EP0242717A2 - Radio controlled clock provided with a ferrite rod antenna - Google Patents

Radio controlled clock provided with a ferrite rod antenna Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0242717A2
EP0242717A2 EP87105252A EP87105252A EP0242717A2 EP 0242717 A2 EP0242717 A2 EP 0242717A2 EP 87105252 A EP87105252 A EP 87105252A EP 87105252 A EP87105252 A EP 87105252A EP 0242717 A2 EP0242717 A2 EP 0242717A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
antenna
radio
main
antennas
aerial
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Granted
Application number
EP87105252A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0242717A3 (en
EP0242717B1 (en
Inventor
Jürgen Allgaier
Arthur Kopf
Wolfgang Ganter
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Junghans Uhren GmbH
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Junghans Uhren GmbH
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Priority to AT87105252T priority Critical patent/ATE65135T1/en
Publication of EP0242717A2 publication Critical patent/EP0242717A2/en
Publication of EP0242717A3 publication Critical patent/EP0242717A3/en
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Publication of EP0242717B1 publication Critical patent/EP0242717B1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04R—RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES
    • G04R20/00—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal
    • G04R20/08—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal the radio signal being broadcast from a long-wave call sign, e.g. DCF77, JJY40, JJY60, MSF60 or WWVB
    • G04R20/10—Tuning or receiving; Circuits therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04R—RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES
    • G04R60/00—Constructional details

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a radio clock according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Such a radio clock is the subject of DBP 3 439 638, registered on October 30, 1984, and has meanwhile proven itself on the market as a high-quality consumer clock.
  • a ferrite rod antenna has the advantage of high reception sensitivity even in an unfavorable reception environment, it does suffer from the disadvantage of high directional sensitivity (with regard to the geometric alignment with respect to the location of the remote time telegram transmitter).
  • two differently oriented internal ferrite rod antennas of which the one with the better orientation with regard to the current radio reception conditions is being switched on.
  • the two antennas should preferably be aligned perpendicular to one another in order to ensure that, regardless of the current orientation with respect to the transmitter and the antenna currently switched on, at least 70% of the field strength amplitude is recorded.
  • the result is that the time decoding that was previously possible temporarily fails, although the reception conditions with the antenna that was previously switched on were still sufficient for decoding.
  • the operator of the radio clock who is not familiar with this internal control process, is irritated - and may turn the clock to another spatial location due to the frequent failure of the decoded time information Orientation, in which reception conditions may be worse than before.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a radio clock of the generic type with built-in ferrite rod antenna, in which - regardless of constraints or coincidences regarding the spatial orientation of a consumer clock - in any case with sufficient probability sufficient reception conditions for recording and processing the over Radio transmitted time telegrams are given without having to give the consumer incomprehensible instructions about the local orientation when setting up his consumer watch.
  • This desired effect of the attenuation of the main antenna by the compensation antenna is therefore based solely on the inductive coupling between two ferrite rod antennas that are spaced apart and not oriented in parallel, without having to carry out an evaluation on the receiving side of the second antenna signals as well.
  • the radio clock 11 outlined in the drawing as a symbolically simplified block diagram consists of an autonomous clock 12 with a time display 13 and a radio receiver 14 for receiving and decoding coded time information (so-called time telegrams) transmitted by radio in order to use this reference information from time to time to update the current one Compare the performance on the time display 13 and correct it if necessary - as explained in more detail in DBP 3 439 638 cited above.
  • the radio receiver 14 with its demodulation and decoding circuits 15 and optionally a preamplifier 16 is connected to an antenna circuit 17 which is tuned to the fixed transmission frequency of the time information transmitter and which has the parallel connection of an antenna coil 18 with an equalizing capacitor 19.
  • an antenna coil 18 with an equalizing capacitor 19.
  • it has a ferrite rod 20 in a known manner.
  • This unit consisting of antenna coil 18 and ferrite rod 20 is also referred to as the main antenna 21 in the present context.
  • Characteristic of such a ferrite rod antenna 21 is its high directional sensitivity; that is, the reception conditions are worst when the linear ferrite rod 20 is aligned longitudinally with the location of the transmitter while being transverse set the best reception conditions for this most unfavorable orientation.
  • such behavior of the antenna 21 built into a radio clock 11 is highly undesirable because such a consumer clock is set up or hung up by the user not according to radio engineering considerations, but according to the spatial conditions, for example with regard to the furniture of a living room.
  • the built-in antenna 21 can then have such a spatially unfavorable orientation with respect to the transmitter location that reception and decoding of undisturbed time telegrams are no longer possible, that is to say the automatic control and correction of the time display 13 which is characteristic of a radio clock 11 is no longer guaranteed.
  • a second or compensation antenna 22 is provided, which is also equipped with an antenna circuit 17 which is matched to the transmission frequency, but is not connected to the radio receiver 14.
  • this compensation antenna 22 is installed at a certain distance in front of an end face of the ferrite rod 20 of the main antenna 21 at right angles and laterally offset (that is to say as a leg of an "L") in the radio clock 11; wherein the compensation antenna 22 (contrary to the drawing) is by no means in the same plane as the main antenna 21 must extend and can also take other positions relative to the main antenna.
  • the radio-controlled clock receiver 14 is thus operated with an antenna 21 which has approximately the high sensitivity of a ferrite rod antenna 21, but is no longer subject to the disadvantage of great insensitivity to reception in the longitudinal direction of the rod.
  • the second or compensation antenna 22 since the second or compensation antenna 22 in turn does not feed signal energy into the radio receiver 14 (but only serves to inductively attenuate the original directional sensitivity of the main antenna 21), a relatively short ferrite rod 23 can be used for the compensation antenna 22, so that no special one additional space required for this antenna compensation measure in the radio clock 11 results.
  • the practical installation does not pose any particular problems, since, as said, the installation plane of the compensation antenna 22 is largely uncritical, although preferably a certain distance in the apex region of the two ferrite rods 20-23 oriented transversely to one another is maintained. If this distance has to be changed for design reasons, the resulting reaction to the directional dependence of the sensitivity of the main antenna 21 can be largely compensated for by further retuning of the main antenna 21.
  • the directional reception sensitivity of the radio clock 11 is to be reduced further, it is expedient to provide a switchover between (see FIG. 2) azimuthally differently oriented (main) antennas 21 built into the radio clock 11, as is known as such. 2 does not take into account the fact that such spatially differently oriented antennas 21 are expediently grouped with compensation antennas (22 in FIG. 1) in order to again achieve a substantial increase in the all-round reception capacity with only a moderate loss of reception sensitivity.
  • the antenna circuit 17.1 In order to avoid differently effective antenna couplings and the resulting tendency of the radio receiver 14 to work when an antenna is switched over, only one of the antenna circuits, in the example case of FIG. 2 the antenna circuit 17.1, is always effective.
  • the other antenna circuits 17, which are not currently connected to the radio receiver 14, are either open (as in the case of the switch constellation according to FIG. 2) or short-circuited (not shown in the drawing).

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Details Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Support Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)

Abstract

A radio clock (11), in particular one designed for use in homes, should be designed so that even under unfavourable radio reception conditions or random conditions according to the position of installation, it will ensure decoding of the received time data. For this purpose it is proposed that the radio receiver be fed from a ferrite rod main aerial (21), the original directional characteristic of which is damped towards an all-round receiving characteristic by inductive coupling of a balancing aerial (22) also having a tuned aerial circuit, but which is not connected to the radio receiver (14). If, on the other hand, (instead of this or additionally) provision is made for switching between main aerials (21) with different space orientation and each having its own tuned aerial circuit (17), the aerial circuits (17) of the (main) aerial (21) temporarily not connected to the radio receiver (14) are short-circuited or opened in order to prevent oscillatory effects. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Funkuhr gemäß dem Oberbegriff des An­spruches 1.The invention relates to a radio clock according to the preamble of claim 1.

Eine solche Funkuhr ist Gegenstand des DBP 3 439 638, angemeldet am 30. Oktober 1984, und hat sich unterdessen als hochwertige Konsum­uhr am Markt bewährt.Such a radio clock is the subject of DBP 3 439 638, registered on October 30, 1984, and has meanwhile proven itself on the market as a high-quality consumer clock.

Während eine Ferritstab-Antenne den Vorteil hoher Empfangsempfindlich­keit auch in ungünstiger Empfangsumgebung aufweist, ist sie doch mit dem Nachteil hoher Richtungsempfindlichkeit (bezüglich der geo­metrischen Ausrichtung gegenüber dem Standort des entfernten Zeit­telegramm-Senders) behaftet.While a ferrite rod antenna has the advantage of high reception sensitivity even in an unfavorable reception environment, it does suffer from the disadvantage of high directional sensitivity (with regard to the geometric alignment with respect to the location of the remote time telegram transmitter).

Aus der DE-OS 31 01 406 ist es bei einer gattungsähnlichen Funkuhr bekannt, in Abhängigkeit von einem gesondert zu ermittelnden und in der Empfangseinrichtung abzuspeichernden mittleren effektiven Signal-Stör-Verhältnis automatisch die wirksame Antennencharakteristik so zu verändern, daß das effektive Signal-Stör-Verhältnis der momen­tanen Empfangsgegebenheiten über eine kritische Schwelle gelangt bzw. den günstigsten Wert annimmt. Als Bewertungsmaßstab für das effektive Signal-Stör-Verhältnis wird ein Vergleich einer idealen Impulsform mit der bei der Aufnahme des Zeittelegrammes real empfangenen Impulsform vorgenommen und das Vergleichsergebnis als Zahlenwert in einem Mikroprozessor abgespeichert; welcher dann einen Steuerungs­eingriff dahingehend in die Empfangseinrichtung vorzunehmen hat, daß sich automatisch stets die momentan günstigsten Empfangsgegeben­heiten einstellen.From DE-OS 31 01 406 it is known in a generic radio clock to automatically change the effective antenna characteristic in dependence on a mean effective signal-to-interference ratio to be determined separately and stored in the receiving device so that the effective signal-to-interference Ratio of the current reception conditions reaches a critical threshold or assumes the most favorable value. As an evaluation standard for the effective signal-to-noise ratio, a comparison is made between an ideal pulse shape and the pulse shape actually received when the time telegram was recorded, and the comparison result is stored as a numerical value in a microprocessor; which then has to carry out a control intervention in the receiving device in such a way that the currently most favorable reception conditions are always set automatically.

Hierfür ist dort unter anderem vorgesehen, zwei verschieden ausge­richtete interne Ferritstab-Antennen zu verwenden von denen jeweils gerade diejenige eingeschaltet wird, die die bessere Ausrichtung hinsichtlich der momentanen Funkempfangsgegebenheiten aufweist. Vorzugsweise sollen die beiden Antennen senkrecht zueinander ausge­richtet sein, um sicherzustellen, daß unabhängig von der momentanen Orientierung bezüglich des Senders und von der momentan eingeschalteten Antenne stes mindestens 70 % des Feldstärke-Amplitude aufgenommen wird.For this purpose, it is provided, among other things, to use two differently oriented internal ferrite rod antennas, of which the one with the better orientation with regard to the current radio reception conditions is being switched on. The two antennas should preferably be aligned perpendicular to one another in order to ensure that, regardless of the current orientation with respect to the transmitter and the antenna currently switched on, at least 70% of the field strength amplitude is recorded.

Der datenverarbeitungstechnische und schaltungstechnische Aufwand für die ständige Ermittlung einer Nachsteuerungsinformation nach Maßgabe jener vorgegebenen Bewertung ist aber überaus groß und kann deshalb aus Kostengründen für eine Konsum-Funkuhr vorliegend in Betracht gezogener Art kaum in Betracht kommen. Nachteiliger ist noch, daß auch dann eine Antennen-Umschaltung erfolgt, wenn zwar nicht optimaler, aber immerhin doch noch ausreichender Empfang der über Funk übermittelten kodierten Zeitinformation (Zeittelegramme) gegeben ist. Denn da in der schaltungstechnischen Praxis jede Ferrit­stab-Antenne eigenständig abgestimmt werden muß, also kein gemeinsamer Abstimm-Kondensator für unterschiedlich vorgesehene Antennenspulen realisierbar ist, führt die - womöglich unergiebige und deshalb alsbald schon wieder rückgängig zu machende -Antennen-Umschaltung auf eine andere als die bisher eingeschaltet gewesenen Antenne zwangs­läufig zu Störungen in der Funktion der Empfangseinrichtung, die erst wieder ausgeregelt werden müssen. Hinsichtlich der internen Funkuhren-Funktion hat das zur Folge, daß vorübergehend die bisher möglich gewesene Zeitdekodierung nun ausfällt, obgleich die - freilich nicht ganz optimalen - Empfangsverhältnisse mit der zuvor eingeschaltet gewesenen Antenne doch noch zur Dekodierung ausreichten. Der Betreiber der Funkuhr, der diesen inneren Regelvorgang näturlich nicht kennt, wird irritiert - und dreht womöglich, wegen des öfteren Ausfalles der dekodierten Zeitinformation, die Uhr in eine andere räumliche Orientierung, in der dann vielleicht noch schlechtere Empfangsgegeben­heiten als bisher vorliegen.However, the data processing and circuitry outlay for the continuous determination of readjustment information in accordance with that predefined evaluation is extremely large and can therefore hardly be considered for the reasons of cost considerations for a consumer radio clock. It is even more disadvantageous that an antenna switchover also takes place if the coded time information (time telegrams) transmitted via radio is not optimally received, but is still sufficient. Because, in circuitry practice, each ferrite rod antenna must be tuned independently, i.e. no common tuning capacitor can be implemented for differently designed antenna coils, the - possibly inefficient and therefore soon to be reversed - antenna switchover to another than that previously activated antenna inevitably leads to malfunctions in the function of the receiving device, which must first be corrected again. With regard to the internal radio clock function, the result is that the time decoding that was previously possible temporarily fails, although the reception conditions with the antenna that was previously switched on were still sufficient for decoding. The operator of the radio clock, who is not familiar with this internal control process, is irritated - and may turn the clock to another spatial location due to the frequent failure of the decoded time information Orientation, in which reception conditions may be worse than before.

In Erkenntnis solcher Umstände liegt der Erfindung die Aufgabe zu­grunde, eine Funkuhr gattungsgemäßer Art mit eingebauter Ferritstab-­Antenne zu schaffen, bei der - unabhängig von Sachzwängen oder Zu­fälligkeiten hinsichtlich der räumlichen Ausrichtung einer Konsumuhr- jedenfalls mit hinreichender Wahrscheinlichkeit ausreichende Empfangs­gegebenheiten für Aufnahme und Verarbeitung der über Funk übermittelten Zeittelegramme gegeben sind, ohne dem Konsumenten für ihn unverständ­liche Anweisungen über die örtliche Orientierung bei der Aufstellung seiner Konsumuhr geben zu müssen.In the knowledge of such circumstances, the invention has for its object to provide a radio clock of the generic type with built-in ferrite rod antenna, in which - regardless of constraints or coincidences regarding the spatial orientation of a consumer clock - in any case with sufficient probability sufficient reception conditions for recording and processing the over Radio transmitted time telegrams are given without having to give the consumer incomprehensible instructions about the local orientation when setting up his consumer watch.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß bei einer gattungsgemäßen Funkuhr im wesentlichen dadurch gelöst, daß sie nach dem Kennzeichnungsteil des Anspruches 1 ausgelegt ist.This object is achieved in a generic radio clock essentially in that it is designed according to the characterizing part of claim 1.

Nach dieser Lösung wird eine geringe Einbuße der Empfangsempfindlich­keit einer Ferritstab-Antenne im Interesse einer starken Reduzierung der Richtungs-Empfindlichkeit in Kauf genommen, wobei durch den geringfügigen Zusatzaufwand einer kleinen, in sich abgestimmten aber nicht eigens an den Empfänger angeschlossenen Kompensations-­Antenne eine Verformung der typischen 8-Charakteristik der Ferrit­stabantenne in eine recht gute rundum Charakteristik erreicht wird.According to this solution, a slight loss in the reception sensitivity of a ferrite rod antenna is accepted in the interest of a strong reduction in the directional sensitivity, the deformation of the antenna being deformed by the small additional effort of a small, co-ordinated but not specifically connected to the receiver typical 8 characteristic of the ferrite rod antenna is achieved in a fairly good all round characteristic.

Diese hier gewünschte Wirkung der Bedämpfung der Haupt-Antenne durch die Kompensations-Antenne beruht also allein auf der induktiven Kopplung zwischen zwei zueinander distanzierten und nicht parallel orientierten Ferritstab-Antennen, ohne eine empfangsseitige Auswertung auch der zweiten Antennensignale durchführen zu müssen.This desired effect of the attenuation of the main antenna by the compensation antenna is therefore based solely on the inductive coupling between two ferrite rod antennas that are spaced apart and not oriented in parallel, without having to carry out an evaluation on the receiving side of the second antenna signals as well.

Es kann aber auch zweckmäßig sein, ähnlich den in der älteren Anmeldung P 35 10 637.9 beschriebenen Gegebenheiten eine Umschaltung zwischen räumlich unterschiedlich orientierten (Haupt-) Antennen vorzusehen. Dafür kann es dann zweckmäßig sein, zusätzlich eine Verformung der originären Richtcharakteristik der Hauptantenne zu einer möglichst guten Rundumcharakteristik durch die Ankopplung der Kompensations-Antenne vorstehend erläuterter Art vorzunehmen. Entscheidend bei der tat­sächlichen Umschaltung des Funkempfängers auf unterschiedliche (Haupt-) Antennen ist aber, daß dann die gerade nicht an den Empfänger ange­schalteten Hauptantennen nicht mehr in einem vollständigen Antennen­kreis liegen, um Schwingerscheinungen im Zuge der Antennen-Umschaltung zu vermeiden. Bei der tatsächlichen Antennen-Umschaltung sind als alle diejenigen Antennenkreise, die gerade nicht an den Funkempfänger angeschlossen sind, durch Kurzschluß oder Auftrennung unwirksam zu machen; eine Lösung, die insoweit bei einer gattungsgemäßen Funkuhr auch als eigenständig schutzfähig betrachtet wird.However, it can also be expedient to provide a switch between spatially differently oriented (main) antennas, similar to the circumstances described in the earlier application P 35 10 637.9. For this purpose, it can then be expedient to additionally deform the original directional characteristic of the main antenna to give the best possible all-round characteristic by coupling the compensation antenna of the type explained above. It is crucial in the actual switchover of the radio receiver to different (main) antennas that the main antennas not currently connected to the receiver are then no longer in a complete antenna circuit in order to avoid vibrations during the antenna switchover. In the actual antenna switchover, all those antenna circuits which are not currently connected to the radio receiver are to be rendered ineffective by short-circuiting or disconnection; a solution that is also considered to be independently capable of protection in a generic radio clock.

Zusätzlich Alternativen und Weiterbildungen sowie weitere Merkmale und Vorteile der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den weiteren Ansprüchen und, auch unter Berücksichtigung der Darlegungen in der Zusammen­fassung, aus nachstehender Beschreibung von in der Zeichnung unter Beschränkung auf das Wesentliche stark abstrahiert skizzierten bevor­zugten Realisierungsbeispielen zur erfindungsgemäßen Lösung. Es zeigt:

  • Fig. 1 im Blockschaltbild eine Funkuhr mit festangeschlossener Hauptantenne und quer dazu angeordneter, auf Resonanz abgestimmter aber nicht angeschlossener Kompensations­antenne
    und
  • Fig. 2 ein Beispiel für eine Umschaltung zwischen unter­schiedlich orientierten, jeweils abgestimmten Antennen.
Additional alternatives and further developments as well as further features and advantages of the invention result from the further claims and, also taking into account the explanations in the summary, from the following description of preferred implementation examples for the solution according to the invention, which are sketched in a highly abstracted manner while restricting them to the essentials. It shows:
  • Fig. 1 in a block diagram a radio clock with a fixed main antenna and transversely arranged, tuned to resonance but not connected compensation antenna
    and
  • 2 shows an example of a switchover between differently oriented, respectively tuned antennas.

Die in der Zeichnung als symbolisch vereinfachtes Blockschaltbild skizzierte Funkuhr 11 besteht aus einer autonomen Uhr 12 mit Zeitan­zeige 13 und aus einem Funkempfänger 14 für Empfang und Dekodierung von über Funk übermittelten kodierten Zeitinformation (sogenannten Zeittelegrammen), um mit dieser Referenzinformation von Zeit zu Zeit die momentane Darbietung auf der Zeitanzeige 13 zu vergleichen und gegebenenfalls zu korrigieren - wie im einzelnen im oben zitierten DBP 3 439 638 näher erläutert.The radio clock 11 outlined in the drawing as a symbolically simplified block diagram consists of an autonomous clock 12 with a time display 13 and a radio receiver 14 for receiving and decoding coded time information (so-called time telegrams) transmitted by radio in order to use this reference information from time to time to update the current one Compare the performance on the time display 13 and correct it if necessary - as explained in more detail in DBP 3 439 638 cited above.

Dafür ist der Funkempfänger 14 mit seinen Demodulations- und Dekodier­schaltungen 15 sowie gegebenenfalls einem Vorverstärker 16 an einen auf die feste Sendefrequenz des Zeitinformationssenders abgestimmten Antennenkreis 17 angeschlossen, der die Parallelschaltung einer Antennenspule 18 mit einem Abgleichkondensator 19 aufweist. Zur Erhöhung der Empfindlichkeit der Antennenspule 18 weist diese in bekannter Weise einen Ferritstab 20 auf. Diese Baueinheit aus Antennen­spule 18 und Ferritstab 20 wird in vorliegendem Sachzusammenhang auch als Haupt-Antenne 21 bezeichnet.For this purpose, the radio receiver 14 with its demodulation and decoding circuits 15 and optionally a preamplifier 16 is connected to an antenna circuit 17 which is tuned to the fixed transmission frequency of the time information transmitter and which has the parallel connection of an antenna coil 18 with an equalizing capacitor 19. To increase the sensitivity of the antenna coil 18, it has a ferrite rod 20 in a known manner. This unit consisting of antenna coil 18 and ferrite rod 20 is also referred to as the main antenna 21 in the present context.

Charakteristisch für eine solche Ferritstab-Antenne 21 ist ihre hohe Richtungsempfindlichkeit; d.h. die Empfangsverhältnisse sind am schlechtesten, wenn der lineare Ferritstab 20 in Längsrichtung auf den Standort des Senders ausgerichtet ist, während sich quer zu dieser ungünstigsten Orientierung beste Empfangsverhältnisse einstellen. Die jeweilige Induktionsspannung an der Antennenspule 18, aufgetragen über der winkelmäßigen Orientierung des Ferritstabes 20 gegenüber dem Standort eines entfernten Senders, ergibt die bekannte 8-förmige Antennencharakteristik einer einfachen Ferritstab- oder Peilantenne.Characteristic of such a ferrite rod antenna 21 is its high directional sensitivity; that is, the reception conditions are worst when the linear ferrite rod 20 is aligned longitudinally with the location of the transmitter while being transverse set the best reception conditions for this most unfavorable orientation. The respective induction voltage on the antenna coil 18, plotted against the angular orientation of the ferrite rod 20 relative to the location of a remote transmitter, results in the known 8-shaped antenna characteristic of a simple ferrite rod or DF antenna.

Wie ausgeführt ist ein solches Verhalten der in eine Funkuhr 11 eingebauten Antenne 21 aber höchst unerwünscht, weil eine solche Konsumuhr vom Benutzer nicht nach funktechnischen Überlegungen, sondern gemäß den räumlichen Gegebenheiten beispielsweise hinsichtlich des Mobiliars eines Wohnzimmer aufgestellt bzw. aufgehängt wird. Die eingebaute Antenne 21 kann dann gerade eine räumlich so ungünstige Orientierung bezüglich des Sender-Standorts aufweisen, daß Empfang und Dekodierung ungestörter Zeittelegramme nicht mehr möglich sind, also die für eine Funkuhr 11 charakteristische automatische Kontrolle und Korrektur der Zeitanzeige 13 nicht mehr gewährleistet ist.As stated, such behavior of the antenna 21 built into a radio clock 11 is highly undesirable because such a consumer clock is set up or hung up by the user not according to radio engineering considerations, but according to the spatial conditions, for example with regard to the furniture of a living room. The built-in antenna 21 can then have such a spatially unfavorable orientation with respect to the transmitter location that reception and decoding of undisturbed time telegrams are no longer possible, that is to say the automatic control and correction of the time display 13 which is characteristic of a radio clock 11 is no longer guaranteed.

Deshalb ist beim Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Fig. 1 der Erfindung eine zweite oder Kompensations-Antenne 22 vorgesehen, die ebenfalls mit einem auf die Sendefrequenz abgestimmten Antennenkreis 17 ausge­stattet, aber nicht an den Funkempfänger 14 angeschlossen ist. Diese Kompensationsantenne 22 ist im dargestellten Beispielsfalle recht­winkelig und seitlich versetzt (also gewissermaßen als ein Schenkel eines "L") in gewissem Abstand vor einem Stirnende des Ferritstabes 20 der Hauptantenne 21 in die Funkuhr 11 eingebaut; wobei sich die Kompensationsantenne 22 (entgegen der zeichnerischen Darstellung) keineswegs in der selben Ebene, wie die Hauptantenne 21 sich er­strecken muß und auch andere relative Lagen zur Hauptantenne einnehmen kann.Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 of the invention, a second or compensation antenna 22 is provided, which is also equipped with an antenna circuit 17 which is matched to the transmission frequency, but is not connected to the radio receiver 14. In the example shown, this compensation antenna 22 is installed at a certain distance in front of an end face of the ferrite rod 20 of the main antenna 21 at right angles and laterally offset (that is to say as a leg of an "L") in the radio clock 11; wherein the compensation antenna 22 (contrary to the drawing) is by no means in the same plane as the main antenna 21 must extend and can also take other positions relative to the main antenna.

Die Wirkung einer solchen in Gegenwart der Hauptantenne 21, schwach induktiv mit ihr verkoppelten, ebenfalls auf Resonanz abgestimmten Kompensationsantenne 22 ist eine starke Verringerung der typischen Richtcharakteristik der abgestimmten Ferritstab-Hauptantenne 21 in dem Sinne, daß die 8-förmige Antennencharakteristik der Haupt-An­tenne 21 nun oval-ähnlich verformt (also in Querrichtung aufgeweitet und in Längsrichtung zusammengezogen) wird.The effect of such a compensation antenna 22 in the presence of the main antenna 21, weakly inductively coupled to it and also tuned to resonance, is a strong reduction in the typical directional characteristic of the tuned ferrite rod main antenna 21 in the sense that the 8-shaped antenna characteristic of the main antenna 21 is now oval-like deformed (ie expanded in the transverse direction and contracted in the longitudinal direction).

Versuche haben gezeigt, daß die wechselweise erfolgende Antennen­abstimmung, in Gegenwart jeweils der durch die induktive Kopplung dämpfend wirkenden anderen Antenne 22 bzw. 21, auf die Sendefrequenz des Zeittelegramm-Senders eine überraschende Verbesserung der Empfangs-­Charakteristik (im Sinne einer möglichst kreisförmigen Antennen­charakteristik) ergibt.Experiments have shown that the alternating antenna tuning, in the presence of the other antennas 22 and 21, which have a damping effect due to the inductive coupling, results in a surprising improvement in the reception characteristic (in the sense of a circular antenna characteristic) in the transmission frequency of the time telegram transmitter .

Damit wird der Funkuhr-Empfänger 14 mit einer Antenne 21 betrieben, die angenähert die große Empfindlichkeit einer Ferritstab-Antenne 21 aufweist, aber nicht mehr mit dem Nachteil großer Empfangs-Un­empfindlichkeit in Stab-Längsrichtung behaftet ist.The radio-controlled clock receiver 14 is thus operated with an antenna 21 which has approximately the high sensitivity of a ferrite rod antenna 21, but is no longer subject to the disadvantage of great insensitivity to reception in the longitudinal direction of the rod.

Da die zweite oder Kompensations-Antenne 22 ihrerseits keine Signal­energie in den Funkempfänger 14 einspeist (sondern nur zur induktiven Bedämpfung) der originären Richtungsempfindlichkeit der Hauptantenne 21 dient), kann für die Kompensationsantenne 22 ein relativ kurzer Ferritstab 23 eingesetzt werden, so daß sich kein besonderer zu­sätzlicher Raumbedarf für diese Antennen-Kompensationsmaßnahme in der Funkuhr 11 ergibt. Der praktische Einbau stellt schließlich auch insofern keine besonderen Probleme dar, da, wie gesagt, die Einbauebene der Kompensationsantenne 22 weitestgehend unkritisch ist, wenn auch vorzugsweise ein gewisser Abstand im Scheitelbereich der beiden quer zueinander orientierten Ferritstäbe 20-23 eingehalten bleibt. Wenn aus konstruktiven Gründen dieser Abstand verändert werden muß, kann die daraus resultierende Rückwirkung auf die Richtungs­abhängigkeit der Empfindlichkeit der Hauptantenne 21 weitgehend durch eine weitere Nachstimmung jedenfalls der Hauptantenne 21 wieder kompensiert werden.Since the second or compensation antenna 22 in turn does not feed signal energy into the radio receiver 14 (but only serves to inductively attenuate the original directional sensitivity of the main antenna 21), a relatively short ferrite rod 23 can be used for the compensation antenna 22, so that no special one additional space required for this antenna compensation measure in the radio clock 11 results. Finally, the practical installation does not pose any particular problems, since, as said, the installation plane of the compensation antenna 22 is largely uncritical, although preferably a certain distance in the apex region of the two ferrite rods 20-23 oriented transversely to one another is maintained. If this distance has to be changed for design reasons, the resulting reaction to the directional dependence of the sensitivity of the main antenna 21 can be largely compensated for by further retuning of the main antenna 21.

Wenn die Richtungsempfangsempfindlichkeit der Funkuhr 11 weiter gesenkt werden soll, ist es zweckmäßig, eine Umschaltung zwischen (vgl. Fig. 2) azimutal unterschiedlich orientierten, in die Funkuhr 11 eingebauten (Haupt-)Antennen 21 vorzusehen, wie es als solches bekannt ist. In Fig. 2 ist nicht berücksichtigt, daß auch solche räumlich unterschiedlich orientierten Antennen 21 zweckmäßigerweise mit Kompensationsantennen (22 in Fig. 1) gruppiert sind, um wieder bei nur mäßigem Verlust an Empfangsempfindlichkeit ein wesentliche Steigerung des Rundum-Empfangs-Vermögens zu erzielen.If the directional reception sensitivity of the radio clock 11 is to be reduced further, it is expedient to provide a switchover between (see FIG. 2) azimuthally differently oriented (main) antennas 21 built into the radio clock 11, as is known as such. 2 does not take into account the fact that such spatially differently oriented antennas 21 are expediently grouped with compensation antennas (22 in FIG. 1) in order to again achieve a substantial increase in the all-round reception capacity with only a moderate loss of reception sensitivity.

Um bei einer Antennenumschaltung unterschiedlich wirksame Antennen­kopplungen und daraus resultierendes Schwingneigen der Arbeitsweise des Funkempfängers 14 zu vermeiden, ist stets nur einer der Antennen­kreise, im Beispielsfalle der Fig. 2 der Antennenkreis 17.1, wirksam. Die anderen, momentan nicht an den Funkempfänger 14 angeschlossenen Antennenkreise 17 sind entweder (wie im Falle der Schalter-Konstellation nach Fig. 2) geöffnet, oder aber (zeichnerisch nicht dargestellt) kurz- geschlossen.In order to avoid differently effective antenna couplings and the resulting tendency of the radio receiver 14 to work when an antenna is switched over, only one of the antenna circuits, in the example case of FIG. 2 the antenna circuit 17.1, is always effective. The other antenna circuits 17, which are not currently connected to the radio receiver 14, are either open (as in the case of the switch constellation according to FIG. 2) or short-circuited (not shown in the drawing).

Auf dieser Weise ist in beliebiger Stellung des Antennen-Umschalters 24 für den Funkempfänger 14 stets die schaltungstechnische Situation gemäß Fig. 1 gegeben, also der Anschluß nur einer wirksamen Antenne 21 (gegebenenfalls mit zugeordneter Kompensations-Antenne 22 gemäß Fig. 1); ohne Störungen durch weitere (Haupt-)Antennen anderer Orien­tierung befürchten zu müssen.In this way, in any position of the antenna switch 24 for the radio receiver 14 there is always the circuitry situation according to FIG. 1, that is to say the connection of only one effective antenna 21 (possibly with an associated compensation antenna 22 according to FIG. 1); without having to fear interference from other (main) antennas of different orientation.

Claims (8)

1. Funkuhr (11) mit räumlich unterschiedlich ausgerichteten Ferrit­stab-Antennen (21),
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß außer einer an den Funkempfänger (14) angeschlossenen Haupt-­Antenne (21) auch eine Kompensations-Antenne (22), deren Antennen­kreis (17) aber nicht an den Funkempfänger (14) angeschlossen wird, vorgesehen ist.1. radio clock (11) with spatially differently aligned ferrite rod antennas (21),
characterized,
that in addition to a main antenna (21) connected to the radio receiver (14), a compensation antenna (22), the antenna circuit (17) of which is not connected to the radio receiver (14), is provided. 2. Funkuhr nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Antennenkreise (17) der Haupt- und der Kompensations-­Antenne (21, 22) jeweils in Gegenwart der anderen auf Empfangs­frequenz-Resonanz abgestimmt wird.2. radio clock according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the antenna circuits (17) of the main and compensation antennas (21, 22) are each tuned to receive frequency resonance in the presence of the others. 3. Funkuhr nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Kompensations-Antenne (22) einen kürzeren Ferritstab (20), als die Haupt-Antenne (21) aufweist.3. Radio clock according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
that the compensation antenna (22) has a shorter ferrite rod (20) than the main antenna (21). 4. Funkuhr nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Kompensations-Antenne (22) gegenüber der Horizontalen eine andere Orientierung aufweist, als die Haupt-Antenne (21).4. Radio clock according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the compensation antenna (22) has a different orientation from the horizontal than the main antenna (21). 5. Funkuhr nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüchen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Antennen (21,22) in unterschiedlichen Ebenen nicht-parallel zueinander angeordnet sind.5. Radio clock according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the antennas (21, 22) are arranged in different planes non-parallel to each other. 6. Funkuhr nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Antennen (21,22) in übereinstimmender Ebene nicht-parallel zueinander angeordnet sind.6. Radio clock according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized,
that the antennas (21, 22) are arranged non-parallel to each other in the same plane. 7. Funkuhr nach Anspruch 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Antennen L-förmig, mit lichtem Stirnabstand im Scheitel­punkt, angeordnet sind.7. radio clock according to claim 6,
characterized,
that the antennas are L-shaped, with a clear front distance at the apex. 8. Funkuhr, insbesondere nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß ein Antennen-Umschalter (24) vorgesehen ist, über den eine mehrerer unterschiedlich räumlich orientierter Haupt-Antennen (21) mit ihrem Antennenkreis (17) an den Funkempfänger (14) anschließbar ist, bei gleichzeitigem Kurzschluß bzw. bei gleich­zeitiger Öffnung der Antennenkreis (17) der anderen, momentan nicht an dem Funkempfänger (14) angeschlossenen Haupt-Antennen (21).8. radio clock, in particular according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that an antenna switch (24) is provided, via which one of a plurality of different spatially oriented main antennas (21) with its antenna circuit (17) can be connected to the radio receiver (14), with a simultaneous short circuit or with simultaneous opening of the antenna circuit ( 17) of the other main antennas (21) not currently connected to the radio receiver (14).
EP87105252A 1986-04-19 1987-04-09 Radio controlled clock provided with a ferrite rod antenna Expired - Lifetime EP0242717B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT87105252T ATE65135T1 (en) 1986-04-19 1987-04-09 REMOTE CLOCK WITH FERRITE ROD ANTENNA.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3613347 1986-04-19
DE3613347 1986-04-19

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0242717A2 true EP0242717A2 (en) 1987-10-28
EP0242717A3 EP0242717A3 (en) 1989-03-22
EP0242717B1 EP0242717B1 (en) 1991-07-10

Family

ID=6299123

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87105252A Expired - Lifetime EP0242717B1 (en) 1986-04-19 1987-04-09 Radio controlled clock provided with a ferrite rod antenna

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0242717B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE65135T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3771262D1 (en)
HK (1) HK79194A (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3837148A1 (en) * 1988-11-02 1990-05-03 Massimo A Casalegno Omnidirectional antenna arrangement for time signal receivers
US4947179A (en) * 1988-05-27 1990-08-07 Junghans Uhren Gmbh Antenna for a radio controlled timepiece
US5144599A (en) * 1990-01-27 1992-09-01 Junghans Uhren Gmbh Autonomous radio-controlled timepiece
US5235563A (en) * 1990-07-20 1993-08-10 Junghans Uhren Gmbh Autonomous radio timepiece
US5253226A (en) * 1991-09-07 1993-10-12 Junghans Uhren Gmbh Radio-controlled timepiece with antenna coil
FR2748332A1 (en) * 1996-05-02 1997-11-07 Reyser Paul Aerial system for receiving time signals
US20090224608A1 (en) * 2008-02-24 2009-09-10 Nigel Power, Llc Ferrite Antennas for Wireless Power Transfer

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4155091A (en) * 1977-09-12 1979-05-15 Iec Electronics Corporation Compact omnidirectional antenna array
DE3101406A1 (en) * 1981-01-17 1983-01-05 Wolfgang Dr.-Ing. 6101 Groß-Bieberau Hilberg Automatic radio clock adjustment
DE8432848U1 (en) * 1984-11-09 1985-05-23 Gebrüder Junghans GmbH, 7230 Schramberg Radio clock with ferrite rod antenna
EP0150155A2 (en) * 1984-01-18 1985-07-31 Hospal Industrie Artificial kidney with single needle

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4155091A (en) * 1977-09-12 1979-05-15 Iec Electronics Corporation Compact omnidirectional antenna array
DE3101406A1 (en) * 1981-01-17 1983-01-05 Wolfgang Dr.-Ing. 6101 Groß-Bieberau Hilberg Automatic radio clock adjustment
EP0150155A2 (en) * 1984-01-18 1985-07-31 Hospal Industrie Artificial kidney with single needle
DE8432848U1 (en) * 1984-11-09 1985-05-23 Gebrüder Junghans GmbH, 7230 Schramberg Radio clock with ferrite rod antenna

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4947179A (en) * 1988-05-27 1990-08-07 Junghans Uhren Gmbh Antenna for a radio controlled timepiece
DE3837148A1 (en) * 1988-11-02 1990-05-03 Massimo A Casalegno Omnidirectional antenna arrangement for time signal receivers
US5144599A (en) * 1990-01-27 1992-09-01 Junghans Uhren Gmbh Autonomous radio-controlled timepiece
US5235563A (en) * 1990-07-20 1993-08-10 Junghans Uhren Gmbh Autonomous radio timepiece
US5253226A (en) * 1991-09-07 1993-10-12 Junghans Uhren Gmbh Radio-controlled timepiece with antenna coil
FR2748332A1 (en) * 1996-05-02 1997-11-07 Reyser Paul Aerial system for receiving time signals
US20090224608A1 (en) * 2008-02-24 2009-09-10 Nigel Power, Llc Ferrite Antennas for Wireless Power Transfer
US8487479B2 (en) * 2008-02-24 2013-07-16 Qualcomm Incorporated Ferrite antennas for wireless power transfer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0242717A3 (en) 1989-03-22
HK79194A (en) 1994-08-19
EP0242717B1 (en) 1991-07-10
ATE65135T1 (en) 1991-07-15
DE3771262D1 (en) 1991-08-14

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