Phase shifting device

Abstract

The invention provides a phase shifting device. The device comprises a first phase shift module, a second phase shift module and M combiners, M is an integer greater than 1, an input interface of the first phase shift module is used for receiving a carrier component of a first signal, and one of M output interfaces of the first phase shift module is connected with a first input interface of one of the M combiners; the input interface of the second phase shifting module is used for receiving a sideband component of the first signal, and one of the M output interfaces of the second phase shifting module is connected with the second input interface of one of the M combiners; the output interface of one of the M combiners is used for being connected with the input interface of one of the M antenna units in the antenna array. Compared with a traditional phase shifting device, the phase shifting device provided by the invention can improve the dispersion efficiency in a magnitude manner, and realizes small size or single-chip integration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of optical communications, and more specifically, to a phase shifting device. Background Art

[0002] The fully connected hybrid beamforming (HBF) antenna system implements beamforming in the analog domain by inserting a phase shifter between any transceiver unit and any antenna unit, and any phase shifter can independently weight the signal, so there are a total of N times M weights. For a fully connected HBF antenna system with many antenna units, for example, the system includes M antenna units and N transceiver units, and M is greater than N, then the traditional fully connected HBF antenna system requires N times M phase shifters. The excessive number of phase shifters leads to excessive hardware complexity. A simplified idea is that the fully connected HBF antenna system only implements steered vector beams, and each beam controls the horizontal and vertical directions. In theory, the minimum number of weights required is 2N. However, how to reduce the number of phase shifters to the minimum number of weights 2N, that is, how to decouple the number of phase shifters from the antenna unit scale of the HBF antenna system, the microwave photonics field provides a good direction for achieving the above requirements. In order to realize the steered vector HBF antenna system, the optical domain dispersion effect can be utilized. The basic idea is to use a hardware-fixed (purely passive) dispersion phase shift network, whose output signal phase changes with the wavelength of the input microwave photon signal. After changing the wavelength of the microwave photon signal, the phase of the output signal of all channels of the entire dispersion phase shift network is synchronously refreshed, so that the phase shifter and the antenna scale of the HBF antenna system can be decoupled.

[0003] However, the dispersion effect of traditional dispersion phase shifting devices is extremely weak, making it impossible to integrate them in a small volume or on a single chip. The manufacturing cost and scale have become bottlenecks limiting the further application of traditional dispersion phase shifting devices. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a phase shifting device that can improve dispersion efficiency by orders of magnitude and achieve small volume or single-chip integration.

[0005] In a first aspect, a phase shifting device is provided, which includes: a first phase shifting module, a second phase shifting module and M combiners, M is an integer greater than 1, wherein the input interface of the first phase shifting module is used to receive the carrier component of the first signal, and one of the M output interfaces of the first phase shifting module is connected to the first input interface of one of the M combiners; the input interface of the second phase shifting module is used to receive the sideband component of the first signal, and one of the M output interfaces of the second phase shifting module is connected to the second input interface of one of the M combiners; the output interface of one of the M combiners is used to connect to the input interface of one of the M antenna units in the antenna array.

[0006] Based on the above technical solution, the carrier component and the sideband component of the first signal are respectively input into the device from the input interfaces of the two phase shifting modules of the phase shifting device. The CS (C stands for carrier, S stands for sideband) separation dispersion mechanism can improve the dispersion efficiency by an order of magnitude compared with the traditional dispersion phase shifting device, so that the phase shifting device can be small in size or integrated on a single chip.

[0007] In some implementations, the first phase-shifting module includes M delay lines, and the first end and the second end of one of the M delay lines of the first phase-shifting module are respectively connected to the input interface of the first phase-shifting module and one of the M output interfaces of the first phase-shifting module; the second phase-shifting module includes M delay lines, and the first end and the second end of one of the M delay lines of the second phase-shifting module are respectively connected to the input interface of the second phase-shifting module and one of the M output interfaces of the second phase-shifting module.

[0008] In some implementations, the M delay lines of the first phase shifting device are included in M1 delay line sets, each delay line set includes M2 delay lines, M1 is the number of antenna units in the horizontal dimension of the antenna array, and M2 is the number of antenna units in the vertical dimension of the antenna array, or, M1 is the number of antenna units in the vertical dimension of the antenna array, and M2 is the number of antenna units in the horizontal dimension of the antenna array, M is equal to the product of M1 and M2, each of the M delay lines of the first phase shifting module consists of a first delay line and a second delay line corresponding to each delay line, wherein the lengths of the first delay lines corresponding to the M2 delay lines in each delay line set are the same, and the lengths of the corresponding second delay lines differ by a first value sequentially, and the lengths of the M1 first delay lines corresponding to the M1 delay line sets of the first phase shifting module differ by a first value sequentially. a second value; the M delay lines of the second phase shifting device are included in M1 delay line sets, each delay line set includes M2 delay lines, each delay line of the M delay lines of the second phase shifting module is composed of a first delay line and a second delay line corresponding to each delay line, wherein the lengths of the first delay lines corresponding to the M2 delay lines in each delay line set in the second phase shifting module are the same, and the lengths of the corresponding second delay lines differ by a third value in sequence, and the lengths of the M1 first delay lines corresponding to the M1 delay line sets in the second phase shifting module differ by a fourth value in sequence, wherein the first difference and the second difference are both not 0, and the first difference and the second difference are not equal, wherein the first difference is the absolute value of the difference between the first value and the third value, and the second difference is the absolute value of the difference between the second value and the fourth value.

[0009] For ease of description, by way of example, the length characteristics of the M delay lines in this implementation may be referred to as optical path grading characteristics.

[0010] In the above technical scheme, based on the optical path grading characteristics, the phase of the signal can be adjusted in the horizontal and vertical dimensions (dimensionality) respectively. At the same time, the first difference and the second difference can be used to characterize the dispersion intensity in the horizontal and vertical dimensions. There must be a certain gap between the two so that the central wavelength of the microwave photon signal based on the first signal can obtain phase differences with different change trends in the horizontal and vertical directions, thereby realizing 2D beamforming.

[0011] In some implementations, the lengths of the M delay lines of the first phase shifting device sequentially differ by a first value, and the lengths of the M delay lines of the second phase shifting device sequentially differ by a second value.

[0012] In a second aspect, a phase shifting device is provided, the phase shifting device comprising: a first phase shifting module, the first phase shifting module comprising M delay lines, the first end and the second end of a delay line among the M delay lines being respectively connected to an input interface of the first phase shifting module and one of M output interfaces of the first phase shifting module, the M output interfaces of the first phase shifting module being connected to M antenna units in an antenna array, M being an integer greater than 1, the M delay lines being included in M1 delay line sets, each delay line set comprising M2 delay lines, M1 being the number of antenna units in a horizontal dimension of the antenna array, and M2 being the number of antenna units in a vertical dimension of the antenna array, or, M 1 is the number of antenna units in the vertical dimension of the antenna array, and M2 is the number of antenna units in the horizontal dimension of the antenna array, M is equal to the product of M1 and M2, each delay line of the M delay lines of the first phase shift module is composed of a first delay line and a second delay line corresponding to each delay line, wherein the lengths of the first delay lines corresponding to the M2 delay lines in each delay line set are the same, and the lengths of the corresponding second delay lines differ by a first value in sequence, and the lengths of the M1 first delay lines corresponding to the M1 delay line set of the first phase shift module differ by a second value in sequence, wherein both the first value and the second value are not 0, and the first value is not equal to the second value.

[0013] In the above technical scheme, based on the optical path grading characteristics, the phase of the signal can be adjusted in the horizontal and vertical dimensions (dimensionality) respectively. At the same time, the first value and the second value can be used to characterize the dispersion intensity in the horizontal and vertical dimensions. There needs to be a certain gap between the two so that the central wavelength of the microwave photon signal based on the first signal can obtain phase differences with different change trends in the horizontal and vertical directions, thereby realizing 2D beamforming.

[0014] In some implementations, the phase shifting device further includes: a second phase shifting module, an input interface of the second phase shifting module being used to receive a sideband component of the first signal, and an input interface of the first phase shifting module being used to receive a carrier component of the first signal, wherein the second phase shifting module includes M delay lines, a first end and a second end of a delay line among the M delay lines are respectively connected to an input interface of the second phase shifting module and one of M output interfaces of the second phase shifting module, the M delay lines are included in M1 delay line sets, each delay line set includes M2 delay lines, each delay line among the M delay lines of the second phase shifting module is composed of a first delay line and a second delay line corresponding to each delay line, wherein the lengths of the first delay lines corresponding to the M2 delay lines in each delay line set in the second phase shifting module are the same, and The lengths of the corresponding second delay lines differ by a third value in sequence, and the lengths of the M1 first delay lines corresponding to the M1 delay line sets in the second phase shift module differ by a fourth value in sequence, wherein the first difference and the second difference are both not 0, and the first difference and the second difference are not equal, the first difference is the absolute value of the difference between the first value and the third value, and the second difference is the absolute value of the difference between the second value and the fourth value; M combiners, wherein one of the M output interfaces of the first phase shift module is connected to the input interface of one of the M combiners, one of the M output interfaces of the second phase shift module is connected to the input interface of one of the M combiners, and the output interface of one of the M combiners is used to be connected to the input interface of one of the M antenna units.

[0015] In the above technical solution, the carrier component and the sideband component of the first signal are respectively input into the device from the input interfaces of the two phase shifting modules of the phase shifting device. The CS separation dispersion mechanism can improve the dispersion efficiency of the phase shifting device by an order of magnitude compared with the traditional phase shifting device, so that the phase shifting device can be small in size or integrated on a single chip.

[0016] In some implementations, the first value and the third value have opposite signs, and / or the second value and the fourth value have opposite signs.

[0017] In the above technical solution, the dispersion efficiency can be doubled compared with the dispersion phase shift of a single component of a carrier or a sideband.

[0018] In some implementations, the first delay line corresponding to each delay line set in the M1 delay line sets in the third phase shift module is a common delay line of the corresponding delay line set, and the third phase shift module is a first phase shift module or a second phase shift module.

[0019] For example, the topology structure corresponding to the M delay lines in this implementation can be called a pure parallel-feed topology structure. Based on this topology structure, the splitters connected to each delay line in the phase shifting device can be made equal, and the network design is simple.

[0020] In certain implementations, the first delay line of each of the M delay lines of the third phase-shift module consists of a third delay line and a fourth delay line included in each delay line, wherein the third delay line in the first delay line of at least two delay line sets in the M1 delay line sets in the third phase-shift module is a common delay line of the at least two delay line sets, and / or, the second delay line of each of the M delay lines of the third phase-shift module consists of a fifth delay line and a sixth delay line included in each delay line, wherein the fifth delay line in the second delay line of at least two delay line sets in the M1 delay line sets in the third phase-shift module is a common delay line in the at least two delay line sets.

[0021] For example, the topology corresponding to the M delay lines in this implementation can be called a hierarchical parallel-feed topology. It can be understood that this topology reuses some of the delay lines adjacent to the delay lines in the pure parallel-feed structure, which can significantly reduce the chip size.

[0022] In some implementations, the phase shifting device also includes: a first chip and M1 second chips, wherein the first delay line of each of the M delay lines of the first phase shifting module and the first delay line of each of the M delay lines of the second phase shifting module are both located in the first chip, and the second delay line of the M2 delay lines of one delay line set in the M1 delay line set of the first phase shifting module and the second delay line of the M2 delay lines of one delay line set in the M1 delay line set of the second phase shifting module are both located in one chip of the M1 second chips.

[0023] The above technical solution has the advantages of significantly reducing the requirements for optical chip specifications and flexible output port positions. For example, when the M paths in the first phase-shifting module and the second phase-shifting module are purely parallel-fed, the following beneficial effects can be achieved. First, the positions of the M1 second chips can be flexibly adjusted to match large-size post-stage modules such as antennas. Second, the structures of the M1 second chips are exactly the same, and the phase shifting device only requires 2 types of optical chips to be implemented. Third, the channel scale of each optical chip is of the order of M1 or M2. Compared with the M1*M2 scale required for a single chip, the specification requirements for a single chip are significantly reduced, it is easier to implement, and the yield is better controlled. Fourth, the minimum number of connections required between the first chip and the M1 second chips is only 2*M1, the packaging difficulty and cost are low, and if an optical amplifier is required between the first chip and the second chip, the number of optical amplifiers required is also relatively small.

[0024] In some implementations, the first phase shift module includes a first splitter, which includes M1 power division paths, wherein the first end of the M1 power division paths in the first splitter is connected to the input interface of the first phase shift module, the second end of a power division path in the M1 power division paths in the first splitter is respectively connected to the first end of a first delay line in M1 common first delay lines of the first phase shift module, the first end of a first delay line in the first phase shift module is the same as the first end of any delay line in the M2 delay lines in the delay line set corresponding to the first delay line, and the first end of the M1 power division paths in the second splitter is connected to the input interface of the second phase shift module.

[0025] In some implementations, the second phase shifting module includes a second splitter, which includes M1 power division paths, wherein the first end of the M1 power division paths in the second splitter is connected to the input interface of the second phase shifting module, the second end of a power division path in the M1 power division paths in the second splitter is respectively connected to the first end of a first delay line in the M1 common first delay lines of the second phase shifting module, and the first end of a first delay line in the second phase shifting module is the same as the first end of any delay line in the M2 delay lines in the delay line set corresponding to the first delay line.

[0026] In some implementations, the lengths of the M1 power division paths of the first phase-shifting module and the M1 power division paths of the second phase-shifting module both deviate from the first length by less than a first threshold.

[0027] In the above technical solution, it can be regarded that the M power division paths in the first splitter and the second splitter are wired with equal length.

[0028] In some implementations, the deviation between the lengths of the M1 power division paths of the first phase shift module and the second length is smaller than a second threshold, and the deviation between the lengths of the M1 delay lines of the second phase shift module and the third length is smaller than a third threshold.

[0029] In the above technical solution, it can be considered that the M power splitting paths in the first splitter are wired with equal lengths, and the M power splitting paths in the second splitter are wired with equal lengths. For example, the lengths of the first splitter and the second splitter can be the same or different.

[0030] In certain implementations, the deviation between the distance at N% of the path length of the first power division path and the distance at N% of the path length of the second power division path and a fourth length is less than a fourth threshold, N is greater than 0, the first power division path is a power division path for transmitting the second signal among the M power division paths of the first phase shift module, the second power division path is a power division path for transmitting the third signal among the M power division paths of the second phase shift module, and the second signal and the third signal are respectively the sideband component and the carrier component of the first signal output to the same combiner among the M combiners.

[0031] Based on the above technical solution, the first power division path and the second power division path in the first splitter and the second splitter are made as close as possible in physical position, which can reduce the initial phase error of signals transmitted on different delay lines.

[0032] In a third aspect, an antenna device is provided, including: the phase shifting device described in the first aspect or the second aspect or any implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0033] As an example, the antenna device is an active antenna unit AAU or a radio remote unit RRU.

[0034] In a fourth aspect, a method for phase shifting is provided. The method comprises: separating a first signal to generate a carrier component of the first signal and a sideband component of the first signal; inputting the carrier component of the first signal to an input interface of a first phase shifting module of a phase shifting device; inputting the sideband component carrier component of the first signal to an input interface of a second phase shifting module of the phase shifting device, wherein the phase shifting device is the phase shifting device described in the first aspect or the second aspect or any implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a fully connected HBF antenna system.

[0036] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a traditional optical domain dispersion phase shifting device.

[0037] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a phase shifting device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of another phase shifting device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of another phase shifting device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a pure parallel-feed topology structure of M delay lines provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of a hierarchical parallel-feed topology structure of M delay lines provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0042] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of a series-fed and parallel-fed topology structure of M delay lines provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0043] Fig. 9It is a schematic diagram of a pure series-fed topology structure of M delay lines provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] Fig.10 It is a structural schematic diagram of a specific phase shifting device proposed in this application.

[0045] Fig.11 Yes Fig.10 The schematic diagram of the structure of the phase shifting device after the slice processing is shown.

[0046] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the first power division path and the second power division path in a possible first splitter and a second splitter proposed in an embodiment of the present application.

[0047] Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the first power division path and the second power division path in another possible first splitter and the second splitter proposed in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The technical solution in this application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0049] It should be noted that, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, "plurality" refers to two or more than two, "at least one" and "one or more" refer to one, two or more than two. The singular expressions "a", "an", "said", "above", "the" and "this" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more", unless there is a clear indication to the contrary in the context.

[0050] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" etc. described in this specification mean that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the present application. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in some other embodiments", "in some other embodiments", etc. that appear at different places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. The terms "including", "comprising", "having" and their variations all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways.

[0051] The terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the embodiments of the present application shown below are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or apparatuses.

[0052] In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions, and embodiments or designs described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. The use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way for easy understanding.

[0053] The various components in the drawings in the embodiments of the present application are not drawn to scale, and the dimensions and sizes of the components shown in the drawings are only exemplary and should not be construed as limitations on the present application.

[0054] In the embodiments of the present application, "corresponding (corresponding, relevant)" and "corresponding (corresponding)" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be pointed out that when the distinction between them is not emphasized, the meanings they intend to express are consistent.

[0055] The technical solution of the present application can be applied to a variety of scenarios, for example, it can be used in hybrid beamforming (HBF) networks, phased array radars, satellite networks, etc. in wireless base station communication systems.

[0056] The architecture and scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. A person of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0057] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the concepts and related processes involved in the present application are first introduced.

[0058] 1. HBF: In the base station antenna system, a phase shifter is inserted between some transceiver modules and the antenna unit. The analog domain beamforming is realized through the phase shifter, which is combined with the original digital domain beamforming, which is called HBF.

[0059] 2. Microwave signal: Microwave signal refers to electromagnetic wave signal with a frequency of 300MHz to 300GHz. It is the cornerstone for the development and growth of many fields such as telecommunications, national defense, sensing, medical care, aerospace, etc.

[0060] 3. Microwave photonics (MWP): Microwave photonics is an important research field at present. The core idea is to load microwave signals into the optical frequency band to generate microwave photon signals, and transfer the processing of microwave signals (electrical signals) to the processing of optical signals. Most of the devices in the microwave photonic system are composed of optical devices, which can enjoy the huge advantages of optical devices such as ultra-small size, low power consumption, ultra-low insertion loss, ultra-large bandwidth, flexible and adjustable microwave signal frequency band, anti-electromagnetic interference, simple process and low cost.

[0061] 4. Steering vector beam: The beam is formed by weighting the radiation energy of a group of linear phase oscillators. The beam pointing can be achieved by adjusting the linear phase slope, that is, the phase difference between adjacent oscillators.

[0062] 5. Optical domain dispersion effect: The phenomenon that the phase change of an optical signal after it is transmitted through a medium is related to the wavelength of the signal.

[0063] In wireless communications, beamforming is a signal processing technology that uses an antenna array to transmit or receive directional signals. Beamforming enables the antenna system to have spatial selectivity, which can achieve directivity coefficient gain and avoid spatial interference compared to omnidirectional antennas.

[0064] The principle of beamforming is to weight the signals transmitted to or from the antenna array unit (i.e., adjust the signal amplitude and phase) so that these signals interfere constructively in certain directions in space and interfere destructively in other directions to achieve spatial selectivity. If the weighting process is implemented in the digital domain, it is digital domain beamforming. If it is implemented in the analog domain, it is analog domain beamforming. Analog domain beamforming inserts a phase shifter between the transceiver unit and the antenna unit, and the analog domain beamforming is achieved through the phase shifter. If there is a weighting process in both the digital domain and the analog domain, it is hybrid beamforming. The advantage of digital domain beamforming is that it can carry multiple data streams, which is the key to realizing (multiple-input multiple-output, MIMO). The disadvantage is that the number of transceiver units must be consistent with the number of antenna array units. In scenarios with many antenna units (such as high frequencies), there are too many transceiver units, resulting in high system cost and complexity. Analog domain beamforming is the opposite. The advantage is that a single transceiver unit can drive and control multiple antenna array units based on an analog weighting device. The disadvantage is that it cannot carry multiple data streams. Hybrid beamforming has the advantages of both. Therefore, in the HBF antenna system, the number of transceiver modules and the number of antenna units may not be equal.

[0065] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a fully connected HBF antenna system. The system includes M antenna units and N transceiver units, where: Figure 1The radio frequency (RF) module can be regarded as a transceiver unit, and M is greater than N. The fully connected HBF antenna system realizes beamforming in the analog domain by inserting a phase shifter between any transceiver unit and any antenna unit, and any phase shifter can independently weight the signal, so there are a total of N*M weights, where * represents multiplication. For large-scale antenna systems, traditional fully connected HBF antenna systems require N times M phase shifters. The excessive number of phase shifters leads to excessive hardware complexity and weight algorithm complexity. A simplified idea is that the fully connected HBF antenna system only realizes steered vector beams, and each beam controls the horizontal and vertical directions. In theory, the minimum number of weights required is 2N. However, how to reduce the number of phase shifters to the minimum number of weights 2N, that is, how to decouple the number of phase shifters from the antenna unit scale of the HBF antenna system, the microwave photonics field provides a good direction for achieving the above requirements.

[0066] In order to simplify the steered vector HBF antenna system, the optical domain dispersion effect can be utilized. The basic idea is to use a hardware-fixed (purely passive) dispersion phase shift network, whose output signal phase changes with the wavelength of the input light source. After changing the wavelength of the light source, the phase of the output signal of all channels of the entire dispersion phase shift network is synchronously refreshed, so that the phase shifter and the antenna unit scale of the HBF antenna system can be decoupled.

[0067] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a traditional optical domain dispersion phase shifter. The input light is a microwave photon signal, which contains two signal components, namely the carrier component (wavelength is λ c ) and sideband components (wavelength λ s =λ c +Δλ cs , Δλ cs The microwave photon signal is input into a passive dispersion phase shifter, and the splitter divides the microwave photon signal into M signals, which are transmitted on M delay lines. The lengths of two adjacent delay lines in the figure differ by ΔL. After that, the M signals are converted to the electrical domain and transmitted through the antenna. Among them, the phase difference of the signal output by the antenna unit connected by any delay line with a transmission distance difference of ΔL is The following relations are satisfied:

[0068]

[0069] Where λ=(λ C +λ S ) / 2, that is, λ represents the central wavelength of the input microwave photon signal.

[0070] Based on the above formula, it can be seen that due to Δλ csToo small (for example, 0.224nm), resulting in extremely weak dispersion effect of traditional dispersion phase shifting devices during transmission. The weak dispersion effect can be understood as Δλ cs Too small, if you need to get a definite Then the required length of ΔL is too large (for example, the order of magnitude of ΔL may be 200m multiplied by the square of M), so that the dispersion phase shifter cannot be integrated in a small volume or on a single chip. The manufacturing cost and scale become bottlenecks limiting the further application of traditional dispersion phase shifters.

[0071] In addition, it can be seen from the above formula that the traditional dispersion phase shifting device can only cover one-dimensional dispersion tuning, that is, it can only adjust the phase of the signal in one direction, and cannot adjust the phase of the signal in the horizontal and vertical dimensions (dimensionality) respectively, that is, it cannot achieve 2D beamforming.

[0072] In view of this, the present application proposes a phase shifting device, which can effectively solve the above technical problems. The phase shifting device proposed in the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0073] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of a phase shifting device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 As shown, the phase shifting device includes a first phase shifting module, a second phase shifting module and M combiners, M is an integer greater than 1, wherein the input interface of the first phase shifting module is used to receive the carrier component of the first signal, and one of the M output interfaces of the first phase shifting module is connected to the first input interface of one of the M combiners; the input interface of the second phase shifting module is used to receive the sideband component of the first signal, and one of the M output interfaces of the second phase shifting module is connected to the second input interface of one of the M combiners; the output interface of one of the M combiners is used to be connected to the input interface of one of the M antenna units of the antenna array.

[0074] For example, the phase shifting device is a dispersion phase shifting device, which is not limited in the present application.

[0075] For example, the first signal may be a microwave photon signal. Among them, the carrier component is usually a continuous wavelength (continuous wave, CW) optical signal component in the microwave photon signal that does not carry a data signal, and may also be referred to as a (optical) local oscillator component. Among them, the sideband component is usually an optical signal component in the microwave photon signal that carries a certain bandwidth signal, and may also be referred to as a signal component. If the microwave photon signal is composed of two CW optical signal components of different frequencies, and both components do not carry a certain bandwidth signal, then any one of the components may be referred to as a carrier component or a sideband component, and the other component may be referred to as a sideband component or a carrier component. In addition, there are many ways to obtain microwave photon signals. For example, the carrier component may be obtained directly from the output signal of the light source or the output signal of the light source may be obtained by frequency shift modulation. The sideband component may be obtained directly from the output signal of the light source or the output signal of the light source may be obtained by frequency shift modulation. When the center frequency difference between the carrier component and the sideband component is in the microwave frequency band, the microwave photon signal is obtained.

[0076] In one possible implementation, one element A among the M elements A (for example, a combiner) described in the embodiment of the present application is connected to one element B among the M elements B (for example, an antenna unit). It can also be understood that one element A among the M elements A is connected to one element B among the M elements B in a one-to-one correspondence, which means that the M elements A are all connected to one element B, and the elements B connected to the M elements A are different from each other.

[0077] Figure 3 The carrier component and the sideband component of the first signal are respectively input into the device from the input interfaces of the two phase shift modules of the phase shift device. The CS (C stands for carrier, S stands for side-band) separation dispersion mechanism can improve the dispersion efficiency of the phase shift device by an order of magnitude compared with the traditional phase shift device, so that the phase shift device can be small in size or integrated on a single chip. The specific reasons will be discussed below. Fig.10 This will be explained and will not be described in detail here.

[0078] Alternatively, if Figure 4 As shown, the first phase-shifting module and the second phase-shifting module respectively include M delay lines, wherein the first end and the second end (i.e., the two ends of a delay line) of the M delay lines of the first phase-shifting module are respectively connected to the input interface of the first phase-shifting module and one of the M output interfaces of the first phase-shifting module. Similarly, the first end and the second end of a delay line of the M delay lines of the second phase-shifting module are respectively connected to the input interface of the second phase-shifting module and one of the M output interfaces of the second phase-shifting module. Optionally, as Figure 5As shown, the first phase-shifting module may also include a first splitter, and the second phase-shifting module may also include a second splitter, wherein the input interface of the first splitter is connected to the input interface of the first phase-shifting module, and the first splitter includes M output interfaces, and the M output interfaces are respectively connected to the first ends of the M delay lines. Similarly, the input interface of the second splitter is connected to the input interface of the second phase-shifting module, and the second splitter includes M output interfaces, and the M output interfaces are respectively connected to the first ends of the M delay lines. Taking the first splitter as an example, the connection relationship of the first splitter can be understood as that the first splitter is used to divide the carrier component of the first signal received from the input interface of the first phase-shifting module into M parts, and output them to the first ends of the M delay lines through the M output interfaces.

[0079] It should be noted that the first splitter and the second splitter actually include M output interfaces. Figure 5 Only one output interface is schematically drawn, which should not be construed as a limitation of the present application.

[0080] The length relationship of the M delay lines used for dispersion in the first phase shift module and the second direction shift module is described in detail below. For example, the present application provides two possible length relationships of the M delay lines.

[0081] Implementation method 1

[0082] The lengths of the M delay lines of the first phase-shifting module differ in sequence by a first value. The lengths of the M delay lines of the second phase-shifting module differ in sequence by a second value.

[0083] It should be noted that in this implementation, the first phase shift module only needs to have M delay lines whose lengths sequentially differ by a first value, and the second phase shift module only needs to have M delay lines whose lengths sequentially differ by a second value. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific arrangement order of the M delay lines in the two phase shift modules. For example, the arrangement order of the M delay lines in the first phase shift module or the second phase shift module is Figure 2 The arrangement order of the M extension lines in is the same.

[0084] Implementation method 2

[0085] The M delay lines of the first phase shift module are included in M1 delay line sets, each delay line set includes M2 delay lines, and each delay line in the M delay lines consists of a first delay line and a second delay line corresponding to each delay line, wherein the lengths of the first delay lines corresponding to the M2 delay lines in each delay line set are the same, and the lengths of the corresponding second delay lines differ by a first value (hereinafter referred to as L2 as an example), and the lengths of the M1 first delay lines corresponding to the M1 delay line sets differ by a second value (hereinafter referred to as L1 as an example), wherein M1 is the number of antenna units in the horizontal dimension of the antenna array, and M2 is the number of antenna units in the vertical dimension of the antenna array unit, or, M1 is the number of antenna units in the vertical dimension of the antenna array unit, and M2 is the number of antenna units in the horizontal dimension of the antenna array unit, and M is equal to the product of M1 and M2. Similarly, the M delay lines of the second phase-shifting module are included in M1 delay line sets, each delay line set includes M2 delay lines, and each delay line of the M delay lines of the second phase-shifting module is composed of a first delay line and a second delay line corresponding to each delay line, wherein the lengths of the first delay lines corresponding to the M2 delay lines in each delay line set in the second phase-shifting module are the same, and the lengths of the corresponding second delay lines differ by a third value (hereinafter L3 is taken as an example), and the lengths of the M1 first delay lines corresponding to the M1 delay line sets in the second phase-shifting module differ by a fourth value (hereinafter L4 is taken as an example). For ease of description, in the embodiment of the present application, the length characteristics of the M delay lines in the second implementation method can be referred to as optical path grading characteristics.

[0086] It should be noted that in this implementation, |L1-L4| (i.e., the absolute value of the difference between the second value and the fourth value) and |L2-L3| (i.e., the absolute value of the difference between the first value and the third value) are not 0, and |L1-L4| and |L2-L3| are not equal. For ease of description, this feature may be referred to as a dispersion intensity grading feature in the embodiment of the present application.

[0087] It should also be noted that in the second implementation, as long as there are M extension lines satisfying the above-mentioned length characteristics in the first phase shift module and the second phase shift module, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific arrangement order of the M delay lines in the two phase shift modules.

[0088] Based on the optical path classification characteristics and dispersion intensity classification characteristics of the second implementation method, two-dimensional dispersion tuning can be achieved, that is, 2D beamforming can be achieved. The specific reasons will be combined with Fig.10 This will be explained and will not be described in detail here.

[0089] It should be understood that the CS dispersion separation mechanism and the optical path grading feature are two independent features. The two features can be used alone or in combination with each other. This application does not limit this. Implementation method two can be regarded as the combination of the two features. When the optical path grading feature is applied alone, it can be considered that the dispersion phase shifting module includes the first phase shifting module or the second phase shifting module in implementation method two. The input interface of the first phase shifting module or the second phase shifting module is used to receive the first signal, that is, the first signal will not be CS separated, but only input from the input interface of one phase shifting module. For example, when the optical path grading feature is applied alone, the dispersion phase shifting module can be as follows: Figure 2 shown, and Figure 2 The lengths of the M extension lines in the embodiment only need to satisfy the optical path grading characteristics given in the second embodiment.

[0090] Implementation method 2 only provides the optical path classification characteristics of the M delay lines in the first phase shift module and the second phase shift module. The optical path classification characteristics can be implemented through different logical topological structures of the M delay lines. Several possible logical topological structures of the M delay lines are provided below. For ease of description, the M delay lines of the first phase shift module are used as an example for illustration.

[0091] Logical topology 1: pure parallel feed

[0092] In this topological structure, the first delay line corresponding to each delay line set in the M1 delay line sets in the first phase shift module is a common delay line of the corresponding delay line set.

[0093] For example, Figure 6 As shown, the first phase shift module includes M delay lines, and the M delay lines are included in the delay line set #1 to the delay line set #M1. Among them, S1, S1+L1, ..., S1+(M1-1)*L1 are respectively the common first delay lines corresponding to the M2 extension lines in the delay line set #1 to the delay line set #M1 corresponding to the first phase shift module, and S2, S2+L2, ..., S2+(M2-1)*L2 are respectively the second delay lines of the M2 delay lines in any delay line set in the M delay line sets of the first phase shift module.

[0094] In this topology, the number of splitters connected to each delay line is equal, the network design is simple, and the splitters also tend to have equal power distribution, which is easy to design.

[0095] It should be understood that the number of output interfaces of the splitter connected to the delay line in different topological structures of the embodiments of the present application may be different. In actual manufacturing, a matching splitter can be selected for connection based on how many parts the signal is actually divided into, and the present application does not limit this. For example, Figure 6In the embodiment, the output interface of the splitter connected to the first delay line may be greater than or equal to M1, and the output interface of the splitter connected to the second delay line may be greater than or equal to M2.

[0096] Logical topology 2: Hierarchical and parallel feed

[0097] In this topological structure, the M1 common first delay lines (i.e. Figure 6 Each of the M1 common first delay lines corresponding to the M1 delay line sets in the first phase shift module consists of a third delay line and a fourth delay line, wherein the third delay line in the first delay line of at least two delay line sets in the M1 delay line sets in the first phase shift module is a common delay line in the at least two delay line sets, and / or the second delay line of each of the M delay lines of the first phase shift module consists of a fifth delay line and a sixth delay line included in each delay line, wherein the fourth delay line in the second delay line of at least two delay line sets in the M1 delay line sets in the first phase shift module is a common delay line in the at least two delay line sets.

[0098] For example, Figure 7 As shown, taking the example that the first delay line of each of the M delay lines of the first phase shift module is composed of the third delay line and the fourth delay line contained in each delay line, in the delay line set #1 corresponding to delay line #1 to delay line #M2, and the delay line set #2 corresponding to delay line #M2+1 to delay line #2*M2, the common first delay line of the delay line set #1 includes the corresponding third delay line (S1) and the fourth delay line (0), the common first delay line of the delay line set #2 includes the corresponding third delay line (S1) and the fourth delay line (L1), and the third delay line of the delay line set #1 and the delay line set #2 is the common delay line of the two delay line sets.

[0099] It can be understood that this topology multiplexes part of the delay lines of adjacent delay lines in a pure parallel-feed structure, significantly reducing the chip size, and when delay lines are multiplexed among multiple adjacent delay lines, for example, when initial phase errors are adjusted between delay line set #1 and delay line set #2 and other delay line sets (for example, delay line set #M), only a single phase shifter is required.

[0100] Logical topology structure three: series feed plus parallel feed

[0101] like Figure 8 As shown, in this topology, the M1 common first delay lines in the M1 delay line set of the first phase shift module adopt a series feed structure, and the second delay lines of the M2 delay lines in each delay line set in the M1 delay line set in the first phase shift module adopt a parallel feed structure.

[0102] Logical topology structure 4: pure series feed

[0103] like Fig. 9 As shown, in this topology, the M1 common first delay lines in the M1 delay line set of the first phase shift module, and the second delay lines of the M2 delay lines in each delay line set in the M1 delay line set in the first phase shift module all adopt a series feed structure. This topology can achieve maximum transmission delay line multiplexing, is theoretically the most compact, and has the smallest size.

[0104] It should be understood that the M delay lines in the first phase-shifting module and the second phase-shifting module may adopt any one of the above topological structures or other structures, and the present application does not limit this.

[0105] The above describes the phase shifting device proposed in the present application in detail. The following describes the beneficial effects of CS separation and how to implement 2D beamforming based on optical path classification in conjunction with a specific phase shifting device.

[0106] Fig.10 : is a schematic diagram of a specific phase shifting device proposed in this application. The M delay lines in the device adopt a pure parallel-feed logic topology structure, and the antenna array connected to the M combiners in the device includes M antenna units. For example, M1=M H is the number of antenna units in the horizontal dimension, M2=M V is the number of antenna units in the vertical dimension, M = M H *M V .

[0107] First, the carrier component and the sideband component of N microwave photon signals are separated to generate a first signal and a second signal, where N is a positive integer, the first input signal includes the carrier component (i.e., C component) of the N microwave photon signals, and the second input signal includes the sideband component (i.e., S component) of the N microwave photon signals. Then, the first signal and the second signal are input through the first phase shift module and the input interface of the phase shift module, respectively, wherein the wavelength component of the carrier component of the N microwave photon signals in the first signal is λ C1 ~λ CN , the wavelength component of the sideband component of the N microwave photon signals in the second signal is λ S1 ~λ SN ,|λ Cn -λ Sn |=△λ cs , n∈[1,N].

[0108] Afterwards, the two signals (respectively denoted as c0(t) and s0(t)) are split into M=M by the splitter in the device. H *M V Each copy is transmitted in a delay line of a specific length. These signals are recorded as Among them, A Cnhv and A Snhv It represents the amplitude response of the nth wavelength component in each signal after being branched and transmitted through a delay line of a specific length, L Chv and L Shv Indicates the delay line length of each signal transmission, Φ(L Chv ,λ Cn ) and Φ(L Shv ,λ Sn ) is the corresponding phase response. There are M H *M V Couplers are denoted as Couplers hv , used to convert the corresponding c hv (t) and s hv (t) After combining, it is input to the antenna unit Ant in the antenna unit array hv , Ant hv represents the antenna element in the hth row and vth column of the antenna array. Then the antenna Ant hv The output signal is recorded as:

[0109] E hv (t)∝Lowpass{Re{c hv (t)}Re{s hv (t)}}=A hv (t)cos(2πΔf CS t+Φ(L Chv ,λ C )-Φ(L Shv ,λ S ))

[0110] The output signal includes signal components of N microwave photon signals, wherein the nth component of the N microwave photon signals can be expressed as:

[0111] E nhv (t)∝=A nhv (t)cos(2πΔf CS t+Φ(L Chv ,λ nC )-Φ(L Shv ,λ nS ))

[0112] ≈A nhv (t)cos(2πΔf CS t+Φ(L Chv -L Shv ,λ n ))

[0113] Among them, λ n=(λ nC +λ nS ) / 2, represents the center wavelength of the nth microwave photon signal.

[0114] Therefore, the phase difference of the transmitted signal corresponding to the n-th microwave photon signal on adjacent horizontal antenna units in the antenna array is:

[0115]

[0116] Similarly, the phase difference of the transmitted signal corresponding to the n-th microwave photon signal transmitted on the adjacent vertical antenna units in the antenna array is:

[0117]

[0118] Among them, λ ref_nH and λ ref_nV Respectively and The central wavelength of the nth microwave photon signal, n g Represents the refractive index of the delay line that transmits the signal.

[0119] It should be noted that Fig.10 For the sake of convenience, the corresponding c hv (t) and s hv (t) After combining, it is input to the antenna unit Ant in the antenna unit array hv In practice, as long as c hv (t) and s hv (t) One of the M combiners for combining signals can be connected to one of the M antenna units, and this application does not make any specific limitation.

[0120] Below As an example, the beneficial effect of CS separation is illustrated. It can be seen that when L2 or L3 is 0, here L3 is taken as 0, then

[0121]

[0122] Figure 2 The phase difference of the traditional phase shifter is:

[0123]

[0124] Comparing the above two phase difference formulas, it can be seen that when Figure 2 and Fig. 9 When the same microwave photon signal is input into n =λ, if you need to get the same Since the traditional dispersion phase shifting network has Δλ csIf the ΔL is too small, the required ΔL length is too long. However, the phase shifting device proposed in this application separates the input by CS to determine Parameters Compared with Δλ cs / λ 2 For example, when the wavelength adjustment range of the light source is 1535nm~1565nm and the target RF frequency band is 6GHz, The variation is 0~1.25×10 -5 nm -1 , and Δλ cs / λ 2 The variation is 0~7.7×10 -10 nm -1 To achieve the same phase shift amount, the length of L2 is significantly shortened compared to the length of ΔL, so that the phase shift device can be small in size or integrated into a single chip.

[0125] In addition, through the optical path classification feature, a microwave photon signal can generate corresponding phase differences between antenna units in the horizontal and vertical dimensions. |L1-L4| and |L2-L3| can be used to characterize the dispersion intensity in the horizontal and vertical dimensions. There needs to be a certain difference between the two so that based on the same λ n Different trends can be obtained and (This feature can be called a dispersion intensity grading feature). Therefore, according to the dispersion intensity grading feature and the optical path grading feature, 2D beamforming can be realized. Two possible methods for realizing the dispersion intensity grading feature are given below.

[0126] Optionally, |L1-L4|=K*|L2-L3|, where K is a larger multiple, for example, K=32.

[0127] Optionally, |L1-L4| and |L2-L3| are of comparable magnitude but are prime to each other. For example, |L1-L4|=32, |L2-L3|=31.

[0128] Based on the above description, it can be known that when the length differences L1, L2, L3 and L4 are determined, the central wavelength λ of the nth microwave photon signal can be adjusted. n To change the phase difference between the antenna units in the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the n-th microwave photon signal (i.e. and ), thereby changing the 2D pointing direction of the beam.

[0129] When the phase shifting device proposed in the embodiment of the present application is integrated into a single chip, |L1-L4| and |L2-L3| may be optionally designed based on one or more of the multiple design rules given below.

[0130] (1) Determine the maximum wavelength tuning range Δλ based on the light source and chip performance n , and, determined according to the phase shift requirements and The adjustment range of |L1-L4| and |L2-L3| are determined.

[0131] (2) Determine the upper limits of |L1-L4| and |L2-L3| based on the tolerable chip phase error performance, because the larger the delay line length difference, the larger the chip area and the larger the phase shift error.

[0132] (3) If the dispersion efficiency needs to be improved as much as possible within a limited chip area, the signs of L1 and L4 can be made opposite, and the signs of L2 and L3 can be made opposite. Compared with the dispersion phase shift of the carrier or sideband single component, the dispersion efficiency can be doubled. For example, when L1 = -L4, substitute into the formula Compared with L4 equal to 0 (i.e., the single carrier component undergoes dispersion phase shift), It becomes twice as much as before, that is, the dispersion efficiency is doubled.

[0133] In addition, another advantage of L1 = -L4, L2 = -L3 is that the designs of the M delay lines in the first phase-shifting module and the second phase-shifting module can be completely symmetrical, which significantly reduces the complexity of chip design.

[0134] However, in some scenarios, such as in a base station antenna system, a phase shifting device proposed in an embodiment of the present application is integrated into a single chip. If the device needs to be docked with an antenna, the antenna is usually much larger than the chip and cannot match a small chip. For another example, the scale of the phase shifting device proposed in an embodiment of the present application exceeds the integration capability of a single chip. In this case, the phase shifting device proposed in an embodiment of the present application needs to be sliced. The core of the slicing process is to encapsulate the components in the phase shifting device proposed in an embodiment of the present application in multiple chips respectively. The following is a detailed description of a slicing scheme proposed in the present application.

[0135] The phase shifting device includes a first chip and M1 second chips, wherein the first delay line of each of the M delay lines of the first phase shifting module and the first delay line of each of the M delay lines of the second phase shifting module are both located in the first chip, and the second delay line of the M2 delay lines of one delay line set in the M1 delay line sets of the first phase shifting module and the second delay line of the M2 delay lines of one delay line set in the M1 delay line sets of the second phase shifting module are both located in one chip of the M1 second chips.

[0136] For example, based on the above sharding scheme Fig.10 The result after slicing the phase shifting device is as follows Fig.11As shown, no further details are given here. Specifically, the slicing scheme proposed in the implementation method based on the embodiment of the present application can have the following beneficial effects. First, the positions of the M1 second chips can be flexibly adjusted to match large-sized post-stage modules such as antennas. Second, the structures of the M1 second chips are exactly the same, and the phase shifting device only requires 2 types of optical chips to be implemented. Third, the channel scale of each optical chip is on the order of M1 or M2. Compared with the M1*M2 scale that a single chip needs to achieve, the specification requirements for a single chip are significantly reduced, it is easier to implement, and the yield is better controlled. Fourth, if Fig.11 As shown, the minimum number of connections required between the first chip and M1 second chips is only 2*M1, the packaging difficulty and cost are low, and if an optical amplifier is required between the first chip and the second chip, the number of optical amplifiers required is also relatively small.

[0137] As can be seen from the above, the phase shifting device provided in the embodiment of the present application greatly improves the dispersion efficiency through the CS separation dispersion method, but the optical phase is easily affected by process errors and environmental disturbances, and the phase stability deteriorates after CS separation, which greatly increases the requirements for chip design. Therefore, the embodiment of the present application proposes several possible initial phase error suppression schemes to solve the initial phase error problem introduced by the CS separation dispersion mechanism.

[0138] (1) For given L1, L2, L3 and L4 parameters, the size of the phase shifter is minimized as much as possible, so that different transmission delay lines are more compact and their equivalent refractive indexes are closer. One implementation idea is that the delay line in the phase shifter acts as both a delay line unit and a routing waveguide.

[0139] (2) If it is not possible to ensure that the initial phase error performance of all delay lines meets the requirements, it is possible to consider only ensuring that the initial phase relationship between multiple adjacent delay lines meets the requirements, and using the hierarchical characteristics of hierarchical parallel feeding, add a single phase shifter between multiple delay line sets of hierarchical parallel feeding and one of the delay line sets in other delay line sets to adjust the initial phase relationship, thereby significantly reducing the initial phase error requirements of the chip and not causing excessive complexity in the peripheral control of the chip. For example, as shown in Figure 7, when the initial phase error is adjusted between delay line set #1 and delay line set #2 and other delay line sets (such as delay line set #M), a single phase shifter is added to adjust the initial phase relationship.

[0140] (3) Ensure that the carrier component and the sideband component are "transmitted along the same path" as much as possible. Transmission along the same path means that before the carrier component and the sideband component output to the same combiner are transmitted on the delay line in the corresponding phase shift module, the corresponding transmission paths are as close as possible in physical position, which can significantly reduce the initial phase error between different delay lines. For example, Fig.10The path between the carrier component output to combiner #1 from the input interface of the first splitter to the first end of the extension line (S1+S2) and the path between the sideband component output to combiner #1 from the input interface of the second splitter to the first end of the extension line (S3+S4) need to be as close as possible in physical location. Fig.10 The phase shifting device shown provides two specific implementation modes of path-by-path transmission.

[0141] Implementation method 1

[0142] The first phase-shifting module includes a first splitter, the first splitter includes M1 power-dividing paths, the second phase-shifting module includes a second splitter, the second splitter includes M1 power-dividing paths, and the lengths of the M1 power-dividing paths of the first phase-shifting module and the M1 power-dividing paths of the second phase-shifting module both deviate from the first length by less than a first threshold. Among them, the first end of the M1 power division paths in the first splitter is connected to the input interface of the first phase shift module, the second end of one of the M1 power division paths in the first splitter is respectively connected to the first end of one of the M1 common first delay lines of the first phase shift module, and the first end of a first delay line in the first phase shift module is the same as the first end of any delay line in the M2 delay lines in the delay line set corresponding to a first delay line; the first end of the M1 power division paths in the second splitter is connected to the input interface of the second phase shift module, the second end of one of the M1 power division paths in the second splitter is respectively connected to the first end of one of the M1 common first delay lines of the second phase shift module, and the first end of a first delay line in the second phase shift module is the same as the first end of any delay line in the M2 delay lines in the delay line set corresponding to a first delay line. Among them, the deviation between the distance at N% of the path length of the first power division path and the distance at N% of the path length of the second power division path and the fourth length is less than a fourth threshold value, the first power division path is a power division path for transmitting the first signal among the M power division paths of the first phase shift module, the second power division path is a power division path for transmitting the second signal among the M power division paths of the second phase shift module, the first signal and the second signal are respectively the sideband component and the carrier component of the first signal output to the same combiner among the M combiners, and N is greater than 0.

[0143] The M1 common first delay lines of the first phase shift module can be understood as the M1 first delay lines corresponding to the M1 delay line set of the first phase shift module. Similarly, the M1 common first delay lines of the second phase shift module can be understood as the M1 first delay lines corresponding to the M1 delay line set of the second phase shift module.

[0144] Taking the M1 power division paths in the first splitter as an example, the first end of the M1 power division paths of the first splitter can be understood as the input interface of the first splitter, and the second end of the M1 power division paths of the first splitter can be understood as the M1 output interface of the first splitter. Then, the above description that the first end of the M1 power division paths in the first splitter is connected to the input interface of the first phase shift module, and the second end of one of the M1 power division paths in the first splitter is respectively connected to the first end of one of the M1 common first delay lines of the first phase shift module can be understood as the first splitter is used to divide the carrier component of the first signal received from the input interface of the first phase shift module into M1 parts and transmit them on the M1 power division paths, and output them to the first end of the M1 common first delay lines.

[0145] For the connection method of the input interface of the first splitter and the first phase shift module and the M1 common first delay lines, please refer to Figure 5 Similarly, for the connection relationship of the second splitter, see Figure 5 The connection method of the second splitter in will not be repeated here.

[0146] It should also be understood that the deviation of the length of the M1 power splitting path from the first length is less than the first threshold, which means that the manufacturing rule expects the lengths of the M1 power splitting paths to be the same, but in actual manufacturing, the M1 power splitting paths may not be completely identical due to manufacturing precision, so the difference between the M1 path and the first length is less than the first threshold. Similar descriptions involved in the embodiments of the present application are not repeated one by one.

[0147] The first implementation method is characterized in that all power division paths (all first power division paths and all second power division paths) can be wired with equal lengths in theory, thus avoiding the introduction of additional initial phase errors due to unequal lengths of delay lines.

[0148] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the first power division path and the second power division path in a possible first splitter and a second splitter proposed in an embodiment of the present application based on implementation method one. Among them, the path with lighter color is the first power division path, and the path with darker color is the second power division path, wherein the two paths corresponding to any dotted circle are a set of first power division paths and second power division paths that meet the requirements of implementation method one. In addition, the cross junctions with lighter colors in the figure are optional, and the cross junctions with darker colors are required. The introduction of optional waveguide crossings can further ensure that all power division paths in the figure are theoretically consistent. It should be understood that the cross junction is used to prevent interference between two different paths due to crossing.

[0149] Optionally, the first splitter further includes one or more power splitters. For example, Fig.12The eight first power division paths of the first splitter in the dotted box have common paths of different lengths. There is a power divider at the bifurcation point of any Y-shaped path among the eight first power division paths. The power divider is used to split the signal received on one path into two parts and transmit them on two paths respectively.

[0150] Implementation method 2

[0151] The first phase-shifting module includes a first splitter, the first splitter includes M1 power-dividing paths, the second phase-shifting module includes a second splitter, the second splitter includes M1 power-dividing paths, the deviation between the length of the M1 power-dividing paths of the first phase-shifting module and the second length is less than a second threshold, and the deviation between the length of the M1 delay lines of the second phase-shifting module and the third length is less than a third threshold. Among them, the first end of the M1 power division paths in the first splitter is connected to the input interface of the first phase shift module, the second end of one of the M1 power division paths in the first splitter is respectively connected to the first end of one of the M1 common first delay lines of the first phase shift module, and the first end of a first delay line in the first phase shift module is the same as the first end of any delay line in the M2 delay lines in the delay line set corresponding to a first delay line; the first end of the M1 power division paths in the second splitter is connected to the input interface of the second phase shift module, the second end of one of the M1 power division paths in the second splitter is respectively connected to the first end of one of the M1 common first delay lines of the second phase shift module, and the first end of a first delay line in the second phase shift module is the same as the first end of any delay line in the M2 delay lines in the delay line set corresponding to a first delay line. Among them, the deviation between the distance at N% of the path length of the first power division path and the distance at N% of the path length of the second power division path and the fourth length is less than a fourth threshold value, the first power division path is a power division path for transmitting the first signal among the M power division paths of the first phase shift module, the second power division path is a power division path for transmitting the second signal among the M power division paths of the second phase shift module, the first signal and the second signal are respectively the sideband component and the carrier component of the first signal output to the same combiner among the M combiners, and N is greater than 0.

[0152] Fig.13This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the first power division path and the second power division path in a possible first splitter and a second splitter proposed in an embodiment of the present application based on implementation method two. Among them, the path with lighter color is the first power division path, and the path with darker color is the second power division path, and the two corresponding paths in any dotted circle are a group of first power division paths and second power division paths that meet the requirements of implementation method two. The feature of implementation method two is that all first power division paths can achieve theoretically equal length wiring, and all second power division paths can achieve theoretically equal length wiring, but the first power division paths and the second power division paths are not necessarily equal in length. In addition, the lighter cross-junctions in the figure are optional, and the darker cross-junctions are required. The advantage of implementation method two is mainly that when each power division path is required to respond consistently, compared to Fig.12 The number of optional waveguide crossing junctions required is significantly reduced.

[0153] For example, in the above two implementations, the specific implementation of the two power division paths being as close as possible in physical position can also limit the average value of the corresponding distances of the first power division path and the second power division path at 1%, 2%, 3% ... 100% thereof to not exceed the fifth threshold value. This application does not limit this.

[0154] Optionally, the first threshold, second threshold, third threshold, fourth threshold and fifth threshold involved in implementation method one and implementation method two can be determined based on the RF link phase error index or the pointing accuracy and sidelobe suppression ratio index of the beam pattern after air interface beamforming or the communication network capacity and coverage performance index, and this application does not limit this.

[0155] For example, the phase shift device provided in the embodiment of the present application has some components removed, and the corresponding sub-device of the phase shift device is also within the protection scope of the present application as long as it can solve the technical problem proposed by the present application. Figure 3 The phase shifting device in the embodiment can remove one or more combiners, for example, Figure 3 Combiner #M in . For example, Figure 4 One or more delay lines may be removed from the corresponding phase shifting device to Figure 4 The M paths in Figure 6 For example, the delay line (S1+S2+L2) in the delay line set #1 and the delay line (S1+L1+S2+(M2-1)*L2)) in the delay line set #2 can be removed. Fig.11 The corresponding phase shifting device can remove one or more second chips and the combiners corresponding to these chips, for example, the second chips corresponding to the delay lines S2 and S3 and the combiners connected to the delay lines contained in the second chips can be removed.

[0156] An embodiment of the present application further provides an antenna device, which may include a phase shifting device as described in each embodiment of the present application.

[0157] Optionally, the antenna device may be an active antenna unit (AAU). For example, the active antenna unit may include a baseband processing unit, an intermediate frequency processing unit, any phase shifting device described in the embodiments of the present application, a radio frequency processing unit, an antenna and other modules.

[0158] Optionally, the antenna device may be a radio remote unit (RRU). For example, the radio remote unit may include a baseband processing unit, an intermediate frequency processing unit, any phase shifting device described in the embodiments of the present application, a radio frequency processing unit, and an antenna.

[0159] For example, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described devices and modules can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0160] The embodiment of the present application also provides a method for phase shifting. The method includes: separating a first signal to generate a carrier component of the first signal and a sideband component of the first signal; inputting the carrier component of the first signal to the input interface of the first phase shifting module of the phase shifting device #1; inputting the sideband component of the first signal to the input interface of the second phase shifting module of the phase shifting device #1, wherein the phase shifting device #1 is any phase shifting device described in the embodiments of the present application.

[0161] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed device can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic, and the division of the units is merely a division of logical functions, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0162] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A phase shifting device, characterized in that: include: A first phase shift module, a second phase shift module and M combiners, where M is an integer greater than 1, wherein: The input interface of the first phase shift module is used to receive the carrier component of the first signal, and one of the M output interfaces of the first phase shift module is connected to the first input interface of one of the M combiners; The input interface of the second phase shift module is used to receive the sideband component of the first signal, and one of the M output interfaces of the second phase shift module is connected to the second input interface of one of the M combiners; The output interface of one of the M combiners is used to connect to the input interface of one of the M antenna units in the antenna array.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first phase shift module comprises M delay lines, and the first end and the second end of one of the M delay lines of the first phase shift module are respectively connected to the input interface of the first phase shift module and one of the M output interfaces of the first phase shift module; The second phase shift module includes M delay lines, and the first end and the second end of one of the M delay lines of the second phase shift module are respectively connected to the input interface of the second phase shift module and one of the M output interfaces of the second phase shift module.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The lengths of the M delay lines of the first phase shifting device sequentially differ by a first value, The lengths of the M delay lines of the second phase shifting device differ in sequence by a second value.

4. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The M delay lines of the first phase shifting device are included in M1 delay line sets, each delay line set includes M2 delay lines, the M1 is the number of antenna units in the horizontal dimension of the antenna array, and the M2 is the number of antenna units in the vertical dimension of the antenna array, or the M1 is the number of antenna units in the vertical dimension of the antenna array, and the M2 is the number of antenna units in the horizontal dimension of the antenna array, and the M is equal to the product of M1 and M2, and each of the M delay lines of the first phase shifting module is composed of a first delay line and a second delay line corresponding to each delay line, wherein the lengths of the first delay lines corresponding to the M2 delay lines in each delay line set are the same, and the lengths of the corresponding second delay lines differ by a first value in sequence, and the lengths of the M1 first delay lines corresponding to the M1 delay line sets of the first phase shifting module differ by a second value in sequence; The M delay lines of the second phase shifting device are included in M1 delay line sets, each delay line set includes M2 delay lines, each delay line of the M delay lines of the second phase shifting module is composed of a first delay line and a second delay line corresponding to each delay line, wherein the lengths of the first delay lines corresponding to the M2 delay lines in each delay line set in the second phase shifting module are the same, and the lengths of the corresponding second delay lines differ by a third value in sequence, and the lengths of the M1 first delay lines corresponding to the M1 delay line sets in the second phase shifting module differ by a fourth value in sequence, Among them, the first difference and the second difference are both not 0, and the first difference and the second difference are not equal, wherein the first difference is the absolute value of the difference between the first value and the third value, and the second difference is the absolute value of the difference between the second value and the four values.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that The first value and the third value have opposite signs, and / or the second value and the fourth value have opposite signs.

6. The device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that The first delay line corresponding to each delay line set in the M1 delay line sets in the third phase shift module is a common delay line of the corresponding delay line set, and the third phase shift module is the first phase shift module or the second phase shift module.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that The first delay line of each of the M delay lines of the third phase shift module is composed of the third delay line and the fourth delay line contained in each delay line, wherein the third delay line of the first delay line of at least two delay line sets in the M1 delay line sets in the third phase shift module is a common delay line of the at least two delay line sets, and / or, The second delay line of each of the M delay lines of the third phase-shifting module is composed of the fifth delay line and the sixth delay line included in each delay line, wherein the fifth delay line in the second delay line of at least two delay line sets in the M1 delay line sets in the third phase-shifting module is a common delay line in the at least two delay line sets.

8. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that The device also includes: A first chip and M1 second chips, wherein, The first delay line of each of the M delay lines of the first phase-shifting module and the first delay line of each of the M delay lines of the second phase-shifting module are both located in the first chip, The second delay line of the M2 delay lines of one delay line set in the M1 delay line sets of the first phase shift module and the second delay line of the M2 delay lines of one delay line set in the M1 delay line sets of the second phase shift module are both located in one of the M1 second chips.

9. The device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that The first phase shifting module includes a first splitter, which includes M1 power division paths, wherein the first ends of the M1 power division paths in the first splitter are connected to the input interface of the first phase shifting module, the second end of one of the M1 power division paths in the first splitter is respectively connected to the first end of one of the M1 common first delay lines of the first phase shifting module, and the first end of one of the first delay lines in the first phase shifting module is the same as the first end of any one of the M2 delay lines in the delay line set corresponding to the one first delay line.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that The second phase-shifting module includes a second splitter, which includes M1 power-dividing paths, wherein the first ends of the M1 power-dividing paths in the second splitter are connected to the input interface of the second phase-shifting module, the second end of one of the M1 power-dividing paths in the second splitter is respectively connected to the first end of one of the M1 common first delay lines of the second phase-shifting module, and the first end of one of the first delay lines in the second phase-shifting module is the same as the first end of any one of the M2 delay lines in the delay line set corresponding to the one first delay line.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that The deviations of the lengths of the M1 power division paths of the first phase-shifting module and the M1 power division paths of the second phase-shifting module from the first length are less than a first threshold.

12. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that The deviation between the lengths of the M1 power division paths of the first phase shift module and the second length is smaller than a second threshold, and the deviation between the lengths of the M1 delay lines of the second phase shift module and the third length is smaller than a third threshold.

13. The device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that The deviation between the distance at N% of the path length of the first power division path and the distance at N% of the path length of the second power division path and a fourth length is less than a fourth threshold, and N is greater than 0. The first power division path is a power division path for transmitting a second signal among the M power division paths of the first phase shift module, and the second power division path is a power division path for transmitting a third signal among the M power division paths of the second phase shift module. The second signal and the third signal are respectively the sideband component and the carrier component of the first signal output to the same combiner among the M combiners.

14. An antenna device, characterized in that: include: A phase shifting device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that The antenna device is an active antenna unit AAU, or the antenna device is a radio remote unit RRU.

16. A method for phase shifting, characterized in that include: Separating the first signal to generate a carrier component of the first signal and a sideband component of the first signal; Inputting the carrier component of the first signal to an input interface of a first phase shift module of a phase shift device, wherein the phase shift device is the phase shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 13; The sideband component of the first signal is input to an input interface of the second phase shift module of the phase shift device.

Images