Signal processing circuit and method for equalizer, equalizer and communication device

Abstract

The embodiments of this specification provide a signal processing circuit, method, equalizer, and communication device for an equalizer, which are applied to the field of wireless communication technology. The circuit includes a power processing module that separates the radio frequency signal to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal, and outputs the first input signal and the second input signal to a delay module; the delay module adjusts the signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal, and outputs the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal to a phase shift module; the phase shift module performs phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal according to the interactive frequency point, and outputs the phase-shifted first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal to the power processing module; the power processing module synthesizes the phase-shifted first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal to obtain an RF signal after amplitude adjustment and equalization. This achieves adjustable amplitude equalization of the RF signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of this specification relate to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a signal processing circuit and method for an equalizer, an equalizer, and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] In the fields of millimeter-wave radar, electronic countermeasures, and high-precision electronic measuring instruments, the gain and power frequency response characteristics of solid-state devices such as power amplifiers and traveling-wave amplifiers are difficult to achieve at a high level. To achieve distortion-free, flat, and stable transmission of system signals, millimeter-wave equalizers are often required to compensate for amplifier characteristics across a wide bandwidth, thereby improving the gain flatness of RF circuits. Currently, existing millimeter-wave equalizers mostly adopt either mechanically adjustable or fixed structures, each with its own inherent disadvantages. Mechanically adjustable equalizers are large and slow to adjust; fixed equalizers have an unadjustable equalization level and require individual design based on the amplifier's characteristics, significantly increasing the workload and complexity. Therefore, effectively adjusting the positive and negative equalization of signals in the millimeter-wave band to ensure its availability is a pressing issue. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, embodiments of this specification provide a signal processing circuit for an equalizer. One or more embodiments of this specification also relate to a signal processing method for an equalizer, an equalizer, and a communication device to address technical deficiencies in the prior art.

[0004] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of this specification, there is provided a signal processing circuit for an equalizer, the circuit comprising a power processing module, a delay module, and a phase shift module;

[0005] The power processing module is used to separate the radio frequency signal to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal, and output the first input signal and the second input signal to the delay module;

[0006] The delay module is configured to adjust the signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal, and output the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal to the phase shift module, wherein the signal delay information is used to enable the first input signal and the second input signal to have an interactive frequency point;

[0007] The phase shift module is configured to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal according to the interactive frequency point, and output the phase-shifted first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal to the power processing module;

[0008] The power processing module is used to synthesize the first input signal after phase shift and the second input signal after phase shift to obtain a radio frequency signal after amplitude adjustment and equalization.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of this specification, a signal processing method for an equalizer is provided. The method is applied to the above-mentioned signal processing circuit for the equalizer, including:

[0010] Separating the radio frequency signal to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal;

[0011] Adjusting signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal, wherein the signal delay information is used to enable the first input signal and the second input signal to have an interactive frequency point;

[0012] performing phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal according to the interactive frequency point to obtain a phase-shifted first input signal and a phase-shifted second input signal;

[0013] The phase-shifted first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal are synthesized to obtain a radio frequency signal after amplitude adjustment and equalization.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of this specification, an equalizer is provided. The equalizer is applied to the above-mentioned signal processing circuit for the equalizer, including:

[0015] a separation module, configured to separate the radio frequency signal to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal;

[0016] a delay module configured to adjust signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal, wherein the signal delay information is used to enable the first input signal and the second input signal to have an interactive frequency point;

[0017] a phase shifting module configured to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal according to the interactive frequency point to obtain a phase-shifted first input signal and a phase-shifted second input signal;

[0018] The synthesis module is configured to synthesize the first input signal after phase shift and the second input signal after phase shift to obtain a radio frequency signal after amplitude adjustment and equalization.

[0019] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of this specification, a communication device is provided, the device comprising the above-mentioned signal processing circuit for the equalizer, and an antenna unit connected to the signal processing circuit;

[0020] The signal processing circuit is used to adjust the radio frequency signal to obtain a radio frequency signal after the adjustment amplitude is balanced, and output the radio frequency signal after the adjustment amplitude is balanced to the antenna unit.

[0021] One embodiment of the present specification realizes the separation of the radio frequency signal through the power processing module to obtain the first input signal and the second input signal. The signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal is adjusted by the delay module. Based on the characteristic that the signal delay information changes with the frequency, the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal have an interactive frequency point, and the equalization amount can also be controlled by the signal delay information. The adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal are phase-shifted according to the interactive frequency point by the phase shift module, so that the positive and negative equalization amount of the signal can be adjusted within a given frequency range based on the interactive frequency point, thereby achieving the purpose of dynamically adjustable equalization characteristics. The first input signal after phase shift and the second input signal after phase shift are synthesized by the power processing module to obtain the radio frequency signal after adjusting the amplitude equalization. Thus, under the premise of simple circuit structure design, amplitude equalization of the radio frequency signal is achieved to ensure signal gain flatness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an amplitude adjustment function provided in this specification is shown;

[0023] Figure 2 A circuit structure block diagram of a signal processing circuit for an equalizer provided by one embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0024] Figure 3 A functional schematic diagram of signal cancellation and superposition provided by an embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0025] Figure 4 A flow chart of a signal processing method for an equalizer provided according to one embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0026] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of an equalizer provided by an embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0027] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by one embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0028] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of this specification is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following description sets forth many specific details to facilitate a thorough understanding of this specification. However, this specification can be implemented in many other ways than those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar generalizations without violating the scope of this specification. Therefore, this specification is not limited to the specific implementations disclosed below.

[0030] The terms used in one or more embodiments of this specification are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit one or more embodiments of this specification. The singular forms "a," "the," and "the" used in one or more embodiments of this specification and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used in one or more embodiments of this specification refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0031] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various information in one or more embodiments of this specification, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of one or more embodiments of this specification, the first may also be referred to as the second, and similarly, the second may also be referred to as the first. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to determining".

[0032] In addition, it should be noted that the user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, stored data, displayed data, etc.) involved in one or more embodiments of this specification are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties, and the collection, use and processing of relevant data must comply with the relevant laws, regulations and standards of relevant countries and regions, and provide corresponding operation entrances for users to choose to authorize or refuse.

[0033] First, the terms involved in one or more embodiments of this specification are explained.

[0034] Tunable Equalizer: A tunable equalizer is an electronic device or circuit capable of adjusting signal gain within a specific frequency range. Its primary function is to correct the frequency response of the signal passing through it to compensate for frequency selectivity losses or gain unevenness caused by the transmission medium, component characteristics, or other factors. Simply put, a tunable equalizer enhances certain frequency components while attenuating others, thereby controlling the shape of the signal spectrum.

[0035] Currently, for microwave and millimeter wave applications, it usually means a wide bandwidth signal channel. It is necessary to ensure that the RF channel has good amplitude balance characteristics within the wide bandwidth. An adjustable equalizer is needed to effectively adjust the amplitude balance characteristics of the channel. Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an amplitude adjustment function provided in this specification is shown, which mainly includes a positive slope and a negative slope. Positive slope and negative slope generally refer to the way the equalizer adjusts the signal frequency response. Specifically, they describe the trend of how the gain changes as the frequency changes. For example, a positive slope means that as the frequency increases, the gain of the signal also increases. A negative slope means that as the frequency increases, the gain of the signal decreases. By flexibly using positive and negative slope equalizers, the quality of the signal can be effectively improved according to specific system requirements and environmental conditions. In practical applications, the two are sometimes used in combination to achieve more precise frequency response adjustment. Therefore, application requirements may include adjustable positive slope equalization, adjustable negative slope equalization, and adjustable positive and negative slope equalization.

[0036] However, most current adjustable equalizers can only achieve single positive slope or single negative slope equalization, or have complex circuit structures, which makes equalizer debugging difficult and cannot be integrated into a single chip.

[0037] Based on this, this specification provides a signal processing circuit for an equalizer. This specification also relates to a signal processing method for an equalizer, an equalizer, a communication device, and a communication system, which are described in detail one by one in the following embodiments.

[0038] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2The circuit structure block diagram of a signal processing circuit for an equalizer provided by an embodiment of the present specification is shown. The signal processing circuit includes a power processing module, a delay module and a phase shift module. The power processing module is used to receive a radio frequency signal, separate the radio frequency signal, and output the first input signal and the second input signal obtained after separation to the delay module. The delay module applies different delays to the first input signal and the second input signal, thereby adjusting the signal delay information, i.e., the signal delay difference, between the first input signal and the second input signal, so that the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal have an interactive frequency point, i.e., at the interactive frequency point, the signals are superimposed in phase or canceled in opposite phases. The adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal are output to the phase shift module, and the phase shift module performs phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal, so as to adjust the interactive frequency point position, thereby achieving the function of adjustable positive and negative balance. After the phase-shifted first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal are output to the power processing module, the two input signals can be synthesized to obtain an RF signal with adjusted amplitude balance. The signal processing circuit for the equalizer provided in this specification adopts a signal separation and synthesis architecture and introduces a delay mismatch combined with a phase shift function to achieve effective positive and negative equalization adjustable function in the millimeter wave frequency band. At the same time, based on a simple circuit design structure adapted to the standard chip integration process, it can also ensure the availability of the millimeter wave frequency band.

[0039] Furthermore, in order to enable signal separation and synthesis operations to be performed by the power processing module, the power processing module includes a power separation unit and a power synthesis unit. Specifically, the power separation unit is used to separate the RF signal to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal, and output the first input signal and the second input signal to the delay module; the power synthesis unit is used to synthesize the phase-shifted first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal to obtain an amplitude-balanced RF signal.

[0040] Among them, the power separation unit can be understood as a power splitter, which is used to split the input signal into two signals of equal amplitude. In one embodiment of this specification, the power splitter is a 90-degree bridge (also called an orthogonal mixer), through which the input RF signal can be divided into two signals of equal amplitude but with a phase difference of 90 degrees. Accordingly, the power splitter can also adopt other forms such as a standard Lange bridge, a branch line bridge, a Wilkinson power splitter, etc., as long as it can realize the division of the input RF signal into two signals of equal amplitude. The power synthesis unit can be understood as a power combiner, which is used to combine two signals into one RF output signal. In one embodiment of this specification, the power combiner can also adopt a 90-degree bridge to realize power synthesis. Accordingly, the power combiner can also adopt other forms such as a standard Lange bridge, a branch line bridge, a Wilkinson power combiner, etc.

[0041] In practical applications, when the signal processing circuit, i.e., the adjustable equalizer circuit, receives an RF signal, it first separates the RF signal through a power separation unit, i.e., a power splitter, to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal. These signals are then output to a delay module, which applies a fixed delay to each of the two signals. When the power synthesis unit receives the two signals output by the phase shifting module, it synthesizes the phase-shifted first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal to obtain an amplitude-adjusted and balanced RF signal. This amplitude-adjusted and balanced RF signal can then be output to the next processing circuit for further processing.

[0042] In specific implementation, a 90-degree bridge is used to separate and synthesize the input and output signals, thereby avoiding the reflected signals under different adjustment amounts from entering the input and output structures, effectively improving the input and output standing waves, and solving the problem of excessive changes in the input and output standing waves during the equalization adjustment process, especially in the millimeter wave frequency band.

[0043] Based on this, the power splitter ensures that the input signal is evenly distributed between the two processing paths, providing the basis for subsequent phase and delay adjustments. The power combiner recombines the two processed signals, using the phase difference to achieve in-phase amplification or anti-phase attenuation of the signals, completing the final amplitude adjustment.

[0044] Furthermore, since the delay module will receive two input signals, in order to provide delay for these two input signals, the processing branches corresponding to the two signals each have their own delay unit. Specifically, the delay module includes a first delay unit and a second delay unit; the first delay unit is used to apply a first fixed delay to the first input signal; the second delay unit is used to apply a second fixed delay to the second input signal, wherein the signal delay information is determined based on the first fixed delay and the second fixed delay.

[0045] After the RF signal is separated by the power processing module, a first input signal and a second input signal are obtained. In order to respectively apply a delay to the first input signal and the second input signal, the first input signal and the second input signal are respectively input into different processing branches. Each processing branch includes a corresponding delay unit, so the delay module includes a first delay unit and a second delay unit. The first delay unit is used to apply a delay to the input first input signal, and the second delay unit is used to apply a delay to the input second input signal.

[0046] In practical applications, both the first and second delay units provide fixed delays. The first delay unit applies a first fixed delay to the signal, while the second delay unit applies a second fixed delay to the signal. The first and second fixed delays differ in magnitude, causing the signal delay information between the two signals to change after the delay module adjusts the two signals. This signal delay information is the signal delay difference between the two signals. Because a large delay is applied to one signal and a small delay is applied to the other, a signal delay difference exists between the two signals.

[0047] During the specific implementation, the first fixed delay is a large delay, and the second fixed delay is a small delay as an example for explanation. Since the first delay unit needs to provide a large delay for the first input signal, the first delay unit is a large delay unit. The large delay unit can be implemented by using a left-handed material transmission line, a constant resistance network, a slow wave structure, or a long length of transmission line. These implementation methods allow a larger delay to be achieved in a limited space. Since the second delay unit needs to provide a small delay for the second input signal, the second delay unit is a small delay unit. The small delay unit can use a small section of transmission line with a microstrip line or a coplanar waveguide structure. These structures are suitable for providing relatively small delays while maintaining a compact design. Based on this, by reasonably designing the implementation methods of the large delay unit and the small delay unit, it is ensured that the integration of the circuit can be improved.

[0048] In a specific embodiment of the present specification, the power divider outputs the first input signal obtained by separation to the first delay unit, and outputs the second input signal to the second delay unit. The first fixed delay, i.e., a large delay, is applied to the first input signal through the first delay unit, and the second fixed delay, i.e., a small delay, is applied to the second input signal through the second delay unit. As a result, there is signal delay information, i.e., a signal delay difference, between the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal, and the signal delay information is determined by the first fixed delay and the second fixed delay. Due to the signal delay difference between the two signals, the phase difference between the two signals changes with the change of frequency, so that there is an interactive frequency point between the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal. The interactive frequency point can be understood as the frequency point where the two signals have an interactive situation, and the interactive situation includes the reverse cancellation of the two signals and the in-phase superposition of the two signals.

[0049] It's important to note that due to the frequency-dependent phase difference between the two signals, the two signals will output opposite-phase cancellation at one frequency and in phase addition at another frequency, resulting in a drastically varying amplitude characteristic between the two frequencies—the target amplitude equalization characteristic. Furthermore, the two signals may interact at multiple frequencies. The signal delay difference between the two signals results in different phase response slopes. If the phase difference is 180 degrees or an integer multiple of 180 degrees, the two signals combine to produce amplitude cancellation. If the phase difference is 360 degrees or an integer multiple of 360 degrees, the two signals combine to produce amplitude addition. The greater the signal delay difference between the two signals, the greater the narrowband amplitude equalization. This characteristic allows subsequent adjustments to the phases of the two signals, resulting in amplitude cancellation and addition, to vary with frequency. Therefore, within a specific target frequency range, adjustable positive / negative slopes can be achieved, thus achieving adjustable amplitude equalization.

[0050] Based on this, by applying different fixed delays to the two signals, a signal delay difference exists between the two signals, which determines the phase difference between the two signals at different frequencies. Because the phase of a signal is proportional to its frequency and the delay it experiences, the signal delay difference causes the phase difference between the two signals to vary with frequency. This phase difference variation is the core mechanism for achieving amplitude equalization. Subsequent ingenious combination of delay difference and phase adjustment enables precise amplitude control within a specific frequency range, optimizing signal quality and improving system performance.

[0051] Furthermore, in order to selectively achieve a positive slope (enhancement) or a negative slope (attenuation) within a specific target frequency range, that is, to achieve adjustable amplitude equalization, it is necessary to perform phase shifting processing on the two signals. Specifically, the phase shifting module includes a first phase shifting unit and a second phase shifting unit; the first delay unit is used to output the adjusted first input signal to the first phase shifting unit; the second delay unit is used to output the adjusted second input signal to the second phase shifting unit; the first phase shifting unit is used to perform phase shifting processing on the adjusted first input signal according to the interactive frequency point, and output the phase-shifted first input signal to the power processing module; the second phase shifting unit is used to perform phase shifting processing on the adjusted second input signal according to the interactive frequency point, and output the phase-shifted second input signal to the power processing module.

[0052] The first delay unit outputs the first input signal after applying a first fixed delay to the first phase shift unit, and the second delay unit outputs the second input signal after applying a second fixed delay to the second phase shift unit. The first phase shift unit is used to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal, and the second phase shift unit is used to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted second input signal.

[0053] In practical applications, the first phase shifter is cascaded after the first time delay unit, and the second phase shifter is cascaded after the second time delay unit. The first and second phase shifters can be understood as electrically adjustable phase shifters, which can adopt a reflective phase shifter architecture or other variants. By adjusting the electrically adjustable phase shifters on the two branches, the frequency position of the anti-phase cancellation can be adjusted, thus achieving the function of adjustable positive and negative balance. Figure 3 , Figure 3 The figure shows a functional diagram of signal cancellation and superposition provided by an embodiment of the present specification, wherein the frequency points f1 and f2 are the frequency points for anti-phase cancellation, and the frequency points f3 and f4 are the frequency points for in-phase superposition. Figure 3 It can be seen that by shifting the phases of the two signals, the frequency points where the anti-phase signals are eliminated or the in-phase signals are superimposed can be shifted with the frequency, thereby obtaining the expected adjustable equalization slope result, for example Figure 3 In the target frequency band from f2 to f3, the signal amplitude changes.

[0054] In a specific embodiment of the present specification, the phase shifting unit performs phase shifting on the signal according to the interactive frequency point, that is, it is necessary to determine the interactive frequency point for anti-phase cancellation or in-phase superposition, and perform phase shifting on the signal based on the phase between the interactive frequency point and the target interactive frequency point, thereby selectively achieving a positive slope (enhancement) or a negative slope (attenuation) within a specific target frequency range, that is, achieving adjustable amplitude equalization.

[0055] Based on this, by adjusting the phase relationship of the two signals through the electronically adjustable phase shifter, the position of the interactive frequency point can be dynamically adjusted to achieve the selection of positive / negative slope to meet different equalization requirements.

[0056] Furthermore, in order to be able to perform phase shift processing on the signal, it is also necessary to determine the target interaction frequency point. Specifically, the first phase shift unit is used to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal according to the target interaction frequency point in the interaction frequency point in response to the first tuning voltage, so as to obtain the phase-shifted first input signal; the second phase shift unit is used to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted second input signal according to the target interaction frequency point in the interaction frequency point in response to the second tuning voltage, so as to obtain the phase-shifted second input signal. The target interaction frequency point is determined in the interaction frequency point according to the signal equalization information.

[0057] The first tuning voltage can be understood as the voltage used to control the phase shifting of the signal by the first phase shifter, and the second tuning voltage can be understood as the voltage used to control the phase shifting of the signal by the second phase shifter. The tuning voltage is an external voltage signal used to control the operating state of the electronically adjustable phase shifter. By varying the tuning voltage, the phase offset of the phase shifter relative to the input signal can be adjusted, thereby achieving dynamic adjustment of the signal phase. By varying the magnitude of the tuning voltage, the signal phase offset can be adjusted continuously or stepwise to meet the phase requirements at a specific frequency point.

[0058] In practical applications, in response to the first tuning voltage, the adjusted input signal can be phase shifted according to a target interaction frequency among the interaction frequencies, i.e., the signal within the target frequency band is moved to the target interaction frequency. The target interaction frequency can be understood as a frequency to which the signal needs to be shifted. The target interaction frequency can be determined among the interaction frequencies based on signal equalization information. The signal equalization information can be an equalization amount that needs to be adjusted for the signal within the target frequency band.

[0059] In a specific embodiment of the present specification, the target interaction frequency point within the target frequency band is determined based on the signal equalization information, and the two signals are shifted separately to move the interaction frequency point corresponding to the signal to the target interaction frequency point, so that the signal amplitude within the target frequency band is combined according to the corresponding slope selection.

[0060] Based on this, by adjusting the phase relationship between the two signals through the electronically adjustable phase shifter, the position of the interactive frequency point can be dynamically adjusted to achieve the selection of positive / negative slope to meet different equalization requirements.

[0061] Furthermore, in order to eliminate the amplitude difference between the signals on the two branches, it is necessary to add an attenuation module in the circuit. Specifically, the circuit also includes an attenuation module; the attenuation module is used to perform signal attenuation processing on the first input signal after phase shifting, obtain the attenuated first input signal, and output the attenuated first input signal to the power processing module; or, perform signal attenuation processing on the second input signal after phase shifting, obtain the attenuated second input signal, and output the attenuated second input signal to the power processing module.

[0062] The attenuation module can be cascaded after the first phase shifter to perform signal attenuation processing on the first input signal after phase shifting to obtain the attenuated first input signal, and then synthesize the attenuated first input signal with the second input signal after phase shifting. Alternatively, the attenuation module can be cascaded after the second phase shifter to perform signal attenuation processing on the second input signal after phase shifting to obtain the attenuated second input signal, and then synthesize the attenuated second input signal with the first input signal after phase shifting.

[0063] In practical applications, the attenuation module can be understood as a fixed attenuator. Due to the inherent amplitude difference between the small delay unit and the large delay unit, a fixed attenuator is cascaded on the small delay unit branch or the large delay unit branch to match the amplitude balance between the two paths and ensure optimal performance when the signals are combined.

[0064] In practice, due to the difference in insertion loss between the long-delay unit and the short-delay unit, the long-delay unit typically introduces more loss. To compensate for this difference, a fixed attenuator is added to the path with less loss (usually the short-delay unit branch) to make the total loss on the two paths approximately the same. This ensures that the two signals have similar amplitudes before entering the power combiner, thereby reducing reflections, standing waves, and other problems caused by amplitude mismatch and improving system stability and performance. When the amplitudes of the two signals are close to the same, their superposition in the power combiner is most effective. This helps achieve more effective in-phase enhancement or anti-phase cancellation, thereby achieving the desired amplitude balance characteristics.

[0065] Based on this, cascading fixed attenuators after the phase shifter effectively compensates for the inherent amplitude differences between the large and small delay units, ensuring that the two signals have similar amplitude levels before entering the power combiner. This approach not only helps optimize signal combining but also reduces unnecessary reflections and standing waves, thereby improving the performance and stability of the entire system.

[0066] Furthermore, the attenuation modules are cascaded in different branches, and power synthesis will be performed on different attenuation signals during subsequent power synthesis. Specifically, the power processing module is used to synthesize the attenuated first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal to obtain an RF signal after amplitude adjustment and equalization; or, to synthesize the phase-shifted first input signal and the attenuated second input signal to obtain an RF signal after amplitude adjustment and equalization.

[0067] Wherein, when the attenuation module is cascaded after the first phase shifter unit, the attenuation module will perform signal attenuation processing on the phase-shifted first input signal output by the first phase shifter unit to obtain the attenuated first input signal, and synthesize the attenuated first input signal with the phase-shifted second input signal output by the second phase shifter unit to obtain the RF signal after adjusting the amplitude and equalization. Alternatively, when the attenuation module is cascaded after the second phase shifter unit, the attenuation module will perform signal attenuation processing on the phase-shifted second input signal output by the second phase shifter unit to obtain the attenuated second input signal, and synthesize the attenuated second input signal with the phase-shifted first input signal output by the first phase shifter unit to obtain the RF signal after adjusting the amplitude and equalization.

[0068] Based on this, the amplitudes of the two signals are made close to the same through the attenuation module, which helps to achieve more effective in-phase enhancement or anti-phase cancellation, thereby achieving the expected amplitude balance characteristics.

[0069] This specification provides a signal processing circuit for an equalizer, the circuit comprising a power processing module, a delay module, and a phase shift module; the power processing module is used to separate the radio frequency signal to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal, and output the first input signal and the second input signal to the delay module; the delay module is used to adjust the signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal, and output the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal to the phase shift module, wherein the signal delay information is used to make the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal have an interactive frequency point; the phase shift module is used to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal according to the interactive frequency point, and output the phase-shifted first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal to the power processing module; the power processing module is used to synthesize the phase-shifted first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal to obtain an RF signal after adjusting the amplitude and equalization. The power processing module is used to separate the radio frequency signal to obtain the first input signal and the second input signal. The signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal is adjusted by the delay module. Based on the characteristic that the signal delay information changes with frequency, the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal have an interactive frequency point, and the equalization amount can also be controlled by the signal delay information. The phase shifting module performs phase shifting processing on the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal according to the interactive frequency point, so as to achieve the purpose of dynamically adjustable equalization characteristics by adjusting the positive and negative equalization amount of the signal within a given frequency range based on the interactive frequency point. The power processing module synthesizes the phase-shifted first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal to obtain an RF signal after adjusting the amplitude equalization. Therefore, under the premise of simple circuit structure design, amplitude equalization of the RF signal is achieved to ensure signal gain flatness.

[0070] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 A flowchart of a signal processing method for an equalizer provided according to an embodiment of this specification is shown. The method is applied to the signal processing circuit provided in the above embodiment and specifically includes the following steps.

[0071] Step 402: Separate the radio frequency signal to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal.

[0072] Step 404: Adjust the signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal, where the signal delay information is used to ensure that the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal have an interactive frequency point.

[0073] Step 406: performing phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal according to the interactive frequency point to obtain a phase-shifted first input signal and a phase-shifted second input signal.

[0074] Step 408: synthesize the phase-shifted first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal to obtain an amplitude-balanced RF signal.

[0075] The above is an illustrative embodiment of a signal processing method for an equalizer. It should be noted that the technical solution of this signal processing method and the technical solution of the signal processing circuit for an equalizer are based on the same concept. For details not described in detail in the technical solution of the signal processing method, please refer to the description of the technical solution of the signal processing circuit for an equalizer.

[0076] The present specification provides a signal processing method for an equalizer, which realizes separation of radio frequency signals through a power processing module to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal. The signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal is adjusted through a delay module. Based on the characteristic that the signal delay information changes with frequency, the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal have an interactive frequency point, and the equalization amount can also be controlled by the signal delay information. The adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal are phase-shifted according to the interactive frequency point by a phase shift module, so that the positive and negative equalization amount of the signal can be adjusted within a given frequency range based on the interactive frequency point, thereby achieving the purpose of dynamically adjustable equalization characteristics. The first input signal after phase shift and the second input signal after phase shift are synthesized by a power processing module to obtain a radio frequency signal after amplitude equalization. Thus, under the premise of simple circuit structure design, amplitude equalization of the radio frequency signal is achieved to ensure signal gain flatness.

[0077] Corresponding to the above method embodiment, this specification also provides an equalizer embodiment, Figure 5 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an equalizer provided by an embodiment of this specification. Figure 5 As shown, the device is applied to the above-mentioned signal processing circuit, including:

[0078] The separation module 502 is configured to separate the radio frequency signal to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal;

[0079] a delay module 504 configured to adjust signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal, wherein the signal delay information is used to ensure that the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal have an interactive frequency point;

[0080] a phase shift module 506 configured to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal according to the interactive frequency point to obtain a phase-shifted first input signal and a phase-shifted second input signal;

[0081] The synthesis module 508 is configured to synthesize the first input signal after phase shift and the second input signal after phase shift to obtain a radio frequency signal after amplitude adjustment and equalization.

[0082] The above is a schematic diagram of an equalizer according to this embodiment. It should be noted that the technical solution of this equalizer and the technical solution of the signal processing method for the equalizer described above are based on the same concept. For details not described in detail in the technical solution of the equalizer, please refer to the description of the technical solution of the signal processing method for the equalizer described above.

[0083] The present specification provides an equalizer that realizes separation of radio frequency signals through a power processing module to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal. The signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal is adjusted through a delay module. Based on the characteristic that the signal delay information changes with frequency, the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal have an interactive frequency point, and the equalization amount can also be controlled by the signal delay information. The adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal are phase-shifted according to the interactive frequency point by a phase shift module, so that the positive and negative equalization amount of the signal can be adjusted within a given frequency range based on the interactive frequency point, thereby achieving the purpose of dynamically adjustable equalization characteristics. The first input signal after phase shift and the second input signal after phase shift are synthesized by a power processing module to obtain a radio frequency signal after amplitude adjustment. Thus, under the premise of simple circuit structure design, amplitude equalization of the radio frequency signal is achieved to ensure signal gain flatness.

[0084] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 A structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided in one embodiment of the present specification is shown, wherein the communication device 60 includes the above-mentioned signal processing circuit 602 and an antenna unit 604 connected to the signal processing circuit 602; the signal processing circuit 602 is used to adjust the radio frequency signal, obtain the radio frequency signal after the adjustment amplitude is balanced, and output the radio frequency signal after the adjustment amplitude is balanced to the antenna unit 604.

[0085] In practical applications, signal processing circuits, or tunable equalizers, are core components in many RF and microwave communication systems. They compensate for frequency-dependent losses caused by transmission paths or system components, ensuring the signal's amplitude response is as flat as possible across the entire operating frequency band. For example, in the wireless link between a base station and a mobile terminal in a wireless communication system, high-frequency components typically experience greater losses. Signal processing circuits can compensate for these losses, ensuring consistent signal strength across different frequency components. Alternatively, in satellite communication links, signals of different frequency components may experience different attenuation characteristics due to long-distance transmission and atmospheric influences. Signal processing circuits can help compensate for this frequency-selective loss. In summary, tunable equalizers have a wide range of applications, encompassing everything from consumer electronics to industrial equipment and satellite communications. A communication device is a device equipped with these signal processing circuits and capable of wireless transmission and reception. Different communication devices are used in different application scenarios. For example, in wireless communication scenarios, these devices can include cellular network base stations and mobile phone terminals; in satellite communication scenarios, these devices can include ground station equipment and satellite transponders; and in radar systems, these devices can include individual radar devices. The communication device also includes an antenna unit for transmitting the amplitude-balanced radio frequency signal output by the signal processing circuit to a corresponding device.

[0086] During specific implementation, the communication equipment may also include circuits such as power synthesizers, mixers, and filters, which can significantly improve the performance and reliability of the system by performing corresponding processing on the RF signals. The specific signal processing circuit can perform amplitude equalization adjustment on the received or generated RF signal, that is, compensate for the frequency-related losses caused by the transmission path or system components. The signal after amplitude equalization is output to the antenna unit. It should be noted that when the signal processing circuit outputs the signal after amplitude equalization to the antenna unit, other processing such as filtering, power amplification, etc. can also be performed on the signal after amplitude equalization, so that the antenna unit can send RF signals with better signal quality to other communication devices.

[0087] It should be noted that in the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own focus. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant description of other embodiments.

[0088] The present specification provides a communication device, which realizes separation of radio frequency signals through a power processing module through a signal processing circuit in the communication device, and obtains a first input signal and a second input signal. The signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal is adjusted by a delay module. Based on the characteristic that the signal delay information changes with frequency, the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal have an interactive frequency point, and the equalization amount can also be controlled by the signal delay information. The adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal are phase-shifted according to the interactive frequency point by a phase shift module, so that the positive and negative equalization amount of the signal can be adjusted within a given frequency range based on the interactive frequency point, thereby achieving the purpose of dynamically adjustable equalization characteristics. The first input signal after phase shift and the second input signal after phase shift are synthesized by a power processing module to obtain a radio frequency signal after adjusting the amplitude equalization. Thus, under the premise of simple circuit structure design, amplitude equalization of the radio frequency signal is achieved to ensure signal gain flatness.

[0089] See also Figure 7 , Figure 7 A structural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present specification is shown, wherein the communication system 70 includes the above-mentioned communication device 702 and a transceiver device 704 that has a communication relationship with the communication device 702; the communication device 702 is used to send an amplitude-balanced RF signal to the transceiver device 704.

[0090] In practical applications, a communication system may include a communication device and a transceiver device in communication with the communication device. A communication system may be a satellite communication system, a broadcast communication system, a wireless communication system, or the like. Different communication systems have different types of communication devices and transceivers. For example, in a satellite communication system, the communication device may be a ground station, and the transceiver device may be a satellite; similarly, the communication device may be a satellite, and the transceiver device may be a ground station. The communication device and the transceiver device are in communication, meaning that the communication device can send radio frequency signals to the transceiver device and receive radio frequency signals from the transceiver device.

[0091] In a specific implementation, the communication equipment in the communication system includes the signal processing circuit provided by the above embodiment, which is used to solve the problem of frequency-related loss caused by the transmission path or system components during the communication process.

[0092] In a specific embodiment of the present specification, the communication system is a broadcast communication system, and the communication device may be a radio transmitter, which transmits an amplitude-balanced radio frequency signal, i.e., a television signal, a broadcast signal, etc., to a transceiver device via the radio transmitter. The transceiver device may be a user's television, radio, etc., so that the transceiver device can provide corresponding services to the user after receiving the radio frequency signal.

[0093] It should be noted that in the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own focus. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant description of other embodiments.

[0094] The present specification provides a communication system that, through the signal processing circuit of the communication equipment in the communication system, realizes separation of the radio frequency signal through the power processing module to obtain the first input signal and the second input signal. The signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal is adjusted by the delay module. Based on the characteristic that the signal delay information changes with frequency, the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal have an interactive frequency point, and the equalization amount can also be controlled by the signal delay information. The adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal are phase-shifted according to the interactive frequency point by the phase shift module, so that the positive and negative equalization amount of the signal can be adjusted within a given frequency range based on the interactive frequency point, thereby achieving the purpose of dynamically adjustable equalization characteristics. The first input signal after phase shift and the second input signal after phase shift are synthesized by the power processing module to obtain a radio frequency signal after amplitude adjustment. Thus, under the premise of simple circuit structure design, amplitude equalization of the radio frequency signal is achieved, frequency-related losses caused by the transmission path or system components are compensated, and the communication equipment is guaranteed to stably provide high-quality communication services.

[0095] It should be noted that for the aforementioned embodiments, for the sake of simplicity, they are all expressed as a series of action combinations, but those skilled in the art should be aware that the embodiments of this specification are not limited by the order of the actions described, because according to the embodiments of this specification, certain steps can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Secondly, those skilled in the art should also be aware that the embodiments described in this specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily required by the embodiments of this specification.

[0096] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own focus. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0097] The preferred embodiments disclosed above are intended only to help illustrate this specification. The optional embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible based on the content of the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are selected and described in detail in this specification to better explain the principles and practical applications of the embodiments, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize this specification.

Claims

1. A signal processing circuit for an equalizer, characterized in that: The circuit includes a power processing module, a time delay module and a phase shift module; The power processing module is used to separate the radio frequency signal to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal, and output the first input signal and the second input signal to the delay module; The delay module is configured to apply different fixed delays to the first input signal and the second input signal to adjust the signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal, and output the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal to the phase shift module, wherein the signal delay information is used to ensure that the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal have an interactive frequency point; The phase shift module is configured to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal according to the interactive frequency point, and output the phase-shifted first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal to the power processing module; The power processing module is used to synthesize the first input signal after phase shift and the second input signal after phase shift to obtain a radio frequency signal after amplitude adjustment and equalization.

2. The signal processing circuit for an equalizer according to claim 1, wherein: The power processing module includes a power separation unit and a power synthesis unit; The power separation unit is used to separate the radio frequency signal to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal, and output the first input signal and the second input signal to the delay module; The power synthesis unit is used to synthesize the first input signal after phase shift and the second input signal after phase shift to obtain a radio frequency signal after amplitude adjustment and equalization.

3. The signal processing circuit for an equalizer according to claim 1, wherein: The delay module includes a first delay unit and a second delay unit; The first delay unit is configured to apply a first fixed delay to the first input signal; The second delay unit is configured to apply a second fixed delay to the second input signal, wherein the signal delay information is determined according to the first fixed delay and the second fixed delay.

4. The signal processing circuit for an equalizer according to claim 3, wherein: The phase shift module includes a first phase shift unit and a second phase shift unit; The first delay unit is configured to output the adjusted first input signal to the first phase shift unit; The second delay unit is configured to output the adjusted second input signal to the second phase shift unit; The first phase shifting unit is configured to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal according to the interactive frequency point, and output the phase-shifted first input signal to the power processing module; The second phase shifting unit is configured to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted second input signal according to the interactive frequency point, and output the phase-shifted second input signal to the power processing module.

5. The signal processing circuit for an equalizer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first phase shifting unit is configured to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal according to a target interactive frequency point among the interactive frequency points in response to a first tuning voltage to obtain a phase-shifted first input signal; The second phase shifting unit is used to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted second input signal according to a target interactive frequency point among the interactive frequency points in response to a second tuning voltage to obtain a phase-shifted second input signal, wherein the target interactive frequency point is determined among the interactive frequency points according to signal equalization information.

6. The signal processing circuit for an equalizer according to claim 1, wherein: The circuit further includes an attenuation module; The attenuation module is configured to perform signal attenuation processing on the phase-shifted first input signal to obtain an attenuated first input signal, and output the attenuated first input signal to the power processing module; or, Performing signal attenuation processing on the phase-shifted second input signal to obtain an attenuated second input signal, and outputting the attenuated second input signal to the power processing module.

7. The signal processing circuit for an equalizer according to claim 6, wherein: The power processing module is configured to synthesize the attenuated first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal to obtain an amplitude-balanced RF signal; or, The phase-shifted first input signal and the attenuated second input signal are synthesized to obtain a radio frequency signal after amplitude adjustment and equalization.

8. A signal processing method for an equalizer, characterized in that: The method is applied to the signal processing circuit for an equalizer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: Separating the radio frequency signal to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal; Adjusting signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal, wherein the signal delay information is used to ensure that the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal have an interactive frequency point; performing phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal according to the interactive frequency point to obtain a phase-shifted first input signal and a phase-shifted second input signal; The phase-shifted first input signal and the phase-shifted second input signal are synthesized to obtain a radio frequency signal after amplitude adjustment and equalization.

9. An equalizer, characterized in that: The equalizer is applied to the signal processing circuit for an equalizer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: a separation module, configured to separate the radio frequency signal to obtain a first input signal and a second input signal; a delay module configured to apply different fixed delays to the first input signal and the second input signal to adjust signal delay information between the first input signal and the second input signal, wherein the signal delay information is used to ensure that the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal have an interactive frequency point; a phase shifting module configured to perform phase shift processing on the adjusted first input signal and the adjusted second input signal according to the interactive frequency point to obtain a phase-shifted first input signal and a phase-shifted second input signal; The synthesis module is configured to synthesize the first input signal after phase shift and the second input signal after phase shift to obtain a radio frequency signal after amplitude adjustment and equalization.

10. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises the signal processing circuit for an equalizer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and an antenna unit connected to the signal processing circuit; The signal processing circuit is used to adjust the radio frequency signal to obtain a radio frequency signal after the adjustment amplitude is balanced, and output the radio frequency signal after the adjustment amplitude is balanced to the antenna unit.

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