Radio wave relay device

Abstract

Radio Wave Relay Device This description relates to a relay device (300) comprising at least one antenna (100) with a transmitting or reflecting array including a transmitting array (103) or reflector and a primary source (101), said at least one antenna (100) being configured to receive an electromagnetic wave from a remote antenna (301) and retransmit the electromagnetic wave to an external medium. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Relay device for radio waves Technical field

[0001] The present description relates generally to electronic devices and, more particularly, to relay devices for radio waves. Prior art

[0002] In the field of radio wave communications, relay devices capable of receiving an incident radio wave from a remote antenna and re-emitting the wave to an external environment have been proposed. Such devices make it possible in particular to extend network coverage compared to a case where only the remote antenna would be used.

[0003] However, existing relay devices have various drawbacks. Summary of the invention

[0004] There is a need to improve existing radio wave relay devices.

[0005] For this, one embodiment provides a relay device comprising at least one antenna with a transmitter or reflector network comprising a transmitter or reflector network and a primary source, said at least one antenna being configured to receive an electromagnetic wave from a remote antenna and re-emit the electromagnetic wave to an external environment.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the primary source is connected to a transmission-reception circuit configured to receive, from the primary source, an image signal of the electromagnetic wave coming from the remote antenna and to transmit, to the primary source, an image signal of the electromagnetic wave to be retransmitted to the external environment.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the transmission-reception circuit is configured to amplify the electromagnetic wave received by said at least one antenna.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the transmission-reception circuit is configured to modulate the electromagnetic wave received by said at least one antenna.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the transmission-reception circuit is configured to connect the primary source of said at least one antenna: - to a first impedance of substantially zero value; - to a second impedance of substantially infinite value; or - to a third impedance of value substantially equal to the impedance of said at least one antenna.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the transmission-reception circuit is configured to filter the electromagnetic wave coming from the remote antenna before its retransmission to the external environment.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the transmission-reception circuit comprises a bandpass filter.

[0012] According to one embodiment, said at least one transmitting or reflecting array antenna comprises a single transmitting or reflecting array antenna configured to receive and re-emit said electromagnetic wave.

[0013] According to one embodiment, said at least one transmitting or reflecting array antenna comprises a first transmitting or reflecting array antenna configured to receive said electromagnetic wave and a second transmitting or reflecting array antenna configured to re-emit said electromagnetic wave.

[0014] One embodiment provides a method for controlling a relay device comprising at least one antenna with a transmitter or reflector array comprising a transmitter or reflector array and a primary source, the method comprising the following successive steps: a) receiving, by means of said at least one antenna, an electromagnetic wave coming from a remote antenna; and b) re-emitting, by means of said at least one antenna, the electromagnetic wave towards an external environment.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises, between steps a) and b), the step of amplifying the electromagnetic wave received by said at least one antenna.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises, between steps a) and b), the step of modulating the electromagnetic wave received by said at least one antenna.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises, between steps a) and b), the step of filtering the electromagnetic wave received by said at least one antenna.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises, prior to step a), the step of detecting a position of at least one target device relative to the relay device, the retransmission being carried out, in step b), in a direction corresponding to the position of said at least one target device as determined at the end of the detection step. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] These characteristics and advantages, as well as others, will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which:

[0020] [Fig.l] is a schematic and partial side view of an example of a transmitting array antenna of the type to which, by way of example, the described embodiments apply;

[0021] [Fig. 2] is a schematic and partial side view of an example of a reflector array antenna of the type to which, by way of example, the described embodiments apply;

[0022] [Fig. 3] is a schematic and partial side view of an example of a radio wave relay device according to one embodiment; and

[0023] [Fig.4] is a schematic and partial side view of an example of a radio wave relay device according to one embodiment. Description of the embodiments

[0024] The same elements have been designated by the same references in the different figures. In particular, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references and may have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0025] For the sake of clarity, only the steps and elements useful for understanding the described embodiments have been shown and are detailed. In particular, embodiments of relay devices comprising at least one transmitting array antenna and / or at least one reflecting array antenna are described below. The structure and operation of the primary source(s) of the antenna, intended to irradiate the transmitting array or the reflecting array, will however not be detailed, the described embodiments being compatible with all or most of the known primary irradiation sources for transmitting array or reflecting array antennas. By way of example, each primary source is adapted to produce a beam of generally conical shape irradiating all or part of the transmitting array or the reflecting array. Each primary source comprises for example a horn antenna.For example, the central axis of each primary source is approximately orthogonal to the mean plane of the array.

[0026] Furthermore, the manufacturing methods of the transmitter networks, the reflector networks and the relay devices will not be detailed, the production of the transmitter networks, the reflector networks and the relay devices described being within the reach of the person skilled in the art from the indications of the present description.

[0027] Unless otherwise specified, when referring to two elements connected to each other, this means directly connected without intermediate elements other than conductors, and when referring to two elements connected (in English "coupled") to each other, this means that these two elements can be connected or be connected by means of one or more other elements.

[0028] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures.

[0029] Unless otherwise specified, the expressions “about”, “approximately”, “substantially”, and “of the order of” mean to within 10%, preferably to within 5%.

[0030] [Fig.l] is a schematic and partial side view of an example of a transmitarray antenna 100 of the type to which, by way of example, the described embodiments apply.

[0031] The antenna 100 typically comprises one or more primary sources 101 (a single source 101, in the example shown) irradiating a transmitting network 103. The source 101 may have any polarization, for example linear or circular. The network 103 comprises a plurality of elementary elements or cells 105, for example arranged in a matrix according to rows and columns. Each cell 105 typically comprises a first antenna element 105a, located on the side of a first face of the network 103 arranged opposite the primary source 101, and a second antenna element 105b, located on the side of a second face of the network opposite the first face. The second face of the network 103 is for example turned towards a transmission medium, or external medium, of the antenna 100.

[0032] Each cell 105 is capable, in transmission, of receiving electromagnetic radiation on its first antenna element 105a and of re-emitting this radiation from its second antenna element 105b, for example by introducing a known phase shift ¢). In reception, each cell 105 is capable of receiving electromagnetic radiation on its second antenna element 105b and of re-emitting this radiation from its first antenna element 105a, in the direction of the source 101, with the same phase shift ¢. The radiation re-emitted by the first antenna element 105a is for example focused on the source 101.

[0033] The characteristics of the near-field or far-field radiation produced by the antenna 100, in particular its shape (or size), its intensity and its maximum emission direction (or pointing direction), depend on the values ​​of the phase shifts respectively introduced by the different cells 105 of the network 103.

[0034] Transmitting array antennas have the advantage, among other things, of being energy efficient and relatively simple, inexpensive and compact. This is due in particular to the fact that the transmitting arrays can be produced using planar technology, generally on a printed circuit.

[0035] The present description relates more particularly to antennas with a reconfigurable transmitter network 103. The transmitter network 103 is said to be reconfigurable when the elementary cells 105 are electronically controllable individually to modify their phase shift value ¢) and / or their amplitude, which makes it possible to dynamically modify the characteristics of the radiation generated by the antenna, and in particular to modify its pointing direction without mechanically moving the antenna or part of the antenna by means of a motorized element.

[0036] [Fig. 2] is a schematic and partial side view of an example of a reflectarray antenna 200 of the type to which, by way of example, the described embodiments apply.

[0037] The antenna 200 typically comprises one or more primary sources 201 (a single source 201, in the example shown) irradiating a reflector array 203. The source 201 may have any polarization, for example linear or circular. The array 203 comprises a plurality of elementary cells 205, for example arranged in a matrix according to rows and columns. Each cell 205 typically comprises an antenna element 205a, located on the side of a first face of the array 203 arranged opposite the primary source 201, and a reflector element 205b, located on the side of a second face of the array opposite the first face. The first face of the network 203 is for example turned towards an emission medium, or external medium, of the antenna 200. The reflector element 205b is for example, as illustrated in [Fig.2], common to all the elementary cells 205 of the network 203.

[0038] Each cell 205 is capable, in transmission, of receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source 201 on its antenna element 205a and of re-emitting this radiation, after reflection by the reflector element 205b, from its antenna element 205a, for example by introducing a known phase shift ¢) and / or by modifying the amplitude of the radiation. In reception, each cell 205 is capable of receiving electromagnetic radiation on its antenna element 205a and of re-emitting this radiation, after reflection by the reflector element 205b, from its antenna element 205a, in the direction of the source 201, with the same phase shift ¢. The radiation re-emitted by the antenna element 205a is for example focused on the source 201.

[0039] The characteristics of the radiation produced by the antenna 200, in particular its shape (or template), its intensity and its maximum emission direction (or pointing direction), depend on the values ​​of the phase shifts respectively introduced by the different cells 205 of the network 203.

[0040] Reflector array antennas have similar advantages to transmitting array antennas.

[0041] The present description relates more particularly to antennas with a reconfigurable reflector array 203, that is to say, the elementary cells 205 of which are electronically controllable individually to modify their phase shift value ¢) of analogously to what was previously described in relation to the antenna 100 with transmitter array 103.

[0042] [Fig. 3] is a schematic and partial side view of an example of a relay device 300 for radio waves according to one embodiment.

[0043] In the example shown, the relay device 300 comprises a single transmitter array antenna, for example of the type of the antenna 100 previously described in relation to [Fig. 1]. According to one embodiment, the transmitter array antenna 100 of the relay device 300 is configured to receive an electromagnetic wave, for example a radiofrequency wave or radio wave, from a remote antenna 301 and to retransmit the electromagnetic wave to an external environment, for example to one or more target devices 303 (two target devices 303, in the example shown). By way of example, the remote antenna 301 is integrated into a base station of a mobile telephone network infrastructure and each target device 303 is a mobile telephone.

[0044] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 3], the relay device 300 comprises a circuit 305 for controlling the elementary cells 105 of the transmitter network 103 of the antenna 100. By way of example, the circuit 305 makes it possible to modify the value of the phase shift ¢) introduced by each elementary cell 105 of the transmitter network 103 as explained above in relation to [Fig. 1].

[0045] In the example shown, the relay device further comprises a transmission-reception circuit 307 connected or linked to the primary source 101 of the antenna 100. The transmission-reception circuit 307 is configured to receive, from the source 101, an image signal of the electromagnetic wave coming from the remote antenna 301 and picked up by the antenna 100. The circuit 307 is further configured to transmit, to the source 101, an image signal of the electromagnetic wave to be re-emitted by the antenna 100. The electromagnetic wave re-emitted by the antenna 100 is a function of the electromagnetic wave previously picked up by the antenna 100.

[0046] Although this has not been detailed in [Fig. 3], the circuit 307 is for example connected to the source 101 via a circulator. In this case, the circulator is for example adapted to transmit, to the circuit 307, signals coming from the source 101 and to return, to the source 101, signals coming from the circuit 307 after processing by the circuit 307.

[0047] The circuit 307 of the relay device 300 is for example configured to amplify the electromagnetic wave received by the antenna 100. In this case, the electromagnetic wave coming from the remote antenna 301 and received by the antenna 100 is amplified prior to its retransmission by the antenna 100. This advantageously makes it possible to increase the range of the remote antenna 301, in particular compared to a case where only the antenna 301 would be implemented or compared to a case where a relay without an amplification function, for example a so-called "passive" relay, without a primary source, would be used. Better network coverage is thus obtained.

[0048] The circuit 307 of the relay device 300 is for example furthermore, or as a variant, configured to modulate the electromagnetic wave received by the antenna 100. By way of example, the circuit 307 is more precisely, in this case, configured to connect the primary source 101 of the antenna 100: - to a first impedance of substantially zero value, for example of the order of a few milliohms or a few microohms, that is to say substantially equivalent to a short circuit; - to a second impedance of substantially infinite value, for example of the order of a few megohms or a few gigaohms, that is to say substantially equivalent to an open circuit; or - to a third impedance of value substantially equal to the impedance of the antenna 100.

[0049] In this example, switching the source 101 between the first impedance and the second impedance allows the antenna 100 to emit waveforms having, with respect to each other, a phase difference of the order of 180°. Furthermore, connecting or linking the source 101 to the third impedance makes it possible to interrupt, or greatly attenuate, the emission of electromagnetic waves by the antenna 100, the antenna 100 then behaving like any surface. This advantageously allows the circuit 307 of the relay device 300 to apply a coding, for example a zero-mean orthogonal type coding, to the electromagnetic wave coming from the remote antenna 301, the wave re-emitted to the external environment thus being coded. A more robust communication in the presence of clutter, interference and allowing multiple accesses can thus be implemented between the relay device 300 and the devices 303.For example, each device 303 is adapted to demodulate electromagnetic waves re-emitted by the relay device 300 so as to obtain secure communication between the relay device 300 and the devices 303 or so as to eliminate a contribution from another relay device, for example of the type of the relay device 300, implemented by an operator different from that of the relay device 300 used by the operator of the device 303.

[0050] The circuit 307 of the relay device 300 is for example furthermore, or as a variant, configured to filter electromagnetic waves coming from the remote antenna 301 before retransmitting them to the external environment. In this case, the circuit 307 comprises for example a bandpass filter making it possible for example to select a range of transmission and reception frequencies, or a transmission-reception channel, within a range of frequencies capable of being transmitted by the antenna 100 of the device relay 300. For example, the selection of the frequency range is carried out after the acquisition of the relay device 300 by an operator of a network comprising the device 300, the frequency range then corresponding for example to a frequency range allocated to the operator to implement radiofrequency communications.

[0051] As a variant, in a case where the device 300 is for example operated by several operators, the transmission-reception frequency range can be selected dynamically by the circuit 307 to correspond, at each instant, to the frequency range allocated to the operator wishing to implement a communication using the relay device 300. This advantageously allows the same relay device 300 to be used in turn by several operators. This results in a reduction in cost for the operators.

[0052] The circuit 307 of the relay device 300 is for example furthermore, or as a variant, configured to connect the primary source 101 of the antenna 100 to a receiver, for example a radiofrequency receiver, not shown in [Fig. 3]. In this case, the circuit 307 comprises for example more precisely a switch comprising a single input terminal connected or connected to a node for applying a reference potential, for example ground, and two output terminals connected respectively to the primary source 101 and to the radiofrequency receiver.This makes it possible to use the radio frequency receiver to detect a position of each device 303 relative to the relay device 300 during a detection step, then to reconfigure the transmitter network 103 of the antenna 100 in order to receive and then retransmit data from the remote antenna 301, during subsequent reception and transmission steps, in a direction corresponding to the position of the device(s) 303 as determined at the end of the detection step. An advantage of this structure and this mode of operation is that it makes it possible to use only a single radio frequency chain. The position of each target device 303 is for example detected by measuring the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) of a signal transmitted by the target device 303 and picked up by the antenna 100.For example, the switch in circuit 307 is an SPDT (Single Pole, Double Throw) type.

[0053] In the example shown, the relay device further comprises a circuit 309, for example a global control circuit, connected to the circuit 305 for controlling the elementary cells 105 of the transmitter network 103 of the antenna 100 and connected, optionally, to the transmission-reception circuit 307.

[0054] [Fig.4] is a schematic and partial side view of an example of a relay device 400 for radio waves according to one embodiment.

[0055] In the example shown, the relay device 400 comprises first and second antennas 100-1 and 100-2 with a transmitting array, for example each of the type of the antenna 100 previously described in relation to [Fig. 1]. According to one embodiment, one of the antennas 100-1, 100-2 with a transmitting array of the relay device 400 (the first antenna 100-1, in the example shown) is configured to receive the electromagnetic wave coming from the remote antenna 301 while the other antenna 100-2, 100-1 (the second antenna 100-2, in this example) is configured to re-emit the electromagnetic wave to the external environment, for example to the target device(s) 303.

[0056] In this example, the circuit 307 connects the primary source 101 of the first antenna 100-1 to the primary source 101 of the second antenna 100-2. The circuit 307 is for example configured to implement functions identical or similar to those previously described in relation to [Fig. 3], for example amplification, filtering, coding functions, etc. In the example shown, the circuit 309 is for example connected to the circuit 305 for controlling the transmitter network 103 of each antenna 100-1, 100-2 of the relay device 400 and, optionally, to the circuit 307.

[0057] The device 400 has advantages similar to those of the device 300 previously described in relation to [Fig.3].

[0058] Various embodiments and variants have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain features of these various embodiments and variants could be combined, and other variants will occur to those skilled in the art. In particular, although embodiments in which the relay device 300, 400 comprises at least one antenna 100, 100-1, 100-2 with a transmitting array have been detailed above, those skilled in the art are able to adapt the described embodiments to the case where at least one of the antennas 100, 100-1, 100-2 with a transmitting array is replaced by a reflector array antenna, for example of the type of the antenna 200 previously described in relation to [Fig. 2].

[0059] Furthermore, any combination of the different functions capable of being implemented by the circuit 307 of the relay devices 300 and 400 is within the reach of those skilled in the art from the indications of the present description.

[0060] Finally, the practical implementation of the embodiments and variants described is within the reach of the person skilled in the art from the functional indications given above. In particular, the practical implementation of the circuits 305, 307 and 309 to enable the implementation of the functions previously described is within the reach of the person skilled in the art from the indications of the present description.

Claims

Claims

1. Relay device (300; 400) comprising at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200) with a transmitter or reflector network comprising a transmitter (103) or reflector (203) network and a primary source (101; 201), said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200) being configured to receive an electromagnetic wave from a remote antenna (301) and retransmit the electromagnetic wave to an external environment, in which the primary source (101; 201) is connected to a transmission-reception circuit (307) configured to: - receive, from the primary source (101; 201), an image signal of the electromagnetic wave from the remote antenna (301); - modulating the electromagnetic wave received by said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200) by connecting the primary source (101; 201) of said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200): to a first impedance of substantially zero value;to a second impedance of substantially infinite value; or to a third impedance of substantially equal value to the impedance of said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200); and - transmitting, to the primary source (101; 201), an image signal of the electromagnetic wave to be re-emitted towards the external environment.;

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the transceiver circuit (307) is configured to amplify electromagnetic waves received by said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the transmission-reception circuit (307) is configured to filter electromagnetic background coming from the remote antenna (301) before its re-emission towards the external environment.

4. Device according to claim 3, in which the transceiver circuit (307) comprises a bandpass filter.

5. Device (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200) with transmitting or reflecting array comprises a single antenna (100; 200) with a transmitter or reflector network configured to receive and re-emit said electromagnetic wave.

6. Device (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200) with transmitting or reflecting array comprises a first antenna (100-1; 200) with transmitting or reflecting array configured to receive said electromagnetic wave and a second antenna (100-2, 200) with transmitting or reflecting array configured to re-emit said electromagnetic wave.

7. Method for controlling a relay device (300; 400) comprising at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200) with a transmitter or reflector network comprising a transmitter (103) or reflector (203) network and a primary source (101; 201) connected to a transmission-reception circuit (307) configured to receive, from the primary source (101; 201), an image signal of the electromagnetic wave coming from the remote antenna (301) and to transmit, to the primary source (101; 201), an image signal of the electromagnetic wave to be retransmitted to the external environment, the method comprising the following successive steps: a) receiving, by means of said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200), an electromagnetic wave coming from a remote antenna (301); b) modulating, by means of the transmission-reception circuit (307), the electromagnetic wave received by said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200) by connecting the primary source (101;201) of said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200): - to a first impedance of substantially zero value; - to a second impedance of substantially infinite value; or - to a third impedance of value substantially equal to the impedance of said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200); and c) re-emitting, by means of said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200), the electromagnetic wave towards an external medium.;

8. Method according to claim 7, further comprising, between steps a) and c), the step of amplifying the electromagnetic wave received by said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200).

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising, between steps a) and c), the step of filtering the electromagnetic wave received by said at least one antenna (100; 100-1, 100-2; 200).

10. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising, prior to step a), the step of detecting a position of at least one target device (303) relative to the relay device (300; 400), the retransmission being carried out, in step b), in a direction corresponding to the position of said at least one target device as determined at the end of the detection step.

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