A radio frequency signal detection device and a radio frequency signal receiving device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a radio frequency signal detection device and a radio frequency signal receiving device. The radio frequency signal detection device includes: an electromechanical resonator, which is used to connect to a radio frequency signal receiver and generate mechanical vibration when the radio frequency signal receiver applies a radio frequency signal to the electromechanical resonator; an optical detector, which is placed on at least one side of the electromechanical resonator and is used to detect the mechanical deformation of the electromechanical resonator. The embodiment of the present invention uses an electromechanical resonator and an optical detector to replace the traditional radio frequency detector to detect the radio frequency signal. When the radio frequency signal is applied to the electromechanical resonator, the electromechanical resonator generates mechanical vibration. The optical detector detects the mechanical deformation of the electromechanical resonator caused by the mechanical vibration, and then detects the radio frequency signal, which can further improve the sensitivity of radio frequency signal detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a radio frequency signal detection device and a radio frequency signal receiving device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of wireless communication technology, wireless communication systems have evolved from 1G to 5G. Spectrum resources are becoming more and more expensive and scarce, operating frequencies are getting higher and higher, and bandwidths are getting wider and wider. The existing electromagnetic wave (radio frequency signal) receiving and transmitting systems have become a bottleneck for the further development of data wireless communication.

[0003] The ability to receive weak signals, that is, signal sensitivity, is a key indicator of the signal receiving ability of the RF detector, and its performance status directly affects the receiving performance of the entire RF receiving device. Existing RF detectors are mainly based on electronic components and integrated circuits. Their architecture and working principles are derived from radio more than 100 years ago, including superheterodyne and homodyne. Existing RF detectors mainly include low-noise amplifiers, mixers, local oscillators and detectors, and detect RF signals through electronic detection methods. However, the RF signal detection sensitivity of existing RF detectors has reached its limit, so that some weaker RF signals cannot be detected, and thus the receiving performance of the entire RF receiving device cannot be improved.

[0004] Therefore, how to further improve the sensitivity of RF signal detection in wireless communication systems has become a major problem in the industry. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a radio frequency signal detection device and a radio frequency signal receiving device to improve the sensitivity of radio frequency signal detection.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] On the one hand, an embodiment of the present invention provides a radio frequency signal detection device, including:

[0008] an electromechanical resonator, configured to be connected to a radio frequency signal receiver and to generate mechanical vibration when the radio frequency signal receiver applies a radio frequency signal to the electromechanical resonator;

[0009] An optical detector is disposed on at least one side of the electromechanical resonator and is used to detect the mechanical deformation of the electromechanical resonator.

[0010] Optionally, the natural frequency of the electromechanical resonator is consistent with the frequency of the radio frequency signal.

[0011] Optionally, the natural frequency of the electromechanical resonator is adjustable.

[0012] Optionally, the optical detector comprises a laser interferometer.

[0013] Optionally, the electromechanical resonator is a piezoelectric resonator, and the electromechanical resonator includes a piezoelectric film and at least one electrode layer, or a substrate and at least one electrode layer;

[0014] The piezoelectric film includes a first surface and a second surface that are opposite to each other, the electrodes are formed on one side of the first surface and / or one side of the second surface, and the at least one layer of electrodes is used to connect to the radio frequency signal receiver.

[0015] Optionally, the optical detector is placed on a side of the electrode away from the piezoelectric film.

[0016] Optionally, the optical detector includes a detection light emitting unit and a detection light receiving unit, and the piezoelectric film further includes a third surface and a fourth surface;

[0017] The detection light emitting unit is disposed on one side of the third surface, and the detection light receiving unit is disposed on one side of the fourth surface. The detection light emitting unit is used to emit detection light to the third surface, and the detection light receiving unit is used to receive the detection light passing through the piezoelectric film.

[0018] Optionally, the electromechanical resonator is an electrostatic resonator, and the electromechanical resonator comprises:

[0019] Resonator body;

[0020] A bias electrode plate, disposed on one side of the resonator body, comprising at least one bias electrode, wherein the bias electrode is used to provide a bias voltage for the resonator body;

[0021] A driving electrode is disposed on one side of the resonator body; in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the resonator body is located, the driving electrode overlaps with the resonator body; there is a gap between the driving electrode and the resonator body, and the driving electrode is used to connect to the radio frequency signal receiver;

[0022] The conductive fixing block is electrically connected to the resonator body and is used to support the resonator body and fix the resonator body on the bias electrode plate.

[0023] Optionally, the optical detector is arranged opposite to the resonator body.

[0024] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a radio frequency signal receiving device, including a radio frequency signal receiver and a radio frequency signal detection device provided by any embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] The radio frequency signal receiver is connected to the electromechanical resonator in the radio frequency signal detection device, and the radio frequency signal receiver is used to receive a radio frequency signal and apply the radio frequency signal to the electromechanical resonator.

[0026] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that when the radio frequency signal is applied to the electromechanical resonator, the electromechanical resonator generates mechanical vibration through the inverse piezoelectric effect or electrostatic force, thereby causing mechanical deformation, and then the mechanical deformation of the electromechanical resonator is optically detected by an optical detector, thereby realizing the detection of the radio frequency signal. Therefore, the technical solution of the present invention adopts a new physical mechanism of secondary signal conversion from radio frequency signal to mechanical deformation and then to optical detection, which can further improve the sensitivity of radio frequency signal detection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art. In the accompanying drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a radio frequency signal detection device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a piezoelectric resonator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of another piezoelectric resonator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of another piezoelectric resonator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a radio frequency signal detection device with a piezoelectric resonator provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another radio frequency signal detection device having a piezoelectric resonator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of an electrostatic resonator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of a radio frequency signal detection device with an electrostatic resonator provided in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The technical solution of the present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and through specific implementation methods. It is understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention, rather than to limit the present invention. It is also necessary to explain that, for ease of description, only parts related to the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, rather than all structures.

[0037] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the radio frequency signal detection device provided by the embodiment of the present invention. The radio frequency signal detection device is suitable for detecting weak radio frequency signals and can be configured in any device with radio frequency signal receiving function such as base stations and mobile phones. Figure 1 As shown, the radio frequency signal detection device provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes an electromechanical resonator 1 and an optical detector 2;

[0038] The electromechanical resonator 1 is used to connect to a radio frequency signal receiver (not shown in the figure, arranged in a radio frequency signal receiving device, which may be a radio frequency antenna), and generates mechanical vibration when the radio frequency signal receiver applies a radio frequency signal to the electromechanical resonator 1;

[0039] The optical detector 2 is disposed on at least one side of the electromechanical resonator 1 and is used to detect the mechanical deformation of the electromechanical resonator 1 .

[0040] In the embodiment of the present invention, the electromechanical resonator 1 can be a thin film resonator or a non-thin film resonator, specifically a piezoelectric resonator or an electrostatic resonator. The present invention does not limit the type and specific structure of the electromechanical resonator 1, as long as the electromechanical resonator 1 can generate mechanical vibration when the radio frequency signal receiver applies a radio frequency signal to it.

[0041] in addition, Figure 1 It is only shown by way of example that the optical detector 2 is placed on one side of the electromechanical resonator 1 , but the present invention does not limit the position distribution of the optical detector 2 relative to the electromechanical resonator 1 and the number of the optical detectors 2 , as long as the optical detector 2 can detect the mechanical deformation of the electromechanical resonator 1 .

[0042] In this embodiment, reference may be made to Figure 1 The optical detector 2 can emit detection light (such as laser) to the surface of the electromechanical resonator 1 where mechanical deformation occurs. At the same time, the optical detector 2 receives the detection light reflected back by the electromechanical resonator 1, and then the vibration analysis of the electromechanical resonator 1 can be realized by analyzing the characteristic state of the detection light (such as phase change), thereby realizing optical detection of the mechanical deformation of the electromechanical resonator 1.

[0043] In the above technical solution, when the radio frequency signal receiver applies the radio frequency signal to the electromechanical resonator 1, the electromechanical resonator 1 generates mechanical vibrations through the inverse piezoelectric effect (corresponding to the piezoelectric resonator) or the electrostatic force (corresponding to the electrostatic resonator), thereby causing mechanical deformation, and then the optical detector 2 is used to optically detect the mechanical deformation of the electromechanical resonator 1, thereby realizing the detection of the radio frequency signal. Therefore, the technical solution of the present invention adopts a new physical mechanism of secondary signal conversion from radio frequency signal to mechanical deformation and then to optical detection, and the optical detector 2 has a high detection sensitivity, which can detect the weak vibration of the electromechanical resonator 1, thereby realizing the detection of weak radio frequency signals. Therefore, the radio frequency signal detection device provided by the present invention can further improve the sensitivity of radio frequency signal detection.

[0044] Optionally, the natural frequency of the electromechanical resonator is consistent with the frequency of the radio frequency signal. By designing the geometric structure of the electromechanical resonator, the natural frequency of the electromechanical resonator can be made consistent with the frequency of the radio frequency signal to be received, so that when the radio frequency signal is applied to the electromechanical resonator, resonance can be generated in the electromechanical resonator, and the deformation of the electromechanical resonator will reach Q (where Q is the quality factor of the electromechanical resonator, which can reach 500 or even higher) times the deformation generated when driven by ordinary piezoelectric force or electrostatic force. Therefore, by setting the natural frequency of the electromechanical resonator to be consistent with the frequency of the radio frequency signal, the vibration amplitude of the electromechanical resonator can be greatly increased, making it easier for the optical detector to detect the mechanical deformation of the electromechanical resonator, thereby further improving the sensitivity of radio frequency signal detection.

[0045] Optionally, the natural frequency of the electromechanical resonator is adjustable. In this case, by adjusting the natural frequency of the electromechanical resonator, the natural frequency of the electromechanical resonator can be made consistent with the frequency of the radio frequency signal to be received, thereby generating resonance in the electromechanical resonator, so as to facilitate the detection of the radio frequency signal.

[0046] Optionally, the optical detector may include a laser interferometer. Since the laser interferometer technology has extremely high detection sensitivity, it has been used for gravitational wave detection in recent years and successfully detected gravitational wave signals on September 14, 2015. Therefore, the optical detector in the technical solution of the present invention uses a laser interferometer, which can greatly improve the sensitivity of radio frequency signal detection.

[0047] Based on the above technical solutions, embodiments of the present invention provide a variety of electromechanical resonators.

[0048] Exemplarily, the electromechanical resonator is a piezoelectric resonator, which includes a piezoelectric film and at least one layer of electrode, or a substrate and at least one layer of electrode; wherein the piezoelectric film includes a first surface and a second surface relative to each other, electrodes are formed on one side of the first surface and / or one side of the second surface, and the at least one layer of electrode is used to connect to a radio frequency signal receiver.

[0049] Optionally, the electrode is a planar electrode or an interdigitated electrode. The electrode may or may not be in contact with the piezoelectric film. The material of the piezoelectric film may be a piezoelectric material such as aluminum nitride, gallium arsenide, lithium niobate, and lithium tantalate.

[0050] Specifically, Figure 2 As shown, the electromechanical resonator is a piezoelectric resonator, which includes a piezoelectric film 11, a first plane electrode 12 and a second plane electrode 13, wherein the piezoelectric film includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the first plane electrode 12 is formed on one side of the first surface, and the second plane electrode 13 is formed on one side of the second surface, and the first plane electrode 12 and the second plane electrode 13 are respectively connected to the positive and negative output terminals of the radio frequency signal receiver. In the piezoelectric resonator, the first plane electrode 12 and the second plane electrode 13 are used to excite the longitudinal vibration mode.

[0051] In another embodiment of the present invention, a piezoelectric resonator is provided, Figure 3 As shown, the piezoelectric resonator includes a piezoelectric film 11, a first interdigital electrode 14 and a second interdigital electrode 15, wherein the piezoelectric film includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the first interdigital electrode 14 is formed on one side of the first surface, and the second interdigital electrode 15 is formed on one side of the second surface, wherein the electrodes in the first interdigital electrode 14 can be alternately connected to the positive and negative output terminals of the radio frequency signal receiver, and the electrodes in the second interdigital electrode 15 can be alternately connected to the positive and negative output terminals of the radio frequency signal receiver. In the piezoelectric resonator, the first interdigital electrode 14 and the second interdigital electrode 15 are used to excite a lateral vibration mode.

[0052] In a piezoelectric resonator provided in yet another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 As shown, the piezoelectric resonator includes a piezoelectric film 11 and a third interdigital electrode 16, wherein the piezoelectric film includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, and the third interdigital electrode 16 is formed on one side of the first surface, wherein the electrodes in the third interdigital electrode 16 can be alternately connected to the positive and negative output terminals of the radio frequency signal receiver. In the piezoelectric resonator, the third interdigital electrode 16 is used to excite a lateral vibration mode.

[0053] Based on the above embodiments, this embodiment is based on Figure 2 The piezoelectric resonator shown is taken as an example to illustrate the radio frequency signal detection device provided by the present invention.

[0054] Optionally, the optical detector is placed on a side of the electrode away from the piezoelectric film. Figure 5In the RF signal detection device, the optical detector 2 is a laser interferometer, the natural frequency of the piezoelectric resonator is consistent with the frequency of the RF signal to be received, and the optical detector 2 is placed on the side of the first planar electrode 12 away from the piezoelectric film 11 (it can also be placed on the side of the second planar electrode 13 away from the piezoelectric film 11). The optical detector 2 emits a laser to the first planar electrode 12, and at the same time, the optical detector 2 receives the laser reflected by the first planar electrode 12, and then the vibration analysis of the electromechanical resonator 1 can be realized by analyzing the laser phase change, thereby realizing the optical detection of the mechanical deformation of the electromechanical resonator 1, so as to extract the corresponding RF signal.

[0055] Optionally, the optical detector includes a detection light emitting unit and a detection light receiving unit, and the piezoelectric film further includes a third surface and a fourth surface; the detection light emitting unit is disposed on one side of the third surface, and the detection light receiving unit is disposed on one side of the fourth surface, the detection light emitting unit is used to emit detection light to the third surface, and the detection light receiving unit is used to receive the detection light passing through the piezoelectric film. Exemplarily, reference Figure 6 In the radio frequency signal detection device, the optical detector 2 is a laser interferometer, the natural frequency of the piezoelectric resonator is consistent with the frequency of the radio frequency signal to be received, and the optical detector 2 includes a detection light emitting unit 21 and a detection light receiving unit 22, the detection light emitting unit 21 is placed on one side of the third surface, and the detection light receiving unit 22 is placed on one side of the fourth surface, wherein the third surface and the fourth surface may be opposite surfaces (such as Figure 6 As shown in the figure, the third surface and the fourth surface may also be adjacent surfaces, as long as the detection light emitting unit 21 and the detection light receiving unit 22 are properly placed so that the laser emitted by the detection light emitting unit 21 to the third surface passes through the piezoelectric film 11 and can be received by the detection light receiving unit 22. In this embodiment, the laser can pass through the piezoelectric film 11, and the piezoelectric film 11 is equivalent to an optical waveguide. When the radio frequency signal is applied to the piezoelectric resonator, the mechanical vibration generated by the piezoelectric resonator will affect the phase of the laser transmitted in the piezoelectric film 11, and then the vibration analysis of the electromechanical resonator 1 can be realized by analyzing the laser phase change, thereby realizing the optical detection of the mechanical deformation of the electromechanical resonator 1, so as to extract the corresponding radio frequency signal.

[0056] The RF signal detection device provided by the above embodiment can detect RF signals, which can exceed the limit of the RF signal detection sensitivity of the prior art. For example, the RF signal receiving sensitivity of the existing mobile phone is generally -105dBm (the smaller the value, the higher the sensitivity), and the RF signal detection device is configured in the mobile phone, and the RF signal receiving sensitivity can be less than -105dBm, such as -108dBm, or even smaller.

[0057] In addition, in order to realize the simple and adjustable natural frequency of the electromechanical resonator, the embodiment of the present invention also provides an electrostatic resonator. Figure 7As shown, optionally, the electromechanical resonator is an electrostatic resonator, and the electromechanical resonator includes:

[0058] Resonator body 101;

[0059] The bias electrode plate 102 (four are shown in the figure), which is placed on one side of the resonator body 101, includes at least one bias electrode 1021, and the bias electrode 1021 is used to provide a bias voltage for the resonator body 101;

[0060] The driving electrode 103 is disposed on one side of the resonator body 101; the driving electrode 103 overlaps with the resonator body 101 in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the resonator body 101 is located; there is a gap between the driving electrode 103 and the resonator body 101, and the driving electrode 103 is used to connect to a radio frequency signal receiver;

[0061] The conductive fixing block 104 is electrically connected to the resonator body 101 and is used to support the resonator body 101 and fix the resonator body 101 on the bias electrode plate 102 .

[0062] In this embodiment, the resonator body 101 may be a square plate resonator (or other shapes), and in this case, there may be four conductive fixing blocks 104, which are electrically connected to the four corners of the resonator body 101 one by one. In the direction perpendicular to the plane where the resonator body 101 is located, the driving electrode 103 overlaps with the resonator body 101, that is, the driving electrode 103 and the resonator body 101 have a facing area, so as to form an electrostatic force between the driving electrode 103 and the resonator body 101. The bias electrode 1021 is connected to a DC voltage source V P , by adjusting the DC voltage source V P The output voltage of can be changed into the bias voltage provided by the resonator body 101, so that the natural frequency of the resonator body 101 is adjustable. The resonator body 101 can vibrate up and down under force. When the radio frequency signal acts on the driving electrode 103, due to the continuous change in the amplitude of the radio frequency signal, an alternating current is formed on the driving electrode 103, and an electrostatic force is formed between the resonator body 101 and the driving electrode 103. The overlapping part of the resonator body 101 and the driving electrode 103 is attracted by the electrostatic force and moves downward. The electric signal on the driving electrode 103 changes continuously, so that the magnitude of the electrostatic force changes continuously, and then the resonator body 101 moves up and down continuously, so that the resonator body 101 vibrates.

[0063] Based on this, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a radio frequency signal detection device. Figure 8As shown, the optical detector 2 is arranged opposite to the resonator body 101. The optical detector 2 is a laser interferometer, the natural frequency of the resonator body 101 is consistent with the frequency of the RF signal to be received, the bias electrode plate 102 and the driving electrode 103 are placed on the same side of the resonator body 101, and the optical detector 2 is placed on the other side of the resonator body 101. The optical detector 2 emits laser light to the resonator body 101, and at the same time, the optical detector 2 receives the laser light reflected by the resonator body 101. When the RF signal is applied to the driving electrode 103, the mechanical vibration generated by the resonator body 101 causes the phase of the laser light to change, and then the vibration analysis of the resonator body 101 can be realized by analyzing the laser phase change, thereby realizing the optical detection of the mechanical deformation of the resonator body 101, so as to extract the corresponding RF signal.

[0064] In addition, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a radio frequency signal receiving device, including a radio frequency signal receiver and a radio frequency signal detection device provided by any embodiment of the present invention;

[0065] The radio frequency signal receiver is connected to the electromechanical resonator in the radio frequency signal detection device, and the radio frequency signal receiver is used to receive the radio frequency signal and apply the radio frequency signal to the electromechanical resonator.

[0066] The radio frequency signal receiving device may be a base station, a mobile phone, etc., and the radio frequency signal receiver may be a radio frequency antenna.

[0067] The radio frequency signal receiving device provided by the embodiment of the present invention, including the radio frequency signal detection device provided by the embodiment of the present invention, has corresponding functions and beneficial effects.

[0068] Note that the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and the technical principles used. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and that various obvious changes, readjustments, combinations and substitutions can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in more detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include more other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A radio frequency signal detection device, characterized in that: include: an electromechanical resonator, configured to be connected to a radio frequency signal receiver and to generate mechanical vibration when the radio frequency signal receiver applies a radio frequency signal to the electromechanical resonator; an optical detector, disposed on at least one side of the electromechanical resonator, for detecting a mechanical deformation of the electromechanical resonator; Wherein, when the electromechanical resonator is an electrostatic resonator, the electromechanical resonator generates mechanical vibration through electrostatic force, thereby causing mechanical deformation, and the electromechanical resonator includes: Resonator body; A bias electrode plate, disposed on one side of the resonator body, comprising at least one bias electrode, wherein the bias electrode is used to provide a bias voltage for the resonator body; A driving electrode is disposed on one side of the resonator body; in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the resonator body is located, the driving electrode overlaps with the resonator body; there is a gap between the driving electrode and the resonator body, and the driving electrode is used to connect to the radio frequency signal receiver; The conductive fixing block is electrically connected to the resonator body and is used to support the resonator body and fix the resonator body on the bias electrode plate.

2. The radio frequency signal detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The natural frequency of the electromechanical resonator is consistent with the frequency of the radio frequency signal.

3. The radio frequency signal detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The natural frequency of the electromechanical resonator is adjustable.

4. The radio frequency signal detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical detector includes a laser interferometer.

5. The radio frequency signal detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical detector is arranged opposite to the resonator body.

6. A radio frequency signal receiving device, characterized in that: It comprises a radio frequency signal receiver and a radio frequency signal detection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5; The radio frequency signal receiver is connected to the electromechanical resonator in the radio frequency signal detection device, and the radio frequency signal receiver is used to receive a radio frequency signal and apply the radio frequency signal to the electromechanical resonator.

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