Antenna transceiver module, multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system, and base station
Patent Information
- Application Number
- MYPI2022002919
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MY · MY
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2019-12-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2039-12-30
AI Technical Summary
In a time-division duplex system, the channel quality estimation time is too long, resulting in a slow response speed for user equipment to obtain information, and the base station cost is high and the downlink coverage capability is insufficient. Especially due to the tight SRS resources, channel resources need to be saved.
Design an antenna transceiver module, including a transmitting channel and a receiving channel, connecting duplexers to the main channel through multiple branch channels, using phase shifters to achieve narrow beam scanning, reducing the number of transmitters to reduce costs, and through multiple receiving channels Acquire all duplexer signals at once to shorten channel quality estimation time.
It achieves while ensuring the downlink coverage capability of the base station, shortening the channel quality estimation time, saving SRS resources, reducing base station costs, and improving the response speed of user equipment to obtain information.
Abstract
Description
An antenna transceiver module, a multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system, and a base station. Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of communication equipment technology, and in particular to an antenna transceiver module, a multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system, and a base station. Background Technology
[0002] In a time division duplex (TDD) system, in order to obtain the required information, the user equipment (UE) first sends a sounding reference signal (SRS) to the base station via the uplink channel. The base station performs channel quality estimation on the uplink channel corresponding to the SRS, selects the optimal downlink channel based on channel heterogeneity, and uses the optimal downlink channel to transmit the required information to the user equipment.
[0003] To ensure the downlink performance of base stations, it is necessary to shorten the channel quality estimation time to improve the response speed of user equipment in obtaining the required information. However, with SRS resources becoming increasingly scarce, it is necessary to conserve SRS resources. In addition, controlling base station costs and ensuring the downlink coverage capability of base stations are also urgent issues to be addressed.
[0004] Summary of the Invention
[0005] Embodiments of this application provide an antenna transceiver module, a multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system, and a base station, which can control base station costs, shorten channel quality estimation time, and save SRS resources while ensuring downlink coverage capability of the base station.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solutions:
[0007] In a first aspect, some embodiments of this application provide an antenna transceiver module, which includes a transmitting path and multiple receiving paths; the transmitting path includes a main path and multiple branch paths, the main path having an input terminal and an output terminal, each of the multiple branch paths having an input terminal and at least one output terminal, the input terminals of the multiple branch paths being connected to the output terminal of the main path, the output terminal of each branch path being used to connect to a duplexer, and at least one of the multiple branch paths including a phase shifter; the number of multiple receiving paths is equal to the total number of output terminals of the multiple branch paths, each of the multiple receiving paths having an input terminal and an output terminal, the input terminals of the multiple receiving paths corresponding one-to-one with all the output terminals of the multiple branch paths, and the input terminal of each of the multiple receiving paths being used to connect to the duplexer connected to the output terminal of the branch path corresponding to the input terminal of the receiving path.
[0008] The antenna transceiver module provided in this application includes a transmit path comprising a main path and multiple branch paths. The main path has an input terminal and an output terminal, and each of the multiple branch paths has an input terminal and at least one output terminal. The input terminals of the multiple branch paths are connected to the output terminal of the main path, and the output terminal of each branch path is used to connect to a duplexer, which in turn connects to an antenna subarray. This allows for the transmission of signals from one transmit path to multiple antenna subarrays, reducing the number of transmit paths (i.e., transmitters) required in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna transceiver system, thereby controlling base station costs. Furthermore, since at least one of the branch paths includes a phase shifter, the narrow beam output by the MIMO antenna transceiver system can be scanned within a certain range, thus ensuring the coverage capability of the base station. Meanwhile, since the antenna transceiver module includes multiple receiving paths, the number of which is equal to the total number of outputs of the multiple branch paths. Each receiving path has one input and one output, and the inputs of the multiple receiving paths correspond one-to-one with the outputs of the multiple branch paths. The input of each receiving path is used to connect to the duplexer connected to the output of the corresponding branch path. Therefore, the received signals of all duplexers can be obtained at once through multiple receiving paths, thereby enabling the acquisition of all SRS within the base station coverage area at once. This shortens the channel quality estimation time, improves the response speed of user equipment to obtain the required information, and the user equipment only needs to send SRS to the base station once using the uplink channel, thus saving SRS resources and improving the downlink performance of the base station.
[0009] Optionally, the antenna transceiver module further includes: multiple duplexers; the number of multiple duplexers is equal to the number of all output terminals of the multiple branch paths, and the multiple duplexers correspond one-to-one with all output terminals of the multiple branch paths. Each of the multiple duplexers includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The duplexer is used to couple the signal input at the first terminal to the output at the third terminal and to couple the signal input at the third terminal to the output at the second terminal. The first terminal of each of the multiple duplexers is connected to the output terminal of the corresponding branch path. The second terminal of each of the multiple duplexers is connected to the input terminal of the receiving path corresponding to the output terminal of the corresponding branch path. The third terminal of each of the multiple duplexers is used to connect to the antenna subarray.
[0010] Optionally, duplexers include, but are not limited to, single-pole multi-throw switches, circulators, and filters.
[0011] Optionally, the antenna transceiver module further includes: multiple antenna subarrays; the number of multiple antenna subarrays is equal to the number of multiple duplexers, the multiple antenna subarrays correspond one-to-one with the multiple duplexers, each of the multiple antenna subarrays includes at least one antenna, and each of the multiple antenna subarrays is connected to the third end of the duplexer corresponding to that antenna subarray.
[0012] Optionally, each of the multiple branch paths has an output terminal. In this way, the number of branch paths is equal to the total number of output terminals of the multiple branch paths. This structure is simple and facilitates independent control of each antenna subarray.
[0013] Optionally, each of the multiple branch paths includes a phase shifter, or all but one of the multiple branch paths include a phase shifter. This allows for independent phase adjustment of the transmitted signal across the multiple branch paths, providing greater flexibility and increasing the coverage area of the base station.
[0014] Optionally, the multiple antenna subarrays connected to all the output terminals of the multiple branch paths can be arranged in a row, so that the narrow beam output by the multiple input multiple output antenna transceiver system can be scanned in the direction of the arrangement of the multiple antenna subarrays.
[0015] Optionally, each of the multiple branch paths includes a main branch and multiple sub-branches. Each branch path has one input and one output. The input of the main branch is the input of the branch path, and the output of the main branch is connected to the inputs of the multiple sub-branches. The output of each sub-branch is the output of the branch path. In this way, each of the multiple branch paths has multiple outputs. The number of branch paths is less than the total number of outputs of the multiple branch paths, allowing for the connection of more antenna subarrays. Given a fixed number of antennas in a multiple-input multiple-output antenna system, this further reduces the number of transmitters required, thus saving base station costs.
[0016] Optionally, each of the multiple sub-branches includes a phase shifter, or the main branch includes a phase shifter, and all but one of the multiple sub-branches include phase shifters. In this way, the transmitted signal output from each of the output terminals of the multiple branch paths can be independently phase-adjusted, which provides high flexibility and can increase the coverage of the base station.
[0017] Optionally, the multiple antenna subarrays connected to each of the multiple branch paths are arranged into an antenna subarray along a first direction, and the antenna subarrays connected to the multiple branch paths are arranged along a second direction, which is perpendicular to the second direction. In this way, the narrow beam output by the multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system can scan along both the first and second directions.
[0018] Optionally, the transmission path includes an upmixer, also called a modulator, which is used to convert the frequency of the transmitted signal in the transmission path from a first frequency to a second frequency, where the first frequency is less than the second frequency.
[0019] Optionally, the main path includes an upmixer. This ensures that the frequency of the transmitted signal to all outputs of the branch paths is the second frequency, reducing the number of upmixers in the transmit path and lowering the cost of the antenna transceiver module.
[0020] Optionally, each of the multiple branch paths includes a power amplifier; when a branch path includes a phase shifter, the input of the power amplifier in that branch path is connected to the output of the phase shifter. In this way, the transmitted signal passes through the phase shifter first and then the power amplifier in the branch path, and the transmitted signal is not affected by the insertion loss of the phase shifter. Thus, under the premise of a constant transmit power, the strength of the transmitted signal can be increased, improving the downlink coverage capability of the base station; or, under the premise of a constant base station coverage capability, the transmit power of the transmitted signal can be reduced, thereby reducing energy consumption.
[0021] Optionally, each of the multiple receiving paths includes a downmixer, also called a demodulator, which is used to convert the frequency of the received signal transmitted in the receiving path from a third frequency to a fourth frequency, where the third frequency is greater than the fourth frequency.
[0022] Optionally, each receiving path in the receiving path also includes a low-noise amplifier, which can amplify the weak signal received by the antenna and reduce noise interference during the signal amplification process.
[0023] Secondly, some embodiments of this application provide a multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system, including multiple antenna transceiver modules, at least one of which is the antenna transceiver module as described in any of the above technical solutions.
[0024] Since the multiple input multiple output antenna transceiver system provided in this application includes the antenna transceiver module described in any of the above technical solutions, the multiple input multiple output antenna transceiver system provided in this application and the antenna transceiver module described in any of the above technical solutions can solve the same technical problems and achieve the same expected results.
[0025] Thirdly, some embodiments of this application provide a base station including the multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system described above.
[0026] Since the base station provided in this application embodiment includes the multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system described in the above technical solutions, the base station provided in this application embodiment and the multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system described in any of the above technical solutions can solve the same technical problems and achieve the same expected results. Attached Figure Description
[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first type of multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system provided in some embodiments of this application;
[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the antenna transceiver module in the first type of multiple input multiple output antenna transceiver system shown in Figure 1.
[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second type of multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system provided in some embodiments of this application;
[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the first structure of the first antenna transceiver module in the second type of multiple input multiple output antenna transceiver system shown in Figure 3.
[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the second structure of the first antenna transceiver module in the second type of multiple input multiple output antenna transceiver system shown in Figure 3.
[0032] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the third structure of the first antenna transceiver module in the second type of multiple input multiple output antenna transceiver system shown in Figure 3.
[0033] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the fourth structure of the first antenna transceiver module in the second type of multiple input multiple output antenna transceiver system shown in Figure 3.
[0034] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the fifth structure of the first antenna transceiver module in the second type of multiple input multiple output antenna transceiver system shown in Figure 3;
[0035] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the sixth structure of the first antenna transceiver module in the second type of multiple input multiple output antenna transceiver system shown in Figure 3;
[0036] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the second antenna transceiver module in the second type of multiple input multiple output antenna transceiver system shown in Figure 3.
[0037] Figure label:
[0038] 01-Antenna transceiver module; 011-RF transceiver; 0111-Transmit path; 0112-Receive path; 0113-Circulator; 012-Phase shifter; 013-Antenna subarray; 100-Processing circuit; 1-First antenna transceiver module; 11-Transmit path; 111-Main path; 112-Branch path; 112a-Main branch; 112b-Sub branch; 1121-Phase shifter; 1122-Power amplifier; 12-Receive path; 121-Low noise amplifier; 113-Duplexer; 14-Antenna subarray; 141-Antenna; 14a-Antenna subarray; 2-Second antenna transceiver module; 21-Transmit path; 211-Power amplifier; 22-Receive path; 221-Low noise amplifier; 23-Duplexer; 24-Antenna subarray. Detailed Implementation
[0039] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.
[0040] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.
[0041] In the embodiments of this application, the term "connection" refers to coupling, which includes direct connection or indirect connection via other devices to achieve electrical connectivity.
[0042] This application relates to an antenna transceiver module, a multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system, and a base station. The following is a brief explanation of the concepts involved in this embodiment:
[0043] User equipment (UE) is an important concept in mobile communications, encompassing mobile phones, smart terminals, multimedia devices, streaming media devices, and so on.
[0044] A sounding reference signal (SRS) is an uplink reference signal that can be used for channel quality estimation.
[0045] Channel quality estimation refers to the calculation process by which a base station receives SRS within its coverage area and estimates an optimal downlink channel based on the signal strength of the received SRS.
[0046] A base station is a radio transceiver station that transmits information between a mobile communication switching center and user equipment within a certain radio coverage area. With the application of 5G (5th generation mobile networks), radio transmission speeds have increased; however, due to the higher frequency of 5G signals, signal loss is greater, resulting in weaker base station coverage. To ensure coverage, base stations need to employ massively multi-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems to obtain beamforming gain and improve coverage. However, Massive MIMO systems involve a large number of radio frequency transceivers (TRx), which increases the cost of the base station.
[0047] To reduce base station costs, Figure 1 illustrates a Massive MIMO system provided in some embodiments of this application. This Massive MIMO system includes multiple antenna transceiver modules 01. A schematic diagram of the antenna transceiver module 01 is shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the antenna transceiver module 01 includes a radio frequency transceiver TRx 011, multiple phase shifters 012, and multiple antenna subarrays 013. The radio frequency transceiver 011 includes a transmit path 0111, a receive path 0112, and a circulator 0113. The back end of the radio frequency transceiver 011 can be connected to a processing circuit 100 for generating transmit signals or processing receive signals. The transmit path 0111, also known as the transmitter Tx, is used to receive transmit signals from the back-end processing circuit 100, process the transmit signals, and transmit the transmit signals to the multiple antenna subarrays 013 via the circulator 0113. The receive path 0112, also known as the receiver Rx, is used to process and transmit the received signals received by the multiple antenna subarrays 013 to the back-end processing circuit 100. The output of the transmit path 0111 is connected to the first terminal a of the circulator 0113. The circulator 0113 couples the input signal from the first terminal a to the output of the third terminal c. The input of the receive path 0112 is connected to the second terminal b of the circulator 0113. The circulator 0113 couples the input signal from the third terminal c to the output of the second terminal b. The third terminal c of the circulator 0113 is connected to multiple antenna subarrays 013. A phase shifter 012 is connected in series in the connection line between the third terminal c of the circulator 0113 and each antenna subarray 013. Through multiple phase shifters 012, the narrow beam output by the Massive MIMO system can be time-division scanned within a certain range, thereby ensuring the coverage capability of the base station. Furthermore, by using a single RF transceiver TRx to realize the signal transmission and reception of multiple antenna subarrays, the number of RF transceivers TRx in the Massive MIMO system can be reduced, thus lowering the cost of the base station. However, since the Massive MIMO system shown in Figure 1 receives multiple SRSs within the coverage area through narrow-beam time-division scanning, it can only receive all SRSs after completing one cycle of scanning, and cannot acquire all SRSs at the same time. This results in a longer channel quality estimation time and a slower response speed for user equipment to obtain the required information. Furthermore, during the scanning process of the Massive MIMO system through narrow beams for one cycle, the user equipment continuously sends SRSs to the base station, thus occupying SRS resources and causing a decrease in the downlink performance of the base station.
[0048] In order to control base station costs while shortening channel quality estimation time and saving SRS resources, some embodiments of this application provide a base station that can be a base station in a 5G network.
[0049] The base station includes a multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system provided in some embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system includes multiple antenna transceiver modules, at least one of which is a first antenna transceiver module 1.
[0050] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first transceiver module 1 provided in some embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the first antenna transceiver module 1 includes: a transmission path 11, which is also the transmitter Tx.
[0051] The transmission path 11 includes a main path 111 and multiple branch paths 112. The main path 11 has an input terminal and an output terminal. The input terminal of the main path 11 is used to connect to the processing circuit 100, which may include a processor or necessary logic circuitry for performing baseband signal processing or digital signal processing. The processor may be a baseband processor, digital signal processor, microprocessor, or central processing unit, etc. Optionally, the processing circuit 100 may be included outside the first antenna transceiver module 1. The processing circuit 100 is capable of generating a transmission signal. The main path 11 is used to receive the transmission signal from the processing circuit 100, process the transmission signal, and output the processed transmission signal from the output terminal of the main path 11. Each of the multiple branch paths 112 has an input terminal and at least one output terminal. The input terminals of the multiple branch paths 112 are connected to the output terminal of the main path 111. The output terminal of each branch path is used to connect to a duplexer. Each of the multiple branch paths 112 is used to receive and process the transmitted signal from the output terminal of the main path 111, and transmit the processed transmitted signal to at least one duplexer, which further transmits it to at least one antenna subarray, thereby transmitting the transmitted signal to multiple antenna subarrays through a transmitter Tx. The duplexer and antenna subarrays may be included outside the first antenna transceiver module 1. As shown in Figure 4, at least one of the multiple branch paths 112 includes a phase shifter 1121.
[0052] In this way, the phase shifter 1121 enables time-division scanning of the narrow beam output by the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna transceiver system within a certain range, thereby ensuring the coverage capability of the base station. Furthermore, using a single transmitter Tx to transmit signals to multiple antenna subarrays reduces the number of transmitters Tx required in the MIMO antenna transceiver system, thus controlling the cost of the base station.
[0053] As shown in Figure 4, the first antenna transceiver module also includes multiple receiving paths 12, which are also receivers Rx.
[0054] The number of multiple receiving paths 12 is equal to the total number of output terminals of multiple branch paths 112. Each receiving path 12 has one input terminal and one output terminal. The input terminals of multiple receiving paths 12 correspond one-to-one with all the output terminals of multiple branch paths 112. The input terminal of each receiving path 12 is used to connect to the duplexer connected to the output terminal of the corresponding branch path 112. The output terminal of each receiving path 12 is used to connect to the processing circuit 100. Each receiving path 12 is used to receive the received signal from the duplexer, process the received signal, and transmit the processed received signal to the processing circuit 100. The processing circuit 100 is capable of processing the received signal.
[0055] In this way, the received signals of all duplexers can be obtained at once through multiple receiving channels 12, thereby enabling the acquisition of all SRS within the coverage area of the base station at once. This shortens the channel quality estimation time, improves the response speed of user equipment to obtain the required information, and the user equipment only needs to send SRS to the base station once using the uplink channel, thus saving SRS resources and improving the downlink performance of the base station.
[0056] It should be noted that the total number of output terminals of the multiple branch paths 112 refers to the set of output terminals of the multiple branch paths 112. The total number of output terminals of the multiple branch paths 112 is the same as the number of output terminals in this set. For example, as shown in Figure 5, there are 2 branch paths 112, each with 2 output terminals, and the total number of output terminals of the multiple branch paths 112 is a set of 4 output terminals.
[0057] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG4, the first antenna transceiver module 1 further includes a plurality of duplexers 113, which include, but are not limited to, single-pole multi-throw switches, circulators and filters.
[0058] The number of duplexers 13 is equal to the number of all output terminals of the multiple branch paths 112. Each duplexer 13 corresponds one-to-one with all output terminals of the multiple branch paths 112. Each duplexer 13 includes a first terminal a, a second terminal b, and a third terminal c. The duplexer 13 is used to couple the signal input at the first terminal a to the output at the third terminal c, and to couple the signal input at the third terminal c to the output at the second terminal b. The first terminal a of each duplexer 13 is connected to the output terminal of the corresponding branch path 112. The second terminal b of each duplexer 13 is connected to the input terminal of the receiving path 12 corresponding to the output terminal of the corresponding branch path 112. The third terminal c of each duplexer 13 is used to connect to the antenna subarray.
[0059] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG4, the first antenna transceiver module 1 further includes: a plurality of antenna subarrays 14, the number of the plurality of antenna subarrays 14 being equal to the number of the plurality of duplexers 13, the plurality of antenna subarrays 14 corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of duplexers 13, each of the plurality of antenna subarrays 14 including at least one antenna 141, and each of the plurality of antenna subarrays 14 being connected to the third end c of the duplexer 13 corresponding to the antenna subarray 14.
[0060] In the above embodiments, the number of antennas 141 included in the antenna subarray 14 can be one, two, three, etc., and is not limited here. Specifically, it can be designed comprehensively according to the number of antennas in the multiple input multiple output antenna transceiver system and the coverage area required by the base station.
[0061] It should be noted that each of the multiple antenna subarrays 14 is connected to the third terminal c of the duplexer 13 corresponding to that antenna subarray 14, meaning that each antenna 141 in each of the multiple antenna subarrays 14 is connected to the third terminal c of the duplexer 13 corresponding to that antenna subarray 14.
[0062] Multiple antenna subarrays 14 can be arranged in a row (as shown in Figure 4, Figure 5 or Figure 6) or in an array (as shown in Figure 7, Figure 8 or Figure 9), and no specific limitation is made here.
[0063] Branch path 112 may have one output terminal or multiple output terminals. Specifically, the structure of branch path 112 may include the following two embodiments:
[0064] In Embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 4, each of the multiple branch paths 112 has an output terminal. In this way, the number of branch paths 112 is equal to the total number of output terminals of the multiple branch paths 112. This structure is simple and facilitates independent control of each antenna subarray.
[0065] In the above embodiments, among the multiple branch paths 112, only one branch path 112 may include a phase shifter 1121, or each branch path 112 may include a phase shifter 1121; no specific limitation is made here.
[0066] To increase the coverage of the base station, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG4, each of the multiple branch paths 112 includes a phase shifter 1121, or all but one of the multiple branch paths 112 include a phase shifter 1121. In this way, the multiple branch paths 112 can individually adjust the phase of the transmitted signal, providing greater flexibility and increasing the coverage of the base station.
[0067] It should be noted that when all but one of the multiple branch paths 112 include a phase shifter 1121, the phase of the transmitted signal on the branch path 112 that does not include a phase shifter 1121 can be used as a reference. The phase of the reference can be changed by the processing circuit 100 generating transmitted signals with different phases.
[0068] When each of the multiple branch paths 112 has an output terminal, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG4 or FIG6, the multiple antenna subarrays 14 connected to all the output terminals of the multiple branch paths 112 can be arranged in a row. In this way, the narrow beam output by the multiple input multiple output antenna transceiver system can be scanned in the arrangement direction of the multiple antenna subarrays. The multiple antenna subarrays 14 can be arranged in a row in a horizontal direction or in a vertical direction, without specific limitation.
[0069] In Embodiment 2, as shown in Figure 5, each of the multiple branch paths 112 includes a main branch 112a and multiple sub-branches 112b. Each sub-branch 112b has one input terminal and one output terminal. The input terminal of the main branch 112a is the input terminal of the branch path 112, and the output terminal of the main branch 112a is connected to the input terminals of the multiple sub-branches 112b. The output terminals of the sub-branches 112b are the output terminals of the branch path 112. In this way, each of the multiple branch paths 112 has multiple output terminals. The number of multiple branch paths 112 is less than the total number of output terminals of the multiple branch paths 112, allowing for the connection of more antenna subarrays. Given a fixed number of antennas in a multiple-input multiple-output antenna system, the number of transmitters Tx can be further reduced, further saving the cost of the base station.
[0070] In the above embodiments, only one of the multiple branch paths 112 may include a phase shifter 1121, or each branch path 112 may include a phase shifter 1121; no specific limitation is made here. When a branch path 112 includes a phase shifter 1121, specifically, the mother branch 112a of the branch path 112 may include a phase shifter 1121 (as shown in Figure 9), or the sub-branch 112b of the branch path 112 may include a phase shifter 1121; no specific limitation is made here.
[0071] To increase the coverage of the base station, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG7, each of the multiple sub-branches 112b includes a phase shifter 1121; or, as shown in FIG8, the main branch 112a includes a phase shifter 1121, and all but one of the multiple sub-branches 112b include a phase shifter 1121. In this way, the transmitted signal output from each of the output terminals of the multiple branch paths 112 can be independently phase-adjusted, providing high flexibility and increasing the coverage of the base station.
[0072] It should be noted that when the main branch 112a includes a phase shifter 1121, and all but one of the sub-branches 112b include a phase shifter 1121, the transmission signal output from the output terminal of the sub-branch 112b that includes a phase shifter 1121 receives two phase adjustments in sequence, one from the phase shifter 1121 included in the main branch 112a and the other from the phase shifter 1121 included in the sub-branch 112b. The transmission signal output from the output terminal of the sub-branch 112b that does not include a phase shifter 1121 receives only one phase adjustment from the phase shifter 1121 included in the main branch 112a.
[0073] When each of the multiple branch paths 112 has multiple output terminals, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG5, the multiple antenna subarrays 14 connected to all the output terminals of the multiple branch paths 112 can be arranged in a row or in an array, without specific limitation. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG7 or FIG8, the multiple antenna subarrays 14 connected to each of the multiple branch paths 112 are arranged into an antenna subarray 14a along a first direction (i.e., direction X in FIG7 or FIG8), and the antenna subarrays 14a connected to the multiple branch paths 112 are arranged along a second direction (i.e., direction Y in FIG7 or FIG8), the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction. In this way, the narrow beam output by the multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system can scan along both the first direction and the second direction. The first direction can be a horizontal direction or a vertical direction, without specific limitation.
[0074] In some embodiments, the transmit path 11 includes an upmixer, also called a modulator, which is used to convert the frequency of the transmitted signal transmitted in the transmit path 11 from a first frequency to a second frequency, where the first frequency is less than the second frequency. To ensure that the frequency of the transmitted signal transmitted to all outputs of the branch paths 112 is the second frequency, the main path 111 of the transmit path 11 may include an upmixer, or each of the multiple branch paths 112 may include an upmixer; no specific limitation is made here. However, to save costs, in some embodiments, the upmixer is included in the main path 111 of the transmit path 11. This ensures that the frequency of the transmitted signal transmitted to all outputs of the branch paths 112 is the second frequency, and the number of upmixers in the transmit path 11 is reduced, resulting in a lower cost for the first antenna transceiver module 1.
[0075] The transmitting path 11 also includes a power amplifier (PA) 1122, which is used to amplify the power of the transmitted signals transmitted to all outputs of the multiple branch paths 112. To achieve this, the main path 111 of the transmitting path 11 may include the power amplifier 1122 (as shown in Figure 6), or each of the multiple branch paths 112 may include the power amplifier 1122 (as shown in Figure 4). No specific limitation is made here.
[0076] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG4, each of the plurality of branch paths 112 includes a power amplifier 1122; when a branch path 112 includes a phase shifter 1121, the input terminal of the power amplifier 1122 in the branch path 112 is connected to the output terminal of the phase shifter 1121. In this way, the transmitted signal passes through the phase shifter 1121 first and then the power amplifier 1122 in the branch path 112, and the transmitted signal is not affected by the insertion loss of the phase shifter 1121. Thus, under the premise of a constant transmit power, the strength of the transmitted signal can be increased, improving the downlink coverage capability of the base station; or, under the premise of a constant base station coverage capability, the transmit power of the transmitted signal can be reduced, thereby reducing energy consumption.
[0077] In some embodiments, the receiving path 12 includes a downmixer, also called a demodulator, which is used to convert the frequency of the received signal transmitted in the receiving path 12 from a third frequency to a fourth frequency, wherein the third frequency is greater than the fourth frequency.
[0078] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG4, each receiving path 12 in the receiving path 12 includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) 121, which can amplify the weak signal received by the antenna and reduce noise interference during the signal amplification process.
[0079] The multiple antenna transceiver system includes multiple antenna transceiver modules, some of which may be the first antenna transceiver module 1, or all of which may be the first antenna transceiver module 1. No specific limitation is made here.
[0080] Some embodiments of this application also provide a second antenna transceiver module 2, as shown in FIG10. This second antenna transceiver module 2 includes a transmit path 21, a receive path 22, a duplexer 23, and an antenna subarray 24. The transmit path 21 includes an upmixer and a power amplifier 211. The input terminal of the transmit path 21 is connected to the processing circuit 100, and the output terminal of the transmit path 21 is connected to the first terminal a of the duplexer 23. The duplexer 23 can couple the input signal from the first terminal a to the output from the third terminal c. The receive path 22 includes a downmixer and a low-noise amplifier 221. The input terminal of the receive path 22 is connected to the second terminal b of the duplexer 23, and the output terminal of the receive path 22 is connected to the processing circuit 100. The duplexer 23 can couple the input signal from the third terminal c to the output from the second terminal b. The third terminal c of the duplexer 23 is connected to the antenna subarray 24, which includes at least one antenna.
[0081] When the MIMO antenna transceiver system includes multiple antenna transceiver modules, all of which are first antenna transceiver modules 1, the number of transmitters Tx can be reduced as much as possible, saving base station costs. However, the reduced number of transmitters Tx leads to a decrease in the downlink capacity of the base station. On the other hand, when the MIMO antenna transceiver system includes multiple antenna transceiver modules, all of which are second antenna transceiver modules 2, the number of transmitters Tx can be increased, improving the downlink capacity of the base station. However, the cost of the base station is relatively high. In order to balance the base station cost and the base station transmission capacity, in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 3, the MIMO antenna transceiver system includes N antenna transceiver modules. M of the N antenna transceiver modules are first antenna transceiver modules 1, where 1 ≤ M < N, and the remaining NM antenna transceiver modules are second antenna transceiver modules 2 as shown in Figure 10. In this way, the MIMO antenna transceiver system is composed of two types of antenna transceiver modules, namely first antenna transceiver modules 1 and second antenna transceiver modules 2, which can simultaneously balance the base station cost and the base station transmission capacity.
[0082] In the description of this specification, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0083] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.
Claims
1. An antenna transceiver module, characterized in that, include: A transmit path includes a main path and multiple branch paths. The main path has an input terminal and an output terminal. Each of the multiple branch paths has an input terminal and at least one output terminal. The input terminals of the multiple branch paths are connected to the output terminal of the main path. The output terminal of each of the multiple branch paths is used to connect to a duplexer. At least one of the multiple branch paths includes a phase shifter. Multiple receiving channels are provided, the number of which is equal to the total number of output terminals of the multiple branch channels. Each receiving channel has one input terminal and one output terminal. The input terminals of the multiple receiving channels correspond one-to-one with all the output terminals of the multiple branch channels. The input terminal of each receiving channel is used to connect to a duplexer connected to the output terminal of the corresponding branch channel.
2. The antenna transceiver module according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Multiple duplexers are provided, the number of which is equal to the total number of output terminals of the multiple branch paths. Each duplexer corresponds one-to-one with the output terminals of the multiple branch paths. Each duplexer includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The duplexer is used to couple the signal input from the first terminal to the output of the third terminal and to couple the signal input from the third terminal to the output of the second terminal. The first terminal of each duplexer is connected to the output terminal of the corresponding branch path. The second terminal of each duplexer is connected to the input terminal of the receiving path corresponding to the output terminal of the corresponding branch path. The third terminal of each duplexer is used to connect to an antenna subarray.
3. The antenna transceiver module according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: Multiple antenna subarrays, the number of which is equal to the number of multiple duplexers, each antenna subarray and each duplexer correspond one-to-one, each antenna subarray includes at least one antenna, and each antenna subarray is connected to the third end of the duplexer corresponding to the antenna subarray.
4. The antenna transceiver module according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the multiple branch paths has an output terminal.
5. The antenna transceiver module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The multiple antenna subarrays are arranged in a row.
6. The antenna transceiver module according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of branch paths includes a phase shifter, or all but one of the plurality of branch paths include a phase shifter.
7. The antenna transceiver module according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of branch paths includes a main branch and a plurality of sub-branches. Each of the main branch and each of the plurality of sub-branches has an input terminal and an output terminal. The input terminal of the main branch is the input terminal of the branch path, the output terminal of the main branch is connected to the input terminal of the plurality of sub-branches, and the output terminal of the sub-branches is the output terminal of the branch path.
8. The antenna transceiver module according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each of the multiple branch paths is connected to multiple antenna subarrays arranged along a first direction to form an antenna subarray, and the multiple branch paths are connected to antenna subarrays arranged along a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.
9. The antenna transceiver module according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of sub-branches includes a phase shifter, or the parent branch includes a phase shifter, and all but one of the plurality of sub-branches include a phase shifter.
10. The antenna transceiver module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of branch paths includes a power amplifier; When a branch path includes a phase shifter, the input terminal of the power amplifier in the branch path is connected to the output terminal of the phase shifter.
11. A multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system, characterized in that, It includes multiple antenna transceiver modules, at least one of which is the antenna transceiver module according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. A base station, characterized in that, Includes the multiple-input multiple-output antenna transceiver system as described in claim 11.