Analog Array Antenna Beamformer and Its Operation Method

Abstract

This invention provides an analog array antenna beamformer and its operation method. The analog array antenna beamformer includes an intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier circuit, multiple local oscillators, multiple mixers, multiple radio frequency (RF) amplifier circuits, and a frequency locking circuit. The IF amplifier circuit receives a baseband signal to provide an IF signal. Several local oscillators are connected together at their power supply or ground terminals to generate frequency synchronization. Simultaneously, a phase difference is formed, providing multiple local frequency signals with the same frequency but different phases. The mixers receive one of the IF signal and the local frequency signals respectively to provide multiple mixed signals. The multiple RF amplifier circuits receive the mixed signals to provide multiple RF signals with the same frequency but different phases to their respective antennas. The RF signals radiated by each antenna have the same frequency but different phases, thus forming directional RF signal transmission or reception. The frequency locking circuit locks the frequency of only one local frequency signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a beamformer, and more particularly to an analog array antenna beamformer and its operating method. Background Technology

[0002] Beamformers are crucial circuits for providing directional electromagnetic wave energy and are widely used in military radar applications. Recently, their use has expanded to mobile communications. Especially in the millimeter-wave band and above, directional transmission is essential, making beamformers a key technology for short-wavelength mobile communications.

[0003] Figures 1A to 1D This is a system schematic diagram of various known array antenna beamformer architectures, in which a digital signal processor (DSP) and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) are used to generate antennas ANT1-ANT. n The analog signal to be transmitted. For example... Figures 1A to 1D As shown, the array antenna beamformer architecture includes several phase shifters (such as PST1, PST2, PST3, or PST4). A disadvantage of using phase shifters is that the signal loss increases with frequency; in the 5G millimeter-wave band, the signal loss can reach 5-6 dB. Figure 1A In the array antenna beamformer architecture shown, the signal fed into the phase shifter is in the high-frequency band, and the phase of the fed signal is easily affected by differences in the feed path length; Figures 1B to 1D In the array antenna beamformer architecture shown, multiple sets of mixers are added; Figure 1B In the array antenna beamformer architecture shown, an amplifier is generally required before distributing the local frequency signal to different mixers to achieve the power required at the local frequency end of the mixer; and in the array antenna beamformer architecture using phase shifters, when integrated design is carried out using semiconductor technology, the addition of transmission line length and inductance will occupy a considerable chip area. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to an analog array antenna beamformer without a phase shifter and its operation method. It eliminates the power consumption of the signal flowing through the phase shifter and effectively avoids the amplitude and phase errors of the phase shifter, thereby avoiding the estimation error of the Reference Symbol Received Power (RSRP) and facilitating the implementation of millimeter-wave band beamforming circuits on the feed line.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an analog array antenna beamformer includes an intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier circuit, multiple local oscillators, multiple mixers, multiple radio frequency (RF) amplifier circuits, and a frequency locking circuit. The IF amplifier circuit receives a baseband signal to provide an IF signal. The multiple local oscillators are connected together at their power supply or ground terminals to generate frequency synchronization. Simultaneously, a phase difference is formed, providing multiple local frequency signals with the same frequency but different phases, wherein each local oscillator receives a different frequency control signal. The mixers receive the IF signal and one of these local frequency signals, respectively, and provide multiple mixed signals. The multiple RF amplifier circuits receive the mixed signals to provide multiple RF signals with the same frequency but different phases to different antennas. The RF signals received by each antenna have the same frequency but different phases, thus forming a directional RF signal transmission or reception. The frequency locking circuit is coupled only to one of the local oscillators to lock the frequency of the local frequency signal of the coupled local oscillator.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the operation method of an analog array antenna beamformer includes at least the following steps: A baseband signal is amplified via an intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier circuit to generate an IF signal. Multiple local frequency signals are provided via multiple local oscillators, each with its own free oscillation frequency controlled by different frequency control signals. The power supply or ground terminals of the different local oscillators are connected together. After connection, the local frequency signals of all local oscillators will be the same as the frequency of one of the local oscillators, but different from their original free oscillation frequencies. All local oscillator frequencies tend to be consistent and deviate from their original free oscillation frequencies, but phase differences will exist between the local frequency signals of these local oscillators. The frequency signal of the local oscillator following all the other local oscillators is locked via a frequency-locked loop circuit. One of the IF signal and the local frequency signal is then mixed by multiple mixers to generate one of multiple mixed signals. These mixed signals are amplified by multiple radio frequency (RF) amplifier circuits to provide multiple RF signals with different phases to multiple antennas.

[0007] In this embodiment of the invention, the connection between the power supply terminals or ground terminals of different local oscillators can be implemented only at the power supply terminal, or at the ground terminal, or at both the power supply terminal and the ground terminal.

[0008] Based on the above, the analog array antenna beamformer and its operation method of this invention can achieve the phase adjustment function of the phase shifter through a resonant phase-locked network formed by connecting the power supply terminal or ground terminal of the local oscillator. Since it avoids the disadvantages of using a phase shifter, it eliminates the signal transmission power loss of the phase shifter and effectively avoids the amplitude and phase errors of the phase shifter, thus helping to avoid estimation errors in the received power of the reference symbol. Furthermore, the local oscillator is simpler than the phase shifter, resulting in a smaller circuit area, which is beneficial for realizing millimeter-wave band beamforming circuits.

[0009] To make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figures 1A to 1D This is a system schematic diagram of various known array antenna beamformer architectures.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an analog array antenna beamformer system with connections at both the power supply and ground terminals, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit board mounting of an analog array antenna beamformer in the local oscillator in an indirect ground connection state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4A This is a waveform diagram of the phase difference generated in the time domain by an analog array antenna beamformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4B This diagram illustrates the phase change of a local oscillator in an analog array antenna beamformer according to an embodiment of the present invention when the frequency control signal of the local oscillator changes. It compares this with a local oscillator whose frequency control signal remains unchanged with only a slight phase difference change.

[0015] Figures 5A to 5C This is a schematic diagram of the field pattern of an analog array antenna beamformer with different output phase differences according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figures 6A to 6B This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the main lobe pointing and the output phase of an analog array antenna beamformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an analog array antenna beamformer system implemented only at the power supply end, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 8This is a schematic diagram of an analog array antenna beamformer system implemented only at the ground end, according to another embodiment of the present invention, using the connection of components.

[0019] Figure 9A A block diagram of a single beamformer integrated circuit system in accordance with the present invention, wherein the power supply and ground terminals are connected by components.

[0020] Figure 9B In accordance with the present invention, a connection embodiment is applied to both the power supply terminal and the ground terminal via a component, using Figure 9A The diagram shows a schematic of an analog array antenna beamformer system based on a single integrated circuit.

[0021] Figure 10A This is a block diagram of a single beamformer integrated circuit system in accordance with the present invention, which applies only to the power supply end via a component connection embodiment.

[0022] Figure 10B In accordance with the present invention, only the connection of the component is applied at the power supply end, using Figure 10A The diagram shows a schematic of an analog array antenna beamformer system based on a single integrated circuit.

[0023] Figure 11A This is a block diagram of a single beamformer integrated circuit system in accordance with the present invention, which applies only to the ground terminal via the connection of components.

[0024] Figure 11B In accordance with the present invention, a connection via a component is applied only at the grounding terminal, using Figure 11A The diagram shows a schematic of an analog array antenna beamformer system based on a single integrated circuit.

[0025] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an analog array antenna beamformer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element symbols are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0027] This invention designs beamformers for array antennas in base stations, mobile devices, and radar. Currently, when implementing beamforming using analog technology, problems such as phase shifter loss, amplitude error, and phase error exist. Furthermore, the arrangement of feed lines before and after the phase shifter affects the phase of the final antenna radiated signal, and the difficulty of arranging feed lines before and after the phase shifter increases significantly in frequency bands above millimeter wave.

[0028] Compared to current literature which mostly uses injection locking or coupling networks, this invention proposes a novel analog array antenna beamforming technology with a phase shifter-free architecture.

[0029] The analog array antenna beamformer of this invention not only reduces power consumption but also helps avoid RSRP estimation errors and facilitates the implementation of millimeter-wave band beamforming circuits. Furthermore, the advantages of this method are even more apparent when dealing with a large number of antennas, especially at the layout level.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a system schematic diagram of an analog array antenna beamformer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 2 In this embodiment, the analog array antenna beamformer 100 includes a processor 110, a digital-to-analog converter 120, a frequency locking circuit 130, and an intermediate frequency amplifier circuit (VGA). IF Multiple local oscillators OSC1-OSC n First power supply component Eva, and multiple second power supply components EL1-EL n First grounding terminal assembly EGa, multiple second grounding terminal assemblies ER1-ER n Multiple RF amplifier circuits VGA1-VGA n Multiple mixers Mixer1-Mixer n and multiple antennas ANT1-ANT n Where n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, processor 110 is, for example, a digital signal processor, and the intermediate frequency amplifier circuit VGA IF and RF amplifier circuit VGA1-VGA n For example, a variable gain amplifier.

[0031] Processor 110 receives data D to be transmitted TX To generate the signal S to be transmitted TX The processor 110 is, for example, a digital signal processor. A digital-to-analog converter 120 is coupled to the processor 110 to receive the signal S to be transmitted. TX And convert the signal S to be transmitted TX To generate baseband signal S BB Intermediate frequency amplifier circuit VGA IF Coupled digital-to-analog converter 120 to receive baseband signal S BB And based on the baseband signal S BB Provide intermediate frequency signal S IF .

[0032] Local oscillator OSC1-OSC nvia the first power supply component Eva and multiple second power supply components EL1-EL n First grounding terminal assembly EGa, multiple second grounding terminal assemblies ER1-ER n Connect the components to form a resonant phase-locked network. Local oscillators OSC1-OSC n Provides multiple local frequency signals CLKL1-CLKL n These local oscillators OSC1-OSC n Receive different frequency control signals V Ctrl_1 -V Ctrl_n To control its free oscillation frequency. Frequency lock circuit 130 can be coupled to local oscillator OSC1 to lock the local frequency signal CLKL1 of the coupled local oscillator OSC1. Local oscillator OSC1 connected to frequency lock circuit 130 can be considered as the master oscillator, and local oscillators OSC2-OSC... n This can be considered a slave oscillator whose oscillation frequency is controlled by a master oscillator (such as the local oscillator OSC1). The master oscillator controls the oscillation frequency of the slave oscillator, and the phase of the slave oscillator's local frequency signal follows the frequency control signal V. Ctrl_1 -V Ctrl_n Adjustment.

[0033] Mixer1-Mixer n Commonly coupled intermediate frequency amplifier circuit VGA IF To simultaneously receive intermediate frequency signal S IF And respectively coupled to local oscillators OSC1-OSC n One of them is used to receive local frequency signals CLKL1-CLKL with different phases. n One of them, and mixer Mixer1-Mixer n Based on the received intermediate frequency signal S IF and received local frequency signals with different phases (such as CLKL1-CLKL) n ) respectively provide mixing signals with different phases (such as S) mx1 -S mxn ).

[0034] Multiple RF amplifier circuits VGA1-VGA n Mixer1-Mixer are respectively coupled to mixers with different phases. n One of them, to receive these mixed signals S mx1 -S mxn One of them, and based on the received mixing signal (such as S). mx1 -S mxn ) respectively provide radio frequency signals with different phases (such as S RF1 -SRFn Antenna ANT1-ANT n Receive radio frequency signal S RF1 -S RFn Based on the above, the local oscillators OSC1-OSC n The power supply and ground terminals are connected together to form a resonant network, thus the local frequency signal CLKL1-CLKL n The frequency will be the same due to the resonance of the circuit, and due to the different frequencies, the frequency control signal V Ctrl_1 -V Ctrl_n This causes the local frequency signal CLKL1-CLKL n The difference in the free oscillation frequencies, after frequency coherence, achieves the function of a phase shifter. The phase shift of the signal is achieved through local oscillators OSC1-OSC2. n This achieves the desired result, thus avoiding the drawbacks of using a phase shifter, reducing power consumption, and avoiding the amplitude and phase errors inherent in phase shifters, thereby helping to avoid estimation errors in the received reference signal power. Furthermore, the local oscillators OSC1-OSC... n Unlike phase shifters, which use more transmission lines, the circuit itself occupies a smaller area, which is beneficial for the integration of millimeter-wave beamforming circuits.

[0035] In this embodiment of the invention, the local oscillator OSC1-OSCn is connected to a first power supply component Eva and a plurality of second power supply components EL1-EL. n Coupled to the power supply voltage Vdd, or via the first ground terminal component EGa and multiple second ground terminal components ER1-ER n Coupled to the ground point. Furthermore, the first power supply component EVA has one end coupled to the power supply voltage Vdd, and the second power supply component EL1-EL... n Connected to local oscillators OSC1-OSC respectively n The corresponding one is between the other end of the first power supply component EVA. The first grounding component EGa has one end coupled to the ground voltage, and the second grounding component ER1-ER n Connected to local oscillators OSC1-OSC respectively n The corresponding one is between the other end of the first grounding terminal component EGa.

[0036] In this embodiment of the invention, the first power supply component EVA, the second power supply components EL1-ELn, the first ground component EGa, and the second ground components ER1-ERn are respectively implemented as one of a resistor, an inductor, a capacitor, a microstrip line, a coaxial cable, and a waveguide, the above being determined by the radio frequency signal S. RF1 -S RFn The frequency of the carrier wave.

[0037] In this embodiment of the invention, the frequency lock circuit 130 is coupled only to the local oscillator OSC1, but in other embodiments, the frequency lock circuit 130 may be coupled only to the local oscillators OSC2-OSC1. n One of them, which may be determined according to the circuit layout design, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0038] In this embodiment of the invention, the analog array antenna beamformer 100 further includes a low-frequency quartz oscillator 140 and a memory 150 coupled to the processor 110. The low-frequency quartz oscillator 140 provides the frequency signal required for the operation of the processor 110, and the memory 150 stores the data to be processed by the processor 110 (e.g., data D to be transmitted). TX ).

[0039] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit board mounting of an analog array antenna beamformer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, each circuit board can be considered as a single radio frequency channel, which is at least configured with a corresponding local oscillator (such as OSC1-OSC). n ), and the corresponding mixer (such as Mixer1-Mixer) n ) and the corresponding RF amplifier circuits (such as VGA1-VGA) n And make contact with the corresponding antenna (e.g., ANT1-ANT). n ).

[0040] In this embodiment, the spacing between the circuit boards can be 0.5λ. RF That is, radio frequency signals (such as S) RF1 -S RFn The wavelength is 1 / 2 of the wavelength of the antenna (e.g., ANT1-ANT). n The spacing between the center points of the electrodes can also be 0.5λ. RF .

[0041] Figure 4A This is a waveform diagram illustrating the phase difference generated in the time domain by an analog array antenna beamformer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figures 1A to 1D and Figure 4A In this embodiment, the local frequency signal CLKL1-CLKL n The frequency is determined by the frequency signal of the master oscillator (such as CLKL1), while the frequency derived from the oscillator's frequency signal (such as CLKL1-CLKL) is determined by the frequency of the master oscillator's frequency signal (such as CLKL1-CLKL). n The output phase of the signal is determined by the received frequency control signal (such as V). Ctrl_1 -V Ctrl_n The voltage level of (e.g.) Figure 4AAs shown by curves 410, 420, 430, 440, and 450, the frequency control signal (such as V) of the oscillator is derived from the frequency control signal (such as V). Ctrl_1 -V Ctrl_n Adjusting the voltage level of (e.g., CLKL1-CLKL) will affect the frequency signal (e.g., CLKL1-CLKL). n The output phase of the oscillator. The choice of master oscillator is not limited to local oscillator OSC1, but can also be local oscillator OSC2-OSC1. n One of them, depending on circuit layout considerations, is a local oscillator (such as local oscillator OSC1-OSC) coupled with a frequency lock-in circuit 130. n The master oscillator is one unit, and the others are slave oscillators.

[0042] Figure 4B For one of the slave oscillator frequency control signals (such as V) of the analog array antenna beamformer according to an embodiment of the present invention, the frequency is adjusted. Ctrl_2 When the voltage level of the frequency control signal is [value], observe the phase difference changes of other local oscillators whose frequency control signal voltage levels remain unchanged. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figures 1A to 1D , Figure 4A and Figure 4B In this embodiment, the local frequency signal CLKL1-CLKL n The frequency is determined by the frequency signal of the master oscillator (such as CLKL1), while the frequency derived from the oscillator's frequency signal (such as CLKL2-CLKL) is determined by the frequency of the master oscillator's frequency signal. n The output phase of the signal is determined by the received frequency control signal (such as V). Ctrl_2 -V Ctrl_n The voltage level of (e.g.) Figure 4B As shown in curves 460 and 470, the frequency control signal (such as V) of the oscillator is derived from the frequency control signal of the oscillator. Ctrl_2 -V Ctrl_n The change in the voltage level of (e.g., CLKL1-CLKL) can be used as the output frequency signal. n Adjustment of the output phase (e.g.) Figure 4B As shown in curve 460), but for other frequency signals output from the oscillator (such as CLKL1-CLKL), n The effect of the output phase is slight (e.g.) Figure 4B (As shown in curve 470).

[0043] Figures 5A to 5C This is a schematic diagram of the beamformer of an analog array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention at different output phase differences. Please refer to... Figures 1A to 1D and Figures 5A to 5C ,in Figure 5A Plotting radio frequency signal S RF1 -S RFn The output phase difference is -60° in the radiation pattern. Figure 5BPlotting radio frequency signal S RF1 -S RFn The output phase difference is -30° in the radiation pattern, and Figure 5C Plotting radio frequency signal S RF1 -S RFn The output phase difference is 0° in the radiation pattern. For example... Figures 5A to 5C As shown, the spatial resolution of the above radiation patterns is similar, but the radiation pattern with an output phase difference of -60° will produce the effect of grating lobe radiation.

[0044] Figures 6A to 6B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the main lobe pointing and the output phase of an analog array antenna beamformer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figures 1A to 1D and Figure 6A Curve 610 shows the measured relationship between the main beam direction of the RF signal transmitted by the 1x2 array antenna and the output phase difference of the RF signal, while curve 620 shows the calculated relationship between the main beam direction of the RF signal transmitted by the 1x2 array antenna and the output phase difference of the RF signal. As shown in curves 610 and 620, the measured relationship roughly matches the calculated relationship in the range of 60° to -30° of the output phase difference.

[0045] On the other hand, please refer to Figures 1A to 1D and Figure 6B Curve 630 shows the measured relationship between the main beam direction of the RF signal transmitted by the 1x3 array antenna and the output phase difference of the RF signal, while curve 640 shows the calculated relationship between the main beam direction of the RF signal transmitted by the 1x3 array antenna and the output phase difference of the RF signal. As shown in curves 630 and 640, the measured relationship roughly matches the calculated relationship.

[0046] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an analog array antenna beamformer according to another embodiment of the present invention, which implements component connections only at the power supply end. Please refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 7 In this embodiment, the analog array antenna beamformer 200 is substantially the same as the analog array antenna beamformer 100, except that the analog array antenna beamformer 200 omits the first ground terminal component EGa and multiple second ground terminal components ER1-ER1. n That is, local oscillators OSC1-OSC n Connect directly to the grounding point.

[0047] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of an analog array antenna beamformer according to another embodiment of the present invention, which implements the connection by components only at the ground terminal. Please refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 8In this embodiment, the analog array antenna beamformer 300 is substantially the same as the analog array antenna beamformer 100, except that the analog array antenna beamformer 300 omits the first power supply component Eva and multiple second power supply components EL1-EL2. n That is, local oscillators OSC1-OSC n They directly receive the power supply voltage Vdd.

[0048] Figure 9A This is a schematic diagram of a beamformer single integrated circuit system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the connection of components is applied to both the power supply terminal and the ground terminal. Please refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 9A Similar or identical components are labeled with similar or identical designations. In this embodiment, each local oscillator (OSC) x The second power supply component EL coupled to x The coupled second grounding terminal component ER x The coupled mixer x and the corresponding radio frequency amplifier circuit VGA x The package consists of a single integrated circuit chip1, where x is the pointer number. Integrated circuit chip1 has pin P. IF P V_OSC P Locking P Ctrl P GND_OSC P GND_Others P_ANT, P V_VGA and P V_mixer .

[0049] Pin P IF Coupled Mixer x The input terminal. Second power supply component EL x Coupling pin P V_OSC With local oscillator OSC x Between the power supply terminals. Pin P Locking Coupled local oscillator OSC x The reference frequency terminal. Pin P Ctrl Coupled local oscillator OSC x The free oscillation frequency control terminal. Second grounding terminal component ER x Coupled to pin P GND_OSC With local oscillator OSC x Between the ground terminals. Pin P GND_Others Coupled Mixer x and RF amplifier circuit VGA x The ground terminal. Pin P_ANT is coupled to the RF amplifier circuit VGA. x The output terminal. Pin PV_VGA VGA coupled radio frequency amplifier circuit x The power supply terminal. Pins and P V_mixer Coupled Mixer xx The power supply terminal.

[0050] Figure 9B For use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention Figure 9A The diagram shows a schematic of an analog array antenna beamformer system using a single integrated circuit. Please refer to... Figure 2 , Figure 9A and Figure 9B In this embodiment, similar or identical components use similar or identical reference numerals. In the analog array antenna beamformer 400, the integrated circuit chip... 11 -chip 1n Same as integrated circuit chip1. Integrated circuit chip 11 -chip 1n pin P IF All are coupled to the intermediate frequency amplifier circuit VGA IF The output terminal of the integrated circuit chip. 11 -chip 1n pin P V_OSC All are coupled to one end of the first power supply component EVA. Only the integrated circuit chip... 11 pin P Locking Frequency lock-in circuit 130. Integrated circuit chip. 11 -chip 1n pin P GND_OSC All are coupled to one end of the first ground terminal component EGa. Integrated circuit chip 11 -chip 1n pin P GND_Others Independent grounding point. Integrated circuit chip. 11 -chip 1n The pins P_ANT are respectively coupled to antennas ANT1-ANT. n .also, Figure 9B Although not shown, it is an integrated circuit chip. 11 -chip 1n P V_mixer and P V_VGA It should receive the corresponding power supply voltage to drive the mixer. x and RF amplifier circuit VGA x Perform the operation.

[0051] Figure 10A This is a schematic diagram of a single integrated circuit in a beamformer according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the connection of components is applied only at the power supply end. Please refer to... Figure 9A and Figure 10A Integrated circuit chip 2 is largely the same as integrated circuit chip 1, the difference being that the second ground terminal component ER is omitted. x That is, each local oscillator (OSC) x The second power supply component EL coupled to x The coupled mixer x and the corresponding radio frequency amplifier circuit VGA x The package consists of a single integrated circuit chip2. Pin P... GND_OSC Coupled local oscillator OSC x The grounding terminal provides an independent grounding point.

[0052] Figure 10B For use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention Figure 10A The diagram shows a schematic of an analog array antenna beamformer system using a single integrated circuit. Please refer to... Figure 9B , Figure 10A and Figure 10B In this embodiment, similar or identical components use similar or identical reference numerals. In the analog array antenna beamformer 500, the integrated circuit chip... 21 -chip 2n Similar to integrated circuit chip 2, and the difference between analog array antenna beamformer 500 and analog array antenna beamformer 400 lies in the integrated circuit chip. 21 -chip 2n pin P GND_OSC Connect the grounding point directly and independently.

[0053] Figure 11A This is a schematic diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a beamformer connected by components is applied only at the ground terminal. Please refer to... Figure 9A and Figure 11A Integrated circuit chip 3 is largely the same as integrated circuit chip 1, the difference being that the second power supply component EL is omitted. x That is, each local oscillator (OSC) x The second grounding terminal component ER coupled to x The coupled mixer x and the corresponding radio frequency amplifier circuit VGA x The package consists of a single integrated circuit chip 3. Pin P... V_OSC As separately coupled to the local oscillator OSC x The power supply terminal is connected to an external power source.

[0054] Figure 11B For use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention Figure 11AThe diagram shows a schematic of an analog array antenna beamformer system using a single integrated circuit. Please refer to... Figure 9B , Figure 11A and Figure 11B In this embodiment, similar or identical components use similar or identical reference numerals. In the analog array antenna beamformer 600, the integrated circuit chip... 31 -chip 3n Similar to integrated circuit chip 3, and the difference between analog array antenna beamformer 600 and analog array antenna beamformer 400 lies in the integrated circuit chip. 21 -chip 2n pin P V_OSC It directly and independently receives the power supply voltage Vdd.

[0055] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an analog array antenna beamformer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 12 In this embodiment, the operation method of the analog array antenna beamformer includes at least the following steps. In step S110, the baseband signal is amplified via an intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier circuit to generate an IF signal. In step S120, multiple local frequency signals are provided via multiple local oscillators, wherein the power supply or ground terminals of the local oscillators are connected together to form a resonant phase-locked network. The local oscillators receive multiple different frequency control signals, and the frequency of one of the local frequency signals from the local oscillators is locked via a frequency-locked circuit. In step S130, one of the IF signal and one of the local frequency signals are mixed via multiple mixers to generate one of multiple mixed signals with different phases. In step S140, these mixed signals with different phases are amplified via multiple radio frequency (RF) amplifier circuits to provide multiple RF signals with different phases to multiple antennas. The order of steps S110, S120, S130, and S140 is illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this embodiment. Details of steps S110, S120, S130, and S140 can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figures 5A to 5C , Figure 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 9A , Figure 9B , Figure 10A , Figure 10B , Figure 11A , Figure 11B As shown in the embodiments, they will not be described again here.

[0056] In summary, the analog array antenna beamformer and its operation method of this invention achieve the function of a phase shifter by connecting a resonant phase-locked network formed by a local oscillator. Since it avoids the disadvantages of using a phase shifter, power consumption is reduced and the amplitude and phase errors of the phase shifter are effectively avoided, thus helping to avoid estimation errors in the received power of the reference symbol. Furthermore, the local oscillator is simpler than a phase shifter, resulting in a smaller circuit area, which is beneficial for realizing millimeter-wave band beamforming circuits.

[0057] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An analog array antenna beamformer, characterized in that, include: Intermediate frequency amplifier circuit, receives baseband signal to provide intermediate frequency signal; Multiple local oscillators, the power supply terminals of the multiple local oscillators are connected together and then connected to a power supply voltage and / or the ground terminals of the multiple local oscillators are connected together and then connected to a ground voltage, to form a resonant phase-locked network, and to provide multiple local frequency signals that originally have different frequencies to achieve frequency consistency due to the resonance of the circuit, wherein the multiple local oscillators receive different frequency control signals to achieve phase shift of the multiple local frequency signals; Multiple mixers, each receiving one of the intermediate frequency signal and one of the multiple local frequency signals, and the multiple mixers provide multiple mixed signals with different phases; Multiple radio frequency amplifier circuits receive multiple mixed signals with different phases to provide multiple radio frequency signals with different phases; Multiple antennas receive multiple radio frequency signals with different phases; as well as A frequency lock-in circuit is coupled to one of the plurality of local oscillators to lock the frequency of the local frequency signal of the coupled local oscillator.

2. The analog array antenna beamformer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of local oscillators are coupled between the power supply voltage and the ground voltage.

3. The analog array antenna beamformer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The resonant phase-locked network also includes: A first power supply component has one end coupled to the power supply voltage; and Multiple second power supply components are respectively coupled between one of the multiple local oscillators and the other end of the first power supply component.

4. The analog array antenna beamformer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first power supply component and the plurality of second power supply components each include one of a resistor, an inductor, a capacitor, a microstrip line, a coaxial cable, and a waveguide.

5. The analog array antenna beamformer according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each local oscillator, along with its coupled second power supply component, coupled mixer, and corresponding RF amplifier circuit, is encapsulated as a single integrated circuit.

6. The analog array antenna beamformer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The resonant phase-locked network also includes: A first grounding terminal assembly has one end coupled to the grounding voltage; and Multiple second grounding components are respectively coupled between one of the multiple local oscillators and the other end of the first grounding component.

7. The analog array antenna beamformer according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first grounding terminal assembly and the plurality of second grounding terminal assemblies each include one of a resistor, an inductor, a capacitor, a microstrip line, a coaxial cable, and a waveguide.

8. The analog array antenna beamformer according to claim 6, characterized in that, Each local oscillator, along with its coupled second ground terminal component, coupled mixer, and corresponding RF amplifier circuit, is encapsulated as a single integrated circuit.

9. The analog array antenna beamformer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The resonant phase-locked network also includes: The first power supply component has one end coupled to the power supply voltage; Multiple second power supply components are respectively coupled between one of the multiple local oscillators and the other end of the first power supply component; The first grounding terminal assembly has one end coupled to a grounding voltage; and Multiple second grounding components are respectively coupled between one of the multiple local oscillators and the other end of the first grounding component.

10. The analog array antenna beamformer according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first power supply terminal assembly, the plurality of second power supply terminal assemblies, the first ground terminal assembly, and the plurality of second ground terminal assemblies each include one of a resistor, an inductor, a capacitor, a microstrip line, a coaxial cable, and a waveguide.

11. The analog array antenna beamformer according to claim 9, characterized in that, Each local oscillator, along with its coupled second power supply component, coupled second ground component, coupled mixer, and corresponding RF amplifier circuit, is encapsulated as a single integrated circuit.

12. The analog array antenna beamformer according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The processor receives the data to be transmitted and generates the signal to be transmitted. as well as A digital-to-analog converter converts the signal to be transmitted to generate the baseband signal.

13. A method for operating an analog array antenna beamformer, characterized in that, include: The baseband signal is amplified by an intermediate frequency amplifier circuit to generate an intermediate frequency signal; Multiple local frequency signals are provided via multiple local oscillators, wherein the multiple local oscillators are connected together via components coupled to the power supply terminals of the multiple local oscillators and then connected to the power supply voltage and / or connected together via components coupled to the ground terminals of the multiple local oscillators and then connected to the ground voltage to form a resonant phase-locked network, and multiple local frequency signals that originally have different frequencies are made to have the same frequency due to the resonance of the circuit, and then locked to the frequency of the desired carrier by connecting one of the multiple local oscillators to a frequency-locked circuit, wherein the multiple local oscillators receive multiple different frequency control signals to achieve phase shift of the multiple local frequency signals; The intermediate frequency signal and one of the multiple local frequency signals are mixed by multiple mixers to generate one of multiple mixed signals with different phases; as well as The multiple mixed signals with different phases are amplified by multiple radio frequency amplification circuits to provide multiple radio frequency signals with different phases to multiple antennas.

14. The operating method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The plurality of local oscillators are connected via a plurality of power supply terminal components between the plurality of local oscillators and the power supply voltage.

15. The operating method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The plurality of local oscillators are connected via a plurality of grounding terminal components between the plurality of local oscillators and the ground voltage.

16. The operating method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The plurality of local oscillators are connected via a plurality of power supply terminal components between the plurality of local oscillators and the power supply voltage and a plurality of ground terminal components between the plurality of local oscillators and the ground voltage.

17. The method of operation according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, Frequency locking is performed on only one of the plurality of local oscillators so that the plurality of local frequency signals of the plurality of local oscillators have the same consistent frequency.

18. The operating method according to claim 17, characterized in that, Also includes: By changing the frequency control signals received by the multiple local oscillators, the multiple local frequency signals output by the multiple local oscillators with the same frequency are made to have different phases.

19. The operating method according to claim 13, characterized in that, Also includes: The processor processes the data to be transmitted to generate the signal to be transmitted. as well as The signal to be transmitted is converted via a digital-to-analog converter to generate the baseband signal.

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