Patent Application
20060052074
The present invention relates to a reactance adjuster that adjusts reactance caused by an electric field transmittable medium and a communication apparatus for transmitting and/or receiving a signal including data to be transmitted or received via the electric field transmittable medium, a transmitter and a transceiver using the reactance adjuster, and a signal processing circuit preferable to these. Moreover, the present invention relates to a reactance adjusting method, a transmitting method, and a receiving method.
Due to a miniaturization and technological advancement of a mobile device, a wearable computer mountable to a living body has attracted a lot of attention. In the past, as data communications between such wearable computers, there is proposed a method in which a transceiver is connected to a computer and an electric field induced in the living body as an electric field transmittable medium by the transceiver is transmitted therein to transmit and receive data, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication 2001-352298.
In an intra-body communication in which the electric field based on a signal including data to be transmitted and received is induced in the living body and communications are carried out by detecting the induced electric field, when a transceiver that is not coupled electro-statically with the earth ground is used, a favorable communication condition is realized by providing a variable reactance section between a modulation circuit and a transmitting-and-receiving electrode as shown in
In the transceiver having the above configuration shown in
In
In order to explain in detail, a waveform outputted from each component illustrated in
A waveform outputted from each component and a change in a reactance value when a change of the control signal is larger than the adjusting signal are illustrated in
In addition, as the integrator 112, a signal processing circuit which has a simple circuit configuration and is suitable for circuit integration, specifically, a charge pump is often used in the past. Such a charge pump is explained in detail for example in Behzad Razavi (author), Tadahiro Kuroda (translation supervisor), “A design and application of an analog CMOS integration circuit”, Maruzen CO., LMD., March 2003, pp. 686-688.
In the signal processing circuit 4, when an UP signal is inputted from outside and the switch SW1 is closed to be “on”, an electric charge flows from a voltage source Vdd having a higher voltage than a ground to the capacitor 241, thereby increasing an output voltage. Here, an “on” resistance of the switch SW1 is not zero and a timewise change of an electric charge, i.e., a current is finite. Therefore, the output voltage is not raised instantaneously to the voltage of the voltage source Vdd.
On the other hand, when a DOWN signal is inputted from outside, the switch SW2 turns on and the electric charge stored in the capacitor 241 flows to the ground, thereby reducing the output voltage.
In addition, when both switches are off (open), an amount of the electric charge stored in the capacitor 241 does not change, thereby maintaining the output voltage.
In such a signal processing circuit 4, the output voltage changes in accordance with an integration over a time period of the UP signal and the DOWN signal being inputted.
In the transceiver according to the above-stated conventional art, when a change of the control signal is larger than the adjusting signal, the reactance value at the time of the adjusting signal of C2 is larger than the reactance at the time of the adjusting signal of B2. Therefore, a magnitude relation between the adjusting signal and the reactance value is reversed, thereby jeopardizing a control to obtain the maximum value.
By the way, in order to shorten a time that is needed to maximize the amplitude of the electric field induced in the living body 121 from the beginning of reactance control, the control signal has to change largely. However, in the configuration shown in
In addition, since data to be transmitted is transmitted after the reactance control is finished, if it takes a long time until the maximum value is obtained, a time to be set aside for transmitting data becomes short, thereby reducing an effective transmitting speed of data.
The above-stated signal processing circuit 4 as an integrator is often used in a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) circuit, which is an electric circuit that enables a frequency of the output signal to coincide with a reference frequency of the input signal or the like. In the PLL circuit, no large current flows from the voltage source Vdd to the ground, since the UP signal and the DOWN signal are not inputted into the circuit at the same time.
On the other hand, when the signal processing circuit 4 is applied to a circuit in which the UP signal and the DOWN signal are both inputted at the same time, the two switches SW1 and SW2 are both on. As a result, a large current can flow from the voltage source Vdd to the ground, thereby leading to a disadvantage of increased power consumption.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. The objective thereof is to provide a transceiver that is configured into a control circuit that makes it possible to shorten a time that takes to obtain the maximum value while maintaining stability, and enables a stable data communication at high speed.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a signal processing circuit (an integrator) that is able to avoid an increase in power consumption and is suitable for circuit integration, thereby reducing power consumption of communications apparatuses or the like.
In order to achieve the above objective, a first aspect of the present invention provides a transceiver in which an electric field based on data to be transmitted is induced in an electric field transmittable medium so as to transmit data using the induced electric field and to receive data by receiving an electric field that is induced in the electric field transmittable medium based on data to be received. The transceiver is comprised of a transmitting means that outputs an alternating signal having a predetermined frequency, modulates the signal with data to be transmitted and transmits the modulated signal according to the data; a transmitting-and-receiving electrode that induces an electric field based on the data to be transmitted and receives an electric field based on the data to be received; a resonance means that is connected in series with the transmitting means and the transmitting-and-receiving electrode to induce a series resonance by adjusting reactance against parasitic capacitance produced between a ground of the transmitting means, the electric field transmittable medium, and the earth ground; an electric field detection means that detects the electric field based on the data to be received and converts the electric field to an electric signal; an adjusting signal generation means outputting an adjusting signal for use in adjusting a reactance value of the resonance means; a amplitude detection means that includes a differential amplifying means having a first electric charge storing means storing the electric signal detected at the time of the reactance value being large, a second electric charge storing means storing the electric signal detected at the time of the reactance value being small in adjusting the reactance of the resonance means, a detection means detecting an electric field amplitude at the time of the reactance being large, and a filter eliminating a high-frequency component from the detected electric field and amplifies the difference between the electric field amplitudes at the time of the reactance value being large and at the time of the reactance value being small in adjusting the reactance of the resonance means in order to detect an amplitude of the electric signal outputted from the electric field detection means using the adjusting signal outputted from the adjusting signal generation means, and a constant voltage source generating a constant voltage signal; a control signal generation means generating a control signal to control a characteristics of the resonance means based on the amplitude detected by the amplitude detection means; and a demodulation means demodulating the electric signal converted by the electric field detection means.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a transceiver according to the first aspect, wherein the control signal generation means includes an integrator integrating an output signal from the differential amplifying means to produce the integrated signal and an adder adding the signal produced by the integrator and the adjusting signal outputted from the adjusting signal generation means.
A third aspect of the present invention provides a transceiver according to the second aspect, wherein the integrator includes a voltage comparator comparing the electric field amplitudes at the time of the reactance value being large and small, a first p-channel MOS-FET and a second n-channel MOS-FET that are off at the time of detecting the amplitude and on at the time of integrating, a second p-channel MOS-FET and a first n-channel MOS-FET that turn on the second p-channel MOS-FET and turn off the first n-channel MOS-FET so as to increase an output voltage when the electric field amplitude at the time of the reactance value being large is larger and turn off the second p-channel MOS-FET and turn on the first n-channel MOS-FET so as to reduce the output voltage when the electric field amplitude at the time of the reactance value being large is small, and a capacitor maintaining the control signal.
A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a transceiver according to the third aspect, wherein the integrator in the third aspect includes a first constant voltage source outputting a predetermined first threshold, a second constant voltage source outputting a predetermined second threshold, a first voltage comparator outputting a result obtained by comparing the first threshold and an output of the differential amplifying means, and a second voltage comparator outputting a result obtained by comparing the second threshold and an output of the differential amplifying means.
A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a transceiver according to the fourth aspect, wherein the integrator in the fourth aspect includes a first variable resistor controlling a change rate of a voltage of the control signal when the voltage is increased, a second variable resistor controlling a change rate of a voltage of the control signal when the voltage is decreased, a first differential amplifier that compares the first threshold and an output of the differential amplifying means and thus outputs a signal controlling the first variable resistor and a second differential amplifier that compares the second threshold and an output of the differential amplifying means and thus outputs a signal controlling the second variable resistor.
A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a transceiver according to the fourth aspect, wherein there is provided a sampling means sampling the electric signal outputted from the electric field detection means, instead of the detection means and the filter.
A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a transceiver according to the fourth aspect, wherein there is provided a peak-hold means maintaining a peak of the amplitude of the electric signal outputted from the electric field detection means, instead of the detection means and the filter.
In an eighth aspect of the present invention, the peak-hold means according to the seventh aspect has an adding means that detects the peak for a predetermined number of times to add and maintains the added value.
In order to achieve the above objective, a ninth aspect of the present invention provides a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit is comprised of an electric charge storing means storing an electric charge so as to maintain an output voltage, a first connection means being closed when an electric charge is stored in the electric charge storing means so as to increase the output voltage, a second connection means being closed when the electric charge stored in the electric charge storing means is transferred to the ground so as to decrease the output voltage, a first signal comparison means that compares a signal inputted from outside and a predetermined first threshold and outputs a control signal to close the first connection means when the inputted signal is lower, and a second signal comparing means that compares the inputted voltage and a second threshold that is predetermined to have a higher voltage value than the first threshold and outputs a control signal to close the second connection means when the inputted voltage is lower.
A tenth aspect of the present invention provides a signal processing circuit according to the ninth aspect, in which there is provided a first and a second current source that are connected in series with the first and the second connection means, respectively, to produce a current, a third signal comparison means that compares the inputted voltage and a third threshold that is predetermined to have a lower voltage than the first threshold and outputs a current control signal to the first current source to cause the first current source to flow a first constant current having a predetermined value when the inputted voltage is lower than the third threshold and outputs a current control signal to the first current source to cause the first current source to flow a second constant current having a smaller current value than the first constant current, a fourth signal comparison means that compares the inputted voltage and a fourth threshold that is predetermined to have a larger voltage than the second threshold and outputs a control signal to the second current source to cause the second current source to flow a constant current having the same current value as the first constant current when the inputted voltage is higher than the fourth threshold and outputs a current control signal to the second current source to cause the second current source to flow a constant current having the same current value as the second constant current when the inputted voltage is higher than the second threshold and lower than the fourth threshold.
An eleventh aspect of the present invention provides a signal processing circuit according to the ninth aspect, wherein a first and a second current source connected in series with the first and the second connection means, respectively, to produce a current, a first differential amplifying means that obtains a difference between the inputted voltage and the first threshold and outputs a continuously-changeable current control signal to the first current source so that the lower the inputted voltage is the larger the current flows from the first current source, and a second differential amplifying means that obtains a difference between the inputted voltage and the second threshold and outputs a continuously-changeable current control signal to the second current source so that the larger the inputted voltage is the larger the current flows from the second current source.
According to the present invention, there is provided a transceiver that is configured into a control circuit that makes it possible to shorten a time that takes to obtain the maximum value while maintaining stability, and enables a stable data communication at high speed.
In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a signal processing circuit suitable in integration, in which a large current is prevented from flowing when an observed value and a target value are met, thereby preventing an increase in power consumption.
Referring to accompanying drawings, a transceiver according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter. The transceiver described hereinafter includes a reactance adjuster according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the reactance adjuster also will be described below.
Referring to
The electric field is received by the electric field detecting optical section via the transmitting-and-receiving electrode 123 and transformed into an electric signal. This electric signal is treated by the signal processing section 16 so that noise is eliminated therefrom and then led to the switch 3 via the detector 8 and the filter 9 by connection between the contacts a1 and b1 in the switch 1. The detector 8 has functions of transforming the electric signal from the signal processing section 16 into a direct voltage according to an amplitude of the signal and eliminating a higher harmonics component from an electric voltage outputted from the detector 8.
On the other hand, whilst the predetermined signal concerned is supplied to the transmitting-and-receiving electrode 123, a high level signal (H) and a low level signal (L) as an adjusting signal A are alternatively applied to the variable reactance section 7 via the adder 14 (
An adjusting signal B for controlling a switching of the switch 3 is outputted from the adjusting signal source 13 in synchronization with the adjusting signal A. Specifically, when the adjusting signal source 13 outputs a high level signal to the variable reactance section 7, the contacts a3 and b3 are connected in the switch 3. This connection allows the capacitor C1 to be charged by the direct voltage obtained by the detector 8 converting the electric signal, when the adjusting signal source 13 outputs a high level signal. On the other hand, when the adjusting signal source 13 outputs a low level signal, the capacitor C2 is charged by the direct voltage based on the electric signal.
While either one of the capacitors C1 and C2 is charged, the contacts b4 and c4 are connected in the switch 4 by an adjusting signal C from the adjusting signal source 13. Therefore, the zero voltage from the constant voltage source 12 is inputted into the integrator 11 and the output of the integrator 11 is not varied. When the charging of the capacitors C1 and C2 ends, the contacts a4 and b4 in the switch 4 are connected according to the adjusting signal C. Therefore, a voltage (voltage having a predetermined voltage value) based on the difference between the voltages across the capacitors C1 and C2 is inputted to the integrator 11 from the differential amplifier 10.
In the transceiver according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
According to the above operation, since the output (control signal) of the integrator 11 is unchanged during the detection of an electric field amplitude, even when a change of the control signal is larger than the amplitude of the adjusting signal A, a relation between a swing of the reactance value and the adjusting signal A is not inversed so that a normal operation is feasible. As a result, time required to determine the maximum value is shortened, thereby realizing a stable and effective data transmission at high speed.
While
Under the circumstances in which the reactance is appropriately controlled, a signal to be transmitted is outputted to the modulation circuit 6 via an I/O circuit 122 and thus a modulated signal is obtained by modulating the carrier supplied from the oscillator 5 based upon the signal to be transmitted, thereby inducing an electric field according to the modulated signal inside the living body 121.
Moreover, the contacts al and cl are connected in the switch 1, thereby providing an electric signal from the electric field detecting optical section 15 to the demodulation circuit 17. A signal to be received, which is contained in the electric signal, is demodulated by the demodulation circuit 17, wave-formed by the waveform shaping section 18, and then supplied to a computer via the I/O circuit 122, the computer managing a signal to be transmitted or received. In this manner, an information communication is realized between a transceiver and another with the living body 121 interposed therebetween.
By the way, when another modulation method, for example, phase modulation or frequency modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is kept constant, is adopted, the amplitude value is allowed to change since the amplitude does not have any information. Therefore, in this case, the output of the adjusting signal source needs not to be terminated during a transmission of data.
As modifications of the transceiver according to the first embodiment, the integrator 11 having the following configuration will be described hereinafter.
(A First Modification)
Specifically, the signal processing circuit 100 has the following configuration. Namely, the signal processing circuit 100 is comprised of an electric signal comparator 211 that compares an input voltage IN inputted from outside with the threshold V1 and outputs a signal OUT1 to turn on the switch SW1 as a first connection means when the input voltage IN is lower than the threshold voltage V1, an electric signal comparator 212 that compares the input voltage IN with the threshold V2 and outputs a signal OUT2 to turn on the switch SW2 as a second connection means when the input voltage IN is higher than the threshold voltage V2, and a capacitor 213 storing an electric charge so as to maintain an output voltage.
The input voltage IN is a voltage having a predetermined voltage supplied from the constant voltage source 12 via the switch 4 (
According to a line 2101 shown in
On the other hand, when the input voltage IN is lower than the threshold V1, the signal OUT1 is outputted to turn on the switch SW1 and the switch SW2 is kept off. Therefore, an electric charge is transferred from a voltage source Vdd to the capacitor 213 through the switch 1, thereby increasing a voltage across the capacitor 213 so as to be equal to the voltage of the voltage source Vdd.
In addition, when the input voltage IN is higher than the threshold voltage V2, the signal OUT2 is outputted to turn on the switch 2 and the switch SW1 is kept off. In this case, the electric charge stored in the capacitor 213 is transferred to the earth ground through the switch 2, thereby decreasing a voltage across the capacitor 213.
By the way, in the transceiver that uses the signal processing circuit 100 as the integrator, while either the electric charge storing means C1 or C2 (
According to the signal processing circuit 100 described above as the integrator 11, neither the switch SW1 nor the switch SW2 is turned on, no large current flows from the voltage source Vdd to the earth ground, thereby preventing a power consumption from increasing. Therefore, there is provided a signal processing circuit suitable for circuit integration.
(A Second Modification)
By the way, the signal processing circuit 200 is substantially the same as the signal processing circuit 100 described above in that the signal processing circuit 200 is comprised of an electric signal comparator 221 that compares an input voltage IN inputted from outside with the threshold V1 and outputs the signal OUT1 to turn on the switch SW1 as a first connection means when the input voltage IN is lower than the threshold voltage V1, an electric signal comparator 222 that compares the input voltage IN with the threshold V2 and outputs an signal OUT2 to turn on the switch SW2 as a second connection means when the input voltage IN is higher than the threshold voltage V2, and a capacitor 227 storing an electric charge so as to maintain an output voltage.
In addition, the input voltage IN is a voltage having a predetermined voltage value, which is supplied from the constant voltage source 12 via the switch 4 (
In addition to the above features, the signal processing circuit 200 is further comprised of an electric signal comparator 223 that compares the input voltage IN with a third threshold value V3 (<V1) and outputs a current control signal to cause the current source 225 to flow a large current when the input voltage NI is lower than the third threshold value V3, and an electric signal comparator 224 that compares the input voltage with a fourth threshold voltage V4 (>V2) and outputs a current control signal to cause the current source 226 to flow a large current when the input voltage IN is higher than the fourth threshold voltage V4.
An operation of the signal processing circuit 200 having the above configuration will be described hereinafter. The two current sources 225 and 226 that are connected in series with the switches SW1 and SW2, respectively, output a current having a different current value, depending on the current control signal of 1 or 0 outputted from the electric signal comparators 223 and 224 that are connected to the current sources 225 and 226, respectively.
According to a ling 2201 in
When the input voltage is higher than V3 and lower than V1, the current control signal having a value of 0 is outputted from the electric signal comparator 223 to the current source 225 and thus a current (a second constant current) having a lower current value than the current Ii flows from the current source 225. As a result, the output voltage increases gradually, compared with the case where the current I1 flows from the current source 225.
As shown in
On the other hand, when the input voltage is higher than V4, the electric signal comparator 224 outputs the current control signal of 1 and thus the current source 226 flows a large current I2 (a third constant current). As a result, the output signal decreases swiftly. By the way, the current value of the current I2 can be the same as that of the current I1 (the first constant current).
When the input voltage is higher than V2 and lower than V4, the electric signal comparator 224 outputs a current control signal having a value of 0 to the current source 226 and then the current source 226 flows a current (a fourth constant current) having a lower current value than the current I2. Therefore, the electric charge stored in the capacitor 227 discharges to the earth ground more slowly compared with the case where the current I2 flows from the current source 226, thereby decreasing gradually the output voltage. By the way, the fourth constant current can have the same current value as the second constant current.
The current source 226 outputs a current having a large or a small current value depending whether the current control signal outputted from the electric signal comparator 224 is 1 or 0, as is the case with the current source 225.
By using the current sources 225 and 226 having such a function, when a deviation between the input voltage and the target value is large, a current having a large current value flows, thereby changing the output voltage swiftly, and when the deviation is small, a current having a low current flows, thereby changing the output voltage slowly. Therefore, the circuit operates with a higher stability.
In summary, according to the signal processing circuit 200 described above as the integrator 11, the same effect as the above signal processing circuit 100 is obtained.
In addition, according to the signal processing circuit 200, since the current sources are connected in series with the switches, the output voltage can be changed depending on the deviation between the input voltage and the target value, thereby further improving a stability of the signal processing circuit.
(A Third Modification)
By the way, also in the signal processing circuit 203, the switches SW1 and SW2 are both in positive phase.
In addition, the signal processing circuit 203 is composed of an electric signal comparator 231 that compares the first threshold V1 and the input voltage IN and outputs a signal OUT1 to turn on the switch SW1 when the input voltage IN is lower than the threshold V1, an electric signal comparator 232 that compares the second threshold V2 and the input voltage IN and outputs a signal OUT2 to turn on the switch SW2 when the input voltage IN is higher than the threshold V2, and a capacitor 237 that stores electric charge so as to maintain the output voltage at constant as is the case with the above signal processing circuits 100 and 200.
In the signal processing circuit 203, since the current control signal outputted to the variable current sources 235 and 236 respectively from the differential amplifiers 233 and 234 change continuously, as a relation between the current control signal and the current outputted from the variable current source is shown by a characteristic line 301 in
When the input voltage IN is lower than the threshold V1, the differential amplifier 233 outputs a current control signal to the variable current source 235 in a manner that the lower the input voltage IN is than the threshold V1, the larger the current from the variable current source 235 becomes. Therefore, the larger the current flows from the current source 235, thereby increasing swiftly the output voltage. In addition, in the signal processing circuit 203, the higher the input voltage IN is, the smaller the current I1 becomes, thereby increasing the output slowly.
On the other hand, when the input voltage IN is higher than the threshold V2, the current source 236 flows the current I2, thereby reducing the output voltage. Namely, the higher the input voltage IN is, the more swiftly the output voltage is reduced.
When the input voltage IN is higher than the threshold V1 and lower than the threshold V2, no current flows, thereby maintaining the output voltage constant.
According to the signal processing circuit 203 described above as the integrator ii, the same effect as the above-stated signal processing circuit 100 is obtained.
In addition, according to the signal processing circuit 203, by connecting the variable current source in series with the switch, the output voltage can be changed depending on a deviation between the input voltage and the target value, thereby further improving a stability of the signal processing circuit.
(A Fourth Modification)
Instead of the current sources 235 and 236 provided in the third modification, a variable resistor can be provided. In this case, the electric signal comparators 233 and 234 are configured to output a current control signal to the variable resistor in a manner that the larger the difference between a predetermined voltage (IN) and constant voltages V1 or V2 is, the lower the resistance of the variable resistor becomes. With this, the larger the deviation between the predetermined voltage and the constant voltage is, the larger the current flows, thereby increasing the output voltage swiftly. When a difference between the predetermined voltage and the constant voltage is small, the resistance of the variable resistor becomes large, thereby changing the current value slowly. Therefore, the reactance adjusting is accomplished stably in a short time.
Next, a transceiver according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter. In the second embodiment, a specific configuration of an integrator is described.
As shown in
When the capacitors C1 and C2 are storing electric charge, the pMOS1 and the nMOS2 is off so as to prevent an output voltage (a voltage across a capacitor Cp) of the integrator 20 from changing. When the capacitors C1 and C2 stop storing electric charge, the pMOS1 and the nMOS2 is turned on.
By the way, as shown in
On the other hand, to the gate of the pMOS2 and the nMOS1 is inputted a signal from a voltage comparator 10. The voltage comparator 10 compares a voltage across the capacitor C1 and a voltage across the capacitor C2 and outputs a low level signal when the voltage across the capacitor C1 is higher than that across the capacitor C2. Because of this, the pMOS2 is on and the nMOS1 is off. When the capacitors C1 and C2 stop storing an electric charge and the pMOS1 (and the nMOS2) is on by the adjusting signal C, an electric charge is transferred to the capacitor Cp via the pMOS1 and the pMOS2 from the voltage source, thereby increasing the control signal voltage.
The other way around, when the voltage across the capacitor C1 is lower than that across the capacitor C2, the voltage comparator 10 outputs a high level signal. Therefore, the pMOS2 is off and the nMOS1 is on. When the capacitors C1 and C2 stop storing an electric charge and the nMOS2 (and the pMOS1) is on by the adjusting signal C, an electric charge is transferred to the earth ground via the nMOS1 and the nMOS2, thereby reducing the control signal voltage.
When comparing the second embodiment with the first modification of the first embodiment, the pMOS2 has the same function as the switch SW1; the nMOS1 has the same function as the switch SW2; and the pMOS1 and the nMOS2 have the corresponding function as the switch 4. The pMOS1 and the nMOS2 are off when the adjusting signal C is at a low level and thus no electric charge is transferred. As a result, the output voltage (control signal) is maintained at the voltage across the capacitor Cp. In other words, in the transceiver according to this embodiment, the control signal is prevented from being fluctuated when the capacitors C1 and C2 are storing an electric charge without using the constant voltage source 12 in the first embodiment.
With the above configuration, the transceiver according to this embodiment exhibits the same effect as the transceiver according to the first embodiment.
Referring to
The transceiver according to the third embodiment is provided with a voltage comparator X and a voltage comparator Y each having a threshold X and a threshold Y in a front stage of a charge pump circuit. The differential detector 22 performs a voltage level conversion so as to output a constant voltage when there is no difference between input signals. A constant voltage source SX and a constant voltage source SY shown in
In a control section 21, when the voltage across the capacitor C1 is higher than that across the capacitor C2 and the output of the differential detector 22 is higher than the thresholds X and Y, since the voltage comparators X and Y output a low level signal, the pMOS2 is on and the nMOS1 is off. When the voltage across the capacitor C1 is substantially the same as that across the capacitor C2 and the output of the differential detector 22 lies between the threshold X and the threshold Y, since the output of the voltage comparator X is at a high level and the output of the voltage comparator Y is at a low level, both the pMOS2 and the nMOS1 are off. When the voltage across the capacitor C1 is lower than that across the capacitor C2 and the output of the differential detector 22 is lower than the threshold X and threshold Y, since the outputs of the voltage comparators X and Y are both at a high level, the pMOS2 is off and the nMOS1 is on.
Therefore, when the electric field amplitude at the time of a high reactance value is larger than the electric field amplitude at the time of a low reactance value, i.e., when the voltage across the capacitor C1 is higher than that across the capacitor C2, the control signal becomes large, and when smaller, the control signal becomes small. Therefore, the same operation as the control circuit according to the first embodiment is realized.
However, whereas the control signal continues to change until the electric field amplitude at the time of a large reactance value is completely the same as the electric field amplitude at the time of a small amplitude in the first embodiment, a difference between the two amplitudes is permissible in the third embodiment. Because of this, the control signal is not changed by an error in the electric field amplitude due to a noise caused in an electrical circuit or the like used in the transceiver (a differential detection output in
In addition, the control section 23 has a variable resistor RX provided between the pMOS1 and the pMOS2, a variable resistor RY provided between the nMOS1 and the nMOS2, a differential amplifier AX that compares an input voltage and the threshold X and outputs a signal for controlling a resistance value of the variable resistor RX, a differential amplifier AY that compares an input voltage and the threshold Y and outputs a signal for controlling a resistance value of the variable resistor SY.
Specifically, the differential amplifier AX outputs a resistance control signal to the variable resistor RX so that the larger the difference between the input voltage and the threshold X is, the lower the resistance of the variable resistor RX becomes. Because of this, the larger the difference between the input voltage and the threshold X is, the more swiftly an electric charge is transferred to the capacitor Cp from the voltage source. On the contrary, the differential amplifier AY outputs a resistance control signal to the variable resistor RY so that the larger the difference between the input voltage and the threshold Y is, the lower the resistance of the variable resistor becomes. Because of this, the larger the difference between the input voltage and the threshold Y is, the more swiftly an electric charge is transferred to the earth ground from the capacitor Cp.
Therefore, according to the control section 23, there is provided an integrator that is able to change a change rate of the control signal. Namely, the control section 23 is capable of increasing a change rate of the control signal (the voltage across the terminals of the capacity Cp) when the input voltage is far from the thresholds X and Y and reducing a change rate of the control signal when the input signal is in the vicinity of the threshold. Therefore, an optimal value of the reactance can be determined in a shorter time and thereby a stable control is realized.
In addition, the control section 230 has a third constant voltage source outputting a constant voltage V3 lower than the constant voltage V1, a current source 250 connected between the pMOS1 and the pMOS2, an electric signal comparator 223 that compares an input voltage and the constant voltage V3 and outputs a current control signal to the current source 250 to cause the current source 250 to flow a first constant current when the input voltage is lower than the constant voltage V3 and a current control signal to the current source 250 to cause the current source 250 to flow a second constant current smaller than the second constant current when the input voltage is higher than the constant voltage V3 and lower than the constant voltage V1, a constant voltage source outputting a constant voltage V4 higher than the constant voltage V2, a current source 226 connected between the nMOS1 and the nMOS2, and a fourth electric signal comparator 224 that compares the input signal and the constant voltage V4 and outputs a current control signal to the current source 226 to cause the current source 226 to flow a third constant current when the input voltage is higher than the constant voltage V4 and to cause the current source 226 to flow a fourth constant current smaller than the third constant current when the input voltage is higher than the constant voltage V2 and lower than the constant voltage V4.
The control section 230 having the above configuration operates in the following manner. When the input voltage is lower than the constant voltage V3, i.e., when the input voltage deviates largely from the constant voltage V1, the electric signal comparator 223 outputs a current control signal to the current source 250 so that the current source 250 flows the first constant current to the pMOS2. When the input voltage is higher than the constant voltage V3 and lower than the constant voltage V1, i.e., when the input voltage deviates slightly from the constant voltage V1, the electric signal comparator 223 outputs a current control signal to the current source 250 so that the current source 250 flows the second constant current to pMOS2. Here, the first constant current is larger than the second constant current. Therefore, when there is a larger deviation between the input voltage and the constant voltage V1, a larger current flows from the current source 250, thereby charging the capacitor Cp in a shorter time. In addition, the electric signal comparator 224 and the current source 226 cooperatively operate in the same manner as above.
Therefore, according to the control section 230, when the input voltage deviates away from the constant voltage V1 or the constant voltage V2, the control signal (the voltage across the capacitor Cp) can change at a higher rate. When the input voltage is close to the constant voltage V1 or the constant voltage V2, the control signal can change at a lower rate. Therefore, the reactance is optimized in a shorter period and a high stability is realized.
By the way, a variable current source can be used instead of the current sources 225 and 226. In this case, the electric signal comparators 224 and 226 are configured so as to output a current control signal to the variable current source so that the larger the deviation between the input voltage and the constant voltage V1 or the constant voltage V2 is, the larger the current flows from the variable current source. For example, the electric signal comparators 224 and 226 are preferably a differential amplifier. This can make it possible that when the input voltage deviates largely from the constant voltage, a larger current can flow, thereby changing the output voltage swiftly. Also, when the deviation is small, a smaller current can flow, thereby changing the output voltage slowly. Therefore, the reactance is adjusted stably in a short period.
In this embodiment, the amplitude is detected by the sampling circuit 24. When the sampling circuit detects the amplitude, since a sampling period needs to coincide with the period of an electric field induced in a living body, an adjusting signal 13 producing a sampling signal has to receive a signal from an oscillator 5.
In the transceiver of which configuration is illustrated in
Referring to
Specifically, the transceiver according to this embodiment is provided with a pre-stage processing section 31 between a transmitting-and-receiving electrode 123 and a detector 8 and also a receiving section 32 between the transmitting-and-receiving electrode 123 and an I/O circuit 122 as shown in
More specifically, the pre-stage processing section 31 includes a filter 311 having a high input impedance, an electric field detection section 312 converting an electric field into an electric signal, a signal processing section 313 having a filter to eliminate noises from the electric signal. Since the filter 311 is provided at a pre-stage of the electric field detection section 312, an adverse effect exercised upon resonance is mitigated; noises are eliminated; and a signal processing is facilitated in the post-posed detector 8.
In addition, the receiving section 32 includes an electric field detection section 321 converting an electric field in the living body into an electric signal, a signal processing section 322 having a filter for eliminating noises, an amplifier 323 amplifying the signal from which noises are eliminated, a demodulation circuit 324 demodulating a signal to be received in the electric signal concerned, and a waveform shaper 325 shaping a waveform of a modulated signal. With this, a signal to be received that has been included in the electric field in the living body 121 is supplied to a computer via the an I/O circuit 122.
As stated above, the transceiver according to the ninth embodiment is provided with distinct receiving sections each for adjusting reactance and for receiving/transmitting. Since the pre-stage receiving section that is exclusively used for adjusting reactance is provided with the high input impedance filter, reactance adjustment is assuredly and stably performed.
By the way, if the receiving section 32 is not provided in the ninth embodiment, the transceiver concerned can be used as a transmitter that performs transmission only.
Next, referring to
In the transceiver according to this embodiment, a switch 2 has contacts a1, b1 and c1. When reactance is adjusted or a signal is transmitted, the contacts a1 and b1 are connected. Therefore, a signal suitably used for reactance adjustment or a signal including information to be transmitted is supplied to a transmitting-and-receiving electrode 123 from an oscillator 5 and a modulation circuit via a variable reactance section 7. During reception, the contacts b1 and c1 of the switch 2 are connected and the electric field in the living body is received by the receiving section 32 via the switch 2. By the way, during reception, a control signal is inputted to the variable reactance section 7 so as to reduce the reactance value of the variable reactance section 7.
According to the above configuration, when adjusting reactance or transmitting, since the receiving section 32 is separated from the other circuit elements, an influence exercised on the reactance adjusting operation by the receiving section, specifically, the input stage of the receiving section, is mitigated. Generally, when adjusting reactance, a high voltage is generated due to resonance. When the high voltage has a higher voltage value than a withstand voltage, the electric circuit concerned may be damaged. However, according to the above configuration, since the receiving section 32 is separated when adjusting reactance and such a high voltage is not applied to the receiving section. Thus, the electric circuit of the receiving section is prevented from being damaged. Therefore, the transceiver according to this embodiment is advantageous in that a reliability is improved.
By the way, there can be provided a mechanically operable switch between the receiving section 32 and the transmitting-and-receiving electrode 123 instead of the switch 2, wherein the mechanically operable switch is off when adjusting reactance and is on when transmitting. This can eliminate a possibility of damaging the electric circuit of the electric circuit. By the way, as such a switch, a switch fabricated by micro machine technique, for example, is preferable.
Referring to several embodiments and modifications, a reactance adjusting apparatus, a transmitter and a communication apparatus using the same, and a signal processing circuit according to the present invention have been described as above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications and thus various alterations are possible.
For example, the signal processing circuit according to modifications of the first embodiment is applicable to electric appliances other than the reactance adjusting apparatus.
A configuration of the amplifier circuit 150 will be described. The amplifier circuit 150 is comprised of a variable gain amplifier 251 that is able to change a gain thereof so as to keep constant an amplitude of an alternating signal outputted even when an amplitude of an inputted alternating signal is changed, a detector 252 that inputs and detects the signal outputted from the variable gain amplifier 251, a filter 253 smoothing the signal outputted from the detector 252, a reference signal source 254 outputting a reference signal to be a target amplitude of the signal outputted from the variable gain amplifier 251, a comparator 255 comparing the signal outputted from the filter 253, the signal corresponding to the amplitude of the signal from the variable gain amplifier 251, and the signal outputted from the reference signal source 254 to determine the difference between the two signals, and an integrator 256 outputting a control signal based on the integration result. Nothing to say that any one of the signal processing circuits 100, 200, and 203 is applicable as the integrator 256.
In the amplifier circuit 150 having the above configuration, when the signal outputted from the filter 253 is higher than the reference signal, the signal outputted from the integrator 256, i.e., the control signal controlling the gain of the variable gain amplifier 251 becomes large. As a result, the gain of the variable gain amplifier 251 becomes large accordingly. On the other hand, when the signal outputted from the filter 253 is lower than the reference signal, the signal (control signal) outputted from the integrator 256 becomes small, thereby reducing the gain of the variable gain amplifier 251. Such a signal processing continues until the signal outputted from the filter 253, which corresponds to the amplitude of the signal outputted from the variable gain amplifier 251, becomes equal to the reference signal (a target value). The amplitude of the signal outputted from the variable gain amplifier 251 is kept constant even when the amplitude of the alternating signal to be inputted to the variable gain amplifier 251 is varied.
In the amplifier circuit 150 having such a function, even a coincidence of an observed value with the target value does not lead to an unstable state. Therefore, no large current flows from a voltage source Vdd to the earth ground, thereby preventing an energy consumption from increasing.
By the way, each of the above-stated signal processing circuits 100, 200, and 203 is only an embodiment of the signal processing circuit according to the present invention and the signal processing circuit applicable as the integrator 256 is not limited to the embodiments. Namely, the present invention includes various embodiments that exert substantially the same operation and effect as the signal processing circuits 100, 200 and 203, without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims. A use of such embodiments makes it possible to configure the amplifier circuit 150 according to the above example.
A reactance adjuster, a transceiver, a transmitting apparatus, and a signal processing circuit preferable for these are preferably applicable for example to a wearable computer system mountable to a human body.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-407852 | Dec 2003 | JP | national |
| 2004-115132 | Apr 2004 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP04/17883 | 12/1/2004 | WO | 7/13/2005 |
