Electronic device for receiving and retransmitting radio signals

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of radio engineering. A device for receiving a signal from a base station and retransmitting the signal to a subscriber is configured in the form of a radio electronic unit and comprises: a high-frequency unit configured in the form of an ultra-high-frequency active path, which is capable of amplifying a signal, and at least two flat metasurfaces which determine the parameters of the radiation pattern of an antenna system, the metasurfaces being provided in the form of flat panels consisting of at least one layer of a dielectric material and a layer of conductive patch elements, wherein the first of two antenna systems acts as a donor device that generates a radiation pattern aimed at a signal source, and the second antenna system acts as a service unit, generating a radiation pattern directed toward a subscriber location, wherein the device is configured to be capable of receiving a signal on the subscriber side and retransmitting the signal to the base station side.

Description

[0001] ELECTRONIC DEVICE DESIGNED FOR RECEIVING RADIO SIGNALS AND SECONDARY RADIATION

[0002] AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

[0003] This technical solution relates to the field of radio electronic engineering, in particular, to devices for receiving a signal from a base station and re-emitting the signal towards the subscriber.

[0004] LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

[0005] A solution selected as the closest analogue is known from the prior art, US 2019103665 (A1), published 04.04.2019. This solution describes a system that can include a first antenna containing a first cavity, a first plurality of RF ports for forming an excitation wave inside the first cavity, and a first plurality of subwavelength artificially structured material elements located on the surface of the first cavity. The first antenna is configured to form a plurality of radiation patterns corresponding to the first plurality of ports. The system can also include a second antenna containing a second cavity and a second plurality of subwavelength artificially structured material elements located on the surface of the second cavity. Thus, the above-mentioned analogue characterizes the operating principle for a MIMO antenna.

[0006] The proposed technical solution, in turn, is aimed at eliminating the shortcomings of the current level of technology and differs from known solutions in that the proposed invention allows for the formation of a multi-beam solution in the antenna part and can be used without MIMO technology. The proposed solution ensures high-quality and effective signal reception from the base station and repeated signal emission towards the subscriber.

[0007] ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The technical problem, which the claimed solution is aimed at solving, is the creation of a device for receiving a signal from a base station and re-emitting the signal towards a subscriber. Additional embodiments of the present invention are presented in the dependent claims of the invention. The technical result consists in improving the quality of the wireless coverage formed by the base station (or other source), and as a consequence, increasing the range of the base station and the quality of the coverage.

[0009] The stated result is achieved by implementing a device for receiving a signal from the base station and re-emitting the signal towards the subscriber, made in the form of a radio-electronic unit and containing: a high-frequency unit made in the form of an active ultra-high frequency path, implemented with the ability to amplify the signal;at least two flat metasurfaces defining the parameters of the directional pattern of the antenna system, wherein the metasurfaces are made in the form of flat panels consisting of at least one dielectric layer and a layer of conductive patch elements, wherein the first of the two antenna systems acts as a donor device forming a directional pattern aimed at the signal source, and the second of the two antenna systems acts as a service unit forming a directional pattern directed towards the location of the subscribers, wherein the device is made with the possibility of receiving a signal from the subscribers and re-emitting the signal towards the base station.

[0010] In a particular embodiment of the described device, the high-frequency block, implemented in the form of an active ultra-high frequency path, is designed with the ability to: filter, attenuate, and transfer frequency.

[0011] In a particular embodiment of the described device, the metasurface forms an antenna that carries out directional reception and emission of a signal from one or more feeders in the form of a coaxial cable.

[0012] In a particular embodiment of the described device, the metasurface forms a lens that focuses the signal, when operating for reception and transmission, onto an array of irradiators in the form of weakly directional antenna elements, such as patch elements.

[0013] In a particular embodiment of the described device, the high-frequency block contains an irradiator or an array of irradiators.

[0014] In a particular embodiment of the described device, the array of irradiators contains a pattern orthogonalization circuit in the form of an additional element - a pattern-forming circuit (DFC).

[0015] DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] The implementation of the invention will be described further in accordance with the attached drawings, which are presented to explain the essence of the invention and in no way limit the scope of the invention. The following drawings are attached to the application:

[0017] Fig. 1 illustrates the operation diagram of the repeater and the structure of the beam-forming device.

[0018] Fig. 2 illustrates possible configuration options for the repeater depending on the purpose and area of ​​application of the end device.

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the invention, numerous implementation details are set forth in order to provide a clear understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art how the present invention may be used with or without these implementation details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the features of the present invention.

[0021] In addition, it will be clear from the above description that the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. Numerous possible modifications, changes, variations and substitutions, preserving the essence and form of the present invention, will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0022] The proposed invention relates to radio engineering devices, repeaters, devices for receiving and transmitting electromagnetic waves, and can be used in communication systems in the civil, aviation, marine and military spheres. The solution is intended to improve the quality of wireless communication service coverage formed by a base station (or other source), and as a result allows increasing the range of the base station and (or) the quality of radio coverage.

[0023] It should be noted that frequency ranges above 4 GHz, including the submillimeter wavelength range (24...29 GHz and above) have high attenuation during propagation of electromagnetic waves and are characterized by a quasi-optical nature of propagation. As a result, a situation arises where the base station provides access to wireless communication services, but concentrated in a limited area of ​​space. To increase the coverage area of ​​communication services, repeaters and reflective surfaces are used. They allow expanding the coverage without installing additional base stations, which for a communication operator or infrastructure operator means a reduction in labor costs for network construction. The present invention allows solving this problem, since it provides improved coverage of communication services due to the use of repeaters and reflective surfaces.They allow increasing the energy potential of the radio link due to the high gain of the antenna system and active signal amplification in the radio path, as well as the ability to redirect (receive and amplify signals with subsequent re-emission) to the radio shadow zone. As a result, the wireless network coverage area increases significantly. It is also possible to form a coverage area of ​​communication services of a complex shape. This scenario is used to create uniform and high-quality coverage of communication services in dense urban areas. To create such coverage, it is necessary to install additional base stations, which increases labor costs during network construction and significantly increases the amount of work associated with obtaining permits for the installation of base stations. Repeaters allow expanding the coverage of communication services cheaper and with significantly lower regulatory barriers.It is important to understand that the network itself can easily be optimized or reconfigured by adding new repeaters, changing the location, or changing the radiation parameters of devices already installed in the wireless network.

[0024] This technical solution has the following functionality: receiving a signal from a base station or subscriber; amplifying a signal in the microwave path; re-radiating a signal to a subscriber or to a base station; the ability to operate in a temporary duplex mode.

[0025] The device is a radio-electronic unit that receives a signal from the base station and re-radiates it (re-radiates) it towards the subscriber. And similarly, it operates in the reverse order - receives a signal from the subscribers and re-radiates it (re-radiates) it towards the base station. The repeater contains at least two flat metasurfaces that determine the parameters of the antenna system's directional diagram. The metasurfaces are made in the form of flat panels consisting of one or more layers (plates) of dielectric and layers of conductive patch elements. Metasurface antennas can be implemented using printed circuit board manufacturing technology. The first of the two metasurfaces acts as a donor device that forms a directional diagram directed towards the base station or another signal source, such as another repeater when they are connected in cascade.The second of the two metasurfaces acts as a service block directed at end subscribers and forms a directional diagram in the direction of the subscribers' location. In particular, there may be several service blocks, for example, in the case of signals being formed from one donor block in different directions.

[0026] The metasurface is designed to focus the signal in at least two different ways. The first way is an antenna on the metasurface, which performs directional reception and emission of the signal from one or several feeders in the form of a coaxial cable or waveguides of another type. The second way is a lens based on the metasurface, which performs signal focusing (when working on reception and transmission) on an array of weakly directional antenna elements in the form of patch structures or other types.

[0027] In addition to metasurfaces, the repeater contains a high-frequency block, made in the form of an active ultra-high frequency path, performing the functions of filtering, attenuation, frequency transfer, etc. for the first case, where the metasurface forms an antenna.

[0028] The class of such repeaters is a new type of equipment in the world. The repeater operates in new frequency ranges, represented mainly by fifth-generation communication networks or other promising networks.

[0029] One of the main elements of the repeater is the antenna system. To form antenna systems in this technical solution, metasurfaces are used, which is a new class of antennas actively developed by leading technology companies and international competence centers.

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates the structural diagram of the device and the DOS.

[0031] The signal from the base station (BS) arrives at the first radio frequency lens made on the basis of a metasurface (MS). The metasurface lens 1 forms a focused radiation towards the beamforming device (BFD). In the structure of the beamforming device, the signal arrives at the antenna array 1 (AM1). Then the radio frequency signal arrives at the analog block consisting of radio frequency filters, amplifiers and devices for forming the amplitude-phase distribution (APD). Based on signals from the control block, the second APD forming device creates a distribution of the amplitudes and phases of the supply voltages for the antenna array 2 (AM2). In turn, AM2 forms electromagnetic waves arriving at the second radio frequency lens based on the MS. The formed signal arrives at the subscriber (A). The system operates in the opposite direction (from the subscriber to the base station) identically.

[0032] Figure 2 illustrates possible repeater layout options depending on the purpose and application area of ​​the end device. It is possible to form multiple end device configurations, the main layout options include: - a scheme using a donor line (from the base station towards the radio unit (RU) based on a metasurface lens (MSL) and a beamforming device (BFD) symmetrically with a service line (from the radio unit towards the subscriber), also implemented on the basis of a beamforming device and a metasurface lens. The radio unit performs auxiliary tasks to increase or limit the signal power level. This scheme allows changing the position of the directional diagram both from the BS side and from the subscriber side. This scheme is most relevant when using a repeater on mobile platforms, or when tracking a subscriber in the process of providing a radio communication session.

[0033] - a scheme with a metasurface antenna (MSA) in the donor line (in this case, it is possible to place part of the radio unit directly in a single design with the MSA) and the MSA in the service line (variations are possible with both an active MSA and a passive MSA). This implementation has a static position of the radiation pattern in the donor and service lines, which is the most energy-efficient scheme and is preferable in scenarios with a limited level of supplied power.

[0034] - an asymmetrical scheme with MPA (active or passive) in the donor line and a scheme with DOS and MPL in the service line. The third option is a compromise in scenarios with the possibility of preliminary adjustment of the mutual position of the donor unit and the base station, and dynamically changing the location of the subscriber, or a group of subscribers, in the process of providing a radio communication session.

[0035] Currently, most such solutions operate on the basis of antennas with a fixed directional diagram, which does not allow controlling the beam position either towards the subscriber or towards the base station. This circumstance complicates the process of putting the system into operation (it is necessary to accurately position the repeater antennas towards the subscriber and the base station). The second limitation is the impossibility of tracking the subscriber's position during operation.

[0036] The proposed solution contains a block for controlling the position of the main lobe of the radiation pattern, the relevance of which primarily relates to the subscriber side. At the same time, MPL1 and MPL2 can have different forms of the radiation pattern due to different requirements for the energy potential of the radio link. Thus, the DD towards the BS should have a minimum value of the width of the main lobe at the half-power level and the maximum level of the gain. While on the subscriber side, the MPL should form a wider main lobe with a minimum level of side lobes.

[0037] For orthogonalization (reduction of their mutual influence) of directional patterns, the DOS is used. The DOS is intended for reactive excitation of neighboring elements of the array, when a signal is applied to one of them, thereby forming an amplitude-phase distribution on the array, creating orthogonal directional patterns after the lens. The DOS includes an analog block, which in turn contains devices for forming an amplitude-phase distribution (APD). With the help of these devices, it is possible to orthogonalize directional patterns in order to achieve the required RP cross-section in the scanning plane.

[0038] The first generation of the proposed repeaters is based on controlled tensor metasurface structures with "x" polarization, where the antenna system contains a metasurface in the form of a distribution of subwave patches - meta-atoms, which are formed due to the pattern of the conductive layer above the dielectric layer using the technology of manufacturing printed circuit boards (or other flat layered structures). In this way, a flat antenna or radio lens is formed. This structure (metasurface) allows forming a directional beam (directional pattern) or a group of beams with a high gain of about 22 dB or more. In the first generation, the downlink and uplink are implemented as separate modules. Each module has a high-frequency path, which is a sequential connection of amplifiers and other elements of the radio path.Subsequent generations of repeaters (and reflective surfaces) have combined modules (uplink and downlink) in one block and the ability to electronically control the beam. The technology is scaled for various frequency ranges for network operation. And due to the ability to control the parameters of the directional diagram and the parameters of the HF block, it is possible to form an adaptive (tunable) coverage in accordance with the network requirements. The proposed architecture of repeaters (and reflective surfaces) implies the possibility of cascade connection, where each subsequent repeater receives and amplifies the signal of the previous one. Due to which it is possible to further expand the service area of ​​the wireless network.

[0039] Since the ranges of fifth-generation communication networks are built on the principle of operation in a time duplex, this system becomes more sensitive to time signal delays. In this regard, the repeater architecture is built so that the signal is converted directly at the radio frequency. As a result, the signal delay is determined by the time of passage along the path. In this case, retransmission occurs at the radio frequency, without transferring to an intermediate frequency. This allows us to simplify the circuit and abandon the radio frequency converter circuit, synthesizer, which allows us to obtain a significantly simplified radio path. For promising "distributed" retransmission systems, an approach with signal transfer to an intermediate frequency is considered for the possibility of spatial separation of the repeater service blocks. Such inclusion architectures, for example, for signal transmission to office premises or in private communication networks of enterprises and facilities, can have advantages.

[0040] Such solutions are used to distribute the signal, bend around obstacles, which ultimately allows for more flexible distribution of network capacity, without significant capital investments from the operator or the company constructing the network infrastructure. One of the most popular examples of repeater application is the expansion of the network capacity, due to the spatial distribution of the signal from the base station, bending around objects, in dense urban areas. Retransmission systems are also required in private networks of fifth-generation (5G) communication systems for transmitting high-speed data flow between the infrastructure and mobile objects.

[0041] An important aspect is the global trend of using new high-frequency ranges. In particular, in addition to ranges over 4 GHz (for example, p79, p257, p258, etc.), ranges p260, p261 and others are used, the solution for which is created for the market based on the described technology. Metasurfaces, according to the majority, are one of the key technological candidates for sixth-generation communication networks.

[0042] The present application materials present a preferred disclosure of the implementation of the claimed technical solution, which should not be used as limiting other, particular embodiments of its implementation that do not go beyond the scope of the requested scope of legal protection and are obvious to specialists in the relevant field of technology.

Claims

Formula 1.A device for receiving a signal from a base station and re-emitting the signal toward a subscriber, implemented in the form of a radio-electronic unit and comprising: a high-frequency unit implemented in the form of an active ultra-high-frequency path, implemented with the possibility of amplifying the signal; at least two flat metasurfaces that determine the parameters of the antenna system's directional pattern, wherein the metasurfaces are implemented in the form of flat panels consisting of at least one dielectric layer and a layer of conductive patch elements, wherein the first of the two antenna systems acts as a donor device that forms a directional pattern aimed at the signal source, and the second of the two antenna systems acts as a service unit that forms a directional pattern directed toward the location of the subscribers, wherein the device is configured to receive a signal from the subscribers and re-emit the signal toward the base station.

2. The device according to item 1, in which the high-frequency block, implemented in the form of an active ultra-high frequency path, is designed with the possibility of: filtering, attenuation, and frequency transfer.

3. The device according to claim 1, in which the metasurface forms an antenna that carries out directional reception and emission of a signal from one or more feeders in the form of a coaxial cable.

4. The device according to claim 1, in which the metasurface forms a lens that focuses the signal, during reception and transmission, onto an array of irradiators in the form of weakly directional antenna elements, for example patch elements.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the high-frequency unit comprises an emitter or an array of emitters.

6. The device according to item 5, in which the array of feed elements contains a radiation pattern orthogonalization circuit in the form of an additional element - a beamforming circuit (BFC).

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