U.S. patent number RE47,356 [Application Number 14/571,857] was granted by the patent office on 2019-04-16 for communication apparatus and communication system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA. The grantee listed for this patent is PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA. Invention is credited to Katsuaki Abe, Akihiko Matsuoka, Yutaka Murakami, Masayuki Orihashi.
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United States Patent |
RE47,356 |
Orihashi , et al. |
April 16, 2019 |
Communication apparatus and communication system
Abstract
A communication apparatus includes a reference signal generating
section, a transmitting section, a propagation estimating section,
a first data acquiring section, and a decoding section. The
reference signal generating section generates a first reference
signal to enable a communicating party to estimate a propagation
environment. The transmitting section transmits the first reference
signal. The propagation estimating section estimates a first
propagation estimation value of the propagation environment using a
second reference signal transmitted from the communicating party.
The first data acquiring section generates first data using the
first propagation estimation value. The decoding section decodes a
transmission signal encoded using a second propagation estimation
value that is estimated by the communicating party using the first
reference signal, to obtain second data using the first data.
Inventors: |
Orihashi; Masayuki (Kyoto,
JP), Murakami; Yutaka (Kanagawa, JP), Abe;
Katsuaki (Kyoto, JP), Matsuoka; Akihiko
(Kanagawa, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA |
Torrance |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
CORPORATION OF AMERICA (Torrance, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
27767759 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/571,857 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2014 |
PCT
Filed: |
February 27, 2003 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP03/02174 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
July 30, 2004 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO03/073689 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
September 04, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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13045876 |
Mar 11, 2011 |
RE45368 |
|
|
Reissue of: |
10502048 |
Feb 27, 2003 |
7515714 |
Apr 7, 2009 |
|
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Feb 28, 2002 [JP] |
|
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2002-054064 |
May 7, 2002 [JP] |
|
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2002-132068 |
Feb 25, 2003 [JP] |
|
|
2003-048364 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W
12/04 (20130101); H04K 1/00 (20130101); H04B
1/7113 (20130101); H04W 12/04 (20130101); H04K
1/00 (20130101); H04B 1/7113 (20130101); H04L
9/0858 (20130101); H04L 9/0858 (20130101); H04L
2209/80 (20130101); H04W 12/77 (20210101); H04L
2209/60 (20130101); H04K 1/08 (20130101); H04B
1/7115 (20130101); H04K 1/10 (20130101); H04B
1/7115 (20130101); H04L 2209/60 (20130101); H04L
2209/80 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04W
12/04 (20090101); H04K 1/00 (20060101); H04L
9/08 (20060101); H04B 1/7113 (20110101); H04K
1/10 (20060101); H04B 1/7115 (20180101); H04K
1/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;380/31 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1179249 |
|
Apr 1998 |
|
CN |
|
1330816 |
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CN |
|
60-20660 |
|
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|
JP |
|
63-7010 |
|
Jan 1988 |
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JP |
|
63-121334 |
|
May 1988 |
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JP |
|
4-220033 |
|
Aug 1992 |
|
JP |
|
5-41607 |
|
Feb 1993 |
|
JP |
|
5-95352 |
|
Apr 1993 |
|
JP |
|
2000-46939 |
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Feb 2000 |
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JP |
|
2000-286751 |
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Oct 2000 |
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JP |
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2001-308761 |
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Feb 2001 |
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JP |
|
2001-244911 |
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Sep 2001 |
|
JP |
|
2001-326630 |
|
Nov 2001 |
|
JP |
|
2003-069516 |
|
Mar 2003 |
|
JP |
|
2003-258771 |
|
Sep 2003 |
|
JP |
|
96/22643 |
|
Jul 1996 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
European Search Report for EP 11184395.9, dated Jun. 27, 2012.
cited by applicant .
European Search Report for EP 11184399.1, dated Jun. 27, 2012.
cited by applicant .
European Search Report for EP 11184390.0, dated Jun. 27, 2012.
cited by applicant .
China Office action, dated Aug. 14, 2012. cited by applicant .
Japan (JP Appl. No. 2003-048364) Office action, dated Jun. 30,
2011. cited by applicant .
Japan (JP Appl. No. 2006-049160) Office action, dated Jun. 30,
2011. cited by applicant .
Official Actions, dated Nov. 16, 2012, Jan. 28, 2014, and Mar. 4,
2013, Jul. 24, 2013 in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/353,627. cited by
applicant .
An article by C. Uchiyama entitled "Ryoshi Rikigaku no Kiso to
Ryoshi Ango Ryoshi Tsushin Channel no Shiten" ("Basics of Quantum
Mechanics and Quantum Cryptography"), published in Surikagaku
(Mathematical Sciences), No. 402, Dec. 1, 1996, pp. 53-61. cited by
applicant .
An article by M. Muroya et al. entitled "Digital Communication
Series Digital Musen Tsushin" ("A Compensation Technique in Digital
Radio Transmission"), published in Sangyo Tosho Kabushiki Kaisha
("Digital Radio Communication"), 5.sup.th Edition, Mar. 10, 1992,
pp. 103-127 and pp. 169-170. cited by applicant .
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No. 1, Jan. 1995, pp. 3-6. cited by applicant .
A.O. Hero, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science,
University of Michigan, Apr. 24, 2001, pp. 1-37, downloaded from
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.
H. Koorapaty, IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 4, No. 2, Feb.
2000, pp. 52-55. cited by applicant .
English language Abstract of CN 1179249, Apr. 15, 1998. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Heneghan; Matthew E
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Greenblum & Bernstein,
P.L.C.
Parent Case Text
.Iadd.NOTICE: The present application is a Reissue Application of
U.S. Pat. No. 7,515,714 and is a continuation of Reissue
application Ser. No. 13/045,876..Iaddend.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
.[.1. A communication apparatus, comprising: a reference signal
generating section that generates a first reference signal to
enable a communicating party to estimate a propagation environment;
a transmitting section that transmits the first reference signal; a
storing section that stores a known signal known between the
apparatus and the communicating party a propagation estimating
section that obtains correlation between the known signal and a
second reference signal transmitted from the communicating party,
and generates a delay profile as an estimation value of propagation
environment; a first data acquiring section that reads out first
data associated with the delay profile generated in the propagation
estimating section, from a reference table that associates the
delay profile with the first data; and a decoding section that
decodes a transmission signal encoded and transmitted using an
estimation value of the propagation environment estimated by the
communicating party using the first reference signal, to obtain
second data using the first data read out by the first data
acquiring section..].
.[.2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
first data acquiring section calculates convolution of correlation
between the known signal and the second reference signal, and a
quantization vector stored in the reference table, and selects and
reads out a vector code as the first data by performing metric
calculation using the delay profile and the quantization vector
subjected to the convolution..].
.[.3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
first data acquiring section performs orthogonal conversion on the
delay profile generated in the propagation estimating section to
condense signal components, and reads out the first data using
signal components..].
.[.4. A communication method, comprising: generating, in a first
communication apparatus, a first reference signal to enable a
second communication apparatus to estimate a propagation
environment; transmitting the first reference signal from the first
communication apparatus to the second communication apparatus;
storing, in the first communication apparatus, a known signal known
between the first communication apparatus and the second
communication apparatus; obtaining, in the first communication
apparatus, correlation between the known signal and a second
reference signal transmitted from the second communication
apparatus, and generating, in the first communication apparatus, a
delay profile as an estimation value of the propagation
environment; reading out, in the first communication apparatus,
first data associated with the generated delay profile, from a
reference table that associates the delay profile with the first
data; and decoding, in the first communication apparatus, a
transmission signal encoded and transmitted using an estimation
value of the propagation environment estimated by the second
communication apparatus using the first reference signal, to second
data using the first data read out..].
.Iadd.5. A transmitting signal generating apparatus, comprising: A
first transmission antenna and a second transmission antenna; a
plurality of outputs that output, to the first transmission antenna
and to the second transmission antenna, a plurality of outputting
signals simultaneously using a same frequency; and a plurality of
weighting coefficient sets stored in one or more buffers; wherein
the communication apparatus generates the plurality of outputting
signals by multiplying a plurality of data by one weighting
coefficient set of the plurality of weighting coefficient sets;
each of the outputting signals is a non-multiplexed signal or is a
multiplexed signal into which the plurality of data is multiplexed;
the multiplexed signal and the non-multiplexed signal are
multiplied by the one weighting coefficient set, selected from the
plurality of weighting coefficient sets, for each of the outputting
signals; each of the plurality of weighting coefficient sets
includes a weighting coefficient for each of the plurality of
outputting signals; and the plurality of weighting coefficient sets
are vectors having no correlation with each other..Iaddend.
.Iadd.6. The transmitting signal generating apparatus according to
claim 5, wherein, the one or more buffers store a relationship
between the plurality of weighting coefficient sets and a
polarization code indicating polarization information obtained from
a plurality of inputs received by a plurality of reception antennas
within the communication apparatus, and each weighting coefficient
set is calculated based on the polarization code and includes the
weighting coefficient for each of the plurality of outputting
signals..Iaddend.
.Iadd.7. A transmitting signal generating method, comprising:
outputting to a first and a second transmission antenna within a
communication apparatus a plurality of outputting signals
simultaneously using a same frequency; storing a plurality of
weighting coefficient sets in one or more buffers; and generating,
by the communication apparatus, the plurality of outputting signals
by multiplying a plurality of data by one weighing coefficient set
of the plurality of weighting coefficient sets, wherein: each of
the outputting signals is a non-multiplexed signal or is a
multiplexed signal into which the plurality of data is multiplexed;
the multiplexed signal and the non-multiplexed signal are
multiplied by the one weighting coefficient set, selected from the
plurality of weighting coefficient sets for each of the outputting
signals; each of the plurality of weighting coefficient sets
includes a weighting coefficient for each of the plurality of
outputting signals; and the plurality of weighting coefficient sets
are vectors having no correlation with each other..Iaddend.
.Iadd.8. The transmitting signal generating method according to
claim 7, further comprising, storing a relationship between the
plurality of weighting coefficient sets and a polarization code
indicating polarization information obtained from a plurality of
inputs received by a plurality of reception antennas within the
communication apparatus, and wherein each weighting coefficient set
is calculated based on the polarization code and includes the
weighting coefficient for each of the plurality of outputting
signals..Iaddend.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a technique used in a digital
communication, and more particularly, to a security technique.
BACKGROUND ART
Digital wireless communications have occupied an important position
in communication fields due to developments of the techniques.
However, wireless communications use public controlled radio-signal
spaces, and thus, include a fundamental problem that a third party
can receive data. Therefore, there is always a risk that the
communication content is intercepted by a third party and the
information leaks.
In order to overcome the problems, the processing is performed
currently for encrypting the communication information to prevent
information from leaking when the information is intercepted.
Encryption of information is studied in various fields, and is
applied in a variety of fields. This is principally based on a
significant feature that security is ensured to a certain extent
without varying the communication system.
However, since it is not possible to prevent encrypted
communication information from being intercepted by a third party,
a problem arises that the third party decrypts the encrypted
communication information from the intercepted received information
by consuming time.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to ensure high security
without varying the communication system greatly.
The object is achieved by acquiring, as confidential information,
information of propagation environment estimated using a reference
signal transmitted from a communicating party.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of a
propagation estimating section and coding section in a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a table illustrating a codebook;
FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a delay profile;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present
invention;
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present
invention;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present
invention;
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present
invention;
FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present
invention;
FIGS. 12(a), 12(b) and 12(c) are views illustrating a frame
structure of signal according to Embodiment 6 of the present
invention;
FIG. 13 is another view illustrating a frame structure of signal
according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present
invention;
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present
invention;
FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
propagation estimating section in a communication apparatus
according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a graph for explaining the direction of arrival
estimation result;
FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 9 of the present
invention;
FIG. 19 is a view for explaining the polarization of signal;
FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 10 of the present
invention;
FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 11 of the present
invention;
FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 12 of the present
invention;
FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 13 of the present
invention;
FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 13 of the present
invention;
FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 13 of the present
invention;
FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 14 of the present
invention;
FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
propagation estimating section in the communication apparatus
according to Embodiment 14 of the present invention;
FIGS. 28(a) and 28(b) are views illustrating auto-correction
sequences;
FIG. 29 is a graph illustrating a delay profile;
FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
propagation estimating section in a communication apparatus
according to Embodiment 15 of the present invention;
FIG. 31 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 16 of the present
invention;
FIG. 32 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of a
propagation estimating section, converting section and coding
section in the communication apparatus according to Embodiment 16
of the present invention;
FIG. 33 is a block diagram illustrating a system according to
Embodiment 16 of the present invention;
FIG. 34 is a graph illustrating a frequency characteristic of the
delay profile;
FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 17 of the present
invention;
FIG. 36 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 17 of the present
invention;
FIG. 37 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 17 of the present
invention;
FIG. 38 is a view illustrating signal processing in the
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 17 of the present
invention;
FIG. 39 is another view illustrating signal processing in the
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 17 of the present
invention;
FIG. 40 is a view illustrating power distribution;
FIG. 41 is another view illustrating power distribution;
FIG. 42 is another view illustrating power distribution;
FIG. 43 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 18 of the present
invention;
FIG. 44 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 18 of the present
invention;
FIG. 45 is a view illustrating signal processing in the
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 18 of the present
invention;
FIG. 46 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 19 of the present
invention;
FIG. 47 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 19 of the present
invention;
FIGS. 48(a) and 48(b) are views illustrating a frame structure of
signal according to Embodiment 20 of the present invention;
FIGS. 49(a), 49(b) and 49(c) are other views illustrating a frame
structure of signal according to Embodiment 20 of the present
invention;
FIGS. 50(a), 50(b), and 50(c) are views illustrating a frame
structure of signal according to Embodiment 21 of the present
invention;
FIG. 51 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 22 of the present
invention;
FIGS. 52(a), 52(b), and 52(c) are views illustrating a frame
structure of signal according to Embodiment 22 of the present
invention;
FIG. 53 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 23 of the present
invention;
FIG. 54 is a view illustrating a frame structure of signal
according to Embodiment 23 of the present invention;
FIG. 55 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 24 of the present
invention;
FIG. 56 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 24 of the present
invention;
FIG. 57 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 25 of the present
invention;
FIG. 58 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration of a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 25 of the present
invention;
FIG. 59 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system
using a communication apparatus according to Embodiment 27 of the
present invention;
FIG. 60 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 27 of the present
invention;
FIG. 61 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 27 of the present
invention;
FIG. 62 is another sequence diagram illustrating the operation of
the communication apparatus according to Embodiment 27 of the
present invention;
FIG. 63 is another sequence diagram illustrating the operation of
the communication apparatus according to Embodiment 27 of the
present invention;
FIG. 64 is a view illustrating a transmission state of signal on
the time axis;
FIG. 65 is another view illustrating a transmission state of signal
on the time axis;
FIG. 66 is another view illustrating a transmission state of signal
on the time axis;
FIG. 67 is another view illustrating a transmission state of signal
on the time axis;
FIG. 68 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system
using a communication apparatus according to Embodiment 26 of the
present invention;
FIG. 69 is another block diagram illustrating the communication
system using the communication apparatus according to Embodiment 26
of the present invention;
FIG. 70 is another block diagram illustrating the communication
system using the communication apparatus according to Embodiment 26
of the present invention;
FIG. 71 is a view illustrating power distribution;
FIG. 72 is a graph illustrating time variations in orthogonality in
propagation parameter;
FIG. 73 is a graph illustrating communication quality with Bit
Error Rate (BER);
FIG. 74 is another graph illustrating communication quality with
Bit Error Rate (BER);
FIG. 75 is a view illustrating a transmission state of signal on
the time axis;
FIG. 76 is a graph illustrating power distribution;
FIG. 77 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system
using a communication apparatus according to Embodiment 28 of the
present invention; and
FIG. 78 is a view illustrating reception processing in the
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 28 of the present
invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described
below with reference to accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
The invention using propagation information as encryption key
information of security will be described below with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 3. With respect to communication apparatuses according
to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates a
specific configuration of an encryption receiving apparatus, and
FIG. 2 illustrates a specific configuration of an encryption
transmitting/receiving apparatus. FIG. 3 illustrates communication
procedures performed between terminals. For convenience in
description, it is herein assumed that a base station in FIG. 3 is
the encryption transmitting/receiving apparatus as illustrated in
FIG. 2, and that a terminal in FIG. 3 is the encryption receiving
apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the combination is not
limited particularly, and each of the base station and terminal may
be the encryption transmitting/receiving apparatus.
The apparatus in FIG. 1 has encryption receiving section 153 and
transmitting section 152. Encryption receiving section 153
estimates a propagation state from a received RF signal, performs
decryption using the estimated state as an encryption key to output
security data, and has reception demodulation section 150,
encryption key generating section 151 and decoding section 107.
Transmitting section 152 outputs a reference RF signal, and has
reference signal generating section 108 and transmission modulation
section 109. Antenna 101 receives/transmits RF signals. Reception
demodulation section 150 receives an RF signal, outputs the
propagation information and demodulated information, and has
receiving section 102, propagation estimating section 103 and
demodulation section 104.
Receiving section 102 receives the RF signal and propagation
information, controls the RF signal to be in a suitable reception
state, and outputs a received signal. Propagation estimating
section 103 estimates a propagation characteristic from the
received signal to output the propagation information. Demodulation
section 104 performs appropriate demodulation using the received
signal and propagation information, and outputs demodulated
information. Encryption key generating section 151 receives the
propagation information, outputs encryption key information, and
has coding section 105 and buffer section 106.
Coding section 105 extracts a characteristic from the propagation
information, and generates and outputs the encryption key (first
data). Buffer section 106 stores the coded encryption key, and
outputs the stored encryption key information. Decoding section 107
receives the encryption key information and demodulated
information, decodes the encryption of the demodulated information
from the encryption key information, and outputs security data
(second data). Reference signal generating section 108 generates a
predetermined reference signal to output. Transmission modulation
section 109 receives the reference signal, and modulates the signal
into an RF signal to output.
The apparatus in FIG. 2 has antenna 201, encryption receiving
section 253, and encryption transmitting section 254. Antenna 201
and encryption receiving section 253 have the same functions as
those in corresponding sections in FIG. 1. Encryption transmitting
section 254 receives the security data and encryption key
information, switches between a reference signal for propagation
estimation and encrypted information encrypted from the encryption
key information and security data by a predetermined method to
modulate and output, and has transmission modulation section 252,
reference signal generating section 208, encrypting section 209,
and switch section 210.
Transmission modulation section 252 modulates selected
communication information to output an RF signal, and has
modulation section 211 and transmitting section 212. Reference
signal generating section 208 generates a predetermined reference
signal to output. Encrypting section 209 receives the encryption
key information and security data, encrypts the security data using
the encryption key information, and generates and outputs encrypted
information. Switch section 210 receives the reference signal and
encrypted information, and selects either one to output
communication information. Modulation section 211 modulates the
selected communication information to output a modulated signal.
Transmitting section 212 converts the modulated signal into an RF
signal to transmit, and outputs the RF signal.
The base station (the encryption transmitting/receiving apparatus
as illustrated in FIG. 2) and terminal (the communication apparatus
including the encryption receiving apparatus as illustrated in FIG.
1) each with the above-mentioned configuration perform the
communication in procedures as illustrated in FIG. 3.
The operation of the apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 1 will be
described below. Antenna 101 receives an RF signal to output.
Reception demodulation section 150 receives the received RF signal,
and outputs propagation information and demodulated information.
Receiving section 102 receives the RF signal and propagation
information, and outputs a received signal while controlling to
maintain the most suitable reception state by keeping the gain
constant or compensating for frequency or time shift according to
the propagation information. Propagation estimating section 103
receives the received signal, and detects a reception time,
propagation time, state of frequency, state of polarization,
reception power, multipath state, state of phase, propagation
distortion, etc.
Each state is output to receiving section 102 and demodulation
section 104 as propagation information for reception demodulation
parameters, and also output to encryption key generating section
151. Demodulation section 104 receives the received signal and
propagation information, removes a multipath component from the
received signal or adjusts the phase according to the propagation
information to demodulate, and outputs demodulated. Encryption key
generating section 151 extracts the characteristic of the
propagation state from the propagation information output from
reception demodulation section 150, and generates and stores an
encryption key to output the encryption key information.
Coding section 105 receives the propagation information output from
propagation estimating section 103, and extracts the characteristic
of the propagation state of the received signal from the
propagation information. For example, using a multipath state as an
example, in multipath propagation formed of a plurality of
propagation paths, the multipath characteristic can be detected
using the correlation function.
Among thus obtained multipath electric field information, according
to a predetermined method using a delay time and power of a path
component with the detected maximum power, coding is carried out,
and an encryption key used in encrypting is generated and output.
Buffer section 106 receives and stores the generated encryption
key, and outputs the encryption key information. Decoding section
107 receives the demodulated information and encryption key
information, decodes the demodulated information according to a
predetermined method, and outputs the security data. Transmitting
section 152 generates a reference signal, and modulates the signal
to output an RF signal. Reference signal generating section 108
generates the reference signal to estimate a propagation state for
a communicating terminal targeted for communication to output.
Transmission demodulation section 109 receives the reference
signal, and performs modulation and frequency conversion on the
signal to output an RF signal. The output RF signal is transmitted
from antenna 101.
The operation of the apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 2 will be
described. Only differences are described herein from the apparatus
as illustrated in FIG. 1.
Encryption receiving section 253, where the RF signal input from
antenna 201 is decoded in decoding section 207 and the security
data is output, has the same configuration as that of the
corresponding section in FIG. 1. Encryption transmitting section
254 receives the encryption key information and security data, and
output an RF signal to transmit. Reference signal generating
section 208 generates a reference signal to estimate a propagation
state for a communicating terminal targeted for communication to
output. Encrypting section 209 receives the encryption key
information and security data, and outputs encrypted information
encrypted according to a predetermined method.
Switch section 210 selects either the reference signal input from
reference signal generating section 208 or the encrypted
information input from encrypting section 209, and outputs the
selected communication information. Transmission modulation section
252 modulates the selected communication information, and converts
the resultant signal into an RF signal to output as a transmission
signal. In other words, modulation section 211 receives the
communication information, and performs predetermined modulation on
the information to output as a modulated signal. Transmitting
section 212 converts the input modulated signal into an RF signal
to output. The RF signal is transmitted from antenna 201.
The above-mentioned operation will be described in terms of
communication procedure with reference to FIG. 3.
(0) Base Station and Terminal: Initialization
The base station and terminal are set for the initial state
immediately after the power is supplied or a specific signal is
received. At the same time, the frequency, time-synchronization,
etc. is set according to predetermined procedures.
A predetermined time later after finishing the initial operation,
the base station transmits control information in a control signal
at predetermined time intervals.
Meanwhile, the terminal starts a search for the control signal
after finishing the initial operation. When receiving the control
signal transmitted from the base station, the terminal detects the
time, frequency, etc. for synchronization with the time, frequency,
etc. that the system has (system synchronization). After the system
synchronization is finished properly, the terminal transmits a
registration request signal for notifying the base station of
existence of the terminal. In response to the registration request
from the terminal, the base station transmits a registration
permission signal and thus performs registration permission of the
terminal.
(1) Base Station: Transmission of First Reference Signal
The base station transmits a reference signal for propagation
estimation performed in the terminal as a first reference signal.
Specifically, switch section 210 selects the reference signal
generated in reference signal generating section 208 to output to
transmission modulation section 252. Transmission modulation
section 252 converts the selected communication information into an
RF signal, and the signal is transmitted from antenna 201.
In the terminal awaiting the signal from the base station,
propagation estimating section 103 detects the first reference
signal from the received signal, and performs propagation
estimation from the received signal and the reference signal that
is a known signal. Coding section 105 receives the propagation
information from propagation estimating section 103, extracts the
characteristic of the propagation state, and converts the extracted
characteristic information into an encryption key. This operation
will be described specifically later. The base station and terminal
are assumed to share in advance the characteristic extracted in
coding section 105 and a method of converting the characteristic
into an encryption key. The converted encryption key is stored in
buffer section 106, and encryption key information is output. The
base station uses the encryption key as a first encryption key for
subsequent communications.
(2) Terminal: Transmission of Second Reference Signal
The terminal transmits a reference signal for propagation
estimation performed in the base station as a second reference
signal in the same way as described in procedure (1).
Upon receiving a signal from the terminal, the base station detects
the second reference signal, and propagation estimating section 203
performs propagation estimation from the received signal and the
reference signal that is a known signal. In the same way as in (1),
coding section 205 converts the propagation information output from
propagation estimating section 203 into an encryption key, and
buffer section 206 stores the encryption key information to output.
The terminal uses the encryption key as a second encryption key for
subsequent communications.
(3) Base Station: Transmission of Encryption
The base station switches switch section 210 to select encrypted
information output from encrypting section 209. Using the second
key obtained in procedure (2), encrypting section 209 encrypts the
security data according to a predetermined method, and outputs the
encrypted information. Switch section 210 selects the encrypted
information, and outputs the communication information to
transmission modulation section 252. Transmission modulation
section 252 modulates the communication information, and the
encrypted signal is transmitted from antenna 201 as an RF
signal.
When the terminal receives the encrypted signal, reception
demodulation section 150 demodulates the received signal to
demodulated information. Decoding section 107 uses the demodulated
information and the first key obtained in (1), and decodes the
encryption according to a predetermined method to output the
security data. Subsequently, the terminal repeats the encryption
communication in procedure (3) and general communication.
A propagation path formed between communication terminals is
determined uniquely corresponding to relative positions of the
terminals, spatial form, reflectors and so on, and it is known that
the propagation state formed from the base station to the terminal
is the same as the propagation state formed from the terminal to
the base station due to the reverse characteristic of optical
propagation. Therefore, the same result is obtained in the
propagation state (for example, delay profile) obtained in (1) and
the propagation state obtained in (2). Further, the base station
and terminal share procedures for converting the propagation
information into an encryption key in advance. In other words, the
encryption key (first key) obtained in (1) is the same as the
encryption key (second key) obtained in (2), and can be used as
common keys between communication terminals. As a result, in the
communication procedure of (3), encryption and decoding is carried
out using the common keys, and the information encrypted in the
base station is decoded properly in the terminal.
A case is considered that all communications are intercepted by a
third party using a third terminal in this situation. As described
earlier, the propagation path is determined by a propagation space
formed between the base station and terminal. Therefore, when
communications of procedures (1) to (3) are observed in a position
physically different from the base station or terminal, the
propagation characteristic obtained between the third terminal and
base station, or the third terminal and the terminal is different
from that obtained in (1) or (2). Further, since the base station
and terminal do not provide/receive a key for encryption, the third
terminal cannot know the key.
In this way, it is understood that high security can be ensured in
a physical layer of communication. Further, since it is possible to
perform the processing basically independently of encryption and
decoding using conventional arithmetic methods, there is an
advantage that high security is expected by implementing the
present invention in addition to conventional techniques.
In the above description, procedure (0) that is of initialization
operation is explained under the assumption that the general
operation is carried out, but is not a procedure required for the
present invention.
Further, the propagation state is estimated by transmitting a
reference signal in (1) or (2). This is because using the reference
signal that is a known signal generally improves accuracy in
estimation, and it is needless to say that propagation estimation
can be carried out without using a reference signal particularly.
In other words, for example, it is possible to perform propagation
estimation using a control signal, registration request signal and
registration permission signal performed in (0).
The invention as described above has a feature of using the
propagation state as an encryption key, and therefore, there is a
fear of occurrence of a problem when the base station or terminal
moves. In this case, by repeating transmission and reception of
reference signal as indicated by (1'), (2') and (3') in FIG. 3, it
is possible to avoid the problem.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 1, propagation estimating section 103
estimates the propagation environment based on the reference
signal, and outputs an estimation value that is a propagation
parameter such as a correlation function, while coding section 105
outputs data obtained from the estimation value, whereby the base
station and terminal do not need to provide/receive a key for
encryption, the third terminal cannot know the key, and it is
possible to ensure high security in a physical layer of
communication without changing the communication system greatly.
Further, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 1, since it is possible to ensure the security
by the processing independent from encryption and decoding using
conventional arithmetic methods, extremely high security can be
ensured by using the conventional encryption and decoding
techniques together. Furthermore, according to the communication
apparatus and communication system of Embodiment 1, since a coding
pattern can be varied corresponding to the propagation state, it is
possible to perform communications resistant to changes in
environment. Still furthermore, according to the communication
apparatus and communication system of Embodiment 1, since an
encryption key can be acquired by obtaining a propagation parameter
from the estimated propagation environment, it is possible to
transmit/receive information using a non-modulated signal.
In addition, in Embodiment 1, decoding section 107 uses the
encryption key information output from buffer section 106 as an
encryption key to decode the security key, but the present
invention is not limited to such a case. It may be possible to use
the encryption key information output from buffer section 106 as an
encryption key to decode security data other than the security data
decoded in decoding section 107. In this case, the need of decoding
section 107 is eliminated. Although in Embodiment 1 the delay
profile is used as a parameter indicating the propagation state, it
is considered using a polarization state such as a polarization
plane and circulating direction, phase information, propagation
delay time, direction of arrival estimation information, reception
power information, or a combination of various parameters. In this
way, observation in the third terminal becomes more complicated,
and it is thereby possible to ensure security to a high extent. In
particular, using the polarization and phase which are varied
greatly due to the propagation environment provides a feature that
makes estimation by another terminal more difficult.
Further, by applying an array antenna structure comprised of a
plurality of antenna elements as a plurality of antennas 201, it is
possible to add the direction of arrival as a parameter for
propagation estimation. It is thereby possible to construct a more
flexible system.
In the foregoing, a modulation scheme and multiplexing scheme are
not explained, but it is apparent that the present invention is
applied to any modulation schemes principally. The present
invention is applicable to PSK, QAM, Star QAM, TDMA, FDMA, SS (FH
and CDMA), OFDM, spatial multiplexing (SDM and MIMO), etc.
Further, in the communication procedures, when reference signals
are transmitted, the first reference signal and second reference
signals are transmitted. However, it is obvious that whether to
first transmit the first reference signal or the second reference
signal does not affect the system of this Embodiment. Furthermore,
while reference signals are transmitted separately in the
communication procedures, by inserting reference signals to a data
stream as in frame structures (b) and (c) in FIG. 12 described
later, such an advantage is provided that procedures of (1) and (3)
are carried out at the same time.
Embodiment 2
A communication apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present
invention is to describe a method of converting the propagation
estimation into an encryption key, and has configurations of
propagation estimating section 103 and coding section 105 as
illustrated in FIG. 4 in communication apparatus 100 according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1. The
configuration except the sections 103 and 105 is the same as in
FIG. 1, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
Herein, it is assumed to use a delay profile as a representative
example of parameter indicating a propagation state. The delay
profile includes a delay time, power and phase of each path
component. An example will be described that the delay time and
power of a path component is used.
Propagation estimating section 103 in FIG. 1 fetches a received
signal including a reference signal, and estimates the propagation
state. When the delay profile is obtained as the propagation state,
it is known that the delay profile is obtained using the
correlation between a signal as a reference and received signal. In
this case, propagation estimating section 103 uses the reference
signal that is a known signal, and calculates correlation values of
the signal sequence with a received signal sequence to obtain the
delay profile.
Coding section 105 extracts a characteristic of thus obtained
propagation information. As an example of characteristic
extraction, it is considered using a vector quantization method. A
number of templates of representative delay profiles are prepared
in a reference table as quantization vectors, and encryption keys
are stored in the reference signal in association with the
quantization vectors respectively. Coding section 105 compares a
result estimated in propagation estimating section 103 with a
template in thus prepared reference table, and selects and outputs
an encryption key associated with a template of a delay profile
with the highest similarity.
The method is described above of estimating a propagation state to
convert into an encryption key, and will be described more
specifically with reference to FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 illustrates propagation estimating section 103 and coding
section 105 to further explain corresponding functions in FIG. 1 in
detail. In descriptions about FIG. 1, propagation estimating
section 103 is assumed to estimate various states such as frequency
shift, time shift and phase information, but only a method is
herein described of estimating a delay profile.
Propagation estimating section 103 has buffer 401, reference signal
sequence storing section 402, convolver 403 and buffer 404. Coding
section 105 has quantizing section 405, converting section 406 and
codebook 407. Buffer 401 temporarily holds an input signal of a
certain length. Reference signal sequence storing section 402
stores predetermined reference signal sequences to output
sequentially. Convolver 403 calculates the convolution of the
temporarily stored received signal and reference signal sequence to
output the correlation value. Buffer 404 temporarily stores a
calculated correlation sequence. Quantizing section 405 searches
quantization vectors stored in codebook 407 for the most similar
one to an input vector string, and outputs a code. Converting
section 406 selects an encryption key (first data) corresponding to
the code output from quantizing section 405 from the codebook to
output.
Codebook 407 stores quantization vectors and encryption keys. FIG.
5 shows an example of codebook storing quantization vectors that
are templates of delay profiles and encryption keys associated with
the vectors.
Next, the operations of propagation estimating section 103 and
coding section 105 will be described.
Propagation estimating section 103 holds a received signal
including a reference signal in buffer 401. Convolver 403 outputs
as a correlation sequence results obtained by performing sliding
correlation between the reference signal sequence from reference
signal sequence storing section 402 and the received signal
sequence held in buffer 401, and holds results sequentially in
buffer 404. The correlation sequence held in buffer 404 has
correlation values between the reference signal sequence and
received signal sequence, i.e., data corresponding to the delay
profile. The delay profile information is provided to coding
section 105 as a series of input vector. FIG. 6 shows an example of
thus obtained delay profile information.
Quantizing section 405 compares an input vector from buffer 404
with each quantization vector stored in codebook 407, extracts a
vector with the highest similarity, and outputs a code associated
with the vector. Specifically, assuming an input vector is Xin, and
quantization vector of code m is Xqm (m: 1.about.M), Xqm that
minimizes the following equation is obtained: d=|Xin-Xqm|.sup.2 (1)
The section 405 outputs code m associated with the thus obtained
quantization vector.
Converting section 406 outputs an encryption key associated with
code m of the delay profile referring to the content of the
encryption key table in the codebook. Thus determining an
encryption key enables flexible setting of encryption key to be
implemented in simple circuitry.
In this way, according to the communication apparatus and
communication system of Embodiment 2, in addition to the effects of
Embodiment 1, propagation estimating section 103 generates a delay
profile and obtains a correlation function with the reference
signal as an estimation value, while coding section 105 reads
encryption key information corresponding to the estimation value
input from propagation estimating section 103 using the codebook
associating the correlation function with the encryption key, and
it is thereby possible to implement flexible setting of encryption
key in simple circuitry.
In addition, in Embodiment 2, the method is described of using a
quantization vector technique as a coding method of delay profile
in coding section 105. However, various methods are considered such
as a method of approximating a data string of delay profile with an
evaluation equation and using coefficients of the obtained
approximation equation to code, a method of dividing the delay
profile into a number of blocks to perform coding according to the
size or the order, or to code according to the delay time and the
size of a path with the maximum power.
Embodiment 3
Communication apparatus 700 according to Embodiment 3 has the same
configuration as that of communication apparatus 200 according to
Embodiment 1 as illustrated in FIG. 2, except that propagation
control section 701 is added, coding section 703 replaces coding
section 205, modulation section 704 replaces modulation section
211, and transmitting section 705 replaces transmitting section
212. In addition, the same sections as in FIG. 2 are assigned the
same reference numerals as in FIG. 2, and descriptions thereof are
omitted.
The invention of a stable communication method by propagation
control will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and
8.
Communication apparatus 700 in FIG. 7 has antenna 201 comprised of
a plurality of antenna elements, encryption receiving section 706,
and encryption transmitting section 707. Encryption receiving
section 706 has reception demodulation section 708, encryption key
generating section 251, and decoding section 207, and is of the
same configuration as in FIG. 1. Encryption transmitting section
707 has reference signal generating section 208, encrypting section
209, switch section 210 and transmission modulation section 709,
and the sections 208, 209 and 210 are the same as respective
sections in FIG. 2.
Transmission modulation section 709 has propagation control section
701, modulation section 704, and transmitting section 705.
Propagation control section 701 receives propagation information
output from propagation estimating section 203 and propagation
characteristic information (first data) obtained by coding section
703 extracting a characteristic from the propagation information,
and outputs a modulation control signal and transmission control
signal so as to control the propagation state to be optimal for a
terminal as a communicating party. Demodulation section 704
receives the demodulation control signal output from propagation
control section 701 and communication information, modulates the
communication information while performing fine adjustment on a
phase, output timing and amplitude based on the modulation control
signal, and outputs a modulated signal for each of the antenna
elements.
Transmitting section 705 receives the transmission control signal
and modulated signal, converts the modulated signal into an RF
signal for each of the antenna elements while controlling the
frequency and output timing based on the transmission control
signal, and outputs the RF signal to antenna 201.
The communication apparatus with the above-mentioned configuration
will be described more specifically with reference to communication
procedures in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, it is assumed that each of the
base station and terminal is the communication apparatus as
illustrated in FIG. 7. In addition, only differences from
Embodiment 1 are described herein.
(0) Base Station and Terminal: Initialization
The same operation as in Embodiment 1 is carried out.
(1) Base Station: Transmission of First Reference Signal
The base station transmits a reference signal for propagation
estimation performed in the terminal as a first reference signal.
Specifically, switch section 210 selects the reference signal
generated in reference signal generating section 208 to output to
transmission modulation section 709. Transmission modulation
section 709 receives the selected communication information,
propagation information and propagation characteristic information,
and outputs an RF signal while controlling the propagation state
for the terminal as a communicating party, and the signal is
transmitted from antenna 201. The propagation control will be
described specifically later.
In the terminal awaiting the signal from the base station,
propagation estimating section 203 detects the first reference
signal from the received signal, and performs propagation
estimation from the received signal and the reference signal that
is a known signal. The propagation information that is an
estimation value is provided to coding section 703 and propagation
control section 701. Coding section 703 receives the propagation
information from propagation estimating section 203, extracts the
characteristic of the propagation state, outputs the propagation
characteristic information to propagation control section 701, and
at the same time, converts the extracted propagation characteristic
information to an encryption key. The converted encryption key is
held in buffer section 206, and the encryption key information is
output. The base station uses the encryption key as a first
encryption key for subsequent communications.
(2) Terminal: Transmission of Second Reference Signal
The terminal transmits a reference signal for propagation
estimation performed in the base station as a second reference
signal in the same way as described in procedure (1). At this
point, propagation control section 701 transmits the second
reference signal while controlling modulation section 704 and
transmitting section 705 so that the propagation state becomes a
state corresponding to the encryption key (first key) for the base
station that is a communicating party, using the propagation
information obtained in (1) and propagation characteristic
information.
Upon receiving a signal from the terminal, the base station detects
the second reference signal, and propagation estimating section 203
performs propagation estimation from the received signal and the
reference signal that is a known signal. In the same way as in (1),
propagation estimating section 203 outputs the propagation
information, coding section 703 extracts the propagation
characteristic information from the propagation information to
output, and converts the propagation characteristic information
into an encryption key, and buffer section 206 holds the encryption
key information. The terminal uses the encryption key as a second
encryption key for subsequent communications.
(3) Base station: Transmission of Encryption
The base station switches switch section 210 to select encrypted
information output from encrypting section 209. Using the second
key obtained in procedure (2), encrypting section 209 encrypts the
security data according to a predetermined method, and outputs the
encrypted information. Switch section 210 selects the encrypted
information, and outputs the selected communication information to
transmission modulation section 709. In transmission modulation
section 709, propagation control section 701 controls modulation
section 704 and transmitting section 705 so that the propagation
state becomes a state corresponding to the encryption key (second
key) for the terminal that is a communicating party, using the
propagation information obtained in (1) and propagation
characteristic information, while the encrypted signal is
transmitted from antenna 201 as an RF signal.
When the terminal receives the encrypted signal, reception
demodulation section 708 demodulates the received signal to
demodulated information. Decoding section 207 uses the demodulated
information and the first key obtained in (1), and decodes the
encryption according to a predetermined method to output the
security data.
(4) Terminal: Transmission of Encryption
In the same way as in (3), the terminal performs encryption using
the first key, and outputs encrypted information. In transmission
modulation section 709, modulation section 704 and transmitting
section 705 are controlled so that the propagation state becomes a
state corresponding to the encryption key (first key) for the base
station that is a communicating party, using the propagation
information obtained in (1) and (3) and propagation characteristic
information corresponding to the encryption key selected in (1),
while the encrypted signal is transmitted from antenna 201 as an RF
signal. In the same way as in (3), the base station uses the second
key obtained in (2), decodes the encryption according to a
predetermined method, and outputs the security data.
As described in Embodiment 1, encryption keys (first key and second
key) generated in the base station and terminal can be used as
common keys. In other words, it is understood that encryption and
decoding in (3) and (4) is processed without any problems.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 3 of the present invention, in addition to the
effects of Embodiment 1, propagation control section 701 controls
modulation section 704 and transmitting section 705 so that the
same encryption key as that generated in coding 703 can be obtained
in the communicating party, and thus controls the propagation
environment in transmitting a reference signal, whereby it is
possible to decrease the error in propagation environment between
transmitting a reference signal from the communicating party and
transmitting a reference signal to the communicating party, and to
decrease the error in generating common encryption keys. Further,
according to the communication apparatus and communication system
of Embodiment 3, using propagation information obtained in
reception and propagation characteristic information indicative of
a propagation state corresponding to an encryption key,
transmission modulation section 709 controls the propagation state
for the terminal that is a communicating party to be of the
propagation characteristic information. Thus, the error is
decreased between the propagation state in reception and estimated
propagation state (corresponding to the encryption key), and there
provides an advantage that the communication quality is largely
improved.
Further, it is possible to improve the stability of communication
by performing propagation control even when the propagation state
varies.
Furthermore, when a plurality of similar templates exists in
templates searched by coding section 703 in selecting an encryption
key, by the transmitting side explicitly controlling the
propagation state, it is possible to eliminate the ambiguity.
In addition, in Embodiment 3, in the communication procedures, when
reference signals are transmitted, the first reference signal and
second reference signals are transmitted. However, it is obvious
that whether to fir transmit the first reference signal or the
second reference signal does not affect the system of this
Embodiment. Also in the procedures of encryption communication, the
order in which the reference signal is transmitted does not affect
the system of this Embodiment.
In the system of this Embodiment, encryption keys are provided and
received through communications of reference signals, and with
respect to encrypted signals subsequent to the reference signal, it
is only required that an encryption key matches one that is
communicated earlier. In other words, although the transmitting
side performs the propagation control for the receiving side while
communicating in (3) and (4), it is not required to match the
propagation state indicated by the encryption key.
Further, while reference signals are transmitted separately in the
communication procedures, by inserting reference signals to a data
stream, such an advantage is provided that procedures of (1) and
(3) or procedures of (2) and (4) are carried out at the same
time.
Embodiment 4
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 9, a method will be described below of
controlling the propagation state for a terminal that is a
communicating party. It is herein assumed that antenna 901 of a
communication terminal has four antenna elements (AN 1 to AN
4).
The operation in FIG. 4 is basically the same as in described in
Embodiment 2. Only differences will be described.
Convolver 403 generates a delay profile for each received signal
using a reference signal, and buffer 404 stores four kinds of delay
profiles. The delay profiles are assumed to be Ds1 to Ds4. Further,
using the received signal and reception weighting coefficients (Wr1
to Wr4) delay profile (Ds0) of received signal R0 expressed by the
following equation is calculated and output. R0=.SIGMA.RmWrm
(2)
Among these delay profiles (Ds0 to Ds4), Ds0 is input to coding
section 105, and encryption key K0 and corresponding code m0 are
output.
In addition, it is assumed that reception weighting coefficients
Wr1 to Wr4 are set at respective initial values, for example, in
the initial state.
Referring to FIG. 9, a specific method will be described below of
performing propagation control using thus obtained Ds1 to Ds4, Wr1
to Wr4 and Ds0 and m0.
Antenna 901 in FIG. 9 is comprised of four antenna elements.
Reception demodulation section 902 receives respective RF signals
from the antenna elements, and outputs the received signals and
reception weighting coefficients corresponding to the reception
sequence. Propagation estimating section 103 receives the reception
weighting coefficients and received signals, and performs
propagation estimation to output propagation information. Coding
section 105 extracts a characteristic from the propagation
information, and outputs a corresponding code of an encryption key.
Propagation control section 909 receives the propagation
information, corresponding code of the encryption key, and
reception weighting coefficients, and outputs transmission
weighting coefficients. Transmission modulation section 910
generates transmission signals respectively for the antenna
elements to output, using the communication information and
transmission weighting coefficients. Propagation control section
909 has coefficient calculating section 903, codebook 905 and
buffer 904. Coefficient calculating section 903 receives the
propagation information, corresponding code of the encryption key,
reception weighting coefficients and quantization vector, and
outputs transmission weighting coefficients of a transmission
signal corresponding to the antenna elements.
Buffer 904 holds transmission weighting coefficients, and codebook
905 stores corresponding codes and quantization vectors.
Transmission modulation section 910 has modulation section 906,
weighting sections 907, and transmitting section 908. Modulation
section 906 receives the communication information, modulates the
information in a predetermined modulation scheme, and outputs a
modulated signal. Weighting sections 907 multiply the modulated
signal by respective weighting coefficients corresponding to the
antenna elements to output weighted modulated signals. Transmitting
section 908 receives the weighted modulated signals corresponding
to the antenna elements, and converts the signals to RF signals
corresponding to the antenna elements to output.
Receiving apparatus 1000 will be described below with reference to
FIG. 10.
Characteristic extracting section 1001 receives the propagation
information obtained from the received signal, and extracts a
characteristic from the information.
Buffer 1002 temporarily stores the extracted characteristic
extraction information. Buffer 1002 outputs the stored
characteristic extraction information as first data.
The function of each block explained in FIG. 9 is almost the same
as a respective block described in FIG. 4 or FIG. 9. Only
differences are described herein.
Antenna 901 has four antenna elements (AN1 to AN4) and outputs four
received RF signals respectively from the antenna elements, and at
the same time, outputs reception weighting coefficients (Wr1 to
Wr4) for the elements used in reception. The received signals (R1
to R4) respectively corresponding to AN1 to AN4 are input to
propagation estimating section 103. As described above, propagation
estimating section 103 outputs propagation states (Ds1 to Ds4)
corresponding to received signals (R1 to R4), and coding section
outputs encryption key K0 and corresponding code m0.
Coefficient calculating section 903 searches codebook 905 for the
code m0 corresponding to the encryption key K0, and reads a
quantization vector (Xqm0) associated with the code m0 to store.
Using the quantization vector (Xqm0) and input propagation
information (Ds0 to Ds4), the section 903 obtains Wm (m:1 to 4)
that minimizes the square error obtained by the following equation:
d=|WmDsm-Xqm0|.sup.2 (3) The least square method is famous as the
method of calculating such an error.
Using thus obtained weighting coefficients (W1 to W4) and reception
weighting coefficients (Wr1 to Wr4), the section 903 calculates
transmission weighting coefficients (Wt1 to Wt4) given with the
following equation (4): Wtm=Wm/Wrm(m:1 to 4) (4) Buffer 904 holds
the transmission weighting coefficients.
Meanwhile, modulation section 906 having received the communication
information modulates the communication information according to a
predetermined modulation scheme, and outputs a modulated signal.
The modulated signal is branched to modulated signal strings (S1 to
S4) corresponding to antenna elements (AN1 to AN4), and output to
weighting sections 907. Weighting sections 907 multiply modulated
signals (S1 to S4) corresponding to AN1 to AN4 respectively by
transmission weighting coefficients (Wt1 to Wt4) from buffer 904.
Swm=WtmSm(m:1 to 4) (5)
The section 906 outputs thus obtained weighted modulated signals
(Sw1 to Sw4). Transmitting section 908 receives the weighted
modulated signals, and converts the signals respectively into RF
signals (Srf1 to Srf4) to output to antenna 901.
Transmission modulation section 910 multiplies transmission
weighting coefficients while performing calculations as described
above, and it is thereby possible to control the propagation
characteristic indicated by Xqm0 in a terminal receiving the
signals.
Then, in receiving apparatus 1000 having received transmission
signals transmitted from antenna 901, propagation estimating
section 103 estimates the propagation state from the received
signals, and outputs the estimated propagation state information to
characteristic extracting section 1001. Characteristic extracting
section 1001 extracts a characteristic corresponding to the
propagation state from the propagation state information to output
as first data.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 4, in addition to the effects of Embodiment 1,
transmitting/receiving apparatus 900 adjusts the weighting
coefficients used in transmitting the communication information,
based on the propagation environment estimated in propagation
estimating section 103, so as to enable transmitting/receiving
apparatus 900 and receiving apparatus 1000 to acquire the same
first data, whereby it is possible to prevent occurrences of a
situation that transmitting/receiving apparatus 900 and receiving
apparatus 1000 cannot acquire the same first data due to effects of
noise or the like in estimating the propagation environment, and to
eliminate the ambiguity of the first data. Further, according to
the communication apparatus and communication system of Embodiment
4, transmitting/receiving apparatus 900 varies weighting
coefficients in transmitting the communication information based on
the propagation environment estimated in propagation estimating
section 103, and thereby is capable of intentionally varying the
first data that receiving apparatus 1000 acquires, whereby it is
possible to prevent occurrences of harmful effects such that the
confidential information is interpreted caused by using the same
first data for the long term. In this way, since it is possible to
change an encryption key when the first data is the encryption key,
it is possible to ensure high security.
In addition, while Embodiment 4 describes controlling the delay
profile, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing. It
may be possible to use a polarization state (polarization plane
and/or circulating direction), phase state or propagation delay
time to perform propagation estimation. Further, in Embodiment 4
codebook 905 is the same as that in coding section 105, and it is
enough that either codebook only exists in terms of structure.
Further, while Embodiment 4 describes the case where antenna 901
has four antenna elements, the present invention is not limited to
the case, and it is needless to say that two or more antenna
elements have the same effectiveness. Furthermore, each sigh
indicated in the equations is applicable irrespective of a natural
number or complex number. When each value is of complex number,
since the signal control is performed in amplitude and phase,
higher control is expected.
Embodiment 5
A communication apparatus according to Embodiment 5 is capable of
selecting an arbitrary encryption key by performing propagation
control, and FIG. 11 illustrates communication procedures regarding
the present invention. In addition, the communication apparatus in
Embodiment 5 has the same configuration as that of communication
apparatus 700 as illustrated in FIG. 7, and descriptions thereof
are omitted.
In Embodiments 1 to 4 as described above, an encryption key is
selected corresponding to the estimated propagation state, and
therefore, when the propagation state is constant, the same
encryption key is used for a long time. There arises a fear of
facilitating estimation of the encryption key. Further, since the
same encryption keys are used in both communication apparatuses,
there is a fear that when either encryption key is determined, the
other encryption key is also determined. Embodiment 5 enables a
transmitter to select an encryption key, and in this respect,
differs from Embodiments 1 to 3 where the first and second keys are
the same.
FIG. 11 illustrates communication procedures regarding the present
invention. In addition, procedures of (0) to (4) are the same as in
FIG. 8, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
(5) Base Station: Transmission of Third Reference Signal
The base station selects a third key as an encryption key, and
determines weighting coefficients from the propagation
characteristic information corresponding to the encryption key and
last estimated propagation information of the communication.
Propagation control section 701 (second data selecting means)
performs propagation control on the reference signal for
propagation estimation performed in the terminal using the
weighting coefficients to output as a third reference signal.
In the terminal awaiting the signal from the base station,
propagation estimating section 203 detects the third reference
signal from the received signal, and performs propagation
estimation from the received signal and the reference signal that
is a known signal. The propagation information that is an
estimation value is provided to coding section 703 and propagation
control section 701. Coding section 703 receives the propagation
information from propagation estimating section 203, extracts the
characteristic of the propagation state, outputs the propagation
characteristic information to propagation control section 701, and
at the same time, converts the extracted propagation characteristic
information into an encryption key. The converted encryption key is
held in buffer section 206, and the encryption key information is
output. The base station uses the encryption key as a third key for
subsequent communications.
(6) Terminal: Transmission of Fourth Reference Signal
As in procedure (5), the terminal selects a fourth key as an
encryption key, and determines weighting coefficients from the
propagation characteristic information corresponding to the
encryption key and last estimated propagation information of the
communication. Then, the terminal performs propagation control on
the reference signal for propagation estimation performed in the
base station using the weighting coefficients to output as a fourth
reference signal.
Upon receiving a signal from the terminal, the base station detects
the fourth reference signal, and propagation estimating section 203
performs propagation estimation from the received signal and the
reference signal that is a known signal. In the same way as in
procedure (5), propagation estimating section 203 outputs the
propagation information, and coding section 703 extracts the
propagation characteristic information from the propagation
information to output. The propagation characteristic information
is converted into an encryption key, and buffer section 206 holds
the encryption key information. The terminal uses the encryption
key as a fourth encryption key for subsequent communications.
(7) Base Station: Transmission of Encryption
Using the third key selected in (5), the base station encrypts the
security data according to a predetermined method, and transmits an
encrypted signal.
When the terminal receives the encrypted signal, reception
demodulation section 708 demodulates the received signal into
demodulated information. Using the demodulated information and the
third key obtained in (5), the terminal decodes the encryption
according to a predetermined method, and outputs the security
data.
(8) Terminal: Transmission of Encryption
Using the fourth key selected in procedure (6), the terminal
encrypts the security data, and transmits an encrypted signal.
As in procedure (7), using the fourth key obtained in (6), the base
station decodes the encryption according to a predetermined method,
and outputs the security data.
The aforementioned operation will be described below using
equations.
Assuming propagation function indicative of a characteristic of
radio-signal propagation is H, received signal is Sr and
transmission signal is St, the following equation is obtained:
Sr=HSt (6) Assuming the number of antenna elements is N, H is a
square matrix of N.times.N, and each of Sr and St is a matrix of
1.times.N. The terminal is capable of calculating using a
base-station transmitted signal (first reference signal in FIG. 3),
while the base station is capable of calculating using a terminal
transmitted signal (second reference signal in FIG. 3). The
communication of the first and second reference signals is
represented using following equations: Sr_b=HuSt_m (7) Sr_m=HdSt_b
(8) Hu and Hd indicate uplink propagation function and downlink
propagation function, respectively. St_b and Sr_b indicate
transmission signal and reception signal in the base station,
respectively. St_m and Sr_m indicate transmission signal and
reception signal in the terminal, respectively. Since St_b and St_m
are known signals (respectively first and second reference signals)
the propagation functions are obtained by following equations:
Hu=Sr_bSt_m.sup.-1 (9) Hd=Sr_mSt_m.sup.-1 (10) Since the
propagation functions are the same in transmission and reception
due to the inverse characteristics of propagation, the following
equation is obtained: H.ident.Hu=Hd (11)
Embodiment 1 describes using thus obtained propagation function H
as an encryption key (first key (=second key)).
Meanwhile, a method will be described below of controlling the
propagation state using transmission weighting coefficients Wb and
Wm. When an error exists between propagation function H'
represented by the quantization vector obtained in selecting the
encryption key (first key (=second key)) and actual propagation
function H, Sr is expressed by the following equation: Sr=(H' )St
(12) Therefore, the error component E is obtained by the following
equation: =H.sup.-1(SrSt.sup.-1) (13) Substituting weighting
coefficients Wm and Wb, correction can be carried out as described
below: Sr_b=(H'Wm)St_m (14) Sr_m=(H'Wm)St_b (15) Embodiment 4
describes performing encrypted communication while correcting the
propagation state using the weighting coefficients in this way.
Extending the correction function enables an encryption key to be
set on transmitting side. A case will be described below of using
the third and fourth keys that are different from the first key
(=second key). The base station performs control using the weight
W3_b so as to obtain propagation function H3 corresponding to the
third key, and transmits the third key via the third reference
signal. In other words, when Sr is: Sr_m=(HW3_b)St_b (16) H3 is:
H3=HW3_b (17) Subsequently, the base station performs the encrypted
communication while using the third key to encrypt.
The terminal receives the third reference signal, analyzes the
propagation state, thereby obtains propagation function H3, and
using the encryption key (third key) corresponding to H3, decodes
subsequent encrypted information. As in the base station, the
terminal selects the fourth key (that is assumed to correspond to
propagation function H4), and transmits the fourth key via the
fourth reference signal while performing control using the
weighting coefficient W4_m. Sr_b=(HW4_m)St_m (18) H4=HW4_m (19) The
terminal performs the encrypted communication while using the
fourth key to encrypt. As in the terminal, the base station is
capable of performing decoding using the fourth key.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 5, in addition to the effects of Embodiment 1,
since propagation control section 701 controls transmitting section
705 and modulation section 704 in transmitting a reference signal
so as to vary the propagation environment, it is possible to vary
the encryption key at arbitrary timing. Therefore, the possibility
is eliminated that the third party decrypts the encryption key, and
high security is provided.
Embodiment 6
Frame structures explained in Embodiments 1 to 5 are based on that
in FIG. 12(a). In other words, two bursts exist separately, where
one burst includes a reference signal, while the other one includes
an encrypted signal. Using this scheme increases a reference signal
period, and thereby provides an advantage that an error in
estimation is decreased on receiving side.
FIG. 12(b) is to explain a method of inserting a reference signal
into a data stream (or burst) for a predetermined period in a frame
structure. Using this method makes it possible to provide/receive
the encryption key concurrently with encrypted signal, and thus
enables efficient transmission.
Meanwhile, FIG. 12(c) illustrates an arrangement of an encryption
key indicated by the reference signal and an encryption key for use
in encrypted signal. As illustrated in FIG. 12(c), a change in time
(or frequency) is provided between an encryption key indicated by
the reference signal and a data signal corresponding to the key, it
is thereby possible to provide/receive the encryption key and
encrypted signal separately, and there is an advantage of
decreasing the risk of leaks of the key and signal to the third
party.
Provision and receipt of the encryption key is carried out using
reference signals, as explained in communication procedures in the
other Embodiments, and corresponds to procedures (1) and (2) in
FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, provision and receipt of the encryption key is
not carried out in communications except communications of
procedures of (1) and (2), which indicates that decoding operation
is not affected by the propagation state of encrypted
communication. In other words, the propagation control is carried
out at the time of transmitting the reference signal so that
characteristic propagation information can be conveyed
corresponding to the propagation environment, thereby enabling
stable provision and receipt of the encryption key.
The operation of the propagation control in response to
communication procedures will be described with reference to FIG.
13.
The communication in the frame structure in FIG. 12(a) will be
described first.
In transmitting a reference signal in (1a) in FIG. 13, the
propagation control is to perform communications for provision and
receipt of the encryption key as described in the other
Embodiments. At this point, when propagation estimation has been
carried out before, it is possible to perform control for
compensating for a difference between a result of the estimation
and the propagation state corresponding to the encryption key. In
this way, the receiving side is capable of receiving the reference
signal in an excellent propagation state, resulting in stable
provision and receipt of the encryption key. Meanwhile, when
performing data communications (encrypted signal) in (2a) in FIG.
13, the encryption key has arrived at the receiving side already,
and the propagation information does not need to be used in
reception and decoding. Therefore, data communications can be
carried out stably by performing control such that the reception is
carried out stably (there are known beam forming, equalization on
transmitting side, and transmission diversity, for example).
Thereafter, performing communications subsequent to (3a) in FIG. 13
expects significant increases in communication quality.
Communications in the frame structure (b) in FIG. 12 will be
described below.
As illustrated in (1b) in FIG. 13, it is considered switching the
propagation control scheme between reference signal communications
and data communications. Using this system enables concurrent
provisions of the encryption key and encrypted signal. It is
described earlier that the transmitting side is able to select
encryption, and using this feature makes it possible to flexibly
vary the encryption key for each block. Further, the feature is
provided that stable communications can be carried out as described
above.
Meanwhile, as a matter of course, it is possible to use the same
propagation control scheme in reference signal communications and
data communications. In this case, it is possible to use the
reference signal in decoding in data communications, and increases
in communication quality are expected.
In the above descriptions, the reference signal is assumed to be a
known signal. However, the reference signal does not need to be a
known signal. In this case, a variation in propagation is estimated
while demodulating, and an encryption key is determined. In this
way, information for determining the encryption key is increased,
and it is made possible to detect the encryption key with
stability. Further, as the reference signal, it is possible to use
a pilot signal used in QAM or the like, a synchronization signal
sequence for burst synchronization used in TDMA or the like, and so
on. Using such a signal provides a feature of providing
communications with high security and with little changes in the
conventional configuration.
As illustrated in frame structures (b) and (c) in FIG. 12,
inserting reference signals into a data stream provides an
advantage that procedures of (1) and (3) in FIGS. 11 or of (2) and
(4) in FIG. 11 are implemented at the same time.
In the above descriptions, beam forming, precoding (equalization on
transmitting side) and transmission diversity is considered as the
propagation control scheme in data communications. Further, it is
considered using control of MIMO (Multi-Input Multi-Output) and
Space Division Multiplexing. In particular, MIMO multiplexing
technique and Space Division Multiplexing technique are to increase
the channel capacity using the propagation characteristic actively,
and are good consistent with the technique described in the present
invention where the propagation characteristic is actively used.
For example, after the confidential communication is performed
using the technique described in one of Embodiments as described
above, the propagation control is changed to the control for MIMO
(or Space Division Multiplexing) to succeed, and it is thereby
possible to perform MIMO or Space Division Multiplexing. In this
way, without adding a specific technical constitution, it is
possible to increase the confidentiality of important information,
while increasing the channel capacity in data communications.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 6, in addition to the effects of Embodiments 1
to 5, propagation environments are changed between the time of
transmitting a signal to cause a communicating party to acquire an
encryption key (first data) based on the propagation environment
and the time of transmitting signals other than such a signal,
whereby it is possible to transmit signals other than the signal to
transmit to cause a communicating party to acquire an encryption
key, in optimal control scheme corresponding to the communication
environment.
In addition, in Embodiment 6 the reference signal is assumed to be
a known signal. However, the reference signal does not need to be a
known signal. In this case, a change in propagation is estimated
while demodulating, and an encryption key is determined. In this
way, information for determining the encryption key is increased,
and it is made possible to detect the encryption key with
stability. Further, as the reference signal, it is possible to use
a pilot signal used in QAM or the like, a synchronization signal
sequence for burst synchronization used in TDMA or the like, and so
on. Using such a signal provides a feature of providing
communications with high security and with little changes in the
conventional configuration.
Embodiment 7
FIG. 14 illustrates part of a receiving apparatus in a
communication apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present
invention, and FIG. 15 illustrates part of a transmitting apparatus
in the communication apparatus according to Embodiment 7. In
addition, the same sections as those in the communication apparatus
in Embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals, and
descriptions thereof are omitted.
A method is described herein of applying the present invention to a
multiplexed signal. CDMA is described as an example of a multiple
access system.
Reception demodulation section 150 outputs a received signal of a
received RF signal and demodulated information. Reception
demodulation section 150 has receiving section 1401, despreading
section 1402, propagation estimating section 1405 and demodulation
section 1403.
FIG. 14 illustrates part of the receiving apparatus for use in the
present invention.
Receiving section 1401 receives an RF signal and propagation
information, and controls the RF signal in a suitable reception
state to output a received signal. Despreading section 1402
calculates the convolution of the received signal and a spreading
code in response to the channel, and outputs a despread signal.
Demodulation section 1403 performs suitable demodulation using the
received signal and propagation information, and outputs
demodulated information. Decoding section 1404 receives the
encryption key information and demodulated information, decodes the
encryption of the demodulated information using the encryption key
information, and outputs security data. Propagation estimating
section 1405 performs propagation estimation on each channel, and
outputs propagation information for each channel. Demodulation
section 1403 performs suitable demodulation using the received
signal and propagation information, and outputs demodulated
information. Comparing section 1406 compares the propagation
information between channels, and outputs a comparison result
(first data). Encryption key generating section 1407 receives the
propagation information, and outputs the encryption key information
(first data).
FIG. 15 illustrates part of the transmitting apparatus for use in
the present invention.
Data supplying sections 1501 and 1502 hold data of respective
channels. Modulation spreading sections 1503 and 1504 modulate data
of respective channels, spread the data with respective spreading
codes of the channels, and outputs spread signals. Weighting
section 1505 multiplies the transmission signal by each
transmission weighting coefficient. Transmitting section 1506
converts the modulated signal into an RF signal to be transmitted
to output. Antenna 1507 transmits the transmission signal. Data
supplying section 1508 stores the first data. Reference propagation
buffer 1509 holds the reference information of propagation state.
Propagation control section 1510 receives an encryption key, second
data and propagation information, and calculates the transmission
weighting coefficient.
The operation of transmitting apparatus 1500 will be described
below.
In transmitting apparatus 1500, data of a plurality of channels are
provided from data supplying sections 1501 and 1502, modulated, and
spread with respective spreading codes set in advance, thereby
generating spread signals for each channel. Data supplying section
1508 outputs first data, and propagation control section 1510
receives the first data, and performs propagation control in
response to the first data using the transmission weighting
coefficients, based on the information from reference propagation
buffer 1509 that holds the propagation information estimated
previously. Weighting section 1505 performs weighting calculation
using the transmission weighting coefficients, and the signals are
transmitted through transmitting section 1506.
For simplicity in description, it is assumed that data supplying
section 1508 does not output data. The control in propagation
control section 1510 is the same as that in propagation control
section 701 as illustrated in FIG. 7. For example, the case of a
single channel matches a situation where a reference signal is
output as described in Embodiment 4. A case of a plurality of
channels is considered. Spreading codes are set for each channel,
but there is not correlation between the codes, and therefore, are
considered as being processed independently in signal processing.
In other words, propagation control section 1510 is capable of
performing propagation control for each channel using M.times.N
transmission weighting coefficients or more when the number of
channels and the number of antennas are respectively assumed to be
M and N.
It is understood from the forgoing that propagation control can be
carried out corresponding to the encryption key as in Embodiment
5.
When a plurality of channels is multiplexed, it is possible to
control reception power at the receiving end by performing
propagation control for each channel. For example, it is possible
to perform control such that which channel is set for the highest
power corresponding to the state of an encryption key, and the
receiving apparatus is capable of determining the encryption key
from the relationship between the channel number and reception
power. Further, as described above, since, for example, a delay
profile is set as a propagation parameter, it is understood that
more pieces of secure information can be transmitted by using, for
example, the delay profile for the encryption key information and
further using the first data for the relationship between the
channel and reception power (or, it may be possible to use the
information and data in the inverse way, or use only the encryption
key information or only the second data).
Further, it is possible to set data stored in either data supplying
section 1501 or 1502 as a reference signal. In this way, the
receiving apparatus is capable of performing propagation estimation
using a reference signal at the same time as that of the first data
and second data, and thus has a feature of enabling transmission
that is remarkably high in efficiency.
The operation of the receiving apparatus will be described
below.
A method of providing/receiving the encryption key information
using the propagation parameter (delay profile) can be performed in
the same way as described above except the despreading processing.
A case is only described herein that the information is
superimposed on the relationship between the multiplexed channels
and reception power.
Receiving section 1401 receives an RF signal input from antenna
101, and outputs a received signal. Despreading section 1402
calculates the convolution of the received signal with spreading
codes predetermined for each channel, and outputs a number of
despread signals the same as the number of channels. Propagation
estimating section 1405 receives the despread signals, and
estimates the propagation state. It is assumed herein to use the
reception power among propagation states. When propagation
estimating section 1405 outputs reception power for each channel,
comparing section 1406 compares the reception power with one
another, and outputs the result as the encryption key information
(or first data).
Using thus determined encryption key, decoding section 1404 decodes
subsequent demodulated information, and obtains security data.
In this way, according to the communication apparatus and
communication system of Embodiment 7, in addition to the effects of
Embodiment 1, comparing section 1406 is capable of providing a
result of comparison of propagation parameter such as reception
power of each channel signal in the multiplexed received signal,
and it is thereby possible to increase the information amount in
the case of transmitting a multiplexed signal. Further, according
to the communication apparatus and communication system of
Embodiment 7, in the case of multiplexing a plurality of channels,
performing propagation estimation for each channel enables
controlling the reception power at the receiving end. For example,
it is possible to perform control such that which channel is set
for the highest power corresponding to the state of an encryption
key, and the receiving apparatus is capable of determining an
encryption key using the relationship between the channel number
and reception power, whereby it is possible to maintain the
security of data of a plurality of channels. Furthermore, according
to the communication apparatus and communication system of
Embodiment 7, it is possible that the encryption key is included in
a propagation parameter such as a delay profile in the first data,
and is set as the second data different from the first data using
the relationship between the channel and reception power, thus
enabling transmission of more pieces of secure information.
In addition, in Embodiment 7 CDMA is described as an example, it is
naturally apparent using OFDM obtains the same effectiveness. In
the case of OFDM, in the above descriptions, channels are replaced
with subcarriers, the despreading processing in FIG. 14 is replaced
with Fourier transform processing, and the spreading processing in
FIG. 15 is replaced with the inverse Fourier transform
processing.
Embodiment 8
FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of part of
a communication apparatus according to Embodiment 8. In addition, a
configuration of the entire communication apparatus is the same as
that in FIG. 1, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
Embodiment 8 describes a scheme using information of the direction
of arrival as the propagation information. FIG. 16 illustrates a
specific block diagram of propagation estimating section 203 in
FIG. 7 in performing estimation of direction of arrival.
Propagation estimating section 203 has buffer 1601, correlation
matrix manipulation section 1602, matrix manipulation section 1603,
angle spectrum calculating section 1604 and buffer 1605.
Buffer 1601 temporarily holds an input signal. Correlation matrix
manipulation section 1602 obtains a correlation matrix of the input
signal. Matrix manipulation section 1603 receives the calculated
correlation matrix, outputs a characteristic vector obtained in
matrix manipulation (herein, characteristic vector). Angle spectrum
calculating section 1604 receives the characteristic vector,
calculates the angle spectrum, and outputs the information of
direction-of-arrival estimation. Buffer 1605 temporarily holds the
calculation result.
The aforementioned configuration uses MUSIC method knows as a
method of estimating the direction of arrival. In addition to the
method, there are known Fourier method and CAME method, which are
sorted according to the content of manipulation in matrix
manipulation section 1603.
The operation of propagation estimating section 203 performing the
direction of arrival estimation as the propagation information in
the aforementioned configuration will be described specifically
below.
Buffer 1601 holds received signals input from a plurality of
antenna elements. Correlation matrix manipulation section 1602
obtains correlation matrixes of the held received signals, and
calculates the characteristic vectors. Angle spectrum calculating
section 1604 calculates arrival pattern information of received
signal from the characteristic vectors to output. Buffer 1605 holds
thus obtained arrival pattern information of received signal. FIG.
17 illustrates an example of thus obtained information of the
direction-of-arrival of received signal. FIG. 17 shows a result of
estimation of a case where two directions of arrival of received
signal exist.
Procedures as shown in FIG. 11 are explained using thus obtained
arrival pattern information of received signal. In addition, the
operation in Embodiment 8 different from the operation in
Embodiment 5 is only described.
(1) Base Station: Transmission of First Reference Signal
The base station transmits a first reference signal for propagation
estimation to the terminal. At this time, the base station performs
beam steering using a plurality of antenna elements, and transmits
the signal while varying a radiation pattern.
In the terminal, upon detecting the reference signal transmitted
from the base station, propagation estimating section 203 performs
the direction-of-arrival estimation, and stores in a reference
table data of comparison of the radiation direction that the base
station controls and the arrival pattern information of received
signal in the terminal. The aforementioned operation generates the
reference table of the radiation pattern and the reception arrival
pattern in the base station and terminal.
(2) Terminal: Transmission of Second Reference Signal
The terminal selects the encryption key (first key), and outputs
the direction-of-arrival information corresponding to the key from
the codebook. Using the direction-of-arrival information, the
terminal detects the most similar radiation pattern stored in the
reference table, and sets the arrival pattern information
corresponding to the most similar one as a radiation pattern in
transmission. Then, the terminal transmits the second reference
signal for propagation estimation in the base station while
controlling so as to obtain the set radiation pattern.
In the base station, propagation estimating section 203 performs
the direction-of-arrival estimation, and outputs the reception
arrival pattern. Coding section 703 selects an encryption key
(second key) from the reception arrival pattern and codebook to
output to decoding section 207 via buffer 206.
(3) Base Station: Transmission of Encrypted Signal
Using the reception arrival pattern obtained in (2), the base
station sets a radiation pattern such that the reception state in
the terminal is excellent. Then, the base station encrypts the
security data using the second key, and transmits the encrypted
signal while controlling so as to obtain the set radiation
pattern.
The terminal demodulates the RF signal in reception demodulation
section 708, decodes the demodulated signal using the first key in
decoding section 207, and outputs the security data.
(4) Terminal: Transmission of Encrypted Signal
Using the reception arrival pattern obtained in (1), the terminal
sets a radiation pattern such that the reception state in the base
station is excellent. Then, the terminal encrypts the security data
using the first key, and transmits the encrypted signal while
controlling so as to obtain the set radiation pattern.
The base station demodulates the RF signal in reception
demodulation section 708, decodes the demodulated signal using the
second key in decoding section 207, and outputs the security
data.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 8, in addition to the effects of Embodiment 1,
angle spectrum calculating section 1604 uses a result of the
direction-of-arrival estimation of received signal as an estimation
value of propagation environment, the reception arrival pattern
arriving at the third party greatly changes, and it is thereby
possible to ensure extremely high security.
In addition, in Embodiment 8 the encryption key information is
generated using the reception arrival pattern. However, the present
invention is not limited to such a case, and has a feature of
expecting higher security in a combination with a scheme using the
delay profile as the propagation information. Further, in
Embodiment 8 it may be possible to superimpose information on the
direction of arrival of received signal, or to multiplex
communications on the direction of arrival. Further, as in other
Embodiments, the communication procedures are not limited to those
described in this Embodiment.
Embodiment 9
Embodiment 9 describes a security communication scheme using
polarization.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of
transmitting/receiving apparatus 1800 that is a communication
apparatus according to Embodiment 9. In addition, in FIG. 18 the
same sections as in FIG. 2 are assigned the same reference numerals
as in FIG. 2, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
Antenna 1812 has vertical polarization antenna 1801 and horizontal
polarization antenna 1802. Propagation estimating section 203 has
phase difference detecting section 1803, electric field strength
detecting section 1804 and propagation estimating section 1805.
Polarization control section 1813 has coefficient calculating
section 1806, codebook 1807 and buffer section 1808. Transmission
modulation section 252 has modulation section 1809, weighting
section 1810 and transmitting section 1811.
Vertical polarization antenna 1801 receives a vertically polarized
component. Horizontal polarization antenna 1802 receives a
horizontally polarized component. Phase difference detecting
section 1803 detects a phase difference from the polarized received
signals. Electric field strength detecting section 1804 detects
respective electric field strengths from the vertically polarized
received signal and horizontally polarized received signal.
Polarization estimating section 1805 estimates a polarization state
from the phase difference and electric field strengths. Coefficient
calculating section 1806 receives the propagation information and
polarization code indicated in the codebook, performs control of a
phase difference and electric field strengths between/of the
vertically polarized transmission signal and horizontally polarized
transmission signal, and calculates coefficients to perform
polarization control of transmission signal. Codebook 1807 stores
the relationship between the coefficient and polarization code.
Buffer section 1808 temporarily holds the data input from
coefficient calculating section 1806 to output to weighting section
1810.
Modulation section 1809 receives the communication information,
modulates the information with a predetermined modulation scheme,
and outputs a modulated signal.
Weighting section 1810 multiplies the modulated signal by a
weighting coefficient corresponding to each antenna element, and
outputs weighted modulated signals.
Transmitting section 1811 receives the weighted modulated signals
corresponding to the antenna elements, and converts the signals to
respective RF signals corresponding to the antenna elements to
output.
The operation of transmitting/receiving apparatus 1800 will be
described below.
Vertical polarization antenna 1801 and horizontal polarization
antenna 1802 select respective polarized components of received
signal selectively, and output respective RF signals to reception
demodulation section 250. Reception modulation section 250 outputs
received signals corresponding to respective polarized components
to propagation estimating section 203. In propagation estimating
section 203, polarization estimating section 1805 receives the
reception phase difference information and reception electric field
strength information respectively output from phase difference
detecting section 1803 and electric field strength detecting
section 1804, and outputs the polarization information of received
signal.
FIG. 19 shows a specific example of polarization. Ev indicates an
electric field strength of vertically polarized wave, Eh indicates
an electric field strength of horizontally polarized wave, p
indicates a circulating direction, and .theta. indicates an angle
of the major axis.
Coding section 205 codes thus obtained polarization information
into polarization code to select an encryption key. The
polarization code is input to polarization control section 1813. In
polarization control section 1813, coefficient calculating section
1806 retrieves the polarization state corresponding to the
polarization code from codebook 1807, calculates transmission
weighting coefficients while performing the phase control and
electric field strength control, and holds the weighting
coefficients in buffer section 1808. Using the transmission
weighting coefficients held in buffer section 1808, transmission
modulation section 252 performs weighting on the vertically
polarized transmission signal and horizontally polarized
transmission signal, and the RF signals are transmitted from
corresponding antenna elements.
Operating as described above enables information such as vertically
polarized wave, horizontally polarized wave, angle of the major
axis, phase between polarized components, and circulating direction
to be used as an encryption key.
Among propagation states, the polarization wave has a feature of
being separated only by antennas.
In addition, it is assumed that codebook 1807 stores quantization
vectors corresponding to polarization states (such as polarization
plane and circulating direction). Communication procedures are
almost the same as in other Embodiments. Detection of delay profile
or propagation control is replaced with polarization information or
polarization control, respectively.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 9, in addition to the effects of Embodiment 1,
polarization estimating section 1805 estimates the polarization
state from the electric field strengths and phase difference to
obtain an estimation value of propagation environment, and the
polarized waves are only separated by antennas. Therefore, even if
another receiving apparatus intercepts the radio signal, the
apparatus needs corresponding antennas, and high security is thus
expected.
In addition, in Embodiment 9, it may possible to use information
together with such as the delay profile, reception power and the
direction of arrival.
Embodiment 10
In addition to the methods as described in Embodiments 1 to 9, a
method will be described of making the interception by third party
impossible using a method of controlling the communication state in
a reception terminal and superimposing the information on the
controlled state.
Embodiment 5 describes enabling the propagation state on the
receiving side to be controlled arbitrarily. Using this method
enables physically confidential communications, which is explained
briefly.
Embodiment 5 indicates the case that the propagation state can be
controlled using weighting coefficients of transmission signal,
which is equivalent to conveying an arbitrary reception state to
the receiving side, i.e, which means that communications can be
carried out through propagation parameters.
In other words, it is suggested that communications can be carried
out through propagation parameters, by substituting the information
for the content (encryption key in the figure) in the codebook as
illustrated in FIG. 5.
The communication using this method uses, as a base, propagation
environments formed between communicating parties as described
above, and therefore has a feature of having high confidentiality
in principle over apparatuses different in physical position.
Further, using propagation parameters specifies a propagation path,
i.e., a place of the communicating party, and is applicable to
specification and authentication of a communicating party.
This method is applicable irrespective of conventionally used
modulation schemes (such as ASM, FSK, PSK and QAM), and expects
sheer increases in data capacity.
Further, this method has a feature of being applicable irrespective
of multiplexing methods (such as TDMA, FDMA, CDMA and OFDM). The
method enables the multiplexing using the spatial orthogonality. In
other words, combining the multiplexing method using the spatial
orthogonality and the above-mentioned multiplexing method expects
the effectiveness of increasing the conventional channel capacity
greatly.
It is apparent that when an apparatus does not require particularly
the processing of encryption and decoding as described in either
Embodiment, such functions are not essential to the apparatus, and
the apparatus operates without such functions.
Further, when it is not necessary to transmit the encryption key
information in procedures as described in either Embodiment,
increases in communication quality are expected by performing the
propagation control to be optimal in communications (for example,
by removing the multipath component, or setting the reception power
at a maximum value).
Furthermore, also at the time of reception, by performing the
control (as in the foregoing) such that a received signal is
optimal using the reception weighting coefficients, increases in
communication quality are also expected.
A configuration of the receiving apparatus in Embodiment 10 will be
described with reference to FIG. 20.
FIG. 20 illustrates a configuration of receiving apparatus 2000
that is the communication apparatus according to Embodiment 10. In
addition, the same sections as those in FIG. 1 are assigned the
same reference numerals in FIG. 1, and descriptions thereof are
omitted.
Propagation estimating section 103 estimates the propagation
characteristic from the received signal input from receiving
section 102, and outputs the estimated propagation information as
data. The propagation information output from propagation
estimating section 103 is information of whether or not to discard
the data output from demodulation section 104.
In the case of the receiving apparatus that outputs the propagation
characteristic as the communication information, the configuration
as illustrated in FIG. 20 enables its implementation, and a
transmitting section is not required necessarily. By configuring as
described above, it is possible to use the propagation information
as the first data that is information with high confidentiality. In
this case, it is considered that a transmitting apparatus
superimposes important information on the first data, and further,
it is possible to use to specify a terminal that transmits a
communication signal using the first data.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 10, in addition to the effects of Embodiment
1, since propagation estimating section 103 uses the estimated
propagation information as data, it is possible to increase the
information amount to transmit, improve the transmission
efficiency, and transmit the information with high confidentiality
as the propagation information, thus enabling reliable security to
be ensured. Further, according to the communication apparatus and
communication system of Embodiment 10, it is possible to transmit
information with low confidentiality using the conventional
communication scheme, thereby enabling a communication apparatus
with versatility to be provided.
Embodiment 11
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of receiving
apparatus 2100 that is a communication apparatus according to
Embodiment 11. In addition, the same sections as in FIG. 1 are
assigned the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, and descriptions
thereof are omitted.
Coding section 105 encodes the estimated propagation information
input from propagation estimating section 103 as the first data. As
a technique of coding the estimated propagation information, it is
possible to code the information, for example, using a vector
quantization method, and to output as the transmission information.
In this way, such a feature is provided that coded data can be
output with simplicity and with stability on inputs of various
parameters.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 11, in addition to the effects of Embodiments
1 and 10, since coding section 105 encodes the propagation
information to extract as data, increases in communication quality
are expected.
Embodiment 12
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of receiving
apparatus 2200 that is a communication apparatus according to
Embodiment 12. In addition, the same sections as in FIG. 22 are
assigned the same reference numerals as in FIG. 22, and
descriptions thereof are omitted.
Despreading section 2201 calculates the convolution of a received
signal and a spreading code associated with the channel, and
outputs a despread signal.
Comparing section 2202 encodes the propagation information for each
channel, compares coded propagation information of each channel
with one another, and outputs a result of comparison as the first
data.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 12, in addition to the effects of Embodiment
1, comparing section 2202 compares data of a plurality of channels
with one another, and obtains the first data from a result of
comparison, resulting in features that the confidentiality is
enhanced and that more items of data can be transmitted.
In addition, in Embodiment 12, a despreading section is provided to
obtain the data using a CDMA signal. The present invention is not
limited to the foregoing, and it may be possible to obtain data by
receiving a signal subjected to orthogonal frequency division
multiplexing and comparing each of signals assigned to subcarriers
with one another. Further, the communication apparatus of
Embodiment 12 is applicable to a case of performing communications
using MIMO (Multi-Input Multi-Output) signals.
Embodiment 13
In Embodiment 13, FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating receiving
apparatus 2300, and FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating
transmitting/receiving apparatus 2400. In addition, the same
sections as those of receiving apparatus 100 or
transmitting/receiving apparatus 200 in FIG. 2 are assigned the
same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 or 2, and descriptions thereof
are omitted.
Receiving apparatus 2300 will be described first.
Reception demodulation section 150 receives a received RF signal,
and outputs the estimated propagation information and demodulated
signal. Coding section 105 receives the propagation information to
extract its characteristic, and outputs propagation characteristic
code (first data). Decoding section 107 receives the code
indicating the characteristic of the propagation information and
demodulated signal, performs deinterleaving using an interleaving
pattern associated with the propagation characteristic code, adds
null information (depuncturing), decodes the signal, outputs
security data (second data), and has deinterleaver 2301 that
receives the demodulated signal and performs deinterleaving based
on the interleaving pattern associated with the propagation
characteristic code, depuncturing section 2302 which receives the
deinterleaved signal, and adds neutral information (in judging a
code in the decoder disposed subsequently) to a signal of a portion
removed based on the puncturing pattern associated with the
propagation characteristic code, and decoder 2303 which receives
the depuncutured signal, and decodes the signal corresponding to
the convolutional code associated with the propagation
characteristic signal.
Transmitting/receiving apparatus 2400 will be described below.
Reception demodulation section 250 receives a received RF signal,
and outputs the propagation information indicative of the estimated
propagation state and demodulated information. Decoding section 207
receives the code indicating the characteristic of the propagation
information and demodulated signal, performs deinterleaving using
an interleaving pattern associated with the propagation
characteristic code, adds null information (depuncturing), decodes
the signal, outputs data, and has deinterleaver 2401 that receives
the demodulated signal and performs deinterleaving based on the
interleaving pattern associated with the propagation characteristic
code, depuncturing section 2402 which receives the deinterleaved
signal, and adds neutral information (in judging a code in the
decoder disposed subsequently) to a signal of a portion removed
based on the puncturing pattern associated with the propagation
characteristic code, and decoder 2403 which receives the
depunctured signal, and decodes the signal corresponding to the
convolutional code associated with the propagation characteristic
signal. Coding section 205 receives the propagation information to
extract its characteristic, and outputs a propagation
characteristic code (first data). Propagation control section 2404
outputs transmission weighting coefficients to control the
propagation state to be brought close to the input propagation
characteristic code. Coding section 2409 receives the data, encodes
the data, outputs the coded information subjected to puncturing and
interleaving, and has encoder 2405 that receives the data and
outputs a convolutional code, puncturing section 2406 that receives
the convolutional code and outputs a punctured code where part of
the code is removed, and interleaver 2407 which rearranges the
punctured code in a predetermined order to output coded
information. Transmission modulation section 2410 receives the
coded information, modulates the information, performs the
propagation control, outputs an RF signal to transmit, and has
modulation section 211 which receives the coded information,
performs predetermined modulation on the information, and outputs a
modulated signal, transmission weighing section 2408 which receives
the modulated signal, and performs propagation control by
multiplying the signal by each of the weighting coefficients, and
transmitting section 212 which receives transmission weighted
signals, and outputs RF signals to transmit.
The operation of transmitting/receiving apparatus 2400 will be
described with reference to FIG. 25. The descriptions are given
assuming that transmitting/receiving apparatus 2400 is a base
station or terminal in FIG. 25. In addition, in Embodiment 13, the
terminal is not limited to the configuration of
transmitting/receiving apparatus 2400, and may have the
configuration of receiving apparatus 2300.
In the operation of transmitting/receiving apparatus 2400 of
Embodiment 13, sections that have the same operations as in FIG. 3
will not be further explained.
Interleaving patterns, puncturing patterns and encoding pattern
associated with propagation states re prepared in advance, and the
base station and terminal share the information.
The terminal estimates the propagation state, using a reference
signal transmitted from the base station, and sets various patterns
based on the estimated state. Similarly, the base station estimates
the propagation state, using a reference signal transmitted from
the terminal, and sets various patterns based on the estimated
state. At this point, among set interleaving patterns, puncturing
patterns and encoding patterns, the same patters are selected in
the base station and terminal, as described earlier.
As in the foregoing, when encoding patterns are set for the base
station and terminal, the base station and terminal start
communications. In the base station, encoder 2405 performs
convolutional coding on the information based on the encoding
pattern. Puncturing section 2406 performs puncturing on the
resultant. Interleaver 2407 performs interleaving on the resultant.
Thus obtained coded information is provided to transmission
modulation section 2410. Propagation control section 2404 receives
the propagation characteristic code output from coding section 205,
and outputs transmission weighting coefficients. Transmitting
section 212 outputs RF signals to transmit. The calculation of
transmission weighting coefficients is the same as in described in
Embodiment 3.
In the terminal having received the signal from the base station,
reception demodulation section 250 receives the signal, performs
the propagation estimation, demodulates the signal, and outputs the
propagation information and demodulated signal. Based on the input
propagation characteristic code, decoding section 207 selects the
interleaving pattern, puncturing pattern, and encoding pattern.
Decoding section 207 receives the propagation characteristic code
and demodulated signal. Deinterleaver 2401 performs deinterleaving
corresponding to the inverse pattern of interleaving, and outputs a
deinterleaved signal. Depuncturing section 2402 receives the
deinterleaved signal, and outputs a depunctured signal where a null
signal (of a neutral value in judgment in the decoder disposed
subsequently) is inserted (depancturing) to a portion corresponding
to the puncturing pattern. Decoder 2403 decodes the depunctured
signal based on the input encoding pattern, and outputs data.
The transmitting side and receiving side share various encoding
patterns as described above, and it is understood that data
transmitted from the base station is provided to the terminal
properly.
(0) is the Same Operation in FIG. 3.
(1) Base station: Transmission of First Reference Signal
The base station outputs a reference signal for propagation
estimation performed in the terminal as a first reference signal.
In the terminal awaiting the signal from the base station,
propagation estimating section 203 detects the first reference
signal from the received signal, and performs the propagation
estimation from the received signal and the reference signal that
is a known signal. Coding section 205 receives the propagation
information from propagation estimating section 203, extracts a
characteristic of the propagation state, and outputs the
propagation characteristic code. Deinterleaver 2401, depuncturing
section 2402 and decoder 2403 respectively have a table of
interleaving pattern, table of puncturing pattern and a table of
encoding pattern, where each table is associated with the
propagation characteristic code, and select patterns (encoding
patterns) corresponding to the input propagation characteristic
code.
(2) Terminal: Transmission of Second Reference Signal
The terminal transmits a reference signal for propagation
estimation performed in the base station as a second reference
signal as in (1).
Upon receiving the signal from the terminal, the base station
detects the second reference signal, and propagation estimating
section 203 performs propagation estimation from the received
signal and the reference signal that is a known signal. As in (1),
coding section 205 converts the propagation information output from
propagation estimating section 203 into a propagation
characteristic code, and decoding section 207 selects an encoding
pattern corresponding to the propagation characteristic code.
(3) Base station: Transmission of Coded Signal
In the base station, coding section 2409 outputs coded information
obtained by performing encoding, puncturing and interleaving on the
data using coding parameters obtained in item (2). The coded
information is output to transmission modulation section 2410, and
the RF signal is transmitted as a coded signal via modulation
section 211, transmission weighting section 2408, and transmitting
section 212.
In the terminal, upon receiving the coded signal, reception
demodulation section 250 demodulates the RF signal into the
demodulated signal via receiving section 202 and demodulation
section 204. Decoding section 207 performs deinterleaving,
depuncturing, and decoding in this order using the demodulated
signal and coding parameter obtained in (1), and outputs the
data.
(4) Terminal: Transmission of Coded Signal
In the terminal, coding section 2409 outputs the coded information
obtained by performing encoding, puncturing and interleaving on the
data using coding parameters obtained in item (1). The coded
information is output to transmission modulation section 2410, and
the RF signal is transmitted as a coded signal via modulation
section 211, transmission weighting section 2408, and transmitting
section 212.
In the base station, upon receiving the coded signal, reception
demodulation section 250 demodulates the RF signal into the
demodulated signal via receiving section 202 and demodulation
section 204. Decoding section 207 performs deinterleaving,
depuncturing, and decoding in this order using the demodulated
signal and coding parameter obtained in (2), and outputs the data.
Communicating as described above enables data to be provided and
received.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 13, in addition to the effects of Embodiment
1, coding section 205 encodes control information such as
interleaving pattern and puncturing pattern from the estimation
value of the propagation environment to obtain, and decodes the
data using the obtained control information, whereby the optimal
code (decoding) is made possible corresponding to the propagation
state, and increases in communication quality are expected.
Further, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 13, the conventional need is eliminated of
providing and receiving the coding parameter by handshake in
communication, and therefore, significant features are provided
that enable a quick response to the propagation environment, as
well as increased efficiency.
In addition, in Embodiment 13, methods are described that
communications are carried out by varying a coding parameter
corresponding to the propagation state, and that the propagation
control is carried out at the time of transmission. However, the
present invention is not limited to such methods, and as described
in other Embodiments, the methods are not inevitable, and an
arbitrary method may be used of transmitting signals without
performing the propagation control. Further, while Embodiment 13
describes using convolutional code as a coding scheme, the present
invention is not limited to such a coding scheme, and an arbitrary
coding scheme is applicable such as block coding.
Moreover, Embodiment 13 describes the case of varying encoding
pattern, puncturing pattern, and interleaving pattern as coding
parameters corresponding to the propagation state. However, the
present invention is not limited to such a case, and part of
encoding pattern, puncturing pattern, and/or interleaving pattern
may be fixed to use. It is thereby possible to simplify
configurations of the coding section and decoding section. In this
case, it is important to select a pattern effective in increasing
the communication quality. For example, the puncturing pattern is
one of important parameters that affect the data capacity and error
rate greatly, and changes in the puncturing pattern are often the
most effective. Further, it is apparent in Embodiment 13 that
procedures of (1) and (2) or procedures (3) and (4) in FIG. 25 can
be in changed in its order.
The coded signal is provided and received after providing and
receiving a reference signal. However, for example, it may be
possible to dispose a reference signal and coded signal on the same
format, and perform decoding (or coding) after the coding parameter
is selected. Thus associating the data with a reference signal for
coding parameter estimation has a feature of enabling fine
selection of coding parameter.
Further, the method is described above of varying an optimal coding
parameter corresponding to the propagation parameter. However, it
is apparent that the modulation scheme (such as QPSK and 16QAM) or
a spreading code length in CDMA can be varied as well as the coding
parameter. In this way, advantages are obtained of providing
communications with the same flexibility as in using the coding
parameter and with higher efficiency.
Embodiment 14
The above-mentioned Embodiments describe primarily data
communications using the propagation state, where accuracy in
estimating the propagation state is required. Generally, the
accuracy in estimation is proportional to the data amount used in
calculation, and the increased data amount decreases the
efficiency. Further, a result of propagation estimation is affected
by auto-correlation of a reference signal used in the propagation
estimation. The means for solving the aforementioned issues will be
described below with reference to FIG. 26.
FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of receiving
apparatus 2600, and FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a
configuration of propagation estimating section 103. In addition,
the same sections as in FIG. 1 or 4 are assigned the same reference
numerals as in FIG. 1 or 4, and descriptions thereof are
omitted.
Receiving apparatus 2600 will be described first.
Reception demodulation section 2604 has receiving section 102,
propagation estimating section 103, equalizing section 2602 and
demodulation section 2603.
Equalizing demodulation section 2605 has equalizing section 2602
and demodulation section 2603.
Coding section 2601 extracts a characteristic from input
propagation information, and outputs a propagation characteristic
code (first data).
Equalizing section 2602 receives the estimated propagation
information and the propagation characteristic code indicative of
the characteristic, and outputs an equalized signal obtained by
removing unnecessary components from the received signal.
Demodulation section 2603 receives the equalized signal to
demodulate, and outputs a result of demodulation as demodulated
information (second data).
Propagation estimating section 103 will be described next.
Auto-correlation section 2701 receives a reference signal sequence,
and outputs the auto-correlation function of the sequence.
Component removing section 2702 receives a first delay profile and
the auto-correlation function, and outputs a second delay profile
obtained by removing the auto-correlation function component from
the first delay profile. Average calculating section 2703 receives
the delay profile, and averages estimation results for a
predetermined period.
The operation of receiving apparatus 2600 will be described
below.
The basic operation is the same as in FIG. 1, and only differences
are explained. Receiving section 102 receives an RF signal to
output a received signal. Propagation estimating section 103
estimates the propagation state from the received signal. The
information is input to receiving section 102, equalizing
demodulation section 2605, and coding section 2601. Coding section
2601 extracts a characteristic from the input propagation
information, and outputs a propagation characteristic code to
equalizing demodulation section 2605. Equalizing section 2602
receives the estimated propagation information and the propagation
characteristic code indicative of a characteristic of information,
and outputs an equalized signal obtained by removing an unnecessary
component from the received signal. Demodulation section 2603
demodulates the equalized signal from the propagation information
and propagation characteristic code using suitable demodulation
means, and outputs demodulated information.
In this way, the propagation information and propagation
characteristic code is input to equalizing demodulation section
2605, and is used in equalizing or demodulation, and it is thereby
possible to perform effective equalizing and demodulation using the
information and code, thus resulting in a feature that increases in
communication quality are expected.
In particular, when equalizing section 2602 that removes an
unnecessary component (for example, multipath component) from the
received signal is provided with a table of tap coefficient
corresponding to the propagation characteristic code, and performs
equalizing using the tap coefficient corresponding to the code, a
significant feature is provided of reducing the calculation amount
greatly. Then, performing equalizing on a difference between the
propagation characteristic code and propagation information
simplifies a configuration of the equalizing section.
The operation of propagation estimating section 103 will be
described below.
In the section 103, the input received signal is temporarily held,
and convolver 403 calculates the correlation value of the received
signal and reference signal sequence, and outputs a first delay
profile. Auto-correlation section 2701 calculates the
auto-correlation of the reference signal sequence to output.
The delay profile is calculated by the following equation:
Ds(t)=.SIGMA.(Sr(t+n)R(n)) (20) Ds is an estimated delay profile,
Sr is a received signal, and R is a reference signal sequence. The
received signal is expressed using transmission signal St and
propagation distortion Pd:
.function..function..function..function..function..times..times..times..t-
imes.``.times..times..times..times..times..times. ##EQU00001##
Further, since transmission signal St is the reference signal:
.function..function..function..function..function..function..function..fu-
nction..function. ##EQU00002## Using the following equation:
AR(t)=R(t)*R(t) (23) equation (22) is transformed:
Ds(t)=AR(t)*Pd(t) (24)
As an example, a case is considered of using maximal-length
sequences (M sequences) as a reference signal. Codes of M sequences
are 2^n-1 when t=0 (0.ltoreq.t<2^n-1) in auto-correlation
function AR(t) of equation (23), while being -1 except t=0 (FIG.
28(a)). It is thereby possible to regard the auto-correlation
function as impulse, and to neglect it as frequency
characteristics. Under some condition, the propagation
characteristic (delay profile) as shown in FIG. 6 is obtained, and
the frequency characteristic is assumed to be synthesized from the
propagation characteristic and characteristic of the filter in the
system. Meanwhile, in the case of using Gold sequences that is a
kind of synthesis code for a reference signal sequence, as distinct
from M sequences, Gold sequences are not constant when t.noteq.0 in
auto-correlation function AR(t) (FIG. 28(b)). Such an
auto-correlation function is not impulse, and affects delay profile
Ds(t) as a frequency characteristic. FIG. 29 shows estimation
results in the case of using Gold sequences as the reference signal
sequence. It is understood from the figure that the waveforms are
affected by the auto-correlation function and differs from those in
FIG. 6.
In this way, as indicated by equation (20), since the delay profile
obtained herein includes the auto-correlation function of the
reference signal sequence, and the function affects the
characteristic of the reference signal sequence. Component removing
section 2702 performs calculation for removing a component of
auto-correlation function (AR(t)) calculated in auto-correlation
section 2701 from the first delay profile. Specifically, it is
known that the removal can be carried out by setting the impulse
train given by the auto-correlation function as tap coefficients of
IIR filter.
Further, average calculating section 2703 averages results (second
delay profile) of a plurality of calculations, and it is thereby
possible to suppress errors caused by distortion and/or noise.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 14, in addition to the effects of Embodiment
1, since equalizing section 2602 performs equalizing on the
security data and then demodulates the data, it is possible to
obtain the security data with high quality. Further, according to
the communication apparatus and communication system of Embodiment
14, since component removing section 2702 removes the frequency
component of the reference signal, it is possible to obtain an
estimation value of the propagation environment with high accuracy
which is not affected by the frequency component of the reference
signal.
In addition, in Embodiment 14, it is possible to incorporate
propagation estimating section 103 as illustrated in FIG. 26 and
reception demodulation section 2604 independently into a receiving
apparatus, and it is apparent that the sections are applicable to
apparatuses described in other Embodiments. In particular,
implementing the section together provides significant
effectiveness.
Embodiment 15
FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of propagation
estimating section 103 according to the communication apparatus of
Embodiment 15. The communication apparatus using propagation
estimating section 103 has the same configuration as in FIG. 1, and
descriptions thereof are omitted.
Buffer 3001 temporarily stores the delay profile. Vector
quantization section 302 compares the stored delay profile with the
content of codebook 3008, and outputs the most similar code. Code
transforming section 3003 receives the vector quantized code, and
obtains a code corresponding to the code from code storing section
3007 in codebook 3008. Auto-correlation section 3004 receives a
reference signal sequence and outputs the auto-correlation
function. Convolution calculating section 3005 calculates the
convolution of the auto-correlation function and the content of
quantization vector in codebook 3008. Codebook 3008 stores
quantization vectors to be compared in vector quantization and
codes corresponding to the quantization vectors, and has a
configuration as illustrated in FIG. 5. Codebook 3008 is comprised
of quantization vector storing section 3006 and code storing
section 3007, and configurations of the section 3006 and 3007 are
the same as those in other Embodiments.
The operation of propagation estimating section 103 will be
described below.
Buffer 401 temporarily stores a received signal. Convolver 403
receives the received signal sequence and reference signal sequence
output from reference signal sequence storing section 402, and
performs sliding correlation calculation of the reference signal
sequence and received signal sequence to obtain delay profiles.
Buffer 401 temporarily stores the delay profiles to output to
vector quantization section 3002. Meanwhile, auto-correlation
section 3004 calculates the auto-correlation of the reference
signal sequence output from reference signal sequence storing
section 402, and outputs the value to convolution calculating
section 3005. Vector quantization section 3002 calculates a metric
amount of the input delay profile and each vector in quantization
vector storing section 3006 in codebook 3008, and selects a vector
that minimizes the amount, while performing metric calculation
using the vector of which the convolution with the auto-correlation
function is calculated by auto-correlation section 3004. Vector
quantization section 3002 outputs thus selected vector code. Code
transforming section 3003 selects a code corresponding to the
vector code output from vector quantization section 3002, from code
storing section 3007 in codebook 3008, and outputs the propagation
estimation information.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 15, in addition to the effects of Embodiment
1, since convolution calculating 3005 calculates the convolution of
the auto-correlation function and the quantization vector in vector
quantization, it is possible to obtain impulse response
characteristics with high accuracy. Further, according to the
communication apparatus and communication system of Embodiment 15,
there is provided the effectiveness of obtaining the propagation
estimation information with high accuracy. Furthermore, according
to the communication apparatus and communication system of
Embodiment 15, the auto-correlation function of a reference signal
sequence undergoes the convolution with a vector in quantization
vector storing section 3006, which is equivalent to giving a
component of auto-correlation function AR (n) to a vector to
search. Therefore, it is possible to perform a search without being
affected by AR(n) in Ds(t) given by equation (20), and to set
quantization vectors that are not affected by the auto-correlation
function of the reference signal sequence. Moreover, according to
the communication apparatus and communication system of Embodiment
15, since a component of the auto-correlation function is added to
the quantization vector, it is only required to calculate the
convolution for the auto-correlation function, and there is a
significant feature of enabling implementation with ease.
Embodiment 16
FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of receiving
apparatus 3100 according to Embodiment 16. FIG. 32 is a diagram
illustrating propagation estimating section 103, transforming
section 3101 and coding section 105. In addition, the same sections
as in FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1,
and descriptions thereof are omitted.
Transforming section 3101 performs Fourier transform on the delay
profile, and selects primary coefficients from among coefficients
obtained by Fourier transform to output.
Configurations of propagation estimating section 103, transforming
section 3101 and coding section 105 will be described below with
reference to FIG. 32. FIG. 32 illustrates a method of enabling
efficient coding by adding Fourier transform means.
Propagation estimating section 103 will be described first.
Buffer 3201 holds an input received signal of a predetermined
length.
Reference signal sequence storing section 3202 stores predetermined
reference signal sequences to output sequentially.
Convolver 3203 calculates the convolution of the temporarily held
received signal and reference signal sequence to output correlation
values.
Buffer 3204 temporarily holds calculated correlation sequences.
Transforming section 3101 will be described below.
Fourier transform section 3205 receives a delay profile to perform
orthogonal transform such as Fourier transform.
Coefficient extracting section 3206 receives the coefficients
subjected to Fourier transform and selects only primary
coefficients.
Coding section 105 will be described below.
Vector quantization section 3207 searches quantization vectors
stored in codebook 3209 for a quantization vector that is the most
similar to an input vector train, and outputs the code.
Code transforming section 3208 selects from codebook 3209 an
encryption key corresponding to the code output from vector
quantization section 3207.
Codebook 3209 stores quantization vectors and encryption keys as
illustrated in FIG. 5.
FIG. 33 illustrates a specific situation of delay profile, where
the horizontal axis indicates time (sample timing in the figure),
while the vertical axis indicates signal amplitude. The correlation
value is obtained from an in-phase component (I component) and
quadrature component (Q component) of the received signal sequence.
In the figure, the solid line represents the correlation
coefficients of I component, while the dotted lines represent
correlation coefficients of Q component. Hereinafter, I component
and Q component respectively represent the real part and complex
part of a complex number, are normalized using a complex signal
with the maximum instantaneous amplitude within a predetermined
time.
FIG. 33 shows a block diagram of illustration where a reference
signal sequence is generated and then the delay profile is
obtained. As shown in FIG. 33, in transmitting apparatus 200, a
reference signal sequence generated in reference signal sequence
storing section 3301 is output to band limitation filter 3302,
thereby forming a waveform of an output signal. The signal is
transmitted over the air by transmitting section 3303. The
transmitted electromagnetic wave arrives at receiving apparatus 100
via propagation space 3304 formed of various reflection and
refraction. In receiving apparatus 100, a received signal sequence
received in receiving section 3305 undergoes band limitation,
channel selection and noise removal by band limitation filter 3306.
Correlation section 3308 obtains the correlation with the
band-limitation-processed received signal and reference signal
sequence output from reference signal sequence storing section
3307, and obtains the reference signal sequence transmitted from
transmitting section 200. The aforementioned descriptions are
explained with reference to equations. Since received signal Sr(t)
expressed with equation (17) is processed by band limitation filter
3306 (Fr(t)), Sr' is expressed by the following equation:
'.function..times..function..function..times..function..function..functio-
n. ##EQU00003## Since transmission signal St(t) in equation (25)
results from a reference signal sequence passed through band
limitation filter 3302 (F(t)), Sr' (t) is:
Sr'(t)=Fr(t)*((Ft(t)*Rs(t))*Pd(t)) (26) Since the delay profile is
obtained by calculating the convolution of the correlation sequence
and reference signal sequence Rs(t) as described, Ds(t) is given as
described below:
.function.'.function..function..function..times..times..function..times..-
times..function..function..function..function..function.
##EQU00004## Herein, F(t) is impulse response indicated by
synthesis characteristic using band limitation filter 3302 and band
limitation filter 3306, and the filtering characteristic is
referred to as band limitation filter. Meanwhile, ARs(t) represents
the auto-correlation function of reference signal sequence Rs (t).
Thus obtained equation (27) represents the characteristic obtained
by performing band limitation on a signal in which propagation
characteristic Pd(t) is superimposed on auto-correlation function
ARs(t) using the band limitation filter. When auto-correlation
function ARs(t) is impulse characteristic, the characteristic of
equation (27) is equivalent to the characteristic of propagation
characteristic Pd(t) subjected to the band limitation filter.
When propagation characteristic Pd(t) is considered as a frequency
characteristic, it is understood that Ds (t) is obtained as the
propagation characteristic given the frequency characteristic
expressed by F(t). For example, when F(t) is a band limitation
filter of -1/2fbw to +1/2fbw, propagation characteristic Pd-bw(t)
is obtained which is subjected to band limitation of fbw. In the
environment of interior propagation, since bands of 1 MHz or more
are dominant in the frequency characteristic of propagation
characteristic, and therefore, it is efficient particularly in
communications with a symbol rate of 1 MHz or more. Meanwhile, in
the case of exterior propagation, since bands of 10 kHz or more are
dominant in the frequency characteristic of propagation
characteristic, and therefore, it is efficient particularly in
communications with a symbol rate of 10 kHz or more.
Since only propagation characteristic component limited to the
frequency band given as F(t) is obtained as propagation
characteristic Ds (t) calculated from the received signal, by
transforming Ds(t) into the frequency domain in Fourier transform
section 3205 in transforming section 3101, parameters condense into
low frequencies. By using coefficient extracting section 3206 for
selecting and extracting low frequencies from signal sequence
transformed into the frequency domain, it is possible to represent
primary components of the propagation characteristic with a small
number of parameters. Specifically, FIG. 29 illustrates a waveform
of Ds(t) obtained as the propagation characteristic. FIG. 34
illustrates a signal sequence resulting from performing Fourier
transform on the waveform. As can be seen from FIG. 34, primary
signal components are condensed into about twelve elements. In
other words, it is possible to represent a signal sequence of 100
samples.times.2 or more as shown in FIG. 29 using approximately ten
elements, thus enabling vector quantization with an extremely
simple configuration.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 16, in addition to the effects of Embodiment
1, since transforming section 3101 performs Fourier transform on
the propagation estimation value and extracts only primary
coefficients, it is possible to represent the propagation
environment with numerals in the most obvious way. Further,
according to the communication apparatus and communication system
of Embodiment 16, since vector quantization section 3207 performs
vector quantization on primary coefficients extracted by performing
Fourier transform on the propagation estimation value in
transforming section 3101, vector quantization can be implemented
with an extremely simple configuration. Furthermore, according to
the communication apparatus and communication system of Embodiment
16, since only primary coefficients are selected by Fourier
transform and encoded, it is possible to obtain the first data
efficiently with a small number of propagation parameters.
Moreover, according to the communication apparatus and
communication system of Embodiment 16, by inserting transforming
section 3101 between propagation estimating section 103 and coding
section 105, there is provided a remarkably significant feature of
enabling great reduction in construction.
In addition, while in Embodiment 16 transforming section 3101 uses
Fourier transform, the present invention is not limited to Fourier
transform. It is known that the same effectiveness is obtained when
using DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform), wavelet transform, and
Hilbert transform.
Embodiment 17
FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of transmitting
apparatus 3500 according to Embodiment 17. FIG. 36 is a diagram
illustrating a configuration of receiving apparatus 3600 according
to Embodiment 17. Transmitting apparatus 3500 superimposes
transmission data on signal power at the receiving end, as well as
a modulated signal. Receiving apparatus 3600 detects the
information superimposed on the reception power of a received
signal.
Transmitting apparatus 3500 will be described first.
Modulation section 3501 temporarily holds the first transmission
data, and outputs channel modulated signals corresponding to the
number of channels. Spreading code storing section 3502 stores
spreading codes corresponding to the number of channels to output.
Spreading section 3503 calculates the convolution of channel data
with a spreading code corresponding to the channel to perform
spectrum spreading. Propagation control section 3504 receives the
first transmission data, and calculates an antenna coefficient for
each channel. Synthesis section 3505 multiplies a spread signal by
the antenna coefficient to output an antenna signal. Transmitting
section 3506 performs frequency conversion on the weighted signal
to amplify. Antenna section 3507 transmits a signal of
corresponding sequence.
Receiving apparatus 3600 will be described below.
Antenna section 3601 outputs a received RF signal. Receiving
section 3602 receives the received RF signal, amplifies the power
of the signal and converts the frequency of the signal. Spreading
code storing section 3603 stores spreading codes corresponding to
the number of spreading codes. Despreading section 3604 calculates
the convolution of the received signal with the spreading code
corresponding to the channel to despread, and outputs a channel
signal. Demodulation section 3605 receives channel signals and
outputs demodulated channel signals. Power detecting section 3606
detects reception power for each channel, and outputs reception
power information. Buffer 3607 temporarily holds demodulated
channel signals and outputs the second data. Comparing section 3608
receives the reception power information, compares the power level
with one another, and outputs the first data.
The operation of transmitting apparatus 3500 and receiving
apparatus 3600 will be described with reference to FIG. 37. FIG. 37
is to explain a communication method of superimposing information
on reception power obtained as propagation information.
In FIG. 37, the transmission apparatus has the same configuration
as in FIG. 35, and receiving apparatus has the same configuration
as in FIG. 36, for the sake of convenience. Both apparatuses may be
terminals enabling transmission and reception.
(0) Initialization
The transmitting apparatus and receiving apparatus perform the
predetermined initial operation, and set various parameters, etc.
at predetermined values after the power is supplied to the
apparatuses.
(1) Transmission of Reference Signal
The receiving apparatus transmits a reference signal to detect a
propagation state. Upon detecting the reference signal, the
transmitting apparatus calculates the propagation state from the
receiving apparatus based on the signal.
(2) Transmission of Encryption
Using the propagation state obtained in (1), the transmitting
apparatus superimposes the information on power control at the
receiving end, and outputs a communication signal. The receiving
apparatus receives the communication signal, detects the reception
power of the signal concurrently with demodulation of the received
signal, and detects the information superimposed on the reception
power. Subsequently, the receiving apparatus performs similar
procedures.
According to the procedures in FIG. 37, the operation of each
section will be described specifically.
It is herein assumed that the number of channels is three (channel
A, channel B and channel C) and that the number of antennas is four
(antenna 1, antenna 2, antenna 3 and antenna 4). It is further
assumed that the transmitting apparatus has calculated the
propagation state from the receiving apparatus according to
communication procedure (1) as described earlier.
Upon receiving the first data and second data, modulation section
3501 temporarily holds the second data, and outputs modulated
channel signals corresponding to three channels. Spreading section
3503 receives the modulated channel signals, performs spectrum
spreading by the convolution of the signals with respective
spreading codes provided from spreading code storing section 3502,
and outputs spread channel signals. Propagation control section
3504 outputs antenna coefficients such that the power at the
receiving end becomes a predetermined state, using the propagation
state obtained in communication procedure (1) and the first
data.
Among methods of superimposing information on the power are
considered a method of superimposing the information on the order
of the power of channels and a method of superimposing the
information on differences between the power of channels or on
ratio of the power of channels.
The method of superimposing the information on the order of power
is described herein.
For example, when the first data is superimposed on the order of
power of channels, six pieces of information can be superimposed as
described below: Power of channel A>Power of channel B>Power
of channel C Power of channel A>Power of channel C>Power of
channel B Power of channel B>Power of channel A>Power of
channel C Power of channel B>Power of channel C>Power of
channel A Power of channel C>Power of channel A>Power of
channel B Power of channel C>Power of channel B>Power of
channel A
The six patterns are respectively assigned codes, which the
transmitting apparatus and receiving apparatus share in
advance.
Corresponding to the power information associated with the first
data, propagation control section 3504 determines antenna
coefficients corresponding to the modulated channel signals.
A method of controlling the power using the antenna coefficients
will be described below with reference to FIG. 38. FIG. 38
illustrates the relationship between antennas provided in the
transmitting apparatus and receiving apparatus, propagation
coefficients determined between the transmitting and receiving
antennas, and signals input and output through the antennas. A1 to
A4 denote antennas provided in the transmitting apparatus. Ar
denotes an antenna provided in the receiving apparatus. St1 to St4
denote transmission RF signals. Srx denotes a received RF signal.
h1 to h4 denote propagation coefficients. Synthesis section 3505 in
the figure corresponds to synthesis section 3505 in FIG. 35, and
illustrates relationships between calculations of spread channel
signals Sc1 to Sc4 and antenna coefficients C11 to C34 (with the
transmitting section omitted). These relationships are expressed by
the following equation:
.function. ##EQU00005##
The transmitting apparatus adjusts values of C11 to C23 from h1 to
h4 obtained using the reference signal in communication procedure
(1), and thereby is capable of adjusting the reception power of
received signal Srx received in antenna Ar for each spread channel
signals Sc1 to Sc3 independently. In particular, controlling only
by varying phases of C11 to C34 has such a feature that the power
transmitted from each antenna does not vary.
For example, with respect to channel A (Sc1), C11 to C14 are
calculated such that signals transmitted from A1 to A4 provide the
maximum power in Ar by spatial synthesis. With respect to channel B
(Sc2), C21 to C24 are calculated such that a notch is formed in the
same way. With respect to channel C (Sc3), C31 to C34 are
calculated such that the power is set at a value between channels A
and B.
Synthesis section 3505 receives the antenna coefficients and
modulated channel signals, and synthesizes antenna signals for
antennas 1 to 4. The antenna signals undergo the frequency
conversion and power amplification in transmitting section 3506,
and are transmitted in antenna section 3507.
Antenna section 3601 in the receiving apparatus receives thus
transmitted encrypted signals, and outputs the received RF signals
to receiving section 3602. Receiving section 3602 receives the
received RF signal, and outputs a received signal subjected to
power amplification and frequency conversion. Despreading section
3604 receives the received signal, and calculates the convolution
of the signal with a spreading code input from spreading code
storing section 3603. Despreading is carried out corresponding to
the number of channels (herein, three channels), and a channel
signal divided for each channel is output. Demodulation section
3605 receives the channel signal to demodulate, and outputs the
demodulated channel signal, while detecting a channel detection
signal for power detection. Buffer 3607 temporarily holds the
demodulated channel signal input from demodulation section 3605 to
output as the first data. Power detection section 3606 receives the
channel detection signal, estimates the reception power for each
channel, and outputs channel power information. Comparing section
3608 compares a power level given from the channel power
information with one another, and transforms the result into a code
assigned in advance based on the order of power of channels to
output as the first data.
The first data transmitted from transmitting apparatus 3500 can be
used as the first data in receiving apparatus 3600, and in
particular, the second data is of communications using actively the
propagation path formed between transmitting apparatus 3500 and
receiving apparatus. Therefore, such a feature is provided that
another receiving apparatus cannot interpret the reception, and as
a matter of course, there is provided effective communication means
for information requiring high security.
In addition to aforementioned descriptions, differences between the
present invention and conventional technique will be described
below with reference to FIGS. 39 to 42. FIG. 39 shows an example of
conventional technique, where output power of signals Sc1 to Sc3 is
controlled using C1 to C3, and the directivity control is carried
out using W1 to W4. While in FIG. 39 the same weighting
coefficients (C1 to C3) are multiplied for all the antennas, in
FIG. 38 weighting coefficients (C11 to C34) are controlled
independently for each antenna with respect to Sc1 to Sc3. In the
case where the same weighting coefficients are used for all the
antennas as shown in FIG. 39, the radiation characteristic given by
the directivity is provided with characteristics of the scale of
the directivity.
FIGS. 40 to 42 illustrate power distribution of signals, where the
horizontal axis indicates a position in spatial section, the
vertical axis indicates reception power at the position, and
.tangle-solidup. indicates a location of the receiving terminal.
FIG. 40 illustrates characteristics obtained by the configuration
in FIG. 39. As shown in FIG. 40, all signal distributions are
similar, and the distribution form indicates characteristics of the
directivity control given with W1 to W4. Therefore, even when a
receive position shifts from a target position, the power of the
received signal does not vary relatively. Meanwhile, FIG. 41
illustrates the signal distribution subjected to the propagation
control by the configuration in FIG. 38. Since transmission signals
are subjected to weighting with combinations of different
coefficients for each antenna (as a result, directivity
characteristics are different), reception power of each signal
differs from one another with the receive position. In other words,
while the controlled power ratio is obtained in the target receive
position (.circle-solid.), the power ratios are different in
positions other that the target position. By using this
characteristic, it is not possible to perform demodulation using
the reception power in places except a target receive position for
a transmission terminal.
Further, it is possible to control a null point where the reception
power is 0, using weighing coefficients C11 to C34 in FIG. 38. It
is known that n output antennas enable control of n-1 null points.
The transmission signal (for example, Sc1) is controlled so that
adequate reception power is obtained in a receive position by the
directivity control, while some or all of the other transmission
signals (for example, Sc1 and Sc2) are controlled to provide
controllable null points at the target receive position. Thus, it
is possible that n (n.gtoreq.2) antenna transmit m (m.gtoreq.2) or
more kinds of signals under the propagation control, and the
transmission of the signals is controlled so that proper power is
supplied to a reception antenna, while transmission of signals that
are not required to be transmitted is controlled so that maximum
n-1 nulls are provided to the reception antenna. In addition, in
the m kinds of signals, as long as there is at least one signal to
be transmitted, the number of signals to be transmitted may be two
or more. FIG. 42 illustrates thus controlled state.
In FIG. 42, in the place of .tangle-solidup., each signal (Sc2 and
Sc3) indicated by dashed lines forms null where reception power is
controlled to be low, while the signal (Sc1) indicated by solid
line has adequate reception power. In this case, a transmission
terminal superimposes information to transmit on Sc1, while
superimposing pseudo information (or, non-important information) on
Sc2 and Sc3. By communicating in this way, since a received signal
is only Sc1 in the target receive position, the receiving terminal
is capable of obtaining the information of Sc1 by demodulating the
received signal without particular processing. Meanwhile, when
these signals are received in other places, the received signals
have power of Sc1 to Sc2, and therefore, are difficult to separate.
Even if the separation is possible, since it is impossible to
estimate which information is to be received among Sc1 to Sc3, it
is not possible to perform proper demodulation.
When using the method of thus controlling a null point, since
information to be received is only received in reception, the
receiving terminal may have the conventional configuration. In
other words, there is a significant feature that varying only a
transmitting terminal enables implementation of communications with
assured security.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 17, in addition to the effects of Embodiment
1, synthesis section 3505 on the transmitting side transmits the
first data to a communicating party on different propagation paths
using a plurality of antennas, and comparing section 3608 on the
receiving side receives incoming signals passed through different
propagation paths, and obtains the first data from a result of
comparison of estimation values of propagation environments of the
paths, whereby it is possible to make it remarkably difficult that
the first data is intercepted using a communication apparatus of a
third party, thus enabling high security to be provided. Further,
according to the communication apparatus and communication system
of Embodiment 17, transmitting apparatus 3500 performs spectrum
spreading on signals of a plurality of channels, multiplies the
signals by antenna coefficients in multiplexing to control
propagation states for each antenna, and thereby is capable of
superimposing the information on the propagation states (herein,
signal power, i.e., propagation loss). Further, according to the
communication apparatus and communication system of Embodiment 17,
as distinct from amplitude modulation typified by ASK as a method
of super-imposing information on signal power, propagation states
are used actively. In other words, since signal power in a
reception antenna end is used, propagation characteristics are
different in other reception points and signals are not received
properly, and in this respect, this embodiment is significantly
different from conventional amplitude modulation. For example,
since it is possible to vary the signal power at the receiving end
without varying the output power from antennas as described above,
it is impossible to demodulate the second data even when a third
party intercepts communications to demodulate, resulting in the
significant feature that the high security is provided. Moreover,
according to the communication apparatus and communication system
of Embodiment 17, since communications are carried out noting
differences in signal power between carriers using multicarrier
signals, there is a significant advantage that detection can be
carried out from received signals at the same time. The propagation
conditions are assumed to be the same because of the same time and
same frequency, and it is thereby possible to provide stable
communications. For example, when using a spread signal on which
two channels (assumed as channel R and channel S) are multiplexed,
it is considered assigning a code to whether the signal power of
channel S is higher or lower than the signal power of channel R
that is set as a reference. In the case of superimposing
information on signal phases, it is similarly considered detecting
a reference phase of channel S based on a reference signal of
channel R.
In addition, Embodiment 17 describes Spectrum Spread communications
as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to
such communications, and is applicable to multicarrier signals such
as OFDM and to singlecarrier signals. OFDM communications can be
implemented with spreading, despreading and channel respectively
replaced with IFFT, FFT, and subcarrier. In the case of OFDM, since
propagation characteristics appear in power of subcarriers, codes
may be assigned using the envelop as a parameter.
Further, while Embodiment 17 describes the scheme of superimposing
information on the signal power synthesized through propagation,
the present invention is not limited to such a case. It is possible
to superimpose information on a phase and frequency of signal, and
further it is possible to superimpose information on polarization
and delay profile.
Furthermore, in Embodiment 17, by arranging antennas with different
polarization planes (for example, perpendicular to one another) as
an antenna configuration, it is also possible to superimpose
signals on polarized waves as described earlier. In this case,
although a multicarrier signal is not required particularly, it is
considered superimposing information on an angle of the
polarization plane of channel S using the polarization plane of
channel R as a reference when the multicarrier signal is used.
Still furthermore, in the case of superimposing information on the
delay profile, by using the multicarrier signal, it is considered
superimposing information on a difference of the delay profile
obtained from channel S from the delay profile obtained from
channel R as a reference. In this way, since the consistency of
propagation state for the delay profile is maintained, it is
possible to expect communications with high accuracy. Moreover, in
Embodiment 17, superimposing the confidential information and
pseudo information at the same time in the same frequency enables
communications only in a target receive position, and further
enables the communication system with high confidentiality.
Embodiment 18
Embodiment 18 extends the invention as described in Embodiment 17,
and has a feature of superimposing information on propagation
parameters obtained from a plurality of received signal
sequences.
FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating receiving apparatus 4300 that is
a communication apparatus according to Embodiment 18. FIG. 44 is a
diagram illustrating a configuration of transmitting/receiving
apparatus 4400 according to Embodiment 18. In addition, the same
sections as in FIG. 9 or FIG. 36 are assigned the same reference
numerals as in FIG. 9 or FIG. 36, and descriptions thereof are
omitted.
Receiving apparatus 4300 that is the communication apparatus
according to Embodiment 18 of the present invention has receiving
sections 4302a and 4302b substituting for receiving section 3602,
despreading sections 4303a and 4303b substituting for despreading
section 3604, and demodulation sections 4304a and 4304b
substituting demodulation section 3605 in the configuration of
receiving apparatus 3600 according to Embodiment 17 of the present
invention as illustrated in FIG. 36.
Receiving apparatus 4302 is comprised of receiving sections 4302a
and 4302b. Despreading apparatus 4303 is comprised of despreading
sections 4303a and 4303b. Demodulation apparatus 4304 is comprised
of demodulation sections 4304a and 4304b.
Receiving section 4302a performs power amplification and frequency
conversion on a received RF signal input from antenna 4301a to
output to despreading section 4303a.
Receiving section 4302b performs power amplification and frequency
conversion on a received RF signal input from antenna 4301b to
output to despreading section 4303b.
Despreading section 4303a calculates the convolution of the
received signal input from receiving section 4302a with a spreading
code corresponding to the channel to despread, and outputs the
channel signal to demodulation section 4304a.
Despreading section 4303b calculates the convolution of the
received signal input from receiving section 4302b with a spreading
code corresponding to the channel to despread, and outputs the
channel signal to demodulation section 4304b.
Demodulation section 4304a demodulates the channel signal input
from despreading section 4303a, and outputs the modulated channel
signal to synthesis selection section 4305, while outputting the
demodulated signal to power detecting section 3606 according to an
output instruction signal from communication control section
4306.
Demodulation section 4304b demodulates the channel signal input
from despreading section 4303b, and outputs the modulated channel
signal to synthesis selection section 4305, while outputting the
demodulated signal to power detecting section 3606 according to an
output instruction signal from communication control section
4306.
Based on a selection synthesis signal input from communication
control section 4306, synthesis selection section 4305 selects (or
synthesizes) a branch received signal (or branch received data)
received from either antenna, and outputs a result of selection or
synthesis as the second data. In this way, since the effect is
obtained of switching the propagation space with time, the gain
like spatial diversity is obtained.
Communication control section 4306 outputs the selection synthesis
signal for instructing to select/synthesize a branch received
signal (or branch received data) from a predetermined antenna at
predetermined time to selection synthesis section 4305. The section
4306 further outputs the output instruction signal for instructing
demodulation section 4304a or 4304b to output to power detecting
section 3606 the demodulated signal of antenna 4301a or 4301b that
receives a signal including confidential information, respectively.
In this way, since a third party cannot estimate the propagation
space nor divide communication signals of antennas 4301a and 4301b,
there is provided an advantage of implementing higher security.
Comparing section 3608 (propagation parameter difference
calculating means) calculates a difference (propagation parameter
difference) between the reception power of a received signal
received in antenna element 4301a and reception power of a received
signal received in antenna element 4301b, and outputs the
calculated difference information as the first data.
FIG. 45 illustrates the relationship between antennas provided in
the transmitting apparatus and receiving apparatus, propagation
coefficients determined between the transmitting and receiving
antennas, and signals input and output through the antennas. FIG.
45 shows two reception antennas, while FIG. 38 shows one
antenna.
In the system configured as described above, received signals in
antennas Ar1 and Ar2 are given by the following equations:
.times..times..times..times..function. ##EQU00006##
As is apparent from equations (29) and (30), since Srx1 and Srx2
are different from each other in the configuration of propagation
path, propagation parameters h1n and h2n are also different from
each other. The reception states of Srx1 and Srx2 are controllable
by the operation of Cmn indicated in equations (29) and (30). It is
considered that the receiving terminal uses a result of comparison
of the propagation state obtained from Srx1 and the propagation
state obtained from Srx2, as information for use in demodulation
and decoding. In other words, the transmitting side superimposes
information on a difference (such as a phase difference and
reception power difference) of propagation parameters controlled
with Srx1 and Srx2 to transmit, while the receiving side calculates
the difference of propagation parameters obtained from received
signals of Srx1 and Srx2, and uses the difference as part or all of
the information to communicate, enabling various communications.
Further, communicating in this way causes the need of estimating
two-sequence propagation parameters, and thus enables high security
to be provided. Naturally, increasing the number of antennas
enables construction of more sophisticated system, and thus expects
increases in security.
Further, it is possible to perform secure communications using a
plurality of antennas Ar1 and Ar2. As descried above, antennas Ar1
and Ar2 have different propagation parameters, and receive
different signals, and using this respect, controlling modulated
signals for antennas Ar1 and Ar2 enables more complicated and
secure communications. For example, confidential information is
only transmitted to antenna Ar1, antenna Ar2, or both antennas Ar1
and Ar2, or these states are switched at predetermined time
intervals.
The specific description is given below with reference to FIG. 71.
FIG. 71 is similar to FIG. 42, and shows the case of two target
positions. The upper and lower graphs are shown in FIG. 71, and
indicate the power distribution as in FIG. 42. The upper and lower
graphs indicate the same section. For example, as described in
Embodiment 17, when a null point is formed at two positions and is
switched with time while signals are transmitted, the power
distribution is switched as in upper and lower graphs. In
synchronization with the switching, the receiver side performs
switching, and it is thereby possible to perform communications as
in Embodiment 17. Further, as shown in FIG. 76, when communications
are implemented with a null point formed at two positions, both
antennas do not receive unnecessary components, and therefore,
communications can be carried out similarly. Furthermore, received
signals respectively received in antennas Ar1 and Ar2 can be
separated, the bold line and slender line in the figure, using the
propagation coefficients. When the number of antennas is n (Ar1 . .
. Ar2), using Space Division Multiplex (SDM) or MIMO (Multi-Input
Multi-Output) enables the communication capacity to be increased by
n times that in FIG. 42. Further, using Space-Time Coding expects
great improvements in characteristics. Thus, there are significant
advantages in terms of communication capacity and communication
quality.
Moreover, performing communications in this way increases the
parameter elements constructing channels as illustrated in FIG. 45,
and has a significant feature of greatly decreasing the risk that
information leaks to a third party. The same effects are obtained
when the confidential communication is applied to a pilot signal in
space division used in MIMO or reference signal for phase or
amplitude in communications.
In the foregoing, antenna coefficients (weighting coefficients) are
calculated corresponding to propagation characteristics, and the
calculation method will be described below. A n.times.m matrix H is
described as an example (in other words, the number of transmission
antennas is n, and the number of reception antennas is m). All the
matrixes H are expressed as follows using orthogonal matrixes U
(m.times.m) and V (n.times.n) and singular value matrix S
(n.times.m): U.times.S.times.V'=H (31) V' represents Hermitian
transpose.
Assuming thus decomposed orthogonal matrix U (or V) to be arranged
m(n) m.times.1 (1.times.n) singular value vectors which are
referred to as respectively u1 to m (v1 to n). In this case, u1 to
m (v1 to n) are: ux.times.H=.lamda.x(or, H.times.vx=.lamda.x)
(32)
.lamda.x is a singular value corresponding to ux(vx). In this case,
the matrix H representative of propagation characteristics is
subjected to singular value decomposition, and each element of
characteristic vector ux with singular value .lamda.x of 0
(.lamda.x=0) is used as an antenna coefficient (weighting
coefficient), whereby it is possible to control reception power at
the reception antenna end to be 0.
More specific descriptions are given with reference to FIG. 44.
Since the configuration in FIG. 44 is almost the same as that in
FIG. 9 but does not perform vector quantization, coding section 105
and codebook 905 are eliminated from the configuration in FIG. 9.
Only differences from FIG. 9 are described below. Propagation
estimating section 103 calculates propagation characteristics
(propagation matrix H) between terminals from the received signal
to output to coefficient calculating section 903. Coefficient
calculating section 903 performs singular value decomposition on
propagation matrix H, where it is assumed that singular value
vectors vx (x=1, . . . , p) have the singular value
.lamda.x.noteq.0, and that singular value vectors vx (p+1, . . . ,
n) have the singular value .lamda.x=0. For convenience of
description, each of the former vectors is referred to as singular
value vector, while each of the latter vectors is referred to as a
zero vector. All the vectors are stored in buffer 904 temporarily.
Meanwhile, modulation section 906 receives communication
information 1 to k to respectively output modulated signals 1 to k.
Weighting section 907 receives the singular value vectors and
modulated signals, and multiplies in vector a modulated signal
corresponding to the communication information targeted for
confidentiality (herein, assuming communication information 1 and
modulated signal 1) by either of singular value vectors (v1 to vp)
(for example, one having the maximum singular value or vector
obtained by adding some or all the vectors). Further, in the case
of increasing the confidentiality, the section 907 multiplies in
vector communication information (herein, assuming communication
information 3 and modulated signal 3) unnecessary for the receiving
apparatus by either of zero vectors (vp+1 to vn) (some or all of
the added vectors) among singular value vectors held in buffer 904.
The modulated signal vectors resulting from the vector calculation
are input to transmitting section 908. Transmitting section 908
adds modulated signal vectors for each antenna signal sequence to
perform frequency conversion, and the resultant signals are
transmitted via antenna 901.
Thus transmitted signals are received in the receiving apparatus
via the propagation space, and expressed as follows using the
characteristic (propagation matrix H) of the propagation space and
modulated signal Smod: H.times.Smod.times.vx=.lamda.x.times.Smod
(33) As can be seen from equation (33), modulated signal 1
multiplied by the singular value vector can arrive at the receiving
apparatus. Meanwhile, modulated signal 3 is multiplied by the
vector with .lamda.x of 0 (.lamda.x=0), and therefore, cannot
arrive at the receiving apparatus. In other words, the receiving
apparatus is capable of demodulating only demodulated signal 1 by
demodulating the received signal without performing particular
processing.
The foregoing is equivalent to performing null control as described
in FIGS. 42, 71 and 76. In other words, the figures indicate that
singular decomposition is carried out when implementing
confidential communications with the null control, and that it is
possible to implement the communication readily by using thus
obtained singular value vectors.
When a third apparatus that is not the transmitting/receiving
apparatus receives these signals, since the propagation matrix H'
that is the propagation characteristic shared by the transmitting
apparatus is different, and equation (33) is not obtained. In other
words, modulated signals 1 and 3 are given by correlation of
propagation matrix H' and the singular value vector, and it is
impossible to separate modulated signal 1 and 3.
Further, with respect to a modulated signal (assuming herein
communication information 2 and modulated signal 2) associated with
the communication information that is not confident, as
coefficients multiplied in weighting section 907, coefficients
except singular value vector held in buffer 904 (or a constant
vector such as [1,1, . . . 1]) are used. In this case, since
coefficients different from the singular value vector are provided,
equation (33) is not obtained, and the signals are received in the
receiving apparatus.
As described above, the transmitting apparatus decomposes a
modulated signal to transmit by the propagation state (or
propagation parameter) formed between the transmitting apparatus
and the terminal that is a communicating party, and transmits the
decomposed signals from antennas, and the signals form the original
modulated signal at the receiving end by spatial synthesis. At this
point, the method of decomposing a modulated signal includes using
coefficients (values corresponding to elements of a characteristic
vector of equation (32)) introduced from propagation parameters as
antenna coefficients (or weighting coefficients), and multiplying
the original modulated signal by the antenna coefficients. In this
way, since a result of spatial synthesis is different in the third
terminal that cannot share the propagation parameters, and the
third terminal cannot perform accurate demodulation, thus resulting
in confidentiality.
Further, it is indicated that selective communications are
available even in a receiving apparatus that does not have a
particular configuration for the communication system. In other
words, the present invention has a remarkably significant feature
that security communication can be implemented only by changing the
transmitting apparatus.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 18, in addition to the effects of Embodiments
1 and 17, since a modulated signal to transmit is decomposed
corresponding to the propagation state and the signals are
transmitted from different antennas, a third terminal with a
different propagation state has a different result in spatial
synthesis, and cannot demodulate the signals properly, thereby
ensuring the high security. Further, in Embodiment 18,
superimposing the confidential information and pseudo information
on the same frequency at the same time enables communications only
in a target receive position, and provides the communication method
with high confidentiality.
In addition, while Embodiment 18 has the premise that antennas Ar1
and Ar1 are connected to the same terminal, the present invention
is not limited to such a case. Antennas Ar1 and Ar2 may be
connected to different terminals (for example, terminals 1 and 2).
It is thereby possible to perform secure communications
concurrently with terminals land 2, and to construct efficient
systems.
Embodiment 19
It is a feature of Embodiment 19 to specify a terminal using the
propagation characteristic superimposed on a received signal.
FIG. 46 illustrates a configuration of receiving apparatus 4600
according to Embodiment 19. The same sections as in FIG. 1 are
assigned the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, and descriptions
thereof are omitted.
Propagation characteristic extracting section 4606 is comprised of
characteristic extracting section 4601 and buffer section 4602.
Characteristic extracting section 4601 extracts a characteristic of
the propagation state from the propagation estimation information
input from propagation estimating section 103, and outputs the
characteristic extraction information to buffer 4602 and terminal
determining section 4603. As buffer information, buffer section
4602 outputs the characteristic extraction information
corresponding to the stored propagation state to terminal
determining section 4603.
Signal processing selecting section 4607 is comprised of buffer
section 4604 and information processing section 4605.
Characteristic extracting section 4601 receives the propagation
information obtained from the received signal, and encodes the
information to extract the characteristic. Examples of elements
extracted as a characteristic include a phase characteristic, gain
characteristic, polarization characteristic, propagation delay
characteristic, delay dispersion characteristic, and angle profile
by direction-of-arrival estimation. It may be possible to sample
the characteristic obtained from use one or a combination of the
elements as an analogue value. In this case, it is not required
particularly to extract the characteristic, and determination in
terminal determining section 4603 is obtained by comparing analogue
information, enabling determination with high precision accuracy.
Meanwhile, examples of the characteristic extracting method include
transform typified by Fourier transform, discrete cosine transform
and wavelet transform, filtering using a filter and multiband
filter and coefficient extraction based on linear prediction.
Further, characteristic extracting section 4601 may have the same
configuration as that of coding section 105 as shown in FIG. 1 or
others. By using vector quantization as shown in FIG. 4, coding
section 105 is capable of representing various signal sequences as
a single code, resulting in a feature of facilitating comparison in
determining a terminal.
Buffer section 4604 temporarily stores the extracted characteristic
extraction information, and outputs the stored characteristic
extraction information to terminal determining section 4603 as the
buffer information at predetermined timing.
Terminal determining section 4603 (determining means) compares the
characteristic extraction information input from characteristic
extracting section 4601 with the buffer information input from
buffer section 4606 to determine matching, and outputs the
determination result to information processing section 4605 as a
terminal determining signal (first data). Terminal determining
section 4603 outputs a final terminal determination result as a
terminal determination signal in a binary signal, using the
propagation information obtained for a predetermined time. In this
case, by using multi-valued signal such as 0 to 9 instead of using
a binary signal such as 1 and 0, it is possible to construct a more
flexible system. Further, when characteristic extracting section
4601 extracts coefficients, terminal determining section 4603
obtains the Euclidean distance between obtained coefficient
sequences, and when the value is less than or equal to a
predetermined value, determines that a terminal is the same
terminal, while determining that a terminal is a different
terminal, when the value is not less than the predetermined value.
When a determination is not stable due to noise or fluctuations in
propagation characteristic in making a determination, a method is
considered of storing determination results for a predetermined
period, and making a determination after averaging the results for
a fixed period. In this case, it is considered providing the
determination result with a range of 0 to 9 to be a likelihood
value, instead of indicating the result by binary, 0 or 1, for
representing the same or difference. In particular, since making a
strict terminal determination causes an erroneous determination to
tend to occur, stable terminal determination is carried out by
making a determination based on an average of likelihood values
obtained for a predetermined period. Thus, terminal determining
section 4603 monitors a currently communicating terminal based on
the estimated propagation environment, and observes so as to
prevent the confidential information from leaking, for example, by
the communicating terminal being switched maliciously before being
aware.
Buffer section 4604 temporarily stores received data input from
demodulation section 104.
Information processing section 4605 switches the content of
information processing from the received data sequence stored and
input in/from buffer section 4604 and the terminal determination
result input from terminal determining section 4603. For example,
among received data, the information greatly dependent on the
terminal such as privacy information, charging information and
confidential information may be all discarded as error processing
without being processed. Further, the fact is transmitted that
access from another terminal is determined from the terminal
determination result, and processing for security measure is
carried out.
The operation of receiving apparatus 4600 will be described.
Descriptions are given herein assuming that a communication
terminal targeted for terminal specification is communication
terminal 1, and the communicating party is communication terminal
2. The case is only described that communication terminal 2
transmits signals, because the operation of terminal registration
and terminal determination is performed on signals transmitted from
communication terminal 2.
Communication terminal 1 performs the terminal registration
operation for communication terminal 2.
Communication terminal 1 receives a reference signal from
communication terminal 2 using antenna 101, and receiving section
102 receives the RF signal and output a received signal.
Propagation estimating section 103 receives the received signal,
and estimates the propagation characteristic from the received
signal and reference signal to output the propagation information.
Propagation characteristic extracting section 4606 receives the
propagation information, and characteristic extracting section 4601
outputs the characteristic extraction information. The
characteristic extraction information is stored in buffer section
4604 as information for specifying communication terminal 2 that is
a communicating party. The terminal registration operation is thus
completed.
Secondly, communication terminal 1 communicates information with
communication terminal X, while determining whether communication
terminal X is the registered terminal (communication terminal
2).
Communication terminal 1 receives a communication signal from
communication terminal X in antenna 101, and receiving section 102
receives the RF signal, and outputs a received signal. Propagation
estimating section 103 receives the received signal, estimates the
propagation characteristic from the received signal, and outputs
the propagation information. The propagation information is output
to characteristic extracting section 4601, receiving section 102
and demodulation section 104. Based on the propagation information,
receiving section 102 controls the RF signal to be the received
signal in an optimal state, while performing frequency correction,
time correction, gain correction, etc. Demodulation section 104
receives the received signal, performs detection and demodulation
while performing frequency/phase correction and time correction
based on the propagation information, and outputs a received data
sequence.
Communication procedures in the case of making a terminal
determination will be described with reference to FIG. 47. It is
assumed herein that a base station performs terminal specification
(receiving apparatus in FIG. 47), and that a terminal (transmitting
apparatus in FIG. 47) undergoes the terminal specification.
(0) Base Station and Terminal: Initialization
After the power is supplied or upon receiving a specific signal,
the base station and terminal are both set for the initial state.
At the same time, states such as the frequency and
time-synchronization are set according to predetermined
procedures.
A predetermined time later after finishing the initial operation,
the receiving apparatus transmits control information in a control
signal at predetermined time intervals.
Meanwhile, the base station starts a search for the control signal
after finishing the initial operation. When receiving the control
signal transmitted from the base station, the terminal detects the
time, frequency, etc. for synchronization with the time, frequency,
etc. that the system has (system synchronization). After the system
synchronization is finished properly, the terminal transmits a
registration request signal for notifying the base station of
existence of the terminal. In response to the registration request
from the terminal, the base station transmits a registration
permission signal and thus performs registration permission of the
terminal.
(1) Terminal: Transmission of Reference Signal
The terminal outputs a reference signal for propagation estimation
performed in the base station as a reference signal. Specific
operation is the same as the operation in the method as described
in Embodiment 1 or others. The base station extracts a
characteristic from the propagation information obtained in the
communication, and registers the characteristic information of the
propagation characteristic obtained as the information for the
terminal specification, together with the terminal information.
(2) Base station: Transmission of Communication Signal
The base station starts the communication and transmits a
communication signal. When the encrypted communication is carried
out, the base station may transmit an encrypted signal using the
method as described in the other Embodiment.
When the terminal receives the communication signal, reception
modulation section 150 demodulates the received signal into
demodulated information, and outputs demodulated data. When
encryption is performed in the communication, decoding is performed
using the method as described in the other Embodiment.
(3) Terminal: Transmission of Communication Signal
The terminal transmits a communication signal. The base station
estimates the propagation characteristic from the received signal
from receiving section 102, and extracts the characteristic
information from the propagation information. At the same time, the
base station demodulates the received signal, and outputs received
data. By comparing the characteristic information with the
characteristic information registered in (1), a determination is
made on the terminal. The received data is output together with
right/wrong information indicative of a final determination result
having thus obtained determination. Signal processing selecting
section 4607 receives the received data and terminal determination
signal, and stores the received data in buffer section 4604 for a
predetermined time. Meanwhile, using the propagation information
obtained for a predetermined time, terminal determining section
4603 outputs the final terminal determination result as a terminal
determination signal in a binary signal. Information processing
section 4605 switches the content of the information processing
from a received data sequence stored in buffer section 4604 and
terminal determination result. For example, among received data,
information greatly dependent on the terminal such as privacy
information, charging information and confidential information may
be all discarded as error processing without being processed.
Further, the fact is transmitted that access from another terminal
is determined from the terminal determination result, and
processing for security measure is carried out.
Subsequently, encrypted communications and general communications
in (2) and (3) are repeated.
By performing communications based on the procedures as described
above, it is possible to check a received signal and a terminal
that outputs the signal. In particular, the method of making a
terminal determination does not need procedure (2), and can be
implemented only by procedures (1) and (3).
Further, it is considered changing the subsequent information
processing operation based on the determination result in the
operation in (3). By switching the processing based on the
determination result, it is possible to maintain the safety of
processing to a higher extent, and to prevent data fraud from being
performed by a terminal that is not authenticated properly.
Therefore, it is possible to construct an apparatus and system with
distinctly high security.
The characteristic of a propagation path formed between
communication terminals is determined by positions of the terminals
and layout around the terminals, and it is not possible to change
the characteristic to an optional one. Although the method is
considered of using a plurality of antennas to control propagation,
since it is impossible for a third terminal to measure the
propagation path characteristic and it is difficult to predict the
characteristic, it is extremely difficult to pretend as the
communication terminal by operating the characteristic. Thus, the
terminal specifying method using the present invention is capable
of being implemented with extreme simplicity and with high
accuracy.
Further, when a plurality of antennas 101 and receiving sections
102 is used and a terminal is determined by obtaining
characteristics of two or more propagation paths from two or more
received signal sequences, the propagation information of the
terminal becomes diversity, enabling the determination to be made
with higher accuracy.
The aforementioned method has a possibility that an erroneous
determination result causes a significant loss to occur in
communications. In order to relieve such a loss to secure stable
communications, it is considered performing reconfirmation when the
terminal determination results in a negative determination. The
procedures will be described with reference to FIG. 47.
(3') Terminal: Transmission of Communication Signal
The base station makes a terminal determination using the
propagation information obtained from the communication signal
transmitted from the terminal (herein, it is assumed that a result
is obtained that is different from the information registered in
(1)). The base station determines that the information is from a
terminal that is different from the registered terminal as a result
of the determination, and outputs a negative terminal determination
signal together with the received data.
(2') Base Station: Request Signal
To reconfirm the terminal according to the result of terminal
determination, the base station transmits an authentication request
signal to the terminal as a request signal.
(1') Terminal: Transmission of Reference Signal
Upon receiving the request signal, the terminal performs the
operation in response to the signal. Herein, the terminal transmits
the request signal again. Following procedures are the same as
procedures (1) to (3). By performing the aforementioned procedures,
when an erroneous determination occurs due to a variation in
propagation environment, performing reconfirmation enables the
stable communication to be provided.
Further, when the determination result is different, it is
considered that signal processing selecting section 4607 in FIG. 46
suspends the processing of information processing section 4605, and
after awaiting the re-determination result of procedure (1') and
subsequent procedures, determines processing procedures. In order
to cope with variations in propagation environment, it is
considered that the base station updates the registered terminal
specification information at predetermined intervals, independently
of procedures (3') to (1').
Further, inserting a reference signal into part of communication
signal of (3) and (3') enables the base station to perform stable
propagation estimation, and as a result, the base station is
capable of obtaining a stable terminal determination result. At
this point, the reference signal does not need to be the same
reference signal as used in (1), and may be replaced with a pilot
signal or known signal sequence is generally used in
communications.
As described above, for example, in a session during a period of
time the communication is started and then finished, the present
invention enables the information during a period of time
authentication is finished between the base station and terminal
and then the session finishes to be provided with efficiency. There
is a significant feature that it is possible to prevent adverse
effects from being imposed on the communication, for example, when
another terminal transmits a fraud signal during the session in
communicating the charged information via the internet.
In aforementioned descriptions, while a reference signal is used to
estimate the propagation, any signal sequence is available as long
as using the sequence enables error detection under the
communication environment. As such a signal sequence, there are
known a pilot signal, known signal, silk word signal,
synchronization signal, synchronization word, preamble signal,
midamble signal, postamble signal, reference signal, and unique
word signal. Alternatively, it is possible to use a signal sequence
sufficiently protected in demodulation error, and examples include
a PSK signal sequence included in a signal sequence communicated in
M-ary modulation scheme and a signal sequence coded in a scheme
with high error correcting capability.
Further, it is considered inserting ID for specifying a terminal
into part of communications from the terminal to base station, and
using the value and result from the propagation information.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 19, in addition to the effects of Embodiment
1, terminal determining section 4603 determines whether a terminal
with which the apparatus is currently communicating is a desired
communicating party from the propagation estimation value, and when
the terminal is not a desired communicating party, switches the
processing of received data to processing for not demodulating the
received data, based on the terminal determination result.
Therefore, it is possible to maintain a higher level of safety, and
to prevent a terminal that is not authenticated properly from
performing data fraud, enabling construction of apparatus and
system with remarkably high security.
Embodiment 20
FIGS. 48 and 49 are views illustrating a specific method of setting
a communication frame in a system that multiplexes information on
propagation parameters. In addition, the communication apparatus in
Embodiment 20 has the same configuration as that in FIG. 7, and
descriptions thereof are omitted.
For the sake of convenience, Embodiment 20 assumes an apparatus
that transmits downlink signals as a base station, and that an
apparatus that transmits uplink signals as a terminal to describe.
FIG. 48 is a view to explain timings of uplink and downlink
signals. FIG. 48(a) shows a case that secure information is
communicated in one way, and FIG. 48(b) shows a case that secure
information is communicated in bidirectional way. In addition, in
Embodiment 20, the base station and terminal are assumed to have
transmitting/receiving apparatus 700.
The case will be described first of communicating secure
information in one way. In the case where the base station
transmits general communication signal #4801 that is not encrypted
to the terminal, the base station selects an encryption key
corresponding to the propagation state based on reference signal
#4802 when the terminal transmits communication signal #4803
including reference signal #4802 to the base station over the
uplink, and transmits to the terminal encrypted communication
signal #4804 encrypted using the selected encryption key common to
the terminal. The terminal transmits a communication signal
including reference signal #4802 to the base station at
predetermined intervals. Whenever receiving reference signal #4802
transmitted from the terminal, the base station checks whether or
not the encryption key is changed, and after the check, transmits
encrypted signal #4805 to the terminal.
The case will be described next of performing bidirectional secure
communications. The base station transmits communication signal
#4807 including reference signal #4806 to the terminal. The
terminal transmits communication signal #4809 including reference
signal #4808 to the base station. The base station having received
reference signal #4808 selects an encryption key corresponding to
the propagation state based on reference signal #4806, and
transmits encrypted signal #4810 encrypted using the selected
encryption key to the terminal. Meanwhile, the terminal having
received reference signal #4806 selects an encryption key
corresponding to the propagation state based on reference signal
#4806, and transmits encrypted signal #4811 encrypted using the
selected encryption key to the base station. Then, the base station
transmits encrypted signal #4812 to the terminal.
Timing at which the reference signal is transmitted will be
described with reference to FIG. 49. FIG. 49 shows an example of
burst structure.
In a frame structure in FIG. 49(a), a burst is comprised of a
communication signal and reference signal. As the reference signal,
for example, a pilot signal is used. By configuring in this way, it
is possible to concurrently transmit the signal to estimate the
propagation characteristic and the reference signal to transmit
data, and to implement the efficient frame structure. Further, by
configuring part or all of the reference signal using a signal with
two or more consecutive symbols, it is possible to use symbols with
a small variation in propagation characteristic to estimate in
estimating the propagation characteristic, and to implement
propagation estimation with high accuracy. Further, by arranging
reference signals at predetermined intervals over the entire burst,
it is possible to compensate for fading distortion based on the
reference signal even when the transmission characteristic varies
greatly in a burst due to fast fading, and it is thereby possible
to implement transmission with high quality. Under such fast fading
environment, it is difficult to implement communications using the
propagation characteristic formed between terminals as described in
each Embodiment, and therefore, it is possible for each terminal to
switch between whether or not to perform communications using the
propagation characteristic while detecting fast fading.
In a frame structure in FIG. 49(b), part or all of reference
signals in the frame structure as illustrated in FIG. 49(a) are
reference signals 1 and 2. With the frame structured in this way,
the terminal (terminal 1) that transmits the burst to the terminal
(terminal 2) targeted for transmission performs communications
under control such that the reception power of reference signal 1
is larger than the reception power of reference signal 2 in a
receive point using the propagation characteristic, and it is
thereby possible for terminal 2 targeted for transmission to
perform accurate demodulation by determining reference signal 1 as
a reference of communication signal from the difference in
reception power, while it is impossible for another terminal to
perform accurate demodulation because reception power is different
with position, thus providing an advantage. Further, in the case
where terminal 2 has n antennas, it is considered multiplexing
reference signals 1 to n for each antenna. In this way,
superimposing the information on propagation parameters of
reference signals 1 to n enables highly advanced communications.
Further, when m terminals 2 exist, performing spatial multiplexing
on communications to the terminals enables increases in spectral
efficiency. (In this case, the relationship between n and m needs
n>m.) It is thereby possible to construct the system with high
spectral efficiency.
In a frame structure in FIG. 49(c), part or all of communication
signals in the frame structure as illustrated in FIG. 49(a) are
communication signals 1 and 2. With the frame structured in this
way, terminal 1 communicates with terminal 2 under control such
that the reception power of communication signal 1 is larger than
the reception power of communication signal 2 in a receive point
using the propagation characteristic, and it is thereby possible
for terminal 2 targeted for transmission to perform demodulation by
determining communication signal 1 from the difference in reception
power, while it is impossible for another terminal to perform
accurate demodulation because reception power is different with
position, thus providing another advantage. The communication
signal may be referred to as data, data symbol, modulated symbol,
data modulated symbol, free symbol or user symbol, and indicates a
symbol modulated by communication data.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 20, in addition to the effects of Embodiment
1, transmission timing of reference signal is varied or a reference
signal is transmitted while selecting an uplink channel or downlink
channel, and it is thereby possible to transmit and receive
efficiently encrypted signals.
In addition, in FIGS. 48(b) and (c), although Embodiment 20 notes
the difference in reception power, the reception power is only an
example of propagation parameter. It is considered superimposing
information on a difference in propagation parameter between
communication signal 1 (reference signal 1) and communication
signal 2 (reference signal 2), or calculating a difference in
propagation parameter based on communication signal (reference
signal 1) in terminal 2 that receives communication signal 1 and
communication signal 2 and obtaining the result as part or all of
the demodulation result. Further, Embodiment 20 describes the case
of multiplexing reference signals in FIG. 49(b) and the case of
multiplexing communication signals in FIG. 49(c). However, it is
apparently possible to multiplex a reference signal and
communication signal.
Embodiment 21
FIG. 51 is a view illustrating a specific method of setting a
communication frame in a system that multiplexing information on
propagation parameters. In addition, a communication apparatus in
Embodiment 21 has the same configuration as that in FIG. 36, and
descriptions thereof are omitted.
FIG. 50 shows an example of frame structure of code division
multiplexing (CDM).
A frame in FIG. 50(a) is comprised of a pilot signal and data
signal. The pilot signal indicates references of phase and
amplitude of a data signal. The receiving apparatus uses the
information of phase and amplitude obtained from the pilot signal
as a reference in demodulating a data signal, and calculates
propagation states such as synchronization of time and frequency
and multipath state from the reference signal. Data 1 to n (n is an
integer of 1 or more) is multiplexed on a data signal in code
division multiplexing. It is assumed herein that data 1 to n is
respectively assigned code 1 to m. Terminal 1 controls the
propagation parameter (herein, assumed as reception power) for data
1 to n corresponding to the estimated propagation characteristic.
At this point, when weighing is performed so as to superimpose
information on reception power, signals are received at the
receiving end of terminal 2 under the condition that reception
power of each of data 1 to n is controlled. Since the reception
power is obtained as amplitude of signals obtained by despreading
with codes 1 to m, it is possible to detect the superimposed
information from the amplitude information. Herein, it is assumed
that the number of items of data to multiplex is n, the number of
kinds of codes is m, and that n is larger than or equal to m
(n>=m). Further, setting the reception power that terminal 1
controls at 0 enables communications of n>m. Further, when m is
1 (m=1), it is not necessary to perform code division
multiplexing.
A frame in FIG. 50(b) is different from the frame structure in FIG.
50(a), and has a feature that pilot signals are multiplexed on data
1 to n in code division multiplexing. In FIG. 50(b), it is possible
to superimpose information on propagation parameters as in the
frame structure in FIG. 50(a), and it is also considered
controlling a phase and amplitude of a pilot signal.
In a frame in FIG. 50(c), pilot signals 1 to m are multiplexed on
data 1 to n by code division multiplexing. By adopting this
structure, maximum m pilot signals can be controlled independently,
and for example, data 1 to j is modulated based on a phase and
amplitude of pilot signal 1, while data j+1 to k is modulated based
on a phase and amplitude of pilot signal 2, whereby it is possible
to construct an intelligent communication system. In this way, it
is possible to communicate with a plurality of reception terminals
using respective pilot signals and data signals corresponding to
the pilot signals, and the pilot signals are controlled to be
proper signal references respectively at the receiving ends in
reception terminals each as a communicating party. There is
obtained a significant feature that the reception terminals cannot
demodulate data signals of the other reception terminals even when
receiving and trying to demodulate the signals. The communication
signals may be referred to as data, data symbol, modulation symbol,
data modulation symbol, free symbol or user symbol, and indicates a
symbol modulated by communication data.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system according to Embodiment 21, in addition to the effects of
Embodiment 1, since a pilot signal and data are subjected to code
division multiplexing, it is possible to transmit and receive
encrypted signals resistant to interference.
In addition, in Embodiment 21, a pilot signal is used to be
reference for a phase and amplitude of a data signal. However, the
present invention is not limited to the pilot signal, and allows
any reference signal besides the pilot signal to be selected.
Embodiment 22
FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of
transmitting/receiving apparatus 5100 that is a communication
apparatus according to Embodiment 22 of the present invention.
Transmitting/receiving apparatus 5100 has orthogonal frequency
division multiplexing section 5101 in transmitting/receiving
apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 1 as illustrated in FIG. 2.
In addition, the same sections as in FIG. 2 are assigned the same
reference numerals as in FIG. 2, and descriptions thereof are
omitted.
Switching section 210 switches between encrypted security data
output from encrypting section 209 and a reference signal output
from reference signal generating section 208 so that desired
subcarriers are assigned to transmission signals subjected to
processing of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing in
orthogonal frequency division multiplexing section 5101 described
later.
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing 5101 performs the
processing of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing on a
transmission signal input from modulation section 211 to output to
transmitting section 212. In other words, orthogonal frequency
division multiplexing section 5101 performs inverse fast Fourier
Transform on the transmission signal input from modulation section
211, thereby converts parallel data into serial data, and outputs
the resultant to transmitting section 212. Transmission signals
subjected to the processing of orthogonal frequency division
multiplexing are assigned to subcarriers.
FIG. 52 shows an example of frame structure of orthogonal frequency
division multiplexing (OFDM). The vertical axis indicates the
frequency, and the horizontal axis indicates the time. A square
indicates a subcarrier of a symbol.
A frame shown in FIG. 52(a) is comprised of a pilot signals for
symbol synchronization, reference signal for data demodulation, and
data signal for data transmission. The pilot signal for
synchronization is used to acquire the synchronization in time and
frequency of the OFDM symbol. There are known a null symbol, short
word symbol and long word symbol. Meanwhile, the reference signal
for data demodulation is inserted to correct frequency
characteristics, propagation delay and phase rotation generated by
propagation distortion, and to provide a reference for a phase and
amplitude of a data signal to be modulated. Inserting the reference
signal into the frame enables stable communications in environments
where the propagation environment varies and/or the delay profile
varies. According to the present invention, by transmitting the
reference signal corresponding to the propagation characteristic
while controlling the phase and amplitude at the receiving end,
since an accurate reference signal cannot be obtained in places
except the set receiving end, it is difficult to perform accurate
modulation, resulting in a significant feature.
A frame in FIG. 52(b) is comprised of a pilot signal for symbol
synchronization, reference signal for data demodulation and data
signal, as in the frame structure in FIG. 52(a). As distinct from
the frame structure in FIG. 52(a) where a reference signal in
transmitted in a specific symbol, part of all the symbols are
reference signals, and it is thereby possible to vary the reference
signal corresponding to the symbols. In other words, control
coefficients using the propagation characteristic are varied in
switching symbols to vary the phase and amplitude of the reference
signal every instant, and it is thereby possible to perform more
complicated control, and to ensure high security in the security
system. Further, the reference signal is a known signal, and
therefore, can be used as a pilot signal, whereby correction can be
performed for temporal variations in environment.
In a frame shown in FIG. 52(c), the reference signal in the frame
structure in FIG. 52(b) is varied with time. Varying the position
of the reference signal every instant has the effect of frequency
hopping for the reference signal and data signal. In other words,
even when power of a certain subcarrier is decreased by notch in
the propagation state, since the signal pattern is switched, the
effect caused by the notch is suppressed to be temporarily one. For
example, when a portion of the reference signal is affected by the
notch, the great effect is imposed on the data signal, and in frame
structure 2, the effect lasts until the propagation state changes.
However, in this structure, it is possible to limit the effect of
the reference signal. The communication signal may be referred to
as data, data symbol, modulated symbol, data modulated symbol, free
symbol or user symbol, and indicates a symbol modulated by
communication data.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system according to Embodiment 22, in addition to the effects of
Embodiment 1, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing section
5101 performs the processing of orthogonal frequency division
multiplexing on the encrypted data and pilot signal to assign
subcarriers, and it is thereby possible to improve the spectral
efficiency in transmitting encrypted signals.
Embodiment 23
In Embodiment 23, whether or not perform secure communications is
determined by instructions from an upper layer.
FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a
transmitting/receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 23. In
addition, the same sections as in FIG. 7 are assigned the same
reference numerals as in FIG. 7, and descriptions thereof are
omitted.
Communication control section 5301 controls switching of
communication methods and synthesis corresponding to the
communication time. In other words, when communication control
section 5301 receives a communication control signal to perform
secure communications from upper layer 5303, the section 5301
outputs the propagation information input from coding section 703
to propagation control section 701, outputs a reception control
section for performing secure communications to receiving section
202, and further outputs a transmission control signal for
performing secure communications to transmitting section 705.
Meanwhile, when communication control section 5301 receives a
communication control signal not to perform secure communications,
the section 5301 outputs a reception control section for not
performing secure communications to receiving section 202, and
further outputs a transmission control signal for not performing
secure communications to transmitting section 704. With respect to
the propagation control method, it is considered that the
propagation control as described in the other Embodiments is
performed when the secure communications are performed, and that
the propagation control is not performed when conventional
communication methods are performed, or the directivity is
controlled as the propagation control to improve the communication
quality.
Buffer section 5302 holds the transmission data temporarily to
output to switching section 210.
Upper layer 5303 is either layer (among data link layer, network
layer, transport layer, session layer, presentation layer and
application layer) higher than L1 in communication layer structure.
In the upper layer, received data and transmission data is input
and output, and at the same time, when necessary, a communication
method is selected and a control signal for the method is output as
a communication control signal.
The communication method using the present invention is high in
compatibility with conventional communication methods, and it is
possible to switch between the communication method using the
present invention and conventional communication method to use. In
this way, corresponding to situations such as: (1) whether a
communication apparatus as a communicating party supports the
security communication; (2) whether the application supports the
communication method of the present invention; (3) whether the
application needs the communication method of the present
invention; and (4) whether the user needs the communication method
of the present invention, it is possible to switch between the
conventional communication method and the communication method
using the present invention. Further, as described in the other
Embodiments, even when the security communication is required, it
is possible to ensure the communication quality by protecting in
security only important information to communicate.
The operation of transmitting/receiving apparatus as shown in FIG.
53 will be described below with reference to FIG. 54.
When the upper layer section outputs a communication control signal
so as to implement the security communication, the communication
control section outputs transmission and reception control signals
so as to perform propagation control for security communications
((1) and (4) in FIG. 54)). Meanwhile, when the upper layer section
outputs a communication control signal so as not to implement the
security communication, the communication control section outputs
transmission and reception control signals so as not to perform
propagation control for security communications ((2), (3) and (5)
in FIG. 54)).
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 23, in addition to the effects of Embodiment
1, based on instructions from upper layer 5303, communication
control section 5301 switches between the conventional method and
the security communication method for protecting in security the
important information which is the communication scheme for
performing transmission and reception of the first using the
propagation estimation value, thereby enabling a versatility
communication apparatus to be provided.
In addition, in Embodiment 23, using the transmission control
signal and reception control signal, the propagation control in
receiving section 202 and transmitting section 7095 is turned
ON/OFF. However, the present invention is not limited to such a
method, and when either receiving section 202 or transmitting
section 705 has the same configuration as that in the conventional
communication apparatus, the need of a control signal eliminated
for such a section. Examples of such a section include transmitting
section 152 in the communication apparatus as illustrated in FIG.
1, and encryption receiving section 706 in the communication
apparatus corresponding to the communication apparatus as
illustrated in FIG. 7.
Embodiment 24
Embodiment 24 has a feature that antenna coefficients include
confidential information.
FIG. 55 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of transmitting
apparatus 5500 that is a communication apparatus according to
Embodiment 24. FIG. 56 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of
receiving apparatus 5600 that is a communication apparatus
according to Embodiment 24.
Transmitting apparatus 5500 will be described first.
Modulation section 5501 temporarily holds the second data, and
outputs channel phase modulated signals corresponding to the number
of channels to combining section 5502.
According to modulation antenna coefficients input from propagation
modulation section 5507, combining section 5502 performs combining
calculation of the modulated signals input from modulation section
5501.
Transmitting section 5503 performs frequency conversion and power
amplification on the input combined signal input from combining
section 5502.
Antennas 5504 transmit respective signal sequences.
Propagation characteristic storing section 5505 stores propagation
characteristics such as the propagation profile to output to
antenna coefficient calculating section 5506.
In order to superimpose the information on the propagation state
represented by antenna coefficients, antenna coefficient
calculating section 5506 calculates antenna coefficients based on
the propagation characteristics input from propagation
characteristic storing section 5505. Antenna coefficients are
obtained using various methods, and as one of the methods, singular
value decomposition is known.
Propagation modulation section 5507 superimposes the first data to
transmit as the confidential information on antenna coefficients
input from antenna coefficient calculating section 5506, performs
amplitude modulation on the resultant, and outputs the obtained
modulated antenna coefficients to combining section 5502.
Receiving apparatus 5600 will be described below.
Antenna 5601 outputs a received RF signal to receiving section
5602.
Receiving section 5602 performs power amplification, frequency
conversion, etc. on the received RF signal received and input
in/from antenna 5601 to output to demodulation section 5603.
Demodulation section 5603 demodulates each channel signal input
from receiving section 5602, and outputs a channel demodulated
signal to antenna coefficient detecting section 5605 and buffer
5604. In receiving apparatus 5600, since a QAM signal (or
phaseamplitude modulated signal) subjected to phase modulation and
amplitude modulation is received, demodulation section 5603
performs phaseamplitude demodulation on the received signal.
Buffer 5604 temporarily holds the channel modulated signal input
from demodulation section 5603, and outputs the second data.
Antenna coefficient detecting section 5605 detects an antenna
coefficient for each channel from the channel demodulated signal
input from demodulation section 5603, and outputs the detected
antenna coefficient information to comparing section 5606.
Comparing section 5606 encodes the antenna coefficient information
input from antenna coefficient detecting 5605, and outputs a result
of comparison in level between encoded antenna coefficient
information as received data. In addition, the operation of
transmitting apparatus 5500 and receiving apparatus 5600 is the
same as that in FIG. 37 except using antenna coefficients
substituting for reception power, and descriptions thereof are
omitted.
Superimposing the information on the propagation characteristic of
the present invention has a significant feature that the modulation
scheme of signal output from an antenna differs from the modulation
scheme of signal to be demodulated in the receiving apparatus. In
other words, it is possible to set the modulation scheme of signal
output from an antenna to be different from a modulation scheme
that the receiving apparatus supports. In this way, the modulated
signal is a proper modulated signal only in the receiving apparatus
targeted for transmission, and the proper modulated signal is not
obtained in the other receiving apparatuses, whereby it is possible
to secure high confidentiality. Further, since it is possible to
add the confidential information to the information of differences
between antenna coefficients of a plurality of channel signals, it
is possible to transmit signals of a plurality of channels while
providing security, and to improve transmission efficiency.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 24, in addition to the effects of Embodiment
1, combining section 5502 combines the first data modulated in
propagation modulation section 5507 and the second data modulated
in modulation section 5501 in a modulation scheme different from
that in propagation modulation section 5507, and transmitting
section 5503 transmits the first data and second data in a
modulation scheme with phase, amplitude or frequency. Therefore,
communicating parties with different modulation schemes cannot
demodulate the data, and it is thereby possible to ensure high
security.
In addition, Embodiment 24 describes the case where an antenna
output signal is subjected to phase modulation, while the
propagation modulation is amplitude modulation. However, the
present invention is not limited to such a case, and the same
modulation scheme may be used, and/or the modulation scheme is not
limited to such modulation scheme. As each modulation scheme, there
are considered frequency modulation, phase modulation, amplitude
modulation, PWM, PAM, orthogonal amplitude modulation, and CCK
(Complimentary Code Keying).
Embodiment 25
Embodiment 25 has a feature that antenna coefficient information is
superimposed on spread signals of a plurality of channels, and the
antenna coefficient information is extracted as confidential
data.
FIG. 57 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of transmitting
apparatus 5700 that is a communication apparatus according to
Embodiment 25. FIG. 58 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of
receiving apparatus 5800 that is a communication apparatus
according to Embodiment 25. In addition, in FIGS. 57 and 58, the
same sections as in FIGS. 55 and 56 are assigned the same reference
numerals as in FIGS. 55 and 56, and descriptions thereof are
omitted.
Spreading code storing section 5701 stores spreading codes
corresponding to the number of channels to output to spreading
section 5702.
Spreading section 5702 calculates the convolution of channel data
that is the first data input from modulation section 5501 and a
spreading code corresponding to the channel of the data input from
spreading code storing section 5701 to perform spectral spreading,
and outputs the resultant to combining section 5502.
Spreading code storing section 5801 stores spreading codes
corresponding to the number of channels to output to despreading
section 5802.
Despreading section 5802 calculates the convolution of the
spreading code corresponding to the channel input from spreading
code storing section 5801 and a received signal input from
receiving section 5602 to perform despreading, and outputs the
resultant to demodulation section 5800. In addition, the operation
of transmitting apparatus 5700 and receiving apparatus 5800 is the
same as that in FIG. 37 except using antenna coefficients
substituting for reception power, and descriptions thereof are
omitted.
Superimposing the information on the propagation characteristic of
the present invention has a significant feature that the modulation
scheme of signal output from an antenna differs from the modulation
scheme of signal to be demodulated in the receiving apparatus. In
other words, it is possible to set the modulation scheme of signal
output from an antenna to be different from a modulation scheme
that the receiving apparatus supports. In this way, the modulated
signal is a proper modulated signal only in the receiving apparatus
targeted for transmission, and the proper modulated signal is not
obtained in the other receiving apparatuses, whereby it is possible
to secure high confidentiality.
Thus, according to the communication apparatus and communication
system of Embodiment 25, in addition to the effects of Embodiments
1 and 24, combining section 5502 combines the first data modulated
in propagation modulation section 5507 and the spread second data
modulated in modulation section 5501 in a modulation scheme
different from that in propagation modulation section 5507, and
transmitting section 5503 transmits the first data and second data
in a modulation scheme with phase, amplitude or frequency. It is
thereby possible to ensure high security in data with high spectral
efficiency.
In addition, Embodiment 25 describes the case where, an antenna
output signal is subjected to phase modulation, while the
propagation modulation is amplitude modulation. However, the
present invention is not limited to such a case, and the same
modulation scheme may be used, and/or the modulation scheme is not
limited to such modulation scheme. As each modulation scheme, there
are considered frequency modulation, phase modulation, amplitude
modulation, PWM, PAM, orthogonal amplitude modulation, and CCK
(Complimentary Code Keying).
Embodiment 26
Embodiment 26 has a feature that first modulation is super-imposed
on second modulation by controlling antenna coefficients.
FIG. 68 is a diagram illustrating a communication system according
to Embodiment 26. FIG. 69 illustrates sections pertinent to
transmission and reception in detail. FIG. 68 will be described
first.
The system as illustrated in FIG. 68 is comprised of communication
terminal A 6850, propagation space 6852, and communication terminal
B 6851 with the same configuration as that of the terminal A 6850.
In addition, in FIG. 68, two terminals have the same configuration,
but do not need to be the same in configuration.
Communication terminals A 6850 and B 6851 will be described
below.
Reference signal storing section 6801 outputs a reference signal
for providing references for time synchronization, frequency
synchronization and phase/amplitude.
Modulation section 6802 receives data 2 (second data), generates a
predetermined modulated signal, and outputs a modulated signal.
Channel combining section 6803 receives the modulated signal,
channel parameter resulting from extraction of channel component,
and data 1 (first data), performs weighting so as to perform
channel combining through propagation, and outputs transmission RF
signals.
Channel analysis section 6804 receives propagation coefficients
extracted from a received signal to analyze, and calculates and
outputs coefficients for channel combining.
Reception demodulation section 6805 receives received RF signals,
and outputs propagation coefficients to channel analysis section
6804, while outputting demodulated data 1 and 2.
RF section 6806 outputs transmission RF signals to antenna 6805,
while receiving a signal received in antenna 6807 and outputting
the received RF signal to reception demodulation section 6805.
Antennas 6807 transmit respective sequences of transmission RF
signals, while outputting a received RF signal to reception
demodulation section 6805.
Switch 6808 selects a signal from reference signal storing section
6801 and a signal from modulation section 6802, as a modulated
signal to output to channel combining section 6803.
Control section 6809 receives a control signal, and performs
control of channel combining section 6803, channel analysis section
6804, reception demodulation section 6805, and switch 6806.
Specifically, as described in Embodiment 23, control section 6809
receives a control signal from an upper layer, and sets whether or
not to perform confidential communication. Further, according to
communication procedures as described in Embodiment 1 or the other
Embodiment, the section 6809 outputs a propagation estimation
signal, and controls the operation conforming to the specified
communication frame.
FIG. 69 that illustrates transmission and reception portions
specifically will be described below. FIG. 69 specifically
illustrates part of FIG. 68, and the same sections are assigned the
same reference numerals. Herein, descriptions of each section are
omitted, and the operation will be described specifically.
Modulation sections 6802 having received data (data 1 to n)
respectively generate modulated signals 1 to n corresponding data
to output to channel combining section 6802. Channel combining
section 6803 receives modulated signals from modulation sections
6802, while receiving channel parameters from channel analysis
section 6804 as antenna coefficients. Channel analysis section 6804
receives a control signal and the received signal received in RF
section 6806, extracts characteristics of propagation properties
such as phase, amplitude and propagation dispersion using the
received signal sequence and known signal sequence such as the
reference signal, and outputs the channel parameters to channel
combining section 6803.
Channel combining section 6803 calculates antenna coefficients
corresponding to the antenna sequence from the channel parameters
and modulated signals. Further, when the propagation control is
required through the control signal, the section 6803 transmits a
weighted transmission signal obtained by multiplying thus
calculated antenna coefficient by the modulated signal to
respective RF section 6806, and the signal is amplified in power in
the section 6806 and transmitted from antenna section 6807.
Meanwhile, when the propagation control is not required, the
section 6803 performs control suitable for communications (i.e.,
such that the signal has the maximum sensitivity at a receive
point), and sets weighting coefficients at predetermined values or
sets at least one coefficient at 0. Performing control suitable for
communications provides a feature of improving the communication
quality. When weighting coefficients are set at predetermined
values, there arises a feature that the communication quality is
improved without performing complicated control if the situation
allows communication environments to be almost fixed and the
directivity to be set in advance. When the directivity is not set
in advance, setting all the coefficients at the same value enhances
the total transmission power, and results in increases in
communication quality. Setting part of weighting coefficients at 0
suppresses the transmission power and enables reduction in power
consumption.
It is possible to perform the weighting operation in the
configuration as illustrated in FIG. 35. Herein, it is apparent
that a hierarchical information structure is capable of being
implemented readily by separating a modulated signal to be weighted
and a modulated signal for use in calculating antenna coefficients.
(Herein, the former is referred to as first modulation, while the
latter one is referred to as second modulation). When performing in
this way, it is possible to set modulated signals 1 to k for first
modulation, while setting modulated signals k+1 to n for second
modulation. For example, as described in Embodiment 17, in the case
of the scheme of controlling power of all the signals except one
modulated signal to be zero, it is possible to regard that as
second modulation, modulated signals of (1,0) are applied as
modulated signals 1 to k subjected to first modulation, and that
similarly as second modulation, modulated signals of (0,0) are
applied as modulated signals k+1 to n subjected to first
modulation. When the number of patterns of modulated signal
subjected to second modulation is thus small, it is possible to
implement the hierarchical information structure by preparing
antenna coefficients corresponding to the number of patterns, and
switching the coefficients according to the data corresponding to
second modulation.
Herein, the antenna coefficient is given by equation (34): HW(x)=x
(34)
x is in equation (34) is a component on which information is
superimposed in second modulation, and amplitude in ASK, phase in
PSK or frequency in FSK.
Thus transmitted radio signal is received in antenna 6807 in
communication terminal B 6851 via propagation space 6852. The
channel parameter is superimposed on the signal in channel
combining 6803, and received signal Srx is represented as in
equation (35) using first modulation signal st_1, second modulation
signal St_2, channel property H and antenna coefficient W:
Srx=HW(St_2)St_1 (35) Using equation (34) obtains the following
equation: Srx=St_2St_1 (36) As indicated by equation (36), at the
receiving end of communication terminal B 6861, a received signal
is obtained as a signal resulting from multiplication of the first
modulation signal by the second modulation signal. For example,
when the first modulation is PSK modulation and the second
modulation is ASK modulation, reception modulation section 6805 is
capable of demodulating data 2 corresponding to first modulation by
detecting a phase component, and demodulating data 1 corresponding
to second modulation by detecting an amplitude component.
The above explanation is described more specifically with reference
to FIG. 70.
FIG. 70 illustrates FIG. 69 more specifically, and each of
reference numerals 7050a to 7052 denotes a signal
constellation.
Weighting multiplying section 7001 multiplies the first modulation
signal by an antenna coefficient, and outputs a weighted
transmission signal.
Coefficient storing section 7002 receives channel parameters
calculated in channel analysis section 6804 to hold as basic
coefficients. The section 7002 converts the held basic coefficients
into antenna coefficients corresponding to the second modulation.
At this point, as described above, when the number of patterns of
second modulation is small, basic coefficients are prepared
corresponding to the number of patterns, it is possible to
implement by switching between the antenna coefficients
corresponding to data 1 associated with second modulation.
It is assumed herein that first modulation is QPSK and that second
modulation is ASK. Signal 7050a indicates a constellation of QPSK,
and signal 7050b indicates a constellation of ASK.
Channel combining section 6803 performs weighting of the first
modulation signal using an antenna coefficient output from
coefficient storing section 7002, and outputs the weighted
transmission signal to a respective antenna 6807. Since antenna
coefficients are different in phase and amplitude between second
modulation symbol "space" and "mark", each of weighted transmission
signals has eight signal points, despite the first modulation
signal having four signal points.
It is herein assumed that antenna coefficients for "space" and
"mark" of second modulation signal are different in phase and
amplitude. However, it is possible to fix either coefficient as a
constant value. Making the amplitude constant provides an advantage
that the power supplied from each antenna is equal to one another.
Making the phase constant provides an advantage of simplifying the
configuration of weighting multiplying section 7001.
Signal 7052 indicates a signal received in communication terminal B
6851 via propagation space 6852, and as indicated in equation (36),
becomes an 8-APSK signal where QPSK is multiplexed on ASK.
Reception demodulation section 6805 is capable of demodulating data
2 by detecting the phase, and demodulating data 1 by detecting the
amplitude.
Thus, according to Embodiment 26, first modulation is multiplexed
on second modulation by controlling antenna coefficients, and the
modulated signal forms a proper modulated signal only at a receive
point, whereby it is possible to perform communications with high
confidentiality.
Embodiment 27
Embodiment 27 describes a communication protocol for performing
control of confidential communications in the physical layer in
upper-layer communications.
FIG. 59 illustrates a communication system used in Embodiment
27.
In the communication system, communication terminal A 5950
communicates with communication terminal B 5951 via propagation
space 5952. Herein, communication terminal A 5950 has the same
configuration as that of communication terminal B 5951.
Communication terminal A 5950 will be described below.
Upper layer 4750 is to provide and receive transmission information
and received information to/from the application (either case is
considered outside or inside the terminal) respectively, outputs
transmission data to transmitting section 152, outputs a control
signal to communication control section 4701, and receives received
data from reception demodulation section 150.
Reception demodulation section 150 receives a received RF signal
from antenna 101 to demodulate, and outputs received data.
Transmitting section 152 receives the transmission data, generates
a modulated signal, and outputs a transmission RF signal to antenna
101.
Communication control section 4701 receives a control signal, and
outputs a transmission control signal to transmitting section 152,
while outputting a reception control signal to reception
demodulation section 150. Further, the section 4701 receives
propagation parameters from reception demodulation section 150, and
outputs the propagation parameters to transmitting section 152.
Antenna 101 receives the transmission RF signal from transmitting
section 152 to transmit, while outputting a received RF signal to
reception demodulation section 150.
Communication control section 4701 performs communication control
such as channel control and time control essential for
communications, and receives a command from an upper layer through
a control signal. Upon receiving the command, communication control
section 4701 performs a command issue of the physical layer and
confidential communication control through a transmission control
signal and reception control signal.
Based on the configuration as described above, communication
procedures will be described specifically with reference to FIG.
61. Herein, descriptions are given based on the confidential
communication as described in Embodiment 1. However, the present
invention is not limited to such communications, and is apparently
applicable to confidential communications as described in the other
Embodiments.
(0) Initialization
In order to set each of communication terminals A 5950 and B 5951
for the initial state based on predetermined procedures at the time
power is supplied or of starting communication, the upper layer
outputs a control signal for initialization.
(0.a), (0.b) Based on the control signal received from the upper
layer, communication terminal A 5950 initializes the setting state
related to the physical layer.
(1) Transmission of Secure Information
(1.0) The application of the communication terminal A outputs
secure information and a request for transmitting the information
to the upper layer.
(1.1) Upon receiving the secure transmission request, the upper
layer of the communication terminal A issues a secure transmission
command to the physical layer together with the secure
information.
(1.2) Upon receiving the secure transmission request command, the
physical layer of the communication terminal A transmits a secure
communication command to the terminal B in accordance with
communication timing between the terminals A and B.
(1.3) Upon receiving the secure communication command, the physical
layer of the communication terminal B transmits the secure
communication request to the communication terminal A together with
a propagation estimation signal in accordance with the
communication timing.
(1.4) Upon receiving the secure communication request, the physical
layer of the communication terminal A estimates the propagation
from the propagation estimation signal, and calculates the
propagation parameter. Further, the physical layer transmits the
secure information input in (1.2) using the propagation parameter
to the communication terminal B by using the confidential
communication method.
(1.5) The physical layer of the communication terminal B receives
and demodulates the secure information transmitted using the
confidential communication method, and outputs the information to
the upper layer.
(1.6) The upper layer of the communication terminal B outputs the
secure information output from the physical layer to the
application.
According to the series of operation as described above, the secure
information is transmitted from the application of the
communication terminal A to the application of the communication
terminal B using the confidential communication of the present
invention. According to the procedures, it is possible to transmit
the information in the most simplified communication procedures
between the applications.
In the operation as described above, a practical communication
signal in the physical layer will be described with reference to
FIG. 64. The shaded portion in the figure indicates a signal from
the communication terminal B to the communication terminal A, while
the other portions indicate signals from the communication terminal
A to the communication terminal B. When the secure communication
command is issued (1.2), the secure communication request is
received after a lapse of predetermined interval (Tgurad) together
with the propagation estimation signal. Based on the propagation
parameter calculated from the propagation estimation signal, the
secure communication is executed (1.4).
The time indicated in the figure will be described below.
"Tguard" is a time provided to avoid collision of communication
signals, and is obtained generally from a support communication
distance.
"Taccess" indicates a time taken to complete the secure
communication after the secure command is issued, and it is
possible for the upper layer to manage the communication condition
using the value in performing the secure communication.
"Treply" is a time taken to finish the secure communication after
the secure communication request (propagation estimation signal) is
provided. As described in the other Embodiments, the present
invention uses the propagation parameter, thereby has the premise
that there are no changes in propagation environment, and results
in deterioration of communication quality when the propagation
environment changes. The effects will be descried with reference to
FIGS. 72 to 74.
FIG. 72 indicates time variations in orthogonality of propagation
parameters, and represents variations in propagation environment at
predetermined time using an index referred to as orthogonality. The
vertical axis indicates the scale of index, and the horizontal axis
indicates the symbol time. In other words, the index indicates the
degree of orthogonality between the orthogonal vector obtained from
a propagation state at a specific time (t=0) by singular value
decomposition and the actual propagation state, and indicates that
the propagation parameter is in accordance with the propagation
state when the value is 0. The value indicates the difference
between the propagation parameter and propagation state, and when
the value exceeds 0.3 (shown by the dotted lines), the
characteristic deteriorates largely.
FIGS. 73 and 74 indicate the communication quality using Bit Error
Rate (BER), and in terms of versatility of variations in
communications, show the communication quality in eight fading
patterns. FIG. 73 indicates the communication state with the index
of approximately 0.25, and FIG. 74 indicates the communication
state with the index of approximately 0.35. In FIG. 73, BER falls
below 0.01 in all the communications. On the contrary, in FIG. 74,
BER remains above 0.01 in almost all the communications. When it is
possible to restore information by error correction when BER is
0.01 or less, the target of the index is 0.3 or less in the
confidential communication of the present invention.
fd shown in FIG. 72 represents a fading pitch, and is given by the
following equation: fd=(Smax/C)*Fc/Fbaud (37) where Smax is maximum
shift speed, C is the velocity of light, Fc is a carrier frequency,
and Fbaud is a symbol rate frequency. When thus obtained values are
substituted into fd=1/n, as can be seen from the figure, the index
exceeds 0.3 near n/4 to n/3 (symbol time). In other words, in order
to perform stable communications, it is necessary to meet
Treply<n/4 (symbol time) Specifications of wireless LAN are
considered herein. Assuming that the maximum shift speed in
communications is 30 km/h, and that the carrier frequency is 2.45
GHz, a value meeting Treply is obtained from equation (36). (Since
fd and Treply are specified in Fbraud, Fbraud is canceled.)
Treply=C/Smax/Fc/4 (38)
Substituting the above conditions enables communications with high
communication quality when Treply is about 3.5 ms or less.
Thus, since the value of Treply has limitations, it is effective in
prohibiting access from another communication terminal within
Taccess in TDD (Time Division Duplex) communications where duplex
transmission is performed using the same frequency band. In other
words, it is considered that the upper layer sets Taccess at a
value (for example, 10 ms) larger than Treply, and executes the
control such that terminals that perform confidential
communications only occupy communication resources for this
period.
Further, when there is much information to transmit, it is possible
to cope with the transmission of much information by repeating
procedures (1.3) and (1.4). In this case, it is desired to reserve
long Taccess in response to the communication charge.
Procedures of the case of requesting secure information will be
described with reference to FIG. 62.
(0) Initialization
The same operation as in the initialization as described earlier is
performed.
(2) Reception of Secure Information
(2.0) The application of the communication terminal A outputs a
request for secure information reception to the upper layer.
(2.1) Upon receiving the secure information reception request, the
upper layer of the communication terminal B issues a secure
reception command to the physical layer.
(2.2) Upon receiving the secure reception command, the physical
layer of the communication terminal B transmits a secure
communication request to the communication terminal B in accordance
with communication timing together with the propagation estimation
signal.
(2.3) Upon receiving the secure communication request, the physical
layer of the communication terminal B estimates the propagation
from the propagation estimation signal and calculates the
propagation parameter. At the same time, the physical layer issues
an information request command to the upper layer. (When the
information is managed in the physical layer, the command is not
issued to the upper layer, and procedures (2.4) and (2.5) are
eliminated. Meanwhile, when the information is managed in the upper
layer, (2.4) is eliminated.)
(2.4) Upon receiving the information request command from the
physical layer, the upper layer of the communication terminal B
acquires the information from the application.
(2.5) The upper layer of the communication terminal B issues an
information response command to the physical layer together with
the set information.
(2.6) The physical layer of the communication terminal B transmits
the acquired information to the communication terminal A in the
confidential communication method using the propagation parameter
estimated in (2.4).
(2.7) The physical layer of the communication terminal A receives
and demodulates the secure information transmitted using the
confidential communication method to output to the upper layer.
(2.8) The upper layer of the communication terminal A outputs the
secure information output from the physical layer to the
application.
According to the series of operation as described above, it is
possible that the application of the communication terminal A
requests secure information to the application of the communication
terminal B, and that communication terminal B transmits the secure
information to the communication terminal A. According to the
procedures, it is possible to receive the secure information in the
most simplified procedures.
In the operation as described above, practical communication
signals in the physical layer will be described with reference to
FIG. 65. In the figure, shaded portions indicate signals from the
communication terminal A to the communication terminal B, and the
other portions indicate signals from the communication terminal B
to the communication terminal A.
When a secure communication request is issued together with the
propagation estimation signal (2.2), the secure communication is
executed based on the propagation parameter calculated using the
propagation estimation signal after a lapse of a predetermined
interval (Tguard) (2.6).
Descriptions of the time are the same as in FIG. 64, and are
omitted.
As described earlier, when Treply has limitations in time, the case
is considered that the information according to (2.3) is not
obtained soon. Communication procedures effective in such a case
will be described below with reference to FIG. 64.
(0) Initialization
The same operation as in the initialization as described earlier is
performed.
(3) Reception of Secure Information
(3.0) The application of the communication terminal
A outputs a request for secure information reception to the upper
layer.
(3.1) Upon receiving the secure information reception request, the
upper layer of the communication terminal A issues a secure
reception command to the physical layer.
(3.2) Upon receiving the secure reception command, the physical
layer of the communication terminal A transmits an information
preparation request to the communication terminal B in accordance
with communication timing.
(3.3) Upon receiving the information preparation request, the
physical layer of the communication terminal B issues an
information request command to the upper layer. (When the
information is managed in the physical layer, the command is not
issued to the upper layer, and procedures (3.4) and (3.5) are
eliminated. Meanwhile, when the information is managed in the upper
layer, (3.4) is eliminated.)
(3.4) Upon receiving the information request command from the
physical layer, the upper layer of the communication terminal B
acquires the information from the application.
(3.5) The upper layer of the communication terminal B issues an
information response command to the physical layer together with
the set information.
(3.6) When it is notified that the information is set using the
information response command, the physical layer of the
communication terminal B notifies the communication terminal A of
completion of the information preparation.
(3.7) Upon receiving the notification of completion of the
information preparation from the communication terminal B, the
physical layer of the communication terminal A transmits a secure
communication request to the communication terminal B in accordance
with communication timing together with the propagation estimation
signal.
(3.8) Upon receiving the secure communication request, the physical
layer of the communication terminal B estimates the propagation
from the propagation estimation signal and calculates the
propagation parameter. The acquired information is transmitted to
the communication terminal A in the confidential communication
method using the estimated propagation parameter.
(3.9) The physical layer of the communication terminal A receives
and demodulates the secure information transmitted using the
confidential communication method to output to the upper layer.
(3.10) The upper layer of the communication terminal A outputs the
secure information output from the physical layer to the
application.
In the above operation, practical communication signals in the
physical layer are the same as in descriptions of FIG. 65, and
descriptions thereof are omitted.
According to the operation as described above, it is possible to
perform confidential communications without the application needs
awareness of the communication state in particular. In addition,
there is a case that the application needs to provide and receive
specific information in confidential communications or needs
information of whether the received information is in the
confidential communication. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 60, in
the processing in upper layer 4750, a flag is set indicative of
using the confidential communication as an attribute of the
information in communicating the information, for example, in steps
of (1.0), (2.0), (3.0), (1.6), (2.8) and (3.10)
In this way, using Embodiment 27 enables efficient control of the
confidential communication in the psychical layer from the upper
layer, and provides stable communication protocols.
Embodiment 28
Embodiment 28 further extends the invention described in
Embodiments 17 and 18, enables increases in the apparent number of
transmission antennas that the communication terminal has, and
improves the confidentiality.
FIG. 77 illustrates a communication system used in this
Embodiment.
Communication terminal A 7750 communicates with communication
terminal B 7751 through channel 7752. Communication terminal A 7750
has a single transmission/reception antenna element, while
communication terminal B 7751 has four transmission/reception
antenna elements.
Communication terminal A 7750 will be described first.
Modulation section 7701 receives data to modulate, and outputs the
modulated signal.
Buffer 7702 receives the modulated signal, and outputs the held
modulated signal to channel combining section 7703.
Channel combining section 7703 performs combining using the
modulated signal and channel parameter, and outputs a transmission
signal to transmitting section 7704.
Transmitting section 7704 performs frequency conversion and power
amplification on the transmission signal, and outputs a
transmission RF signal to antenna 7705.
Antenna 7705 transmits the transmission RF signal, while outputting
a received RF signal to receiving section 7706.
Receiving section 7706 converts the received RF signal input from
antenna 7705 into a baseband signal to output to channel estimation
section 7707.
Channel estimation section 7707 estimates the characteristic of
channel 7752 from the baseband signal input from receiving section
7706, and outputs the estimated channel information.
Channel analysis section 7708 receives the channel estimated
information, and calculates the channel parameter using a
predetermined analysis method to output.
Communication terminal B 7751 will be described below.
Antennas 7709 receive transmission RF signals to transmit, while
outputting a received RF signal to receiving section 7710.
Receiving section 7710 converts the received RF signal into a
baseband signal to output to buffer 7711.
Buffer 7711 temporarily holds the baseband signal, and outputs a
signal delayed by a predetermined time to selection synthesis
section 7712.
Selection synthesis section 7712 synthesizes a signal with a time
difference, and outputs a synthesized signal.
Demodulation section 7713 receives the synthesized signal to
demodulate, and obtains the data.
Reference signal storing section 7714 stores reference signals for
use in estimating channel 7752 to output.
Antenna selecting section 7715 receives a reference signal, and
outputs the reference signal to a selected antenna as a
transmission signal.
Transmitting section 7716 receives the transmission signal, and
outputs the transmission RF signal to antenna element 7709.
Channels of communication propagation path are assumed to be
channel matrix H comprised of h1, h2, h3 and h4. Communication
terminal A 7750 estimates the propagation using the reference
signal from communication terminal B 7751, and at this point,
communication terminal B 7751 transmits signals orthogonal to each
other from respective antennas so that communication terminal A
7750 is capable of measuring a coefficient of each of the antennas
of communication terminal B 7751. Herein, as a typified example,
reference signals are transmitted in Time Division. In this way,
communication terminal A is capable of measuring h1, h2, h3 and
h4.
In other words, antenna selecting section 7715 sequentially
switches between antennas to transmit a reference signal output
from reference signal storing section 7714. The transmission signal
output in this way is amplified in transmitting section 7716, and
transmitted from a corresponding antenna.
In the communication terminal A, antenna 7705 receives the
reference signal and inputs a received RF signal to receiving
section 7706, and the section 7706 converts the RF signal into a
baseband signal. Channel estimation section 7707 receives the
baseband signal, performs channel estimation using the reference
signal, and outputs channel information. Channel analysis section
7708 receives the channel information to analyze. The analysis will
be described using singular value decomposition described in
Embodiment 18. Singular value vector V obtained in singular value
decomposition is divided into singular value vector with the
singular value being not 0, and zero vectors with the singular
vector being 0. Herein, it is assumed that vectors are v1 to v4, vi
is the singular value vector, v2 to v4 are zero vectors, and the
singular value is .lamda.. Further, a vector element is defined as
vn=(vn1 t vn4) (n=1 . . . 4). The singular value vector and zero
vectors are output as channel parameters.
Modulation section 7701 receives four sequences of data, and
generates four sequences of modulated signals in a predetermined
modulation scheme to output. It is assumed that the modulated
signals are d1 to d4, d1 is a communication modulated signal, and
that d2 to d4 are pseudo modulated signals. Buffer section 7702
receives the four sequences of modulated signals to hold. Buffer
section 7702 continues to hold the same signal for four time
slots.
In a first time slot, channel combining section 7703 receives the
four sequences of modulated signals and channel parameters, and
performs calculation as described below: DS1=.SIGMA.(vn1dn)
(39)
(n is .SIGMA. variable, the same as in the following)
The section 7703 outputs thus obtained transmission signal to
transmitting section 7704.
Subsequently, in a similar way, channel combining section 7703
receives modulated signals d1 to d4 and performs calculation in a
kth time slot as described below: DSk=.SIGMA.(vnkdn) (40)
Transmission signals corresponding to four time slots are thus
transmitted, and received in communication terminal B 7751 via
propagation path 7752. FIG. 78 illustrates the specific reception
processing in communication terminal B 7751. Received RF signals
received in antennas are converted into baseband signals in
receiving sections 7710 to be output, respectively. Buffer section
7711 temporarily holds the baseband signals. Sixteen buffers are
described for four time slots of four antenna sequences (4 time
slots.times.4 antenna sequences). Signals of four time slots held
in buffer section 7711 in the above operation are assumed to be
Srx11 to Srx44. The signals are expressed as described below, using
channel elements h1 to h4, channel parameter elements v11 to v44,
and modulated signals St1 to St4: Srxjk=hj.SIGMA.(vnkdn) (41)
Herein, as shown in FIG. 68, noting a signal of Srj=Srxjk (j=k, J=1
. . . 4) obtains the following equation: Srj=hj.SIGMA.(vnjdn)
(42)
Further, .SIGMA.Srn is given by the following equation using V and
D, where D is [d1, d2, d3, d4]T (AT is the transpose of A).
.SIGMA.Srn=HVD=.lamda.d1 (43)
It is understood that according to the operation as described
above, modulated signal d1 is obtained which communication terminal
A 7750 intends to transmit, and the other modulated signals are
canceled. Demodulation section 7713 demodulates thus obtained
signal without any particular processing, and obtains the data.
Even when a third party tries to demodulate the data, as in the
other Embodiments, since the channel parameter is unknown, the
third party cannot separate d1 nor demodulate. In this way, there
is provided a significant feature that the confidential
communication is implemented without needing particular calculation
in reception and demodulation.
Communication signals as described above will be described with
reference to FIGS. 67 and 75.
Shaded portions in the figures indicate signals transmitted from
communication terminal B 7751 to communication terminal A 7750, and
the other portions indicate signals transmitted from communication
terminal A 7750 to communication terminal B 7751.
As indicated in the figures, propagation estimation signals are
transmitted together with secure communication request signals. In
this Embodiment, the number of time slots provided to transmit is
the number of antenna elements of communication terminal B 7751.
However, the present invention is not limited to such a number, as
long as signals transmitted from antenna elements are orthogonal to
each other, as described above. P1 to P4 indicated in the figure
are known signals respectively transmitted from antennas, and based
on the signals, channel estimation section 7707 in communication
terminal A 7750 estimates the propagation path. Then, communication
terminal A 7750 prepares four time slots (DS1 to DS4) provided by
equation (40) in performing the confidential communication to
transmit, and the confidential communication is thereby
performed.
In the above descriptions, it is assumed that antenna 7705 in
communication terminal A 7750 has a single antenna element, and
antenna 7709 in communication terminal B 7751 has four antenna
elements, but the present invention is not limited to such a case.
The present invention provides a more sophisticated communication
system when m is less than n (m<n) where m is the number of
elements of communication terminal A 7750 and n is the number of
elements of communication terminal B 7751. When m is two or more,
it is possible to perform the confidential communication as
described in the other Embodiments by performing antenna selection
such that k is selected among k (k<m). However, the present
invention allows the confidential communication to be performed
with the maximum number of channel elements, and thereby provides
the communication protection of the highest degree.
In this way, using Embodiment 28 provides a feature that a
communication terminal with a less number (m) of antenna elements
provides the communication protection of the highest degree to a
communication terminal with a larger number (n) of antenna
elements, and in particular, exhibits the significant effect when m
is 1.
In Embodiments 1 to 28, confidential information corresponding to
the propagation environment is acquired by the configuration of
hardware. However, the present invention is not limited to such a
case, and confidential information corresponding to the propagation
environment may be acquired by processing in software using a
program or the like. In this case, it may be possible to use a
program or the like acquired in any method such as a program or the
like stored in a storage medium such as CD-ROM and a program or the
like transmitted through a network.
As described above, according to the present invention, since it is
possible to extract data corresponding to the propagation state, it
is possible to ensure high security without a significant change in
communication system.
This application is based on the Japanese Patent Applications
No.2002-054064 filed on Feb. 28, 2002, No.2002-132068 filed on May
7, 2002, and No.2003-48364 filed on Feb. 25, 2003, entire contents
of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The present invention is for use in a technique used in a digital
communication, and in particular, is suitable for use in a
technique related to security.
* * * * *
References