Wireless relay device and wireless relay system

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a wireless repeater capable of coping with two or more kinds of orthogonal polarizations, such as common vertical / horizontal polarizations and common + / -45-degree polarizations, using the same antenna design and antenna components. The wireless repeater includes a first antenna and a second antenna corresponding to two polarizations having different polarization planes, and a substrate portion. The wireless repeater is further provided with a polarization rotation mechanism that rotates the first antenna and the second antenna by 45 degrees or more.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to wireless repeaters and wireless repeater systems, and particularly to the polarization setting of antennas in millimeter-wave wireless repeaters and the like, which are built into 5G standards. Background Technology

[0002] In standards such as 5G, as the frequency used for communication increases, the straightness of radio waves increases. If there are buildings or other structures between the base station and the communication terminal, communication based on radio waves becomes difficult. Therefore, wireless repeaters are mostly used.

[0003] The wireless repeater consists of a donor unit that transmits / receives with a base station (BS) and a service unit that transmits / receives with a terminal (UE), and is used in situations where a wireless link between a base station and a terminal cannot be directly established due to obstacles, etc. (Patent Document 1).

[0004] In patent document 1 ( Figure 4 An example of the structure of a wireless repeater is shown in (etc.).

[0005] In wireless repeaters, particularly on the donor antenna side, the design enables the beam to be directed toward the base station by using an array antenna structure (Patent Document 1).

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-67016 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0010] In 5G standard millimeter-wave mobile communication systems, such as wireless repeaters, both the BS and UE use two antennas to form a two-path wireless link for MIMO communication. Typically, the two antennas are orthogonally dual-polarized. This orthogonal dual-polarization is shared vertical / horizontal polarization, i.e., shared VH polarization, and shared ±45° polarization.

[0011] To enable MIMO communication with a repeater, orthogonal dual polarization is required in the wireless repeater. Specifically, the base station (BS) may have two configurations: vertical / horizontal polarization sharing and ±45° polarization sharing.

[0012] When using a conventional polarization-shared antenna, the repeater requires the design of two types of antennas. Specifically, since the 5G wireless repeater is a subordinate device positioned between the base station and the terminal, its built-in antenna needs to be configured to match the polarization plane of the base station. However, currently used 5G millimeter-wave base station devices use either VH polarization-shared or ±45° polarization-shared antennas, requiring separate designs for each.

[0013] Therefore, antenna design takes twice as long. In addition, the cost of materials manufacturing also doubles.

[0014] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a wireless repeater that can use the same antenna design and antenna components to cope with two or more orthogonal polarizations, such as vertical / horizontal polarization sharing and ±45° polarization sharing.

[0015] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a wireless repeater with a switch or polarization surface discrimination system that can identify the polarization surface of the wireless repeater, making it easy to set the antenna power supply conditions.

[0016] Other objectives of the present invention are also described in the specific embodiments.

[0017] Solution for solving the problem

[0018] A wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first antenna and a second antenna with two polarizations corresponding to each other with different polarization surfaces; and a substrate portion, and is equipped with a polarization rotation mechanism that rotates the first antenna and the second antenna by more than 45°.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless repeater is provided, wherein a first antenna and a second antenna are arranged in substantially the same plane, i.e., an antenna plane, and the first antenna and the second antenna rotate within the antenna plane.

[0020] According to any of the above-mentioned wireless repeaters, the first antenna and the second antenna have an orthogonal rotation-maintaining part that rotates while maintaining a 90° angle difference.

[0021] According to any one of the wireless repeaters described above, the polarization rotation mechanism of the present invention has a first polarization rotation part that rotates a first antenna and a second polarization rotation part that rotates a second antenna.

[0022] According to any one of the wireless repeaters described above, the wireless repeater has a common polarization rotating part that rotates the first polarization rotating part and the second polarization rotating part.

[0023] According to any one of the wireless repeaters described above, a first connector is provided on the back side and approximately at the center of a first antenna, the first antenna rotating about the first connector; a second connector is provided on the back side and approximately at the center of a second antenna, the second antenna rotating about the second connector.

[0024] According to any one of the wireless repeaters described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, a first antenna and a second antenna are integrally formed, and a polarization rotation mechanism causes the first antenna and the second antenna to rotate simultaneously.

[0025] According to any one of the wireless repeaters described above, a housing portion is provided between the antenna plane and the substrate portion, and the housing portion has a metal portion.

[0026] According to any one of the wireless repeaters described above, the wireless repeater has a polarization plane discrimination unit, which includes: a polarization plane identification unit for identifying the polarization planes of a first antenna and a second antenna; and a power supply condition selection unit for selecting the power supply conditions of the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0027] According to any one of the wireless repeaters described above, the polarization plane discrimination unit of the present invention has an electronic sensor unit.

[0028] According to any one of the wireless repeaters described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the polarization plane discrimination section is connected to the substrate section.

[0029] According to any one of the wireless repeaters described above, the polarization plane discrimination unit of an embodiment of the present invention is a physical switch.

[0030] According to any of the above-described wireless repeaters, the polarization plane discrimination unit is a single physical switch in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] According to any one of the wireless repeaters described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the polarization plane discrimination unit is connected to the first antenna or the second antenna.

[0032] A wireless relay system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a donor unit that transmits / receives electromagnetic waves with a base station antenna; a service unit that transmits / receives electromagnetic waves with a communication terminal; and a connection unit that connects the donor unit and the service unit, wherein at least one of the donor unit and the service unit has any of the aforementioned wireless repeaters.

[0033] Invention Effects

[0034] With the above structure, this invention allows for the use of antennas with the same design, even when the polarization plane of the base station is VH polarization or ±45° polarization, thus enabling cost advantages such as reduced design time and reduced mass production costs.

[0035] By designing the antenna section as described above, the same antenna design can be used for either VH polarization or ±45° polarization, resulting in cost advantages such as reduced design time and lower mass production costs. For example, in antennas used in 5G wireless repeaters attached to 5G base stations, designing the antenna and down-converter individually and appropriately can simplify the design and reduce mass production costs.

[0036] Furthermore, by utilizing the signal from the polarization surface discrimination unit, the power supply conditions for antennas such as array antennas can be set accurately.

[0037] Other effects of the present invention are also described in the specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 4 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 5 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 6 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 7 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 8 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 9 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 10 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 11 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 12 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 13 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 14 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 15 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 16 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 17 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 18 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Figure 19 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 20 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Figure 21 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0059] Figure 1 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] The wireless repeater 100 has a first antenna 110 and a second antenna 120 with two polarizations that are different from each other, and a substrate portion 140.

[0061] The substrate portion 140 of this embodiment has an up / down converter.

[0062] In addition, the wireless repeater 100 includes a polarization rotation mechanism 130 that rotates the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 by 90° or more. More preferably, the polarization rotation mechanism 130 is capable of rotating by 180° or more, or is capable of rotating without limitation.

[0063] Therefore, it can also handle two or more polarizations, such as VH polarization and ±45° polarization.

[0064] The substrate portion 140 is parallel to the antenna, but it can also be arranged vertically in a T-shape or the like.

[0065] In this embodiment, both the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 are designed with a single polarization, and the polarization is set according to the rotation angle. That is, the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 have the same design and can be set to any polarization angle.

[0066] In this embodiment, the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 are 28GHz band AiP (Antenna InPackage). An AiP is an antenna device that has an array antenna composed of multiple antenna elements and an IC containing a transmitting / receiving front end that can freely set the antenna power supply conditions (amplitude, phase) mounted on the same substrate.

[0067] like Figure 2 As shown, the first antenna 110 is configured horizontally to correspond to +45° polarization, and the second antenna 120 is configured horizontally to correspond to -45° polarization. In contrast, as... Figure 3 As shown, the first antenna 110 is configured at -45° to correspond to horizontal polarization, and the second antenna 120 is configured at +45° to correspond to vertical polarization. As described above, both a ±45° polarization shared structure and a V / H polarization shared structure can be achieved.

[0068] In this embodiment, the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120, i.e., the antenna section and the up / down converter section, i.e., the substrate section 140, are designed and manufactured separately, and each is provided with a high-frequency interface such as a coaxial connector.

[0069] Based on this structure, for example, it can also correspond to, as follows: Figure 4 As shown, where both the BS and UE use two orthogonal dual-polarized antennas for MIMO communication, the polarization setting of the antenna for the wireless repeater 100 in the millimeter-wave mobile communication system of the 28GHz band under the 5G standard also becomes easier.

[0070] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4 As described, the wireless relay device includes: a donor unit 12 that transmits / receives electromagnetic waves with a base station antenna 2; a service unit 13 that transmits / receives electromagnetic waves with a communication terminal 3; and a connection unit 11 that connects the donor unit 12 and the service unit 13.

[0071] Furthermore, at least one of the donor unit 12 and the service unit 13 has the aforementioned wireless repeater 100.

[0072] According to this structure, when both the base station and the terminal use two orthogonal dual-polarized antennas for MIMO communication, the same antenna design and components can also be used to cope with the orthogonal dual polarization.

[0073] The first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 can also be configured on different planes, but such as Figure 5 As described, it is also possible to configure the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 to be arranged in approximately the same plane, namely the antenna plane PA, and the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 to rotate within the antenna plane PA.

[0074] In addition, it is important to note that, Figure 5 In the diagram, the solid line representing the antenna plane PA, which is a horizontal line, is always used to represent the concept of the antenna plane PA, and is not an actual component.

[0075] In this embodiment, as Figure 6 As shown, the antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 are equipped with a first polarization rotating part 131 and a second polarization rotating part 132, and are structures that rotate independently of each other, but can also be rotated as shown in the diagram. Figure 7 As shown, the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 are configured to have an orthogonal rotating part 134 that rotates while maintaining a 90° angle difference.

[0076] It can handle both VH polarization and ±45° polarization in either case.

[0077] like Figure 8 As shown, it can also be configured to have a housing portion 150 between the antenna and the substrate portion 140, and the housing portion 150 has a metal portion 151.

[0078] In this embodiment, the housing portion 150 is a heat dissipation / shielding housing, and has an aluminum metal portion 151.

[0079] With this structure, heat dissipation is achieved by clamping the housing between the antenna and the substrate 140. In addition, EMC is achieved by shielding electromagnetic waves.

[0080] In this embodiment, the polarization rotation mechanism 130 has a first polarization rotation section 131 for rotating the first antenna 110 and a second polarization rotation section 132 for rotating the second antenna 120, but it can also be configured to have a common polarization rotation section 133 for rotating the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120.

[0081] Figure 9An example structure is shown below, in which the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 are arranged in approximately the same plane, namely the antenna plane PA, and the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 rotate within the antenna plane PA, a common polarization rotating part 133 is provided. In this structure, structural components can be reduced.

[0082] The common polarization rotating unit 133 can also be the first or the second polarization rotating unit 132. That is, it can also be a structure in which the second polarization rotating unit 132 automatically rotates the second antenna 120 according to the rotation of the first polarization rotating unit 131.

[0083] Figure 10 as well as Figure 11 This diagram illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the back surfaces of the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 are shown. In this embodiment, the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 are array antennas having four rows and four columns, totaling 16 antenna elements.

[0084] In this embodiment, the wireless repeater 100 has a first connector 111 on the back side and approximately at the center of the first antenna 110, and the first antenna 110 rotates about the first connector 111. Additionally, the wireless repeater 100 has a second connector 121 on the back side and approximately at the center of the second antenna 120, and the second antenna 120 rotates about the second connector 121.

[0085] In this embodiment, the coaxial connector, which serves as the interface for the antenna section, is located on the back and center of the antenna, so the antenna center remains unchanged even when rotated. Therefore, it exhibits excellent mechanical characteristics, thereby simplifying the antenna design.

[0086] Figure 12 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] The first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 are integrally formed, and the polarization rotation mechanism 130 causes the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 to rotate simultaneously.

[0088] In the wireless repeater 100, the power supply conditions of the antenna, i.e., the amplitude and phase settings, need to be changed according to the setting direction.

[0089] Figure 13 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] In this embodiment, the wireless repeater 100 has a polarization plane discrimination unit 160.

[0091] like Figure 14As shown, the polarization surface discrimination unit 160 includes a polarization surface recognition unit 170 for identifying the polarization surfaces of the first and second antennas 120, and a power supply condition selection unit 180 for selecting the power supply conditions of the antenna.

[0092] According to this structure, it can have the following functions: the polarization surfaces of the first and second antennas 120 can be identified by the polarization surface discrimination unit 160, and the power supply conditions of the antenna can be correctly selected.

[0093] Figure 15 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] In this embodiment, the polarization plane discrimination unit 160 includes an electronic sensor unit 161. The electronic sensor unit 161 in this embodiment is a semiconductor sensor. The sensor itself does not move, and the rotation state of the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 is determined by the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism according to the setting direction of the wireless repeater 100.

[0095] Figure 16 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] In this embodiment, the polarization surface discrimination section 160 is connected to the substrate section 140.

[0097] In this embodiment, the polarization plane discrimination unit 160 is connected to the substrate unit 140. That is, the position of the constituent components changes or remains unchanged corresponding to contact or non-contact from the outside, thereby determining the rotation state of the first antenna 110 and the second antenna 120 by the polarization rotation mechanism 130. The mechanism includes a plurality of switching units, at least a portion of which is turned on or off depending on the setting state.

[0098] In this embodiment, a direction-determining switch is provided at an appropriate location on the substrate portion 140, i.e., the up / down converter side, to determine the antenna's setting angle. The switch only needs to be, for example... Figure 17 The locations shown are individually situated in four different parts, which allows for identification.

[0099] By using a switch to identify the antenna's setting angle, it becomes easier to set the power supply conditions for the array antenna.

[0100] Figure 18 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] In this embodiment, the polarization plane discrimination unit 160 is a single physical switch 162.

[0102] In this embodiment, a single physical switch 162 has two states, and the antenna is rotated according to either state so that the antenna corresponds to either VH polarization or ±45° polarization.

[0103] Figure 19 and Figure 20 This section illustrates a structural example of the setting unit 190 of the aforementioned wireless repeater 100.

[0104] The setting part 190 has a recess for non-operation of the switch.

[0105] When the wireless repeater 100 is installed in the setting unit 190, if it is Figure 20 If the ground plane is as shown, then physical switch 162 will operate; however, if it is as shown... Figure 19 If the non-operating recess 191 is present as shown, the physical switch 162 will not operate. That is, when the wireless repeater 100 is placed in the setting section 190, the portion corresponding to the physical switch 162 has the non-operating recess 191, causing the physical switch 162 to not operate. Conversely, when the wireless repeater 100 is placed in the setting section 190, the portion corresponding to the physical switch 162 does not have the non-operating recess, and therefore the physical switch 162 operates.

[0106] Based on this structure, when it is desired to align the polarization surface with the VH direction, the following method is used: Figure 19 Such a setting 190, when it is desired that the polarization plane is ±45°, uses Figure 20 Such a setup unit 190 can handle both situations using the same wireless repeater 100, thereby reducing costs and minimizing human error during setup.

[0107] Figure 21 This illustrates a structural example of a wireless repeater 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] The polarization discrimination unit 160 is connected to the first antenna 110 or the second antenna 120.

[0109] According to this structure, the antenna can be rotated according to the signal from the antenna so that the antenna corresponds to either VH polarization or ±45° polarization.

[0110] like Figure 4 As shown, a wireless relay system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a donor unit 12 that transmits / receives electromagnetic waves with a base station antenna 2; a service unit 13 that transmits / receives electromagnetic waves with a communication terminal 3; and a connection unit 11 that connects the donor unit 12 and the service unit 13, wherein at least one of the donor unit 12 and the service unit 13 has any one of the aforementioned wireless repeaters 100.

[0111] Symbol Explanation

[0112] 1—Wireless repeater system, 2—Base station antenna, 3—Communication terminal, 11—Connection part, 12—Donor unit, 13—Service unit, 100—Wireless repeater, 110—First antenna, 111—First connector, 120—Second antenna, 121—Second connector, 130—Polarization rotation mechanism, 131—First polarization rotation part, 132—Second polarization rotation part, 133—Common polarization rotation part, 134—Orthogonal maintenance rotation part, 140—Substrate part, 150—Housing part, 151—Metal part, 160—Polarization surface discrimination part, 161—Electronic sensor part, 162—Physical switch, 170—Polarization surface identification part, 180—Power supply condition selection part, 190—Setting part, 191—Switch non-operation recess, PA—Antenna plane.

Claims

1. A wireless repeater, characterized in that, have: The first and second antennas correspond to two polarizations with different polarization surfaces; and substrate part, It is equipped with a polarization rotation mechanism that rotates the first antenna and the second antenna by more than 45°.

2. The wireless repeater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first antenna and the second antenna are configured in approximately the same plane, i.e., the antenna plane. The first antenna and the second antenna mentioned above rotate within the antenna plane.

3. The wireless repeater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first antenna and the second antenna mentioned above have an orthogonal rotation-maintaining part that rotates while maintaining a 90° angle difference.

4. The wireless repeater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The polarization rotation mechanism described above has a first polarization rotation part that rotates the first antenna and a second polarization rotation part that rotates the second antenna.

5. The wireless repeater according to claim 4, characterized in that, The wireless repeater described above has a common polarization rotating part that rotates the first polarization rotating part and the second polarization rotating part.

6. The wireless repeater according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first connector is located on the back side and approximately at the center of the aforementioned first antenna, and the first antenna rotates about the first connector. On the back side and approximately at the center of the aforementioned second antenna, there is a second connector, and the aforementioned second antenna rotates about the aforementioned second connector.

7. The wireless repeater according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first antenna and the second antenna are integrally formed, and the polarization rotation mechanism causes the first antenna and the second antenna to rotate simultaneously.

8. The wireless repeater according to claim 2, characterized in that, A housing portion is provided between the antenna plane and the substrate portion. The aforementioned housing portion has a metal portion.

9. The wireless repeater according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The aforementioned wireless repeater has a polarization plane discrimination unit. The above-mentioned polarization surface discriminant has: A polarization surface identification unit that identifies the polarization surfaces of the first antenna and the second antenna; and The power supply condition selection unit selects the power supply conditions for the first antenna and the second antenna mentioned above.

10. The wireless repeater according to claim 9, characterized in that, The aforementioned polarization surface discrimination unit includes an electronic sensor unit.

11. The wireless repeater according to claim 9, characterized in that, The polarization surface discrimination section is connected to the substrate section.

12. The wireless repeater according to claim 11, characterized in that, The aforementioned polarization surface discriminant is a physical switch.

13. The wireless repeater according to claim 11, characterized in that, The aforementioned polarization surface discriminant is a single physical switch.

14. The wireless repeater according to claim 9, characterized in that, The polarization discrimination unit is connected to the first antenna or the second antenna.

15. A wireless relay system, characterized in that, have: Donor unit, which transmits / receives electromagnetic waves with base station antenna; The service unit transmits / receives electromagnetic waves with the communication terminal; and The connecting part connects the donor unit and the service unit. At least one of the donor unit and the service unit described above possesses the wireless repeater as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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