Communication apparatus and communication method

Abstract

The present application provides a communication apparatus and communication method in the field of wireless communication. The communication apparatus provided in the present application comprises a reception channel. The reception channel comprises an LNA, a reception connection network, a first module, and an ADC. The LNA is connected to the ADC by means of the reception connection network and the first module. The LNA is used for amplifying a signal received by the reception channel from an antenna. The first module is used for converting the frequency of the signal received by the reception channel from the antenna into the operating frequency of the ADC when the frequency of the signal received by the reception channel from the antenna is different from the operating frequency of the ADC, and the frequency of the signal received by the reception channel from the antenna comprises a first frequency and a second frequency. The ADC is used for converting a signal outputted by the first module into a digital signal. In the technical solution of the present application, when the communication apparatus receives signals having different frequencies, the reception channel in the communication apparatus can be reused, thereby reducing the hardware complexity and costs of the communication apparatus.

Description

Communication device and communication method

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411306337.5, filed on September 14, 2024, and entitled "Communication device and communication method", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication, and in particular to a communication device and a communication method. BACKGROUND

[0003] With the continuous evolution of wireless communication systems, the number of channels of a single active antenna unit (AAU) or radio remote unit (RRU) is greatly increased, so as to achieve higher system performance. In addition, the frequency band used for wireless communication is increased, so that the frequency band that needs to be supported by a single AAU and RRU system is increased, thereby helping to reduce the number of tower AAUs or RRUs.

[0004] However, the complexity of the AAU or RRU system in the above method is high. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication device and a communication method, which are applied to the field of wireless communication. In the technical solution provided by the present application, the reception channel in the communication device can be multiplexed in the case of receiving signals of different frequencies, so as to reduce the hardware complexity and cost of the communication device.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication device, the device comprising a reception channel, the reception channel comprising a low noise amplifier (LNA), a reception connection network, a first module and an analog to digital converter (ADC); the LNA is connected with the ADC through the reception connection network and the first module; the LNA is configured to amplify a signal received by the reception channel from an antenna; the first module is configured to convert a frequency of the signal received by the reception channel from the antenna to an operating frequency of the ADC in the case that the frequency of the signal received by the reception channel from the antenna is different from the operating frequency of the ADC, the frequency of the signal received by the reception channel from the antenna comprising a first frequency and a second frequency; and the ADC is configured to convert a signal output by the first module into a digital signal.

[0007] In the technical solution, the signal received by the receiving channel from the antenna passes through the LNA, the receiving connection network, the first module and the ADC in sequence. For example, the LNA amplifies the signal from the antenna, and then transmits the signal to the first module through the receiving connection network. If the frequency of the signal is different from the working frequency of the ADC, the first module converts the frequency of the signal to the working frequency of the ADC before transmitting the signal to the ADC. If the frequency of the signal is the same as the working frequency of the ADC, the first module can directly transmit the signal to the ADC without converting the frequency of the signal. After receiving the signal, the ADC converts the received signal into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal.

[0008] In the technical solution, the first module is added in the receiving channel, so that the frequency conversion of the received signal can be realized by the first module when the frequency of the received signal is different from the working frequency of the ADC. As a result, the receiving channel can receive signals other than the working frequency of the ADC, that is, the receiving channel can receive signals of different frequencies, or the receiving of signals of different frequencies can be realized by using one set of receiving channel. Compared with configuring independent receiving channels for different frequencies, the technical solution can reduce the hardware complexity and cost of the communication device. It should be understood that the communication device provided by the technical solution is a multi-channel and multi-frequency device.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first module includes a frequency agile module; the receiving channel further includes a signal generation module connected with the frequency agile module; the signal generation module is configured to generate a local oscillator signal input to the frequency agile module.

[0010] In the implementation, the first module can be a frequency agile module. It is considered that the frequency agile module realizes frequency conversion through a mixer. For example, the mixer can generate a signal of a target frequency based on an input signal and a local oscillator signal, or the mixer can convert the frequency of the input signal to the signal of the target frequency based on the input signal and the local oscillator signal and then output the signal. The input signal can be understood as a signal transmitted from the receiving connection network to the mixer in the frequency agile module, and the local oscillator signal can be generated by the signal generation module. The signal generation module can be included in the receiving channel.

[0011] In an implementable manner, the signal generation module can directly generate the local oscillator signal and input the local oscillator signal to the mixer.

[0012] In an implementable manner, the signal generation module can generate a signal of a specific frequency, and the signal of the specific frequency can be used to generate the local oscillator signal.

[0013] In the implementation, when the frequency of the signal received by the receiving channel from the antenna is different from the working frequency of the ADC, the agile frequency module can convert the frequency of the input signal to the working frequency of the ADC and output, so that the receiving channel can receive signals other than the working frequency of the ADC, or in other words, the receiving channel can implement the reception of signals of different frequencies, or in other words, the reception of signals of different frequencies can be implemented using a set of receiving channels, thereby reducing the hardware complexity of the communication device and reducing the hardware cost.

[0014] In an implementable manner, the signal generation module can not be included in the receiving channel.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the signal generation module includes a phase-locked loop (PLL).

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the receiving connection network includes any one of the following: a direct connection network, a subarray hybrid beamforming (HBF) connection network, a partially fully connected HBF connection network, or a fully connected HBF connection network.

[0017] In the implementation, when the receiving connection network is a direct connection network, the LNA can be connected to the ADC one-to-one, thereby reducing interference in the signal transmission process and improving the transmission quality of the signal.

[0018] When the receiving connection network is a subarray hybrid beamforming HBF connection network, the ADC can be connected to multiple LNAs through phase shifters, and the beam scanning of each ADC channel can be implemented by configuring the phases and / or weights of the phase shifters.

[0019] Compared with the subarray hybrid beamforming HBF connection network, when the receiving connection network is a partially fully connected HBF connection network, the ADC can be connected to more LNAs through phase shifters, and more flexible beam scanning can be implemented by configuring the phases and / or weights of the phase shifters.

[0020] Compared with the partially fully connected HBF connection network and the subarray hybrid beamforming HBF connection network, when the receiving connection network is a fully connected HBF connection network, the ADC can be connected to more LNAs through phase shifters, and more flexible beam scanning can be implemented by configuring the phases and / or weights of the phase shifters.

[0021] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the apparatus further includes a transmitting channel, an isolation module, a switch and a digital front end (DFE); a first end of the isolation module is connected with the transmitting channel, a second end of the isolation module is connected with a first end of the switch, a third end of the isolation module is connected with a second end of the switch, a third end of the switch is connected with the LNA, and the DFE is connected with the transmitting channel and the ADC respectively; the isolation module is configured to isolate the receiving channel and the transmitting channel; the switch is configured to receive a signal of the first frequency through the first end, receive a signal of the second frequency through the second end, and output the signal of the first frequency or the signal of the second frequency to the LNA through the third end; and the DFE is configured to convert a sampling rate of a digital signal transmitted in the receiving channel and the transmitting channel, and filter the digital signal.

[0022] In this implementation manner, the communication apparatus can further include a transmitting channel. Considering that the power of a transmitting signal is large, the transmitting signal can interfere with a receiving signal, and therefore the isolation module can be used to improve the reception integrity and accuracy of the receiving signal. The transmitting signal can be understood as a signal transmitted by the transmitting channel, and the receiving signal can be understood as a signal received by the receiving channel.

[0023] In this implementation manner, the isolation module can be further configured to isolate receiving signals of different frequencies, and transmit the received signals to the receiving channel through the switch. For example, if the frequency of a signal received by the isolation module is the first frequency, the signal can be transmitted to the receiving channel through the second end of the isolation module, the first end of the switch and the third end of the switch; if the frequency of a signal received by the isolation module is the second frequency, the signal can be transmitted to the receiving channel through the third end of the isolation module, the second end of the switch and the third end of the switch. By setting different transmission paths for receiving signals of different frequencies, the transmission quality of the receiving signal can be improved.

[0024] In the implementation, when the frequency of the signal received by the receiving channel is the same as the working frequency of the ADC, the signal can be directly transmitted to the ADC through the LNA, the receiving connection network and the first module; when the frequency of the signal received by the receiving channel is different from the working frequency of the ADC, the first module can convert the frequency of the signal to the working frequency of the ADC and then transmit the signal to the ADC, that is, the frequency of the signal transmitted to the ADC is the working frequency of the ADC. The ADC converts the received signal into a digital signal and then outputs the digital signal to the DFE, that is, one set of DFE can be used to process the digital signal output by the receiving channel (for example, the digital signal output by the ADC), or one set of DFE can be used when the communication device receives signals of different frequencies, without the need to configure a corresponding independent DFE for different frequencies, thereby reducing the hardware complexity of the communication device.

[0025] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the apparatus further includes an antenna; the antenna is connected to the fourth end of the isolation module; the isolation module is further configured to isolate the transmitting channel from the antenna.

[0026] In the implementation, the communication device can further include an antenna to receive signals from a communication peer.

[0027] In the implementation, the isolation module is further configured to isolate the transmitting channel and the antenna, for example, to isolate a power amplifier (PA) in the transmitting channel and the antenna, so as to improve the stability and transmission efficiency of the signal output by the PA.

[0028] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the isolation module includes a duplexer and a circulator; a first end of the duplexer is connected to a first end of the circulator, a second end of the circulator is connected to the transmitting channel, a third end of the circulator is connected to a first end of the switch, a second end of the duplexer is connected to a third end of the switch, and a third end of the duplexer is connected to the antenna.

[0029] In the implementation, the transmitting channel and the receiving channel can be isolated by the duplexer, and the transmitting channel and the antenna can be isolated by the circulator.

[0030] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the apparatus further includes a baseband processor; the baseband processor is connected to the DFE; the baseband processor is configured to demodulate and decode the signal received by the receiving channel from the antenna, and generate the signal transmitted by the transmitting channel.

[0031] In this implementation, the communication device can further include a baseband processor. For example, when the communication device is a base station, the baseband processor can be a baseband unit (BBU).

[0032] In this implementation, after processing the digital signal from the DAC, the DFE can transmit the processed digital signal to a baseband processor. The baseband processor can demodulate and decode the signal from the DFE, so as to determine the original signal transmitted by the communication peer. In this implementation, the communication device can use a set of baseband processors when receiving signals of different frequencies, without the need to configure independent baseband processors for different frequencies, thereby reducing the hardware complexity of the communication device.

[0033] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the device further includes a control module; the control module is connected with the first module; and the control module is configured to, in a case where the frequency of the signal received by the receiving channel from the antenna is different from the working frequency of the ADC, control the first module to convert the frequency of the signal received by the receiving channel from the antenna to the working frequency of the ADC.

[0034] In this implementation, the communication device can include a control module. For example, the control module can be located in the communication device, or the control module can be located outside the communication device, but the communication device can implement the invocation of the control module, which is not limited herein.

[0035] The control module can be configured to determine whether the frequency of the signal received by the receiving channel is the same as the working frequency of the ADC, and in a case where the frequency of the received signal is different from the working frequency of the ADC, control the first module to convert the frequency of the received signal to the working frequency of the ADC, so that the receiving channel can receive signals of different frequencies.

[0036] It should be understood that the control module can also be connected with other modules / devices in the communication device.

[0037] In the second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to the device in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. The method includes: receiving a first signal by a receiving channel; and converting the frequency of the first signal to a target frequency in a case where the frequency of the first signal is different from the target frequency, the frequency of the first signal including a first frequency and a second frequency.

[0038] The beneficial effects of the second aspect can refer to those of the first aspect, which are not repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device;

[0040] Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device;

[0041] Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0042] Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a frequency agile module provided by the present application;

[0043] Fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another frequency agile module provided by the present application;

[0044] Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided by the present application;

[0045] Fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of still another communication device provided by the present application;

[0046] Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another communication device provided by the present application;

[0047] Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of still another communication device provided by the present application;

[0048] Fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another communication device provided by the present application;

[0049] Fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of still another communication device provided by the present application;

[0050] Fig. 12 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0051] Fig. 13 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a communication method provided by the present application.

[0052] The technical solutions of the present application have been shown by the above-mentioned drawings, and will be described in more detail hereinafter. These drawings and written descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept of the present application by any means, but to illustrate the concept of the present application to those skilled in the art by referring to specific technical solutions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein with reference to the attached drawings. The following description is only one of the exemplary embodiments in accordance with the present application. Therefore, it is not intended to represent all embodiments in accordance with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods in accordance with some aspects of the present application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0054] The technical solutions provided in the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, a fourth generation (4G) mobile communication system, a fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, a new radio (NR) communication system, and a future communication system, and the present application does not make a specific limitation in this regard.

[0055] In the various communication systems described above, two devices communicating with each other, a device sending information can be referred to as a sending end or a sending device, and a device receiving information can be referred to as a receiving end or a receiving device. The sending device and the receiving device can communicate through an uplink, a downlink, or a sidelink. If the sending device and the receiving device communicate through an uplink, the sending device can be a terminal, and the receiving device can be a network device. If the sending device and the receiving device communicate through a downlink, the sending device can be a network device, and the receiving device can be a terminal. If the sending device and the receiving device communicate through a sidelink, the sending device can be a terminal 1, and the receiving device can be a terminal 2.

[0056] In order to facilitate understanding, first, the professional terms related to the embodiments of the present application are introduced.

[0057] 1. Frequency division duplex (FDD)

[0058] FDD is a duplexing mode of a communication system, which is used to realize bidirectional communication on different frequency channels. In an FDD mode mobile communication system, signal reception and transmission are realized through different frequency channels. Taking downlink transmission as an example, uplink transmission and downlink transmission can use different frequency channels.

[0059] 2. Time division duplex (TDD)

[0060] TDD is a duplexing mode of a communication system, which is used to realize bidirectional communication on the same frequency channel. In a TDD mode mobile communication system, signal reception and transmission are realized through different time slots in the same frequency channel. Taking downlink transmission as an example, the frequency channel is used for uplink transmission in one time period and for downlink transmission in another time period.

[0061] 3. Digital beamforming (DBF)

[0062] DBF is a technology that uses digital signal processing techniques to control and adjust the radiation direction and shape of an antenna array. By digitizing the signals transmitted by multiple antenna elements and performing weighting and phase shift processing on the digitized digital signals, multiple antenna elements can form a beam with a specific direction and shape to optimize signal transmission performance.

[0063] 4、Hybrid Beamforming (HBF)

[0064] HBF is a technology that combines analog beamforming and digital beamforming to optimize the signal transmission performance of an antenna array. By performing beamforming processing on the signals transmitted by the antenna in the analog and digital domains, efficient beam control and resource utilization can be achieved.

[0065] The technical problems existing in the prior art communication system will be described below in conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0066] With the continuous evolution of wireless communication systems, the number of channels and the frequency bands that need to be supported for a single wireless communication device (such as network equipment, terminals, etc.) increase, resulting in an increase in the hardware complexity of the wireless communication device. Channels can include receive channels and transmit channels. Taking a network device (such as a base station) as an example, to achieve higher system performance, the number of channels for a single active antenna unit (AAU) or radio remote unit (RRU) has increased significantly, resulting in an increase in the complexity of a single AAU or RRU system. For example, in a 5G mobile communication system, the number of channels for a single RRU is 32, 64, and in future communication systems, the number of channels for a single RRU may evolve to 128, 256, or even more. In addition, with the continuous evolution of communication systems, more frequency bands will be used for wireless communication, such as U6G, centimeter wave, millimeter wave, etc. This will result in the need for a single AAU or RRU system to integrate more frequency bands, which, while helping to reduce the number of tower AAU or RRU systems, will also result in an increase in the complexity of a single AAU or RRU system. The frequency band can also be referred to as the frequency, the working frequency band, the working frequency band, etc., which is not limited in the present application.

[0067] Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device. The communication device 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a base station of an AAU or RRU system containing multiple channels and multiple frequency bands. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication device 100 includes an antenna 110, channels 120 for transmitting a first signal, channels 130 for transmitting a second signal, a baseband processor 140, and a baseband processor 150. The frequency of the first signal is frequency 1, and the channels 120 for transmitting the first signal are frequency 1 channel 1 to frequency 1 channel n in Fig. 1. The frequency of the second signal is frequency 2, and the channels 130 for transmitting the second signal are frequency 2 channel 1 to frequency 2 channel m in Fig. 1. n and m are positive integers. The channels can be transmission channels and / or reception channels. Transmission in this application can be understood as transmission and / or reception.

[0068] The antenna 110 is a combination of the antenna for frequency 1 and the antenna for frequency 2, that is, the antenna 110 can support transmission of the first signal and can also support transmission of the second signal.

[0069] The baseband processor 140 is used to process a baseband signal with frequency 1, and the baseband processor 150 is used to process a baseband signal with frequency 2.

[0070] In the communication device shown in Fig. 1, a set of antennas is used to realize transmission of signals with different frequencies or to realize multiplexing of antennas at different frequencies by combining antennas with multiple frequencies, thereby helping to reduce the hardware complexity of the communication device. However, in this method, each frequency has its own independent channel resources and baseband resources, and in the case of an increase in the number of channels at each frequency and / or the number of frequencies supported by the communication device, the channel hardware resources will also increase accordingly, and the problem of high hardware complexity of the communication device still exists.

[0071] Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device. The communication device 200 shown in Fig. 2 belongs to a mobile communication system in TDD and FDD modes. As shown in Fig. 2, the communication device 200 includes an antenna 210, a multi-band filter set (such as filters 220a to 220c in Fig. 2, collectively referred to as 220), a switching switch 230, reception channels (such as 240a and 240b in Fig. 2, collectively referred to as 240), transmission channels (such as 250a and 250b in Fig. 2, collectively referred to as 250), a baseband processor 260a, and a baseband processor 260b.

[0072] The antenna 210 is used for transmission of signals with different frequencies. It should be understood that the antenna 210 is a combination of antennas with multiple frequencies.

[0073] The multi-band filter set 220 is used to process signals transmitted between the reception channels 240 and the antenna 210 and signals transmitted between the transmission channels 250 and the antenna 210, so as to reduce interference and noise of the signals and improve the transmission quality of the signals.

[0074] The receiving channel 240a and the transmitting channel 250a are a group of channels in a TDD mode, or the frequencies of the signals transmitted by the receiving channel 240a and the transmitting channel 250a are the same, or the frequencies of the receiving channel 240a and the transmitting channel 250a are the same. The transmission of the signals at the same frequency in different time periods can be realized by the switching switch 230. For example, in time period 1, the port 1 of the switching switch 230 is connected with the port 2, so that the transmitting channel 250a can realize the transmission of the signals, and in time period 2, the port 1 of the switching switch 230 is connected with the port 3, so that the receiving channel 240a can realize the reception of the signals.

[0075] The receiving channel 240b and the transmitting channel 250b are a group of channels in an FDD mode, or the frequencies of the signals transmitted by the receiving channel 240b and the transmitting channel 250b are different, or the frequencies of the receiving channel 240b and the transmitting channel 250b are different. The receiving channel 240b and the transmitting channel 250b can realize the transmission and reception of the signals in the same time period.

[0076] The baseband processor 260a is used for processing the baseband signals transmitted by the transmitting channel 250, and the baseband processor 260b is used for processing the baseband signals transmitted by the receiving channel 240. The baseband processor 260a and the baseband processor 260b can process the baseband signals of different frequencies.

[0077] In the communication device shown in FIG. 2, the multiple frequencies of the antennas are fused, and the baseband processors process the baseband signals of different frequencies, so that the multiplexing of the antennas and the baseband processors in multiple frequencies is realized, which helps to reduce the hardware complexity of the communication device. However, in this method, each frequency still has independent channel resources. In the case of increasing the number of channels and the supported frequencies of the communication device, the channel hardware resources will also increase accordingly, and the problem of high hardware complexity of the communication device still exists.

[0078] In view of this, the application provides a communication device and a communication method, which are applied to the field of wireless communication. The application provides a receiving channel multiplexing device and a multiplexing method applied to a multi-channel multi-frequency system. In the technical solution provided by the application, a first module is added in the receiving channel, and the first module is used to realize frequency normalization, so that the receiving channel can receive signals of different frequencies, or signals of different frequencies can realize multiplexing of the receiving channel, or a set of multi-channel receiver can be multiplexed by multiple frequencies. In the technical solution provided by the application, multiple frequencies can multiplex more hardware resources (such as antennas, receiving channels, digital front ends (DFE), baseband processors, etc.), so as to reduce the hardware complexity of the communication device. It should be understood that the communication device provided by the application is a multi-channel, multi-frequency wireless communication device, such as a network device, a terminal, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0079] The technical solution of the application and how the technical solution of the application solves the above technical problems will be described in detail below with specific embodiments. The embodiments of the application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following steps can be realized by a software mode or a combination of hardware and software.

[0080] FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by the application. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication device 300 can include a receiving channel 310, which can include a low noise amplifier (LNA) 3101, a receiving connection network 3102, a first module 3103, and an analog to digital converter (ADC) 3104. The LNA 3101 is connected to the ADC 3104 through the receiving connection network 3102 and the first module 3103, or the LNA 3101 is connected to one end of the receiving connection network 3102, the other end of the receiving connection network 3102 is connected to one end of the first module 3103, and the other end of the first module 3103 is connected to the ADC 3104. The number of receiving channels 310 in the communication device 300 is not limited by the application.

[0081] The receiving channel 310 is used to receive signals from an antenna. In the application, the receiving channel 310 can receive signals of different frequencies. The receiving time or receiving time of signals of different frequencies is different. For example, the frequency of the signal received by the receiving channel 310 from the antenna can include a first frequency and a second frequency. The first frequency is different from the second frequency. The receiving time or receiving time of the signal of the first frequency is different from that of the signal of the second frequency. It should be noted that the number of different frequency signals received by the receiving channel 310 from the antenna is not limited by the application.

[0082] The LNA 3101 is configured to amplify the signal from the antenna to increase the strength and reliability of the signal. The LNA 3101 is also configured to perform noise reduction processing on the signal from the antenna to reduce the impact of noise on the signal and improve the quality of the signal. In some implementations, the LNA can be understood as an LNA channel.

[0083] The reception connection network 3102 is configured to connect the signal from the LNA 3101 to the ADC 3104. If the number of signals from the LNA 3101 is N, or the number of LNAs 3101 is N, and the number of ADCs 3104 is M, the reception connection network 3102 can be understood as an N-to-M connection network, where N and M are positive integers.

[0084] The first module 3103 is configured to convert the frequency of the signal received by the reception channel 310 from the antenna to a target frequency if the frequency of the signal received by the reception channel 310 from the antenna is different from the target frequency. The target frequency can be the operating frequency of the ADC 3104.

[0085] The ADC 3104 is configured to convert the received analog signal into a digital signal, for example, the analog signal output by the first module 3103 into a digital signal. In some implementations, the ADC can be understood as an ADC channel.

[0086] In this application, after the LNA 3101 amplifies, denoises, and performs other processing on the signal from the antenna, the signal is transmitted to the first module 3103 through the reception connection network 3102. At this time, if the frequency of the signal is different from the operating frequency of the ADC 3104, the first module 3103 converts the frequency of the signal to the operating frequency of the ADC 3104 before transmitting it to the ADC 3104; if the frequency of the signal is the same as the operating frequency of the ADC 3104, the first module 3103 can directly transmit the signal to the ADC 3104 without converting the frequency of the signal. The ADC 3104 converts the signal from the first module 3103 into a digital signal and outputs it, thereby realizing the reception of signals of different frequencies.

[0087] In the communication device provided in this application, a first module is added in the reception channel, and the first module is configured to convert the frequency of the signal received by the reception channel to a target frequency, so that the reception channel can realize the reception of signals of different frequencies, or in other words, the reception channel supports the reception of signals of different frequencies, or in other words, the communication device can use the same set of reception channels to receive signals of different frequencies. The communication device provided in this application can realize the multiplexing of the reception channel under different frequencies, and compared with configuring a corresponding independent reception channel for signals of different frequencies, the hardware complexity of the communication device provided in this application is lower, and the implementation cost is lower.

[0088] In a possible implementation, the first module 3103 can be a frequency-agile module. The receiving channel can further include a signal generation module. The signal generation module is connected to the frequency-agile module. The signal generation module is configured to generate a local oscillator signal input to the frequency-agile module.

[0089] FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a frequency-agile module provided in the present application. The frequency-agile module shown in FIG. 4 is a link frequency-agile module.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 4, the link frequency-agile module includes a frequency mixer, a frequency switching switch 1, and a frequency switching switch 2. The frequency mixer is configured to generate a signal of a target frequency based on an input signal and a local oscillator signal. The input signal can be understood as a signal input to the frequency mixer through the frequency switching switch 1. The local oscillator signal can be the signal with a frequency of flo shown in FIG. 4. The local oscillator signal can be generated by a signal generation module. The frequency switching switch 1 and the frequency switching switch 2 are configured to switch the working state of the link frequency-agile module, so as to realize the reception of signals of different frequencies. For example, in a case where the port 1 of the frequency switching switch 1 is connected to the port 2, and the port 1 of the frequency switching switch 2 is connected to the port 2, the link frequency-agile module is in a straight-through state, and at this time, the link frequency-agile module is only used for signal transmission, or in other words, at this time, the link frequency-agile module can realize the reception of the signal of the target frequency. In a case where the port 1 of the frequency switching switch 1 is connected to the port 3, and the port 1 of the frequency switching switch 2 is connected to the port 3, the link frequency-agile module is in a frequency mixer state, and at this time, the link frequency-agile module can convert the frequency of the input signal to the target frequency through the frequency mixer, that is, at this time, the link frequency-agile module can realize the reception of the signal of a non-target frequency.

[0091] Suppose that the frequencies of the signals received by the link frequency-agile module include f1 and f2, the target frequency is f2, and the frequency of the local oscillator signal is flo. In a case where the frequency of the received signal is f2, since the frequency of the received signal is the same as the target frequency, the link frequency-agile module can be in the straight-through state, so as to realize the reception of the signal of the target frequency. In a case where the frequency of the received signal is f1, since the frequency of the received signal is different from the target frequency, the link frequency-agile module can be in the frequency mixer state, and at this time, the link frequency-agile module can convert the frequency of the received signal to the target frequency and then output, so as to realize the reception of the signal of the non-target frequency. The frequency flo of the local oscillator signal can be the difference between f1 and f2.

[0092] FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of another frequency-agile module provided in the present application. The frequency-agile module shown in FIG. 5 is a local oscillator frequency-agile module.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 5, the local oscillator frequency conversion module includes a mixer and a local oscillator signal generation circuit, and the local oscillator signal generation circuit includes a local oscillator switching switch. The mixer is configured to generate a signal of a target frequency based on an input signal and a local oscillator signal. The input signal can be understood as a signal received by a receiving channel from an antenna and transmitted to the local oscillator frequency conversion module. The local oscillator signal can be understood as a signal from the local oscillator signal generation circuit. The local oscillator signal generation circuit is configured to generate a local oscillator signal based on a received signal (e.g., a signal with a frequency of flo, fs in FIG. 5) and output the local oscillator signal to the mixer. It should be noted that the signal (e.g., a signal with a frequency of flo, fs in FIG. 5) received by the local oscillator signal generation circuit can be generated by the same signal generation module or by different signal generation modules, and the present application does not make specific limitations. The signal generation module is configured to generate a local oscillator signal input to the frequency conversion module, and the signal generated by the signal generation module can be used to generate a local oscillator signal input to the mixer.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 5, the working state of the local oscillator signal generation circuit includes a pass-through state and a non-pass-through state. For example, when the first end and the second end of the local oscillator switching switch are connected, it can be considered that the local oscillator switching switch is switched to a DC state, or it can be considered that the local oscillator signal generation circuit is in a pass-through state. In this case, the local oscillator signal generation circuit only receives a signal with a frequency of flo, and transmits the received signal to the mixer, that is, in this case, the frequency of the local oscillator signal input to the mixer is flo, and the local oscillator signal generation circuit is only used for signal transmission. When the first end and the third end of the local oscillator switching switch are connected, it can be considered that the local oscillator signal generation circuit is in a non-pass-through state. In this case, the local oscillator signal generation circuit can receive a signal with a frequency of flo and a signal with a frequency of fs, and input a local oscillator signal with a frequency of (flo+fs) to the mixer after generation. In some embodiments, the non-pass-through state can also be referred to as an fs state. In the present application, the local oscillator signal input to the mixer can also be referred to as the local oscillator input signal of the mixer.

[0095] Assuming that the frequency of the signal received by the local frequency agile frequency conversion module includes f1 and f2, the target frequency is f0, the local frequency agile frequency conversion module receives the signal with the frequency f2 in the straight-through state, and receives the signal with the frequency f1 in the non-straight-through state. In the case that the local frequency agile frequency conversion module is in the straight-through state, the input signal is the signal with the frequency f2, the local signal is the signal with the frequency flo, and the local frequency agile frequency conversion module outputs the signal with the frequency f0, at this time, f0, f2 and flo can satisfy the following relationship: f0=f2-flo. In the case that the local frequency agile frequency conversion module is in the non-straight-through state, the input signal is the signal with the frequency f1, the local signal is the signal with the frequency (flo+fs), and the local frequency agile frequency conversion module outputs the signal with the frequency f0, at this time, f0, flo, f1 and fs can satisfy the following relationship: f0=f1-(flo+fs).

[0096] As can be seen from FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the agile frequency conversion module in the receiving channel can output the signal with the target frequency, so that the receiving channel can support the reception of signals with different frequencies, that is, the communication device can use the same set of receiving channels in the case of receiving signals with different frequencies, thereby realizing the multiplexing of the receiving channel.

[0097] In a possible implementation, the signal generation module can include a phase-locked loop (PLL).

[0098] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided by the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication device 300 can further include a transmitting channel 320, an isolation module 330, a switching switch 340 and a DFE 350. The present application does not specifically limit the number of the transmitting channel 320, the isolation module 330 and the switching switch 340 in the communication device 300.

[0099] The isolation module 330 is configured to isolate the receiving channel 310 and the transmitting channel 320. It should be noted that the transmitting signal has a large power, which can interfere with the receiving signal, and therefore the isolation module 330 can be configured to improve the reception integrity and accuracy of the receiving signal. The transmitting signal can be understood as the signal transmitted by the transmitting channel, and the receiving signal can be understood as the signal received by the receiving channel. The isolation module 330 is further configured to isolate the receiving signals with different frequencies.

[0100] The switch 340 is used to select signals of different frequencies to be received and transmit the received signals to the LNA 3101 in the receiving channel 310. Taking the example of using the switch 340 to receive signals of a first frequency and signals of a second frequency, the switch 340 can receive the signals of the first frequency through a first end, receive the signals of the second frequency through a second end, and output the signals of the first frequency or the signals of the second frequency to the LNA 3101 through a third end. In this application, considering that the receiving channel 310 needs to receive signals of different frequencies, the switch 340 can be used to select signals of different frequencies through different ports.

[0101] The DFE 350 is used to convert the sampling rate of the digital signals transmitted in the receiving channel 310 and the transmitting channel 320, and perform filtering and other processing on the digital signals. For example, the DFE 350 can implement sampling rate conversion / transformation of the digital signals output by the ADC 3104 in the receiving channel 310, and perform filtering and other processing on the digital signals.

[0102] In a possible implementation manner, the transmitting channel 320 can include a power amplifier (PA) 3201, a transmitting connection network 3202, and a digital to analog conversion (DAC) 3203. The PA 3201 is connected to the DAC 3203 through the transmitting connection network 3202, or the PA 3201 is connected to one end of the transmitting connection network 3202, and the other end of the transmitting connection network 3202 is connected to the DAC 3203.

[0103] The PA 3201 is used to amplify the power of the transmitting signals, so as to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the transmitting signals and reduce the transmission loss of the transmitting signals. In some implementation manners, the PA can be understood as a PA channel.

[0104] The transmitting connection network 3202 is used for connection between the signals from the DAC 3203 and the PA 3201. If the number of the signals from the DAC 3203 is P and the number of the PA 3201 is Q, the transmitting connection network 3202 can be understood as a transmitting P-to-Q connection network, and P and Q are positive integers.

[0105] The DAC 3203 is used to convert the transmitting digital signals into analog signals. For example, the DAC 3203 can convert the digital signals from the DFE 350 into analog signals. In some implementation manners, the DAC can be understood as a DAC channel.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 6, a first end of the isolation module 330 is connected with the transmitting channel 320 (for example, connected with the PA 3201 in the transmitting channel 320), a second end of the isolation module 330 is connected with a first end of the switching switch 340, and a third end of the isolation module 330 is connected with a second end of the switching switch 340. A third end of the switching switch 340 is connected with the LNA 3101 in the receiving channel 310. The DFE 350 is connected with the ADC 3104 in the transmitting channel 320 and the receiving channel 310. For example, the DFE 350 is connected with the DAC 3203 in the transmitting channel 320.

[0107] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus 300 can further include an antenna 360. The antenna 360 is connected with a fourth end of the isolation module 330. In this implementation, the isolation module 330 is further configured to isolate the transmitting channel 320 from the antenna 360. For example, the isolation module 330 is configured to isolate the PA 3201 in the transmitting channel 320 from the antenna 360, so as to improve the stability and transmission efficiency of the signal output by the PA 3201.

[0108] The antenna 360 is configured to radiate wireless signals to space. For example, the antenna 360 can receive signals from a communication peer, and transmit the received signals to the receiving channel 310, and transmit signals from the transmitting channel 320 to the communication peer. In this application, the antenna 360 can be a transceiver antenna, or can be a separately arranged transmitting antenna and receiving antenna, which is not limited in this application.

[0109] In a possible implementation, a plurality of frequency receiving antennas can be integrated into one set of antennas, or a transmitting antenna and a plurality of frequency receiving antennas can be integrated into one set of antennas, so that the communication apparatus can multiplex the antennas when receiving and / or transmitting signals of different frequencies, thereby reducing the hardware complexity of the antennas in the communication apparatus and reducing the hardware cost. For example, the receiving channel 310 in this application can receive signals of different frequencies, that is, the antenna 360 can receive signals of different frequencies, that is, the antenna 360 can be a plurality of integrated frequency receiving antennas.

[0110] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus 300 can further include a baseband processor 370. The baseband processor 370 is connected with the DFE 350.

[0111] The baseband processor 370 is configured to implement processing of baseband signals. As an example, the baseband processor 370 is configured to perform demodulation and decoding of signals received from the antenna 360 by the receive channel 310, and to generate signals to be transmitted by the transmit channel 320. For example, after the DFE 350 processes the digital signal from the ADC 3104, the DFE 350 transmits the processed signal to the baseband processor 370, and the baseband processor 370 performs demodulation and decoding of the received signal. After the baseband processor 370 generates a digital signal to be transmitted by the transmit channel 320, the baseband processor 370 transmits the signal to the DAC 3203 through the DFE 350.

[0112] The working principle of the communication device provided in the present application is described below.

[0113] Taking the frequency of the signal received by the communication device as an example, the antenna 360 can receive a signal from a communication peer, and transmit the received signal to the receive channel 310 (for example, to the LNA 3101) through the isolation module 330 and the switch 340. Wherein, if the frequency of the signal received by the antenna is the first frequency, the signal can be transmitted to the LNA 3101 through the second end of the isolation module 330 and the first end of the switch 340, and if the frequency of the received signal is the second frequency, the signal can be transmitted to the LNA 3101 through the third end of the isolation module 330 and the second end of the switch 340. The LNA 3101 is configured to amplify, denoise, and perform other processing on the signal from the switch 340, and then transmit the signal to the first module 3103 through the receive connection network 3102. At this time, if the frequency of the signal received by the first module 3103 is the same as the working frequency of the ADC 3104, the first module 3103 directly transmits the received signal to the ADC 3104, and if the frequency of the received signal is different from the working frequency of the ADC 3104, the first module 3103 converts the frequency of the received signal to the working frequency of the ADC 3104, and then transmits the signal to the ADC 3104. The ADC 3104 converts the signal from the first module 3103 into a digital signal and transmits it to the DFE 350. The DFE 350 performs sampling rate conversion, filtering, and other processing on the digital signal, and then transmits the digital signal to the baseband processor 370. The baseband processor 370 performs demodulation and decoding of the received digital signal, thereby restoring the original data transmitted by the communication peer, and achieving reception of the signal from the communication peer.

[0114] The baseband processor 370 can transmit the generated transmitting digital signal to the DFE 350, the DFE 350 implements sampling rate conversion, filtering and other processing of the digital signal, and then transmits the digital signal to the DAC 3203, the DAC 3203 converts the digital signal from the DFE 350 into an analog signal, and then transmits the analog signal to the PA 3201 through the transmitting connection network 3202, the PA 3201 amplifies the analog signal and other processing, and then transmits the analog signal to the antenna 360 through the isolation module 330, so as to realize signal transmission. The frequency of the transmitting signal can be the working frequency of the DAC 3203. The working frequency of the DAC 3203 can be the first frequency or the second frequency.

[0115] As can be seen in combination with FIG. 6, in the case that the communication device receives signals of the first frequency and the second frequency, the communication device can use only one set of hardware resources (such as an antenna, a receiving channel, a DFE and a baseband processor), or in other words, realize that one set of multi-channel receivers is multiplexed for multiple frequencies, without the need to increase a corresponding set of hardware resources for each frequency, thereby reducing the hardware complexity and cost of the communication device.

[0116] It should be noted that the division of each module / device in the communication device in the present application is only an example, and is not a limitation on the present scheme. For example, in some embodiments, the antenna, the isolation module or the switch can belong to the receiving channel. In other embodiments, the ADC 3104 and the DAC 3203 can belong to the DFE 350.

[0117] In a possible implementation, the isolation module 330 can include a duplexer 3301 and a circulator 3302, as shown in the communication device 300 of FIG. 7. The first module 3103 in the communication device 300 shown in FIG. 7 is a link agile frequency module, and the receiving channel can further include a PLL 3105 connected with the link agile frequency module, the PLL 3105 being configured to generate a local oscillator signal input to the link agile frequency module, such as a local oscillator signal with a frequency of flo. In some embodiments, the PLL 3105 can belong to the DFE 350.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 7, the first end of the diplexer 3301 is connected with the first end of the circulator 3302, the second end of the circulator 3302 is connected with the transmitting channel 320, for example, is connected with the PA 3201 in the transmitting channel 320, the third end of the circulator 3302 is connected with the first end of the switch 340, the second end of the diplexer 3301 is connected with the second end of the switch 340, and the third end of the diplexer 3301 is connected with the antenna 360. It should be understood that the first end of the isolation module 330 can be understood as the second end of the circulator 3302, the second end of the isolation module 330 can be understood as the third end of the circulator 3302, the third end of the isolation module 330 can be understood as the second end of the diplexer 3301, and the fourth end of the isolation module 330 can be understood as the third end of the diplexer 3301.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 7, the diplexer 3301 includes two transmission paths, the first transmission path is used for transmitting signals of the first frequency, and the second transmission path is used for transmitting signals of the second frequency. The diplexer 3301 can be used for separating or combining signals of different frequencies transmitted in the transmitting channel 320 and the receiving channel 310 in the FDD mode communication system, thereby isolating the transmitting channel and the receiving channel. The diplexer 3301 can also be used for receiving signals of different frequencies from the antenna 360 through different transmission paths and transmitting to the receiving channel 310. For example, the signals of the first frequency are received from the antenna 360 through the first transmission path and transmitted to the LNA 3101 in the receiving channel 310 through the circulator 3302 and the switch 340; the signals of the second frequency are received from the antenna 360 through the second transmission path and transmitted to the LNA 3101 in the receiving channel 310 through the switch 340. The circulator 3302 is used for transmitting signals from the PA 3201 to the antenna 360 through the diplexer 3301 and transmitting signals from the diplexer 3301 to the switch 340, thereby realizing the isolation of the transmitting signals and the receiving signals in the TDD mode, or realizing the isolation of the transmitting channel 320 and the receiving channel 310. In addition, the circulator 3302 is also used for isolating the PA 3201 and the antenna 360 to improve the stability and transmission efficiency of the signals output by the PA 3201. It should be understood that the circulator 3302 is a unidirectional transmission device.

[0120] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus 300 can further include a control module (not shown in the figure). The control module can be located in the communication apparatus 300, or the control module can be located outside the communication apparatus 300, but the communication apparatus 300 can realize the calling of the control module, which is not limited herein.

[0121] The control module can be connected with one or more modules / devices in the communication apparatus 300. For example, the control module can be connected with at least one of the following: the antenna 360, the isolation module 330, the switch 340, the LNA 3101, the PA 3201, the receiving connection network 3102, the sending connection network 3202, the first module 3103, the ADC 3104, the DAC 3203, the DFE 350, or the baseband processor 370.

[0122] In the case where the control module is connected with the first module 3103, the control module is configured to determine whether the frequency of the received signal is the same as the target frequency, and in the case where the frequency of the received signal is different from the target frequency, control the first module 3103 to convert the frequency of the received signal to the target frequency, so that the receiving channel 310 realizes the reception of signals of different frequencies. In the case where the first module 3103 is a fast frequency conversion module, the control module can be further connected with a signal generation module.

[0123] It should be noted that in the case where the control module is connected with a module or device in the communication apparatus 300, the control module 380 is configured to control the module or device to realize the corresponding function. For example, in the case where the control module is connected with the antenna 360, the control module is configured to control the antenna 360 to realize the transmission of signals.

[0124] In an implementable manner, the communication apparatus provided by the present application can be applied to the frequency combination scenario of TDD and supplementary uplink (SUL) modes.

[0125] In a possible implementation manner, the connection network (such as the receiving connection network 3102 or the sending connection network 3202) can include any one of the following: a direct connection network, a subarray HBF connection network, a partial full connection HBF connection network, or a full connection HBF connection network.

[0126] The connection network will be described below in combination with FIGS. 8 to 11. It should be noted that the connection network is described below by taking the sending connection network as an example. The receiving connection network can be the same as or different from the sending connection network, which is not limited herein.

[0127] Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in the present application. The transmitting connection network in the communication device 300 shown in Fig. 8 is a direct connection network. For example, the transmitting connection network is a W-in-W-out network, where W is a positive integer. It should be noted that when the transmitting connection network is a direct connection network, it means that the number of signals from the DACs is the same as the number of the PAs, or the number of the DACs is the same as the number of the PAs, or the number of the DAC channels is the same as the number of the PA channels, so that one-to-one connection between the DACs and the PAs, or one-to-one connection between the DAC channels and the PA channels can be achieved. When the receiving connection network is a direct connection network, it means that the number of signals from the ADCs is the same as the number of the LNAs, or the number of the ADCs is the same as the number of the LNAs, or the number of the ADC channels is the same as the number of the LNA channels, so that one-to-one connection between the ADCs and the LNAs, or one-to-one connection between the ADC channels and the LNA channels can be achieved.

[0128] In the present application, by using the direct connection network, one-to-one connection between the DACs and the PAs can be achieved, so that the interference in the signal transmission process can be reduced and the transmission quality of the signals can be improved. It should be understood that the communication device shown in Fig. 8 can adjust the radiation direction and shape of the antenna through the DBF.

[0129] Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in the present application. The transmitting connection network in the communication device 300 shown in Fig. 9 is a subarray HBF connection network. It should be noted that when the transmitting connection network is a subarray HBF connection network, it means that one DAC can be connected to multiple PAs through a phase shifter, or one DAC can map multiple PAs through a phase shifter, or one DAC channel can map multiple PA channels through a phase shifter. One of the multiple PAs is connected to the DAC through one phase shifter, that is, one-to-one connection between the PA and the phase shifter. When the receiving connection network is a subarray HBF connection network, it means that one ADC can be connected to multiple LNAs through a phase shifter, or one ADC can map multiple LNAs through a phase shifter, or one ADC channel can map multiple LNA channels through a phase shifter. One of the multiple LNAs is connected to the ADC through one phase shifter, that is, one-to-one connection between the LNA and the phase shifter.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 9, one DAC can be connected with two PAs through two phase shifters, and the beam scanning of each DAC channel can be realized by configuring the phase and / or weight of each phase shifter. It should be understood that the communication device shown in FIG. 9 can adjust the radiation direction and shape of the antenna through the HBF. Compared with the communication device shown in FIG. 8, the number of PA channels that can be mapped by one DAC channel in the communication device shown in FIG. 9 is increased, so that the antenna array that can be mapped / controlled by one DAC channel is increased, the antenna gain of the communication device is improved, and the communication performance of the communication device is improved.

[0131] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided by the present application. The transmission connection network in the communication device 300 shown in FIG. 10 is a partially fully-connected HBF connection network. In the case where the transmission connection network is a partially fully-connected HBF connection network, R DAC channels among the E DAC channels included in the communication device can be partially fully connected to Y PA channels among the T PA channels included in the communication device through the transmission connection network and phase shifters. Wherein, E, R, T and Y are positive integers, R is less than E, and Y is less than T.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 10, R is 2 and Y is 3. It can be seen that the first DAC channel (such as DAC 1 in the figure) and the second DAC channel (such as DAC 2 in the figure) are partially fully connected to the first to third PA channels (sorted from top to bottom) through the transmission connection network and phase shifters. The (E-1)th DAC channel (such as DAC E-1 in the figure) and the E DAC channel (such as DAC E in the figure) are partially fully connected to the seventh to ninth PA channels (sorted from top to bottom) through the transmission connection network and phase shifters. One DAC channel is connected with three PA channels through phase shifters.

[0133] Compared with the communication device shown in FIG. 9, one DAC channel in the communication device shown in FIG. 10 can map a larger number of PA channels, and more flexible beam scanning can be realized by configuring the phase and / or weight of each phase shifter.

[0134] FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided by the present application. The transmission connection network in the communication device 300 shown in FIG. 11 is a fully-connected HBF connection network. In the case where the transmission connection network is a fully-connected HBF connection network, each DAC channel among the E DAC channels included in the communication device can be fully connected to the T PA channels included in the communication device through the transmission connection network and phase shifters.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 11, T is 8. One DAC channel is connected with 8 PA channels through a phase shifter. Compared with the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 10, the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 11 can realize connection mapping of full-dimension channels, and can realize more flexible beam scanning by configuring the phase and / or weight of each phase shifter.

[0136] FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in the present application. The method can be applied in the communication apparatuses shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 to FIG. 11. The method can be executed by the communication apparatus, by hardware circuit and / or software module applied in the communication apparatus, or by other apparatus / module / device capable of realizing the function of the communication apparatus, which is not limited in the present application. As shown in FIG. 12, the method can include S1201 and S1202.

[0137] S1201, receiving a first signal by a receiving channel, the frequency of the first signal including a first frequency and a second frequency.

[0138] In the present application, the frequency of the first signal can be at least two. For example, the frequency of the first signal can be the first frequency and the second frequency.

[0139] The receiving channel can receive signals of different frequencies from the antenna.

[0140] S1202, converting the frequency of the first signal to a target frequency in the case that the frequency of the first signal is different from the target frequency.

[0141] In the present application, if the frequency of the first signal received by the receiving channel is different from the target frequency, the frequency of the first signal can be converted to the target frequency, so that the receiving channel can support reception of signals of different frequencies, and realize multiplexing of the receiving channel at different frequencies. Compared with adding a set of channel resources for each frequency, the present application can reduce the hardware complexity of the communication apparatus.

[0142] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a communication method provided in the present application. The communication method shown in FIG. 13 is a receiving channel multiplexing method for the communication apparatuses shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 to FIG. 11. Taking the communication apparatus as a base station for example, D in FIG. 13 represents downlink, corresponding to transmission of the base station, U represents uplink, corresponding to reception of the base station, and RX represents a receiving channel.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 13, frequency f1 can be used for downlink and uplink in time division manner, and frequency f2 can be used for uplink only. As can be seen, frequency f1 is used for downlink in the first time period, and frequency f2 is used for uplink at the same time. At this time, the uplink and downlink hardware are independent of each other, and can work at the same time. At this time, the first transmission path of the duplexer 3301 can be used for transmitting downlink signals, and the second transmission path can be used for transmitting uplink signals. In the second time period, frequency f1 is used for uplink, and at this time, the downlink hardware stops working. At this time, the first transmission path of the duplexer 3301 can be used for transmitting uplink signals.

[0144] In the uplink signal transmission process, if the target frequency is f1, the first module 3103 in the receiving channel 310 should convert the frequency f2 of the uplink signal to frequency f1 in the first time period, and only be used for transmission of the uplink signal with frequency f1 in the second time period; if the target frequency is f2, the first module 3103 in the receiving channel 310 should only be used for transmission of the uplink signal with frequency f2 in the first time period, and convert the frequency f1 of the uplink signal to frequency f2 in the second time period, so as to realize multiplexing of the receiving channel at different frequencies.

[0145] It should be noted that the modules or components shown in the above embodiments can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, for example, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc. For another example, when a certain module above is implemented in the form of a processing element calling program code, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processor capable of calling program code, such as a controller. For another example, these modules can be integrated together to implement in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0146] In the above embodiments, all or part can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, software modules or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center through wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. containing one or more available media sets. The available media can be magnetic media (such as floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), optical media (such as DVD), or semiconductor media (such as solid state disk (SSD)) and the like.

[0147] The term "multiple" herein refers to two or more. The term "and / or" herein is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent the three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone. In addition, the character " / " in this paper generally represents that the associated objects before and after are an "or" relationship; in the formula, the character " / " represents that the associated objects before and after are a "division" relationship. In addition, it should be understood that in the description of the present application, the words "first", "second", etc. are only used for the purpose of distinguishing the description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor can it be understood as indicating or implying order.

[0148] It can be understood that the various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of differentiation, and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0149] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial number of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined by its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication device, characterized by The device comprises a receiving channel, the receiving channel comprising a low noise amplifier (LNA), a receiving connection network, a first module, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC); The LNA is connected with the ADC through the receiving connection network and the first module; The LNA is configured to amplify a signal received by the receiving channel from an antenna; The first module is configured to convert a frequency of the signal received by the receiving channel from the antenna to an operating frequency of the ADC in a case where the frequency of the signal received by the receiving channel from the antenna is different from the operating frequency of the ADC, the frequency of the signal received by the receiving channel from the antenna comprising a first frequency and a second frequency; The ADC is configured to convert a signal output by the first module into a digital signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The first module comprises a frequency agile module; The receiving channel further comprises a signal generation module, the signal generation module being connected with the frequency agile module; The signal generation module is configured to generate a local oscillator signal input to the frequency agile module.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The signal generation module comprises a phase-locked loop (PLL).

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The receiving connection network comprises any one of a direct connection network, a subarray hybrid beamforming (HBF) connection network, a partial full connection HBF connection network, or a full connection HBF connection network.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The device further comprises a transmitting channel, an isolation module, a switch, and a digital front end (DFE); A first end of the isolation module is connected with the transmitting channel, a second end of the isolation module is connected with a first end of the switch, a third end of the isolation module is connected with a second end of the switch, a third end of the switch is connected with the LNA, and the DFE is connected with the transmitting channel and the ADC respectively; The isolation module is configured to isolate the receiving channel and the transmitting channel; The switch is configured to receive a signal of the first frequency through the first end, receive a signal of the second frequency through the second end, and output the signal of the first frequency or the signal of the second frequency to the LNA through the third end; The DFE is configured to convert a sampling rate of a digital signal transmitted in the receiving channel and the transmitting channel, and filter the digital signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein, The device further comprises an antenna; The antenna is connected with a fourth end of the isolation module; The isolation module is further configured to isolate the transmitting channel and the antenna.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein, The isolation module comprises a duplexer and a circulator; A first end of the duplexer is connected with a first end of the circulator, a second end of the circulator is connected with the transmitting channel, a third end of the circulator is connected with the first end of the switch, a second end of the duplexer is connected with the third end of the switch, and a third end of the duplexer is connected with the antenna.

8. The apparatus of any one of claims 5-7, wherein, The device further comprises a baseband processor; The baseband processor is connected with the DFE; The baseband processor is configured to demodulate and decode the signal received by the receiving channel from the antenna, and generate a signal transmitted by the transmitting channel.

9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The device further comprises a control module; The control module is connected with the first module; The control module is configured to control the first module to convert the frequency of the signal received by the receiving channel from the antenna to the working frequency of the ADC in a case where the frequency of the signal received by the receiving channel from the antenna is different from the working frequency of the ADC.

10. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to the apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, and the method comprises: receiving a first signal by a receiving channel from an antenna; converting the frequency of the first signal to a target frequency in a case where the frequency of the first signal is different from the target frequency, the frequency of the first signal comprising a first frequency and a second frequency.

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