Delay device, delay network and radio frequency transceiver

Abstract

The invention provides a time delay device, a time delay network and a radio frequency transceiving device, which are used for solving the problems of high cost, large loss, difficulty in realizing miniaturization and the like of a time delay scheme in an existing radio frequency phased array system. The time-delay device comprises a light-emitting assembly and a photodiode array assembly, the light-emitting assembly comprises one or more light-emitting units, and the light-emitting units are used for outputting modulated light signals; the photodiode array assembly comprises a plurality of cascaded photodiodes, the first electrode of the first-stage photodiode is coupled with the radio frequency signal output end through an inductance circuit, and one inductance circuit is arranged between the first electrodes of any two adjacent stages of photodiodes. The first pole of the nth-stage photodiode is also grounded through an inductive circuit and an impedance device, and the second pole of each stage of photodiode is grounded; the photodiodes are irradiated by light emitted by the light emitting unit and then output electric signals to the radio frequency signal output end, and the electric signals output by the photodiodes of different levels are different in time delay.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, specifically to a delay device, a delay network, and a radio frequency transceiver. Background Technology

[0002] Phased array technology is one of the key technologies in wireless communication systems. By adjusting the phase and / or amplitude of the electrical signals connecting each antenna, the direction of the antenna beam in space can be changed. Phased array systems can typically perform phase adjustment based on delay devices. Related technologies include applying optical delay lines, micro-ring resonators, photonic crystals, and fiber optic transmission to phased arrays to adjust the direction of broadband signal beams. However, the entire system requires multiple optical fibers and multi-wavelength or tunable wavelength light sources, resulting in significant optical delay losses and the need for optical amplifiers, leading to high costs. Furthermore, due to the involvement of multiple components, such as optical fibers, multi-wavelength or tunable wavelength light sources, optical switch networks, and optical lenses, miniaturization is difficult to achieve. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a delay device, a delay network, and a radio frequency transceiver to improve the problems of high cost, high loss, and difficulty in miniaturization of delay schemes in existing radio frequency phased array systems.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] In a first aspect, a delay device is provided, comprising: a radio frequency (RF) signal input terminal, a light-emitting component, a photodiode array assembly, and an RF signal output terminal; the light-emitting component includes one or more light-emitting units, which are used to output modulated optical signals according to the RF signal received by the RF signal input terminal; the photodiode array assembly includes an impedance device, n photodiodes, and n+1 inductor circuits, where n is an integer greater than 1, the n photodiodes are cascaded, wherein the first electrode of the first-stage photodiode is coupled to the RF signal output terminal through an inductor circuit, an inductor circuit is provided between the first electrodes of any two adjacent stages of photodiodes, the first electrode of the nth-stage photodiode is also grounded through an inductor circuit and an impedance device, and the second electrode of each stage of photodiode is grounded; after being irradiated by light emitted by the light-emitting units, the photodiodes output electrical signals to the RF signal output terminal, and the delay of the electrical signals output by the photodiodes of different stages is different.

[0006] The delay device provided in this application adopts an intensity modulation-direct detection architecture. By controlling the light beam of the light-emitting unit in the light-emitting component to illuminate different photodiodes, the time delay of the entire delay device can be configurable. The photosensitive surface optical structure of the photodiode is used to couple spatial light. Since the photosensitive surface size of the photodiode is usually larger than the cross-sectional size of the optical fiber, the light collection efficiency is higher than that of delay devices implemented using optical fibers, and the optical system loss is lower. In addition, the elimination of the need for optical fibers can reduce the size of the device. The delay signal is output by photodiode sensing, which eliminates the need for adjustable wavelength or multi-wavelength light sources, as well as other optical components such as optical fibers and optical lenses. The structure is simple, the overall cost of the device is lower, and the size is smaller, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the device.

[0007] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the light-emitting component includes a plurality of light-emitting units, wherein a target light-emitting unit among the plurality of light-emitting units is used to output a modulated light signal to illuminate a target photodiode in the photodiode array component; the target light-emitting unit includes one or more light-emitting units; and the target photodiode includes one or more photodiodes.

[0008] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the delay device further includes a switch array disposed between the radio frequency signal input terminal and multiple light-emitting units. The switch array is used to select and connect the radio frequency signal input terminal to a target light-emitting unit among the multiple light-emitting units according to a control signal.

[0009] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the light-emitting component includes a light-emitting unit; the delay device further includes an optical path adjustment component, which includes at least one reflector for adjusting the light emission direction of the light-emitting unit so that the modulated light emitted by the light-emitting unit illuminates the target photodiode in the photodiode array component. This arrangement can reduce the number of light sources and simplify the structure of the delay device.

[0010] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the optical path adjustment assembly includes a first reflector and a second reflector; the first reflector is used to reflect light emitted by the light-emitting unit onto the second reflector; the second reflector is moved to reflect light emitted by the light-emitting unit onto the target photodiode.

[0011] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the plurality of photodiodes includes a first photodiode and a second photodiode. The optical path length of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit to the first photodiode after passing through the first reflector and the second reflector is the same as that to the second photodiode. This can avoid delay errors caused by different optical paths between different photodiodes and the light-emitting unit.

[0012] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, multiple photodiodes are arranged in an arc shape; the optical path adjustment assembly includes a first reflector and a second reflector, the first reflector is rotated to adjust the emission direction of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit so as to illuminate different positions of the second reflector, and the second reflector is used to reflect the light emitted by the light-emitting unit to the target photodiode.

[0013] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the axis of rotation of the first reflector is located at the center of the arc formed by the arrangement of photodiodes.

[0014] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the light-emitting unit includes a light emitter and a collimating lens; the light emitter is used to output a modulated light signal according to a radio frequency signal; the collimating lens is used to collimate the light emitted by the light emitter.

[0015] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the light-emitting unit includes multiple light emitters and multiple collimating lenses, with each collimating lens corresponding to one of the light emitters; the multiple light emitters are connected in series, and the collimating lenses are used to collimate the light emitted by the light emitters; the light emitted by the multiple light emitters illuminates the same photodiode.

[0016] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the photodiode array assembly further includes multiple light-receiving lenses, with one light-receiving lens corresponding to each photodiode.

[0017] In a second aspect, a radio frequency transceiver device is provided, including at least one radio frequency link, the radio frequency link including a transmit channel and a receive channel; the transmit channel and / or the receive channel are provided with delay devices as provided in the first aspect and any implementation thereof.

[0018] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the transmission channel is used to process the signal to be transmitted, and the transmission channel includes an intermediate frequency amplifier, a mixer, a delay device and an RF amplifier; the signal to be transmitted passes through the intermediate frequency amplifier, the mixer, the delay device and the RF amplifier in sequence.

[0019] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the transmit channel is used to process the signal to be transmitted, and the transmit channel includes an intermediate frequency amplifier, a delay device, a mixer and an RF amplifier; the signal to be transmitted passes through the intermediate frequency amplifier, the delay device, the mixer and the RF amplifier in sequence.

[0020] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, a transmit channel mixer and a delay device are provided, wherein the delay device is used to output a delayed local oscillator signal to the mixer.

[0021] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the receiving channel is used to process the signal received by the antenna. The receiving channel includes a low-noise amplifier, a delay device, a mixer, and an intermediate frequency amplifier. The signal received by the antenna passes through the low-noise amplifier, the delay device, the mixer, and the intermediate frequency amplifier in sequence.

[0022] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the receiving channel is used to process the signal received by the antenna. The receiving channel includes a low-noise amplifier, a mixer, a delay device, and an intermediate frequency amplifier. The signal received by the antenna passes through the low-noise amplifier, the mixer, the delay device, and the intermediate frequency amplifier in sequence.

[0023] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the receiving channel includes a mixer and a delay device, wherein the delay device is used to output a delayed local oscillator signal to the mixer.

[0024] Thirdly, a radio frequency transceiver device is provided, including at least one radio frequency link, the radio frequency link including a transmit channel and a receive channel; the transmit channel and / or the receive channel are provided with a plurality of delay devices as provided in the first aspect and any implementation thereof.

[0025] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the transmitting channel is used to process the signal to be transmitted, and the transmitting channel includes a first intermediate frequency amplifier, a first delay device, a second intermediate frequency amplifier, a mixer, a second delay device, and a radio frequency amplifier; the signal to be transmitted passes sequentially through the first intermediate frequency amplifier, the first delay device, the second intermediate frequency amplifier, the mixer, the second delay device, and the radio frequency amplifier; the first delay device and the second delay device are delay devices as provided in the first aspect and any implementation thereof.

[0026] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the receiving channel is used to process the signal received by the antenna, and the receiving channel includes a low-noise amplifier, a second delay device, a mixer, a second intermediate frequency amplifier, a first delay device, and a first intermediate frequency amplifier; the signal received by the antenna passes sequentially through the low-noise amplifier, the second delay device, the mixer, the second intermediate frequency amplifier, the first delay device, and the first intermediate frequency amplifier; the first delay device and the second delay device are delay devices as provided in the first aspect and any implementation thereof.

[0027] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the delay adjustment step size of the first delay device is larger than that of the second delay device, and the delay adjustment step size is the difference in delay between the electrical signals output by the two adjacent photodiodes.

[0028] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the delay adjustment step size of the first delay device is less than or equal to the total delay adjustment amount of the second delay device, where the total delay adjustment amount is the difference between the delay of the electrical signal output by the first-stage photodiode and the delay of the electrical signal output by the nth-stage photodiode.

[0029] Fourthly, a delay network is provided, comprising: M radio frequency (RF) signal input terminals and M light-emitting components; an optical path adjustment component; N photodiode array components and N RF signal output terminals, where M and N are positive integers greater than 1; each light-emitting component corresponds one-to-one with an RF signal input terminal, and the light-emitting component is used to output a modulated optical signal according to the RF signal received at the corresponding RF signal input terminal; each photodiode array component corresponds one-to-one with an RF signal output terminal, and the photodiode array component includes an impedance device, n photodiodes, and n+1 inductor circuits, where n is an integer greater than 1; the n photodiodes are cascaded, wherein the first electrode of the first-stage photodiode is connected through a... An inductor circuit is coupled to the RF signal output terminal. An inductor circuit is set between the first poles of any two adjacent photodiodes. The first pole of the nth photodiode is also grounded through an inductor circuit and an impedance device. The second pole of each photodiode is grounded. After being irradiated by light, the photodiode outputs an electrical signal to the RF signal output terminal. The delay of the electrical signal output by different photodiodes is different. The light emitted by the light-emitting component is adjusted at an angle by the optical path adjustment component to irradiate the target photodiode in the target photodiode array assembly. The target photodiode array assembly includes at least one photodiode array assembly, and the target photodiode includes at least one photodiode.

[0030] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the light-emitting component includes a power divider and multiple light-emitting units. The power divider is used to distribute the received radio frequency signal to each light-emitting unit. The light emitted by the multiple light-emitting units is angled by an optical path adjustment component to illuminate the target photodiode in the target photodiode array component.

[0031] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the light-emitting component includes multiple light-emitting units connected in series, and the light emitted by the multiple light-emitting units is angled by the optical path adjustment component to illuminate the target photodiode in the target photodiode array component.

[0032] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the light-emitting component includes a light-emitting unit and a beam splitter, the beam splitter being used to split the light emitted by the light-emitting unit into beams; the light obtained by the beam splitter is angled by an optical path adjustment component to illuminate the target photodiode in the target photodiode array component.

[0033] Fifthly, a radio frequency transceiver is provided, including a transmitting channel and a receiving channel, wherein the transmitting channel and / or the receiving channel are provided with a delay network; the delay network includes multiple radio frequency signal input terminals, a delay device and multiple radio frequency signal output terminals, wherein the signal received by the first input terminal among the multiple input terminals is processed by the delay device and then outputs a delayed signal through at least one of the multiple output terminals, and the delay of the delayed signals output by different output terminals is the same or different.

[0034] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the delay network is the delay network provided by the fourth aspect and any of its implementations.

[0035] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the transmitting channel is used to process multiple signals to be transmitted; the transmitting channel includes a delay network and multiple radio frequency amplifiers; the first signal to be transmitted among the multiple signals to be transmitted is processed by the delay network of the transmitting channel to output multiple delayed signals, and each of the multiple delayed signals is amplified by a radio frequency amplifier.

[0036] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the receiving channel is used to process multiple signals received by the antenna; the receiving channel includes a delay network and multiple low-noise amplifiers; the multiple signals received by the antenna are amplified by the multiple low-noise amplifiers respectively, and the first signal among the multiple signals received by the antenna passes through the low-noise amplifier and the delay network in the receiving channel in sequence; the delay network in the receiving channel processes the first signal and outputs multiple delayed signals.

[0037] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device, which includes a delay device and an antenna. The antenna is used to transmit a signal processed by the delay device, or the delay device is used to process a signal received by the antenna. The delay device is a delay device as provided in the first aspect and any implementation thereof, or a delay network as provided in the fourth aspect and any implementation thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in this application embodiment:

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a radio frequency phased array system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another radio frequency phased array system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0042] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a delay device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of another delay device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of another delay device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of another delay device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of another delay device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of another delay device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the light-emitting unit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a radio frequency transceiver device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of another radio frequency transceiver device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0051] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of another radio frequency transceiver device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0052] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of another radio frequency transceiver device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0053] Figure 16 A schematic diagram of a delay network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 17 A schematic diagram of another delay network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 18 A schematic diagram of another delay network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 19 A schematic diagram of another delay network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 20 A schematic diagram of another delay network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 21 A schematic diagram of another delay network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 22 A schematic diagram of another radio frequency transceiver device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0060] Figure 23 A schematic diagram of another radio frequency transceiver device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0061] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram of another radio frequency transceiver device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0062] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0063] Hereinafter, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive convenience only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. For example, multiple processing units refer to two or more processing units.

[0064] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are not limited to the orientation of the components schematically placed in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these directional terms can be relative concepts, used for relative description and clarification, and can change accordingly depending on the orientation of the components in the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, for clarity, the thickness of layers and regions is exaggerated, and the dimensional proportions between the parts in the drawings do not reflect the actual dimensional proportions.

[0065] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. In addition, the term "electrical connection" can be a direct electrical connection or an indirect electrical connection through an intermediate medium.

[0066] In this application, the term "module" typically refers to a logically divided functional structure. A "module" can be implemented purely in hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. In this application, "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, B existing alone, or both A and B existing simultaneously.

[0067] In this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being better or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0068] The delay devices or delay networks provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, future 5th Generation (5G) mobile communication systems or new radio access technology (NR), and the three major application scenarios of 5G mobile communication systems: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communications (uRLLC), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, satellite communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT), and narrowband Internet of Things (IoT). The systems include NB-IoT, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), EDGE (Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), CDMA2000 (Code Division Multiple Access 2000), and TD-SCDMA (Time Division-Synchronization Code Division Multiple Access). 5G mobile communication systems can include non-standalone (NSA) and / or standalone (SA) architectures.

[0069] The delay device or delay network provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, and this application does not limit it.

[0070] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system used in an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 As shown, the communication system includes a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device and the second communication device can achieve point-to-point high-speed communication. The first communication device and the second communication device can communicate based on a wireless network. The first communication device and the second communication device mentioned above may include, but are not limited to, base stations, vehicle terminals or other terminal devices. For example, the terminal device may be a mobile phone, tablet or other terminal device used by pedestrians. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0071] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system applied in the embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the communication system includes network equipment and at least one terminal device (such as...). Figure 2 The network device (including terminal devices 1 and 2) can achieve high-speed point-to-multipoint communication with multiple terminal devices. Terminal devices connect to the network device wirelessly, and the network device connects to the core network device wirelessly or via wired connection. The core network device and the network device can be independent physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the network device can be integrated into the same physical device. Alternatively, a single physical device can integrate some of the functions of the core network device and some of the functions of the network device. Terminal devices can be fixed in location or mobile. Figure 2 This is just an illustration; the communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless repeaters and wireless backhaul devices. Figure 2 Not shown in the diagram. The embodiments of this application do not limit the number of network devices and terminal devices in the mobile communication system.

[0072] A network device is an access device that allows a terminal device to access the mobile communication system wirelessly. It can be a NodeB base station, an evolved NodeB base station, a base station in an NR mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used in the network device.

[0073] Terminal equipment can also be called a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. Terminal equipment can include mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, and so on.

[0074] Network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the network devices and terminal devices.

[0075] Network devices and terminal devices, as well as terminal devices themselves, can communicate using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used between network devices and terminal devices.

[0076] It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific form of network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0077] The aforementioned first communication device, second communication device, network device, and terminal device may include a baseband unit, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, an intermediate radio frequency system, and an array antenna. Taking the first communication device as an example, the signal processed by the baseband unit is sequentially processed by the digital-to-analog converter and the intermediate radio frequency system before being transmitted through the array antenna; or, the signal received by the array antenna is sequentially processed by the intermediate radio frequency system and the analog-to-digital converter before reaching the baseband unit, where the baseband unit processes the received signal.

[0078] The first communication device, second communication device, network device, and terminal device provided in the embodiments of this application can be communication devices using radio frequency phased array technology. Phased array technology can adjust the width of the antenna beam by adjusting the phase and / or amplitude of the electrical signals connecting each antenna, and can realize the directional change of the antenna beam in space.

[0079] There are currently several implementation schemes for radio frequency (RF) phased array technology, including RF phase shifters and optical beamforming. RF phase shifters control the phase change of the signal, acting as non-true delay devices, where the phase shift value is independent of frequency. This leads to different spatial beam directions at different frequencies, making it difficult to achieve accurate beam pointing for broadband signals. Optical beamforming utilizes technologies such as real-time delay lines, microring resonators, photonic crystals, and fiber optic transmission to achieve signal delay.

[0080] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a radio frequency phased array system is shown, including a multi-wavelength light source / tunable wavelength light source, an optical modulator, an optical power divider, multiple dispersive optical fibers, multiple photodiodes, multiple amplifiers, and an antenna. The light source generates or outputs optical signals of different wavelengths. The optical modulator modulates the radio frequency signal onto the optical signal to output a modulated optical signal. The optical power divider distributes the modulated optical signal to multiple dispersive optical fibers, each of which is connected to a corresponding photodiode (PD). The output of the photodiode is connected to the antenna via an amplifier.

[0081] Different wavelengths of optical signals travel at different speeds in dispersive optical fibers. Therefore, different delays can be introduced into optical signals of different wavelengths using dispersive optical fibers. The delayed optical signals are converted into electrical signals by photodiodes to achieve phase control of the electrical signals. However, such radio frequency phased array systems require the use of tunable wavelength light sources or multi-wavelength light sources, which results in high device costs. In addition, using multiple dispersive optical fibers to achieve delays results in a larger number of dispersive optical fibers when the antenna array is large, making the system bulky and complex, and difficult to achieve miniaturization design.

[0082] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another radio frequency phased array system is shown, including a laser, an optical modulator, an optical switch network, an optical fiber bundle formed by multiple optical fibers, a lens group formed by multiple lenses, multiple photodiodes, multiple amplifiers, and an antenna. This radio frequency phased array system achieves time delay based on the optical path difference of the optical system. The optical signal modulated by the optical modulator is connected to different optical fibers via the optical switch network. The optical fiber bundle is located at the focal plane of the lens. The optical signal processed by the lens is transmitted through space to the lens group connected to the photodiode. The optical switch network is used to control the direction of spatial light transmission after being processed by the lens. The optical path difference introduced by different directions is used to achieve the time delay of the optical signal connected to the photodiode.

[0083] Figure 4The radio frequency phased array system shown combines free-space optics and uses the imaging lens principle to achieve phase shifting. The fiber optic structure connected to the photodiode requires the design of an optical receiving lens, which results in optical loss. It is difficult to make the fiber bundle connected to the optical switch network dense and continuous, which affects the beam adjustment range and accuracy. A larger fiber bundle is needed to achieve a wider beam adjustment range and improve accuracy. The overall scanning accuracy and the array size that can be supported are constrained by cost, efficiency, volume and other factors.

[0084] Combination Figure 3 , Figure 4 As can be seen from the RF phased array system shown, the solution of using dispersive fiber or optical lens to achieve delay is costly and involves many components, such as multi-wavelength light sources or tunable wavelength light sources, multiple optical fibers, optical switch networks, optical lenses, etc., making it difficult to achieve a miniaturized and compact RF system.

[0085] To improve the above problems, embodiments of this application provide a true delay scheme combining a light source with a traveling wave structure photodiode array and a radio frequency phased array system based on this scheme, which controls the light spot to illuminate different photodiodes, thereby controlling the electrical signal delay and achieving broadband true delay.

[0086] See Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a delay device provided in an embodiment of this application. The delay device provided in this application includes a radio frequency signal input terminal RF_input, a light-emitting component, a photodiode array component, and a radio frequency signal output terminal RF_output.

[0087] The light-emitting component includes one or more light-emitting units, which may include a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The light-emitting unit is used to output a modulated optical signal based on the radio frequency signal received at the radio frequency signal input terminal. The modulated optical signal output by the light-emitting unit may be a single beam of light, or multiple independent beams of light, or a single beam of light obtained by combining multiple beams of light.

[0088] A photodiode array assembly includes multiple photodiodes. These photodiodes, combined with inductors, impedance devices, and other components, form a traveling wave network structure. For example, a photodiode array assembly includes photodiodes PD1 to PDn, inductors L0, L1 to Ln+1, and impedance device Z, with n photodiodes cascaded together.

[0089] The first electrode of the first-stage photodiode is coupled to the radio frequency signal output terminal through an inductor circuit. An inductor circuit is placed between the first electrodes of any two adjacent photodiode stages. The first electrode of the nth-stage photodiode is also grounded through an impedance matching network, which includes impedance devices and an inductor circuit connected in series. The second electrode of each stage photodiode is grounded. The first electrode of the photodiode can be the anode and the second electrode can be the cathode; or the first electrode can be the cathode and the second electrode can be the anode.

[0090] Combination Figure 5 Photodiode PD1 is the first-stage photodiode, and photodiode PDn is the nth-stage photodiode. The first terminal of photodiode PD1 is connected to the RF signal output terminal RF_output through inductor circuit L0. The first terminal of photodiode PD2 is connected to the first terminal of photodiode PD1 through inductor circuit L1. The first terminal of photodiode PDn is connected to the first terminal of photodiode PDn-1 through inductor circuit Ln. The first terminal of photodiode PDn is also grounded to GND through series inductor circuit Ln+1 and impedance device Z. The second terminals of photodiodes PD1 to PDn are all electrically connected to ground GND.

[0091] The light-emitting unit can output a modulated light signal to the photodiode. When the photodiode is illuminated by the light emitted by the light-emitting unit, it outputs an electrical signal to the radio frequency (RF) signal output terminal. For example, photodiode PD1 outputs signal i1 to the RF signal output terminal RF_output after being illuminated, photodiode PD2 outputs signal i2, and photodiode PDn outputs signal i... n These signals are output through the radio frequency signal output terminal RF_output, denoted as Iout. Iout can include signals i1 to i2. n Any one or more of them.

[0092] A photodiode combined with the equivalent inductance of an inductor circuit can form a basic delay unit, for example. Figure 5 In the photodiode PD2, combined with the equivalent inductance of inductor circuits L1 and L2, a basic delay unit is formed. Similarly, the photodiode PD1 combined with the equivalent inductance of the inductor circuit can also form a basic delay unit. The delay generated by each basic delay unit can be the same. The paths of the signals output by photodiodes of different stages to the RF signal output terminal are different, and the number of basic delay units they pass through is different. Therefore, the delay of the signals output by photodiodes of different stages through the RF signal output terminal RF_output is different.

[0093] When light emitted from the light-emitting unit illuminates different photodiodes, the signal delay output from the RF_output terminal varies. For example, if the light emitted from the light-emitting unit illuminates the first-stage photodiode PD1, the output signal i1 of photodiode PD1 will have a delay of τ when output through the RF_output terminal; if the light emitted from the light-emitting unit illuminates the second-stage photodiode PD2, the output signal i2 of photodiode PD2 will have a delay of 2τ when output through the RF_output terminal; if the light emitted from the light-emitting unit illuminates the nth-stage photodiode PDn, the output signal i1 of photodiode PDn will have a delay of 2τ. n The signal i output through the radio frequency signal output terminal RF_output n The delay is nτ.

[0094] The delay device provided in this application adopts an intensity modulation with direct detection (IM-DD) architecture. By controlling the light beam of the light-emitting unit in the light-emitting component to illuminate different photodiodes, the time delay of the entire delay device can be configured. Spatial light is coupled using the photosensitive surface optical structure of the photodiode. Since the photosensitive surface size of the photodiode is usually larger than the cross-sectional size of the optical fiber, the light collection efficiency of the delay device provided in this application is higher than that of the delay device implemented using optical fiber, and the optical system loss is lower. The device size can also be reduced without the need for optical fiber. In addition, the delay device in this application uses a basic delay unit formed by photodiodes and inductor circuits to achieve delay, without the need for adjustable wavelength or multi-wavelength light sources, or other optical components such as optical fibers and optical lenses. Therefore, the overall cost of the device is lower and the size is smaller, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the device.

[0095] In one possible implementation, see [reference] Figure 6 The light-emitting component may include multiple light-emitting units, such as the light-emitting units VCSEL1 to VCSELn shown in the figure. The target light-emitting unit among the multiple light-emitting units is used to output a modulated light signal according to the radio frequency signal received by the radio frequency signal input terminal RF_input to illuminate the target photodiode in the photodiode array component. Here, the target light-emitting unit may include one or more light-emitting units, and the target photodiode may include one or more photodiodes.

[0096] The delay device also includes a switch array, which is disposed between the RF signal input terminal RF_input and multiple light-emitting units. The switch array is used to conduct the RF signal input terminal RF_input and the target light-emitting unit among the multiple light-emitting units in response to a control signal. The switch array can be one or more switch arrays formed by combining multiple switching devices, that is, the switch array can conduct the RF signal input terminal RF_input and one or more light-emitting units. The aforementioned switching devices can include transistors or other types of devices with switching functions.

[0097] For example, each light-emitting unit can correspond one-to-one with a photodiode, and the light emitted by each light-emitting unit only illuminates its corresponding photodiode. Taking the target light-emitting unit as one light-emitting unit and the target photodiode as one photodiode as an example, the switch array connects the RF signal input terminal to the target light-emitting unit (e.g., Figure 6 The light-emitting unit (VCSELn) shown is turned on. The target light-emitting unit outputs a modulated light signal according to the radio frequency signal received at the radio frequency signal input terminal RF_input. The light emitted by the target light-emitting unit illuminates the corresponding photodiode (e.g., Figure 6 The PDn shown is the target photodiode. When the target photodiode is irradiated by light, it outputs an electrical signal that meets the delay requirement to the RF signal output terminal RF_output.

[0098] In practical applications, the target photodiode can be determined based on the delay requirements. For example, if the required signal delay is τ, the target photodiode can be designated as a first-level photodiode; if the required signal delay is nτ, the target photodiode can be designated as an nth-level photodiode. The light-emitting unit corresponding to the target photodiode is designated as the target light-emitting unit. A switching array connects the target light-emitting unit to the RF signal input terminal. The target light-emitting unit outputs a modulated light signal, and the target photodiode, illuminated by the light emitted by the target light-emitting unit, outputs a signal that meets the delay requirements to the RF signal output terminal.

[0099] Alternatively, optical elements (such as beam splitters, reflectors, etc.) can be used so that the modulated light signal output by each light-emitting unit can illuminate a group of photodiodes. In this case, the target photodiodes can include multiple photodiodes; the target light-emitting unit can include one or more light-emitting units. There can be overlap between the photodiodes illuminated by the light from different light-emitting units. In this case, the number of light-emitting units can be less than the number of photodiodes.

[0100] Alternatively, optical elements (such as mirrors) can be configured so that the modulated light signals output by multiple light-emitting units can illuminate the same photodiode. In this case, the target light-emitting unit may include multiple or one light-emitting units, and the target photodiode may include one or more photodiodes. In this case, the number of light-emitting units can be greater than the number of photodiodes.

[0101] In the above embodiments, the light-emitting component includes multiple light-emitting units. This application also provides another delay device to reduce the number of light sources, simplify the structure of the delay device, and reduce costs.

[0102] See Figure 7 The delay device provided in this application includes an RF signal input terminal RF_input, a light-emitting component, a photodiode array component, and an RF signal output terminal RF_output. The delay principle of the delay device provided in this application is basically the same as that of the delay device provided in the previous embodiments; this application only describes the differences.

[0103] The light-emitting component may include a light-emitting unit connected to a radio frequency (RF) signal input terminal to output a modulated optical signal based on the RF signal received at the RF signal input terminal. The delay device also includes an optical path adjustment component, which can adjust the optical path of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit so that the modulated light emitted by the light-emitting unit illuminates a target photodiode in the photodiode array assembly. For example, the optical path adjustment component may include at least one reflector, which can be used to change the output direction of the modulated light emitted by the light-emitting unit, so that it illuminates the target photodiode.

[0104] In one possible implementation, such as Figure 7 As shown, the optical path adjustment component includes a reflector. By adjusting the reflection angle of the reflector, the direction of the modulated light emitted by the light-emitting unit can be adjusted so that it illuminates the target photodiode, thereby outputting an electrical signal that meets the delay requirements. By setting the optical path adjustment component to adjust the direction of the modulated light, the power supply structure can be simplified and the cost reduced.

[0105] In one possible implementation, see [reference] Figure 8 The optical path adjustment component includes a first reflector and a second reflector. The first reflector is used to reflect the modulated light output by the light-emitting unit to the second reflector. The second reflector can reflect the light onto the photodiode. The second reflector can be moved to reflect the modulated light emitted by the light-emitting unit onto the target photodiode, thereby outputting an electrical signal that meets the delay requirements.

[0106] For example, the light-emitting component may be provided with a collimating lens, and the light emitted by the light-emitting unit may be collimated into a collimated beam by the collimating lens. The mirror surface of the first reflector may be at a 45-degree angle to the collimated beam. The mirror surface of the second reflector is perpendicular to the mirror surface of the first reflector, that is, at a 45-degree angle to the reflected light from the first and second reflectors, so that the second reflector can reflect the light to illuminate the target photodiode.

[0107] The multiple photodiodes in the photodiode array assembly can be arranged in a straight line at intervals. For example, the multiple photodiodes in the photodiode array assembly can be arranged at intervals along a first direction. The second reflector can move along the first direction. For example, the second reflector can be mounted on a slide rail extending along the first direction. The second reflector can move back and forth on the slide rail. When it moves to different positions, it can reflect light to different target photodiodes.

[0108] In practical applications, the target photodiode can be determined according to the delay requirement, the second reflector can be controlled to move to the position corresponding to the target photodiode, the light-emitting unit outputs a modulated light signal, and the first and second reflectors reflect the light emitted by the light-emitting unit to illuminate the target photodiode. After being illuminated by the light emitted by the light-emitting unit, the target photodiode outputs a signal that meets the delay requirement to the radio frequency signal output terminal.

[0109] The embodiments of this application provide a delay device that eliminates the need for multiple light-emitting units. Delay control is achieved through a single light-emitting unit combined with an optical path adjustment component, reducing the number of light-emitting units. The light output by the light-emitting unit is spatially coupled to a photodiode, eliminating the need for optical fiber transmission of optical signals. This simplifies the structure of the delay device and reduces its cost.

[0110] In the delay device provided by the aforementioned implementation, the arrangement direction of the photodiodes is parallel to the moving direction of the second reflector, and the optical path length between different photodiodes and the light-emitting unit is different when they are used as target photodiodes. Figure 9 This illustration shows a schematic diagram of another delay device provided in an embodiment of this application. The delay device provided in this embodiment is similar to... Figure 8 The delay devices shown are based on the same principle, the difference being the arrangement of the photodiodes in the light-emitting component. This application only describes the differences in the embodiments.

[0111] The photodiode array assembly includes multiple photodiodes. For example, the photodiode array assembly includes a first photodiode and a second photodiode. The optical path length of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit to the first photodiode after passing through the first reflector and the second reflector is the same as that to the second photodiode, so as to improve the delay accuracy.

[0112] For ease of explanation, Figure 9The diagram only shows a schematic of the photodiode arrangement, combined with... Figure 9 The second reflector can move back and forth along the first direction, and multiple photodiodes are arranged along the second direction, which forms a 45-degree angle with the first direction. Alternatively, it can be assumed that the straight line formed by the arrangement of photodiodes forms a 45-degree angle with the light emitted from the second reflector. In this case, the optical path length from the light-emitting unit through the first and second reflectors to any photodiode is the same, which can avoid delay errors caused by different target photodiodes having different optical paths with the light-emitting unit.

[0113] In the above embodiments, the multiple photodiodes of the photodiode array assembly are arranged in a straight line. In another possible implementation, the multiple photodiodes can also be arranged in an arc shape.

[0114] For example, see Figure 10 , Figure 10 Figures A and B illustrate schematic diagrams of another delay device provided in an embodiment of this application. The delay device provided in this embodiment is similar to... Figure 8 or Figure 9 The delay principles of the delay devices shown are basically the same. The difference lies in the different arrangement of the photodiodes in the light-emitting component and the different setting of the optical path adjustment component. This application only introduces the differences.

[0115] Combination Figure 10 Figures A and B show that the photodiode array assembly includes multiple photodiodes arranged in an arc shape. The optical path adjustment assembly includes a first reflector and a second reflector. The first reflector can be rotated to adjust the emission direction of the modulated light emitted by the light-emitting unit, reflecting the modulated light to illuminate different positions of the second reflector. The second reflector is used to reflect the modulated light emitted by the light-emitting unit to the target photodiode.

[0116] For example, the light-emitting component may be provided with a collimating lens, and the light emitted by the light-emitting unit may be collimated into a collimated beam by the collimating lens. The mirror surface of the first reflector may be at a 45-degree angle to the collimated beam. The mirror surface of the second reflector is perpendicular to the mirror surface of the first reflector, that is, at a 45-degree angle to the reflected light from the first reflector and the second reflector. The second reflector may reflect the light to illuminate the target photodiode.

[0117] For example, in combination Figure 10In Figure B, the mirror surface of the second reflector can also be fan-shaped, corresponding to the arc shape formed by the photodiodes. The rotation axis of the first reflector is located at the center of the arc formed by the photodiodes. When the first reflector rotates, it can reflect the light emitted by the light-emitting unit to different positions of the second reflector. The second reflector then reflects the light reflected by the first reflector to the target photodiode, which may include one or more photodiodes.

[0118] In the delay device provided in this application embodiment, the photodiodes are arranged in an arc shape, and the rotation axis of the first reflector is located at the center of the arc. In this way, the optical path length of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit is the same when it passes through the first reflector and the second reflector to reach any light strip diode. This can avoid delay errors caused by different target photodiodes having different optical path lengths with the light-emitting unit.

[0119] In the delay devices provided in the foregoing embodiments, the light-emitting unit may include one or more light emitters. Figure 11 Figures A and B show schematic diagrams of the light-emitting unit, for example, see Figure 1. Figure 11 In one possible implementation of Figure A, the light-emitting unit includes a light emitter, such as the light emitter VCSEL shown in the figure, which emits a modulated light signal to be output according to the radio frequency signal received by the radio frequency signal input terminal RF_input. The light emitted by the light emitter can illuminate the target photodiode; or the light emitted by the light emitter can illuminate the target photodiode after being adjusted by the optical path adjustment component.

[0120] The light-emitting unit can also be equipped with a collimating lens, which is used to collimate the light emitted by the light emitter, so that the light emitted by the light emitter forms a collimated beam.

[0121] For another possible implementation, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 11 Figure B shows a light-emitting unit comprising multiple emitters and multiple collimating lenses. For example, the light-emitting unit includes emitters VCSEL1, VCSEL2, VCSEL3, and VCSEL4, with each collimating lens corresponding to one of the emitters. The multiple emitters are connected in series, and the collimating lenses collimate the light emitted by the emitters, forming a collimated beam. The light emitted by the multiple emitters illuminates the same photodiode. For example, the light-emitting unit may include 2 to 4 emitters connected in series. This series connection improves the slope efficiency of the light source system, effectively reduces photoelectric and electro-optical processing losses, and further reduces true delay network losses.

[0122] Continue to combine Figure 11In Figures A and B, each light-emitting unit can be equipped with a corresponding bias device. This bias device is used to inject DC bias voltage to provide positive voltage to the light-emitting unit, enabling it to emit light normally.

[0123] Just as a collimating lens can improve light utilization in a light emitter, a light-receiving lens can also be used in a photodiode array assembly to improve light collection efficiency. For example, a photodiode array assembly includes multiple light-receiving lenses, with one lens corresponding to each photodiode, thereby improving the light collection efficiency of the photodiode.

[0124] The aforementioned light emitter can be a vertical cavity surface-emitting laser, a distributed feedback (DFB) laser, or other broadband light source, or the light emitter can also be a light-emitting diode (LED) or other light emitter.

[0125] In the delay device provided in this application embodiment, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit can illuminate the photodiode. After being illuminated by the light emitted by the light-emitting unit, the photodiode outputs an electrical signal to the radio frequency signal output terminal. The photodiode, together with the equivalent inductance of the inductor circuits before and after it, can form a basic delay unit.

[0126] In one possible implementation, the equivalent inductance of the inductor circuit between two adjacent photodiodes is L, the equivalent inductance of the inductor circuit between the first-stage photodiode and the RF signal output terminal is L / 2, and an inductor circuit and impedance device are provided between the first electrode of the nth-stage photodiode and ground, wherein the equivalent inductance of the inductor circuit is L / 2. Thus, each photodiode combined with the equivalent inductance of the inductor circuit can form a T-shaped basic delay unit with an impedance of... The delay of the basic delay unit it constitutes satisfies C is the equivalent capacitance of the photodiode.

[0127] As mentioned in the foregoing embodiments, by selecting different target photodiodes, signals with different delays can be output. For example, if the required signal delay is τ, the target photodiode can be determined as the first-stage photodiode; if the required signal delay is nτ, the target photodiode can be determined as the nth-stage photodiode. It can be seen that the delay adjustment step size of the delay device is τ, which is the delay amount of the basic delay unit; the delay adjustment range of the delay device is τ to nτ, where τ is the minimum delay amount of the delay device, i.e., the delay of the signal output from the first-stage photodiode to the RF signal output terminal in this embodiment, and nτ is the maximum delay amount of the delay device. The delay amount refers to the signal delay output by the nth-level photodiode to the RF signal output terminal. The total delay adjustment is defined as the difference between the maximum delay (i.e., the delay of the electrical signal output by the nth-level photodiode) and the minimum delay (the delay of the electrical signal output by the first-level photodiode), which is (n-1)τ. By increasing the number of photodiodes, the range of the total delay adjustment can be expanded. For example, the equivalent capacitance of a photodiode with a photosensitive surface diameter of 38um is about 120fF, and the delay step of the basic delay unit is about 6ps; a 32-level photodiode array provides a delay range of about 180ps, and a 64-level photodiode array provides a delay range of about 370ps.

[0128] In addition, the delay step can be controlled by designing different impedance networks. For example, the equivalent capacitance of a photodiode with a photosensitive surface diameter of 16um is about 60fF. The impedance of the basic delay unit is designed with a delay step of about 3ps when the impedance is 50ohm; the impedance of the basic delay unit is designed with a delay step of about 1.2ps when the impedance is 20ohm.

[0129] Alternatively, delay accuracy can be improved by using high-bandwidth photodiodes. For example, the equivalent capacitance of a broadband single-row carrier PD is about 20fF, and the basic delay unit is designed with a delay step of about 1ps based on 50ohm. The delay step is smaller and the accuracy is higher.

[0130] Alternatively, a photodiode or capacitor can be connected in series with each photodiode to further improve the delay accuracy. For example, the overall equivalent capacitance of a photodiode connected in series with another photodiode is about 10fF, and the impedance of the basic delay unit is designed according to 50Ω, with a delay adjustment step of about 0.5ps.

[0131] In one possible implementation, the delay device can also set an RF amplifier at the RF signal input terminal RF_input to amplify the RF signal; the delay device can also set an RF amplifier at the RF signal output terminal RF_output to amplify the delayed signal before outputting it.

[0132] In some possible implementations, a bias can also be set between the first-stage photodiode and the RF signal output terminal RF_output.

[0133] Based on the delay device provided in the foregoing embodiments, this application also provides a radio frequency transceiver device, which includes at least one radio frequency link. The at least one radio frequency link can be combined with an array antenna to realize a radio frequency phased array.

[0134] The radio frequency (RF) link includes a transmit channel and a receive channel, wherein the transmit channel and / or the receive channel are equipped with delay devices as provided in the foregoing embodiments. The delay devices are used to delay signals and can be located at different positions in the RF link. For example, a delay device can be located in the receive channel, or it can be located in the transmit channel, or both the transmit and receive channels can have delay devices. For ease of explanation, this application embodiment uses the example of both the transmit and receive channels being equipped with the aforementioned delay devices.

[0135] Taking the transmission channel as an example, it typically includes components such as an intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier, a mixer, and an radio frequency (RF) amplifier. The signal to be transmitted is processed by the IF amplifier, mixer, and RF amplifier before being transmitted through the antenna. Delay devices can be placed before or after the mixer, or they can also be applied to the local oscillator link of the mixer.

[0136] See Figure 12 In one possible implementation, the transmission channel includes an intermediate frequency amplifier, a mixer, a delay device, and a radio frequency amplifier. The transmission channel is used to process the signal to be transmitted. The signal to be transmitted passes through the intermediate frequency amplifier, the mixer, the delay device, and the radio frequency amplifier in sequence and is then transmitted through the antenna. The delay device is used to delay the mixed signal to be transmitted.

[0137] The receiving channel is used to process the signal received by the antenna. The receiving channel includes a low-noise amplifier, a delay device, a mixer, and an intermediate frequency amplifier. The signal received by the antenna passes through the low-noise amplifier, the delay device, the mixer, and the intermediate frequency amplifier in sequence. The delay device is used to delay the signal processed by the low-noise amplifier. The signal after delay processing is down-frequencyd to the intermediate frequency by the mixer and then amplified by the intermediate frequency amplifier.

[0138] For example, the transmitting channel and the receiving channel can be connected to different antennas, or the transmitting channel and the receiving channel can be connected to the same antenna through a duplexer.

[0139] See Figure 13In another possible implementation, the transmission channel includes an intermediate frequency amplifier, a delay device, a mixer, and an RF amplifier. The transmission channel is used to process the signal to be transmitted. The signal to be transmitted passes through the intermediate frequency amplifier, the delay device, the mixer, and the RF amplifier in sequence and is then transmitted through the antenna. The delay device is used to delay the intermediate frequency signal to be transmitted. The signal to be transmitted after the delay is up-frequencyed by the mixer to become an RF signal, and after being amplified by the RF amplifier, it is transmitted through the antenna.

[0140] The receiving channel processes the signal received by the antenna. It includes a low-noise amplifier, a mixer, a delay device, and an intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier. The signal received by the antenna passes sequentially through the low-noise amplifier, mixer, delay device, and IF amplifier. The mixer mixes the signal amplified by the low-noise amplifier, reducing the received signal to the IF frequency. The delay device delays the reduced IF signal, and the delayed signal is then amplified by the IF amplifier.

[0141] The examples above illustrate delay processing of the signal before mixing and delay processing of the signal after mixing. In one possible implementation, the local oscillator signal of the mixer can also be delayed.

[0142] See Figure 14 In another possible implementation, the transmission channel includes an intermediate frequency amplifier, a delay device, a mixer, and an RF amplifier. The transmission channel is used to process the signal to be transmitted. The delay device is used to output a delayed local oscillator signal to the mixer. The signal to be transmitted is amplified by the intermediate frequency amplifier. The amplified signal to be transmitted is mixed with the delayed local oscillator signal in the mixer. The mixed signal to be transmitted is amplified by the RF amplifier and then transmitted through the antenna.

[0143] The receiving channel is used to process the signals received by the antenna. The receiving channel includes a low-noise amplifier, a mixer, a delay device, and an intermediate frequency amplifier. The delay device is used to output the delayed local oscillator signal to the mixer. The radio frequency signal received by the antenna is amplified by the low-noise amplifier and then mixed with the delayed local oscillator signal in the mixer. The frequency is down-converted to the intermediate frequency and output as an intermediate frequency signal. The intermediate frequency signal is amplified by the intermediate frequency amplifier.

[0144] For example, the aforementioned delay device can be the aforementioned Figures 5-10 The delay device provided in any of the embodiments is described below. Furthermore, this application describes an example where both the transmit and receive channels are equipped with delay devices; however, in other possible implementations, only the transmit channel or only the receive channel may have a delay device. Additionally, the positions of the delay devices in the transmit and receive channels may differ; for example, in the transmit channel, the delay device may be positioned before mixing, while in the receive channel, the delay device may be positioned after mixing.

[0145] The radio frequency transceiver device provided in this application uses a true delay network constructed with low-cost light sources and photodiodes to achieve signal delay, which can reduce the implementation cost and complexity of phased arrays and realize a broadband true delay phased array system.

[0146] The above embodiments are illustrated by taking the example of setting a delay device in the transmit or receive channel of the radio frequency transceiver. In some possible implementations, multiple delay devices may also be set in the transmit or receive channel. For example, the radio frequency transceiver includes at least one radio frequency link, which includes a transmit channel and a receive channel, and the transmit channel and / or receive channel are configured as described above. Figures 5-10 The delay device provided in any embodiment.

[0147] The radio frequency transceiver includes one or more radio frequency links, each including a transmit channel and a receive channel. The transmit channel is used to process the signal to be transmitted. (See also...) Figure 15 The transmission channel includes a first intermediate frequency amplifier, a first delay device, a second intermediate frequency amplifier, a mixer, a second delay device, and a radio frequency amplifier; the signal to be transmitted passes sequentially through the first intermediate frequency amplifier, the first delay device, the second intermediate frequency amplifier, the mixer, the second delay device, and the radio frequency amplifier; the first delay device and the second delay device are as described above. Figures 5-10 The delay device provided in any embodiment.

[0148] In one possible implementation, the transmit channel may further include a third delay device, which is used to output a delayed local oscillator signal to the mixer. The third delay device may be as described above. Figures 5-10 The delay device provided in any embodiment.

[0149] The receiving channel is used to process the signal received by the antenna. The receiving channel includes a low-noise amplifier, a second delay device, a mixer, a second intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier, a first delay device, and a first IF amplifier. The signal received by the antenna passes sequentially through the low-noise amplifier, the second delay device, the mixer, the second IF amplifier, the first delay device, and the first IF amplifier. The first delay device and the second delay device are as described above. Figures 5-10 The delay device provided in any embodiment.

[0150] In one possible implementation, the receiving channel may further include a third delay device, which is used to output a delayed local oscillator signal to the mixer. The third delay device may be as described above. Figures 5-10 The delay device provided in any embodiment.

[0151] As mentioned in the previous example, the transmitting channel and the receiving channel can both be equipped with delay devices, or only the transmitting channel can be equipped with delay devices, or only the receiving channel can be equipped with delay devices.

[0152] In this embodiment, the delay device operating at low frequency has a wider delay adjustment range and can achieve lower adjustment accuracy, while the delay device operating at high frequency has a smaller delay adjustment range and higher adjustment accuracy. For example, in the transmitting and receiving channels, the delay adjustment step size of the first delay device is larger than that of the second delay device, and the delay adjustment step size is the difference in delay between the electrical signals output by two adjacent photodiodes. The delay adjustment step size of the first delay device is less than or equal to the total delay adjustment amount of the second delay device, which is the difference between the delay of the electrical signal output by the first-stage photodiode and the delay of the electrical signal output by the nth-stage photodiode. This configuration improves both the adjustable range and the accuracy of signal delay adjustment. The larger delay adjustment step size of the first delay device allows for coarse adjustment, while the smaller delay adjustment step size of the second delay device allows for fine adjustment. By combining the first and second delay devices to adjust the signal delay, a wide range and high precision adjustment can be achieved.

[0153] Based on the basic principles of the delay devices provided in the foregoing embodiments, this application also provides a delay network, combined with... Figure 16 The delay network includes M RF signal input terminals, M light-emitting components, an optical path adjustment component (not shown in the figure), N photodiode array components, and N RF signal output terminals, where M and N are positive integers greater than 1.

[0154] Each light-emitting component corresponds to a radio frequency (RF) signal input terminal. For example, light-emitting component 1 is connected to the RF signal input terminal RF_input1, and light-emitting component M is connected to the RF signal input terminal RF_inputM. The light-emitting components are used to output modulated light signals according to the RF signals received by the corresponding RF signal input terminals.

[0155] Each photodiode array component corresponds to a radio frequency (RF) signal output terminal. For example, photodiode array component 1 is connected to the RF signal output terminal RF_output1, photodiode array component 2 is connected to the RF signal output terminal RF_output2, and photodiode array component N is connected to the RF signal output terminal RF_outputN.

[0156] The photodiode array assembly includes an impedance device, n photodiodes, and n+1 inductor circuits, where n is an integer greater than 1. The n photodiodes are cascaded, with the first electrode of the first-stage photodiode coupled to the RF signal output terminal through an inductor circuit. An inductor circuit is placed between the first electrodes of any two adjacent photodiode stages. The first electrode of the nth-stage photodiode is also grounded through an inductor circuit and an impedance device. The second electrode of each stage photodiode is grounded. When the photodiode is illuminated, it outputs an electrical signal to the RF signal output terminal. The delay of the electrical signal output by different stages of photodiodes is different.

[0157] The photodiode array assembly provided in this application embodiment is similar to the aforementioned... Figures 5-10 The structure and principle of the photodiode array assembly provided in the illustrated embodiment are the same, and will not be repeated in the embodiments of this application. For details, please refer to the content of the foregoing embodiments.

[0158] The modulated light output by the light-emitting component is angled by the optical path adjustment component to illuminate the target photodiodes in the target photodiode array assembly. The target photodiode array assembly includes one or more photodiode array components, and the target photodiodes include one or more photodiodes. That is, the modulated light output by each light-emitting component can illuminate one or more photodiode array components, and each photodiode array component is connected to a corresponding radio frequency (RF) signal output terminal, thereby enabling the output of one or more delayed signals. Furthermore, within the photodiode array assembly, the modulated light output by the light-emitting component can illuminate one or more photodiodes, and these photodiodes, after being illuminated, output delayed signals to the RF signal output terminal.

[0159] Each light-emitting component corresponds to a radio frequency (RF) signal input terminal. The light-emitting unit in the light-emitting component outputs a modulated light signal according to the RF signal received by the corresponding RF signal input terminal. The light emitted by the light-emitting component illuminates one or more photodiode array components, thereby outputting one or more delayed signals. The delay network includes multiple light-emitting components, and the light emitted by each light-emitting component can illuminate one or more photodiode array components, thereby outputting one or more delayed signals.

[0160] For a delay network comprising M light-emitting components and N photodiode array components, the N RF signal output terminals can output a maximum of N×M delayed signals, where each RF signal output terminal can output multiple delayed signals.

[0161] In one possible implementation, combining Figure 17The light-emitting component includes a power divider and multiple light-emitting units. The power divider is used to distribute the received radio frequency signal to each light-emitting unit. The light emitted by the multiple light-emitting units is adjusted at an angle by the optical path adjustment component to illuminate the target photodiode in the target photodiode array component.

[0162] For example, the number of light-emitting units can be the same as the number of photodiode array components, so that the light emitted by each light-emitting unit can illuminate a target photodiode component. The radio frequency signal received by a radio frequency signal input terminal is delayed and then output through the radio frequency signal output terminal corresponding to the target photodiode component.

[0163] In one possible implementation, combining Figure 18 The light-emitting component comprises multiple light-emitting units connected in series. The light emitted by these units is angled by an optical path adjustment component to illuminate the target photodiode in the target photodiode array component. Connecting multiple light-emitting units in series eliminates the need for a power divider, thus simplifying the light source structure.

[0164] For example, the number of light-emitting units can be the same as the number of photodiode array components, so that the light emitted by each light-emitting unit can illuminate a target photodiode component. The radio frequency signal received by a radio frequency signal input terminal is delayed and then output through the radio frequency signal output terminal corresponding to the target photodiode component.

[0165] In one possible implementation, combining Figure 19 The light-emitting component includes a light-emitting unit and a beam splitter. The beam splitter is used to split the light emitted by the light-emitting unit. The light split by the beam splitter is adjusted at an angle by the optical path adjustment component to illuminate the target photodiode in the target photodiode array component. The scheme of splitting the light emitted by the light-emitting unit by the beam splitter also eliminates the need for a power divider, thereby simplifying the light source structure.

[0166] For example, the number of beams obtained by the beam splitter can be the same as the number of photodiode array components, so that each beam can illuminate a target photodiode component. The radio frequency signal received by a radio frequency signal input terminal is delayed and then output through the radio frequency signal output terminal corresponding to the target photodiode component.

[0167] The aforementioned optical path adjustment components may include a galvanometer assembly, see reference. Figure 20 , Figure 20 A schematic diagram of a delay network is shown. Specifically, each light-emitting unit is provided with a mirror, which can reflect the light emitted by the light-emitting unit to illuminate the target photodiode in the target photodiode array assembly.

[0168] Alternatively, a galvanometer can be provided for each beam splitter or beam, which can reflect the light emitted by the light-emitting unit to illuminate the target photodiode in the target photodiode array assembly.

[0169] For the photodiodes in the photodiode array assembly, a large field-of-view hemispherical lens can be set accordingly to improve the light collection efficiency of the photodiodes.

[0170] As mentioned in the foregoing embodiments, the number of photodiodes in a photodiode assembly affects the range of delay adjustment. In one possible implementation, to increase the range of delay adjustment, the number of photodiodes in the photodiode array assembly can be multiplied, for example, by... Figure 21 Taking the delay network shown as an example, the number of photodiodes in the expanded photodiode array is three times the number of photodiodes before expansion, so the delay adjustment amount can also be increased accordingly.

[0171] This application also provides a radio frequency transceiver device, including a transmitting channel and a receiving channel, wherein the transmitting channel and / or the receiving channel are provided with a delay network; the delay network includes multiple radio frequency signal input terminals, a delay device and multiple radio frequency signal output terminals, wherein the signal received by the first input terminal among the multiple input terminals is processed by the delay device and then outputs a delayed signal through at least one of the multiple output terminals, and the delay of the delayed signals output by different output terminals is the same or different.

[0172] For example, the delay network described above can be as follows: Figures 16-21 The delay network shown.

[0173] In one possible implementation, a delay network can be set in either the transmit channel or the receive channel. It should be noted that the radio frequency transceiver can set a delay network in the transmit channel, or in the receive channel, or simultaneously in both the transmit and receive channels.

[0174] For example, see Figure 22 Taking the transmission channel as an example, the transmission channel is used to process multiple signals to be transmitted, such as a first signal to be transmitted and a second signal to be transmitted. The transmission channel includes a delay network and multiple radio frequency amplifiers. The first signal to be transmitted is processed by the delay network in the transmission channel and outputs multiple delayed signals, which are amplified by radio frequency amplifiers respectively.

[0175] Taking the first signal to be transmitted as an example, the first signal to be transmitted passes through an intermediate frequency amplifier and a mixer in sequence, and then is processed by a delay network. The delay network can delay the first signal to be transmitted and output the delayed signal. For example, it can output three delayed signals. The first delayed signal passes through an RF amplifier PA1 and is then transmitted through an antenna; the second delayed signal passes through an RF amplifier PA2 and is then transmitted through an antenna; and the third delayed signal passes through an RF amplifier PA3 and is then transmitted through an antenna.

[0176] For the receiving channel, the receiving channel is used to process multiple signals received by the antenna; the receiving channel includes a delay network and multiple low-noise amplifiers; the multiple signals received by the antenna are amplified by multiple low-noise amplifiers respectively, and the first signal among the multiple signals received by the antenna passes through the low-noise amplifier and the delay network in sequence; the delay network in the receiving channel processes the first signal and outputs multiple delayed signals, and the multiple delayed signals pass through a mixer and an intermediate frequency amplifier respectively for subsequent processing.

[0177] In the example above, the network is positioned between the mixer and the antenna. In some other possible implementations, the network can also be positioned between the mixer and the intermediate frequency amplifier.

[0178] See Figure 23 Multiple delay networks can be set in the transmit or receive channel. Taking the transmit channel as an example, the transmit channel includes a first delay network and a second delay network. The first delay network is set between the intermediate frequency amplifier and the mixer; the second delay network is set between the mixer and the radio frequency amplifier.

[0179] For the receiving channel, the receiving channel includes a first delay network and a second delay network, wherein the first delay network is disposed between the mixer and the intermediate frequency amplifier, and the second delay network is disposed between the low noise amplifier and the mixer.

[0180] Similarly, in the embodiments of this application, the delay network operating at low frequency has a larger delay adjustment range and can have lower adjustment accuracy, while the delay network operating at high frequency has a smaller delay adjustment range and higher adjustment accuracy; for example, in the transmit and receive channels, the delay adjustment step size of the first delay network is larger than the delay adjustment step size of the second delay network.

[0181] The principle of delay networks has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0182] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned Figures 5-10 The example shown provides a delay device and Figures 16-21 The example shown provides a delayed network combination application.

[0183] For example, see Figure 24 Taking the transmit channel of a radio frequency transceiver as an example, the aforementioned settings can be configured before mixing. Figures 5-10 The delay device provided in the illustrated embodiment is configured as described above after mixing. Figures 16-21 The example shown provides a delay network.

[0184] Alternatively, settings can be configured before mixing as described above. Figures 16-21 The delay network provided in the illustrated embodiment is configured as described above after mixing. Figures 5-10 The delay device provided in the illustrated embodiment.

[0185] Alternatively, the mixing link can be configured as described above. Figures 5-10 The example shown provides a delay device that can be used to output a delayed local oscillator signal to a mixer.

[0186] In the delay devices and delay networks provided in the foregoing embodiments, structures such as light-emitting components and photodiode array components can be integrated, for example, located in the same active antenna unit (AAU) device, or they can be located in multiple different independent devices.

[0187] The foregoing examples use a radio frequency (RF) transceiver as an example to describe the delay devices or delay networks configured therein. The RF transceiver includes a transmit channel and a receive channel. This application also provides an RF receiver, which includes only a receive channel, and this receive channel may be configured with the delay devices or delay networks provided in the foregoing embodiments. This application also provides an RF transmitter, which includes only a transmit channel, and this transmit channel may be configured with the delay devices or delay networks provided in the foregoing embodiments.

[0188] This application also provides a communication device, such as a communication device that can be as follows: Figure 1 , Figure 2 The network equipment, terminal equipment, and other communication devices shown herein include a delay device and an antenna. The antenna is used to transmit signals processed by the delay device, or the delay device is used to process signals received by the antenna. The delay device can be one of the aforementioned... Figures 5-10 The delay device shown, or as Figures 16-21 The delay network shown.

[0189] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A delay device, characterized in that, include: Radio frequency signal input terminal, light-emitting component, photodiode array component and radio frequency signal output terminal; The light-emitting component includes one or more light-emitting units, which are used to output modulated light signals according to the radio frequency signals received by the radio frequency signal input terminal; The photodiode array assembly includes an impedance device, n photodiodes, and n+1 inductor circuits, where n is an integer greater than 1. The n photodiodes are cascaded, wherein the first electrode of the first-stage photodiode is coupled to the radio frequency signal output terminal through one of the inductor circuits, and an inductor circuit is provided between the first electrodes of any two adjacent photodiodes. The first electrode of the nth-stage photodiode is also grounded through one of the inductor circuits and the impedance device, and the second electrode of each stage of the photodiode is grounded. When the photodiode is illuminated by the light emitted by the light-emitting unit, it outputs an electrical signal to the radio frequency signal output terminal. The delay of the electrical signal output by different levels of the photodiode is different.

2. The delay device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-emitting component includes multiple light-emitting units, and the target light-emitting unit among the multiple light-emitting units is used to output a modulated light signal to illuminate the target photodiode in the photodiode array component; The target light-emitting unit includes one or more of the light-emitting units; The target photodiode includes one or more of the aforementioned photodiodes.

3. The delay device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The delay device further includes a switch array, which is disposed between the radio frequency signal input terminal and the plurality of light-emitting units. The switch array is used to select the target light-emitting unit among the plurality of light-emitting units to be connected according to a control signal.

4. The delay device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-emitting component includes a light-emitting unit; The delay device further includes an optical path adjustment component, which includes at least one reflector. The reflector is used to adjust the light emission direction of the light-emitting unit so that the light emitted by the light-emitting unit illuminates the target photodiode in the photodiode array component.

5. The delay device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The optical path adjustment assembly includes a first reflector and a second reflector; The first reflector is used to reflect the light emitted by the light-emitting unit onto the second reflector; The second reflector moves to reflect the light emitted by the light-emitting unit to the target photodiode.

6. The delay device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The plurality of photodiodes includes a first photodiode and a second photodiode. The optical path length of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit to the first photodiode after passing through the first reflector and the second reflector is the same as that to the second photodiode.

7. The delay device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The multiple photodiodes are arranged in an arc shape; The optical path adjustment assembly includes a first reflector and a second reflector. The first reflector rotates to adjust the emission direction of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit so as to illuminate different positions of the second reflector. The second reflector is used to reflect the light emitted by the light-emitting unit to the target photodiode.

8. The delay device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The axis of rotation of the first reflector is located at the center of the arc formed by the arrangement of the photodiodes.

9. The delay device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The light-emitting unit includes a light emitter and a collimating lens; The light emitter is used to output a modulated optical signal according to the radio frequency signal; The collimating lens is used to collimate the light emitted by the light emitter.

10. The delay device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The light-emitting unit includes multiple light emitters and multiple collimating lenses, with each collimating lens corresponding to one of the light emitters. The plurality of light emitters are connected in series, and the collimating lens is used to collimate the light emitted by the light emitters; The light emitted by the plurality of light emitters illuminates the same photodiode.

11. The delay device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The photodiode array assembly also includes multiple light-collecting lenses, with one light-collecting lens corresponding to each photodiode.

12. A radio frequency transceiver, characterized in that, It includes at least one radio frequency link, which includes a transmit channel and a receive channel; The transmit channel and / or the receive channel are provided with a delay device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The radio frequency transceiver according to claim 12, characterized in that, The transmission channel is used to process the signal to be transmitted. The transmission channel includes an intermediate frequency amplifier, a mixer, the delay device, and a radio frequency amplifier. The signal to be transmitted passes through the intermediate frequency amplifier, the mixer, the delay device, and the radio frequency amplifier in sequence.

14. The radio frequency transceiver according to claim 12, characterized in that, The transmission channel is used to process the signal to be transmitted. The transmission channel includes an intermediate frequency amplifier, the delay device, the mixer, and the radio frequency amplifier. The signal to be transmitted passes through the intermediate frequency amplifier, the delay device, the mixer, and the radio frequency amplifier in sequence.

15. The radio frequency transceiver according to claim 12, characterized in that, The transmit channel mixer and the delay device are described, wherein the delay device is used to output a delayed local oscillator signal to the mixer.

16. The radio frequency transceiver according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, The receiving channel is used to process the signal received by the antenna. The receiving channel includes a low-noise amplifier, the delay device, the mixer and the intermediate frequency amplifier. The signal received by the antenna passes through the low-noise amplifier, the delay device, the mixer and the intermediate frequency amplifier in sequence.

17. The radio frequency transceiver according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, The receiving channel is used to process the signal received by the antenna. The receiving channel includes a low-noise amplifier, a mixer, the delay device, and an intermediate frequency amplifier. The signal received by the antenna passes through the low-noise amplifier, the mixer, the delay device, and the intermediate frequency amplifier in sequence.

18. The radio frequency transceiver according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, The receiving channel includes a mixer and the delay device, wherein the delay device is used to output a delayed local oscillator signal to the mixer.

19. A radio frequency transceiver, characterized in that, It includes at least one radio frequency link, which includes a transmit channel and a receive channel; The transmit channel and / or the receive channel are provided with a plurality of delay devices as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

20. The radio frequency transceiver according to claim 19, characterized in that, The transmission channel is used to process the signal to be transmitted, and the transmission channel includes a first intermediate frequency amplifier, a first delay device, a second intermediate frequency amplifier, a mixer, a second delay device, and a radio frequency amplifier; The signal to be transmitted passes sequentially through the first intermediate frequency amplifier, the first delay device, the second intermediate frequency amplifier, the mixer, the second delay device, and the radio frequency amplifier; The first delay device and the second delay device are delay devices as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

21. The radio frequency transceiver according to claim 19, characterized in that, The receiving channel is used to process the signal received by the antenna, and the receiving channel includes a low-noise amplifier, a second delay device, a mixer, a second intermediate frequency amplifier, a first delay device, and a first intermediate frequency amplifier; The signal received by the antenna passes sequentially through the low-noise amplifier, the second delay device, the mixer, the second intermediate frequency amplifier, the first delay device, and the first intermediate frequency amplifier; The first delay device and the second delay device are delay devices as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

22. The radio frequency transceiver according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The delay adjustment step size of the first delay device is larger than that of the second delay device, and the delay adjustment step size is the difference in delay between the electrical signals output by the two adjacent photodiodes.

23. The radio frequency transceiver according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The delay adjustment step size of the first delay device is less than or equal to the total delay adjustment amount of the second delay device, wherein the total delay adjustment amount is the difference between the delay of the electrical signal output by the first-stage photodiode and the delay of the electrical signal output by the nth-stage photodiode.

24. A delay network, characterized in that, include: M radio frequency signal input terminals and M light-emitting components; Optical path adjustment components; N photodiode array components and N radio frequency signal output terminals, where M and N are positive integers greater than 1; Each of the light-emitting components corresponds to a radio frequency signal input terminal, and the light-emitting component is used to output a modulated light signal according to the radio frequency signal received by the radio frequency signal input terminal corresponding to the light-emitting component; The photodiode array assembly corresponds one-to-one with the radio frequency signal output terminal. The photodiode array assembly includes an impedance device, n photodiodes, and n+1 inductor circuits, where n is an integer greater than 1. The n photodiodes are cascaded, wherein the first electrode of the first-stage photodiode is coupled to the radio frequency signal output terminal through one of the inductor circuits, and an inductor circuit is set between the first electrodes of any two adjacent photodiodes. The first electrode of the nth-stage photodiode is also grounded through one of the inductor circuits and the impedance device. The second electrode of each stage photodiode is grounded. After being irradiated by light, the photodiode outputs an electrical signal to the radio frequency signal output terminal. The delay of the electrical signal output by the photodiodes of different stages is different. The light emitted by the light-emitting component is angled by the optical path adjustment component to illuminate the target photodiode in the target photodiode array assembly, wherein the target photodiode array assembly includes at least one photodiode array assembly, and the target photodiode includes at least one photodiode.

25. The delay network according to claim 24, characterized in that, The light-emitting component includes a power divider and multiple light-emitting units. The power divider is used to distribute the received radio frequency signal to each of the light-emitting units. The light emitted by the plurality of light-emitting units is angled by the optical path adjustment component to illuminate the target photodiode in the target photodiode array component.

26. The delay network according to claim 24, characterized in that, The light-emitting component includes multiple light-emitting units connected in series. The light emitted by the multiple light-emitting units is angled by the optical path adjustment component to illuminate the target photodiode in the target photodiode array component.

27. The delay network according to claim 24, characterized in that, The light-emitting component includes a light-emitting unit and a beam splitter, wherein the beam splitter is used to split the light emitted by the light-emitting unit into beams; The beam split by the beam splitter is angled by the optical path adjustment component to illuminate the target photodiode in the target photodiode array component.

28. A radio frequency transceiver, characterized in that, It includes a transmission channel and a reception channel, wherein the transmission channel and / or the reception channel are equipped with a delay network; The delay network includes multiple radio frequency signal input terminals, delay devices, and multiple radio frequency signal output terminals. The signal received by the first input terminal is processed by the delay device and then output as a delayed signal through at least one of the multiple output terminals. The delay of the delayed signals output by different output terminals may be the same or different.

29. The radio frequency transceiver according to claim 28, characterized in that, The delay network is the delay network as described in any one of claims 24 to 28.

30. The radio frequency transceiver according to claim 29, characterized in that, The transmission channel is used to process multiple signals to be transmitted; The transmission channel includes a delay network and multiple radio frequency amplifiers; The first signal to be transmitted among the plurality of signals to be transmitted is processed by the delay network and outputs a plurality of delayed signals, which are amplified by the radio frequency amplifier respectively.

31. The radio frequency transceiver according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that, The receiving channel is used to process multiple signals received by the antenna; The receiving channel includes a delay network and multiple low-noise amplifiers; The multiple signals received by the antenna are amplified by the multiple low-noise amplifiers, and the first signal among the multiple signals received by the antenna passes through the low-noise amplifier and the delay network in sequence. The delay network processes the first signal and outputs multiple delayed signals.

32. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a delay device and an antenna. The antenna is used to transmit a signal processed by the delay device, or the delay device is used to process a signal received by the antenna. The delay device is the delay device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or the delay network as described in any one of claims 24 to 27.

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