is assumed that the frequency corresponding to the channel is defined by “channel number”. For example, a small channel number is assigned to a channel having a low frequency, and a large channel number is assigned to a channel having a high frequency. In FIG. 3A, the “channel number” is indicated by the first channel 200 to the sixth channel 210. These correspond to “C1” in FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3A, the fifth channel 208 is allocated to the broadcasting station of the analog television broadcasting system, and the first channel 200 to the fourth channel 206 and the sixth channel 210 are the digital television. It is assumed that it is assigned to a broadcasting station of the John broadcasting system. Note that the third channel 204 is assigned to a broadcasting station of a digital television broadcasting system in which the area where the relay device 100 is installed is not a broadcasting area. That is, the channels to be relayed correspond to the first channel 200, the second channel 202, the fourth channel 206, and the sixth channel 210.

The coefficient setting unit 38 calculates a tap coefficient according to the following processes (1) to (8), and inputs the calculated tap coefficient to a digital input / output filter 42 described later.
(1) The coefficient setting unit 38 receives the specified channel number from the determination unit 36. In the example of FIG. 3A, as described above, the first channel 200, the second channel 202, the fourth channel 206, and the sixth channel 210 are accepted as the specified channel numbers.
(2) The coefficient setting unit 38 calculates a band elimination characteristic function that attenuates a signal in a channel frequency band corresponding to a channel number not specified by the determination unit 36. In the example of FIG. 3A, the unspecified channels correspond to the third channel 204 and the fifth channel 208, so the band elimination characteristic function is shown as in FIG. 3B.

(3) The coefficient setting unit 38 searches for the channel frequency band to be extracted among the channel numbers specified by the determination unit 36 that is the lowest.
(4) The coefficient setting unit 38 calculates a function representing a high-pass characteristic with the low frequency end of the channel frequency band corresponding to the searched channel number as a cutoff frequency. This function is assumed to be a function of frequency domain expression, and is hereinafter referred to as a high-pass characteristic function. In the example of FIG. 3A, the channel having the lowest channel frequency band is the first channel 200, and the high-pass characteristic function is shown in FIG.
(5) The coefficient setting unit 38 searches for the channel frequency band to be extracted among the channel numbers specified by the determination unit 36 that is the highest.

(6) The coefficient setting unit 38 calculates a function representing a low-pass characteristic in which the high frequency end of the channel frequency band corresponding to the searched channel number is a cutoff frequency. This function is assumed to be a function of frequency domain expression, and hereinafter referred to as a low-pass characteristic function. In the example of FIG. 3A, the channel having the highest channel frequency band is the sixth channel 210, and the low-pass characteristic function is shown in FIG.
(7) The coefficient setting unit 38 calculates a characteristic function obtained by multiplying the band elimination characteristic function, the high-pass characteristic function, and the low-pass characteristic function. In the example of FIG. 3A, the calculated characteristic function is shown as in FIG.
(8) The coefficient setting unit 38 outputs a tap coefficient corresponding to the calculated characteristic function to the digital input / output filter 42. Returning to FIG.

  The digital input / output filter 42 is a signal of a channel in which a digital broadcast wave is arranged among the signals from the A / D converter 40 according to the tap coefficient set by the coefficient setting unit 38, and at least one channel. Signal is extracted. That is, the filter characteristics of the digital input / output filter 42 are determined by setting a tap coefficient in the digital input / output filter 42. The digital input / output filter 42 is configured by an FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filter. The digital input / output filter 42 outputs a baseband signal subjected to band limitation. The equalizer 74 performs waveform equalization on the baseband signal from the digital input / output filter 42. In addition, since a well-known technique should just be used for waveform equalization, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  The D / A converter 44 converts the signal from the equalizer 74 into an analog signal and inputs the analog signal to the frequency converter 22. The frequency converter 22 converts a baseband signal into a broadcast frequency band signal and inputs the signal to the transmission amplifier 24. Since the frequency converter 22 performs the same processing as the frequency converter 16, the description thereof is omitted here. If the broadcast frequency band of the signal converted by the frequency converter 22 and the broadcast frequency band of the signal input at the receiving antenna 10 are equal, a sneak wave is generated between them. Therefore, the relay apparatus 100 may be provided with a wraparound canceller (not shown). Here, since the wraparound canceller is realized by a known technique, description thereof is omitted. Note that the frequency of the local oscillation signal input to the frequency converter 22 may be different from the frequency of the local oscillation signal input to the frequency converter 16.

  The transmission amplifier 24 amplifies the signal in the broadcast frequency band and inputs it to the transmission BPF 76. That is, it can be said that the digital input / output filter 42 and the transmission amplifying unit 24 perform the amplification process after extracting the channels included in each partial band based on the frequency characteristics corresponding to the channels associated with each partial band. The transmission BPF 76 attenuates the image signal included outside the broadcast frequency band of the input signal, the harmonic component signal due to the nonlinearity of the transmission amplification unit 24, and the like, and outputs the attenuated signal to the multiplexing unit 66. The multiplexing unit 66 receives signals from the plurality of processing units 70 and synthesizes them. The multiplexing unit 66 outputs the combined signal to the transmission antenna 28. The transmission antenna 28 transmits the input signal as an electromagnetic wave.

  This configuration can be realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of any computer, and in terms of software, it is realized by a program having a communication function loaded in the memory. Describes functional blocks realized by collaboration. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the coefficient setting unit 38. The coefficient setting unit 38 includes a first memory 60a, a second memory 60b, a third memory 60c, an Nth memory 60n, and a first switch 62a, a second switch 62b, and a third switch. A switch 62c, an Nth switch 62n, and a combining unit 50 are included.

  The memory 60 stores a time-domain waveform corresponding to a frequency characteristic for extracting each of a plurality of channels as a tap coefficient. Here, the first memory 60a stores a time-domain waveform corresponding to the frequency characteristic for extracting the first channel 200 of FIG. The same applies to the memories 60 other than the first memory 60a, and one memory 60 stores a time-domain waveform corresponding to the frequency domain for extracting one channel. 5A to 5H show the waveforms stored in the memory 60. FIG. On the left side of FIGS. 5A to 5H, frequency characteristics for extracting each channel are shown. Here, FIG. 5A corresponds to the first channel 200, and FIGS. 5B to 5H also correspond to the second channel 202 to the eighth channel 214, respectively. 5A to 5H, on the right side, time-domain waveforms corresponding to the left side frequency characteristics are shown. These are stored in the memory 60, respectively.

  Returning to FIG. When the information regarding the channel to be extracted from the determination unit 36, that is, the information regarding the channel specified by the determination unit 36 is input, the switch 62 turns on the corresponding channel. As a result, a frequency characteristic for extracting the turned-on channel is output. This process corresponds to selecting a corresponding tap coefficient from among a plurality of types of time domain tap coefficients held in the memory 60 according to at least one specified channel.

  The synthesizer 50 receives the waveform selected by the switch 62 and synthesizes the received waveform to generate a tap coefficient. This corresponds to generating a frequency characteristic for extracting at least one channel. Note that the synthesis in the synthesis unit 50 is executed in units of each value of the normalization time. The synthesizer 50 outputs the generated tap coefficient to the digital input / output filter 42. The digital input / output filter 42 sets the accepted tap coefficient.

  The operation of the relay device 100 configured as above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a setting procedure in the relay device 100. The IF unit 82 receives information on the channel to be relayed (S10). The determination unit 36 specifies a channel having the lowest frequency based on the received information (S12), and determines a partial band value based on the specified channel. The frequency setting unit 80 adjusts the frequencies of the reception BPF 72, the transmission BPF 76, and the oscillation unit 78 based on the determined partial band values (S14). Further, the coefficient setting unit 38 sets a tap coefficient based on the determined partial band value and the received information (S16).

  Hereinafter, modifications of the present invention will be described. In the control unit 30 in the embodiment, the partial band is set with reference to the channel with the lowest frequency among the channels to be relayed. On the other hand, the control unit 30 according to the modified example sets the partial bands so that the number of channels included in the two partial bands approaches equally. By setting in this way, the probability that the amplitude of the signal input to the A / D converter 40 becomes larger or smaller than the range of the dynamic range of the A / D converter 40 can be reduced. The relay apparatus 100 according to the modification is the same type as the relay apparatus 100 according to FIG. Here, the difference from the relay device 100 according to the embodiment will be mainly described.

  Based on the information received by the coefficient setting unit 38, the determination unit 36 determines the value of each partial band so that the number of channels associated with each partial band approaches equally. Specifically, as in the embodiment, the determination unit 36 temporarily sets two partial bands so that the lowest frequency channel among the channels to be relayed is the lowest frequency of the first reception BPF 72a. To do. In addition, the determination unit 36 calculates the number of channels included in each of the two partial bands when provisionally set. Next, the determination unit 36 shifts each partial band downward so that the next lower channel is included, and temporarily sets the partial band again.

  If the channel to be relayed is included in the two partial bands, the determination unit 36 calculates the number of channels included in each of the two partial bands. The determination unit 36 repeatedly executes the above processing until the channel to be relayed is not included in the two partial bands. Finally, the determination unit 36 selects the value of each partial band when the number of channels associated with each partial band is nearly equal. The determination unit 36 also determines the frequency of the local oscillation signal according to the value of each selected partial band. Since the subsequent processing is the same as that of the embodiment, the description is omitted here.

  FIG. 7 shows an outline of frequency setting according to a modification of the present invention. The arrangement of channels to be relayed shown in FIG. 7 is the same as the arrangement of channels shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, nine channels from “C1” to “C9” are included in the first reception BPF 72a, and one channel “C10” is included in the second reception BPF 72b. On the other hand, in FIG. 7, the first receiving BPF 72a includes five channels from “C1” to “C5”, and the second receiving BPF 72b includes five channels from “C6” to “C10”. It is. The reference frequency band and the frequency of the local oscillation signal are also shown in the same manner as in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a setting procedure according to a modification of the present invention. The IF unit 82 receives information on the channel to be relayed (S50). The determination unit 36 temporarily sets a channel with the lowest frequency from the received information (S52). The determination unit 36 counts the number of channels that should be included in each of the first processing unit 70a and the second processing unit 70b (S54). The determination unit 36 shifts the frequency downward by one channel (S56). If a channel to be relayed is included in the two partial bands (Y in S58), the process returns to step 54. On the other hand, if the channel to be relayed is not included in the two partial bands (N in S58), the determination unit 36 determines the number of channels to be included in the first processing unit 70a and the second processing unit 70b. A partial band close to the number of channels to be included in is selected (S60). Further, the frequency setting unit 80 adjusts the frequencies of the reception BPF 72, the transmission BPF 76, and the oscillation unit 78 based on the value of the selected partial band (S62). Further, the coefficient setting unit 38 sets a tap coefficient based on the determined partial band value and the received information (S64).

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, after the received signal is divided into two partial bands, a channel is extracted while generating frequency characteristics for each partial band, so that the channel is widely distributed in the frequency domain. Even if it exists, it is possible to relay while suppressing the high-speed operation of the hardware. Further, since the processing unit is divided into a plurality of parts, it is possible to suppress an increase in clock speed. Further, since the increase in clock speed is suppressed, the margin for the timing of the operation logic can be increased. Further, since the processing unit is separated into a plurality of parts, the IC chip can also be separated. Moreover, since the IC chip is separated, the amount of heat generated per IC chip can be suppressed. In addition, since the partial band is determined based on one of the processing units, the processing can be simplified. In addition, since the number of channels associated with each partial band approaches evenly, fluctuations in signal intensity can be suppressed to the dynamic range of the AD converter.

  In addition, since stepwise processing is executed, the frequency characteristics can be accurately derived while simplifying the processing. Further, since a common local oscillator is used, a frequency offset between the two processing units can be suppressed. Further, since the tap coefficients held in advance are combined according to the specified channel, a desired frequency characteristic can be formed. Further, since a frequency characteristic that extracts a desired channel is used for one digital input / output filter, an increase in circuit scale can be suppressed. In addition, since the time domain tap coefficient is stored in advance, the process of converting the frequency characteristic value into the time domain can be omitted, and an increase in the processing amount can be suppressed. Even if there are two processing units, the user only has to input information about the channel to be relayed, so the processing burden on the user can be reduced. In addition, since the processing burden on the user is reduced, the convenience for the user can be improved.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the relay device 100 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a receiving apparatus. The configuration of the receiving apparatus corresponds to the relay apparatus 100 of the embodiment in which functions related to transmission are omitted. According to this modification, the present invention can also be applied to a receiving device.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the coefficient setting unit 38 stores a time domain waveform in advance, and generates a tap coefficient of the digital input / output filter 42 by synthesizing these. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the coefficient setting unit 38 stores a plurality of types of frequency domain characteristics corresponding to each channel in advance, and the coefficient setting unit 38 synthesizes desired frequency domain characteristics and then performs inverse Fourier transform. The tap coefficient of the digital input / output filter 42 may be generated by performing the conversion. Also according to this modification, a tap coefficient can be generated as in the embodiment.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission amplification unit 24 is provided in each of the two processing units 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the transmission amplification unit 24 may be provided in the multiplexing unit 66. In such a configuration, the transmission amplification unit 24 performs amplification processing on the synthesized signal. According to this modification, since the number of transmission amplification units 24 can be reduced, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the local oscillation signal from the same oscillating unit 78 is input to the frequency converter 16 and the frequency converter 22, the band of the signal received by the receiving antenna 10, and the transmitting antenna 28. The band of the transmitted signal is the same. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, local oscillation signals having different frequencies may be input to the frequency converter 16 and the frequency converter 22. That is, when the frequency setting unit 80 sets the values of the two partial bands at the time of division for the processing unit 70, the arrangement of the two partial bands in the signal received by the reception antenna 10 and the transmission antenna 28 are set. Is set so that the arrangement of the two subbands in the signal transmitted from is different. By configuring in this way, when the number of processing units 70 is five and the number of channels to be relayed is five, the reception channel can be converted into an arbitrary channel and transmitted, which supports MFN. it can. Also, the block converter method can be supported. For example, the reception frequency = transmission frequency is set for 5 channels, and the remaining 5 channels can be changed to the mid band in CATV.

  FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the relay device 100. 9 includes a local oscillator 48, a third oscillation unit 78c, and a fourth oscillation unit 78d in addition to the relay device 100 of FIG. The local oscillator 48 oscillates a signal having a frequency different from that of the local oscillator 46. Since the other configuration executes the same processing as that of the relay device 100 in FIG. 1, the description thereof is omitted here. According to this modification, the degree of freedom of channel arrangement can be improved.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, two processing units 70 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, three or more processing units 70 may be provided. At that time, the control unit 30 sets a partial band corresponding to each of the three or more processing units 70. According to this modification, even a channel that is more widely distributed in the frequency domain can be relayed while suppressing high-speed hardware operation.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the relay apparatus based on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the frequency setting by the control part of FIG. 3A to 3E are diagrams showing an outline of derivation of frequency characteristics by the control unit in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the coefficient setting part of FIG. FIGS. 5A to 5H are diagrams illustrating waveforms stored in the memory of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the setting procedure in the relay apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the frequency setting which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the setting procedure which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the relay apparatus which concerns on another modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Reception antenna, 14 Reception amplification part, 16 Frequency converter, 22 Frequency converter, 24 Transmission amplification part, 28 Transmission antenna, 30 Control part, 36 Determination part, 38 Coefficient setting part, 40 A / D converter, 42 Digital Input / output filter, 44 D / A converter, 46 local oscillator, 50 synthesis unit, 60 memory, 62 switch, 64 demultiplexing unit, 66 multiplexing unit, 70 processing unit, 72 receiving BPF, 74 equalizer, 76 BPF for transmission, 78 oscillating unit, 80 frequency setting unit, 82 IF unit, 100 relay device.

Claims (4)

A receiving unit for receiving a signal in which a plurality of channels are frequency-multiplexed over a predetermined band;
A dividing unit that divides a band of a signal received by the receiving unit into at least two partial bands;
Corresponding to each of at least two partial bands divided by the division unit, and at least two processing units for extracting a channel to be relayed from each partial band;
A transmission unit that combines the channels extracted in the at least two processing units and transmits the combined signal;
A control unit that receives information on a channel to be relayed among a plurality of channels that are channels to be included in the signal transmitted from the transmission unit and received in the reception unit;
The control unit is configured to associate a partial band corresponding to each of the at least two processing units with a channel to be relayed, and a unit to generate a frequency characteristic corresponding to the channel associated with each partial band. Including
The at least two processing units extract the channels included in each partial band according to the frequency characteristics corresponding to the channels associated with each partial band, and then perform an amplification process .
The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes association after determining a value of another partial band on the basis of a partial band corresponding to one of the at least two processing units. A receiving unit for receiving a signal in which a plurality of channels are frequency-multiplexed over a predetermined band;
A dividing unit that divides a band of a signal received by the receiving unit into at least two partial bands;
Corresponding to each of at least two partial bands divided by the division unit, and at least two processing units for extracting a channel to be relayed from each partial band;
A transmission unit that combines the channels extracted in the at least two processing units and transmits the combined signal;
A control unit that receives information on a channel to be relayed among a plurality of channels that are channels to be included in the signal transmitted from the transmission unit and received in the reception unit;
The control unit is configured to associate a partial band corresponding to each of the at least two processing units with a channel to be relayed, and a unit to generate a frequency characteristic corresponding to the channel associated with each partial band. Including
The at least two processing units extract the channels included in each partial band according to the frequency characteristics corresponding to the channels associated with each partial band, and then perform an amplification process .
The said control part performs matching after determining the value of each partial band so that the number of the channels matched with each partial band may approach equally . A receiving unit for receiving a signal in which a plurality of channels are frequency-multiplexed over a predetermined band;
A dividing unit that divides a band of a signal received by the receiving unit into at least two partial bands;
Corresponding to each of at least two partial bands divided by the division unit, and at least two processing units for extracting a channel to be relayed from each partial band;
A transmission unit that combines the channels extracted in the at least two processing units and transmits the combined signal;
A control unit that receives information on a channel to be relayed among a plurality of channels that are channels to be included in the signal transmitted from the transmission unit and received in the reception unit;
The control unit is configured to associate a partial band corresponding to each of the at least two processing units with a channel to be relayed, and a unit to generate a frequency characteristic corresponding to the channel associated with each partial band. Including
The at least two processing units extract the channels included in each partial band according to the frequency characteristics corresponding to the channels associated with each partial band, and then perform an amplification process .
The control unit sets values of at least two partial bands at the time of division for the division unit based on a result of association between each partial band and a channel, and the at least two processing units A frequency response according to a channel associated with each partial band is set for each of the relay devices. A receiving unit for receiving a signal in which a plurality of channels are frequency-multiplexed over a predetermined band;
A dividing unit that divides a band of a signal received by the receiving unit into at least two partial bands;
Corresponding to each of at least two partial bands divided by the division unit, and at least two processing units for extracting a channel to be relayed from each partial band;
A transmission unit that combines the channels extracted in the at least two processing units and transmits the combined signal;
A control unit that receives information on a channel to be relayed among a plurality of channels that are channels to be included in the signal transmitted from the transmission unit and received in the reception unit;
The control unit is configured to associate a partial band corresponding to each of the at least two processing units with a channel to be relayed, and a unit to generate a frequency characteristic corresponding to the channel associated with each partial band. Including
The at least two processing units extract the channels included in each partial band according to the frequency characteristics corresponding to the channels associated with each partial band, and then perform an amplification process .
The control unit sets values of at least two partial bands at the time of division for the division unit based on a result of association between each partial band and a channel, and the at least two processing units For each of these, set the frequency characteristics according to the channel associated with each partial band,
The control unit, when setting the value of at least two partial bands when dividing for the dividing unit, arrangement of at least two partial bands in a signal received by the receiving unit, and from the transmitting unit A relay device, characterized in that it is set so that the arrangement of at least two partial bands in a signal to be transmitted is different .

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