CN113676424A

CN113676424A - Communication apparatus and channel estimation method

Info

Publication number: CN113676424A
Application number: CN202010412983.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 殷波; 殷蕾; 周骞; 缪元本
Original assignee: Shanghai Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shanghai Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-15
Filing date: 2020-05-15
Publication date: 2021-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-15
Also published as: CN113676424B

Abstract

In the technical scheme of the application, an L-channel first IRF digital receiving channel for transmitting data signals and control signals and an M-channel second IRF digital receiving channel for performing channel estimation are arranged in the communication device, so that the separation and reception of service signals and reference signals for performing channel estimation can be realized. And because the number of the second IRF digital receiving channels is larger than that of the first IRF digital receiving channels, the beam width of the received reference signal is expanded although the received reference signal is also subjected to analog combining. Therefore, when channel estimation is carried out, the beam scanning times are reduced, the system overhead and the scanning time delay are reduced, and the accuracy of channel estimation is improved.

Description

Communication apparatus and channel estimation method

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a communication apparatus and a channel estimation method.

Background

With the increasing demand for wireless communication data rate, the millimeter wave band has become the 3rd generation partnership project (3 GPP) standard band of the fifth generation (5G) due to its abundant spectrum resources. At present, 5G millimeter wave communication equipment carries out beam forming through a large-scale antenna array and a precoding technology, and the method can solve the problem of path fading of millimeter waves in a free space to meet the requirements of demodulation signal-to-noise ratio of wireless communication.

Currently, the mainstream architecture of the large-scale antenna array millimeter wave system is Analog Beam Forming (ABF). To provide sufficient array gain, the antenna arrays of millimeter wave systems tend to be as high as several hundred, thousands or even tens of thousands of arrays. For the ABF architecture, a plurality of antenna elements are connected to an Intermediate and Radio Frequency (IRF) digital receiving channel after analog combining to form a sub-array. However, the beam of the signal received by the IRF digital receiving channel becomes narrow after analog combining by a plurality of antenna elements, so that the channel information of the whole space can be estimated only by a plurality of beam scanning.

However, performing multiple beam scans greatly increases system overhead on one hand; on the other hand, the beam scanning delay is increased, which may cause channel estimation inaccuracy or even unrealizability.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a communication device and a channel estimation method, which are beneficial to reducing system overhead and beam scanning delay, thereby improving the accuracy of channel estimation.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising:

the antenna comprises N antennas, an analog power splitting and combining unit, L first middle radio frequency IRF digital receiving channels, M second IRF digital receiving channels and a baseband processing unit, wherein the N antennas are connected with the L first IRF digital receiving channels and the M second IRF digital receiving channels through the analog power splitting and combining unit, the L first IRF digital receiving channels and the M second IRF digital receiving channels are connected with the baseband processing unit, the L first IRF digital receiving channels are used for transmitting data signals and control signals, the M second IRF digital receiving channels are used for carrying out channel estimation, N, L, M is a positive integer, M is less than or equal to N, and L is less than M; the N antennas are used for receiving a first signal; the analog power splitting and combining unit is configured to map the first signals from the N antennas onto the M second IRF digital receiving channels; and the baseband processing unit is used for performing channel estimation according to the first signal processed by the M paths of second IRF digital receiving channels.

In the above technical solution, the communication device is provided with a first IRF digital receiving channel for transmitting the data signal and the control signal for the L channel, and a second IRF digital receiving channel for performing channel estimation for the M channel, so that separate reception of the traffic signal and the reference signal for performing channel estimation can be achieved. And because the number of the second IRF digital receiving channels is larger than that of the first IRF digital receiving channels, the beam width of the received reference signal is expanded although the received reference signal is also subjected to analog combining. Therefore, when channel estimation is carried out, the beam scanning times are reduced, the system overhead and the scanning time delay are reduced, and the accuracy of channel estimation is improved.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, performance of a device included in the M second IRF digital receiving channel is lower than performance of a device included in the L first IRF digital receiving channel.

For example, the M second IRF digital receive paths may employ lower bit AD converters, lower bit DFE processing blocks, lower order analog and digital filters, and less linear rf devices, as compared to the L first IRF digital receive paths.

In the above technical solution, the performance of the device included in the M second IRF digital receiving channel is lower than the performance of the device included in the L first IRF digital receiving channel, which is beneficial to reducing cost and power consumption, and is easy for engineering implementation.

And the method is beneficial to realizing more second IRF digital receiving channels (L is less than M, even L is far less than M), further reducing the system overhead and the beam scanning time delay, and improving the accuracy of channel estimation.

With reference to the first aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the L-path first IRF digital receiving channel is further configured to perform channel estimation; the N antennas are further configured to receive a second signal before receiving the first signal; the analog power splitting and combining unit is further configured to map the second signals from the N antennas to the L-path first IRF digital receiving channel; the baseband processing unit is further configured to determine to perform channel estimation through the M second IRF digital receiving channels when the signal quality of the second signal processed through the L first IRF digital receiving channels meets a preset condition.

For example, when the signal quality of the second signal is higher than a preset threshold, performing channel estimation through M second IRF digital receiving channels; and when the signal quality of the second signal is lower than or equal to a preset threshold value, performing channel estimation through the L paths of first IRF digital receiving channels.

That is to say, before channel estimation is performed through the M second IRF digital receiving channels, it may be determined whether the signal quality of the received signal satisfies a preset condition, and channel estimation is performed through the M second IRF digital receiving channels only when the signal quality satisfies the preset condition, and channel estimation is performed through the L first IRF digital receiving channels when the signal quality does not satisfy the preset condition. Therefore, the cooperation between the M paths of second IRF digital receiving channels and the L paths of first IRF digital receiving channels is beneficial to realizing high-precision and high-efficiency channel estimation.

With reference to the first aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, a mapping relationship between the N antennas and the M second IRF digital receiving channels is static or dynamic.

With reference to the first aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the analog power splitting and combining unit includes a power splitter and a combiner.

With reference to the first aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the analog power splitting and combining unit further includes at least one of a switch, a mixer, and a low noise power amplifier.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a channel estimation method, where the method is applied to a communication device including N antennas, an analog power splitting and combining unit, L first intermediate radio frequency IRF digital receiving channels, M second IRF digital receiving channels, and a baseband processing unit, where the N antennas are connected to the L first IRF digital receiving channels and the M second IRF digital receiving channels through the analog power splitting and combining unit, the L first IRF digital receiving channels and the M second IRF digital receiving channels are connected to the baseband processing unit, the L first IRF digital receiving channels are used for transmitting data signals and control signals, the M second IRF digital receiving channels are used for channel estimation, N, L, M is a positive integer, M is less than or equal to N, and L is less than M; the communication device receiving a first signal; the communication device mapping the first signal onto the M second IRF digital receive channels; the communication device performs channel estimation according to the first signal processed by the M second IRF digital receiving channels.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the L-path first IRF digital receiving channel is further configured to perform channel estimation, and before the communication apparatus receives the first signal, the method further includes: the communication device receiving a second signal; the communication device mapping the second signal to the L-way first IRF digital receive channel; and when the signal quality of the second signal processed by the L paths of first IRF digital receiving channels meets a preset condition, the communication device determines to carry out channel estimation through the M paths of second IRF digital receiving channels.

That is to say, before channel estimation is performed through the M second IRF digital receiving channels, it may be determined whether the signal quality of the received signal satisfies a preset condition, and channel estimation is performed through the M second IRF digital receiving channels only when the signal quality satisfies the preset condition, and channel estimation is performed through the L first IRF digital receiving channels when the signal quality does not satisfy the preset condition. Therefore, the channel estimation precision is improved by the cooperation between the M paths of second IRF digital receiving channels and the L paths of first IRF digital receiving channels.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising means for performing the second aspect or any one of the implementation manners of the second aspect.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a chip, where the chip is connected to a memory, and is configured to read and execute a software program stored in the memory, so as to implement the method according to the second aspect or any implementation manner of the second aspect.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed on a network device, cause the network device to perform the method of the second aspect or any one of the implementation manners of the second aspect.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product which, when run on a network device, causes the network device to perform the method of the second aspect or any one of the implementation manners of the second aspect.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a terminal device, including the communication apparatus as in the first aspect or any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a base station comprising the communication apparatus as in the first aspect or any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication system comprising the respective units or components as described in the first aspect or any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ABF architecture of an antenna array system.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 3 is another schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 4 is another schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 5 is another schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 6 is an example of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 7 is a schematic flow chart of a channel estimation method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 8 is an implementation manner of a channel estimation method according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 10 is another schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solution in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The technical scheme of the embodiment of the application can be applied to various communication systems.

For example, a WiFi communication system, a global system for mobile communications (GSM) system, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, a LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), a universal microwave access (worldwide interoperability for microwave access (UMTS), a 5G system, a new radio system (NR), or a future communication system.

The communication device in the embodiment of the present application may be a terminal device or a network device, or a device (e.g., a chip, an integrated circuit, etc.) in the terminal device or the network device.

Terminal device may refer to, among other things, a user device, an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user equipment. The terminal device may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a future 5G network or a terminal device in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and the like, which are not limited in this embodiment. The network device may be a device for communicating with the terminal device, and the network device may be any device having a wireless transceiving function. The network devices include, but are not limited to: evolved node B (eNB), Radio Network Controller (RNC), Node B (NB), Base Station Controller (BSC), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved node B or home node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, etc., and may also be 5G, such as NR, a gbb in the system, or a transmission point (TRP or TP), a base station (eNB) in the 5G system, or a base transceiver station (BSC) in the 5G system, or a panel of multiple antennas, or a panel of a network, such as a baseband unit (BBU), or a Distributed Unit (DU), etc. In some deployments, the gNB may include a Centralized Unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB may also include an Active Antenna Unit (AAU). The CU implements part of the function of the gNB and the DU implements part of the function of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services, and implementing functions of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU is responsible for processing a physical layer protocol and a real-time service, and implements functions of a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, and a Physical (PHY) layer. The AAU implements part of the physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing and active antenna related functions. Since the information of the RRC layer eventually becomes or is converted from the information of the PHY layer, the higher layer signaling, such as the RRC layer signaling, may also be considered to be transmitted by the DU or by the DU + AAU under this architecture. It is to be understood that the network device may be a device comprising one or more of a CU node, a DU node, an AAU node. In addition, the CU may be divided into network devices in an access network (RAN), or may be divided into network devices in a Core Network (CN), which is not limited in this application.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ABF architecture of an antenna array system. In the case of channel estimation, as shown in fig. 1, in the ABF architecture, after reference signals received by N antennas for channel estimation are processed by the analog precoding unit, the reference signals are analog-combined in the analog power splitting and combining unit, and are connected to L IRF digital receiving channels (each group of Digital Front End (DFE) + analog to digital (AD)/digital to analog (DA) corresponding to one IRF digital receiving channel in fig. 1) after analog combining, and enter the baseband processing unit after being processed by the IRF digital receiving channels, and the baseband processing unit performs channel estimation according to the input signals.

However, the beams of the reference signals are narrowed after analog combining by a plurality of antenna elements, and therefore, the channel information of the whole space can be estimated only by a plurality of times of beam scanning. However, performing multiple beam scans greatly increases system overhead on one hand; on the other hand, the beam scanning delay is increased, which may cause channel estimation inaccuracy or even unrealizability.

In view of the above problems, the present application provides a communication apparatus and a channel estimation method, which are helpful for reducing system overhead and beam scanning delay, thereby improving the accuracy of channel estimation.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 2, the communication apparatus 200 includes N antennas 201, an analog power splitting and combining unit 203, L paths of first IRF digital receiving channels 204, M paths of second IRF digital receiving channels 205, and a baseband processing unit 206. The N antennas 201 are connected to the L-path first IRF digital receiving channel 204 and the M-path second IRF digital receiving channel 205 through the analog power splitting and combining unit 203, and the L-path first IRF digital receiving channel 204 and the M-path second IRF digital receiving channel 205 are connected to the baseband processing unit 206.

The L first IRF digital receiving channels 204 are used for transmitting data signals and control signals, the M second IRF digital receiving channels 205 are used for channel estimation, N, L, M is a positive integer, M is less than or equal to N, and L is less than M.

L is smaller than M, i.e. the number of first IRF digital receive channels used for transmitting data signals and control signals is smaller than the number of second IRF digital receive channels used for channel estimation.

In this embodiment, the analog power splitting and combining unit 203 implements mapping from the N antennas 201 to the L first IRF digital receiving channels 204 and the M second IRF digital receiving channels 205. For the L paths of first IRF digital receiving channels 204, the analog power splitting/combining unit 203 supports power splitting from the L paths of first IRF digital receiving channels 204 to the N antennas 201, and is configured to send a signal; and simultaneously supports the combination of the N antennas 201 to the L paths of first IRF digital receiving channels 204 for receiving signals. For the mapping of the M channels of second IRF digital receiving channels 205, the analog power splitting and combining unit 203 combines the mapping of the N antennas 201 to the M channels of second IRF digital receiving channels 205, and is configured to receive signals.

Optionally, the mapping combination mapping relationship between the N antennas 201 and the M second IRF digital receiving channels 205 may be statically fixed by using a combiner, or may be switched and adjusted in real time according to a channel state by using a switch.

Optionally, the number of antennas corresponding to each second IRF digital receiving channel may be equal or different.

When the communication apparatus 200 performs channel estimation:

the N antennas 201 are configured to receive a first signal, where the first signal is a reference signal for channel estimation;

the analog power splitting and combining unit 203 is configured to map the first signals from the N antennas 201 onto M second IRF digital receiving channels 205, so that the M second IRF digital receiving channels 205 process the first signals;

the baseband processing unit 206 is configured to perform channel estimation according to the first signal processed by the M-channel second IRF digital receiving channel 205.

That is, in the present application, the communication apparatus 200 is provided with the first IRF digital reception channel for transmitting the data signal and the control signal for the L channel and the second IRF digital reception channel for performing the channel estimation for the M channel, so that separate reception of the traffic signal and the reference signal for performing the channel estimation can be realized. And the number of the second IRF digital receiving channels is larger than that of the first IRF digital receiving channels, so that the number of the antennas connected with the second IRF digital receiving channels is smaller than that of the antennas connected with the first IRF digital receiving channels. Therefore, although the received reference signals are also subjected to analog combining, the beam width is expanded. Therefore, when channel estimation is carried out, the beam scanning times are reduced, the system overhead and the scanning time delay are reduced, and the accuracy of channel estimation is improved.

In one implementation, the communication apparatus 200 may further include an analog precoding unit 202 for performing analog precoding on the signals from the N antennas 201. The signal output from analog precoding section 202 enters analog power splitting/combining section 203.

In this embodiment, the M second IRF digital receiving channels 205 are only used for channel estimation, so that requirements for the receiving dynamic range, the link noise coefficient, the signal-to-noise ratio, and the like of the M second IRF digital receiving channels are reduced. Thus, the M second IRF digital receive channels 205 may simplify design and/or reduce performance compared to the L first IRF digital receive channels 204.

As an example, the performance of the devices included in the M-way second IRF digital receive path 205 may be lower than the performance of the devices included in the L-way first IRF digital receive path 204.

As another example, the M-way second IRF digital receive path 205 may include a lower number of primary devices than the L-way first IRF digital receive path 204.

In the embodiment of the present application, the L-path first IRF digital receiving channel may also be used for channel estimation. In this case, the N antennas 201 are also used to receive the second signal before receiving the first signal; the analog power splitting and combining unit 203 is further configured to map the second signals from the N antennas 201 to the L-path first IRF digital receiving channel 204, so that the L-path first IRF digital receiving channel 204 processes the second signals; the baseband processing unit 206 is further configured to determine to perform channel estimation through the M-channel second IRF digital receiving channels 205 when the signal quality of the second signal processed by the L-channel first IRF digital receiving channels 204 meets a preset condition.

For example, when the signal quality of the second signal is higher than the preset threshold, the baseband processing unit 206 performs channel estimation through the M second IRF digital receiving channels; and when the signal quality of the second signal is lower than or equal to a preset threshold value, performing channel estimation through the L paths of first IRF digital receiving channels.

Optionally, the indicator characterizing the signal quality of the signal may include at least one of Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ).

That is to say, before channel estimation is performed through the M second IRF digital receiving channels, it is necessary to determine whether signal quality of a received signal satisfies a preset condition, and only when the signal quality satisfies the preset condition, channel estimation is performed through the M second IRF digital receiving channels, and when the signal quality does not satisfy the preset condition, channel estimation is performed through the L first IRF digital receiving channels.

In this embodiment, in an implementation manner, the analog power splitting and combining unit 203 may include a combining unit.

Optionally, the power dividing unit may be implemented by a power divider, and the combining unit may be implemented by a combiner.

In another implementation, the analog power splitting and combining unit 203 may further include a power splitting unit.

Alternatively, the power dividing unit may be implemented by a power divider.

In another implementation, the analog power splitting and combining unit 203 may further include at least one of a switch and a low noise power amplifier.

There are many connection ways between the M second IRF digital receiving channels and the analog power splitting and combining unit 203, and this embodiment of the present application is not limited specifically.

In one implementation, the M second IRF digital receiving channels may be led out from the L first IRF digital receiving channels.

Example 1

Fig. 3 shows another schematic block diagram of the communication apparatus 200. As shown in fig. 3, the analog power splitting and combining network 203 may include a first combining unit 2031 and a second combining unit 2032, the second combining unit 2032 is connected to the N antennas 201 through the first combining unit 2031, the second combining unit 2032 is connected to the L-channel first IRF digital receiving channels 204, and the first combining unit 2031 is connected to the M-channel second IRF digital receiving channels 205. The first combining unit 2031 is configured to map the N antennas 201 to M second IRF digital receiving channels; the first combining unit 2031 and the second combining unit 2032 are combined together, and are configured to map the N antennas 201 to L paths of first IRF digital receiving channels.

Optionally, when N is greater than M, the signal enters the first combining unit 2031 and then analog combining is performed; when N is equal to M, the signals enter the first combining unit 2031 without analog combining.

Example 2

Fig. 4 shows another schematic block diagram of the communication apparatus 200. As shown in fig. 4, the analog power splitting and combining network 203 may include a first combining unit 2031, a second combining unit 2032, and a switch 2033, where the first combining unit 2031 is connected to the N antennas 201 (e.g., connected to the N antennas 201 through the analog precoding unit 202), and is connected to the switch 2033, the switch 2033 is connected to the second combining unit 2032 and the M-channel second IRF digital receiving channel 205, and the second combining unit 2032 is connected to the L-channel first IRF digital receiving channel 204. The first combining unit 2031 is configured to map the N antennas 201 to M second IRF digital receiving channels; the first combining unit 2031 and the second combining unit 2032 are combined together, and are configured to map the N antennas 201 to L paths of first IRF digital receiving channels.

The switch 2033 is configured to control to turn on the L-channel first IRF digital receiving channel 204 or the M-channel second IRF digital receiving channel 205. For example, when the L-path first IRF digital receiving channel 204 may also be used for channel estimation, the switch 2033 default to turn on the L-path first IRF digital receiving channel 204, if the signal quality of the second signal satisfies the preset condition, the baseband processing unit 206 determines to perform channel estimation through the M-path second IRF digital receiving channel 205, the switch 2033 turns on the M-path second IRF digital receiving channel 205, if the signal quality of the second signal does not satisfy the preset condition, the baseband processing unit 206 determines to perform channel estimation through the L-path first IRF digital receiving channel 2045, and the switch 2033 continues to turn on the L-path first IRF digital receiving channel 204.

It is understood that the analog power splitting and combining unit 203 shown in fig. 4 may also not include the first combining unit 2031, and the function of the first combining unit 2031 is implemented by the switch 2033.

In the embodiment of the present application, the communication apparatus 200 may further include a mixing unit.

Alternatively, the mixing unit may be implemented by a mixer.

The setting position of the mixing unit is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, as shown in fig. 5, the mixing unit 2034 may be provided in an analog power splitting and combining unit. For another example, the mixing unit may be provided in the analog pre-coding unit. Also for example, the mixing units may be independently provided. For another example, the mixing units may be respectively disposed in the analog power splitting and combining unit and the analog precoding unit.

Fig. 6 is an example of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 6, the analog pre-coding module 202 includes an adjustable gain attenuator, an adjustable gain amplifier, an amplifier, etc.; the analog power dividing and combining unit 203 includes a first combining unit 2031, a second combining unit 2032, and a frequency mixing unit 2034; the first combining unit 2031 and the second combining unit 2032 both have a combining function; the frequency mixing unit 2034 includes a plurality of mixers disposed between the first combining unit 2031 and the second combining unit 2032; the M second IRF digital reception channels are led out from the frequency mixing unit 2034.

It should be noted that the above embodiments may be implemented individually or may be implemented in combination as appropriate.

Method embodiments of the present application are described below.

Fig. 7 is a schematic flow chart of a channel estimation method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method shown in fig. 7 may be performed by the communication apparatus described above, where the communication apparatus includes N antennas, an analog power splitting and combining unit, L first middle radio frequency IRF digital receiving channels, M second IRF digital receiving channels, and a baseband processing unit, where the N antennas are connected to the L first IRF digital receiving channels and the M second IRF digital receiving channels through the analog power splitting and combining unit, the L first IRF digital receiving channels and the M second IRF digital receiving channels are connected to the baseband processing unit, the L first IRF digital receiving channels are used for transmitting data signals and control signals, the M second IRF digital receiving channels are used for channel estimation, N, L, M is a positive integer, M is less than or equal to N, and L is less than M. For the detailed description of the communication device, reference may be made to the above description, which is not repeated herein.

The method illustrated in FIG. 7 includes at least some of the following.

At 710, a communication device receives a first signal.

Optionally, the first signal is a reference signal for channel estimation.

At 720, the communications device maps the first signal onto the M second IRF digital receive channels so that the M second IRF digital receive channels process the first signal.

At 730, the communications device performs channel estimation from the first signal processed through the M second IRF digital receive channels.

In some embodiments, the L first IRF digital receiving channels may also perform channel estimation, in which case, before the communication apparatus receives the first signal, the communication apparatus may further determine whether the received signal supports channel estimation using the M second IRF digital receiving channels, that is, step 740 and step 760 may also be performed.

At 740, the communication device receives a second signal.

In 750, the communication device maps the second signal to the L-way first IRF digital receive path such that the L-way first IRF digital receive path processes the second signal.

In 760, the communication device determines to perform channel estimation through the M second IRF digital receiving channels when the signal quality of the second signal processed through the L first IRF digital receiving channels satisfies a predetermined condition.

Optionally, the indicator characterizing the signal quality of the signal may comprise at least one of RSRP, SINR, RSSI, or RSRQ.

In the embodiment of the present application, the communication apparatus 200 is provided with a first IRF digital receiving channel for transmitting the data signal and the control signal for the L channel and a second IRF digital receiving channel for performing channel estimation for the M channel, so that separate reception of the traffic signal and the reference signal for performing channel estimation can be realized. And the number of the second IRF digital receiving channels is larger than that of the first IRF digital receiving channels, so that the number of the antennas connected with the second IRF digital receiving channels is smaller than that of the antennas connected with the first IRF digital receiving channels. Therefore, although the received reference signals are also subjected to analog combining, the beam width is expanded. Therefore, when channel estimation is carried out, the beam scanning times are reduced, the system overhead and the scanning time delay are reduced, and the accuracy of channel estimation is improved.

Fig. 8 is an implementation manner of a channel estimation method according to an embodiment of the present application. The primary IRF digital receive channel in fig. 8 may correspond to the L-way first IRF digital receive channel above, and the secondary IRF digital receive channel may correspond to the M-way second IRF digital receive channel above.

In 810, the local device receives the signal sent by the opposite terminal and other interference signals of the air interface through the main IRF digital receiving channel, and detects the strength of the interference signals and the indexes such as the signal-to-noise ratio of the same useful signal.

At 820, the local device determines whether the performance requirements are met by receiving the reference signal via the auxiliary IRF digital receive channel. When the reference signal received through the auxiliary IRF channel meets the performance requirement, perform step 830; when the reception of the reference signal through the auxiliary IRF channel does not meet the performance requirement, step 840 is performed.

At 830, the local device receives the channel estimation reference signal through the auxiliary IRF digital receiving channel, and receives the channel estimation reference signal through less beam scanning, and collects the channel information of the full space in time division.

In 840, the local device receives the channel estimation reference signal through the main IRF digital receiving channel, and receives the channel estimation reference signal through multiple beam scans, and collects the channel information of the full space in a time-sharing manner.

At 850, channel estimation is performed according to a reference signal received by the auxiliary IRF digital receiving channel or the main IRF digital receiving channel, a codebook is calculated, and the codebook is configured to the analog precoding module.

It is to be understood that in the above embodiments, the communication device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments. These steps or operations are merely examples, and other operations or variations of various operations may be performed by embodiments of the present application. Further, the various steps may be performed in a different order presented in the embodiments, and not all of the operations in the embodiments of the application may be performed. The sequence number of each step does not mean the execution sequence, and the execution sequence of each process should be determined by the function and the inherent logic of the process, and should not be limited in any way to the implementation process of the embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 9, the communication device 900 may include a processing unit 910 and a transceiving unit 920.

Alternatively, the communication apparatus 900 may correspond to the communication apparatus 200 in the above method embodiment.

It is to be understood that the communication device 900 may comprise means for performing the method performed by the communication device of the methods shown in fig. 7-8. Also, the units and other operations and/or functions described above in the communication apparatus 900 are respectively for realizing the corresponding flows of the methods shown in fig. 7 to 8.

When the communication apparatus 900 is configured to perform the steps performed by the communication apparatus in fig. 7, the processing unit 910 is configured to perform the

steps

720, 730, 750, and 760, and the transceiver unit 920 is configured to perform the

steps

710 and 720. When the communication apparatus 900 is configured to perform the steps performed by the local device in fig. 8, the processing unit 910 is configured to perform the

steps

820 and 850, and the transceiving unit 920 is configured to perform the

steps

810, 830, and 840.

It is to be understood that the transceiving unit 920 in the communication device 900 may be implemented by a transceiver, an input/output interface, a circuit, etc., and the processing unit 910 may be implemented by at least one processor, a chip or a processor integrated on a chip system, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, etc.

It should be understood that the specific processes of the units for executing the corresponding steps are already described in detail in the above method embodiments, and therefore, for brevity, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

Fig. 10 is another schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 10, the communication device 1000 includes a processor 1010 and an interface circuit 1020. The processor 1010 and the interface circuit 1020 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1020 may be a transceiver or an input-output interface. Optionally, the communications apparatus 1000 may further include a memory 1030 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1010 or for storing input data required by the processor 1010 to execute the instructions or for storing data generated by the processor 1010 after executing the instructions.

When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the methods shown in fig. 7 to 8, the processor 1010 is configured to perform the functions of the processing unit 910, and the interface circuit 1020 is configured to perform the functions of the transceiver 920.

It is understood that the Processor in the embodiments of the present Application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), other general purpose Processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other Programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but may be any conventional processor.

The method steps in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by software instructions executed by a processor. The software instructions may be comprised of corresponding software modules that may be stored in Random Access Memory (RAM), flash Memory, Read-Only Memory (ROM), Programmable ROM (PROM), Erasable PROM (EPROM), Electrically EPROM (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in the first node, the donor node, or the first superordinate node. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in the first node, the donor node, or the first superordinate node.

In the above embodiments, the implementation may be wholly or partially realized by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part 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 the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a network of computers, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in or transmitted over a computer-readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server that integrates one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; or an optical medium, such as a DVD; it may also be a semiconductor medium, such as a Solid State Disk (SSD).

In the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or conflicting with respect to logic, the terms and/or descriptions in different embodiments have consistency and may be mutually cited, and technical features in different embodiments may be combined to form a new embodiment according to their inherent logic relationship.

In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, "a plurality" means two or more. "and/or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, meaning that there may be three relationships, e.g., a and/or B, which may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, wherein A and B can be singular or plural. In the description of the text of the present application, the character "/" generally indicates that the former and latter associated objects are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of the present application, the character "/" indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in a relationship of "division".

It is to be understood that the various numerical references referred to in the embodiments of the present application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes do not mean the execution sequence, and the execution sequence of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the implementation. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It is clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described apparatus embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one logical division, and there may be other divisions when actually implementing, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not implemented. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application or portions thereof that substantially contribute to the prior art may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium and including instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: various media capable of storing program codes, such as a usb disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

The above description is only for the specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of the changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and shall be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communications apparatus, comprising: the antenna comprises N antennas, an analog power splitting and combining unit, L first middle radio frequency IRF digital receiving channels, M second IRF digital receiving channels and a baseband processing unit, wherein the N antennas are connected with the L first IRF digital receiving channels and the M second IRF digital receiving channels through the analog power splitting and combining unit, the L first IRF digital receiving channels and the M second IRF digital receiving channels are connected with the baseband processing unit, the L first IRF digital receiving channels are used for transmitting data signals and control signals, the M second IRF digital receiving channels are used for carrying out channel estimation, N, L, M is a positive integer, M is less than or equal to N, and L is less than M;

the N antennas are used for receiving a first signal;

the analog power splitting and combining unit is configured to map the first signals from the N antennas onto the M second IRF digital receiving channels;

and the baseband processing unit is used for performing channel estimation according to the first signal processed by the M paths of second IRF digital receiving channels.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the M second IRF digital receive channels comprise devices having lower performance than devices comprising the L first IRF digital receive channels.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2,

the L paths of first IRF digital receiving channels are also used for carrying out channel estimation;

the N antennas are further configured to receive a second signal before receiving the first signal;

the analog power splitting and combining unit is further configured to map the second signals from the N antennas to the L-path first IRF digital receiving channel;

the baseband processing unit is further configured to determine to perform channel estimation through the M second IRF digital receiving channels when the signal quality of the second signal processed through the L first IRF digital receiving channels meets a preset condition.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mapping relationship between the N antennas and the M second IRF digital receiving channels is static or dynamic.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the analog power splitting and combining unit comprises a power splitter and a combiner.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the analog power splitting and combining unit further comprises at least one of a switch, a mixer, or a low noise power amplifier.

7. A channel estimation method is applied to a communication device including N antennas, an analog power splitting and combining unit, L first middle radio frequency IRF digital receiving channels, M second IRF digital receiving channels, and a baseband processing unit, where the N antennas are connected to the L first IRF digital receiving channels and the M second IRF digital receiving channels through the analog power splitting and combining unit, the L first IRF digital receiving channels and the M second IRF digital receiving channels are connected to the baseband processing unit, the L first IRF digital receiving channels are used for transmitting data signals and control signals, the M second IRF digital receiving channels are used for channel estimation, N, L, M is a positive integer, M is less than or equal to N, and L is less than M;

the communication device receiving a first signal;

the communication device mapping the first signal onto the M second IRF digital receive channels;

the communication device performs channel estimation according to the first signal processed by the M second IRF digital receiving channels.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the L first IRF digital receive paths are further configured for channel estimation, and wherein prior to the communication device receiving the first signal, the method further comprises:

the communication device receiving a second signal;

the communication device mapping the second signal to the L-way first IRF digital receive channel;

and when the signal quality of the second signal processed by the L paths of first IRF digital receiving channels meets a preset condition, the communication device determines to carry out channel estimation through the M paths of second IRF digital receiving channels.

9. A communications apparatus comprising at least one processor configured to execute a computer program stored in memory to cause the apparatus to implement the method of claim 7 or 8.

10. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a communication interface for inputting and/or outputting information;

a processor for executing a computer program for causing the apparatus to carry out the method of claim 7 or 8.

11. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory for storing a computer program;

a processor for calling and running the computer program from the memory to cause the apparatus to implement the method of claim 7 or 8.

12. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of claim 7 or 8.