Antenna calibration method, system and device

Abstract

An antenna calibration method, system and device. In the method, at least one first metasurface unit is located on a path of a signal transmitted by a first antenna unit; a control module may acquire first error information used for indicating an error in a parameter of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, and adjust an electromagnetic response of the at least one first metasurface unit on the basis of the first error information, so as to calibrate the parameter of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit. In this way, a mechanism for calibrating a parameter of a signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, which can improve the antenna calibration performance, is provided.

Description

An antenna calibration method, system, and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411711860.6, filed on November 26, 2024, entitled "An Antenna Calibration Method, System and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to an antenna calibration method, system and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] Antenna elements are crucial components for transmitting and / or receiving signals. To improve signal transmission rate, enhance signal quality, and increase spatial coverage, multiple antenna elements can be combined into an antenna system, such as an antenna array. However, as antenna systems become increasingly larger, factors such as coupling between antenna elements, manufacturing errors, and environmental variations can cause parameter errors in the transmitted signals, such as phase and / or amplitude. Therefore, before using an antenna system, it is necessary to calibrate the parameters of the transmitted signals. However, how to improve antenna calibration performance is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides an antenna calibration method, system, and apparatus to improve antenna calibration performance.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an antenna calibration method. This method can be applied to a first device. The first device can refer to the first device itself, a module within the first device, or a larger device or system including the first device, etc. The first device may be, for example, a control module, specifically one or more processors; the first device may be, for example, an antenna calibration system including a control module, or a device including an antenna calibration system, etc., and is not limited thereto. For ease of description, the following description uses the application of this method to a first device as an example. The method includes: acquiring first error information, and adjusting the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface unit according to the first error information to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, wherein the first error information indicates the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, and at least one first metasurface unit is located on the path of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

[0007] At least one first metasurface element is located on the path of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, which can be understood as the signal transmitted by the first antenna element passing through at least one first metasurface element. Any of the at least one first metasurface element can be made of a metasurface, which is an artificial layer material with a thickness less than the wavelength. The electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface element includes the amplitude and / or response of at least one first metasurface element. Changes in the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface element can cause changes in the parameters of the signal passing through at least one first metasurface element; therefore, at least one first metasurface element can adjust the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. Parameter errors in the signal transmitted by the first antenna element include amplitude errors and / or phase errors, etc.

[0008] In this embodiment, at least one first metasurface unit is used to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, providing a mechanism for calibrating the antenna unit. The metasurface unit has stable characteristics and can be set independently of the antenna unit; therefore, the characteristics of at least one first metasurface unit are not easily affected by the operation of the antenna unit or external interference, resulting in higher robustness (or stability) of calibrating the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, thereby improving antenna calibration performance.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface unit is adjusted according to first error information to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit. This includes: jointly adjusting the first metasurface unit and the feed network according to the first error information and a strategy to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, wherein the feed network is used to adjust the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit. The strategy may be pre-stored in the first device or determined by the first device itself, and is not limited thereto.

[0010] In this way, the first device jointly adjusts at least one first metasurface element and the feeding network to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, which on the one hand improves the flexibility of calibration; on the other hand, compared with calibration based on only at least one metasurface element, it can calibrate a wider range of parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the strategy relates to at least one of the following parameters: the temperature of the feed network, the operating frequency band of the first antenna element, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the second antenna element, the power consumption of the antenna calibration system containing at least one first metasurface element, the calibration accuracy of the antenna calibration system containing at least one first metasurface element, and the calibration speed of the antenna calibration system containing at least one first metasurface element.

[0012] Thus, the strategy, based on changes in at least one parameter, increases the flexibility of calibrating the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. Furthermore, if the strategy is related to the temperature of the feed network, the first device can adjust the strategy based on that temperature, enabling more accurate calibration of the feed network and at least one first metasurface element. If the strategy is related to at least one of the following: the operating frequency band of the first antenna element, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the second antenna element, the power consumption of the antenna calibration system containing at least one first metasurface element, the calibration accuracy of the antenna calibration system containing at least one first metasurface element, and the calibration speed of the antenna calibration system containing at least one first metasurface element, this takes into account calibration requirements, making the calibration results more consistent with those requirements.

[0013] In one possible implementation, based on first error information and a strategy, the first metasurface element and the feed network are jointly adjusted to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. This includes: jointly adjusting the phase of the first metasurface element and the phase of a phase shifter in the feed network based on the phase error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element to calibrate the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, wherein the phase shifter is used to adjust the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element; and / or, jointly adjusting the amplitude of the first metasurface element and the amplitude of an attenuator in the feed network based on the amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element to calibrate the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, wherein the attenuator is used to adjust the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element.

[0014] This improves the flexibility of calibration and allows for a wider range of calibrations of the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: acquiring second error information, the second error information indicating the phase error and / or amplitude error of the transmission channel of the feed network, the transmission channel of the feed network being used to transmit the signal source of the first antenna element, the feed network including a driving module, a phase shifter, and an attenuator; adjusting the phase of the driving module and the phase of the phase shifter according to the phase error of the transmission channel to calibrate the phase of the transmission channel; and / or adjusting the amplitude of the driving module and the amplitude of the attenuator according to the amplitude error of the transmission channel to calibrate the amplitude of the transmission channel.

[0016] In this way, the parameter errors of the transmission channel of the feed network can be calibrated using the feed network, making the signal source provided by the feed network to the antenna element more accurate, which is beneficial to the more accurate parameters of the signal transmitted by the antenna element.

[0017] In one possible implementation, obtaining the second error information includes: obtaining the phase of the signal source output by the transmission channel, and determining the phase error of the transmission channel based on the phase of the signal source; and / or, obtaining the amplitude of the signal source output by the transmission channel, and determining the amplitude error of the transmission channel based on the amplitude of the signal source. For example, the first device obtains the phase and / or amplitude of the signal source from a detector on the transmission channel.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the method includes: acquiring third error information, which indicates parameter errors in the signal transmitted by a third antenna element adjacent to a first antenna element; and adjusting the electromagnetic response of at least one second metasurface element based on the third error information to calibrate the third antenna element, wherein the at least one second metasurface element is located on the path of the signal transmitted by the third antenna element. In this way, the metasurface element can also calibrate the parameters of signals transmitted by other antenna elements in the antenna system, improving calibration efficiency.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the metasurface unit and the antenna unit have a one-to-one relationship, such as at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit being different, and both at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit include one metasurface unit; or, the metasurface unit and the antenna unit have a many-to-one relationship, such as at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit being different, and both at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit include multiple metasurface units; or, the metasurface unit and the antenna unit have a one-to-many relationship, where at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit are the same metasurface unit.

[0020] This provides several possible relationships between metasurface elements and antenna elements. In a one-to-one relationship, one metasurface element can specifically calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by one antenna element, improving the accuracy of antenna element calibration. In a many-to-one relationship, multiple metasurface elements can specifically calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by one antenna element, further improving the accuracy of antenna element calibration. In a one-to-many relationship, the number of metasurface elements can be relatively reduced, lowering implementation costs.

[0021] In one possible implementation, when at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit are different, the distance between the at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit is related to the distance between the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit. The distance between the at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit can be the distance between the centers of the at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit. Similarly, the distance between the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit can also be the distance between the centers of the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit. For example, when there is a one-to-one relationship between the metasurface unit and the antenna unit, then the distance between the first metasurface unit and the second metasurface unit can be equal to the distance between the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit.

[0022] Thus, by referring to the distance between the first antenna element and the third antenna element, the distance between at least one first metasurface element and at least one second metasurface element can be determined, which facilitates the setting of the metasurface elements and also makes it easier for these metasurface elements to calibrate their corresponding antenna elements.

[0023] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an antenna calibration system. This antenna calibration system can, for example, implement any of the methods described in the first aspect above. The antenna calibration system includes at least one first metasurface unit and a control module. The at least one first metasurface unit is located on the path of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit. The control module is used to acquire first error information and, based on the first error information, adjust the electromagnetic response of the at least one first metasurface unit to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit. The first error information indicates the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit. Optionally, the system further includes a first antenna unit.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the system further includes a feed network for adjusting the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element; the control module is specifically used to: jointly adjust at least one first metasurface element and the feed network according to the first error information and the strategy, so as to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the strategy relates to at least one of the following parameters: the temperature of the feed network; the operating frequency band of the first antenna element; the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element; the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the second antenna element, wherein the feed network is also used to adjust the signal parameters of the signal transmitted by the second antenna element; the power consumption of the system; the calibration accuracy of the system; and the calibration speed of the system.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element includes: the phase error and / or amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, and the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface element includes: the phase and / or amplitude of at least one first metasurface element.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the feed network includes a phase shifter and an attenuator. The phase shifter is used to adjust the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, and the attenuator is used to adjust the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. The control module is specifically used to: jointly adjust the phase of the first metasurface element and the phase of the phase shifter according to the phase error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, so as to calibrate the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element; and / or, jointly adjust the amplitude of the first metasurface element and the amplitude of the attenuator according to the amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, so as to calibrate the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the system further includes a feed network comprising a drive module, an attenuator, and a phase shifter. The control module is further configured to: acquire second error information, the second error information indicating the phase error and / or amplitude error of the transmission channel of the feed network, the transmission channel of the feed network being used to transmit the signal source of the first antenna element; adjust the phase of the drive module and the phase of the phase shifter according to the phase error of the transmission channel to calibrate the phase of the transmission channel; and / or adjust the amplitude of the drive module and the amplitude of the attenuator according to the amplitude error of the transmission channel to calibrate the amplitude of the transmission channel.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the system further includes a detector, wherein: the detector is configured to acquire the signal source output by the transmission channel and determine the phase and / or amplitude of the signal source; a control module is specifically configured to acquire the phase and / or amplitude of the signal source; and the control module is specifically configured to determine the phase error of the transmission channel based on the phase of the signal source, and / or, based on the amplitude of the signal source, determine the amplitude error of the transmission channel.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the system further includes a third antenna unit adjacent to the first antenna unit; the control module is further configured to: acquire third error information, the third error information being used to indicate parameter errors of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit; and adjust the electromagnetic response of at least one second metasurface unit according to the third error information to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit, wherein at least one second metasurface unit is located on the path of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit.

[0031] In one possible implementation, at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit are different, and both at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit include a single metasurface unit; or, at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit are different, and both at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit include multiple metasurface units; or, at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit are the same metasurface unit.

[0032] In one possible implementation, where at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit are different, the distance between at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit is related to the distance between the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the first metasurface unit includes a plurality of switches and a resonator, the resonator being connected to each of the plurality of switches; adjusting the number of switches in a first state among the plurality of switches to adjust the phase of the first metasurface unit; and / or adjusting the position of the switches in the first state among the plurality of switches to adjust the amplitude of the first metasurface unit; wherein the first state includes an on state or an off state.

[0034] In one possible implementation, at least one first metasurface unit is further configured to: receive a first signal transmitted by a first antenna unit and transmit the first signal to change the amplitude and / or phase of the transmitted first signal; or, receive a second signal transmitted by the first antenna unit and reflect the second signal to change the amplitude and / or phase of the reflected second signal.

[0035] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an antenna calibration apparatus. For example, the antenna calibration apparatus includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a communication unit (sometimes also called a communication module). The communication unit is used to perform transmit and receive operations, such as functions related to sending and receiving; the communication unit can be called a transceiver unit; optionally, the communication unit includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The processing unit is used to perform processing operations. Alternatively, the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver, or a transmitter and a receiver. Optionally, the antenna calibration apparatus also includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module).

[0036] The antenna calibration device may be the first device described in the first aspect above, or a device capable of performing some or all of the functions of the first device described in the first aspect. The antenna calibration device includes corresponding means or modules for performing the first aspect or any possible implementation described above. For example, a processing unit is used to acquire first error information and adjust the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface unit to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

[0037] Optionally, the antenna calibration device can also implement any of the possible embodiments in the first aspect described above, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0038] In one possible design, the antenna calibration device is a communication chip, the processing unit can be one or more processors or processor cores, and the communication unit can be the input / output circuit of the communication chip or the input / output interface.

[0039] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide an antenna calibration apparatus. The antenna calibration apparatus includes one or more processors. The one or more processors can execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory, which, when executed, cause the antenna calibration apparatus to implement the methods described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0040] Optionally, the antenna calibration device may include a memory, in which case the memory may be coupled to one or more processors, or the memory may be configured relatively independently of one or more processors. Alternatively, the memory may exist independently of the antenna calibration device.

[0041] In one possible design, the antenna calibration device may also include interface circuitry, through which the processor communicates with other devices or components.

[0042] The aforementioned antenna calibration device can be a terminal device, or a communication module within a terminal device, or a chip in the terminal responsible for communication functions such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem module, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip. Alternatively, the aforementioned antenna calibration device can be an access network device, or a module within an access network device.

[0043] In the specific implementation process, the antenna calibration device can be a chip, and the processor can be a transistor, gate circuit, flip-flop, and various logic circuits, etc. The specific implementation method of the processor is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0044] In one implementation, the antenna calibration device can be a wireless sensing management device, i.e., a computer device that supports wireless communication functions. Specifically, the wireless sensing management device can be a terminal device such as a smartphone, or a network device such as a wireless access network device (e.g., a base station).

[0045] In another implementation, the antenna calibration device can be a component of the wireless sensing management device, such as an integrated circuit product like a system-on-chip (SoC) or communication chip. A SoC can also be called a System-on-Chip (SoC). A communication chip can include a baseband processing chip and a radio frequency (RF) processing chip. A baseband processing chip is sometimes called a modem or baseband chip. An RF processing chip is sometimes called an RF transceiver or RF chip. In physical implementation, some or all of the communication chips can be integrated within the SoC. For example, the baseband processing chip is integrated into the SoC, while the RF processing chip is not integrated. The interface circuit can be the RF processing chip in the wireless sensing management device, and the processor can be the baseband processing chip in the wireless sensing management device. The interface circuit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be a processing circuit or logic circuit.

[0046] In another implementation, the antenna calibration device can be a chip system, which may consist of chips or include chips and other discrete devices. Chip systems may include, for example, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), system-on-a-chip (SoCs), CPUs, network processors (NPs), digital signal processors (DSPs), microcontroller units (MCUs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or other integrated chips.

[0047] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a chip system. The chip system includes a processor. Optionally, the chip system may further include an interface (such as a communication interface). The processor can be used to implement any of the methods described in the first aspect or any possible implementation. Optionally, the chip system also includes a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions). The processor is used to call and run the computer program from the memory, causing a device on which the chip system is installed to perform the methods as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation. Implementations of the chip system can be referred to the preceding descriptions of chip systems, and will not be listed here.

[0048] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the methods as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0049] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product. When the computer program product is executed, it causes a processor to perform a method as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof. The computer program product includes a computer program and / or instructions, etc.

[0050] Regarding the beneficial effects of any of the technical solutions in the second to seventh aspects mentioned above, please refer to the discussion of the beneficial effects of the corresponding technical solutions in the first aspect, which will not be listed here again. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an antenna calibration scenario applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0052] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an antenna calibration scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another antenna calibration scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the power supply network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the antenna calibration method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0056] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the relative positions of the metasurface unit and the antenna unit provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the parameter error of the signal transmitted by a calibration antenna unit according to an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the parameter error of the signal transmitted by another calibration antenna unit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the calibrating antenna unit according to another embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the signal transmitted by a calibration antenna unit and the parameter error of the transmission channel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the signal transmitted by the calibration antenna unit and the parameter error of the transmission communication provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a calibration antenna system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figures 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams of the structures of two antenna calibration devices provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0064] The embodiments of this application can be applied to any antenna calibration scenario. The concepts of antenna and antenna calibration are introduced below.

[0065] 1. An antenna is a device capable of transmitting signals (including transmitted and / or received signals). An antenna can be a single antenna element or an antenna system comprising one or more antenna elements. An antenna system is, for example, an antenna array. When an antenna system comprises multiple antenna elements, it can also be called a multi-antenna system. An antenna element is a unit capable of independently radiating electromagnetic waves. Antenna elements can be, for example, a remote radio head (RRH), an active antenna unit (AAU), one or more antenna elements (antenna elements can be simply referred to as elements), or antenna array elements, etc.

[0066] 2. Antenna calibration, also known as calibrating the antenna or calibrating the parameters of the signal transmitted by the antenna.

[0067] Antenna calibration refers to calibrating (or correcting, or adjusting) the parameters of the signal transmitted by an antenna, so that the parameters (or electromagnetic parameters) of the signal passing through the antenna are more accurate. The signal transmitted by the antenna includes the signal transmitted by the antenna and / or the signal received by the antenna. The parameters of the signal include the amplitude and / or phase. As communication standards continue to evolve, the parameters of the signal may include more components, which are not limited here.

[0068] Amplitude can represent (or describe) the strength or energy of a signal, such as the maximum value of a signal waveform, specifically the distance between the peaks or troughs of the waveform and the average value. Phase represents the position or offset of a signal in time, such as the starting point of the signal waveform at a specific moment. The unit of phase is, for example, degrees (°) or radians (rad).

[0069] For example, the expression for a signal can be: Where s(t) represents the signal, A represents the amplitude of the signal, ω represents the angular frequency, ωt represents the phase of the signal at time t, φ represents the initial phase of the signal, and j is the imaginary unit. If the signal is a continuous sine wave, then the signal can be expressed as: s(t) = Asin(ωt + φ). There are many other expressions for the signal, which are not limited here.

[0070] Figure 1 illustrates a scenario of antenna calibration applicable to an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 includes a first device 110, a second device 150, a first antenna calibration system 120 corresponding to the first device 110, a second antenna calibration system 160 corresponding to the second device 150, a first antenna system 130 corresponding to the first device 110, and a second antenna system 170 corresponding to the second device 150.

[0071] The first antenna system 130 and the second antenna system 170 can communicate with each other. The first antenna system 130 may be integrated into the first device 110, or it may be independently configured relative to the first device 110 but capable of communicating with it; this is not limited. Similarly, the second antenna system 170 may be integrated into the second device 150, or it may be independently configured relative to the second device 150 but capable of communicating with it; this is not limited. Furthermore, Figure 1 uses examples where the first antenna system 130 includes 4 antenna elements 131 and the second antenna system 170 includes 16 antenna elements 171; in practice, the number of antenna elements included in an antenna system is not limited.

[0072] The first antenna calibration system 120 can be used to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the antenna element 131 in the first antenna system 130. The first antenna calibration system 120 can be located within the first device 110, or it can be set up independently of the first device 110. Similarly, the second antenna calibration system 160 can be used to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the antenna element 171 in the second antenna system 170. The second antenna calibration system 160 can be located within the second device 150, or it can be set up independently of the second device 150.

[0073] Both the first device 110 and the second device 150 are devices with communication capabilities. For example, one of the first device 110 and the second device 150 may be a terminal device, and the other may be a network device. Alternatively, both the first device 110 and the second device 150 may be terminal devices. Or, both the first device 110 and the second device 150 may be network devices. The terminal device and the network device will be described separately below.

[0074] Terminal equipment, also known as terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, or mobile terminal, is a user-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. It can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, wearable devices, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Terminal equipment can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. It can also be vehicle-mounted devices, such as complete vehicle units, in-vehicle modules, in-vehicle chips, on-board units (OBUs), or telematics boxes (T-BOXs). Terminal equipment can also be other devices with terminal functions. Terminal devices typically include communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. They also contain program instructions for performing these functions. In this application's embodiments, the device used to implement the terminal device's functions can be the terminal device itself, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components that can implement the terminal device's functions. This device can be installed within the terminal device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0075] A network device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. A network device can be a device or module located on the network side of a communication system and possessing corresponding communication functions. Network devices typically contain communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions. They also contain program instructions for performing these functions, as well as corresponding program instructions. A network device can be a core network device in a core network (CN) or an access network device in a radio access network (RAN) that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices. Access network devices can also be called RAN devices. RAN can be an access network in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G, or future-oriented communication networks. RAN can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN / ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a communication network combining two or more of these.

[0076] RAN equipment can also be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a base station in a future evolved communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc.

[0077] RAN equipment can also be modules or units that perform some of the functions of a base station. For example, it can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). CU, DU, or RU may have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, and RU can also be called O-RU. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. RA equipment can be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, or a donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or equipment form used in the network equipment.

[0078] The following example illustrates how the first antenna system 130 is installed in the first device 110 and the second antenna system 170 is installed in the second device 150.

[0079] The first antenna system 130 and the second antenna system 170 can transmit signals to each other.

[0080] Case 1: The first antenna system 130 transmits a signal to the second antenna system 170. That is, the first device 110 acts as the signal transmitter (or sender), and the second device 150 acts as the signal receiver.

[0081] For example, the first antenna calibration system 120 calibrates the parameters of the signal (e.g., signal 1) input to the antenna element of the first device 110, so that the parameters of the signal (e.g., signal 3) received by the second device 150 are more accurate. Alternatively, the first antenna calibration system 120 calibrates the parameters of the signal (e.g., signal 2) transmitted by the antenna element of the first device 110, thereby making the parameters of the signal (e.g., signal 3) received by the second device 150 more accurate.

[0082] Scenario 2: The second antenna system 170 transmits a signal to the first antenna system 130. That is, the second device 150 acts as the signal transmitter, and the first device 110 acts as the signal receiver.

[0083] For example, the second device 150 transmits signal 4, and after signal 4 passes through the environment, the first device 110 receives signal 5. The first antenna calibration system 120 can calibrate the parameters of the signal (such as signal 5) received by the first device 110, making the parameters of the signal received by the first device 110 more accurate. Alternatively, the first antenna calibration system 120 can calibrate the parameters of signal 6 after signal 5 passes through the antenna element 131 of the first device 110, making the parameters of the signal received by the first device 110 more accurate.

[0084] The structures of the first antenna calibration system 120 and the second antenna calibration system 160 may be the same or different. The following description refers to a schematic diagram of the antenna calibration system shown in Figure 2. The antenna calibration system 200 shown in Figure 2 can be either the first antenna calibration system 120 shown in Figure 1 or the second antenna calibration system 160. The antenna system 230 involved in Figure 2 can be either the first antenna system 130 shown in Figure 1 or the second antenna system 170.

[0085] Antenna calibration system 200 and antenna system 230 can be relatively independent systems, or they can be integrated into the equipment or other systems, or antenna system 230 can be housed within antenna calibration system 200; there is no limitation on this. For example, both antenna calibration system 200 and antenna system 230 can be mounted on the rack of the equipment or system, or housed within the equipment's chassis.

[0086] The antenna calibration system 200 includes a control module 210 (also referred to as a control unit or controller, etc.) and one or more meta-surface units 220. The number of meta-surface units 220 may be, for example, one, two, three, or more.

[0087] The control module 210 can be a hardware module, software module, logic module, or device with computing capabilities, and its implementation is not limited. For example, the control module 210 can be a processor, specifically one or more of the following: central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), microprocessor (MP), DSP, neural network processing unit (NPU), MCU, PLD, or NP.

[0088] Alternatively, the control module 210 can be an integrated circuit or a chip, specifically one or more of the following: FPGA, ASIC, chip, SoC chip, or SIP chip.

[0089] One or more metasurface units 220 may be disposed relatively independently. Alternatively, all of the one or more metasurface units 220 may be disposed on a substrate. Exemplarily, the substrate material may be semiconductor. Alternatively, the one or more metasurface units 220 may be encapsulated within a housing.

[0090] The structures of any two metasurface units 220 in one or more metasurface units 220 can be the same. The following description takes the structure of one metasurface unit 220 as an example.

[0091] Metasurface unit 220 refers to a structural unit formed using a metasurface. The shape of the metasurface unit 220 can be various, such as circular, square, rectangular, elliptical, or other irregular shapes; its shape is not limited. A metasurface is an artificial layered material with a thickness less than the wavelength; it can be called a two-dimensional metamaterial, metastructured surface, or tunable metasurface, etc., and its name is not limited. Because of its small thickness, a metasurface can be considered a two-dimensional material. The metasurface or its material can be one or more of the following: metal, liquid crystal, metal, graphene, or vanadium dioxide, etc., without limitation. Depending on how the metasurface interacts with light, it can also be classified as reflective metasurface, transmissive metasurface, or others. Reflective metasurfaces primarily reflect light, but may also interact with light in other ways; this is not specifically limited. Similarly, transmissive metasurfaces primarily transmit light, but may also interact with light in other ways; this is not specifically limited.

[0092] The metasurface unit 220 can change at least one of its physical structure, dielectric structure, or optical properties in response to changing conditions, thereby altering its electromagnetic response and consequently changing its parameters (or electromagnetic parameters). These parameters may include amplitude and / or phase. Conditions may include at least one of voltage, current, temperature, pressure, or light. Optical properties may include the reflectivity and / or refractive index of the metasurface unit.

[0093] Optionally, if the metasurface unit 220 is made of a reflective metasurface, it can be called a reflective metasurface unit, which is mainly used for reflecting signals. If the metasurface unit 220 is made of a transmissive metasurface, it can be called a transmissive metasurface unit, which is mainly used for transmitting signals.

[0094] Antenna system 230 includes one or more antenna elements 231. The contents of any antenna element 231 can be referred to the contents of the antenna elements discussed above, and will not be listed here again. Some or all of the metasurface elements 220 in one or more of the antenna calibration system 200 can be used to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by each of the one or more antenna elements 231.

[0095] The basic principle of calibrating the parameters of the signal transmitted by at least one metasurface unit 220 of one or more metasurface units 220 to one of the antenna units 231 of one or more antenna units 231 is introduced below.

[0096] For example, the control module 210 controls the conditions of at least one metasurface unit 220, causing the electromagnetic response of the at least one metasurface unit 220 to change, thereby adjusting the parameters of the signal emitted by the antenna unit 231, and / or adjusting the parameters of the signal to be input to the antenna unit 231, thereby achieving calibration of the signal parameters.

[0097] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an antenna calibration system provided in an embodiment of this application. Compared with Figure 2, the antenna calibration system 200 shown in Figure 3 further includes at least one of an antenna system 230, a feed network 310, or a detector 320. In another possible implementation, the feed network 310 can be set relatively independently from the antenna calibration system 200, so that if one of the feed network 310 and the antenna calibration system 200 is damaged, the other can be used to calibrate the antenna system 230, thereby improving the reliability of the antenna system 230 calibration.

[0098] The contents of the antenna calibration system 200 and antenna system 230 shown in Figure 3 can be referred to the contents of the antenna calibration system 200 and antenna system 230 discussed in Figure 2, respectively, and will not be listed here.

[0099] Detector 320 refers to a device or component capable of detecting electromagnetic waves, such as a detection antenna. Detector 320 can be independently configured relative to antenna calibration system 200 or integrated into antenna calibration system 200. The detector is used to obtain error information of signals transmitted by one or more antenna elements 231 in antenna system 230, where the error information of the signal transmitted by one antenna element 231 indicates parameter errors in the transmitted signal, such as amplitude errors and / or phase errors.

[0100] Optionally, the feed network 310 is connected to the antenna system 230. This connection can be a communication connection, such as a wired connection, an electrical connection, or a wireless connection. The feed network 310 can assist in calibrating the parameters of the signals transmitted by one or more antenna elements 231.

[0101] Figure 4 illustrates a power supply network. As shown in Figure 4, the power supply network 310 includes at least one module 410 (such as module 410a and module 410b). Figure 4 is an example with two modules 410 included in the power supply network 310, but the actual number of modules 410 is not limited.

[0102] At least one module 410 is used to provide a signal source (or excitation source) for some or all of the antenna elements in the antenna system. For example, one module 410 is used to provide a signal source for a portion of the antenna elements in the antenna system, and another module 410 is used to provide a signal source for another portion of the antenna elements in the antenna system.

[0103] At least one module 410 includes a drive module 411 (any one of drive modules 411a to 411d as shown in FIG. 4). The drive module may also be called an excitation module or other names, and it is used to generate a signal source. When the antenna system is used as the transmitter, the antenna system can acquire the signal source output by the drive module 411, process the signal source, and transmit the processed signal source.

[0104] Optionally, each module 410 further includes at least one of the following: an attenuator (ATT) 412 (any of attenuators 412a to 412d as shown in Figure 4), a phase shifter 413 (any of phase shifters 413a to 413d as shown in Figure 4), or a power amplifier (PA) 414 (any of amplifiers 414a to 414d as shown in Figure 4). The attenuator 412 is used to adjust the amplitude of the signal source. The phase shifter 413 is used to adjust the phase of the signal source. The amplifier 414 is used to increase the amplitude of the signal source. In the case where each module 410 also includes an attenuator 412, a phase shifter 413, and an amplifier 414, after the drive module 411 outputs a signal source, the signal source can be processed sequentially by the attenuator 412, the phase shifter 413, and the amplifier 414. The signal source output by the amplifier 414 can be output to the antenna system, such as the antenna unit connected to each module 410 in the antenna system. That is to say, the signal source input to this part of the antenna unit is the output of the amplifier 414.

[0105] Figure 4 shows an example where each module includes one attenuator 412, one phase shifter 413, and one amplifier 414. In practice, the number of attenuators 412, phase shifters 413, and amplifiers 414 in each module is not limited. Also, Figure 4 shows an example where each module includes attenuators 412, phase shifters 413, and amplifiers 414 arranged sequentially. In practice, the order in which these components are arranged in each module is not limited.

[0106] The antenna calibration method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0107] Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of this application, all steps indicated by dashed lines are optional steps. Also, the first device involved in the various embodiments of this application is, for example, a device, an antenna calibration system, or a control module, etc. The device may be, for example, the first device 110 or the second device 150 shown in FIG. 1; the control module may be, for example, the control module 210 involved in FIG. 2 or 3; the antenna calibration system may be, for example, the first antenna calibration system 120 or the second antenna calibration system 160 involved in FIG. 1, the antenna calibration system 200 involved in FIG. 2, or the antenna calibration system 300 shown in FIG. 3; at least one first metasurface unit may be, for example, one involved in FIG. 2 or 3. Some or all of the metasurface units in the multiple metasurface units 220, and at least one second metasurface unit, can be some or all of the metasurface units in one or more metasurface units 220 involved in FIG. 2 or 3. The feed network is, for example, the feed network 310 involved in FIG. 3 or 4. The detector is, for example, the detector 320 involved in FIG. 3. The drive module is, for example, any drive module involved in FIG. 4. The attenuator is, for example, any attenuator involved in FIG. 4. The phase shifter is, for example, any phase shifter involved in FIG. 4. The amplifier is, for example, any amplifier involved in FIG. 4. As standards continue to evolve, the names and / or functions of devices or components may change, which is not limited.

[0108] In addition, in the various embodiments of this application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0109] Furthermore, in the various embodiments of this application, terms such as "exemplarily," "for example," "likely," "optional," "possible implementation," "possible mode of implementation," or "possible design" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the term "example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding / relevant," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0110] The antenna calibration method provided in this application embodiment will be described below with reference to the schematic diagram of the antenna calibration method shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 illustrates the method performed by the first device as an example.

[0111] S501, The first device acquires the first error information.

[0112] The implementation of the first device can refer to the content of the first device discussed above, and will not be listed here again. The first error information indicates the parameter errors of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, such as the amplitude error and / or phase error of the transmitted signal; that is, the first error information indicates the amplitude error and / or phase error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. The amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element refers to the error in the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. The phase error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element refers to the error in the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. The first antenna element can be any antenna element in the antenna system. The antenna system can be set up relatively independently from the antenna calibration system where the first device is located, or it can be set up in the same system or device; there is no restriction on this.

[0113] The following describes the method by which the first device acquires the first error information, using any one of methods A1 to A3.

[0114] A1. The first device pre-stores the first error information of the first antenna element. For example, the first device can obtain the first error information from the user or a device other than the device in which the first device is located, and the first device pre-stores the first error information.

[0115] A2. The first device acquires the first error information of the first antenna element through a detector. The detector can be a detector set independently of the antenna calibration system, or it can be an electric field detection device integrated into the antenna calibration system; there is no limitation on this.

[0116] The detector receives (or detects) the first detection signal transmitted by the first antenna element. Based on the first detection signal, the detector determines first error information. For example, the detector can determine the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element based on the difference between the parameters of the first detection signal and the standard parameters. The parameter error includes amplitude error and / or phase error. For simplicity, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element will be referred to as the first parameter error, the phase error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element as the first phase error, and the amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element as the first amplitude error. Similarly, the standard parameters include standard amplitude and / or standard phase.

[0117] Standard parameters refer to the parameters expected to be achieved by the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. Standard parameters can be pre-stored in the detector, obtained by the detector from the first device, or determined by the detector itself. For example, the detector determines the standard parameters based on the parameters of the detected signals from one or more antenna elements in the antenna system. For instance, the detector may determine the standard parameters as the average value of the parameters of the signals transmitted by one or more antenna elements, or it may determine the standard parameters as the parameters of the signals transmitted by a reference antenna element among one or more antenna elements.

[0118] The parameters transmitted by the first antenna element include amplitude, and the standard parameters include standard amplitude. Therefore, the detector can determine the first amplitude error by calculating the difference between the amplitude of the first detected signal and the standard amplitude. And / or, the parameters transmitted by the first antenna element include phase, and the standard parameters include standard phase. Therefore, the detector can determine the first phase error by calculating the difference between the phase of the first detected signal and the standard phase.

[0119] After the detector determines the first error information, it can send the first error information to the first device, which then acquires the first error information. Alternatively, the detector can send the parameters of the first detection signal to the first device. The first device, based on the parameters of the first detection signal and standard parameters, determines the first parameter error, thus acquiring the first error information. The standard parameters can be pre-stored in the first device or determined by the first device itself. The content of the standard parameters determined by the first device can refer to the content of the detector's determination of standard parameters, and will not be listed here.

[0120] A3. The transmitting end sends a second detection signal to the first antenna element. Correspondingly, the first antenna element receives a third detection signal. The first device obtains the first parameter error, i.e., the first error information, based on the parameter error between the second and third detection signals. The transmitting end is the device or antenna that sends signals to the first antenna element, such as a detector. If the first antenna element is located in the first device, then the transmitting end can be the second device.

[0121] For example, the first device determines the difference between the amplitude of the second detection signal and the amplitude of the third detection signal as the first amplitude error, and determines the difference between the phase of the second detection signal and the phase of the third detection signal as the first phase error, thereby obtaining the first error information.

[0122] The above is an example of how the first device acquires the first error information. In fact, there are many other ways for the first device to acquire the first error information, which are not specifically limited here.

[0123] S502, the first device adjusts the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface unit according to the first error information. This achieves calibration of the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

[0124] In this embodiment, at least one first metasurface unit is used to adjust the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit as an example. The number of metasurface units included in the at least one first metasurface unit can be P. P is a positive integer, and the value of P can be 1, 2, 3, or more than 3 integers, without limitation. This at least one first metasurface unit can be called a metasurface unit corresponding to the first antenna unit, or a metasurface unit used to calibrate the first antenna unit, or at least one metasurface unit corresponding to the first antenna unit. Optionally, at least one metasurface unit is disposed on a substrate. The implementation method of any of the at least one first metasurface units and the contents of the substrate can be referred to the contents of the metasurface units and the contents of the substrate discussed above, and will not be listed here.

[0125] The basic principle of the first device calibrating the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element is introduced below.

[0126] For example, the first device adjusts the conditions of at least one first metasurface element, such as temperature, voltage, or current. The electromagnetic response of the at least one first metasurface element changes due to the change in conditions, resulting in variations in the electromagnetic response, such as changes in amplitude and / or phase. Consequently, the amplitude and / or phase of the signal passing through the at least one first metasurface element also change, thereby altering the parameters of the signal transmitted (e.g., transmitted and / or received) by the first antenna element and / or the signal to be transmitted to the first antenna element, thus achieving calibration of the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element.

[0127] At least one first metasurface element is located (or positioned) in the path of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. This can be understood (or alternatively described as) the angle between at least one first metasurface element and the direction of signal transmission is greater than 0, or understood (or alternatively described as) the signal transmitted (e.g., transmitted and / or received) by the first antenna element and / or the signal to be transmitted to the first antenna element passes through at least one first metasurface element. For example, the angle between at least one first metasurface element and the direction of signal transmission is 90 degrees.

[0128] When at least one metasurface unit includes multiple first metasurface units, there can be various ways to arrange these multiple first metasurface units, as illustrated below.

[0129] B1. Multiple metasurface units can be laid flat on the same substrate or plane, or in other words, multiple metasurface units can be laid flat. In this case, for example, the plane containing at least one first metasurface unit is perpendicular to the signal transmission direction of the first antenna unit. In this case, the signal is equivalent to being emitted through multiple first metasurface units respectively.

[0130] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the relative positions of the metasurface unit and the antenna unit provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 6 illustrates at least one first metasurface unit and a first antenna unit. Figure 6 is an example of at least one first metasurface unit including metasurface unit a and metasurface unit b. In Figure 6, the path of the transmitted signal by the first antenna unit is path CE as shown in Figure 6, and the path of the received signal by the first antenna unit is path BCD as shown in Figure 6.

[0131] Referring to Figure 6(1), metasurface unit a and first metasurface unit b can be disposed on path CE, and metasurface unit a and metasurface unit b are laid flat on the same substrate.

[0132] B2. Multiple first metasurface elements can be arranged in parallel along the path of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, or multiple metasurface elements can be arranged overlappingly, or multiple metasurface elements can be stacked. In this case, the signal is equivalent to being emitted by passing through multiple first metasurface elements sequentially.

[0133] Referring to Figure 6(2), metasurface unit a and first metasurface unit b can be set on path BCD, and metasurface unit a and first metasurface unit b are set parallel to each other on path BCD.

[0134] If the configuration of at least one first metasurface element is different, and if at least one first metasurface element is multiple first metasurface elements, then the adjustment range of the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element by at least one first metasurface element will also be different, which will be introduced below.

[0135] C1. The multiple first metasurface units are arranged in a tiled configuration. Under C1, the multiple first metasurface units can adjust the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit in a weighted manner, such as adjusting the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit in a weighted manner, and / or adjusting the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit in a weighted manner.

[0136] Multiple first metasurface units can adjust the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit in a weighted manner. This can be understood as the amplitude of the signal after passing through multiple first metasurface units being the weighted sum of the amplitudes of the signal after passing through multiple first metasurface units.

[0137] For example, the amplitude of one of the multiple first metasurface units can be adjusted within the range of W1 to W2, where W1 can be a number greater than or equal to 0, and W2 is a number greater than 0 with W2 ≥ W1. For instance, W1 could be 0 and W2 10, or W1 could be 0.5 and W2 5, etc., and their values ​​are not limited. In this case, the amplitude of the signal after passing through multiple first metasurface units can range from [R1*W1*A + ... + R...] P *W1*A, R1*W2*A+……+R P *W2*A]. Where A represents the amplitude of the signal incident on the plurality of first metasurface units, P represents the number of metasurface units included in the plurality of first metasurface units, R1……R P These are the weighted averages of the amplitudes of multiple first metasurface units, R1...R... P It can be determined by the first device or pre-configured; there are no specific limitations on this.

[0138] Suppose that a plurality of first metasurface units include, for example, metasurface unit a and metasurface unit b, the amplitude weighting weights of metasurface unit a and metasurface unit b are 0.5 and 0.5 respectively, the adjustable amplitude range of metasurface unit a and metasurface unit b is W2, and the amplitude of the signal incident on these plurality of first metasurface units is A, then the amplitude of the signal after passing through metasurface unit a and metasurface unit b is: 0.5*W2*A+0.5*W2*A.

[0139] Multiple first metasurface units can adjust the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit in a weighted manner. This can be understood as the phase of the signal after passing through multiple first metasurface units being the weighted sum of the phases of the signal after passing through multiple first metasurface units.

[0140] For example, the phase of one of the multiple first metasurface units can be adjusted from -S1 to S2, where S1 and S2 are both non-negative numbers. The values ​​of S1 and S2 can be the same or different, without limitation. For example, S1 could be π rad, and S2 could be π rad. For a single first metasurface unit, its phase can be adjusted at most along a first direction (S1) and at most along a second direction (S2), where the first and second directions are opposite. In this case, the phase range of the signal after passing through multiple first metasurface units can be... Where arg is the principal argument of the complex number, φ1 represents the phase of the signal incident on the plurality of first metasurface units, P represents the number of metasurface units included in the plurality of first metasurface units, A1……A P S1...S2 represent the amplitudes of the signal after passing through multiple first metasurface units, respectively, and the values ​​of the phase-adjustable coefficients for each unit are S1...S2. PIt can be determined by the first device or pre-configured; there are no specific limitations on this.

[0141] Suppose that multiple first metasurface units include, for example, metasurface unit a and metasurface unit b, with emission amplitudes of 0.3 and 0.7 respectively, and phase adjustability coefficients of both metasurface unit a and metasurface unit b being S2. The phase of the signal incident on these multiple first metasurface units is φ1. Then the phase of the signal after passing through metasurface unit a and metasurface unit b is:

[0142] C2. The multiple first metasurface units are set up in an overlapping manner.

[0143] Multiple first metasurface units can exponentially adjust the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit. The adjustment can be referred to the discussion on adjusting the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit in C1 above, and will not be listed here.

[0144] Multiple first metasurface elements can adjust the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element in this manner, and / or, multiple first metasurface elements can adjust the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element in a weighted manner.

[0145] For example, the amplitude adjustment range of one of the multiple first metasurface units is W1 to W2. The contents of W1 and W2 can be referred to the contents of W1 and W2 discussed above, and will not be listed here again. In this case, the amplitude adjustment range of at least one first metasurface unit is: [W1^ P W2^ P P represents the number of metasurface units included in at least one first metasurface unit.

[0146] Some of the first metasurface units in a plurality of first metasurface units can be set up in a tiled manner, while others can be set up in an overlapping manner. There are no specific limitations on the setting method of the plurality of first metasurface units.

[0147] Since the implementation of at least one first metasurface element is different, the process of adjusting the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element by at least one first metasurface element is also different. Examples are given below.

[0148] Example 1: At least one first metasurface unit is a liquid crystal cell. In this example, the first device can control (or adjust) the voltage or current applied to at least one first metasurface unit, thereby changing the arrangement of the at least one first metasurface unit. This is equivalent to reconstructing the dielectric structure. Thus, the transmittance or refractive index, etc., of at least one first metasurface unit can be adjusted, changing the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface unit, thereby achieving calibration of the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

[0149] Example 2: At least one first metasurface unit is a switch. In this example, the first device can adjust the on or off state of at least one first metasurface unit. This is equivalent to rearranging the physical structure of at least one first metasurface unit. Thus, the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface unit can be changed, thereby adjusting the parameters of the signal. The switch can be, for example, a field-effect transistor, a diode, or an electrical switch, and its specific implementation is not limited.

[0150] For example, the first device can adjust the number of switches in the on or off state in each of the at least one first metasurface unit to adjust the phase of the at least one metasurface unit, thereby calibrating the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit. Alternatively, the first device can adjust the position of the switches in the on or off state in each of the at least one first metasurface unit to adjust the amplitude of the at least one metasurface unit, thereby calibrating the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

[0151] In one possible design, any one of the first metasurface units in at least one of Example 2 includes multiple switches and a resonator. The resonator is connected to each of the multiple switches. The resonator can be a device or apparatus with frequency control capability. For example, the resonator includes multiple metal rings, with each metal ring's two ends connected to two of the multiple switches. The number of switches can be two or more, such as four, six, or eight, and is not specifically limited.

[0152] Examples 1 and 2 above illustrate how at least one first metasurface unit adjusts the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit under different implementations of at least one first metasurface unit. In fact, there can be many other implementations of at least one first metasurface unit and the corresponding methods of adjusting the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, which are not specifically limited here.

[0153] The following describes the specific implementation of the first device calibrating the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, using the methods shown in D1 or D2. D1 or D2 above are examples of methods for the first device to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. In reality, there are many other ways for the first device to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0154] D1. The first device, based on the first error information, adjusts the electromagnetic response of only at least one first metasurface unit to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit. In other words, the first device relies on only at least one first metasurface unit to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

[0155] For example, the control unit adjusts the amplitude of at least one first metasurface element based on the first amplitude error to calibrate the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. Alternatively, the control unit adjusts the phase of at least one first metasurface element based on the first phase error to calibrate the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. Or, the control unit adjusts the amplitude of at least one first metasurface element based on the first amplitude error and the phase of at least one first metasurface element based on the first phase error to calibrate both the amplitude and phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element.

[0156] Optionally, the antenna system may also include other antenna elements. In this embodiment, the other antenna elements include a third antenna element. Optionally, the third antenna element is adjacent to the first antenna element. At least one second metasurface element can be used to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the third antenna element. This can be described as at least one second metasurface element corresponding to the third antenna element.

[0157] For example, the first device acquires third error information, which indicates parameter errors in the signal transmitted by the third antenna element, including amplitude error and / or phase error. The first device can adjust the electromagnetic response of at least one second metasurface element based on the third error information to calibrate the third antenna element. The acquisition of the third error information and the adjustment of the electromagnetic response of at least one second metasurface element by the first device can be referred to respectively with respect to the previously discussed acquisition of the first error information and adjustment of the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface element, and will not be repeated here. For ease of description, the amplitude error indicated by the third error information will be referred to as the third amplitude error, and the phase error indicated by the third error information will be referred to as the third phase error.

[0158] At least one second metasurface element is located on the path of the signal transmitted by the third antenna element. The description of at least one second metasurface element being located on the path of the signal transmitted by the third antenna element is similar to the description of at least one first metasurface element being located on the path of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, and will not be repeated here. At least one second metasurface element may include R metasurface elements. The value of R is 1, 2, 3, or more than 3, etc., and its value is not limited. The values ​​of R and P can be the same or different.

[0159] At least one second metasurface element may be the same as or different from at least one first metasurface element, which is related to the relationship between at least one metasurface element and the antenna element, as will be discussed below.

[0160] E1. In one possible implementation, the first metasurface unit and the antenna unit have a one-to-one relationship, i.e., one metasurface unit corresponds to one antenna unit. In this case, at least one first metasurface unit includes one first metasurface unit, and the one first metasurface unit corresponds to one first antenna unit. At least one second metasurface unit includes one second metasurface unit, and the one second metasurface unit corresponds to a third antenna unit. The one first metasurface unit and the one second metasurface unit are different.

[0161] Thus, the first device can adjust the amplitude of the first metasurface unit based on the first amplitude error to calibrate the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit. And / or, the first device can adjust the phase of the first metasurface unit based on the first phase error to calibrate the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

[0162] Similarly, the first device can adjust the amplitude of the second metasurface unit based on a third amplitude error to calibrate the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit. And / or, the first device can adjust the phase of the second metasurface unit based on a third phase error to calibrate the phase of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit.

[0163] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the calibration antenna element provided in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the antenna calibration system includes metasurface elements a to h and a first device. The antenna system includes antenna elements a to h. Optionally, antenna elements a to d form one group of antenna elements, and antenna elements e to h form another group of antenna elements. Metasurface elements a to h are respectively used to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by antenna elements a to h. Alternatively, metasurface elements a to h correspond one-to-one with antenna elements a to h.

[0164] Suppose that the phase errors of the signals transmitted from antenna element a to antenna element h are respectively: and The first device can then control the phases of metasurface units a through h to decrease respectively. Right now reduce Right now reduce Right now reduce Right now reduce Right now reduce Right now reduce Right now reduce Right now In this way, the phase of the signals transmitted by antenna elements a to h can be calibrated.

[0165] One of the metasurface units a to h described above can serve as an example of at least one first metasurface unit, and the antenna unit corresponding to the metasurface unit can serve as an example of a first antenna unit. Furthermore, any metasurface unit among metasurface units a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and h, other than at least one first metasurface unit, can serve as an example of at least one second metasurface unit, and the antenna unit corresponding to at least one second metasurface unit can serve as an example of a third antenna unit.

[0166] Under E1, the first metasurface unit can calibrate the first antenna unit, which is beneficial for more accurate calibration of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

[0167] E2. In one possible implementation, the metasurface element and the antenna element have a many-to-one relationship, meaning multiple metasurface elements correspond to one antenna element. In this case, at least one first metasurface element includes multiple first metasurface elements, and these multiple first metasurface elements correspond to a first antenna element. At least one second metasurface element includes multiple second metasurface elements, and these multiple second metasurface elements correspond to a third antenna element. Furthermore, any one of the multiple first metasurface elements differs from any one of the multiple second metasurface elements.

[0168] E2-1. In one possible implementation, the first device may adjust the amplitudes of a plurality of first metasurface elements based on a first amplitude error to calibrate the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. For simplicity, the adjustment value by which the first device adjusts the amplitude of any one of the plurality of first metasurface elements is referred to as the amplitude adjustment value.

[0169] If multiple first metasurface elements are configured in a tiled manner, and the amplitude weights of these elements are the same, then the multiple amplitude adjustment values ​​will be identical. For example, any one of the multiple amplitude adjustment values ​​will be the first amplitude error. Alternatively, if multiple first metasurface elements are configured in a tiled manner, and the amplitude weights of at least two of these elements are different, then at least two of the multiple amplitude adjustment values ​​will be different.

[0170] When multiple first metasurface units are set in an overlapping manner, the multiple amplitude adjustment values ​​can be the same or different, without specific limitations.

[0171] Similarly, the details of adjusting the amplitude of the multiple second metasurface units by the first device can be found in E2-1, which discusses adjusting the amplitude of the multiple first metasurface units, and will not be repeated here.

[0172] E2-2. In one possible implementation, the first device can adjust the phase of a plurality of first metasurface elements based on a first phase error to calibrate the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. For simplicity, the adjustment value by which the first device adjusts the phase of any one of the plurality of first metasurface elements is referred to as the phase adjustment value.

[0173] If multiple first metasurface elements are arranged in a tiled configuration and the phase weights of these elements are identical, then the multiple phase adjustment values ​​will be the same. For example, any one of the multiple phase adjustment values ​​will be the first phase error. Alternatively, if multiple first metasurface elements are arranged in a tiled configuration and the phase weights of at least two of these elements are different, then at least two of the multiple phase adjustment values ​​will be different.

[0174] When multiple first metasurface units are set in an overlapping manner, the multiple phase adjustment values ​​can be the same or different, without specific limitations.

[0175] Similarly, the content regarding the adjustment of the phase of multiple second metasurface units by the first device can be found in E2-2, which discusses the adjustment of the phase of multiple first metasurface units, and will not be repeated here.

[0176] E2-3. In one possible implementation, the first device adjusts the amplitudes of multiple first metasurface units based on a first amplitude error to calibrate the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit. The first device can also adjust the phases of the multiple first metasurface units based on a first phase error to calibrate the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit. The details of the multiple amplitude adjustment values ​​and multiple phase adjustment values ​​involved in E2-3 can be found in the preceding discussion of the multiple amplitude adjustment values ​​and multiple phase adjustment values, and will not be listed here again.

[0177] Similarly, the content regarding the adjustment of the amplitude and phase of the multiple second metasurface units by the first device can be found in E2-3 regarding the adjustment of the amplitude and phase of the multiple first metasurface units, and will not be listed here again.

[0178] Please refer to Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the calibration antenna element provided in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the antenna calibration system includes metasurface elements a to h and a control module. The antenna system also includes antenna elements a to d. Taking the first device as an example, this is the control module.

[0179] Metasurface elements a and b are used to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by antenna element a. Alternatively, metasurface elements a and b each correspond to antenna element a. Metasurface elements c and d are used to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by antenna element b. Alternatively, metasurface elements c and d each correspond to antenna element b. Metasurface elements e and f are used to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by antenna element c. Alternatively, metasurface elements e and f each correspond to antenna element c. Metasurface elements g and h are used to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by antenna element d. Alternatively, metasurface elements g and h each correspond to antenna element d.

[0180] Assume that the phase errors of the signals transmitted by antenna elements a, b, c, and d are respectively: and Metasurface units a and b are set in a tiled configuration, as are metasurface units c and d, e and f, and g and h. The phase weighting of the signals transmitted by metasurface units a, b, c, and d is 0.5.

[0181] The control module can then control the phase of metasurface unit a and metasurface unit b to decrease respectively. Right now This allows for phase calibration of antenna element a, and controls the phase reduction of metasurface elements c and d, respectively. Right now This allows for phase calibration of antenna element b, controlling the phase reduction of metasurface element e. Right now And the phase of the metasurface unit f decreases respectively Right now This enables phase calibration of antenna element c, and control to reduce the phases of metasurface elements g and h, respectively. Right now This allows for the calibration of the phase of antenna element d.

[0182] The aforementioned metasurface units a and b can be examples of at least one first metasurface unit, and antenna unit a can be an example of a first antenna unit. Metasurface units c and d can be examples of at least one first metasurface unit, and antenna unit b can be an example of a first antenna unit. Metasurface units e and f can be examples of at least one first metasurface unit, and antenna unit c can be an example of a first antenna unit. Metasurface units g and h can be examples of at least one first metasurface unit, and antenna unit d can be an example of a first antenna unit.

[0183] Under E2, multiple first metasurface units can calibrate the first antenna unit. Multiple first metasurface units can calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit more flexibly. Furthermore, the range of signal parameters that multiple first metasurface units can calibrate is greater than the range that a single first metasurface unit can calibrate; that is, multiple first metasurface units can calibrate a wider range of signal parameters transmitted by the first antenna unit.

[0184] E3. In one possible implementation, the metasurface element and the antenna element have a one-to-many relationship, meaning one metasurface element corresponds to multiple antenna elements. In this case, at least one first metasurface element includes multiple first metasurface elements, and the multiple first metasurface elements correspond to the first antenna elements. For example, at least one first metasurface element and at least one second metasurface element include the same metasurface element, hereinafter referred to as the third metasurface element, and this third metasurface element corresponds to the first antenna element and the third antenna.

[0185] The following section describes how the first device calibrates the parameters of the signals transmitted by the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit, taking the third metasurface unit as an example and combining any of the cases from E3-1 to E3-3.

[0186] E3-1. The first device can adjust the amplitude of the third metasurface unit based on the first amplitude error and the third amplitude error to calibrate the amplitude of the signals transmitted by the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit.

[0187] For example, the first device can determine a target amplitude error by determining a first amplitude error and a third amplitude error, and calibrate the amplitude of the signals transmitted by the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit based on the target amplitude error.

[0188] Optionally, the target amplitude error is the amplitude error with the smallest absolute value among the first amplitude error and the third amplitude error. This ensures that the adjusted amplitude does not exceed the adjustable range of the third metasurface element and that the amplitude of the signal transmitted by one of the antenna elements is accurately calibrated. Alternatively, the target amplitude error can be the average of the first and third amplitude errors. Or, the target amplitude error can be the amplitude error with the largest absolute value among the first and third amplitude errors.

[0189] For example, if the first amplitude error is -5 and the third amplitude error is -10, then the first device can determine the third amplitude error as the target amplitude error, which is -5. The first device can control the increase of the amplitude of the third metasurface unit, that is, increase it by 5, thereby realizing the calibration of the amplitude of the signals transmitted by the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit.

[0190] E3-2. The first device can adjust the phase of the third metasurface unit based on the first phase error and the third phase error to calibrate the phase of the signals transmitted by the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit. The third phase error refers to the phase error of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit.

[0191] For example, the first device can determine a target phase error by determining a first phase error and a third phase error, and calibrate the phase of the signals transmitted by the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit based on the target phase error.

[0192] Optionally, the target phase error is the phase error with the smallest absolute value among the first phase error and the third phase error. This ensures that the adjusted phase magnitude does not exceed the phase adjustment range of the third metasurface element, and that the phase of the signal transmitted by one of the antenna elements is accurately calibrated. Alternatively, the target phase error can be the average of the first and third phase errors. Or, the target phase error can be the phase error with the largest absolute value among the first and third phase errors.

[0193] E3-3. The first device can adjust the amplitude of the third metasurface unit based on the first amplitude error and the third amplitude error to calibrate the amplitude of the signals transmitted by the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit. Also, the first device can adjust the phase of the third metasurface unit based on the first phase error and the third phase error to calibrate the phase of the signals transmitted by the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit.

[0194] The calibration of the amplitude of the signals transmitted by the first and third antenna elements can be found in E3-1 above, and the calibration of the phase of the signals transmitted by the first and third antenna elements can be found in E3-2 above. They will not be listed here one by one.

[0195] Please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the calibration antenna element provided in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, the antenna calibration system includes metasurface element a, metasurface element d, and a control module. Furthermore, the antenna system includes antenna elements a to d. Taking the first device as an example, this is the control module.

[0196] Metasurface element a is used to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by antenna element a, and also to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by antenna element b. In other words, metasurface element a corresponds to antenna elements a and b. Metasurface element b is used to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by antenna element c, and also to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by antenna element d. In other words, metasurface element c corresponds to antenna elements d and b.

[0197] Suppose that the phase errors of the signals transmitted from antenna element a to antenna element d are respectively: and The control module can then control the reduction of metasurface unit a. Right now This allows for the calibration of the phase of antenna element a and the phase of antenna element b, as well as the control of the reduction of metasurface element b. Right now This allows for the calibration of the phase of antenna element c and the phase of antenna element d.

[0198] If metasurface element a is an example of at least one first metasurface element or at least one second metasurface element, then antenna element a can be an example of a first antenna element, and antenna element b can be an example of a third antenna element. Alternatively, if metasurface element b is an example of at least one first metasurface element or at least one second metasurface element, then antenna element c can be an example of a first antenna element, and antenna element d can be an example of a third antenna element.

[0199] When the antenna calibration unit also includes a feed network, in addition to the error in the signal transmitted by the antenna element, the transmission channel of the feed network may also have errors. Optionally, the first device can also calibrate the error of the transmission channel of the feed network. Optionally, the feed network includes a drive module, a phase shifter, and an attenuator. Optionally, the feed network also includes an amplifier.

[0200] For example, the first device acquires second error information. The second error information indicates parameter errors in the transmission channel of the feed network, such as phase error and / or amplitude error. The parameter errors in the transmission channel of the feed network can be understood as parameter errors of the feed network itself, or errors in the signal source transmitted by the feed network. The transmission channel of the feed network may include one or more transmission channels, each providing a signal source for some or all of the antenna elements (or a group of antenna elements) in the antenna system, or in other words, the signal source can be transmitted from the feed network to the antenna elements in the antenna system.

[0201] Optionally, the first device may be pre-configured with second error information, or the first device may determine the second error information itself. For example, the first device may acquire the signal source output by the transmission channel. Alternatively, the first device may acquire the signal source output by the transmission channel from a detector. The detector may include, for example, a power divider; optionally, the detector may also include an oscilloscope or a spectrum analyzer. The first device may determine the parameter error of the transmission channel based on the parameters of the signal source. For example, the first device may determine the phase error of the transmission channel based on the phase of the signal source. And / or, the first device may acquire the amplitude of the signal source output by the transmission channel and determine the amplitude error of the transmission channel based on the amplitude of the signal source.

[0202] For example, the first device can adjust the phase of the drive module and the phase of the phase shifter according to the phase error of the transmission channel, thereby calibrating the phase of the transmission channel. And / or, the first device can adjust the amplitude of the drive module and the amplitude of the attenuator according to the amplitude error of the transmission channel, thereby calibrating the amplitude of the transmission channel.

[0203] Please refer to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of the calibration antenna element and transmission channel error provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 10 illustrates the feed network, antenna elements a to h, and metasurface elements a to h. Antenna elements a to h correspond one-to-one with metasurface elements a to h. Optionally, antenna elements a to d can form an antenna group, corresponding to module a of the feed network, and antenna elements e to h can form another antenna group, corresponding to module b of the feed network. Module a includes a driving module a, an attenuator a, a phase shifter a, and an amplifier a, and module a corresponds to a transmission channel. Module b includes a driving module b, an attenuator b, a phase shifter b, and an amplifier b, and module b corresponds to a transmission communication. Taking the first device as the control module as an example.

[0204] The control module can obtain the phase error of the transmission channel of module a through detector a, for example, -ΔΦ1. Then, the control module can adjust the phase of drive module a and attenuator a, thereby calibrating the phase error of the transmission channel of module a. Similarly, the control module can obtain the phase error of the transmission channel of module b through detector b, for example, -ΔΦ2. Then, the control module can adjust the phase of drive module b and attenuator b, thereby calibrating the phase error of the transmission channel of module b.

[0205] In addition, the control module can also obtain the phase errors of antenna elements a to h respectively. For example, if the phase errors of antenna elements a to h are respectively: and Then the control module can reduce the phase of the metasurface element a according to the antenna element a. Right now Reduce the phase of metasurface unit b Right now Reduce the phase of metasurface unit c Right now Reduce the phase of the metasurface unit d Right now Reduce the phase of the metasurface unit e Right now Reduce the phase of the metasurface unit f Right now Reduce the phase of the metasurface unit g Right now And reduce the phase of the metasurface unit h Right now

[0206] D2. The first device adjusts the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface element and the parameters of the feed network based on the first error information to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. In other words, the first device relies on at least one first metasurface element and the feed network to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. In this method, because the first device, in conjunction with at least one first metasurface element and the feed network, jointly adjusts the parameters of the signal of the first antenna element, the flexibility in adjusting the parameters of the signal of the first antenna element is higher, and the range of adjustable parameters of the signal of the first antenna element is wider.

[0207] For example, the first device, based on first error information and a strategy, jointly adjusts at least one first metasurface element and a feed network to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. The strategy may be pre-existing in the first device or determined by the first device itself. The first device may determine the strategy using at least one of the following parameters H1 to H7. In other words, the strategy is related to at least one of the following parameters H1 to H7.

[0208] H1, the temperature of the power supply network.

[0209] The parameters of the power supply network are affected by temperature, so the first device can determine the strategy based on the temperature of the power supply network. The temperature of the power supply network can be the temperature of a certain device in the power supply network, the average temperature of all devices in the power supply network, or the temperature of a certain reference point on the circuit of the power supply network; there is no limitation on this.

[0210] For example, the first device determines a strategy based on the temperature range to which the temperature of the feed network belongs. For example, the strategy instructs the feed network to adjust the proportion of the first parameter error, and / or at least one metasurface unit to adjust the proportion of the first parameter error.

[0211] For example, if the temperature of the power supply network is within a first temperature range, then the first device determines that the strategy instructs the power supply network to adjust the first parameter error by a first proportion. That is, the strategy instructs the power supply network to adjust the first parameter error by a first proportion, and at least one first metasurface unit to adjust the first parameter error by a second proportion. If the temperature of the power supply network is within a second temperature range or a third temperature range, then the first device determines that the strategy instructs the power supply network to adjust the first parameter error by a third proportion, and / or at least one first metasurface unit to adjust the first parameter error by a fourth proportion.

[0212] For example, the first temperature range is 5 degrees Celsius (°C) to 35°C. The maximum value of the second temperature range may be less than or equal to the minimum value of the first temperature range, and the maximum value of the first temperature range may be less than or equal to the minimum value of the third temperature range. The second temperature range is less than 5°C, and the third temperature range is greater than 35°C.

[0213] The sum of the second and first ratios is less than or equal to 1. The first ratio can be greater than, less than, or equal to the second ratio; this is not limited. Both the first and second ratios can be 1 / 2, or the first ratio can be 1 / 3 and the second ratio 2 / 3. The sum of the fourth and third ratios is less than or equal to 1. The third ratio can be greater than, less than, or equal to the fourth ratio; this is not limited. For example, the third ratio can be 0 and the fourth ratio can be 1. Or the third ratio can be 1 / 4 and the fourth ratio can be 3 / 4. Or the third ratio can be 1 / 5 and the fourth ratio can be 4 / 5. Optionally, the third ratio can be less than the first ratio.

[0214] For example, if the temperature of the feed network is within a first temperature range, the first device determines a strategy to instruct the feed network to adjust the first parameter error by a first proportion, where the first proportion is 1 / 2. If the first phase error is 10°, then the first device can control the feed network to adjust and reduce the phase by 5°, and control at least one first metasurface element to reduce the phase by 5°, thereby achieving phase calibration of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element.

[0215] For example, if the temperature of the feed network is within a second temperature range, the first device determines a strategy to instruct the feed network to adjust the first parameter error by a third proportion, where the third proportion is 1 / 5. If the first phase error is 20° and the amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element is 20, then the first device can control the feed network to reduce the amplitude by 5 and control at least one first metasurface element to reduce the amplitude by 15, thereby achieving calibration of the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element.

[0216] H2, the operating frequency band of the first antenna element. The parameters of the feed network may be affected by interference from the operating frequency band of the first antenna element; therefore, the first device can determine the strategy based on the operating frequency band of the first antenna element.

[0217] The operating frequency band refers to the effective frequency range within which an antenna can receive and transmit electromagnetic wave signals. For example, the operating frequency band of the first antenna element might be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) band, such as 1880MHz to 1900 MHz, 2320MHz to 2370MHz, or 2575MHz to 2635MHz. The LTE band refers to the frequency range that the corresponding LTE communication system can use. Alternatively, the operating frequency band of the first antenna element might be a New Radio (NR) band, such as 450MHz to 6.0 GHz or 24.25GHz to 52.6GHz. The NR band refers to the frequency range that the corresponding NR communication system can use.

[0218] For example, the first device determines a strategy based on the operating frequency band of the feed network. For instance, this strategy instructs the feed network to adjust the proportion of the first parameter error, and / or at least one metasurface unit to adjust the proportion of the first parameter error.

[0219] If the operating frequency band of the first antenna element is the first frequency band, then the strategy indicates that the proportion by which the first parameter error is adjusted through the feed network is determined to be the fifth proportion, and / or the proportion by which at least one first metasurface element adjusts the first parameter error is determined to be the sixth proportion. Alternatively, if the operating frequency band of the first antenna element is the second frequency band, then the strategy indicates that the proportion by which the first parameter error is adjusted through the feed network is determined to be the seventh proportion, and / or the proportion by which at least one first metasurface element adjusts the first parameter error is determined to be the eighth proportion.

[0220] The first frequency band is, for example, the 4G band, and the second frequency band is the 5G band. The sum of the fifth and sixth ratios is less than or equal to 1. The fifth ratio can be greater than, less than, or equal to the sixth ratio; there is no limitation on this. For example, the fifth ratio is 1 / 2, and the sixth ratio is 1 / 2. Or, the fifth ratio is 1 / 3, and the sixth ratio is 2 / 3. The seventh ratio can be greater than, less than, or equal to the eighth ratio; there is no limitation on this. For example, the seventh ratio is 1 / 2, and the eighth ratio is 1 / 2. Or, the seventh ratio is 1 / 3, and the eighth ratio is 2 / 3. The fifth ratio can be greater than, less than, or equal to the seventh ratio; there is no limitation on this.

[0221] H3, parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

[0222] For example, the first device determines a strategy based on the magnitude of the first parameter error. For instance, this strategy instructs the feed network to adjust the proportion of the first parameter error, and / or at least one metasurface unit to adjust the proportion of the first parameter error.

[0223] If the first amplitude error is greater than a first threshold, and / or the first phase error is greater than a second threshold, then the first device can determine that the strategy instructs the proportion of adjusting the first parameter error through the feed network to a ninth proportion, and / or the proportion of adjusting the first parameter error by at least one first metasurface unit to a tenth proportion. If the first amplitude error is less than or equal to the first threshold, and / or the first phase error is less than or equal to the second threshold, then the first device can determine that the strategy instructs the proportion of adjusting the first parameter error through the feed network to an eleventh proportion, and / or the proportion of adjusting the first parameter error by at least one first metasurface unit to a twelfth proportion.

[0224] The sum of the ninth and tenth scales is less than or equal to 1. The tenth scale, for example, is 1 / 2 or 1 / 3. The ninth scale can be greater than, less than, or equal to the tenth scale; there is no restriction on this. The sum of the eleventh and twelfth scales is less than or equal to 1. The eleventh scale, for example, is 1 / 2 or 1 / 3. The twelfth scale can be greater than, less than, or equal to the eleventh scale; there is no restriction on this.

[0225] Optionally, the first threshold may be less than or equal to the maximum value of the amplitude adjustable range of at least one first metasurface unit, and the second threshold may be less than or equal to the maximum value of the phase adjustable range of at least one first metasurface unit.

[0226] H4, parameter error of the signal transmitted by the second antenna element in the antenna system.

[0227] The second antenna element belongs to the same group as the first antenna element, meaning that the signal sources for both the second and first antenna elements originate from a module in the feed network. The second antenna element and the third antenna element mentioned earlier can be the same antenna element or different antenna elements; there is no limitation on this.

[0228] For example, the first device determines a strategy based on the magnitude of the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the second antenna unit. For example, the strategy instructs the feed network to adjust the proportion of the first parameter error, and / or at least one metasurface unit to adjust the proportion of the first parameter error.

[0229] For example, if the amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the second antenna unit is greater than a third threshold, and / or the phase error is greater than a fourth threshold, then the first device can determine that the strategy instructs the first parameter error to be adjusted by a thirteenth ratio through the feed network, and / or at least one first metasurface unit to adjust the first parameter error by a fourteenth ratio. If the amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the second antenna unit is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, and / or the phase error is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, then the first device can determine that the strategy instructs at least one first metasurface unit to adjust the first parameter error by a fifteenth ratio, and / or at least one first metasurface unit to adjust the first parameter error by a sixteenth ratio.

[0230] Optionally, the third threshold may be less than or equal to the maximum value of the amplitude adjustable range of at least one first metasurface unit, and the fourth threshold may be less than or equal to the maximum value of the phase adjustable range of at least one first metasurface unit.

[0231] The sum of the thirteenth and fourteenth proportions is less than or equal to 1. The thirteenth proportion, for example, is 1 / 2 or 1 / 3. The thirteenth proportion can be greater than, less than, or equal to the fourteenth proportion; there is no limitation on this. The sum of the fifteenth and sixteenth proportions is less than or equal to 1. The fifteenth proportion, for example, is 1 / 2 or 1 / 3. The fifteenth proportion can be greater than, less than, or equal to the sixteenth proportion; there is no limitation on this.

[0232] H5, power consumption of the antenna calibration system.

[0233] For example, the first device can determine a strategy based on the power consumption of the antenna calibration system. This strategy indicates whether the joint feed network is needed to adjust the first parameter error.

[0234] For example, if the power consumption of the antenna calibration system is greater than a fifth threshold, then the first device determines a strategy instructing the calibration of the first parameter error using at least one first metasurface element. Alternatively, if the power consumption of the antenna calibration system is less than or equal to the fifth threshold, then the first device determines a strategy instructing the calibration of the first parameter error jointly using at least one first metasurface element and a feed network.

[0235] H6. Calibration accuracy of the antenna calibration system. Calibration accuracy refers to the accuracy of the signal transmitted by the calibrated antenna element.

[0236] For example, the first device can determine a strategy based on the calibration accuracy of the antenna calibration system. This strategy indicates whether the joint feed network needs to adjust the error of the first parameter.

[0237] For example, if the calibration accuracy of the antenna calibration system is greater than a sixth threshold, then the first device determines a strategy instructing the joint feed network and at least one first metasurface element to calibrate the first parameter error. Alternatively, if the calibration accuracy of the antenna calibration system is less than or equal to the sixth threshold, then the first device determines a strategy instructing the first parameter error to be calibrated using at least one first metasurface element.

[0238] H7. Calibration speed of the antenna calibration system. Calibration speed refers to the speed at which the parameters of the signal transmitted by the antenna element are calibrated.

[0239] For example, the first device can determine a strategy based on the calibration speed of the antenna calibration system. This strategy indicates whether the joint feed network needs to adjust the error of the first parameter.

[0240] For example, if the calibration speed of the antenna calibration system is greater than a seventh threshold, then the first device determines a strategy instructing the joint feed network and at least one first metasurface element to calibrate the first parameter error. Alternatively, if the calibration speed of the antenna calibration system is less than or equal to the seventh threshold, then the first device determines a strategy instructing the first parameter error to be calibrated using at least one first metasurface element.

[0241] Optionally, the first device may also determine a strategy based on two or more of H1 to H7 above. For example, the strategy may indicate the proportion by which the feed network adjusts the first parameter error, and / or the proportion by which at least one metasurface unit adjusts the first parameter error. Alternatively, the strategy may indicate whether the feed network needs to be jointly adjusted to change the first parameter error. Another example is a strategy that indicates the need for the feed network to be jointly adjusted to change the first parameter error, and also indicates the proportion by which the feed network adjusts the first parameter error and / or the proportion by which at least one metasurface unit adjusts the first parameter error; these are not listed individually here.

[0242] In addition, there are many other ways for the first device to determine the strategy, and this application embodiment does not specifically limit them.

[0243] The first device can, based on a strategy and a first phase error, jointly adjust the phase of the first metasurface element and the phase of the phase shifter in the feed network to calibrate the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. And / or, the first device can, based on a strategy and a first amplitude error, jointly adjust the amplitude of the first metasurface element and the amplitude of the attenuator in the feed network to calibrate the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element.

[0244] Under E2, the feed network can adjust not only the parameter errors of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, but also the parameter errors of the feed network's transmission channel. The details of adjusting the feed network's transmission communication parameter errors are discussed earlier and will not be repeated here.

[0245] Please refer to Figure 11, which is a schematic diagram of the calibration antenna element and transmission channel error provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 11 illustrates the feed network, antenna elements a to h, and metasurface elements a to h. Antenna elements a to h correspond one-to-one with metasurface elements a to h. Optionally, antenna elements a to d can form an antenna group and correspond to module a of the feed network, and antenna elements e to h can form another antenna group and correspond to module b. Module a includes a drive module a, an attenuator a, a phase shifter a, and an amplifier a. Module b includes a drive module b, an attenuator b, a phase shifter b, and an amplifier b. Taking the first device as an example of a control module.

[0246] The control module can also obtain the phase errors of antenna elements a to h respectively. The phase errors of antenna elements a to h respectively are: and The parameter error of the transmission channel of module a is ΔΦ1, and the parameter error of the transmission channel of module a is ΔΦ2.

[0247] The control module can reduce the phase of drive module a and attenuator a, and reduce Right now This allows for the calibration of the phase error of the transmission channel of module a, as well as the calibration of part or all of the phase error of the signal transmitted from antenna element a to antenna element b. The control module can reduce the phase error of the metasurface element b based on antenna element b. The control module can reduce the phase of the metasurface element c based on the antenna element c. The control module can reduce the phase of the metasurface element d based on the antenna element d.

[0248] The control module can reduce the phase of drive module b and attenuator b, and reduce Right now This enables the calibration of the phase error of the transmission channel of module b, as well as the calibration of part or all of the phase error of the transmitted signal from antenna element e to antenna element h. The control module can reduce the phase error of the metasurface element f based on the antenna element f. The control module can reduce the phase of the metasurface element g based on the antenna element g. The control module can reduce the phase of the metasurface element h based on the antenna element h.

[0249] The above D1 or D2 describes the error of the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. In fact, there are many other ways to calibrate the error of the parameters of the signal of the first antenna element, which are not specifically limited here.

[0250] In one possible design, the distance between at least one first metasurface element and at least one second metasurface element is related to the distance between the first antenna element and the third antenna element.

[0251] The distance between at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit can be one of the following: the distance between the center of at least one first metasurface unit and the center of at least one second metasurface unit; the distance between a reference first metasurface unit of at least one first metasurface unit and a reference second metasurface unit of at least one second metasurface unit; or the distance between a reference point in at least one first metasurface unit and a reference point in at least one second metasurface unit. The reference first metasurface unit may be, for example, the first or last first metasurface unit of at least one first metasurface unit. The reference second metasurface unit may be, for example, the first or last second metasurface unit of at least one second metasurface unit.

[0252] The distance between the first antenna element and the third antenna element can be: the distance between the center of the first antenna element and the center of the third antenna element, or the distance between the reference point of the first antenna element and the reference point of the third antenna element.

[0253] The relationship between metasurface elements and antenna elements is different. Therefore, the distance between at least one first metasurface element and at least one second metasurface element is different from the distance between the first antenna element and the third antenna element. These will be introduced separately below.

[0254] K1, the metasurface element and the antenna element have a one-to-one relationship. In this case, at least one first metasurface element includes a first metasurface element, and at least one second metasurface element includes a second metasurface element.

[0255] In one possible implementation, the distance between the first metasurface element and the second metasurface element can be equal to the distance between the first antenna element and the third antenna element. Alternatively, the distance between the first metasurface element and the second metasurface element can be less than or equal to the distance between the first antenna element and the third antenna element, which is a first threshold value. The first threshold value could be, for example, 1 cm, 0.5 cm, etc.

[0256] Optionally, the distance between the first antenna element and the third antenna element, as well as the distance between the first metasurface element and the second metasurface element, is less than or equal to half a wavelength.

[0257] K2, the metasurface element and the antenna element have a many-to-one relationship. In this case, at least one first metasurface element includes multiple first metasurface elements, and at least one second metasurface element includes multiple second metasurface elements.

[0258] The distance between multiple first metasurface elements and multiple second metasurface elements can be equal to the distance between the first antenna element and the third antenna element. Alternatively, the distance between multiple first metasurface elements and multiple metasurface elements, and the distance between the first antenna element and the third antenna element, can be less than or equal to a second threshold value. The value of the second threshold value can be equal to or not equal to the first threshold value. The second threshold value is, for example, 2 cm, 1 cm, etc.

[0259] The distance between the plurality of first metasurface units and the plurality of second metasurface units can be, for example, the distance between the center of the plurality of first metasurface units and the center of at least one second metasurface unit, or the distance between a reference first metasurface unit of the plurality of first metasurface units and a reference second metasurface unit of the plurality of second metasurface units, or the distance between a reference point in the plurality of first metasurface units and a reference point in the plurality of second metasurface units. The reference first metasurface unit can be, for example, the first or last first metasurface unit of the plurality of first metasurface units. The reference second metasurface unit can be, for example, the first or last second metasurface unit of the plurality of second metasurface units.

[0260] K3. The relationship between metasurface elements and antenna elements is one-to-many. In this case, at least one first metasurface element is the same as at least one second metasurface element, for example, both are a single metasurface element, and are referred to as a third metasurface element.

[0261] To ensure that the third metasurface element covers the antenna elements it is responsible for adjusting, optionally, the distance between the third metasurface element and its adjacent metasurface elements is equal to U times the distance between the first and third antenna elements, where U is the number of antenna elements whose parameter errors the third metasurface element can adjust. This ensures that the third metasurface element can cover the antenna elements whose parameter errors it can adjust, facilitating the adjustment of these antenna elements and preventing interference from adjacent metasurface elements.

[0262] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides an antenna calibration system. This antenna calibration system may be, for example, the antenna calibration system shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, or any of the antenna calibration systems shown in Figures 7 to 11, or it may be capable of implementing the functions of any of the antenna calibration systems shown in Figures 2, 3, 7 to 11. This antenna calibration system can achieve the functions implemented by the first device discussed in Figure 5 above.

[0263] Figure 12 illustrates an antenna calibration system 1210. As shown in Figure 12, the antenna calibration system 1210 in this embodiment includes at least a control module 1230 and one or more first metasurface units 1220. The one or more first metasurface units 1220 include at least one first metasurface unit 1221. Optionally, the one or more first metasurface units 1220 may further include at least one second metasurface unit 1222.

[0264] Figure 12 also illustrates antenna system 1250. Antenna system 1250 can be set independently of antenna calibration system 1210, or antenna system 1250 can be set within antenna calibration system 1210, without limitation. One or more first metasurface elements 1220 can be used to calibrate the parameters of the signals transmitted by one or more antenna elements 1260 in antenna system 1250. One or more antenna elements 1260 include, for example, a first antenna element 1261, and optionally, one or more antenna elements 1260 further include a second antenna element 1262 and a third antenna element 1263.

[0265] For example, the control module 1230 is configured to acquire first error information and, based on the first error information, adjust the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface unit 1221 to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit 1261 in one or more antenna units 1260, wherein the first error information indicates parameter errors in the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit 1261. At least one first metasurface unit 1221 is located on the path of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit 1261.

[0266] The contents of the control module 1230, the contents of the first error information, the contents of acquiring the first error information, the contents of the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface unit 1221, and the contents of calibrating the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit 1261 in one or more antenna units 1260 can be referred to the contents of the control module, the contents of the first error information, the contents of acquiring the first error information, the contents of the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface unit, and the contents of calibrating the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit in one or more antenna units as discussed in Figure 5 above, and will not be listed here.

[0267] In one possible implementation, the antenna calibration system 1210 further includes a feed network 1240. The feed network 1240 is used to adjust the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element 1261. The control module 1230 is specifically used to: jointly adjust at least one first metasurface element 1221 and the feed network 1240 according to the first error information and the strategy, so as to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element 1261.

[0268] The contents of the power supply network 1240, the contents of the strategy, the joint adjustment of at least one first metasurface unit 1221 and the contents of the power supply network 1240 can be referred to the contents of the power supply network, the contents of the strategy, the joint adjustment of at least one first metasurface unit and the contents of the power supply network discussed in Figure 5 above, and will not be listed here.

[0269] In one possible implementation, the strategy relates to at least one of the following parameters: the temperature of the feed network 1240, the operating frequency band of the first antenna element 1261, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element 1261, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the second antenna element 1262, the power consumption of the antenna calibration system 1210, the calibration accuracy of the antenna calibration system 1210, and the calibration speed of the antenna calibration system 1210.

[0270] The information regarding the temperature of the feed network 1240, the operating frequency band of the first antenna element 1261, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element 1261, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the second antenna element 1262, and the relationship between the temperature of the feed network 1240, the operating frequency band of the first antenna element 1261, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element 1261, the power consumption of the antenna calibration system 1210, the calibration accuracy of the antenna calibration system 1210, the calibration speed of the antenna calibration system 1210, and the relationship between the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the second antenna element 1262 and the strategy can all be referred to the information discussed in Figure 5 above regarding the temperature of the feed network, the operating frequency band of the first antenna element, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the second antenna element, and the relationship between the temperature of the feed network, the operating frequency band of the first antenna element, the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, the power consumption of the antenna calibration system, the calibration accuracy of the antenna calibration system, the calibration speed of the antenna calibration system, and the relationship between the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the second antenna element and the strategy. These details will not be listed here.

[0271] In one possible implementation, the parameter errors of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element 1261 include: the phase error and / or amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element 1261, and the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface element 1221 includes: the phase and / or amplitude of at least one first metasurface element 1221. The contents of phase error, amplitude error, phase and amplitude can be referred to the contents of phase error, amplitude error, phase and amplitude discussed in Figure 5 above, and will not be listed here again.

[0272] In one possible implementation, the feed network 1240 includes a phase shifter 1243 and an attenuator 1242. The phase shifter 1243 is used to adjust the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element 1261, and the attenuator 1242 is used to adjust the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element 1261. The control module 1230 is specifically configured to: adjust the phase of at least one first metasurface element 1221 and the phase of the phase shifter 1243 together according to the phase error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element 1261 to calibrate the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element 1261; and / or, adjust the amplitude of at least one first metasurface element 1221 and the amplitude of the attenuator 1242 together according to the amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element 1261 to calibrate the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element 1261.

[0273] The content of jointly adjusting the phase of at least one first metasurface unit 1221 and the phase of phase shifter 1243, and the content of jointly adjusting the amplitude of at least one first metasurface unit 1221 and the amplitude of attenuator 1242 can be referred to the content of jointly adjusting the phase of the first metasurface unit and the phase of phase shifter, and the content of jointly adjusting the amplitude of the first metasurface unit and the amplitude of attenuator discussed in Figure 5 above, and will not be listed here.

[0274] In one possible implementation, the antenna calibration system 1210 further includes a feed network 1240, which includes a drive module 1241, an attenuator 1242, and a phase shifter 1243. The control module 1230 is further configured to: acquire second error information, indicating the phase error and / or amplitude error of the transmission channel of the feed network 1240, the transmission channel of the feed network 1240 being used to transmit the signal source of the first antenna element 1261; and adjust the phase of the drive module 1241 and the phase of the phase shifter 1243 according to the phase error of the transmission channel to calibrate the phase of the transmission channel, and / or adjust the amplitude of the drive module 1241 and the amplitude of the attenuator 1242 according to the amplitude error of the transmission channel to calibrate the amplitude of the transmission channel. Optionally, the feed network 1240 may also include an amplifier 1244, which can be used to increase the amplitude of the signal source.

[0275] The contents of the second error information, the contents of acquiring the second error information, adjusting the phase of the drive module 1241 and the phase of the phase shifter 1243, and adjusting the amplitude of the drive module 1241 and the amplitude of the attenuator 1242 can be referred to the contents of the second error information, the contents of acquiring the second error information, adjusting the phase of the drive module and the phase of the phase shifter, and adjusting the amplitude of the drive module and the amplitude of the attenuator discussed in Figure 5 above, and will not be listed here.

[0276] In one possible implementation, the antenna calibration system 1210 further includes a detector 1245 connected to a phase shifter 1243, wherein: the detector 1245 is used to acquire the signal source output by the transmission channel and determine the phase and / or amplitude of the signal source; the control module 1230 is specifically used to acquire the phase and / or amplitude of the signal source; the control module 1230 is specifically used to determine the phase error of the transmission channel based on the phase of the signal source, and / or, based on the amplitude of the signal source, determine the amplitude error of the transmission channel.

[0277] In one possible implementation, the antenna calibration system 1210 further includes a third antenna unit 1263, which is adjacent to the first antenna unit 1261; the control module 1230 is further configured to: acquire third error information, which is used to indicate the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit 1263; and, according to the third error information, adjust the electromagnetic response of at least one second metasurface unit 1222 to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit 1263, wherein the at least one second metasurface unit 1222 is located on the path of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit 1263.

[0278] The content of the third error information, the content of obtaining the third error information, and the content of adjusting the electromagnetic response of at least one second metasurface unit 1222 can be referred to the content of the third error information, the content of obtaining the third error information, and the content of adjusting the electromagnetic response of at least one second metasurface unit discussed in Figure 5 above, and will not be listed here again.

[0279] In one possible implementation, at least one first metasurface unit 1221 and at least one second metasurface unit 1222 are different, and both at least one first metasurface unit 1221 and at least one second metasurface unit 1222 include a single metasurface unit; or, at least one first metasurface unit 1221 and at least one second metasurface unit 1222 are different, and both at least one first metasurface unit 1221 and at least one second metasurface unit 1222 include multiple metasurface units; or, at least one first metasurface unit 1221 and at least one second metasurface unit 1222 are the same metasurface unit.

[0280] In one possible implementation, when at least one first metasurface unit 1221 and at least one second metasurface unit 1222 are different, the distance between at least one first metasurface unit 1221 and at least one second metasurface unit 1222 is related to the distance between the first antenna unit 1261 and the third antenna unit 1263. The relationship between the distance between at least one first metasurface unit 1221 and at least one second metasurface unit 1222 and the distance between the first antenna unit 1261 and the third antenna unit 1263 can be referred to the discussion in Figure 5 above regarding the relationship between the distance between at least one first metasurface unit and at least one second metasurface unit and the distance between the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit, and will not be repeated here.

[0281] In one possible implementation, the first metasurface unit includes a plurality of switches and a resonator, the resonator being connected to each of the plurality of switches; adjusting the number of switches in a first state among the plurality of switches to adjust the phase of the first metasurface unit; and / or adjusting the position of the switches in the first state among the plurality of switches to adjust the amplitude of the first metasurface unit; the first state includes an on state or an off state.

[0282] In one possible implementation, at least one first metasurface unit 1221 is further configured to: receive a first signal transmitted by the first antenna unit 1261 and transmit the first signal to change the amplitude and / or phase of the transmitted first signal, which is applicable when at least one first metasurface unit 1221 is a transmissive metasurface unit; or, receive a second signal transmitted by the first antenna unit 1261 and reflect the second signal to change the amplitude and / or phase of the reflected second signal, which is applicable when at least one first metasurface unit 1221 is a reflective metasurface unit.

[0283] Based on the same inventive concept, this application provides an antenna calibration device. The antenna calibration device illustrated in either Figure 13 or Figure 14 will be described below. This antenna calibration device may be, for example, a control module in the antenna calibration system discussed above, or a device having the same function as a control module, or an antenna calibration system itself, etc., and is not limited thereto.

[0284] As shown in Figure 13, the antenna calibration device 1300 may include modules or units for implementing the methods described in the embodiments above. The antenna calibration device 1300 includes a processing unit 1310. Optionally, the antenna calibration device 1300 includes a communication unit 1320 and / or a storage unit 1330. The communication unit 1320 is used to perform transmit / receive operations, such as functions related to sending and receiving; the communication unit 1320 may be referred to as a transceiver unit; optionally, the communication unit 1320 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform processing operations. Alternatively, the communication unit 1320 may be a transmitter and a receiver, or a transmitter and a receiver. The storage unit 1330 is used to store the device's program code or data. The storage unit 1330 is indicated by a dashed box in Figure 13 as an optional unit.

[0285] For example, the antenna calibration device 1300 may be the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG5 above, or a device that can realize the function of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG5, etc.

[0286] In the above embodiment, the processing unit 1310 is used to execute steps S501 and S502.

[0287] The antenna calibration device 1300 can also perform other steps performed by the first device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5 above, which will not be listed here one by one.

[0288] In one possible design, when the antenna calibration device 1300 is a terminal device, a communication module within a terminal device, an access network device, or a communication module within an access network device, the function of the processing unit 1310 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core. The function of the communication unit 1320 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0289] In one possible design, when the antenna calibration device 1300 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a terminal device, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in an access network device, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing unit 1310 can be implemented by a circuit system including one or more processors or processor cores in the aforementioned chip. The function of the communication unit 1320 can be implemented by the interface circuit or data transceiver circuit on the aforementioned chip.

[0290] It is understood that the division of units in the above-described device is merely a logical functional division. Each function can correspond to a functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or some units can be integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the aforementioned functional units can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0291] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more ASICs, or one or more CPUs, one or more MCUs, one or more DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0292] In one example, storage unit 1330 may include random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory and / or registers, etc.

[0293] The antenna calibration device shown in Figure 14 will be described below. As shown in Figure 14, the antenna calibration device 1400 includes a processor 1410. Optionally, the antenna calibration device 1400 also includes an interface circuit 1420 and a memory 1430. The processor 1410 and the interface circuit 1420 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1420 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. The memory 1430 is used to store instructions executed by the processor 1410, or to store input data required by the processor 1410 to run instructions, or to store data generated after the processor 1410 runs instructions. The interface circuit 1420 and the memory 1430 are optional modules and are shown in Figure 14 with dashed boxes. In addition, Figure 14 shows an example with one processor 1410 and one memory 1430, but the number of processors 1410 and memory 1430 is not actually limited.

[0294] The antenna calibration device 1400 is used to implement other steps performed by the control module in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5 above, which will not be listed one by one here. Optionally, the processor 1410 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 1310, and the interface circuit 1420 is used to implement the functions of the communication unit 1320.

[0295] For example, the antenna calibration device 1400 can be used to implement the function of the first device involved in the method embodiment shown in FIG5.

[0296] When the antenna calibration device 1400 described above is a chip applied to a device (such as the terminal device or network device mentioned above), the device chip implements the functions of the device in the above method embodiments. The device chip receives information from other modules (such as RF modules or antennas) in the device, which is information sent to the device by other devices; or, the device chip sends information to other modules (such as RF modules or antennas) in the device, which is information sent by the device to other devices. Here, the antenna calibration device 1400 can be a baseband chip of a device, or a DU or other module, where the DU can be a DU under the O-RAN architecture.

[0297] The processor 1410 can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. Furthermore, the memory involved in the various embodiments of this application can include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM). The memory can also include non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD), or solid-state drive (SSD).

[0298] Based on the same inventive concept, this application provides a chip system comprising a processor and an interface. The processor is used to call and execute instructions from the interface, and when the processor executes the instructions, it implements the method embodiment shown in Figure 5 above.

[0299] Based on the same inventive concept, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer programs or instructions that, when run, implement the method embodiment shown in FIG5 above.

[0300] Based on the same inventive concept, this application provides a program product that, when executed, enables a processor to implement the method embodiment shown in FIG5. This program product is, for example, a computer program product, specifically, a computer program and / or instructions. The processor is, for example, a processor running in a computer.

[0301] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0302] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0303] The various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be based on its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. An antenna calibration method, characterized in that, The method includes: Obtain first error information, which indicates the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit; Based on the first error information, the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface unit is adjusted to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, wherein the at least one first metasurface unit is located on the path of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Based on the first error information, the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface unit is adjusted to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, including: Based on the first error information and the strategy, the at least one first metasurface unit and the feeding network are jointly adjusted to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, wherein the feeding network is used to adjust the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The strategy is related to at least one of the following parameters: The temperature of the power supply network; The operating frequency band of the first antenna element; The parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit; The feeding network is also used to adjust the parameters of the signal transmitted by the second antenna unit to compensate for the parameter errors of the signal transmitted by the second antenna unit. The power consumption of the antenna calibration system containing at least one first metasurface unit; The calibration accuracy of the antenna calibration system containing at least one first metasurface unit; The calibration speed of the antenna calibration system containing at least one first metasurface unit.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The parameter errors of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element include: the phase error and / or amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, and the electromagnetic response of the at least one first metasurface element includes: the phase and / or amplitude of the at least one first metasurface element.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, Based on the first error information and the strategy, the first metasurface element and the feed network are jointly adjusted to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, including: Based on the phase error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, the phase of the first metasurface element and the phase of the phase shifter in the feed network are jointly adjusted to calibrate the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. The phase shifter is used to adjust the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element; and / or, Based on the amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, the amplitude of the first metasurface unit and the amplitude of the attenuator in the feed network are jointly adjusted to calibrate the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit. The attenuator is used to adjust the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Acquire second error information, which indicates the phase error and / or amplitude error of the transmission channel of the feed network. The transmission channel of the feed network is used to transmit the signal source of the first antenna element. The feed network includes a driving module, a phase shifter, and an attenuator. Based on the phase error of the transmission channel, the phase of the driving module and the phase of the phase shifter are adjusted to calibrate the phase of the transmission channel, and / or, based on the amplitude error of the transmission channel, the amplitude of the driving module and the amplitude of the attenuator are adjusted to calibrate the amplitude of the transmission channel.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Obtain the second error information, including: Obtain the phase of the signal source output by the transmission channel, and determine the phase error of the transmission channel based on the phase of the signal source; and / or, The amplitude of the signal source output by the transmission channel is obtained, and the amplitude error of the transmission channel is determined based on the amplitude of the signal source.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Obtain third error information, which is used to indicate the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit, the third antenna unit being adjacent to the first antenna unit; Based on the third error information, the electromagnetic response of at least one second metasurface unit is adjusted to calibrate the third antenna unit, wherein the at least one second metasurface unit is located on the path of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit are different, and both the at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit include one metasurface unit; or, The at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit are different, and both the at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit include multiple metasurface units; or, The at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit are both the same metasurface unit.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, When the at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit are different, the distance between the at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit is related to the distance between the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit.

11. An antenna calibration system, characterized in that, The system includes: At least one first metasurface element, the at least one first metasurface element being located on the path of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element; A control module is configured to acquire first error information and adjust the electromagnetic response of at least one first metasurface unit based on the first error information to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, wherein the first error information indicates the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

12. The system according to claim 11, characterized in that, The system further includes a feed network, which is used to adjust the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element; the control module is specifically used for: Based on the first error information and the strategy, the at least one first metasurface unit and the feeding network are jointly adjusted to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

13. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that, The strategy is related to at least one of the following parameters: The temperature of the power supply network; The operating frequency band of the first antenna element; The parameter error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit; The feeding network is also used to adjust the parameters of the signal transmitted by the second antenna unit to compensate for the parameter errors of the signal transmitted by the second antenna unit. The power consumption of the system; The calibration accuracy of the system; The calibration speed of the system.

14. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The parameter errors of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element include: the phase error and / or amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, and the electromagnetic response of the at least one first metasurface element includes: the phase and / or amplitude of the at least one first metasurface element.

15. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that, The feed network includes a phase shifter and an attenuator. The phase shifter is used to adjust the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, and the attenuator is used to adjust the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element. The control module is specifically used for: Based on the phase error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element, the phase of the first metasurface element and the phase of the phase shifter are jointly adjusted to calibrate the phase of the signal transmitted by the first antenna element; and / or, Based on the amplitude error of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit, the amplitude of the first metasurface unit and the amplitude of the attenuator are jointly adjusted to calibrate the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first antenna unit.

16. The system according to any one of claims 11-15, characterized in that, The system also includes a power supply network, which comprises a drive module, an attenuator, and a phase shifter. The control module is further configured to: Acquire second error information, which indicates the phase error and / or amplitude error of the transmission channel of the feed network, the transmission channel of the feed network being used to transmit the signal source of the first antenna element; Based on the phase error of the transmission channel, the phase of the driving module and the phase of the phase shifter are adjusted to calibrate the phase of the transmission channel, and / or, based on the amplitude error of the transmission channel, the amplitude of the driving module and the amplitude of the attenuator are adjusted to calibrate the amplitude of the transmission channel.

17. The system according to claim 16, characterized in that, The system also includes a detector, wherein: The detector is used to acquire the signal source output by the transmission channel and determine the phase and / or amplitude of the signal source; The control module is specifically used to acquire the phase and / or amplitude of the signal source; The control module is specifically used to determine the phase error of the transmission channel based on the phase of the signal source, and / or to determine the amplitude error of the transmission channel based on the amplitude of the signal source.

18. The system according to claim 17, characterized in that, The system further includes a third antenna unit, which is adjacent to the first antenna unit; the control module is also used for: Obtain third error information, which is used to indicate the parameter error of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit; Based on the third error information, the electromagnetic response of at least one second metasurface unit is adjusted to calibrate the parameters of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit, wherein the at least one second metasurface unit is located on the path of the signal transmitted by the third antenna unit.

19. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that, The at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit are different, and both the at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit include one metasurface unit; or, The at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit are different, and both the at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit include multiple metasurface units; or, The at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit are both the same metasurface unit.

20. The system according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, When the at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit are different, the distance between the at least one first metasurface unit and the at least one second metasurface unit is related to the distance between the first antenna unit and the third antenna unit.

21. The system according to any one of claims 11-20, characterized in that, The first metasurface unit includes a plurality of switches and a resonator, wherein the resonator is connected to each of the plurality of switches; Adjust the number of switches in the first state among the plurality of switches to adjust the phase of the first metasurface unit; And / or, Adjust the position of the switch in the first state among the plurality of switches to adjust the amplitude of the first metasurface unit; The first state includes an on state or a off state.

22. The system according to any one of claims 11-21, characterized in that, The at least one first metasurface unit is also used for: Receive the first signal transmitted by the first antenna element, and transmit the first signal to change the amplitude and / or phase of the transmitted first signal; or, The system receives the second signal transmitted by the first antenna unit and reflects the second signal to change the amplitude and / or phase of the reflected second signal.

23. The system according to any one of claims 11-22, characterized in that, The system also includes the first antenna unit.

24. An antenna calibration device, characterized in that, include: A module or unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

25. An antenna calibration device, characterized in that, The device includes one or more processors for executing computer programs or instructions in memory, such that the device implements the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-10.

26. The antenna calibration device according to claim 25, characterized in that, The antenna calibration device further includes a memory for storing computer programs or instructions.

27. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed, it causes the processor to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

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