Communication methods and devices

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can increase the amount of information transmitted in a signal. The communication apparatus may include: a first switching unit, a second switching unit, a clock control unit, and an antenna unit; the first switching unit and the second switching unit are used to switch to conduct the antenna unit and either the transmit link or the receive link based on the control of the clock control unit, wherein the clock frequency of the clock control unit is greater than the maximum bandwidth of the signals transmitted in the transmit link and the receive link.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Current wireless communication technology faces the challenge of continuously increasing data transmission speeds and the technical demands of multi-user transmission. Based on this, existing communication devices can communicate through time-division multiplexing, same-frequency, and all-antenna operation modes. Time-division multiplexing means that the transmission and reception times of the communication device do not overlap; same-frequency means that the transmitted and received signals occupy all bandwidths of the spectrum or have overlapping bandwidths; and all-antenna operation means that the communication device can utilize all antennas for both transmission and reception.

[0003] For example, an existing communication device may include a switching device, a clock control device, and an antenna device. The switching device, based on the control of the clock control device, activates the transmit link and the antenna device in at least one consecutive clock cycle to realize the signal transmission process; and activates the receive link and the antenna device in at least one subsequent consecutive clock cycle to realize the signal reception process.

[0004] However, due to the time division of existing communication devices for transmitting and receiving signals, the amount of information transmitted is relatively small. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can increase the amount of information transmitted in a signal.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which may include: a first switching unit, a second switching unit, a clock control unit, and an antenna unit; the first switching unit and the second switching unit are used to switch to conduct the antenna unit and the transmit link or the receive link based on the control of the clock control unit, wherein the clock frequency of the clock control unit is greater than the maximum bandwidth of the signal transmitted in the transmit link and the receive link.

[0007] In the prior art, a communication device may include a switching device, a clock control device, and an antenna device. The switching device, based on the control of the clock control device, conducts the transmission link and the antenna device for at least one consecutive clock cycle to realize the signal transmission process; and conducts the receiving link and the antenna device for at least one consecutive clock cycle in the following period to realize the signal reception process.

[0008] However, due to the time division of existing communication devices for transmitting and receiving signals—for example, transmitting a signal within 7 clock cycles and receiving a signal within 3 clock cycles, i.e., the ratio of the clock cycles for transmitting to receiving signals is 7:3—the amount of information transmitted is only 7 parts, and the amount of information received is only 3 parts. Therefore, the amount of information transmitted is relatively small.

[0009] The communication device provided in this application embodiment has a clock control unit equipped with a high-speed clock, meaning the clock frequency is greater than the maximum bandwidth of the signals transmitted in the transmitting and receiving links. This allows the first and second switching units to complete one switching process within one clock cycle. In other words, the clock control unit can control the switches to be in two different connection states within one clock cycle, thereby enabling both signal transmission and reception within that clock cycle. For example, if the signal is transmitted first and then received in each of 10 clock cycles (i.e., the ratio of the clock cycles for transmission and reception is 10:10), then the amount of information transmitted and received is 10 times the amount of information received. Therefore, the amount of information transmitted is increased, and no information is lost.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the first switching unit and the second switching unit are specifically used to turn on the antenna unit and the transmit link in a first time period and the antenna unit and the receive link in a second time period based on the control of the clock control unit, wherein the first clock period includes the first time period and the second time period, and the first clock period is obtained based on the clock frequency.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the device further includes a baseband processing unit, the first switching unit includes N first switches, and the second switching unit includes N second switches, where N is an integer greater than 0; wherein, the N output terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the N first switches, the N input terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the N first switches, the common terminal of the N first switches is respectively connected to the common terminal of the N second switches, and the first connection terminals and the second connection terminals of the N second switches are connected to the antenna unit.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the baseband processing unit is used to send N first signals to the antenna unit through the N first switches and the N second switches during the first time period; the antenna unit is used to transmit the N first signals; the antenna unit is also used to receive N second signals; and during the second time period, the N second signals are sent to the baseband processing unit through the N second switches and the N first switches.

[0013] Using the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application, the N first signals output by the baseband processing unit can be signals after phase modulation, and the N first signals can be mapped into N beams, which provides good flexibility.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the device further includes: a baseband processing unit and a phased array unit; the first switching unit includes M first switches; the second switching unit includes N second switches, where M is an integer greater than 0 and N is greater than M; the M output terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the M first switches; the M input terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the M first switches; the common terminal of the M first switches is respectively connected to the M first connection terminals of the phased array unit; the N second connection terminals of the phased array unit are respectively connected to the common terminal of the N second switches; and the first connection terminals and second connection terminals of the N second switches are connected to the antenna unit.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the baseband processing unit is used to send M first signals to the phase control unit through the M first switches during the first time period; the phase control unit is used to perform phase modulation on the M first signals based on the control of the clock control unit to obtain N first signals; and send the N first signals to the antenna unit through the N second switches; the antenna unit is used to transmit the N first signals; and the antenna unit is also used to receive N second signals; during the second time period, the N second signals are sent to the phase control unit through the N second switches; the phase control unit is also used to perform phase modulation on the N second signals to obtain M second signals; and send the M second signals to the baseband processing unit through the M first switches.

[0016] Using the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application, the baseband processing unit only needs to output M first signals (i.e., only including M data processing units, M digital-to-analog conversion units and M analog-to-digital conversion units). After the phase modulation of the phase control unit, the M signals are mapped into N beams, which can save the cost of the baseband processing unit.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the device further includes an amplification and filtering unit and a connection unit. The amplification and filtering unit includes N first amplifiers, N second amplifiers, and N first filters. The input terminals of the N first amplifiers are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the N second switches, the output terminals of the N first amplifiers are respectively connected to the N first connection terminals of the connection unit, the N second connection terminals of the connection unit are connected to the antenna unit, the N third connection terminals of the connection unit are respectively connected to the input terminals of the N second amplifiers, the output terminals of the N second amplifiers are respectively connected to the input terminals of the N first filters, and the output terminals of the N first filters are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the N second switches. The first and second connection terminals of the connection unit are unidirectionally connected, and the second and third connection terminals of the connection unit are unidirectionally connected.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the N first amplifiers are used to receive the N first signals from the N second switches; amplify the N first signals; send the amplified N first signals to the connection unit; the connection unit is used to send the amplified N first signals to the antenna unit; the connection unit is also used to receive the N second signals from the antenna unit; send the N second signals to the N second amplifiers; the N second amplifiers are used to amplify the N second signals; send the amplified N second signals to the N first filters; the N first filters are used to filter the amplified N second signals; and send the amplified and filtered N second signals to the N second switches.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the connection unit includes N circulators or N third switches.

[0020] Secondly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication method, which can be used in a communication device, the communication device including: a first switching unit, a second switching unit, a clock control unit, and an antenna unit; the method includes: the first switching unit and the second switching unit switching to conduct the antenna unit and the transmit link or the receive link based on the control of the clock control unit, wherein the clock frequency of the clock control unit is greater than the maximum bandwidth of the signal transmitted in the transmit link and the receive link.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the first switching unit and the second switching unit switch to activate the antenna unit and the transmit link or the receive link based on the control of the clock control unit, including: the first switching unit and the second switching unit activating the antenna unit and the transmit link in a first time period and activating the antenna unit and the receive link in a second time period, based on the control of the clock control unit, wherein the first clock period includes the first time period and the second time period, and the first clock period is obtained based on the clock frequency.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a baseband processing unit, the first switching unit includes N first switches, and the second switching unit includes N second switches, where N is an integer greater than 0. The N output terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the N first switches, the N input terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the N first switches, the common terminal of the N first switches is respectively connected to the common terminal of the N second switches, and the first connection terminals and second connection terminals of the N second switches are connected to the antenna unit. The method further includes: the baseband processing unit sending N first signals to the antenna unit through the N first switches and the N second switches during a first time period; the antenna unit transmitting the N first signals; the antenna unit receiving N second signals; and the antenna unit sending the N second signals to the baseband processing unit through the N second switches and the N first switches during a second time period.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes: a baseband processing unit and a phased array unit. The first switching unit includes M first switches, and the second switching unit includes N second switches, where M is an integer greater than 0 and N is greater than M. The M output terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the M first switches, and the M input terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the M first switches. The common terminal of the M first switches is respectively connected to the M first connection terminals of the phased array unit, and the N second connection terminals of the phased array unit are respectively connected to the common terminal of the N second switches. The first connection terminals and the second connection terminals of the N second switches are connected to the antenna unit. The method further includes: during the first time period, the baseband processing unit sends M first signals to the phase control unit through the M first switches; the phase control unit, based on the control of the clock control unit, performs phase modulation on the M first signals to obtain N first signals; the phase control unit sends the N first signals to the antenna unit through the N second switches; the antenna unit transmits the N first signals; the antenna unit receives N second signals; during the second time period, the antenna unit sends the N second signals to the phase control unit through the N second switches; the phase control unit performs phase modulation on the N second signals to obtain M second signals; and sends the M second signals to the baseband processing unit through the M first switches.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes an amplification and filtering unit and a connection unit. The amplification and filtering unit includes N first amplifiers, N second amplifiers, and N first filters. The input terminals of the N first amplifiers are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the N second switches. The output terminals of the N first amplifiers are respectively connected to the N first connection terminals of the connection unit. The N second connection terminals of the connection unit are connected to the antenna unit. The N third connection terminals of the connection unit are respectively connected to the input terminals of the N second amplifiers. The output terminals of the N second amplifiers are respectively connected to the input terminals of the N first filters. The output terminals of the N first filters are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the N second switches. The first and second connection terminals of the connection unit are unidirectionally connected. The method further includes unidirectional conduction between the terminal and the third connection terminal, and the method further includes: the N first amplifiers receiving the N first signals from the N second switches; the N first amplifiers amplifying the N first signals; the N first amplifiers sending the amplified N first signals to the connection unit; the connection unit sending the amplified N first signals to the antenna unit; the connection unit receiving the N second signals from the antenna unit; the connection unit sending the N second signals to the N second amplifiers; the N second amplifiers amplifying the N second signals; the N second amplifiers sending the amplified N second signals to the N first filters; the N first filters filtering the amplified N second signals; and the N first filters sending the amplified and filtered N second signals to the N second switches.

[0025] Thirdly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device, characterized in that it includes the communication apparatus provided in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0026] The beneficial effects that the communication method and communication device provided in this application can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects of the communication device provided above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram of the communication system 100 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic block diagram of the communication device 200 provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0029] Figure 3 This is another schematic block diagram of the communication device 200 provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0030] Figure 4 This is another schematic block diagram of the communication device 200 provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0031] Figure 5 This is another schematic block diagram of the communication device 200 provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0032] Figure 6 This is another schematic block diagram of the communication device 200 provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of a communication system 100 provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. The communication system 100 includes at least one communication device, such as... Figure 1 The communication device 110 and the communication device 120 shown are connected, and the communication device 110 can communicate with the communication device 120.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the communication device 110 can communicate wirelessly with the communication device 120.

[0036] It should be noted that the above-mentioned wireless methods can achieve communication through a communication network. This communication network can be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) relayed through a relay device, or a combination of LAN and WAN. When the communication network is a LAN, for example, it can be a Wi-Fi hotspot network, a Wi-Fi P2P network, a Bluetooth network, a Zigbee network, a near field communication (NFC) network, or a future possible general short-range communication network, dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) network, etc. When the communication network is a WAN, for example, it can be a 3rd generation wireless telephone technology (3G) network, a 4th generation mobile communication technology (4G) network, a 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G) network, a PLMN, or the Internet, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0037] Optionally, the above-mentioned communication device (such as communication device 110 or communication device 120) may have various forms, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the communication device can be a standalone device.

[0039] For example, the communication device may be a network device or a terminal device.

[0040] In another possible implementation, the communication device can be integrated into other devices.

[0041] For example, the communication device may be integrated into a network device or a terminal device and is part of the network device or terminal device.

[0042] Optionally, the terminal device involved in the embodiments of this application can also be called a terminal, which can be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. It can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as ships); and it can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons, and satellites). The terminal device can be user equipment (UE), wherein the UE includes handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, or computing devices with wireless communication capabilities. For example, the UE can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, or computer with wireless transceiver capabilities. The terminal device can also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in autonomous driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, and so on.

[0043] Alternatively, the terminal device can also be a device that provides voice / data, such as a handheld device or vehicle-mounted device with wireless connectivity. Currently, examples of terminals include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) 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, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or future public land mobile communication networks. Terminal devices in a network (PLMN), devices in a Zigbee network, devices in a LoRa network, Bluetooth slaves, BLE slaves, Wi-Fi stations (STAs), etc.

[0044] Optionally, the network devices involved in the embodiments of this application may include access network devices, such as base stations (BS). A BS can be a device deployed in a wireless access network that can wirelessly communicate with terminals. Base stations may take various forms, such as macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, and access points. For example, the base station involved in the embodiments of this application may be a 5G base station or an evolved Node B (eNB) in LTE. A 5G base station may also be called a transmission reception point (TRP) or a 5G base station (Next-Generation Node B, gNB). In the embodiments of this application, the apparatus for implementing the functions of the network device may be a network device itself; it may also be an apparatus capable of supporting the network device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the network device. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the apparatus for implementing the functions of the network device is a network device, and the network device is a base station, as an example, to describe the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0045] Optionally, the radio access network (RAN) device in this application is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. The RAN device can provide wireless communication services, enabling terminal devices to access the wireless network. The RAN can also be referred to as an access network device or a network device. In the embodiments of this application, the network device can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) used in a cellular network (or mobile network) to connect terminal devices to the wireless network; it can also be a Zigbee base station, a Bluetooth master, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) master, a LoRa base station, or a Wi-Fi access point.

[0046] The above combination Figure 1 The communication system provided in the embodiments of this application has been introduced. The communication device in the above communication system will be further described below.

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic block diagram of a communication device 200 provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. This communication device 200 can be used for the above-described... Figure 1 The communication system 100 in the middle. For example, the communication device 200 can be a communication device 100. Figure 1 The communication device 110 or communication device 120 in the middle.

[0048] like Figure 2As shown, the communication device 200 may include: a first switching unit 210, a second switching unit 220, a clock control unit 230, and an antenna unit 240. The first switching unit 210 and the second switching unit 220 are used to switch between conducting the antenna unit 240 and either the transmit link or the receive link, based on the control of the clock control unit 230. The clock frequency of the clock control unit 230 is greater than the maximum bandwidth of the signals transmitted in the transmit link and the receive link.

[0049] Optionally, the clock frequency of the clock control unit 230 is greater than the maximum bandwidth of the signal, which can be understood as the clock period of the clock control unit 230 being less than the reciprocal of the maximum bandwidth of the signal (i.e., the signal transmitted in the transmit link and receive link).

[0050] For example, with a maximum signal bandwidth of 400 Mbps, the clock cycle of the clock control unit 230 is 2.5 nanoseconds (ns).

[0051] In one possible implementation, the first switching unit 210 and the second switching unit 220 are used to, based on the control of the clock control unit 230, to turn on the antenna unit 240 and the transmit link during a first time period, and to turn on the antenna unit 240 and the receive link during a second time period. The first clock period includes the first time period and the second time period, and the first clock period is obtained based on the clock frequency.

[0052] For example, the clock control unit 230 is specifically configured to input a high level to the control terminal of the first switching unit 210 and the control terminal of the second switching unit 220 during a first time period in the first clock cycle, so as to control the first switching unit 210 and the second switching unit 220 to switch to conduct the antenna unit 240 and the transmit link; and to input a low level to the first switching unit 210 and the second switching unit 220 during a second time period in the first clock cycle, so as to control the first switching unit 210 and the second switching unit 220 to switch to conduct the antenna unit 240 and the receive link.

[0053] Optionally, the first clock cycle can be any clock cycle of the clock control unit 230.

[0054] Optionally, the total duration of the first time period and the second time period can be less than or equal to the first clock cycle. That is, the switching frequency of the first switching unit 210 and the second switching unit 220 is greater than or equal to the clock frequency of the clock control unit 230.

[0055] Optionally, the communication device 200 may also include a baseband processing unit 250.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the output terminal of the baseband processing unit 250 is connected to the first connection terminal of the first switching unit 210, and the input terminal of the baseband processing unit 250 is connected to the second connection terminal of the first switching unit 210. The common terminal of the first switching unit 210 is connected to the common terminal of the second switching unit 220. The first and second connection terminals of the second switching unit 220 are connected to the antenna unit 240. The control terminals of the first and second switching units 210 are respectively connected to the clock control unit 230.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the baseband processing unit 250 is used to transmit a first signal to the antenna unit 240 via the first switching unit 210 and the second switching unit 220 during the first time period. The antenna unit 240 is used to transmit the first signal. The antenna unit 240 is also used to receive a second signal; and during the second time period, it transmits the second signal to the baseband processing unit 250 via the first switching unit and the second switching unit.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the antenna element 240 may include at least one antenna.

[0059] For example, the at least one antenna can be arranged as a linear array or a surface array.

[0060] For example, the clock control device described above can be a clock generator.

[0061] In the prior art, a communication device may include a switching device, a clock control device, and an antenna device. The switching device, based on the control of the clock control device, conducts the transmission link and the antenna device for at least one consecutive clock cycle to realize the signal transmission process; and conducts the receiving link and the antenna device for at least one consecutive clock cycle in the following period to realize the signal reception process.

[0062] However, due to the time division of existing communication devices for transmitting and receiving signals—for example, transmitting a signal within 7 clock cycles and receiving a signal within 3 clock cycles, i.e., the ratio of the clock cycles for transmitting to receiving signals is 7:3—the amount of information transmitted is only 7 parts, and the amount of information received is only 3 parts. Therefore, the amount of information transmitted is relatively small.

[0063] The communication device provided in this application embodiment has a clock control unit 230 equipped with a high-speed clock, meaning the clock frequency is greater than the maximum bandwidth of the signals transmitted in the transmitting and receiving links. This allows the first switching unit 210 and the second switching unit 220 to complete one switching process within one clock cycle. In other words, the clock control unit can control the switches to be in two different connection states within one clock cycle, thereby enabling both signal transmission and reception within that clock cycle. For example, if the signal is transmitted first and then received in each of 10 clock cycles (i.e., the ratio of the clock cycles for transmission and reception is 10:10), then the amount of information transmitted and received is 10 units each. Therefore, the amount of information transmitted is increased, and no information is lost.

[0064] In one possible implementation, Figure 3 Another schematic block diagram of the communication device 200 provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the first switching unit 210 may include N first switches, such as... Figure 3 The first switches 2111 to 211N shown in the diagram, the second switch unit may include N second switches, such as... Figure 3 The second switches 221 to 22N shown in the figure are integers greater than 0.

[0065] In one possible implementation, the N output terminals of the baseband processing unit 250 are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the first switches 2111 to 211N, the N input terminals of the baseband processing unit 250 are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the N first switches, the common terminal of the N first switches is respectively connected to the common terminal of the N second switches, and the first connection terminals and the second connection terminals of the N second switches are connected to the antenna unit.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the baseband processing unit 250 is used to transmit N first signals to the antenna unit 240 via the first switches 2111-211N and the second switches 221-22N during the first time period. The antenna unit 240 is used to transmit the N first signals. The antenna unit 240 is also used to receive N second signals; and during the second time period, it transmits the N second signals to the baseband processing unit 250 via the second switches 221-22N and the first switches 2111-211N.

[0067] Optionally, the first switching unit 210 may further include N second filters, such as Figure 3 The second filter 2121 to the second filter 212N shown are illustrated.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the N output terminals of the baseband processing unit 250 are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the first switches 2111 to 211N, and the N input terminals of the baseband processing unit 250 are respectively connected to the output terminals of the second filters 2121 to 212N. The input terminals of the second filters 2121 to 212N are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the first switches 2111 to 211N. The common terminal of the first switches 2111 to 211N is respectively connected to the common terminal of the second switches 221 to 22N. The first connection terminals of the second switches 221 to 22N and the second connection terminals of the second switches 221 to 22N are connected to the antenna unit.

[0069] In one possible implementation, the second filters 2121 to 212N are used to receive the N second signals from the antenna unit 240, filter the N second signals, and send the filtered N second signals to the baseband processing unit 250.

[0070] Optionally, the baseband processing unit 250 may include: N data processing units, N digital-to-analog conversion units, and N analog-to-digital conversion units, such as... Figure 3 The data processing units 2511 to 251N, the digital-to-analog conversion units 2521 to 252N, and the analog-to-digital conversion units 2531 to 253N shown are included.

[0071] In one possible implementation, the output terminals of data processing units 2511 to 251N are respectively connected to the input terminals of digital-to-analog converters 2521 to 252N, and the output terminals of digital-to-analog converters 2521 to 252N are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of first switches 2111 to 211N; the input terminals of data processing units 2511 to 251N are connected to the output terminals of analog-to-digital converters 2531 to 253N, and the input terminals of analog-to-digital converters 2531 to 253N are connected to the second connection terminals of first switches 2111 to 211N.

[0072] In one possible implementation, data processing units 2511 to 251N generate N first data streams and send these N first data streams to digital-to-analog converters 2521 and 252N. The digital-to-analog converters 2521 and 252N perform digital-to-analog conversion on the N first data streams to obtain the N first signals. The analog-to-digital converters 2531 and 253N perform analog-to-digital conversion on the N second signals to obtain N second data streams and send these N second data streams to the data processing units 2511 and 251N.

[0073] For example, the data processing unit can be a processor; the digital-to-analog conversion unit can be a digital-to-analog converter; the analog-to-digital conversion unit can be an analog-to-digital converter.

[0074] Using the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application, the N first signals output by the baseband processing unit can be signals after phase modulation, and the N first signals can be mapped into N beams, thus providing good flexibility.

[0075] It should be noted that, Figure 3 The schematic diagram shows that the first connection terminals of the N second switches and the second connection terminals of the N second switches can be directly connected to the antenna unit 240, but the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0076] Optionally, the first connection terminals of the N second switches and the second connection terminals of the N second switches can also be indirectly connected to the antenna unit 240 through other units.

[0077] In one possible implementation, Figure 4 Another schematic block diagram of the communication device 200 provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the communication device 200 may further include an amplification and filtering unit 260 and a connection unit 270. The amplification and filtering unit 260 includes N first amplifiers, N second amplifiers, and N first filters, such as... Figure 4 The first amplifiers 2611 to 261N, the second amplifiers 2621 to 262N, and the first filters 2631 to 263N are shown in the figure.

[0078] In one possible implementation, the input terminals of the first amplifiers 2611 to 261N are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the second switches 221 to 22N; the output terminals of the first amplifiers 2611 to 261N are respectively connected to N first connection terminals of the connection unit 270; the N second connection terminals of the connection unit 270 are connected to the antenna unit 240; the N third connection terminals of the connection unit 270 are respectively connected to the input terminals of the second amplifiers 2621 to 262N; the output terminals of the second amplifiers 2621 to 262N are respectively connected to the input terminals of the first filters 2631 to 263N; and the output terminals of the first filters 2631 to 263N are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the second switches 221 to 22N. The first and second connection terminals of the connection unit 270 are unidirectionally connected, and the second and third connection terminals of the connection unit 270 are also unidirectionally connected.

[0079] In one possible implementation, the first amplifiers 2611 to 261N are used to receive the N first signals from the second switches 221 to 22N; amplify the N first signals; and send the amplified N first signals to the connection unit 270. The connection unit 270 is used to send the amplified N first signals to the antenna unit 240. The connection unit 270 is also used to receive the N second signals from the antenna unit 240; and send the N second signals to the second amplifiers 2621 to 262N. The second amplifiers 2621 to 262N are used to amplify the N second signals; and send the amplified N second signals to the first filters 2631 to 263N. The first filters 2631 to 263N are used to filter the amplified N second signals; and send the amplified and filtered N second signals to the second switches 221 to 22N.

[0080] Optionally, the connection unit 270 can achieve the above functions through various structures, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0081] In one possible implementation, such as Figure 4 As shown, the connection unit 270 may include N circulators, such as Figure 4 The circulators 271 to 27N shown are included. Each circulator includes three connection terminals, namely a first connection terminal, a second connection terminal, and a third connection terminal. The circulator is unidirectionally conductive in the clockwise direction, that is, the first connection terminal is conductive to the second connection terminal (i.e., the transmit link and antenna element 240 are conductive), and the second connection terminal is conductive to the third connection terminal (i.e., the receive link and antenna element 240 are conductive).

[0082] In another possible implementation Figure 5 Another schematic block diagram provided in the embodiments of this application is shown, such as Figure 5 As shown, the connection unit 270 may include N third switches, such as Figure 5 The third switches 271 to 27N shown are arranged symmetrically with the N second switches. The third switches 271 to 27N are used, based on the control of the clock control unit 230, to switch between connecting the first and second connection terminals of the N third switches (i.e., connecting the antenna unit 240 to the transmit link), or connecting the second and third connection terminals of the N third switches (i.e., connecting the antenna unit 240 to the receive link). For specific implementation, refer to the functions of the N first and N second switches described above.

[0083] In another possible implementation Figure 6 Another schematic block diagram of the communication device 200 provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the first switching unit 210 may include M first switches, such as... Figure 6 The first switches 2111 to 211M shown in the diagram, the second switch unit may include N second switches, such as Figure 6 The second switches 221 to 22N shown in the diagram are M, which is an integer greater than 0, and N is greater than M.

[0084] Optionally, the communication device 200 may also include a phase control unit 280.

[0085] In one possible implementation, the M output terminals of the baseband processing unit 250 are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the first switches 2111 to 211M, the M input terminals of the baseband processing unit 250 are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the first switches 2111 to 211M, the common terminal of the first switches 2111 to 211M is respectively connected to the M first connection terminals of the phase control unit 280, the N second connection terminals of the phase control unit 280 are respectively connected to the common terminal of the second switches 221 to 22N, and the first connection terminals of the second switches 221 to 22N and the second connection terminals of the second switches 221 to 22N are connected to the antenna unit 240.

[0086] In one possible implementation, the baseband processing unit 250 is used to send M first signals to the phase control unit 280 via the first switches 2111 to 211M during the first time period. The phase control unit 280, based on the control of the clock control unit, performs phase modulation on the M first signals to obtain N first signals; and sends the N first signals to the antenna unit 240 via the second switches 221 to 22N. The antenna unit 240 is used to transmit the N first signals. The antenna unit 240 is also used to receive N second signals; and during the second time period, sends the N second signals to the phase control unit 280 via the second switches 221 to 22N. The phase control unit 280 is also used to perform phase modulation on the N second signals to obtain M second signals; and sends the M second signals to the baseband processing unit 250 via the first switches 2111 to 211M.

[0087] In one possible implementation, the phase control unit 280 may include N phase shifters, such as... Figure 6 Phase shifters 281 to 28N are shown.

[0088] Optionally, the first switching unit 210 may further include M second filters, such as Figure 6 The second filter 2121 to the second filter 212M are shown in the figure.

[0089] Using the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application, the baseband processing unit only needs to output M first signals, that is, the baseband processing unit can include only M data processing units, M digital-to-analog conversion units and M analog-to-digital conversion units. The M signals are mapped into N beams after being phase-modulated by the phase control unit. Therefore, the cost of the baseband processing unit can be saved.

[0090] It should be noted that, Figure 6 The connection relationship and function of the M second filters in the diagram are related to... Figure 3 The connection relationships and functions of the N second filters are similar; for details, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 3 The corresponding descriptions in [the relevant section] will not be repeated here.

[0091] Optionally, the baseband processing unit 250 may include: N data processing units, N digital-to-analog conversion units, and N analog-to-digital conversion units, such as... Figure 6 The data processing units 2511 to 251N, the digital-to-analog conversion units 2521 to 252N, and the analog-to-digital conversion units 2531 to 253N shown are included.

[0092] It should be noted that, Figure 6 The structure and function of the baseband processing unit 250 in the middle Figure 3 The baseband processing unit 250 in the middle has a similar structure and function; for details, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 3 The corresponding descriptions in [the relevant section] will not be repeated here.

[0093] It should also be noted that, Figure 6 The second switching unit 220 can be connected to the antenna unit 240 through the amplification and filtering unit 260 and the connection unit 270, as detailed in the reference. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The connection between the second switching unit 220 and the antenna unit 240 via the amplification and filtering unit 260 and the connection unit 270 will not be described in detail here.

[0094] The above combination Figures 2-6 The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application has been introduced. The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be further described below.

[0095] In one possible implementation, the communication method provided in this application embodiment can be used for Figure 2 The communication device 200 shown is described. The communication method may include: the first switching unit and the second switching unit, based on the control of the clock control unit, turning on the antenna unit and the transmitting link during a first time period, and turning on the antenna unit and the receiving link during a second time period, wherein the first clock period includes the first time period and the second time period, and the first clock period is obtained based on the clock frequency.

[0096] Optionally, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application can also be used for Figure 3 The communication device 200 shown is described. The communication method may further include: the baseband processing unit sending N first signals to the antenna unit through the N first switches and the N second switches during the first time period; the antenna unit transmitting the N first signals; the antenna unit receiving N second signals; and the antenna unit sending the N second signals to the baseband processing unit through the N second switches and the N first switches during the second time period.

[0097] Optionally, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application can also be used for Figure 4 or Figure 5The communication device shown in the diagram. The communication method may further include: the N first amplifiers receiving the N first signals from the N second switches; the N first amplifiers amplifying the N first signals; the N first amplifiers sending the amplified N first signals to the connection unit; the connection unit sending the amplified N first signals to the antenna unit; the connection unit receiving N second signals from the antenna unit; the connection unit sending the N second signals to the N second amplifiers; the N second amplifiers amplifying the N second signals; the N second amplifiers sending the amplified N second signals to the N first filters; the N first filters filtering the amplified N second signals; and the N first filters sending the amplified and filtered N second signals to the N second switches.

[0098] Optionally, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application can also be used for Figure 6 The communication device 200 shown is illustrated. The communication method may further include: the baseband processing unit sending M first signals to the phase control unit via the M first switches during the first time period; the phase control unit performing phase modulation on the M first signals based on the control of the clock control unit to obtain N first signals; the phase control unit sending the N first signals to the antenna unit via the N second switches; the antenna unit transmitting the N first signals; the antenna unit receiving N second signals; the antenna unit sending the N second signals to the phase control unit via the N second switches during the second time period; the phase control unit performing phase modulation on the N second signals to obtain M second signals; and sending the M second signals to the baseband processing unit via the M first switches.

[0099] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0100] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0101] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0102] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0103] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0104] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0105] The above description is merely a specific embodiment 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 communication device, characterized in that, include: The system comprises a first switching unit, a second switching unit, a clock control unit, and an antenna unit. The first switching unit and the second switching unit are used to switch to conduct the antenna unit and the transmit link or the receive link based on the control of the clock control unit, wherein the clock frequency of the clock control unit is greater than the maximum bandwidth of the signal transmitted in the transmit link and the receive link.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first switching unit and the second switching unit are specifically used to turn on the antenna unit and the transmit link in a first time period and turn on the antenna unit and the receive link in a second time period based on the control of the clock control unit. The first clock period includes the first time period and the second time period, and the first clock period is obtained based on the clock frequency.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The device also includes a baseband processing unit. The first switching unit includes N first switches, and the second switching unit includes N second switches, where N is an integer greater than 0; The baseband processing unit has N output terminals connected to the first connection terminals of the N first switches, N input terminals connected to the second connection terminals of the N first switches, a common terminal of the N first switches connected to the common terminal of the N second switches, and the first connection terminals and the second connection terminals of the N second switches connected to the antenna unit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The baseband processing unit is used to send N first signals to the antenna unit through the N first switches and the N second switches during the first time period; The antenna unit is used to transmit the N first signals; The antenna unit is also used to receive N second signals; During the second time period, the N second signals are sent to the baseband processing unit through the N second switches and the N first switches.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The device further includes: a baseband processing unit and a phase control unit, wherein the first switching unit includes M first switches and the second switching unit includes N second switches, where M is an integer greater than 0 and N is greater than M; The M output terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the M first switches, the M input terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the M first switches, the common terminal of the M first switches is respectively connected to the M first connection terminals of the phase control device, the N second connection terminals of the phase control device are respectively connected to the common terminal of the N second switches, and the first connection terminals and the second connection terminals of the N second switches are connected to the antenna unit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The baseband processing unit is used to send M first signals to the phase control unit through the M first switches during the first time period; The phase control unit is used to perform phase modulation on the M-channel first signals based on the control of the clock control unit to obtain N-channel first signals; The N first signals are sent to the antenna unit through the N second switches; The antenna unit is used to transmit the N first signals; The antenna unit is also used to receive N second signals; during the second time period, the N second signals are sent to the phase control unit through the N second switches; The phase control unit is also used to perform phase modulation on the N-channel second signals to obtain M-channel second signals; and to send the M-channel second signals to the baseband processing unit through the M first switches.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that, The device further includes an amplification and filtering unit and a connection unit. The amplification and filtering unit includes N first amplifiers, N second amplifiers, and N first filters. The input terminals of the N first amplifiers are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the N second switches; the output terminals of the N first amplifiers are respectively connected to the N first connection terminals of the connection unit; the N second connection terminals of the connection unit are connected to the antenna unit; the N third connection terminals of the connection unit are respectively connected to the input terminals of the N second amplifiers; the output terminals of the N second amplifiers are respectively connected to the input terminals of the N first filters; and the output terminals of the N first filters are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the N second switches. The first and second connecting ends of the connecting unit are unidirectionally connected, and the second and third connecting ends of the connecting unit are unidirectionally connected.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The N first amplifiers are used to receive the N first signals from the N second switches; The N-channel first signals are amplified; Send the amplified N-channel first signal to the connection unit; The connection unit is used to send the amplified N-channel first signal to the antenna unit; The connection unit is also used to receive N second signals from the antenna unit; Send the N second signals to the N second amplifiers; The N second amplifiers are used to amplify the N channels of second signals; Send the amplified N-channel second signals to the N first filters; The N first filters are used to filter the amplified N channels of second signals; The N amplified and filtered second signals are sent to the N second switches.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The connection unit includes N circulators or N third switches.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is used in a communication device, the communication device comprising: a first switching unit, a second switching unit, a clock control unit, and an antenna unit; the method includes: The first switching unit and the second switching unit switch to conduct the antenna unit and the transmit link or the receive link based on the control of the clock control unit, wherein the clock frequency of the clock control unit is greater than the maximum bandwidth of the signal transmitted in the transmit link and the receive link.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first switching unit and the second switching unit, based on the control of the clock control unit, switch to activate the antenna unit and the transmit link or the receive link, including: The first switching unit and the second switching unit, under the control of the clock control unit, turn on the antenna unit and the transmit link in a first time period and turn on the antenna unit and the receive link in a second time period. The first clock period includes the first time period and the second time period, and the first clock period is obtained based on the clock frequency.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The communication device further includes a baseband processing unit. The first switching unit includes N first switches, and the second switching unit includes N second switches, where N is an integer greater than 0. The N output terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the N first switches, the N input terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the N first switches, the common terminal of the N first switches is respectively connected to the common terminal of the N second switches, and the first connection terminals and second connection terminals of the N second switches are connected to the antenna unit. The method further includes: During the first time period, the baseband processing unit sends N first signals to the antenna unit through the N first switches and the N second switches; The antenna unit transmits the N first signals; The antenna unit receives N second signals; During the second time period, the antenna unit transmits the N second signals to the baseband processing unit through the N second switches and the N first switches.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The communication device further includes: a baseband processing unit and a phased array unit. The first switching unit includes M first switches, and the second switching unit includes N second switches, where M is an integer greater than 0 and N is greater than M. The M output terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the M first switches, and the M input terminals of the baseband processing unit are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the M first switches. The common terminal of the M first switches is respectively connected to the M first connection terminals of the phased array unit, and the N second connection terminals of the phased array unit are respectively connected to the common terminal of the N second switches. The first connection terminals of the N second switches and the second connection terminals of the N second switches are connected to the antenna unit. The method further includes: During the first time period, the baseband processing unit sends M first signals to the phase control unit through the M first switches; The phase control unit modulates the M first signals based on the control of the clock control unit to obtain N first signals; The phase control unit sends the N first signals to the antenna unit through the N second switches; The antenna unit transmits the N first signals; The antenna unit receives N second signals; During the second time period, the antenna unit sends the N second signals to the phase control unit through the N second switches; The phase control unit performs phase modulation on the N-channel second signals to obtain M-channel second signals; and sends the M-channel second signals to the baseband processing unit through the M first switches.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The communication device further includes an amplification and filtering unit and a connection unit. The amplification and filtering unit includes N first amplifiers, N second amplifiers, and N first filters. The input terminals of the N first amplifiers are respectively connected to the first connection terminals of the N second switches. The output terminals of the N first amplifiers are respectively connected to the N first connection terminals of the connection unit. The N second connection terminals of the connection unit are connected to the antenna unit. The N third connection terminals of the connection unit are respectively connected to the input terminals of the N second amplifiers. The output terminals of the N second amplifiers are respectively connected to the input terminals of the N first filters. The output terminals of the N first filters are respectively connected to the second connection terminals of the N second switches. The first and second connection terminals of the connection unit are unidirectionally connected, and the second and third connection terminals of the connection unit are unidirectionally connected. The method further includes: The N first amplifiers receive the N first signals from the N second switches; The N first amplifiers amplify the N first signals; The N first amplifiers send the amplified N first signals to the connection unit; The connection unit sends the amplified N-channel first signal to the antenna unit; The connection unit receives N second signals from the antenna unit; The connection unit sends the N second signals to the N second amplifiers; The N second amplifiers amplify the N channels of second signals; The N second amplifiers send the amplified N-channel second signals to the N first filters; The N first filters filter the amplified N-channel second signals; The N first filters send amplified and filtered N second signals to the N second switches.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device comprising any one of claims 1-9 above.

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