Circuit assembly, interface circuit, network device, and communication system

Abstract

A circuit assembly, an interface circuit, a network device, and a communication system, aiming to improve the problem of a single wireless device having a relatively small coverage area. An interface circuit (100) comprises a first coupler (110), a second coupler (140), a first antenna (101), and a photoelectric converter (120). The interface circuit performs signal transmission with the first antenna. Second antennas (20) can be pulled away, so as to be far away from the first antenna, thereby increasing the coverage area of a signal. A portion of a second uplink signal of a second antenna is transmitted to a gateway device (30) by means of the photoelectric converter, the second coupler, and the first coupler. Another portion of the second uplink signal passes through the photoelectric converter and an isolation end of the second coupler, and passes through the photoelectric converter again as a downlink signal and is fed back to the other second antennas. If one of the second antennas has an uplink signal, the remaining second antennas all receive the feedback and no longer receive the uplink signal, thereby solving the problem of hidden nodes.

Description

Circuit assembly, interface circuit, network device and communication system

[0001] The present application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202410997127.9 filed on July 23, 2024, and entitled "Circuit assembly, interface circuit, network device and communication system", the whole content of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of network devices, in particular to a circuit assembly, an interface circuit, a network device and a communication system. BACKGROUND

[0003] Radio over fiber (ROF) is a technology that combines optical fiber communication and wireless communication. The main principle of ROF is to modulate the microwave at the transmitting side into an optical wave, then transmit the optical wave through an optical transmission link, demodulate the microwave signal at the receiving side through photoelectric conversion, and then transmit the microwave through an antenna for users to use, the aforementioned microwave is also called radio frequency signal.

[0004] At present, a single wireless device has a problem of small coverage area. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a circuit assembly, an interface circuit, a network device and a communication system, aiming to improve the problem of small coverage area of a single wireless device.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions.

[0007] In a first aspect, an interface circuit is provided. The interface circuit includes a first coupler, a first antenna, and an opto-electric converter. The first coupler includes a first through port, a second through port, and a first coupling port. The first antenna is connected to the second through port. The opto-electric converter includes an uplink interface and a downlink interface. The first coupling port is connected to the downlink interface, and the second through port is connected to the uplink interface. The first coupler is configured to receive a downlink signal through the first through port and output a portion of the downlink signal to the first antenna through the second through port. The first coupler is also configured to output another portion of the downlink signal to the downlink interface through the first coupling port. The opto-electric converter is configured to convert the other portion of the downlink signal into an optical signal and output the optical signal. The opto-electric converter is also configured to receive a second uplink signal, convert the second uplink signal into an electrical signal, and output the electrical signal to the second through port through the uplink interface. The first coupler is further configured to output the electrical signal through the first through port. In this way, a portion of the downlink signal is radiated through the first antenna, and another portion of the downlink signal is output through the downlink interface. Similarly, the opto-electric converter and the first antenna can both receive uplink signals. The interface circuit has at least two signal transmission locations, which increases the signal coverage range of the interface circuit. When the downlink interface is connected to other signal transmission components (e.g., a second antenna), the signal transmission components can be pulled away according to demand, further expanding the signal coverage range.

[0008] In some possible implementation manners, the interface circuit further includes a second coupler. The second coupler includes a third through port, a fourth through port, a second coupling port, and a second isolation port. The second isolation port is connected with the downstream interface; the first antenna is connected with the fourth through port, the third through port is connected with the second through port, the connection of the first antenna and the second through port includes: the first antenna is connected with the fourth through port, and the third through port is connected with the second through port. The second through port is connected with the upstream interface, and the connection of the second through port and the upstream interface includes: the second coupling port is connected with the upstream interface. The second coupler is configured to: receive the downstream signal from the second through port through the third through port, and output a part of the downstream signal to the first antenna through the fourth through port; and receive the first upstream signal from the first antenna through the fourth through port, and output the first upstream signal to the second through port through the third through port. The second coupler is further configured to: receive the electrical signal from the optical-electric converter through the second coupling port; transmit a part of the electrical signal to the second through port through the third through port; and transmit another part of the electrical signal to the downstream interface through the second isolation port. When the second antenna transmits the upstream signal, the upstream signal is transmitted to the optical-electric converter as the second upstream signal, and the optical-electric converter converts the second upstream signal into the electrical signal. A part of the electrical signal continues to be transmitted upstream to the first gateway device through the third through port and the second through port. Another part of the electrical signal is transmitted downstream to the second antenna and the second antenna through the second isolation port and the downstream interface. The part of the electrical signal is transmitted to the second antenna and the second antenna as the feedback signal, and feeds back the information that the second antenna has an upstream communication demand, so as to instruct the second antenna and the second antenna not to transmit the upstream signal in the time period, thereby avoiding the problem that the channel is busy or even communication conflict caused by the fact that multiple second antennas simultaneously transmit the upstream signal. In this way, even if the second antennas are far away, the hidden node problem can be effectively improved under the action of the interface circuit.

[0009] In some possible implementation manners, the interface circuit further includes a first power divider. The second isolation port and the first coupling port are connected with the downstream interface through the first power divider. The first power divider is configured to: transmit the downstream signal from the first coupling port to the downstream interface; and transmit the electrical signal from the second isolation port to the downstream interface. In this way, the first power divider has the function of combining, and the downstream signal from the first coupling port and the electrical signal from the second isolation port can be transmitted to the downstream interface through the first power divider.

[0010] In some possible implementation modes of the first aspect, the interface circuit further includes a second power divider. The first antenna and the uplink interface are connected to the second through end through the second power divider. The second power divider is configured to transmit the first uplink signal from the first antenna and the electrical signal from the uplink interface to the second through end, and transmit a part of the first downlink signal from the second through end to the first antenna. The first uplink signal from the first antenna and the electrical signal from the uplink interface can be transmitted to the second through end through the second power divider at the same time. In this way, the second power divider can combine the two uplink signals and transmit them to the second through end.

[0011] In some possible implementation modes of the first aspect, the interface circuit further includes an impedance matching device. The first coupler further includes a first isolation end, and the first isolation end is connected to the impedance matching device.

[0012] In some possible implementation modes of the first aspect, the interface circuit further includes an optical splitter connected to the photoelectric converter. The optical splitter is configured to transmit the second uplink signal to the uplink interface, and split the optical signal from the downlink interface into a plurality of sub-signals. In this way, a plurality of second antennas can be connected to the photoelectric converter through the optical splitter.

[0013] In the second aspect, the present application provides a network device. The network device includes a first gateway device and any one of the interface circuits provided in the first aspect. The network device includes a network interface. The first through end is connected to the network interface. Since the coverage range of the interface circuit is increased, the coverage range of the network device is also increased accordingly.

[0014] In some possible implementation modes of the second aspect, the network device further includes a second gateway device. The second gateway device is connected to the first gateway device. The network device includes a plurality of the interface circuits, which are respectively a first interface circuit and a second interface circuit. The first interface circuit is connected to the first gateway device, and the second interface circuit is connected to the second gateway device. The first gateway device and the second gateway device are deployed in a topology to increase the coverage range.

[0015] In some possible implementation modes of the second aspect, the network device further includes an optical distribution network. The second gateway device is connected to the first gateway device through the optical distribution network.

[0016] In some possible implementation modes of the second aspect, the first gateway device has a plurality of the network interfaces. The network device includes a plurality of the interface circuits, and the first through end of the first coupler of one of the interface circuits is connected to one of the network interfaces. In this way, the first gateway device can be connected to a plurality of interface circuits, and the coverage range of the network device is further improved.

[0017] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication system, the communication system comprising the second antenna and any of the network devices provided in the second aspect. The second antenna is connected with the photoelectric converter in the interface circuit. Since the network device has a wide coverage, it is obvious that the communication system comprising the network device also has the advantage of wide coverage.

[0018] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementable manners, the interface circuit comprises an optical splitter. The second antenna is in a plurality, and each of the plurality of second antennas is connected with the optical splitter.

[0019] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a circuit assembly. The circuit assembly comprises a first coupler, a first antenna, a second antenna and a photoelectric converter. The first coupler comprises a first through port, a second through port and a first coupling port, the first through port being configured to connect with a network interface. The first antenna is connected with the second through port.

[0020] The photoelectric converter comprises an uplink interface and a downlink interface, the first coupling port is connected with the downlink interface, and the second through port is connected with the uplink interface. The uplink interface and the downlink interface are both connected with the second antenna. Wherein, the first coupler is configured to receive a downlink signal through the first through port, and output a part of the downlink signal to the first antenna through the second through port. And, the first coupler is configured to receive a first uplink signal from the first antenna through the second through port, and output the first uplink signal through the first through port. The first coupler is further configured to output another part of the downlink signal to the downlink interface of the photoelectric converter through the first coupling port; the photoelectric converter is configured to convert the other part of the downlink signal into an optical signal, and output the optical signal to the second antenna. The photoelectric converter is further configured to receive a second uplink signal from the second antenna, convert the second uplink signal into an electrical signal, and output the electrical signal to the second through port through the uplink interface; the first coupler is further configured to output the electrical signal through the first through port.

[0021] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation, the circuit component further includes a second coupler. The second coupler includes a third through port, a fourth through port, a second coupling port and a second isolation port. The second isolation port is connected with the downstream interface; the first antenna is connected with the second through port includes that the first antenna is connected with the fourth through port, and the third through port is connected with the second through port. The second through port is connected with the upstream interface includes that the second coupling port is connected with the upstream interface. The second coupler is configured to receive the downstream signal from the second through port through the third through port, and output a part of the downstream signal to the first antenna through the fourth through port. And receive the first upstream signal from the first antenna through the fourth through port, and output the first upstream signal to the second through port through the third through port. The second coupler is further configured to receive the electrical signal from the photoelectric converter through the second coupling port; and transmit a part of the electrical signal to the second through port through the third through port; transmit another part of the electrical signal to the downstream interface through the second isolation port.

[0022] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation, the interface circuit further includes a first power divider. The second isolation port and the first coupling port are connected with the downstream interface through the first power divider. The first power divider is configured to transmit the downstream signal from the first coupling port to the downstream interface. And transmit a part of the electrical signal from the second isolation port to the downstream interface.

[0023] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation, the interface circuit further includes a second power divider. The first antenna and the upstream interface are connected with the second through port through the second power divider. The second power divider is configured to transmit the first upstream signal from the first antenna and the electrical signal from the upstream interface to the second through port. And transmit a part of the first downstream signal from the second through port to the first antenna.

[0024] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation, the interface circuit further includes an impedance matching device. The first coupler further includes a first isolation port, and the first isolation port is connected with the impedance matching device.

[0025] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some possible implementation, the interface circuit further includes a light splitter, and the light splitter is connected with the photoelectric converter. The light splitter is configured to transmit the second upstream signal to the upstream interface; and divide the optical signal from the downstream interface into a plurality of sub-signals.

[0026] The beneficial effects of the fourth aspect can refer to the descriptions of the optional implementation manners of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, which will not be described here. On the basis of the implementation manners of the above aspects provided by the present application, further combinations can be made to provide more implementation manners. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Fig. 1a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system.

[0028] Fig. 1b is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication system.

[0029] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an interface circuit and a first gateway device provided by the present application.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of signal transmission of the interface circuit in Fig. 2.

[0031] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of another interface circuit and a first gateway device provided by the present application.

[0032] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of signal transmission of the interface circuit shown in Fig. 4.

[0033] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of communication of the interface circuit shown in Fig. 4 and three second antennas.

[0034] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second antenna provided by the present application.

[0035] In the drawings: 10 - network device; 20 - second antenna; 30 - first gateway device; 31 - power management chip; 32 - system on chip; 301 - network interface; 101 - first antenna; 100 - interface circuit; 100a - first interface circuit; 100b - second interface circuit; 50 - optical distribution network; 40 - second gateway device; 110 - first coupler; 120 - photoelectric converter; 130 - second power divider; 140 - second coupler; 150 - first power divider; 160 - optical splitter; 111 - first through end; 112 - second through end; 113 - first coupling end; 121 - uplink interface; 122 - downlink interface; 141 - third through end; 142 - fourth through end; 143 - second coupling end; 144 - second isolation end; 001 - first uplink signal; 002 - second uplink signal; 003 - downlink signal; 004 - optical signal; 005 - electrical signal; 102 - impedance matching device; 20a - second antenna; 20b - second antenna; 20c - second antenna; 21 - antenna module; 114 - first isolation end; 23 - first signal interface; 24 - second signal interface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to make the purposes, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0037] Hereinafter, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used only for descriptive purposes, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implying the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first", "second", and the like can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more, unless otherwise specified.

[0038] In addition, in the present application, the orientation terms such as "upper", "lower", and the like are defined with respect to the orientation in which the components in the drawings are placed, and it should be understood that these directional terms are relative concepts, which are used for relative description and clarification, and can be changed accordingly according to the change of the orientation in which the components are placed in the drawings.

[0039] FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system. Referring to FIG. 1a, the communication system includes a network device 10 and a second antenna 20. The network device 10 and the second antenna 20 are connected. The data of the network device 10 is supplied to a terminal through the second antenna 20. The terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), and the like.

[0040] In some embodiments, the terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a desktop computer, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in a smart home, and the like.

[0041] In other embodiments, the terminal can also be a home gateway. The home gateway can transmit data of the following services: Internet services (such as interactive network television services, including home gateway support for video on demand, live services, and distance education, etc.), online game services (for example, game terminals carry out game services through the home gateway), Internet protocol (IP) phones, video phones, and video monitoring services, etc. For example, the home gateway can also realize home control and security service management on a remote network. For example, a user with a home gateway can access the automatic lighting, heating, and security systems in the area covered by the home gateway during work or travel. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal.

[0042] The network device 10 comprises the first gateway device 30 and the interface circuit 100. The first gateway device 30 is connected to the interface circuit 100. The second antenna 20 is connected to the interface circuit 100. The data of the first gateway device 30 is interconnected through the interface circuit 100 and the second antenna 20.

[0043] Exemplarily, the interface circuit 100 comprises the first antenna 101. The first gateway device 30 can be interconnected with the first antenna 101 and the second antenna 20. In other words, the signal of the first gateway device 30 can be radiated to the user terminal through the first antenna 101 and the second antenna 20, which can improve the network coverage of the communication system. Exemplarily, the first antenna 101 can be installed by adhesion, magnetic attraction, clamping, wall hanging, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0044] In FIG. 1a, the first gateway device 30 comprises the network interface 301. The interface circuit 100 is connected to the network interface 301. The first gateway device 30 is interconnected through the network interface 301 and the interface circuit 100.

[0045] In some embodiments, the first gateway device 30 can be interconnected with multiple interface circuits 100. Exemplarily, the first gateway device 30 comprises multiple network interfaces 301. The network device 10 comprises multiple interface circuits 100. One network interface 301 is connected to one interface circuit 100. Correspondingly, one interface circuit 100 is connected to at least one second antenna 20. In this way, the first gateway device 30 can be radiated through multiple second antennas 20, which further increases the network coverage of the communication system.

[0046] It can be understood that part of the interface circuits 100 can not be connected to the second antenna 20. The first antenna 101 of the interface circuit 100 can radiate signals. In other words, in the embodiment in which the network device 10 comprises multiple interface circuits 100, part of the interface circuits 100 can not be configured with the second antenna 20.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present application, the network device 10 can comprise multiple gateway devices.

[0048] Fig. 1b is a schematic diagram of another communication system. In Fig. 1b, the network device 10 can further include a second gateway device 40, which is connected with the first gateway device 30. The network device 10 includes a plurality of interface circuits, i.e., a first interface circuit 100a and a second interface circuit 100b. The first interface circuit 100a is connected with the first gateway device 30. The second interface circuit 100b is connected with the second gateway device 40. In this way, the first interface circuit 100a can improve the coverage of the first gateway device 30, and the second interface circuit 100b can improve the coverage of the second gateway device 40. The coverage of the network device 10 is obviously improved.

[0049] The connection between the second interface circuit 100b and the second gateway device 40 can refer to the description of the connection between the first gateway device 30 and the interface circuit 100 in Fig. 1a, which is not repeated here.

[0050] Similarly, the number of the first interface circuit 100a can be one, two, three or more. Some of the first interface circuits 100a can not be provided with the second antenna 20. The number of the second interface circuit 100b can be one, two, three or more. Some of the second interface circuits 100b can not be provided with the second antenna 20.

[0051] For example, the network device 10 can further include an optical distribution network (ODN) 50. The second gateway device 40 is connected with the first gateway device 30 through the optical distribution network 50. The optical distribution network 50 can pull the signal of the first gateway device 30 to a farther distance and transmit the signal through the second gateway device 40.

[0052] For example, the optical distribution network 50 can include an indoor fiber distribution network (IFDN).

[0053] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of the second gateway device 40 can be one, two, three or more. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0054] The interface circuit 100 provided by the embodiments of the present application can effectively increase the coverage area of the communication system. The embodiments of the present application exemplarily illustrate the structure and connection mode of the first gateway device 30 and the interface circuit 100.

[0055] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the interface circuit 100 and the first gateway device 30 provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 2, the interface circuit 100 includes a first coupler 110, a first antenna 101, and a photoelectric converter 120. The photoelectric converter 120 can also be called an electro-optic converter. The first coupler 110 includes a first through-port 111, a second through-port 112, and a first coupling port 113. The photoelectric converter 120 includes an uplink interface 121 and a downlink interface 122. The first antenna 101 is connected to the second through-port 112. The first coupling port 113 is connected to the downlink interface 122, and the second through-port 112 is connected to the uplink interface 121.

[0056] The first direct connection terminal 111 is connected to the network interface 301 of the first gateway device 30. The first direct connection terminal 111 is used to transmit the first uplink signal received by the first antenna 101 to the network interface 301, and to transmit the downlink signal output by the network interface 301 to the first antenna 101.

[0057] The first coupler 110 is a four-port element, comprising a first through port 111, a second through port 112, a first coupling port 113, and a first isolation port 114. The first through port 111 and the second through port 112 are connected via a transmission line, resulting in minimal power loss of the electrical signal transmitted between them. The first through port 111 and the first coupling port 113 are coupled via a coupling structure, including but not limited to gaps, holes, and coupling segments. A portion (or all) of the electrical signal power from either the first through port 111 or the second through port 112 can be coupled to the first coupling port 113. The first through port 111 and the first isolation port 114 are isolated, and the electrical signal power transmitted from either the first through port 111 or the second through port 112 to the first isolation port 114 is minimal or almost zero. The second coupler 140 (as shown in Figure 4) is similar and will not be described further. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of signal transmission in the interface circuit 100 of Figure 2. Referring to Figure 3, when network interface 301 outputs downlink signal 003, the first pass-through terminal 111 of the first coupler 110 receives downlink signal 003 and outputs a portion of the downlink signal to the first antenna 101 through the second pass-through terminal 112. The first coupling terminal 113 of the first coupler 110 outputs another portion of the downlink signal to the downlink interface 122 of the opto-converter 120. The opto-converter 120 converts this other portion of the downlink signal 003 into an optical signal 004 and outputs the optical signal 004. Thus, interface circuit 100 outputs the downlink signal from the first gateway device 30. It can be understood that the aforementioned "another portion of the downlink signal 003" and optical signal 004 are the same signal, the difference being that the signal types are different.

[0058] The first gateway device 30 (as shown in Figure 2) can receive uplink signals from the interface circuit 100. The uplink signals include at least two paths: a first uplink signal 001 and a second uplink signal 002. The first uplink signal 001 is received by the first antenna 101 and transmitted to the first gateway device 30, while the second uplink signal 002 is received by the photoelectric converter 120 and transmitted to the first gateway device 30.

[0059] For example, the second pass-through terminal 112 of the first coupler 110 receives the first uplink signal 001 from the first antenna 101 and outputs the first uplink signal 001 through the first pass-through terminal 111 of the first coupler 110. The network interface 301 of the first gateway device 30 (as shown in FIG2) receives the first uplink signal 001.

[0060] The photoelectric converter 120 receives the second uplink signal 002, converts it into an electrical signal 005, and outputs the electrical signal 005 to the second pass-through port 112 through the uplink interface 121. The electrical signal 005 is also output through the first pass-through port 111 of the first coupler 110. The network interface 301 of the first gateway device 30 receives this electrical signal 005. It is understood that the aforementioned second uplink signal 002 and electrical signal 005 are the same signal, differing only in their signal type.

[0061] Thus, a portion of the downlink signal from interface circuit 100 is radiated through the first antenna 101, while the remaining portion is output through downlink interface 122. Similarly, both optoelectronic converter 120 and the first antenna 101 can receive uplink signals. Interface circuit 100 has at least two signal transmission locations, increasing its signal coverage. When downlink interface 122 is connected to other signal transmission components (such as the second antenna 20 in Figure 2), the signal transmission component can be moved further away as needed to further expand the signal coverage.

[0062] Furthermore, since the interface circuit 100 is connected to the first gateway device 30, the overall network equipment has a high degree of integration and a compact layout. The interface circuit 100 is connected to the second antenna 20, increasing the number of antennas and channels.

[0063] The aforementioned "uplink signals" refer to data sent from a terminal device (such as a computer, mobile phone, etc.) to a network or server; examples include uploading files, sending emails, and submitting forms. Uplink data flows from the source device to the network or server. "Downlink signals" refer to data transmitted from the network or server to the terminal device; examples include responses to requests, webpage loading, file downloads, and receiving emails.

[0064] In some embodiments of this application, the interface circuit 100 may further include a second power divider 130, through which the first antenna 101 and the uplink interface 121 are connected to the second pass-through terminal 112. The second power divider 130 is configured to transmit a first uplink signal 001 from the first antenna 101 and an electrical signal 005 from the uplink interface 121 to the second pass-through terminal 112. The second power divider 130 is also used to transmit a portion of the downlink signal 003 from the second pass-through terminal 112 to the first antenna 101.

[0065] The first uplink signal 001 from the first antenna 101 and the electrical signal 005 from the uplink interface 121 can be transmitted to the second pass-through terminal 112 via the second power divider 130. In this way, the second power divider 130 can combine the two uplink signals and transmit them to the second pass-through terminal 112.

[0066] In some embodiments, the first coupler 110 may further include a first isolation terminal 114. The interface circuit 100 may further include an impedance matching device 102. The first isolation terminal 114 and the impedance matching device 102 are connected. The impedance matching device 102 can reduce the impact of the first isolation terminal 114 on the interface circuit 100.

[0067] For example, the impedance matching device 102 can be 40Ω (ohms) to 60Ω. For instance, the impedance matching device 102 can be 40Ω, 45Ω, 50Ω, 55Ω or 60Ω, etc.

[0068] Please refer back to Figure 2. Exemplarily, the first gateway device 30 may include a power management chip 31 and a system-on-chip (SOC) 32. The SOC 32 is used for receiving and transmitting data. The power management chip is also known as a power management unit (PMU).

[0069] For example, the first gateway device 30 can be a wireless local area network (WLAN) or a fiber to the room (FTTR) device. For example, the operating frequency band of the WLAN device or the FTTR device can be 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.

[0070] In Figure 2, the first gateway device 30 includes three channels, each of which includes a transmitting device (Tx), a receiving device (Rx), and a phase-locked loop (PLL). The PLL is used to synchronize the phase of the clock on the circuit with an external clock. The transmitting device Tx is used to transmit signals, and the receiving device Rx is used to receive signals.

[0071] For example, the uplink signal is received by the receiving device Rx, and the downlink signal is transmitted by the transmitting device Tx. Each channel is also provided with a first switch sw1, which is connected to the receiving device Rx when the receiving device Rx receives a signal, and connected to the transmitting device Tx when the transmitting device Tx transmits a signal.

[0072] In other embodiments of this application, the first gateway device 30 may include one, two, three, four or more channels, as required.

[0073] It is understood that the structure of the second gateway device 40 (as shown in Figure 1b) can also be referred to the aforementioned description of the first gateway device 30, and will not be repeated here.

[0074] In some embodiments of this application, the interface circuit 100 may further include a second coupler. This is illustrated below with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0075] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another interface circuit 100 and a first gateway device 30 provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 4, in some embodiments, the interface circuit 100 may further include a second coupler 140. The second coupler 140 includes a third through terminal 141, a fourth through terminal 142, a second coupling terminal 143, and a second isolation terminal 144. The second isolation terminal 144 is connected to the downlink interface 122.

[0076] The connection between the first antenna 101 and the second through-end 112 includes: the first antenna 101 being connected to the fourth through-end 142, and the third through-end 141 being connected to the second through-end 112.

[0077] The connection between the second pass-through terminal 112 and the uplink interface 121 includes: the second coupling terminal 143 being connected to the uplink interface 121, and the third pass-through terminal 141 being connected to the second pass-through terminal 112. Therefore, the second pass-through terminal 112 is connected to the uplink interface 121 through the second coupler 140.

[0078] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of signal transmission in the interface circuit 100 shown in Figure 4. Referring to Figure 5, when transmitting downlink signal 003, the third pass-through terminal 141 receives the downlink signal 003 from the second pass-through terminal 112 and outputs a portion of the downlink signal 003 to the first antenna 101 through the fourth pass-through terminal 142. When the first antenna 101 transmits the first uplink signal 001, the fourth pass-through terminal 142 receives the first uplink signal 001 from the first antenna 101 and outputs the first uplink signal 001 to the second pass-through terminal 112 through the third pass-through terminal 141. Additionally, the second coupling terminal 143 receives the electrical signal 005 from the photoelectric converter 120; transmits a portion of the electrical signal to the second pass-through terminal 112 through the third pass-through terminal 141; and transmits another portion of the electrical signal 005 to the downlink interface 122 through the second isolation terminal 144.

[0079] As described above, when the photoelectric converter 120 receives the second uplink signal 002, it converts the second uplink signal 002 into an electrical signal 005. The electrical signal 005 is then output in two parts after passing through the second coupler 140. One part continues uplinking sequentially through the third through-port 141 and the second through-port 112, while the other part is output as a downlink signal sequentially through the second isolation port 144 and the downlink interface 122.

[0080] In other words, a portion of the second uplink signal is transmitted as uplink data, while the other portion is used as downlink feedback information via the second isolation terminal 144. For example, by feeding back a demand message that "a second uplink signal is being transmitted to the first gateway device," the network system can adjust signal transmission accordingly. For instance, when the downlink interface 122 is connected to multiple signal transmission components (such as the second antenna 20 in Figure 2), after one of the signal transmission components transmits the second uplink signal to the photoelectric converter 120, the second isolation terminal 144 uses a portion of this second uplink signal as downlink feedback information to notify the other signal transmission components not to transmit uplink signals during that period. This effectively solves the communication conflict problem caused by channel congestion due to simultaneous transmission by multiple signal transmission components.

[0081] Furthermore, when the first antenna 101 transmits the first uplink signal 001, a portion of the first uplink signal 001 continues uplinking through the third pass-through terminal 141 and the second pass-through terminal 112. Another portion of the first uplink signal 001 can also be output as a downlink signal through the second isolation terminal 144 and the downlink interface 122. After this other portion of the first uplink signal 001 is fed back to the second antenna 20, the channel of the second antenna 20 is occupied and it will not receive uplink signals. Thus, even if the first antenna 101 is complex, this interface circuit 100 can solve the problem of hidden nodes in the complex first antenna 101.

[0082] Figure 6 is a communication schematic diagram of the interface circuit 100 shown in Figure 4 and the three second antennas. Referring to Figure 6, there are three second antennas: second antenna 20a, second antenna 20b, and second antenna 20c. The aforementioned second uplink signal is the uplink signal of second antennas 20a, 20b, and 20c. If the uplink signals of second antennas 20a, 20b, and 20c are simultaneously transmitted through interface circuit 100 to the first gateway device 30 (as shown in Figure 2), a conflict will occur. The interface circuit 100 provided in this embodiment regulates the transmission of the uplink signals of second antennas 20a, 20b, and 20c, ensuring that only one of the second antennas (20a, 20b, and 20c) is transmitted within a given time period. This avoids communication conflicts caused by multiple second antennas transmitting uplink signals simultaneously.

[0083] For example, when the second antenna 20a transmits an uplink signal, this uplink signal is transmitted as a second uplink signal to the photoelectric converter 120, which converts the second uplink signal into an electrical signal. A portion of the electrical signal continues uplink transmission to the first gateway device 30 via the third pass-through port 141 and the second pass-through port 112 (as shown in Figure 2). Another portion of the electrical signal is transmitted downlink to the second antenna 20b and the second antenna 20c via the second isolation port 144 and the downlink interface 122. This other portion of the electrical signal is transmitted as a feedback signal to the second antenna 20b and the second antenna 20c, indicating that "the second antenna 20a has uplink communication needs," and instructing the second antenna 20b and the second antenna 20c not to transmit uplink signals during this period, thus avoiding the problem of channel congestion or even communication conflicts caused by multiple second antennas transmitting uplink signals simultaneously. In this way, even if the second antenna is far away, the hidden node problem can be effectively improved by the interface circuit 100.

[0084] Similarly, the same principle applies to the uplink signal transmission of the second antenna 20b or the second antenna 20c; the interface circuit 100 can improve the hidden node problem.

[0085] It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the distances from the second antenna 20a, the second antenna 20b, and the second antenna 20c to the interface circuit 100 may be equal or unequal.

[0086] When the first gateway device 30 is used for WiFi sensing applications, it collects data based on Channel State Information (CSI) and Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI). The amount of information acquired by the second antennas can be increased by adjusting the distance between them.

[0087] In addition, one access point (AP) of the first gateway device 30 extends the coverage area through the interface circuit 100, increasing the communication and sensing distance and reducing the impact of non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios. The same Service Set Identifier (SSID) allows for zero roaming and interference-free coverage, enabling the deployment of more access points in locations where it is inconvenient to deploy them (such as restrooms and storage rooms).

[0088] In addition, the interface circuit has low cost and low power consumption, and effectively improves the problem of hidden nodes. If the problem exceeds the limit, it can be solved by adding a second antenna module.

[0089] The interface circuit 100 can be connected via a first antenna and at least one second antenna. Both the first antenna and at least one second antenna have transmit and receive capabilities, enabling collaborative transmission and reception. This significantly improves the uplink and downlink signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for distributed multiple-input multiple-output (D-MIMO) or multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) systems. Furthermore, it features centralized clock synchronization at a single access point.

[0090] Furthermore, the interface circuit provided in this application embodiment can be applied to various types of first gateway devices. It can maintain the original PON point-to-multipoint architecture of Fiber to the Room (FTTR) without disrupting it, or maintain the architecture of access controller + access point (AC + AP).

[0091] Figure 6 only illustrates three second-day antennas. In some embodiments of this application, the number of second-day antennas can be one, two, three, or more. This application does not limit the number of second-day antennas.

[0092] In some embodiments of this application, as shown in FIG6, the interface circuit 100 may further include a first power divider 150. The second isolation terminal 144 and the first coupling terminal 113 are connected to the downlink interface 122 via the first power divider 150. The first power divider 150 is configured to transmit the downlink signal from the first coupling terminal 113 to the downlink interface 122. The first power divider 150 is also configured to transmit a portion of the electrical signal from the second isolation terminal 144 to the downlink interface 122. Thus, the first power divider 150 has a combining function, allowing both the downlink signal from the first coupling terminal 113 and a portion of the electrical signal from the second isolation terminal 144 to be transmitted to the downlink interface 122 after passing through the first power divider 150.

[0093] As shown in Figure 6, in some embodiments, there are multiple second antennas, all of which are connected to the photoelectric converter 120. In some embodiments, the interface circuit 100 may further include a beam splitter 160 connected to the photoelectric converter 120. The beam splitter 160 is configured to transmit the second uplink signal to the uplink interface 121. The beam splitter 160 is also configured to split the optical signal from the downlink interface 122 into multiple sub-signals for output. Thus, multiple second antennas can be connected to the photoelectric converter 120 via the beam splitter 160.

[0094] In some embodiments, the optical splitter 160 is connected to the power management chip of the first gateway device via a fiber optic composite cable. Exemplarily, the optical splitter 160 is connected to the second antenna 20 via an optical signal transmission medium such as optical fiber. The length of the optical signal transmission medium can be set as needed. Thus, the second antenna 20 can be extended to a relatively distant location. As described above, since the interface circuit 100 provided in this application embodiment can effectively improve the problem of hidden nodes, even if the distance between the second antenna 20 and the interface circuit 100 is relatively far, the problem of hidden nodes can still be solved.

[0095] As shown in Figure 6, in some embodiments, the interface circuit 100 may further include a second switch sw2, a third switch sw3, and a fourth switch sw4. The second switch sw2 is disposed on the line between the first antenna 101 and the fourth through-terminal 142, and is used to connect or disconnect the first antenna 101 and the fourth through-terminal 142. When a signal is transmitted between the first antenna 101 and the fourth through-terminal 142, the second switch sw2 is closed. When no signal is transmitted between the first antenna 101 and the fourth through-terminal 142, the second switch sw2 is open.

[0096] The third switch sw3 is installed on the line between the uplink interface 121 and the second coupling terminal 143. When a signal is transmitted between the uplink interface 121 and the second coupling terminal 143, the third switch sw3 is closed. When no signal is transmitted between the uplink interface 121 and the second coupling terminal 143, the third switch sw3 is open.

[0097] The fourth switch SW4 is installed on the line between the downlink interface 122 and the first power divider 150. When a signal is transmitted between the downlink interface 122 and the first power divider 150, the fourth switch SW4 is closed. When no signal is transmitted between the downlink interface 122 and the first power divider 150, the fourth switch SW4 is open.

[0098] The embodiments of this application do not limit the structure of the second antenna 20. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second antenna 20 provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 7, the second antenna 20 includes an antenna module 21, a first signal interface 23, a second signal interface 24, a power amplifier (PA), a low-frequency noise amplifier (LNA), a fifth switch sw5, and a sixth switch sw6.

[0099] For example, the power amplifier PA is used to amplify the transmitted signal (the aforementioned second downlink signal) input from the first signal interface 23. The low-frequency noise amplifier LNA is used to amplify the received signal input from the antenna hardware interface (ANT) of the antenna module 21 with low noise. The second signal interface 24 is used to transmit the signal from the beam splitter 160 (as shown in FIG. 6) to the power amplifier PA. The first signal interface 23 is used to transmit the signal from the low-frequency noise amplifier LNA to the beam splitter 160 (as shown in FIG. 6).

[0100] For example, the first signal interface 23 can be regarded as the transmitter (TX) of the second antenna 20; the second signal interface 24 can be regarded as the receiver (RX) of the second antenna 20.

[0101] It should be understood that the low-frequency noise amplifier (LNA) has a bypass mode and an LNA mode. The fifth switch (sw5) and the sixth switch (sw6) are used to select whether the ANT (Anti-Volume Array) is conducting the transmitting or receiving circuit, i.e., to switch between the receiving and transmitting circuits.

[0102] At this time, the complete path for transmitting signals is: first signal interface 23 → PA → sw5 → antenna module 21. When receiving signals, the complete path for receiving signals is: antenna module 21 → sw5 → LNA → second signal interface 24.

[0103] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An interface circuit (100), characterized by The interface circuit (100) comprises: a first coupler (110) comprising a first through end (111), a second through end (112) and a first coupling end (113); a first antenna (101) connected with the second through end (112); and an optoelectronic transducer (120) comprising an uplink interface (121) and a downlink interface (122), the first coupling end (113) being connected with the downlink interface (122), and the second through end (112) being connected with the uplink interface (121); wherein the first coupler (110) is configured to receive a downlink signal through the first through end (111), and output a part of the downlink signal to the first antenna (101) through the second through end (112); and receive a first uplink signal from the first antenna (101) through the second through end (112), and output the first uplink signal through the first through end (111); the first coupler (110) is further configured to output another part of the downlink signal to the downlink interface (122) through the first coupling end (113); the optoelectronic transducer (120) is configured to convert another part of the downlink signal into an optical signal, and output the optical signal; the optoelectronic transducer (120) is further configured to receive a second uplink signal, convert the second uplink signal into an electrical signal, and output the electrical signal to the second through end (112) through the uplink interface (121); the first coupler (110) is further configured to output the electrical signal through the first through end (111).

2. The interface circuit (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The interface circuit (100) further comprises a second coupler (140); the second coupler (140) comprises a third through end (141), a fourth through end (142), a second coupling end (143) and a second isolation end (144); the second isolation end (144) is connected with the downlink interface (122); the first antenna (101) connected with the second through end (112) comprises that the first antenna (101) is connected with the fourth through end (142), and the third through end (141) is connected with the second through end (112); the second through end (112) connected with the uplink interface (121) comprises that the second through end (112) is connected with the third through end (141), and the second coupling end (143) is connected with the uplink interface (121); The second coupler (140) is configured to receive the downlink signal from the second through port (112) through the third through port (141) and output a part of the downlink signal to the first antenna (101) through the fourth through port (142); and receive a first uplink signal from the first antenna (101) through the fourth through port (142) and output the first uplink signal to the second through port (112) through the third through port (141). The second coupler (140) is further configured to receive the electrical signal from the photoelectric converter (120) through the second coupling port (143) and transmit a part of the electrical signal to the second through port (112) through the third through port (141) and transmit another part of the electrical signal to the downlink interface (122) through the second isolation port (144).

3. The interface circuit (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that The interface circuit (100) further comprises a first power divider (150), and the second isolation port (144) and the first coupling port (113) are connected to the downlink interface (122) through the first power divider (150). The first power divider (150) is configured to transmit the downlink signal from the first coupling port (113) to the downlink interface (122) and transmit the electrical signal from the second isolation port (144) to the downlink interface (122).

4. The interface circuit (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The interface circuit (100) further comprises a second power divider (130), and the first antenna (101) and the uplink interface (121) are connected to the second through port (112) through the second power divider (130). The second power divider (130) is configured to transmit the first uplink signal from the first antenna (101) and the electrical signal from the uplink interface (121) to the second through port (112) and transmit a part of the downlink signal from the second through port (112) to the first antenna (101).

5. The interface circuit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The interface circuit (100) further comprises an impedance matching device (102), and the first coupler (110) further comprises a first isolation port (114) connected to the impedance matching device (102).

6. The interface circuit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The interface circuit further comprises a light splitter (160) connected to the photoelectric converter (120). The light splitter (160) is configured to transmit the second uplink signal to the uplink interface (121) and output the optical signal from the downlink interface (122) into a plurality of sub-signals.

7. A network device (10), characterized by The network device (10) comprises: a first gateway device (30) comprising a network interface (301); and The interface circuit (100) of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the first through port is connected to the network interface. The interface circuit (100) of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the first through port is connected to the network interface.

8. The network device (10) according to claim 7, characterized by The network device further comprises a second gateway device (40) connected with the first gateway device (30); the network device (10) comprises a plurality of the interface circuit (100), which are respectively a first interface circuit (100a) and a second interface circuit (100b); The first interface circuit (100a) is connected with the first gateway device (30), and the second interface circuit (100b) is connected with the second gateway device (40).

9. The network device (10) according to claim 8, characterized by The network device (10) further comprises an optical distribution network; The second gateway device (40) is connected with the first gateway device (30) through the optical distribution network.

10. The network device (10) according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized by The first gateway device (30) has a plurality of the network interface (301); the network device (10) comprises a plurality of the interface circuit (100), and the first through end (111) of the first coupler (110) of one of the interface circuit (100) is connected with one of the network interface (301).

11. A communication system, characterized by Comprise: A second antenna (20); And The network device (10) according to any one of claims 7-10; the second antenna (20) is connected with the photoelectric converter (120) in the interface circuit (100).

12. The communication system of claim 11, wherein, The interface circuit comprises an optical splitter (160), and the number of the second antenna (20) is a plurality, and the plurality of the second antenna (20) are connected with the optical splitter (160).

13. A circuit assembly, characterized by The circuit assembly comprises: A first coupler (110), the first coupler (110) comprises a first through end (111), a second through end (112) and a first coupling end (113), the first through end (111) is used for connecting a network interface; A first antenna (101), the first antenna (101) is connected with the second through end (112); A photoelectric converter (120), the photoelectric converter (120) comprises an uplink interface (121) and a downlink interface (122), the first coupling end (113) is connected with the downlink interface (122), and the second through end (112) is connected with the uplink interface (121); and A second antenna (20), the uplink interface (121) and the downlink interface (122) are both connected with the second antenna (20); Wherein, the first coupler (110) is configured to receive a downlink signal through the first through end (111), and output a part of the downlink signal to the first antenna (101) through the second through end (112); and receive a first uplink signal from the first antenna (101) through the second through end (112), and output the first uplink signal through the first through end (111); The first coupler (110) is further configured to output another part of the downlink signal to a downlink interface (122) of the photoelectric converter (120) through the first coupling end (113); the photoelectric converter (120) is configured to convert the other part of the downlink signal into an optical signal and output the optical signal to the second antenna; The photoelectric converter (120) is further configured to receive a second uplink signal from the second antenna, convert the second uplink signal into an electrical signal, and output the electrical signal to the second through end (112) through the uplink interface (121); the first coupler (110) is further configured to output the electrical signal through the first through end (111).

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