Vehicle, method of controlling the same, and antenna for vehicle

A vehicle including an antenna that receives a first signal and a second signal having different operating frequency bands is provided. An amplifying part of the antenna includes a first amplifier configured to amplify the first signal and a second amplifier configured to amplify the second signal. A receiving part includes a first tuner configured to tune the first signal amplified by the amplifying part and a second tuner configured to tune the second signal amplified by the amplifying part. A first switch connects the antenna to the first amplifier or the second amplifier, a second switch connects the amplifying part to the first tuner or the second tuner, an input part receives a channel from a user, and a controller individually operates the first switch and the second switch based on an operating frequency band of the received channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0041937, filed on Apr. 10, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, a method of controlling the vehicle, a receiving apparatus for the vehicle, and an antenna apparatus for the vehicle. An operating frequency band available for reception of the antenna is changed based on an operating frequency band of a channel input from a user.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a vehicle refers to a device for movement or transportation, designed to travel on a road or railway using fossil fuel, electric power, and the like as a power source. The vehicle is a transportation device and may be a living space that provides rest to the driver. In addition, various vehicle electronic devices are installed within the vehicle to provide comfort and rest to the driver.

In addition, the vehicle includes an antenna for receiving radio waves for radio broadcast reception and the like. The vehicle antenna may be provided separately for each reception channel or may operate by splitting a received signal using a duplexer. However, when the duplexer is used, an amplitude modulation (AM) signal may leak into a path of a frequency modulation (FM) amplifier, and an FM signal may leak into a path of an AM amplifier, which causes signal loss and signal interference, degrading the signal quality. In addition, to use a separate antenna for each reception channel, at least two antennas and at least two feeder cables are required.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a vehicle configured to change an operating frequency band available for reception by an antenna by operating a plurality of switches based on an operating frequency band of a channel input from a user. A signal reception path may be changed from the antenna to a tuner. The present disclosure also provides a method of controlling the vehicle, and a receiving apparatus for the vehicle. Additional features are set forth in part in the description which follows, may be evident, at least in part, from the description, and may be learned by practice.

In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle may include an antenna configured to receive a first signal and a second signal having different operating frequency bands and an amplifying part having a first amplifier configured to amplify the first signal and a second amplifier configured to amplify the second signal. The vehicle may also include a receiving part having a first tuner configured to tune the first signal amplified by the amplifying part and a second tuner configured to tune the second signal amplified by the amplifying part. A first switch may connect the antenna to the first amplifier or the second amplifier and a second switch may connect the amplifying part to the first tuner or the second tuner. An input part configured to receive a channel from a user and a controller may be configured to individually operate the first switch and the second switch based on an operating frequency band of the received channel.

The controller may be configured to operate the first switch to connect the first amplifier to the antenna when a signal having the operating frequency band of the received channel is the first signal. The controller may be configured to operate the second switch to connect the first tuner to the amplifying part when a signal having the operating frequency band of the received channel is the first signal.

The antenna may include a conductor configured to receive the first signal and the second signal and a third switch configured to adjust an operating frequency band of the conductor. The controller may be configured to operate the third switch for the antenna to receive the first signal when a signal having the operating frequency band of the received channel is the first signal.

The first amplifier may include a plurality of inductors and a fourth switch. The controller may be configured to operate the fourth switch to change an impedance of the first amplifier based on reception strength of the first signal received from the antenna. The third switch may be connectable to the conductor at a plurality of contact points. The controller may be configured to operate the third switch to vary the contact point of the third switch and the conductor. The fourth switch may connect one of the plurality of inductors to the antenna, and the controller may connect the fourth switch to one of the plurality of inductors. The impedance of the first amplifier may be changed based on the reception strength of the first signal received from the antenna.

Each of the first signal and the second signal may correspond to at least one a frequency modulation (FM) signal, an amplitude modulation (AM) signal, a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) signal, a digital audio broadcasting (DAB) signal, and integrated services digital broadcasting-terrestrial (ISDB-T) signal. Each of the first amplifier and the second amplifier may be designed to amplify at least one of a frequency modulation (FM) signal, an amplitude modulation (AM) signal, a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) signal, a digital audio broadcasting (DAB) signal, and integrated services digital broadcasting-terrestrial (ISDB-T) signal.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a vehicle may include receiving a channel from a user, determining an operating frequency band based on the received channel, and individually operating a first switch configured to connect an antenna to a first amplifier or a second amplifier and a second switch configured to connect an amplifying part including the first amplifier and the second amplifier to a first tuner or a second tuner based on the determined operating frequency band.

The method may further include operating the first switch to connect the first amplifier to the antenna when a signal having the determined operating frequency band is a first signal. Additionally, the method may include operating the second switch to connect the first tuner to the amplifying part when a signal having the determined operating frequency band is a first signal. The method may further include operating a third switch for the antenna to receive a first signal when a signal having the determined operating frequency band is the first signal. The method may further include operating a fourth switch to change an impedance of the first amplifier based on reception strength of a first signal received from the antenna.

The operation of the third switch for the antenna to receive the first signal may include operating the third switch to vary a contact point of the third switch and a conductor included in the antenna. The operation of the fourth switch to change the impedance of the first amplifier based on the reception strength of the first signal received from the antenna may include connecting the fourth switch to one of a plurality of inductors included in the first amplifier based on the reception strength of the first signal received from the antenna.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an antenna apparatus may include an antenna configured to receive a first signal and a second signal having different operating frequency bands. The antenna apparatus may include an amplifying part having a first amplifier configured to amplify the first signal and a second amplifier configured to amplify the second signal. The antenna apparatus may also include a receiving part having a first tuner configured to tune the first signal amplified by the amplifying part and a second tuner configured to tune the second signal amplified by the amplifying part. The antenna apparatus may include a first switch configured to connect the antenna to the first amplifier or the second amplifier, a second switch configured to connect the amplifying part to the first tuner or the second tuner and a controller configured to individually operate the first switch and the second switch based on a channel selected by a user.

The controller may be configured to operate the first switch to connect the first amplifier to the antenna when a signal having an operating frequency band of the selected channel is the first signal. The controller may be configured to operate the second switch to connect the first tuner to the amplifying part when a signal having an operating frequency band of the selected channel is the first signal. The antenna may include a conductor configured to receive the first signal and the second signal and a third switch configured to adjust an operating frequency band of the conductor. The controller may be configured to operate the third switch for the antenna to receive the first signal when a signal having an operating frequency band of the selected channel is the first signal.

The first amplifier may include a plurality of inductors and a fourth switch. The controller may be configured to operate the fourth switch to change an impedance of the first amplifier based on reception strength of the first signal received from the antenna. The third switch may be connectable to the conductor at a plurality of contact points. The controller may be configured to operate the third switch to vary the contact point of the third switch and the conductor. The fourth switch may connect one of the plurality of inductors to the antenna, and the controller may connect the fourth switch to one of the plurality of inductors to change the impedance of the first amplifier based on the reception strength of the first signal received from the antenna.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. Not all elements of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described, and description of what are commonly known in the art or what overlap each other in the exemplary embodiments will be omitted. The terms as used throughout the specification, such as “˜part”, “˜module”, “˜member”, “˜block”, etc., may be implemented in software and/or hardware, and a plurality of “˜parts”, “˜modules”, “˜members”, or “˜blocks” may be implemented in a single element, or a single “˜part”, “˜module”, “˜member”, or “˜block” may include a plurality of elements.

Further, when it is stated that a member is “on” another member, the member may be directly on the other member or a third member may be disposed therebetween.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” “A,” “B,” etc. may be used to describe various components, the terms do not limit the corresponding components, but are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

Although at least one exemplary embodiment is described as using a plurality of units to perform the exemplary process, it is understood that the exemplary processes may also be performed by one or plurality of modules. Additionally, it is understood that the term controller/control unit may refer to a hardware device that includes a memory and a processor. The memory may be configured to store the modules and the processor may be specifically configured to execute said modules to perform one or more processes which are described further below.

In particular, the operating principles and exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating a vehicle1according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating a structure of an antenna apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle1according to the exemplary embodiment may include a body that forms the external appearance of the vehicle1and accommodates a driver and/or baggage, a chassis that includes components of the vehicle1except for the body, and electrical components that protect the driver or provide the driver with comfort. The body may form an interior space for the driver, an engine room for accommodating an engine, and a trunk room for accommodating cargo. The chassis may include devices for generating power used to run the vehicle1under the operation of the driver and for travelling, braking and/or steering the vehicle1using the power. Electrical components may control the vehicle1, and may provide the driver and passenger with safety and comfort.

A roof panel of the vehicle1may include an antenna apparatus100for receiving wireless signals, such as radio signals, broadcasting signals, satellite signals, and the like, and transmitting and receiving signals to and from other vehicles, servers, and base stations. The antenna apparatus100may include a housing101having a bottom member101amounted to the roof panel of the vehicle1and a cover member101bcoupled to the bottom member101aand covering internal components of the antenna apparatus100. The housing101may have a shark fin shape.

The bottom member101amay include a synthetic resin attached to the body to prevent foreign substances from being introduced between the bottom member101aand the cover member101b. The bottom member101amay mitigate the impact of vibrations or signals transmitted from the body. The bottom member101amay be provided at the rear upper side of the vehicle1to reduce interference with peripheral components while increasing the reception rate of radio signals. In addition, the bottom member101ahas a cross section gradually increasing in a direction toward the rear side to reduce wind resistance and noise generated at a time of movement of the body.

The antenna apparatus100may include a base member102disposed on the bottom member101aand a receiving module110disposed on the base member102. The base member102may be coupled to the bottom member101aby bonding, bolting, or similar coupling techniques, and may be coupled to the receiving module110by bolting. The base member102may provide a space for mounting the receiving module110and the antennas120thereon.

The receiving module110may be provided using a printed circuit board (PCB) including interconnections formed by etching copper or the like on a substrate. The receiving module110may include an aperture which a wire passes through. The receiving module110may include a signal processing circuit for performing signal processing by amplifying or filtering a signal received by the antenna120. The receiving module110may be configured to transmit a signal to an electronic control unit (ECU) or a terminal mounted inside the body. The receiving module110may be configured to extract a signal of a preset frequency band, for example, an analog signal, such as a frequency modulation (FM) signal and an amplitude modulation (AM) signal, and a digital signal, such as a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) signal, a digital audio broadcasting (DAB) signal, and integrated services digital broadcasting-terrestrial (ISDB-T) signal, and optimize the extracted signal. The receiving module110may be implemented as a single integrated receiving module by mounting components, such as a band pass filter (BPF), a switch, a tuner, a buffer, and a digital signal processor (DSP), on a circuit board.

The antenna120may be provided in one or more units thereof, and may be mounted on the receiving module110. The antenna120may refer to an antenna that receives a signal having a certain frequency band as a signal of a fundamental frequency band. The certain frequency band may include an FM band, an AM band, a DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) band, and other various frequency bands of broadcast signals. However, as will be described below with reference toFIG. 5, the controller130may be configured to operate a switch122to change the operating frequency band available for reception by the antenna120. The antenna120may be mounted on the receiving module110and configured to transmit the received signal to the receiving module110. The antenna120may be implemented using a coil antenna, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto and various other antennas, such as a chip antenna and a microstrip patch antenna may be used.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating an antenna apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. The antenna apparatus100may include the receiving module110and the antenna120. The receiving module110may include: a first switch113; an amplifying part111having a first amplifier111-1including a fourth switch111-10and a second amplifier111-2; a second switch114; and a receiving part112having a first tuner112-1and a second tuner112-2. Although not shown, the controller130may be included in the receiving module110. In addition, although not shown, the receiving module110may further include a filter for extracting only a signal having a predetermined operating frequency band among signals received from the antenna120, and each filter may be included in the amplifying part111.

The amplifying part111may be configured to amplify a signal received from the antenna120, and may include the first amplifier111-1and the second amplifier111-2configured to amplify signals of different preset operating frequency bands. Although only the first amplifier111-1and the second amplifier111-2are shown in the drawing, the amplifying part111may further include another amplifier, for example, a third amplifier111-3(seeFIG. 4) to perform additional functions. For example, the first amplifier111-1may be configured to amplify an AM signal, the second amplifier111-2may be configured to amplify an FM signal, and the third amplifier111-3may be configured to amplify a DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The receiving part112may be configured to tune to a channel received from a user to extract a signal of the selected frequency. In other words, the receiving part112may include the first tuner112-1and the second tuner112-2for tuning signals of different preset operating frequency bands. The first tuner112-1and the second tuner112-2included in the receiving part112may provide a signal of a channel input from a user to the audio system of the vehicle1as an acoustic signal. Each tuner may tune to a frequency selected via the audio system of the vehicle1. Although not shown, the receiving part122may further include another tuner (e.g., a third tuner) to perform additional functions, as well as the first tuner112-1and the second tuner112-2shown in the drawing. In particular, for example, the first tuner112-1may be configured to tune an AM signal and an FM signal, the second tuner112-2may be configured to tune a DMB signal, and the third tuner may be configured to tune a DAB (or ISDB-T) signal, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The signal extracted from the receiving part112may be transmitted to the audio system of the vehicle1, and the audio system may transmit the received signal as sound.

As will be described below with reference toFIGS. 4 to 9, the controller130may be configured to individually operate a plurality of switches based on the operating frequency band of a channel received from an input part140. In particular, the plurality of switches may include at least one of a switch for connecting the antenna120to the first amplifier111-1or the second amplifier111-2(hereinafter referred to as a “first switch”), a switch that connects the amplifying part111to the first tuner112-1or the second tuner112-2(hereinafter referred to as a “second switch”), a switch configured to adjust the operating frequency band of a conductor121included in the antenna120(hereinafter referred to as a “third switch”), and a switch configured to change the impedance of the first amplifier111-1by changing by changing an element value of the first amplifier111-1(hereinafter referred to as a “fourth switch”).

In other words, the first switch113may connect one of the plurality of amplifiers111-1to111-3to the antenna120under the operation of the controller130, the second switch114may connect one of the plurality of tuners112-1and112-2to the amplifying part111under the control of the controller130, the third switch122may be connectable to the conductor121at a plurality of contact points to vary the contact point under the operation of the controller130, and the fourth switch111-10may connect one of a plurality of inductors111-11to the antenna120under the operation of the controller130.

Although the controller130is illustrated as included in the vehicle1, the controller130may be included in the antenna apparatus100. A detailed control process of the controller130of the vehicle1or the antenna apparatus100will be described below with reference toFIGS. 4 to 9. The controller130may be configured to generate various control signals for operating the components in the antenna apparatus100. The controller130may be implemented as a module separated from the receiving module110or a module integrated with an ECU of the vehicle1.

The controller130may include a memory (not shown) configured to store data regarding an algorithm for executing the operations of the components of the vehicle100or a program that represents the algorithm, and a processor (not shown) that performs the above described operations using the data stored in the memory. In particular, the memory and the processor may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip. The controller130may be configured to transmit a signal to an ECU or a terminal. In particular, the signal may be transmitted using a controller area network (CAN) communication scheme. In addition, the controller130may be configured to receive a command input from the input part140by various receiving methods, such as CAN communication.

For example, when the input part140receives a channel selection from the user, the controller130may be configured to receive the input channel, and individually operate the plurality of switches113,114,122, and111-10based on the operating frequency band of the input channel. The input part140may be provided in the vehicle1to receive various commands related to the vehicle1. For example, the input part140may be implemented using a physical button, a knob, a touch pad, a touch screen, a stick-type manipulation device or a track ball provided in the vehicle1. The user may control various operations of the vehicle1by manipulating the input part140. For example, the input part140may be configured to receive a reception channel selection from a user. In addition, the input part140may be configured to transmit the received command to the controller130by various transmission methods, such as CAN communication.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an antenna apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring toFIG. 4, the antenna120according to the exemplary embodiment may be configured to receive a plurality of signals having different operating frequency bands. For example, the plurality of signals may include a first signal and a second signal, in which the first signal may be an AM signal and the second signal may be an FM signal, or the first signal may be an FM signal and the second signal may be a DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal. In other words, the first signal and the second signal may refer to all types of signals having different operating frequency bands regardless of the terms thereof.

The antenna120may include the conductor121be configured to receive the first signal and the second signal and the third switch122for adjusting an operating frequency band of the conductor121as will be described below with reference toFIG. 5. The controller130may be configured to operate the third switch122for the antenna120to receive the first signal when a signal having an operating frequency band of a channel received from the input part140is the first signal. For example, when a signal having an operating frequency band of an input channel is an FM signal, the antenna120may be configured to control the third switch122for the antenna120to receive the FM signal.

In particular, the first signal received from the antenna120may pass via the first switch113and reach the first amplifier111-1or the second amplifier111-2. When a signal having the operating frequency band of the input channel is the first signal, the controller130may be configured to operate the first switch113to connect the first amplifier111-1to the antenna120. For example, when a signal having the operating frequency band of the input channel is an AM signal, the controller130may be configured to operate the first switch113to connect the first amplifier111-1(designed to amplify an AM signal) to the antenna120.

For the sake of convenience in description, the first amplifier111-1is illustrated as an amplifier for amplifying an AM signal, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the first amplifier111-1may be an amplifier for amplifying a signal having a different operating frequency band, such as an FM signal or a DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal. In other words, the signal amplified by the amplifier is not limited to the terms such as the first amplifier111-1and the second amplifier111-2.

The amplifying part111may include a plurality of amplifiers, and for the sake of convenience in description, it may be assumed that the first amplifier111-1is an amplifier for amplifying an AM signal, the second amplifier111-2is an amplifier for amplifying an FM signal, the third amplifier111-3is an amplifier for amplifying a DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal. In particular, each of the plurality of amplifiers may include a plurality of inductors111-11and a fourth switch111-10, and the controller130may be configured to operate the fourth switch111-10to change the impedance of the amplifier that amplifies the received signal based on the reception strength of the signal received from the antenna120. As will be described below with reference toFIG. 6, the fourth switch111-10connects one of a plurality of inductors111-11to the antenna120, and the controller130may connect the fourth switch111-10to one of the plurality of inductors111-11based on the reception strength of the signal received from the antenna120.

The receiving part112may include a plurality of tuners. For the sake of convenience in description, it may be assumed that the first tuner112-1is a tuner for tuning an AM signal or an FM signal, and the second tuner112-2is a tuner for tuning a DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first tuner112-1may be a tuner for tuning a signal having a different operating frequency band, such as a DMB signal (or DAB, ISDB-T). In other words, the signal tuned by the tuner is not limited to the terms thereof, such as the first tuner112-1and the second tuner112-2.

In particular, when a signal having the operating frequency band of the input channel is the first signal, the controller130may be configured to operate the second switch114to connect the amplifying part111to the first tuner112-1that tunes the first signal amplified by the amplifying part111. For example, when a signal having the operating frequency band of the input channel is a DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal, the controller130may be configured to operate the second switch114to connect the amplifying part111to the first tuner112-1that amplifies a DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal amplified by the amplifying part111.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating the conductor121and the switch included in the antenna120according to the exemplary embodiment. Referring toFIG. 5, the antenna120according to the exemplary embodiment may include the conductor121configured to receive first and second signals having different operating frequency bands and the third switch122configured to adjust the operating frequency band of the conductor121. In particular, the conductor121may be provided in the form of a coil, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. When a signal having the operating frequency band of the input channel is the first signal, the controller130may be configured to operate the third switch122for the antenna120to receive the first signal.

For example, when the controller130may be configured to operate the third switch122to be positioned at a SW1point, the operating frequency band may be in a range of about 88 MHz or more but less than about 94 MHz, in which the antenna120operates as an antenna for receiving a frequency band of AM signals1or an antenna for receiving a low frequency band of FM signals. When the third switch122is operated to be positioned at a SW2point, the operating range of the conductor121is reduced, resulting in the operating frequency band of about 94 MHz or more but less than about 101 MHz, in which the antenna120may operate as an antenna for receiving an intermediate frequency band of FM signals. When the third switch122is operated to be positioned at a SW3point, the operating range of the conductor121is further reduced, resulting in the operating frequency band of about 101 MHz or more but less than about 108 MHz, in which the antenna120may operate as an antenna for receiving a high frequency band of FM signals.

When the third switch122is operated to be positioned at a SW4point, the operating range of the conductor121is further reduced, resulting in the operating frequency band of about 174 MHz or more but less than about 216 MHz, or of about 174 MHz or more but less than about 240 MHz. Since the operating frequency band for DMB signals is in a range of about 174 MHz to about 216 MHz, and the operating frequency band for DAB signals and ISDB-T signals is in a range of about 174 MHz to about 240 MHz, when the third switch122is positioned at the SW4point, the antenna120may operate as an antenna for receiving the frequency band of the DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal. For example, when the operating frequency band of the input channel corresponds to about 99 MHz, the controller130may be configured to operate the third switch122positioned at the SW3point for the antenna120to receive the first signal having an operating frequency band of about 99 MHz.

Accordingly, when the operating frequency band of the channel input by the vehicle1is changed, the vehicle1may automatically determine the reception frequency of the signal and change the frequency characteristic of the antenna apparatus100. In this manner, the controller130may flexibly adjust the operating frequency band of the antenna120to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) compared to the conventional antenna apparatus.

In the above-described exemplary embodiment, the operating frequency band is described as divided into four operating frequency bands by the controller130and the third switch122, but the number of operating frequency bands is not limited thereto.

FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating an inductor and a switch included in an amplifier according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring toFIG. 6, the amplifier according to the exemplary embodiment may include the plurality of inductors111-11and the fourth switch111-10. For the sake of convenience in description, the first amplifier111-1is illustrated as an example of the amplifier, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Although the plurality of inductors111-11are illustrated as four inductors111-11each having a predetermined inductance value, the inductance value or the number of inductors is not limited thereto.

The first amplifier111-1may include the plurality of inductors111-11and the fourth switch111-10, and the controller130may be configured to operate the fourth switch111-10to change the impedance of the first amplifier111-1based on the reception strength of the first signal received from the antenna120. In other words, the fourth switch111-10connects one of the plurality of inductors111-11to the antenna120, and the controller130connects the fourth switch111-10to one of the plurality of inductors111-11to change the impedance of the first amplifier111-1based on the reception strength of the first signal received from the antenna120.

In particular, the controller130may be configured to change the impedance of the first amplifier111-1based on the operating frequency band of the input channel. For example, in the entire operating frequency band available for operation of the antenna120, of about 500 kHz or more but less than about 1700 kHz, when the impedance of the antenna120is R+jX, the ideal impedance of the first amplifier111-1for impedance matching (hereinafter, “impedance matching region”) needs to be a conjugate complex value R−jX. In other words, the controller130may be configured to change the impedance of the first amplifier111-1within an impedance variation range of the first amplifier111-1and a region corresponding to the operating frequency band of a channel input from a user may become the impedance matching region. In particular, the reception paths when the signal of the operating frequency band of the channel input from the user is the FM signal, the AM signal, or the DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal will be described with reference toFIGS. 7 to 9.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating a reception path when a received signal is an FM signal according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating a reception path when a received signal is an AM signal according to another exemplary embodiment.FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating a reception path when a received signal is a DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 7, the controller130may be configured to determine whether a signal having an operating frequency of a channel input from a user is an FM signal based on the operating frequency band of the input channel. When the signal having the operating frequency band of the input channel is an FM signal, the controller130may be configured to operate the third switch122for the antenna120to receive the FM signal. In other words, the contact point of the conductor121included in the antenna120and the third switch122is changed to adjust the operating frequency band of the conductor121to receive the FM signal.

Accordingly, the antenna120may be configured to receive the FM signal, and the controller130may be configured to operate the first switch113to connect the antenna120to the second amplifier111-2designed to amplify the FM signal. Accordingly, the FM signal received from the antenna120may pass via the second amplifier111-2. In addition, the controller130may be configured to operate the second switch114to connect the amplifying part111to the first tuner112-1designed to tune the amplified FM signal. Accordingly, the FM signal received from the antenna120may pass via the second amplifier111-2and reach the first tuner112-1.

Referring toFIG. 8, the controller130may be configured to determine whether a signal having an operating frequency of a channel input from a user is an AM signal based on the operating frequency band of the input channel. When the signal having the operating frequency band of the input channel is an AM signal, the controller130may be configured to operate the third switch122for the antenna120to receive the AM signal. In other words, the contact point of the conductor121included in the antenna120and the third switch122is changed to adjust the operating frequency band of the conductor121to receive the AM signal.

Accordingly, the antenna120may receive the AM signal, and the controller130may be configured to operate the first switch133to connect the antenna120to the first amplifier111-1designed to amplify the AM signal. Accordingly, the AM signal received from the antenna120may pass via the first amplifier111-1. In addition, the controller130may be configured to operate the fourth switch111-10to change the impedance of the first amplifier111-1based on the strength of the AM signal received from the antenna120. For example, the controller130may allow the fourth switch111-10to be connected to the inductor111-11having an inductance of 2 mH to change the impedance of the first amplifier111-1based on the strength of the AM signal. In addition, the controller130may be configured to operate the second switch114to connect the amplifying part111to the first tuner112-1designed to tune the amplified AM signal. Accordingly, the AM signal received from the antenna120may pass via the first amplifier111-1and reach the first tuner112-1.

Referring toFIG. 9, the controller130may be configured to determine whether a signal having an operating frequency of a channel input from a user is a DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal based on the operating frequency band of the input channel. When the signal having the operating frequency band of the input channel is a DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal, the controller130may be configured to operate the third switch122for the antenna120to receive the DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal. In other words, the contact point of the conductor121included in the antenna120and the third switch122is changed to adjust the operating frequency band of the conductor121to receive a DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal.

Accordingly, the antenna120may be configured to receive the DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal, and the controller130may be configured to operate the first switch113to connect the antenna120to the third amplifier111-3designed to amplify the DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal. Accordingly, the DMB signal received from the antenna120may pass via the third amplifier111-3.

In addition, the controller130may be configured to operate the second switch114to connect the amplifying part111to the second tuner112-2designed to tune the amplified DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal. Accordingly, the DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) signal received from the antenna120may pass via the second amplifier111-2and reach the second tuner112-2.

As described above, information regarding an input channel is transmitted to the controller130. The controller130may be configured to operate a plurality of switches, so there is no need to provide the antenna120and the feeder cable in plural units. In addition, reception paths of signals having different operating frequency bands, such as AM signal, FM signal, and DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T), are set based on the operating frequency bands, and an undesired reception path is physical blocked to prevent signal loss and interference; therefore, the signal quality may be improved.

In particular, a method of controlling the vehicle1according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 10.FIG. 10is a flowchart showing the method of controlling the vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment. The method described hereinbelow may be executed by a controller. Referring toFIG. 10, the method of controlling the vehicle1according to the exemplary embodiment may include receiving a channel input from a user (1000). In response to receiving the channel, the operating frequency band may be determined based on the received channel (1100).

Thereafter, based on the determined operating frequency band, it may be determined whether a signal having the determined operating frequency band is a first signal (1200). When the signal is the first signal (YES in operation1200), the third switch122may be operated for the antenna120to receive the first signal (1201). The operation of the third switch122may include operating the third switch122to change the contact point of the conductor121included in the antenna120and the third switch122. In addition, the first switch113may be operated to connect the antenna120to the first amplifier111-1designed to amplify the first signal (1202). In addition, the fourth switch111-10may be operated to change the impedance of the first amplifier111-1(1203). The operation of the fourth switch111-10may include connecting the fourth switch111-10to one of the plurality of inductors111-11included in the first amplifier111-1based on the reception strength of the first signal received from the antenna120. Thereafter, the second switch122may be operated to connect the amplifying part111to the first tuner112-1designed to tune the amplified first signal (1204).

In addition, the method of controlling the vehicle1according to the exemplary embodiment may include determining whether the signal having the determined operating frequency band is the first signal (1200), and when the signal is not determined to be the first signal (NO in operation1200), the third switch122may be operated for the antenna120to receive a second signal (1211). The operation of the third switch122may include operating the third switch122to change the contact point of the third switch122and the conductor121included in the antenna120. In addition, the first switch113may be operated to connect the antenna120to the second amplifier111-2designed to amplify the second signal (1212). In particular, the fourth switch111-10may be operated to change the impedance of the second amplifier111-2based on the reception strength of the second signal received from the antenna120(1213). The operation of the fourth switch111-10may include connecting the fourth switch111-10to one of the plurality of inductors111-11included in the first amplifier111-1based on the reception strength of the second signal received from the antenna120. Thereafter, the second switch122may be operated to connect the amplifying part111to the second tuner112-2designed to tune the amplified second signal (1214).

Although not shown in the drawings, the method of controlling the vehicle1according to the exemplary embodiment may determine whether the signal having the determined operating frequency band is a third signal, a fourth signal, or the like having a different operating frequency band, when the signal having the determined operating frequency band is not determined to be the second signal. It should be obvious to the person skilled in the art that the antenna120has been described in terms of receiving only the first signal and the second signal for the sake of convenience in description but is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, it would be understood by those skilled in the art that at least one component may be added or omitted to correspond to the performances of the components of the vehicle1or the antenna apparatus100. In addition, the mutual positions of the components may be changed to correspond to the performance or structure of the system. Meanwhile, the components of the vehicle1or the antenna apparatus100refer to software components and/or hardware components, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Meanwhile, the disclosed exemplary embodiments may be embodied in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The recording medium may be embodied as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium may include all kinds of recording media in which instructions which may be decoded by a computer are stored, for example, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, and the like.

As is apparent from the above, only a single antenna and a single feeder cable are used regardless of the type of a channel input from a user, and the manufacturing cost may be reduced. In addition, a path for a reception signal is set based on each channel via switches, and an undesired reception path is blocked; therefore, signal loss and signal interference are prevented, thereby improving the signal quality.

The foregoing description has been directed to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that other variations and modifications may be made to the described exemplary embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Accordingly, this description is to be taken only by way of example and not to otherwise limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments herein. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments herein.