Array antenna and method for manufacturing array antenna

Abstract

The invention relates to an array antenna and a manufacturing method of the array antenna, which are used for realizing mass DOA (Direction of Arrival) estimation. The array antenna comprises N array elements arranged along the same direction, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. Wherein the distance between the ith array element in the N array elements and the reference position in the direction is Mi times of the unit length, and i is any integer from 1 to N. The half wavelengths of the N array elements are the same, and the unit length is positive integer multiples of the half wavelengths. The N array elements are in one-to-one correspondence with the N positive integers, any two positive integers in the N positive integers are prime numbers, Mi is a product of N-1 positive integers, and the N-1 positive integers are other integers except the positive integer corresponding to the ith array element in the N positive integers. At the moment, compared with a conventional co-prime array antenna, the array element spacing of the co-prime array antenna is further increased, array elements are arranged more sparsely, and therefore the co-prime array antenna can be equivalent to a linear array with more array elements, such as a linear uniform array antenna, so that a large amount of DOA estimation is achieved.

Description

Array antenna and method for manufacturing the same Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to an array antenna and a method for manufacturing the array antenna. Background Art

[0002] Currently, there are roughly two types of array antennas: uniform linear array antennas and non-uniform linear array antennas, such as coprime array antennas. A uniform linear array antenna can estimate a maximum number of direction of arrival (DOA), or the number of received beams, equal to the number of elements in the uniform linear array antenna minus one. Compared to uniform linear array antennas, non-uniform linear array antennas have higher degrees of freedom in spatial spectrum estimation and can estimate more DOAs. For example, taking a coprime array antenna with 6 elements as an example, due to its relatively large element spacing, it can be equivalent to a uniform linear array antenna with 13 elements, achieving a maximum of 12 DOA estimates.

[0003] However, with the development of technology, future communications may have higher performance requirements for array antennas and require higher degrees of freedom in spectrum estimation, which means that a large number of DOAs need to be estimated. The current mutually prime array antennas cannot meet this requirement.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide an array antenna and a method for manufacturing the array antenna, so as to achieve a large number of DOA estimations.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, an array antenna is provided, wherein the array antenna comprises N array elements arranged along the same direction, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. Wherein: the distance between the i-th array element in the N array elements and the reference position in the direction is M of unit length. i times, i is any integer from 1 to N. The half wavelengths of the N array elements are the same, and the unit length is a positive integer multiple of the half wavelength. The N array elements correspond one to one with the N positive integers, and any two positive integers among the N positive integers are prime to each other. i It is the product of N-1 positive integers, where the N-1 positive integers are the other integers among the N positive integers except the positive integer corresponding to the i-th array element.

[0008] Based on the array antenna described in the first aspect, it can be seen that since the distance between the i-th array element and the reference position is a unit length multiple of N-1 positive integer products, that is, at least two positive integer product multiples of the unit length, compared with the conventional coprime array antenna, the array element spacing can be further increased, and the array element setting can be more sparse, so that it can be equivalent to a linear array with a larger number of array elements, such as a linear uniform array antenna, to achieve a large number of DOA estimates.

[0009] In one possible design, the N array elements include a first array element, a second array element, and a third array element. The spacing between the first array element and a reference position is M1 times the unit length, the spacing between the second array element and the reference position is M2 times the unit length, and the spacing between the third array element and the reference position is M3 times the unit length. The positive integer corresponding to the first array element is J1, the positive integer corresponding to the second array element is J2, and the positive integer corresponding to the third array element is J3. M1 is the product of J2 and J3, M2 is the product of J1 and J3, and M3 is the product of J1 and J2. Any two integers among J1, J2, and J3 are mutually prime numbers to ensure that the array element positions do not overlap, thereby improving array antenna performance and estimating more DOAs.

[0010] Optionally, the product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna, where the number of beams of the array antenna is the number of beams transmitted or received by the array antenna. For example, the product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of elements of a linear array equivalent to the array antenna, and the number of elements of the linear array is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna. Specifically, the number of elements of the linear array is K, and the product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of elements of the linear array, which means: K = 2*J1*J2*J3+1. On this basis, the number of elements of the linear array is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna, which means: the number of beams of the array antenna is K-1.

[0011] It can be understood that the values ​​of J1, J2, and J3 can generally determine the number of elements in the array antenna. For example, the number of elements in the array antenna is J1 + J2 + J3 - 2. In other words, by simply adding a few elements, such as J3 elements, the number of elements in the equivalent linear array can be increased geometrically, such as by nearly J3 times, thereby achieving a geometric increase in the number of beams in the array antenna, thereby significantly improving the number of DOA estimates.

[0012] Optionally, the values ​​of J1, J2 and J3 satisfy at least one of the following combinations: J1=2, J2=3, J3=5; J1=2, J2=3, J3=7; J1=2, J2=3, J3=11; J1=2, J2=5, J3=7; J1=3, J2=4, J3=5; or J1=3, J2=4, J3=7, to form array antennas of different forms, thereby meeting various actual application requirements.

[0013] In a second aspect, an array antenna is provided. The array antenna includes a first array element, a second array element, and a third array element arranged along a first direction. The first array element, the second array element, and the third array element have the same half-wavelength, the spacing between the first array element and a reference position in the first direction is M1 times the half-wavelength, the spacing between the second array element and the reference position is M2 times the half-wavelength, the spacing between the third array element and the reference position is M3 times the half-wavelength, M1 is the product of J2 and J3, M2 is the product of J1 and J3, M3 is the product of J1 and J2, and any two integers among J1, J2, and J3 are mutually prime.

[0014] In one possible design, the product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna. The number of beams of the array antenna is the number of beams transmitted or received by the array antenna. For example, the product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of elements in the linear array equivalent to the array antenna. The number of elements in the linear array is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna.

[0015] Optionally, the number of elements in the linear array is K, and the product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of elements in the linear array, meaning: K = 2*J1*J2*J3+1. In this case, the number of elements in the linear array is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna, meaning: the number of beams of the array antenna is K-1.

[0016] Optionally, the array antenna further includes a fourth array element arranged at a reference position.

[0017] In one possible design scheme, the values ​​of J1, J2 and J3 satisfy at least one of the following combinations: J1=2, J2=3, J3=5; J1=2, J2=3, J3=7; J1=2, J2=3, J3=11; J1=2, J2=5, J3=7; J1=3, J2=4, J3=5; or J1=3, J2=4, J3=7.

[0018] In addition, the technical effects of the array antenna described in the second aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the array antenna described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0019] In a third aspect, an array antenna is provided, comprising N array elements arranged in the same direction, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. The distance between the i-th array element in the N array elements and the reference position in the direction is M of unit length. i times, i is any integer from 1 to N. The half wavelengths of the N array elements are the same, and the unit length is a positive integer multiple of the half wavelength. The N array elements correspond one to one with the N positive integers, and any two positive integers among the N positive integers are prime to each other. i It is the product of N-1 positive integers, where the N-1 positive integers are the other integers among the N positive integers except the positive integer corresponding to the i-th array element.

[0020] Optionally, the product of the N positive integers is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna, where the number of beams of the array antenna is the number of beams transmitted or received by the array antenna. For example, the product of the N positive integers is positively correlated with the number of elements in a linear array equivalent to the array antenna, where the number of elements in the linear array is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna.

[0021] Furthermore, the number of array elements of the linear array is 2 times the product of N positive integers plus 1. In this case, the number of beams of the array antenna is 2 times the product of N positive integers.

[0022] Optionally, the value of N positive integer satisfies at least one of the following combinations: J1=2, J2=3, J3=5; J1=2, J2=3, J3=7; J1=2, J2=3, J3=11; J1=2, J2=5, J3=7; J1=3, J2=4, J3=5; or J1=3, J2=4, J3=7.

[0023] In addition, the technical effects of the array antenna described in the third aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the array antenna described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0024] In a fourth aspect, a method for manufacturing an array antenna is provided. The method comprises: obtaining N array elements of the array antenna and arranging the N array elements along the same direction. Wherein: N is an integer greater than or equal to 3; the distance between the i-th array element in the N array elements and the reference position in the direction is M units of length. i times, i is any integer from 1 to N, the half wavelengths of the N array elements are the same, the unit length is a positive integer multiple of the half wavelength, the N array elements correspond to the N positive integers one by one, and any two positive integers among the N positive integers are prime to each other, M i It is the product of N-1 positive integers, where the N-1 positive integers are the other integers among the N positive integers except the positive integer corresponding to the i-th array element.

[0025] In a possible design, the N array elements include a first array element, a second array element, and a third array element, and the N array elements are arranged along the same direction, including: arranging the first array element, the second array element, and the third array element along the same direction, wherein: the spacing between the first array element and a reference position is M1 times the unit length, the spacing between the second array element and the reference position is M2 times the unit length, the spacing between the third array element and the reference position is M3 times the unit length, the positive integer corresponding to the first array element is J1, the positive integer corresponding to the second array element is J2, the positive integer corresponding to the third array element is J3, M1 is the product of J2 and J3, M2 is the product of J1 and J3, M3 is the product of J1 and J2, and any two integers among J1, J2, and J3 are mutually prime.

[0026] Optionally, the product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna, where the number of beams of the array antenna is the number of beams transmitted or received by the array antenna. For example, the product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of elements in a linear array equivalent to the array antenna, and the number of elements in the linear array is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna.

[0027] Furthermore, the number of elements in the linear array is K, and the product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of elements in the linear array, meaning: K = 2*J1*J2*J3+1. In this case, the number of elements in the linear array is positively correlated with the number of beams in the array antenna, meaning: the number of beams in the array antenna is K-1.

[0028] Optionally, the values ​​of J1, J2 and J3 satisfy at least one of the following combinations: J1=2, J2=3, J3=5; J1=2, J2=3, J3=7; J1=2, J2=3, J3=11; J1=2, J2=5, J3=7; J1=3, J2=4, J3=5; or J1=3, J2=4, J3=7.

[0029] In addition, the technical effects of the method described in the fourth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the array antenna described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0030] In a fifth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a transceiver and the array antenna described in any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the array antenna is connected to the transceiver.

[0031] In a possible design, there are multiple array antennas, and the multiple array antennas are set in different directions to achieve spatial DOA estimation.

[0032] In one possible design solution, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit.

[0033] In one possible design scheme, the chip described in the fifth aspect can be a radio frequency chip, a processing chip, or any other possible chip, without limitation.

[0034] In addition, the technical effects of the chip described in the fifth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the array antenna described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0035] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor, and the array antenna described in any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the array antenna is connected to the processor.

[0036] In a possible design, there are multiple array antennas, and the multiple array antennas are set in different directions to achieve spatial DOA estimation.

[0037] In one possible design scheme, the communication device may further include a transceiver connected to the array antenna, and the transceiver may specifically be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit.

[0038] In one possible design solution, the communication device described in the sixth aspect may further include a memory. The memory may be integrated with the processor or provided separately.

[0039] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor configured to execute the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0040] In one possible design solution, the communication device described in the seventh aspect may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver may be used for the communication device described in the seventh aspect to communicate with other communication devices.

[0041] In one possible design, the communication device described in aspect 7 may further include a memory. The memory may be integrated with the processor or provided separately. The memory may be used to store the computer program and / or data involved in the method described in aspect 4.

[0042] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in the seventh aspect can refer to the technical effects of the array antenna described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0043] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor coupled to a memory, the processor being configured to execute a computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0044] In one possible design solution, the communication device described in the eighth aspect may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver may be used for the communication device described in the eighth aspect to communicate with other communication devices.

[0045] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in the eighth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the array antenna described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0046] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store a computer program, and when the processor executes the computer program, the communication device executes the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0047] In one possible design solution, the communication device described in aspect 9 may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver may be used for the communication device described in aspect 9 to communicate with other communication devices.

[0048] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in the ninth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the array antenna described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0049] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, comprising: a computer program or instructions; when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0050] In an eleventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0051] In a twelfth aspect, an antenna panel is provided, wherein the antenna panel includes a plurality of array antennas as described in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0052] In a possible design solution, the array antennas are arranged in different directions.

[0053] In addition, the technical effects of the antenna panel described in the twelfth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the array antenna described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0054] In the thirteenth aspect, a chip or chip system is provided, which includes an input and output interface and a processing circuit, wherein the input and output interface is used to exchange information or data, and the processing circuit is used to run instructions so that the device on which the chip or chip system is installed executes the method described in the fourth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a uniform linear array antenna;

[0056] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the number of beams of a uniform linear array antenna;

[0057] FIG3 is a structural diagram of a mutually prime array antenna;

[0058] FIG4 is a second structural diagram of a mutually prime array antenna;

[0059] FIG5 is a first structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG6 is a second structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG7 is a structural diagram of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG8 is a second structural diagram of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG9 is a third structural diagram of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG10 is a fourth structural diagram of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG11 is a fifth structural diagram of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG12 is a sixth structural diagram of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG13 is a seventh structural diagram of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG14 is a structural diagram eight of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG15 is a ninth structural diagram of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG16 is a structural diagram 10 of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG17 is a first simulation diagram of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG18 is a second simulation diagram of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG19 is a schematic structural diagram of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG20 is a schematic diagram of a process for manufacturing an array antenna according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 21 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] For ease of understanding, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application are first introduced below.

[0077] 1. Beam:

[0078] Beamforming is a special, directional transmission or reception effect created by a transmitter or receiver on a network device or terminal using an array antenna, similar to the beam formed by a flashlight that focuses light in a single direction. Transmitting and receiving signals using beamforming can effectively increase signal transmission distance.

[0079] The beam can be a wide beam, a narrow beam, or other types of beams. The beam forming technology can be beamforming technology or other technologies. The beamforming technology can specifically be digital beamforming technology, analog beamforming technology, or hybrid digital / analog beamforming technology.

[0080] Beams generally correspond to resources. For example, when performing beam measurement, the network device measures different beams using different resources, and the terminal feeds back the measured resource quality, allowing the network device to know the quality of the corresponding beam. During data transmission, beams can also be indicated by their corresponding resources. For example, the network device indicates a transmission configuration indication-state through the transmission configuration index (TCI) field in the downlink control information (DCI), and the terminal determines the beam corresponding to the reference resource based on the reference resource contained in the TCI-state.

[0081] In communication protocols, beams can be specifically characterized as digital beams, analog beams, spatial domain filters, spatial filters, spatial parameters, TCIs, TCI-states, etc. A beam used to transmit signals can be called a transmission beam (or Tx beam), a spatial domain transmission filter, a spatial transmission filter, a spatial domain transmission parameter, or a spatial transmission parameter. A beam used to receive signals can be called a reception beam (or Rx beam), a spatial domain reception filter, a spatial reception filter, a spatial domain reception parameter, or a spatial reception parameter.

[0082] It can be understood that the beam in the embodiments of the present application can be replaced by other equivalent concepts and is not limited to the concepts mentioned above.

[0083] 2. Array antenna:

[0084] To make array antennas more responsive to user expectations, designers often aim to ensure both normal signal transmission and reception, achieving high performance, low sidelobes, and easy beamforming. The array elements, as a crucial component, play a crucial role in achieving these characteristics. Currently, there are two main types of array element structures. One is a structure with uniform element spacing, also known as a uniform array antenna. The other is a structure with unequal element spacing, also known as a non-uniform array antenna.

[0085] Uniform array antennas can be uniform linear array antennas, uniform circular array antennas, or uniform rectangular array antennas. Taking a uniform linear array antenna as an example, as shown in Figure 1, each array element in a uniform linear array antenna can have the same spacing (half-wavelength), excitation, and phase. Uniform linear array antennas can achieve low sidelobe effects through vertical weighting, thus addressing radar false alarm issues. When the signal-to-noise ratio is high, uniform linear array antennas can estimate the angle of the received beam, thereby achieving direction of arrival (DOA) estimation, or beam direction positioning. The degrees of freedom of spatial spectrum estimation enabled by a uniform linear array antenna, such as the maximum number of DOAs that can be estimated, or the number of receive beams, is equal to the number of array elements in the uniform linear array antenna minus one. Furthermore, the transmit beam of a uniform linear array antenna corresponds to the receive beam, and its number is also equal to the number of array elements minus one.

[0086] For example, as shown in Figure 2, the horizontal axis corresponding to the peak position in Figure 2 is the estimated DOA. It can be seen that when the number of array elements of the uniform linear array antenna is 10, a maximum of 9 DOAs can be estimated. In addition, as shown in Figure 2, the uniform linear array antenna does not significantly suppress the sidelobes when there is no noise. Therefore, in order to obtain a higher-resolution DOA, that is, the angle of the beam, the algorithm used has a large amount of computation to achieve a higher-precision estimate. Among them, the algorithms for estimating DOA may include multiple signal classification (MUSIC), estimating signal parameter via rotational invariance techniques (ESPRIT), minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR), etc., without limitation.

[0087] It can be understood that a uniform linear array antenna is generally applicable to one-dimensional DOA estimation, and a uniform circular array antenna or a uniform rectangular array antenna can be applicable to two-dimensional DOA estimation to achieve application in scenarios with higher accuracy.

[0088] Compared to uniform array antennas, non-uniform array antennas offer greater degrees of freedom in spatial spectrum estimation and can estimate more DOAs. A typical non-uniform array antenna is a coprime array antenna, as shown in Figure 3. This coprime array antenna comprises two array elements with different spacings: one with M1 elements, designated as subarray 1, and the other with M2 elements, designated as subarray 2. M1 and M2 are prime numbers to each other. The elements in subarray 1 and subarray 2 have the same half-wavelength. Furthermore, the spacing between any two adjacent elements in subarray 1 is M2 times the half-wavelength, while the spacing between any two adjacent elements in subarray 2 is M1 times the half-wavelength. In a practical setup, subarrays 1 and 2 can be aligned end-to-end to form a non-uniform linear array antenna. In this case, the overlapping endpoints of subarrays 1 and 2 share a common element, while the elements at other locations do not overlap. In other words, the non-uniform linear array antenna actually contains M1+M2-1 elements.

[0089] For example, as shown in Figure 4, M1 = 3, M2 = 4, subarray 1 includes element #0, element #1, and element #2, and subarray 2 includes element #0, element #3, element #4, and element #5, for a total of 6 elements. In this case, the half-wavelength is denoted as 1. Element #0 is set at coordinates (0, 0), element #1 is set at coordinates (0, 4), element #2 is set at coordinates (0, 8), element #3 is set at coordinates (0, 3), element #4 is set at coordinates (0, 6), and element #5 is set at coordinates (0, 9). If the vertical coordinate is omitted, the positions of elements #0-#5 can be expressed as follows: element #0 is set at 0, element #1 is set at 4, element #2 is set at 8, element #3 is set at 3, element #4 is set at 6, and element #5 is set at 9.

[0090] It can be seen that since the value of prime numbers is usually greater than 1, such as 2 and 3, 3 and 5, etc., the element spacing of the coprime array antenna is larger, and it has the array structure characteristics of a sparse array, which makes it equivalent to a uniform linear array antenna with a larger number of elements but a smaller element spacing, thereby increasing the estimated number of DOAs and achieving better array antenna performance.

[0091] For example, a mutually prime array antenna includes L array elements, whose positions are n s =[n1,n2,…,n L ]*d, d=λ / 2, λ is the wavelength. The receiving channel model of the coprime array antenna can be expressed as: x(t)=As(t)+n(t), A can be the array flow matrix, which can be specifically expressed as: θ k It can be the angle of the kth receiving beam. n(t) can be the channel noise, which can be specifically expressed as The superscript T represents the transpose. Based on this, the covariance matrix of x(t) can be expressed as: R xx =E[x·x H ]=AR ss A H +σ 2 I L Where E[] represents the covariance operation, x(t) can be written as x, the superscript H represents the conjugate transpose, and R ss It is a diagonal matrix, and the diagonal elements can be unknown quantities, such as I L Is the unit matrix of L*L. At this time, by xx After vectorization, we can get R xx The vectorized representation of can be expressed as: Where z1 is a one-dimensional vector, the superscript * indicates conjugation, ⊙ is the Khatri-Rao product, is the vectorized representation of noise, and vec(·) represents vectorization.

[0092] It can be understood that since the receiving channel model of the coprime array antenna can be represented by vectorization, the vectorization expression is similar to the array structure of the uniform linear array antenna, both of which are one-by-multi-dimensional structures. Therefore, the coprime array antenna can also be equivalent to the uniform linear array antenna, and its array element position can be expressed as: ViArray = (n a -n b )*d, 1≤a, b≤L. That is, the array element position of the equivalent uniform linear array antenna can be obtained by the difference of the array element position of the coprime array antenna.

[0093] For example, still taking the coprime array antenna shown in Figure 4 as an example, the array element positions of its equivalent uniform linear array antenna can be expressed as: 0, ±1 (9-8), ±2 (6-4), ±3 (9-6), ±4 (8-4), ±5 (9-4), ±6 (9-3), a total of 13 positions, which means that the equivalent uniform linear array antenna can contain 13 array elements. In other words, the coprime array antenna can estimate 12 DOAs, thereby achieving more DOA estimation than a uniform array antenna with the same number of array elements. In other words, when estimating the same number of DOAs, the coprime array antenna has fewer array elements, and the DOA estimation algorithm uses less computational complexity, resulting in higher computational efficiency.

[0094] However, with the development of technology, future communications may have higher performance requirements for array antennas and require higher degrees of freedom in spectrum estimation, which means that a large number of DOAs need to be estimated. The current mutually prime array antennas cannot meet this requirement.

[0095] In response to the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application propose the following technical solutions to achieve a large number of DOA estimates.

[0096] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0097] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless network (Wi-Fi) systems, vehicle to everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, Internet of Vehicles communication systems, fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication systems, such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, fifth-generation (5G) systems, such as new radio (NR) systems, and future communication systems.

[0098] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features in the context of systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that each system may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the figures. Furthermore, combinations of these aspects may also be used.

[0099] Additionally, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary" should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the word "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.

[0100] In the embodiments of the present application, "information", "signal", "message", "channel" and "signaling" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction between them is not emphasized, the meanings they intend to express are matched. "of", "corresponding, relevant" and "corresponding" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction between them is not emphasized, the meanings they intend to express are matched. In addition, the " / " mentioned in this application can be used to express an "or" relationship.

[0101] The network architecture and business 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. Ordinary technicians in this field will know 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.

[0102] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which can be applicable to a communication system, specifically a terminal or a network device.

[0103] The terminal is a terminal that accesses a network and has wireless transceiver capabilities, or a chip or chip system that can be installed in the terminal. The terminal can also be called user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station (MS), mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device. The terminal in the embodiments of the present application can be a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a handset, a laptop computer, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a vehicle-mounted terminal, an RSU with terminal function, etc. The terminal of the present application can also be a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted component, a vehicle-mounted chip or a vehicle-mounted unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units.

[0104] The above-mentioned network equipment, such as the access network equipment, is a device located on the network side of the above-mentioned communication system and has a wireless transceiver function, or a chip or chip system that can be set in the device. The network equipment may include: a next-generation mobile communication system, such as a 6G access network device, such as a 6G base station, or a 6G core network element, or in the next-generation mobile communication system, the network equipment may also have other naming methods, which are all included in the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application, and the present application does not impose any restrictions on this. In addition, the network equipment may also include 5G, such as a gNB in ​​an NR system, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in 5G, or it may also be a network node constituting a gNB, a transmission point (TRP or transmission point, TP) or a transmission measurement function (TMF), such as a baseband unit (BBU), or a CU, DU, a roadside unit (RSU) with a base station function, or a wired access gateway, etc. In addition, network devices can also include access points (APs) in wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, wearable devices, vehicle-mounted devices, etc.

[0105] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5, the communication device 10 may include: an array antenna 101, and optionally, may also include: a transceiver 102 connected to the array antenna 101, a processor 103 connected to the transceiver 102, and a memory 104 connected to the processor 103.

[0106] The array antenna 101 is primarily used to implement the signal transmission and reception functions of the communication device 10. There may be one or more array antennas 101. For example, multiple array antennas 101 may be arranged in the same or different directions to form an antenna panel. The specific structure of the array antenna 101 can be found in the following description and will not be further elaborated here.

[0107] The transceiver 102 is primarily used to drive the array antenna 101, thereby enabling signal transmission and reception. The transceiver 102 may specifically be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit, or any other possible circuit or component, without specific limitation. Furthermore, the transceiver 102 and the array antenna 101 may also constitute a chip of the communication device 10, such as a radio frequency chip or a processing chip, or any other possible chip. In other words, the chip may be considered to include the transceiver 102 and the array antenna 101.

[0108] The processor 103 is the control center of the communication device 10. It can be a processing element, a general term for multiple processing elements, or a logic circuit. For example, the processor 103 is one or more central processing units (CPUs), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of the present application, such as one or more microprocessors (digital signal processors, DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The processor 103 can execute various functions of the communication device 10 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 104 and calling data stored in the memory 104, such as controlling the transceiver 102 to drive the array antenna 101 to transmit signals, or controlling the transceiver 102 to drive the array antenna 101 to receive signals. In a specific implementation, the processor 103 may include one or more CPUs. The communication device 10 may also include multiple processors 103, each of which may be a single-core processor (single-CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi-CPU). The processor 103 herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (eg, computer program instructions).

[0109] The memory 104 is used to store software programs for executing the solution of the present application and is controlled by the processor 103 so that the communication device 10 can perform the various functions described above. Optionally, the memory 104 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0110] FIG6 is a second structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG6 , the communication device 10 further includes a body. The body may include a middle frame 105 and a back panel 106. The one or more array antennas 101 may be disposed on the back panel 105. The transceiver 102, processor 103, and memory 104 may be disposed within the body (not shown in FIG6 ).

[0111] The array antenna in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below.

[0112] Figure 7 is a structural schematic diagram of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 7, the array antenna 101 includes N array elements (1011-101N) arranged along the same direction (denoted as direction 1), where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3.

[0113] Among them, the distance between the i-th array element 101i in the N array elements (1011-101N) and the reference position in direction 1 is the unit length M i times, i is any integer from 1 to N. The half wavelengths of N array elements (1011-101N) are the same, and the unit length is a positive integer multiple of the half wavelength (denoted as d). N array elements (1011-101N) and N positive integers (J1-J N ) one-to-one correspondence, and any two positive integers among the N positive integers are prime to each other. In this case, M i It may be the product of N-1 positive integers, where the N-1 positive integers are integers other than the positive integer corresponding to the i-th array element 101i among the N positive integers.

[0114] It can be understood that the positive integer multiples between the unit length and the half wavelength can vary, such as 1, 2, 3, etc., without limitation. In this case, it can also be understood that the distance between the i-th array element 101i and the reference position can vary geometrically, or in other words, the i-th array element 101i can be arranged at different positions with geometric variations, that is, there can be multiple i-th array elements 101i, such as the number of i-th array elements 101i can be the positive integer J corresponding to the i-th array element 101i. i Subtract 1. At this point, these multiple array elements 101i can also be considered the i-th subarray. Thus, as shown in Figure 8 , the array antenna can include N subarrays, with the spacing between adjacent elements in each of the N subarrays varying. This allows the N subarrays to be nested together to form an N-dimensional mutually prime linear subarray. Optionally, as shown in Figure 8 , the array antenna 101 also includes an array element 101(N+1) located at a reference position, i.e., the N+1th array element 101(N+1). This array element 101(N+1) can be shared by the N subarrays, or in other words, belongs to all of the N subarrays simultaneously.

[0115] On this basis, taking the coordinate of the reference position as (0,0) as an example, the coordinates L of all elements of the array antenna 101 are s It can be expressed as shown in the following formula 1-4:

[0116] L s ={(0,M1*d)∪(0,M2*d)…(0,M a *d)} (1);

[0117] M1=0,1*J2*J3*…*J a ,…,(J1-1)*J2*J3*…*J a (2);

[0118] M2=0,1*J1*J3*…*J a ,…,(J2-1)*J1*J3*…*J a (3);

[0119] M a =0,1*J1*J2*J3*...*J a-1 ,…,(J a -1)*J1*J2*J3*...*J a-1 (4).

[0120] For ease of understanding, as shown in FIG9 , N array elements ( 1011 - 101N ) are taken as an example, including a first array element 1011 , a second array element 1012 , and a third array element 1013 . Optionally, the array element 101(N+1) further includes a fourth array element 1014 .

[0121] The spacing between the first array element 1011 and the reference position is M1 times the unit length, and the positive integer corresponding to the first array element 1011 is J1. In this case, the number of first array elements 1011 can be J1-1, that is, J1-1 first array elements 1011 can constitute a first sub-array. The first first array element 1011 can be set at a position with a spacing of M1 times half a wavelength from the reference position, the second first array element 1011 can be set at a position with a spacing of 2*M1 times half a wavelength from the reference position, and so on. The J1-1th first array element 1011 can be set at a position with a spacing of (J1-1)*M1 times half a wavelength from the reference position.

[0122] The spacing between the second array element 1012 and the reference position is M2 times the unit length, and the positive integer corresponding to the second array element 1012 is J2. In this case, the number of second array elements 1012 can be J2-1, that is, J2-1 second array elements 1012 can constitute the second sub-array. The first second array element 1012 can be set at a position where the spacing from the reference position is M2 times a half-wavelength, the second second array element 1012 can be set at a position where the spacing from the reference position is 2*M2 times a half-wavelength, and so on. The J2-1th second array element 1012 can be set at a position where the spacing from the reference position is (J2-1)*M2 times a half-wavelength.

[0123] The spacing between the third array element 1013 and the reference position is M3 times the unit length, and the positive integer corresponding to the third array element 1013 is J3. In this case, the number of third array elements 1013 can be J3-1, that is, J3-1 third array elements 1013 can constitute a third sub-array. The first third array element 1013 can be set at a position with a spacing of M3 times half a wavelength from the reference position, the second third array element 1013 can be set at a position with a spacing of 2*M3 times half a wavelength from the reference position, and so on. The J3-1th third array element 1013 can be set at a position with a spacing of (J3-1)*M3 times half a wavelength from the reference position.

[0124] Optionally, the fourth array element 1014 may be set at a reference position and shared by the first sub-array, the second sub-array, and the third sub-array. In this case, the first sub-array may include: one fourth array element 1014 and J1-1 first array elements 1011; the second sub-array may include: one fourth array element 1014 and J2-1 second array elements 1012; and the third sub-array may include: one fourth array element 1014 and J3-1 third array element 1013.

[0125] It can be understood that since M1 is the product of J2 and J3, M2 is the product of J1 and J3, and M3 is the product of J1 and J2, any two integers among J1, J2, and J3 are mutually prime. Thus, when the first, second, and third sub-arrays are embedded together to form a three-dimensional mutually prime linear array, the positions of their array elements can be non-overlapping, thereby improving the performance of the array antenna and enabling the estimation of more DOAs.

[0126] For example, in some possible implementations, the values ​​of N positive integers, such as the values ​​of J1, J2, and J3, can satisfy at least one of the following combinations: J1=2, J2=3, J3=5 (denoted as combination 1); J1=2, J2=3, J3=7 (denoted as combination 2); J1=2, J2=3, J3=11 (denoted as combination 3); J1=2, J2=5, J3=7 (denoted as combination 4); J1=3, J2=4, J3=5 (denoted as combination 5); or J1=3, J2=4, J3=7 (denoted as combination 6), to form array antennas of different forms, which are introduced below.

[0127] Combination 1:

[0128] As shown in FIG10( a ), the first subarray may include one fourth array element 1014 and one first array element 1011, with the first array element 1011 positioned at a distance of 15 half-wavelengths from the reference position. The second subarray may include one fourth array element 1014 and two second array elements 1012, with the first second array element 1012 positioned at a distance of 10 half-wavelengths from the reference position, and the second second array element 1012 positioned at a distance of 20 half-wavelengths from the reference position. The third subarray may include one fourth array element 1014 and four third array elements 1013. Among them, the first third array element 1013 is set at a position with a spacing of 6 times and a half wavelength from the reference position, the second third array element 1013 is set at a position with a spacing of 12 times and a half wavelength from the reference position, the third third array element 1013 is set at a position with a spacing of 18 times and a half wavelength from the reference position, and the fourth third array element 1013 is set at a position with a spacing of 24 times and a half wavelength from the reference position.

[0129] As shown in FIG10( b ), when the first, second, and third subarrays are embedded together to form a three-dimensional coprime linear array, the first, second, and third subarrays share the same fourth array element 1014, which is located at a reference position, the coordinates of which can be recorded as (0, 0). Based on this, assuming half the wavelength is 1, the coordinates of the first array element 1011 are (0, 15), the coordinates of the first second array element 1012 are (0, 10), the coordinates of the second second array element 1012 are (0, 20), the coordinates of the first third array element 1013 are (0, 6), the coordinates of the second third array element 1013 are (0, 12), the coordinates of the third third array element 1013 are (0, 18), and the coordinates of the fourth third array element 1013 are (0, 24). It can be seen that for combination 2, the array antenna 101 may include a total of 2+3+5-2=8 array elements, and the positions of the 8 array elements do not overlap with each other.

[0130] Combination 2:

[0131] As shown in FIG11(a), the first subarray may include: one fourth array element 1014 and one first array element 1011, wherein the first array element 1011 is located at a distance of 21 times and a half wavelength from the reference position. The second subarray may include: one fourth array element 1014 and two second array elements 1012. The first second array element 1012 is located at a distance of 14 times and a half wavelength from the reference position, and the second second array element 1012 is located at a distance of 28 times and a half wavelength from the reference position. The third subarray may include: one fourth array element 1014 and six third array elements 1013. The specific position arrangement is similar to that of the third subarray shown in FIG10(a), and can be understood by reference thereto and will not be further described.

[0132] As shown in FIG11(b), when the first, second, and third sub-arrays are embedded together to form a three-dimensional coprime linear array, similar to FIG10(b), the coordinates of the fourth array element 1014 are (0, 0), the coordinates of the first array element 1011 are (0, 21), the coordinates of the first second array element 1012 are (0, 14), the coordinates of the second second array element 1012 are (0, 28), the coordinates of the first third array element 1013 are (0, 6), the coordinates of the second third array element 1013 are (0, 12), and so on, until the coordinates of the sixth third array element 1013 are (0, 36). It can be seen that for combination 2, the array antenna 101 can include a total of 2+3+7-2=10 array elements, and the positions of the 10 array elements do not overlap.

[0133] Combination 3:

[0134] As shown in FIG12(a), the first subarray may include: one fourth array element 1014 and one first array element 1011, wherein the first array element 1011 is located at a distance of 33 times half a wavelength from the reference position. The second subarray may include: one fourth array element 1014 and two second array elements 1012. The first second array element 1012 is located at a distance of 22 times half a wavelength from the reference position, and the second second array element 1012 is located at a distance of 44 times half a wavelength from the reference position. The third subarray may include: one fourth array element 1014 and ten third array elements 1013. The specific position arrangement is similar to that of the third subarray shown in FIG10(a), and can be understood by reference thereto and will not be further described.

[0135] As shown in FIG12(b), when the first, second, and third subarrays are embedded together to form a three-dimensional coprime linear array, similar to FIG10(b), the coordinates of the fourth array element 1014 are (0, 0). The coordinates of the first array element 1011 are (0, 33). The coordinates of the first second array element 1012 are (0, 22), and the coordinates of the second second array element 1012 are (0, 44). The coordinates of the first third array element 1013 are (0, 6), the coordinates of the second third array element 1013 are (0, 12), and so on, until the coordinates of the tenth third array element 1013 are (0, 60). It can be seen that for combination 3, the array antenna 101 can include a total of 2+3+11-2=14 array elements, and the positions of the 14 array elements do not overlap.

[0136] Combination 4:

[0137] As shown in (a) of FIG13 , the first subarray may include: one fourth array element 1014 and one first array element 1011, wherein the first array element 1011 is located at a distance of 35 times and a half wavelength from the reference position. The second subarray may include: one fourth array element 1014 and four second array elements 1012. The first second array element 1012 is located at a distance of 14 times and a half wavelength from the reference position, the second second array element 1012 is located at a distance of 28 times and a half wavelength from the reference position, the third second array element 1012 is located at a distance of 42 times and a half wavelength from the reference position, and the fourth second array element 1012 is located at a distance of 56 times and a half wavelength from the reference position. The third subarray may include: one fourth array element 1014 and seven third array elements 1013. Among them, the first third array element 1013 is set at a position with a spacing of 10 times and a half wavelength from the reference position, the second third array element 1013 is set at a position with a spacing of 20 times and a half wavelength from the reference position, and so on. The sixth third array element 1013 is set at a position with a spacing of 60 times and a half wavelength from the reference position.

[0138] As shown in FIG13(b), when the first, second, and third sub-arrays are embedded together to form a three-dimensional coprime linear array, similar to FIG10(b), the coordinates of the fourth array element 1014 are (0, 0). The coordinates of the first array element 1011 are (0, 35). The coordinates of the first second array element 1012 are (0, 14), the coordinates of the second second array element 1012 are (0, 28), the coordinates of the second second array element 1012 are (0, 28), and so on. The coordinates of the fourth second array element 1012 are (0, 56). The coordinates of the first third array element 1013 are (0, 10), the coordinates of the second third array element 1013 are (0, 20), and so on. The coordinates of the tenth third array element 1013 are (0, 60). It can be seen that for combination 4, the array antenna 101 may include a total of 2+5+7-2=12 array elements, and the positions of the 12 array elements do not overlap with each other.

[0139] Combination 5:

[0140] As shown in FIG14( a ), the first subarray may include one fourth array element 1014 and two first array elements 1011. The first first array element 1011 is positioned at a distance of 20 half-wavelengths from the reference position, and the second first array element 1011 is positioned at a distance of 40 half-wavelengths from the reference position. The second subarray may include one fourth array element 1014 and three second array elements 1012. The first second array element 1012 is positioned at a distance of 15 half-wavelengths from the reference position, the second second array element 1012 is positioned at a distance of 30 half-wavelengths from the reference position, and the third second array element 1012 is positioned at a distance of 45 half-wavelengths from the reference position. The third subarray may include one fourth array element 1014 and four third array elements 1013. Among them, the first third array element 1013 is set at a position with a spacing of 12 times and a half wavelength from the reference position, the second third array element 1013 is set at a position with a spacing of 24 times and a half wavelength from the reference position, and so on. The fourth third array element 1013 is set at a position with a spacing of 48 times and a half wavelength from the reference position.

[0141] As shown in FIG14(b), when the first, second, and third sub-arrays are embedded together to form a three-dimensional coprime linear array, similar to FIG10(b), the coordinates of the fourth array element 1014 are (0, 0). The coordinates of the first first array element 1011 are (0, 20), and the coordinates of the second first array element 1011 are (0, 40). The coordinates of the first second array element 1012 are (0, 15), the coordinates of the second second array element 1012 are (0, 30), and the coordinates of the third second array element 1012 are (0, 45). The coordinates of the first third array element 1013 are (0, 12), the coordinates of the second third array element 1013 are (0, 24), and so on, until the coordinates of the fourth third array element 1013 are (0, 48). It can be seen that for combination 5, the array antenna 101 may include a total of 3+4+5-2=10 array elements, and the positions of the 10 array elements do not overlap with each other.

[0142] Combination 6:

[0143] As shown in FIG15( a ), the first subarray may include one fourth array element 1014 and two first array elements 1011. The first first array element 1011 is positioned at a distance of 28 times a half wavelength from the reference position, and the second first array element 1011 is positioned at a distance of 56 times a half wavelength from the reference position. The second subarray may include one fourth array element 1014 and three second array elements 1012. The first second array element 1012 is positioned at a distance of 21 times a half wavelength from the reference position, the second second array element 1012 is positioned at a distance of 42 times a half wavelength from the reference position, and the third second array element 1012 is positioned at a distance of 63 times a half wavelength from the reference position. The third subarray may include one fourth array element 1014 and four third array elements 1013. The specific positioning arrangement is similar to that of the third subarray shown in FIG14( a ), and can be understood by reference thereto and will not be further described.

[0144] As shown in FIG15( b ), when the first, second, and third sub-arrays are embedded together to form a three-dimensional coprime linear array, similar to FIG10( b ), the coordinates of the fourth array element 1014 are (0, 0). The coordinates of the first first array element 1011 are (0, 28), and the coordinates of the second first array element 1011 are (0, 56). The coordinates of the first second array element 1012 are (0, 21), the coordinates of the second second array element 1012 are (0, 42), and the coordinates of the third second array element 1012 are (0, 63). The coordinates of the first third array element 1013 are (0, 12), the coordinates of the second third array element 1013 are (0, 24), and so on, until the coordinates of the sixth third array element 1013 are (0, 72). It can be seen that for combination 6, the array antenna 101 may include a total of 3+4+7-2=12 array elements, and the positions of the 12 array elements do not overlap with each other.

[0145] In the embodiment of the present application, the product of the N positive integers may be positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna 101. The number of beams of the array antenna 101 may be the number of beams transmitted or received by the array antenna. For example, the product of the N positive integers may be positively correlated with the number of elements in a linear array equivalent to the array antenna 101. The number of elements in the linear array may be positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna 101.

[0146] Specifically, for the N subarrays of array antenna 101, the coordinate positions of all array elements in every two subarrays can be subtracted from each other, i.e., a first-order difference can be performed, to obtain an equivalent linear array, such as a non-uniform linear array antenna. This non-uniform linear array can also be further differentiated, i.e., a second-order difference can be performed. Similarly, through N-1 order differences, a final equivalent linear array, such as a uniform linear array antenna, can be obtained. In this case, the number of array elements in this linear array is 2 times the product of N positive integers plus 1. In other words, because the array elements of array antenna 101 are relatively sparsely spaced, such as a spacing that is typically multiples of half a wavelength, array antenna 101 can be equivalent to a uniform linear array antenna with a closer element spacing, such as a spacing of half a wavelength, and a greater number of array elements. In this case, the number of beams of this uniform linear array antenna is also the number of beams of the array antenna 101, such as the number of beams being the product of 2 times N positive integers.

[0147] For ease of understanding, let's take J1, J2, and J3 as an example. The product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna. The number of beams of the array antenna is the number of beams transmitted or received by the array antenna. For example, the product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of elements of the linear array equivalent to the array antenna, and the number of elements of the linear array is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna. Specifically, the number of elements of the linear array is K. The product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of elements of the linear array, which means: K = 2*J1*J2*J3+1. On this basis, the number of elements of the linear array is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna, which means: the number of beams of the array antenna is K-1, that is, 2*J1*J2*J3.

[0148] It can be seen that the values ​​of J1, J2, and J3 generally determine the number of elements in the array antenna. For example, the number of elements in the array antenna is J1 + J2 + J3 - 2. In other words, by simply adding a few elements, such as J3 elements, the number of elements in the equivalent linear array can be increased geometrically, for example, by nearly increasing it by J3 times. This allows the number of beams in the array antenna to also increase geometrically, significantly improving the number of DOA estimates.

[0149] For example, taking combination 5 as an example, as shown in FIG16 , by performing a first-order difference, that is, subtracting the coordinates of every two elements in the array antenna corresponding to combination 5, a non-uniform linear array antenna with 22 elements can be obtained. In this case, half a wavelength is denoted as 1, and the coordinates of the elements of the non-uniform linear array antenna are: (0, 0), (0, ±3), (0, ±4), (0, ±5), (0, ±6), (0, ±8), (0, ±9), (0, ±10), (0, ±12), (0, ±15), (0, ±16), (0, ±20), (0, ±21), (0, ±24), (0, ±25), (0, ±28), (0, ±30), (0, ±33), (0, ±36), (0, ±40), (0, ±45), and (0, ±48). By performing a second-order difference, which involves subtracting the coordinates of every two elements in a non-uniform linear array antenna, we can obtain a uniform linear array antenna with 121 elements. In this case, the half-wavelength is still denoted as 1, and the coordinates of the elements of the uniform linear array antenna are (0, -60…+60). In other words, compared to the prior art two-dimensional mutually prime linear array antenna with six elements, the array antenna 101 of the present embodiment can increase the number of beams from 13 to 120 by simply adding five elements, thereby enabling the estimation of up to 120 DOAs.

[0150] FIG17 is a simulation diagram of DOA estimation. As shown in FIG17 , three array antennas are used as an example, namely, a uniform linear array antenna with 10 array elements (denoted as array antenna #1), a two-dimensional mutually prime linear array antenna with 6 array elements (denoted as array antenna #2), and a three-dimensional mutually prime linear array antenna corresponding to combination 5 (denoted as array antenna #3).

[0151] In one case, as shown in Figure 17 (a), array antenna #1 is used to receive 10 signals from different directions. In this case, the MUSIC algorithm can estimate the 10 DOAs corresponding to the 10 signals. In another case, as shown in Figure 17 (b), array antenna #3 is used to receive 10 signals from different directions. In this case, the MUSIC algorithm can also estimate the 10 DOAs corresponding to the 10 signals.

[0152] In another case, as shown in (c) and (d) of Figure 17, array antenna #1 and array antenna #2 are used to receive 40 signals from different directions. In this case, since the number of received signals is greater than the maximum number of DOAs that can be estimated by array antenna #1 and array antenna #2, the MUSIC algorithm cannot estimate the 40 DOAs corresponding to the 40 signals. However, as shown in (e) of Figure 17, array antenna #3 is used to receive 40 signals from different directions. In this case, since the number of received signals is less than the maximum number of DOAs that can be estimated by array antenna #3, the MUSIC algorithm can still estimate the 40 DOAs corresponding to the 40 signals.

[0153] FIG18 is a second simulation diagram of DOA estimation. As shown in FIG18 , three array antennas are still taken as an example, namely the aforementioned array antenna #1, array antenna #2, and array antenna #3.

[0154] In one case, as shown in Figure 18 (a), array antenna #1 is used to receive 10 signals from different directions. In this case, the MVDR algorithm can estimate the 10 DOAs corresponding to the 10 signals. In another case, as shown in Figure 18 (b), array antenna #3 is used to receive 10 signals from different directions. In this case, the MVDR algorithm can also estimate the 10 DOAs corresponding to the 10 signals.

[0155] In another case, as shown in (c) and (d) of Figure 18, array antenna #1 and array antenna #2 are used to receive 40 signals from different directions. In this case, since the number of received signals is greater than the maximum number of DOAs that can be estimated by array antenna #1 and array antenna #2, the MVDR algorithm cannot estimate the 40 DOAs corresponding to the 40 signals. However, as shown in (e) of Figure 18, array antenna #3 is used to receive 40 signals from different directions. In this case, since the number of received signals is less than the maximum number of DOAs that can be estimated by array antenna #3, the MVDR algorithm can still estimate the 40 DOAs corresponding to the 40 signals.

[0156] In addition, in conjunction with Figures 17 and 18, it can be seen that, when the number of array elements is not much different from that of the array antenna of the prior art, the array antenna of the embodiment of the present application can significantly improve the estimated number of DOAs, while also taking into account the estimation accuracy of DOAs, and can be applied to multiple scenarios in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication / radar, such as sonar, seismic wave detection, positioning and tracking, vehicle-mounted millimeter wave radar, etc. For example, as shown in Figure 19, the array antenna of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to MIMO communication scenarios, and the array antenna can be a mutually prime L-shaped array antenna, or any other possible form of array antenna, such as a mutually prime planar array, a mutually prime circular array, etc., without limitation.

[0157] In summary, since the distance between the i-th array element and the reference position is N-1 positive integer product times the unit length, that is, at least two positive integer product times the unit length, its array element spacing can be further increased compared to the conventional coprime array antenna, and the array element setting can be more sparse, so that it can be equivalent to a linear array with a larger number of array elements, such as a linear uniform array antenna, to achieve a large number of DOA estimates.

[0158] The array antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application is introduced above in conjunction with Figures 7 to 19. The manufacturing method of the array antenna is described below in conjunction with Figure 20.

[0159] As shown in FIG20 , the process of the manufacturing method of the array antenna may specifically include the following steps.

[0160] S2001: Obtain N array elements of an array antenna.

[0161] S2002: Set N array elements along the same direction.

[0162] Where: N is an integer greater than or equal to 3; the distance between the i-th array element and the reference position in the direction of the N array elements is M times the unit length, i is an arbitrary integer from 1 to N, the half-wavelength of the N array elements is the same, the unit length is a positive integer multiple of the half-wavelength, the N array elements correspond one-to-one to the N positive integers, any two positive integers among the N positive integers are prime numbers to each other, and M i It is the product of N-1 positive integers, where the N-1 positive integers are the other integers among the N positive integers except the positive integer corresponding to the i-th array element.

[0163] In addition, the specific principles of the array antenna involved in the method shown in Figure 20 can also be referred to the relevant introduction in Figures 7 to 19 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0164] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Exemplarily, the communication device can be a terminal, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be set in a terminal. As shown in Figure 21, the communication device 2100 may include a processor 2101. Optionally, the communication device 2100 may also include a memory 2102 and / or a transceiver 2103. The processor 2101 is coupled to the memory 2102 and the transceiver 2103, such as by a communication bus.

[0165] The following is a detailed introduction to the various components of the communication device 2100 with reference to FIG21 :

[0166] The processor 2101 is the control center of the communication device 2100 and can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 2101 can be one or more central processing units (CPUs), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of the present application, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0167] Optionally, the processor 2101 can execute various functions of the communication device 2100 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 2102 and calling data stored in the memory 2102, such as executing the method shown in Figure 20 above.

[0168] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 2101 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 shown in FIG. 21 .

[0169] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 2100 may also include multiple processors, such as the processor 2101 and the processor 2104 shown in FIG21 . Each of these processors may be a single-core processor (single-CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi-CPU). The processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0170] Among them, the memory 2102 is used to store the software program for executing the solution of this application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 2101. The specific implementation method can refer to the above method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0171] Alternatively, the memory 2102 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, an optical disc storage (including a compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory 2102 may be integrated with the processor 2101 or exist independently and be coupled to the processor 2101 via an interface circuit (not shown in FIG. 21 ) of the communication device 2100, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0172] Transceiver 2103 is used for communication with other communication devices. For example, if communication device 2100 is a terminal, transceiver 2103 can be used to communicate with a network device or another terminal device. For another example, if communication device 2100 is a network device, transceiver 2103 can be used to communicate with a terminal or another network device.

[0173] Optionally, the transceiver 2103 may include a receiver and a transmitter (not shown separately in FIG21 ), wherein the receiver is used to implement a receiving function, and the transmitter is used to implement a sending function.

[0174] Optionally, the transceiver 2103 can be integrated with the processor 2101, or can exist independently and be coupled to the processor 2101 through the interface circuit of the communication device 2100 (not shown in Figure 21). This embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0175] It is understandable that the structure of the communication device 2100 shown in FIG21 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device, and the actual communication device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0176] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device 2100 can refer to the technical effects of the methods described in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0177] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip or chip system, which may have an input and output interface and a processing circuit, wherein the input and output interface is used to exchange information or data, and the processing circuit is used to run instructions so that the device on which the chip or chip system is installed executes the method shown in FIG. 20 above.

[0178] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the processor may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0179] It should also be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0180] The above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware (such as circuits), firmware or any other combination. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer program are loaded or executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that contains one or more available media sets. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (for example, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium can be a solid-state drive.

[0181] It should be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein simply describes a relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A alone, A and B together, or B alone. A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, the character " / " as used herein generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects, but it may also indicate an "and / or" relationship. For specific understanding, please refer to the context.

[0182] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or plural.

[0183] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0184] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0185] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0186] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0187] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0188] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0189] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0190] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. An array antenna, characterized in that: The array antenna includes N array elements arranged along the same direction, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3; Wherein: the distance between the i-th array element in the N array elements and the reference position in the direction is a unit length Mi times, i is any integer from 1 to N, the half wavelengths of the N array elements are the same, the unit length is a positive integer multiple of the half wavelength, the N array elements correspond one to one with N positive integers, and any two positive integers among the N positive integers are prime to each other, M i is the product of N-1 positive integers, where the N-1 positive integers are integers other than the positive integer corresponding to the i-th array element in the N positive integers.

2. The array antenna according to claim 1, wherein: The N array elements include a first array element, a second array element and a third array element; Wherein: the spacing between the first array element and the reference position is M1 times the unit length, the spacing between the second array element and the reference position is M2 times the unit length, the spacing between the third array element and the reference position is M3 times the unit length, the positive integer corresponding to the first array element is J1, the positive integer corresponding to the second array element is J2, the positive integer corresponding to the third array element is J3, M1 is the product of J2 and J3, M2 is the product of J1 and J3, M3 is the product of J1 and J2, and any two integers among J1, J2 and J3 are mutually prime numbers.

3. The array antenna according to claim 2, wherein: The product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna, where the number of beams of the array antenna is the number of beams transmitted or received by the array antenna.

4. The array antenna according to claim 3, wherein: The product of J1, J2 and J3 is positively correlated with the number of array elements of a linear array equivalent to the array antenna, and the number of array elements of the linear array is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna.

5. The array antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that: The number of array elements in the linear array is K, and the product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of array elements in the linear array, which means: K=2*J1*J2*J3+1.

6. The array antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that The positive correlation between the number of array elements of the linear array and the number of beams of the array antenna means that the number of beams of the array antenna is K-1.

7. The array antenna according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: The values ​​of J1, J2 and J3 satisfy at least one of the following combinations: J1=2, J2=3, J3=5; J1=2, J2=3, J3=7; J1=2, J2=3, J3=11; J1=2, J2=5, J3=7; J1=3, J2=4, J3=5; or J1=3, J2=4, J3=7.

8. A method for manufacturing an array antenna, characterized in that: The method comprises: Obtain N array elements of the array antenna, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3; The N array elements are arranged along the same direction, wherein: the distance between the i-th array element in the N array elements and the reference position in the direction is M of the unit length i times, i is any integer from 1 to N, the half wavelengths of the N array elements are the same, the unit length is a positive integer multiple of the half wavelength, the N array elements correspond one to one with N positive integers, and any two positive integers among the N positive integers are prime to each other, M i is the product of N-1 positive integers, where the N-1 positive integers are integers other than the positive integer corresponding to the i-th array element in the N positive integers.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The N array elements include a first array element, a second array element, and a third array element, and arranging the N array elements along the same direction includes: The first array element, the second array element, and the third array element are arranged along the direction, wherein: a spacing between the first array element and the reference position is M1 times the unit length, a spacing between the second array element and the reference position is M2 times the unit length, and a spacing between the third array element and the reference position is M3 times the unit length. A positive integer corresponding to the first array element is J1, a positive integer corresponding to the second array element is J2, and a positive integer corresponding to the third array element is J3. M1 is the product of J2 and J3, M2 is the product of J1 and J3, and M3 is the product of J1 and J2. Any two integers among J1, J2, and J3 are mutually prime numbers.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna, where the number of beams of the array antenna is the number of beams transmitted or received by the array antenna.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The product of J1, J2 and J3 is positively correlated with the number of array elements of a linear array equivalent to the array antenna, and the number of array elements of the linear array is positively correlated with the number of beams of the array antenna.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The number of array elements in the linear array is K, and the product of J1, J2, and J3 is positively correlated with the number of array elements in the linear array, which means: K=2*J1*J2*J3+1.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The positive correlation between the number of array elements of the linear array and the number of beams of the array antenna means that the number of beams of the array antenna is K-1.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that The values ​​of J1, J2 and J3 satisfy at least one of the following combinations: J1=2, J2=3, J3=5; J1=2, J2=3, J3=7; J1=2, J2=3, J3=11; J1=2, J2=5, J3=7; J1=3, J2=4, J3=5; or J1=3, J2=4, J3=7.

15. An antenna panel, characterized in that: The invention comprises a plurality of array antennas according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

16. The antenna panel according to claim 15, characterized in that The multiple array antennas are arranged in different directions.

17. A chip, characterized in that: The invention comprises a transceiver and an array antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the array antenna is connected to the transceiver.

18. The chip according to claim 17, characterized in that There are multiple array antennas, and the arrangement directions of the multiple array antennas are different.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a processor and an array antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the array antenna is connected to the processor.

20. The communication device according to claim 19, wherein There are multiple array antennas, and the arrangement directions of the multiple array antennas are different.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

23. A chip or a chip system, characterized in that: It includes an input and output interface and a processing circuit, wherein the input and output interface is used to exchange information or data, and the processing circuit is used to run instructions so that a device equipped with the chip or chip system executes the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

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