Hybrid Beamforming Phase Control Without WDM or Delay Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical beamforming technologies face challenges in accurately adjusting wavelengths and achieving equal phase delays across different paths, making it difficult to form the required phase differences for high-energy gain and directivity in antenna arrays, especially in scarce radio frequency band resources.
Innovation Solution
The optical and electrical hybrid beamforming transmitter and receiver employ photoelectric converters and electric-to-optic converters to adjust the phase of electric signals, eliminating the need for wavelength division multiplexers and variable delay lines, allowing for precise phase calibration and adjustment of electromagnetic waves according to an expected beam pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical beamforming is used with WDM and VDL, then beamforming capability is achieved, but system complexity increases and phase adjustment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the WDM and VDL components from the optical beamforming system. By eliminating these complex optical components, the system achieves simpler architecture while maintaining phase adjustment capability through direct electrical phase shifters in the hybrid beamforming structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical/optical phase adjustment mechanisms (VDL, WDM) with electrical phase shifters. The electrical domain provides more precise and flexible phase control without the complexity of optical path manipulation, enabling accurate phase adjustment through electronic means.
2Manufacturing precision
If WDM and VDL are used for optical beamforming, then wavelength-based beamforming is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical wavelength-based phase control with electrical phase shifters. Electrical phase adjustment does not require precise wavelength control or optical path length matching, significantly reducing manufacturing precision requirements while easing system implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from optical wavelength to electrical phase shift. This parameter change allows phase adjustment to be achieved through electrical means rather than optical path manipulation, reducing the stringency of manufacturing tolerances for wavelength accuracy.
3Quantity of substance
If optical fiber communication is combined with antenna array, then bandwidth and spectrum resources increase, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming function into separate optical and electrical domains. The optical domain provides high-bandwidth signal transmission, while the electrical domain handles phase and amplitude control. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid beamforming structure creates a universal system that combines optical transmission capabilities with electrical beamforming control. The electrical phase shifters can control multiple optical channels, providing multi-functionality where a single electrical control unit manages the entire antenna array's beamforming across optical frequencies.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient beamforming by reducing system complexity, allowing for accurate phase adjustment and calibration, thereby enhancing antenna gain and directivity without the need for additional components like WDM and VDL, facilitating better bandwidth utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a first photoelectric converter, configured for converting a first optical signal into a first initial electric signal
Implementation Method 2
a second electric-to-optic converter, coupled to the second adjusting circuit, configured for converting the second adjusted electric signal into a second optical signal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
An optical and electrical hybrid beamforming transmitter, receiver, and signal processing method are provided. The transmitter includes, but is not limited to, two photoelectric converters, two adjusting circuits, and an antenna array. The photoelectric converter converts an optical signal into an initial electric signal, respectively. The adjusting circuit is coupled to the photoelectric converter, and are adapted for delaying the initial electric signal according to an expected beam pattern formed by the antenna array, respectively, to output an adjusted electric signal. The antenna array includes two antennas that are coupled to the adjusting circuit. The antenna radiates electromagnetic wave according to the adjusted electric signal. Accordingly, a phase of the signal may be adjusted, and the number of the elements may be reduced.