Signal transmission method of multi-band repeater

Abstract

A multi-band repeater is adaptive for addressing the limited functionality of conventional repeaters. The multi-band repeater includes an antenna module, an amplifier coupled to the antenna module, a power splitter coupled to the amplifier, a frequency conversion module coupled to the power splitter and having at least one frequency converter, and a power combiner coupled to the power splitter, the frequency conversion module and the antenna module. Each frequency converter is configured to receive an original band signal allocated by the power splitter and generate a corresponding frequency-converted signal. The power combiner is configured to integrate the original band signal from the power splitter, or integrate said original band signal with at least one frequency-converted signal from the frequency conversion module, to form an integrated signal transmitted to the antenna module, thereby enhancing signal transmission efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a wireless communication technology, particularly a multi-band repeater, and includes a signal transmission method. Prior Technology

[0002] With the continuous advancement of communication technology, the demand for base stations continues to increase, and people are paying more and more attention to energy consumption issues in the field of wireless communication. Repeaters and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) have become widely recognized energy-saving solutions in recent years.

[0003] In the prior art, a technique using repeaters to amplify and forward signals has been proposed, which can effectively improve the energy efficiency of the overall communication system; however, the repeater in the prior art only has the function of amplifying power, so when the quality of the signal to be forwarded by the repeater is poor, the signal quality received by the user equipment (UE) as the terminal will be correspondingly limited.

[0004] In view of this, there is indeed a need to improve the existing repeaters and signal transmission methods. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-band repeater that can improve communication quality.

[0006] A secondary objective of this invention is to provide a signal transmission method that can improve communication quality.

[0007] The use of the quantifiers "a" or "an" for the elements and components described throughout this invention is for convenience and to provide the general meaning of the scope of the invention; in this invention, it should be interpreted as including one or at least one, and the concept of a single also includes the case of a plural, unless it clearly means otherwise.

[0008] The terms "first," "second," ... and "Nth" used throughout this invention are primarily used to distinguish descriptions of different elements or features (such as elements, directions, or steps, etc.) and do not indicate the maximum or minimum number of such elements or features possessed by a corresponding subject or method, nor do they imply any order of precedence.

[0009] The term "coupled" as used throughout this invention includes direct or indirect electrical and / or signal ground connections, which can be selected by those skilled in the art based on usage requirements.

[0010] In this invention, the elements such as "base station," "module," "device," and "unit" may each include at least one "processor." A processor refers to a data processing device with specific functions, implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software, for processing and analyzing information and / or generating corresponding control information. In particular, to facilitate the description of the collaborative operation between the elements, multiple processors distributed across the elements can be considered as a collection of processors, and can be viewed as a single processor or computer performing the corresponding collaborative operation.

[0011] The mechanism for transmitting and / or receiving signals between various components such as "base station", "module", "device" and "unit" described in this invention is based on the fact that each component has corresponding hardware and compatible software systems to realize the configuration of the Internet of Things, and such technology is understandable to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0012] Throughout this invention, the terms "frequency band," "original frequency band," and "frequency conversion band" can respectively correspond to generating "a signal with a specific frequency," "a signal with an original frequency band," and "a frequency conversion signal with a frequency conversion band." In particular, the generation of frequency bands and corresponding signals is understandable to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the signal generated by the frequency conversion band is simply a "frequency conversion signal."

[0013] The signal transmission method of the multi-band repeater of the present invention utilizes a multi-band repeater, which includes: an antenna module for receiving an original frequency band signal and transmitting an integrated signal; an amplifier coupled to the antenna module for receiving and amplifying the power of the original frequency band signal; a power divider coupled to the amplifier for receiving the original frequency band signal from the amplifier and allocating the original frequency band signal according to a predetermined method; a frequency conversion module coupled to the power divider and having at least one frequency converter, each frequency converter being used to receive an original frequency band signal allocated by the power divider to correspondingly generate an original frequency band signal; the frequency band of the original frequency band signal and the frequency band of each frequency conversion signal are different from each other; and a power combiner. The signal is not coupled to the power divider, the frequency conversion module, and the antenna module to form an integrated signal from a raw band signal received from the power divider and at least one optional frequency conversion signal from the frequency conversion module, which is then transmitted to the antenna module. This signal transmission method is executed by a computer and includes: an association step, a band matching step, a downlink demand monitoring step, and a band adjustment step. In the association step, it monitors whether a user equipment enters the service range of a multi-band repeater. If no user equipment enters the service range of the multi-band repeater, the multi-band repeater shuts down the amplifier, the power divider, and the frequency conversion module. If a user equipment enters the service range of the multi-band repeater... The process involves executing either the frequency band matching step or the downlink demand monitoring step. In the frequency band matching step, it analyzes whether the multi-band repeater and the user equipment have other frequency bands used to generate the same frequency conversion signal, different from the original frequency band signal's corresponding band, and defines the analysis result as a common frequency band set. If there are no frequency conversion bands used to generate the same frequency conversion signal, the common frequency band set can be defined as an empty set. If there is at least one frequency conversion band used to generate the same frequency conversion signal, the common frequency band set records at least one frequency conversion band. In the downlink demand monitoring step, it monitors whether the downlink demand of the user equipment is greater than a trigger control threshold. If the downlink demand is not greater than the trigger control threshold... In this case, the downlink demand monitoring step continues until the user equipment leaves the service range of the multi-band repeater; if the downlink demand exceeds the activation control threshold, the band control step is executed; in the band control step, based on whether the signal quality of the original band signal is not less than a target threshold, and when the signal quality of the original band signal is less than the target threshold, based on the case that the common band set is a non-empty set, it is further determined whether the signal quality of an integrated signal generated by at least one transponder in the common band set is not less than the target threshold, so as to decide whether to use the original band signal alone, or to use the original band signal and the at least one transponder signal corresponding to the at least one transponder in the common band set simultaneously.

[0014] Accordingly, the signal transmission method of the present invention, when the downlink demand exceeds the activation control threshold, can transmit only through the original frequency band signal when the signal quality of the original frequency band signal is suitable, thereby avoiding the unnecessary activation of the transponder. This achieves a balance between maintaining signal transmission efficiency and saving energy while maintaining appropriate signal transmission efficiency. Furthermore, when the signal quality of the original frequency band signal is insufficient, it can coordinate the action of the original frequency band signal with an appropriate number of other transponder signals, achieving a balance between improving signal transmission efficiency and saving energy while maintaining appropriate signal transmission efficiency. Furthermore, the multi-band repeater of the present invention, through the coupling configuration of the power divider, the frequency conversion module, and the power combiner, especially through the frequency conversion module having multiple frequency converters capable of switching between different frequency bands, can selectively use at least one additional frequency conversion signal to transmit signals to the terminal device simultaneously, based on the downlink demand and received signal quality of the terminal device, in the case of using the original frequency band signal to transmit signals to the terminal device. This allows the multi-band repeater and the terminal device to dynamically cooperate and adjust their operating mode according to real-time needs, thereby achieving the effect of improving signal quality and throughput.

[0015] Between the power divider and the power combiner, a primary band filter and / or a phase shifter may be provided. The primary band filter receives the primary band signal from the power divider and removes noise from the primary band signal. The phase shifter receives the primary band signal and adjusts its phase. Thus, through the action of the primary band filter and / or the phase shifter, the quality of the primary band signal can be improved, thereby enhancing the signal transmission efficiency of the user equipment.

[0016] In this frequency conversion module, a frequency conversion filter and / or a phase shifter may be provided between each frequency converter and the power combiner; each frequency conversion filter is used to receive a signal from a corresponding frequency converter among the plurality of frequency converters. The frequency conversion signal of each frequency converter is received and used to remove noise from the frequency conversion signal; each phase shifter is used to receive the frequency conversion signal and to adjust the phase of the frequency conversion signal. In this way, through the function of each frequency conversion filter and / or each phase shifter, the quality of each frequency conversion signal can be improved, thereby improving the signal transmission efficiency of the user equipment.

[0017] The frequency band control step includes an original frequency band signal quality judgment step and a callable frequency switching signal confirmation step. In the original frequency band signal quality judgment step, it is determined whether the channel quality index of the original frequency band signal transmitted by the multi-band repeater is not less than a threshold value corresponding to the original frequency band signal. If the channel quality index of the original frequency band signal is not less than the threshold value, the frequency band control step ends, and the integrated signal transmitted by the multi-band repeater only contains the original frequency band signal. If the channel quality index of the original frequency band signal is less than the threshold value, the process is terminated. The callable frequency switching signal confirmation step is executed; in the callable frequency switching signal confirmation step, it is determined whether the common frequency band set is an empty set, and whether each frequency switching band in the common frequency band set has been enabled; if the common frequency band set is an empty set, the frequency band control step is ended, and the integrated signal transmitted by the multi-band repeater only has the original frequency band signal; if each frequency switching band in the common frequency band set has been enabled, the frequency band control step is ended, and the integrated signal transmitted by the multi-band repeater includes the original frequency band signal and all enabled frequency switching signals. In this way, when the signal quality of the original frequency band signal is suitable, transmission can be carried out solely through the original frequency band signal, thus avoiding the unnecessary activation of the transponder. This achieves a balance between maintaining signal transmission efficiency and saving energy while maintaining appropriate signal transmission efficiency. Furthermore, when the signal quality of the original frequency band signal is insufficient, it can determine whether there are suitable other transponder signals that can work together with the original frequency band signal, thereby achieving a balance between improving signal transmission efficiency and saving energy while maintaining appropriate signal transmission efficiency.

[0018] The frequency band control step further includes a frequency conversion signal quality judgment step. In the callable frequency conversion signal confirmation step, based on the case that the common frequency band set is not empty, and the case that one frequency conversion band in the common frequency band set is not activated, the multi-band repeater activates one of the unactivated frequency conversion bands in the common frequency band set to generate a corresponding frequency conversion signal to be added to the transmitted integrated signal, and then continues with the frequency conversion signal quality judgment step. In the frequency conversion signal quality judgment step, it is determined whether the channel quality index of the integrated signal currently transmitted by the multi-band repeater is not less than the index threshold. In this way, by improving the signal transmission efficiency to a certain quality, the effect of synergistic action of an appropriate number of frequency conversion signals and original frequency band signals can be achieved, thereby achieving a balance between improving signal transmission efficiency and saving energy.

[0019] In the frequency conversion signal quality judgment step: if the channel quality index of the current integrated signal is not less than the index threshold, the frequency band adjustment step ends, and the multi-band repeater transmits the current integrated signal; if the channel quality index of the current integrated signal is less than the index threshold, the multi-band repeater transmits the current integrated signal and continues the callable frequency conversion signal confirmation step. Thus, through this frequency conversion signal quality judgment step, by improving signal transmission efficiency to a certain quality, the effect of synergistic action between an appropriate number of frequency conversion signals and the original frequency band signal can be achieved, thereby achieving a balance between improving signal transmission efficiency and saving energy.

[0020] The process includes a frequency band control step followed by a control shutdown monitoring step. In this control shutdown monitoring step, the downlink demand of the user equipment is monitored to ensure it does not exceed a control shutdown threshold. When the downlink demand exceeds the control shutdown threshold, data transmission continues using the current integrated signal. When the downlink demand does not exceed the control shutdown threshold, the multi-band repeater shuts down all activated frequency converters, ensuring that the integrated signal generated by the multi-band repeater contains only the original frequency band signal. This allows for a better balance between transmission rate (and energy consumption) when download demand is high, and a better transmission rate (and energy consumption) when download demand is low, achieving a balance between transmission rate and energy saving.

[0021] The system includes a frequency band quality screening step between the frequency band matching step and the frequency switching signal quality judgment step. In this step, assuming the common frequency band set is non-empty, and the multi-band repeater is not transmitting a frequency switching signal, it determines whether the received signal strength index corresponding to each frequency switching band in the common frequency band set is not less than a strength threshold. If the received signal strength index of a frequency switching band is not less than the strength threshold, the corresponding frequency switching band is removed from the common frequency band set to update the common frequency band set. The value of the received signal strength index is negatively correlated with communication quality. Thus, through this frequency band quality screening step, the frequency switching signal used by the multi-band repeater can be ensured to have higher transmission quality characteristics, thereby improving signal transmission efficiency and stability.

[0022] The system includes a signal selection step between the available frequency transfer signal confirmation step and the frequency transfer signal quality judgment step. In this signal selection step, the frequency transfer band with the lowest received signal strength index during the frequency band quality screening step is selected from the unused frequency transfer bands in the common frequency band set, and the corresponding frequency transfer signal is generated to continue the frequency transfer signal quality judgment step. Thus, through this signal selection step, the system can identify available but unused frequency transfer bands with better signal transmission quality from the common frequency band set. This allows for a balance between improving signal transmission efficiency and saving energy, thereby further increasing the signal transmission rate. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0023] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of signal transmission of the present invention.

[0024] [Figure 2] A component configuration diagram of a preferred embodiment of the multi-band repeater of the present invention.

[0025] [Figure 3] A preferred embodiment of the signal transmission method of the present invention.

[0026] [Figure 4] The frequency band control method of the multi-band repeater of the present invention.

[0027] [Figure 5] Another preferred embodiment of the signal transmission method of the present invention. Implementation

[0028] To make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; in addition, those symbols that are used in different drawings are considered to be the same and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0029] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of signal transmission using the multi-band repeater R shown in Figure 2 of this invention. In general, the base station BS transmits information content based on an original frequency band signal fB to the user equipment UE. The original frequency band signal fB can be amplified and / or additionally frequency-switched by the multi-band repeater R to generate a corresponding integrated signal fI, which is then transmitted to the user equipment UE. In particular, generating the corresponding integrated signal fI through the multi-band repeater R can improve the efficiency of the user equipment UE in receiving the information content.

[0030] Preferably, the original frequency band signal fB, transmitted via the multi-band repeater R, can transmit not only the original frequency band signal fB, but also other frequency-switched signals fC that the user equipment (UE) can receive. Each frequency-switched signal fC can be a single frequency-switched signal fC or at least one of multiple frequency-switched signals fC. When there is only one frequency-switched signal fC, it can be defined as a first frequency-switched signal fC1, and the frequency band of the first frequency-switched signal fC1 is different from the frequency band of the original frequency band signal fB. When there are multiple frequency-switched signals fC, each frequency-switched signal fC can be defined as a first frequency-switched signal fC1 to an Nth frequency-switched signal fCN (N is a positive integer), and the frequency bands of each of the first frequency-switched signal fC1 to the Nth frequency-switched signal fCN are different from each other and also different from the frequency band of the original frequency band signal fB.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a preferred embodiment of the multi-band repeater R of the present invention. It includes an antenna module 1, an amplifier 2, a power divider 3, a frequency conversion module CM, and a power combiner 4. The amplifier 2 is coupled between the antenna module 1 and the power divider 3. The power divider 3 is coupled to both the frequency conversion module CM and the power combiner 4. The frequency conversion module CM is coupled between the power divider 3 and the power combiner 4. The power combiner 4 is coupled to the antenna module 1.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the antenna module 1 is used to receive a raw frequency band signal fB and to transmit an integrated signal fI. Specifically, the raw frequency band signal fB is transmitted by a base station BS, and the integrated signal fI includes the raw frequency band signal fB, or includes a combination of the raw frequency band signal fB and at least one frequency conversion signal fC. In detail, the antenna module 1 has corresponding antenna receiving groups and antenna transmitting groups to receive and transmit corresponding signals respectively.

[0033] The amplifier 2 is coupled to the antenna module 1 to receive and amplify the power of the original frequency band signal fB; that is, the operating frequency band of the amplifier 2 corresponds to the original frequency band signal fB transmitted by the base station BS. Optionally, in one example, the amplifier 2 is a wideband low-noise amplifier. It should be noted that in general wireless communication transmission scenarios, the signal energy received by the antenna is usually very weak. Therefore, a low-noise amplifier can be used, which can not only amplify the signal but also minimize noise generation to avoid signal distortion.

[0034] The power divider 3 is coupled to the amplifier 2, the frequency conversion module CM and the power combiner 4 respectively, so as to distribute the original frequency band signal fB after power amplification to the power combiner 4 and / or the frequency conversion module CM according to the signal transmission requirements. In particular, the power of the original frequency band signal fB after power amplification can be distributed in a specific manner; the specific manner may be, for example, dynamic distribution according to the instructions of the user equipment UE.

[0035] The frequency conversion module CM is used to convert the received original frequency band signal fB into a corresponding frequency conversion signal fC. Specifically, the frequency conversion module CM can contain one or more frequency converters CD. Each frequency converter CD is constructed using a local oscillator and a mixer, and can convert the original frequency band signal fB into a frequency conversion signal fC with a different frequency band. In one example, when the frequency conversion module CM has N frequency converters CD (N is a positive integer and is defined as the maximum number of frequency converters CD), these frequency converters CD can be defined as first frequency converter CD1 to Nth frequency converter CDN, and can be used to convert the received original frequency band signal fB into corresponding first frequency conversion signal fC1 to Nth frequency conversion signal fCN.

[0036] It should be noted that each of the frequency converters CD in the frequency conversion module CM will be dynamically activated according to the instructions of a user equipment (UE). For example, in an example with five frequency converters CD1 to CD5 (where N equals 5), if the frequency bands of multiple signal receiving antennas in the UE match the frequency bands of the first frequency converter CD1, the second frequency converter CD2, and the fourth frequency converter CD4, and preferably the signals of these matching frequency bands also meet a specific quality threshold, such as Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), or Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR), then the first frequency conversion signal fC1, the second frequency conversion signal fC2, and the fourth frequency conversion signal fC4 will be obtained accordingly.

[0037] The power combiner 4 is coupled to the power divider 3 and the frequency conversion module CM, respectively. It combines the received signals into an integrated signal fI, and then transmits the integrated signal fI to the antenna module 1 for transmission, so that the corresponding user equipment UE can receive it. The integrated signal fI can be the original frequency band signal fB or a combination of the original frequency band signal fB and at least one frequency conversion signal fC. In particular, as mentioned above, since each frequency converter CD in the frequency conversion module CM will be dynamically activated according to the instructions of the user equipment UE, the integrated signal fI transmitted by the power combiner 4 to the antenna module 1 will change accordingly.

[0038] Optionally, the multi-band repeater R of the present invention may further include an original band filter BF and / or a phase shifter PS between the power divider 3 and the power combiner 4, particularly between the power divider 3 and the power combiner 4 without the frequency conversion module CM. The original band filter BF receives the original band signal fB from the power divider 3 and is used to remove noise from the original band signal fB to improve the signal quality of the original band signal fB. The phase shifter PS receives the original band signal fB from the power divider 3 or the original band filter BF and is used to adjust the phase of the original band signal fB, particularly adjusting the phase of the original band signal fB based on feedback from the corresponding user equipment (UE), to ensure the efficiency of the corresponding UE in receiving the original band signal fB.

[0039] Optionally, between each inverter CD in the frequency conversion module CM and the power combiner 4, the multi-band repeater R of the present invention may further include a frequency conversion filter CF and / or a phase shifter PS. Each frequency conversion filter CF receives the frequency conversion signal fC from the corresponding inverter CD and is used to remove noise from the frequency conversion signal fC to improve the signal quality of the frequency conversion signal fC. For example, when there are N inverters CD1 to CDN, a corresponding number of N frequency conversion filters CF can be configured; according to the corresponding inverters CD1 to CDN to which each frequency conversion filter CF is coupled, the corresponding frequency conversion filter CF can be defined as the first frequency conversion filter CF1 to the Nth frequency conversion filter CFN. A phase shifter PS receives the frequency conversion signal fC from a frequency converter CD or the frequency conversion filter CF. The phase shifter is used to adjust the phase of the frequency conversion signal fC, especially based on feedback from the corresponding user equipment UE, to ensure the efficiency of the corresponding user equipment UE in receiving the frequency conversion signal fC.

[0040] It should be noted that the phase adjustment mechanism may, for example, adjust at least one phase reflection unit in the phase shifter to ensure that the transmission quality between the phase-adjusted signal and the corresponding user equipment (UE) is higher than a specific threshold or is the highest among all phases. The above content is understandable to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and therefore will not be elaborated further.

[0041] Based on the configuration of the aforementioned multi-band repeater R, the present invention can implement the signal transmission method shown in Figure 3. This signal transmission method is executed by a computer and includes an association step S1, a band matching step S2, a downlink demand monitoring step S3, and a band control step S4. Specifically, the number of computers is at least one, and may include the processor of the multi-band repeater R, the processor of the user equipment UE, and / or other processors different from the multi-band repeater R and the user equipment UE. In other words, "computer" is a broad concept, including one or more processors, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms "monitoring," "judging," "analyzing," "controlling," "activating," "deciding," "selecting," "connecting," "executing," "completing," and "ending" mentioned in the following steps can be implemented through the computer. Furthermore, it should be noted that the multi-band repeater R of the present invention is only used to illustrate the device or element composition on which the signal transmission method of the present invention can be implemented. Therefore, the signal transmission method of the present invention is not limited to this and may include other devices or elements that implement the signal transmission method.

[0042] In the associated step S1, it is monitored whether a User Equipment (UE) enters the service range of a multi-band repeater R. The service range refers to the coverage area that the multi-band repeater R can cover for the UE. Specifically, in this associated step S1, the ability to monitor depends on whether the multi-band repeater R can establish a connection with the UE. For example, when both the multi-band repeater R and the UE can connect using a specific communication method (e.g., Bluetooth), and a connection is established, it indicates that the UE has entered the service range of the multi-band repeater R. It should be noted that various communication protocols can be used between the multi-band repeater R and the UE, not limited to Bluetooth. If no UE enters the service range of the multi-band repeater R, the multi-band repeater R shuts down the amplifier 2, the power divider 3, and the frequency conversion module DM to conserve energy. In the event that a user equipment (UE) enters the service range of the multi-band repeater R, the band matching step S2 or the downlink demand monitoring step S3 is continued / executed.

[0043] It should be noted that the execution order of the frequency band matching step S2 and the downlink demand monitoring step S3 can be interchanged or performed synchronously. Although in the example shown in Figure 2 of this invention, the frequency band matching step S2 is executed before the downlink demand monitoring step S3, this invention is not limited thereto.

[0044] In the frequency band matching step S2, it is analyzed whether the multi-band repeater R and the user equipment UE have other frequency bands, different from the frequency band corresponding to the original frequency band signal fB, used to generate the same frequency switching signal fC, and the analysis result is defined as a common frequency band set. In a specific example, the multi-band repeater R transmits the frequency band information supported by the frequency switching module CM to the user equipment UE. Then, the user equipment UE defines the frequency band information that matches both the multi-band repeater R and the user equipment UE as a common frequency band set based on its own supported frequency band information. When there is no frequency switching band between the multi-band repeater R and the user equipment UE used to generate the same frequency switching signal fC, the common frequency band set can be defined as an empty set; when there is at least one frequency switching band between the multi-band repeater R and the user equipment UE used to generate the same frequency switching signal fC, the common frequency band set records / includes the at least one frequency switching band.

[0045] In detail, the frequency bands supported / provided by the multi-band repeater R include, in addition to the frequency band of the original frequency band signal fB, the frequency band of the frequency conversion signal fC converted by the specifications of each frequency converter CD in the multi-band repeater R; the frequency bands that the user equipment UE can receive include, in addition to the frequency band of the original frequency band signal fB, preferably the frequency band of at least one other frequency signal different from the frequency band of the original frequency band signal fB. For example, suppose a multi-band repeater R has a base band (corresponding to the original band signal fB), a first band (corresponding to the first frequency conversion signal fC1), a second band (corresponding to the second frequency conversion signal fC2), a third band (corresponding to the third frequency conversion signal fC3), and a fourth band (corresponding to the fourth frequency conversion signal fC4). Also suppose a user equipment (UE) can support the base band (corresponding to the original band signal fB), the first band (corresponding to the first frequency conversion signal fC1), and the third band (corresponding to the third frequency conversion signal fC1). Based on the frequency bands different from the original band signal fB, the corresponding common band set has frequency conversion bands of the first and third bands.

[0046] Optionally, after the frequency band matching step S2, a frequency band quality screening step S2A can be added. In this frequency band quality screening step S2A, based on the case that the common frequency band set is a non-empty set, it is determined whether the received signal strength index corresponding to each switching frequency band in the common frequency band set is not less than a strength threshold; if the received signal strength index of a switching frequency band is not less than the strength threshold, the corresponding switching frequency band is removed from the common frequency band set to update the common frequency band set. Thus, since an excessively high strength value corresponding to the received signal strength index may indicate that the corresponding switching frequency band will be subject to high interference in the environment where the user equipment (UE) is located, thus affecting the data transmission quality, the mechanism of removing received signal strength indices that are not less than the strength threshold helps ensure that the switching signal fC enabled by the multi-band repeater R has high transmission quality characteristics, thereby improving the efficiency and stability of data transmission. In particular, in this example, the value of the received signal strength index is negatively correlated with communication quality.

[0047] In the downlink demand monitoring step S3, the computer monitors whether the downlink throughput requirement of the user equipment (UE) exceeds a trigger control threshold. If the downlink throughput requirement does not exceed the trigger control threshold, the computer continues the downlink demand monitoring step S3 until the UE leaves the service range of the multi-band repeater R. If the downlink throughput requirement exceeds the trigger control threshold, the frequency band control step S4 is continued / executed.

[0048] In particular, the downlink demand is updated and adjusted in real time. For example, when a user equipment (UE) has a downlink demand A at a first time point, and the downlink demand A is not greater than a trigger control threshold, the frequency band control step S4 will not be initiated; when the UE requests additional data download and has another downlink demand B at a second time point following the first time point, the current downlink demand should be the sum of the remaining downlink demand A and the newly added downlink demand B, and it is determined whether the current downlink demand is greater than the trigger control threshold.

[0049] The downlink demand estimation method can be obtained directly from the buffer information of the base station (BS), or estimated based on resource blocks (RBs) and modulation and coding schemes (MCS). In the method of obtaining downlink demand using the BS buffer information, the transmission of downlink data by the user equipment (UE) is typically delivered from the external network to the core network, and then the core network allocates the data to the base station (BS) connected to the UE. Since the data is first stored in the BS buffer, the current downlink demand can be accurately determined based on the amount of data yet to be transmitted in the buffer. In the method of estimating downlink demand using resource blocks and modulation and coding schemes, the UE calculates the instantaneous throughput based on the number of currently allocated resource blocks and the modulation scheme. The throughput represents the amount of data successfully transmitted by the UE per unit time; in other words, the throughput can also represent the amount of data received by the UE instantly, and the possible downlink demand is estimated by the increase or decrease in the throughput. It should be noted that the above estimation methods are understandable to those skilled in the art and will not be elaborated further, and the present invention is not limited to these estimation methods.

[0050] In the frequency band control step S4, based on whether the signal quality of the original frequency band signal fB is not less than a threshold value corresponding to the original frequency band signal fB, and if the signal quality of the original frequency band signal fB is less than the threshold value, and assuming the common frequency band set is a non-empty set, it is further determined whether the signal quality of an integrated signal fI generated by at least one switching band in the common frequency band set is not less than the threshold value, so as to decide whether to use the original frequency band signal fB alone, or to use the original frequency band signal fB and at least one switching signal fC corresponding to at least one switching band in the common frequency band set simultaneously. Specifically, the frequency band control step S4 includes an original frequency band signal quality judgment step S41, a callable switching signal confirmation step S42, and a switching signal quality judgment step S43, to control the multi-band repeater R to provide a good quality signal to the user equipment UE.

[0051] In the original frequency band signal quality judgment step S41, it is determined whether the Channel Quality Indication (CQI) of the original frequency band signal fB transmitted by the multi-band repeater R is not less than an indicator threshold corresponding to the original frequency band signal fB; the indicator threshold refers to a value / number of the channel quality indicator corresponding to the original frequency band signal fB. Optionally, the channel quality indicator is based on the highest value corresponding to the original frequency band signal fB; or alternatively, it can be another value lower than the highest value, and preferably it can be a value one or two orders lower. In a specific example, after the multi-band repeater R starts transmitting the original frequency band signal fB, the user equipment UE will detect the current channel quality indicator and determine whether the channel quality indicator is not less than an indicator threshold.

[0052] In detail, the maximum value of the corresponding channel quality index will vary depending on the original frequency band signal fB. Taking the currently common and widely used 4G communication as an example, if the threshold value of the index is defined by the highest channel quality index value, the threshold value is usually 15.

[0053] Preferably, the multi-band repeater R has a corresponding phase shifter PS for the original frequency band signal fB, so that the original frequency band signal fB received by the user equipment UE is transmitted with the phase having the best channel quality index.

[0054] If the channel quality index of the original frequency band signal fB is not less than the index threshold, the frequency band adjustment step S4 ends / completes, and the multi-band repeater R transmits the original frequency band signal fB for the user equipment UE to transmit corresponding information; in particular, in this case, the signal used is only the original frequency band signal fB. If the channel quality index of the original frequency band signal fB is less than the index threshold, the callable frequency conversion signal confirmation step S42 continues / is executed. Thus, through the original frequency band signal quality judgment step S41, if the channel quality index of the original frequency band signal fB is not less than the index threshold, it can be determined that the user equipment UE has suitable transmission quality, and there is no need to consume additional energy to start any of the frequency converters CD in the frequency conversion module CM, thereby balancing signal transmission quality and energy saving.

[0055] In the callable frequency switching signal confirmation step S42, it is determined whether the common frequency band set is an empty set, and whether each frequency switching band in the common frequency band set has been enabled, and has the following three judgment states:

[0056] State 1: In the case where the common frequency band set is an empty set, the frequency band adjustment step S4 ends / completes, and the integrated signal fI transmitted by the multi-band repeater R only has the original frequency band signal fB, which is used by the user equipment UE to transmit corresponding information; that is, in this case, the signal used is only the original frequency band signal fB.

[0057] State 2: In the case where each frequency band in the common frequency band set has been enabled, the frequency band control step S4 ends / completes, and the integrated signal fI transmitted by the multi-band repeater R includes the original frequency band signal fB and all enabled frequency band signals fC, for the user equipment UE to transmit corresponding information.

[0058] State 3: Given that the common frequency band set is not empty, and in the case where one switching band in the common frequency band set is not activated, the multi-band repeater R activates one of the unactivated switching bands in the common frequency band set to generate a corresponding switching signal fC, which is then added to the transmitted integrated signal fI. The switching signal quality judgment step S43 is then continued / executed. Specifically, the switching signal fC is generated by controlling / activating the switching module CM of the multi-band repeater R, which corresponds to the current switching band, through the operation of a switching unit CD.

[0059] It should be noted that the frequency band matching step S2 can be executed at any point before the callable frequency switching signal confirmation step S42 to generate a corresponding common frequency band set for use in the callable frequency switching signal confirmation step S42. Furthermore, the frequency band quality screening step S2A can also be executed at any point before the callable frequency switching signal confirmation step S42, and must be executed after the frequency band matching step S2 to generate a common frequency band set with better communication quality for use in the callable frequency switching signal confirmation step S42.

[0060] In the frequency conversion signal quality judgment step S43, it is determined whether the channel quality index of the integrated signal fI currently transmitted by the multi-band repeater R is not less than the index threshold, and has the following two judgment states. Preferably, the multi-band repeater R has a corresponding phase shifter PS for each enabled frequency conversion signal fC, so that the frequency conversion signal fC received by the user equipment UE is transmitted with the phase having the best channel quality index.

[0061] State 1: If the channel quality index of the current integrated signal fI is not less than the index threshold, the frequency band adjustment step S4 is ended / completed, and the multi-band repeater R transmits the current integrated signal fI (including the original frequency band signal fB and all enabled frequency switching signals fC) for the user equipment UE to transmit corresponding information.

[0062] State 2: When the channel quality index of the current integrated signal fI is less than the index threshold, the multi-band repeater R transmits the current integrated signal fI (including the original frequency band signal fB and all enabled frequency conversion signals fC), and continues / executes the callable frequency conversion signal confirmation step S42.

[0063] Thus, through the aforementioned original frequency band signal quality judgment step S41, the callable frequency conversion signal confirmation step S42, and the frequency conversion signal quality judgment step S43, the following three control completion scenarios can be achieved:

[0064] Scenario 1: The channel quality index of the original frequency band signal fB is not less than the threshold value corresponding to the original frequency band signal fB. In this scenario, the multi-band repeater R does not need to activate an additional frequency converter CD to transmit data with the expected transmission efficiency, thus balancing signal transmission quality and energy saving.

[0065] Scenario 2: If the channel quality index of the original frequency band signal fB is less than a threshold value corresponding to the original frequency band signal fB, additional frequency bands in the common frequency band set are activated one by one until the channel quality index of the integrated signal fI composed of the original frequency band signal fB and the additional frequency band signals fC is not less than the threshold value. In this scenario, the multi-band repeater R does not need to activate all frequency transponders CD to transmit data with the expected transmission efficiency, thus balancing signal transmission quality and energy saving.

[0066] Scenario 3: When the channel quality index of the original frequency band signal fB is less than a threshold value corresponding to fB, all frequency switching bands within the common frequency band are activated. The channel quality index of the integrated signal fI, composed of the original frequency band signal fB and all additional frequency switching signals fC, remains less than the threshold value. In this scenario, although activating all frequency switching signals fC in the multi-band repeater R still cannot achieve the expected transmission efficiency, it can still improve the corresponding transmission efficiency to the maximum extent possible.

[0067] In other words, based on the content of the above-mentioned frequency band control step S4, through multi-step and multi-state judgment, it can be determined whether the multi-band repeater R only needs to use the original frequency band signal fB for data transmission, or needs to additionally enable one or more frequency conversion signals fC to cooperate with the original frequency band signal fB for data transmission, so that the data transmission can have appropriate transmission quality, and can balance the signal transmission quality and energy saving.

[0068] It is particularly important to note that the overall information transmission rate is based on the transmission rate of the original frequency band signal fB transmitted by the base station BS; however, the original frequency band signal fB may be limited by various environmental factors and cannot achieve the corresponding ideal transmission rate. To address this, the present invention, by adding a frequency conversion signal fC of a different frequency band, can help improve the corresponding transmission rate to approach the ideal transmission rate. In other words, the present invention, through the frequency conversion module CM of the multi-band repeater R having multiple frequency converters CD, can generate one or more frequency conversion signals fC that can be matched with the user equipment when the signal quality of the original frequency band signal fB is poor, thereby improving the signal transmission efficiency of the user equipment UE.

[0069] Optionally, the frequency band adjustment step S4 may include a frequency switching signal selection decision step S42A between the callable switching signal confirmation step S42 and the switching signal quality judgment step S43. In this frequency switching signal selection decision step S42A, the switching band with the lowest received signal strength index during the execution of the frequency band quality screening step S2A is selected from the unused switching bands in the common frequency band set, and the corresponding switching signal fC is generated to continue the switching signal quality judgment step S43. Thus, through this frequency switching signal selection decision step S42A (which can also be regarded as a decision rule), it is helpful to use the switching signal fC with a higher transmission rate (better transmission quality), which can help the multi-band repeater R to open fewer switching channels / converters CD, so that the corresponding channel quality index is not less than the index threshold, thereby achieving the effect of meeting the target transmission rate by opening the fewest converters CD (using the least energy).

[0070] Optionally, in an example as shown in Figure 3, after completing the above-described frequency band adjustment step S4, the multi-band repeater R can transmit data based on the integrated signal fI determined in the frequency band adjustment step S4 until all the corresponding data has been transmitted. Thus, by transmitting information based on an index threshold not less than the stated threshold, a higher data transmission rate can be achieved.

[0071] Alternatively, in an example as shown in Figure 5, after completing the above-described band control step S4, the multi-band repeater R can transmit data based on the integrated signal fI determined in the band control step S4, and simultaneously follow up with a shutdown control monitoring step S5. In the shutdown control monitoring step S5, it monitors whether the downlink demand of the user equipment (UE) over time is not greater than a shutdown control threshold; in particular, the shutdown control threshold may be equal to or not equal to the activation control threshold. When the downlink demand is greater than the shutdown control threshold, data transmission continues using the current integrated signal fI. When the downlink demand is not greater than the shutdown control threshold, the multi-band repeater R shuts down the frequency converter module CM or shuts down each of the activated frequency converters CD, so that the integrated signal fI generated by the multi-band repeater R only contains the original band signal fB. In this way, when the download demand is high, it is better to transmit at a higher transmission rate (the method that is more likely to consume more energy); when the download demand is low, it is better to transmit at a lower transmission rate (the method that is less likely to consume more energy), thus achieving a balance between transmission rate and energy saving.

[0072] In summary, the multi-band repeater of the present invention, through the coupling configuration of the power divider, the frequency conversion module, and the power combiner, particularly through the frequency conversion module having multiple frequency converters capable of switching between different frequency bands, can selectively use at least one additional frequency conversion signal to transmit signals to the terminal device simultaneously, based on the downlink demand and received signal quality of the terminal device, even when using the original frequency band signal for signal transmission. This allows the multi-band repeater and the terminal device to dynamically cooperate and adjust their operating mode according to real-time needs, thereby improving signal quality and throughput. Furthermore, the signal transmission method of the present invention, through the frequency band matching step, can identify a set of common frequency bands shared by the multi-band repeater and the user equipment. When the user equipment requires a higher transmission rate, an usable frequency conversion band can be quickly selected from the common frequency band set. Furthermore, through this frequency band adjustment process, based on the channel quality index of the signal in the currently used frequency band, it can be determined whether it is necessary to use a frequency conversion signal outside the original frequency band. While considering the improvement of signal transmission quality (transmission rate), signal transmission can be achieved with an appropriate number of frequency conversion signals, thus achieving a balance between improving signal quality and saving energy.

[0073] Although the present invention has been disclosed using the preferred embodiments described above, it is not intended to limit the invention. Any modifications and alterations made by those skilled in the art to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention are still within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention includes all changes within the meaning and equivalent scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, when the above embodiments can be combined, the present invention includes any combination of implementations.

[0074] 1: Antenna Module

[0075] 2: Amplifier

[0076] 3: Power divider

[0077] 4: Power Coupler

[0078] BF: Original band filter

[0079] BS: Base Station

[0080] CD: frequency converter

[0081] CD1: First frequency converter

[0082] CD2: Second frequency converter

[0083] CDN: Nth frequency converter

[0084] CF: Frequency conversion filter

[0085] CM: Frequency conversion module

[0086] fB: Original frequency band signal

[0087] fC: Frequency conversion signal

[0088] fC1: First frequency conversion signal

[0089] fC2: Second frequency conversion signal

[0090] fCN: Nth frequency relay signal

[0091] fI: Integrated Signal

[0092] PS: Phase shifter

[0093] R: Multiband Repeater

[0094] S1: Association Steps

[0095] S2: Band Matching Steps

[0096] S2A: Band Quality Screening Steps

[0097] S3: Downstream Demand Monitoring Steps

[0098] S4: Frequency Band Control Steps

[0099] S41: Raw Frequency Band Signal Quality Judgment Steps

[0100] S42: Can call up frequency conversion signal to confirm steps

[0101] S42A: Steps for Selecting the Frequency Conversion Signal

[0102] S43: Steps for Judging Frequency Switching Signal Quality

[0103] S5: Close the control and monitoring steps

[0104] UE: User Equipment

Claims

1. A signal transmission method using a multi-band repeater, the multi-band repeater comprising: an antenna module for receiving an original frequency band signal and transmitting an integrated signal; an amplifier coupled to the antenna module for receiving and amplifying the power of the original frequency band signal; a power divider coupled to the amplifier for receiving the original frequency band signal from the amplifier and allocating the original frequency band signal according to a predetermined method; a frequency conversion module coupled to the power divider and having at least one frequency converter; each frequency converter for receiving an original frequency band signal allocated by the power divider to generate a corresponding frequency conversion signal; the frequency band of the original frequency band signal and the frequency band of the frequency conversion signal generated by each frequency converter being different from each other; and a power combiner. The device is coupled to the power divider, the frequency conversion module, and the antenna module to form an integrated signal from a raw frequency band signal received from the power divider and at least one optional frequency conversion signal from the frequency conversion module, which is then transmitted to the antenna module. The signal transmission method is executed by a computer and includes: an association step, a band matching step, a downlink demand monitoring step, and a band adjustment step. In the association step, it monitors whether a user equipment enters the service range of a multi-band repeater. If no user equipment enters the service range of the multi-band repeater, the multi-band repeater shuts down the amplifier, the power divider, and the frequency conversion module. If a user equipment enters the service range of the multi-band repeater... In the following situations, the frequency band matching step or the downlink demand monitoring step is executed; in the frequency band matching step, it is analyzed whether there are other frequency bands used to generate the same frequency switching signal between the multi-band repeater and the user equipment, which are different from the frequency band corresponding to the original frequency band signal, and the analysis result is defined as a common frequency band set: if there are no frequency switching bands used to generate the same frequency switching signal, the common frequency band set can be defined as an empty set; if there is at least one frequency switching band used to generate the same frequency switching signal, the common frequency band set records at least one frequency switching band; in the downlink demand monitoring step, it is monitored whether the downlink demand of the user equipment is greater than a start-up control threshold: if the downlink demand is not greater than the start-up control threshold... In one scenario, the downlink demand monitoring step continues until the user equipment leaves the service range of the multi-band repeater; in the case where the downlink demand exceeds the activation control threshold, the band control step continues; in the band control step, based on whether the signal quality of the original band signal is not less than a threshold, and when the signal quality of the original band signal is less than the threshold, based on the case that the common band set is a non-empty set, it is further determined whether the signal quality of an integrated signal generated by at least one transponder in the common band set is not less than the threshold, so as to decide whether to use the original band signal alone, or to use the original band signal and the at least one transponder signal corresponding to the at least one transponder in the common band set simultaneously.

2. The signal transmission method of the multi-band repeater as described in request item 1, wherein, Between the power divider and the power combiner, there is a raw band filter and / or a phase shifter; the raw band filter receives the raw band signal from the power divider and is used to remove noise from the raw band signal; the phase shifter receives the raw band signal and is used to adjust the phase of the raw band signal.

3. The signal transmission method of the multi-band repeater as requested in item 1 or 2, wherein, Between each of the frequency converters in the frequency conversion module and the power combiner, there is a frequency conversion filter and / or a phase shifter; each frequency conversion filter is used to receive the frequency conversion signal from one of the multiple frequency converters and to remove noise from the frequency conversion signal; each phase shifter is used to receive the frequency conversion signal and to adjust the phase of the frequency conversion signal.

4. The signal transmission method of the multi-band repeater as described in request item 1, wherein, The frequency band control step includes an original frequency band signal quality judgment step and a callable frequency switching signal confirmation step. In the original frequency band signal quality judgment step, it is determined whether the channel quality index of the original frequency band signal transmitted by the multi-band repeater is not less than a threshold value corresponding to the original frequency band signal. If the channel quality index of the original frequency band signal is not less than the threshold value, the frequency band control step ends, and the integrated signal transmitted by the multi-band repeater only contains the original frequency band signal. If the channel quality index of the original frequency band signal is less than the threshold value, execution is performed. The callable frequency switching signal confirmation step; in the callable frequency switching signal confirmation step, it is determined whether the common frequency band set is an empty set, and whether each frequency switching band in the common frequency band set has been enabled; if the common frequency band set is an empty set, the frequency band control step ends, and the integrated signal transmitted by the multi-band repeater only has the original frequency band signal; if each frequency switching band in the common frequency band set has been enabled, the frequency band control step ends, and the integrated signal transmitted by the multi-band repeater includes the original frequency band signal and all enabled frequency switching signals.

5. The signal transmission method of the multi-band repeater as described in request item 4, wherein, The frequency band control step further includes a frequency conversion signal quality judgment step. In the callable frequency conversion signal confirmation step, based on the case that the common frequency band set is not an empty set, and the case that there is a frequency conversion band in the common frequency band set that is not enabled, the multi-band repeater enables one of the frequency conversion bands in the common frequency band set that is not enabled, so as to generate a corresponding frequency conversion signal to be added to the transmitted integrated signal, and then continues the frequency conversion signal quality judgment step. In the frequency conversion signal quality judgment step, it is determined whether the channel quality index of the integrated signal currently transmitted by the multi-band repeater is not less than the index threshold.

6. The signal transmission method of the multi-band repeater as described in claim 5, wherein, In the frequency switching signal quality judgment step: if the channel quality index of the current integrated signal is not less than the index threshold, the frequency band control step ends and the multi-band repeater transmits the current integrated signal; if the channel quality index of the current integrated signal is less than the index threshold, the multi-band repeater transmits the current integrated signal and continues the callable frequency switching signal confirmation step.

7. The signal transmission method of the multi-band repeater as described in claim 6, wherein, Following the frequency band control step is a control shutdown monitoring step; in the control shutdown monitoring step, it is monitored whether the downlink demand of the user equipment is not greater than a control shutdown threshold; when the downlink demand is greater than the control shutdown threshold, data transmission continues with the current integrated signal; when the downlink demand is not greater than the control shutdown threshold, the multi-band repeater shuts down each of the activated frequency converters, so that the integrated signal generated by the multi-band repeater only contains the original frequency band signal.

8. The signal transmission method of the multi-band repeater as described in any of requests 5 to 7, wherein, Between the frequency band matching step and the frequency switching signal quality judgment step, a frequency band quality screening step is further included. In this frequency band quality screening step, based on the case that the common frequency band set is a non-empty set, it is determined whether a received signal strength index corresponding to each frequency switching band in the common frequency band set is not less than a strength threshold. When the received signal strength index of a frequency switching band is not less than the strength threshold, the corresponding frequency switching band is removed from the common frequency band set to update the common frequency band set. The value of the received signal strength index is negatively correlated with the communication quality.

9. The signal transmission method of the multi-band repeater as described in claim 8, wherein, Between the callable frequency transfer signal confirmation step and the frequency transfer signal quality judgment step, there is an additional step for selecting a frequency transfer signal. In the step for selecting a frequency transfer signal, the frequency transfer band with the lowest received signal strength index during the execution of the frequency band quality screening step is selected from the frequency transfer bands that have not been used in the common frequency band set, and the corresponding frequency transfer signal is generated to continue the frequency transfer signal quality judgment step.

Images