WO2008125072A1

WO2008125072A1 - Data transmission system having mobile radio participants, use of such a system and automation system

Info

Publication number: WO2008125072A1
Application number: PCT/DE2007/000658
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Meyer; Richard Schmidt
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2007-04-16
Filing date: 2007-04-16
Publication date: 2008-10-23
Also published as: DE112007003545A5

Abstract

A data transmission system (1) comprises a plurality of non-contacting mobile radio participants (2), the mobile radio participants (2) each comprising an electromagnetic radio wave-based (FW) HF transmitter/receiver unit (22) at least for transmitting an individual identification code (IDT). According to the invention, the data transmission system (1) comprises a plurality of inductive charging stations (4), each having a magnetic charging station antenna (43) for emitting an alternating magnetic field (MAG). The mobile radio participants (2) are each provided with a magnetic radio participant antenna (23) for decoupling electrical energy from the alternating magnetic field (MAG) of each charging station (4) at least for supplying the HF transmitter/receiver unit (22) of the mobile radio participant (2). The invention further relates to an automation system (AS) comprising such a data transmission system (1).

Description

description

Data transmission system with mobile radio subscribers, use of such a system and automation system

The invention relates to a data transmission system with a plurality of non-contact mobile radio subscribers. The mobile radio subscribers each have an RF transceiver unit based on electromagnetic radio waves, at least for transmitting an individual identification code.

The invention further relates to the use of such a data transmission system for determining the position of a respective mobile radio subscriber.

Finally, the invention relates to an automation system with a plurality of processing and transport machines along a production line of the automation system. The processing and transport machines are linked to a data processing or control computer.

Data transmission systems or radio systems are known from the prior art whose mobile subscribers can communicate directly with one another. Such systems may for example be based on the IEEE standard 802.15.4. A focus of the standard is the networking of home appliances, in particular the networking of household appliances, sensors and the like within a range of 10 to 75 m. Due to the standard reaction times, it is also possible to use mobile subscribers under real time conditions. Mobile radio subscribers based on this standard have a very low power consumption in the range of 1 to 10 mW with a high stability and security of data connections with data transmission rates in the range of 20 to 250 kbit / s up. Above all, the low energy consumption results from a very low duty cycle or from a so-called "duty cycle ^λλ ratio between the transmission time and the sum of transmission and non-transmission time of less than 0.1%.

ZigBee is preferably designed for a radio frequency in the range of 2.4 GHz in a so-called ISM band. The well-known WLAN standards IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g also "work" in this frequency range. "ISM ^{ΛΛ refers} to free frequency bands for industrial, scientific and medical applications (ISM = industrial, scientific & medical) Range of 868 MHz and 915 MHz.

Furthermore, identification systems are known from the prior art, which contain at least one stationary read / write device. The read / write device exchanges data with mobile radio subscribers contactlessly via a data transmission link which is generally based on radio. Such radio subscribers are also referred to as mobile data storage, transponder, RFID tag or tag. The systems are used in technical facilities where a large number of objects or goods have to be moved as quickly and freely as possible. The objects can be of various types, such as packages in a shipping facility, assembly parts, production parts in a manufacturing plant, luggage in a transport system and much more. It is usually necessary at certain points of the device, such as a manufacturing facility, such as the nature and condition of the currently located in a proximity to these locations located objects quickly and freely. For this purpose, on the one hand, the objects are provided with mobile data memories which receive, for example, data which characterize the type and the current state of the object. on the other hand Read / write devices are placed at the specific locations of the device and are often connected to central data processing facilities.

If e.g. transported in a production process such objects in the vicinity of a selected location, so there arranged, stationary read / write device in a non-contact manner, the data in the mobile data storage detect the objects currently located in their coverage area and possibly change. The acquired data can be collected by means of a higher-level central data processing device, e.g. a process or host computer, for different purposes, e.g. for tracking the run of the objects provided with the mobile data memories and for the dependent control of resources of the respective technical device.

The most commonly used identification systems are based on inductively coupled data transmission. Inductively coupled mobile data storage devices can be used indefinitely because of the integration of chemical data storage

Energy storage, such as Batteries, can be dispensed with. The necessary electrical energy is therefore externally, i. an e- lectric or magnetic field originating from the read / write device, taken without contact.

For communication of the read / write device with such mobile data storage suitable transmission and coding methods are necessary. For example, only certain frequency bands are usually released for the transmission of data, such as the already mentioned ISM frequency bands. Suitable transmission and coding methods provide reliable data transmission between the read / write device and an o the several mobile data storage and energetic supply of the radio subscriber electronics in the detection range of the read / write device safe. Such methods are known for example from the standard ISO / IEC 15693 Part 2 "Air Interface and Initialization" or according to the standard 14443 for operation in an ISM frequency band.

Based on the above-described prior art, it is a first object to provide a data transmission system with a plurality of mobile radio subscribers, in which the mobile radio subscribers can be used indefinitely.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a suitable automation system with such a data transmission system.

The first object is achieved by a data transmission system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the data transmission system are mentioned in the dependent claims 2 to 22.

Claim 23 specifies a suitable use of such a data transmission system for determining the position of a respective mobile radio subscriber.

The further object is achieved according to claim 24 by an automation system with such a data transmission system. In the dependent claims 25 and 26 advantageous embodiments of the automation system are given.

According to the invention, the data transmission system has a multiplicity of inductive charging stations. The charging stations each have a magnetic charging station antenna for emitting an alternating magnetic field. The mobile radio subscribers are each equipped with a magnetic radio subscriber antenna for decoupling electrical energy from the alternating magnetic field of the respective charging station provided at least for feeding the RF transceiver unit of the mobile radio subscriber.

The data transmission system according to the invention combines a conventional RF radio system with the known inductive power supply. This can advantageously be dispensed with a use of batteries in the mobile radio subscribers. Replacing the batteries is not necessary because they are not required.

As a result of the transmission range of the mobile radio subscribers, which is many times higher than that of inductive data transmission, a considerably larger work space, such as e.g. a complete production line, radio coverage. Such a data transmission system is thus more flexible. Furthermore, an otherwise required infrastructure with a large number of technically complex read / write devices, which in addition would have to be connected to a higher-level process or host computer via a bus system, is not required.

By means of the data transmission system according to the invention, a large working space can thus be radio-technically covered, with the mobile radio subscribers being able to be supplied or recharged with energy via a multiplicity of charging stations 4 arranged at points in the working space.

The mobile radio subscribers may, for example, take the form of smart cards. In the plastic carrier material of the chip cards, a flat conductor coil can be incorporated as a magnetic radio subscriber antenna. Alternatively, the mobile radio subscribers can be tablet-shaped or coin-shaped. To special Effective decoupling of electrical energy from the alternating magnetic field, the mobile radio subscribers can have a ferrite core coil as the magnetic antenna.

An inductive charging station in the simplest case has a power supply, a signal generator for generating a sinusoidal signal, e.g. a signal with an ISM frequency of 13.56 MHz, and optionally a signal amplifier for feeding the magnetic charging antenna on. The charging station antenna is typically an antenna known by the reader / writer, such as e.g. a circular conductor loop antenna. The magnetic charging antenna may have a ferrite core for amplifying the alternating magnetic field.

A particular advantage of the data transmission system according to the invention is that with the decoupling of sufficient electrical energy from the alternating magnetic field and with the subsequent possible transmission of the individual identification code of the respective mobile radio subscriber, a position determination thereof is possible. Because with knowledge of the location of the charging stations, a receiver-side assignment of a reporting and identifying mobile radio subscriber to one of the eligible charging stations is possible.

According to a particular embodiment, the mobile radio subscribers each have an energy store for buffering the decoupled electrical energy. This advantageously makes it possible to transmit the mobile radio subscriber outside the charging stations.

With an energy storage, a large part of the decoupled from the alternating magnetic field electrical energy eon be cached. As energy storage come capacitors with high storage capacity, such as electrolytic capacitors, or accumulators, such as NiCd or NiMH batteries, in question. The buffer time can be in the seconds, minutes, hours or even days depending on the capacity of the energy storage device, the residence time of the mobile radio subscriber in the detection range of a respective charging station and the average energy consumption of the mobile radio subscriber.

Preferably, the charging stations and the mobile radio subscribers are designed such that in a detection range of the respective magnetic charging station antenna sufficient electrical energy for continuous feeding of the respective mobile radio subscriber can be coupled out. Possible technically variable parameters with regard to a charging station are e.g. the diameter of the charging station antenna, in particular the diameter of a circular loop conductor antenna, as well as the magnetic induction of the magnetic charging station antenna.

It is also conceivable that a charging station has a regulated signal generator, which adjusts the induction of the alternating magnetic field as a function of the distance of the mobile radio subscriber to the magnetic charging station antenna. If a mobile radio subscriber is located, for example, on an outer edge of the detection area, then the magnetic induction can be raised to a radio-field-maximum permissible field strength value.

On the part of the mobile radio subscriber, the technically variable parameters are the spatial dimensions of the magnetic radio subscriber antenna, that is to say in particular the effective cross-sectional area which is traversed by the alternating magnetic field. The mobile radio subscribers can also be a two- or three-dimensional Have magnetic antenna, so that regardless of the spatial position of the mobile radio subscriber electrical energy from the alternating magnetic field can be coupled out. In such a case, the magnetic radio subscriber antenna is composed of three mutually orthogonal coils or conductor loops.

According to an advantageous embodiment, only from one of the charging stations whose magnetic alternating field can be emitted at any time. This is preferably done cyclically. As a result, a direct assignment of a mobile radio subscriber who is reporting and identifying himself due to the emitted magnetic alternating field is advantageously possible for the charging station which is currently emitting. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in mobile radio subscribers, which have no energy storage for buffering and therefore must be located when transmitting the respective individual identification codes in the detection range of the charging station currently emitting.

It is also conceivable that a mobile radio subscriber - with or without electrical buffer memory - emits a charging operating identification as soon as the mobile radio subscriber determines that electrical energy can be coupled out of the alternating magnetic field. For this purpose, the mobile radio subscriber may for example have a voltage detector which outputs a corresponding signal, for example, when a rectified AC voltage of the magnetic radio subscriber antenna exceeds a predetermined voltage value.

The charging stations can be connected according to a further embodiment of a power supply line for electrical power, such as a conventional 230V / 50Hz or to a 110V / 60Hz power supply network. The charging stations may be signal output means for decoupling a signal have supply line transmitted synchronization signal. The magnetic alternating field can be emitted as a function of this synchronization signal from the charging stations. Such a synchronization signal is preferably modulated onto the voltage of the live power supply lines, such as by means of the known "PowerLine ^λλ- method.

The synchronization signal is in the simplest case a cyclic signal sequence with individual identifiers for addressing the respective charging station. If a charging station is addressed, it sends out the alternating magnetic field. If there is an invalid identification for the respective charging station, it switches off the alternating magnetic field again.

Alternatively or additionally, the charging stations may have a radio receiver for coupling out a radio time signal. The respective alternating magnetic field can be emitted as a function of this radio-time signal from the charging stations. In this case, the transmission of the synchronization signal via the power supply lines is not required. The synchronization signal may e.g. can be obtained from a DCF77 radio time signal or from a GPS signal. The DCF77 signal is also commonly used in conventional radio clocks.

As an alternative or in addition, the charging stations can have a time signal generator for generating a time signal. The respective alternating magnetic field can be emitted as a function of this time signal from the charging stations. In this case, the charging stations may have a quartz-based timer or a quartz-based timer. For the exemplary case of four charging stations, the timer can generate a circulating signal sequence 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2,..., Each numerical value coding or addressing precisely one of the four possible charging stations. It is to be assumed that the quartz-controlled timers were adjusted synchronously.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the charging stations have a signal generator for generating a modulated alternating magnetic field. The alternating magnetic field can be modulated at least with an individual charging station identifier stored in the respective charging station and / or with an individual position indication of the charging station which relates to a common reference position. The mobile radio subscribers each have an inductive data receiver and storage means for storing at least the charging station identifier and / or the position indication.

The particular advantage of the last-described procedure is that no synchronization signal is required as in the previously described embodiments. Suitable modulation methods for transmitting the aforementioned identifiers are known from the aforementioned standards ISO / IEC 15693 Part 2 "Air Interface and Initialization" or ISO / IEC 14443 for operation in an ISM frequency band. For the technical implementation of these methods, corresponding integrated electronic components are available. In the simplest case, the respective charging station cyclically transmits an individual charging station identifier and / or a position indication of the charging station in relation to a reference position, such as e.g. a prominent position within a production plant. The emitted individual charging station identifier and / or position information is then received by a mobile radio subscriber in the detection area of the respective charging station and stored there.

In particular, there is an internal data connection between the inductive data receiver and the RF transceiver unit in the respective mobile radio subscriber. At least the charging via the data connection receivable Station identifier and / or the position information and the respective identification codes of the mobile radio subscriber can be transmitted by means of the RF transceiver unit. As a result, a position detection of a mobile radio subscriber is possible on the receiver side in a particularly simple manner. For this purpose, a mobile radio subscriber penetrating into the detection area of a charging station transmits both its own individual identification code and the individual charging station identifier and / or the position information of the respective charging station. These can be evaluated by a higher-level receiver. In other words, with the penetration of the mobile radio subscriber into the detection area of a charging station its exact position is known.

According to a further embodiment, at least the individual identification code received from respective first mobile radio subscribers and the charging station identifier and / or the position indication can be forwarded to adjacent second mobile radio subscribers. The forwarding, that is the receiving and subsequent forwarding is possible by means of the respective RF transceiver unit. As a result, the reliability of the data transmission is increased because the individual identification code and the charging station identifier and / or the position of the respective charging station can be forwarded to a receiver via several possible ways. Is a direct data transfer from a mobile radio subscriber to a receiver, e.g. by intervening shielding metallic surfaces, not possible, the data transmitted by the mobile radio subscriber can reach the receiver via adjacent mobile radio subscribers.

According to a preferred embodiment, the data transmission system has a base station with an RF transceiver. The base station is connected to a first data network. The base station has means for Forwarding of at least the individual identification codes received from the respective mobile radio subscriber as well as the individual charging station identifier and / or position information originating from the respective charging station into the first data network.

Via the central forwarding of the data received from the mobile radio subscribers into the first data network, an evaluation of this data by a computer likewise connected to the first data network, such as e.g. a process or host computer possible. Thereby, a spatial allocation of the mobile radio subscribers within a given work space, such as a within a manufacturing or automation system, advantageously possible.

In the data transmission between the mobile radio subscribers with each other and / or between the mobile radio subscribers and the at least one base station is a far-field data transmission. This means that the electromagnetic waves have already been released from the transmitting antenna for data transmission. The radiation of the high-frequency electromagnetic waves is typically carried out with a capacitive dipole or patch antenna. The HF data transmission preferably takes place in a frequency band of more than 400 MHz, in particular more than 2 GHz.

In particular, data transmission occurs in a high frequency ISM frequency band. Their use is advantageously free of charge.

According to a preferred embodiment, the RF data transmission is based on an IEEE 802 standard, in particular on an IEEE 802.15 standard. The particular advantage is that the radio technical specifications and the transmission protocols for the communication of mobile radio subscribers with each other and to a higher-level base station or a higher-level transceiver or router are already defined.

According to a further embodiment, the data transmission between the charging stations and the mobile radio subscribers is a near-field data transmission. The data transmission takes place in this case at a distance from the magnetic charging station antenna, in which there is no separation of the electromagnetic wave of this. As a result, the magnetic antenna acts directly on the not yet detached shaft back. This retroactivity enables effective transformer-inductive energy transfer. In the case of a magnetic antenna designed as a circular conductor loop antenna, the virtual boundary between the near and far fields is approximately λ / 2π, for example. The wavelength λ is the quotient of the speed of light c and the frequency of the excitation current flowing in the antenna.

In particular, the data transmission takes place in an ISM frequency band for inductive data transmission. The use of these frequency bands is advantageously free of charge.

According to a preferred embodiment, the data transmission takes place in one of the ISM frequency bands of less than 125 kHz, at 6.78 MHz, 13.56 MHz or 27.125 MHz. In particular, the frequencies are in a range of less than 50 MHz.

Preferably, the data transmission is based on an ISO IEC 14443-2 standard or on an ISO IEC 15693-2 standard. Corresponding standard-compliant integrated components have long been available.

The mobile radio subscribers are preferably mobile data memories. Such mobile data memories are also used as transponder, tag or RFID tag (RFID for radio frequency). quency

Identification).

The mobile radio subscribers may alternatively or additionally be mobile radio sensors. In particular, they have at least one sensor and a control unit at least for receiving corresponding sensor data. The sensor data preferably comprises an environmental condition detected in the environment of the mobile radio subscriber, e.g. a temperature value, a humidity value, a brightness value or an air pressure value. As a result, undue undershoots or overshoots of the aforementioned parameters can be detected and countermeasures can be taken by the control or process computer. This can e.g. be in the case of a temperature-sensitive manufacturing part of the case where the mobile radio subscriber is attached to identify the manufacturing part. An environmental condition may also be a field strength of a magnetic or electric field.

The system according to the invention can be advantageously used for determining the position of a respective mobile radio subscriber. Timely knowledge of the mobile radio subscribers and therefore of components, parts or goods in general, to which the mobile radio subscribers are attached, simplifies the process management or logistics such as e.g. in an automation or manufacturing system or in a warehouse.

The object of the invention is further achieved by an automation system with a plurality of processing and transport machines along a production line of the automation system. The processing and transport machines are connected to a data processing or control computer. The automation system has a data transmission system according to the invention. It is the multitude of inductive arranged along the production line. The mobile radio subscribers are at least partially attached to machined and / or transported manufacturing parts.

Such an automation system advantageously has a simpler structure and higher reliability. In addition, no replacement of the batteries in the mobile radio subscribers is required, since an energetic supply of mobile radio subscribers can take place via the along the production line mounted charging stations.

Processing machines can e.g. CNC-controlled milling machines, lathes, robots, drills, painting stations, welding devices. The list is not exhaustive. There are any machines into consideration, which can perform processing or treatment steps on the production parts, goods or goods.

Transport machines can be containers, carriages, conveyor belts or roller conveyors. This list is not exhaustive either. There are any types of means of transport in question, which can move the production parts, goods or goods to a predetermined target position.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the control or process computer is connected in terms of data technology with at least one base station arranged in the region of the production line. With knowledge of the respective position of the mobile radio subscribers and the associated production parts, goods or goods to be processed and / or transported, a process-oriented control of the processing and transport machines connected to the data processing or process computer is possible. Preferably, at least part of the installed lated charging stations in the field of processing and transport machines arranged.

If, for example, a mobile radio subscriber reports his identification code and the charging station code when he enters the detection area of a charging station in the area of a processing machine, the higher-level control or process computer can use the two transmitted data corresponding control commands to the processing unit to start processing by the output to a mobile radio subscriber marked production part. Depending on the detected identification code, different processing processes can be started. The respective transmitted identification code can also have a group identifier, via which the control or process computer can output predetermined group-related processing steps to the processing machine.

If, for example, a mobile radio subscriber reports his identification code and the charging station code when he enters the detection area of a charging station in the area of a transport machine, the higher-level control or process computer can output corresponding travel commands to the respective transport machine identified via the charging station identifier.

According to a further embodiment, the inductive charging stations are arranged at points of the production line with a comparatively long residence time of the production parts. These are in particular places where a longer-lasting processing of the respective production part is pending. The points may also be the transport machines themselves, to which an inductive charging station is attached.

The invention and advantageous embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the following figures. Show it 1 shows an exemplary data transmission system with three mobile radio subscribers and a transceiver as base station based on the IEEE 802.15 standard according to the prior art,

2 shows an exemplary identification system with five mobile data memories as mobile radio subscribers and two read / write devices according to the prior art,

3 shows an example of a data transmission system with five mobile radio subscribers and two inductive charging stations according to the invention,

4 shows an example of the structure of a mobile radio subscriber of a data transmission system according to the invention,

5 shows the exemplary data transmission system according to FIG. 3 with the five mobile radio subscribers each having an energy store for buffering the decoupled electrical energy according to the invention,

6 shows the exemplary data transmission system according to FIG. 5 with a superordinate base station according to the invention and FIG

7 shows an example of an automation system with a data transmission system according to the invention.

1 shows an exemplary data transmission system 1 with three mobile radio subscribers 2 and a transceiver 3 as a base station based on the IEEE 802.15 standard according to the prior art.

The mobile radio subscribers 2 of the known data transmission system 1 operate without contact, that is to say wireless Come on. They each have an RF transceiver unit based on electromagnetic radio waves, at least for transmitting an individual identification code IDT. It is also possible to transmit other data or data packets in the sense of user data from one mobile radio subscriber 2 to another mobile radio subscriber 2.

The mobile radio subscribers 2 each have an RF transmitting / receiving antenna 22. The antenna 22 is typically a capacitive dipole antenna or a patch patch antenna. In order to ensure continuous operation of the mobile radio subscribers 2, they have an energy store 21, preferably a battery. Dl denotes first data which can be transmitted in the far field FF from a mobile radio subscriber 2 to an adjacent mobile radio subscriber 2. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, they can have a respective individual identification code IDT of the transmitting mobile radio subscriber 2.

In the lower right part of FIG 1, a transceiver 3 is shown as a base station. It can also be considered as a router or as a gateway, which or as a master superordinate regulates the wireless data traffic. The base station 3 accomplishes the transmission of second data D2 via a data connection DV into a connected first data network N1. DN1 denotes first network data. These may include, among others, the second data D2 sent by the respective mobile radio subscribers 2, such as eg the respective individual identification codes IDT. User data can also be addressed and transmitted via the first data network N1 via the base station 3 to a selected mobile radio subscriber 2. For addressing, for example, the individual identification code IDT can be used. The first data network N1 can, for example, be a wireline be a bus system, such as a field bus or a LAN (for Local Area Network). It can also be a radio-based bus system, such as a WLAN (for wireless LAN) or a bus system based on a Bluetooth, DECT, GSM or UMTS standard.

By way of example, a control or process computer 11, which can receive and evaluate the first network data DN1, is connected to the data network N1. It may also output first network data DN1 to the first data network N1, which may be addressed to the respective mobile radio subscribers 2, among others.

2 shows an exemplary identification system IDS with five mobile data memories 2 as mobile radio subscribers and two read / write devices SLG according to the prior art.

Three of the five mobile data memories, tags or transponders 2 shown are located within a respective detection area EB belonging to the two read / write devices SLG. The respective direction of movement of the mobile data memory 2 are shown in FIG 2 drawn arrows. The illustrated contour of the detection areas EB schematically symbolizes a region within which a decoupling of sufficient electrical energy by the mobile data memory 2 from the magnetic alternating field emitted by the read / write devices SLG is possible. EF denotes the energy flow direction from the read / write device SLG to the respective mobile data memory 2. The magnetic alternating field is generated by means of a magnetic antenna 43 of the read / write device SLG. In most cases, this is a circular conductor loop antenna 43. The magnetic antenna 43 is fed in each case by an oscillator or frequency generator 41 of the charging stations 4.

As FIG 2 shows, an exchange of third data D3 between the respective read / write device SLG and the mobile data storage 2 is possible, as long as they are located in one of the detection areas EB. Depending on the technical design of the identification system IDS, data transmission from a mobile data memory 2 to the read / write device SLG is possible in the reverse direction or in both directions. The third data D3 to be transmitted are modulated by the read / write device SLG to the alternating magnetic field. The data transmission from the respective mobile data memory 2 is effected by load modulation, which by means of a transformatory near-field coupling to the magnetic antenna 43 of the read / write device SLG in the form of an ner impedance change back. In the example of FIG. 2, an individual identification code IDT stored in the respective data memory 2 can be read out in this way.

The two read / write devices SLG shown are connected via a data link DV to a second data network N2. This may, as previously described, be a wired or a wireless bus system. With the second data network N2, a control or process computer 11 is connected among other things for transmitting and receiving second network data DN2. A part of the second network data DN2 may comprise the third data D3 addressed to the respective mobile data memories 2. In a reverse way, the respective individual identification codes IDT of the mobile data memory 2 can be forwarded via a read / write device SLG to the control or process computer 11 as second network data DN2.

3 shows an example of a data transmission system 1 with five mobile radio subscribers 2 and two inductive charging stations 4 according to the invention.

The exemplary two inductive charging stations 4 of the data transmission system 1 according to the invention each have a magnetic charging station antenna 43 for emitting an alternating magnetic field. Preferably, the magnetic charging station antenna 43 is a loop conductor antenna. It can be accommodated in a magnetically non-conductive housing of the charging station 4. It can alternatively be connected to the charging station 4 via a cable feed. It is also possible to connect a plurality of magnetic charging station antennas 43 to a charging station 4.

The mobile radio subscribers 2 are further provided according to the invention each with a magnetic radio subscriber antenna 23. They serve for decoupling of electrical energy from the alternating magnetic field of the respective charging station 4 at least for feeding an RF transceiver unit of the mobile radio subscriber 2. In the example of FIG. 3, only the two mobile radio subscribers 2 which are located in the coverage areas EB of the charging stations 4 are sufficiently supplied with electrical energy, so that a supply of the respective RF transceiver unit is possible. This is symbolized in FIG. 3 by the marking of radio waves FW. For radiating the mobile radio subscribers 2 each have an RF transmitting / receiving antenna 22, such as a dipole antenna, on. In particular, the charging stations 4 and the mobile radio subscribers 2 are designed such that in a detection range EB of the respective magnetic charging station antenna 43 sufficient electrical energy can be coupled out for the continuous supply of the respective mobile radio subscriber 2.

The charging stations 4 are connected to a power supply line SVN for electrical supply. This can e.g. be a known 230V / 50Hz or HOV / βOHz power supply line SVN.

In the example of FIG. 3, the charging stations 4 have a signal generator 41 for generating a modulated alternating magnetic field. In particular, the signal generator 41 generates a sinusoidal signal having a high signal level, which feeds the magnetic charging station antenna 43. The respective receiver circuit with the magnetic radio subscriber antenna 23 in the radio subscriber 2 is set to the transmission frequency of the charging stations 4, so that a maximum decoupling of electrical energy from the magnetic alternating field is possible. The energy transfer is typically near field transmission in an ISM frequency band. Eligible ISM frequency bands are less than 125 kHz, 6.78 MHz, 13.56 MHz or 27.125 MHz.

Furthermore, the magnetic alternating field emitted by the respective charging station 4 is at least one in the respective charging station 4 stored individual charging station ID IDL and / or with an individual, based on a common reference position position information POS of the charging station 4 modulated. These and other user data not specified further can be transmitted as third data D3 from the respective inductive charging station 4. The mobile radio subscribers 2 in the detection area EB of a corresponding charging station 4 each have an inductive data receiver and storage means for storing at least the charging station identifier IDL and / or the position indication POS.

The modulation and thereby possible data transmission is preferably based on an ISO IEC 14443-2 standard or on an ISO IEC 15693-2 standard. These standards specify suitable transmission methods as well as radio-technical limits for the inductive data transmission over an air interface.

The information flow of the data transmission system 1 according to the invention preferably takes place from an inductive charging station 4 to the mobile radio subscribers 2 in the respective coverage area EB. By means of the aforementioned methods, in particular by load modulation of the mobile radio subscribers 2, the third data D3 can also be transmitted from the mobile radio subscribers 2 to the inductive charging stations 4. The third data D3 intended for a charging station 4 can be, for example, parameters for setting the software in the respective charging station 4. The third data D3 may also have a new charging station identifier IDL and / or a new position indication POS for the charging station 4.

In the case of the mobile radio subscribers 2 shown in the example of FIG. 3, an internal data connection between the inductive data receiver and the RF transceiver unit is present in each case. At least that over the Data connection receivable charging station identifier IDL and / or the position information POS and the respective identification code IDT of the mobile radio subscriber 2 can be transmitted by means of the RF transceiver unit. This is illustrated by the arrow in the area of the radio waves FW.

The data transmission takes place by means of the respective RF transceiver unit, preferably in a high-frequency ISM frequency band of more than 400 MHz. Preferred frequency bands are in the range of 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz. Other possible frequency bands are in the range of 433 MHz, 869 MHz or 915 MHz.

On the receiver side, it is thus possible to determine the position of the respective mobile radio subscriber 2, which reports with its individual identification code IDT and with the charging station identifier IDL and / or the position information POS.

Alternatively, the position can be determined by the fact that at each time only one of the charging stations 4 whose magnetic alternating field is emitted. Since a mobile radio subscriber 2 is only enabled to transmit when sufficient electrical energy has been decoupled, a direct assignment of a mobile radio subscriber 2 currently transmitting to the inductive charging station 4 which is currently emitting an alternating magnetic field is possible. For this purpose, a possible receiver may have time and allocation means. In particular, the other radio subscribers 2 and the base stations 3 come into question as receivers.

The charging stations 4 may, for example, signal output means for coupling out a transmitted on the power supply line SVN synchronization signal. The alternating magnetic field is dependent on this synchronization signal from the charging stations 4 can be emitted.

Alternatively, the charging stations 4 may have a radio receiver for coupling out a radio time signal. The respective alternating magnetic field can be emitted by the charging stations 4 as a function of the radio-time signal.

Also, the charging stations 4 may include a timing signal generator for generating a timing signal, e.g. based on a quartz-based electronic clock. The respective alternating magnetic field can be emitted as a function of this time signal from the charging stations 4.

4 shows by way of example the structure of a mobile radio subscriber 2 of a data transmission system 1 according to the invention.

In the left part of FIG 4, the magnetic radio subscriber antenna 23 can be seen. In it, an induction voltage is generated by the magnetic alternating field MAG. The magnetic alternating field MAG is symbolized by a closed magnetic field line, which flows through the magnetic antenna 23. The induced voltage is fed to a rectifier 25, at whose output a pulsed rectified output voltage is provided. By the reference numeral 24 is shown as an energy storage example, a capacitor. It serves in addition to the buffering of the supplied electrical energy for smoothing the pulsed rectified input voltage. This voltage ultimately serves for the electrical supply of the further electrical and electronic components 27a, 27b, 27, 28 of the mobile radio subscriber 2.

Above the rectifier 25, the inductive data receiver 26 can be seen, which by means of a suitable Filtering circuit, the third data D3, with which the alternating magnetic field MAG has been modulated charging station side extracted. These data D3 include inter alia the individual charging station identifier IDL and / or the position indication POS of the charging station 4 currently transmitting. The demodulated signal is supplied to a first control unit 27a which controls the inductive part of the mobile radio subscriber 2.

In the right part of FIG 4, the RF part of the mobile radio subscriber 2 is shown, which is controlled by a second control unit 27b. The two control units 27a, 27b are connected via internal data connection lines for exchanging internal data DA and for forwarding the individual charging station identifier IDL and / or the position indication POS. On the output side, the second control unit 27b is connected to an RF modulator / demodulator 28. Between these two units 27b, 28 transceiver data SED are exchanged. The individual charging station identifier IDL and / or the position indication POS or its corresponding signal sequence is modulated by the RF modulator part of the RF modulator / demodulator 28 to a suitable RF level and radiated via the downstream RF antenna 22 in the form of radio waves FW. In addition to the identifiers IDL, POS mentioned above, the individual identification code IDT of the mobile radio subscriber 2 is also transmitted. This is preferably stored in a nonvolatile memory of the second control unit 27b. The latter identifier IDT can also be sent alone if no valid individual charging station identifier IDL and / or the position information POS could be received.

Usually, the functions of the two control units 27a, 27b are adopted by a single control unit 27. This is in particular a microcontroller. With the mobile radio subscribers 2, according to the example of FIG 4 sensors not shown further may be connected. The sensors are preferably integral components of the mobile radio subscriber 2. The second control unit 27b may have one or more corresponding inputs for receiving corresponding sensor data SENS. The sensor data SENS may include an environmental condition detected in the environment of the mobile radio subscriber 2, for example a temperature value, a humidity value, a brightness value or an air pressure value. The environmental condition may also be a magnetic or electric field strength value. In the former case, the sensor may be a magnetic field sensor. If the detected magnetic field exceeds a predetermined field strength value, then a switching signal can be derived as sensor data. Finally, the sensor data SENS can also be output to the RF modulator / demodulator 28 and sent.

In addition, the individual ID codes IDT received at least from the first mobile radio subscribers in reception range 2 and the charging station ID ID and / or the position indication POS can be forwarded to adjacent second mobile radio subscribers 2 by means of the respective RF transceiver unit 32.

5 shows the exemplary data transmission system 1 according to FIG. 3 with the five mobile radio subscribers 2 each having an energy store 24 for buffering the decoupled electrical energy according to the invention.

In contrast to the example of FIG. 3, the energy store 24 in the respective mobile radio subscriber 2 also allows transmission and / or reception operation outside the detection range EB of an inductive charging station 4. The energy store 24 is preferably an accumulator, such as a NiCd, NiMH, or a lithium-ion Accumulator. The energy storage 24 may alternatively be a high storage capacity capacitor, such as an electrolytic capacitor. Special high-capacitance types are known as goldcap or ultracap capacitors. The aforementioned capacitors can also be connected in parallel to an accumulator.

The now possible communication of the mobile radio subscribers 2 outside of a detection range EB is symbolized by corresponding arrows.

In the example of FIG. 5 it can also be seen how the individual identification codes IDT received at least by first mobile radio subscribers 2 in reception range as well as the charging station identifier IDL and / or the position indication POS can be forwarded to adjacent second mobile radio subscribers 2 by means of the respective RF transceiver unit.

In particular, the data transmission according to FIG. 5 between the mobile radio subscribers 2 is a far-field data transmission with one another. The data transmission preferably takes place in a high-frequency ISM frequency band. Furthermore, the data transmission is preferably based on an IEEE 802 standard, in particular on an IEEE 802.15 standard. These ensure reliable data transmission in addition to a fast connection.

6 shows the exemplary data transmission system 1 according to FIG. 5 with a higher-order base station 3 according to the invention.

The base station 3 has an RF transceiver, not shown. About this takes place the data transmission to lying in the transmission and reception range mobile radio subscribers 2 in the far field. The data- Transmission preferably takes place in the same high-frequency ISM frequency band as in the data transmission between the mobile radio subscribers 2 with one another. The base station 3 is connected to a first data network DNl. Furthermore, the base station 3 has means for forwarding at least the individual identification code IDT received from the respective mobile radio subscriber 2 as well as the individual charging station identifier IDL and / or position information POS originating from the respective charging station 4 into the first data network DN1. DN1 designates first network data which, inter alia, have the identifiers IDT, IDL, POS mentioned above. The first network data DN1 can also have further, unspecified user data.

In the opposite way, the first network data DNl from the first data network Nl via the base station 3 to the desired, that is addressed, mobile radio subscriber 2, forwarded. The base station 3 can therefore also be regarded as a router, gateway or transceiver.

By the reference numeral 11 is exemplified a control or process computer, which is also connected to the first data network Nl. At least part of the first network data DN1, in particular the identifiers IDL, IDT, POS mentioned above and a respective base station identifier IDB, can be received and evaluated by the control or process computer 11.

In the example of FIG. 6, only one base station 3 is shown. In large workspaces with several 1000 square meters or 10000 square meters, such as in a manufacturing plant, several distributed base stations 3 are advantageous. In particular, these are arranged such that the working space is well radio-lit. Preferably, all base stations 3 are the same first data network DNl, each of the base stations 3 having an individual base station identifier IDB.

The data transmission system 1 according to the invention described in FIGS. 3 to 6 is advantageous for determining the position of a respective mobile radio subscriber 2.

Depending on the focus of their use, the mobile radio subscribers 2 can be mobile data storage 2 for identification purposes and / or mobile radio sensors 2 for detecting an environmental condition.

7 shows an exemplary automation system AS with a data transmission system 1 according to the invention.

The automation system AS shown has a plurality of processing and transport machines 6-10 along a production line FTS of the automation system AS. In the example of FIG 7, the processing of an exemplary angle-shaped production part 5 along the running from left to right production line FTS. The illustrated manufacturing part 5 may e.g. be a body part of a motor vehicle. Coming from the left, it is processed or treated by means of a first milling machine 7 as a processing machine, by means of a subsequent second processing machine 8 and by means of a painting installation 9. The transport between the respective processing machines 7, 8, 9 by means of a trolley 6 as a transport machine and by means of a conveyor belt 10th

The processing and transport machines 6-10 are data technically connected to a control or process computer 11, which sends to these corresponding control commands. The processing machines 7, 8, 10 are exemplified via a bus system PB, such as via a Profibus, connected to the control or process computer 11. The trolley 6 are connected via a radio data connection, such as by means of WLAN, with the control or process computer 11. This is symbolized by the marked antennas Al, A2. With PD process data are designated, which are exchanged on the bus system PB for controlling and regulating the entire processes of the automation system AS.

The automation system AS furthermore has a data transmission system 1 according to the invention. A plurality of inductive charging stations 4 are arranged along the production line FTS. In the present example, the trolley 6 each have an installed on the vehicle 6 inductive charging station 4. In this case, the charging stations 4 are fed from an accumulator of the trolley 6. Furthermore, in each case an inductive charging station 4 is attached to the two milling machines 7, 8 and on the conveyor belt 10.

A mobile radio subscriber 2 is attached to the production part 5 to be processed and transported. In particular, it is mounted in such a way that it is located at least temporarily during transport and processing in the area of an inductive charging station 4. In this case, the mobile radio subscriber 2 can be fed via the respective charging station 4. The inductive charging stations 4 are arranged at locations of the production line FTS at which the mobile radio subscribers 2 have a comparatively long residence time.

If the mobile radio subscriber 2 has an internal energy store 24, this can be charged during the dwell time. With FW radio waves are designated, which transmits the mobile radio subscriber 2 during the respective transport and processing sections. Furthermore, the control or process computer 11 is connected in terms of data technology with at least one base station 3 arranged in the region of the production line FTS. In the example of FIG. 7, only one base station 3 is present. This forwards the signals received from the mobile radio subscriber 2 to the control or process computer 11.

In the case of the automation system AS according to the invention, the current position of the production part 5 can be determined at least at the times at which the mobile radio subscriber 2 attached to the production part 5 is located in the region of a charging station 4. For this purpose, the mobile radio subscriber 2 sends its individual identification code IDT and the individual charging station identifier IDL and / or a corresponding position indication POS to the base station 3. This forwards the received identifiers IDT, IDL, POS as the first network data DNl to the control or process computer 11.

If the mobile radio subscriber 2 has an energy store for buffering the energy which has been decoupled from the alternating magnetic field of a charging station 4, it can send its individual identification code IDT consecutively or by means of interrogation by the superordinate base station 3. It can also send a charging operation identifier only in case it is located in a detection area EB of an inductive charging station 4.

In response to the respective identifiers IDT, IDL, POS received via the first data network Nl, the control or process computer 11 can send suitable control commands for the individual processing of the production part 5 marked by the respective mobile radio subscriber 2 to the respective processing or transport machine 6-10. Due to the short reaction times of the mobile Radio subscribers 2 can also be used for real-time applications in the automation system.

If the data transmission system 1 or the automation system has a plurality of base stations 3, it is alternatively possible to determine the respective position of a mobile radio subscriber 2 by using suitable triangulation and / or transit time measurement methods. For this purpose, the base stations 3 operating in the network and connected via the first data network N1 can have means for joint position determination of a mobile radio subscriber 2 on the basis of distance measurements.

Claims

claims

1. Data transmission system having a plurality of non-contact mobile radio subscribers (2), the mobile radio subscribers (2) each having an electromagnetic radio waves (FW) based RF transceiver unit (32) at least for sending a in ^¬ individual identification codes (IDT), characterized .

- That the data transmission system further comprises a plurality of inductive charging stations (4), each having a magnetic charging station antenna (43) for emitting an alternating magnetic field (MAG), and in that the mobile radio subscriber (2) each having a magnetic radio subscriber antenna (23) for Decoupling of electrical energy from the magnetic alternating field (MAG) of the respective charging station (4) are provided at least for feeding the RF transceiver unit of the mobile radio subscriber (2).

2. The data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein a mobile radio subscriber (2) each has an energy store

(24) for buffering the decoupled electrical energy.

3. Data transmission system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the charging stations (4) and the mobile radio subscribers (2) are designed such that in a detection area

(EB) of the respective magnetic charging station antenna (43) sufficient electrical energy for continuous feeding of the respective mobile radio subscriber (2) can be coupled out.

4. Data transmission system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at any one time only from one of the charging stations (4) whose alternating magnetic field (MAG) is emitable.

5. Data transmission system according to claim 4, characterized in that the charging stations (4) are connected to a power supply line for electrical supply, that the charging stations (4) Signalauskoppelmittel for coupling out a ü on the power supply line Ü transmitted synchronization signal and that the alternating magnetic field (MAG) in response to the synchronization signal from the charging stations (4) can be emitted.

6. Data transmission system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the charging stations (4) have a radio receiver for decoupling a radio time signal and that the respective alternating magnetic field (MAG) depending on the radio timing signal from the charging stations (4) can be transmitted.

7. The data transmission system according to claim 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that the charging stations (4) have a time signal generator for generating a time signal and that the respective magnetic alternating field (MAG) in response to this time signal from the charging stations (4) can be emitted.

8. Data transmission system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging stations (4) have a signal generator (41) for generating a modulated alternating magnetic field (MAG), the magnetic alternating field (MAG) can be modulated at least with an individual charging station identifier (IDL) stored in the respective charging station (4) and / or with an individual position indication (POS) of the charging station (4) relating to a common reference position, and in that the mobile Radio subscriber (2) each having an inductive data receiver (26) and storage means for storing at least the charging station identifier (IDL) and / or the position indication (POS).

9. The data transmission system of claim 8, wherein: an internal data connection is provided between the inductive data receiver and the RF transceiver unit in the respective mobile radio subscriber;

- That at least the receivable via the data connection charging station identifier (IDL) and / or the position information (POS) and the respective identification codes (IDT) of the mobile radio subscriber (2) by means of the RF transceiver unit (32) can be emitted.

10. The data transmission system according to claim 9, characterized in that at least the individual identification code received from respective first mobile radio subscribers (2)

(IDT) and the charging station identifier (IDL) and / or the position indication (POS) by means of the respective RF transceiver unit to adjacent second mobile radio subscriber (2) are forwarded.

11. Data transmission system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data transmission system comprises a base station (3) with an RF transceiver, in that the base station (3) is connected to a first data network (DN1) and in that the base station (3) has means for forwarding at least the individual identification code (IDT) received from the respective mobile radio subscriber (2) and from the respective charging station (4) individual charging station identifier (IDL) and / or position indication (POS) in the first data network (DNl).

12. The data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission between the mobile radio subscribers (2) and / or between the mobile radio subscribers (2) and the at least one base station (3) is a far-field data transmission.

13. The data transmission system according to claim 12, wherein a data transmission takes place in a high-frequency ISM frequency band.

14. The data transmission system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a data transmission is based on an IEEE 802 standard, in particular on an IEEE 802.15 standard.

15. The data transmission system according to claim 8, wherein the data transmission between the charging stations (4) and the mobile radio subscribers (2) is near-field data transmission.

16. Data transmission system according to claim 15, characterized in that the data transmission takes place in an ISM frequency band.

17. The data transmission system according to claim 16, wherein the data transmission takes place in one of the ISM frequency bands of less than 125 kHz, 6.78 MHz, 13.56 MHz or 27.125 MHz.

18. The data transmission system according to claim 16 to 17, wherein a data transmission is based on an ISO IEC 14443-2 standard or on an ISO IEC 15693-2 standard.

19. The data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile radio subscribers are mobile data memories.

20. The data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile radio subscribers are mobile radio sensors.

21. The data transmission system according to claim 20, wherein the mobile radio sensors comprise at least one sensor and one

> Control unit (27, 27b) at least for receiving corresponding sensor data (SENS).

22. The data transmission system according to claim 21, wherein: the sensor data (SENS) comprises an environmental condition detected in the environment of the mobile radio subscriber (2), e.g. a temperature value, a humidity value, a brightness value or an air pressure value.

i 23. Use of a data transmission system (1) according to one of the preceding claims for determining the position of a respective mobile radio subscriber (2).

24. An automation system with a plurality of processing and transport machines (6-10) along a production line (FTS) of the automation system, wherein the processing and transport machines (6-10) are connected to a data processing or process computer (11) characterized in that the automation system comprises a data transmission system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, that the plurality of inductive charging stations (4) are arranged along the production line (FTS) and that the mobile radio subscribers (2) are at least partially to be machined and / or or to transporting manufacturing parts (5) are mounted.

25. The automation system according to claim 24, wherein the control or process computer (LS) is connected to at least one base station (3) according to claim 13 in the area of the production line (FTS).

26. The automation system as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the inductive charging stations (4) are arranged at points of the production line (FTS) with a comparatively long residence time of the production parts (5).