Communication circuit, method, device and system

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of wireless communication, and provides a communication circuit, method, device and system.The communication circuit comprises a modulation element, an energy convergence network and a second resonance network, and the modulation element conducts energy dispersion on a first microwave signal of a first frequency of a first port and transmits the first microwave signal to an energy network from a second port; the energy gathering network gathers the dispersed energy to obtain a second microwave signal, the second resonant network performs secondary frequency selection on the second microwave signal to generate an oscillation signal of a second resonant frequency, and the oscillation signal is transmitted to the modulation element through the third port to be mixed with the first microwave signal to obtain a frequency conversion signal of the second frequency. According to the invention, a plurality of signal transmission paths which do not pass through the modulation element from the energy convergence network to the second resonance network are arranged, so that the loss of the second microwave signal can be reduced, a frequency conversion signal with improved power can be obtained, the transmitting power requirement of the transmitting-receiving device is correspondingly reduced, and the microwave driving power threshold of the communication circuit is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication circuit, method, apparatus and system. Background Technology

[0002] Existing IoT technologies can be categorized into active and passive IoT technologies based on whether the terminals require external power. On one hand, active IoT technologies require batteries or wired connections to provide DC power to the terminals, necessitating battery replacements or wiring installations, significantly increasing the cost of terminal deployment and subsequent maintenance. On the other hand, common passive IoT technologies such as RFID often have uplink and downlink carrier signals operating on the same frequency, easily leading to practical difficulties such as frequency congestion and limited wireless communication distance, which are difficult to overcome.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, passive wireless frequency conversion technology has emerged, but it still has some shortcomings. For example, key components in passive frequency conversion circuits are often driven by collecting microwave signal energy from free space. One typical problem is that the microwave drive power threshold required for passive frequency conversion is relatively high. A high microwave drive power threshold means that the microwave transmission power at the transceiver end needs to be increased or decreased accordingly, and the distance between the transceiver and the terminal needs to be reduced accordingly. Increasing the microwave transmission power will put pressure on the signal reception and processing at the transceiver end, leading to increased system operating costs, reduced lifespan, and further exacerbating the impact of co-channel interference. Therefore, it is not advisable to extend the wireless communication distance by increasing the microwave transmission power. Furthermore, the distance between the transceiver and the terminal directly affects the ease of use of the system. In addition, existing passive wireless frequency conversion technology also faces the challenge of a limited frequency variation range. When the frequency change caused by changes in control or sensing quantities is too small, it is not only difficult to guarantee the information demodulation accuracy, but also prone to information demodulation errors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address at least one of the technical problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a communication circuit, method, apparatus, and system.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a communication circuit comprising: a modulation element, an energy focusing network, and a second resonant network;

[0006] The modulation element includes a first port, a second port, and a third port; wherein the first port of the modulation element is configured to receive a first microwave signal having a first frequency and to output a frequency-converted signal having a second frequency.

[0007] The energy convergence network is electrically connected to the second port of the modulation element and is configured to converge the microwave signal output from the second port of the modulation element to obtain a second microwave signal.

[0008] The second resonant network, electrically connected to the energy-converging network and the third port of the modulation element, is configured to generate an oscillation signal with a second resonant frequency based on the second microwave signal, and transmit the oscillation signal to the modulation element;

[0009] The second microwave signal travels from the energy convergence network to the second resonant network via at least one transmission path that does not pass through a modulation element, and most or all of the second microwave signal travels to the second resonant network along the at least one transmission path that does not pass through a modulation element.

[0010] Optionally, the at least one transmission path that does not pass through the modulation element may partially overlap or not overlap with the transmission path of the second microwave signal from the energy convergence network through the modulation element to the second resonant network.

[0011] Alternatively, the at least one transmission path that does not pass through the modulation element may partially overlap or not overlap with each other.

[0012] Optionally, the energy-converging network includes a first resonant network configured to be electrically connected to a second port of the modulation element and a second resonant network;

[0013] Alternatively, it may include a first resonant network and at least one passive reciprocal device, wherein the first resonant network is electrically connected to the second port of the modulation element and the second resonant network via the at least one passive reciprocal device;

[0014] Alternatively, it may include a first resonant network and at least one passive non-reciprocal device, wherein the first resonant network is electrically connected to the second port of the modulation element and the second resonant network via the at least one passive non-reciprocal device.

[0015] Optionally, the passive non-reciprocal device includes a circulator; or, the passive reciprocal device includes one or a combination of a directional coupler and a power divider.

[0016] Optionally, the communication circuit also includes:

[0017] Matching network;

[0018] The matching network includes a second matching network disposed between the modulation element and the energy convergence network, and / or a third matching network disposed between the modulation element and the second resonant network, and / or a fourth matching network disposed between the energy convergence network and the second resonant network.

[0019] Optionally, the modulation element is configured as a transistor with a heterojunction.

[0020] Optionally, the second resonant network is configured as a passive piezoelectric resonant network and / or a resonant network with sensing function.

[0021] A second aspect of the present invention provides a communication method, comprising:

[0022] S1: The first resonant network is electrically connected to the second resonant network through a modulation element;

[0023] S2: Set at least one signal transmission path from the first resonant network to the second resonant network that does not pass through the modulation element;

[0024] S3: The modulation element receives a first microwave signal at a first frequency;

[0025] S4: The modulation element outputs a frequency-converted signal with a second frequency.

[0026] Optionally, the modulation element receives a first microwave signal at a first frequency, specifically including:

[0027] The modulation element receives a first microwave signal at a first frequency and outputs a microwave signal after energy dispersion of the first microwave signal.

[0028] The first resonant network re-converges the dispersed microwave signal to obtain a second microwave signal, which is fed into the second resonant network from at least one signal transmission path that does not pass through the modulation element.

[0029] Optionally, the modulation element outputs a frequency-converted signal with a second frequency, specifically including:

[0030] The second resonant network generates an oscillation signal at the second resonant frequency based on the second microwave signal;

[0031] The frequency-converted signal with a second frequency is obtained by mixing the oscillation signal output by the modulation element with the first microwave signal.

[0032] Optionally, the second microwave signal is fed into the second resonant network from at least one signal transmission path that does not pass through the modulation element, specifically including: the second microwave signal is fed into the second resonant network along a path that partially overlaps or does not overlap with the path of the microwave signal after energy dispersion to the first resonant network.

[0033] Optionally, the energy convergence network to the second resonant network includes at least two signal transmission paths.

[0034] A third aspect of the present invention provides a communication circuit, comprising:

[0035] The communication circuit described in any of the preceding items;

[0036] A first reactive device is disposed between the modulation element and the second resonant network;

[0037] And / or a second reactive device, wherein the second reactive device is disposed between the energy convergence network and the second resonant network.

[0038] Optionally, the first reactance device or the second reactance device is selected from one or a combination of capacitor elements, inductor elements, capacitive sensing elements, inductive sensing elements, capacitive circuits, and inductive circuits.

[0039] Alternatively, the first and second reactance devices are selected from one or a combination of capacitor elements, inductor elements, capacitive sensing elements, inductive sensing elements, capacitive circuits, and inductive circuits, and are configured to have the same reactance characteristics and reactance values.

[0040] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a communication method, comprising:

[0041] S1: The first resonant network is electrically connected to the second resonant network through a modulation element;

[0042] S2: Set at least one signal transmission path from the first resonant network to the second resonant network that does not pass through the modulation element;

[0043] S3: An reactive device is provided between the second resonant network and the modulation element, and / or between the second resonant network and the energy convergence network;

[0044] S4: The modulation element receives a first microwave signal at a first frequency;

[0045] S5: The modulation element outputs a frequency-converted signal with a second frequency.

[0046] Optionally, the modulation element receives a first microwave signal at a first frequency, specifically including:

[0047] The modulation element receives a first microwave signal at a first frequency and outputs a microwave signal after energy dispersion of the first microwave signal.

[0048] The first resonant network re-converges the dispersed microwave signal to obtain a second microwave signal, which is fed into the second resonant network from at least one signal transmission path that does not pass through the modulation element.

[0049] Optionally, the modulation element outputs a frequency-converted signal with a second frequency, specifically including:

[0050] The second resonant network generates an oscillation signal at the second resonant frequency based on the second microwave signal;

[0051] The frequency-converted signal with a second frequency is obtained by mixing the oscillation signal output by the modulation element with the first microwave signal.

[0052] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a communication device, comprising:

[0053] The communication circuit described in any of the preceding items;

[0054] First antenna;

[0055] The first antenna is electrically connected to the first port of the modulation element in the communication circuit and is configured to receive a first microwave signal with a first frequency sent by the transceiver and to send a frequency-converted signal with a second frequency to the transceiver.

[0056] Optionally, the communication device also includes:

[0057] Fifth matching network;

[0058] The fifth matching network is located between the first antenna and the first port of the modulation element in the communication circuit.

[0059] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a communication system comprising:

[0060] The communication device as described in any of the preceding items;

[0061] A transceiver device, including an electrically connected transceiver circuit and a second antenna;

[0062] The transceiver circuit is configured to generate a first microwave signal with a first frequency and demodulate a received frequency-converted signal with a second frequency to obtain the information it carries.

[0063] The second antenna is configured to transmit a first microwave signal with a first frequency generated by the transceiver circuit to the communication device, and to receive a frequency-converted signal with a second frequency transmitted back by the communication device.

[0064] A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a communication method for use in the communication system as described above, comprising:

[0065] S1: The transceiver in the communication system generates a first microwave signal with a first frequency and transmits the first microwave signal;

[0066] S2: The communication device in the communication system receives the first microwave signal and transmits back a frequency-converted signal with a second frequency.

[0067] S3: The transceiver in the communication system receives the frequency conversion signal and demodulates it to obtain the information it carries.

[0068] This invention proposes a communication circuit, method, apparatus, and system, which have at least the following beneficial effects:

[0069] (1) Since several signal transmission paths from the first resonant network to the second resonant network are set without passing through the modulation element, the loss of the second microwave signal can be reduced, thereby obtaining a frequency conversion signal with increased power. Correspondingly, the transmit power requirement of the transceiver is reduced, and the microwave drive power threshold of the communication circuit is reduced.

[0070] (2) Since reactive devices are set on the left and right sides or one side of the second resonant network, the frequency variation range of the frequency conversion signal can be extended, thereby improving the information demodulation accuracy of the transceiver. Attached Figure Description

[0071] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a passive frequency converter circuit in the prior art.

[0072] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a communication circuit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0073] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a second structure of the communication circuit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0074] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the third structure of the communication circuit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0075] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth structure of the communication circuit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0076] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the fifth structure of the communication circuit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0077] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the modulation element provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0078] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the sixth structure of the communication circuit provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0079] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the communication circuit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0080] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the communication circuit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0081] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the communication system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10-Communication circuit; 11-Modulation element; 12-First resonant network; 13-Second resonant network; 14-Energy focusing network; 15-Circulator; 16-Directional coupler; 17-First matching network; 18-First reactive device; 19-Second reactive device; 20-Transceiver circuit; 30-First antenna; 40-Second antenna; 100-Communication device; 200-Transceiver device. Detailed Implementation

[0083] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0084] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a prior art passive frequency converter circuit, which includes a modulation element 11, a first resonant network 12, and a second resonant network 13. The modulation element includes three ports: a first port T11, a second port T21, and a third port T31. The first port T11 is used to input a frequency (f) of a first frequency. in The first microwave signal, and the output having a second frequency (f) out ( ) frequency conversion signal.

[0085] In this circuit, the modulation element 11 is used to establish a passive transmission channel for microwave signals between the first port T11 and the second port T21, and between the second port T21 and the third port T31, and to feed in microwave signals with a first frequency (f in The first microwave signal and the second resonant frequency (f) fed into the second resonant network r2 The oscillating signal is mixed to obtain a signal with a second frequency (f). out The frequency conversion signal is then output from the first port T11. The modulation element 11 modulates the input first frequency (f) signal. in The first microwave signal is dispersed. The first resonant network 12 is used to refocus the dispersed microwave signal to obtain a second microwave signal, and feeds the second microwave signal into the second resonant network 13 after passing through a modulation element. The second resonant network 13 performs secondary frequency selection based on the fed second microwave signal to generate a stable second resonant frequency (f). r2 The oscillation signal of the second resonant frequency (f) will be used to determine the second resonant frequency (f). r2 The oscillation signal is fed into the modulation element 11 and has a first frequency (f) in The first microwave signal is mixed to obtain a signal with a second frequency (f). out ( ) mixing signal.

[0086] In the above process, one of the reasons why the microwave drive power threshold required for passive frequency conversion is difficult to decrease further is that there will be power loss when the second microwave signal enters from the second port T21 of the modulation element 11 and is output from the third port T31 of the modulation element 11. This results in a weakening of the oscillation signal power of the second resonant frequency generated by the second resonant network 13. Consequently, the power of the frequency conversion signal generated by the oscillation signal and the first microwave signal in the modulation element 11 is very weak or it is difficult to generate a frequency conversion signal. This manifests as difficulty in receiving the frequency conversion signal at the transceiver end, which necessitates increasing the transmission power of the transceiver end or shortening the operating distance.

[0087] In view of this, by improving the above circuit structure, most or all of the second microwave signal can reach the second resonant network 13 without passing through the modulation element, thereby reducing the power loss and increasing the power of the frequency conversion signal, and correspondingly reducing the microwave drive power threshold.

[0088] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a communication circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown, which includes a modulation element 11, an energy focusing network 14, and a second resonant network 13; wherein the modulation element 11 is responsive to the input first frequency (f in The first microwave signal is dispersed. An energy-converging network 14 reconverges the dispersed microwave signal to obtain a second microwave signal, which is then fed into a second resonant network 13 without passing through a modulation element. The second resonant network 13 performs secondary frequency selection based on the fed-in second microwave signal to generate a stable second resonant frequency (f). r2 The oscillation signal of the second resonant frequency (f) will be used to determine the second resonant frequency (f). r2 The oscillation signal is fed into the modulation element 11 and has a first frequency (f) in The first microwave signal is mixed to obtain a signal with a second frequency (f). out ( ) frequency conversion signal.

[0089] In this embodiment, the second microwave signal travels from the energy convergence network 14 to the second resonant network 13 via at least two signal transmission paths, which may or may not overlap. For example, the first path is the path from the energy convergence network 14 through the modulation element 11 to the second resonant network 13, and the second path is the path from the energy convergence network 14 without passing through the modulation element 11 to the second resonant network 13. The first path and the second path may or may not overlap.

[0090] With the above configuration, after the energy-converging network 14 reconvers the microwave signal dispersed by the modulation element 11 to obtain the second microwave signal, most or all of the second microwave signal will reach the second resonant network 13 through the second path. This configuration ensures that the second microwave signal reaches the second resonant network 13 with almost no loss, thereby generating an oscillation signal and a frequency conversion signal, thus outputting a higher-power frequency conversion signal and correspondingly reducing the microwave drive power threshold. It can be understood that "most" means at least half, and more specifically, 60% or more, 70% or more, or 80% or more, or 90% or more, or 95% or more.

[0091] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a communication circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Based on the aforementioned corresponding embodiments, the energy convergence network 14 includes a first resonant network 12, which is electrically connected to both the second port T21 of the modulation element 11 and the second resonant network 13. In this embodiment, the second microwave signal travels from the energy convergence network 14 to the second resonant network 13 via two signal transmission paths that do not overlap.

[0092] The first signal transmission path is the path formed by the first resonant network 12 passing through the second port T21 and the third port T31 of the modulation element 11 and then reaching the second resonant network 13. The second path is the path formed by the first resonant network 12 without passing through the modulation element 11 and reaching the second resonant network 13. The two signal transmission paths do not overlap. With this configuration, after the energy converging network 14 re-converges the microwave signal dispersed by the modulation element 11 to obtain the second microwave signal, most or all of the second microwave signal will reach the second resonant network 13 through the second path. With this configuration, the second microwave signal reaches the second resonant network 13 with almost no loss, thereby generating an oscillation signal and a frequency conversion signal, thus outputting a higher power frequency conversion signal and correspondingly reducing the microwave drive power threshold.

[0093] In some embodiments, a matching network is provided on the first path to reduce energy loss caused by impedance mismatch during the transmission of microwave or radio frequency signals, thereby improving transmission efficiency. For example, a second matching network is provided between the second port T21 of the modulation element 11 and the energy convergence network 14, and / or a third matching network is provided between the third port T31 of the modulation element 11 and the second resonant network 13. With this configuration, the microwave signal, after being dispersed by the energy of the modulation element 11, can reach the energy convergence network 14 without loss, and / or the oscillation signal generated at the second resonant network 13 can reach the third port T31 of the modulation element 11 without loss, thereby further reducing the microwave drive power threshold.

[0094] In some embodiments, a matching network is provided on the second path to reduce energy loss caused by impedance mismatch during microwave or radio frequency signal transmission, thereby improving transmission efficiency. For example, a fourth matching network is provided between the first resonant network 12 and the second resonant network 13. With this configuration, the second microwave signal generated at the first resonant network 12 can reach the second resonant network 13 without loss, thereby further reducing the microwave drive power threshold.

[0095] In some embodiments, in addition to the first resonant network 12, the energy convergence network 14 also includes a plurality of passive reciprocal devices. The passive reciprocal devices are disposed between the second port T21 of the modulation element 11 and the first resonant network 12. The passive reciprocal devices are used to change the transmission path of the second microwave signal so that it reaches the second resonant network 13 along a path that does not pass through the modulation element 11.

[0096] In some embodiments, a passive reciprocal device may be one or a combination of a directional coupler and a power divider.

[0097] In some embodiments, passive non-reciprocal devices can be used instead of passive reciprocal devices. A typical passive non-reciprocal device is a circulator.

[0098] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a communication circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Based on the aforementioned corresponding embodiments, the energy convergence network 14 includes a first resonant network 12 and a circulator 15. In this embodiment, the circulator 15 is a three-port device. The first port T12 of the circulator 15 is electrically connected to the second port T22 of the modulation element 11, the second port T22 of the circulator 15 is electrically connected to the first resonant network 12, and the third port T32 of the circulator 14 is electrically connected to the second resonant network 13.

[0099] In this embodiment, the second microwave signal travels from the energy convergence network 14 to the second resonant network 13 via two signal transmission paths. The first signal transmission path is formed by the energy convergence network 14 passing through the circulator 15 and the modulation element 11 to the second resonant network 13. The second signal transmission path is formed by the energy convergence network 14 passing through the circulator 15 to the second resonant network 13. The first path and the second path partially overlap.

[0100] In this embodiment, the microwave signal, after being dispersed by the modulation element 11, enters the first port T11 of the circulator 15 from the second port T21 of the modulation element 11. Then, it enters the first resonant network 12 from the second port T21 of the circulator 15 and is converged to obtain a second microwave signal. The second microwave signal then sequentially reaches the second resonant network 13 from the second port T22 and the third port T32 of the circulator 15. The second resonant network 13 performs secondary frequency selection on the arriving second microwave signal to generate a stable second resonant frequency (f). r2 The oscillation signal of the second resonant frequency (f) will be used to determine the second resonant frequency (f). r2 The oscillation signal is fed into the modulation element 11 and has a first frequency (f) in The first microwave signal is mixed to obtain a signal with a second frequency (f). out The frequency conversion signal is converted to output a higher power frequency conversion signal, thereby reducing the microwave drive power threshold accordingly.

[0101] In some embodiments, two or more passive reciprocal devices may be disposed between the second port T21 of the modulation element 11 and the first resonant network 12. In the microwave or radio frequency field, device characteristics can be evaluated by scattering parameters (i.e., S-parameters). The passive characteristics of a device are characterized by an S-parameter that is no greater than 1, and the reciprocal characteristics of a device are characterized by the fact that the device can be used in interchangeable directions, that is, the characteristics of the device are consistent when viewed from both sides of the channel.

[0102] In some embodiments, the energy convergence network 14 includes two three-port circulators 15 connected in series. The first port T12 of the first circulator 15 is electrically connected to the second port T21 of the modulation element 11, the second port T21 of the second circulator 15 is electrically connected to the first resonant network 12, the second port T22 of the first circulator 15 is connected to the first port T12 of the second circulator 15, and the third ports T32 of both circulators 15 are connected to the second resonant network 13 without passing through the modulation element 11. With this configuration, the second microwave signal travels from the energy convergence network 14 to the second resonant network 13 via three signal transmission paths. The first path passes through two circulators 15 and the modulation element 11 from the energy convergence network 14 to the second resonant network 13. The second path passes through two circulators 15 from the energy convergence network 14 to the second resonant network 13. The third path passes through a final circulator 15 from the energy convergence network 14 to the second resonant network 13. There is partial overlap between the first and second paths, between the first and third paths, and between the second and third paths. This configuration, using two cascaded three-port circulators 15, greatly ensures that the second microwave signal reaches the second resonant network 13 via a path that does not pass through the modulation element 11, allowing for the subsequent output of a higher-power frequency conversion signal, thereby correspondingly reducing the microwave drive power threshold.

[0103] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a communication circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Based on the aforementioned corresponding embodiments, the energy convergence network 14 includes a first resonant network 12, a directional coupler 16, and a first matching network 17. In this embodiment, the directional coupler 16 is a four-port device. The first port T13 of the directional coupler 16 is electrically connected to the second port T22 of the modulation element 11, the second port T23 of the directional coupler 16 is electrically connected to the first resonant network 12, the third port T33 of the directional coupler 16 is electrically connected to the second resonant network 13, and the fourth port T43 of the directional coupler 16 is electrically connected to the first matching network 17. The first matching network 17 is used to realize reflection-free transmission from the fourth port T43.

[0104] In this embodiment, the second microwave signal travels from the energy convergence network 14 to the second resonant network 13 via two signal transmission paths. The first signal transmission path is formed by the energy convergence network 14 passing through the directional coupler 16 and the modulation element 11 to the second resonant network 13. The second signal transmission path is formed by the energy convergence network 14 passing through the directional coupler 16 to the second resonant network 13. There is some overlap between the first path and the second path.

[0105] The microwave signal, after being dispersed by the modulator 11, enters the first port T13 of the directional coupler 16 from the second port T21 of the modulator 11. Most of the microwave signal enters the first resonant network 12 from the second port T23 of the directional coupler 16 and converges to obtain the second microwave signal. The second microwave signal then enters the second resonant network 13 from the second port T23 and the second port T33 of the directional coupler 16 in sequence, thereby generating an oscillation signal and a frequency conversion signal, thus outputting a higher power frequency conversion signal and correspondingly reducing the microwave drive power threshold.

[0106] In some embodiments, the second microwave signal reaches the second resonant network 13 from the energy convergence network 14 via three signal transmission paths, which may partially overlap or not overlap with each other.

[0107] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a communication circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Based on the aforementioned corresponding embodiments, the energy convergence network 14 includes a first resonant network 12 and a circulator 15. In this embodiment, the circulator 15 is a three-port device. The first port T12 of the circulator 15 is electrically connected to the second port T22 of the modulation element 11, the second port T22 of the circulator 15 is electrically connected to the first resonant network 12, and the third port T32 of the circulator 14 is electrically connected to the second resonant network 13. Furthermore, the first resonant network 12 is not electrically connected to the second resonant network 13 through the circulator 15.

[0108] In this embodiment, the second microwave signal travels from the energy convergence network 14 to the second resonant network 13 via three signal transmission paths. The first signal transmission path is formed by the energy convergence network 14 passing through the circulator 15 and the modulation element 11 to the second resonant network 13. The second signal transmission path is formed by the energy convergence network 14 passing through the circulator 15 to the second resonant network 13. The third path is formed by the energy convergence network 14 without passing through the modulation element 11 to the second resonant network 13. The first path and the second path partially overlap, the first path and the third path do not overlap, and the second path and the third path do not overlap.

[0109] In this embodiment, the microwave signal, after being dispersed by the modulation element 11, enters the first port T11 of the circulator 15 from the second port T21 of the modulation element 11. Then, it enters the first resonant network 12 from the second port T21 of the circulator 15 and converges to obtain a second microwave signal. Most of the second microwave signal reaches the second resonant network 13 along the third path, while a portion of the second microwave signal reaches the second resonant network 13 along the second path. The second resonant network 13 performs secondary frequency selection on the arriving second microwave signal to generate a stable second resonant frequency (f). r2The oscillation signal of the second resonant frequency (f) will be used to determine the second resonant frequency (f). r2 The oscillation signal is fed into the modulation element 11 and has a first frequency (f) in The first microwave signal is mixed to obtain a signal with a second frequency (f). out The frequency conversion signal is converted to output a higher power frequency conversion signal, thereby reducing the microwave drive power threshold accordingly.

[0110] In some embodiments, the modulation element 11 may be a transistor with a heterojunction, such as a heterojunction bipolar transistor, a field-effect transistor (FET), etc. The FET may be a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), a two-dimensional electron gas transistor, or a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT).

[0111] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, the modulation element 11 is a transistor with a two-dimensional electron gas, and the drain (D) of the transistor is the first port T11, the source (S) is the second port T21, and the gate (G) is the third port T31.

[0112] In some embodiments, a transistor with high electron mobility is used as the modulation element 11, and the drain (D) of the transistor is used as the first port T11, the source (S) is used as the second port T21, and the gate (G) is used as the third port T31.

[0113] In some embodiments, the second resonant network 13 may be a passive piezoelectric resonant network, including but not limited to a passive piezoelectric crystal oscillator and a passive piezoelectric MEMS oscillator.

[0114] In some embodiments, the second resonant network 13 can be a resonant network with sensing function. With this configuration, the second resonant network 13 can both generate an oscillation signal for the second microwave signal and cause a change in the frequency of the frequency conversion signal according to the change in the sensing measurement. Thus, by detecting the frequency of the output frequency conversion signal, the value of the sensing measurement can be obtained in reverse, thereby realizing the frequency conversion information transmission under passive wireless conditions and solving the problem that existing passive Internet of Things cannot actively radiate frequency conversion signals.

[0115] In one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is provided, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0116] S1: The first resonant network is electrically connected to the second resonant network via a modulation element;

[0117] S2: Set at least one signal transmission path from the first resonant network to the second resonant network that does not pass through the modulation element;

[0118] S3: The modulation element receives the first frequency (f) inThe first microwave signal;

[0119] S4: The modulation element output has a second frequency (f) out ( ) frequency conversion signal.

[0120] By setting up the above configuration, since several signal transmission paths from the first resonant network 12 to the second resonant network 13 are set up without passing through the modulation element 11, the loss of the second microwave signal can be reduced, thereby obtaining a frequency conversion signal with increased power. Correspondingly, the transmit power requirement of the transceiver is reduced, and the microwave drive power threshold of the communication circuit is reduced.

[0121] In some embodiments, the modulation element 11 outputs a microwave signal after energy dispersion based on a first microwave signal; the first resonant network 12 re-converges the energy-dispersed microwave signal to obtain a second microwave signal; the second microwave signal is fed into the second resonant network 13 from at least one signal transmission path that does not pass through the modulation element 11; the second resonant network 13 generates a second resonant frequency (f) based on the second microwave signal. r2 The oscillation signal of the output of the modulation element 11 is mixed with the first microwave signal to obtain a signal with a second frequency (f). out ( ) frequency conversion signal.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first frequency (f in The first microwave signal is fed into the first port T11 of the modulation element 11, and the modulation element 11 disperses the energy of the fed first microwave signal. The energy focusing network 14 refocuses the dispersed microwave signal to obtain the second microwave signal, and feeds the second microwave signal into the second resonant network 13 without passing through the modulation element. The second resonant network 13 performs secondary frequency selection based on the fed second microwave signal to generate a stable second resonant frequency (f). r2 The oscillation signal of the second resonant frequency (f) r2 The oscillation signal is fed into the modulation element 11 and has a first frequency (f) in The first microwave signal is mixed to obtain a signal with a second frequency (f). out The frequency conversion signal is output from the first port T11 of the modulation element 11.

[0123] In some embodiments, the aforementioned feeding of the second microwave signal into the second resonant network 13 without passing through the modulation element can be achieved by feeding the second microwave signal into the second resonant network 13 along a path that partially overlaps or does not overlap with the path of the microwave signal after energy dispersion to the first resonant network 12.

[0124] In some embodiments, the aforementioned feeding of the second microwave signal into the second resonant network 13 without passing through the modulation element can be achieved in the following manner: the energy convergence network 14 to the second resonant network 13 includes at least two signal transmission paths, and the second microwave signal is fed into the second resonant network 13 along at least one path without passing through the modulation element 11.

[0125] As mentioned earlier, the frequency variation range of existing passive frequency conversion technologies is narrow or limited. When the frequency change caused by changes in control or sensing quantities is too small, it is not only difficult to guarantee the information demodulation accuracy, but also prone to information demodulation errors. To address this problem, the inventors discovered that by setting reactive devices on one or more of the paths from the energy convergence network 14 to the second resonant network 13, the frequency variation range of the frequency conversion signal can be extended, thereby improving the information demodulation accuracy at the transceiver end.

[0126] In some embodiments, the reactive device is a capacitive element or circuit, or an inductive element or circuit, such as a capacitor, an inductor, a capacitive sensing element, an inductive sensing element, a capacitive circuit, or an inductive circuit.

[0127] Figure 8 A communication circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Based on the aforementioned corresponding embodiments, a first reactive device 18 is provided between the energy gathering network 14 and the third port T31 of the modulation element 11. That is, the first reactive device 18 is provided on the path from the energy gathering network 14 through the modulation element 11 to the second resonant network 13. The first reactive device 18 can be one or a combination of a capacitor element, an inductor element, a capacitive sensing element, an inductive sensing element, a capacitive circuit, and an inductive circuit. Through the above arrangement, the frequency variation range of the frequency conversion signal can be extended, thereby improving the information demodulation accuracy at the transceiver end.

[0128] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8 As shown, a second reactive device 19 is provided, which is positioned on the path from the energy converging network 14 to the second resonant network 13 without passing through the modulation element 11. The second reactive device 19 can be one or a combination of a capacitor, an inductor, a capacitive sensing element, an inductive sensing element, a capacitive circuit, and an inductive circuit. This arrangement expands the frequency range of the frequency conversion signal, thereby improving the demodulation accuracy at the transceiver end.

[0129] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8As shown, in addition to the first reactive device 18, a second reactive device 19 is also provided. The second reactive device 19 is disposed on the path from the energy convergence network 14 to the second resonant network 13 without passing through the modulation element 11. The second reactive device 19 can be one or a combination of a capacitor element, an inductor element, a capacitive sensing element, an inductive sensing element, a capacitive circuit, and an inductive circuit. Through the above arrangement, the frequency variation range of the frequency conversion signal can be extended, thereby improving the information demodulation accuracy at the transceiver end.

[0130] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a communication circuit in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Based on the aforementioned corresponding embodiments, in this embodiment, the second microwave signal from the energy convergence network 14 to the second resonant network 13 includes three signal transmission paths. The first signal transmission path is the path formed by the energy convergence network 14 passing through the circulator 15 and the modulation element 11 to the second resonant network 13. The second signal transmission path is the path formed by the energy convergence network 14 passing through the circulator 15 to the second resonant network 13. The third path is the path formed by the energy convergence network 14 without passing through the modulation element 11 to the second resonant network 13. The first path and the second path partially overlap, the first path and the third path do not overlap, and the second path and the third path partially overlap.

[0131] In some embodiments, such as Figure 9 As shown, a second reactive device 19 is provided, and the second reactive device 19 is disposed on the overlapping portion of the second path and the third path. The second reactive device 19 can be one or a combination of a capacitor element, an inductor element, a capacitive sensing element, an inductive sensing element, a capacitive circuit, and an inductive circuit. Through the above arrangement, the frequency variation range of the frequency conversion signal can be extended, thereby improving the information demodulation accuracy at the transceiver end.

[0132] In some embodiments, such as Figure 9 As shown, a first reactive device 18 is provided. The first reactive device 18 can be one or a combination of a capacitor, an inductor, a capacitive sensing element, an inductive sensing element, a capacitive circuit, and an inductive circuit. This arrangement expands the frequency variation range of the frequency conversion signal, thereby improving the information demodulation accuracy at the transceiver end.

[0133] In some embodiments, such as Figure 9As shown, a first reactance device 18 and a second reactance device 19 are simultaneously provided. The first reactance device 18 and the second reactance device 19 can be one or a combination of capacitor elements, inductor elements, capacitive sensing elements, inductive sensing elements, capacitive circuits, and inductive circuits. The second reactance device 19 can be a device with the same reactance characteristics and the same reactance value as the first reactance device 18. Compared with setting a single reactance device, the above arrangement can further expand the frequency variation range of the frequency conversion signal and improve the stability of the frequency conversion signal, thereby achieving a stable improvement in the information demodulation accuracy at the transceiver end.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first reactance device 18 is one or a combination of a capacitor element, a capacitive sensing element, and a capacitive circuit, and the second reactance device 19 is one or a combination of a capacitor element, a capacitive sensing element, and a capacitive circuit having the same capacitance value as the first reactance device 18.

[0135] In some embodiments, the first reactance device 18 is one or a combination of an inductor, an inductive sensing element, and an inductive circuit, and the second reactance device 19 is one or a combination of an inductor, an inductive sensing element, and an inductive circuit having the same inductance value as the first reactance device 18.

[0136] Figure 10 A communication circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Based on the aforementioned corresponding embodiments, the modulation element 11 is a transistor with high electron mobility, and the drain (D) of the transistor serves as the first port T11, the source (S) as the second port T12, and the gate (G) as the third port T13. The first resonant network 12 includes a first inductor and a first capacitor connected in parallel, and the second resonant network 13 is a passive crystal oscillator. The source of the transistor is electrically connected to the first resonant network 12, one end of the second resonant network 13 is electrically connected to the third port T13 of the modulation element 11, and the other end of the second resonant network 13 is electrically connected to the first resonant network 12. With this configuration, since a path for the transmission of the second microwave signal is established between the second resonant network 13 and the first resonant network 12 without passing through the modulation element 11, the second microwave signal reaches the second resonant network 13 with almost no loss, thereby generating an oscillation signal and a frequency conversion signal, thus outputting a higher power frequency conversion signal and correspondingly reducing the microwave drive power threshold.

[0137] In some embodiments, based on the foregoing corresponding embodiments, such as Figure 10 As shown, an inductor 18 is also provided between the second resonant network 13 and the drain of the transistor. By this arrangement, the frequency variation range of the frequency conversion signal can be expanded, thereby improving the information demodulation accuracy at the transceiver end.

[0138] In some embodiments, based on the foregoing corresponding embodiments, such as Figure 10 As shown, an inductor 19 is also provided between the second resonant network 13 and the first resonant network 12. By setting it in this way, the frequency variation range of the frequency conversion signal can be expanded, thereby improving the information demodulation accuracy of the transceiver.

[0139] In some embodiments, based on the foregoing corresponding embodiments, such as Figure 10 As shown, an inductor 18 is disposed between the second resonant network 13 and the drain of the transistor, and an inductor 19 is disposed between the second resonant network 13 and the first resonant network 12. The inductor 19 and the inductor 18 have the same inductance value. By such a configuration, compared with the configuration of a single reactive device, the frequency variation range of the frequency conversion signal can be further expanded, and the stability of the frequency conversion signal can be improved. This can achieve a stable improvement in the information demodulation accuracy at the transceiver end.

[0140] In one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is provided, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0141] S1: The first resonant network is electrically connected to the second resonant network via a modulation element;

[0142] S2: Set at least one signal transmission path from the first resonant network to the second resonant network that does not pass through the modulation element;

[0143] S3: An reactive device is provided between the second resonant network and the modulation element, and / or between the second resonant network and the energy convergence network;

[0144] S4: The modulation element receives the first frequency (f) in The first microwave signal;

[0145] S5: The modulation element output has a second frequency (f) out ( ) frequency conversion signal.

[0146] With the above configuration, on the one hand, by setting several signal transmission paths from the first resonant network 12 to the second resonant network 13 that do not pass through the modulation element 11, the loss of the second microwave signal can be reduced, thereby obtaining a frequency-converted signal with increased power. Correspondingly, the transmit power requirement of the transceiver is reduced, and the microwave drive power threshold of the communication circuit is lowered. On the other hand, by setting reactive devices on the left and right sides or one side of the second resonant network 13, the frequency variation range of the frequency-converted signal can be expanded, thereby improving the information demodulation accuracy at the transceiver end.

[0147] In some embodiments, the first resonant network 12 re-converges the dispersed microwave signal to obtain a second microwave signal; the second microwave signal is fed into the second resonant network 13 from at least one signal transmission path that does not pass through the modulation element 11; the second resonant network 13 generates a second resonant frequency (f) according to the second microwave signal. r2 The oscillation signal of the output of the modulation element 11 is mixed with the first microwave signal to obtain a signal with a second frequency (f). out ( ) frequency conversion signal.

[0148] In one embodiment of the present invention, a communication device 100 is also provided, which includes a communication circuit 10 of any of the foregoing embodiments and a first antenna 30. The first antenna 30 is electrically connected to the first port T11 of the modulation element 11 in the communication circuit 10, and the first antenna 30 is used to receive a first frequency (f) transmitted by the transceiver device. in The first microwave signal, and the transmission of a second frequency (f) to the transceiver device. out ( ) frequency conversion signal.

[0149] In some embodiments, a fifth matching network is provided between the first antenna 30 and the first port T11 of the modulation element 11. The fifth matching network is used to achieve impedance matching between the first antenna 30 and the first port T11 of the modulation element 11, thereby improving the microwave signal coupling efficiency and reducing the microwave signal transmission loss.

[0150] Figure 11 A communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown, comprising a communication device 100 and a transceiver device 200. The transceiver device 200 includes a transceiver circuit 20 and a second antenna 40. The transceiver circuit 20 is electrically connected to the second antenna 40. The transceiver circuit 20 is used to generate a first frequency (f). in The first microwave signal, and the received second frequency (f) out The second antenna 40 is used to demodulate the frequency-converted signal generated by the transceiver circuit 20 to obtain the information it carries. in The first microwave signal is sent to the communication device 100, and the second microwave signal with a second frequency (f) is received back from the communication device 100. out ( ) frequency conversion signal.

[0151] In one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is also provided, which includes the following steps:

[0152] S1: The transceiver generates the first frequency (f) in The first microwave signal is transmitted, and the first microwave signal is sent.

[0153] S2: The communication device receives the first microwave signal and transmits it back at a second frequency (f out ) frequency conversion signal;

[0154] S3: The transceiver receives the frequency conversion signal and demodulates it to obtain the information it carries.

[0155] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "center," "top," "bottom," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "inner side," and "outer side," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. "Inner side" refers to the interior or enclosed area or space. "Outer perimeter" refers to the area surrounding a specific component or specific area.

[0156] In the description of embodiments of the present invention, the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first," "second," "third," or "fourth" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0157] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "assembly" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0158] In the description of embodiments of the present invention, specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0159] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that "-" and "~" represent a range between two numerical values, and this range includes the endpoints. For example, "AB" represents a range greater than or equal to A and less than or equal to B. "A~B" represents a range greater than or equal to A and less than or equal to B.

[0160] In the description of embodiments of the present invention, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0161] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A communication circuit configured to receive a first microwave signal having a first frequency and output a frequency-converted signal having a second frequency, characterized in that, Includes modulation elements, energy focusing networks, and a second resonant network; The modulation element includes a first port, a second port, and a third port; the energy convergence network is configured to converge the microwave signal output from the second port of the modulation element to obtain a second microwave signal, including a first port and at least one second microwave signal port different from the first port; the second resonant network includes a first port and a second port; The first port of the modulation element receives a first microwave signal; port one of the energy convergence network is electrically connected to the second port of the modulation element; the first port of the second resonant network is electrically connected to the third port of the modulation element; and the second port of the second resonant network is electrically connected to the second microwave signal port.

2. The communication circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy convergence network includes a first resonant network, which is electrically connected to the second port of the modulation element and the second port of the second resonant network. Alternatively, it includes a first resonant network and at least one passive reciprocal device, wherein the first resonant network is electrically connected to the second port of the modulation element and the second port of the second resonant network via the at least one passive reciprocal device. Alternatively, it may include a first resonant network and at least one passive non-reciprocal device, wherein the first resonant network is electrically connected to the second port of the modulation element and the second port of the second resonant network via the at least one passive non-reciprocal device.

3. The communication circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The modulation element is a transistor with a heterojunction.

4. The communication circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The modulation element is a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor, a transistor with a two-dimensional electron gas, or a high electron mobility transistor.

5. The communication circuit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The drain, source, and gate of the transistor serve as the first port, second port, and third port of the modulation element, respectively.

6. The communication circuit according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The second resonant network is configured as a passive piezoelectric resonant network and / or a resonant network with sensing function.

7. A communication method applied to the communication circuit according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, include: The communication circuit receives a first microwave signal at a first frequency. The communication circuit outputs a frequency-converted signal with a second frequency.

8. The communication method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The communication circuit receives a first microwave signal at a first frequency, specifically including: The modulation element receives a first microwave signal at a first frequency and outputs a microwave signal after energy dispersion of the first microwave signal. The energy converging network re-converges the dispersed microwave signal to obtain a second microwave signal, which is then fed into the second resonant network from the second microwave signal port.

9. The communication method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The communication circuit outputs a frequency-converted signal with a second frequency, specifically including: The second resonant network generates an oscillation signal at the second resonant frequency based on the second microwave signal; The frequency-converted signal with a second frequency is obtained by mixing the oscillation signal output by the modulation element with the first microwave signal.

10. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes the communication circuit as described in any one of claims 1-6, and a first antenna electrically connected to the first port of the modulation element in the communication circuit; The first antenna is configured to receive a first microwave signal with a first frequency transmitted by the transceiver device, and to transmit a frequency-converted signal with a second frequency to the transceiver device.

11. A communication system, characterized in that, include: The communication device and transceiver as claimed in claim 10; the transceiver includes an electrically connected transceiver circuit and a second antenna; the second antenna is configured to transmit a first microwave signal with a first frequency generated by the transceiver circuit to the communication device, and to receive a frequency-converted signal with a second frequency transmitted back by the communication device; the transceiver circuit is configured to generate the first microwave signal with the first frequency, and to demodulate the received frequency-converted signal with the second frequency to obtain the information carried thereon.

12. A communication method, applied to the communication system as described in claim 11, characterized in that, include: The transceiver generates a first microwave signal with a first frequency and transmits the first microwave signal. The communication device receives a first microwave signal and transmits back a frequency-converted signal with a second frequency; The transceiver receives the frequency conversion signal and demodulates it to obtain the information it carries.

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